from the archives

We had a visiting child in our Primary class Sunday. Her name was Carol.

I don't know about you, but anyone named Carol is automatically a grandma in my mind.

so, uh

I was just asked to sing on a float in a 4th of July parade.

That makes me nervous.

But really, what's in a name?

Isn't it strange how certain songs on certain days can transport your mind and heart back to certain times and people and places and feelings? Part of me likes it. Most of me doesn't.

I don't like feeling emotions spring up spontaneously. I've been struggling with that lately, especially with judging. Negative emotions keep swelling inside me over particular things I see other people do. I won't get into particulars unless you want to hear about it. I don't like it. I am working through it.

The gospel is alive and well here in Houston. Our ward is really, really great. Many people in our ward are wealthy, very wealthy. And there are many young couples, just starting out like Jeff and I. There are many single members, and many members who are not as well off financially. I see how the ward bands together. I'm sure not everyone sees it this way, but I do. Perhaps I see this because I have an easy time getting along with everyone in the ward, old and young. I am sad to admit that I feel uncomfortable befriending one certain type of person, mostly because I feel a lack of interest on their part. Do you feel that ever? Perhaps I am intimidated by these people, by their looks. I'm not sure what it is yet. Can one look at a person and know they have nothing in common? Or is that a completely immature way to think? I am striving to serve unconditionally, be kind unconditionally. I am doing okay with it...for the most part. Nothing annoys me more than knowing someone, meeting them once or twice, and then they never talk to me again despite seeing me at church each Sunday. It is so rude. I try to avoid these people. I also try to not be that person. It always makes me feel sad when someone does that to me. We should just love everyone. At one point, just a few months ago, my ward had five Lisa's in it. Sadly, two moved away so we are down to three. I am good friends with all the other Lisa's. I miss the Lisa's who moved away. Lisa is such a funny name.

Do you feel like you personify your name? I have no idea if I do, I suppose because I don't identify myself by my name so much as I do my likes, interests, my core beliefs, my character. Lisa is just something other people call me. Whether I personify my name or not, I have acquaintances and friends who I feel most definitely personify their names. I suppose I might personify mine too, if I'm using my perception of others as a barometer.

Yesterday I went to our local LDS peanut butter cannery and screwed lids, assembled boxes, packed boxes, loaded boxes onto pallets, wiped down jars, etc., for 6 hours. It was so fun. I felt so happy. I am happy a lot these days. Not that I've been sad. I've been happy. Maybe it's just summertime. It is really hot in Houston, but I like that, even though I complain about it all the time.

I am happy when I take care of my body. I am happy when I sleep for 8+ hours, when I work out, when I eat healthy foods. I need to take better care of my spirit. I'm making more of an effort to pray always. It's amazing what that constant line of communication can do to better one's day. I feel grounded, more temperate, calmer, more satisfied. I deeply appreciate my loving Father in Heaven.

Lastly, I would really like to go to a cool place this weekend and go hiking with my Jeff.

strap on your boots

It's venting time!

I have this friend. She's a good friend. Loyal. Encouraging. Supportive...usually. She is also extremely close-minded, so whenever my philosophies on medicine come up, she becomes confrontational and rude. She asks questions with a mocking tone. It happens every time. I try to avoid conversations about anything medical or health-related with her, because they always end the same way.

For example, I would like to birth our children naturally, with a midwife, either in our home or at a birthing center. I've read about this a lot; it's not a decision I reached on a whim. My friend proceeded to argue for a good 15 minutes about why hospital births are better and that I must be a real nut case to even consider a home birth. Won't you be scared if something goes wrong? Won't you want drugs? I am probably more anti-hospital than I am anti-hospital birth. I've had friends who've had great experiences birthing in hospitals, and friends who've had horrible experiences. All I know is that I want to choose what happens during my child births, and based on the research I've done, I feel that I will have more control with a midwife, in my home or a birthing center. I know my body is capable of handling childbirth, because women have done it for centuries. That gives me confidence. My body will go into labor when it's good and ready, not when it's convenient for the hospital's schedule. Also, the c-section rate in Houston is astronomical, ranging from a low 7% at some hospitals to a repulsive 70% at one hospital. The average is in the mid-50s. I'm not saying c-section isn't needed sometimes--it is. I'm saying that if I have healthy pregnancies, I want to be able to labor naturally, with no pitocin drip and no epidural, when my babies are good and ready to come out.

