Revelations from the Road

I just wanted to let everyone know I have been traveling out and about my great state. I can't really discuss work, but in general I have been forced to enjoy the pleasure of my own company.
During this time I have learned that...
~I have become comfortable eating in restaurants alone. In the past, I have had some anxiety about this because I felt like people are watching me/feeling sorry for me. Now I know bringing a book helps pass the time. Eating alone is no longer a big deal. Besides, these people will never see me again, so who really cares?
~I enjoy going to movies by myself. One evening last week I went to the dollar movies and had a blast! It was a weeknight, so there weren't too many people in the audience. I bought a drink, sat back, and enjoyed absorbing myself in the flick for 2 hours. No worries about bathroom breaks, conversation, or sharing popcorn.
~Chatting on the hotel phone is pretty fun. No one to interrupt your conversation with their commentary. Thanks to Shannon for making the evenings go by a little more quickly and a lot more fun.
~The Hampton Inn is a sure thing. They are always clean, have 24 hour fresh coffee in the lobby, and they have new beds; you get to sleep in a mound of comfort.
~I can go hours without making a sound. When I have to answer the phone or say something after this respite, my voice sounds like I have been napping. It's kind of breathy and scratchy. Weird.
~Wireless connection keeps you sane.
~I miss B terribly. We would have loads of fun if we were traveling together, but he's at home and I am out. After a day, I am ready to be back home with him. Being away has brought appreciation for my marriage and our relationship to the forefront of my attention. My love for him gets stronger every day I am away.

Kickin' It

Yesterday was the Chemical Valley's Midget League Football Association's Annual Kick-off Classic. Yes, we live in a chemical valley. We could experience a Bopal, India incident at any time; yet we choose to live here with hundreds of thousands of other people. Wonder what that says about all of us?

Basically the Kick-off Classic is the beginning of the midget league football season, as well as C's first foray into the world of cheerleading. She did a great job practicing and participating despite the incredible heat. Unfortunately, she and I both got too hot and had to bail before the second game. Nevermind the fact that the games were running over an hour behind and it was 1000 degrees hot. Sunburned and sweaty, I made the call when she polished off her fifth bottle of water. She felt terrible leaving her only other teammate, Madison, but we were all sick from the sitting in the hot sun all day. As you can see in the pictures she's giving it her best.

13 Things You Were Dying to Know

Thirteen Things about Debra Sue 1. Sue is no longer my middle name. I dropped it when B and I were married and assumed my maiden name as my middle name. 2. I am a reality TV show whore and I am not ashamed. I watch Treasure Hunters, Big Brother All-Stars, Rock Star: Supernova, Project Runway, and Hell's Kitchen. I can't wait for the new season of The Apprentice. 3. I refuse to live in a house in which someone has died - this is an extreme phobia of mine. 4. I am bitter and disappointed that having a child has been 7-8 years in the making. 5. I really don't like chocolate candy. I will eat chocolate cake and ice cream, but a piece of chocolate candy makes my throat feel full of phlem. Gross. 6. I have extreme flatulation issues. I have never consciously passed gas in front of B. It is the one thing in the world that can totally embarrass me, so please don't fart in my presence. 7. I love B's hands. They are my favorite part of his body. They are wonderful. 8. Audiobooks are the best. I love listening to them while I am driving. I travel an incredible amount and listening to a book on CD helps pass the boring driving hours. 9. When I was 5 I was diagnosed with ADHD. My pediatrician wanted to medicate me, but my parents refused. I did not make my first A until I was in the 10th grade. I have learned to cope. As an adult I have developed my career around working with people who have mental illness or mental retardation. I think my childhood issues have had a direct effect on every aspect of my life - for the best. 10. There is something in my brain that helps me memorize insane amounts of celebrity and pop culture trivia like a savant. What's worse is I will talk about celebrities and their lives as if they are close friends of mine. 11. I am crushing so hard on Julian MacMahon from Nip/Tuck. My God that man is beautiful. 12. I would really love to know who should play me in a movie of my life. I already know who would play B, C, my mom, my dad, my brother, and my SIL. I just can't get who will play me. If you say Camryn Manheim I will never, ever speak to you again. 13. I will not drink milk. To me, milk tastes metallic like blood. I will drink half & half in my coffee, but sometimes I can taste the metallic blood flavor. The colder it is, the more metallic it tastes.

