Devout reader. Teacher of the children. Lover of wine and marshmallows. A fan of the music. Excited about pull-through parking spaces and an extra snooze in the morning. Theater rat and car singer. Lucky wife and mom.
I have visions of Forrest Gump every time I think about running. Seriously though, I was never a good runner. Neil talked me into the Peachtree Road Race a few years ago, and I am so glad he did. Training for that race and the other 5K really kept me motivated and active.
Fast forward a few years, I am not nearly as active or motivated to be so. Therefore, I have started the Couch to 5K plan. In just a couple weeks, I will pick the race to be my first "goal." Trick is, this time through I plan on choosing another one afterwards. And then another. And so on.
Hopefully, working in this extra cardio will help me truly shape up. Today's workout was easier than I thought it would be, but I won't come close to bragging until tomorrow comes. I'll keep updating the progress on the blog, and maybe sending the intention into cyberspace will help me follow through. Here's hoping.
Well, I do. Lots of it. You see, dear readers, if sleep was an Olympic sport I would medal. Probably gold, too. I am a sleeping champion.
Lately, sleep has been fickle. My old reliable friend is taunting me. And now, I have puffy eyes. So not cool.
Neil's surgery started the whole issue. However innocently it began, the problem is now truly effing up my rotation. You see, we stayed up late the night before surgery so Neil could have a snack at ten until midnight. Also, since the surgery was not scheduled until later in the afternoon, Neil decided that the best way to combat the hunger and thirst he would be feeling would be sleeping in as late as possible. The plan was executed flawlessly.
Fast forward to the first night after surgery in the hospital. Neil got into the room at 11p, or so, and we didn't get settled fully until probably 1 am. I finally feel asleep around 4 on the uncomfortable chair/recliner and slept until 7:30 or so. This night of sleep was to be expected, and I knew I;d have time to "catch up."
We got home. The pain meds made Neil sleep a lot during that day, and so we stayed up very late at night. Got up very late in the mornings/afternoons. Like, almost 12 hours later. And this trend continues. For a week. No kidding. Today I got up "early," but took a serious nap when my day didn't go as I thought it would. Why?
I feel like I am in college again. I slept until almost 2pm TWICE this week. My fickle friend now gives in abundance. Operation Shock System Back to Normal starts tonight.
First order of business: more active days. Today, I will be walking the park after dinner for a few miles and escorting Neil on his two mini-walks. Second order of business: No Diet Coke after dinner. Third order of business: In bed at 11 tonight, light's out at 12. And I have an appointment in morning to help me get up and ready. Gonna be a sleepy day, but this crap has to end.
I NEVER thought I'd say this, but I need less sleep...
The recent changes and additions are the results of my quest to learn how to "pimp my blog" a bit more competently. During my quest, I mentioned to my darling husband that I needed to break down and learn how to really use Photoshop.
He then asked me what I was trying to do. I explain. He laughed at the simple nature of my requests. He then made my new banner in less than fifteen minutes. He was bored. It is beautiful.
I still need to learn to do it myself, but Neil is the King of Photoshop. I am the lesser-known, yet still valuable, Marchioness of Moviemaker.
For those of you who do not know, Neil herniated two discs in his back early this year. He was recovering from shoulder surgery and tried to change a flat tire. While over compansating for the shoulder, he hurt the back. The day before Mother's Day, he fell. Made it so much worse. The surgery to fix it was yesterday.
I am blogging from his bedside right now. The surgery went well. He has relief already, and it will hopefully get even better as his body heals from the surgery trauma. Didn't want to keep you in suspense. He is sleeping off the pain meds right now. I am hoping the doctors are correct and he can go home this afternoon.
Now for the funny stuff. Neil's grandmother (Babba) sent him a stuffed animal- a puppy dog. God bless her. I laughed for a hour.
We slept so late since Neil didn't have to head to the hospital until noon. Neil parents came with us because they were in Atlanta to board a plane to Europe, and we all moseyed over together.
Once Neil was called into pre-op, I was given a restaurant style pager to get updates on his progress. About 30 minutes after he went back, they paged me to join him. And then it began...
We waited for over 6 hours in pre-op. No shit. Have you ever seen an ADD girl wait in a hospital environment that long and not hurt herself? I was cracking Neil up.
