So Anyways...

Just How Warm is is in January in the Mountains?

2012-01-28T16:07:00.001-05:00

I took this. In my yard. This afternoon.

An Opening Book

2012-01-26T17:51:00.002-05:00

The internet is a wonderful place. Of course I think that - it's how I met Windtalker. Then again, it's how I met lots of people, including some of you. Today there are some amazing things happening out there on the internets. I'm not just talking about how beautiful it is that you can buy your books from my favorite independent bookstore as easily (but more powerfully) than amazon. Today,

Fitting it In

2012-01-24T13:22:00.000-05:00

1. I'll illustrate this with a picture of what I'm looking at, but you'll be disappointed. It's an empty plate (with a few tiny crumbs), a mostly-empty tiny mug, and a nearly empty water glass. And my work computer. Because I'm working from French Broad Chocolates today. Have I mentioned that life is good? 2. Life is good. It's weird for me, because people ask things like, "how's married life?"

Things Capturing My Awakened Heart These Days (Today)

2012-01-19T14:17:00.000-05:00

I've found that in shedding my 'student' cloak that has been dragging along with me for so many years, and in entering into this amazing marital situation I'm so lucky to have, my spirit is awakened. deeply. Back when I first thought, "Yes, New Years Eve is the perfect day for the two of us to get married for all these many reasons," I knew it was just two weeks after graduation after a full

Accomplishments

2012-01-10T11:47:00.000-05:00

It feels pretty ridiculous to call some of this "accomplishment", since it feels like I'm mostly amazingly-lucky, and certainly each contains magical elements that I did not construct. A few snapshots of the last few days. More to come (I hate to "spoil" it by telling you the stories without the pictures I don't yet have, so here are some pictures I DO have). It's Official: I picked up the piece

2012-01-05T23:21:00.000-05:00

So I'm sitting here in bed in the dark (save for the light of my computer screen), listening to my husband's whiffling snore and I'm struck by so many things at once. One, I'm clearly still a B. because I'm wide awake. Funny how adjusting my last name brought that back out. Well, not that funny. I think it has more to do with the staying up and sleeping in (and today's "lounge around the house

Different, But Not That Different

2011-12-24T12:04:00.001-05:00

If you're part of my family, I know your gut reaction is to correct me, that this isn't TECHNICALLY part of the Christmas situation. I argue that not only did I just walk around in the middle of Case International territory, but I couldn't help but pick up this bag to share a bit of my family stories with Windtalker. I'm not in Illiana for the first time EVER for Christmas. It's ok. We're

Some Things

2011-12-21T11:06:00.000-05:00

I've been thinking a lot, lately. Actually, I've been "thinking" a lot for a long, long time. For one thing, it's hard for me to shut my brain off and just be present in the moment. I know I should, and I know it's important and I try. But just realize, it's there. But also, I've been so overwhelmingly busy, lately, that I haven't had much space for personal thinking. So now that I've checked "

Grad Glimpse

2011-12-20T09:41:00.000-05:00

This is a snapshot of a proof from my graduation (I realize it's not entirely kosher to have it on here, but it's branded and a small file - and if you want to purchase a real one - this or one of the others, you can let me know and I'll pass it along. It's not cheap). Not my favorite, but at least it's a glimpse. In all our rushing around, Windtalker and I didn't get a picture of me in my

December 17 To Do List

2011-12-17T15:23:00.001-05:00

1. Become a Mastress (Arts- Professional Communication & Community Studies) 2. Move to a new State & live happily ever after with Windtalker

Tell Me Something Happy

2011-12-12T11:41:00.000-05:00

Sigh. Friends, sometimes I get tired. I mean, that's no major surprise. Fibromyalgia's a bitch. What I mean is that sometimes I get weary of life and don't have the restraint to keep from cussing in the first sentences that leave my fingers. The physical tiredness and the mental weariness tend to be kissing cousins. I'm nearly done, so nearly done with school. I have one paper left. It's due

While Drinking Mello Jello & Listening to African Music & Wondering if I Should Clean Off My Desk Before I Leave, Today

2011-12-01T16:20:00.000-05:00

I know. I owe you. And if you could see the list of draft posts I've started over the last few weeks, you might believe I've been thinking about you. Or you might think they're really me, thinking about these things that have been happening. 1. I passed my comprehensive exams. Yeah. I did that. I was honestly shocked when my advisor said, "annnd, I'm just calling to tell you that you passed!"

