Thought Provoking

Line from Grey's Anatomy tonight:

Don't wonder why people go crazy.

Wonder why they don't.

Um Hmmm.

Sprite in a Fancy Glass

The day I got the offer for the tenure-track spot, I knew I wanted to celebrate the news. And I wanted to celebrate it with some specific people.

See, when I landed the first teaching spot, I toasted it with my sister, who happened to be visiting me that weekend. That, of course, was the first big step to the career I had figured out was the direction I'd been moving in, and I was so happy to be able to celebrate it with my sister.

This time, of course, I was here and she was there. But with a little planning, and the help of a wonderful brother-in-law, I still not only got to toast with my sister, but I also got to, again, surprise her. (It was a big surprise to her three years ago.)

My neighbors had been through all of this with me too, taking care of the critters during trips out of town in pursuit of my position, listening to me fret and rant and go on about all the stress and worries that I've been through over the last many months, and being encouraging and supportive throughout. And so, I wanted them in on the celebration too.

Thus, after I got the offer (and danced a mini jig in my office), I emailed my neighbor Michelle and asked if they were free to come over for a drink that evening. She replied that they'd be over. I also contacted my brother-in-law, and he gave me the timeline of their oh-so-busy schedule. We synchronized the plan, and he sat out to have a chilled bottle of bubbly ready at the right time.

So that evening, Michelle and Morgan came over a bit after 6 (Cole was running late), and I called Charla. (Actually, I called her hubby first, then hung up and called Charla about two minutes later---giving him time to grab the bubbly.) And so, I was able to tell them all and toast with them all at the same time! It was great! Not too long thereafter, Cole got here, and we all enjoyed a nice visit as I grinned ear-to-ear.

Of course, Morgan is only eight, so no champagne for her. But she's taken care of the critters too and is such a dear, so I wanted to be sure she was in on the celebration too. (A good aunt remembers the kids and has things for them too.) And of course, I had some chilled Sprite, and I poured her a glass in one of my champagne flutes. So she got to toast with us too!

What's interesting, of course, is how things we do have an impact on kids---things we never think will have as much of an impact as they do in the end. Turns out, this was one of those things. She'd never had anything in a champagne flute, and the way the Sprite bubbled just like our champagne was magical in her eyes. This apparently created quite an impression.

See, I learned today that last week, Morgan told her mother, "I think we might need to go over to Jana's house and drink Sprite in a fancy glass." She brought it up again over the weekend. Too cute! Thankfully, though, she never actually made it over (her mother told her she needed to be invited--not invite herself) because I don't have Sprite in the house!

Of course, it's already been added to this week's grocery list.

As I told Michelle this afternoon though, Morgan's learned what we all need to remember. Sometimes you just need some Sprite in a fancy glass. Use that fancy glass. Eat off your good china on a regular day sometimes. Treat an otherwise ordinary day as extraordinary---because they all are special days in some way or another. After all, they're each a gift. And gifts are always worth a little something fancy.

We shouldn't wait for an excuse to celebrate; life is worth celebrating!

Wisdom

Spoken by a character on October Road this week:

Remember this: Life isn't then; life isn't when. Life is this . . . here . . . now.

I like that.

Adios 2007

Ah, as I type, 2007 is creeping out the back door, making way for a new year: 2008.

The year in review? Gosh, it's been quite a year, indeed. I've heard, and wondered myself sometimes, about if how you ring in the year is indicative of the year to come. In my experience, there's some truth to that--in the same way, of course, we find truth to our horoscopes. ;-) But still, maybe I should have been forewarned that 2007 was going to be bumpy.

Last year, about five minutes before midnight, I was greeted by a friend of mine arriving at the party where I was . . . with my ex-boyfriend as her date. Whoa. Yes, that put a damper on my New Year's Eve. I'll admit, I didn't take learning this information gracefully ("Bamboozled" was the word I kept using, as I remember), and after she'd had ten-minutes' worth of daggers from my eyes, fortunately, they left the party. Still, I didn't ring in the year in a good mood. (Seriously? neither could have told me before hand? I have to learn five minutes before midnight on New Years Eve? (Okay, I have barely an hour more to be bitter, then I really have to finally let this go, I know.))

