I went to Kansas City this weekend to spend an evening out with some of my very best girlfriends from college. We always have so much fun together and I knew that this trip would be the same. After a very long decision process (which is the meaning of my post...) we decided to eat at a Thai restaurant in downtown KC and then walk to the Power and Lights district for a night of drinks and dancing.
I have now spent two weekends with two different groups of women (see mystery weekend) and one common phrase keeps popping up. "I don't care." I noticed myself saying it, my sister saying it, my mom, my friends, and numerous times throughout the trips. I started to think a little about how often I say it, and how often it gets said by women. Then I thought about how many different reasons their might be fore saying "I don't care" and how confusing that might be to men. I thought I would try to explain some of the reasons that I say "I don't care."
1. "I don't care." TRANSLATION: "I really don't care." This one I use mainly when trying to pick a place to eat. I am not a picky eater, and many of my friends can be. So I really don't mind where we eat most of the time. I can find something at any place that I will eat and probably enjoy. Many times I try to get out of the "I don't care" jam by giving a few choices of places that sound good, that way I have at least added to the conversation.
2. "I don't care." TRANSLATION: "My opinion won't really matter anyway." There may have been times when a woman gave her opinion or suggestion and it wasn't taken. This tends to happened a few times before we get to this point, but it does happen.
3. "I don't care." TRANSLATION: "I don't want to seem bossy." Let me clarify. I don't say "I don't care" because I am incapable of making a decision. I am very good at making decisions...sometimes I make them too quickly. But if every time I get to make the decision then I get the stigma of being bossy, or even worse...selfish because "we always have to do what Jill wants"
4. "I don't care." TRANSLATION: "I really do care and I'm testing you to see how well you know me, because you should know me well enough to read my mind and pick what I want you to without telling you" This one is many times used towards men. I hate this one. I've seen many of my girlfriends use this on their boyfriends/fiance/husbands and then end up mad when he didn't pick the right thing. I can honestly say I have never used this myself to date...but I can't promise it won't EVER happen...I am a woman, and we are complex and do things for reasons that we don't even know.
I am sure there are many more reasons behind the "I don't care" but these are the ones that I know and use (or have seen used). If you have any other ideas, don't hesitate to add to the comments!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Mystery Weekend
This last March, my mother came to my sister and I and said "I have an idea, and if you don't like it we don't have to do it, it's just a thought." Of course Jamie and I want to know the idea, we both know that we will want to do it not matter what it is...mom always has such great ideas.
"I would like to plan a trip for just us girls this summer," she said "I've always wanted to start a yearly tradition of simple trips for just us." Of course right away, Jamie and I are enthusiastic and start brainstorming ideas of where to go. "Here's the catch," mom says "I'm going to do all the planning, and I'm not going to tell you where we're going we all pile in the car and are ready to go. What do you think?" We LOVED the idea!
Over the course of the next few months mom enjoyed planning our weekend in secret and teasing us with little smiles and lines like "I just booked our hotel, and it's supposed to be the best hotel in the area." Jamie and I were so excited...finally counting down the days to our "Mystery Trip."
On Friday, mom picked us up and we left for our fun filled weekend. The destination??? Oklahoma City. This was a great place for us to go because we had all been through it a time or two on our way south to Texas, but never stopped to do much. Plus the Oklahoma City Memorial was there...something all of us had wanted to see. Our trip was filled with many fun things!
The Memorial:
We went to the memorial on Friday right after checking in to our hotel. This is something we wanted to make sure we did right away so that we wouldn't end up with bad weather and miss out. I was in the 6th grade with the bombing occurred and I remember watching the news and feeling sad. The main portion of the memorial is located outside, and there is a museum inside that takes you through the events of the day. It is VERY moving and emotional. A wonderful experience.
Wine Tasting:
On a whim we stopped into a little store in Bricktown in OK City. They had free wine tastings and we thought that it would be fun to try a couple. I think we tried most of the wines on the list (except for the really dry ones) and it was a very hard decision, but we each took home a bottle. Mine is called "dust bowl," Jamie's is "Skinny Dip" and I can't remember mom's but it was VERY good...I had a hard time choosing between the two.