Old Traditions Made New

2011-11-16T08:57:00.000-05:00

A [long] time ago, it feels so long in some ways and close in others, my life included several important traditions. Thanksgiving was spent traveling to Grandma Carol's house and enjoying the noodles (if you try to tell me Thanksgiving tables musn't hold noodles, I'll cut you). Christmas Eve was at my Grandma Reta's house, and you couldn't open the presents until the dishes were washed - although

You didn't actually think it was going to ease up? Did you?

2011-11-14T15:54:00.000-05:00

If you point out that I suggested such a thing, well, you may end up getting your HEAD RIPPED OFF!! But at least it'll be from a distance. The odds are slim you'll get "lucky" enough to be close enough to me for it to happen until mid-December. [She said, still operating under the illusion that once the semester is over, life gets simpler.] Somehow I had the idea that if I could just get through

And UNTIL then...

2011-11-06T18:53:00.000-05:00

Soon, and very soon, I'm going to get all kinds of philosophical on your [ahem] be-hinds. But for now I'm trying to be a good girl and focus on my Comprehensive [Exit] Exams - this week. Think good thoughts. Please!

The Things That Matter (& the things that don't)

2011-11-03T13:35:00.000-04:00

What Matters: I am getting married in 58 days to this person I never actually believed existed. I wasn't ever sure if I believe in the one, nor will my rational mind agree with the idea. What I do know is that all of those things that I ever wanted, that I ever needed, even the "imperfections" and needs: they are contained in this one person. It's the craziest thing I've ever experienced - and

A Delicate Balance

2011-10-14T13:52:00.001-04:00

I've learned that the trick to living with fibromyalgia, and perhaps also to living itself, is figuring out how to cut yourself some slack, without letting yourself off the hook. A delicate balance. For example, it's Friday. I got a running start at Friday, and was proud of my accomplishments, sailing along on the downhill, when I realized right before it hit that I was wearing out waaay too

Keep On A Shinin'

2011-10-07T10:32:00.000-04:00

I know... Three posts from me in one week is a lot like overkill, or at least, "really, Jill Be? You have that much to say?" I do. Frankly, I'd take down yesterday's whining, but some day I'll reflect back over it and remember. And also, y'all said things. Comments are always nice, and I'd hate to delete 'em. Especially when my family is all a-provin' that they're supportive in good ways. I'd

Opinions Are Like Belly Buttons. Everybody Has One.

2011-10-06T15:22:00.000-04:00

I've heard it. I know it applies to other people's lives. I just [foolishly] believed that since my family is usually quite careful about not-pushing on these kind of things, that it wouldn't trickle down to me. I know. Stop laughing. It's my fault in part. I tend to over-share (you know that, you're reading my blog). I also have a thick skull. So if something bears concern or question, I seek

Down & Dirty Questions & Topics (you can help me out here)

2011-10-04T10:53:00.001-04:00

I finally asked if the time for my Comprehensive Exams has been set, yet. They have. It's about the best option I can hope for at this point. (short of a magic bunny who says, "Just Kidding - you don't have to do them at all!") November 9-11, in the mornings. That's a Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. My classes are Monday-Wednesday, so it's the "lighter" part of my week. It's not the week I need to

Keep on the Sunny Side

2011-09-27T13:51:00.000-04:00

I have a rather "weird" life compared to most people. Most of us could say that, really. Even a "normal" lifestyle is pretty bizarre to most-other people. You might claim "boring", but that's only if you let it be. (if you think your life is boring, start living! What have you always wanted to do? to try?? Could you start taking a daily walk, or learning something you've always wanted to, or work

100 Days

2011-09-22T13:52:00.000-04:00

Oh, p.s. Today is 100 days until Windtalker & I get married.

