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The Daily Digest
Waiting for Spring
by Tricia
Sat, Feb 21 2009, 1:51 PM
This morning the sunshine has been tricking me. I've spent the hour or so after waking snuggled up with Brodie while I read a book. The sunshine is streaming in through the blinds over the picture window next to the bed. I've been lying here thinking of spring and wearing skirts and flip-flops and playing outdoors in the sun and breeze. But I know that sunshine is a trick - it's probably no more than 35-40 degrees out there. I want winter to be over so I can start my gardens and smell the dirt in the sun. I want to open windows and get rid of the cooped-up winter smell in the house. I want to ride my bike! This winter has been too long and I'm ready for nice weather and long days. Regardless of the weather, we have a long day planned which includes going to the gym, taking our glass recycling to the bins, maybe doing some cleaning in the house and perhaps going to see a movie. Better get my butt out of my bed cocoon and get ready to go!
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Compost
by Tricia
Fri, Jan 16 2009, 5:55 PM
One of the things I asked for this year for Christmas was a composting bin. Being the suburban hippie that I am, I wanted to find a way to re-purpose our kitchen scraps and weeds and have the added benefit of nutrient-rich material for my gardens. Well, I asked and Scott provided - a few days before Christmas a GIANT box arrived on our doorstep with COMPOSTER printed across the side. Sort of ruined the Christmas Day surprise for me, but I was excited nonetheless.
A couple of weeks ago over dinner I mentioned my new prize to Jason, and asked that, once I get it set up, he start bringing their kitchen scraps and the like up and dumping them in the bin. He asked if I had done any research yet on the process, and I admitted that I hadn't. He then handed me a book called COMPOST by Ken Thompson (ironically, Jason's dad's name). I have been reading it and taking notes, feeling like I'm back in college, copying down key points from my German language book on grammar to help me remember. Thank god this book is in a language I understand beyond a 2nd grade level. Forget that - 2nd graders in Germany speak WAY better German than I can (Schneewittchen und die sieben Swergen!).
I'm eager for spring to begin so I can set this baby up and start throwing crap in it - right now it's so depressing to toss the unused vegetable parts, apple cores, orange peels, etc. in the garbage can. Once I finish with the book, I'll be passing it on to Scott to read so he can have a grasp of the "rules" of composting. Now to find a level, sunny spot in our very uphill back yard!
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2008
by Tricia
Wed, Dec 31 2008, 12:14 PM
Perhaps I say this at the end of every year, but where did the year go? We did a lot and and packed as much in as we could, but still the time just whizzes by. In no particular order, here's a list of things that happened this year:
▪Luckily, this year included no major kidney stone issues, visits to the emergency room (that I can remember) or car wrecks (knock on wood!).
▪We had a lovely vacation on the coast of North Carolina, as well as a fun trip to Kentucky for the wedding of a friend.
▪After five years of working with the Upsilon chapter of Alpha Phi at Washburn, I stepped down as Chapter Adviser at the end of May, which should have allowed me much more free time, but it immediately got sucked up by other things.
▪We joined the YMCA down the street and have been pretty faithful about going (though my weight would not be proof).
▪We welcomed lots of new kids (in chronological order - Connor Mitchell Thompson, Samuel Michael Bowling, Samantha Carter Mitchell, Christopher James Huntwork, Joshua Reid Holder, Greyson Alden Perry, Adam Patrick Kennedy) into the world.
▪I went to my first state fair (that I remember, anyway) and promptly lost my wedding ring there.
▪Scott took a new position at DST.
▪We celebrated our 7th anniversary, as well as 11 years since we met (which will be 12 in January!)
▪We won 3rd place in a Halloween costume contest(Thanks Amanda!)
▪I got to attend the wedding of a wonderful Alpha Phi who I watched go from being a newbie Freshman new member to being the President of the chapter her Senior year, and became my friend in the process.
▪I re-connected with lots of friends from a lifetime ago
▪I lived through having our dentist drill a cavity and had my first experience with Valium
▪We took steps to change our everyday lives in order to reduce our carbon footprint (even if only by a little bit) and enjoyed taking part in the CSA program and dinners with the Thompsons full of fresh, healthy, local foods
▪We helped Ken & Kyle throw the last Kickball Griller for the foreseeable future, as they are moving to North Carolina in the coming months, and raised over $1,100 for breast cancer research
▪I read all of the Twilight books in the span of a couple of weeks (I usually have to renew books from the library at least once, and those are NORMAL sized books!)
