Look What The Cat Drug In...

Hi everyone. OK, I know, I've not posted for a long time. I'm sorry. Suffice it to say that I've been VERY busy and it's been hard to find time to sit down and blog. I'll run through a quick catch-up of "The Very Recent Life Of Jen" in an effort to get everyone back up to speed about what I've been up to. If this isn't of interest to you and you're more "in" to the "here and now," skip the next paragraph. :)

Last weekend was amazing. Our sorority nationally celebrates its commitment to philanthropy in the month of October. Our alumnae chapter had a brief meeting last Saturday (not yesterday, but the Saturday prior) and assembled "Spooky Sacks" for the children at the KU Medical Center. We put together cute little bags filled with Halloween-y goodies (pencils, rubber bugs, etc.) and then the kiddos get something fun to play with on Halloween since they can't receive any edible treats or go Trick-or-Treating. We did this last year, too, and it was very well received by KU Med. Plus, the chapter had fun seeing how creative we all were in our shopping for goodies for the bags! That night, Curt's parents and brother came over for dinner. We had invited them to say an official "thank you" to them for helping Curtis get the fence up (it's done - yay!). Plus, Mom Smith had had knee replacement surgery a few weeks prior and this was the first time we'd gotten the chance to see her since. Prayers answered - she is doing AWESOMELY and is loving her new mobility. The week was busy, too. I flew home to Indianapolis for the third installment of a course I'd been taking called "Flawless Consulting." This is an amazing class...one I'd highly recommend be taken by anyone in a professionally consultative role (or a marriage!) Dan Reid is just a fantastic presenter. Will I use all of the tricks and techniques taught in this class? Probably not in ensemble, but I'll definitely use (and have used already) bits and pieces in my various communicative roles in my personal and professional life. Peter Block has written a book about this and I've got it. I just need to sit down and read it. I highly recommend that you do, too. It never hurts to get more tips on interpersonal communication. OK...so I'm very obviously back in Gardner now. The weekend's been busy, but great. Last night, we took Erin (and a neighbor and her son) to the beautiful Deanna Rose Farmstead for their Halloween event "Return Of The Living Farm." FUN! I highly recommend Deanna Rose to any parent or grandparent in the KC metro area. It's a beautiful facility...and it's free! I believe it's now closed for the winter season, but watch the website for when it'll open again next spring. Apparently Deanna Rose was a local police officer who had a deep love for children and animals. She was killed in the line of duty, and the city created this park in her memory. Throughout the year, the park is open for free, and children can come and explore the beautiful grounds, play in the different parks, and feed the animals. It's just a precious place. We'd love to have Erin's birthday party there in September, but with that being such an iffy month weather-wise, we've always been too afraid to consider it. Maybe next year. Anyway, tonight is the traditional Trick-or-Treat (is it REALLY Halloween? The year has gone by so fast!). Our little Erin will grace us in her precious witch costume, and her grandparents will be here to see her in all her ghoulish glory! I can only hope that the Gardner trick-or-treaters come and mass rob us of all this candy!!! That's just what I need - a houseful of chocolate. (Someday fat will be chic...someday fat will be chic....either that, or chocolate will have a thinning effect!) :)

In the meantime, I've been crocheting my little heart out. I'll go drop off the charity squares at Michaels today. I've finished a scarf for Erin, but need to block it and add the frilly edges. Unfortunately, I left the pattern in Indianapolis, so as soon as Mom and Dad send that to me, I'll get it finished and a photo added for your viewing pleasure. :) I've also started on a new pattern...a backpack! More info to follow.

Oh yeah, and our friends at Greek Gifts Etc. finally responded to my EMAIL inquiry (.e., "where-the-hell-is-my-stuff?") Apparently, two large embroidery orders had come in before mine, but rest assured, I was promised, the order would ship soon. Hmmm...I got one of those orange postal cards in my mailbox telling me to come to the Gardner Post Office and retrieve a package in the mail the other day. It also says I owe $1.10 in postage. We'll see what that is before I make any further snide commentary. :) (Although I'm soooo tempted!)

