Campfire Stories

The Lovely Bones (Alice Sebold)

2009-06-21T13:24:00.002-07:00

Ya’ll this is an AMAZING book. I know so many people who have read it, and a friend of mine even bought me the book because I kept coming up with excuses not to read it. That was two years ago, and I finally picked it up. I think I kept putting it off because I find that movies and books that people hail as grand and glorious, never seem to reach the expectations I have set for them in my mind. The Lovely Bones hit all the marks. I read it within the week. (This is record breaking for me.) Such a lovely, lovely story. The book is narrated by a 14 year-old girl who has been murdered by an unsuspecting neighbor. She watches from Heaven as her family, friends, and even her murderer cope after her death. A brilliant and well-written novel--like nothing I've read before! You MUST put it on your summer reading list. (My only complaint is that there are numerous missing commas--Eek! Why can’t I read a book without subconsciously editing it?)

WE'VE MOVED!

2008-08-11T21:30:00.002-07:00

www.mattwillms.net

Roasting

2008-08-04T20:18:00.003-07:00

Please stop being a million degrees in my house!

I can no longer stand it!

Thank you!

OMG Magic Erasers!!!

2008-08-03T09:46:00.005-07:00

So...I don't know how it works, or what it's made of, but this product is genius. Matt looked it up on Wikipedia, and he says they are made out of melamine foam, but whatever, I say it's made out of magic. It took the stains off my bath tub; it took paint off the bathroom countertops. It could probably even get rid of headaches if you rub it on your forehead just right.

"Matt, scribble on the walls with crayon so I can use my magic erasers!"

Updates from Married Life!

2008-08-01T14:16:00.008-07:00

The Wedding: First of all, let me just say that I did not cry at my own wedding. Now, this might come as a surprise to some--especially myself--since I have been planning for the last 26 years to cry when my dad gave me away and when I recited my vows. Turns out, the whole getting married part was sooo easy. For those of you who weren't there: The ceremony was beautiful, if I do say so myself. Except for the part where one of my bridesmaid's dress almost fell off on the altar, but seriously, that was the ONLY thing that did not go according to plan the whole day. The reception was amazing. The only thing I really remember is the first dance and cutting the cake and then leaving. When people say the day flies by in a blur, they are totally right. I kept thinking, "not me, I'm going to soak in every moment..." and then the next thing I knew I was in Barbados. The Honeymoon: Barbados was beautiful...and so was the complementary rum punch. The beaches were clean and the water was so clear you thought you were in the pool. The reef was 50 yards from shore, so Matt and I enjoyed snorkeling every afternoon. The Bajan food was sooo good, too. We had the traditional flying fish and macaroni pie...it would easily knock your socks off. The Move: It seems like the minute we got home we were moving to Starkville. We loaded everything we owned--and half of what our parents owned--into a Penske truck and headed out. Matt is a very ambitious and organized person, so our house was totally unpacked, rearranged, and everything was in its spot in 48 hours. So now we have been kicking back and enjoying our new place ever since. Welcome to AT&T: Another blessing that our move to Starkville has brought to the table is our ability to get out of our Verizon contracts FREE OF CHARGE since we fall in an extended network!!! This is perfect because now I can finally throw my worthless phone into a lake just like I have always said I was going to do! Now, I am pleased to say that when you call me, I can totally answer your call now and my ridiculously cute phone wont cut us off. New Dishes: Now, in an earlier blog, perhaps you remember me discussing my moral dilemma on our choice of everyday dishes. I am excited to announce that the various colors of Fiesta-ware were a wonderful choice. However, I am unexcited to announce that I--not Matt, surprisingly enough--was the one to break the first dish. It was just one little juice glass. And I'm not quite sure how it happened...and I am not ready to talk about it. Moving On: I chopped all my hair off yesterday and it feels SOOO GOOD! Matt is intrigued by this "new woman" in the house.

2008-06-30T20:38:00.002-07:00

Can my hubcaps PLEASE stop flying off my car! This is the second hubcap I have lost this month! I am so close to just ripping all four of them --excuse me: all TWO of them-- off and calling it a "fashion statement." Stupid hubcaps!!! I can't afford to keep replacing you!!!

Homeownership = awesome!

2008-06-28T05:48:00.003-07:00

Well, our apartment is now officially gorgeous! After four looooooong days of taping, painting, and putting it all back together, we have a lot to show for it. Unfortunately, i didn't have my camera with me, so no pictures were taken. hopefully we will be back in there some time this week when the people from Lowe's come to install the new wood floors and carpet.

Here are the things Matt and I learned from the whole experience:

1. Be patient: Those faux wood blinds will stay on the wall....eventually.

2. Drink lots of fluids: Dehydration can strike when you least expect it. Also, you are quite worthless to the team that way.

3. Shop hard for a bargain: There are amazing deals to be had at Lowe's if only you play your cards right. Also, bring a lot of confusing price checks to the register and then throw in a 10% off coupon half way through the purchase. Insane savings!

Pictures next week! Now I am off to a friend's wedding!

Wallpaper is hung by Satan...

2008-06-22T19:41:00.004-07:00

Exciting news: Matt and I got the keys to the condo earlier than we thought. We got the call around 3:00 on Thursday that the tenants had moved out and it was ready for us to move in. So, by 3:30 we were on the road and headed to Starkville to see the place. We stayed up all night cleaning cabinets and bathrooms; patching nail holes in the wall (and the previous owner was like "Oooo-we! I love poking me some holes in the walls!"); wiping down walls and baseboards; and tearing down wallpaper.

And let me tell you a thing or two about wallpaper: First of all, whoever thought wallpaper was ever a good idea for home decor can go take a long walk off a short pier. The wallpaper in the kitchen was heinous AND it covered all four walls in the kitchen! We planned to take it all down and paint the kitchen a bright spring green color. And everyone we talked to was like "Oh, its easy--should come down in SHEETS!" I call those people liars. That wallpaper came down in tiny, tiny pieces. We used wallpaper remover, hot water, and brute force. It was miserable. There was a lot of spackling to be done afterwards in the places where we took our aggressions out on the wall. We still have about a foot wide boarder around the top of the two walls, where they didn't prime underneath and it's welded to the sheet rock. (...Excellent...)

Tomorrow we get to go back and paint, which is the fun part. So I will be sure to post some before-and-after shots at the end of the week!

SOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOT!

2008-06-14T16:41:00.003-07:00

So, today was my day for bridal portraits, and being the silly naive bride that I am, I arranged to have my pictures taken outside....in the middle of June...at 3:00 in the afternoon for the "best lighting." We were in front of Reunion subdivision--the big white antebellum home off 463? The other portraits that I saw from there were just so breathtaking and so....Southern. With the lush green landscaping and the massive white columns, who else has this advantage if they don't live in the South? Anyways, given all my options, it was the one thing I was set on: I wanted outdoor portraits. So I had my hair done in a very classic up-do; I wore the pearls Matt gave me; Stacey made me a very elegant white and green bouquet. I was set. But, seriously, ten minutes into taking those pictures, I felt like I was going to faint! I was posing one minute and the next thing I know, my vision is going in and out, blackness was creeping in around the edges, and there were two moms next to me swaying back and forth in the wind. Scary! I have NEVER passed out or gotten a weak stomach or anything.

So now this just confirms my biggest fear: I totally might pass out on the alter! EEEK!!!

Problem?

2008-06-10T19:37:00.002-07:00

Our first wedding-related problem: So apparently sometime between last August when the Save-The-Dates went out and today, the Marriot's 1-800 number has been re-routed to the New Orleans central office. So this means that if people call now to book hotel reservations, they have to specify that they are booking for the Harkins-Williams wedding in JACKSON. Or else, they get registered in New Orleans.

This is only a slight problem, now that we have done damage control and contacted most of our out of town guests who might have hotel reservations.

This was a much BIGGER problem this morning when one of our family's friends called me to say that they tried to book their reservations for the wedding and the receptionist's response was "What??....The Harkins-Williams wedding???...no one is booked here under that name!!! We don't even have an event scheduled for that weekend."

Heart-Attack! Heart-Attack! Heart-Attack!

American Justice

2008-06-04T12:40:00.004-07:00

You know what I love? Watching American Justice marathons on A&E. And the reason is simple: I love America, and I love Justice. Also, I love Bill Curtis, who hosts the show in his spooky man-voice. He could say, "I ate a peanut-butter and jelly sandwich..." and it would make me shiver. Other note-worthy shows are Cold Case and City Confidential. The only thing I don't appreciate: the episodes that they show at 10 a.m. are the same as those they show at 4 p.m. Please don't tease me, A&E!!

