i see, i saw, i do... a new start.

I realized that my personal gmail account is still linked to my old blogger accounts, and that my more recent, or at least most posts after I got married can be found on another blogger account that I had created... so scoot on over to... i see, i saw, i do for the latest and greatest. Granted it hasn't been updated since 2012 either, but at least you can find me.

don't say there's nothing to do in the doldrums

I desperately need my work to pick up and get hauling. Last Friday marked the last day of nannying for my two adorable Austinite-nephews, and already I am in a slight funk as to what to do with my time while I'm not working. I'm a substitute teacher, you see, and while I appreciate the flexibility of it all, sometimes there isn't work to be had, which both stresses me and bores me out of my mind. Stress because we need the income, and boredom because my life has become incredibly less eventful on the day to day scale. So much the so, that on days (which are most) when there is absolutely nothing on the agenda, I often would rather just stay in bed lingering longer in dreamland before getting up to do a whole lot of nothing. Sure, sure, there's the occasional laundry to be done, dishes to be washed, 617 sq. ft apt to be cleaned, but that hardly can fully constitute a fulfilling life. I keep thinking I need a healthier occupation. Something to really give myself to and devote all this unused time of my life. In the least I need work to pick up and keep me occupied for the time being... come on AISD throw me some kind of line!

Was reminded of this great movie I watched over and over again as a child: The Phantom Tollbooth, 1970. To read the start of the book go here.

I couldn't resist from including a clip about wasting time... "So don't say there's nothing to do in the doldrums."

"You can do anything as long as it's nothing!"

rodents of unusual size

R.O.U.S.-es? I don't think they exist.
But they DO:

We pulled up to the bed, bath, & BEYOND parking lot in Southpark Meadows (not quite the fire-swamp in the Princess Bride) to discover this on a leash in front of us. A capybara sighting! Luckily I had my trusty camera in my bottomless purse (see! they DO come in handy). So I whipped it out and took a few prime photos of the capybara.

Here are a few facts pulled from Wikipedia:

• Capybaras are the largest rodent in the world.
• As adults they can weigh up to 140lbs.
• Though now extinct, there once existed larger capybaras 8 times the size of modern capybaras. That's larger than a grizzly bear!
• Capybaras are semi-aquatic mammals.
• They are found in the wild in/native to South America.
  
• Capybara's are herbivores, more specifically a graminivore.
• But not only that, they are coprophagous (Meaning they eat their own feces! Ewgh gross!).
• Capybaras are very social animals, found in groups.
• They also are very vocal: with purrs and alarm barks, whistles and clicks, squeals and grunts.
• Capybaras are gentle and will usually allow people to pet and hand-feed them.
• They can live up to 12 years in captivity.

For some reason the sound of the word capybara makes me want to adapt that old song to ...Capybara sits in the old gum tree....

i think she's officially 5 now...

"Tiffany dear, Mrs Wall has to stay after school today to be a tutor."

"Mommy, what's a Tooter do?" 

The silly girl, had funniest look on her face with that question.

chili con cornbread

Tonight we had chili and cornbread. Made my first batch (on-my-own) after doing a quick online search and then making a trip to the grocer for some much needed chili/cornbread staples. It was fun being domestic... even more fun to know that my DH would get to enjoy it with me. Here's the recipes I used: Day Before Chili and Cornbread. Only problem was that whoever developed the site didn't really use a proofer... since one would need to flour the bottom of the loaf pan rather than 'bottom the bottom of the loaf pan' as they so instructed and somehow in the list of ingredients of the chili they don't have the onion powder (that they instruct you to mix in later). I forsook the onion powder (didn't have any anyways) and proceeded to spray with oil and flour the loaf pan in advance. Everything turned out delicious... which is a good sign because as the title indicates this chili is best if made the day before and has a chance to sit in it's juices over night in the refridgerator. Mmmm.. Mmm... leftovers (or atleast my DH thinks so).

red nose rug-rats

Four boys. Red hair. Fiesty fire-balls.

6, 4, 2, and a new born (literally last week)... yah... 'nough said. (for now anyways).

reach out and touch someone

My two eldest nephews, Q and A, ages 8 and 6, have their very own cellphones. That's right folks they call me... and actually it's so cute to hear their little voices on the other line carrying the conversation like little men. Only they are more well versed than some older men I know. Anyhow, I love how even though we're days apart by travel we're only a phone call away.

The oldest, Q, called me the day after New Years' saying: "I was just calling to see how your's and Uncle E's new years went." Precious boy.

