Thursday 13….More About My Catch of the Day, I Mean Lifetime

So I guess I’ve kept you waiting long enough. I promised more about James.  First off, some things we have in common. At first glance who would think an athlete and an artsy girl would have much in common, but…

1. We both work with special needs kids in a school setting. He’s a teacher in an alternative classroom of a middle school. This isn’t really his cup of tea though, so he’ll be looking for something in his field….history.
2. We both like volleyball. (Although, this is kind of laughable.)  As I told him, I’m only kinda good when I’m on a church women’s league where the average height if 5′4″. He on the other hand is a real pro. He’s played in the AVP tournament…you know the 2 man beach volleyball you see on TV. So I’m a little intimidated to play with him on a league if that opportunity should present itself. He’s very dedicated to the sport and practices 3 - 4  times a week, which is above and beyond his gym workouts.
3. We both are very frugal. I’m a bargain shopping queen and he loves that because he’s frugal too.  When we go out to eat, we often split a meal. He definitely is not materialistic and is not obsessed about money in the least.
4. We both love animals. He has 2 black labs and I of course have the dog and cat. When we take the dogs for walks, it looks like an oreo. Make that a Double Stuff Oreo.



5. We’re both down to earth, or as I like to say, low maintenance. Wait, that sounds bad. How about non-high maintenance.  And though with other dates I’ve felt this innate need to impress them, I feel totally comfortable around James. He’s seen me in sweats, without makeup….couldn’t imagine after dating someone a few weeks that I’d be comfortable with that.
6. Of less importance (but still an added bonus), we’re both tall. I’m 5′11″, so it’s hard to find guys I can look up to.  While I have gone out with shorter guys, it doesn’t exactly make me feel feminine.  With James at 6′3″ I sometimes feel short compared to him.
7. We’re both Ps (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, click here). We both like spontaneity and flexibility over rigidity and routine.
8. We both love to travel.
9. Most importantly, we are both Christians and have been praying for the right person to come into our lives.

AND other qualities I love about James….

1. He is open and honest about his feelings. With James it’s not like most guys where you have to pry them open to get at what they’re thinking or feeling.  He’s very forthcoming about his feelings and I find that very refreshing. Emotional availability is one of the main qualities I was looking for.
2. He treats me like a queen. Who wouldn’t like that?  This boils down to him being a pretty selfless guy and a complete gentleman.  If I try to get my own door, he gives my hand a little slap.
3. He’s very health conscious and takes great care of himself. He eats organic food, drinks purified water, takes multiple supplements and of course works out. He hasn’t been naggy at all about getting me on the bandwagon, but since he plans to live to 100, I find myself wanting to make some healthy changes.
4. He is a friend to anyone. He has some fairly seedy neighbors, but he doesn’t let that stop him from being friendly, offering a listening ear, or giving some financial assistance. He’s the kind of guy that could befriend about anyone. What a great ministry that is.

 So there you go. There’s much more I like about him, but 9 + 4 = Your Thursday Thirteen. 

Plenty of Fish in the Sea, huh?

Well that’s what they say anyway. With my many years of dating/singleness, I’d have to concede that that is true.  However, I’d have to put in this disclaimer (imagine the fast-talking announcer on the car commercials if you will):

**A majority of the fish have been swimming in a toxic waste dump.  This is extremely evident when you reel them in, as they don’t act like fish are supposed to. Some fish may not be available emotionally because they’re content to keep swiming in the toxic waste dump with lots of other fish to look at (but not get close to).  Other fish are still attached to the old fish mate and fish babies they left behind in the last pond, and they simply can’t be caught due to the sheer weight of their baggage.  And still other fish are caught in a whirlpool and won’t even bother to look at a lure due to their inability to focus anywhere but inward.

So knowing all of that, it was with a bit of cynicism that I cast my line into the “plentyoffish.com” online dating site. I’d already tried fishing in the church pond as well as several other online dating ponds. To no avail. Nothing but frustration. It was kind of a fluke that I signed up for plenty of fish. It was free and a friend at work had recommended it. My attitude was, “Guess it won’t hurt to look”.  SO glad I did. That’s how I met James.

