the thing is...

Monday, November 05, 2007

Poll

Since my smell post has crashed and burned, I've decided to add a poll.
I've been thinking about Hillary a lot lately and how terrifying it is that she could possibly be our next leader. Fearless, perhaps. But trustworthy and honorable? I just don't see it.
Please don't tear me to shreds. I am ABSOLUTELY not interested in a political debate.
Anyway.
Vote in my first poll!

Smells

Have you ever noticed that some people just smell good?
Whether it be body chemistry or perfume or cologne, some people just smell great.
Some days you're walking down the hall on your way to the cafeteria and manage to walk behind somebody who just smells so good you could follow them anywhere. You relax and feel better about life in general. Can you identify?
I am not one of these people.
Unless Eau de Garlic is a soothing, come hither scent.

Friday, November 02, 2007

Boo.

Wa.
Wahhhawaaaa.

That's how I feel.

I don't like anyone.
I don't like doing things.
I don't like helping people with power point presentations.
I don't like going places.
I don't like food.
I don't like anything.
Boo-freaking-hoo.

My neck hurts.
My pants are too short.
I have heartburn.
Angie is crabby.
My mom doesn't feel good.
It's only 10:30, not 2:30.

Like I said.
Boo-freaking-hoo.

I can't even drink wine to go with my whine.
And I'm not supposed to eat effing SOFT CHEESE!
But I'm gonna.

Thursday, November 01, 2007

Random Thoughts

These are the things on my mind today:

Is a male receptionist called a "receptioner?"

Somebody left a stack of post-its on the counter in the copy room and wrote "Take me," on each pad. I added "Please."

Tonight is our last Bible Study for Alpha. It's bitter sweet. A stunted period of thought and growth.

Even though now that my dad is retired he'll probably be easier to get ahold of, it seems very strange that he's not an instant message away anymore. Again, bitter sweet.

What the crap happened to my best friend? I haven't heard from her since mid-August.

I got smiled at by three people on my way in to the building this morning. Great big, "Glad you're here!" smiles. Made me wonder if I had something stuck to my face.

I am SO ready for Thanksgiving. I think it's my all-time favorite holiday.

I dreamt that I drove off of a cliff the other night. I woke up before my car hit the water. Terrifying.

Random thoughts are sweet,
but not as sweet as you, dear--
my list of cookies.

Holy Christmas Cookie, Batman!

Somebody sent this to me at work today. I hope the links work. Some of these look pretty fun.

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Closed for Business

I turned off the lights at 8:57.

When I get 17-year-olds claiming to be "candy collectors," I'm done.

I probably shouldn't have made fun of them. I'm totally gonna get egged tonight.

At least the cars are in the garage.

As I mentioned to Carla, I hate this "holiday." Dressing up is fun, sure, and handing out candy is usually even more fun, but ...I dunno. I miss the days when costumes took thought and planning. Last year Richard and I went as Olive Oyle and Popeye. If you know either of us, you know this was a VERY good costume, considering our perspective body-types.

A mask to make it look like you have a knife through your rubbery vampire head just doesn't trip my trigger. Especially when you're wearing your Roseville Hockey sweatshirt.

I will try to find a photo of our costumes from last year. They really were very good.
I also think it's worth mentioning that the best costumes tonight were Harry Potter and his Vampire friend. I wasn't convinced until they told me they were "Harry and Scary." They were only about ten. I thought they were pretty cute.

* * *

Boy...upon re-reading this, I sound pretty crotchety.

Next year I'll probably be the mean old lady who hands out peanut butter taffy and root beer barrels.

I guess that's still better than raisins.

In the Spirit of Things

I finally found my Halloween dish towels last night. I figure better late than never.

Richard and I also made caramel puff corn last night to get in the fall spirit. Actually, I made it and Richard morally supported me from the couch. Then I had to hide it from him to save myself some for tonight. Remember the Little Red Hen? Anyway...

This morning I decided to try to dress a little bit festive. I'm wearing my peachy-orange corduroy blouse (that I only wear once a year), black pants, and halloween socks. I think I look pretty cute. I thought for SURE that others would dress similarly--you know those appliqued sweaters with pumpkins or SOMETHING like that.

But no.

I'm officially Ugly Betty.

At least I didn't wear cat ears or something like that. Or paint my face. Oh, Lord, how humiliating would THAT have been?

Well, Happy Halloween, everybody. I'm expecting major trick or treating action tonight. I always like to see everybody's costumes.

