This past weekend, we went to Knoxville to visit Ben, Carrie and baby Luke. It wasn't as odd I thought it might be to see them with a baby. They seemed to be settled into a pattern of existence. Both seem a bit stressed and growing into their new roles: Ben as sole provider and Carrie as a full-time mom.
Watching them has escalated the already mixed emotions into my head. I'm happy for them, but I also feel somewhat angry and somewhat jealous at the same time. Welcome to my screwed up head.
I think I feel this way because them having a baby symbolizes another decade in our lives: the decade of building a family.
I'll be 30 in December. Ugh. How scary is that. Are kids the next step in my life? What if it isn't? When is the right time? What if I wait too long and can't have kids? What if kids ruin my relationship with Brandon? What if kids aren't what I want, but what I think I want or what other people think I want?
I'm driving myself crazy with these questions and thoughts. I need a new fixation. Perhaps I'll go back to politics...
On a happier note, Jane and I are headed to Key West on Sunday for a week of girl time. I can't wait!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
The Land of the Sun
Brandon and I spent Thursday through Monday in sunny Arizona. It was a great trip, but a bit of a whirlwind. (We're saving the bulk of Brandon's vacation for Hawaii in February, so we only had a few days for him to burn.)
Thursday night we got settled into the family condo in Phoenix (it is awesome!) and then went out with Steve and Roy. We met up with some of their friends at local Mexican restaurant and noshed on Margaritas and nachos then went to Corbin's for a tasty dinner.
Friday we slept in then took advantage of Steve and Roy's cabana...aka backyard. They have a pool and hot tub, so we laid out until we were hot, got in the pool, hot tub, repeat. You get the idea.
That night we road the bus to downtown Phoenix to watch the Reds take on the Diamondbacks. Unfortunately, we lost but it was still fun to see a ballpark other than our own. I enjoyed watched the DONKEY (Adam Dunn)strike out. HA!
Here are a few photos:
Saturday we headed north to Flagstaff for a 6.7 mile hike in the Coconino National Forrest: the Bear Jaw/Abineau Loop. The trail goes to the base of the Humphrey's Peak, the highest point in Arizona. When you turn your back on the peak, you can see the Grand Canyon 90 miles away. Pretty amazing. We saw large alpine tree groves, avalanche damage and beautiful wildflowers. Here are a few pics:
That night, we stayed in Williams at the Holiday Inn so Brandon could watch the OSU game. We ate Mexican--again--at a local joint then headed to bed early.
Sunday we got up early and drove to the Grand Canyon. This was the first time we hiked down into the canyon. We didn't have a whole lot of time, so we did the six miles round trip on South Kaibab to Skeleton Point and three miles on the Bright Angel trail. Both were amazing. Next time we're definitely going to build in time to hike all the way to the canyon bottom.
Here are a few of my favorite pics from the hikes:
There was a huge storm that left most of Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati without power while we were gone. Fortunately, our power was back on by the time we got back. we spent our first night back cleaning up sticks from our yard. Fortunately. our trees and roof weren't damaged.
Thursday night we got settled into the family condo in Phoenix (it is awesome!) and then went out with Steve and Roy. We met up with some of their friends at local Mexican restaurant and noshed on Margaritas and nachos then went to Corbin's for a tasty dinner.
Friday we slept in then took advantage of Steve and Roy's cabana...aka backyard. They have a pool and hot tub, so we laid out until we were hot, got in the pool, hot tub, repeat. You get the idea.
That night we road the bus to downtown Phoenix to watch the Reds take on the Diamondbacks. Unfortunately, we lost but it was still fun to see a ballpark other than our own. I enjoyed watched the DONKEY (Adam Dunn)strike out. HA!
Here are a few photos:
Saturday we headed north to Flagstaff for a 6.7 mile hike in the Coconino National Forrest: the Bear Jaw/Abineau Loop. The trail goes to the base of the Humphrey's Peak, the highest point in Arizona. When you turn your back on the peak, you can see the Grand Canyon 90 miles away. Pretty amazing. We saw large alpine tree groves, avalanche damage and beautiful wildflowers. Here are a few pics:
That night, we stayed in Williams at the Holiday Inn so Brandon could watch the OSU game. We ate Mexican--again--at a local joint then headed to bed early.
