Day 35: The end of an era

Today was a momentous day in my journey of becoming a Mrs.  A huge chapter in my book of life finally concluded-I moved out of my college apartment.  Now, I haven't been "living" there since January, but all of my stuff (minus clothes, books and movies) from the past three years was still in the apartment.  I rented the U-Haul and Matt and I went up to the beloved 232 Price Street apartment and I said my goodbyes.

The three years in the apartment with my two roomies and now closest friends, Megan and Kate were some of the most memorable ones of my life.  That apartment saw a friendship grow between Kate and I-she was only supposed to be a summer sublet roommate, but I just couldn't let her go.  Three girls in a one bedroom, I repeat, ONE BEDROOM! was awesome, I wouldn't trade it for the world, honestly. Those walls saw tears and heartache, they saw love bloom and grow (2 out of three of us are engaged and Megan will be someday soon to Michael)  and most of all the saw three girls join hands and have a blast loving and caring for each other and driving each other crazy too!

Yes, we drove each other crazy. I can be a real "you-know-what," Kate never cleaned -well I know she did, but no one could keep up with Megan- and Megan well, she just had way too much energy.  But our personalities all balanced each other out and since there were three of us we always had someone to talk to about the other person.  Sometimes I look back and think I for sure had to be the worst out of the three; between all my tears, or fits of rage or sharp tongue, but Kate and Megan put up with me and continued to love me.  Thank you.  I think each of us taught each other something.  Megan taught me that its ok to be a goofball, life is too short to take seriously.  Oh, and she taught me how to accessorize.  Kate taught me how to be kind and that it really isn't important to always say what you want, especially if others feelings are at stake.  The comforting thing about today is, although I will miss those days in the little apartment I don't want to go back.  I'm happy where I am-I think we all are.  We've moved on.  But, those three years will forever be stamped on my heart and mind and will bring not only a tear to my eye, but also a huge smile to my heart. 

I love you girls! Cheers to three wonderful years-two for you Peg-and here's to where we are today.
I'm certain I wouldn't be the same without those years in that apartment with those two beautiful friends. 

Day 37: Pasta

So before I met Matthew, I had another love of my life.  His name was pasta.  Oh sweet carb how you so tenderly met my needs.  Tonight both loves of my life joined together around one table. Me, Matthew and Tortellini with portabella mushrooms, prosciutto, sun-dried tomatoes in a cream sauce.  I can't even explain to you how delicious this cream sauce was- thank GOODNESS I brought home a doggie bag so I can have more for breakfast! And the color! Oye! Tri-color pasta with the pink of the meat, red from the tomato and rich brown from the portabellas, it was a piece of art for sure. 

In Sunday school this week we were talking about how God is so satisfying, especially when we give up the puppeteer strings.  I, being the foodie that I am, equated this sensation to food.  I said being satisfied by God is like being satisfied by a good meal, for me that meal is usually Italian food.  You finish the meal and you aren't overly stuffed, you still have some room left in your tummy, but your tummy is so happy it needs nothing else.  You don't even crave dessert for fear that it would ruin the delicious flavor you have on your palate.  Well, I've found a new satisfying, God-analogy meal.  Tortellini Alla Ludovico.  Try it! La Fontana in Magnolia-deliscioso!

p.s. I'm starting to think I should screw this 50 days before a Mrs. Blog and start a food journal!

Day 42: Let's see...

I always think of really awesome things to say during the day, when I'm watering my flowers of course, but then I wait and the awesomeness leaves.  Staying up late and watching the Phillies really makes your brain go numb, I guess that's why frat guys are...well, the way they are! 

Moving on.  Do any of you get puzzled by people? I mean really puzzled-like you want to figure them out.  But this desire to figure them out doesn't consume you, just a passing thought every now and again.  I know I do!  My brain is constantly going, and thinking about conversations I've had with people, but sometimes these conversations and their actions don't really match up.  In moves the puzzlement!  For example, in your brain you may have made someone out to be really douchey, but then you remember conversations you've had with them and you think-maybe they weren't so bad.  BUT then you see the way they talk to others, or even you sometimes and you think...no definitely a douche! Maybe I shouldn't waste my time being puzzled and I should just deem that this person is confused and doesn't know who he/she is, which would give reason for their inconsistent behavior.
Or, I could be right and they are just a douche, and they need a break from douche-dome.
thoughts? or am I losing my mind? 

