Ahhhh, the memories. . .

Earlier tonight, Chris and I were reminiscing about our time on the Centrifuge East Coast Traveling Team last summer and it made me a bit nostalgic, so I thought I would share a few pics.


One last group pic before we say goodbye. Please don't ask what the boys are doing!



Crystal, Nick, Jessica, and Aaron at a minor-league baseball game in Lynchburg, VA.


Jason, Jana, and Phil staying calm, cool, and connected as they wait for the game to start.


Beecher Joshua McCarty III


Devon, Coop, Charlie, Amy, and Chris at The Melting Pot. Charlie, what are you doing?


Charlie and Will


Me, Amy, Phil, and Abe on our day in DC.


Doug, King of Skycroft, and Grace, his loyal subject. Doug is the Director at Skycroft Conference Center, one of our camp locations. He is very much large and in charge! Grace is his assistant and an all-around wonderful gal!


Beecher is posing with Emily, Grace, and Sarah, some of the great workers at Skycroft.


Anyone up for a snowball fight? Just a taste of our "Christmas Week" festivities.


Halo, anyone? Phil, Jason, Will and Chris mesmerized by the violence and bloodshed.

This is what the boys did all summer. You can see that we are just getting settled at this location, but any break is time enough to pull out the ole' X-Box and get a game going. I even joined in on the festivities every once in a while, if only to give Chris the joy of knowing he could beat SOMEONE on the team! ;)

St. John's on a Sunday Afternoon

This is St. John Cathedral. I'm not Catholic, but I live a few blocks down from this church and I think it is absolutely beautiful. Sunday was a beautiful day, so I took advantage of the amazing weather to take a few shots. (Click on it to get a better view.)

This sign gives a little info on the history of the church

And if you don't speak French, here's the same info in English (don't worry, I don't either!)

The view from the yard of the Bishop's Mansion

The back of the church as seen from the cemetery

Detail from one of the columns

Detail from the archway above the front door

Just to the right of the church grows a massive live oak tree

A shot of the trunk--there is no way to describe how huge this tree is!

This is probably my favorite shot of the tree.

$16 Socks

I was getting dressed for church this morning and, as I’ve been going through a sock shortage recently, I decided to wear the socks my brother-in-law just gave me. He works for a high-end sporting goods store and they were clearing out some of their stock, so he brought home some goodies. He gave me a pair of Patagonia cotton sport socks that had a price-tag of $16. SIXTEEN DOLLARS! I’ve never paid $16 for a pair of socks in my life!! But I’ll sure wear them if they are free! Here is how the packaging reads on a pair of $16 socks: “The comfort of organic cotton enhances these versatile sport socks. Made of 97% organic cotton and 3% Lycra spandex, they absorb sweat and allow your feet to breathe while maintaining their shape and color. The one-inch ankle cuff keeps the socks from accordioning down your ankle; the low-profile toe seam is hand-constructed for a comfortable, non-abrasive fit.” And you know how they feel? Like SOCKS! But I’m sure that, if I were an avid hiker who needed high-quality socks, I would understand that the expense is an investment in something that will aid my journey and make my life a bit easier.

I do the same thing with God. I have a personal relationship with the God of the universe—the maker and creator of all things; the original master craftsman. But I reduce Him to the genie-in-the-lamp, only going to him when I need a wish granted or a problem solved. On a regular basis, I regard him as one of my options when he should be my default. His Word ceases to become a “lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” and becomes simply a good idea or a positive thought for the day. And I hate that I do that, because in this whole comparison between socks and God, I am the once-avid hiker who has seen bountiful evidence that an investment in Him will aid my journey and make life a little bit easier, no matter what the circumstance.

But the spectacular becomes common-place. The grace too easy. My sins not “bad” enough to bring me to a place of repentance. And then I find that it’s because I’ve quit the hike. I’ve kicked back and become a spectator. And it’s much easier to criticize when you are spectating rather than participating, so I watch what everyone else does. I evaluate actions and question motives. I become the Pharisee that Jesus so often rebukes.

So it’s funny but, as I’ve worn my $16 socks that were given to me, I’ve been reminded of the priceless gift that was given to me on a cross all those years ago. Whodathought? All that from a pair of socks!

Gus the Hobo

Variety is the Spice of Life, Right?