What else? What else? The election. Christ, just vote for Carrie Bradshaw and be done with it! Yesterday, I got one of those pathetic please-vote-for-me phone calls...but you'll never guess who from! Yes, boys and girls, our man G.W. gave me a ringy ding on the telly yesterday. Apparently, he was just dying to tell me all about how Kris Kobach was the best possible candidate for Congress, and that if he were here, G.W.'d vote for him himself. The problem? The man "talking" to be wasn't G.W. Not even CLOSE. No Southern accent. Pure midwestern tonality. The bastard didn't even TRY to sound like G.W. Unreal. Kobach's a Republican, so I was planning to vote for him, but Christ...now? I might just vote for his loser opponent just to spite Kobach. I am so ready for this election negativity and bullshit to be over with. Smear, smear, smear. I mean, if the only merit of your campaign is to embellish upon and fling the bad of your opponent, what good are you? I don't need to know what other people do, don't, can't, and won't do. Rather, I need to hear what YOU do, don't do, can do, and will do. Oh yeah, and by the way...it's really not necessary for you to say "I'm [insert candidate's name here] and I approve this message." The fact that (1) you're in the commercial and (2) the commercial is about you or (2b) is about how terrible your opponent is and (3) the intent of the message is for folks to join your bandwagon, then (4) I'm basically able to discern that you approve of that message. Thank you, drive through.

OK, I'm off to do some Christmas shopping online. Happy Halloween everyone!

Lather, Rinse, Repeat...

Here we go again. In early 2003, two colleagues got very "in" to crocheting. I was amazed at the beautiful creations they'd put together (including an absolutely gorgeous afghan for Erin), and I begged them to teach me. They did, and I later took an absolutely worthless class at JoAnn's. I was insanely interested in learning everything there was to know about crochet, but yet I still failed to figure out the mechanics of it. I got extremely frustrated and ultimately (after spending beaucoup bucks on yarn and crochet hooks) gave up. Well, the bug has rebitten (as those of you who've read my blog know)...and now, the frustration's starting to set in AGAIN. OK, here's the thing. I'm a college-educated, sharp-cookie sort with an above-average intelligence level. Why is it, then, that the whole concept of crocheting just eludes me? I did finish the squares for the Michaels charity stitch event, but they're not to gauge. I tried, dammit! :) I'm also trying to make a scarf for either myself or Erin (I can't quite decide)...and so far, I'm having absolutely zilcho luck using three VERY pretty yarns (all Lion Brand...THICK & QUICK and POLARSPUN and finally, HOMESPUN). These differently-textured yarns are much more difficult to work with than the 4-ply worsted weights I used to make the Michaels squares. So why can't I get the damned things to work for me? I either can't see the chains or the yarns are so bulky that they split apart. Grrr. A little help would be appreciated. I'll be GOD-damned if I'll go back to JoAnn's and take another class. What I should do is call Debbie, the amazing teacher I had when I took a "Crash Course in Crochet" at The Studio down by the Plaza. Hmmm. She'd probably be pleasantly surprised to see my "Jen-Stitched" (her words) thing-a-ma-bob is finally finished (which reminds me, I need to post a photo of that here)...who knows? Maybe I will call her.

(You know, in the grand scheme of life, my ability to crochet...or the lack thereof...is really not important. You know, we've got a major war going on, the country's divided, people are subjected to terrorist attacks and cruelty on a daily basis all over the world. I live in plenty...good plenty, if I may say so myself...so my incessant bitching about my inability to tie pretty knots is ridiculously petty. OK. I'll shut the hell up about that now.)

On to something equally unimportant in the overall grand scheme of things (but something near and dear to my heart, so humor me). Tonight's "ER" broke my heart. I couldn't even watch the final scene with the mother and the new social worker (I'll get to her in a minute!) and Dr. Carter. I actually had to physically turn my head away. It just ripped my heart out. Curtis was pissed, too. His thought? Her mental condition be damned - she was responsible for the deaths of those beautiful little angels (yes, I'm using that word deliberately...people who saw the show will get it)...she deserves to pay. Christ, it was just awful. Now - the social worker. I read someplace that they're slating her to be a new permanent cast member and a potential "new love interest" for Dr. Carter. This can NOT happen. I will be livid. Absolutely livid. John just lost his son...and the woman he loves is a zillion miles away and is hurting for him. John loves her. The only decent thing for him to do is to leave Chicago, go to Kinshasa, and marry Kem. (OK, yes, I get a little too involved in my shows. Sue me.)

