Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Road Rage

Everyone who's ever lived some where with more than one stoplight can relate to a little road rage every now and then. Unfortunately, DC is one of the worst traffic jams in the country (literally - the roads were designed to handle 10% of the current population) and therefore I experience road rage on a daily basis. Add that to the fact that my job is 40% driving (put 27,000 miles on my gas-guzzling SUV last year) and I am in a constant struggle to keep my cool and avoid the speed traps.

Well, the other day, I was coming home from work and a Miata gets right on my bumper. For those of you who don't know, a Miata is a very fruity two-seater Mazda product that can only be appropriate for old ladies to drive to their bridge clubs. And let me just say this, I drive a Mercury Mountaineer. It is a VERY large vehicle, seats 7 and has 8 inches of ground clearance. I could literally crush a Miata with one tire.

The person driving this Miata was not an old lady but a middle-aged man with a bad attitude.

This guy gets on my tail in his Miata, gets frustrated so he goes around me and while doing that gives me a dirty look. I look over and he looks like he definitely puts that car on one leg at a time; I mean, the guy is right up against the steering wheel! He looks like the type who still lives at home with Mom and plays lots of World of Warcraft: think "Comic Book Guy" from the Simpson's.

So then he gets in front of me at the toll booth and guess what - he has a handicapped license plate! I mean, what handicapped person drives a little Miata?!

Well, anyway, at the suggestion of one of my friends, I was told to blog about this incident to help me get over my annoyance at how stupid DC drivers can be. And I know, God loves stupid drivers so I should love them too.

And their Miatas.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Why I love living in Great Falls

This picture was taken in my driveway looking toward the backyard.


Hard to believe I'm just a short metro ride to Washington, DC. :-)

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Plymouth

My best friend's husband selfishly moved her to Massachusetts about three months ago for a promotion with his job (I know - the nerve!). I have missed her dearly and I was so excited to fly up there this past weekend and spend some time hanging out.


The first day we water skied on her parent's boat, the second day we got pedicures and saw Sex and the City, and the third day we shopped. Par for the course when it comes to Anne and me! By the way, gratuitous cussing and nudity aside, Sex and the City was a pretty good movie.

We had a great time on the lake! I hadn't water skied in 12 years, but I got right back up. It really is like riding a bike.


Anne's parents have this raft thing that you hold on to (for dear life!) and let the boat pull you around the lake. It was awesome and I got some good shots of Brian flying over the wake.


I can't wait to see Anne and Brian again. Hopefully I can come in the fall when all the colors are changing. Or maybe I'll take that beach vacation with her that I've been blogging about for a year ...

Monday, July 7, 2008

Home Depot

Today I had to go into Home Depot to pick up a giftcard for my roommate. I don't have many occasions to go into Home Depot because I don't own a home, but I used to go there a lot with my Dad so I know my way around.

While I was waiting in line for the self-checkout (which took longer than a regular line) I was thinking about how strangely romantic it was being surrounded by all the tools and equipment. And I was thinking how much I really want to go into Home Depot with a man - a man who knows his way around. And I don't just want to pretend like we're shopping, I want to build something with a man, create something tangible and strong and enduring.

Maybe I'm going way out on a limb here, but I think there is something so sexy about a man who is handy. If you're just getting to know a guy, and you discover that he can't fix a toilet, isn't that a little bit of a let down? It's like finding out he likes to watch Gossip Girl or something. Ok, maybe that's a stretch - but I guess my type is no metro whatsoever.

And OMG I never want to hear the phrase, "I'm in touch with my feminine side", unless he's kidding. I'm from Texas, and real men are masculine. Isn't that the way it's supposed to be?!

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Mama Mia!


My Dad came in town this weekend to keep me company on the 4th and get me out of my mood. It was really awesome having him here. There's nothing like being with your family when you feel lonely. I felt like last week I was emotionally vomiting all over everyone because I was so sad about the break-up and it's been nice to have Dad here to get some perspective. Stu was great - truly. I was blessed to have him for the time I did, but life will go on and I will be with the right person one day.

But enough about that. Dad and I have had a lot of fun this weekend. We haven't done much - mostly because the weather hasn't been great - but we've had a good time catching up and taking it easy.

On Friday, we saw Wanted - not a good movie. The story line was ok and the special effects were good but there were so many f-bombs that it just destroyed whatever dialog might have been important to the plot. That night we came home and watched Ratatouille and it was really good! I was impressed because I'm not a huge fan of Pixar movies, but this one was awesome!!

On Saturday the weather was better so we decided to go into DC and see Mama Mia! at the National Theatre. It was a great show. My Dad knew all the ABBA songs, he said he used to listen to them in these things called records. I'm anxious to see if the movie, which comes out next weekend, lives up to the musical.

Dad leaves today. It's been wonderful having him here and having him remind me of who I am. It's always nice to have people on your team. I can't wait to go home again and be with my family. But maybe I'll wait until the fall when the weather has cooled off a bit - like to 90. :-)

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Friends and Family

I am truly blessed to have the people I do. This break-up has been so hard and I have such great people around me to lift me up and remind me that everything will be ok. My friends have all rallied around me to make sure I'm ok and eating. My parents have been great - my Dad is flying up here this weekend to be with me for the holiday. He knew it would be hard for me to be alone with a lot of free time.
I'm glad that Stu ended things now if he didn't feel like they were going to work out long term but it still hurts and I miss him so much. I miss the way that he looked at me and the way he would lead me into a room. I always felt secure with him and he never made me feel stupid for saying the wrong thing. I have never felt as good in a relationship as I did when I was with him.
Every day it gets a little easier. I didn't wake up crying yesterday which was a real improvement. I have this deep sense of loss - almost like a death - that I'm still working through, but I know that the Lord is carrying me. I know that I will be ok and that in hindsight this will be a good thing.
I have to hope and pray that there is a plan in all this. And I guess the plan right now is for me to be single.