Sunday we got up early and drove to the Grand Canyon. This was the first time we hiked down into the canyon. We didn't have a whole lot of time, so we did the six miles round trip on South Kaibab to Skeleton Point and three miles on the Bright Angel trail. Both were amazing. Next time we're definitely going to build in time to hike all the way to the canyon bottom.
Here are a few of my favorite pics from the hikes:
There was a huge storm that left most of Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati without power while we were gone. Fortunately, our power was back on by the time we got back. we spent our first night back cleaning up sticks from our yard. Fortunately. our trees and roof weren't damaged.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Bleary Friday
Well, I'm blogging at lunch because my co-worker bailed on going out. We were supposed to go to Sitwell's for BLTs, so I didn't bring my lunch or my gym bag. Oh well. I got 1/2 a panini and am now captive in my office.
It's rainy and yucky out today, but we need the rain so I won't complain too much. Hopefully it doesn't rain tomorrow because it's time for the annual Weenie Roast at Shauna and Joe's. That should be fun!
In other news, I finished the Twilight series again and devoured the fourth book, Breaking Dawn. I'm happy with the ending, though it was a bit too "happily ever after" to be realistic. Then again, we are talking about vampires and werewolves, so how "realistic" can you be? I now eagerly await the first movie, which is slated for later this year.
I also enjoyed this political ad from the Barack Obama Campaign thoroughly. It's clever:
For those of you who are sick of the political jabbing already, check out the Republicrats on MSNBC.com. It's amusing:
http://originals.msn.com/republicrats/
It's rainy and yucky out today, but we need the rain so I won't complain too much. Hopefully it doesn't rain tomorrow because it's time for the annual Weenie Roast at Shauna and Joe's. That should be fun!
In other news, I finished the Twilight series again and devoured the fourth book, Breaking Dawn. I'm happy with the ending, though it was a bit too "happily ever after" to be realistic. Then again, we are talking about vampires and werewolves, so how "realistic" can you be? I now eagerly await the first movie, which is slated for later this year.
I also enjoyed this political ad from the Barack Obama Campaign thoroughly. It's clever:
For those of you who are sick of the political jabbing already, check out the Republicrats on MSNBC.com. It's amusing:
http://originals.msn.com/republicrats/
Sunday, August 31, 2008
The Next President: Barack Obama
I didn't have a chance to blog about the Democratic National Convention this week. I think Hillary Clinton did just about everything she could to rally her more die-hard supporters to get behind Barack. She summed it up when she asked people to think about whether they were voting simply for her or for the beliefs of the party.
McCain is more of the same: tax cuts for big businesses and the excessively rich and higher taxes for the average folks like all of us. Failed economic policies, more jobs shipped abroad...the list goes on.
No way. No how. No McCain. Barack Obama not only presents the hope, unity and change we need in America--he and his team can make it happen.
Tax cuts for middle class Americans. Governmental support to help people send their kids to college. Incentives for companies to keep their jobs in America. Universal health care. Better public schools...the list goes on.
Off my political soapbox...
We spent the Saturday with Anna, Andrew, Ann and Willard. I made homemade mac-n-cheese, BBQ and bean salad for a hearty lunch and then we headed to the Newport Aquarium. After we dropped the GPs off at the hotel, Anna, Andrew, Brandon and I sat around drinking wine, looking at old pictures and playing games. This morning we slept in a little then had a breakfast at Daybreak before they hit the road.
I'm insanely short at the shelter tonight, so I'm going t spent about an hour reading then go in to to take care of my 600 kitty friends.
McCain is more of the same: tax cuts for big businesses and the excessively rich and higher taxes for the average folks like all of us. Failed economic policies, more jobs shipped abroad...the list goes on.
No way. No how. No McCain. Barack Obama not only presents the hope, unity and change we need in America--he and his team can make it happen.
Tax cuts for middle class Americans. Governmental support to help people send their kids to college. Incentives for companies to keep their jobs in America. Universal health care. Better public schools...the list goes on.
Off my political soapbox...