Can't you just let me voice my opinion without jumping down my throat about it?

Then today, well let me telllll you about today. She asked what Jeff and I did for his birthday, so I told her. She asked if we had a special dinner, I said no because Jeff has class and he's doing a candida cleanse. I explained what it is and why he's doing it. He's doing it to try to treat a skin condition he's had for 8 or 9 years, something he's seen MDs for numerous times. Not once has any doctor ever successfully treated it. It always goes away for a little while then comes back with a vengeance. So he tells that to the next doctor and they say, Oh well you didn't do this. Try these pills/creams/etc. So he does and it goes away. Then he stops treatment because he's 'cured,' and guess what? It comes back full steam ahead. Jeff did a lot of research about the internal issues that could be causing this condition and found that a candida cleanse would be helpful. Great! He's eating a specific diet, taking specific supplements, and using essential oils to topically treat it. You know what my friend says? "So you're telling me Jeff read a bunch of hooey online and decided to treat himself? I just don't think some 20-year-old kid knows as much as a doctor. Maybe self-medicating will work. Who knows."

You know what? If you know nothing, don't pretend to know something.

Jeff and I are anti antibiotics, we are anti-chemicals. Maybe I'll explain why someday, but it sure makes sense to me. A missionary I knew on my mission was cured of cancer using essential oils. Yes, you read that right. Plant extracts with ZERO side effects. Some of you are probably reading this thinking, Pft, yeah right. But he was.

I guess all I'm saying is, don't knock something or someone until you've done a little research and tried to see where they're coming from. Don't harp on their opinions just because they're different. Don't be afraid of new ideas.

Don't be afraid to be wrong.

Birthday boy!

Today is Jeff's 28th birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He opened his presents last night because we just can't wait around here. And also he has class every night and I get home from work after he's left so we pass like strangers in the night. He said it was a great birthday! Luckily I didn't strike out on every present like I usually do. I got him gym chalk, those squeezy things to work on your grip and build mega huge forearms, and an elevation mask.

Now not only do we get to annoy our neighbors with our loud music and heavy weights when we work out, we get to emotionally scar them too! Huzzah!

The word huzzah reminds me of two things. One, another person named Lisa who I knew in high school. She always used to say it. And two, Tobias Funke.

Have you watched season 4 of Arrested Development? How did you like it? We have two episodes left. The first few episodes really were awful, but then you keep watching and each episode leaves little presents all along its way. I've enjoyed it a lot. To a new start!!

LOL!!!!

Moisture

Isn't that just the grossest word? Moisture. It's gross to say, it's weird to hear, and it is so non-descriptive. Let me suggest some situations where I commonly hear the word 'moisture' used.

From the pulpit during prayer: 'We are thankful for the moisture we've received.' Why not just say rain? That's what you really mean.

Outside in the summer: 'There's so much moisture on my water bottle.' Moisture? I think you mean condensation.

At a BBQ restaurant: 'Would you like a moist towlette?' Oh, you mean wipe? Yes, I'd love one.

In the suffocating Houston summer humidity: 'Sick. It is so moist out here.' You mean hellish. Go away now.

After running through a sprinkler: 'Darn. Now my shirt is moist.' Just say wet, because that's what it is.

I'd like to say I won't punch you if you ever say 'moist' around me, but I can't make any promises.

What got me started thinking about this was how much water I've drunk in the past four weeks. Each workday (and most Sundays, Saturdays I often slack off) I drink an entire bottle like this:

That is 101.4 fl oz of mois water, just 26.6 oz shy of a full gallon. I started it as a challenge to myself to see if I could actually do it. It's surprisingly easy. Sure, it's a ton of water and I pee a few more times daily than I used to (I commonly drank around 80-90 oz daily before, so I'm not drinking too much more), but it has done a few great things for me.