So, this year? Well, since moving here, I haven't gone on more than two or three dates with any one person, so the risk of a repeat is minimal. And I'm staying home tonight. With so much going on in NYC the rest of the week, there was no need for me to go out tonight. Sure, I will stay up to ring in midnight. (After all, I just painted my toenails, so I must stay up for them to dry. (No need to paint my fingernails, though, thanks to Santa! ;-) I got this great SeaCret stuff with a fabulous buffer--my nails are super shiny!) (Thanks, Santa!)

Anyway, yes, the year, in a whole, has been, well, bumpy. Don't get me wrong, it's been incredible in many ways. But even in those ways, there've been bumps.

I have finally stepped out of my safe-zone to take care of me. And as scary as that is, I have no regrets.

And wow: TWO trips to Africa!

I sold my house--with a nice profit.

I moved out of state for the first time.

I taught new classes.

I presented, for the first time in academia, to colleagues--FOUR times!

I taught a course to lawyers in Uganda.

I went scuba diving--off the coast of Zanzibar, in the Indian Ocean!

I took belly-dance lessons.

I (finally) bought a laptop.

I FINALLY bought my convertible! :-)

I moved into a 1926 house--with a basement! And stairs to the attic!

I put myself out there--really out there--for my job. No, I haven't landed a permanent spot yet, but I have taken a chance that was hard to take, and I'm proud of myself for taking. It might take another two or so years to finish search. But I've begun the search--and that, for me, has been big.

My life had grown very stale, very static. I needed more, and to get more, I had to take some steps--such as moving. For the most part, I've gotten a lot of support from others in making this move. And that's been nice.

There's more for me to come.

And 2008 is ringing in quite nicely. That should make for a nice year to come, don't you think?

And so, Happy New Year to all, and to all, a safe and fabulous year filled with love, peace, kindness, and warmth.

Plan Ahead & Be Nice

First--Be Nice. I was so exhausted yesterday evening, and I didn't want to be in the midst of the "high stress" of everyone else in the hotel, so my plan was room service. Of course, lots of folks were in the same shape as me, so I wasn't at all surprised when I called room service and learned it would be an hour wait. I told Mabel that was fine, I knew they must be extremely busy this weekend. She told me that yes, indeed they were. She had twenty orders lined up ahead of mine. I told her that was fine and I understood. She truly seemed so happy I was not grumpy.

And my dinner arrived in twenty-seven minutes. Hmmm---could it be that Mabel moved me up in line because I didn't complain or gripe of fuss at her--for something she didn't cause? Maybe. Or maybe they all of a sudden had extra staff come in. Whatever the reason, I was nice to her, and that made me feel good just for the sake of being nice.

Second--Be prepared. I didn't have interviews scheduled today, and I knew I wouldn't be doing the "schmoozing" at receptions, looking for a last-minute interview (very rare occurrence). Still, I packed two suits--just in case. And I awoke this morning to an email from the recruitment chair from one of the schools I met with yesterday. She wanted to know if I could meet with their other team today. (They are hiring several spots, so they split their committee in two.) What did this mean? She said it was because the people I'd met with yesterday enjoyed talking to me so much, and the other two were more of the crim law folks---something I'd love to teach. Of course, it could be that the other two I met with were split---one wanted to invite me for the call-back and the other didn't, and so maybe this second interview was a tie-breaker. Regardless, I met with them today, and again, it felt great! We'll see.

As for the schools, as I said, I interviewed with a wide variety. I've met with schools from the second, third, and fourth tiers and even one not ranked (the school is too new to be ranked). I met with a committee from one of the oldest law schools in the country--and one of the newest. The teaching packages would be different at each place. The climate would be different at a couple of places. I'm sure the pay would be different at each place. And my place within the institution would be quite different. Some schools are heavier into teaching, and some heavier into scholarship. Some are balanced.

