My Life or Something Like It

This blog has moved

2010-03-07T12:56:00.001-06:00

This blog is now located at http://ablog.bresie.com/.
You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click here.

For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to
http://www.bresie.com/blog/amy/blog.html/atom.xml.

2010-03-03T21:34:00.001-06:00

Happy Feast Day!
Today is the feast day of the nun I have been studying, Katharine Drexel. So, though she would have absolutely hated it, kick back, drink a glass of wine or raise a cupcake to the great reformer.
In other news I'm too busy to have other news.
TSHA conference all week, and I have so much more to do.

2010-03-02T08:56:00.002-06:00

Anarchy'
I am reading Emma Goldman's Living My Life for my women's autobiography class, and I can't tear myself away. This woman, though I fundamentally disagree with her on so many issues, lived a life of passion, working towards her beautiful idea. She burned with intensity. My life gets so comfortable, and I think I sometimes miss the flame. How do I reconcile a cozy family life in the suburbs with this desire?
The best part of the book: Goldman and her two anarchist lovers once operated an icecream parlor in Massachuttes! Anarchist Icecream! I love it!!!! If only the people who ate those bananna splits knew! They closed down in a hurry because Berkman wanted to kill Frick. Yes, folks, it's the only ice cream parlor shut down to further attempted murder. History is far too juicy.
I must get back to it--then off to vote and to plan for the sweetie's birthday this weekend.

Cowtown The Shack 10K

2010-02-28T12:12:00.000-06:00

Cowtown The Shack 10K

So I came in 83rd in my group . . . not bad. I maintained a 9:38 mile as well. I can do better than that, but this is a good start. We'll see if I can push it a little more next week at the Leaping Leprechaun race in McKinney!

hipster puppies

2010-02-27T17:50:00.000-06:00

hipster puppies

So what if I am supposed to be working on my paper. . . wouldn't hipster puppies beat crusading nuns in a coolness factor competition?

2010-02-27T10:51:00.003-06:00

Don't Have a Cow, Man!
The Cowtown 10K this morning began in 36 degree weather, but it quickly turned into a lovely morning for running. The hilly course weaved through downtown and the Trinity Park trails, and running it made me feel alive. The last mile I really rocked, getting into my stride. I think I need to go bigger next time. I would like to train for a 1/2 marathon and see what happens. Maybe in a few months. In any case, it was a great way to spend the morning. My only complaint was the huge crowds. It took me over 10 minutes just to start the race. Also, Eric missed me cross, and I had to wander around for more than 20 minutes before I could find him again. Still, I'll be back.
The other picture is my reason for running!
I'm trying to get Eric to start running with me--we owe it to Leo to lead the most healthy lifestyle we can.

2010-02-24T20:56:00.003-06:00

Missing Month
I'm not quite sure what happened to February, but I want my time back.
Also a note to winter--I am so over you. I've gotten a chance to wear all my cute sweaters a couples times each, and now I'm done. Bring on the spring.
My days are blurs of books, articles, diaper changes, and feedings punctuated by working out and receiving sweet kisses from both my babes. A busy life, but on no account a bad one. I was in a professor's office this afternoon, and he was listening to me list off all of the work I had done on my project. After a few minutes he asked me if I ever slept. The short answer is no. My day starts at about 4:45 and continues on until about 11:30 p.m. Still--in these long days I have the joy of getting to do two things I love. How can I possibly complain?
Now off to spend the evening with some kick butt women--I can't decide whether to read about Jane Addams, Vietnamese women warriors, or my crusading nuns. I'm in great company.

2010-02-23T08:21:00.002-06:00

On the Run
I've been prepping for the Cowtown this weekend, and I think I'm ready to take it on. yesterday I did over 7 miles and covered most of north Carrollton while mom watched Leo.I also lost feeling in my extremities running in 40 degree weather, but no matter.
Today's agenda includes a lecture about Mary Todd Lincoln and more nun research as well as some prime baby snuggling.
This post is banal and boring but consider it's written as I live... on the run.

2010-02-21T10:58:00.001-06:00

Lazy Sunday
I just finished the Times puzzle, and I really don't feel like doing anything on this rainy morning. I'm going to make another pot of coffee and snuggle with the babe.

2010-02-20T11:12:00.002-06:00

Victory!
Kristine and I braved the Renaissance Tower stairs and made them sorry that they ever messed with us!
I was proud--I did it in about 10 minutes at a constant trot without stopping once. It made me excited for the big Cow Town next week. Thanks to all those who sponsored me--it was a great fight for air. The most inspiring part was seeing the fire fighters race to the top with all of their gear on. Holy cow! Those men were amazing. Who's in for next year?