1. improved my digestion
2. improved my minor skin dryness issues. You may think that because I live in the most humid place in the world that I never have to use chap stick. Think again. This helps my otherwise very dry lips and eyelids.
3. made my fingernails super strong. Part of this is due to the protein in my diet, but I've noticed a definite increase in fingernail growth over the past few weeks. Luckily I haven't noticed any outrageously long toenails. Sick. Toenails are gross.
4. My body stays cooler. I work out in my 100-degree garage, so you know I sweat a ton, and I drink another 30-40 oz of water each night after I get home/workout. But for some reason, I feel like I don't sweat nearly as much as I used to. Call me crazy. My sweat also isn't salty.
5. given me more excuses to leave my office!!

In fact, it's just now 1 pm and I finished the jug already! I can't believe it.

Guys, I really have to pee now. But before I leave, you have to make this recipe. It is so good. Peace out.

I told you!

I told you to come back and there'd be another entry! My job can just be really boring. Very left-brained work, so I have to take frequent breaks or I will melt.

Speaking of work, on our last day in Maui back in January, our office manager quit. Guess who took her job?! It's been nice because I get paid a lot more, but I am doing more work, and it's not fun work. I like doing all the website stuff, but I don't like all the contracts. Many of our contracts are with countries I won't name for fear of evil men coming for me in the night, but they are the biggest, most corrupt bureaucracies on Planet Earth and as such they require oogles of paperwork. It's so awful. Definitely not what I pictured myself doing, or what I even want to be doing, but it's a good job and I am lucky/blessed to have it. I mean, I work from 7 am to 3 pm! It's awesome! And I'm still teaching piano lessons a few days a week during the school year.

Sometimes I feel actual shame over my job. When I was in college, I really wanted to be a music critic and write for Pitchfork or some dumb blog, or be famous. I still wish I were a famous singer, preferably in a rad band. I miss playing in bands. Now I guess I don't care, and that's my problem. I'd love to be someone, not just an office manager for some oil and gas firm, but you know, life is about many other things. In some ways, I am so glad I have this job because it doesn't define me at all! My poor boss is such a workaholic I don't think he'll ever retire. And then he'll be this 95-year-old cute little Jewish man saying, 'I'm so glad I have so much money to die with.' Yeah, right. I feel liberated by the fact that I am me, independent of anything in my life. At the same time I spend 40 hours a week doing something I really don't like! But it's okay. If I really hated it, I would leave!!

Jeff is in the last semester of the first year of his Masters in Education Administration. One more year! Not sure what the year after that will bring, except that we are open to staying in Texas and moving away from Houston. We like Texas. Who knew? Jeff is a really good husband. He was stressed this year with school and work, and I was stressed suddenly picking up more of the load around the house, but we figured it out and now things are peachy. Now he gets to be Mr. Mom because he has summer break! Someday soon I'll tell you about the trips we've taken this year and the trips we're taking soon.

Back in the winter we quit going to our Crossfit gym and bought all the junk so now we work out in our garage. We were thinking about long-term affordability, and owning the equipment is definitely the way to go. I'll admit, we got out of shape there for awhile, ate what we wanted and didn't think much of it. Getting out of shape after being in such great shape was not fun. I don't think we will make that mistake again. We've been working out steadily the past month or two, so we're back on the wagon at least. Because Jeff is now out of school and has tons of time, we've started a strength training program. We're both looking to make some gains in our main lifts (squats, deadlifts, standing press, and bench press), so we started using the Wendler 5/3/1 system, as of this morning.

This is Jim Wendler. He is a former strong man competitor. 

At a weight of 275 pounds, he lifted a 1,000-pound squat (as shown in the picture), 675-pound bench press and a 700-pound deadlift. I just can't even fathom how his bench press and deadlift are so close in weight, as usually these two lifts differ greatly in max weight. Obviously, Jim Wendler is the man.

These lifts are something we're used to but haven't strictly focused on. We'll lift three days a week, conditioning on Tuesdays, yoga Thursdays, sprints on Saturdays. Since Jeff is ditching me for class every afternoon/evening, I'm going to work in some extra conditioning at night, rowing, kettlebell work, whatever. Just keeping it light and easy so I can save myself for lifting HEAVY. Now, before you go thinking Jeff and I are going to get a huge and nasty, don't worry! I have no interest in consuming the amount of food needed to get that big. But if you want to be strong, you've gotta lift heavy!

