Rusty Days
I'm getting up the courage to get in the car and head up to Dallas. It will be my last trip in Big Green. I would say it is bittersweet, but really it's mostly sweet.
I have inherited my "new" car Rusty from my Grandpaw. I kinda laugh when I say "new" as Rusty is a 1984 Ford Tempo with 30,000 miles on him. The big sell is that he is airconditioned, so I really don't care what he looks like.
I could not sleep last night. I woke up at 3 because it was really hot in the room, and I never really got back to sleep. It will be a very long drive to Dallas.
We rented Triplets of Belville last night, see this movie! So good! The music is fantastic too. It was a lurvely night.
Must become a road warrior.

Guns and Roses
I got a squirt gun last night for the dog and cat. I enjoy it far too much. It's awesome though. Usually as I leave the house, I have to use methods of subtrafuge. I toss Toby and treat and then run for the door, hoping I beat him. My shoes have bite marks from the times I have not. It's actually a heart pounding sort of trip. Anyway, now I'm like a gun slinger, darting and dashing, squirting as I go. All I need is a black trench coat and I could be in the matrix. I actually dare Toby to bark. Who's got the power now, biatch?
I just got invited to go to work with Eric next week. The company is having a bring your family to work day. I think I'd probably feel like a bit of a tool because i"m sure by family they mean kids. Still, I want to see the spy planes and ubertechnology. Plus I'm bored.
Creepy--I have the weather channel icon on my computer that keeps me appraised of all weather conditions. Yes, I'm that lazy that I can't put my head out the window. Anyway, it just thundered at me to inform me of impending flood conidions. Guess I'd better put on those capri pants.

World of Pain
I look and feel like I got hit by a Mac truck. I have bruises in places I didn't think could have bruises. It's really attractive, adn I've been hobbling around the house kinda Frankensteinesque. I need to go out so people ask me what happened and I can make up stuff. I threatened Eric that I would tell everyone that he beats me, but I prefer rabid poodle attack or rough police detention. I wouldn't really have the nerve to say it, but I can think it loudly. My preferred explanation is "I fought the road, and the road won." I think it makes me sound tough.
Clem is chasing my mouse because it's a pic of Hobbes (the tiger, not the philosopher).
I am reading more grammar books. I am trying to work up excitement for the adverbial clause. My mother gets positively giddy when discussing them, but I find myself unmoved. I ordered a fantastic book which gets its title from my favorite book: Eats, Shoots, and Leaves. It should come in the next few days. Any author that shares the panda joke must be cool. If I have not told you the panda joke, email me. kastenal@copper.net One cannot be whole without knowing the panda joke.
I made pudding because it makes me happy. Reminds me of what we used to call someone in junior high. . . Chocolately goodness.
Saturday we are going out to the lake for P's birthday. Nothing says happiness like a pontoon boat, cheetos and beer. Nothing, stop arguing.

Broken
Eric, Pete and I went for my first long bike ride tonight. We did 8 miles. Except for a very memorable spill it was really fun. I wiped out going over a creek. I even managed to do it in front of an entire family. It was so spectacular that I made a little boy cry. Anyway, in a feat of bravery very unlike my usual self, I got back on the bike and managed to make it the remaining 2 miles home. I will be black and blue tomorrow--but tonight I celebrate with post-bike beer.
Also, check out the pics of my furry baby.
Clem looking vaguely evil in her favorite spot. She loves grammar books
Clem and Kermit
Picture of gore
A good blood shot

Tweezie Fun
I'm feeling so bored and listless. I actually started tweezing my leg hair. The sad part is, I got most of one leg done. It's actually not as painful as one might think, and it's twistedly satisfying.
I feel like the house is swallowing my soul.
I need to escape--maybe I'll put on a wig and go shopping.

War is On
My troubles with Toby have reached a new and extremely immature heights. WHen the UPS guy came, he freaked out and bit the crap out of my arm. I threw him outside and refuse to let him back in the house. He can sit there and rot for all I care. He started barking, and I actually mooned him. Full on ass to the glass. While I did it, I flicked him off for good measure. There is no way he will come back, at least for tonight.
In good news, I have a package of bouncy balls and almost unlimited time.