I'm always looking for what could be the next step in the journey--or at least the next place to live! I just re-took the quiz at findyourspot.com and these are my results. You wouldn't catch me dead--well, maybe dead, but not living--in some of them, but for better or worse, here they are:

Charlotte, North Carolina
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
New Orleans, Louisiana
Norfolk, Virginia
Louisville, Kentucky
Nashville, Tennessee
Richmond, Virginia
Atlanta, Georgia
Chesapeake-Virginia Beach, Virginia
Memphis, Tennessee
Dallas, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas
Knoxville, Tennessee
El Paso, Texas
Charleston, South Carolina
Austin, Texas
Jacksonville, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Birmingham, Alabama
San Antonio, Texas
Houston, Texas
Orlando, Florida
Miami, Florida
Lexington, Kentucky
Bergen-Passaic, New Jersey

See what places FindYourSpot.com recommends for you! Take the FREE quiz and get your list at:http://www.FindYourSpot.com. Feel free to post a comment with your quiz results!

Cool Pants, Cap'n!

One of my favorite pictures of my dad

My Day

Alexander about sums it up. I think I'm moving to Australia!

A Day in the City

I love New Orleans--and I say that knowing that a lot of people hate the place. I don't know if it's just all of the wonderful memories of the time I lived there, or simply the beauty and uniqueness of the city itself, but I get excited every time I visit. My friend Jen and I spent some time in the city over our Christmas break and these are a few of the pics we took while we were there. This was before I got my camera, so Jen was kind enough to let me use her camera--or to tell her when to jump out of the car and take the pictures!


A row of trees in Audubon Park

I used to love to come to Audubon Park on beautiful Sunday afternoons with a cup of La Madeline French Roast Coffee and a flaky pastry and people-watch while I pretended to study.

A streetcar on St. Charles

This is one of my favorite houses on St. Charles. I think it looks like a wedding cake.

One of my favorite bed & breakfasts on St. Charles--I love the rockers on the porch.

The Roman Candy cart--a true New Orleans Icon

Preservation Hall is one of THE coolest places in New Orleans. It's hard to describe the experience. It's just a bunch of old men playing jazz, but it's so much more!

I aspire to own a Rodrigue one day--well, maybe just a print. He's famous for his blue dog paintings, but he also has a wonderful collection portraying the Acadiens. I really want one of his jazz fest posters--hint, hint.

Beignets and Coffee at Cafe du Monde--ah, that's New Orleans

David Kyle in first grade

This is a school picture of my daddy when he was about 6 years old. I am posting it for several reasons. First and foremost, I think it's cute. My daddy was a cutie! And second, I was playing with my new scanner and the software. It has fun "fuzzy" edges so I thought I'd try it. It was a success, so never fear--there's more to come! We have lots of fun old pics!

False Starts

false-start (fôlsstärt) A misguided or unsuccessful attempt to begin something; a wrong beginning. The term originated in racing, where it refers to beginning a race before the starting signal has been given. The expression was soon transferred to other kinds of failed beginning. [Early 1800s]

I feel like there have been so many false starts in my life lately. Jobs that sounded God-ordained only to fall through. Opportunities that glimmer with possibility but never materialize. Things that seem like "sure things" but just don't pan out. I am already a very skeptical person, and this recent series of events has done very little to improve that.

And today was another in the series. My sister Erica found out that she miscarried today. She was about 10 weeks pregnant. She's taking it wonderfully, although she's terribly disappointed. It was such an exciting beginning only to fall through--another false start. We have read all of the information available and my head knows that in the course of life, it's a very natural thing. But my heart is so sore. I go back to the question, "WHY?"

And I know all of the Sunday School answers to that question. The polite, sterile pat comments that people say without much thought; and I know the authentic truth behind those cliche comments. I know that God sees so much more than I ever will and that these experiences are helping to grow me and shape me into the woman that He wants me to be. And that the only way that faith grows is through testing. I KNOW all of that. You can't tell me anything that I haven't already told myself. But that still doesn't help me.

With every new hope that pops onto the horizon, I'm finding that I'm becoming more and more cynical. I look for what will go wrong, or how this exciting new 'yes' will turn into a heart-wrenching 'no.' And I don't want to be that way. I want to be hopeful and optimistic--I envy those who can be continually open-hearted in the face of such disappointment. My biggest fear is that I'll wind up some bitter old-maid English teacher who owns a hundred cats and goes to bed at 8pm and never has anything good to say to anyone.

Maybe I'm being a bit too honest here, but it's the "cry of my heart" at the moment. It's a starting place. And it kinda comes with this time of the year for me--but more about that later.