Jeff's birthday is Thursday, so everybody tell him HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! IT'S THE BIG 2-8!!!

Sometimes you're up, sometimes you're down

If you check my blog history, you'll see that I was once an avid blogger, mainly because I wrote about whatever I did. I'm going to try to do that again instead of waiting until I just have to say something. Maybe someone out there wants to read about what Jeff and I are up to. If you don't, I'll crack myself up.

Jeff and I are almost to 3 years of marriage, and where has the time gone? I remember when we married thinking, yeah, about two years and then we'll have a kid. Psssh. I am so psyched to be a mom! Someday! But man, these past years have been rad.

Did I ever mention that we bought a couch? We did. Back in February. It's the Taylor sofa from Thrive Furniture and we love it. We got the ottoman too, and it's huge, but we love that too. Yes, it's gray because I just have a thing for gray right now. And we got the lighter legs. My only complaint is that the legs screw on, and they don't screw on tightly, so sometimes the legs, which are supposed to point outward, point inward. So last week, after three months of having the couch, I finally realized Thrive should fix that. We're supposed to get eight new legs (were supposed to on Saturday!! Grrr...) and hopefully those will work.

A few months back we also scored two Drexel Declaration pieces at the neighborhood high school's garage sale. I had a cow when I saw them, and saw their prices because these things can be expensive! Luckily ours weren't.

They both have the original white globe knobs, except the six-drawer dresser which is missing one knob, so we will end up replacing them all. The highboy had a broken leg. The thing weighs at least 250 lbs, so I can understand how the leg broke. We finally got that back from our guy Allen and it's as good as new! Did you know you can clean wood with vinegar? That's what we did and it works great. These pieces were both really really REALLY dirty, so we were afraid they wouldn't polish up, but they did. The highboy, though technically a dresser, works great in our dining room as a sideboard thingy, and our TV sits on our dresser. It works. I love love love them!

What's next? An Eames lounge chair and ottoman? I hope so. When will my bonus get here? Come on, November!!

There are so many more things to say! But I'll stop now before you're too bored. Come back in a few days (or a few hours if work stays this slow) and you can read all about my life! You know you want to!

You know you're old when...

the Harlem Shake is new to you.
Is it like the Macarena?

just for today

Sometimes I wish I were a little bluebird, who fulfills the measure of its creation just by existing. It has no tests, no trials other than survival from cold and hunger. It is always considered beautiful and sings a song everyone wants to hear.Yes, I would like to be a bluebird. Just for today.

nesting, finally

It's been awhile. Again.

We had a nice Thanksgiving in Dallas, a nice Christmas in Dallas, and an even better start to the new year with a trip to Maui, paid for by my work. Nine days. Yep. It was bliss. Too bad what tan I had is already fading.

Our dilemma with what to do with our nasty wall texture is solved. We had some guys paint our place while we were gone. And---I LOVE IT! I walked in after little sleep on our redeye from Maui, just hoping it wasn't ugly. And it is beautiful! The texture is still there, but I can ignore it thanks to the lovely paint job.

We used Behr's Polar White on all the walls (we wanted Ben Moore's chantilly lace, but those prices are just too much). We used SW Passive on the ceilings in all the white rooms. I LOVE having grey on the ceilings. It's so calming and brings our high ceilings down visually to create warmth (even though we chose really cool colors). The dining room, adjacent to the family room, has Passive on the ceiling and Grey Matters (two shades darker than Passive) on the walls. This is my favorite room in the house, by far.

The kitchen and bathroom are Sea Salt, a greyish blue, also Sherwin Williams. Incredibly, these rooms look like they're painted different colors because of the difference in lighting in the two rooms. The kitchen has halogen bulbs; the bathroom has regular incandescent (for now). I love all the colors we chose so much! All the doors and trim are Polar Bear in Satin, I think. The rest of the paint is flat. It looks awesome!

Next we are trying to figure out what furniture to get.

Tell me, few friends who read this blog. Our living room is 18' x 13'--long and skinny. How would you decorate that space? We will hang our flat screen on one of the 18'-long walls; the cable box/DVD/AppleTV will be hidden in the closet in the 2nd bedroom, with all the cords routed through the walls. I want this Beauty underneath (custom made since this thing is 6k) with the receiver and turntable on top. Other than that, I can't figure out the best layout. Sofa? Chair and a half? Just a tough call, and I am so afraid to buy something that won't fit in the space.