1. There was Big Momma beside us. She was having a valve replacement and the anesthesiologists were using her case to train residents. She was too funny. Kept telling everyone they were on her "team." The heart monitor would beep on rhythm and then suddenly pause or jitter. I would freak out every time.
2. Old guy on the other side of us that didn't have anyone with him and needed to make a phone call :(. Turns out he was a bit confused in general. Couldn't remember when he had that lung surgery. Or which lung. Or his phone number.
3. We went through 5 nurse changes before we went back. By far the best was Nick, a large black guy with braids, who talked loudly and made jokes. He sang Michael Jackson's Black or White. His cell phone keep ringing- the ringtone? Soulja Boy. Yup.
Eventually, Neil went back and everything was fine. I met him in his room around 10:30 PM and we had a good night. I'll update more later. Thanks for all your well wishes...
For those of you who do not live in the world of jam bands, Bonnaroo is a huge music festival held in Manchester, TN- just 60 miles away from Nashville. Neil and I attended the first ever Bonnaroo when we were dating way back in 2002, and he could not resist popping down the road one night to see Phish. So, off we went on Friday afternoon.
Another FYI- Phish is a band. An awesome band that went on a long hiatus. We had not seen them in about five years. Neil was excited. Like a schoolboy, actually.
You see, he was able to score "guest passes" for us through Coke connections. We arrived at the local Holiday Inn Express to discover that the people there CLEARLY thought we were a big deal. We got the armbands and a personal van showed up to take us in "the back way". Score, no waiting in line for hours to enter the gates.
We were taken to the "Super VIP tent" where we were offered the use of an RV for the night, shown into a Carousel Bar with free booze and food, and given a special map because this site wasn't on the "regular" maps. Neil looked at me with wide eyes which I read as "go with it." A gold cart with a driver took us to the guest viewing deck to see the end of Al Green's set.
Now we had a problem. We did not "acclimate" to the general population and experienced the shock of entering the guest area filled with people passed out on any surface imaginable- including inch-deep mud. Yuck. Now, we were in our element.
We had a hard time getting on the viewing deck because the area was small compared to the demand for good seats. Eventually, we were able to see the end of the Beastie Boys' set and all of Phish. It was awesome.
Now, to tease Neil a little. With surgery imminent, I think he felt the need to really enjoy himself. Heck, he wasn't driving. This desire equated to his normal pain pills (which are heavy freakin' duty) and about six beers. Neil was DrunkyMcDrunkerson. It would have been funnier if I wasn't worried every second that he would fall in the mud or trip on the stairs, which he did TWICE, and I'd have to ask the EMTs to evac. my hubs. It all ended well, however. Neil did fine, and around 3 am, after a great "greatest hits" set by Phish, I drove us back to Nashville and the CMAs. Excellent.
The rest of the CMA Festival was pretty on-par. We had a Saturday Vault party at a local bar, a good night of music (compared to Bruce Springsteen at Bonnaroo that night, I was bummed), and a great time with friends. We decided to drive home on Sunday and miss the last night, but be sure that Neil had an easy day before the surgery.
Oh my! Nashville is full of jorts and boots. FULL. It is scary.
For those of you who do not know the term, jorts are jean shorts. Note: not denim shorts, but shorts made from slicing up a pair of Levis. For me, the look evokes bad early 90s fashion. I fear the jort. Pair it with a boot, and now the world is full of cankles. I'm dying. And, Neil is laughing at me for taking pictures of people in jorts for the blog.
So on Thursday, I got to sleep in while Neil went to check on the venues and locations. At lunch, he showed up with more members of the team, we had lunch at the yummy Sports Grille in the hotel.
After a short rest for Neil, we all headed over to LP field for the big show. I was excited to see Reba (crossing my fingers for Fancy). Well, no dice. We got up to the suite- yes, Neil is a pimp that gets awesome perks- and enjoyed the open bar for a bit. Brooks and Dunn did their set.
Reba made it out for about two songs before they stopped her and announced that the CMA folks were clearing the stadium for major storms in the area. Surprisingly, people moved. And waited. And waited. And waited.
Good thing the bar was open. We waited for hours for the rain to no avail. When it finally showed, it was some serious rain and wind but hardly any lightening. They started the show back up after midnight. The show ended at 1:50- luckily, we had hit the road before then.
Where is Rock City, and why the hell do all the birdhouses and barns want me to go there?