I know there's more I'm forgetting, but these are the things that stick out in my mind right now. I'm guessing 2009 will be good, but we'll just have to wait and see, I suppose.
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Swelled Head
by Tricia
Fri, Dec 19 2008, 11:24 PM
I have had a raging, throbbing, angry headache for the last four days. It feels like my brain is trying to expand out of my skull. Or like a bug crawled into my ear, got into my brain, laid eggs, and now the larvae are trying to escape. It comes and goes, so I'll get a reprieve anywhere from 10 seconds to 30 minutes long, but it's never long enough. Most of the time it hurts so much that it makes me nauseated. today I didn't eat anything between 10am and 8pm. I was hungry, but not starving and the nausea was too intense to make me want to put anything in my stomach. I've taken ibuprofen, and it helps a little, but it seems like the headache always comes back. I hope tomorrow it just goes away. I certainly wouldn't ask any questions if it did.
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Rushing
by Tricia
Mon, Dec 08 2008, 3:47 PM
Christmas is looming like a crazy dark cloud - so much to get done in so little time. It's a surprisingly short gift purchasing "season" as Thanksgiving fell rather late this year. I have two more scarves to knit, four that are done that I need to finish (bind the final tied-off string into the edging), lots of presents that still need to be purchased AND we need to overhaul and clean the house before my parents arrive on the 23rd.
Our house is a MESS. And I don't mean that the way lots of people do when there's a few things laying around and dust on the windowsills. I love going to someone's house and they're all "oh, this place is such a mess - I'm so sorry!" Girl, you don't KNOW mess. I think if these people had to live with me, they would have to change their frame of reference for what "clean" is. =)
I am a slob. This is no secret. I try to keep things picked up and nice, but inevitably I end up with piles of clothes all over the bedroom floor, stacks of receipts and mail on the kitchen table, and socks littering the family room. It's just who I am. I'm sure, to my mother's horror, that many would assume that my behavior is because I was not made to do chores or have responsibility for cleaning my own space growing up. This is not true. I am pretty sure that, subconsciously, my need for clutter is in direct response to my mother continually riding me to clean up after myself as a kid. While I do enjoy having things neat and clean, I have to admit, I LOVE clutter. Not too much (though that's very subjective), but there's something about having things thrown about that makes me comfortable.
That said, this habit of mine drives Scott crazy, especially during weeks like the last couple we've had where it seems like we're never home, and therefore there's not any time to devote to cleaning up. I don't understand women who make time for cleaning, or give up doing something fun in order to clean. I would much rather live my life and make memories than have a sparkling kitchen floor or dust-free surfaces. I like to think that a cluttered, lived-in house means that those people have too much fun to concern themselves with tidyness.
When I was growing up, the day before we went somewhere for more than one night, my mom would make a big deal about cleaning the house before we left. I never understood that, though I have since married a man who has a tendency toward that same need to "come home to a clean house". Why? It's not clean when we're here, what's the point of it being clean when we're not? So the burglars can find things more easily? I like to at least pose a challenge to them. This goes right along with the battle over making the bed. I happen to LIKE getting into an unmade bed. It's like a nest and it's comfy, and frankly. it's a mess when you sleep in it, why bother making it look nice, just to mess it up again? I understand the appeal of slipping between fresh, crisp sheets, but I just don't have time for all of that. I remember my mom in the morning smoothing the blankets down when she was still in bed, and saying that way she could just roll out and it would already be made. Please.
I am a creature of habit, and that habit is dishevelry. And, apparently, wordsmithery.
So, even though I keep saying "we should start now and do a little each day", I know it will end up being a race around the house the day before they arrive sort of job. If it were up to me, my parents would just come and subsist in the sloth that I call my daily life, but Scott isn't having that, and I know I would get the "raised eyebrow" from my mom, so clean I will - though don't expect me to be dusting and windexing. I'll leave that to the crazy people.