Welcome & Good Evening to You

2011-09-22T13:50:00.000-04:00

Every now and then I pause to check my blog stats. Not because I get a lot of hits, or because I obsess over who visits (or who doesn't). Just curiosity. If I checked more often than every now and then, I'd probably obsess. I'll be honest. The best stats are the referrals - how people get to my blog. For the 3 of you who visit regularly that is either blank because you typed/clicked/bookmarked/

With a Heavy Heart (and a lighter hand)

2011-09-13T12:20:00.000-04:00

They say that when you get married, things go wrong. You're going to turn into bridezilla and freak out when someone stains your dress before you get to wear it, or when a vendor can't distinguish between the cream and the off-white tablecloths, or something. Even the people who are all "be laid back and go with the flow" say they freaked out and things went terribly wrong and it was all okay in

Two Weeks In

2011-09-09T10:15:00.000-04:00

Wow. So it's been a while. If I'm counting right, and I'm certainly not sure that I am, it's been 18 days. Which seems both forever and not so long, depending on who is counting and why. To be honest (and beat that dead horse everyone does from time to time), things have gotten really busy. Surely you can't be surprised. But I've felt something bubbling up over the last few days, a desire to

A Few Things

2011-08-21T19:17:00.000-04:00

This Post by Liz about body image, and pregnancy, and being a "small" gal. It speaks to me, and I'd bet it'll speak to you if you let it. This Post over at yes and yes is full of awesome. If you need to buy someone a gift, go check out the awesomeness. If you're trying not to spend money, do not go check it out. This Post by a newish friend, Laura (not to be confused with Lara David) (

Save The Date

2011-08-08T21:42:00.000-04:00

In case the news affects you, and you haven't heard it yet, there is a date, and a time, and a place. New Year's Eve 2011 My Town My Church You're Welcome, of Course. As long as you intend to help us celebrate this awesomeness. We don't want troubles. There will be joy. And happiness. And Chocolate. Perhaps that is redundant. Love, Jill B

Straightforward Yet Rambly

2011-08-01T10:27:00.001-04:00

Hi. Can I share a few things with you? It's fairly hot around here, and I'm a rather blunt person. So being to-the-point shouldn't be a surprise. I've recently become acquainted with wedding blogs. While I was nominally aware of the whole Wedding-Industrial-Complex (WIC), and was never interested in it, I maintain this disinterest now that it's semi-applicable in my life. Part of that is

Through it all, I am Blessed

2011-07-27T10:44:00.000-04:00

Straight up? I had a pretty terrible past week. As I explained to a friend this morning, It's not that any of the experiences has been more than I can handle, or would manage well if I were in a good frame of mind, but all compounded and building/drawing from each other... It's overwhelming. (or I said something along those lines) I won't go into all of it, but some highlights? My Aunt Jean

2011-07-18T17:00:00.002-04:00

In a nutshell, this is my day. If by "nutshell" you mean "tweet", and if by "day" you mean "afternoon". The morning was a little more overwhelming with a side order or neurotic. Last week I stopped by Other Boss's Office to drop off some things that had been collecting in my office (as my office is actually a 15 minute walk involving a significant hill). His assistant said, "have you not told

2011-07-11T20:30:00.000-04:00

I am so. hot. (hush, Windtalker, you know what I mean) It's seriously, seriously hot right now. That's just not right! It's 7:42 p.m. and it's still over 90 degrees. When I was little, I swear the hot part of the day was between 10:00 and 2:00. Even my "get outside and play" family let you stay in during the heat of the day. Yet here I sit. On the floor. In my semi-air conditioned bedroom.