An Everyday Adventure

You see before you my friend Jen. I embarrass her on a regular basis. I do crazy things like tell store managers that they have old sales flyers out that are misleading customers and have casual conversations in which I reveal secrets that I didn't even know were secrets until she gives me THE LOOK! She looks nice enough, batting those baby blues at the camera. But put a laptop in her hand, and she is a woman possessed! I spent some time this afternoon with Jen and I felt it necessary to tell my readers about our experience.

We had a leisurely lunch at Chili's and then had about 45 minutes to kill before I had an appointment to look at an apartment that I am interested in renting. That's when the OTHER Jen took over--I'm tellin' ya folks, there's seriously a Jeckyl-and-Hyde kinda thing going on here! We drive directly to CC's Coffeehouse (I think her car can get there on it's own!) and that's when her eyes begin to take on a different sheen. We walk in and I immediately head for the counter because the normal thing to do when walking into a coffee shop is buy some coffee, right? Jen is already light-years beyond that. She's scanning the place, panic oozing out of every pore--the place was crowded and she can't lock onto a wall table with an outlet (she's wireless now--a whole nother story that I won't even begin to tell you now--but the battery on her laptop is dead, so she has to plug-in).

After we make our purchases, I proceed to follow her around like an embarrassed 13-year-old while she inspects every possible location for viable options. She thinks she's located a customer who's packing up, but much to her chagrin, he's only just setting up! So we are forced to sit at a table with NO outlets while she eyeballs the customers, hoping to make one uncomfortable enough to leave. She proceeds to (loudly) complain about the people who are sitting at tables near outlets without laptops and how their should be a rule about sitting there if they aren't gonna use the space adequately, all-the-while staring down the fella who "took" the table she thought she had found. He even had the nerve to set up and then leave his stuff there while he went to talk to someone at another table! Again, their should be rules about this sorta thing!!

As I was in mid-sentence, she declares: "Someone is leaving, get your stuff!" and scoots over to the newly vacant table, seat still warm from the poor sap who gave into the pressure of her laser-beam-like glare. She is able to plug-in and we achieve euphoria at last! God's in His heaven, all's right with the world. But now she only has 20 minutes in which to tap into the sweet nectar that is the free wireless internet access of CC's Coffeehouse. Life is SO cruel!

Puppy Love

Gus

This is Gus (and yes, I've been singing "get on the bus, Gus. . ." since they named him). He is the 7-week old daschund that my mom got for Christmas. We were playing in the yard today and I thought I'd post a few pics.

Gus in action

Run Gus Run!

Issy and Gus

This is Gus along with Issy who is about 2 1/2 years old and tolerates the new-comer as best she can.

What is she doing?

I seem to have caught Issy expressing a bit of passive-agressive frustration over the new arrival--or she's teasing me! Either way, it's a funny picture!

Dem Cra-zey Cajuns

The front door--how inviting!

Well, ladies and gentlemen, I am excited to tell you that crawfish season has begun! Tonight I went with a group of friends to Gator Cove to partake in our first serving of those delightfully tasty mud-dwelling crustaceans.

Well, I guess a place like Gator Cove should have at least one gator!

The plaque on the front reads:
September 2002
1100 lbs
13 ft, 7 in
est. 75 yrs
Henderson Swamp.

from l to r, Korie, Todd, Lauren (behind Todd's head), Kellie, Derek (looking afraid for some reason), Damon and Erica

This is the group! Todd is living in Memphis and wanted to have crawfish before he went back. We were more than happy to oblige!

A piping hot tray of crawfish! Yum, yum!!

No, folks, she's not trying to look sexy. Erica is showing what happens to your lips after eating crawfish.

Erica and Kellie huddling together for warmth

This one's for you, Jen!

Jen is a big fan of homemade signs, so I figured this would be right up her alley!

Whatchulookinat?

Ony

This here is my "niece" Ony--her real name is Onyx but she doesn't know that. She is a 21-month old black lab. She belongs to my sister and her husband, but she's special to me because I picked her out! She's hilarious! I love this picture because it is very typical of her demeanor. . .nosy!

Cookies and Good Company

yum, yum

I just spent the evening with my sister--fixing dinner, playing Life, and eating warm, fresh-out-of-the-oven chocolate chip cookies. I have a great sister--she's my favorite! ;) I remember when we were kids and mom would tell us, "One day you're gonna like having a sister!" and of course, I'd immediately think, "YEAH, right!" but it's true. I love my sister and I'm glad that we are sisters.