We also need to redo our fireplace file. Wowee, is it ever ugly. Here's what I'm thinking needs to go on instead. I just love stone and wood and I want our whole house filled with greys and olive greens and wood and stone. And yes, we could do cement floors as our condo has a cement sub-floor. For rentability however, we will most likely put down laminate.

Let me know what you think!

Blogs

Fundamentally, I like blogs. I like blogging, from time to time, as a means to express something I would like to say. Usually it's an observation on society, or on myself. Sometimes it's frivolous. Sometimes I share music I like (stay tuned for that). I don't post to see how many hits I can get, or for revenue, or even to please anyone else. I just like writing stuff and I happen to have kept this blog since high school, so I may as well stick with it.

Blogs in general, however, are often no longer just a way for people to write stuff down. Now they're full of pictures, coding, graphics. People obviously spend a lot of time making their blogs look pretty. People obviously spend a lot of time making themselves look pretty for their blogs. What are their motives? The opposite of mine, for certain. Some people keep craft blogs. Great, you have a purpose. Design blogs. Those are cool. I like finding new stuff as much as the next person. But what the heck are lifestyle blogs? How do people who have nothing original to say or who do nothing unique have so many followers just for posting a gazillion photos of their babies and their hair-dos they took hours perfecting for an amateur photo shoot?

Recently I watched a video citing numerous made up names, all originating from the great state of Utah. 

The video itself isn't very funny; the names are. As I watched it, I wondered why so many crazy names come out of Utah. Any ideas? I have one, but I hate to mention it as I think it's rather judgmental, though most likely true.

What do weirdo names from Utah have to do with blogs? Just yesterday I was reading my friend's creative and crafty blog, and she linked to some other blog, which I didn't like (lifestyle blog), and she linked to some other blog with the dumbest premise I've ever heard of for a blog. It's a children's lifestyle blog. BORING. It's apparent she's put a lot of time and money into making this blog look fab, and I bet some moms eat this stuff up. There's a 97% chance that any given lifestyle blog is written by an LDS woman or a homemaker from Utah. Guess where she's from. Utah! No surprise there.  Anyway, I'm reading this first entry about a clothing store in Utah called Koo De Ker, featuring some other mommy blogger, who writes (not really writes as she doesn't write--she maintains) a blog on fashion. Wow. Obviously this mom has way too much time on her hands, and too much money. She's loving the camera, really milking these shots. This is the highlight of her day. Now to the best part--her son's name. This fashion blogger's son's name is Hanes. You read that right. H-A-N-E-S. Now stop and think: what comes to your mind? First image that comes to mind is Michael Jordan wearing grey boxer briefs. Hey Michael, how you doing. Second is that jingle from the old Hanes Her Way commercials. Here are two to jog your memory.

As a young child, when I heard this jingle I instantly knew I could improve upon it. So I made up a little song. It went like this: "Hanes Her Way! Your butt's on display. Hanes Her Way! Put on pants, okay?" For anyone reading this who is musically inclined, the melody is: C-E-G, F-E-D-E-C, plus rhythm but I can't annotate that with words. Just know the Hanes Her Way is syncopated.

Part of me thinks that if Hanes had used my jingle, their underwear might be more popular today. Alas. I'll just be contented feeling sorry for the little Utah boy named after underpants.

funny

Here's another oldie that I think is pretty funny.

One thing I will never have is a couple's blog. I guess maybe it could be cool, but most of the time I don't like them. I don't want a couple's blog ever.

The snow: fun to drive in and fun to play in! I just drove home from Alex's. Correction: slid home from Alex's.

The winter makes me crave carbs. Carbs and cookies. Cookies are carbs.