The Accomplished! The Undone! The Try Again! (Part 2) aka "Downsized"

2011-07-07T14:29:00.018-04:00

Today's (Okay, yesterday's, but I got sidetracked and didn't get it posted yesterday) To-Do List Catch-Up is really just 1 item. Mostly because it seems to have garnered the most reaction. But also because I actually took quite a few accompanying pictures. To read the first day's Recap click here (you don't have to, it wasn't that interesting). The Accomplished 3. Make a realistic 18 month

The Accomplished! The Undone! The Try Again! (Part 1)

2011-07-05T12:52:00.000-04:00

The Red Pump Project. How did I not know about this, already? You know I love red. You know I love awareness campaigns

Remember When?

2011-02-24T15:10:00.001-05:00

I was feeling nostalgic this afternoon. Wondering about where I've been, what I've done, how we all got to right here. So I went scavenging around my archives. Here are a few minutes I hope you haven't missed. Okay. So there's the Chocolate Party. Always good, light fare. But remember that time I gave a glimpse into the why the chocolate party? Here it is. Or, remember my old job? The one

2011-02-22T08:20:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to share... Yesterday was just a regular, ole good day. It was nice. I recognized it while it happened. (So I enjoyed it.)

Okay, You Can Laugh Now

2011-02-18T10:31:00.000-05:00

Life has not gotten easier. But I don't want to talk about that. Another thing I didn't want to talk about (until now) was the cherry on the top of my splendid Wednesday*. And by "splendid" I mean "not splendid in the least." To "deal", I splurged on groceries - I bought things like fresh fruits and vegetables, baking staples, cheese - I even bought two kinds of juice. I brought them home, and

Post-Valentine's

2011-02-15T14:41:00.000-05:00

My Valentine's Day/Weekend Festivities were actually quite awesome. Yesterday afternoon I thought, "this all reminds me of something..." Then I remembered. My Birthday. Just three months ago I was filled with hope and showered with support from friends and family (in both tangible things and words and deeds). I love the showering. I am less-thrilled with the need. But I can't really control that,

Go Red or Go Home

2011-02-04T14:04:00.000-05:00

You might be familiar with the Go Red campaign. The idea is that there's a national day where people wear red to raise awareness of heart disease being the number 1 killer for women. A fact that doesn't get much attention. It started several years ago now as Red Dress Day, and I always meant to make a red dress, but I never got my act together enough to pull it off in time for the day (and then

My Grown-Up Valentine's Day Wish [List]

2011-02-01T08:56:00.000-05:00

Wow. That's a terrible combined riff on two separate songs. Can you name both of them (in the comments)? I have a few other posts a ruminating that I really need to get out there *cough*Thank Yous*cough*, but this one trump'd them. It's time-sensitive, you see. In various formats and fashions, some of you have asked what you might be able to do, materially-speaking, to express your care for me

About a JillBe

2011-01-29T10:59:00.000-05:00

A few years ago I asked some friends a question. What song would you say is about me? What's my song? That's 2 questions, I know. I don't remember the original phrasing of the question, but they get to the point. I wanted to put together a soundtrack to my life. The songs that, for better, worse, or whatever, are the songs that say, "This is who JillBe is." I used to keep the soundtrack as a

Tuesday

2011-01-25T21:41:00.000-05:00

It was only Tuesday. It is only Tuesday. There is much week left to come. It has not been as long as it's felt. Patience, dear child. (the mantra I'm repeating tonight) I had a good weekend. Really. It was nice. I spent time with friends, I did a little thesisizing, I enjoyed, I re-grounded, I emerged rejuvenated. Monday was mostly good. It ended splendidly. Which is going to seem weird to

Better

2011-01-20T20:32:00.000-05:00

Leaped some hurdles today. Or at least, managed to climb over them. I feel better. Because of that, but also, just because. It'll take me a while to regain my ground, but I'm less-convinced that I'm stuck in a hole. Wanted to let you know.

