Wild at Heart
We've enjoyed weekend o'fun. Chris came up from Georgetown, and we hit the Rangers game last night and then the Ft. Worth Zoo today. I got to comune with giraffes, zebras, penguins, and most importantly my husband and bro-in-law.

Lesson Learned
I think I've become addicted to exercise. For a few different reasons I did not make it to the gym today, and I feel absolutely disgusting and dissolute. Of course I think this might also be due to the fact that I had decided to spend the day working on getting the comic books ready to go and the web site crashed. I have many good quaities, but patience is not one of them. I just want everything to happen Now, NOw NOW!!
Eric is at his meeting tonight, so I'm a geek widow.
Until then my pathetic self will be doing sit ups on the living room floor and watching studpid television while deeply craving action that is not forthcoming.

Heart Beat
Having just checked my email, I think my heart just skipped a few beats. Our social worker just got in touch with us to schedule the homestudy. It will be during the second week of July.
I must go freak out now.
I still have a room entirely full of comics and absolutely nothing baby related in the house. I am terrified and yet more excited than I've been in a long time.

I think I need to hop on my bike and get rid of some of this nervous energy.

Abide
After watching The Big Lebowski with Jen and Jay last night I've renewed my intent to "abide." It's a philosophy that I really appreciate , although not one that I'm terribly good at. I tend to become a little uptight and tense when I need to be able to say "F**k it, let's go bowling." If there is nothing else I can do about the situation, why not just roll?

Biff! Pow! Bam!
I have spent most of this weekend working on the dreaded comic book project. After hours of backbreaking, nail ruining, papercutting effort, I have finally finished putting them in order. To give a little background, my best guess is that there are over 6,000 comic books. While I have a lot of work left to do (create a price guide, put them on EBay, post office, etc), I am taking this moment and savoring it as a triumph.
This baby will come courtesy of Spider Man.
A web of glory.

Terrier-iffic
Yet another disturbing confession--I watched the Eukanuba Dog Show this morning. I simply could not turn away. This is particularly bizarre for several reasons:
1) I really do not like dogs
2)I have a bizarre fear of standard poodles--their little eyes, their shaved bottoms, and those ridiculous pommed tails creep me out
3) I find grown men kissing dogs slightly sad
Despite my reservations, however, I refused to leave for the gym until I found out that Coco the Northern Terrier was crowned Best in Show. Christopher Guest would be so proud. I guess I'm always interested in the freak show.
Speaking of, I also have a slight obsession with two BBC shows: How Clean is Your House? and You Are What You Eat. I think it is because I have a nasty desire to be superior. It's not attractive---but it makes for some good tv.
I can't believe I've been reduced to giving tv reviews. With school out I really have no conflicts--either internal or external. It makes for a happy life but rather boring blogging.

Stormy
I am gratful that I narrowly avoided certain death this morning. I think the universe is trying to tell me to pay attention and look around.
I was swimming my morning laps when all of a sudden I saw lightning snaking its electric head down towards the house. I didn't even know I could move that quickly. I vaulted out of the pool and was in the hosue within 1.5 seconds, panting and releived. About 1.8 seconds later the sky opened up and thunder and lightning began to compete for attention like petulant giants. Safely inside I enjoyed the show.

I am not gratful that I have to now go up and work on Eric's silly comic books. I keep trying to remember as my back seizes up and my fingers turn black that all of this is to finance our child and all of this will be worth it. Besides, I cannot wait to tell my child that instead of being brought by the stork, that he or she was brought by Superman, Spiderman, and Captain America.

The Reason I Do This
I got a letter today that reminded me of the reason I teach. This letter made everything I go through during the school year worthwhile:
"Thank you for everything. That patience and respect you have shown to me really humbles me. You exemplify a truly great teacher. it has been a real honor to be your student. I have learned so much under you and I also believe I am better because of you."
I burst into tears when I read it. So very rarely do we get or give affirmation. The fact that a 14 year old boy took the time to say this to me makes all the difference in the world. I am humbled and amazed.

