"Carrier"

Have you guys been watching this show on PBS? "Carrier", which chronicles life aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, has been on every night after work for the past few days.

And I am addicted.

On a six-month deployment, these guys and girls talk about what it's like spending 12 hours a day busting their butts to keep the ship and airplanes going. So much work - and without the luxury of coming home to their loved ones - or even the comfort of their own beds - at night when their day is done.

It's easy to go about our lives without remembering there are men and women all over the world working to keep us out of harm's way. And while I'm no fan of war, especially this one, I have to say these guys absolutely rock.

I believe the show will be broadcast until May 1, so you still have a couple of days to check it out. It's really worth watching.

Dad update

Dad and I usually talk a 3 or 4 times a week. This past week we've talked 3 or 4 times a day. And, I'm so happy to report, he's sounding better. Not tons better, but anything at this point is a blessing.

He goes to the doctor tomorrow and is FINALLY going to ask to be referred to a pulmonary specialist. Hopefully he/she will be able to give him the appropriate treatments - even if it does involve the use of oxygen on a regular basis.

Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers. They have helped, I know.

Prayers needed ... again

This time it's serious. My dad is very ill, and he refuses to see a doctor, go to the emergency room or even urgent care.

After smoking for nearly 50 years, his lungs are absolutely wrecked and, combined with chronic asthma, his breathing (on a good day) is terrible. Now he's sick with a pretty bad cold, but to him that's just as serious as pneumonia.

Walking from the counter to the kitchen table is like running a marathon for him. He can't go outside in the heat without getting severely winded. His temperature has ranged from 101-103.

I'm so incredibly scared for him and also very, very, very upset with my stepmother, who is going to Disney World with her granddaughter tomorrow through Wednesday. I am absolutely astonished that she could do this - especially after he nearly died four years ago after a bout similar to this one.

I work all weekend. My dad lives a little over an hour away. I don't know what to do. I just want to go to Rome and make him get in the car and take him to the emergency room. But I know he'll never go.

All prayers and/or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Unexpected guest

Bleary-eyed, I stumbled to my bathroom this morning half-awake, but fully aware that I had to go.

I turned on the light, flipped up the toilet lid, and gasped so hard that my throat still feels funny. All I could make out was a small gray/green lump on the seat, and before I knew just what it was, I was pretty grossed-out. What in the world was going on?!?

I rubbed my eyes and focused on the unexpected guest who somehow made it into my apartment. A little frog - about as big as the palm of my hand.

After a mad dash to my computer to google how in the world a FROG! could end up on my toilet, I learned this isn't highly unusual. The little guys can get washed into sewers, and viola! They end up in toilets all over the world.

While my curiosity was settled, my stomach was not. I'm not a frog lover. I don't hate 'em, but they're definitely not high on my list of things I want to handle. My mind raced ... how do I get this thing outside without touching it??

After a brief meltdown that involved calling Jim and telling him he had to get over to my apartment stat, I found a shoe box, had another little freak-out at the thought of the frog jumping on me, and finally bucked up. It was just a poor little frog who was probably far more traumatized than I was. So, I scooped him into the shoe box, ran him down my stairs and set him free outside. Then promptly cleaned my toilet like it's never been cleaned before.

I'm just hoping this is an isolated occurrence. I really don't want to be known as the froggy-toilet lady. Has this ever happened to you?

Before & After

While some people will be posting before and after shots of more fashionable things today ... here's a before and after of my two hours' worth of playing in the dirt!

All I can say is that I'm ashamed, but really ... there wasn't much I could have done to have prevented this disaster.

But check it out! Looks so much better, right? And I even have my very own tomato plant. This is no small thing here ... I've never attempted growing my own produce before. This little guy is specifically meant for patios, so here's hoping he thrives on mine. Cross your fingers!

I'm back. I'm tired.

D.C. was wonderful, as always. My pictures, on the other hand, turned out terribly. I'm still trying to figure out whether I had my camera on some obscure setting or if I'm just loosing my touch. I'll write more about the trip when I can keep my eyes open for more than an hour at a time. I do not recommend driving from Washington to Chattanooga in one day. While it was only 10 hours, it was 10 hours. On the road. That is just wrong.

Mom's wedding went very well. It was nice to see my family in Virginia, and we all had a great time catching up.

Sorry this post is so second-grade. Hopefully I'll regain my senses soon.

Daughter of the bride

On Friday my mother is getting married. I really don't have any great attachment to her soon-to-be husband or the idea of this wedding. But I am very happy that she is so excited to have found, as she puts it, "The man of my dreams."

