Andy Getting Married

Andy is getting married and his "wedding website" is terribly entertaining! :)

This Exists

Oh yeah, this blog still exists! Classic.

Another blog that exists, though one with a bit snazzier of a layout, and on wordpress no less, is Mary Beth's blog on the single (or "gap") life. Do check it out!

The Runs

I have noticed, now that I am a full-fledged adult, that--apart from actually going running, which is of course "exercise"--I don't run very much. Kids run a lot. They run around everywhere, often accompanied with screaming and waving their arms. Children are the original charismatics! (Sometimes they even speak in tongues, I am told.) Anyway, in adult life, very little will cause you to break into a run. Rather, running usually denotes an emergency or crisis situation. There was this girl in college who would always run from class to class, or from class to chapel, or from dinner to library--EVERYWHERE, really--because she didn't want to waste any time; we all knew she was a touch neurotic. Normal adults walk calmly and peacefully, unless there is a pressing, urgent reason for haste. Otherwise, we'd wear ourselves out! The other day, there was an earthquake, and I saw my adult male coworkers flee the building, RUNNING not walking out of here: it was dramatic! What would cause you to run somewhere rather than walk? Do you ever like to run, skip, or hop around for fun, just now and then?

What is a Shopaholic?

A woman who knows the price of everything and doesn't know the value of nothing.

Confections of a Shopaholic

OK.  Don't panic.  This discovery will not destroy my life.  I can deal with it.  After all, my husband doesn't mind...

I recently came to the conclusion that I am a shopaholic.  This discovery resulted from an honest look at the amount of money I spent this month.  Too much.  Way too much.  But I love the thrill of finding new items, buying something colorful and new.  And I know my husband will appreciate what I buy too.  He never complains about the amount I spend, and enjoys everything (well, almost everything) that I purchase.

There exists just one caveat to my shopping addiction.  I'm not whipping out the plastic for shoes, handbags, fancy lingerie, any kind of clothing article, or any sort of personal appearance product.  No.  My addiction is more hidden, hence my ignorance of it this past year.  In fact, it can hardly even be seen, since it's not throw pillows, knick-nacks, garden decorations, useless electronics or even books. 

My shopping addiction is to food. 

Not junk food, fast food or restaurant food, but wholesome, diverse, unusual, savory and delectable ingredients for new and old dishes and desserts that I love to cook and bake.  For me, cooking and baking are ways to relax.  Most of the time, I love preparing a yummy meal for Bobby and me to enjoy.  Baking has always been my delight, with ever new recipes popping up, that I would like to try.  From the latest chicken dish in a magazine I pick up, to an easy and delicious stir-fry made with special Soyaki sauce, to a warm loaf of bread, homemade pizza, cakes, cookies, and my newest triumph, homemade brownies.  I love making good things to eat, and I want them to be nutritious, organic, diverse and very, very tasty.  I enjoy trying new dishes, and try not to make most meals twice in a month.  

 

And so I have this addiction.  I'm constantly thinking of foods to make, and buying the ingredients to make them.  And I do.  I use my ingredients, I try new foods, nothing goes to waste in my kitchen.  Sure, sometimes I'm too tired to make something amazing, and I love quick meals as much as the next busy housewife, but I make time to make delicious food.  It's rewarding, it makes me happy, it keeps my husband happy.  Is this really an addiction?  Is my food shopping uncontrolable and out of control?  I'm not really sure.  Maybe I'm in denial.  But after all, we all have to eat.  Why not eat good food?  It makes me happy.  That's a good and necessary thing for me these days, when I can easily get so down.  The shopping is fun too, what with finding new options and ingredients, searching for deals, getting something good on sale.    Perhaps I am addicted, but I see no cure.  Nor do a want one.  Bon Appetite!

Videos

I have a confession to make.

I have watched a particular kind of video ever since I was in high school. Since I was a homeschooled student, this kind of video provided me with a particular kind of education I never would otherwise have received. Even public schooled students don't often watch these kinds of videos and I know most of my friends didn't--and don't--engage in watching them. Some do, however.

Actually, to be quite honest about it, you don't just watch these videos passively. You also participate in them via physical action. I know for sure that had I not been exposed to these videos, I would not know how to perform the kinds of physical actions they portray. In fact, I'm quite an expert in them now; it's almost second nature.

I still put on these videos fairly often. I sometimes wait until no one is around, because I don't want to disturb my housemates. Other times, I just put the volume low and hope no one will notice. I have my favorites that I'll go back to over and over.

By now it should be clear what kind of video I mean. Clearly, I am adept and well-versed in exercise videos!

Ben Hatke

...does great work! Check out the Zita the Spacegirl site! :)