yesterday

Yesterday, Isaac slept till after 9 o'clock for the first time in AGES.  We went with Ryan and his girls to Hershey Park the day before and didn't get home till very late at night.  A good time was had by all.  Isaac even rode on his first real rollercoasters: the Comet and the Wild Mouse.   He and Allison did a great job reading the map and keeping themselves busy with a rock, paper, scissors challenge. 

Yesterday, Isaac wore cords, a plaid button up shirt, appropriate colored socks and church shoes without one word of arguing.  Since getting dressed every day has been a battle, this has been a major accomplishment.

Yesterday, I remembered again how much I love Sarah McLachan.  I listened to her for about two hours while doing homework and screwing around on the computer.  Hold On will always be one of my favorite songs by her. 

Yesterday, I started this book that my friend Evelyne loaned to me.  It is the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants girls at age 30.  I am only 60 pages in and I can already tell I may have to devote every spare minute in the next few days reading it.  I know they are cheesey, but I love those books.

Yesterday, I made cookies that turned out... eh.  I got confused and thought I was supposed to bring dessert for Easter dinner.  I brought them to my parents house and (as expected) my brother's declared them to be "dry and crunchy".  Good thing my mom had still made our traditional bunny cake.   I never claimed to be domestic people.  But I do try.


Yesterday, I finally got a jump on some of my grad school homework that I have need to get accomplished on spring break.  There is more to go, but at least I did something.

Yesterday, when we were driving out to my mom's house we heard "Baby One More Time" on the radio.  I made a comment to Ryan that I would much rather hear her song "Stronger".  He whipped out his phone and had Stronger playing on the stereo within a minute.  It sounds silly but it put a goofy grin on my face.  

Yesterday, Isaac was happy with his Easter presents (we don't do Santa or the Easter Bunny here), but he did pass the comment that there wasn't as much candy as he was expecting.

Yesterday, I lived and loved life with my family.  I sang my favorite hymns at church.  I contemplated the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Savior. We spent time together as a family and with loved ones.  Isaac had a blast playing with Ryan, my brothers and my dad.   Happy Easter!

some sentences

First, a few random photos:

Isaac has been doing a lot of this lately:

My two favorite guys. 

Things have been the usual: insanely busy.  I have blogged a lot about how batty I feel with so much on my plate this semester has been, and then to throw seriously dating someone in the mix, I feel like I am constantly on the go with no downtime.  It is a lot, but I am having fun and I am very happy.  It's becoming a little bit ridiculous, because almost every time Ryan and I sit down to watch a movie together, one or the other of us falls asleep.  I was trying to introduce him to Mormon favorite "Dan in Real Life" but he kept nodding off.  Then again, I slept through all but ten minutes of his favorite "Can't Buy Me Love".  I guess that's what happens when you are middle aged.

After much agonizing, I decided Isaac will not be doing the spring academy for soccer.  BUT we will still play spring intermurals.  He really improved as a result of doing winter academy but the spring academy falls during the week on nights I have grad class.  I just couldn't figure out a way to make it work.  I am trying to be okay with that.  I keep reminding myself it is okay to say no once in a while.  That being said, I really want to get him back in swim classes again now that summer is approaching. 

 Despite the craziness, Ryan has been joining us for dinner and few times a week, and it's been reaaly nice.  This is horrible to admit, but before I often just ate something like a Lean Cuisine in front of my laptop and Isaac would eat something like a Chef Boyardee in front of the TV.  Now, at least on the nights I don't have class, we are sitting down around the table and eating actual meals with side dishes and conversing about our days.  The other day after dinner, the three of us played Scrabble Junior. It was so lovely! I was a bit worried at first that if I started dating someone it would affect Isaac negatively, but really it is the opposite.  I think he is actually getting more attention. Ryan often entertains him while I finish up stuff for school, or do other things I need to get done.  We have been doing lots of things as a threesome like walks throw the neighborhood. It's good for all of us. 