Monthly Update

2008-05-24T06:36:00.010-07:00

Dear Readers,

I am so sorry that my updates have dwindled to the occasionally blurb. The truth is I did more work in the last month of school than I did all semester. Next year--where ever I may be--I will NOT assign 87 research papers to be due the first of May. The Ap exam went well for my students--I think. The majority of them said it was not as hard as the practice tests that I gave them in class, so that is a comforting feeling.

But enough of school--school is OVER!!! I am a free woman with no strings attached. Here are just a few of the things that you have missed out on since my last blog:

1. ALL-CLAD!!!--I got my fabulous new All-Clad pot and pans for my birthday. I cannot wait to cook something in those babies!

2. Matt and I spent a weekend in Starkville with my parents looking for houses. And after a whole day of looking at houses that seduced us with their hardwood floors and their granite countertops and all new stainless appliances and gigantic laundry rooms, we woke up in the morning and said "Maybe we should look at apartments..." So at the very last minute--on our way out of town--we stopped at one complex and made a really great decision on 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath townhouse. It's so cute. The first thing we are going to have to redo is the kitchen, as it had two different types of hideous wallpaper. And now Matt and I are knee-deep in paint swatches and spend all of our free-time wandering the isles of Lowe's. SO. MUCH. FUN.

3. Some of our family friends threw us a very nice stock-the-bar party. We now have A LOT of booze to celebrate through the next five years of marriage--at least.

4. The bridesmaid's dresses are in AND my wedding dress has been hemmed and it looks fabulous! I get to pick it up next week! I am so tempted to post a picture of it, but that would probably bordering on bad-luck.

5. Getting married in 49 days!!! 7 weeks from today!!!

I Will Never Go To Bed...Never!

2008-05-07T20:47:00.004-07:00

I have decided that the worst chore in the whole wide world, is writing stupid comprehensive exams. ABSOLUTE WORST!!! I would rather clean toilets, scrub grout, fold laundry (*shudder*), do sit-ups, eat anchovies, milk a cow, fast for 36 hours, or learn a new frickin language. I would rather be a student and pull an all-nighter studying for an impossible test than face being a teaching and write this stupid exam for one more minute.

26th Birthday: How Did That Happen??

2008-05-04T07:29:00.004-07:00

So another year has come and gone. I am still stuck on the same realization I came to this time last year: When did I have a 24th birthday? I seriously don't remember that one at all.

But this year was quite memorable--Matt was home, and we got to celebrate together. He got me some new fancy chef knives, and I cannot wait to chop something! Also, I got some fabulous pearl earring that he said I could "wear with my wedding dress." What a great idea, Matthew!

And THEN, as if that was not enough, we ate dinner at Ro'Chez in Ridgeland. It's a very intimate setting with only room for a few couples each night, and the 5 course menu changes every weekend. We arrived early and talked over a couple glasses of wine (And at this point, I'd like to add a shameless plug for TOASTED HEAD--Both the cab-sav and the merlot are fabulous. Do not be mislead by the ridiculous name or the fire breathing grizzly bear on the label; it is very serious wine.)

Our Menu was wonderful. The third course was by far the best: the most tender beef medallions in a chocolate/balsamic vinegar reduction sauce over cheese grits. I came very close to asking for seconds, and Matt said it made him--and I quote--"want to squeal like a little girl."

And I think that about sums up the whole evening... Also, as it turns out, eating for two and a half hours is a very exhausting task.

Ummm...Where is my summer glow you might ask?

2008-04-21T19:58:00.002-07:00

So its practically summer --as you can tell by the insane number of short shorts out-and-about this weekend-- and some of you may be wondering about my summer glow. Well, I am a little bummed to find that both Wal-Mart and Target have failed to stock my Vaseline Intensive Care Summer Glow for Fair Skin. And by fail to stock, I don't mean they are merely out of this item and more of this product will be coming soon. I mean that there is not even a place or a sticker for it on the shelf. They only stock lotions for MEDIUM skin. This is a problem in and of itself, because clearly the people who need this subtle tan are the fair skinned folks in the first place--am I right?? This is going to be a HUGE problem!

Oh, Bubble Bath--I May Never Have Time For You Again...

2008-04-13T19:15:00.004-07:00

Remember that time I said I was in the market for a personal assistant? Well now you can update that job description to personal assistant/maid. I could totally use someone to put away my laundry and clean my bathroom while I work my way through this mountain of grading before me. Also, my bed is not going to make itself, and the dishwasher is just not big enough for all my dishes.

And maybe if my new personal assistant/maid could also become a part-time personal shopper on the side that would be MAGNIFICENT. Because I simply do not have the time or energy to shop for new bridal shower/luncheon/brunch/engagement party dresses after work.

And while I'm sitting here wishing and hoping, go ahead and upgrade this personal assistant/maid/personal shopper to teacher's aid as well. I just need someone to read essays a couple hours each night, and maybe I can go back to doing fun stuff for myself, like playing WoW or reading for fun or watch some TV....

2008-04-08T04:32:00.003-07:00

What a wonderful day! Matt came to the school to pick up my car and get the oil changed. He also washed and waxed my car; vacuumed the interior; armor alled everything inside and out; replaced a few necessary filters; and even got me a new steering wheel cover. I feel like I'm driving a new car. He came home so exhausted though, and he still had to tidy up the house, take out the trash, and unload/load the dishwasher. I helped him because I felt bad--In just one day, I had turned him into an under-appreciated housewife :(

WordCloud

2008-04-06T06:37:00.002-07:00

This is so fun. It's the story of my life in a hundred words or less!

Congratulations Matt, you made the list TWICE!

Wednesday March 26

2008-03-26T04:07:00.002-07:00

I am not ready to go back to work today. I am soooooo tired. I could easily sleep for another day and a half...

We're Registered!

2008-03-18T05:40:00.006-07:00

Yesterday was exhausting, but Matt and I knocked out the majority of our wedding registry. We decided on china and crystal and everyday dishes at Belk; and Bed, Bath, and Beyond just had too many gadgets to pass up. Here is a sneak peak at our china: Blue Duchess by Vera Wang. Its white with a delicate blue boarder around the edge AND there is this really cool accent plate that we are going to trade all of the salad plates for. However, there is not one single picture of it anywhere on the internet. It has a wide blue rim with a pattern of brown leaves. Love it! And for our everyday dishes (a huge decision) we registered for a combination of plain jane white dinner plates and pasta bowls and combined it with the cereal bowl, coffee mug, and salad plate from the Lennox Chirp pattern. It matches perfectly. I loved the little watercolor flowers and accents on the chirp plates, but not necessarily the big bold turquoise dinner plate, so we invented our own place setting--I think its going to sweep the nation soon. And here is the interesting part: We originally went to Belk for the china and the everyday and the crystal because they had the biggest selection. And then we went to Bed, Beth, and Beyond for the greatest selection of kitchen gadgetry. And when we registered at BBB, the guy said he was going to pull my Belk items and also list them at BBB so that people can see everything in both places. Nice, right? Well at then end of the day, he printed out our final registry, and it turns out that my china--my Vera Wang china--that the lady said is never on sale at Belk, is literally HALF-PRICE at BBB. Crazy??? So, yes, this is amazing. I am getting my fancy gravy boat for sure now!!

THIEF!

2008-03-12T16:27:00.002-07:00

I think someone stole my hot dog! So, I packed lunch for yesterday--two hot dogs and two pieces of bread (only 3 weight watchers points)--but we had a teacher luncheon provided by the parents, so I left my lunch bag in the fridge. So today, I grab my lunch and--WTF!!!!--I have two pieces of bread and only one dog! So I'm like maybe I am...loosing my mind?? Perhaps I miscounted my dogs yesterday morning. Only this was not the case, because I looked in the fridge today, and sure enough--only TWO hot dogs are missing from the package. Bizarre! Who would do such a thing?

Coffeeeeeeeeeee!

2008-03-05T17:17:00.005-07:00

OMG! Let me tell you what three cups of coffee at 2:00 in the afternoon can do: Ifinishedupmygrading, postedgradesonline, wroteastudentrecommendation, wroteatest, taughtaclass, wenttothegym, ran3miles, liftedweights, wenttothegrocerystore, camehome, tookashower, fixeddinner, vacummedthelivingroom, and unloadedthedishwasher.