Day 45: Why cats should get "fixed"

  There is DEFINITELY a reason why when you get an animal spade or neutered its called getting them "fixed."  To fix something implies that it is broken or not right.  Well friends, if you've ever spent an afternoon with Ella (my kitty) and me when she is in heat you definitely will agree that something is not right with her.  She does this thing that I've affectionately called the "do-me" dance and makes this horrific noise that literally brings all the boys to the yard.  Does anyone know if Kelis wrote Milkshake from a cat's perspective? There was one morning when I was leaving for work and ALL the neighborhood cats were waiting on my front porch-clearly I've raised a hooker cat.  Ella also does this strange, yet talented maneuver on the carpet.  She sticks her claws in it and drags herself over the entirety of the carpet while rolling all around like she is having a seizure. I was thinking of videotaping her for this post, but I thought that would be exposing some of her kitty rights.  I'm not even going to mention the similarities between a cat in heat and humans sex drive except to say that there are definite similarities. 
Regardless, Ella's wild and crazy sex-cat days will soon be over as I am getting her "fixed" on Friday.  She may hate me for a little while, but she will thank me in the long run-she's too young to be a mother.

Day 46: Woah Wasabi!

  As I was grocery shopping today to pick up basic items like milk, butter, and bread I happened to stumble upon some pre-packaged sushi.  Now before you fellow sushi lovers cast your judgment upon me, you should know that many grocery stores carry excellent pre-packaged sushi.  *Especially Wegmans* (Quick shout out: I miss Wegmans very much, especially their olive and hummus bar.  I mean seriously what could be better than that?)  Now I know what you're thinking, I going to write about how awful this sushi was and that it gave me a horrible stomach bug or something.  Quite the contrary! The sushi wasn't bad, it wasn't great, but I can't really complain for paying $5.  I only got the california rolls although they did have spicy salmon and spicy tuna-two of my favorites!  I would encourage you to try the sushi at Safeway.  HOWEVER, BEWARE of the WASABI! Holy smokes! I usually put a hearty helping of wasabi on my sushi, but this stuff should come with a caution warning.  I don't know if it was because it was liquid and not the green clay booger the sushi man usually puts on my plate at the restaurant, but this wasabi was lethal.  No seriously my sinuses are still being cleansed.  So today at lunch I generously apply the wasabi on my cali-roll, dip in my soy sauce and in she goes into my mouth.  JASMINE! I was not ready for what was coming next, the burning sensation I felt started in my nose and then went down to my toes.  I would have rather had the nasal scope at the ENT that experience that again!  But, being the masochist that I am I thought, "let's try this again but maybe with less wasabi."  Well my friends the same horrendous burning effect happened, which is when I threw the wasabi in the trash can.  So I caution you if you decide to venture to Safeway and purchase some sushi-use the wasabi responsibly. 

Day 50: Replanting

Now that I am happily unemployed, I've filled most of my time this week with gardening.  I've never really understood what all the hype was about gardening- I  thought it was something I would appreciate when I was old and my children had moved away.  Talk about a misconception! I'm obsessed with it!  There are so many spiritual parallels you can make with gardening.  Maybe I'm just in a "soul-searching" mood lately, but I've been all about it. 

For example, the flowers that you are about to plant into the ground, they are in a time of transition.  They are planted as little seedlings into these temporary pots with the intentions of being bought and moving to someones home to be planted in their garden.  It is in this garden where the plants can really grow and stretch out their roots far beneath the earth.  Can't we all identify with these plants?  We are all birthed into a temporary area (our families) but we aren't intended to stay there forever.  No! We must move on, transition if you will, and be planted somewhere where our roots can grow far beneath the earth.  Maybe our new garden isn't that far from our original pot, or maybe its across the earth.  Either way, transitions are a part of life and they allow us to let our roots grow and run free.  Yes the pot is comfortable, its familiar, but eventually it will stifle our roots that so desperately want to stretch their legs. 

happy planting friends!
J

Prelude

Before I jump right in to the countdown of my life I wanted to catch people up on what has been going on in this life of mine.  There is one word that seems to sum it all up T.R.A.N.S.I.T.I.O.N. At the end of October my father passed away (please hold all sympathy comments), then December I got engaged AND graduated from college, the end of January I finished student teaching, two weeks later I started working a REAL job until this past Monday when I quit.  I literally feel like I have been running a marathon since January 2010 and haven't stopped at any of the water stations set-up along the way to give your body nourishment.  I know its only been a week, but quitting my job has been the best thing for me.  I feel as though I can finally breathe again and get rest before my next marathon.