A parent getting married can be a funny thing to wrap your head around. I've seen my mother walk down the aisle once before and, while I was happy for her, I was also a little worried. That time, sadly, my concerns were not unfounded and the marriage was over in little more than a heartbeat. Details spared, the guy was a jerkface who never deserved the company of my mother, let alone her hand in marriage.

This time, however, I'm not worried. I can tell my mother and her fiance are pretty much perfect for each other. They act a lot like high school sweethearts, even two years after they began dating. That's amazing if you ask me, and if anyone deserves true love, it's my mother.

So why am I not overjoyed? I have no idea. I feel guilty about this, and wish I could call her up and discuss every detail with the same excitement I had when my best friend tied the knot. Instead, I find my mind wandering and the urge to ask her to please stop rattling on about all her ooey-gooey, lovie-dovie plans for the future.

Maybe it's because she lives a full day's drive away. Maybe it's because I see her once or twice a year. Maybe it's because she's changed so very much since I left for college. Or maybe it's because I just want my mother to experience the very best life has to offer.

What ever it is, I will put on a smile, welcome her new husband into the family and celebrate with my family Friday evening, all while hoping their story truly does end happily ever after.

After all, I'm not a monster. I'm just the daughter of the bride.

Butter fingers

So far today I have been awake for one full hour. (Yes, I slept in big time.)

And so far today, everything I've touched has managed to sprout wings and fly out of my hands and onto the floor.

Take, for instance:

* My razor ... while attempting to shave my legs in the shower.
* The lid to my shaving cream ... in the shower.
* The soap ... while trying to balance it and the lid to my shaving cream on on little ledge ... in the shower.
* My deodorant ... while attempting to apply it.
* My spoon ... while I was stirring my breakfast/lunch in the microwave.
* My phone ... while attempting to answer it.

I don't even what to think what the rest of today will be like.

Bought 'em!

Hooray for comfortable shoes! Now I can trek all over D.C. next weekend without worrying about whether I'll have to enlist someone to carry be back to the metro. Ha!

The Great Shoe Hunt

I'm at it again ... I must find a new pair of shoes by this coming Thursday, and there is strict criteria that must be adhered to.

1. Must be ultra COMFORTABLE
2. Absolutely must be stylish (Think 31-year-old stylish)
3. Must be breathable
4. Must NOT be sneakers

Well, I guess that's my only criteria, but it's all important. So, with that said, what do you guys think about these? I tried several shoes on from this brand this afternoon, and they were super comfy. But they didn't have this particular style in my size. Ugh. Looks like if I want 'em, I'll need to order from Amazon ASAP. (I'm going to D.C. in a week and don't want to end up with aching feet like I did last year.)

So, tell me, are they completely dorky?

Suddenly I have a life!

Working second shift can wreak havoc on an attempt at maintaining a social life on the rest of the world’s schedule.

Dinner plans are generally as follows: Me, sitting at a computer, eating a Lean Cuisine or some leftovers, reading page proofs and hoping I have enough time to get up to clean out my bowl, plate or whatever I’m eating from before I get so sick of smelling what I’ve just consumed that I fling it across the office.

That is, unless I’m not at work. In which case, I’m usually at home, by myself because most of my friends are at work.

Because I don’t have many friends outside the office.
Because I work second shift.

See how it goes? Not that I’m complaining, mind you … I’m just ‘splaining.

One more thing: I don’t have a set schedule. As in, my days off change from week-to-week. So even though I have friends at work, if our schedules don’t mesh, we say “hi” and “bye” at the office - and that’s just about it.

Until lately.

Things have changed, and I’m LOVING it! Somehow the planets have aligned just right, and I’ve been able to go out with the girls more than just once every blue moon.

And I’ve met new people, which is always great! Take for instance Mary (names have been changed to protect the innocent who don’t know that I blog). She’s a new girl at the office who I absolutely love. We’re the same age, have the same ideas, love to travel and are actually going to try to plan a trip to NYC when she gets vacation time. How very cool.

Dinner and drinks with the girls Sunday night took me back to my days in college when I had plenty of girlfriends to hang out with at a moment’s notice. While it was awesome then, boy do I appreciate it even more now.

Sniffle, sneeze, sniffle

My car is green.
The trees are dangling pollen-filled wormy things.
My nose itches.
My eyes itch.
Actually, now that I think about it, my entire face itches.
Yep. Spring is officially here!

Welcome, Will!

I don't have much time to post, but I am so excited to show off my best friend's new baby boy - Will Luigi (after his father). He is absolutely perfect in every way!


Will was born April 1 (hooray for April Fool's Day babies!) and weighed 7 lbs. 11 ounces.


I am going to spoil this child, I already know it!