I turned to Neil about half way to Nashville last Wednesday and asked this question. Seriously, I have seen the birdhouses for ages, but never knew what they had to do with anything real. Apparently, Rock City is the South of the Border of TN. A hokey tourist trap of a dive off the interstate that needs miles and miles of signage to get people to stop. Perhaps a bit more to see at Rock City, though.
The trip up to Nashville was fine for me, but hard on Neil's back and legs. I drove the whole way, a rarity for us but necessary. We spent the evening together settling into the hotel and eating a The Palm- I love a good steak!
Seriously. His show is brilliant. I admire a man willing to support healthy debate, invite people of opposing beliefs to the panel, and talk about important issues intelligently. I want to copy his reading list.
Watching last week's show, I was amazed by the debate, intelligence and TOPICS he selected for the panel and special guests. Though he is admittedly liberal, he is not kind to stupidity. If a public figure, no matter the party to which he or she shows allegiance, does or says something stupid, whoa buddy. No free lunches here.
Jon Stewart is amazing, and I love the satire on The Daily Show. However, sometimes the message gets lost in the funny. Not of Real Time. Probably partially due to HBO versus Comedy Central... Dream come true: let Jon Stewart sit on the panel on Real Time. I'd go see it live!
On Wednesday, Neil and I will be heading out to Nash-vegas for the CMA Festival, sponsored by is brand, Vault. I had a great time last year, but I was a bit uneasy in my role as the "corporate wife." That is what I choose to call it anyway. I found myself a bit out of my element...and not just musically.
You see, I teach high school. I hang out in a room full of sophomores for most of my days. I say things like, "Stop Tweeting in my classroom" and "Two half-shirts made out of handkerchiefs do not make one whole shirt." As a rule, I do not get asked if I'd prefer red or white by a guy in a tux, nor do I get tickets to suites and afterparties. Not my paradigm, baby.
However, I did enjoy myself last year once I figured out that everyone there was more like me than I thought. They just have a bigger shopping budget than I do. Oh, and about ten years more experience. Not that big a deal.
So, now I am planning for at least five days in Nashville as a corporate wife. At least I know what to expect. For those of you wondering, the answer is crazy fans in cut-offs, a very kind and smart suite staff, and a heat that makes the hot tin roof look like an easy-bake.
And now for what to pack- Lots of dress, some nice tops and shorts, and absolutely no fancy shmancy stuff. Oh, and shoes that are both comfy and cute. Perhaps the biggest challenge of the trip.
Today, I get to plan and pack for me. Tomorrow, I plan and pack for Neil. With the back surgery coming up, we will have to be ready to send him into surgery the day after we get back.
What a day it has been. And it isn't even 5pm yet. Wow.
First, Mom and Dad had to cancel their trip to see us. Mom is sick, and with Neil's back issues and everything else, she didn't want to risk getting him sick too. It's a good point, but I was more concerned with her being miserable during the drive. It's a long way from Wilmington to Atlanta.
So, now I have a fairly open weekend, right? Should be okay. Went out with the girls to get nails done, went to lunch with Lauren, and ran some other errands with her. Picked out Kate's birthday present. Good times. Then I head home to cuddle in empty apartment with Neil.
Well, he had some news. Neil has been scheduled for back surgery on June 16th. We are lucky because his amazing doctor was able to get him in so quickly and around our schedule. Now I need to plan ahead carefully because:
1. On Wednesday of next week we go to Nashville until the following Monday for the CMA festival. 2. On that Tuesday Neil goes into surgery.
So any grocery planning and preparations for the hospital need to be done this weekend or the beginning of next week. I will start my lists today. Oh, how I love a to-do list.
Oh, Brenda Walsh, where art thou? Through a complicated series of conversations with many friends, I decided to create the ultimate 90s ROCK playlist. Though rock is a bit broad as a category, the songs had to be released in the 90s, now more than 2 songs per artists, and the songs needed to be played on the radio- even if it was an "alternative" selection. The entire playlist idea came about from hearing Better than Ezra in the Jeep one day, so I started there.