Snausage Fingers
The world is a beautiful place until you slam your fingers between 2 25 pound dumb bells. Then it becomes a very painful, hostile place.
I finally fried decent tofu tonight--actually the trick was letting Eric do the frying. That's really the secret to my success.
I can't type A's. Bleh.

Oops, He Did It Again
Picture this: I was feeling kinda sorry for Toby since I have ignored him a little since we got Clem. I decided to make amends, and I took him on a walk to get the mail. When we got to the mail boxes, Toby peed on my foot. I thought once was a fluke, but he did it again. Let loose with a big old stream of piss. I didn't even know what to do. I pulled my foot out of my sandal, wiped the pee on his back and let loose a torrent of swear words that my neighbors will be talking about for generations. And now, as I write, he has the frickin' nerve to be barking like the world is going to end any minute.

On a separate note, I have a dog for sale.

Weebls Stuff - Toons Lovely Badgery Goodness. This is quite possibly my favorite thing ever.

2 Months
I can hardly walk. God it feels so good. The thing I like best is coming home after a really hard, intense work out and stripping down and lounging in my undies. There is nothing so rewarding. Happiness is a kick ass workout and a good ceiling fan.
Today is our 2 month anniversary. I'm thinking the loveliness that is sushi.

Sandwiches, The Tour, and Kitteny Goodness
I spent most of the day at St. Mary's, getting the tour from the teacher I will be replacing. They let me take home all of the teacher additions to their books, so my coffee table is overflowing with huge textbooks. I am feeling very overwhelmed. I have to set up a curriculum, devise lesson plans, and try to set up my classroom to the best of my ability. It is extremely daunting because these kids deserve my best, and I feel I have to give it to them. Still, it was a good day. I got to meet some of the kids and hang out more with my fellow teachers. Everyone there is so nice and seems really happy to have me there. The kids I met seemed pretty cool, at least as cool as crazy hormonal teenagers can be. I am so excited about this job. I am so terrified about this job. Apparently it is a whole new world in small towns. I am going to have to get used to a different way of doing things. There are also no resources at my disposal. I will have to make do with very little and will have to try to turn it into a lot. Everything there is so outdated and the complete opposite of St. Gabriels where they have the best of everything.
I kicked ass at my audition for Princeton Review last night, but apparently they are not training for the GRE or SAT classes until August at the earliest, so I really fail to see how that is helpful. I got a message today that they really loved me and want to work with me, but my the time they get around to training me, I will be so busy with school that I wont' really be able to work for them. It's very frustrating. I feel that it was kinda a waste of my time. I guess I'll call them back and see if anything can be worked out, because the money sure is good and maybe I could teach there next summer if I play my cards right.
Clem is getting so cute, I need to take more pics and post them, because I am quite convinced that I have the rockinest kitten in the whole world. It's sickening how much I love the little fur ball. I feel like one of "Those People." As long as I dont' start carrying pics in my wallet, I guess I"m safe. But now that I mention it, I want to get a pic for my wallet.
Must attack those books on the coffee table. Maybe if I did one at a time, I'd feel more able to handle the load. If you don't hear from me in awhile, you can assume that I have been trapped by an avalanche of books.

Zombies Ate My Brain
I've decided that I am altogether too classy. Those of you who know me well might laugh, but it's true. At least I've been too classy and adult lately. Eric and I have decided to remedy this situation by hosting a 4th of July party that celebrates the 3 things I really enjoy about this country: horror movies, alcohol and pie. We dedicate all of the gore to those who have lost limbs playing with firecrackers. Anyway, party on July 3rd, 5pm. Consider yourself invited. Respectable citizens need not apply, though. It will be an R-rated evening. You can only pretend to be adult so long before you have to spend a weekend watching slasher movies and playing drinking games.
I'm so excited to have a real party. Between the wedding and all of my adult obligations, I haven't had a chance to just let go and enjoy for a long time.
Must go practice making PB&J cause I must get this job.