Calamity Jane
Since the grevious burn of yesterday, my life has been a series of unfortunate (well, more annoying) events.
As I was making dinner I tried my best to cut off my own thumg. As I looked down, I realized that one shouldn't see the inside of a finger in quite such graphic detail. Luckily this wound was in the opposite hand as the burn. I'm an equal opportunity oaf.
As I was going to the cabinet to get bandaids and neosporin, I stood up and wacked my head on the cabinet so hard that I saw stars.
Then this morning at work as I was going to the bathroom the toilet paper dispenser fell down and bonked me on the nose so hard, that I swear to you my nose bled a little.
Also today I have gotten lost and wet. I got locked out of my classroom. I broke the microwave. And I
What is the universe trying to tell me?

Wounded
I'm going to use this blog to bitch and moan. Why? Because I can.
I just burnt myself on a cup of tea I had put in the microwave. I reached in and grabbed it forgetting about the fact that microwaves are typically used to heat materials. It's funny how overlooking a little something like that can wreak mayhem. I now have a huge blister on my finger. Sniff.
Okay, enough whining.
I went back to the acupuncturist today to set up a treatment plan. I was pretty impressed. I went in with cramps, and he managed to take away the pain. Aparently my spleen is one of the problems that has rippled down to effect everything else. I figure billions of Chinese can't be wrong about the value of this. We have made a 90 day treatment plan, so I'll report back in a few months and see if we've had any success.
Clementine has decided to drop most of her coat on the couch and carpet which is putting a damper on my plans to have book club over tomorrow. It seems my life is endless cleaning, yet my house rarely feels sparkly. Oh well, they'll have to take me (and my cat) as I am.
I should be sorting comics, but I'm here wasting time blogging and watching HGTV. Who keeps those houses clean?

Happy Tummy
Delicious food. Check.
Decadent dessert. Check.
Custom cocktails. Check.
Perfect pool weather. Check.
Outstanding company. Check.
A rockin' father. Check.

Yep, my father's day was complete.
Also on my mind today was the fact that I know Eric will make the world's greatest father. By this time next year we'll hopefully be able to have an even bigger celebration--although perhaps without the champagne sangria.

Summer Time. . . And the Living Is Easy
I just hauled myself out of the pool where I had time to reflect for the umpteenth time that life really is pretty good. The water is sparkling, and the oleander and lilies are in full bloom. I know the earth is supposed to come alive in the spring, but to me it is summer, hot and infernal, that is the season of magic. I suppose this is because it is only during this season that I have time to stop and look around at the world. In any case, I like what I see.
Eric's sis, her hubby and the kiddos spent the morning with us which was a rare treat. My niece is growing into such a wonderful young woman! I wish we got to see them more than just at Christmas and maybe a summer trip. That's why I am glad we moved to Dallas--my child will get to see her grandparents and aunt as often as he or she could possibly want. My niece is so excited about the prospect. We went shopping on Main Street, and she drew my attention to every piece of baby gear in every shop! We need to hurry up at get this girl a new cousin!
Tonight we have a play at Theatre 3 which is my favorite place in town for a show. There is nothing more exhilirating than live performance. Perhaps it is because I used to work in the theatre that I feel the almost living nature of a show. That's not a great metaphor, but I'll work on it. In any case it's an excuse for dress up and a night on the town. Not that a good night at home doesn't have merit. Last night we suspended our disbelief, drank some beer, ate veggie chili and watched Transformers. More than meets the eye indeed. I am wary of any movie based on a toy. What's next, the My Litte Pony live action extravaganza? Care Bears with actual grizzlies? Of course all of the teen movies these days are live action Bratz!

AFV
I have a shameful secret.
I find America's Funniest Videos hysterical. I don't typically watch, but whever I feel slightly down about the world I head over to ABC Family and watch grown men falling off bicycles, babies eating frogs, people getting hit in uncomfortable places, women falling into cakes--what's not to love? I don't just laugh, I guffaw, I cackle, I have been known to snort.
Is that so wrong?