2010-02-19T20:40:00.002-06:00

Honest Mom Moment
Ok. Crying. It's hard.
I don't mind poopy diapers, nighttime feedings, or even getting puked on, but I hate the crying. It breaks my heart. Perhaps this is a symptom of my control freak nature--I mainly get upset because I often haveno idea what to do to make himi happy, epsecially after he's been fed and changed.
Still--he smiles and my whole world lights up.

Tomorrow I tackle 53 flights of stairs. Sweat drenched pictures to follow.

2010-02-17T20:29:00.002-06:00

New Link
I heard that my last fundraising link did not work. Try this one: https://www3.mrsnv.com/evt/e01/part.jsp?id=2741&acct=9001276346&rid=0.

Again, please help!!!

Operation disconnect is proving difficult, and I'm only one day one. My hands twitch when I come near a computer!

2010 Fight for Air Climb in Dallas - Central States(071) - Pledge

2010-02-16T17:40:00.000-06:00

2010 Fight for Air Climb in Dallas - Central States(071) - Pledge

I still need help raising funds for my stair climb this week. Please help if you can. Even $5 would be a wonderful help!!!!!

In other news I've been doing a lot of thinking about Lent this year. I've decided that what I really need to do is pay more attention to this life--to Leo, to my studies, to my hubby. As such, I have decided to limit my email/facebook time to once in the morning and once in the evening. I spend far too much time in front of this screen wondering about what the rest of the world is doing when I have my world right here. If you need me either be patient or grab a phone for the next 40 days.

Finally as today is Mardi Gras I've planned a special lemon yogurt pancake with spiced pear sauce dinner for my honey. It may not be Bourbon Street, but there will be magic.

2010-02-14T21:34:00.002-06:00

Big Heart
This weekend has been one of such joy and love--as every Valentine's celebration should be.
Saturday we had Leo's baptism which was so meaningful. For years we would sit through church services and every baptism was like a stab in the heart, reminding us of what we wanted and could not have. They were especially painful after the whole Joey incident last winter. Anyway, to finally have our child up there meant so much to us. It was even more incredible to have both families there loving on our little man.
Today E's brother and father left early in the morning leaving us to have fun with his sister. We took her out to McKinney to the Krewe of Barkus doggie gras parade which was a blast (literally since there was an artic wind bearing down upon us!) I have such an affinity for downtown McKinney with all of its little antique stores and boutiques. I suppose I have found my true calling because I love digging into the past. Plus I also got to see a mini poodle kissing on a great dane, and you don't see that every day! Tonight L babysat Leo while we had a romantic dinner. Eric doesn't usually do this sort of thing, so the fact that he planned the entire evening touched me. We had a fantastic dinner and even more importantly, we had a lovely and relaxed two hour conversation where we got to focus on each other. Plus e's dessert provided a moment of transcendental bliss. Wow.I didn't even know chocolate could do that. I should never underestimate chocolate.
Finally I have, as I do every four years, become obsessed with the Olympics. I jump up and down and put my entire heart into things like luge, Nordic combine, and speed skating. It's cliche, but they remind me of how much is possible.
My heart is full.

2010-02-11T06:37:00.002-06:00

Snow Day
My summons before the grad committe inquisition has been put on hold due to Mother Nature. As usual 1" of snow has shut down the metroplex leaving me with a snuggly babe and about 58 books to dig my way through. I'm currently on Fanny Kemble's Journal of a Residence on a Georgian Plantation from 1838-1839. It's an interesting condemnation of slavery hwile at the same time an expose of northern racism. I'm enjoying reading all of these journals, memoirs, and autobiographies. I consider them real windows into the past. I suppose that's why I'm a historian: I love hearing people's stories, no matter how mundane.
Leo's big baptism is this weekend, so we're gearing up for a weekend of family and celebration. It will be special, especially given how many people at church know and were part of his story. Plus it will be the last time (hopefully) that he will wear a dress, so it's got that going for it!

2010-02-10T21:08:00.000-06:00

My lion in winter!!!

2010-02-09T07:45:00.002-06:00

Long Night's Journey Into Day
I've been up since 3:30, and it's mostly not even Leo's fault. I woke up in one of those worry about everything/ completely unable to get comfortable panics. This was followed by having to let the pets in an out 3 times each and then Leo waking up and wanting in on the fun. And oh what fun it was! I finally got back to sleep at about 5 only to be awakened by the alarm at 5:20. Some days you eat the bear...
They released the tentative class schedule for next fall, and I"m in a panic because they are not offering any classes for either of my minor fields that I need to somehow magically complete. Not good. I have no idea how I am supposed to get all of these imaginary credits. Oh well, I guess the key is just to write the paper I need to do on Vietnam today and let next semester take care of itself. Appropriately it's on a book called Into the Quagmire. My other goal is to track down this retired priest in Beaumont that is supposed to be the king of all lore in the area. It's good to have goals.
Perhaps a nap?
I'm suppsed to be doing my morning workout right now, but I might need to wait until the second cup of coffee takes effect. No one wants a bootyliscious butt injury. How would I explain that to the insurance company?

