In My Mind...

I am officially declaring this week "Pretend it's Spring week."  Technically, spring starts in 21 days.  That's just three weeks my friends!  I can't wait. Bring on Spring!!  I have decided to act like it's warm outside, even though it's not.  So this weekend, I highlighted my hair and painted my toenails.  This morning I made a cold pasta salad, and lemonade, and I cut up a cantaloupe.  My car is loaded with "windows down" music like Jack Johnson, Tristan Prettyman, and Kenny Chesney.  I'm considering switching out my closets, even though I can't wear any spring/summer clothes just yet.  (The high today is 39) Yeah, that's a little crazy.  I don't need to be getting dressed in my office for the next month.

So... join me in my madness? We can fake it, until we make it!

Tonight is Bob Woodruff's return to ABC News. Don't forget. I saw his interview on GMA this morning and I was in tears! And he'll be on Oprah.  Fellow newsies, watch! 

Oh, Monday

I always have sleep issues on Monday.  It's noon, and I'm nowhere near as tired as I should be. :(

Brokaw is chewing on my cell phone bill.  I wish that meant he was planning to pay it.  I don't suppose he's planning to do that any more than he plans to digest the theology of the C.S. Lewis books he's chewed on in the past.  Wild man, I tell ya.

I am so over the Oscars. Is that okay?  I wrote a story this morning about "Oscar Fashion" and that was semi-fun, but seriously, what does it matter what these women wear? Like any of us are really going to rush out to buy a replica? Please. Where would I wear something like that?  I'd much rather have a knock-off designer bag, any day.

Only two more days left in the February ratings book.  I will be glad when it's over, I'm growing weary...

Ironic choice of words, since the message in church yesterday was about "Perseverance."  Perserverance is hard to spell.  It's even harder to live.  It was a good message. A nice reminder that we should keep on going because we are surrounded by people who love us, and are in this race with us.  A good image of the community God has us in.  I like feeling like I'm in the middle of that.  It makes me small.  Small is good.

Only 3 weeks until the Northway Oakland launch!  If you're in the Pittsburgh area, you should join us:www.northwayoakland.org

Okay, seriously, night-night time.

I'm pretty sure I deserve an award for this...

Yes, that's an elliptical trainer. In my bedroom. Good morning!  And Yes, I put it together myself.  I'm good with a wrench.  It's one of my many skills.  Call me Miss Fix it. Go ahead. I'm trying to get into the at home workout.  My YMCA membership was free with the first year of my lease and now that it's run out, I just don't want to spend $40 a month on the Y, because we all know that's more of charitable donation than an actual investment in fitness. At least it is for me.  I bought the ET last weekend and have had 3 workouts on it so far.  It rocks like a rocking chair.  I wonder if I should have made myself sign some kind of liability agreement. Hmm... hopefully I don't break any bones or end up falling through the floor.  Every time I get on it Brokaw barks.  He's probably warning me of danger, although I'd like to thing he's cheering me on.  I like it, I think. (the at home workout)  We'll see. I better do it because unlike a treadmill, I think this would make a lousy laundry drying rack.

Happy President's Day!

Hopefully you all enjoyed your day off!  Now, see how smart you are when it comes to the Presidents!  Here's a fun quiz I found this morning at work (like it's a surprise to anyone that I'm a dork -- I got an 18) Take it, let me know how you do: http://games.toast.net/presidents/page1.asp

Perspective

I had one of those "perspective" days.  Yes, my dog was loud and annoying, but thankfully, he's healthy.  When we were at the vet today, there was an old White German Shepherd there who had this awful looking tumor on the outside of it's body.  The owners looked tired, and ready to give up.  I felt like busting into tears right there in the lobby.  No matter how much I wish the puggle had an "off switch" I would never hit it. Never.  I thought about that couple all day. That poor dog. You could tell it was in pain. I wonder what happened.

And last night... at work. Oh, what a sad night! Our lead story was this awful house fire where six children, all under the age of 10 died, and a mother, younger than I am died too.  They had no heat.  They were using space heaters.  They didn't have a working smoke detector.  The mother died holding one of the children.  It is so sad.  Heartbreaking.  Usually I am good about keeping work "work" and not getting emotionally attached to stories, but that story was just too much.  And it's not just a story.  Those were real lives that were lost.  There is real pain in that community.