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Handmade Holidays
by Tricia
Thu, Nov 20 2008, 3:12 PM
I made the promise to myself last year after the holidays that 2008 would be the year of handmade gifts for Christmas. Not necessarily handmade by ME, but handmade by someone - no cheap plastic molded by someone in china, imported on a boat that uses millions of gallons of oil to get here. Minimal gift cards purchased because I have no idea what that person would like. I wanted to purchase items directly from the hardworking, creative people who imagined them up. That said, not EVERYTHING I give this year will be handmade - I'm not convinced I will find much stuff for my dad or brothers that is handmade. Maybe I'll get a quilted Scrabble carrier for Jake. =)
So far it's going well. I have purchased items for quite a few members of our family, all from different shops on Etsy I'm also knitting a few scarves for friends (one of my Alpha Phi friends is paying me for them! Woohoo! Granted, I'm basically just recouping the cost of the yarn, but it's still exciting). Mostly I spend entirely too much time surfing around Etsy, coveting all the wonderful things I want to buy for myself. Check out some fun things here, here and there. These are just a few of the shops I love - there are so many more that are also fantastic.
I've gotten my craft room sort of organized, so perhaps I'll be able to start doing some projects of my own. Scott recently put together some nice storage cubes for me that I immediately filled with supplies, so I'm well on my way to actually being able to find what I'm looking for. I'm hoping Santa will bring me a small flat-screen television that can be hung on the wall so I can watch tv and movies while I work.
My other goal is to spend a weekend in early December baking like crazy in order to have treats to give our friends. I'm so tired of buying a gift for someone that isn't necessary or was purchased as a last-minute thing because I couldn't figure out what to get them. Everybody likes cookies, so dammit, everybody's going to get cookies. =)
My parents will be here for Christmas, so right now we're plotting out things to do, scheduling the get-together with Scott's family and procrastinating on the cleaning of the house. I have every intention of getting it done slowly, but let's be honest - we all know it will be a mad-dash the day before my mom and dad arrive to get the guest room cleared out and the bathroom cleaned. It's just who I am.
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Votetastic
by Tricia
Tue, Nov 04 2008, 1:34 PM
Scott and I went to vote EARLY this morning. We got to the old folks home at 5:45am and stood in a long line outside in the dark and chilly air for about 40 minutes. Then we got inside the old folks home and waited for another 25 minutes, while old folks watched us. Our polling place had ONE electronic voting machine (that I wasn't even given the option of using) and 5 or 6 little stand-up booths (not the kind that you actually go in to, but the little desk-looking ones). On the other side of the room were 3 round tables and one long table - no folding screens or any of that business. You literally had to stand/sit next to other people and watch each other fill out the ballot. It was a little frustrating. Besides that, when we got into the room, everything turned into a giant cluster of chaos. The signs they had for what each line was were low and small, so I couldn't see them well. What I THOUGHT was the I - M line (my registration is under K) ended up being the D-H line because all of the lines were sort of skewed to the side. A nice man next to me in the REAL I - M line allowed me to cut in front of him. We were out of there right around 7am.
I have a vague memory of going to the polls with my mom one year - I don't remember which election it was, probably for Reagan's 2nd term or George Bush's first term. If I remember correctly, I think they were doing a "kids election" sort of thing that year. Is this true, Mom? Do you remember that? I remember going to the Village Hall with you and while you went to the little booth to do your ballot, I was given a ballot of my own and a crayon or pencil or something, and I got to fill out my "ballot" and turn it in and get a sticker. It's quite possible that I'm merging two different memories - we may have done the kids election at school or something. In any case, I do remember going to the polls with my mom and getting a loose explanation of why she was voting, how it worked, etc.
Now I'm a grown-up and I vote for real, on my own. I know that my vote counts, but I'm not so convinced that my vote makes a difference. I don't know if that makes sense... I'm not convinced that either of the candidates will really make the difference that our country needs. I don't think any one leader can make that difference - I think the people of this country need to make up their minds to be kinder to each other and to our planet. Everyone is waiting for Obama or McCain to "Make Change", but really, why are we relying on them? Why can't we, as a people, do what we can individually to make the change ourselves?
Mostly I was pleased to see a proposition on the Kansas City ballot that would require the electric companies to start utilizing more renewable energy, and while they only have to be at 2% by 2010, it is supposed to increase to something like 15% by 2020. I think it could be done faster than that, and SHOULD be done faster than that, but at least they are putting it into action. I don't think that should be something we vote on - I think it ought to be something the privately-owned electric companies WANT to do without being told to (sort of how Scott feels about me emptying the dishwasher). Scott has an aunt and uncle in Rock Port, MO, and their whole town is wind-powered. Granted, it's a much smaller town than Kansas City, but I think it's amazing that they took the initiative to do what they could for cleaner energy in their town.
