Procrastination

I started and finished two and a half papers between last night and this morning. Oh boy am I pumped.  Sadly, I still have an eight page paper to complete and a few journal entrees to finish by tomorrow morning. That eight-pager is going to kill me. I haven't even thought about what I'm going to write for it.  

Tomorrow is dress up day.  I have two presentations that I really don't give a crap about. Apathy feels really good right now. I can't believe I just thought that thought. The high school version of myself would have gotten up on a soapbox about that kind of statement.  

I got to see Lucy last Saturday.  I like her. She barely fusses, but when she does, you just have to talk to her a little and she gets really quiet just to listen.  I could learn a thing or two from her, I think.

I have let my brain wonder a little bit today. I have some ideas for wedding invitations, but they mean that I'll probably have to start making them now to get them done in time to send them out next year. Yeah right. 

Home.

I have (if you pretend that today is not happening) two more weeks until summer vacation. mmph. There is just so much to do in between now and then, but I don't really want to talk about it.

What I do want to talk about is everything that is going to happen after that. I am determined not to waste a second this summer.  I have a list of about 40 books to read.  I'm hopefully going to be working 40 hours a weeks at the computer labs so I'll get plenty of time to spend reading.  I've already started in on my list... Which isn't good because now, I have a choice between reading a good book and working on my projects for class. I seem to choose "book" more often than not.

I read Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver last week.  She's the same author who wrote Poisonwood Bible, which I have not read, but probably will now.  I loved the book.  It is about three characters all living in a small town in the Appalachian mountains. It gave me an awful craving for trees and summer and honeysuckle.

This week I'm reading My name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok.  It is about an Orthodox Jewish boy with a gift for drawing.  It has been painfully easy for me to identify with the main character, but I haven't been able to put it down.  This book might rate high on my list when I'm finished with it. I got it at the library, but I don't think I would mind owning it at all.

I am taking a photography class next semester, so my plan for this summer is to practice with my camera a bit and get used to using it again.  I regret letting the hobby go after I got out of high school.  I'm not a very bold photographer, but hopefully I'll get enough practice this summer so I can go into class with a little bit of confidence.  I'm going to force myself to carry the thing around with me every where, despite my fears of people thinking I'm a fake who only takes pictures of her pets to post them on Facebook. Yes I really do fear that judgement... ha.

Yesterday Kevin and I went to take a look at the place I'm going to be living next year.  It is a cute little one bedroom duplex in the Village.  The kitchen and bedroom could use a little work, but I love the living room, and can't wait to have a refrigerator that is all my own.

  

New

Yesterday morning, my darling new niece, Lucy Jo Fay gave my sister and brother-in-law quite a day. "Little" Lucy weighed in at nearly 11 pounds! No wonder Cara's belly was bigger than when she was pregnant with Sam.

Kevin and I took off to meet her yesterday afternoon. I wasn't able to go and see Sam until he was four days old, so I was pretty happy to have the chance to see Lucy when she was brand new. She has chunky legs and a teddy bear face, and she was so tired from all the work it took to be born that she just slept in my arms the whole time I had her. We'll see what kind of personality develops, but I have high hopes. Cara thinks that she got the nose that my mom and I are so lucky to sport.

It was so strange because I'm used to being around busy little Sam. Even Kevin's niece is starting to be pretty active. I forgot how tiny and sleepy newborns tended to be. Kevin was nervous about holding her, but she just wanted to cuddle up. I'm looking forward to when she gets wiggly and a little more interactive, but I like being around her now, too.

Here's a picture are Kevin, Lucy and I together. Don't mind Kevin's black eye. He got hit with a Frisbee a few weeks ago. Poor guy. I loved when Lucy put her little hand on my chest- just a tiny little baby hug.

Today Kevin and I are celebrating our second anniversary. I feel really lucky to have some one that has been my best friend for such a long time. Two years just doesn't seem like enough. I can't wait to collect more.

I don't really know how Kevin plans on celebrating. This week is a pretty busy week for him, but before I left for work, he told me to wear something kind of fancy-ish. We'll see what he's up to.

10 things I can't wait for any more.

1. Yesterday, Kevin and I went to Lowe's to get gardening supplies. Yes yes... that was fun and everything. However, my favorite part of our Lowe's trip was the walk to the check out counter. We had to pass the paint aisle, and I may have spend 15 minutes picking out paint chips that I thought we great. Now all I need is a new house to paint. Just a few more months... ugh.