Next up: aquickloadoflaundry, afewroundsofAlteracValley, and writingmyNewYorkTimesBestseller!

I <3 Coffee...

2008-03-03T15:31:00.002-07:00

This is ridiculous! So I wanted to show Lord of the Flies the movie to my class before we had the test on it. I never show movies, and the kids are really into the book, so I thought I would let it go. Matt and I went to every movie store in town yesterday looking for it--all checked out. I swing by BOTH madison libraries after school today--closed due to inclement weather! Seriously??!! Its a little wind and rain. You close at 5 p.m. anyways. Give me a break!

2008-03-02T18:22:00.002-07:00

Sundays just ruin my whole week. It's like you get to have a nice relaxing day: sleep in a little, go to church, eat dinner, nap, watch a movie, swing by the mall maybe. And the weather is all nice outside--and all-around perfect day. But in the back of your brain you know you need to worry about work because tomorrow is Monday. And Mondays are the worst.

I cannot WAIT for Spring Break. I am feeling a little burnt out.

2008-02-24T21:07:00.007-07:00

Yeah, this might surprise some readers,

but I think its awesome and inspiring ...

Not to mention that it is an AP Language

teacher's pet: Just LOOK at all the

rhetorical strategies--Antimetabole,

Allusion, Asyndeton,Personification

Synecdoche, Anaphora...

/drool

So Distracted....

2008-02-21T21:05:00.002-07:00

Amazing news: Tomorrow, Matt leaves Fort Huachuca and the Army for good. I can't believe it....48 hours until he is back in Jackson: the countdown has begun!

Seriously people, update your blogs! I cannot focus on any of my school work and the least you can do is entertain me with your updated blogs. Geez!

LOLs

2008-02-21T18:49:00.003-07:00

Ok, so I stole this from Natalie's blog, but I thought I should spread the word... My heart goes out to the blonde headed boy and his lunchable...
Find more videos like this on People's Improv Theater

Lunar Eclipse?

2008-02-20T21:20:00.002-07:00

Quote of the day: "Oh well, so much for science!"

So my roommate and I are outside on our balcony, braving the wind and the sprinkles to try to the see the lunar eclipse that is being blocked by clouds and city lights and apartment building #300. At least we tried. "Oh well, so much for science..."

Damn it!!!

2008-02-18T20:56:00.001-07:00

.....I have wrinkles.....

/emo...

Show Me Your Dishes!

2008-02-12T18:58:00.000-07:00

No seriously....show me your dishes. I guess I've never really paid attention to people's dishes when I eat at their house. I know Holly has fiesta ware and my parents have these beige color plates with like stalks of wheat on them or something, but.....What does the rest of America have? See the thing is, I am now shopping for dishes. Or, rather, I should say I'm OBSESSED with shopping for dishes. I mean, I want everything and nothing all at the same time. I've looked online at Belk, Linen's and Things, Bed Bath and Beyond, Pottery Barn, and Macy's. (PS--Does dinnerware exist anywhere else? You let me know...) I've seen a million patterns and they are all...well....ugly. Nothing that screams I WANT TO LIVE WITH MATT AND MARIE!!!! You know? What if today I really like Fire by Denby, but tomorrow they look dated and out of style? What if I register for these blue plates, but they don't match my future kitchen? And seriously, how many sets of dishes does one girl--who really hates washing dishes in the first place--need? All these "How to Get Married" books tell me that I should register for like FIVE various types of china. Now, I know I want my formal dinnerware to be plain-jane white. But what about my everyday stuff? On what kind of plates should I eat grilled cheese and leftover meatloaf? THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT KEEP ME UP AT NIGHT!!!

So, if any one has suggestions on dishes and/or where to purchase said dishes. Please post your comment...

Also, I have recently included Matt in my quest for the perfect dinnerware. Let's just say there was a skull-and-cross-bones coffee mug involved...clearly I need to seek outside advice....

February 12th

2008-02-12T18:18:00.000-07:00

Wow! I just realized something HUGE: Five months from today....I'll be.......MARRIED!

/whoa

Also...

2008-02-10T20:24:00.000-07:00

This is just to say that I am sick and tired of writing these damn papers!!! I will be so glad when these Belhaven classes are over. Two papers down; 4 more to go....

For Mandy...

2008-02-10T20:13:00.000-07:00

There is this AMAZING candle that I got for Christmas--Cherry Cobbler. I started burning it the other day, and it is the most fragrant thing ever!! I had it in my bathroom so that I could enjoy it while I sat at my computer and wrote papers all day; lets just say it filled the whole house with the smell of dessert. Right now its not even lit, and I can still smell it. Good stuff! And it's all handmade by a lady in Byram. Hooray for local businesses!

(PS--perhaps I should explain to avoid any confusion: So, I have a master bedroom, so my bathroom is connected to my bedroom. I didn't want you to get the idea that I type my papers in the bathroom....)

Damn you, Diet Coke!!!!

2008-02-09T17:38:00.000-07:00

So I gave up soft drinks for Lent. I am now tired and grumpy all the time. And my head is pounding. And I am looking here at this glass of Tea saying, "Come on....you know you're just as good as those other guys..." But its not; its all a lie; the Tea is a colossal let down.

Six more to go!!

2008-02-08T18:53:00.000-07:00

Excellent news: Thanks to Weight Watchers, I am within SIX pounds of my wedding weight!

Good News: My clothes don't fit!!!
Bad News: My clothes don't fit??!!

Seriously, none of my work clothes fit. At first, all my pants were loose, and that was kinda flattering, but now I look at these wonderful pants that I bought just 6 months ago, and they are literally falling off my body. How annoying! And I have no money for new clothes. Who knew loosing weight was going to be so expensive??

And nothing gets me out of the blogger's rut quite like some T-Rex!

2008-02-03T11:27:00.000-07:00

Adult life actually goes more like this: "oooo! A new cream cheese?!! I should try this on a beagle!"

Gigantic Update

2008-02-03T10:50:00.000-07:00

1. Matty is finally HOME!!! See: here is proof: I went to Arizona to visit him over Martin Luther King Weekend. He was splendid; just the way I left him. Also, I miss Tucson and Sierra Vista enormously. I cried when I left, not so much because I was saying good bye to Matt (again....i feel this is a theme with us?), but because I knew it would be a long time before I was there again.

2. I bought a new camera! Mostly because neither one of us had a camera when I went to visit, but also because I old Kodak is on its last leg. I have an Olympus now. Its smaller than a deck of cards and takes quality pictures. It is my new favorite toy...

3. WEIGHT WATCHERS!!!! I have joined weight watchers. By far one of the best things that has happened to me (third only to 1) being born and 2) getting engaged). I love it! I'm doing the online version and its almost addicting! I love counting points and finding healthier alternatives to the foods I enjoy. Who knew that loosing weight could be so easy! (I swear I could be an Ad)

4. And going along with the whole weight watchers thing, let me mention this: COLLAR BONES! Yay! I told myself I want to loose just enough weight so that my collar bones poke out of my wedding dress. Nothing too gross and bony, but just enough so that people know they are there. And now I totally have them; How exciting!!

5. Cons: Collar bones feel gross!

6. Fiber One! My new favorite snack: Peanut butter and oats Fiber One bars. They are sweet chewy goodness in every bite. They are 3 weight watchers points well spent. However, sometimes they are so good that I feel compelled to eat FOUR. I don't....mostly because of the insane amount of fiber in just one (9 grams). I pity the fool who actually ATTEMPTS to eat four....

This is just to say...

2008-01-02T22:16:00.000-07:00

It is 19 degrees outside--NINE. TEEN.--That is uncalled for. I don't want your stinking 19 degrees unless it comes with a couple inches of snow and another day off from work!!

Someone at the post office is seriously going to die...

2007-12-19T13:37:00.000-07:00

1. i got a slip in my box yesterday that said my Christmas package from Matt was in. I go to the post office yesterday afternoon and the lady had not returned from her route yet, so there was no package.

2. today i wait in line so excited about getting my package, and the guy (Mike) comes back and is like "it's not there." no explanation, he just takes my name and number and says he'll give me a call if it shows up.

3. So i get back to my apartment just as the mailman is getting there and i ask HIM about my package, thinking maybe he had it on his route today. but he says no.