Of course, none of those differences matter unless I'm faced with choices. And if that happens, it's not a simple matter of tier or salary. It's finding the right "fit" for me. So we'll see what happens over the next couple of weeks. But in the meantime, keep those positive thoughts a-comin'! They've really made me feel good. :-)

Wisdom

I spent time today chatting with a colleague. It's funny--everyone seems surprised that he and I chat and even went to lunch; he's not the social kind. But he and I share the same students, and it's an incredible thing to be able to be validated that I'm not the only one "bugged" by a particular, well, smarty-pants. ;-) Anyway, so the chat today left me refreshed and ready for more.

This colleague has been teaching for years and thus has a lot of wisdom to share, so his encouragement helped tremendously. But even more, he encouraged me regarding another difficult issue I'm facing--the challenging of my scholarship. I've been on edge regarding this "challenge" for a couple of weeks, but after today, I'm finally at peace.

As for the particular issue, I can now (today, for the first time) see the positive: I've been seriously challenged by an overly educated professor from the west coast who disagrees with everything I say. Gulp. Breathe. And re-group. See, here's the up side: I'm so much more prepared now for any questions I get next week during my interviews. And that, people, is indeed priceless.

I got there through that chat this afternoon, but even more so, in the middle of my funk, I received this in my "Daily Insight" email inbox from Yoga Journal:

Life has its ups and downs. While it may be tempting to wallow in our misery during the downs, or quickly move past the source of our despair, that isn't always the healthiest way to deal with a crisis.

It's human nature to avoid the emotional roadblocks that pepper the path to spiritual maturity, to seek instead the slow and steady pace of the ordinary traveler. Yet reaching higher spiritual ground requires an extraordinary traveler. It demands the kind of change that comes from facing challenges—emotional, spiritual, or physical—and growing as a result.

A spiritual initiation—an exceptionally difficult life passage that shakes your foundations and makes you question your purpose—is just this sort of change. Disguised as a loss, it's actually an opportunity to strengthen the thread of awareness that connects your outer inner selves, a chance to travel deeper into the soul.

Wow. This was exactly what I needed--at exactly the right time. My foundations in my scholarship were indeed shaken. But the above passage and another nugget of insight I got today have both lifted me up back where I need to be. Yes, I'm still stressed. I'm still worried. But the extra wisdom helps so very much---as do the warm, fuzzy thoughts. :-)

This other nugget---yes, there's a little more to this story, but I want to be up early, so I'll simply promise to share the other amazing wisdom that was given to me today in a later post.

And Then There are Days Like Today

I spend a lot of days these days feeling loads of stress.

But then there are days like today.

Before class, a student dropped by to clarify some points, and in the conversation, she said (genuinely) that I was an excellent teacher. How great that felt! (Students complain that they want feedback, but gosh, professors like it too.) She also mentioned how much she appreciated that she could tell I really wanted the students to learn.

During class, another student was struggling a little, and I rephrased things and explained the topic again. After class, he came up to me and thanked me. He essentially said he felt bad sometimes when he didn't get things, but he really appreciated my patience in helping him understand.

After class, another student dropped by. He said he just wanted to tell me "thank you." He said up until my class that afternoon, he'd been having a really bad few days, and that most of today earlier he'd done a lot of questioning about whether he should be in law school. He then said that after my class, he felt lots better and was happy again. He knew he was doing the right thing by being here. (He's a second career guy; I know how that feels.)

And after work, several of us went out to celebrate some colleagues' birthdays. Of course, for me, it's half social but half interview. I know that. But it went well I think. More than half of the committee members were there, and it all seemed quite positive. Of course, you cannot please everyone. I mentioned an innovative teaching technique I had used today in class, and everyone loved it---but one guy. (let's just say my students now know the tune of the Yellow Rose of Texas.) Anyway, so he looked at me like I was a little nuts. But hey, if it helps my students learn this very complex contract doctrine, I'm okay with that. After all, I am trying to teach, right?

Breathe . . . .


And now, I'll go enjoy Survivor and ---- TaDaaaa! the season premiere of Grey's! :-)

Gray Skies Are Gonna Clear Up

No, this isn't about the rain that Memphis is finally getting. I'm quite happy with those gray skies! This is about a little piece of wisdom I came across this evening.

