Elation

The bane of my existence (over the past two months) was just completed. I just dropped the cd of catalog artwork into the FedEx box. Six proofs later (four of which were unscheduled due to their inability to make up their minds) the catalog is done. I am experiencing feelings of Christmas Day euphoria... Now on to the next catalog...blast.

Thanksgiving

The Poopsy Brothers joined forces again. I think this picture was before Josh tried to spin on his head - cracking the helmet...


Katie on the phone sharing the news that she's PREGNANT!!!


Isn't he cute? I don't think that I am bossing him around in this picture...that's normally how he reacts to my bossing though. With laughter.


Sweet Josh.


Marley joined us for Thanksgiving at Grandma V's house. He didn't spend too much time begging to be let out of the bathroom...

Rambling Again

It's been way too long since my last post. Things have been overwhelmingly insane. Work has been crazy. We've been out of town too much. Important things like blogging have been put on the back burner...

Aside from living at my office, here are some things that have gone on over this past month:

- I became an aunt (by blood - not through marriage)!! My brother and his wife, Katie, told us over Thanksgiving that
they're expecting!!! Whooo hoooo!!! Katie is due June 24th. I think the weirdest part about the whole thing is that my
parents are now GRANDPARENTS. I don't know why that is so weird to me...Jon being a dad SHOULD be weird...

- Chris and I went to Chicago. What a cool city. Chris had to go to South Bend for work, so his boss flew me up to see
Chris and we spent part of the weekend in Chicago. We didn't get to see much of the city, but it definitely makes me
want to go back.

- We've been to Stillwater three times in 6 weeks. Now that is just crazy. But fun. I am already missing Momma V's
cooking. Or should I say GRANDMA V?

- I have finished over half of my Christmas shopping. (hard to believe, I know)

- I finished reading "Flames of Rome" and "Pontius Pilate". I need a new book to read - any suggestions??

In Honor of the Holiday

This last Monday at book club we all shared what our favorite Halloween costume has been. Since we didn't really celebrate Halloween growing up, I didn't have any fond memories of costumes as a child. Last year, however, was quite memorable. Since explaining the costume doesn't really do it justice, I thought I would post it. There is nothing like perpetuating the Arkansas stereotype...

My "Guilty" Pleasures/Confessions

Okay, Shauna, I accept your "tag"!

- I talk in a "baby" voice to my cat...I don't know why. He's just so stinkin' cute that it comes out of me without even thinking about it. I PRAY I don't talk like that to the kids we hopefully have (in about 10 years).

- I have been reading websites on the history of Rome. I am obsessed. My favorite husband has ordered me another history book about Pontius Pilot...I cannot wait to get it!

- I watch the Ashlee Simpson show. (I am so ashamed...I just can't help it....)

- I own all of Celine Dion's cds from about 1990-1997. Shauna, you can borrow any of them! ;)

- I love vacuuming - but you all probably know that now.

- I LOVE personality tests. As much as I hate being "put in a box" I love trying to understand why I do what I do. It helps me relate to others better too.

- I don't know what my real hair color is.

- I am obsessive compulsive. Seriously, ask Chris.

So, now I tag you all!

In the Lines

I spent Saturday with Chris' side of the family watching the OU football game. (yes, the things you do for love) Anyway, I got to hang out with my beautiful niece, Alyssa (she's an artist/Olympic gymnast/Pro-soccer player in the making - of course I am selfishly trying to encourage the artist side). While the game was on she asked me to color with her, so we sat down and took turns coloring from a Toy Story coloring book. I was amazed at how therapeutic it was. Between work and, well life in general, it was so nice to sit down to something that was all lined out - no surprises, rules or sudden changes. I could see the entire picture and could fill in the blank spaces with the colors as I wanted. If only life was that simple some times!

A True Sign of Getting Older

Chris and I bought a new vacuum cleaner last night and you would have thought it was Christmas Day in our house. We both have been talking about and researching vacuum cleaners for the last several weeks b/c my old one no longer sucks - it blows. (literally) So, we took the plunge, spending a more than we normally would have liked to get one that was guaranteed to pick up cat hair. We brought it home, Chris assembled and read the detailed instructions...and then we vacuumed. (Had you told me that I would have been this excited about vacuuming two years ago I probably would have laughed in your face.) Chris vacuumed and I followed him around like a little kid. I will spare you the details of what this miraculous sucking machine pulled up from our floor, but I was astounded. The vacuum was all that it was cracked up to and more. I believe I will write a review on their website this afternoon. And I will probably vacuum again just for kicks.

The Window

I had almost forgotten what it was like to get completely absorbed in a book - it's been way too long since I have read for "pleasure". The other night I picked up a book that Chris got for one of his classes and started to read it. It's called "The Flames of Rome" and it is a historical novel about the events leading up to the Great Fire of Rome, Nero as Caesar, and the first converts to Christianity following the book of Acts. I have not been able to put it down... I am such a dork when it comes to history - especially Roman history.