Bricktown:
The local area downtown that has lots of food, drinks, and entertainment. We spent most of Saturday evening and night down at Bricktown. We had a "Progressive Supper" where we ate appetizers at one place, main meal and another, and got marble slab ice cream at the end. There is a river walk and you can take a canal ride throughout the entire area. We took the boat that had cocktails. Mom and I had a "Sunrise" (cranberry and vodka) and Jamie had a "Mango Bango" which was some fruity drink that was yummy! I appropriately titled that the "Booze Cruise" :-)
All in all we had a fantastic weekend! We look forward to next year's "Mystery Weekend" which mom is already busy planning!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Walking the Dogs
I have mentioned before that Ethan has to dogs. KC and Breck. Both are a mixed breed of lab, both were free. I have come to love those dogs as if they were my own. One of my favorite pass times with Ethan is to take the girls for a nice long walk on pretty days. This can be interesting in many ways, but mostly due to the fact that they are both still considered puppies and get overly excited about anything.
Through our many walks Ethan and I have learned how to better handle each pup because each one is so different. So far we have found out...
~ KC will pull your arm out. She is just so excited to be going on a walk that every smell, sight, and noise will get her going.
~ Breck is weird.
~ KC is the larger and older of the two dogs. I walk KC. As mentioned above, KC will pull your arm out if you don't have a good hold. Well...the more you fight her the more she fights back. I have learned to just let her pull on the leash and choke herself. Eventually she gets tired of that and slows down. Ethan is a little less patient...so he walks Breck.
~ Breck will walk anyway, but a straight line. she will walk in zig zags in front of you. She will walk really fast to get ahead of you then stop until you pass her and walk really fast in front of you again. Breck will try to grab onto and chew KC's leash. She will also walk in circles around you. Again...Breck is weird.
~ KC will poop in the middle of the road before you even have time to drag her over to the grass.
~ Breck will bark at everything...but is a little scaredy cat in reality
~ KC will pee about 15 times during a walk.
~ Breck does not like cars.
~ KC wants to chase the cars.
~ Breck has the longest tongue ever!
~ KC gets very slobbery...it's gross.
~ In order to make the girls a little less crazy excited for the walk, we have found if you throw the tennis ball in the back for a bout 10 minutes before we go, they get tired sooner and will walk nicely by your side (except Breck, who can't walk in a straight line)
While Ethan is in Lincoln I am walking the girls by myself. Now there is NO WAY I can do that by myself, so I play with the ball and then put Breck in the cage, while KC and I walk. KC goes in the cage when we get back and it's Breck's turn. We just got by from our first try at this "single" walking method, and I think it went ok...just means there should be many more walks to come!
Through our many walks Ethan and I have learned how to better handle each pup because each one is so different. So far we have found out...
~ KC will pull your arm out. She is just so excited to be going on a walk that every smell, sight, and noise will get her going.
~ Breck is weird.
~ KC is the larger and older of the two dogs. I walk KC. As mentioned above, KC will pull your arm out if you don't have a good hold. Well...the more you fight her the more she fights back. I have learned to just let her pull on the leash and choke herself. Eventually she gets tired of that and slows down. Ethan is a little less patient...so he walks Breck.
~ Breck will walk anyway, but a straight line. she will walk in zig zags in front of you. She will walk really fast to get ahead of you then stop until you pass her and walk really fast in front of you again. Breck will try to grab onto and chew KC's leash. She will also walk in circles around you. Again...Breck is weird.
~ KC will poop in the middle of the road before you even have time to drag her over to the grass.
~ Breck will bark at everything...but is a little scaredy cat in reality
~ KC will pee about 15 times during a walk.
~ Breck does not like cars.
~ KC wants to chase the cars.
~ Breck has the longest tongue ever!
~ KC gets very slobbery...it's gross.
~ In order to make the girls a little less crazy excited for the walk, we have found if you throw the tennis ball in the back for a bout 10 minutes before we go, they get tired sooner and will walk nicely by your side (except Breck, who can't walk in a straight line)
While Ethan is in Lincoln I am walking the girls by myself. Now there is NO WAY I can do that by myself, so I play with the ball and then put Breck in the cage, while KC and I walk. KC goes in the cage when we get back and it's Breck's turn. We just got by from our first try at this "single" walking method, and I think it went ok...just means there should be many more walks to come!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Weekly Chatter
~ I have spent a better part of the last week on the phone with family and friends discussing the new engagement and all the fun details that go along with it. Such an exciting time!
~ My sister is probably as thrilled as anyone that I'm getting married...besides me that is. She is of course the Maid of Honor and has already started looking up what her "roles and responsibilities" include. She has even given code names to my mom, herself, and me. I am BTB (Bride to Be), she is MOH (Maid of Honor), and my mom is MOB (Mother of the Bride). She will be the best MOH!
~ We have 4 days of school left until summer. It is my theory that the kids are extra crazy these last few weeks so that teachers are just as ready as they are (if not more).
~ Ethan just left for Lincoln, NE where he got a short contract position. He was gone just a couple days last week, but will be gone the whole week this time. I just hope the week goes fast and I stay busy to keep my mind off of him not being here.