I finally went to the library and got myself caught up on fines enough to check out books again.  I had so many fines that I never paid off I was blacklisted from books and I really want to start listening to audiobooks in the car to and from school.  Ryan was with me when I went to pay them and he almost fell over when the kid announced that I had 22 dollars worth of library fines.  I didn't have that much cash on me, but I was able to pay down my debt enough that I am allowed to have full library priviliges.  So that's exciting.  I am behind on the Jodi Piccoult books (I don't think I have read her two most recent ones).  I am currently reading I Walk Alone by Mary Higgin's Clark (mostly in the waiting room at the dermatologist or when I am waiting to pick Isaac up from my parents after class).   

Isaac is on spring break all week.  I have a half day Wednesday, and off until Tuesday.  I am definitely looking forward to that.  This school year has really flown by.  I have pulled out all of my cardmaking and stamping stuff.  Maybe I will get a chance to get to them later in the week. 

Anyways, that's a little bit about what we've been up to.   



Still alive...

So I have been pretty absent from my blog for a while. My apologies.

It is because I'm in LOVE. I know that sounds corny, but it's true. My mom pointed it out to me the other day and she is absolutely right.

Seriously. The True Deeva recommended a dating site to me and kept after me till I made a profile and started talking to some people. I did and within a week started trading emails with a guy named Ryan. We had lots to talk about and soon we were texting back and forth and then talking on the phone. Our phone conversations were stretching on for 2 and 3 hours at a time, so we decided we were definitely interested in seeing if we got on as well in person.

We set up a date to meet for lunch, go to the made for TV store, and then go bowling. It was a teeny bit awkward at first, but soon the awkwardness faded away. By the time we were done bowling it was only six o'clock. When I suggested that we might catch a movie, he agreed. After the movie, we went to Max and Erma's and split chocolate chip cookies, ending the date 8.5 hours after it started.
I know I have blogged in the past about Perfect on Paper, but this guy really is perfect on paper and in real life. I introduced him to Isaac and they have gotten along so well. The other day he texted me that he would be stopping by to pick up something he had left here. After about a half hour had gone by, I looked outside to see if he was here and found he and Isaac playing basketball together in the driveway. It was so sweet I almost cried. He has joined us for dinner the past few nights and we have done some fun stuff as a threesome, walking around the neighborhood and playing board games. Anyways, dating someone again has really monopolized a lot of my free time, so I've not been wasting away as much time on twitter, facebook, blogger, netflix, etc. etc which I suppose is a good thing.

Other exciting things: I finally got a new phone. My old phone was only making calls about 30% of the time I tried, which was frustrating and scary. Ryan persuaded me to join modern times and get an iPhone 4s and I have to be honest, the jury is still out if I like it or not. I like all of the apps and internety features, but texting and calling is so cumbersome and not intuitive. I finally figured out how to turn off the autocorrect feature, so we'll see if that makes me like it anymore.

The other day I caught up with my good friend Jami and saw Megan Tonjes at the Milkboy Cafe. She is one of my favorite artists and it was a really fun night. I will put a link to one of her songs below. (speaking of which, I love how blogger has FINALLY made it easier to embed youtube videos... you think since they are both owned by Google, they would be better about talking to each other and working together)...

After a brief hiatus, my body is back to being covered in these again:

It's frustrating to never seem to get an all clear (they keep decided to check more moles just to be sure, and many of the ones that check come back concerning, so they have to be removed). Even if I ever get an all clear, I will have to continue to be monitored every six months. It will be a whole new mindset this summer, being vigilant about sunscreen and not spending hours laying out. Beats skin cancer though...

Anyways, I think that's about it these days.  Have a great week!!

Good weekend

Today Isaac and I were driving through our neighborhood and this guy was up on his roof something.  I was like "Look at that guy Isaac".  Right as I pointed him out, the guy bent over and exposed about six inches of bare butt.  Isaac just screamed and then the two of us could not stop laughing for about ten minutes.  We would finally stop and then look at each other and laugh. He may not resemble me in the least physically, but our temperments and senses of humor are so much alike.

