Don't Panic?

H1N1 has been confirmed on campus. . .

135th Run for the Roses

A bugle calls to post. You hear it faintly at first. It echoes, gradually becoming louder as the crowd beneath the twin spires lulls to a hush in anticipation. The thoroughbreds are loaded, one by one, into the paddock. Ladies in iconic and chic feathered hats and gentlemen in seersucker suits lean to the edge of their seats as the gates are closed. . . slam, lock, slam, lock, slam, lock. . .

Simultaneously a jockey and his steed take a breath, the horse wanting with every muscle to accelerate and break free, the jockey wanting to steady his heart beat. A bell rings.
And they're off!

Mind That bird rallied from last and exploded past the other contenders in midstretch, guided on the railing by jockey Calvin Borel to a stunning 6 3/4 - length victory in the what some say is the second biggest upset in Kentucky Derby history (beating 50-1 odds).


Even though my horse was scratched the morning of, my Millionaire's Row themed Kentucky Derby party was a hit. All parties I host should be this stress free and enjoyable. Garden party attire was mandatory and derby hats encouraged. Activities included afternoon tea, croquet and boccie ball in the park, southern dinner, betting, mint julep and Oaks Lily libations, and of course the Kentucky Derby. I had so much fun! There's just something about getting all decked out in pearls, dresses, heals, and a fabulous hat and doing 'high society" activities that just makes a girl's weekend. It's nice to do something refined once in a while.

Thank you Grandma Connie for giving me my love for horse racing and fabulous hats!

I Survived

Thank God for DayQuil, good hair days, and adrenaline! I spent Valentine's day in Detroit for my Uncle Dave's wedding, which I had been dreading and freaking out about since Christmas; not because of the wedding itself, but because I had been asked to sing the Ave Maria.... Did I mention that I haven't sung that song since high school let alone sung like that in about 5 years? Freaked out is the mild term I would use to describe my emotional state. Well after taking numerous doses of DayQuil, doing my hair, rehearsing on my grandmother's baby grand piano, and lots of performance adrenaline Audrey and I did well. Yay. And it absolutely made my Uncle Dave's and now Aunt Julie's day, and Grandma's too. So I suppose spending Valentine's Day at a wedding with my nearest and dearest wasn't such a bad way to celebrate it after all. I mean heck, who can pass up an open bar, a candy buffet, and really bad singing of love songs in order to get the bride and groom to kiss?
Happy belated Valentine's Day.

Hmmm. I am giddy with anticipation. :)

Yay for advice and yay for performing from the back of the chapel.

Good Advice

I am so blessed to have such wonderful co-workers. We talk daily, we ask each other about our lives and genuinely care. Today they offered some advice about getting married. (They know Jesse and I are planning on getting engaged.) I am very thankful that they offered advice based on their own lives. It was nice to be able to talk to people about it without feeling like they were passing some sort of judgment on us or our situation. Sometimes, I feel like I can't talk to anyone about it so it was nice to be able to let some of my thoughts out. Rena mentioned that she was very grateful for starting a family young because now she gets to enjoy her grandchildren and is able to take care and keep up with them. She is still young enough whereas her son's mother-in-law is not; she's 89 and needs to be taken care of herself. After I told her about Jesse wanting to pay down some debt before we got engaged, Rena offered a second bit a good advice: Don't let money stop you from getting married. The debt will always be there whether large or small so don't let it stop you. I chewed on that for a moment and have decided I agree with her.

I have always wanted a large family, and I have always wanted it while I was young. I find that I am crossing my fingers, just hoping as hard as I can that Jesse takes the hints and proposes soon.

Interesting Indeed

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder ....
Rather than get something wrong, OCPD individuals will make lists of things to do and how to do them. Then they go on adding to the lists, or find new associated things to do, meaning they may never finish what they wanted to do in the first place. This is most of all a problem at work or for students.

An Excerpt from Panem st Circenses

"Do not call them Muslims. That gives them legitimacy. Do not call them Jews, or Christians, or Muslims; call them what they are. Call them terrorists. Terrorism has no religion."
--Dr. Gamal