~ It's graduation time again, and I always seem to have a hard time getting in to it. I have NEVER been real sentimental about graduations. Graduating from HS was no big deal to me, I had 4+ years ahead of me and no real close friends I was leaving. I looked forward to the new life and new friends I would find. Graduation from ESU was nice, but rather than celebrate the piece of paper handed to me...I wanted to celebrate the contract I signed for my first job. To me that was something to celebrate!
~ I tried a Papa Murphy's pizza last night for the first time...that is some gooood pizza!
~ waxed eyebrows, lip, legs, nails redone, hair cut...just a few of the things that I need to do. And all going to cost me a couple hundred bucks...damn its expensive being a girl!
~ Did I mention there were 4 days of school left? :)
~ My sister is probably as thrilled as anyone that I'm getting married...besides me that is. She is of course the Maid of Honor and has already started looking up what her "roles and responsibilities" include. She has even given code names to my mom, herself, and me. I am BTB (Bride to Be), she is MOH (Maid of Honor), and my mom is MOB (Mother of the Bride). She will be the best MOH!
~ We have 4 days of school left until summer. It is my theory that the kids are extra crazy these last few weeks so that teachers are just as ready as they are (if not more).
~ Ethan just left for Lincoln, NE where he got a short contract position. He was gone just a couple days last week, but will be gone the whole week this time. I just hope the week goes fast and I stay busy to keep my mind off of him not being here.
~ It's graduation time again, and I always seem to have a hard time getting in to it. I have NEVER been real sentimental about graduations. Graduating from HS was no big deal to me, I had 4+ years ahead of me and no real close friends I was leaving. I looked forward to the new life and new friends I would find. Graduation from ESU was nice, but rather than celebrate the piece of paper handed to me...I wanted to celebrate the contract I signed for my first job. To me that was something to celebrate!
~ I tried a Papa Murphy's pizza last night for the first time...that is some gooood pizza!
~ waxed eyebrows, lip, legs, nails redone, hair cut...just a few of the things that I need to do. And all going to cost me a couple hundred bucks...damn its expensive being a girl!
~ Did I mention there were 4 days of school left? :)
Thursday, May 14, 2009
BIG NEWS!
I AM GETTING MARRIED!
As of last weekend everything is official. Ethan and I are going to be married on July 3, 2010. I am absolutely thrilled and couldn't be happier. Everything we've been talking about the last couple months is starting to be put in motion. I have been waiting and wanting this for so long it's hard to believe I actually get to make those wonderful phone calls and pick out those pretty dresses!
As I begin the long and hopefully low stress process of planning a wedding, I can stop to pause and think about how my life has changed drastically in the last two years.
When I moved out to Cheney I knew that it was a small town with a good school, but small towns are made for families. Not single people. I knew that when I accepted the job, and I knew it when I moved into my little rental. My first year teaching I didn't notice too much change in my life than the previous couple years. I was soooo busy, practically living at the school. Trying to coach, be a good teacher, and stay caught up with everything. I just didn't notice how lonely I was.
Then my second year came around and I was a little less busy. I had my first year teaching under my belt and found myself at home more and more. That's when it hit me. I am lonely. I didn't like going home and not having anyone other than my mother and a couple friends online to talk to. I wasn't happy. Even though I had a good job I loved, there was something missing. I could fool most people, but in reality I was miserable. I am convinced that if something wouldn't have changed, and soon, I would have left Cheney.
Now...something happened that was a blessing in disguise, in more ways than one. I have told most of the story of my little nephew and what a blessing he was, but I never really explained how he helped me. At the time when I found out that Joe was expecting a son I was of course sad for him. But I was also mad. I was so mad at him, at God, and everything. It wasn't fair. I wanted nothing more than anything to find someone who I could love and have a family with. I was doing things the "right way" and Joe wasn't. Why did Joe get what I wanted? Then it hit me.
For the last few years before that point I had put God and my faith on the "back burner." Sometimes I would go to Church, sometimes I paid attention, sometimes I prayed. I never left my faith, I just didn't pay much attention to it. I truly believed that God had a plan for me, I new without a doubt that He wanted me to be a wife and mother, and I knew that all things good happen through Him. After I found out about Bryson and asked God "why not me" I got my answer. How can these things happen through God when He is on the "back burner."
So I tried to change. I haven't missed a Sunday Mass since the week I found out about Bryson. I talk to God more often. And I started opening myself up to new people and new experiences. It wasn't until then that Ethan came into my life.