4. so i call the post office and talk to the manager (wanda) and i'm like "so...my package from my fiance overseas is lost and apparently no one really cares about this fact but me..." she was very nice. she said she'd have an answer for me by 4:00 today.

5. if she doesn't, someone will die. And I think it will be Mike.

2007-12-19T05:34:00.000-07:00

Oh, T-Rex, you are hilarious! I feel you say things better than I know how to say them ...in words.

2007-12-12T15:39:00.000-07:00

Anyone out there not started their Christmas shopping? Besides me? If so, we should get together, do lunch, and talk about how much Christmas shopping we still have left to do. I am thinking.....sushi. You let me know.

2007-12-03T05:17:00.000-07:00

I am dreading this day. Can't it just be Tuesday already....

Let The Countdown Begin!

2007-11-03T08:20:00.000-07:00

Only 18 days till THANKSGIVING!!!! And only 17 days till PIE DAY!!!

"When you die, if you get the chance to go to regular heaven or pie heaven, choose pie heaven. It might be atrick, but if it's not, mmmmm, boy!" --Jack Handy

Mooned!

2007-11-02T16:50:00.000-07:00

So today, I am on the interstate, driving home from work. And I couldn't help but notice that the kids on the school bus in front of me were jumping around in the back of the bus like a bunch of hooligans. And I said to myself, "those kids need to sit their butts down, before someone goes flying though the back window." Just as I said that, this kid in the back seat MOONED me!!! Are you kidding??? And to make the story even better...it was a short bus. AH-HaHaHaHaHa!!

LONG DAY

2007-10-29T17:09:00.000-07:00

I. HATE. WRITING. TESTS.

SERIOUSLY.

Fun times!

2007-08-06T17:36:00.000-07:00

Yay! Wedding planning festivities are SOOOO exciting. Mom and I met with the caterer and reception site today. It is way more fabulous than I had envisioned!! In fact, I am almost disappointed that the wedding is a whole YEAR away (well, actually only 340 days to go); I want to get married now!

HUGE update!

2007-08-05T22:13:00.000-07:00

1. Matt and I are ENGAGED! I know, I know, it's almost a month overdue, but I am just now finding the time to update this thing. He proposed while he was home on R&R from Iraq. Very Romantic, very unexpected, and altogether wonderful. Wedding plans are in motion, and I am suddenly a very busy woman. Thank goodness for my Mom, the wedding planner, who has everything under control.
2. So, while Matt was home we saw Transformers the movie. It was, surprisingly, the best movie of the summer. I take back all the mean things I said about the Transformers.
3. Also while Matt was home, we were able to go to the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows release party. Good times were had by all. We wore our complimentary glasses and meandered around Barnes and Noble, with our pre-ordered wristbands, anxiously awaiting midnight. (Nerds! Nerds! Nerds!)

These are the things that keep me up at night...

2007-07-07T05:27:00.000-07:00

Where do baby kitties go when it rains? I listened to it rain all night long and I couldn't stop thinking about the litter of kittens in the brush behind the dumpster at the apartment complex. What are they doing in this weather? I hope they are alright. Anyways, I feel very sad for them. I wish I could box them all up and bring them home with me. But, Lucy and Susan would kill me. Another thing that keep me up at night: The theme song to Inspector Gadget. Don't even ask me why, but every time I try to go to sleep, that song just pops in my head and I can't get it out. And it only has two words to it! Annoying!!

2007-07-05T19:53:00.000-07:00

Let's just say, after yesterday, I feel like a brand new woman. Food poisoning, as it turns out, is not fun. Especially when you are too weak and dehydrated to drag yourself to the Kangaroo down the street and get some Gatorade. (Thanks Brittany!)
Today, I took it easy and actually started working on my lesson plans for next year. And I started with my 9th grade class, which I am VERY excited to be teaching. So I reread Of Mice and Men, and found myself CRYING like a baby at the end. I remember when I first read it in high school, I thought it was so boring, and I thought the ending was stupid, for lack of a better word. But this time around, I cried for Lennie. Who knew. Tomorrow: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe.

People Won't Think You Are Good At Talking Anymore.

2007-07-04T13:33:00.000-07:00

Today's Dino comic is HILARIOUS! (That is God talking in the last panel, by the way). I really seem to identify with T-Rex at times. I definitely need to beef up my vocabulary as part of a personal growth project. And also, I am having a scuffle with food poisoning. Don't get the beef burrito at Cozumel's.

Damn Squirrles!!!

2007-07-03T20:02:00.000-07:00

OKAY, I know its before FOREVER!!! But this incident just pulled me out of my blogging slump, and it all has to do with those damn squirrels! So, several weeks ago, my friend Stacey gave me this beautiful orange Lilly. So I take it home, buy it a nice little planter, give it some fancy miracle grow soil, water it when it's thirsty. All in all, it looks like I'm growing a healthy little plant. And then.....I come home this afternoon to find that SQUIRRELS have EATEN my PLANT! They have also dug all the top soil out of the planter! AND they have eaten the plastic base that holds all the extra water for my plant! So now when I water the plant all the water flows right out the sides. WTF!!!! I was all excited to have cute little plants growing in my cute little planters for when Matt comes home, so he can see how domesticated I have become, and yet, those damn squirrels have ruined everything!

Weekend Update

2007-05-13T19:46:00.000-07:00

1. My boyfriend's grandmother is trying to find a good home for some adorable kittens. If you know of someone who would like one, let me know and I'll hook you up. I, personally, am tempted to adopt the whole litter, as they are just so cute and little. Matt said he was afraid he would come home, only to find out that I have turned into Crazy Cat Lady in his absence. Regardless, I am still tempted..... You see that grey and white calico?? I want him....

2. I got a letter in the mail from my car insurance company: Happy 25th birthday; you are now saving $22.00 a year on car insurance. SCORE!

3. Everyone I know is graduating: Jennifer, Maggie, Holly....I feel so old. My college graduation seems like a million years ago. I don't even remember college that well anymore. *sigh*

The End.

Six Grievences About Bathing Suits

2007-05-07T18:43:00.000-07:00

The following are ten of my grievances about bathing suits. In no particular order:

1. What is the deal with brown this year? I love a nice brown shirt; I enjoy brown shoes and brown purses. But brown bathing suits are a terrible idea. What happened to summery fun blue colors. I look good in blue. Brown....not so much.

2. Separates. Everything is sold in separates these days. While it is a good idea in theory, people like Target manage to screw it up with a vengeance. Nothing but XXL black bathing suit bottoms and XS brown tops: So. Wrong.

3. Halter tops: No way! I feel way too violated; not going to happen. Literally--Everything is a halter. I double-dog dare you to find something different out there.

4. Dressing rooms every are littered with already-tried-on bathing suits. I hate it when people don't put their stuff back on the no-go rack outside the dressing room.

5. Apparently one piece bathing suits are unfashionable or something. I feel it is my job to bring it back.

6. Also, for really ugly bathing suits, you bathing suit people have really jacked-up the prices. $120.00 for a sub-par suit? I refuse.

The End

Let the Baking Commence!

2007-05-07T18:32:00.000-07:00

So The Birthday was a big hit this year. I got a DVD library from my boyfriend, along with a couple Cd's and a new Camp Virginia t-shirt, Elaine at the office sent me flowers, Matt's parents got me a gift card, my cousins got me some jewelry, Mandy got me new flavors of drink mix to add to the beverage bar inside my purse, and last but not least....The Mom got me a pretty pretty pink mixer! It's even got a whisk so I can whisk things! Soooo exciting! Let the baking commence!

24 or 25: It's debatable

2007-05-02T05:57:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to Me! Here is a Dino comic: I am the birthday girl, Dromiceiominus. And Matt is obviously T-Rex, who is debating among his friend whether or not he should get me a vegetable steamer for my birthday (YES! I WANT THE VEGETABLE STEAMER!) You know how people always ask you "How does it feel to be (insert age here)??" Like you are supposed to undergo some dramatic change or something. And your answer is always something like, "feels the same as yesterday..." Well, let me tell you folks, the big 2-5 is really hurting my feelings. My twenties are half-way gone! I feel like 25 is a grown-up age, and I am supposed to have my life together by now. What happened to the good ole days, when we were 21 and we didn't live in the "real world" and we didn't have any responsibilities and we just woke up, went to class, hung out, and then did it all over again the next day? I don't even remember turning 24, so naturally, I reject the idea of being 25; today I am 24.