Now Plenty of Fish is not a Christian dating site, which was one of the reasons I was leery. As someone put it, it’s like the Christians on there are fishing in a very very small inlet of a very big pond.  The third day I was on there, a tall red headed volleyball player wrote me a short note saying he was impressed with my profile (so refreshing after the mail that starts out with ,”Hey baby” and goes downhill from there).  We wrote for about a week and then moved on to phone conversation. Our phone conversations were long and enjoyable. We seemed to have chemistry and could laugh with each other. This was James’s first foray into online dating and he told me that he knew when we talked for 3 hours the first night that there was definitely something there, as he’d never had that long of a conversation with one person before.  I, having done this online dating thing for a torturous amount of time, was excited, but new that long phone conversations do not guarantee face-to-face chemistry. 

We set up our first meeting and went to dinner. It went so well, we rented a couple of movies and stayed up really late talking. We’ve been together every possible moment since (except the night we both had to do our taxes. See. Two peas in a pod, I tell ya).  Both of us believed that God could and would bring somebody into our lives, but I don’t think either of us could even imagine how perfectly the pieces would fit into place. I know that James isn’t perfect and vice versa, but we’re really struggling to find anything we don’t like about the other person. So far no annoyances or reservations whatsoever. 

So, he’s on his way over for dinner, so I’ve got to wrap this up for now. I’ll tell you more about James at a later date.

A Welcome Distraction

Well, yet again I’ve had a brief absence from blogging. But this time, it’s for a very good reason. I met someone wonderful! We’ve been spending every possible minute together, so blogging must go by the wayside for now. So if I haven’t talked to you in awhile, James may be the reason why. I’m not going to tell you all the details for now, but let’s just say I may have finally met the man I’m going to marry. (Yes, I know that for some of you, your jaw is on the floor. Pick it up and move on…). It’s just scary how he has all the qualities on my nit-picky list and even far exceeds some of my expectations (which are pretty high I’m told).  So that’s enough blubbering for now. No lectures please….I’m not going to be completely irrational and get married next month or anything.  And if you’re thinking, “I can’t believe she posted that online; he might see it and get scared off”, never fear.  As older daters, we know what we want, and don’t want to play any of those silly little dating games (like don’t mention marriage for fear of scaring someone off ). Besides, he feels the same way, and nothing in this post is anything we haven’t discussed already. 

Well that oughtta be enough to whet your appetite. I’m sure you’ll be hearing more later, if ever I find the time to write.

Thursday 13 & Random Question: Songs

For today’s installment, an offshoot of an email I got this week……

 

Thirteen Songs I Remember Loving as a Kid:

1. “Don’t it Make My Brown Eyes Blue” by Crystal Gale. I still could sing this from memory. Used to give concerts in the living room and wished my long hair would someday get that length. Also, according to reports, when I was 4 and entered in the county fair princess contest, they asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. Apparently I said a singer and broke into song.

2. “Hey, if You Happen to See the Most Beautiful Girl in the World”…….Charlie Pride (don’t think that’s the actual title).

3. Lots of ABBA songs (Dad had the 8-tracks). I particularly liked “Does Your Mother Know that You’re Out”.

4. Elvira

5. “O Thou Fount of Every Blessing” #405 in the Songs of the Church book for you C of C-ers. I can remember requesting that every chance I got.

6. Apparently I liked “Baby You’re no Good” by Linda Rondstadt because my family used to sing it to me when I was a baby and it was then my first sentence. Hmmm….How did I turn out mostly normal??!

7. Rocky Top….don’t remember who sang it, but we had the record.

8. The Mary Poppins and Sound of Music soundtracks.

9. “Flee as a Bird” I was a bit older, but loved this church song.

10.  “America” by Neil Diamond

11. “Peace in the Valley” another church song

12. “A Beautiful Prayer” a church song.

13. “9 to 5″ by Dolly Parton. I had the 45.