I truly believe that if it weren't for Bryson I might still be waiting for the blessings I have today. I am happier than I have been in my life and my dreams are coming true. There is a reason for everything and all good things come through God...if you are patient.
As of last weekend everything is official. Ethan and I are going to be married on July 3, 2010. I am absolutely thrilled and couldn't be happier. Everything we've been talking about the last couple months is starting to be put in motion. I have been waiting and wanting this for so long it's hard to believe I actually get to make those wonderful phone calls and pick out those pretty dresses!
As I begin the long and hopefully low stress process of planning a wedding, I can stop to pause and think about how my life has changed drastically in the last two years.
When I moved out to Cheney I knew that it was a small town with a good school, but small towns are made for families. Not single people. I knew that when I accepted the job, and I knew it when I moved into my little rental. My first year teaching I didn't notice too much change in my life than the previous couple years. I was soooo busy, practically living at the school. Trying to coach, be a good teacher, and stay caught up with everything. I just didn't notice how lonely I was.
Then my second year came around and I was a little less busy. I had my first year teaching under my belt and found myself at home more and more. That's when it hit me. I am lonely. I didn't like going home and not having anyone other than my mother and a couple friends online to talk to. I wasn't happy. Even though I had a good job I loved, there was something missing. I could fool most people, but in reality I was miserable. I am convinced that if something wouldn't have changed, and soon, I would have left Cheney.
Now...something happened that was a blessing in disguise, in more ways than one. I have told most of the story of my little nephew and what a blessing he was, but I never really explained how he helped me. At the time when I found out that Joe was expecting a son I was of course sad for him. But I was also mad. I was so mad at him, at God, and everything. It wasn't fair. I wanted nothing more than anything to find someone who I could love and have a family with. I was doing things the "right way" and Joe wasn't. Why did Joe get what I wanted? Then it hit me.
For the last few years before that point I had put God and my faith on the "back burner." Sometimes I would go to Church, sometimes I paid attention, sometimes I prayed. I never left my faith, I just didn't pay much attention to it. I truly believed that God had a plan for me, I new without a doubt that He wanted me to be a wife and mother, and I knew that all things good happen through Him. After I found out about Bryson and asked God "why not me" I got my answer. How can these things happen through God when He is on the "back burner."
So I tried to change. I haven't missed a Sunday Mass since the week I found out about Bryson. I talk to God more often. And I started opening myself up to new people and new experiences. It wasn't until then that Ethan came into my life.
I truly believe that if it weren't for Bryson I might still be waiting for the blessings I have today. I am happier than I have been in my life and my dreams are coming true. There is a reason for everything and all good things come through God...if you are patient.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Weekly Chatter
~ Ethan and I play Scrabble on the computer. We also go to Lowes just to walk around. We are exciting! (I really mean that...)
~ I am going to KC with my mom and sister this weekend to watch my cousin in a ballroom dancing competition. We will have that opportunity to watch dancing, shop, eat out, and stay in a hotel. Should be a great weekend!
~ Did I mention that this will be the first weekend I haven't spent with Ethan since Christmas...will we survive? Or for that matter, will he survive without me for a weekend...HA! (I am sure he will find something to do...)
~ The official countdown has begun...22 days till summer!
~ I have finally caught on to The Office. Thanks to netflix and the fact that it allows you to watch DVD episodes right on your computer I watched as much of the first 4 seasons as I could. I got hilariously caught up in the lives of Jim, Pam, Michael, and yes...Dwight! Now I await every Thursday night for a new episode. AND have started buying my own copies of the seasons. I have 1-3 now!
~ Ethan and I went and looked at the Parade of Homes here in Wichita. No we are not buying a house, but it is always fun to go and look at the newest things. We started out in houses that were nice, but small. Little square footage and lots of hallways (waisted space). The next houses were the "realistic" ones. Homes that we could afford and look for someday...maybe. Then we went up a notch to the homes that are too expensive, but if I took up another profession and E got a very high paying job we could afford...but not likely. And last we had some fun with the "Never in your wildest dreams" homes. These were huge and only if we win the lottery will we ever be able to even consider. (When we were finished E bought a lottery ticket...we didn't win.)
~ Ethan's dogs now know my car. They start to get really excited when I drive into the driveway. They are just so excited for people to play with! (Even though they get a lot of playtime with E)
~ I am going to KC with my mom and sister this weekend to watch my cousin in a ballroom dancing competition. We will have that opportunity to watch dancing, shop, eat out, and stay in a hotel. Should be a great weekend!
~ Did I mention that this will be the first weekend I haven't spent with Ethan since Christmas...will we survive? Or for that matter, will he survive without me for a weekend...HA! (I am sure he will find something to do...)
