LOL - Happy Halloween!

So I have this great thing I've been trying to do for the past few months, and I find it truly makes my day brighter. I laugh out loud. Not all day long like an idiot, although sometimes that happens, too. No, I find one thing in each day that makes me laugh out loud, and I revel in the moment.

OK, so you're thinking, "Hmmm, Di is obviously spending too much time with the hippies in SLP." Not true! I just thought about it, and figured, why not? Why not let out that reaction to the funny things I see around me? So what if I'm alone when I see it? Just because no one is there to hear me laugh doesn't make it any less funny - and laughing, I think, is good for the soul!
So today's LOL: As I was driving to work via Cedar Lake Road, I came to the intersection of Louisiana Avenue, and of course, hit the read light. As I idled and awaited the signal change, I noticed a SLP school bus to my left, also awaiting a signal change. The bus had a peculiarity to it, though.

On the front grill of the bus was a witch. Not just a face of a witch - this witch looked like she had flown into the bus and been smashed up against the grill. Feet sticking out, broom broken, the whole nine yards. Friggin' hilarious! The picture below is similar, although shows said witch flying into a tree. Same idea applies - I just found it utterly amusing at 7:30 am!

Happy Halloween, and be careful what gets stuck on your car grill tonight!

Deliciousness

Oh my goodness, have I found the best thing since sliced bread!

There is this FANTASTIC place in St. Louis Park called Thanh Do. They do Asian cuisine, but it's so much better than your average Chinese joint, I can hardly contain myself.

First off, they had this hot & sour soup that was phenomenal! I think that in and of itself cleared up my little congestion issue! Whew! Then I had Vietnamese-style spring rolls...again, they were fabulous! Delicious stuffing, great temperature, just right with the blended peanut sauce.

And finally, the garlic lovers dish. I know, I know...stinky, ew, etc. But when you want to get rid of a cold, garlic is the way to go (so sayeth my friend Barb, who knows this kind of thing). So I did it up, baby, and man, was it good! I'm going to be oozing garlic out of my pores for a few days (I suppose that'll be attractive to the boy!). I have leftovers for lunch tomorrow (yeah baby!)

So I now have a favorite restaurant in my new neighborhood. This is so exciting - I'm getting to know this place a bit at a time. Incidentally, I also found a laundromat/dry cleaner and a car detailing place that I like. So - "yay" for clean car interiors, bedding, & clothes!!

The Average American

So I always read these articles in the paper citing statistics about "the average American". The average American does this. The average American believes that. Let me tell you what I've learned about the average American while sitting in my office, living in Minnesota, and dealing with people.

1. The average American works hard for their money. He does not spend it frivolously; he simply has so much to pay for that his regular income hardly covers it, if it covers it at all.

2. The average American doesn't care about things like Hollywood, celebrities, and plastic surgery secrets to make us look thinner. He DOES care about his own family, the environment, helping others, and making it through the day.

3. The average American isn't wholly, 100% committed to any one thing if life. He is diversified among is many interests and obligations, and tries like hell to make sure everything and everyone gets the attention deserved.

4. The average American thinks the world was a better place when he was a kid. And he is right...it was.

5. The average American thinks he is somehow different than the rest of us...skin color, level of education, income, etc. The average American looks nothing like the next average American standing in line at the store, nor does he have the same background as the next average American riding on the bus, nor does he make the same as that other average American over there at Caribou. But that first average American is the same as the next one, and the next one, and the next one.

The average American is all of us, I think - but we spend so much time focusing on how we are different that we rarely, if ever, realize just how alike we are. At least, in the ways that matter. We may have small differences, but in the long run, we average each other out. Ya know?

The Franklin Fete

Oh, good gracious, fun was had by the Franklin Family on Friday!! So it was Mike's birthday and Krissy's birthday in the last week or so...the original Franklin's, that is. A birthday bash ensued at The Corner Bar in the Seven Corners area where we (the girls) used to drink adult-type beverages on a regular basis. Not only that, but we drank them in mass quanities (out of fish bowls - don't ask if you weren't there...had to be there).

Anyway, after a little snookie with the boy, I moseyed on up to Mpls. for some Franklin Family Fun. All the players from the wedding were there - Louis, Gay Paul (who is not gay and kept trying to get me to go back to the hotel with him), brother Mitch, etc. Gay Paul still had a hard-on for petting my chest; I've never met anyone that can just molest people and get away with it quite like Paul. I mean, I let him molest me - me, who knows that all of my charm and power and wit are located within the ta-ta's!

Anyway, I had a good time. Wish I could have partied more, but had to go work at the bank the next day...sigh. Whichever way the wind blows, though, I know a good time is to be had at any Franklin Fete. Bravo, Franklin's, bravo!