2. Carl and Carolyn had a baby on Monday. I want to go and see him this weekend. I also want to go and see my new niece/ nephew when they get here in a few weeks. Babies are everywhere, and I'm starting to love it.
Side note: I like babies and everything, but ten-year-olds are a different story. Some random kid pinched me for not wearing green on St. Patrick's Day. ten year-olds are definitely something I can wait for.

3. Going back to gardening, We are doing a lot of container gardening this summer due to all of the moving that will be happening. Kevin is in charge of most of the veggies, but he has allowed me to use a few of our pots to grow flowers. I'm picked out seed to grow cosmos, morning glories, and daisies. they are going to be lovely.

4. School is out in just a month and a half. I'm not quite to the point of burn out, but I feel it coming. I should be writing a paper about legal prostitution right now. Or studying for a test. Or looking up forums on line for parents with teens. Or writing journals on alternative news sources. Or studying for that other test. Or recruiting participants for a focus group. Or coming up with a location to present another paper that I should start soon. Instead, I'm watching The Office online, and writing this blog.

5. It is almost shorts weather. We had a few days this week where it was appropriate to be less clothed than normal. I have yet to actually wear shorts because my legs are "Ultra Premium Dove White" according to the Val spar paint chip sample.

6. I gave Milo a hair cut yesterday. He looks cute... but he looks like a dog... not a puppy. I miss shaggy Milo.

7. Our friends, Johnathan and Jeanette were supposed to come and visit this weekend. Our plans fell through, but it makes me even more motivated to arrange a weekend with them.

8. Every time I call my mom, she busy doing something to her house. It is going to look so different the next time we go down to Zionsville to visit.

9. Ellen is probably going to Portland Oregon this summer. I'm so jealous. Sadly, I probably won't be able to visit, but I'm looking forward to Skype cooking with her.

10. I've made it my goal to start using my camera again. It is a nice one, so it is silly that I never take it out of it's bag. I hope to sign up for a digital photography class in the fall.

Morel Hunting

Spring Break is officially over. It was a pretty great week, I guess. My parents are moved into their new home. It's a nice house, and I think they both have a lot of good ideas on how to improve it. The backyard it the best part. It's huge, and it has a great little area for a lot of gardening, and a swing set that reminds me of the swing set Cara and I used to have. It will be fun watching Sam and any other future grandchildren my parents have play back there. I think Milo and Moses will love it, too.

I worked early in the morning on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, So I didn't get to sleep in too much, but I was able to nap a lot and read a bit (less than I had intended... sad). I'm glad summer is almost here. I feel like I have some major reading that I want to do, but school just seems to get in the way of that. If you have any suggestions for me, I'm all ears. Oh also, for those married people out there, Kevin and I are looking for a... pre-marriage preparation book that we can read together. I've look on Amazon a little, but most of them don't have any customer reviews, so I have no idea what is actually good. Let me know what you think.

Yesterday, Kevin and I went to Greencastle with his dad to hunt mushrooms. We went to a few places that Kevin's dad called the "deep woods," but we weren't convince that we were really that deep. It was quiet, though. We were looking for black morels, but I guess it was just a little too early for them. We found exactly zero mushrooms, but we did manage to dig up a sassafras root. Kevin and I are going to make tea with it later today. It smells so good.

I'm back at work in the computer lab this morning. All of the hiking from yesterday left me a little sore and waking up wasn't that easy, but I would consider it a pretty successful Spring Break.

My friend Carolyn might be having a baby today. She went in bright (actually it was still dark) and early this morning. They are keeping a blog updated with new events, and I have a feeling that my day will mostly consist of clicking the refresh button on that Web site. Oh, baby.

Update.

I have no idea what I'm going to write on here, but I haven't actually posted anything in a long time, so I thought I should give it a shot.

I'm getting a new niece/ nephew in a few weeks. My current nephew is entertaining, and I'm just not sure if his cuteness can even be matched. I've already warned my sister that it may be hard for me to not play favorites. We'll see if this new kid proves me wrong. =)

My parents sold their house. Next weekend I'm going to Indianapolis to help them move. It was a strange thought when I realized that I'm going to have to look up directions to my parent's home on map quest the next time I go to visit them. They have been living in that house since I was three years old, so it is odd to imagine them anywhere else. They did a great job turning the house into a really wonderful space to live in, so I'm looking forward to see what kinds of things they come up with in a new space.

Speaking of moving, my roommate and I just realized that our lease is up at our house in two months. I have really loved living in this house, but the thought of moving is exciting. I'll love living in a house that is all mine when August roles around.

