Wednesday, March 27, 2013

It's still not spring

Almost three months after that last post, and it's still not spring.

Also, it's been three months since I posted? Where did the time go?

Here's what's happened around here, list-style:

1) Celebrated Mardi Gras in St. Louis for the first time in years. Had a blast with my siblings and other STL funtimes friends.

2) Celebrated anniversary No. 2 with Tim, at the same place we went last year. Avoided getting sick beforehand but ate so much delicious, rich food that I thought I'd go into a coma. Took pictures that didn't save on the camera, boo.

3) Busy at work, busy at home. Meetings, meetings, plans, plans, plans. Working out, not working out. Eating crap, feeling guilty and eating better.

4) Joined All Saints, and the choir. Happy to be singing again, love the older ladies in the soprano section :)

5) Celebrated St. Patrick's Day a day early with friends. Breakfast, cards, wandering, bar time, food time, movie time, sleep.

6) Next few weeks will be another whirlwind -- Easter, film festivals with Tim's mom/stepdad in attendance (excited), finally finishing taxes, then a work trip to NYC, then the annual officer ball in Des Moines. That takes us to.... mid-April. Whoa. Must find appropriate attire for both the work trip and officer ball.

7) I finally got an iPhone. That doesn't necessarily deserve its own list number, except that it might mean I post more pictures.

8) Took Polly to the dog park for the first time and watched her in pure, doggy bliss. Only took 30 minutes for her to be cashed out for the rest of the day. A pack of huskies also showed her that there are consequences to knocking little kids down. No consequences to knocking over the communal water bowl, though.

9) Class is going fine, and I'm keeping up with the content. Sorta geeked up about re-learning algebra (it wasn't fun 12 years ago, but I like knowing things now, so that helps keep my head in the game). The professor works hard to keep econ light (funny, even) to make the 3+-hour stretch every week go as quickly as possible.

I can't believe how quickly the weeks are going. In the meantime, I need for the weather to catch up to me. Our backyard is trashed, along with half the screen porch that we love. Wonder if that has anything to do with the 90+ pound puppy terrorizing the house? (Terror until 9 p.m. when she crumples into a squishy, adorable, sleepy puppy pile and I can finally pet her).



Like that.

Anyway, my OCD is on overdrive and I want things back in order, stat.

Easter is upon us, also. I haven't really done the Catholic "Easter thing" in years but was motivated (? if that's the right word?) this year to get back into it. After 10 years on hiatus, I'm  ready for Sundays to be about reflection and family again. No matter what is happening politically in the Catholic church, it honestly doesn't affect me. It's how I grew up, I know where I stand, and it's been nice to have in my life again. Plus, when I do have weekend days where I do nothing and go nowhere, I feel SUPER restless and even a little depressed. Does that happen to anyone else? The level of laziness used to be my favorite thing.

I told Tim he could make me fish on Fridays, and I've gone to mass pretty regularly throughout Lent. I can't explain it, but I really love this time of year in church. It's really reflective, and even somber (I asked Tim to come with me this past weekend, and just ask him what he thought about Palm Sunday mass from the perspective of a Protestant). But then Easter comes and it's like this huge release. The music and liturgy become celebratory and it really ushers in spring for me.

That, and every year I HAVE to watch "The Ten Commandments" with Charlton Heston. And eat Reese's peanut butter cup eggs. Best shape of pb cup, in my opinion.

Cheers!