Yesterday morning at soccer, one of the coaches came up and told me to make sure I had Isaac try out for the travel team. I was pretty suprised. He's a bit young for the travel team but the coach said he has all the skills and urged me to at least bring him to tryouts. I was pretty proud and told Isaac about it and everything. This evening I took some more time to fully investigate the costs and time commitment of travel and I'm full on terrified. It's a huge commitment of both dollars and time. If he gets on the team and we decide to play, his dad and I are going to have to do some serious juggling to make it work.

I had a really great first date today from a guy I met on the site TrueDeeva recommended. I haven't thought of a blog nickname for him yet and I'm not planning to give a  full-on recapping of our date. There isn't anything to pick a part.   We've been talking on the phone for hours and hours this past week, so I think that helped because it actually felt like we were already friends when we met up.  The plan was lunch and bowling. We had so much fun we also went to the movies and then got dessert afterwards. We ended up spending over eight hours together. I really like him, and I hope there will be a second date soon.  So aside from initial awkwardness, we got along as well in person as we did talking on the phone.  Anyways, maybe more on that soon. Okay, since I typed that we have hung out a second time and then we have plans to hang out a third time. =)

Oh!  Counting Crows has a new album coming out and you know what that means... TOUR!  Nicole and I bought our tickets to see them in Atlantic City at the end of April.  I'm THRILLED.  I love Counting Crows and I love Nicole.  Last time around I saw them with my brother, which was fine, he's a stalwart fan too, just a little bit stoic at concerts.  Even though we don't have fabulous seats this time around, I know I can count on Nicole to be crazy and silly and dancing and screaming lyrics. I have so many good memories with her of seeing them in concert or listening to their music.  Plus, I just love her and never get to see her.  She's going to cash in some hotel points and we are are going to make a fun girls night out of it.  I'm VERY much looking forward to it.

Anyways, that's about all. Hope things are well with all my bloggy friends!

for all your Avon needs...

I have joined a different dating site at the recommendation of a friend and so far I like it a lot better than E-Harmony.  Friday I briefly chatting online with someone through the site when I had to leave.  He asked me to call him, and I figured, why not?

I blocked my number, and gave him a call.  After 1-2 minutes of random chit chat, he says "So do you like Avon?"

I was like, "Huh?"

"Avon, you know-- the beauty products?"

"Oh... well, I guess so."

"Because I'm an Avon consultant as a second job.  So if you ever need any Avon let me know.  I guess you'll have to call me, since you blocked your number, and I can't call you."

I quickly made up an excuse to get off the phone.  As we were saying good-bye, he said "Don't forget to call me if you need any Avon!"

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

update

I told Perfect on Paper guy I didn't really see a romantic future with us.  The next day he contacted me and asked me to be a personal reference on some job applications he was filling out...I had to decline on the basis that I don't really know him that well.

Bizarro right?!

oh just me, oversharing on the internet again...

Okay so Friday was date number five with Perfect on Paper.  I've really been trying to be open minded and keep on even though I don't really feel much of a click or spark, because, really, he's perfect (on paper).  Sure, a little sappy, dorky and awkward, but obviously harmless and well meaning. I felt like rejecting him based on a less than stellar first impression was being too picky and all of my friends seemed to agree and were even rooting for him.  We'd gone out on four dates-- the first three I was kind of like "meh" but then the fourth date we had a lot of fun and I thought I might be warming up to him a bit more. So I agreed to a fifth date.  It was supposed to be bowling, but at the last second he suggested that I come over to his house and he made me dinner and then we watched a movie.  It had been a long stressful week, so that option sounded more appealing than a noisy bowling alley and I agreed.

I'm not going to give a whole recap of the date, but I'll give you some random details.  This is what I am good for as the token single girl in nearly all of my social circles.  Married people love to hear how hard and ridiculous it is to be dating in your thirties.  So here goes-- my pain is your amusement:

• His house was really nice.  He had described it as a townhome, but it was really more like a condo.  He allowed me to full on snoop through the whole place while he was cooking dinner.  The whole place was builders white-- not a drop of paint on the walls.  He had nice furniture, and lots of random knick knacks and pictures from his travels around the world.  His powder room had adult wipes sitting on top of the toilet, which is something I would have put away if I was expecting company.  He had a study that was filled with fitness equipment and a huge shelf with hundreds of cds.  I thought that was a testament to what generation he is from (he's 38).  Other than Counting Crows cds, I can't remember the last time I bought a physical cd and put it on a shelf.  The whole place was very clean and tidy and nicely decorated, considering it is a bachelor pad.
• On a plus side, he got me flowers. 
• He kissed me, or attempted to kiss me, roughly 28937423 times.  Not like, make-out let's-get-it-on kissing, but like kisses on the forehead, or the cheek or the top of my head.  Unremittingly.  Like, five fast kisses in a row the way a grandma might kiss her six month old grandchild if she hadn't seen him in a while.  Taking my coat required a kiss on the cheek.  Laughing about how we have almost matching Columbia coats required a kiss on the forehead.  Handing me a fork at dinner required multiple cheek kisses.  I'm not a touchy feely person in general, so that got old fast.  Really fast. (Although I do feel like I should explain that despite all of that he didn't cross the line into getting handsy or inappropriate... just odd and discomforting).
• Referred to me as "madam" repeatedly which made me feel like I was 100 years old.  Also referred to me as "sweetie" repeatedly which made me feel like I was 4 years old.
• Dinner was really nice and actually delicious.  I was impressed-- salad, salmon with some kind of really wonderful gingery marinade, and couscous.
• Dinner conversation was what I now understand to be the usual-- lots and lots and lots of talk about his work.  I understand that discussing your job is always the path of least resistance and an easy default to keep conversation going, but now that it's our fifth date and I'm hearing the same auto insurance stories over and over... it's just dull and tiresome. 
•During the movie he put his arm around me, which was acceptable. Then he started sniffing my head and hair.  I got the impression that he thought this would be a charming thing to do but finally I had to be like "Are you sniffing me?! Can you please stop?!"
• After the movie was over,  he said he had a confession and told me that when we had first made plans to go bowling he went one afternoon and did a practice run to make sure his skills were up to par.  I thought was straddling the border of sort of sweet, sort of bizarro. 
• But THEN he said he had a second confession-- that our last date when I leaned to get out of his car that my pants had slipped down and some of my butt had ended up hanging out of top of my pants...  I was so creeped out and told him so.  WHO SAYS THAT?!  Like really.  I mean, it happened and you noticed, but why are you telling me now?   That was when I figured I needed to wrap things up and get outta there.
• The good night kissing was the absolute nail in the coffin.  I was trying to make the best of a bad situation, but there was no salvaging anything in that department.  His glasses stabbed me in the eye, and at one point his entire mouth was wrapped around mine-- like both of my lips were inside his mouth.  Then he pulled away and said "Someone's breathing is getting a little fast".  I think in his head he thought that might come out seductive and mysterious, but at that point it was just comical.  If my breathing was fast, it was because I was gasping for air as he attempted to perform CPR on me.

Okay, that turned out a little meaner than I meant for it to be...  but.. it is what it is.

Saturday after many, many texts recapping his favorite parts of the evening and trying to get me to commit to hang out again Saturday and/or Sunday, I had to tell him that his intensity was terrifying and that I needed some space.  His response was that he never meant to make me feel uncomfortable and that he would respect my wishes.  I'm inclined to ignore him and hope he goes away, but I have been advised that I need to man up and make sure he's clear that I am 100% uninterested.

So I guess this is the first time that I am officially breaking it off because he has no game.  At all.  I don't know how to explain it, but I guess it's much more intriguing to hold a little back.   My friend The TrueDeeva got to hear all about him when we met up on Saturday.  She thinks he lacks swagger.  You want a guy that interested enough, but still holding back some to keep you interested.  Clearly-- not Perfect on Paper.  Anyways, after we had a few laughs about my date we had a nice conversation about internet dating, dating with kids, dealing with the fathers of our kids and all of the drama they bring.  As usual, I left wishing we got together more.  She's sharp, and witty and confident and in the past year or so she's turned into an internet dating maven (quote of the evening: "I'm all about being open minded!" she declared.  "I'm dating short guys, fat guys... even white guys!").  She sort of re-energized me to get back out there and stay positive and keep having fun.

Anyways, feel free to comment.  Happy Monday.