Worth It

I will not be able to wear flats or heels for a week or two.  My sock tan line is atrocious to look upon, and I feel like everyone is staring at my feet.  My legs are so tan already, but my feet are still ghastly white.

My earlobes are sunburned.  As well as the back of my legs.  That means they are itchy.  For someone who never has sunburn, this is a slight inconvenience.

I am so sleepy.  I went to bed too late on Friday, only to wake up early on Saturday to fetch the coffee and donuts before another long day.  Saturday I fell asleep at 7:00 pm.  Dinner was missed.

I will ride a school bus for six hours on Thursday.  Then I will ride another six hours to return home on Saturday.  But it's where we are going that makes the trip, the sunburn, the lack of sleep, and the messy tan lines worth it.

Our track team won sectionals.  So it's off to the state meet we go.  Gulf Shores, Alabama.  We'll be at the beach for a little while.  I might even get to enjoy a dinner with real, fresh seafood one evening.  Winning never felt so good.

Weekend Collection

This past weekend brought a car load of family members. I always worry about sleeping arrangements and the lack of certain necessities, such as extra blankets and pillows.  As two young married people, husband and I have yet to acquire "old" comforters and afghans and pillows that have fallen flat.  But eventually, you have to look around the apartment, look into all the rooms, shrug your shoulders, and say, "Alas."

We were much excited to feel the warmth again, with temperatures climbing back into the 80s.  And while by myself I may have sat on the porch or tanned a bit, with family, the weekend was full of food.  Places that Karl and I have discovered in our research on Urbanspoon and my particular taste for stuffed potatoes rather than ribs and barbecued chicken.  And that was fine.  I didn't fire up the oven/stove once.  I am not even sure the microwave was ever used.  Next time I will try to be a bit more proactive in the field of cooking.  I suppose it was a little daunting for me to think about cooking for six rather than the usual two.  So husband did not even ask it of me once, and I am grateful that he neither poked nor prodded the issue.  Next time.

We also took the family to the shooting range using our newly minted membership identification cards.  I am not sure there is anything more "hick" than our newest hobby, but I am rather enjoying myself.  I never saw myself owning a gun, yet alone a pistol, and while maybe I wish our hobby was a bit less expensive, the level of concentration and skill needed is as exciting to learn as it might be to master.  Karl was especially excited to teach his little brother (and by little, I mean, probably taller but younger in age), as my brother-in-law has held an affinity for shooting targets at a younger age.  My sister-in-law and I were just as happy to window shop for the weekend, as she is on a tight budget due to her impending trip to Rome for a semester.  Oh to be young again.

And as Karl shuffled back into the apartment after escorting the family to their car, we smiled at one another and slowly started shifting bits and pieces of our lives back into place.  And now we have resumed to working by day and tiredly ordering Chinese takeout and watching "Suits" in the evening.  But the weekend was lovely, and we will make it another week.

March Favorites

As spring break waves goodbye, more work and track season duties are upon me.  There has not been tons of time to sit and watch television mindlessly, yet alone time to blog.  However, I thought I would share some simple things that kept me smiling this past March, just as the weather is beginning to warm.

Spun Honey | A solid, creamy form of honey that makes it just right to use a spoon.

Anthropologie Robe | A new purchase that I snatched up immediately when they restocked my size.

Loving Frank | A novel about Frank Lloyd Wright and his mistress.  A truly enjoyable and shocking read.

OPI "Chicago Champagne Toast" | I took off my acrylics for the first time in months.  This metallic pink is perfect for the signs of spring.

J. Crew sleeping shorts | Super soft, these shorts were just what I was looking for in order to shed my winter flannels.

Snapshots

A few snapshots of my week:

These washi tapes...

...for making plain paper look pretty.

This candle...

...because it was free, and it smells divine.

These candies...

...for tasting so delicious.

This plain white scarf...

...because dressing up an outfit is so easy on days I feel so tired.

This new, "90% natural" bath scrub...

...because what other scent says "Southern" like sweet tea?

Recognized

Moving to a new place always means missing the comfort of navigating the old place.  Unfortunately, a Wal-Mart always needs to be found, but then I can continue to seek a Barnes and Noble and coffee shop.

I have learned to navigate the small part of town that is necessary, perhaps even knowing my way around better than my husband.  However, lately my comfort has been found in being recognized.  Not for anything awesome or talented, mind you, but just for being.  Walking down the hallways of the local high school brings shouts of "Ms. Hermann!" and "You going to be at track today?" Teachers notice and comment too that students are requesting me.  I almost fell down the stairs when shouts of my name greeted me around the corner.  Perhaps they weren't shouts- more like shrieks.  And they make me laugh. And it fills my heart with a sort of warmth that can only come from bordering belonging.  And I'm tired in the morning and tired in the evening, but at the end of the day, the fact is, they know my name and it brings cheers and fist- pumps.  I hope that can be included on my resume.

A Thought

I woke up this morning, and it was 65 degrees.  While the North is seeing a Winter Wonderland of sorts, the air is warm and the sky is sunny here.

Yesterday on Karl's day off, we made our way around the city at a typical Southern pace (slow), and slowly accumulated items that remind us of spring to decorate the mantle.  Karl happily put on shorts that morning, and I, too scared to show that much skin this early, slipped on jeans and regretted it all afternoon.  It was too warm.  We commented how we would normally never see this sort of weather until May.  We could get used to this.

Snapshots

A few snapshots of my week:

These piroulines...

...because they're so perfect with coffee.

This book...

...because it is for book study, and Bob Goff is coming to the church.

 This money jar and excel sheet...

...because we are attempting the 52 Week Money Challenge.

This kitten...

...because he is in Pennsylvania, but he is quite the cuddler, even from afar.

These almonds...

...because they are chocolate baked and can be discreetly munched upon during school.