My landlord for next year is Kevin's boss, so I'm (mostly) going to be able to paint and do whatever I want to the place. If it is a good living situation, Kevin and I plan to stay in it after we are married, so I'd like to really make it our own. I honestly don't remember what it actually looks like. Jack (the landlord/boss) showed it to me while he was in between making deliveries for the restaurant, so it was a quick walk through. I remember that it is small and cozy, and I remember this random tiled counter top that would be a great place to put Moses' food bowl, but other than that, I just know I really loved it. I wish I could remember more so I could start prep-planning things.

Kevin and I have been spending a lot of time at the Heorot (a local bar in downtown Muncie) in the past 6 months. They have an ungodly amount of beer in that place, and their challenge is to drink 100 different kinds of beer in 6 months. Kevin and I decided on a whim to try it, even though we didn't like many beers when we started. We finished of final beers last Sunday evening. It was such a wonderful night, with a lot of our favorite Heorot buddies there to witness. Hopefully in a few weeks they'll get our names put up on the bar for all to see.

Animals are healthy. Moses just turned 2ish! We think she's officially out of her teenage angst phase because she likes cuddling with us again. Whew... I don't know if I could even handle a real teenager. Milo is getting old, too. Every time I look at him, he seems like he has less and less puppy in him. He's staying with our friend Tim this summer (who will be able train him much better than we can). I'm hoping (without really talking to Kevin about any of this) to get another kitten after the summer is over. If any one comes across and orange male kitten, let me know. I'd love to get a bigger cat, to contrast Moses' tininess, and to handle Milo's abuse.

Lets see... Most of my classes are good, the others are boring and repetitive. I'm almost finished with my Sociology major, but I still have a year to go.

My job is going well, I guess. I don't know how it couldn't, though.

Wedding planning is non-existent. During the first few months of being engaged, I could stop thinking about it. Now, I have realized that my wedding is over a year away, and I just don't really care to worry about it. We'll probably look at locations this summer but until then, I'm just enjoying being engaged.

Valentine's survey

This is a few days late for Valentine's day. but Shel had this up on her blog, and I liked it, and I haven't posted a blog in awhile.  Enjoy.

1. What are your middle names? Marie and Lee
2. How long have you been together? Well... We've known each other for almost two years. We have been together a little bit here and there since that point. Ha.
3. Do you have any children together? Someday.
4. What about pets? Moses the cat and Milo the dog.
5. Did you go to the same school? Yep.
6. Are you from the same hometown? No.
7. Do you live in the same town now? Yes!
8. Who is the smartest? Kevin.
9. Who is the most sensitive? Sensitive to what?  Probably me...
10. Where is the first place you went to eat as a couple? China Express probably.  He made me eat lo mein and white rice together.  It is now my favorite meal.
11. Do you wear matching clothes? I'm sure we could wear each other's clothes fairly easily.
12. Where is the furthest you have traveled as a couple? Indianapolis? or Maybe Greencastle?
13. Who has the craziest ex[es]? Him.  I don't have enough exes to have any crazy ones.
14. Who has the worst temper? Kevin
15. Who does the cooking? Mostly me, but he makes a mean fried rice.
16. Who's more social? Usually him.
17. Who is the neat freak? usually me, but when he gets in the mood to clean, he's hard to stop.
18. Who is the most affectionate? I think we are equally affectionate.
19. Who is the most stubborn? Him.
21. Who wakes up earlier? By choice? Me.
22. Where was your first date? Kevin's House.  We made spaghetti and climbed a tree and took a walk and watched 10 Things I Hate About You. It was the best date ever.
23. Who said "I Love You" first? Kevin did.
24. How did you spend your 1st year anniversary? I don't even remember.
25. Who has the bigger family? I don't really know, and I'm not going to count.
26. Who is younger? Me,
27. Who is the life of the party? Neither of us. Ha!
28. Who do you hope your kids turn out more like? I don't know how to answer that.
29. Who wears the pants in the family? We don't wear pants yet.
30. What's your favorite thing to do together? Going to the Heorot... or doing a crossword puzzle.
31. Do you have the same political views? Usually.
32. Who has the most stuff? Me.
33. Who controls the remote? We don't even have a remote. We're old school.
34. Who does the driving? Me.
35. Who takes out the garbage? Him.
36. Who does the cleaning? He's the dish doer, I keep the rest of the house picked up, usually.
37. Who does the laundry? I guess we both do at this point.
38. Who is the funniest? Me.  or Him.  I don't know.  

Happy Valentine's Day.