Into The Thick of It

Parking

Every morning, I get to bring Brian to school. I say "get to" because I genuinely enjoy it for the most part. I love sitting in a little lounge and doing my work, I love listening to him talk about his classes, I love getting my own work done, I love watching people. Pretty much every part of it is a lot of fun. Except for the girl in the red truck. She is not my friend. (Her truck looks like this....) Because we get here and have to park in the same place at the same time each morning, she has become my arch enemy. Like the Joker to Batman or something. She drives around in her little compact red pickup truck, with her hair in a bun every day, sunglasses on, and we go in circles of opposite directions, stalking the innocent students who are returning to their cars to go home (lucky dogs). We pass each other and she glares at me. I am afraid to look at her....she's little, but she's scary. If she sees a student, she drives 4 inches from his or her behind until they get to their car. My only hope of finding a parking space is finding a student while she is waiting for another student.  Otherwise, I continue to drive around in circles. Today I almost ran out of gas driving around in circles. Every person who came out she found first - but then they didn't leave. They got something out of their car or put something in, and then went back to school. She was NOT a happy camper. I was driving around trying to stay out of her line of traffic, because the more frustrated she gets, the faster and more recklessly she drives. I happened to find an innocent being who did leave, and got his parking spot - she wasn't even in the row with me. Sometimes it's an outright showdown with both of us waiting for the same spot - but I'm too much of a wimp and never go for it. But this time, right as I was pulling in, she pulled into the row and actually RACED to try to pull in before me! I was already halfway into the spot! It was a little frightening. Then, when I got my stuff and started walking towards the building, she almost ran me down. Rules here say that pedestrians have the right of way, but I still stop and make sure people are going to stop so I don't become road kill. She was stopped at the end of the row, so I thought - safe to walk across. Wrong. She SPED up to try to get really close to me, so I ended up trotting a little to make it across without getting crunched by her little truckmobile. Talk about a vigorous start to a morning! Sheesh! See ya again Monday, GITRT! (Girl In The Red Truck) Today I'm starting a new collection. I also need to start working on a special project that's due a few months in the future - but I can't wait to get started on it! I'm nervous and excited :) Tomorrow we're going to a concert in Columbus and that will be VERY fun. Tonight...laundry. Lots and lots of laundry.... My stomach issues seem to be much more in control now that we sort of figured out what was causing everything. Now to just give myself a little time to feel better and to recover, and then get back in shape! Both me and the house, actually! Poor Lexi - she's going to be rich and probably very scared if she helps me much more! Ok, gotta get to work here! Happy Friday everyone - have a terrific weekend!

The Morning Cuppa

Sometimes I wish I had been born British. I love the accent. I love the city of London. I love that they have a queen. And cute princes. And I know I’m only seeing the shiny side of things here, but well, it’s my morning (and my blog) so I’m allowed to see the shiny side. Most of all, I love tea. Almost any kind of tea – not fruity flavors so much…but a cup of Earl Grey (which I’m enjoying with a bit of sugar and cream) or English Breakfast, or Green Tea…just love it. Of course all of mine has to be decaf now, so I have to pretend for the kick that my morning cup of tea USED to give me, but it still tastes good. I like it with toast and jam, or a bowl of oatmeal especially. (I think this morning we’re out of both bread and oatmeal, so I’m having a bowl of Shredded Wheat – icky, but semi healthy). And so life goes on!

Today we have a big day of school; need to get it out of the way first thing so that we can move on with the day. Melanie’s hopefully going to do it with a happier heart than she did yesterday and Monday – Monday was not a fun day school wise. So then we can move on to other things; like laundry and cleaning my stove top which looks horrible. I also need to check email, which I haven’t done since I think Monday, and get that back up and running. Facebook has taken over my life.

I discovered a new artist whose cd (in the form of iPod) I am wearing out. Rosi Golan is her name, and her music is SO good. It’s a little mix of everything; a little jazzy, a little country, a little soulful, a little poppy – but it doesn’t feel hodgepodged – it’s really well meshed. And her voice is fantastic. Just a fun, fun artist. I got The Drifter and the Gypsy, but will probably be back for more. Just need to save up my iTunes allowance.

Speaking of iTunes, I really wish they had a wish list feature. I browse around and see things I’d probably buy, but don’t have a way of remembering them (because my brain has more holes in it than swiss cheese).  I’m signed in as I’m browsing anyway, so you’d think they could come up with something like that. Mr iTunes, if you’re reading my blog, please take that into consideration. (I think maybe 1 person in the world reads my blog – me – but one could hope.)

It is so cold here today – outside and in. I have laundry to do, and the only thing that is even remotely attractive about that to me is that the dryer will have warm clothes coming out of it. I am bundled under a blanket and wearing actual socks (Libby – did you hear that – I’m wearing SOCKS!) to try to keep warm. And it’s only supposed to get colder this week. Ah, the joys of winter. If it could at least snow it’d feel worth it. This just feels like cold for no good reason.

Hope you guys have a good day. (All of the millions of readers that I have.)