Watching right now: XMen: the Final Stand and then XMen: Origins, Wolverine
Sunday, March 04, 2012
How to annoy me
How to annoy me: I MISSED IT!!! It snowed and I MISSED IT. Okay, it was only for about ten minutes and snow is silent... BUT STILL... I MISSED IT.
Watching right now
Watching right now: M*A*S*H re-runs
For my money, the best television series ever aired. Yes, before Firefly (although if Firefly had gone on as long as M*A*S*H it might have caught up).
I grew up ADORING this series, and as an adult, I love it even more because I have the life experience to truly appreciate it. I always thought that Alan Alda was incredible. And truly it was the best, most incredible supporting cast as well. Great balance of humor, pathos, depth, and political commentary.
And now, it's a friendly companion for me while I'm relocating. It's a familiar presence - and it helps me feel like this is a little bit more like home.
-k
Today I'm grateful for
Today I'm grateful for: I get to visit a new church this morning. There are two in this immediate area that I will choose between for this interim period until the family gets here. Then, we'll decide as a family where to join.
Saturday, March 03, 2012
First Saturday Alone
Woke up feeling sorry for myself. I am not sleeping well in the Lovely Basement. Partly because it's rather nippy. Partly because it's so quiet. Partly because it's all so new. And partly because I don't care for being alone like this.
And my husband had told me all about the plans he and kids have for the day and I was feeling upset that they made all these plans without me, like they aren't as upset about being apart as I am.
Then I realized that was totally stupid. I don't want them to be unhappy. I know they love me. I know they want us all to be back together. I don't need them to be sad to prove anything and I shouldn't either.
Took a shower in the powder blue shower cave, put some make-up on, and ventured forth into Alton. There is a little mall there (I remember from my college days) so I thought I'd check it out. A lot of the stores are closed, but it's clean and I spent a little time there. There is a Christian Science reading room and a branch of the public library! Talk about one stop shopping! And I picked up a few cookies to eat over the next few days.
I drove past the church in Godfrey and verified what time church is tomorrow. I'll go into church, have a fast food lunch, and do a mini grocery shopping at Schnuck's.
Now, I'm back in the Lovely Basement, watching the third Indiana Jones movie on my landlady's satellite, and planning to make a bunch of mini skeins for the swaps I'm in. Add some hot chocolate, and this day could be fairly decent after all!!
I also want to get some picture at some point because there are some things I LOVE around here. There is a random beautiful old stone retaining wall with culverts at the bottom. There is a long in the creek that looks like an alligator mid-step. There is a street called Bummer Rd and two streets down, a Michael St! I think Amber and I may spend some time with our cameras when she's here!!
I want this time to FLY past, but I refuse to spend it moping.
-k
Latest Milestone
Latest Milestone: Today is one week since I got in the Jeep and started the drive to IL. It's been a great, crazy, wild, jam-packed week. But I miss my family so much. We google chat/virtually hangout every night - but that's NOT the same. This is our first weekend apart. It was so strange to hear what their plans are for the weekend. They have plans that do not include me. *looks around The Lovely Basement*. I think I need to go do something.
Friday, March 02, 2012
Today I'm grateful for
Today I'm grateful for: another great day at work. I really love my new job. I feel like I fit in, I'm learning fast, and my hard work and enthusiasm are appreciated!
Today I'm grateful for
Today I'm grateful for: Woke up to the sounds of rain, thunder, and lightning. And while I LOVE rain, I was planning to wear my new black boots today and didn't want them to get all wet. However, an hour later, all the rain has gone and I'm happily getting ready. I choose to celebrate even the little victories in life!
Thursday, March 01, 2012
How to make me laugh
How to make me laugh: Katie and I were pretending to tickle each other over the webcams tonight. *note* This is also how to make me cry.
Today I'm grateful for
Today I'm grateful for: An absolutely awesome first day on the new job. I love the job, my co-workers, the campus, the area, the weather, everything!! If only my family was here already, I'd be GIDDY.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Today I'm grateful for
Today I'm grateful for: the technology that let me virtually hang out with the family tonight. THAT was very nice. Thank you!