Get on Board...The Happy Train (of thought)

So I was reading my plethora of online news sources this morning, and came across a neat little blurb about brightening up your day when the sun just won't come out (ie: gloomy-ass MN). The idea was to make a list of 5 (or 10, or 20) things that make you happy. This is to allow yourself to focus on those things, instead of the negative or "downer" things you might be choosing to expend your energy on (such as, why won't it quit raining!?).

With that, my list of things that make me happy:

#10. Coming home at the end of a long, hard-worked day, knowing I helped people.
#9. Cuddling on the couch w/ a certain sweetheart of a guy.
#8. Dogs sticking their heads out of car windows as people drive around town.
#7. Finding that perfect new purse...on clearance!
#6. Spending time doing things that are good for me, physically/emotionally/mentally.
#5. Caribou Coffee's vanilla latte.
#4. Giving little gifts or sending random cards to brighten other's day.
#3. Going out with The Girls and catching up - after 10 years, still much looked-forward-to!
#2. My kitty cat Pudder, who greets me every morning with a head butt to get me up.
#1. My niece Livia, who upon seeing me whispers, "Auntie Di!" and then proceeds to smash me.

I challenge you, dear readers, to come up with your own list of the little (or big) things that bring some sunshine and happiness into your day. Cheers!

Donae

I alluded in an earlier blog about a former student of mine, Donae. At the risk of breaking down, because I'm still really traumatized by my recent visit to her, I want to tell you all what happened. But first, some background:

Donae was a senior at Forest Lake last year. I first met her during 2nd quarter, when she was in my Independent Living class. I recognized the name, having had her sister Elise a few years earlier. With some trepadation, I got to know Donae - she was opinionated, bullheaded, loud, and firm in her convictions. I really didn't care for her at first, and I think the feeling may have been mutual.

That was the quarter when I had my cancer scare and had to miss school for surgery. The kids were all pretty sympathetic about the situation; my Independent Living kids most of all, for whatever reason. When I came back towards the end of the term, I made some concessions regarding missing work because I felt it was unfair to punish the kids for my absence and their subsequent confusion on what was due when. Donae benefitted greatly from this one-time exception, and I think ended up with a B- instead of a D- or F in the class. She was very grateful.

Third term came around, and there was Donae again, but this time in my Interior Space & Design class. I had learned a lesson with her - sit her front & center, and she's not nearly so chatty or easily distracted. It worked well, and I got a chance to enjoy her more, as opposed to constantly flicking her "the look" to get her back on track. Third term went by quickly, and the Interior Design class was a big hit. For Donae, it solidified what she wanted to do post-high school; attend Art Institutes Minneapolis and become an interior designer.

Fourth term flew by, this time I had Donae in my Cultures & Cuisine class. Throughout all of these terms, Donae was notorious for coming to class late. I generally didn't call out kids on that, just let them know privately that it was not acceptable and that their grade was going to suffer because of their tardiness. Donae was never snide or anything, just kind of shrugged like, "I don't know what happens!" and we went on from there.

Donae graduated in June, with plans to wait a year before starting at Arts Institute. Unfortunately, Fate intervened.

Donae was in a drinking-related car crash in June. She got into a car with a driver who later blew a 0.21; this driver went into a ditch while bringing Donae home. Donae broke her neck, partially severed her spinal cord, and broke 4 vertebrae in her back. She is paralzyed from the waist down, and has very limited use of only one arm. She's been in the hospital all summer, had surgery to fuse her back, and has now moved to a rehab facility in Golden Valley.

I went to see Donae because she got in touch with her old counselor, my old colleague, and asked for me specifically. She said I was her favorite teacher.

How could I not go?

The visit was hard; we cried, we laughed, we cried some more. We talked about wishing for a re-do in life, and wondering what the future would hold. I saw the scars, watched Donae just lying there, and thought, "This is not her - she should be skipping around with a frappucino, making noise and disrupting things!" But it IS her; at least, it's her as she is now.

I plan to go back to see Donae this weekend, and per her request, bring some boneless buffalo wings from Applebee's. It's certainly not easy, and it's not something I look forward to like other things in my life, but it's something I feel I need to do. This vibrant girl picked ME as her favorite, as the one she wanted to see, as the one she needed to explain to. The least I can do is listen.

Crazy Old Folks

So this weekend passed in a bit of a blur. I worked both of my jobs Friday, with my annual "lady" checkup in between. Nice to squeeze that in (that will be much pun-nier when I have to have mammograms). Saturday was a work day, at least at the bank, followed by situation my new living room furniture and playing with my kitty, Pudder.

Sunday was a really odd day. First, I visited the Courage Center, a rehab facility, where a former student of mine is currently living. More on that later...I'm still really tense and prickly and near-crying when I think about Donae. Another post.

After that, had lunch at Manning's with Heather & Cat, and then was off to Forest Lake to meet up with Joan, Charlie, and Heather. Why? We were going to Hinckley to see The Lettermen. Our friend Paul has an "in" at the ticket venue, so we got some free seats to the show.