All Apologies

2011-01-19T20:38:00.000-05:00

One point if you caught that. No more, because it was a gimme. I apologize if this all comes out BLAH or WTF or any other way, but it's 8:24 and I'm sitting in my sweats in the dark of my office contemplating whether I should start working again. The details around all of this aren't important. What is important is that I've pretty much had all I can take. I'm serious. This afternoon I decided

And on the Eleventh Day, She Blogged

2011-01-05T16:09:00.000-05:00

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Epiphany, today is the Eleventh Day of Christmas. Meaning that tomorrow, Epiphany, is the Twelfth Day. Don't worry, I didn't learn that until a few years ago. Until a few years ago, I knew January 6th as one day only. The day my mom's parents got married. It's kind of a funny story. There's this story about how my mom went to elementary school, and

Guess Who is Getting to be a REALLY BIG BOY/ (aka David Turns 6)

2010-12-29T11:46:00.000-05:00

Six years ago today, we were all really worried. We stayed that way for a long time. We might even still be holding our breath a bit, if we're honest. But David has come a long way from being 1 pound and change in weight. For one thing, he's 36 pounds heavier. He's walking, nee RUNNING on his own. He reads, he eats with his mouth, he sings. He has the best smile, enchanting eyes, and shares his

2010-12-21T21:22:00.001-05:00

Grants are done for this year. Yes. No, I don't really want to talk about them. The ending was rough. Life has been pretty busy. And you know me, I'm not content with "normal" busy. I've always got to go and mess with normal. Anyway, when I need a few minutes' break, I check in with my google reader, and spend a few minutes in my "Hope" folder, or my "Joy" folder. It's where I find gems like

Not Wednesday, But, Well, You Know (that I can't be wordless any day)

2010-12-09T14:42:00.002-05:00

Things are challenging on my end. I just about starting crying in my boss's office a few minute ago. But I don't want to talk about all that, right now. In fact, I won't talk at all. Just a picture show, if you please. Birthday Present from some Sweet People (who refuse to move out of Ohio, blech) I papercut myself several times this week. Then I papercut my papercuts. If you've been there,

Kinda Weird

2010-12-03T08:38:00.000-05:00

I'm mondo-busy (just ask my mom, she's eager to hear from me and I haven't found time to call. Sorry, mom. I plan to carve a few minutes this weekend). But I'm having an odd morning and wanted to share. I work with some good people. We have a nice little corner in my department - it's strange to be all friendly, interested, and supportive of each other. I have some good friends. They call me up

The Times, They Are A-Changin'

2010-11-27T20:13:00.001-05:00

There are a lot of things going on that my teenage-self would not be able to wrap her head around. I'm 32. As in "years old". It's Saturday night and I'm alone. She'd probably believe that. So, it's Saturday night and I'm alone. It's a mix of "by choice" and "I'd choose to be not-alone if I knew of a reasonable option." I'm also blogging. She'd probably believe that. She had her own things.

It's That Time of Year

2010-11-22T09:00:00.001-05:00

I've had some trouble around here, lately. I keep saying things that cause turmoil. This is particularly frustrating as they are things which were meant to calm turmoil. But then again, I'm Jill B, and while those baby name meaning sites may tell you that my name means "Sweetheart", I'm pretty sure they're wrong. Jill = Misunderstood. It's particularly ironic when you think about what I'm

It's Not Just About the Salad

2010-11-13T13:53:00.004-05:00

By Xufanc [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], from Wikimedia Commons Dear World, Hang on tight, because I'm about to set you on your ear! Are you ready for it? Okay, here goes. Vegetarians don't eat just salad. Now, don't get me wrong. I absolutely appreciate the mental effort you put into accommodating me when you have

Missing Post

2010-11-12T13:22:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I posted something that I took down this morning. I realized it didn't say all that I wanted to say, and then I realized that nobody in her right mind would sit still and read my long, long, long-winded ramblings as they were. So I'm going to break it up, make it easier [and more interesting] to read. In the meanwhile, a reminder. Have I mentioned my love for both Sesame Street &

I just called, to say...