All that to say, I haven't been sleeping much this week. In theory, I like to read before I fall alseep to help me wind down. Unfortunately though, this book hasn't been condusive to winding down. See, I have this window of time between 10:00-11:15 pm that I can fall asleep without issue. But if I pass that window of time, I get my second wind and I am up till at least 12:30. I have tried to read right up to 11:15, but then I think "just one more chapter" and next thing I know I am wide awake and it's almost 1:00. Luckily it's almost the weekend where the window of sleep is irrelevant since I get to sleep in!

Sweat, Blisters, & a Dustbowl

Jon, Chris and I headed South this weekend to attend the Austin City Limits Music Festival. There were reports of Hurricane Rita hitting and winds of 50-60 mph, so we were a little leary of going. Much to our mother's dismay, though, we decided to go and live on the "wild side". The weekend, however, certainly wasn't very "wild" (in the weather sense...boo ha ha). There was not a drop of rain the entire weekend. In fact, it was so dry that the 60,000+ people caused the park that, at some point had grass on the ground, to turn in to a massive dust bowl. After each concert, a cloud of dirt would rise above the crowd moving to the next venue and would hover for about 30 minutes afterward. It was definitely a sight to see.

Rita didn't do anything for the temperature either. It was in the upper 90s to low 100s all three days. I have not been that hot in a very, very long time. I also, stupidly, wore bad flip flops and in attempt to take care of one blister, I wore three other blisters into my poor feet. BUT in spite of the sweat, blisters and dust, the weekend was wonderful. (I know, after reading all of that, you probably don't believe me.) It was really kind of crazy how miserable you could be until a band started playing - then the dust, heat and pain kind of faded away.

Some memories of the weekend:
- the bulked up, bald man with a tank top on and gold chains jamming to piano-driven band, Keane
- the Prada clad mother who was shocked that the crowd around her and her two young children might be smoking
something other than cigarettes (watching her jaw hit the ground and then frantically grab the kids to whisk them away
was quite comical - we weren't really sure what she expected...)
- allergy attacks at the end of every show and the beginning of a new dust cloud
- our new British friend, football Ben, and his wife (Chris bonded with them while discussing CS Lewis' works)
- Leslie, the elderly man that wanders Austin in high heels and a thong (I kid you not)

Anyway, I could ramble on and on about the weekend, but will spare you. You should definitely take a look at my feet when you get a chance though. The blisters are healing quite well and I think I finally got them clean...

More S'Mores, Por Favor!

We're going a' campin' this weekend with some people from our Community Group. Although I don't have TONS of camping trimps under my belt, I still really enjoy the thought of bonding with people around the camp fire, eating s'mores (why do s'mores only taste good when they've been toated over an open fire?), sleeping under the stars with nature making all sorts of music, being completely okay with the fact that I (and everyone else in the near vicinity) have not taken a shower in days, and eating more s'mores. Beyond all of that, I am really excited to get to know the people we've been living in community with. There is really not one person alike in the group and I can't wait to see how all the personalities intermingle. Hopefully we'll all mesh as well as warm chocolate, marshmellow and graham crackers do...or something like that....

Good Times...Good Friends...and Babies

This past weekend for Labor Day, I met six of my college friends at a lake house on Grand Lake. It's a miracle in and of itself that we were able to get more than three members of the "gang" in one place at the same time. We generally feel pretty fortunate getting just four of us together. Anyway, seven of managed to free up our schedules to spend a weekend together.

When I have been asked what all we did at the lake (I think my co-workers were wanting to hear stories of pillow fights and hair braiding....guys) all I could really say was: "We talked. We ate. We laughed." Yep, that's it! Honestly, that is all we did for a little over 48 hours. As I sat back and watched everyone interact together it really amazed me that even after all that we'd been through together, we still actually liked each other and desired each other's company. Everyone genuinely cared about what was going on in everyone's lives. I felt incredibly blessed to have such amazing friends.

One strange/new/odd twist to our time together was the fact that motherhood and babies dominated the bulk of conversation. Can't ever say that was the case back in the Theta house (thankfully)... Two of the girls were/are entering into their third tri-mester, while another one brought her 4 month old along b/c, well, she's his walking milk machine and he kind of needs her around. It was so fun hearing about all of their bodies changing and preparing for the role of being a mom. I have to say that I, in no way shape or form, am ready for that next stage in life, I am really excited for them. I cannot imagine becoming a MOM. Actually, I cannot imagine being pregnant...really they weren't exactly selling the whole pregnancy idea. Hemorroids?!?!? Stretch marks? Rips and stitches?!?!? Yikes. (Don't worry mom, someday you may be a grandmother...) But even after all of the crazy things that they shared, it couldn't take way from the glow that they all had. Somehow they were all convinced that it was more than worth the wear and tear on the their bodies. I guess someday I will get to that point too. Until then...I will live vicariously through them.

I am still at 5% on the Baby Fever meter.