Ironic thing about this list is, despite the prevalance of country music, it’s not my favorite now. I have a few country singers I like, but can’t really stand to listen to a country station.  Really I just listened to what was in my Dad’s library.

I liked about everything back then. I was just a musical person.  They had to make rules about singing in the car and at the table because apparently I overdid it. To this day, if I hear part of a song, I compulsively finish it (unless I’m amongst strangers). This has been amusing for my sister, niece, and some friends who make bets amongst themselves that they can make me sing a certain word.  Many times I don’t even know I’m doing it.

So now, I’m gonna cheat and ask the random question here…….what song(s) do you remember from childhood?

Weight Watchers Wednesday

Well, trying to get back on track as far as WW goes. It went by the wayside somewhat over Spring break. Follow that with a week of several dinners out, soup day at work, and a major chocolate craving one day, and I pretty much blew that week too. Amazing how just a few days off plan will really stunt your progress.  As far as recipes, the only new one I have to share of late is my version of Southwestern Turkey burgers. Recipe here is a loose term.

Take 1 lb of ground turkey. Stir in a handful of crushed low fat tortilla chips, a bit of salsa, and season it up really well. I use mesquite flavor as well as lime juice and whatever else looks southwestern. Form into 4 patties and cook on the George Foreman grill. Top with low fat spicy cheese (or cheddar) and serve on a low fat bun. Only about 5-6 points (depending on the cheese).

I guess there is one other good ”meal” I sorta discovered. If you’re in the mood for chips and dip (which could be disastrous as far as points go), buy the WW Smart Ones Sante fe Beans and Rice. Eat it with some low fat tortilla chips. It’s pretty yummy.

Ponderable of the Day….

How is it that cats don’t need chiropractors???

 

Living in Luxury

Last week was Spring Break, a time when I usually do something fun (i.e. travel) or try to be as productive as possible around the house (i.e. pseudo-Spring cleaning). I have to admit I wasn’t feeling up to par, so I didn’t get much done last week. I did clean out the garage (ironic now that winter is past I have room to actually park in the garage if I want). And I visited with family for a couple of days. Other than that, I slept in and planned my new kitchen.

I bought my house almost 5 years ago. It’s an older home and it does have its charm. I’ve really enjoyed painting and decorating and fixing it up at least cosmetically. When it comes to the kitchen though, many of you would shudder at the conditions. I mean, there are literally 3 upper cabinets and 3 lowers (I don’t count the sink b/c you can’t fit much down there anyway and it’s grody). There is a 9″ lower cabinet between the fridge and the sink, so I guess technically I have 5 lower cabinets. But I ask you, have you ever seen a 9″ cabinet? The opening is less than 6″ wide. The drawer holds pudding boxes and that’s about it.

Not only is the cabinet and counter space seriously lacking, the appliances (which work fine) are from the 80s and I’m guessing have a limited life span. There is no garbage disposal and (are you sitting? some of you won’t even be able to imagine the horror……) no dishwasher! I know. Horrible. I guess I could have given up some of my coveted cabinet space for a dishwasher, but my hunch is that I would have needed the space so badly, I’d begin storing things in the dishwasher.

Here’s a pic of my tiny kitchen…..Imagine having friends over, trying to finish the last minute cooking while people are getting ice or just visiting. Serious bottleneck (and claustrophobia). And in case you’re wondering, no there is nothing beyond what’s in the picture. Nothing beside the fridge but the garage door and nothing beside the stove but the dining room door.  

As you can see from the following picture, I am not the most practical person on earth. I painted this mural shortly after I moved in. I could have put in more cabinets. But now I have a mural (which technically I never finished) that I do not want to cover up. (Just to orient you, just out of the frame to the left is the garage door and then the beast of a fridge.)

 

A few weeks ago, I got the idea that if I tore out this wall in my dining room, I could expand the kitchen by a few more feet and possibly even have room for a dishwasher. (I had to buy the armoire for extra storage by the way.)

