the power of positive thinking (and blogging?)

I have driven a 1998 seafoam green Ford Escort since just after my freshman year of college. We've made countless trips between Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati; a long trek to Boston; a few trips north to New York/Canada; and have spent the better part of the last 3 years learning the ins-and-outs of the Greater Columbus interstate (my job would be impossible without my [reliable] car).

I know that my car needs some gentle coaxing to get going in the morning, it takes us a little longer to make that left turn out onto the main drag or accelerate up the onramp (why are the things that are supposed to help you match the speed of freeway traffic uphill???). We have to take it easy and rest for a few seconds between braking and accelerating, but we can't idle too long or we won't go anywhere without restarting to try again. It's true, my car probably should have retired a few years ago, but it's still going strong! (D disagrees with this belief)

I can't stand (and it's probably not safe) to let anyone else drive my car. As my more practical side is getting the better of me and I'm starting to think about getting a new car, I'm happy to remember and be thankful for all the great memories this car has afforded me (there are still remnants of a picture of vin diesel that was taped to the dashboard; the stick on earrings one of my boys gave me because i was cool are still on the console; the ribbon that held the pistachio butterfly made by a friend still hangs from the rear-view mirror), and I'm sad that I never felt the need to give it a name, or... take very good care of it. What a trooper!

Man-Ripping Girl Power!!!

I'm having a recent fetish for punk-rock-pop-ish (excuse my lack of knowledge on the correct terminology) girl power songs. Hot N' Cold by Katy Perry; So What by Pink. The silliest thing is that there is not an ounce of comparison between my good, calm, happy relationship with D and these powerful boy-hating songs that make me feel like an independent, kick ass rockstar. I think there might be some part of every (insecure?) girl that identifies with these songs...because we've been hurt in the past, or think we could get hurt in the future.

Whatever the reason, I think I'll keep these songs for powering through a few extra minutes on the treadmill AND be happy that I don't hate my husband.

Ode to my Bedroom

We painted the bedroom a color we liked,
We bought a duvet cover on sale.
We painted a wall design to go with the duvet.
We painted a canvas that was anything but pale.

I loved the painting,
but it clashed with the walls,
So we painted the walls
to match the painting's calls.

The walls made the painting pop,
but the duvet looked a little shabby,
So we painted a new design to tie it all together,
then realized it was making us crabby.

The new design didn't go with the painting,
so we re-painted the painting to tie it all in.

We finally bought a bed that was much different than we planned,
So we painted one wall to highlight the bed.
We bought a pillow that matched the walls,
but it clashes with the duvet instead.
YAH!

2 room colors, 3 wall designs, 2 paintings, 1 bed, and an inspired piece of poetry later, I'm thinking the duvet has got to go! Someday we'll make it work.

My Husband

My husband bought 2 tickets so I could see the Tour of Gymnastics Superstars this past weekend. My husband went with me and sat (seemingly happily) through 2 hours of a tweenage girl's happiest dream! There was an older couple sitting next to us. They weren't toting any toddlers or taking pictures of their grandchildren--it was just the two of them and I can only imagine that husband was probably indulging his wife as well.

I hope we can be the kind of couple that enjoys everything together today, AND 25 years from now! I'm so appreciative that D goes out of his way to help me enjoy life, and hope that in the future I can be more supportive of his interests...

Which I guess might mean getting half-sleeve tattoos or jumping in a mosh-pit together :)