Spring is in the air...

2007-04-24T18:45:00.000-07:00

Spring is in the air, folks, and it smells like honeysuckle, freshly cut grass, and ....(wait for it)....fake tan. Three cheers for the 2nd annual "summer tan" by Vaseline Intensive Care Healthy Body Glow Lotion!! I love this stuff....Everyone should try it for a skin-friendly solution to tanning.

Also, have I told you that Thursday night is my very last day of class? (Well, until the Fall.) But nonetheless, I am E-X-C-I-T-E-D!!! Anybody who is a somebody knows how much I despise these classes with all of my soul. This means I get to spend my weekday nights on ME! Working out, catching up on my shows, blogging, playing some Warcarft, reading books for next year, going over lesson plans, you know....fun stuff! Man, I can't wait to be done with this program. Beware readers, you just my get a drunken blog from me somewhere around 1 a.m Friday morning. Weeeeeeee!

Tragedy in the Laundry Room

2007-04-17T20:42:00.000-07:00

Tragedy #1: I washed and dried a red blanket and now the insides of the washer and dryer are stained PINK! (I kid you not!)

Tragedy #2: There is a pile of dirty clothes IN the laundry room!

Tragedy #3: I went to do said laundry and the gallon of liquid detergent fell off the self and BUSTED all over the floor. Soap. Is. Everywhere.

Little Known Fact

2007-04-16T20:30:00.000-07:00

Here is a little known fact that you may or may not know: When I am stessed, I enjoy clipping and collecting recipies to one day put into my "Marie's Ulitimate Homemade Cookbook." I also enjoy cooking and baking when I am bored. I am not sure why, but I find it all very relaxing-- hours of endless entertainment. For instance, when Matt was deployed to Afghanistan, and I was stuck in Tucson all by my lonesome, I would spend whole weekends watching cooking shows on Food Network, and cutting every last recipe out of my REALsimplemagazine, gluing them to individual 5x7 note cards, hole punching them, and organizing them into my three-ringed binder o' cooking splendor (side note: REALsimple magazine =REALLYawesome).

Sure, I have no desire to eat coconut curry soup, or roasted pork tenderloin with prune glaze, or any of those fancy-schmancy recipes that call for "fennel" or "chutney" (bleh). But one day I might NEED them, and so I MUST have them in my recipe repertoire, nonetheless. So this weekend I was very busy clipping and cutting and pasting and arranging. And it was lovely. You should try it sometime.

2007-04-13T11:18:00.000-07:00

Ok, here is the thing about Mississippi: You can't buy wine in the grocery stores, Target, Walgreens, CVS pharmacy, etc.... This is rather obnoxious. For instance, yesterday was a terrible day and then I had to go to class, which always puts me in a bad mood, and so all I really wanted to do was come home and have a nice glass of wine (and perhaps some ice cream). However, the liquor stores were closed by the time I got home around 10 pm. So, I went home empty handed. Convenient. So that's all I have to say about that. I never even noticed that wine and liquor WERE NOT sold in grocery stores here, until this past December when I moved home. Who knew?!

2007-04-08T18:57:00.000-07:00

It's official" I'm in a rut. I cannot seem to want to be productive at all. I hate school-- hate it! I have no motivation to work on my paper (even though I know I need to). I can't make myself file away these papers covering my desk. I do want to do my homework. I just want to sit here and play solitaire on the computer and procrastinate until it is time for bed. Unfortunately, I do not have solitaire on my Mac. If someone could help me out on this one, I'd be very grateful...

2007-04-06T14:21:00.000-07:00

So I have decided to start taking multi-vitamins. Or rather, my friend Holly, who is practically a doctor, told me about all the vitamins and minerals I am lacking because I don't eat broccoli on a daily basis. So, I went to Target today and picked out my first multi-vitamin. And I could not WAIT to get back to the apartment so that I could EAT one!.. (Why am I so excited about this???) But, I must say, I feel stronger already AND defiantly more energized and powerful. Coincidence? Probably....but, I'd like to think not!

Also...

2007-04-03T18:39:00.000-07:00

Also, today is New Music Tuesday! On a whim, I decided to go to Best Buy and frivolously buy CDs. Which, when you think about it, is sooo old school, considering the rising popularity of iTunes music store. Or maybe it is just me, but I haven't bought a for real CD from the store since.....well, since it's been so long I can't remember.... since my Cowboy Mouth era, I guess. *sheesh!* Anywho, I bought FOUR new ones. (Totally not the Marie you know and love, right?) But it was fun, and they were all on sale. *Three cheers for me*

But before I begin with the musical review, let me talk for a minute about The CD vs. The iTunes Music Store. At first I thought the downloadable CD was ingenious: No bulky cases that you don't quite know what to do with after you put the CD in your HUGE CD trapper keeper that only rolls around on the floorboard behind your passenger seat which is not really a convenient place to have to reach when you are driving and want to change your music. Also, iTunes CDs are cheaper and immediately accessible, which cuts out the middle man: No driving to the store, finding a parking spot, hoping your future purchase is not already sold out and/or out of stock, then standing in line to check out, and finally you loose the risk of chipping your K-9's as you spend a good 10 minutes gnawing at the edge of the case to break the plastic wrap that is somehow soldered to your purchase. But in defense of the old-school CD, there is just something that does not replace the tangible, visual appeal of something you can put your hands on. I am probably a little biased because I am 100% one of the people who "judge a book by it's cover," and if you got no cover, you don't stand much of a chance with me. In fact, I based my decision on three of four purchases tonight, simply on the face that I enjoyed their covers. It's as simple as that.

And as for the musical review: On second thought, I will have to listen to today's secret selection a couple more times before I have a complete and informed review--I would hate to throw out a hasty review based on my initial response. I am undecided at the moment; I'm going to have to chew on this for a while and get back to everyone tomorrow. Au Revoir!

V-day

2007-04-03T16:58:00.000-07:00

I guess Valentine's Day this year fell into the Dark Ages of "Campfire Stories." Seeing as how I took almost a three month hiatus from BlogSpot, I feel the need to update my readers on Valentines Day 2007. Matthew got his hands on some art supplies via my mom, and made me this BEAUTIFUL homemade card out of construction paper, doilies, and glitter. I wish I could show you the inside, but it's full of mushy, romantical stuff (you would prolly gag). But it is SOOO sweet! Unfortunately for ever other man in America, the bar is now officially set very high, and now homemade cards will be all the craze next year.

2007-04-01T19:31:00.000-07:00

It is amazing the things you will do to procrastinate from doing your own homework:

1. laundry (refer to the archives -11.13.2005- to find out how much I despise this activity).
2. clean out the closet.
3. organize the clothes in the closet by length and type.
4. reorganize the contents of the external hard drive.
5. download TV shows for the boyfriend and burn them to a disk.
6. start a jounal.
7. clean the bathroom.
8. go to the grocery store.
9. nap.
10. edit other people's papers for FUN!
11. dust.
12. clean out all of my purses.

And now it is 9:41 p.m. and I have offically run out of excuses. If anyone can think of another loophole please call me. Or just call me in general becuase that would also help me procrastinate for at least nothign 30 minutes.

Quote of the day:

2007-03-30T07:29:00.001-07:00

You know you might be in the South when you hear the following conversation:

Dad: "Are you and so-in-so still an item?"
Patient: "Naw, man, we broke up over deer-huntin' last year. I told her that was the final straw!"

Never a dull moment up there.

Buttons

2007-03-28T17:55:00.000-07:00

Great news everyone: I got the job at St. Joe. I'll be the AP English teacher next year! I can't wait for the Fall; this whole receptionist thing is not for me. So anways, this Friday I am going up to the school to look over curriculum and find out what NOVELS I will be teaching next year! (Dorks!) Also, let me share with you my interview expereince. So, I decide to wear my brown pants and this new white blouse I bought especially for the summer. Call it my new "summer shirt" if you will. I get out of the car and head to the school and I start to notice a slight draft. And, yes, my bottom button had come off. then I look over and the button on my sleeve had come off too. AND THEN I notice that the middle button (the most important button of all) is bearly hanging on by a thread! I am so self concious as I am sitting in the principal's office. Good thing he offered me the job right away BEFORE my clothes started falling off entirely. How embarassing!

Old Navy: Crazy?