I've never really had any interest in, or deep understanding of politics. I still don't. But, despite my lack of interest, it's still exciting to know that there will be new people in charge, and that hopefully, maybe, possibly, things will start moving in a different direction. A better direction. A direction that doesn't make rules to govern my uterus, but allows women to make the choices that are appropriate for their own lives. A direction that doesn't define "marriage" as being between "One Man and One Woman", but between two people in love, regardless of their gender. A direction that helps our sick planet start to get better, rather than brushing the warning signs of worse things to come under the rug.
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Pumpkin Pickin'
by Tricia
Mon, Oct 13 2008, 3:45 PM
We took a trip out to the Pumpkin Patch yesterday with Morgan and Michael. Kelli joined us and brought Kayla and Connor along to enjoy the fun. Kayla seemed to have a blast, and enjoyed checking out all the farm animals. We got lucky and one of the pigs had recently had piglets, so Morgan and I spent a good amount of time watching them root around in their pen. There was one that was tiny and runty that the other babies were picking on. Poor little guy.
We took a bunch of photos, mostly of Kayla's adventures. Check them out here. There are a couple of really good ones of her playing in the patch, as well as some sweet ones of Connor chilling in his ORV. Also, Kayla went on a pony ride, during which she looked positively pissed, but as soon as it was over and she was handed back to mom, she got upset and wanted to get back on - that kid is so funny. She just gets this look of concentration on her face when she's doing something like that (like she always used to do it while swinging on the playset) that makes you think she hates it. But really, I think she's just focusing REALLY hard on how much she's enjoying it.
Morgan and I were a little disappointed with the selection available this year at the pumpkin patch. Last year this farm had an AMAZING amount of pumpkins in all different shapes and sizes - this year, not so much. It looked like they didn't plant as many varieties, and a lot of what was available had either been chewed on by some animal, or was starting to get moldy. We figure it's probably a mixture of the wet weather we had in September and the fact that it was pretty obvious that they didn't plant as many pumpkins to begin with this year. There was a whole section of the field that was chock-full of pumpkinage last year that was full of what looked like soybeans this year. Wah-wah. We still got some nice pumpkins, though, and even found some acorn and butternut squash. And Morgan was able to find a couple of her prized Japanese pumpkins for making delicious soup.
On Friday, Scott and I went out with a few of his coworkers to a bar where Scott had a few beers and proceeded to "drop" (I think it was more like "throw") his phone to the ground, partially shattering the LCD screen. So, now he has lovely bleed marks all over the screen, and, since it's a touch screen, can't use it as effectively. We went and looked at replacement phones at the Sprint store, but he didn't like any of them, so he went online and found a provider that will sell you the screen with instructions on how to switch it out, so he's going to give that a try.
And, I got my ring! I really like it, and it's nice to not have a naked finger anymore. While we were at the pumpkin patch, my hands got really swollen, but I sure as hell didn't take those rings off. They stayed right there on my chubby little sausage fingers.
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Dentist Bad. Drugs Good.
by Tricia
Wed, Oct 08 2008, 2:20 PM
Let's not beat around the bush. I am terrified of the dentist. Panic-attack terrified. I don't know what it is, because going to the orthodontist isn't really a problem, even though I'm pretty sure it's because of my childhood orthodontist that I have so much dental fear. It can't help that I have had so much work done on my teeth that I have a scar in the roof of my mouth from too many novicaine shots to count over the years. I have been going to the same dentist for the last five years or so, but he has never had to do any drilling on me. I've been fine with that. A while back (I'm not willing to admit how long ago) I noticed a small chunk missing out of my very back molar. I ignored it and proceeded to chew only on the other side of my mouth. Finally, last week I decided it was probably time to do something about it.
I called the dentist, made an appointment and proceeded to get sweaty-palmed and anxious. I had a nervous breakdown in a co-worker's office. Nothing like getting all snot-faced in front of your business manager. I went to the appointment and the dentist did an x-ray, which showed enough decay that he couldn't take care of it right then and there, which was fine with me because I was NOT mentally prepared to be drilled right then.
Though I kept the tears at bay while in the chair, when I walked back out to the reception desk and the receptionist (who is wonderful and is used to my freak-outs) I lost it. She asked when I wanted to schedule the work to be done and I just lost it. Luckily, she's seen me cry before and knows I just can't help it. We scheduled an appointment, and she had the dentist write a prescription for valium for me to take before the appointment.