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Traveling

So the "extensive travel" part of my job starts this evening. I'll be out on the road for the next 4 days.

My Secret Pal Rocks!

How cool is my Secret Pal? I am especially smitten with the "My Daddy is a Rock Star" onsie. B is going to flip when he sees it! Apparently my Secret Pal has been paying attention.

It was so great to come home from a exhausting week of traveling and working to find this package on my porch. At first I thought it was some books I ordered from Amazon, but low and behold a box of goodies, a lovely poem and a birthday wish for me! Thanks Secret Pal, you're awesome!

I cannot even begin to tell you how hard it is not to look at that postmark. The box is in the garbage and there it shall remain!

Those Partridges Have Nothin' on Us!

One of the traits B and I share is the family value of eating at the dinner table. Every night, whether C is home or not, we sit and share a meal. Well, tonight was no different even though the last 2 weeks have been hard. My work has been insane, B is gearing up for fall semester and a new crop of freshly minted M.D.s, fragile egos and all, and C has cheer practice 4 nights a week. So tonight we were all slap-happy tired. Toward the end of the meal, C decided she wanted the pepper from the pizza box and asked me to hand it to her. I handed it over, and said, "Here, take it." Well, from that point it was on, because another common trait B and I share is the ability to find a song in every situation. B immediately jumped up from the table and began singing REO Speedwagon's Take it on the Run. I promptly followed suit, and soon we were dancing around the kitchen like we were in junior high, singing at the top of our lungs. C was torn between cracking up and being totally mortified. REO Speedwagon segued right into Lights by Journey, then onto Renegade by Styx (at which point C was begging us to a) stop embarrassing her and b) pleading with us to stop before the sisters next door called the police). Nevertheless we persevered and had her singing right along for the grand finale of We are the Champions by Queen. Breathless, we all collapsed at the table and laughed our butts off. Now that's what I call a family dinner.

Late Birthday Highlights

I've been a little busy lately. So busy in fact, I forgot to post about my birthday! Last Thursday, August 3, was my 35th birthday and I finally wrapped up the celebration on Sunday. Once I find my cord to download pics, I'll post some. Until then, here are some highlights...

~Got a surprise cake at work from my pal Arlene. I was so excited by said cake, I forgot about taking a picture until it was 2/3 way gone.
~Received 2 copies of the same CD from Lori and Caroline. It's refreshing to know they listen to me when I am obsessing.
~Got a super-duper handmade crafty card from my pal Shannon.
~Did not get my awesome bike. It's retired. Dammit! B worked diligently to find it to his great disappointment and mine.
~Got a new game to take with me on my upcoming trip to N.C. to see my e-pals Shannon 1, Shannon 2, and Susan. It is on, ladies.
~My momma made me my favorite breakfast, creamed tomatoes and biscuits, and my favorite cake, Sunshine Cake on Sunday.

I am so Hot the Back of My Head is Throbbing

So today I walked into the house after dropping C off at cheerleading practice and almost had a heart attack when I felt the heat slap me in the face. Panic set in as I waded through the heat and humidity to look at my thermometer. 80 degrees - in the house. I immediately thought, "Oh shit, the air is out." I decided to try to push the button down to see if it would kick on. As I did, the set temperature flashed 86. What the hell? We never, ever, ever adjust the thermometer in the house. It stays on 72 all summer and 70 in the winter. I learned this from my best friend's mom when we were kids. Connie instilled the fear of her wrath if Kathy or I were to ever touch the gauge. Connie could sense it from 15 miles away if that needle moved even 1/16th of an inch.
As I am resetting the thermometer and the air kicks on at warp speed, both cats run to a respective vent and crash, dizzy from the heat. I call B at work who proceeds to tell me that C said she was cold this morning so she reset the temperature "a little bit." Yeah right. Now I am sitting here in a t-shirt and panties in my living room because it's so hot upstairs it's hard to breathe. She'd better be thankful I have BB7 on Ti-vo and she's spending the night with her mom (in the air-conditioned comfort of her bedroom, of course). Punk ass kid. A little bit, my sweaty ass.