2007-03-20T19:07:00.000-07:00

So, I went shopping this weekend with Holly and Stacey and made several EXCITING purchases. Purchase #1 will be kept a secret until a later date. Purchase #2 includes two for one long length tank tops from Old Navy and two for one brightly colored t-shirts (Summer 2007, here I come!). We are standing in line at the register, and the cashier hands us some scratch and win game pieces--each card is a winner. I totally won a free bag of Jelly Bellys. It says in fine print, "Subject to verification; see back for details." I'm thinking, "Must be 18 to win; must be accompanied by an adult," perhaps. But, no. Not quite. It did say this, though...

Canadian Residents: You must correctly answer the following skill-testing question to claim your prize/discount. If claimant is under the age of majority, a parent/legal guardian may answer the skill-testing question on their behalf: (10x4)+(3x2)-10+____"

WHAT??!! Is this a joke??! Is this some sort of discrimination against Canadians who are bad at math? Fiona, I am offended for you!

Me and Jesse

2007-03-16T16:15:00.000-07:00

So, I decided that I need to find "The One," you know.....my personal hair stylist. One person to do my hair from here on out. None of this switching back and forth, trying new people, changing salons. I am ready to settle down in a committed relationship with a hair dresser; I am ready to be a one-stylist kinda of woman. So, I had my appointment today with Jesse. I told him I wanted layers in the front to frame my face, and I wanted to keep my long hair because I just discovered the hot rollers and loved my huge movie-star curls. My only problem was that my layers in the front were so long that it made my hair flat and the front never wanted to curl the way it used to. His response to this was, "No offense, but...." (already, I am reconsidering my feelings about Jesse) "The movie-star look you are going for is not very realistic. It's all pretty at first, but then that style doesn't last for very long before the weight of your hair will pull it right down. You need to go shorter..." Why do you have to be such a hater, Jesse -- Can't you just a let a girl live The Dream?!?!

(Matt: Stop freaking out!!!! It will be way grown out by the time you get home in July....)

So he took a couple inches off, and now I have swoopy bangs! YAY! I don't know if I will keep these bangs the next time, but they are defiantly fun and just the quasi-drastic change I was looking for. So, I think I will keep Jesse. We work well together. He knew I wanted swoopy-bangs before I even said it. However, he is a fan of the flat iron, and I am attached to my hot rollers and curling iron. I guess every relationship has it's minor adjustments...

Hot Rollers

2007-03-16T09:20:00.000-07:00

I have recently discovered the Hot Roller. Thanks to Danielle and her expert opinion on the topic of long hair care, I now have a wonderful set of Conair hot rollers. Now, my hair looks HOTT (hence the name, I guess). I highly recommend them. Pictures will be posted soon.

2007-03-07T17:41:00.000-07:00

I know this is minor, but i have recently rediscovered the Town House cracker. It is nothing but, light, buttery, flaky deliciousness. I could eat a whole sleeve right now. They are entirely underrated.

Did she really say that?

2007-03-01T19:55:00.001-07:00

So, I ran into one of the crazies today. She came into the office, and we were chit-chatting, and then she goes, "Well, you just graduated from high school, didn't you?" And I say, "No ma'am, I graduated in 2000." And she goes, (....wait for it.....) "*GASP!!!* Oh my!!! Well you need to get married and start having babies! Do you know that your fertility rate drops by 13% every year after you reach 21?!?!?!?!" .....Are you kidding me?...... First of all, I feel this is an improbable statistic. I am no math major, but doesn't this mean that you would be incapable of reproducing by the time you are 30? And second of all.....did you really just say that? Out loud? To me? In front of all those people in the waiting room? (Mandy, where were you when I needed someone to laugh with me!)

Monsters

2007-02-27T15:36:00.000-07:00

I almost forgot to tell you about my Monday. It was insane, as per usual, but on top of that, I was working off 4 hours of sleep because my roommate's bulimic cat threw up all over my shoes in the middle of the night (but that is neither here nor there....). Anyways, in order to boost my stamina, I decided to invest in a Monster energy drink. Now, my co-worker who recommended that I try this is a marathon runner, and she says they give out Monster energy drinks at their meetings. Well, if marathon runners drink it, then surely I must too. It is true: I was overcome with an insane amount of energy. My fingers were typing faster, my foot was tapping uncontrollably, and I had enough energy at the end of the day to cook dinner, clean the bathroom, wash the dishes, and do my homework. However, I felt that my brain couldn't keep up with my body; it was still half asleep all day. In fact, on my way home, there was more traffic than usual and when I get off at my exit, of course there is a half mile of cars backed all the way up to the intersection. I assumed there was a wreck, or perhaps a lane was blocked off for road work, because really, 5:30 on a Monday afternoon is a very appropriate time to be doing road work. My body is like, "Whatever! I'm not sitting in this line! I know a short cut!" and somewhere far far away my brain is going, "Marie, you don't know a shortcut." And sure enough, my brain was right. Twenty minutes later, I admitted to myself that this was not a shortcut at all; it is, in fact, a never ending neighborhood.

Kitties

2007-02-25T14:52:00.000-07:00

So, I bet you are all wondering how My Lucy is adjusting to Mississippi. First of all, she has a brand new roommate, Sammy. Sammy is a 4 year old Tiger cat who is just slightly bi-polar. Lucy loves him. At first, she was playing hard to get; you know the type--hiding under the bed, playing shy, growling and hissing every time she sees him, puking by his food bowl.... Sammy, on the other hand, was never more determined; he followed her around like it was his job. Then, one day I walked and caught them napping on my bed (that's how it all starts...)

Damn dinosaurs made me late for work...

2007-02-20T20:59:00.000-07:00

"Friendship annulled! You're gross!"

Sockarooni

2007-02-17T18:44:00.000-07:00

Okay. I had to stop what I was doing in the kitchen to come in here and blog about this: Newman's Own Sockarooni. Make note of it, people. I am making spaghetti, and so I was tasting the sauce because i usually add some stuff to it. No need for stuff this time. It's all spicy and delicious. It would be the perfect sauce for maybe some andouille sausage. YUUUUM! I cant wait to eat!! (WoW! This is a boring weekend!)

Never Again!

2007-02-17T09:18:00.000-07:00

So, the other day I went to Gateway Tires to get my oil changed and wiper blades replaced. Well, I get there, hand them my keys and proceed to wait. Luckily dad calls and takes me out to lunch, and we leave the car at Gateway. We eat, we talk, we shop, we go to Lowe's. Four and a half hours later, I decide I had better get back before the people at Gateway decide to sell my car for parts. However, I walk in and the guy is like, "your ticket just came in, perfect timing!" (Good thing I didn't wait around) My total comes to $67.00!!!!! I said, "Are you KIDDING me?!!" Now I am used to getting the same thing done at Brakemax in Tucson for $30. And then I looked outside and asked where my car was and he was like, "probably around back..." That's right....behind the building...in the back parking lot.....with the 50 other cars they serviced that day (ridiculous). Lesson learned; never doing that again!

For Matt

2007-02-16T10:03:00.000-07:00

Okay, sometimes I make fun of Matt because he reads these nerdy comics about computers. And since I don't get the punchline, I like to make fun of them. The other day, he showed me this one about dinosaurs. Again, there was heckling involved because I had no idea what the comic strip was about. But now I think those dinosaurs get funnier and funnier every day. Check it out

2007-02-16T09:53:00.000-07:00

So here is one thing about Mississippi that is getting old REALLY quick. Apparently, our state is SOOOOO big that we now have to dial the area code before the phone number we wish to dial. (Keep in mind, I don't think I have EVER had to dial an area code other than 601 since I have been home, but that is neither here nor there...) But its not just the area code. Some 601 numbers require that you dial 1 BEFORE the area code. Other 601 number just want the area code. VERY OBNOXIOUS! So, I'm a receptionist right now, and this means I call lots of people every day. And if I hear that automated voice tell me "I'm sorry, you must dial one or the area code ...." or "We're sorry, one or the area code should not be dialed...." I am going to go office space on that stupid phone!

2007-02-11T18:58:00.000-07:00

Well, I have found my new muse: Minute Maid Cherry Limeade. Not as good as Sonic, mind you, very limey and defiantly no maraschino cherry at the bottom. But it did get me through those late nights of studying for the Praxis and my midterm. And at only 5 calories a pop -- let's just say, its now a staple in out fridge.

Dun. Dun-duh-dun. Dun-duh-dun. Dun.