A Little Wisdom from the 'Hood

My desk calendar this year is "The World According to Mr. Rogers." I have such good memories of ole' Mr. Rogers. I learned how colors were made, how to reconcile differences with friends, and that make-believe is just a trolley ride away. Even now, if I am flipping through the channels and come across a re-run of the show, I will usually stop and watch for a moment as I reminisce about those much simpler days. I have also seen a PBS special on Fred Rogers himself and I must say that viewing that biography only made me respect him more. Anyway, back to the calendar. I just thought I'd share with you the thought for this past weekend. Ole' Fred gets a little pensive, but it's a quote that makes a lot of sense as I contemplate being a "grown-up."

"All through our lives there are resignations of wishes. As children, once we learn to walk, we must resign ourselves to not being a baby anymore."

I don't know why but the simple truth of that quote really hit me the first time I read it. I was just having a conversation with a friend about that subject this weekend. I think that often, those things we struggle with the most in life are those ideals that we've grown past, but refuse to give up--those pie-in-the-sky dreams of fairy-tale lives and happily-ever-after endings. I am struggling to express myself adequately because I am trying to mind that fine line between realism and cynicism. I think it's important to have dreams--no matter what your age--but at the same time, some of the wisdom that we gain as we grow older must filter those dreams, so as to remind us of what is attainable and what is just fantasy. But I have always been a realist on a good days and a pessimist on my bad ones, so take what I'm saying with a grain of salt. It's just something to think about. Feel free to comment, if you'd like.

The MOST Amazing Child in ALL of the World--aka my nephew David

Hey there, handsome!

I felt that it was time to introduce you, my devoted readers, to the most amazing child in all of the world. His name is David Kyle, II. He is almost 20 months old and lives in Missouri--which stinks because I live in Louisiana--with his mom and dad, Kyle and Katie. I just thought I'd post a few pictures for your viewing pleasure--if you think I've posted too many, please know that I DID hold back! ;)

I'm gonna get you!

David's dad--my brother--is Kyle David. His dad--my father--was David Kyle. Therefore David is officially a "II" because he's the second David Kyle but he's not a junior--I'm sure y'all were all DYING to know that!

Kyle

This is my brother Kyle. Yes, he's really tall. No, I didn't inherit those genes. Kyle and Katie just bought a house in Missouri and this is a pic of Kyle doing something home-ownerly--who knows what that could be! I know they've put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into their first house and I'm looking forward to the chance to visit!

David and his Momma

This is David with his Mom--my sister-in-law Katie. David's in his duck costume (full pic down below) and by the way he's sucking on his fingers, looks to be a bit tired at this point. But Katie is all smiles! Katie is very crafty and created this costume herself! She's also a great jewlery designer and I own several of her pieces--can you tell I'm sucking up? ;)

Helpin' Momma

I just thought these pics of him at the sink were TOO cute!

It's manly to wear an apron

David Duck is on parade

Can't wait to get in!

This is an old pic and I don't know why it's showing up so small, but it's one of my favorites! It's just so greeting-cardish, don't ya think?

me

No, I am not particularly vain. I'm trying to get this picture over to my profile, but blogger seems to be having trouble with a server b/c it won't let me save changes to my profile. So the pic is here until I can move it over. This picture was taken on my 29th (ugh!) birthday. And yes, I have a bad habit of tilting my head in pictures--all of the time, actually! If you'd like to see more pictures from my birthday, click here and scroll down to Nov 27th's post.

I need your help. . .

Does anyone know how I would go about making contact with a serviceman who's currently deployed to Iraq? I ran into a former student while I was out walking my sister's dog--or should I say while she was walking me, but that's a whole 'nother story!--and we were discussing another student that he was friends with in high school. He told me that Allen had been deployed in late October. I've been thinking about Allen recently and, now that I know he's there, I would like to make contact with him. So, if you have any ideas, please let me know. I've looked around a little online and haven't been able to find any sort of site that does that sort of thing. And all I know is his name and that he's in the National Guard--no idea what troop or squadron or whatever else he would possibly be assigned to. I appreciate any suggestions you may have. Thanks!