Mark Harmon and I
Yep, it's Summer School time again! Although it probably would involve changing the axis of the Earth, I wish I could teach summer school year round. It is the best job I can imagine. I work with tiny little classes in a no stress atmosphere for only a few hours a day, and I make quite a bit of extra money doing so. Oh, and did I mention no paperwork or even much grading?
The best part is that I get to swim my laps in the morning and still have time to attend daily mass with my coworkers before work. Love it.
We had a lovely Austin-y weekend. We spent some quality time with Eric's family, including his faboo sister, brother-in-law and my cutie niece and nephew. Eric's dad got a bug and took my car to get new hub caps, so Millie is looking pretty snazzy in her new chrome socks. We also hooked up with the wonderful Petey and went down to see Fastball play a free show. I hadn't really thought of them in a long time, but it was a fun show made even better by the beauty of the night and the Hill Country surroundings. We topped off the trip as every trip to Austin should end--with a trip to Amy's Ice Cream. Somehow freshly made and frequently alcoholic deliciousness tastes even better coming from a heavily tattooed chic in a smarmy tee. I'm pretty sure of the science behind that statement.
Today I had my first appointment with a traditional Chinese healer who is going to try to tackle regulating my system. I've given Western medicine more than enough chances to figure out what is wrong with me, I might as well give Dr. Lee a chance. He might stick needles in my back, but at least he won't put nasty chemicals in my body. I think the kicker for this was when I found out the last fertility drugs I tried were actually cancer drugs.
Eric and I also had a great visit with our social worker. We have now pretty much finished the paper work, and I am mailing the giant package tomorrow after I make copies of everything. We will have our home study in July and will them be, as of SW told us, "shopped around." I feel like I need a bow or sparkles to make me more attractive to potential moms! She also told us that we picked a good time to enter the program as there were not very many families waiting. She was confident that within 9 months to 1 year we will be able to welcome our baby into the family.
Speaking of family and friends, I have been blown away by the support we have received from everyone. My parents were the ones who originally encouraged us and made it possible. Eric's parents have been enthuastic and loving. Our siblings cannot wait and have offered to help in any way, and our friends have universally shown us love and offered advice, support and kindness. I AM VERY LUCKY.

Freedom's Just Another Word
Having given everything to CKS over the past year, I am now on my well deserved 3 day vacation. Woot.
Tomorrow after our meeting with the social worker we are headed out of town. I need a little get away. What I want is beachy goodness, but I'll take Austin. We might check out Brave Combo at Jovitas tomorrow and perhaps Fastball on Saturday w/Petey. Besides the highlight will be seeing my niece and nephew who I cannot wait to hug.
In addition to a weekend away, we're going down to tell Eric's parents about the adoption. I am unreasonably worried, but I am sure they will be supportive. We can use all of the support we can get.
Maybe tomorrow afternoon I will put on my bikini, break open a beer, pay the neighbor kids to fan me, and pretend I am on an island get away.
It could happen.

Calling Alice Cooper
School's out for the summer. . . well, except I have a work day tomorrow and then I have to start summer school on Monday. Still, I have to take jubilation where I can get it. We had a lovely last day, adn I had several students and parents make a point to tell me how much they appreciate me. It's moments like that which make all of the frustrations drop away.
We had a little excitement as well. In church one of my students passed out, hit her head on the pew, and her eyes rolled back. I jumped up, practically leaped over the pews, and half carried her down to the clinic. Poor thing. . . it really added some drama to Mass.
Only working half days has its advantages, and I've begun to make appointments for all of those things I never have time to accomplish during the school year. Next week I'm trying accupuncture to regulate my cycle. It couldn't hurt, and I would rather try that than take any more harmful drugs.
We are slowly but surely making our way through all of the adoption paper work. We have a meeting with the social worker on Friday, and appointment with our priest next Friday, and doctor's appointments the following week. We've completed each form and have gathered financial data for the last few years, I think that by July 1st we should be ready to move on to the next step. I think I will feel more comfortable talking about it at that point. Now it just seems slightly unreal. I will also have to come up with an emergency plan at work in case they call in October and say "we have a baby, come get it now." We have a frightening amount of things to accomplish.

But before we get too serious, we're going to enjoy our weekend of freedom by going down to Austin to see friends and family. Here is my plan: good conversation, dim sum, concerts, hot tubbing, Amy's ice cream, and hugs w/ my niece. One could do worse.