Bush/Zombie Reagan 2004
This is the best thing I've seen in a long time.

Peanut Butter and Jelly
I've decided to do my audition on how to make the perfect peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and I have me craving the sweet, lovely goodness of PB&J on Wonderbread. Can there be a more perfect treat?
Got some good news--my friend si going to be ok. Now he can worry about other things, thank goodness.
Cleaned the garage and am covered in dust bunnies the remains of a broken hackiesack. To give an idea of how long his stuff has been sitting there--I threw away an entire garbage bag full of 5 1/4 inch floppy disks, circa 1990. I also waded through boxes of torn paper and mice droppings thanks to our visitor Ratbert of '02. I think I should get a parade in my honor or something. I've always wanted my own parade. My friend S.F's band in high school had a song about that. They also had a song called "Tu madre es un penguino." It doesn't get better than that.
I'm sick to death of being in this house. The job starts in 51 days. So help me I might go nuts before then. I hope the sandwhich lesson does me the trick and gets me that job.

Ave and the Morbid
I"m not really into the whole death watch thing that seems to have captured the nation re the Reagan funeral. That being said, it just came on after Ellen-who is the coolest person to walk the planet--and the music is amazing. I want one of the Irish Tenors to sing at my funeral. Actually, what I want is for everyone to sing my favorite hymn The Lord of the Dance which is the amazing Shaker hymn all about dancing and being merry and God teaching us how to dance. Anyway, the thing just makes me extremely happy. But I digress. I don't like funerals at all--I really don't want to go to one of a person I didn't know.
I really don't agree with the man's legacy as a president, but I am sad for the family. I mean, it sucks when someone you love dies. My grandmother had Alztheimers(?) and it's the cruelest disease. It's ugly and nasty and cruel. I remember watching my grandmother deteriorate between visits.
This is all morbid and sad--check back later, my mood will have shifted.

Are Tofu Pups Too Much to Ask?
I have such a frickin' craving for Tofu Pups. Eric and I were suppoesd to have a bbq tonight, but he is working late and not likely to be home before the sun goes down. ANd you just can't hve Tofu Pups when they aren't on the grill. It's just not right. Now I know that many would say Tofu Pups are just not right. But you fools have never tasted the soy goodness, never smelt the delightful bean curd aroma. I'm not selling it terribly well, but trust me!
I had also hoped to go for a bike ride tonight. Since I"m not a great rider, I really prefer to go with people, but E is never home in daylight hours. Damn George!
Someday I will learn how to use a grill. Yes, someday the power of the flame will be in my hands.
Clem and Toby are jumping on each other and destroying anything in their path. I have nicknamed them Pest 1 and Pest 2. Clem has decided she wants to be dumpster diver today. I had to pull her out of the trash several times today. I personally don't see the refuse attraction.
I'm still worried about a friend's health issues. Sigh.
I might go across the street to Tom and Ann's to see if they will teach me to start a fire in the grill, because happiness on a bun is awaiting me, and I'm not a patient person.

BLEH, BLEH, BLEH
Today is icky and gross. I am cranky and sad and I hate the stupid satellite which flakes out when it rains.
It's rained for 3 solid days, and it's getting to me.
If I don't see blue skies soon, I will lose my mind.

Rainy Day Blehs
I've never been good with rainy days. They make me kinda droopy, especially when I have to spend them alone.
I finished Insomnia, did 2 loads of dishes, 3 loads of laundry, baked muffins, and bought red banannas.
My tutoring gigs need to start soon because I'm starting to feel like a housewife. And not a particularly good one.
I love the sound of rain when I'm with my loved ones but hate it by myself.
I'm not feeling myself--I have a tender spot in my heart for Tobya the moment. Lord help us.

