Daily Totals

Orange juice = 64 fl oz.

Vitamin C = 3000 mg

Nyquil = 2 TBSP

Motrin = 600 mg

Oliver was picked up by his papa a half hour ago so he can play and I can sleep. Thanks T! And thanks for the bananas..."Will you take two bananas for this dog?" Priceless...

I am looking forward to a nice, restful night so I can tackle my training tomorrow.

Hasta mañana.

A day of firsts

For many reasons:

1. On the arm of an office chair, I saw bite marks - of the rat variety.
2. Anchormen do wear pants.
3. It's very possible to see the child in everybody, no matter how old they are.
4. The sight of a building can dredge up feelings of sadness, regret, and stupidity, and make you cry.
5. Motrin doesn't always work.
6. You can get Lucky on a Monday.

Dude

Oliver is looking a little scraggly - might need a bath. He spent yesterday and part of today with his papa so I could get some sleep. He said he had lots of fun.

Not having to go outside in our recent winter wonderland was a treat, especially because I'm sicker today than I was yesterday. Bring on the Nyquil.

Small blessings.

Movie Review

THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT

Overall, this movie was average. The reason for the haunting had a good backstory (although I think they could have gone into the "body art" aspect of it a bit more), there were some decent "boo" moments, and frankly, I am an immediate fan of any movie that features Elias Koteas. He's not the best actor, but I like his style and he never fails to entertain.

Some key factors that stood out:

1. Eyelids (you'll see........)
2. Spooky photographs
3. Nice truck
4. The ax scene
5. Shadows
6. Ectoplasm (remember Ghostbusters?)

Some key factors that turned me off:

1. The religious aspect
2. Eyelids
3. Not enough Elias Koteas

Is it worth seeing in the theater? Yeah. Maybe for the price of a matinee.

On a side note, there was a middle aged couple sitting a few seats over, and they had a difficult time holding back certain bodily functions a couple times during the movie (from the mouth and down south). These sounds were coupled with their running commentary throughout the film, such as "Dumbass muthafucka, he gonna die" and "Now, why she not runnin? Run, woman, run!".

It was an interactive experience. Truly.

Darn it

I might have a cold. It started coming on yesterday - I felt that airy, uncomfortable feeling in my throat, no pain, just the constant urge to clear my throat.

Today, the nagging throat thing is still here, as is just an overall feeling of ickiness. I little coughing, which is new. Also achey, tired, and the blahs.

I did not work out this morning, instead opting to stay in, out of the rain, away from more bad germs, and retreated under the warmth of my covers. It was cozy and theraputic, until somebody couldn't keep his head off of my pillow. A space invader. I do not like my space invaded, especially when I'm feeling like crap.

I did manage to play the "poor me" card and got Schnucks delivered, rather than me having to go shopping. That was nice. I am going to have some soup, peel my orange, and then crawl back under my fortress of blankets in hopes of warding off a higher level of sickness.

The rest of my day will consist of finishing my reflection paper for class, watching one of my favorite movies, "Rachel Getting Married", and napping. Also, my day thus far has been infused with the music of Pylon - it's oddly soothing and nostalgic, kind of perfect for the weather and my current state of mind. If I were to form a band, this is the kind of music I'd like to play/create.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIC STUHLER!

It's my uncle Eric's birthday today. And that makes it an extra-special day!

Eric is the reason I am here in Missouri. He and his wife, my aunt Deb, suggested I go to school at Lindenwood, Eric's alma mater. I know I didn't appreciate it at the time as much as I do now, and I shudder to think of where I might be in life had he not been there for me.

I also got to watch their kids grow up, which was a true gift. When I moved to St. Louis in 1990, Hoot and Albo (nicknames) were tiny, little gradeschoolers, all giggly and girly and causing all sorts of trouble. Now they're amazing young women, all giggly and girly and still causing trouble. Hoot is now married and a teacher, and Albo is getting her B.A. at Lindenwood. I have so many great memories that I cherish, having spent time with this loving and giving family, because of Eric.

Eric graduated from Lindenwood in the 70's, went on to law school at UMKC, and later returned to St. Charles to practice law, and also teach at Lindenwood. He's taught at Lindenwood since the 1980's, and is now the Director of Planned Giving at the university. In that time, he's raised (with Deb) two great girls, dotes on his wife (and drives her crazy at times), has been an endless well of support for his parents and siblings, for his wife's parents and siblings, and all of his in-laws.

I mentioned earlier in this blog that I was lucky - well, our entire family is lucky to have Eric Stuhler a part of it. For more reasons that I can count.

He's never backed down from responsibility to his family, extended and immediate, and is the most giving man I know.

THE most giving man I know.

And to be able to call him family is pretty darn cool.

Happy Birthday Eric.

Hope, Hope, Hope

Aw jeez. Things are not looking good.

The Red River in Fargo, ND is now expected to crest between today and tomorrow morning at 43 feet. It's already surpassed the 112-year old record from 1897. Most of the dikes have been built up to 41 feet, which does not look to be high enough. And with the crest expected to last from 3-7 days, it's anyone's guess whether the dikes can withstand that constant pressure for so long.

It makes me so proud that I am from ND - where people come together so selflessly in times of crisis. Johnson Drive, the street on which my grandparents lived and I spent the most time growing up, is where I learned what it means to be a good neighbor. A good citizen. Yes, it's true that sometimes we Northern folk like to keep to ourselves, and we aren't the most outgoing and genial people. Most of us are more "matter-of-fact" straight talkers who don't get overly dramatic. But when someone we know is in trouble, we are steadfast and true. We rise to the challenge. There is no whining.

It's been amazing to hear, first hand, about the incredible efforts the people of Fargo are putting forth in order to keep their town safe, their neighbors safe, strangers safe. And I'm hoping, maybe against hope, that the river won't crest as high as predicted, and the dikes will hold, and the town will remain safe and dry.