If you’ve been to my house, this is not how my dining room usually looks. I turned the table to see how much room I could spare in the dining room. Fortunately, the dining room is about twice the original size. If you look closely, you can see the line in the floor where they added on. (Can’t believe I’m posting pics of my house when I haven’t cleaned….don’t look too closely).

So I’ve talked to a contractor and I spent lots of time at Home Depot and Lowe’s. Ikea has a neat program where you can design your kitchen and see it 3-D.  Here’s a rough view to give you an idea. I was afraid I’d have to cover the mural, but I asked for my mom’s input and she helped me come up with this. It’s going to encroach way into the dining room, but it gives me lots of space, I get to keep the mural and I will be living in luxury with a dishwasher, a garbage disposal, a peninsula, and just look at all those cabinets! (Click on the pic for a larger view).

And one of the best parts….I stumbled upon a home improvement loan program for my small suburb and other older suburbs in the area. They want people to live here but realize the houses are outdated, so they are offering low rates and no closing costs.

Cutey Patooties

It’s been awhile, so I know there’s lots to catch up on, but I’ll do that later. For now….some cute pics of 2 of my nieces. We had fun posing them Friday.

Pirate Peril Party

This past weekend, I had another murder mystery party. It was a lot of fun. This time I bought the game from a different company so I could compare. This game was much more open-ended. While in the other one prescribed person was set to die and everyone else figured out whodunit, in this game, anyone could die, bribe, scheme, steal, or commit mutiny on the bounty.  

 Yet again, I was pleasantly surprised at the level my friends got into this. I am well aware that not everyone is into dressing up, roleplaying, and acting murderous. And I knew that dressing as pirates would be more of a stretch than the 80s party back in October. But take a look at our cast of characters….

There was Captain Hargrave with her weird collection of glass eyes that looked suspiciously like ping pong balls (played by Jacey from work).

And Rusty Mike. A sailor with many a secret. Like, just what is hiding behind that eye patch. (Played by Patricia, a friend from Wichita).

Then perhaps the most sinful of characters, Drunken Willie and Dirty Dana, the opium dealer. Mystery how Willie’s locks are so luxurious, but then again you know what they say about rinsing your hair in beer. And Dirty Dana the whole time pretending she’s a Bible thumper wanting to do Bible studies all the time.  (Crystal from Wichita, and Mary Jane from work).

On the other end of the spectrum, there was Sister Agnes. A seemingly pious individual with secrets of her own. (played by Emily from church…remember all those jokes about church of Christ nuns??).

Esmerelda, the gypsy lady (played by Tekia from church). Esmerelda, just where do your healing powers come from, pray tell?

And Rummy Ike, (played by Kristen from church) just how did you get that black eye?

Saucy Sue (played by my college friend Michelle who was in town from Georgia). Just what are you collecting for that spell of yours? Need any dog hair?

Slippery Pete (Greg, Michelle’s boyfriend). Did you know you’d be the only real guy at this party? 

The party mascot, our own little seadog.

And me, the deck hand. I wasn’t really a character, just acted as the host and tried to control the mayhem. When all was said and done, we ended up with 4 murders,    2 healings, 2 re-murders, and at the very last minute, the captain was thrown overboard and the ship overtaken. Alas, no one recovered all the parts of the treasure map, so the treasure still lies buried. Dirty Dana, I wasn’t aware this was a Christian cruise. What’s with everyone bringing their Bibles?   Greg, is that you hiding behind a gaggle of women? Schemers…..they’re cat-haters. Probably scheming how to do away with my precious puddy tat.

Here’s more party pics

For Women Only

I got this as an email and it was hilarious.

Men and boys, I’m warning you now, if the feminine…shall we say…”mystique” embarrasses you, you may not want to click on this link.  Just go on about your business and let us females remain mysterious. (I don’t think you’ll find it funny or even get it anyway).

My fellow women, I’m sure, will find this letter hysterical…..

http://wendi-aarons.blogspot.com/2007/03/as-seen-on-mcsweeneysnet.html

PS: There are one or two off-color words that I would not choose to use, so be warned if this offends you.