Reading Stupor
I have wasted an entire day, and I"m not even sure exactly where it has gone. I've been reading Insomnia by Stephen King all day, and I feel like I"ve slipped into some sort of reading coma. Everything seems a little surreal. I read the first 500 pages and had to rip myself away so I could be moderately productive.
The Princeton Review people emailed today to set up an interview next week. I have to be prepared to teach a lesson on something of my choice. I have no idea what I'll do. They suggest I keep it fun. Maybe I'll put something together on Shakespearean insults or something. Or perhaps the propper way to eat an oreo. Anyway, I'm not certain I want to tutor there, but the pay is pretty good. I also heard back from the Knowledge Points people who sound pretty interested. Perhaps this will be one of my last days sitting around doing nothing.
I still havent' gone on that bike ride.

Employed at Last, Thank God Almighty, Employed at Last
I just signed my agreement with St. Mary's School. While I may not be very gainfully employed, I am indeed employed. I am so excited. I will report on August 5th for retreats and orientation and all that good stuff.
In the mean time, I talked to this tutoring company, and htey might have some hours for me this summer. That will be a tasty little bonus. If anyone has any summer job leads, let me know.
I have a little time this afternoon, so I might take off on my new Huffy--I need to get the handlebar streamers and spoke beads to make the look complete. Happiness is a purple bike.

I'm not as dumb as you thought
In a bold and surprising move, I passed that stupid test. It was really hard, but, amazingly, I got almost 80% of the answers. Really, the test didnt' so much check my math skills as my ability to take a standardized test. It's why standardized testing is so unfair to those who don't get the strategies. Anyway, it means I dont' have to drive to and from San Marcos this summer. After today's trip in the unaircondtioned car, I am immensely gratful. It will take all day to rehydrate.
Something I've discovered--people have to go through grief alone, because no one else can really help or understnad. I guess it's different for everyone. That being said, Clem is helping right now by pouncing on the keyboard.

The Law of Sines
I have my Algebra test tomorrow. I can't take it till after 9, but I'm leaving at 7 becuase I cant' deal with being out in the heat of the day. I almost had heat stroke twice today. The no car ac thing must change. If I get that job, we will be dirving immediately to the dealership cause I can't sweat anymore.
Had dinner with my brother and sister-in-law which was nice except when the conversation turned political. I can't believe thatI, midwestern liberal, have married into a family of staunch Republicans. It doesn't seem right somehow. Opposites attract? I guess if that's the worst thing about Eric. . .
Thus far there have been no pooping incidents--the reign of evil pooping might be at an end. We can always hope because I don't want to wash the blanket and sheets again. I loathe laundry.
I just finished Second Glances by Jodi Piccoult which was really, really good, but I need a new book. Comment if you have suggestions. I need to lose myself.

Poopscicles
Clem has started pooping on the guest bed comforter when we leave her. She's still angry that I left all of last week I think. Regardless, it's smelling and really annoying. She is acting all innocent and sweet right now, sitting on my lap as I type. I know she is just waiting to poop.
We watched a wonderful movie last night, Dummy with Adrian Brody and Milla Jovavich. It was splendid.
I have this thing about stress haircuts. every time my life is in turmoil or I feel really sad, I cut my hair. This time was no different. It's kinda in a flapper cut, a bob about ear length. I think it's pretty cute. This means, however, that I cant' get more stressed out or I will end up with a shaved head. I'll post a pic when I get one.
I got a migrane today from being out in the heat in my stupid car--if I have to go all summer again, I'm not sure what I'll do. Toby's barking during my headache almost cost him his furry little hide.
Tomorrow is my second interview with St. Mary's--I have all fingers and toes crossed. I need all the help I can get.

Toe Biter
Clem keeps sneaking up on me and treating my feet like snacks. She has sharp, pointy teeth.
I'm home today and can't get myself to do what needs to be done. I need to call tutoring places about jobs, but I can't seem to do it. It's like I've been turned down so many times before that I dont' want to put myself in that situation again.
I need to do laundry, but Eric promised to finish it. I want him to take care of it.
I need to eat something, but nothing sounds good.
I need to call a bunch of people back, but I don't really feel like talking to anyone.
I need to go to the bank, but I don't want to put on pants.
Really, what I want to do is curl up on the couch with my cat and have some time to be sad.
I just got some strange health news about a close friend. I am thinking about you.
Maybe I'll make some green bean casserole. It has curative properties.