The question was whether negative emotions were embedded within the fabric of human minds--or if, instead, those sorts of counterproductive emotions were merely peripheral and we could somehow find a resolution to---or within---them. The Dalai Lama said, "[T]he mind is fundamentally pure, much like the blue sky that exists behind dark clouds."

I really like that.

It's one thing to have someone say that when you're feeling stressed to take a deep calming breath. Well, what makes the breath calming? Sure, there's the moment you take to STOP and not just react to what's happening. But now, for me, that calming breath is more.

Now, that calming breath is me visualizing clouds parting and a beautiful clear blue sky being revealed. And in that visualization, I can remember that the negative emotions---anger, fear, stress, irritation, impatience---are just on the outside. And deeper down is the pure (blue sky) mind that doesn't have to embrace those feelings. Recognize them, okay. Embrace them and make them a part of me, no.

Something I Heard

I just heard a great line on a TV show:

"If I'd shot you when I met you, I'd be out of jail by now."

Oh my, now that's a good one. (not that I'm bitter...well, that's for another blog. ;-)

No, the show (State of Mind on Lifetime) didn't give the source---the show's characters referenced country music. Go figure.

That got me thinking about some of my other favorite lines. Most, I must admit, are from Sex in the City.

“When you're young, your whole life is about the pursuit of fun. Then, you grow up and learn to be cautious. You could break a bone or a heart. You look before you leap and sometimes you don't leap at all because there's not always someone there to catch you. And in life, there's no safety net. When did it stop being fun and start being scary?”

And having moved away from everyone I know---especially with a birthday looming, I must admit, this one's been in the back of my mind:

"Maybe mistakes are what make our fate... without them what would shape our lives? Maybe if we had never veered off course we wouldn't fall in love, have babies, or be who we are. After all, things change, so do cities, people come into your life and they go. But it's comforting to know that the ones you love are always in your heart... and if you're very lucky, a plane ride away”

Oh no----not that this move is a mistake! It's anything but that! But it is hard sometimes not to have those fabulous friends you could always call on to be there---in person. That part is hard. Fortunately, I'm used to being very (too?) independent. :-) But I know that my loved ones ARE merely a plane ride away. And that, indeed, is quite comforting. I am NOT alone---just several hours away. :-)

Not all the show's quotes are past looking. Not all are from tough times. Some are quite, to me, positive:

"Later that day I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous."

Indeed.

And having gone shopping recently, I must admit, I thought of this next quote while I was out. (yes---several of these I do have committed to memory.) See, I really needed to spiff up my wardrobe and get some good suits. But for the most part, and for what I needed, suits are a little boring. Hello? I don't consider myself boring, so not only did I buy some new suits; I bought some new shoes. And let me tell you, I bought FUN shoes! I figure I can wear a basic black suit, and even if I put a colorful top with it, well, still---yawn. So I finally got some shoes I love. And for once, I didn't get the bargain shoes. Oh heavens no, I didn't go designer. But still---these are great. And as I was trying these shoes on, and every sales person in the place was oohhing and aaahing, I couldn't help but remember this line that Carrie said in one episode of Sex in the City (and if you're single and never watched this show, you're missing out. If you're not single, sorry, but you might not totally get it. Being single is something different. Something unique. It's fabulous. It's challenging. It's up. It's down. It's exciting. It's depressing. It's, well, it's the same as all other life, but it is simply different.):

"It's really hard to walk in a single woman's shoes -- that's why you sometimes need really special shoes!”

Amen. And I have some really special---and really cute---shoes now. I learned from an inside source students thought I was a really hard professor---some even said I was mean. (what?! Moi?!) (No, that didn't hurt my feelings. I also have heard time and time again that although I was the hardest prof many students had, they learned the most from me. And that, after all, is my job.) Anyway, maybe I'll still be the hard professor. And maybe even the mean one. But I'll also be the one with the really great shoes. :-)

All that aside, though, in closing, I must admit, one of my favorite lines from the show is this one:

"Maybe some women aren't meant to be tamed. Maybe they just need to run free til they find someone just as wild to run with them.”