As most of my blogging audience isn't 60 or over, let me explain. The Lettermen had big hits mostly in the 60's, and they were a trio of awesome soloists who could also harmonize really closely to one another. They had amazing hits that you all sing along to...such as: Put Your Head on My Shoulder, I Only Have Eyes for You, When I Fall in Love, and The Way You Look Tonight.

The show was highly entertaining, but Heather & I were seriously the youngest people there. It was so funny, because these singers would come out in the audience during numbers and meet and shake hands with the people. This happened twice to us - 2 out of 3 (not bad, Di) came to our section. The second guy to come by us did a total double take, like, "Whaaaat? No wrinkles? No cane? No Ben-Gay smell?" It was hilarious.

Plus, the Americana Grille there in Grand Casino made a mean bloody Mary, plus I got to watch the Vikes kick some Bears butt! (Sorry, Dean-o...still love me, ok?)

All in all, a great weekend. Am looking forward to less work, more nesting this upcoming weekend.

Until the next post, dear readers, I bid you adieu.

Friday!!

It's Friiiiiiiiiiidaaaaaaaaaaay!

Why does that just bring so much joy into me? There's a bit of a spring in my step, a hitch in my giddyup, and grin on my face that has nothing to do with gettin' some last night...all because the end of the week is here!!

Big plans for the weekend include:
- getting a depo shot so I can continue my wanton ways relatively assured of no babies
- working @ TCF both this evening and all day Saturday
- visiting a former student who was in a car accident this summer (she's paralyzed)
- going to see The Lettermen at Grand Casino on Sunday
- stopping at The Local for Erin's birthday (a friend from grad school)
- putting together my new furniture & arranging my living room.

I'm actively looking for other PT work, as the TCF hours are sporadic and I have to go all over the metro. Friday I work at Blaine East, and Saturday at Fridley. Now, variety is fine and dandy, but at the same time, you guys know me - I'm a routine type of person. I need things that are fairly stable (read: boring) to keep me on track. So I applied for a job at Border's by my house, as well as teaching ABE (adult basic ed) at Minnetonka Public Schools in the evenings. We'll see what shakes out.

For now, it's FRIDAY and I am pumped!!

Flavor of October

So this is Brian. He's not bald under that hat, either - just FYI.

The "Dilemma"

Ok, so it's not really a dilemma, because I know what to do. But it's still making me crazy, so I need to vent! Bear with me as I bare my problems to the light of day.

I started seeing this guy J in July. We met on match.com, and had a few nice dates before we jumped in the sack. Now, we get along great and all that, but at one point J said to me that he just didn't "feel that special, undefinable something" between us. OK. So I thought, "Well, at least I've got someone to call for booty." Fine, whatever. We've pretty much just been bed buddies since mid-July. (Although, I have to say, why is it that I'm never the girl that has "that quality" or whatever!?)

The agreement between us is that if the other person starts something elsewhere, it's time to end our hookup. We just need to communicate with each other to put an end to things. Sounds very solid and grown-up, right?

Well...it's time. I'm into this guy B; also a match.com person. We've been out a handful of times, and I stayed there last night...ya know. I haven't been with J for at least 2 weeks in that sense, and don't plan to again. But I feel like I should see him to tell him I'm moving on. How, then, does one set up a "I-don't-want-to-sleep-with-you-anymore" date that isn't really a date?

Mostly, I'm just chickenshit, because despite what he says, I feel like this is going to hurt him, he'll feel rejected, etc. and that it makes me a bad person or something. I know, I know - NOT logical. But still...I never hurt people if I can possibly avoid it. Maybe this is just a situation in which it cannot be avoided?

Thoughts, friends? Suck it up? Blow him off? Do 'em both? (just kidding on that one)

The New Digs

This is the place! I'm going to be settling in for a bit yet, but I'm thinking eventually I will host some sort of gathering (remember, I'm Monica - "I'm the hostess!"). :)

We..are..fam-i-ly!

This was the final push to get moved in. My favorite brothers mosied (moseyed?) on down with a truck 'n' trailer to help me move my furniture...woo-hoo! Very excited to have all my crap in one place FINALLY! Well, except my cat, but she's coming soon. Just didn't want her to get squashed by a random chair or something. You know how kitties get in that one place they shouldn't...all the time!

Anyway, now comes the settling. Ah, nesting...one of my favorite pasttimes. :) I need to buy a living room set for sure, and a flat-screen TV is also on the menu. Oh, and bedding - must have new bedding! But first, I just want to dig out from underneath the pile, and also figure out how to open my garage door. The previous owner left a smashed up old fashioned opener and a brand-spankin' new one; neither works. Hmmm...may take some investigative work.

In the meantime, I'm just chillin' in MY new pad. Awwww yeah!