I probably shouldn't post this entry since it borders delirium.

have i told ya have i told ya

I promised some drafts; here's the first. From spring 2004. End of freshman year at the ol' BYU.

yo yo. i'm excited because i'm going to san diego/brea this weekend to see the peeps. it's gonna be tyyyyte.

nothing much is going on in l-town. i am working as usual, making the moolah. i got my hair cut and dyed a few weeks ago, but i'm really not liking it right now. it's being very disagreeable, so much so i want to chop it all off.

i think i may have finally found a place to live at school. it's this little yellow house near campus. i'd have three other roommates. it sounds like fun i think.

then comes classes. i still don't really know what i'm going to take, but i really want to take intro to women's studies so i can meet the weird chicks at BYU and maybe make some normal norcal friends. no offense ladies.

life is just good for the most part and i'm happy.

oh btw, i talked to perry last week! he's doing well but now he's in washington. he was in the airport in slc when he called me. so yeah. i miss him but he's better and getting help and that's what matters most.

much love,
miss lisa marie. xoxoxoxo

The main reason is...

How often do you have those days when you want to run away?

You can't stand cooking one more meal/prepping one more lunch. You're sick of your own face not to mention your entire wardrobe. The thought of sitting at your desk at work all day doing stupid menial tasks because you wasted your shot at a career you love/you're indifferent i.e. lazy makes your skin crawl. You're angry and mad at everyone and everything. The house is messy...again. Dishes are in the sink...again. Laundry hampers are full...again?! And don't forget you sliced your finger open with the kitchen shears a few days ago and your finger is still bleeding, and you hit your head on the one chair you have in your family room when you were sitting on the floor because you had a genius idea to get rid of all your furniture, and just this morning you burned your hand on your curl stick you don't use too often but you just wanted to look nice for one stinking day DARN IT!, and everyone around you is useless. Just useless!

The main reason why I am so scared to be a mother is because I have these days, well, too often. And I'm sick to my stomach at the thought of feeling this way toward my kids.

Tell me how you deal while I sit here listening to the new Guided By Voices album which is pretty good so far.

Hey guys, this is funny

Seriously, this is really funny!

New York City Subway Stairs from Dean Peterson on Vimeo.

good birthday and new walls

Because Jeff is so great, he started smearing on the joint compound in our closets as a test run. Holy smokes. We have smooth walls, guys!! They look so great. Next step is to sand, then apply a second coat, then sand, prime and paint. It's going to take awhile to do the whole place, but it'll be so much less messy (and easier!) than scraping off the texture. Which, for the record, really is that bad. But we want to bring this place into a more modern era and get more money out of it as a rental!

Yesterday my dear friends Jen and Kortney took me to breakfast at Cracker Barrel. I love CB for Dolly Parton, the rocking chairs out front, the country store. The food can be hit or miss. But where else can you get biscuits and gravy, 2 eggs, sausage, bacon, ham, grits, hashbrown casserole and fried apples for less than $8? Seriously! We were all stuffed!

Then we went to this NASTY estate sale that looked oh-so-tempting online. The 'SOLD' sign out front coupled with the unkempt yard made me think, 'Either an old person lived here and they died, or someone nasty lives here.' Unfortunately, it was the latter. As soon as we stepped inside the front door, a mix of putrid scents hit us like a heatwave. Pet urine, fecal matter, mold, rotting food--it was all mixed up in that smell. The lady behind us said, "I don't think I can do this." Neither did we, but the insides of this house gave good enough promises that we had to stay. The thick layer of pet hair covering the floor's entirety made me wish I was wearing close-toed shoes. We walked around with our fingers under our noses. I wished I had some lotion I could use as a scent buffer. One of the ladies running the sale approached us and kindly said, 'There are napkins on the kitchen table,' and a few seconds later, she left and reappeared with a stack for us. The stench still lingers in my nostrils.

Despite the decrepit conditions, the house proved to have a few gems, like the glass deviled egg plate Jen bought, or the MCM entertainment console I would have snagged had the sliding accordion-ish door not split in half as I tried to pull it shut. The owner (who was lounging on the couch in the main room as people meandered through her home--so bizarre) also had a 10-place setting set of some gorgeous Fire King dishware. That stuff goes for $$$$ at the antique fairs out here!

Then we went to Ulta. That place is ... all right. Too much for me.