Can you believe it's almost November? Seems like I was just complaining about changing my calendar to October... : )

Also, if you don't watch Ugly Betty, how can you not watch Ugly Betty?! It's totally one of my favorites.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Baby Shower

It's a girl!
Please join us to celebrate the birth of
Sophia Colette Nourse
Baby Shower Open House
Sunday, November 4, 2007
from 3-5pm
at Faith Community Church

Please let me know if you will be able to attend!

We hope to see you there!

Pinched

One of my co-workers noticed that I am walking stiffly.
I told her about the pain and seizing I've been having in my neck.
"I went to the chiropractor twice yesterday and I have another appointment today and tomorrow," I told her.
She said, "I used to get my neck adjusted all the time until I read an article in a magazine that said that if your adjustment isn't done carefully you can get a pinched nerve...which can kill you."
She looked at me, waiting to see how I would respond.
I waited a beat.
"I guess I'm willing to take that risk."
"Ok..." she said warningly. "I hope you feel better."

Do you ever have days, conversations, arguments. coworkers or friends with whom you just can't win?

Monday, October 29, 2007

ENFP, ISFJ, OREO

Mandi and I may not have a lot in common when it comes to personality, but we both think it's important to tell the world that it's midnight and we both want Oreos.

Still Got It

For one of Mandi's classes, she has to take the Myers-Briggs personality test.
So...we took it together tonight. Click here for a free link.
I thought that maybe I had changed in the couple of years I've been married but it appears that I'm even more of an ENFP than I thought.
Here are some pertinent quotes I found about my personality:
"ENFPs like to tell funny stories, especially about their friends. This penchant may be why many are attracted to journalism. I kid one of my ENFP friends that if I want the sixth fleet to know something, I'll just tell him."
This is the one that made Richard laugh out loud:
"Close enough is satisfactory to the ENFP..."
Oh, so true.
What is it about these personality tests that is so satisfying?
Is it my own vanity? I want to be affirmed by Mr. Myers and Mr. Briggs so badly that I'm willing to sit at a computer and take the test again despite the fact that I can feel my neck seizing up...just to confirm that what I thought was true: I'm an Extraverted iNtuitive Feeling Perceiver.
"[For the ENFP], nothing occurs which does not have some deep ethical significance, and this, coupled with their uncanny sense of the motivations of others, gives them a talent for seeing life as an exciting drama, pregnant with possibilities for both good and evil."
That's a lot to think about...
I think this post is almost done.
Close enough.

For the record, Mandi is ISFJ and Richard is ISTJ. : )
According to the Jung Marriage Test, Richard and I are an "unsatisfactory" match. Hmmm...
Mandi and I however would make a good couple. Go figure.
OH! You'll be glad to know that my P-ness is still very strong.

Aaahhhh...Ehhhh...Owww...

The chiropractor helped tremendously.
He spent quite a while with me and about half way through the appointment I felt my body relax and go, "Ahhhh."
I actually feel a little hungover from the pain. Sort of drowsy and dazed now that I'm not in as much pain anymore. He sent me home with a couple trial packets of bio freeze (which will stay at my desk since I'm getting the real deal from Cara tonight). I felt a lot better on my way back to work, but I can feel myself tensing up again. I'm at about a 3 or 4 for pain right now, though, which is a heckuvalot better than a 9!
Thanks for your prayers. I think they really helped. If it comes across your mind, please pray that we will be able to get this under control soon.
Word to the wise--biofreeze under your wedding band is slightly uncomfortable.

Perfect 10

At the risk of sounding like a whiner, my pain level is at a 9 this morning.
I'd say I reached a perfect 10 on Saturday night somewhere around 3am.
I made it through yesterday with ice packs and Tylenol. I have a chiropractor appointment at 11 today.
I think I really hit rock bottom standing in the shower last night crying.
A simple formula:
Intense neck pain + hormones + exhaustion = discouragement and uncontrollable weeping.
(I just fought the urge to write "= priceless," but the truth is that I'm not really in the mood for jokes.)
Please keep me in your prayers today. I'm trying not to be too discouraged about my neck (it's as if I've thrown out my back, but only my neck...make sense?), but. But, what if it's like this when the baby is born? What if I can't pick up my baby? What if I feel this way for the rest of my pregnancy? What if it NEVER goes away?
Anyhow, like I said, at the risk of sounding like a whiner, please keep me in your prayers today.