2010-02-07T12:33:00.003-06:00

Pain in the Neck
My weekend has been marred by some sort of nerve pinched neck badness, but I can now almost turn my head which I consider an improvement. It's the small things...
The days are long but they are so very good. That's all I really have to say. Well, that, and my favorite clue today:
Cranky question on the Himalayan trail--"Are we there, Yeti?" Love it!

2010-02-06T10:44:00.002-06:00

Fitness Tsar
Every day I do a workout video of some type, and Leo has been joining me. He gets in his exercise gym and kicks and bats at things while I kickbox or lift weights or some such thing. This mornign I got the entire family involved--even the pets participated! My goal is to one day to downward dog as well as Toby does. I know I will never beat my fur-nephew Henry who has got the move down! Regardless, it's my goal to have a healthy and fit family. The fam that sweats together. . .
In perhaps a counter productive measure we're off to costco--I always time the trip for maximum samples. Who said there's no such thing as a free lunch?

2010-02-04T22:06:00.002-06:00

Alphabet Soup
I've been hampered all day by my inability to use the "f" or "m" keys on my computer--a by product of the cat destroying the computer. Lucily my genius hubby has rectified the situation. It was a good writing challenge, though, because I was typing all sorts of emails to professors, librarians, and archivists all day trying to figure out how to avoid the danger letters. It reminded me of a book I read about a few years ago in which the author entirely avoids the letter "e." Talk about mastery of language. With that in mind, perhaps I will eschew the letter "l" tomorrow just for practice.
Also in an unrelated note I blame my sister for Leo's new quirk. The only thing that calms him down when he gets really mad is me singing "I'm a Little Teapot" over and over and over. Well that an "Pants on the Ground" but I have been avoiding that one after the mall incident the other day.
Here is my handle.... here is my spout...

2010-02-04T13:21:00.002-06:00

Zone
I've hit that stride in my project where everything seems to gel--where every new fact and idea seems a revelation. This has been my first research experience where I have really reached out to others, and I must say it has been infinitely satisfying. I have been in contact with several archivists, professors, librarians, nuns, and writers, and each person has gone out of their way to guide me. If this does turn into my first book, the acknowledgements section will run about 10 pages. I cannot speak highly enough of my professors down in Horn Frog country who have gone out of their way to help me.
But enough--I need to get back to work before Leo wakes up. I promised him we'd go walk around somewhere this afternoon.

2010-02-02T18:23:00.002-06:00

The Big Day
At long last the rodent is here!!!
E and I look forward to this day all year. We're non-apologetic groundhog people, and we pull out all of the stops on Puxatawney Phil's big day. We always have a nice dinner, drink wine (although today we decided to go with Woodchuck Cider), and we watch Groundhog Day. I offer some advice: Don't Drive Angry!!!! Yes, we are unabashed nerds and proud of it.
Incidentally I found out in Alaska today is Muskrat Day. Now you know.

Now back to pouring over Vatican documents, snuggling a baby, and preparing dinner.

2010-01-30T21:41:00.002-06:00

Pants on the Ground
That stupid song nearly got Eric beaten up today.
I got silly this afternoon and watched all of the You-Tube take offs on the song, so both of us had it in our heads. This evening after spending all day cooped up, we decided to get out of the house. Sad but true, we have become total mall walkers when it's cold, so we trooped over to the mall with the stroller and prepared to roll. . . literally. As we're walking around we spied some hoods with their pants dragging on the ground, and Eric started to hum the song. They began to look over, and I had to push Eric out of the way before they took offense. Suburban malls are rife with danger. We live on the edge.
But seriously, pull up the drawers!

2010-01-30T10:53:00.003-06:00

Cuteness Fix
What else can I say? He's totally precious. I'm supposed to be writing a paper proposal, but he's certainlly more attractive than a long dead nun. That's all I'm saying.
Motivation is a huge problem this morning.

2010-01-26T16:12:00.002-06:00

Snowed In
No, not literally. It's actually a lovely day, in fact Leo and I are thinking about going on a walk soon to take full advantage. Rather, I feel I am being consumed by my research project. I have gone a little overboard and am digging as deep as I can into the past. What I hope to provide is a view of this woman and her order as it relates to American History, particularly to race relations and broader Civil Rights issues. I want to not just say "Wasn't she great?" but also to look at the complicated areas Drexel and the Sisters navigated. Anyway, it has turned the rest of my brain to mush. Another reason I need to get outside.