2007-02-09T19:55:00.000-07:00

I told myself that as soon as I finished my midterm and took the Praxis, I would buy myself The Burning Crusade. And the time has come! (WOOHOO!) However, I have alot of catching up to do; even my poor deployed boyfriend who created his own Internet with coat hangers and duct tape is further along in the game than I am.

As for an update on the tests: my midterm was okay. It has been almost 6 years since I have had to take a multiple choice test. And I suck at multiple choice tests; this is why I became an English major. And the Praxis...well, lets just say it was a five hour waste of my life. I am sure I did fine. But really, does it need to be that long?

Midterm Mayhem

2007-02-07T19:09:00.000-07:00

So, perhaps you have noticed my infrequent updates as of late. Well, honestly, this whole "going back to school" thing has proved to be more time consuming than I initially thought. So, I'm in the middle of my "Measurement and Evaluations" class for my masters program, and I have my midterm exam tomorrow night. Now, if you are asking yourself, "Marie, isn't this only your fourth class," then you would be correct. So the professor emails us a list of things we need to know for the final, and one is as vague as this: "know the section on validity and testing." If you are thinking, "Hey! But that is what EVERY chapter is about!" then you would be correct again. Validity, for those of you who don't know, it determining whether or not your tests and assessments of students are accurate, in that they are testing for knowledge of material that the student has been taught under your instruction (i.e- If you are teaching your students about addition, a valid test would be asking a student "what is 1+2?" an invalid test would be like asking them to name the capital of Mexico. you see?)

Maybe this would be a good time to tell you that we have had a grand total of about 30 minutes of note taking in the last thee class period. None of the note taking was on validity.

Is this ironic? (circle one) Yes / No

Back In Action....Sort of

2007-01-31T18:24:00.000-07:00

Life is suddenly very very busy. In fact, I move that we add 4-5 more hours to the day; who's with me? Several things:

1. I am going back to school at the moment to get my masters in teaching. Homework now consumes my life. It is only one class, mind you, but it warrants much whining and complaining.

2. My new scrubs came in today. They are turquoise and grape. (It's okay to be jealous.)

3. Did everyone see Miss America? I am so proud of Taryn. She was magnificent out there and I'm glad that she was representing my state. We all know she was cheated out of the crown, but that's okay.

4. Matt is doing great! I hear from him a couple times a week. He always has some story to tell that makes me laugh. If anyone wants to see what he has been up to over there, check out these pictures. And don't worry-you are not mistaken-they do spend alot of time playing the wii. And, yes, that is the baby Jesus sculpted entirely out of butter...

Late Christmas Present

2007-01-19T20:59:00.000-07:00

Perhaps some of you remember the July 2006 entry entitled "My Poor Abused Credit Card and One Long Lost Hubcap: A Tale of Woe" (If not, you can find it in the archives). Well, I have a very exciting up-date: Dad suprised me with a late Christmas pesent, a 2000 Toyota Camry hubcap! WOOHOO! He had to order it from the Toyota place just for me. When I first lost the hubcap, I didn't think it would bother me that much. I mean, it's just a hubcap and my car can manage just as well with 3 as it can with 4. And it was on the passenger side; most of the time I didn't even have to aknowledge the ugly side of my car. But I really was embarassed by that one naked tire. But now it is all fixed. Yay, Dad!

New Year; New Update

2007-01-16T19:42:00.000-07:00

So much to say: first of all, sorry I have fallen off the face of the world wide web. I will do my best to catch everyone up to speed. (Disclaimer: I won't lie to you; this entry is going to be HUGE. If you don't have half an hour to waste, stop reading right here. Even if you are a seasoned procrastinator, I would still recommend you take it in small pieces. Don't try to digest it all at once, for you may choke.)

1. So let's back up to Christmas. What a great time to be home. Mommy got me a full day at the spa with her. Three hours of massage (with hot stones), facials, and pedicures. Who knew it being beautiful was soooooo time-consuming. And let me recommend to everyone a hot stone massage. It was the best massage I ever had. And Daddy bought me a new bed with a memory foam topper. Going to bed is the best part of my day.

2. Wedding Planning: Not my wedding--Holly's wedding. Soooooo much fun! There was cake shopping, cake TASTING (my personal fav), bridesmaid's dress shopping, weekend excursions to out-of-state bridal gown stores, engagement parties, and of course, slumber parties. How could you go wrong?

3. New Year's Eve: So Holly and I had BIG plans for new years, we were going to dress up in our cocktail dresses, drink beer and watch Disney's Cars at my apartment. However, in the midst of out getting dressed up, holly did my hair, and lets just say I looked fabulous. So......we had to go out and show it off. An hour or so at George Street did us in. I have decided that I am officially O-L-D. When you start looking around at the people at the bar and say to yourself, "WoW, this is so not my scene any more...." I think it's time to throw in the towel.

4. New Year's Day: When you wake up in the morning and your alarm clock says that is it 9:99 o'clock, you might be in for a long day. In fact, you should probably just unplug the damn thing and go back to bed, which is precisely what I did! I hope this is no indication for the rest of the year. Things are very hectic (as I will explain in items 5-7), and with Matt being away, 2008 can't get here fast enough. I guess it could have been worse; it could have been 6:66 o'clock.

5. School: Yes, I am back in school. And not a minute too soon; I registered for classes the very LAST possible day. I was so late coming in that I missed orientation. I am taking classes at Belhaven College to get my Masters in Teaching (good times). Tell me how my first assignment is due 48 hours BEFORE the FIRST day of class. (Insanity) But I am so excited about being a student again. My favorite part is buying new books and new school supplies. In fact when I got home, I rolled around on the floor with my new Mead Fivestar® notebooks before my roommate got home.

6. Work: I am busy looking for a job while I work part-time for the Dad at his office. Boo The Great American Job Search; it's so stressful. But I know that what you think is the most perfect job probably isn't for you, and the one place you are meant to be will come along when you aren't even looking for it. I just have to try harder not to look for it, I guess. I think I may have a teaching job lined up for the Fall semester, but keep your fingers crossed on that one. (I will reveal more information at a later date when details are confirmed.)

7. Dental Assisting: As I said before, I am helping the Dad around the office. Every now and then I get to assist with a patient. Fun times, my friends. So many amazing things you never knew you didn't want to see. But, seriously, it is alot of fun. And at the end of the day you can say to yourself, "That guy still has all his teeth, and it's all because of me..." And the number one best thing about working at the office: You get to wear scrubs - AKA- basically your pajamas. I mean, you can't really get more comfortable.

8. Tech Savvy: In Matt's absence, I have come across a million technological hurdles, and amazingly enough I have subconsciously stored some of the computer babble that he has subjected me to over the years. One such incident had to do with telling the difference between a crossover cable and Ethernet cable. I know you are thinking to yourself, "But Marie, they look EXACTLY alike!!" Well, my friends, you are wrong. They indeed are not at all alike. I would explain, but this blog is entirely out of control as it is, so I will spare you. Other issues have been the wireless router, the TiVo, the external hardrive, and transmission, among others. Matt was so proud of me, he made me this sticker. It's okay to be jealous....

Well folks, I think that is all the news for now. Regular updates from now on, I promise.

Leaving Tucson

2006-12-27T09:36:00.000-07:00

This new blogger thing has me all confused. My first attempt (a week ago) was erased and I was too irritated at the time to try again. So, here goes nothin...

I made the long trek cross-country safe and sound. Let's just say that if I NEVER again drive clear across the Great State of Texas, it will be too soon. (Except for when Matt comes home; I could drive across Texas for him any day...) Somewhere around day #2 I saw a sign for Hammond. Now, I am thinkning, "I made it to Hammond, Louisianna already??!! --Hooray!!" But just when I thought I was in Louisianna....I was still in Texas. *sigh*

But let me tell you about leaving Tucson for the last time...

So there I was, my car loaded to the roof with all my worldly possessions. ( I was going to say that I glanced in the rearview mirrow and watched my apartment fade away like they do in the movies, but unfortunatly, my comforter and pillows were blocking the back window.) I pull out of the apartment complex around 7 am. The sun is just bearly glowing below the horizon; the stars are still twinkling on and off in the heavens. I pull into the turn lane and roll down my window to take in the cool, crisp Arizona morning for the last time. And that is when a truck passes me in on-coming traffic and SPITS out of his window (I think everyone can see where this is going). The spit flies through the air and lands right there on my forearm! UGH! I sat there, in the turn lane, staring at my arm in disbelief for a few minutes before I could towel myself off with a Wendy's napkin. Now that is a send off that I will never forget.