Friday, October 26, 2007

It is Finished!

Dad,
Congratulations on a job well done.
I am proud of you for the way you have always sought God in your professional life, and even more proud of you for your exciting future.
I pray that God will bring you many more great things.
I love you very much.
There is more to say, but words escape me. My heart swells with pride when I tell people about you.
Congratulations on your retirement.
Love,
Richard and Erin

p.s. GET OVER HERE, so we can celebrate!

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Ish

To each her own, but again I say, ish.

If you are a guy, I really wouldn't click on the link. I know that now you will, but don't say I didn't warn you.

Last Meal

While I was waiting at the Chiropractor today (I got a new chiropractor!!! Yay!!!), I read an article in Time Magazine that asked all kinds of famous chefs what they would choose as their last meal.
Mine:
First course: Chop salad with plenty of blue cheese straight from France.
Secound course: Al dente pasta with a spicy cheese sauce of some sort (with blue or gorgonzola cheese as the base). It's gotta be good, though. No Olive Garden BS for my last meal. Nosiree.
Third course: More cheeses and of course, SAUSAGE. Spicy, smoked, maybe even breakfast. Once again--good stuff. No Jimmy Dean for my last meal. Send me Andoullie straight from Louisiana, thankyouverymuch.
Fourth course: McDonald's sausage McMuffin with egg and french fries.
Dessert: Potato chips. Plain.
If a midnight snack is an option for my last meal, it will obviously be Oreos and very, VERY cold Vitamin D milk.

Please note, I have thought long and hard about this list. It is in NO WAY determined by my pregnant cravings. Really. Well, maybe the Oreos. This meal also assumes that I have a bottomless stomach. This is imaginary. Roll with it.
Ha! Pun intended.

What would your last meal be?

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Great American Novel

Here's something that will appear in my G.A.N. some day. I'm sure it will end up a lot more polished than this and may not even make its way into the movie, but it was a pretty touching moment for me.
This version has been shortened for blogging purposes.
**Please note, my senior creative writing professor made me swear that I would never write about my grandmothers again.
Oops.
Sorry, Allyson. I love 'em. ; )

- - -

Shortly after Richard and I got married, my great-uncle Charles died.
My dad, another Charles, and I escorted my blind grandmother, Shirley, to Minot, North Dakota by train to attend the funeral.
The ride there was uneventful and we slept the entire way. (Nothing compared to the ride home. Another blog, another time.)
Once we reached Minot, we went to the cousin's house to change clothes and get ready for the funeral which was only an hour or so later.
When we arrived at the church, I held Grandma Shirley's hand and escorted her through the premises. We located all the important rooms: ladies' room, sanctuary, family waiting / mourning room, library, etc.
Then she asked me to take her to see her brother.
Uncle Charles was laid out in his casket looking better than I had seen him in years. I described to her that his hair was very gray, that he was wearing a blue sportcoat with a maroon tie and his hands--those McClain hands--were folded on top of his abdomen.
"Where?" She said. "Where are his hands?"
"On his stomach."
"No, show me."
I took her hands and put them on her brothers.
It was that moment that she began to cry. Gasping, deep, silent sobs.
And then she stopped.
"That was the only time I've cried over him. My brother."

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Birthday Cake

Happy Birthday to two of my favorite bloggers!

New mommy, Naomi, and blogging queen, Carla!

p.s. Carla for blogging queen!

p.p.s Kristi for blogging president!

Everybody Else

Have you had the thought, "I'm not like everybody else," outside of blogdom?
Could it be why we blog?
I would be willing to bet that the incidence of feeling unlike everybody else and blogging is relatively high.
I could be making myself intensely vulnerable for no reason, here...
If so, please disregard.

p.s. I'm an ENFP.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Dingbat

I begin this post by singing, "Don't park, don't park, don't park so close to me," a la Sting.
I once went shopping with my Grandma Jean (Nebraska Grandma) and she opened her car door into another car. She said, "I'm old. I can do this sort of thing."
Yeah, well.
I'm pregnant. I can do that sort of thing.
Last week I dinged the door of a pretty navy blue BMW, a black Audi and several other imports in our parking lot. I don't mean to. It just happens. Almost every day.
Seriously. Don't park next to me.

I haven't dinged anything yet today...not a bad way to start the week.

A Halloween-esque Haiku in honor of door dings:

The phantom dinger--
She comes by it nat'rally.
Park far, far away.