Brain Dump

It's so cold in my house that I'm grateful to be sitting next to my dishwasher. It's in its last minutes of a washing cycle. Steam is wisping out. It's like a little sauna. A very tiny, little, bit of a sauna.

I love talking about and writing about my friends. I haven't done it as much as I'd like because the self-imposed pressure to make it just right and to honor them in a way recalling all my favorite memories is a tall order for this scatterbrain. I would love to tell all of you...about...all of you. All in good time, I suppose.

Sandra McCracken's new album is so good. It's a set and I listen to the first c.d. way too much. But, I haven't gotten sick of it. Promise. It's really beautiful.

Sewing. I've been making a lot of nursing cover-ups. Be on the lookout for a giveaway. But, not on my blog. I'll give you the link when it happens. I've had so much fun with all the different fabrics. This will be its own post soon.

Our church ladies put together a craft boutique annually. The first year I went almost as a courtesy...I don't think I was even carrying cash. I just figured it'd be a bunch of 1980s decor type stuff. I didn't know how cool crafts could be! The next year, I had my own table selling baby quilts. That was exhausting. I'm a people person, but sheesh. I thought I was going to pass out after only a few hours of smiling. I can't stop the smiling. It's my nature, but I am not that extroverted. And I hardly sold anything. That was humbling. So, this year I'm going with cash and I'm going to take my time perusing and complimenting and enjoying. Also, I'm taking Makoto.

Wha?? That's right. We've had another student living with us for a month and I haven't even told you!!! What kind of bloggy friend am I, right?! Well, Makoto is a wonderful art student from Japan who is living with us for two months while she studies English. She loves our kids and is such pleasant company. And get this? Jillian can't say "Miles" or "Avery", but she say, "Koto". It's so cute.

Brent just walked into the room. He looks so handsome.

My friend, Rachel, and I started a book club. I can hardly take any credit. Well, I can take no credit other than moral support and encouragement. She chose the novel and hosted. It was so incredibly delightful. It should be a post in itself, but I fear it might not be, so I'll tell you about it right here!
We put a small group together of ladies we knew really wanted to be in a book club, who really enjoy literature. We read A Thousand Splendid Suns. What a beautiful read. The story of two women who live through different political regimes in Afghanistan. I arrived at Rachel's home and was impressed from the moment I opened the door. I could hear middle eastern music as the scent of black tea lazily wafted towards me. We enjoyed cilantro chutney, mango chutney, flatbread, olives, samosas, pistacios, etc...As if the novel, yum-o-food spread and atmosphere weren't enough, the company of women--a mix of old friends and new--was absolute tops. I highly recommend this activity.

It's only 9pm. It feels like midnight.

Brent and I had an argument last night. When we were in college, our marital disputes were volatile and urgent and flippant and highly emotional. These days, I'm still pretty affected emotionally, but we're calm and we can take time--sometimes 24 hours or more--to gather our thoughts and try to work things out. (Oh. And, yes. We were married in college between Sophomore and Junior year.)

I have a lot of pictures to show you soon. Hopefully, I'll get those on tomorrow.

By the way, do NOT let me forget to get the French's Fried Onions for the traditional Green Bean Casserole. Seriously. scatterbrains, here, keeps forgetting...I need the blogging world to help me out.