Still no word from the fine folks at Greek Gifts Etc. Dammitalltohell.

Off to bed - before I subject you to any more selfish wailing. :)

How Soon Is Now?

OK, folks. Jen's not a happy camper. I placed an order at Greek Gifts Etc. about a month ago and I still don't have it. What's worse...I can't get the yahoos that work there to reply to my "status check" EMAIL! HELLO! I paid for the stuff. Send it now. How soon is now, you ask? What would Morrissey say? He'd say IMMEDIATELY! Thanks. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Bye bye.

My "In Style" came in today's mail. Oh wa-hoo!! Guess what Jen'll be doing on her lunch break tomorrow at the office?

I'm off to finish my Michaels crochet squares. Will post more tomorrow. (Jen out!)

In My Father's Eyes

Someone once said never to post anything on the Internet when your heart's hurting or your mind is filled with sadness. Tonight, though, it just seems appropriate. I miss my father...so much that it hurts. My parents are the most amazing people, and I am so incredibly thankful that I was born to them. They're about 500 miles away in Indianapolis. I miss Mom too, but tonight, my heart is flooded with thoughts of Daddy. It's been a very rough year for him, and it's hurt me so much both to see him be hurt and to basically be rendered unable to do anything about it. The details are private and I won't share them. What I will share with you is that he's just an amazing person...probably one of the most selfless, warm, caring people I've never known. And talk about smart! And don't even get me started on how funny he is! He is and always be my hero - the smartest and funniest guy I know and the person in whose eyes and heart I want the greatest pride and joy. He's the person I am probably most like in this entire world. I just love him. That's all I can say. He's amazing and funny and strong and smart and a hero and a survivor and a war veteran and a fantastic grandfather and, well, just my Daddy.

Ordinarily, my homesickness isn't strong like this...at least, not anymore (it sure was when I first moved here!). I think there are two strong factors influencing my mood here. Earlier today, a colleague let us know that her father has a brain tumor. It broke my heart. I just can't fathom...(and I'm going to stop right now before I think any MORE about it). This evening, I was relaxing to the sounds of XM Radio and the beautiful song "In My Daughter's Eyes" came on. Although it's written and sung from the mother's perspective, I can see the words coming from Daddy and I know that he loves me. The memories of my childhood are flooding back to me tonight, and I'm just filled with a lot of bittersweet joy...joy for having had such an amazing father in my life and sad because the years have gone by so quickly and because we're so far apart now. I just miss him.

OK, I'll stop here before this blog gets any mushier or the keyboard gets any more drenched with my tears! :)

A Lazy Sunday Morning

Gotta love lazy Sundays. It's been a good weekend so far. Sorry I've not gotten the chance to post until now. It was a good week at work. Curtis has been working hardhardhard on our fence in the hopes of getting it done before the winter. Today, he'll finish it (he's just putting the finishing touches on the back gate). Next step? Adding a doggy to our family! In all likelihood, it'll be an adorable Boston Terrier who we'll name "Rufus." :) Friday night, we said "goodbye" to our friends at the Overland Park Old Chicago. Their lease was up, so they had decided to close down that restaurant. Sad. They are nice people...and the food is KILLER. Thank GOD that we've still got the Olathe one! (Hi Amy and Trent!) Yesterday was great. If you live in the Johnson or Douglas County areas, PLEASE consider attending the Baldwin City Maple Leaf Festival next year! It's quite the to-do for the tiny little town of Baldwin City, Kansas. Erin's godparents live there, and it was great to see them again. Our sorority has a collegiate chapter on the campus of Baker University in Baldwin City, so our alumnae chapter had a table on the yard of the sorority house and we sold cookies for our philanthropy, the Children's Miracle Network. From all accounts, we made a killing (about $400!). It was great to walk around the streets, take in all the vendors, shop, and hang out with some of the alumnae. After a quiet dinner, we headed to the video store in search of a few movies ("The Day After Tomorrow" and "Fahrenheit 9/11" and "Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind".) Unfortunately, only "Fahrenheit 9/11" was in. I'd wanted to see this movie for a long, long time - WHY, I couldn't tell you. I guess I'm trying to challenge myself into becoming as cognizant as I can be about the political world, and I really thought that this film would make me see things in a different way. Anyway, it really didn't. I'm still pro-Bush. Do I think he's the smartest man who's ever lived? No. But I don't think he's quite the bastard Michael Moore attempted to depict him to be. Of course, perhaps I might have learned more had the movie not literally bored me to sleep...but alas, it did. So, so long Michael Moore. Your message failed to reach me.