And then on my way out of town I went to the 24 hour Mexican drive-thru for breakfast. Oh, chirrizo breakfast burritto, I miss you.....

Mini-break

2006-12-06T20:58:00.000-07:00

Just want to let everyone know that I have officially begun the moving process: as of tonight, my desk and dresser now reside in someone else's home. So, basically I am typing this from the make-shift desk I like to call "the cardboard box." Its really a pain in the neck, so this will prolly be my last post until I make back to Mississippi. (9 days and counting!!) So, don't stop reading; I'll be back in action with lots of fun stories before you know it!

Happy Holidays!

Hunger Control?

2006-12-06T20:54:00.000-07:00

Lets talk for a minute about SlimFast Hunger Control bars.... So I have been eating these for breakfast because I am always running late for work now-a-days. This is a quick on-the-go meal replacement solution. And who doesn't want to eat a peanut-buttery chocolate bar for breakfast? The problem here is that I find them to be too good. I eat one and my hunger is not at all controlled. In fact, an hour later my stomach is growling for another one. People got to stop making diet food so yummy.

E for Empty

2006-11-29T22:30:00.000-07:00

So, My apartment is now officially on E for Empty. As most of you know, I have been trying to sell my furniture before I move back to Jackson. My biggest fear is that I will be stuck here will all my furniture and not be able to move. So, in a moment of panic last night, I posted an ad on Craig's list. This was around 10 p.m. Within 15 minutes of its posting, I had three email replies and one very obnoxious phone call (but that is another story...). By 7 am, I had over 20 replies, and even more when I came home from work today. Two people came by and bought/paid for eveything. Less than 24 hours later, and everything is sold. I am so happy! It worked out well because both people are not picking up my furniture for another 2 weeks. Perfect timing.

Soon it will just be me and Lucy reading books by lamplight on the air mattress. Kinda like camp!

Love/Hate

2006-11-28T18:25:00.000-07:00

So I have been thinking lately about my love/hate relationship I have with the winter months:

Love: The smell of the heater when it comes on for the first time. It is warm and snuggly and makes me think of the holidays.

Hate: Going to work in the morning and it is still dark outside. I'm talking moon-and-stars dark.

Love: Colored Christmas lights on houses. They are fun and festive and remind me of my childhood.

Hate: Carbs. Cold weather makes my body crave hot carby meals and snacks and desserts.

Love: Eating the carbs. No better feeling in the world than that of a full belly.

Hate: Dry skin

Love: Sweatpants

Can you think of anything I left out?....

2006-11-26T21:10:00.000-07:00

Okay--WHOA! i just finished watching Scarface, and let's just say I guess I had no idea what that movie was about. That was intense. Marie = scarred for life....

Twenty-One Days and Counting

2006-11-26T19:35:00.000-07:00

I apologize for the lack of posts as of late. Things around here are suddenly very boring. And this 5 day Thanksgiving break has been all too long and quiet without Matt around. I laid in bed for an HOUR on Saturday night, thinking about going to work on Monday, and then I realized that I still had Sunday! I had a whole 'nother day off and didn't realize it! I got up and played Warcraft into the wee hours of the dawn....

Matt is doing fine, from what I can tell from our brief run-ins on instant messenger. (His internet sucks by the way. We only get a few minutes here and there before the connection gets the best of us.) I spent the majority of the weekend learning how to download TV shows from the internet, so now I can send him regular updates from the wide world of cable.

It is because of this that I discovered the show HEROES. Perhaps you have heard of it, or seen a commercial for it. Maybe, you were like me and said, "That has got to the cheesiest idea for a TV show ever...." Well, now you can admit how wrong you were. I am now caught up on the first 9 episodes and I have the TiVo set to record the next one tomorrow night. Monday nights on NBC--be sure to check it out.

And that's about it. I'm going to go finish watching Scarface and then prolly go to bed early.

G'nite!

Let the Countdown Begin!

2006-11-20T18:57:00.000-07:00

Today is Monday November 20, 2006, and I am thrilled to announce that FOUR WEEKS from today, I will be back home in the Southland for good!!! YAY CHRISTMAS IN DIXIE 2006!!

What a great night in television.

2006-11-16T20:45:00.000-07:00

So let me tell you how Wednesdays have hit an all time low: First of all no Matt to watch LOST with, and now, no LOST period. What a void Wednesday night are now. It was 8:00 and I had nothing else to live for. I went to bed.

But Thursday are now insane with TV goodness: The Office (Yay! Jim is back), and The OC (Summer and Seth back like old times?), and Grey's Anatomy (I mainly just watch that show for George.) Anywho. I have a hot date with my TiVo.

Christmas Wishlist #1

2006-11-15T18:46:00.000-07:00

I know that it is not even Thanksgiving yet, but I am going to start dropping hints here and there, so adoring fans can get a head start on my Christmas shopping.....
The number one thing on my list at the moment is a foot massager. And I am not talking about one of those battery-operated, vibrating foot massagers, or even those bubbling foot-spas. Those, simply, will not get the job done. Instead, I would like a little man to follow me around and really rub my feet on command. So everyone reading this: start saving your money and interviewing some Asian men.

Tired?

2006-11-14T23:24:00.000-07:00

So today I had to work my normal 6:45 a.m.-3:45 p.m. session at school. And then I also had to come back from 7-10:15 p.m. to substitute for another teacher. And now it is almost 11:30 p.m., and I have to be out-of-bed, in-the-shower, and off-to work in about 6 hours. PLUS, I'm not tired because my body thinks it just got home from work the first time and is ready for the gym and dinner and some TiVo and maybe a glass of wine before I read myself to sleep. It is not, in fact, tired. Which means, tomorrow is going to be a looooooong day!

Monday

2006-11-13T21:01:00.000-07:00

I got a call from Matt again today! YAY!! I so look forward to his calls; it makes me feel like he is just down the road in Sierra Vista, and everything is just like normal. As we kick off week 5 of 54, I can say I'm "A-OK."

In other news: There were mass suspensions today at work....Man, it was great!

The O.C. meets Grey's?

2006-11-11T09:37:00.002-07:00

Okay, so I was catching up on all my TiVo this weekend. And lets just talk about The O.C. for a minute: Did anyone else catch it when Dr. Roberts told Summer that he was thinking about taking the job in Seattle....And he goes "The Seattle Grace Hospital, ever heard of it?" Does this mean that the O.C. will be coming to Grey's Anatomy? My two favorite shows right in one place!

But on a different note: Is anyone else concerned about the suddenly dark and depressing fourth season of The O.C.? I'm a little uncomfortable....

The Biggest Loser: week 5

2006-11-10T21:01:00.000-07:00

If "The Biggest Loser" contest had a prize for the biggest gainer, I would be all over that.

Oh, The Things You Can Do...

2006-11-07T20:44:00.000-07:00

So, lately I have been thinking of all the things I could accomplish if only I had a personal assistant/ stunt double. Here is what I am thinking:

1. She could take the chicken out of the freezer in the morning, so it can defrost. I can't remember to do that for the life of me.

2. ALSO, she can have dinner ready when I come home from work. Seeing as how I am no longer eating past 6 p.m. and I can never remember to defrost the chicken, I eat a lot of cereal and yogurt cups for dinner.

3. ALSO, she can tidy up my apartment while I am at work so that I have more time to play World of Warcraft when I get home....I mean....So that I have more time to go to the gym.

4. ALSO, she can go to the post office for me during the day. Now that Matt is deployed, I have taken up Care-Package-Mailing as my new side job. And since I have to be at work before the sun is up and before the post office is open, I have to go after work. And I would rather walk on hot coals than go to the post office after 4 p.m.

5. ALSO, she can pretend to be Ms. Harkins, the English teacher, between the hours of 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. so that I can either take a nap in the teacher's lounge or talk to my boyfriend on the phone.

6. ALSO, she can take care of that "laundry issue" I have, so that I don't have to waste my weekends doing chores.

That is all.

Tricks or Treats

2006-10-31T20:57:00.000-07:00

Linus: You've heard about the fury in a woman's scorn, haven't you?

Charlie Brown: Yes, I guess I have...

Linus: Well, that's nothing compared to the fury of a woman who has been cheated out of tricks or treats.