Sunday, February 25, 2007

Look Out, World - She's A Teenager!


Emily
Originally uploaded by Aunt Vanessa.
You’re not supposed to be thirteen tomorrow, my darling niece. You’re supposed to be THREE and I’m supposed to pick you up at daycare on Friday night after work and you’re supposed to spend the night with me and help me cook dinner. You’re supposed to request that I make mashed potatoes and green peas and make them look like a bird’s nest and you’re supposed to blow out the candles after dinner because you love doing that. After dinner, you’re supposed to jump on my bed and we’re supposed to sing the
Ten Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed song, and you’re supposed to jump up and down with glee and then fall back and, of course, bump your head on the wall behind the bed and then cry (because you did that every time you jumped on my bed) and them I’m supposed to tickle you and you will laugh and get right back up and jump on the bed some more until your fact is red and sweat is running down your cheeks. You’re supposed to take a bubble bath and play with all the plastic bowls and ladles I can find in my kitchen and then when I try to comb out the tangles in your long hair, you’re supposed to cry (because you always did that, too!) and then you’re supposed to listen as I read “Bye Bye Diapers” to you (because that was your favorite book and I still have it and will keep it forever) and then you’re supposed to fall asleep in mid-sentence and I’m supposed to cover you up all snug and safe and kiss you and look at you and realize that these moments are the best life has to offer.

You are not, young lady, supposed to be a teenager who has a cell phone and can send text messages faster that the speed of sound. You are not supposed to be almost as tall as I am and prefer hanging out at the mall to watching “Barney and Friends” and you are not supposed to be having one of those boyfriends, my goodness gracious, are you really that person?

Which brings me to what kind of person you have become in your thirteen years on this earth: you have become a smart, confident, funny, athletic, beautiful goddess of a girl who loves life and is a loyal friend and just a really cool kid. You’re a pretty good niece, too.

Happy Birthday, Emily.

I love you,

Ness

Sunday, February 18, 2007

I Guess I'll Do Anything To Keep From Studying

Nothing has changed since last I wrote. It's still cold and there's still a lot of snow on the ground, but it is getting a little warmer and we're supposed to experience a week of above freezing temps! Think I'll get out my tube top.

I was tagged a month ago by Nicole to do this meme and never got around to doing it until now. I actually like memes - maybe because everyone else makes fun of them. And I LOVE Nicole, so if it's just for that reason, here goes:


A- Available or married? Neither. I'm president of the NLMHA. (Nonlesbian Man-Haters Association.)

B- Best Friend? My auntie Linda. She totally, completely understands me. And loves me in spite of it.

C- Cake or Pie? Cake

D- Drink of Choice? 1-Coffee 2-Diet Coke 3-Vodka

E- Essential Item? Lipgloss

F- Favorite Color? Turquoise

G- Gummi Bears or Worms? Not a fan. Give me chocolate.

H- Hometown? J---, Arkansas

I- Indulgence? Books and iTunes

J- January or February? Love them both, because they are Reece's and Emily's birthday months!

K- Kids & names? Nope

L- Life is incomplete without? Family and Reeses Peanut Butter Cups

M- Marriage Date? I don't dwell on the past!

N- Number of Siblings? Two brothers; I'm very lucky in the sibling category.

O- Oranges or apples? Apples

P- Phobias/Fears? I have an unhealthy fear of car accidents.

Q- Favorite Quote? "This above all - to thine own self be true." - W. S. (caution: this will often get you fired.)

R- Reason to Smile? My iPod is full of great songs!

S- Season? Certainly not this damned winter

T- Tag three people: Leonardo DiCaprio, George Clooney, Colin Firth

U- Unknown fact about me: I want to be a playwright.

V- Vegetable you hate? turnips

W- Worst habit? All my habits are wonderful.

Y- Your favorite food? I don't play favorites.

Z- Zodiac? Leo

Sunday, February 04, 2007

Chicken Poop For My Soul

All familial reports are that my nephew had a splendid birthday. And, just as he was wrapping up the week-long celebration, the smallest smattering of snow descended upon Arkansas and he got two days off from school. He was quite happy.

There's still snow on the ground here in Missouri and I have come to terms with it. It will be here forever and Abby will just have to get used to it and so will I. What's all this talk about global warming, anyway? It's seven degrees. In Missouri. That's all I have on the subject.

I'm getting ready to watch Little Miss Sunshine. It's a reward to myself for completing my cataloging homework. If I hadn't instilled some sort of personal reward system, I'd never do the damned homework. It is quite excruciating. And so is attending class two nights per week. I am exhausted by Fridays and end up napping on the sofa by 9:00.

I'm not altogether unhappy, however. I'm living in a pretty cool place and I don't hate my job and my Thursday night class is interesting. I also have a good friend, Sandy, who just happens to be in said class and that's wonderful. Dawn is another good friend I've acquired. She's also a coworker, so I get to see her every day. Things could be much worse, so when I'm feeling homesick I try to remember that.

This is pathetic, I know! I have not written on a worthwhile topic (except Reece and Emily) in the longest time. I think of topics when I'm doing other things, and then when I have the chance to post, I have forgotten all of them. That, and I'm just lazy. I'd rather read everyone else's blogs than write my own. I'm even too lazy to comment on theirs most of the time.

Note to Auntie L: I miss your smart mouth.

Note to Dave: sorry I mentioned your doctor's visit on my blog. I'll never, ever, reveal anything about you again on "Aunt Vanessa."

Additional note to Dave: That was a lie.

Note to Mom: When are you going to get a puppy? You need one.

Note to Emily: You are perfect and I love you so much my heart cracks when I think about you.

So, to wrap up this fascinating entry, hey, Wake Up! - hope everyone's doing alright. Why don't you comment and tell me what's up and maybe that'll inspire me write something interesting!

xoxo,
Vanessa