'Nuff said.

Negotiations 101

When I was in Africa in March, I was stricken with fear upon realizing most of my shopping had to be done using a bartering system. What? I can't do that! How do you do that? Drat---I'll never get shopping done, and I feared I'd pay ten times what I should.

See, I had memories of shopping in Mexico back in 1987---and never feeling like I knew what I was doing. (I used that blanket I bought back then just the other day, it bringing a smile to my face, though, knowing I'd bought it on that trip. I also recently found the woven rug and have used it too recently.)

Anyway, while in Kenya, I chatted a lot with my safari guide, Alex, and he gave me a crash-course in "how to barter." My colleague and friend Nancy also gently reminded me, "Jana, it's just negotiating. You're a lawyer; you know how to do that." And you know what? I do. And even more? Seems I'm pretty good at it.

I thought back to Kaye Elliott's class---Negotiations. I took that class in law school and loved it as much as my mediation classes. (I'm a qualified mediator in Texas---civil and family cases.) And I did just fine in that class.

Alex assured me that any offer would not offend; if it were too low, it would simply be met with a counter. Further, he gave me some general guidelines on where the Masai (the tribe most common in the Masai Mara---where the safari was) usually began negotiating.

Finally, I remembered that I had something they wanted---my money.

In Kenya, I bought a lovely rosewood carving of a Masai family. It was the perfect "treasure" for me to bring home, and it's ideal on my mantel next to my rosewood Ghana water woman carving and the rosewood Ghana fertility doll carving. But my key in shopping was that once I had visited several markets, I still shopped early in my trip. In other words, I knew that I would have many other opportunities to shop for a treasured rosewood carving. And that's key: being willing to walk away. So when the broker I was dealing with at that market wouldn't lower his price, I said no and turned to leave.

He followed me and gave me an acceptable price. And my Masai family carving indeed is perfect on my mantel.

And on that trip, several colleagues complimented me on my negotiating and bartering skills. (and they're all lawyers too!) They couldn't believe I got the deals I did at the market in Nairobi, and another said she so admired my confidence in working out deals in road-side markets. What they didn't know was that all that while, I had tons of self doubt---until all of that. The deals I worked out, the compliments of my respected colleagues, and my personal willingness to walk away from an unacceptable deal all did so much for me.

Who knew that my experience there was just what I needed to have the confidence required to sell a house?

Indeed---I got the dreadfully low offer on Saturday. I countered, not moving much from my asking. I set the tone for how far I'd be willing to move, for with any negotiation, you don't make a bigger move than the prior move. She countered---moving a substantial amount, but still not enough. (seems this house is made for a single woman: I bought it from a single woman and now am likely selling it to one.) I countered again, moving, of course, less than the original move. Then nothing.

Finally, Tuesday morning, I received a call from my agent. The potential buyer had made another offer and had said "this is the final offer." I simply said, "No." It was not acceptable.

My agent took a deep breath; I think she was worried and frustrated I'd turn down this final offer. After all---it was decently higher than a comp house sold for three weeks ago down the street. But I knew my house was worth more. And I believed the potential buyer did too. Of course, this was her "final offer," and I had turned it down. But I worked my backside off getting my house ready to show as soon as possible just so that I would have time to barter---and walk away if I had to.

(okay---not literally. Had I actually worked my backside off, I wouldn't have had to get back to working out---finally---this week. A little more than two days later, and I still feel those lunges I did on Tuesday morning. Ouch!)

Twenty minutes later, my phone rang, and the potential buyer had another offer---this time an acceptable one. (I now jokingly call this her final-final offer; she couldn't have moved much more anyway from there without hitting my previous counter.)

So WOOHOO! I've accepted the offer on my house, and as of today, we've got a signed contract. Now we go through the option period and getting the final word on her financing, and wow----I'll have sold my house!

No doubt, this sale will tickle my neighbors. They repeatedly tell me how they hate to lose me as a neighbor, but I just got the highest price for my floor plan and square footage I think to date. I say again, and I think they'll join in the chorus for upping the comps: Woohoo!