2010-11-07T22:44:00.000-05:00

I have to say... one of the things that makes my life worth living is my sister. Curlysis. Just got off the phone after a good, long talk about life, and who we are and how we got this way... Normally that's a philosophical Saturday night kind of conversation over something warm or mellow (not Sunday evening as we are getting ready to wade into another week). One of the important factors is

Tears of Awesome

2010-10-29T15:55:00.002-04:00

So, despite my "gruff" exterior (which my college friends called "stoic" and my Southern friends call "Yankee"), I have quite a tender inside. I can't watch morning television shows - I guess I'm still too connected to emotions from sleeping. I tear up at sweet commercials and sappy movies (yes, just like we used to make fun of mom for doing), and I'm a SUCKER for any good, hopeful item. What

Why You Should Be In Northeast Tennessee This Weekend

2010-10-22T15:30:00.001-04:00

This weekend promises to be the ULTIMATE Autumn in the Mountains weekend. Beautiful, clear, warm weather by day, crisp, fireplace weather at night. Next week it's supposed to get wet, and along with the cool, the leaves will start changing and falling en masse. So, this is the weekend to not miss. And you have to be sensitive to these things, we don't always get an awesome fall weekend. So

I'm All Sorry & Stuff

2010-10-19T12:39:00.002-04:00

Straightaway? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so blunt in dropping a bombshell like that. I actually spent months writing and editing and re-writing posts... maybe it's because I saw them so often that they began to seem rambly and ridiculous. Then again, perhaps that would have been a better way to ease you into the information.I mean, I did foreshadow a bit, but perhaps not as much as I should

Out With It

2010-10-15T00:53:00.000-04:00

I have fibromyalgia. "Fibro" for short. I've been trying to figure out how to tell you for months, now. I've spent hours drafting posts, editing, saving - but never hitting "publish". At least not intentionally - if I have and I've forgotten or not realized, we can blame it on the fibro (that's supposed to be a joke - obviously fibromyalgia affects one's sense of humor, too. My apologies.).

How Do You Send a Sympathy Card to an Entire Community?

2010-10-12T11:53:00.000-04:00

Even a community that could fit itself inside a priority mail box? There was a pretty terrible wreck in my hometown Saturday night. Getting into the minutia is not my purpose, nor something I'm really qualified to do. But I'm left with fallout, even from 500 miles away. This has shaken the entire community - from the deepest roots to the furthest branches. Of course the survivors, the families

Think Positive

2010-10-07T17:49:00.000-04:00

It's been kind of a challenge for me, these last few weeks. And by "it" I mean, well, life. I can't promise I'm on the upswing, but I can say that I'm hopeful, and enjoying the present. That's something I've really learned, lately. To enjoy the right now because, well, because we should. Anyway. So, one struggle that I've been dealing with, on top of being sort of busy, is that I've been pretty

Be Kind.

2010-09-29T21:21:00.000-04:00

I have not forgotten you. I just haven't been able to adequately say the things I want to say. I'm either driving, and by the time I get anywhere I've forgotten the breakthrough insight... or I start typing and end up with mindless drivel...or I pull up the posts I've been writing and editing and editing and editing and feel like they're just crap. But I'm still here. Busy. Last week (really?

Solo Share

2010-09-16T21:47:00.000-04:00

I watched this tonight. I've actually not watched it a few times - embedded in posts or flitting by in tweets, I've been too busy or not interested or whatever else, and so I didn't watch it. Tonight Megan gave it a sweet intro that caught my attention (actually, she did that a few days ago, but I'm just catching up to her). Thanks for the attention-catching, Megan. Anyway, I just wanted to

Foreshadowing

2010-09-15T09:32:00.000-04:00

I first read this about 4 or 5 years ago, and I liked it. But I couldn't really apply it to my life, I've never thought the world was over. I mean, sure, I've thought, "Man, this feels like the end times," but I didn't actually think the world was over. I've had a rocky go of it, and I've always expected to just keep crunching forward through the debris. So I bought the journal with that quote on