I do not like to rely on drugs to make me normal. I hate the idea of having to take something to calm me down, but if it helps me get through the situation, why not give it a try, right? This morning I woke up an hour early and laid in bed trying to ignore my pounding heart until my alarm went off. I got ready for the day and before blow-drying my hair I took the valium. Within 10 minutes I started to feel weird. My limbs stopped responding to the commands my brain was sending them. I kind of felt like I was drunk - everything seemed to be liquid. I don't know how to explain it. But, I was so focused on thinking "Man, I feel WEIRD!" that I wasn't focusing on being scared of the looming appointment.
Scott got me into the car and we headed out. Once I got into the dentist's chair my heart started to pound quite a bit, and I had to hold back the tears, but I made it through. It actually didn't take him very long at all, and though it was uncomfortable, it didn't hurt. When I was all done, I went back up front where Scott and my friend the receptionist were waiting for me. I lost my shit a little bit then because I was just so overwhelmed and glad to be done. Scott helped me back out to the car and brought me home. After getting me settled on the couch, he headed back to work, which I intended to do around lunchtime.
That didn't happen - I woke up from a short nap around 11:30 to the phone ringing. I stumbled through the house to grab a phone (and of COURSE it was a sales call), realizing that my brain still wasn't working in tandem with my legs. I called in to work and let them know I wouldn't be coming in - I certainly don't want to be out driving if I can't even walk in a straight line. So, I'm feeling better now, but I'm just worn out from the whole ordeal. The tooth looks great (it used to have a silver filling, and now it just looks like a tooth) and I can't even tell by feeling that there's a filling there.
Jesus, I'm glad that's over. Now I just worry about getting the braces off and all the decay they are sure to find once they can actually SEE my teeth. Let's not think about that. *shudder*
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Lucky 7
by Tricia
Tue, Oct 07 2008, 11:10 AM
Dear Bun,
Today is my favorite day of the year. I know it's sappy, but I love the date we picked to get married. That day was such a whirlwind, and I don't really remember much except for what I see in pictures (and that it was the day our country declared war on the middle east), but I do remember being afraid I would trip over my dress or that I would get all snotty-faced from crying. I remember being excited to see old friends and to become our own little family. But I don't remember ever second-guessing what we were doing. There was no fear beyond "will my mascara run?" because I was so elated to be marrying my best friend. I can't believe that was seven years ago.
We don't usually get too mushy, mostly, I think, because we both know how we feel about each other. But, if there's ever a time to bring out the mush, I think today is the appropriate day - so here goes. I love you. I can't imagine what my life would be like without you in it. You make me giggle. You make me have more confidence in myself. You love me, even when I am balls-out, nutso-crazy (which, lets be honest, is about 65% of the time).
We had that funny conversation this weekend about give and take (obviously, that you give and I take), but I hope you know that I don't take that for granted. I am so lucky to have you by my side every day. I am so proud whenever you do something great (hit a home run in kickball, tell a joke that makes everybody laugh, have success on a project you're working on), and can't help but brag that you're all mine. I know people are jealous - how could they not be? =)
I know I don't fit into the mold of a stereotypical wife, but you aren't a stereotypical husband, and I think that makes us a perfect pair. Thank you for sticking with me. Thank you for making the bed. Thank you for taking me to the dentist and understanding that I'm afraid(or at least pretending to understand). Thank you for letting me hold the remote. Thank you for spending your entire weekend painting a room for me. Thank you for taking care of me on days when I just can't do it myself. Thank you for buying me a new wedding ring when I was stupid and lost the first one. Thank you for liking my crazy family (or at least pretending to like them). Thank you for driving me to Topeka seven thousand times, even when you didn't want to (which was every time). Thank you for letting me eat cake for breakfast. Thank you for dragging me to the gym with you. Thank you for letting me cry when I need to and making me laugh when I need to. Thank you for making those little pork dumplings. Thank you for being goofy with me. Thank you for listening when I'm telling a long, drawn-out story (or at least pretending to listen). Thank you for being so patient. Thank you for holding my hand in Emergency Rooms, even when it was hard for you to watch. Thank you for letting me sleep in. Thank you for letting me bring a book to baseball games (and for keeping me safe from foul balls while I read!). Thank you for finishing my thought when I can't find the words. Thank you for taking me to beautiful places like Sedona and Estes Park and Topsail Island. Thank you for encouraging me. Thank you for letting me be myself, even when it drives you insane.
Thank you for being you.
(And thank you for the gorgeous flowers!)
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