Wait, you might be thinking---I sold for the highest? Will that be okay? My appraiser friend felt very confident my house can appraise for my sales price. A bit more, and probably it wouldn't make it. But that's okay. And in this market, I'm elated!

So, my advice? Know what the value is that you have to offer. And know the value of what you want. Be willing to walk away when it's practical, and remember: not only does the other party have something you want---you have something that party wants. Why else would you be negotiating?

Oh, yes---and breathe.

Dreams

Someone asked me what was it about the Cranberries song Dreams that I like so much. Well since my decision to move away from Houston, each time I've made a major decision about life change, within a day or so, I noticed this song on the radio. And each time I hear it, I'm reminded that when life changes, it's okay. I may not know exactly what my dreams are before they come to fruition, but each time that I am faced with doors there, open, beckoning, it's been a grand thing to walk on through.

Really, you ask? Yes, really.

Such as the day after I decided to apply for a job in North Texas---when I lived in Houston. Okay, granted, the song was still lingering as a one- or two-year old hit on the radio back then.

But then there's the time I decided to go to law school. We're now talking a '93 song that yes, came on the radio the morning after I received my scholarship offer---in 1999. I was on my way to work, realizing that I would be quitting my full-time job---my safety net---and going to law school full time, at age 30. And that morning, as everything swam at olympic speed in my head, this song was on the radio. It was not only okay, but a peace came over me that yes, it was right. These were my dreams---even if I hadn't known it before that moment.

And then, right after the bar exam, and I didn't have a job. Within a week, serious stress set in. Then I got an email out of the blue---a person I hardly knew sent a blast email to a group I belonged to to inform us all that she had taken a job with the court but at the last minute had to decline. So now the job, beginning in less than a month, was open. I applied. I hadn't wanted to work in Dallas. But it was just a year. (umm hmmm -- right. Of course, those who know me, know that the one year turned to three. But also, everything there led to who I am now; how I owe so much to Tom James, dear and special man who he is.) And on the way home, when I'd actually been offered the job during the interview, this song was on the radio. I had no more second thoughts about driving to Dallas.

Within about two days of deciding to apply for my first teaching gig, the song sounded again. I heard it. I listened. I knew: it was right.

And most recently, I heard it again.

This decision to leave Texas was hard. But it was right. And the day after I talked to my first school out-of-state, I was driving to work when music spoke to me.

First, I tuned in to the new Lonestar 92.5---what a great station. (and my new favorite---especially knowing I'm leaving Texas in less than six weeks). The song on---You Never Even Call Me By My Name. It's a Dixie Chicken classic, and an all-Texas feeling song to me. Hearing it reminded me that I can take my heart that lies in Texas anywhere I go. I have my music, my memories, my family, my connections, my pictures. Just because I leave Texas does not mean at all that Texas leaves me.

I belted the song out loud (no doubt, to the amusement of passing motorists), and then the song was over. I felt content. Life was good, and it roads were opening I'd never known I'd be traveling. But as if I need this little extra assurance, music continued to speak.

A commercial was next, and I was feeling good about my decision to move, so I was hardly in the mood for a commercial---more music! I clicked two stations over, and indeed---I heard the opening notes of Dreams. That, my friends, sealed the deal. I knew my decision was right and good.

So, what is this song? I've copied the lyrics below. The "You" in the song is, well, for me, I guess the You is my inner voice. It's part my "spiritual advisor" and part my "self voice." And what is it I feel "even more"? It's that knowledge that yes, now is the time for change. And it's wonderful.

Oh, my life is changing everyday,

In every possible way.

And oh, my dreams,

it's never quite as it seems, Never quite as it seems.

I know I've felt like this before, but now I'm feeling it even more,

Because it came from you.

And then I open up and see the person falling here is me,

A different way to be.

Ah, la da ah... La...

I want more.

Imposible to ignore,

Imposible to ignore.

And they'll come true, impossible not to do,

Impossible not to do.

And now I tell you openly, you have my heart so don't hurt me.

You're what I couldn't find.

A totally amazing mind, so understanding and so kind;

You're everything to me.

Oh, my life, Is changing every day,

In every possible way.