Events like that always bring up the question -- why does God let things like that happen?  No one has answers.  Not spirtual leaders.  Not pastors.  Not the wise. 

The book I'm reading right now, "Velvet Elvis" draws an interesting conclusion about faith in general -- that I think applies in situations like this. It is this: that it IS THE MYSTERY that is the truth.  If we understand everything then the mystery is solved and our questions are answered.  Then there is nothing to believe in.  There is no faith required.  We need the mystery.

 

Puppy Crack

So this morning I had to take Brokaw to the vet for some regular puppy business and I'm pretty sure they pumped his veins with a big dose of "bad dog."  Seriously, he was jetting around my house all day.  He never slept.  He doesn't sleep with me all day, but he usually cuddles in the afternoon. Well, no. Not today. He was chasing the cat. Barking at his toys. Waking me up every half hour to go outside. And not to go to the bathroom, no because that would make too much sense.  He wanted to go outside so he could bring in a giant icecicle and make a wet spot on the carpet.  I even tried moving downstairs and sleeping on the couch and letting Katy have my room so she could have some peace.  That's when Mr. Beckham really busted out the serious soccer moves. Up and down the steps. In between the legs. Then he got the ball stuck under the TV cabinet and you'd think the Governor had declared a State of Emergency, called in a search party and FEMA, the way this dog was acting about his ball being stuck.  I woke up AGAIN got on all fours, rescued the ball, then of course, he didn't want it anymore.  I am thinking if this is just a glimpse of what life is like with a small child -- I am so not ready it's not even funny.

Life Inside the Snowglobe

Is snowglobe one word or two?  I have no idea, but I feel like I'm in one that someone keeps shaking up.  And you know what? Today I am not mad at winter.  We're making friends.

My Little Snowman

V-Day

I hope everyone had a fabulous Valentine's Day!

Mine was extra special.  My heart was warmed in the middle of this blizzard.  I got flowers from a man who is kind, cute, smart and funny.

I spent the day blushing like a 7th grader, it was great fun.  Thank you Michael!

One more thing...

The Dixie Chicks taking home the Grammy's... what in the world?
Seriously, I realize I sleep all day long, but this wasn't their year, was it? I didn't even buy their new CD.

Bush haters... they're just cool now because no one likes the Prez.

Whatev... MJB is my girl, so happy for her!

While I'm here, some free thoughts on TV as well:

The Hills: Heidi is so stupid for being played by that guy that looks like a Chucky doll

Grey's Anatomy: I still love it, but is it me, or is that show getting crazy dramatic?

Gilmore Girls: Luke, Luke, Luke!! And again I say, Luke! and still, I'm not a Logan fan

Friday Night Lights: This is my new show (it better not get cancelled) Coach Taylor is soooo my new favorite TV man. That accent! Oh, and those eyes! Oh, and the messy hair? Love him. love. him.

Seriously, gotta go now and brave the blizzard to go to the mailbox, at least when I get back my BROWNIES will be done :)

I'm Baaack

So, it's supposed to snow like a foot here today. Footlongs are for sandwiches, not snowfall, that's all I have to say about that.

Anna Nicole Smith... what a loss. And what a story! It's a cable news dream come true during February sweeps... but it should NEVER be before North Korea disarming in a network newscast. never EVER.

Man, it's really coming down outside, I may have to take some pictures!  There's an outside chance Sam Champion from Good Morning America could be here in Pittsburgh tomorrow morning! Let's hope for more snow so that he comes! That would be SO COOL.

Note to self: DO NOT forget camera tomorrow!

I am so fickle when it comes to haircolor... I lowlighted my locks just 4 weeks ago... now I think I'm ready to go back to being a true blonde.  They really do have more fun, huh?

Sam Champion is a blonde...

Happy Tuesday to all, and to all a good night.

Dreaming of Summer

I am freezing.  The wind chill is at some ungodly negative number. There is ice and snow everywhere.  So, today I will order a little piece of summer, Kenny Chesney concert tickets.  I may even go tanning.