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Tragedy affects everyone in different ways. I learned that lesson when my Dad died almost 8 years ago. I know that I am very much a thinking personality--thank you Meyers-Briggs--and I don't always respond to the same tragic stimuli that is often generated in the media today. They tend to go after the heartstrings with pictures of people who look rightfully bewildered and overwhelmed by sorrow in the face of great tragedy. And while I do not doubt the sincerity, those images don't help me to fully understand the scope of the event. I often need information on a broader scale in order to appreciate the personal aspect of the situation. I think back to 9/11 and the pictures and video of the attack was what makes the pictures and video of people reacting to and mourning the event much more real to me.

This morning my focus is the recent tsunami that has devastated a part of our world. I have seen the news reports and the flags at half-mast. I have seen the images of the people. But I think what gets to me is just the sheer number of people that it has affected. I saw last night that the number of people missing and assumed dead is at 142,000. That just blows me away. Those are people's sons and daughters, and husbands and wives, and friends and companions--all lost in a moment by something that nobody could have predicted with any accuracy and no one could have stopped. My friend Dale sent me an email this morning and I just wanted to share it with you.

This is a link to satellite photos that show before and after shots of the countries hit by the tsunamis. Each picture has a toggle to click on to see the before and after. The site itself gives you a little more instruction.

http://homepage.mac.com/demark/tsunami/2.html

I can't say that I hope you enjoy them, but these pictures have helped me to comprehend the scope of the tragedy and that, in turn, helps me to understand the images of those whose lives have been forever changed by it.

Announcing the New Arrival!

A little picture of my new baby!

Well, here she is. I have had her for a few days, but I've been a little too busy playing with her to make the big announcement. The brown stork dropped her off on Wednesday afternoon and it's been heaven ever since! I mean, I didn't know how much my new baby would affect my life, but she has! I couldn't wait until the weekend so I could have some uninterrupted quality time with her! Yeah, I know I'm being ridiculous, but it's fun. While I'm sure that such purchases are mundane and commonplace for most of you, It's been a big deal for me. I don't think I've ever paid this much for anything other than a car in my life. And it's just been one of those things that I said I wanted for so long--it's hard for me to realize that I, Beth Hintze, actually own my own laptop. Now I'm in the throws of "new parent" culture shock. I want to know how to do a hundred different things all at once and it drives me nuts that I have to take time to do such frustrating things as sleep and go to work!

This blog has taken on a new importance as well. I remember not so long ago when I didn't know WHAT a blog was--I'd heard about the concept but it was certainly never anything that I thought worthy of much attention. And then I met a new friend and he had one so it was fun to check it out and see what he was doing and thinking about. And from that point, an old friend decided that SHE needed a blog of her own. I lived vicariously through her for a while, but I finally got to the point where it was time for me to have my own. And here we are. It was just supposed to be this casual thing I'd do every now and then when I had something particularly funny or wise to say. But now, as Jen has told me many times, I see the world in a whole new light. I look at everything and wonder, "Can I blog about that?" (And this is another question, when did 'blog' become a verb? I know that you post on a blog, but in casual conversation, Jen and I tend to use the word 'blog' as a verb--is that normal or are we just nuts? ok, I already know the answer to that, but stick to the subject!) I may wax philosophical on the subject of blogging in subsequent posts, but it's Friday afternoon and I don't feel like thinking that hard right now! I'm off to a dinner party at my best friend's house--if I can remember how to get there! She lives out in the middle of rice fields--yikes!

The World RPS Society

I am mesmerized by nonsense taken to the extreme. When I found this website a few years ago—much to the chagrin of Jim, my boss, who thought I was ridiculous for spending so much time on it-- I spent hours looking through every part. The site has grown since then, but my fascination is still the same. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to this website that has captivated me for years: The World RPS Society. Check it out! It’s great! I love the by-line: Serving the needs of decision-makers since 1918.

And the best part is that YOU can become a member of this fascinating society for only a small fee! They have a few packages available. I’ve taken the liberty of setting those before you now so that you might begin to consider the level of membership that would best suit your needs:

Special Offer: Special Deluxe Membership Package

A laminated official World RPS Society membership card, allowing you to declare your active status in the World RPS Society

Your name and very own official title in the World RPS Society proclaimed boldly on your card

An Author signed copy of The Official Rock Paper Scissors Strategy Guide book

A letter of welcome, signed by the legendary Wojek Smallsoa (including an excerpt from his seminal work, The Trio of Hands)

An official RPS Power Stealth Ingenuity T-shirt

A complete set of eight stickers (Volume 1 or 2) featuring designs from the World RPS Historical Archive