Amos Lee

Friday night Chris and I went to see Amos Lee perform at the Walton Art Center. The crazy thing is that the night before, as Chris was flying back from a New Jersey business trip, he saw Amos Lee (and company) at the airport - later to find out that they were on the same flight to Arkansas together. (My only claim to fame is that I was on the phone with Chris when he told Amos that he and "his wife loved his music"...oh, yeah, I am so cool)

Even though Amos (I am going to refer to him only by his first name since he and Chris are tight now) didn't mention the "preppy guy he met from Arkansas in the NJ airport" while on stage, we still thoroughly enjoyed his show. His voice was beautiful. Perfection. The muy talented band looked like they genuinely enjoyed playing together and that gigs weren't a full time job to them yet. It was a wonderful experience. I think I may have fallen in love with another band yet again. I am going to be in trouble come Austin City Limits Music Festival....

Quotage

I am currently reading "Signature of Jesus" by Brennan Manning. It's been really interesting. Here a few quotes that really jumped out at me from his chapter on discipleship.


"Keep a clear eye toward life's end. Do not forget your purpose and destiny as God's creature. What you are in his sight is what you are and nothing more. Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received - fading symbols of honor, trappings of power, but only what you have given: a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice, and courage." [Francis Assisi]

"There are plenty of Christians to follow the Lord halfway, but not the other half. They will give up possessions, friends, and honors, but it touches them too closely to disown themselves." [Meister Eckhart]

"All that is not the love of God has no meaning for me. I can truthfully say that I have no interest in anything but the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. If God wants it to, my life will be useful through my word and witness. If he wants it to, my life will bear fruit through my prayers and sacrifices. But the usefulness of my life is his concern, not mine. It would be indecent of me to worry about that." [Dominque Voillaume] (oh, to really and truly believe that....)

Friends

(I promise I won't bust out into "Friends are Friends Forever"...)

It's a pretty amazing thing when you find a "soul friend" - someone that, no matter how far away they live or how long you go w/o talking to them, you can pick up right where you left off. This weekend I was totally blessed to have my friend, Kobie, come visit me. She flew in from Minneapolis on Friday morning and we parted ways yesterday afternoon in Tulsa after a marathon Wet Seal shopping spree. I don't normally do a very good job at keeping in touch with people that live far away, but for some reason, even living two time zone away (she just moved to MN) for the last three years our friendship has only deepened. I don't know why we have clicked the way we have...maybe it's the love of cigars, good conversation, creativity, graphic design, good music, deep movies, spirituality, disdain for being put in a box, and yummy chocolate dessert with ice cream. Regardless of the reason, I am so thankful that the Lord has blessed me with such an amazing friend that continues to challenge me and help me walk through life's crazy curveballs. Thankfully her husband is a pilot so she can come visit me more often!

Livin' It Up at 50-Something

When my favorite Daddio changed jobs (from full time ministry to go into the speaker business) about 14 years ago, some people called it a mid-life crisis. If that's the case, I am not sure what you call getting a tattoo at the age of 50-something... Regardless, I hope my "mid-life crisis" is this cool.

Good Looks Run in the Family

Yes, folks, they can give "the blue steel" on request. It's quite amazing, really.

The Killers

Chris and I went to see The Killers Sunday night in concert. I have rediscovered the joy of concert attending...and I have developed a new found infatuation with the group. Even with 90 degree temperatures in Cain's Ballroom, the eclectic crowd jockying for the best viewing position (I think a 7' Napoleon Dynamite stood right in front of me) and the occassional spilled beer on my flip flops, I loved every minutes of their show. Brandon Flower's voice was flawless. The energy was contagious. I think everyone in the building, mullets and piercings alike, were all singing along with their songs. I haven't stopped listening to the cd since. I am very ready for my next concert...even if The Killers won't be there.

Alleluiah...and what a large cranium!

WHOOO HOOOO!!!! I can now post pictures. I can hardly contain myself.... (Oh, and it's a good thing I grew into my head. What large craniums the Dodson kids had...)

Apple vs. IBM

So, I thought I would join the blog craze...be "cool" and post all of my random thoughts on the important issues of life...BUT when I tried to post pictures onto my blog I found out that there is not an Apple compatible program that supports pictures for this type of blog (please prove me wrong...). What fun is a blog w/o pictures? I need more than my awkward writing to entertain visitors. This dilemma led me to contemplate the age old question (well, maybe not "age old"): "Which is better? A PC or a Mac?" I love my beautiful Apple computer. It's white, shiny, modern and the graphic are amazing. Apple's marketing is flawless and their graphic design is wonderful. I love my iTunes, my iPod...iLove Apple. But these small hang-ups occassionally cause me to question my passion for this brand. I am sure next week Apple will have a solution for this problem and it will, more than likely, be packaged in a very cool box. But I want a solution now... I guess it will take a lot more for me to disavow the mega-brand of Apple. What doesn't kill a relationship will only make it stronger, I guess (or something like that). So, until I can get pictures on this thing, I hope you aren't too bored.

Um...

Okay, I never thought I would actually set up a blog for myself. I mean who would really want to take the time to read my random thoughts (as profound as they might be)?? Oh, well...I should learn never to say never...and I should probably find more productive things to do while I am at work...