I think I'll try to crochet today. I've not done that all weekend. I've tried to make a very simple scarf with the beautiful "Candy Pink (#201)" Lion Brand POLARSPUN yarn, but I'm not having any luck. So much for being a beginner's yarn. It's nearly impossible to find my chains. I've got two skeins of the VERY beautiful "Kaleidoscope Print (#203)" Lion Brand CHENILLE THICK & QUICK yarn, so I may use one of those to make this scarf and another to make a hat or a pair of gloves (for Erin, of course). We'll see. Also, Michaels is hosting an initiative for people to make 7"-by-9" crochet squares for charity, and then bring them in for a big "piece together" party over Halloween. I'd like to use up some of my spare yarn for that. Maybe tonight I'll get a few of those made. I've got one skein left of an absolutely beautiful (I use that word a lot) yarn (TLC Essentials SAGE MARY), which would make beautiful squares. So we'll see.

OK, I'm off. I'll try to post something else this afternoon or tonight. Bye! :)

A JenPublicServiceAnnouncement(tm)

You are registered to vote, right? I mean, you have exercised your American, freedom-given right to make decisions and to take a part in the governance of our country...right?

If you haven't registered to vote yet, I guess I really can't chastise you too terribly. Hell, I'm 32 and this will be the first election I've ever voted in. I always justified my lack of involvement by saying things like, "Well, I really don't know much about the issues" or "I am not really interested in politics." At the time, I guess I thought those were justifiable reasons. They really weren't, but the world was a different time before today. And I was a different person before today. I'm a wife, a mother, a taxpayer, a homeowner, a Federal employee, and a Catholic whose convictions and moral stances are becoming more rigid by the day. September 11th completely and totally changed my perspective on life, on the world, and about the way I see politics. I certainly don't claim to be a political virtuoso, and I'll admit that I both am ignorant about and am not 150% interested in all of the issues, but I think (no, I know) that it's critical that I stand my ground and place my trust (and give my vote) to the candidate who will represent my interests, perspectives, and needs most closely. As it is with you.

Please, please, please...get registered to vote and cast your ballot on Election Day. We're so fortunate to be given this opportunity to have our voices heard. In today's day and age, and with everything that's going on in our world, we can't afford not to be educated and involved.

(and with that, this JenPublicServiceAnnouncement(tm) ends...)

Guess Who's Back? Back Again!

In the words of the hilarious Dave Chappelle, "I'm back, bitches!" :) I've been gone for far, far too long. I could use the standard (but honest) "I've been too busy to Blog" excuse, but hell, that's boring and we're all busy. The more I look at Blogs online, the cooler I think they are...and the more I want to maintain an active one for myself. That being said, the last several days have been spent fighting with the folks at BloggerHelp(tm) trying to get my stupid password reset (because, in my infinite genius, I forgot the password I'd initially used to create this Blog). After doing everything their website told me to do...over and over and OVER...it finally worked. So I'm back! Anyway, the last several months have been filled with various goings-on and events. Work's keeping me on my toes. My toddler turned three this September, and we had a huge soiree to celebrate the event. I've been entertaining more and more, and finding that I absolutely LOVE to cook for guests and have big groups of friends over to eat, chat, and be merry. I've gotten back in to crochet, and am working furiously on two new projects (photos of which will come soon). I'm still the president of my sorority's local alumnae chapter, and I represented us this summer in Washington at our National Convention. We picked up an Honorable Mention for "Outstanding Alumnae Chapter," which thrilled me to no end. It's been a good last seven months. More to follow. (That's a promise.)