And oh, my dreams,

It's never quiet as it seems,

'Cause you're a dream to me, Dream to me.

Of Course, yes, I like other songs by the Cranberries. Heck, give me easy songs with strings or upbeat songs with brass, and I'm almost sold on the spot.

But Dreams, yes, it's special. And my dreams might not be what they seemed to me four months ago. But the more that I want is indeed impossible to ignore. And yes, my life is changing---every day. In every possible way.

I hope for all of you, the best of dreams. And I hope that's it's also impossible for you for your dreams not to come true. Just listen to them. And listen to the radio.

Use a Dropcloth

Getting your house ready to show is a lot of work. And for many of us, for whatever reason, we put off many minor issues until we think someone who doesn't love us already might be looking at---and judging---our home. And thus, I put in new carpet a week ago.

Fabulous! Right? Well......

Yesterday, an hour before my realtor is scheduled to be at my house to take photos--- of my house---I take care of some final touch-up painting. Nothing major. And many of you know that I've done a LOT of painting. In fact, I've painted every room in my house! This is not a difficult task. Or so I thought.

Back to yesterday---I needed to touch up some areas and freshen up the doorways. Ummm Hmmm. Just a little bitty quart of paint. Nothing major.

That is----nothing major until you DROP that quart of paint on your SIX-day-old carpet.

OMG

That's pretty much all I could say for the next twenty seconds. And I'm not an "OMG" kind of person! Seriously! I'm a "goodness" person. Oh no---but not with a pool (and it was a serious pool) of PAINT on my brand new carpet. It was a full-blown, "OMG."

Breathe.

Breathe.

That's what I did.

And I scooped up the paint I could before focusing my attention on the paint slowly drying on the wall and brand new vinyl. Oh my.

Breathe.

Breathe.

Then laugh, because you know what? What else are you going to do? Sure, I considered crying. And I'll even say that while it's not worth it to cry over spilled milk, well, spilled paint is a whole other story.

I postponed the photos with the realtor, called carpet repair folks, and dealt. That's what you do. And laugh. And breathe.

So now, more than a day later---I've had carpet folks out, and we've patched the area. And it's just fine.

(egads---but pray it's not a sign of a stroke. I've joked about that, but folks, if I keep dropping things (before having a beer, mind you), somebody, make me see a doc, 'kay?)
:-)

Anyway, so it's official! The "For Sale" sign is in the yard!
For now, the critters and I are hanging out at Grandma's (and the critters just love it here!). Although, HOward sure does get tired when Mom & I stay up too late. First he made a bed on an afghan on the couch . . .

Then he just gave it up and zonked out on the floor. Grandma and I will head to A&M tomorrow to see my nephew's debut in his boots---a HUGE thing in the life of an Aggie in the Corps---at Final Review.

In the meantime, please, take it from me---if you're going to paint, and you care at ALL about the floor: USE A DROPCLOTH. I'm just saying . . . :-)

Carpet, I am Woman, and Baseball

I feel like I've just unpacked after moving---and I haven't even left the county!

Last week, I signed with a realtor---the one who helped me find my house eight years ago. And much of the weekend was spent finishing up the "make ready" to show my house. I had already begun to go through everything and clean out, but now it's down to finishing up the things I've been putting off. But in the middle of this, I needed new carpet. Years of wear on cheap carpet plus a dog who got bored one too many times when I wanted to sleep late meant new carpet was in order to sell the house.

(I've since learned that to sleep late, so long as Howard has gone out, I can then close the bedroom door and he'll sleep late with me. But it the door's open, he seems to think his mission is to get me out of bed.)

Getting new carpet---seems simple enough. But oh my, it's a lot of work! Granted, for the almost ten hours Miguel and Jose were at my home, there wasn't much for me to do---except grade papers sitting on the kitchen floor. But once they were done, whoa! I had to put everything back together again. I had a lot of sympathy for All the King's Men!

And yes--ten hours it took. Part way through, I realized I wouldn't make it to Mayfest. I was disappointed, but I also by that time had a more realistic idea of what the rest of my night and the next day would involve. I called to cancel, with the promise that those friends and I get together soon---maybe for one last night at Buffalo Wild Wings.

