sister(s), sister(s) never knew how much I missed ya

This summer I spent about a month up in Portland with my people. I had been feeling jealous of my friends that have family (especially their nieces and nephews) nearby, so I decided to stay for awhile. It was so fun and just what I needed. Of course I would prefer if we all lived closer, but I'll take what I can get and am grateful for a job that has breaks. Everyone was there for at least part of the time. We didn't do anything out of the ordinary, just the regular. Over a couple of days, Cathy and I helped my sister Alison clean out her closet. She tried on one of those Christmas sweaters with Santa and other nonsense on it and asked me if she should keep it. I told her that people only wear those to ugly Christmas sweater parties to which she replied, "So you're saying I can keep it?" Then the sisters went shopping to get her new clothes to celebrate her clean closet and new figure. Afterwards Anne and I played What Not to Wear. I was Carmindy and she was Nick Arrojo. It was so much fun and she looked beautiful!

he ain't heavy, he's my brother

At 9:45 last night, my brother called me. We talked for a few minutes and then I told him that I had to go. "What dumb TV show are you watching?" he asked. I fessed up, "The Bachelorette." He gave me a Hah-I knew it! type of laugh, but then said, "Wes is a liar and Jake is an emotional nightmare. I think she ought to choose Ed. He's a good looking guy, don't you think?" He knew more about it then I did! Which, of course, I quickly called him on. His excuse was that Gracie was sleeping in his room and Megan was watching it in the family room so he had no other choice but to watch. Whatever makes you feel better, Matt.

can't we stop hurting each other?

Today Yahoo made me pick two security questions to safeguard my email password. Here were the first several choices. Where did you go on your honeymoon? Ouch. What is the name of your first child? Ouch. What is your husband's favorite meal? Ouch. Followed by several more questions like it. I had to scroll down to "What was the name of your first pet?" Finally, a question for me!

a little bit of this, a little bit of that

Over spring break I bought a new bike and I love it. It's fun and it's exercise. Those things don't often go together in my world. I had intended to get one of those cute beach cruiser type of bikes in a bright blue or white, but ended up with this kind of tough looking matte black bike. I chose it because it's better for riding distances. I girled it up with a big floral bell. The goal is to increase my distance a little at a time until I'm riding to the beach and back.

I'm not working this summer because our district isn't having summer school. I'll miss the extra money, but I usually just end up whining about summer school assignments anyway. I'd try for a part time job, but the ways things are right now I don't think I'd be too successful. I guess I'll just have to play all summer long.

Hey, that chiropractor stuff worked for me! I'm feeling all better!

Sorry for those that hoped the title of this blog entry was going to continue with the lyrics to the song. No such luck.

doctor, doctor, can't you see i'm burning, burning

I have sciatica. Or bursitis. Or something else. Or a medley of old crone problems. My hips hurt. My backside hurts. All the way down my leg hurts. My knee hurts. My foot hurts. I'm going to my first ever chiropractor visit tonight. I'm hoping she doesn't crack my back and kill me. It happens, you know. Fingers crossed. Tomorrow I go to my regular doc and see what he recommends. Out of order, I know. Oh well. I realized my parents never complain about their aches and pains. Never. They hobble now and then, but never talk about it. There might be a lesson there. I wonder what it is.

i want somebody to share, share the rest of my life

Last night I had a date. Of sorts. I don't usually write about dates (I don't usually have dates?), but thought I would this time. I bought some beautiful new furniture for my house from this nice guy at a nearby furniture store. (You are cordially invited to come over and see it almost any time you'd like.) After the first part of the order was delivered, he called to see how I liked it. Probably store policy. The second part of the order arrived a few weeks later. He left another message this time leaving his cell phone number. Probably not store policy. Anyway, he came over last night to see how everything looked. He stayed for four hours talking and listening to music. A few of the highlights/lowlights: He told me he was helping someone move the next morning. I reminded him to lift with his knees so he wouldn't hurt his back. He asked, "Do you give good backrubs?" My response, "No." Later we were discussing something and I said, "I'm a prude. I'm kind of like a grandma." Friends, I think I may have cracked the code as to why I'm single.

who ya gonna call?

I am not the most technically savvy person you'll meet. By a long shot. By a long, long, long shot. One day I called Cox Communications Tech Support for a problem with my computer. In order to fix it, the man on the other end needed to take control of my computer. He instructed me to key in this, enter this, click on this, put in your password, and so on. He gained control of my computer (can't even remember what this is called) and things started moving and changing on the screen. I said something like, "How weird. It's like a ghost is in my computer." His dead serious response, "No, ma'am, it's not a ghost." I've enjoyed that line for ever since.

But, times are changing. My friend Darci (more about her coming soon) moved in a little over a week ago. Since then she has adjusted the thermostat to a schedule (this has alluded many people over the years), hooked up the cable boxes, adjusted the water temperature, and is about to get our wireless internet ready to go. I'm convinced there's nothing she can't do.

anything you want, you got it

The other day in class, I noticed that I had lost a brand new charm from my silver bracelet. We all looked, but no luck. It was gone. The next day Britney quietly handed me a little bag. She had bought me a pink rhinestone heart charm from Gap Kids to replace the one I had lost.

The week before we let out for Christmas vacation, my students asked me what I wanted them to give me for Christmas. I told them that I love to receive handmade cards with heart felt notes. They asked, "But don't you like diamonds?" I laughed and said I did. A few days later Lesley came with a wrapped box and I opened it to find a small blue glass paperweight that has been cut with facets like a diamond. On the last day of school before the break, several students brought me cards and little gifts. Capri was so excited. Her card read, "Ms. Curtis, thank you for being a good teacher and having pashunts. I like your pursonality." Her gift was a giant pink glass "diamond" paperweight. The class has oohed and ahhed and loved looking at and holding them. They are a sweet reminder to me that my students want to give me what they think I want the most.

these are a few of my favorite things

I haven't written for awhile, and don't really have much to write, so thought I would just make a random list of things that make me happy--drives by the beach, reading a good book, getting thoughtful emails, taking walks, visiting family who all live too far away-especially my little people, naps, going to a matinee, watching Top Chef and Project Runway, making my mom laugh, giant microphone karaoke, just hanging around with my friends, home decorating magazines, the Container Store, eating chips and guacamole, sparkly jewelry, watching a Jane Austen movie, taking trips, I Love Lucy, my new brown suede boots, and remembering that I have a lot to be thankful for.

Don't be impressed- my pet peeve list is probably right around the corner.

she's gone, oh i, oh i'd better learn how to face it

On January 1st, my dear Christine moved out and into a place of her own. When she first told me I was supportive and totally understood her wanting to have her own place. I was also a little sad for me and feeling a little left behind, but then I remembered how excited I was to get my first place and realized that she must be feeling the same way. And oh yeah, that the world doesn't revolve around me. I will certainly miss having her around though. Do you know how great it is to have a live in board certified therapist who also happens to be one of your dearest friends? That's good stuff! I've really appreciated her insights. She would often give me a whole new perspective on something. Christine's so smart, fun, beautiful, organized, helpful, good, fun, talented and funny! I've gathered some great Christine quotes and memories the past couple of years. And of course, I still plan on seeing her often and sharing more good times. We had already gotten together on the 2nd. A few miles will not keep us apart! I love you, Christine!