synapses

You know usually my synapses (or 'on switch') starts firing up once I'm in my spin/exercise classes in the morning. By the time I leave the gym I have a plan for the day and am thinking of all the things I need to do. Well today the 'on switch' has never been turned on. (Personally I would like to have an off switch because then I could sleep better without all the things I need to do running through my brain and keeping me from sleeping.)
I told a friend of mine that it's like I am in second gear and can't shift to third. I had all these great plans for the day, but it's almost like I don't have the brain power to accomplish them. Oh how I want some chocolate. I think that would get my synapses working. However, I am still on the only meat and veggies way of eating (the name diet makes it sound so much worse) and I will not give in! I will just have a low key day and not get much done. :)

Happy February

I was updating my blog with posts I had held as drafts. I was hoping they would appear at the top because when I open my blog the first thing I see is my hurt ear. Yuck! I decided I better write a quick blog just to get the picture to move down. :) I'm at work needing to do many many many things. I have decided to catch up on a few things including emails. It was snowing (ok just flurries) this morning. It was so pretty. I would much prefer to be in a warm climate, but since I'm not, I enjoy the snow flurries. :)

School has started again so of course my stress level has reved up. Night before last I woke up at 2:00 am and could not go back to sleep. My brain just would not turn off. I stayed in bed for an hour and then just gave up. The good part is that I was able to catch up on some of my readings for class. I am going to be learning about Second Life this semester. I don't know much about it so I'm really excited to get a better idea of what it is and how to use it.

I went to a friends house to help her pack for a cruise. She is just so adorable and she makes me laugh. I was thinking how interesting people are. We often see things so much differently. For example, she is bringing a lot of jewelry. When I travel I only take what I am wearing on my person- nothing else. I only take things that if they were stolen I wouldn't be too sad about losing. That works for me, but for others it's just part of them to change jewelry or clothes or whatever. One way isn't better than the other. It's what we are comfortable with. This past year in my many travels I have only brought a carry on and it has really helped me minimize what I take. I am looking forward to more travels after school is done.

Ear Operation

I have debated whether to post my post-operation pictures or not. I decided I would (but only one), but if anyone is way grossed out and wishes I would remove it please comment. I had what is called a Tympanoplasty which is basically grafting a new ear drum. The surgeon goes behind the ear and takes muscle from that area and graphs it into where the ear drum is supposed to go. I was sick for about a week and a half. My mom came out to take care of me. Thanks mom!!! I'm basically better. The ear is still healing so I can't really hear out of it, but I do think it's improving. I don't hear my blood rushing in it as loudly as I did before. That's good news.:) I get to go back to my spin classes at they gym tomorrow so I'm really happy. :)
Thanks for all the calls and emails. They were greatly appreciated! Thanks to those who brought flowers. They totally made everything better!

Washington Monument

I have lived in this area for eight and a half years and I have never been up in the Washington Monument. So this was the day. It was a nice cold day, but clear. Mom, Julie and I took the stairs oh I mean the elevator up :). They had the stairs closed because of some flooding problems. My mom said the last time she went up was during the Vietnam War.
While you wait for the elevator to take you down they have this small museum area to learn more about the monument.

This is a view of the capitol from the Washington Monument.

Hair cut

My sister has been begging me to get my hair cut in an A line. My mom has also recommended it, but it wasn't until now that I have felt that I was ok with getting my hair cut short. I finally told JL that I would do it for her. My stylist went a little too short, but I figure it will grow. :) I really like it. It has grown out a little and as one of my student said "It suits you."

Longwood Gardens Jan 2009

Mom, Julie and I went to Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. It was so wonderful! There were different kids of Christmas trees, an water area flooded with cranberries, lights, and of course gorgeous flowers. It was a perfect time to go because it was after the holidays so there were not too many people. We loved walking around the conservatory and want to go back for every season.

They had a wonderful children's garden. We loved exploring the different areas. There were different fountains that had to do with nature. This fountain was pretty cool. They had paintbrushes for children to put water on the brush and paint on the wall. So creative. :)

It was realllllllyyyyy cold outside! There are three or four tree houses which we of course thought was so cool! We only made it to two of them.

Visit to Colorado

Happy New Year from Colorado! I went to visit JL and her family for new years. JL and I went and played at the First Night events. We were told that the fireworks were like the best in Colorado. They lasted less than three minutes. It was actually pretty comical. Everyone just stood outside waiting for more. We all waited for awhile and then left.

JL and I had our faces painted. I have always wanted to get it done, but it was always for kids and I would feel silly. Well, New Years is for whatever you want, right? So I got a butterfly. It was funny to watch people see my face. There were a lot of double takes.
Here is Macyden. He is not into having his pictures taken right now. I still think he is so cute in this picture with his hands in his pocket.
I just thought Addison's look is so funny! It was fun to get to see Addison. She is nine months here. She loves to eat which is amusing. She has such a wonderful personality. When you get her out of her crib she gives you the biggest smile as if you are the greatest person in the world. JL told me when she picked me up from the airport that I would want to 'eat her up.' That is so true. She's just adorable! I didn't take a lot of pictures this trip. I feel bad because Rick has been left out. Next trip.