I had lots of help, but here is the list as of now. I'll update the final song selections soon:
1.Better Than Ezra: Desperately Wanting and Good
2.Depeche Mode: Personal Jesus and Enjoy the Silence
3.Matchbox 20: Long Day and 3 am
4.Eve 6: Inside Out
5.Dexter Freebish: Leaving Town
6.Bush: Glycerine and Everything Zen
7.Harvey Danger: Flagpole Sitta
8.The Connells: ’74-‘75
9.Stone Temple Pilots: Interstate Love Song and Sex Type Thing
10.Goo Goo Dolls: Iris and Slide
11.Third Eye Blind: Semi-charmed Life and Jumper
12.REM: Nightswimming and Losing My Religion
13.Paul Westerberg: Waiting for Somebody (Singles soundtrack)
14.Cowboy Mouth: Jenny Says
15.Live: Lightening Crashes,
16.Pearl Jam: Porch and Jeremy
17.Nirvana: Smells and Lake of Fire (Meatpuppets cover from Unplugged)
18.Foo Fighters: Everlong
19.U2: Mysterious Ways, One
20.Gin Blossoms: Hey Jealousy and
21.Temple of the Dog: Hunger Strike
22.Soundgarden: Spoonman, BHS
23.Beck: Loser
24.Oasis: Wonderwall, Champagne Supernova
25.Hootie and the Blowfish: Hannah Jane and Hold my Hand
26.Pres. Of the US: Peaches
27.Smashing Pumpkins: 1979
28.Alanis: Jagged, You Oughtta Know
29.Blind Melon: No Rain
30.Cranberries: Linger and Dreams
31.The Cure: Friday, I’m in Love
32.Toad the Wet Sprocket: Walk on the Ocean
33.7 Mary 3: Cumbersome
34.Butthole Surfers: Pepper
35.Weezer: Buddy Holly and Undone
36.Green Day: Longview and Basket Case
37.Toadies: Possum Kingdom
38.EMF: Unbelievable
39.Everclear: Santa Monica
40.Alana Davis: 32 flavors
41.The Breeders: Last Splash
42.Blues Traveler: Hook and Run Around
43.Garbage: Only Happy When It Rains, Stupid Girl
44.Joan Osbourne: St. Teresa
45.Lemonheads: Mrs. Robinson
46.Lisa Loeb: Stay and Do You Sleep
47.No Doubt: Just a Girl and Spiderwebs
48.Sheryl Crow: All I Wanna Do
49.Dead Eye Dick: New Aged Girl
50.Sublime: Santeria
51.311:Down and Al Mixed Up
52.Squirrel Nut Zippers: Hell
53.Tom Petty: Mary Jane’s Last Dance and American Girl
54.Black Crowes: Hard to Handle and Jealous Again
55.Jane’s Addiction: Been Caught Stealing
56.Ben Folds Five: Song for the Dumped and Battle of Who Could Care Less
57.Red Hot Chili Peppers: Soul to Squeeze and Californication
58.Ugly Kid Joe: Hate Everything about You
59.Faith No More: Epic
60.Mr. Big: To be with You
61.Mighty, Mighty Bosstones: Knock on Wood
62.Marcy’s Playground: Sex and Candy
63.Cake: The Distance and Stickshifts and Safetybelts
So, I did get a little tipsy- during the daytime. I went to Lauren's pool, and we were joined by Don-Michael, Susan, and Jackie for some sun and wine fun. Maybe we should not have started as early as we did. Or maybe I shouldn't have opened the third bottle. Any way it goes, I had to have Reece pick me up on his way over to our place. Not sure if this story is more lame or more awesome. I think a bit of both.
Now, I have to get up with Neil in the morning to go get my car. Le sigh.
But, to the title of the post, today I am thinking of books. I need more to read for the summer- way more. I decided I am going to keep a list of what I have been reading, as well as my favorites, on the blog. May take me a day or so to get it complied- it'll be a long one.
Today I finished Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. I never finished the book when I picked it up after DiVinci; however, I had to finish it before I watched the movie. Now comes the great book picking adventure. Again. Damn.
Why do I have to wait until September for Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabladon? I need more Jaime and Claire. NOW. The newest Sookie Stackhouse novel, Dead and Gone was released just last month. And, of course, I finished it in two days. Why does nothing last?
I have a few rereads for school next year- They are novels I have read before, but I either haven't read them in a long time or need to read them from a teacher's point-of-view. Siddartha, Frankenstein, All Quiet on the Western Front, The Importance of Being Earnest... None of them sparkley enough to entice me quiet yet.
Well, off to audible.com to browse some new titles and then to the shelf to start the list of "recently read by me."
