the pride of home ownership

Okay, let me preface this whiny diatribe with a note of thankfulness: we are lucky to own a home and certainly to have a roof over our head. That being said, we were a bit stressed Tuesday night when our toilet completely bit the dust when a bolt broke and the tank cracked. It was quiet and we were heading to bed when we heard a strange noise, like a glass breaking. We walked into the bathroom and there was water GUSHING out of the bottom of the tank onto the floor. I ran upstairs to the closet to grab as many towels as I could, even stopping in the basement to get the dirty ones that were dry. Meanwhile, Corey was trying to wedge his head and arm behind the tank to tighten the bolt, which just proceeded to crack even more. Then he cut his hand and proceeded to get blood all over the bathroom (poor guy). The water gushing out happened again Wednesday morning. I was not exactly in a good mood when I arrived at work. We are waiting for his dad to come down so he can teach us how to install a toilet. I am sure we could learn on our own, but we want to make sure we do it right, of course. We can actually laugh about it now, which is a test of the mishaps of home ownership and how couples keep on movin'!

Project runway or bust

I get a lot of flack in my house for the choices I make in TiVo selections, which I would actually say is warranted since before yesterday, they took up about 85% of the memory on the system. Yes, I would assume that most men I know aren't particularly interested in Everyday Italian (but she's gorgeous AND she can cook) or Oprah, but now I can say that one must never assume. Sunday night Corey and I were making impressive comprimises about our shared TV-watching schedule. He agreed to watch my choice for an hour, then we would switch to what I would have assumed to be anything that televises a ball in motion. On this episode, the contestants had to make a prom dress for NJ teens. Corey had as many opinions about the designs as I did! And for the last two episodes, he's actually predicted the winner. Also, he had to make sure that we taped the next episode, which, he lamented, will be on when he's gone. So, from this I have learned that you may really end up getting what you want if you don't force this interest onto others. We are now both officially addicted to this show.

Coffee on sundays

This morning I went to one of the local coffee shops to entice myself to grade papers. While I was there, a group of retirees sat across from me at two tables pulled together. This group, which had about 8 members, mostly consisting of couples, joined together as if this was their usual Sunday ritual. And these weren't your wilting-flower-I-am-retired-and-now-my-life-is-over group; they were laughing loudly, making jokes, talking about local politics, and genuinely enjoying one another's company. I was pretty amazed. I hope when I'm that age I truly take advantage of my "people" and my Sundays and treat habits of meeting for coffee and laughs as much of a ritual as brushing my teeth in the morning. Better yet, I consider this observation to be an example of us not waiting until retirement to have said rituals, esp. considering the recent enormity of family and friends' families struggling with health, even more blantantly reminding us of our blessings. What's your fulfilling ritual that renergizes you?

Ha.

Sarah sent this to me today. I love wit parallelism between friends.

Accidentally incognito?

Janell said I had to post a picture of my new haircut, which was done in an attempt to rid myself of a slightly-developed mullet. I should always trust my instincts that if I am sitting in the stylist's chair and I'm only 50% convinced of the attractiveness of my haircut, when I get home I definitely won't be able to replicate said so-so look. So posting this picture actually relates to a rather common experience I have been having as of late. Gone are the days of piercing and tatoo consideration, so I figure my hair is the best method of self-expressing my evolution of appearance. Plus, I just get darn bord of the same thing. However, I am beginning to think this habit is backfiring. I fear that when at work and I greet people by name, perhaps they don't know it's me (by first glance). I also wear reading glasses now at the computer, which I suppose could serve as a very simplistic disguise. I've had a few lengthy conversations where their good-bye, however pleasant, didn't include my name. Could I be overreacting? Absolutely. But I must say that the safety of being identified when I'm sitting in my office with my name next to the door probably provides comfort to some.

My buddy & the ladies

Took a few more days off from work (once you're on a roll, who wants to go back???) to go visit the Despins. There was actually a few days in a row that we weren't having another blizzard, so I figured getting out would be good. The holidays are a time to see relatives and friends, but sometimes the logistics of giving out presents and cogregating at the same location leaves little time for actual spending time together. I have a friend in Nathan like no other. Each morning I was there, he would come into my room and wake me up. I knew kids were happy in the morning, but seriously, adults cannot even attempt to fake their encouragement pre-coffee; kids are just raring to go. There was a great deal of train and car playing (which I really kinda like: it brought me back to my good ol' Matchbox days). Krista and I even managed to scrapbook, too, while Tom and his friends played a rousing few rounds of Settlers, which apparently, a lot of men play but perhaps don't admit...

Saturday, Liz, Anne and I met at our commonplace spot Highland Grill for some lunch and nonstop conversation. It seems that we never run out of stuff to talk about. That night Noelle was able to get Liz, myself and some of her friends tickets to see Avenue Q. Run to see this! It is absolutely hilarious. My cheeks were hurting from laughing so hard. I think this is a Broadway play that many spouses would esp. enjoy.

Yup--I'm a Romantic

Last week I went to see P.S. I Love You and holy Toledo--I haven't cried at a movie that much (esp. in public) in a looong time. The movie got iffy reviews and here are the reasons I anticipated I wouldn't really like it:

1. Hillary Swank: I know she's a wonderful actress but something about her rubbed me the wrong way. However, her range of pictures really makes her pretty darn admirable and with this one, she's ever so endearing.
2. The title--which apparently was a book and has already been made into a movie in 1999--suggests a bubble gum love story.
   

The reasons why I knew I should see/am now glad that I saw it:

1. However semi-saccharine Hollywood movies may be, I would be lying if I denied that sometimes they really do remind you about the positives of the human spirit, and even love.
2. Half of the movie takes place in Ireland. 'Nuff said.
3. Three really attractive men are in the movie: 1) a Scotchman who plays a convincing Irishman (Gerard Butler); 2) the brooding actor who played Izzie's love on Grey's (Jeffrey Dean Morgan); and 3) Harry Connick Jr! I didn't even know he was in it, so that was a bonus.

So cynics can diss me, but this might actually be a date movie you can bring your other half to.

Our new carriage

After much deliberation and consideration, we decided to upgrade to a winter-friendly vehicle. Hopefully this will decrease the number of ski-like incidents for us on the roads this winter.