Then I got home, and Jeff and I drove down to Galveston and went on the dolphin tour! It was so rad. I loved watching the pelicans dive head-first into the water. And the dolphins, they were so beautiful. What amazing creatures! What a fun boat ride! It started storming while we were out on the water, so we decided to turn home instead of going on that swing ride over at the Pleasure Pier (still upset we couldn't go, but who wants to be soaked through from rain on their birthday?). Then we went to Outback, because for some reason, Jeff's parents think I really like it so they send me a gift card to Outback for my birthday every year. 

Last night I spent three hours writing a talk for Sacrament Meeting that I didn't even use. Not even one piece of it. But it went better than it would have had I used it and I'm glad it's over.

Now I have homemade strawberry pie in the fridge. You know, I make everything homemade because I like knowing what goes in my food. So it's a whole wheat pie crust, with homemade strawberry glaze over the strawberries. Heck yeah yummy!! Can't wait to try it.

coming along

We made a decision about the wall texture, or rather, we have a step one. Tomorrow (also my birthday--Lisa, it's your birthday. Happy birthday, Lisa) I will purchase a bucket of joint compound at Home Depot, as well as one of those scraper trowel things, and give it a go in our closet. All we have to do is scrape a few layers of joint compound over every wall and ceiling surface in our entire house, and then we will have smooth walls. Yay! YouTube makes every DIY project possible.

Anyone ever spray-painted metal folding chairs before? We've got two I'd love to see a new color, instead of the bland taupe they currently are.

My friend Jen dyed my hair last night. It is so dark. I don't recognize myself.

I wish I could tell you Jeff and I are doing something fun for my birthday, but with school starting Monday (both his work and his Masters) I think just dinner out will have to suffice. Oh and also we are speaking in church Sunday, so I guess we get to write talks too.

(Note to parents: Please don't ever have a child right at the end of summer. Your child's birthday will always be overshadowed by last minute summer vacations, or school prep, or any other of the gazillion obligations that arise right before the school year. No one will ever be able to come to their birthday parties, and they will give up even having a birthday party because it's too sad to have no one come. Please, don't do it).

At least I will always have Michael.

Happy Birthday Lisa from Gautham Ganesan on Vimeo.

I want to be a Roche

with this song.

live version:



studio version:




Both so exquisite.

Settling

We have lived in our new house for almost a month. Actually, we have been out of town a lot of that time, but we are so happy to be in the new place. Horror story of horrors: We got the keys the night before we left out of town for ten days. So Monday night, Jeff installed new locks on the doors while I cleaned the house. We laid down plastic so the movers could walk freely and we wouldn't worry about their dirty shoes (I come from a strict 'no shoes' household so naturally I'm continuing the rule). At 8 am the next morning, the movers moved us out of  our apartment and into the new place. If you've never used movers, you need to. It was well worth the money to watch someone else sweat in this insane heat. And it's almost comical how strong they are, and how easily they lift and carry the boxes I think are most awkward. After they finished unloading the truck, we showered up and left our new home, all boxed up but safely locked inside.

The trip to California (my childhood home) was filled with highs and lows. My brother coming home from his mission was a definite high. He is a man now. I love and respect him so much. We went down to Disneyland--another high. It was so fun. We stayed in Newport Beach, and that was really pretty. I'll spare you the lows. I am grateful the lows happened. When difficult things happen in life (especially in relationships) and I'm able to process and learn from them, I always come away feeling refreshed and like more of a whole person. This trip gave me that. As always, I was so happy to have my Jeff by my side. He is my match in every way.

But the house. We love our neighborhood. We have a two-car garage (no more bird poop!). We have more square footage. There is no Home Depot (or any commercial establishment) in sight. Overall, we love our new digs and are so happy to be living here for the next few years. We are hoping to rent it out once we outgrow it, which hopefully won't be for five years. Now the hardest part is decorating. What color should we paint it? What furniture should we get? What fixtures should we replace and which should we keep? One cosmetic flaw is the textured walls. Ick. We can spend days scraping, or leave them as is--we're leaning toward the latter. I have to keep reminding myself that we won't live here forever, so it doesn't have to be perfect.  Right now the walls are whitish with a peachy-tan undertone depending on the light. From far away I don't see the texture at all. One worry I have is when we do paint, will the color make the texture more pronounced? Anyone know? Anyone want to come give me design tips? Free hardwood flooring? Anyone?

Buying a house is just too much work.