We spent the Saturday with Anna, Andrew, Ann and Willard. I made homemade mac-n-cheese, BBQ and bean salad for a hearty lunch and then we headed to the Newport Aquarium. After we dropped the GPs off at the hotel, Anna, Andrew, Brandon and I sat around drinking wine, looking at old pictures and playing games. This morning we slept in a little then had a breakfast at Daybreak before they hit the road.
I'm insanely short at the shelter tonight, so I'm going t spent about an hour reading then go in to to take care of my 600 kitty friends.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Freaky Allergic Reactions
I had a freakish allergic reaction--not sure to what--over the weekend, which has left my upper lip and nose swollen. It's ridiculous. I look like a cross between the elephant man and a platapus.
It's happened in the past, but never lasted this long so I'm going in this afternoon to see my doctor. I need to solve the mystery.
In the meantime, I'm hiding my face at home with a sick day. The positive side to this is that I finally get to start my 4th vampire novel: Breaking Dawn. Whoo hoo!
It's happened in the past, but never lasted this long so I'm going in this afternoon to see my doctor. I need to solve the mystery.
In the meantime, I'm hiding my face at home with a sick day. The positive side to this is that I finally get to start my 4th vampire novel: Breaking Dawn. Whoo hoo!
Friday, August 22, 2008
Thank Goodness It's Friday!
I’ve decided I’m a bit obsessed with working out. I look forward to it every day—especially my spinning classes, which unfortunately will end soon. Our small medical campus fitness center is being taken over by the main Campus Recreation Center. Unfortunately, that means all the fitness instructors got fired and—big surprise—the new management will be much more corporate. I get grandfathered in at my low rate ($29/mo.) but it will go up after one year to $36. The will also have students and contracted instructors teaching…blah.
Thank goodness it’s Friday! I’m pooped—and I’m sick of writing this week, but still have a ton to complete, including a 1,500 word feature on lead research. I have to work on a news release about a basic science paper tying bisphenol A to obesity today, too. I think I’ll have to hit the elliptical machine at lunch time to get reenergized after that.
We’re headed to Ft. Fun (otherwise known as Ft. Wayne, Ind.) for Ben Pearson-Nelson’s 30th birthday. It should be fun—they are having “Olympic” games. Ben’s already talking trash about beating us at cornhole. Less than four more months until D-day for Brandon and I, too. Ugh. 30. I think I’ll stay 29.
Thank goodness it’s Friday! I’m pooped—and I’m sick of writing this week, but still have a ton to complete, including a 1,500 word feature on lead research. I have to work on a news release about a basic science paper tying bisphenol A to obesity today, too. I think I’ll have to hit the elliptical machine at lunch time to get reenergized after that.
We’re headed to Ft. Fun (otherwise known as Ft. Wayne, Ind.) for Ben Pearson-Nelson’s 30th birthday. It should be fun—they are having “Olympic” games. Ben’s already talking trash about beating us at cornhole. Less than four more months until D-day for Brandon and I, too. Ugh. 30. I think I’ll stay 29.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Caesar Creek State Park
Brandon and I spent Sunday afternoon exploring the trails at Caesar Creek State Park again. We went back specifically to get some photos of the amazing water lilies we discovered on our last hiking trip.
We were rewarded greatly because not only were they in much fuller bloom, but we now have the benefit of owning a DIGITAL version of our old Canon Rebel. Jane sold us her old camera--which isn't old at all--so now we can enjoy taking photos even more!
Here is the amazing close-up shot Brandon got of the water lily flower:
Unfortunately, he had to walk through mud to get that close, so his feet looked like this afterward:
On Friday and Saturday night we went to Great American Ballpark to watch the Reds lose. That's OK though--it was good to catch up with friends (Sara and Steve on Friday, Paula and Kirk on Saturday) and enjoy a cool August night outside!
We were rewarded greatly because not only were they in much fuller bloom, but we now have the benefit of owning a DIGITAL version of our old Canon Rebel. Jane sold us her old camera--which isn't old at all--so now we can enjoy taking photos even more!
Here is the amazing close-up shot Brandon got of the water lily flower:
Unfortunately, he had to walk through mud to get that close, so his feet looked like this afterward:
On Friday and Saturday night we went to Great American Ballpark to watch the Reds lose. That's OK though--it was good to catch up with friends (Sara and Steve on Friday, Paula and Kirk on Saturday) and enjoy a cool August night outside!
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