How to annoy me
How to annoy me: I forgot to take a book with me, and didn't want to sit there looking like a lonely dork... so I'm back at The Lovely Basement eating cup of noodles. Note to self - keep book in purse.
Latest Milestone
Latest Milestone: Cory got accepted to the Comal Academy!!!!!
I'm so excited! This is an entirely self-paced computer-based learning program that they offer at his high school. When Cory failed two classes last year, he did the summer school version and did PHENOMENALLY well. He tested out of the class he'd failed in a total of 4 DAYS!
When we realized how much he was struggling and at risk of not graduating, he told us that there is a version of that called the Comal Academy. He had to apply for it, including writing an essay about why he wanted to do it and how he thought he'd be more successful with this approach. Those of you who know Cory know he HATES writing but he wrote a very nice essay that same DAY.
The committee met this morning, and he's IN!!!
He has to take two classes, starting from the beginning. A math and a science. And when he's done, he graduates! Which means the rest of the family can come faster!!!
I'm so intensely grateful and excited!!!!
-k
Fun Adjustments
It is cold in The Lovely Basement this morning. And far from annoying me, I went right to the giant basket of knitted items I brought with me, and put on a beautiful set of fingerless armwarmers knit for my by a friend from yarn she dyed for me!!
How to annoy me
How to annoy me: It doesn't matter who you are, where you live, or how modestly you are living... somehow there is ALWAYS a grocery list going. Just started my new one.
Today I'm grateful for
Today I'm grateful for: One day between Michael leaving and starting the new job to just settle in and shift gears. It's real. I'm here now. Time to get all excited for my AWESOME new job!!
Cultural Difference
I thought that one of the largest cultural differences between New Braunfels, TX (where I've just moved from) and Elsah, IL (where I've just moved to) was going to be eating out. New Braunfels has all the major chains, both fast and sit-down, as well as some more exotic fare like sushi, thai, etc. Elsah doesn't have a single restaurant. It used to have a very nice little one but that was years ago. It's only a 15-20 minute drive to Alton - and there are some fast food places there, and even an Applebee's - but that's about it.
And that will take a little adjusting to, but if you know me at all, you know that eating out isn't exactly a driving force in my life. I love to COOK - but eating out is really neither here nor there for me.
Nope, that's not the biggest difference that I can see so far.
It's water.
Illinois and Missouri are water states. Lots of it. Standing in ponds, running in streams beside the major roadways. And of course, the HUGE river - and I'd honestly forgotten just how large it is. There is a lot of industry tied to the rivers as well. Things grow large here. HUGE trees. Lots of ground cover. And just the fact that water is always here and always available makes things totally different here from Texas - which not only has a LOT less water but has also been in the grip of a terrible drought.
And what could possibly have me thinking about this at 7:32 in the morning? AWESOME water pressure in the shower.
-k
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Latest Milestone
Latest Milestone: I just set my status on Facebook to "the Lovely Basement" for the first time. That's what I've decided to call my temporary home. It is a Lovely Basement. It's just lonely.
Today I'm grateful for
Today I'm grateful for: Every moment I got with Michael these last few days and every precious phone call with the kids and my mom. Today was a little rough.
Monday, February 27, 2012
How to annoy me
How to annoy me: This process has been a litmus test for our friends. Some of them have been very concerned and supportive. Some of them have been like "freedom! You should party". To those friends, I've sort of done the O.o thing. You clearly don't know me very well.
How to make me laugh
How to make me laugh: I went to the mailroom to check my new mailbox, and there were several of those laminated slips that say "you have a package too big for your box". I took them to the counter. The kid working the counter said, "You must be Kristen Harrison. I've been wanting to meet you since obviously a lot of people love you." Made me all happy. And ever so slightly embarrassed.
Latest Milestone
Latest Milestone: I have a faculty/staff parking pass. Makes me feel all official and stuff.
Today I'm grateful for
Today I'm grateful for: beautiful weather. Elsah is certainly welcoming me and making me feel at home!
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