Before moving on, I'll digress a little. I have a neighbor who's been great. He's the one neighbor who's been on the street since these houses were built in '86. And he owns a pole saw and gas-powered hedge trimmers. But I only borrow those tools; I actually use 'em myself---it has been interesting learnig how to prune a tree! Well, my neighbor has been stating lately how impressed he is with that---saying I work harder around my house than any woman he's ever seen.

Hearing his words have been inspiring. And Friday night, I got to share a little of that inspiration. I was pooped---after being up too late Thursday then up early Friday and doing a lot of waiting all day, by the time the carpet guys were done and I got my car back (a few minor repairs done), I saw my newest neighbor struggling with her lawn mower. She'd driven home with it and asked another neighbor, Tony across the street, for help unloading it. Then her son got to work on the front yard. Alas, the mower stopped---or he stopped it---and it wouldn't start back. I've been there. So I went over.

It was a mechanical issue, and Maria was frustrated. So I asked her son if he'd asked Tony for help. He said no, and I urged him to go knock on the door. He did, Tony came out, and more grass lost its height.

Anyway, so Maria and I got to talking more, and bless her heart. She's there with two kids on her own. And it's hard. She seemed so surprised to learn that I lived on my own. She said she would get so sad---on her own. But I told her how proud she could be. I told her I had two grandmothers who were so proud of me---to be a woman who could live alone and could support herself. I reminded her that once you're independent, it's great to date a man because you want to and not because you need to. (of course, sadly, it seems too many men seem to need to be needed and have a hard time with a woman who just really wants to date 'em---darned egos. But I cannot be someone I'm not. Perhaps, ergo, I'm single. ;-) )

Anyway, so I told her she was a fabulous woman for buying a house on her own for her and her two children (their dad seems to have left the picture). And I told her what a phenomenal thing she was doing for her daughter---to show her that no matter what, she would never have to stay in a bad situation because she was afraid of making it on her own.

Maria had tears in her eyes, but they looked like tears of understanding and hope---not like the tears of sadness she said she cried most nights. She told me thank you, and she said she learned something that night.

But before I left, I reminded her that part of living on your own involved asking for help when you need it. When I bought my house, the neighbors who learned I was a single woman stepped up and offered their help---they even used "if you can't start your lawn mower" as an example.

Back to the new carpet---so yes, as independent as I am, darn if I have no idea what wires are supposed to be plugged into my subwoofer from the receiver. I've plugged all wires in to some place, but I was left without any for the bass. And I love bass! Darn. Sigh. I'll ask for help, but knowing I'm not here for too long doesn't make it that high a priority.

But on the other hand, I hooked up every single computer wire, cord, etc.! And for that, yes, I'm proud. :-)

So my house is just about ready. I still have a couple of repairs left to do, but the sign should go in the yard by Friday.

Ah---and the baseball? Well, I remember my first major league baseball game---vaguely. I was about seven or eight, and my dad took us to Rangers Stadium. So what's more fitting for what could be my last Rangers game than to go with my dad?!

Indeed, Dad was in town for a vet. meeting, and the activity of the evening was a Rangers game. (And with the Stars and Mavs having choked, well, Go Rangers!) I drove over to Arlington and met him, and we headed to the tailgate party. Yummy eats, then a great game---with what I think is the best (home team) baseball inning I've ever seen! The Rangers scored six runs in ONE inning! Wow! Of course, just hanging out and talking was the highlight of the evening.

My older brother, also in town for the vet. meeting, joined us around the sixth inning, and it was great to see him too!

In all, a great weekend. Productivity, seeing family, and wrapping it up with Sunday night TV. (while Desperate Housewives has gotten better this season, my new favorite show is Brothers & Sisters, and it didn't disappoint tonight.)

The week ahead? Those final little details around the house, grading papers, and Woohoo! Lunch at the Saucer with my friend James. And at the end of the week---more family times for Mom's Day weekend at my mom's and a visit to College Station to see my nephew in his senior boots. Do I hear a "Whoop!"?

:-)