The Answer

2010-09-10T14:54:00.001-04:00

So, this week has been kinda suck-o. I mean, sure, I got a new iPhone, but then I discovered that my poor, well-loved computer is too old to connect. Yep. I have no good way to get all that music, all the paid apps, turned over to the new phone. I can handle the contacts, and the free apps, but the rest is being held hostage on my old phone/old-but-dear computer. Kind of a bummer. Also, it's

Moving at the Speed of 4.0

2010-09-09T12:13:00.000-04:00

If you were thinking, "I bet all these hints are leading up to Jill's iPhone upgrade," you're half right. Because I took this picture while looking at the screen (front camera). It was super-fast on every account. By the by, in case you weren't sure, the iPhone 4.0 is just as awesome as advertised.

Two Sides of the Same Coin

2010-09-08T14:35:00.002-04:00

Am debating: is it a sign of a good system, or a sign of a system in need of "fixing"? When everyone surrounding a given person has to retool and adjust every action and interaction and pre-think and re-think meetings, and adjust and re-adjust tasks, and it becomes an "understood".... Good? (that such a system is possible) Bad? (that such a system is necessary) Other: and how to deal?

It Will Make More Sense in a Couple of Days

2010-09-07T08:47:00.001-04:00

Rants I'm Holding in (which probably isn't helping my mental or physical health)

2010-09-02T12:06:00.001-04:00

Dear Students (& 9-month faculty), You are adults on a public university campus, and you should know better. Please be respectful of others. That includes not smoking while walking down the sidewalk - as this has been a smoke-free campus for two years. It also includes using crosswalks - and if you're not using a crosswalk, at least looking to see if someone might run you over, unexpectedly.

Dessert Contest 2010

2010-08-27T23:42:00.000-04:00

Guess What?? You happen to be on a first-name basis with the winner of the "Best Appearance" Award for the 2010 Dessert Contest at my work retreat. Oh, the irony. I didn't get a "before" picture, but here's what it looked like by the time I got it home. I got this handy certificate - which my next-door office-mate explained that I needed to display prominently in my window (like she did, with

Another "What's Been Going On Behind the Scenes" Post

2010-08-27T13:41:00.000-04:00

Back in January I made a resolution. I will treat myself. I will give myself a break. What you didn't know, What I didn't know yet, either, was how incredibly important that would become for me. We don't usually know what's coming our way. Not even when we plan. Not even when we see it coming from a distance. Taking better care of yourself is always a good idea. Sometimes it means being hard

Dessert Crisis

2010-08-19T14:41:00.002-04:00

I have a really serious, terribly important, impending situation on my hands. Next Wednesday is the 2nd Annual Dessert Contest for the college I work in (please ignore my bad grammar in this serious situation). I don't know what to make, but I know I want to win. Last year, my next-door office-mate won for best taste, with a white layer cake with blackberry jam in-between, and some buttercream

Pictorial Answer

2010-08-19T11:48:00.000-04:00

Raspberry Lemonade Cake Looked up from my Chocolate Creme Brulee to see him walk by in the flesh. Got started reading a book I've anticipated for a while now. Bumped into great friends from home (wearing different clothes than this). Went home and ordered Pizza from down the street.

Giving Myself a Break

2010-08-18T14:19:00.000-04:00

Yesterday as I left work, I mentioned to the secretary that I have one project I need to do that requires concentration, so I planned to work away from my desk for the morning. Last night I realized I had a 10:00 appointment this morning with my thesis advisor. I like morning appointments, but 10:00 is just about the worst time if you want to get work done away from the office. Likely, something

Among the Things I Don't Understand

2010-08-15T17:44:00.000-04:00

I just read a post from a new acquaintance proclaiming the deep love she holds for her Black Berry. I don't get it. Now, if you're one of the people closest to me, you might remember that I went through a dark period this summer, a brief few weeks of considering whether an alternate item might meet my needs, be cheaper, be more earth-friendly, etc. If you so much as HINT this to my beloved