~ The official countdown has begun...22 days till summer!
~ I have finally caught on to The Office. Thanks to netflix and the fact that it allows you to watch DVD episodes right on your computer I watched as much of the first 4 seasons as I could. I got hilariously caught up in the lives of Jim, Pam, Michael, and yes...Dwight! Now I await every Thursday night for a new episode. AND have started buying my own copies of the seasons. I have 1-3 now!
~ Ethan and I went and looked at the Parade of Homes here in Wichita. No we are not buying a house, but it is always fun to go and look at the newest things. We started out in houses that were nice, but small. Little square footage and lots of hallways (waisted space). The next houses were the "realistic" ones. Homes that we could afford and look for someday...maybe. Then we went up a notch to the homes that are too expensive, but if I took up another profession and E got a very high paying job we could afford...but not likely. And last we had some fun with the "Never in your wildest dreams" homes. These were huge and only if we win the lottery will we ever be able to even consider. (When we were finished E bought a lottery ticket...we didn't win.)
~ Ethan's dogs now know my car. They start to get really excited when I drive into the driveway. They are just so excited for people to play with! (Even though they get a lot of playtime with E)
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Top 10 Reasons I Love Spring!
10: Longer Days. I love it when it stays lighter longer in they day. I am more motivated to stay "up and moving" when it's still day time at 7:30 as opposed to being ready for bed by 5 during the winter.
9: Light jackets, or even better...no coats at all. I hate having to wear around a big bulky coat everywhere I go. It becomes a pain to keep track of, but yet, I have to have it because I freeze everywhere I go.
8: My legs stay shaved a little longer. During the cold months I can spend 15 minutes in the shower making sure every stupid annoying hair is gone, and then the minute I step out of the shower, I get cold and the pricklies are back! Arrrggg!!!
7: Walks. It is nice enough to start going for walks on Saturdays and evenings. They can be so much fun and good for you too!
6: Plants. I always get a little touch of spring fever and want to buy a couple new plants for my house. Two rules though...have to be inexpensive and able to handle intense neglect without dying!
5: Grilling. I know that summer is the typical "grilling" season, but how many people can wait until June to bust out the grill...not many. If we're not grilling then someone usually is and the smell make my mouth water every time.
4: Baseball games. I love baseball games, and I used to go to games all the time watching my brother play. Now that Joe is done with ball, I have a new player to watch. Ethan's nephew Brandon plays and we get to go to some of the games. Sunflower seeds, homeruns, and good weather...gotta love it!
3: Rain. I'm not talking about the rain that comes every day of the week...I'm referring to the night rain that leaves the morning smelling fresh and clean. What a great start to the day.
2: My free time. The spring is the only season during school that I don't coach. I have my afternoons off to enjoy the nice weather and not feel like I'm married to the school.
1: The weather! The warm sun finally shines and everything turns green or other bright springy colors. My March I am sooo sick of the cold and snow that any break in the weather causes me to be in a very happy mood (and hoping that those nice days fall on a weekend!)
9: Light jackets, or even better...no coats at all. I hate having to wear around a big bulky coat everywhere I go. It becomes a pain to keep track of, but yet, I have to have it because I freeze everywhere I go.
8: My legs stay shaved a little longer. During the cold months I can spend 15 minutes in the shower making sure every stupid annoying hair is gone, and then the minute I step out of the shower, I get cold and the pricklies are back! Arrrggg!!!
7: Walks. It is nice enough to start going for walks on Saturdays and evenings. They can be so much fun and good for you too!
6: Plants. I always get a little touch of spring fever and want to buy a couple new plants for my house. Two rules though...have to be inexpensive and able to handle intense neglect without dying!
5: Grilling. I know that summer is the typical "grilling" season, but how many people can wait until June to bust out the grill...not many. If we're not grilling then someone usually is and the smell make my mouth water every time.
4: Baseball games. I love baseball games, and I used to go to games all the time watching my brother play. Now that Joe is done with ball, I have a new player to watch. Ethan's nephew Brandon plays and we get to go to some of the games. Sunflower seeds, homeruns, and good weather...gotta love it!
3: Rain. I'm not talking about the rain that comes every day of the week...I'm referring to the night rain that leaves the morning smelling fresh and clean. What a great start to the day.
2: My free time. The spring is the only season during school that I don't coach. I have my afternoons off to enjoy the nice weather and not feel like I'm married to the school.
1: The weather! The warm sun finally shines and everything turns green or other bright springy colors. My March I am sooo sick of the cold and snow that any break in the weather causes me to be in a very happy mood (and hoping that those nice days fall on a weekend!)
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