Today the younger, A, called me just to tell me it was a holiday and that he didn't have to go to school today! You can imagine the glee behind that call and still I could sense the 'I-feel-so-grown-up'-ness behind his voice the whole time. What a sweetie!

*grin* it's a good thing that we have the same cell plan. thanks AT&T,...er, Cingular, whatever you're called these days.

2007 was a BIG YEAR

I would have to agree with Fishlamp when I look back on the year 2007. I too wanted to say that it was the most fabulous year yet, because about one-third the way through I met my dear sweet husband and we too got married at the close of the year, but instead I must admit "it was a very adult year." Events prior to meeting my husband were in truth very difficult but quite possibly very key in setting the tone on such an answer. And though there was our wedding a the close of the year there was also the laying-off of my job, so with two very big and new life changes to get accustomed to one can understand why I am both happy for the new year, and a bit off guard regarding it as well.

However with 2007 behind us, here's to all the wonderful things that 2008 will hold! For starters: My husband and I just celebrated our first month anniversary! :) Thanks hunny for the beautiful roses.


p.s. Fishlamp, I was super excited to hear that you and Shel got married. hurray!

party in my mouth

Thai cuisine.

You know that sensation that your tastebuds are being highly entertained? When the tantalizing fun is obtained in just one spoonful? That's what happens to me when I eat most Thai dishes. Mmm Mmm Good. Delicious curries... bring it on!

it's just the way it is sometimes

Dr. Meredith Grey: Okay, here it is, your choice... it's simple, her or me, and I'm sure she is really great. But Derek, I love you, in a really, really big pretend to like your taste in music, let you eat the last piece of cheesecake, hold a radio over my head outside your window, unfortunate way that makes me hate you, love you. So pick me, choose me, love me. - Grey's Anatomy

oh emma.

"Emma knew that Harriet's best chance for happiness was that she would marry as well, but it seemed too much to hope that even Harriet Smith could be in love with more than three men in one year."

naked lady party

Whooo Hoooo! But just so you know, it's not what it sounds like... or atleast I hope it's not going to be. So far as I can tell it's only for women, and it's about clearing out your closet & drawers of underused, un-you clothing and accessories, bringing them over, and spending the evening trying on "new" items, sipping drinks, and visiting with the girls. Sounds like it's going to be fun. I'll drink to that. *grin*

open mic and mochas

One of my WA-papa's co-owns a great looking coffee house in Pullman, WA. Here's an online photo-journalistic view of it. CHECK IT OUT Open Mic and Mochas

It was his dream to open this shop, I'm so happy to hear it's doing so well. Makes me believe that my dreams too can one day come true.

breakfast at Tiffany's

I watched that film for the first time last week and loved it. Why? Because Audrey is adorbably cute and helpless, and although terribly insane in this movie, it's pulled off so well... and WOW, well, someone truly loves her for it. While some of the dudes in the film become attracted to her for her enchanting beauty and insanity, only one is truly there for her in the end... dispite her appearant pushing of him away and all. I guess that kinda makes him insane too. But still, I loved it. Gave the girls with "the reds" some hope in this world. Hmm... I wonder what is written about this film... will have to check that out.

unbelievably a-LIVE

Singing "her song" at Mozarts to a crowd of people out on the decks. Decked in red (not pink) my dear talented friend was coersed into letting it rip LIVE with amplification. Sitting with a large group of people related because of the life that we all possessed possibly made it ever more exciting... that, and getting to sing along on the chorus like a regular-ol' groupie would. I love her and she makes me smile. And these days, smiling is something that I really need a lot of.

f-e-a-r...

..is the calling card of the devil.

My Austin-dad just read me a portion of ministry that spoke about fear being the calling card of the Devil, that as we accept fear into our consciousness what we are actually doing is inviting the Devil to come visit us. So rather than accepting this calling card, we need to reject it, telling him that we do not fear... have no reason to fear, because the Lord is on our side. His heart is GOOD toward us... and He is our dear loving Father who knows our needs and will provide for us at just the right time... we need only to seek Him first... Then as He's promised... all these things will be added unto us. We need not be anxious... because that which He has promised that He will fulfill. He is trustworthy and faithful.

The TX Round Up 5K &10K crew

the gimpy 10K-er *grin*

some friendly advice

"When we're incomplete, we're always searching for somebody to complete us. When, after a few years or a few months of a relationship, we find that we're still unfulfilled, we blame our partners and take up with somebody more promising. This can go on and on until we admit that while a partner can add sweet dimensions to our lives, we, each of us, are responsible for our own fulfillment. Nobody else can provide it for us, and to believe otherwise is to delude ourselves dangerously and to program for eventual failure every relationship we enter."

-- Tom Robbins