The Official Rules to the grand sport of Rock Paper Scissors (2003 Championship Edition)

Two Official World RPS Society Beer Coasters

All for only $37 (plus $8 shipping and handling)


Deluxe Membership Package

A laminated official World RPS Society membership card, allowing you to declare your active status in the World RPS Society

Your name and very own official title in the World RPS Society proclaimed boldly on your card

A letter of welcome, signed by the legendary Wojek Smallsoa (including an excerpt from his seminal work, The Trio of Hands)

An official RPS Power Stealth Ingenuity T-shirt

A complete set of eight stickers (Volume 1 or 2) featuring designs from the World RPS Historical Archive

All for only $26 (plus $6 Shipping and Handling)

Basic Membership Package

An official World RPS Society membership card, allowing you to declare your active status in the World RPS Society

A letter of welcome, signed by the legendary Wojek Smallsoa (including an excerpt from his seminal work, The Trio of Hands)

4 stickers featuring the designs from the World RPS Historical Archive

All for only $9 (plus $1 Shipping and Handling)

PLUS . . .
Written on the back of your card is a SPECIAL BONUS available only to card-bearing World RPS Society members. Showing your card at the beginning of any match with a non-member will enable you to dictate the number of rounds to be played! So any time you are playing you can force your opponents to play in a number of rounds that suits your best playing strategies (perhaps your specialty is lightning rounds or maybe a longer match will reveal your opponent's strategy, or you can even keep them on their toes my mixing it up).

Imagine the envy of your friends as you whip out your card and force them to play a best of 9 tournament, before a decision can be reached. How can we offer this to you? Because we are the governing body of all worldwide RPS matches and no other RPS-affiliated organization can.
You also get full access to the worldrps.com Web site, with areas and articles by your favourite RPS strategists, a bulletin board, FAQs, strategy insights, new moves and much, much more; a directory of all RPS committee heads and the upcoming World RPS catalogue, where you will be able to get posters, playing aids, instructional videos, apparel, limited edition collectors' items, and many other items not available anywhere else!

But that's not all! When attending any regional or national RPS convention, you can take advantage of many special members-only events, such as RPS tournaments, lectures, panels, and workshops where members can meet special convention guests - possibly Micheal Walters (developer of the infamous 2-3 Rock Switch strategy), or even Jasmine Meade (1998 Junior Women's Champion and co-author of The Grrrls Guide to RPS).

So join now - prices will go up in the near future. Memberships are available at yearly or (for a limited time only) lifetime rates. To sign up today simply complete and mail our Application Form.

Secrets

The other night my sister asked me to pick up a few things for dinner on my way home. Since it was just a few items and it didn't matter to me if I paid $1.29 or $1.49 for a head of lettuce, I just stopped at Champagne's--a local grocery store (pronounced Sham-pines, for all of you who aren't from South Louisiana). I made my selections and arrived at the check-out counter, debit card in hand. As the cashier finished scanning the items, I slid my card through the little debit card machine and a funny thing happened. The machine asked me for my "Secret" code. I didn't know what it was talking about for a second and then I realized that it was refering to my PIN! I just think that's so funny--my "secret" code.

It made me wish that I had more secrets in my life! I realize the importance of keeping my PIN confidential and very few people are privy to that very important information, but it just sounds so much more exciting to call it a SECRET code. Sometimes I feel like my whole life is an open book. I wish I could be more mysterious. I have decided that, even if my life isn't mysterious, I can make it sound more so! So now my plans will be SECRET plans. My passwords will be SECRET codes. My normal, everyday conversations will be PRIVATE conversations. I think most of what is truly secret in the world is probably not that extraordinary. It simply sounds exciting because, by labeling it a secret, you're telling a majority of people that THEY don't get to know it! Obscurity always lends an air of mystery. So, I'm off to be mysterious. . . and who knows where I'll end up! ha!

Thoughts of Andrew

I am so flattered that my blog has garnered attention from such as the ENTIRE Bridges clan! But of course, I attribute that attention to the post that Della affectionately refers to as "The Story about Paige." And I understand that Andrew is feeling a bit left out so I thought I would tell the rest of my readers a little bit about my new friend Andrew.

Della aptly remarked, and I do agree, that it's amazing to see twins who are so different. Paige is ALL girl and Andrew is ALL boy! And they are both hilarious! One of my favorite "Andrew" memories from that weekend has to be when we settled down to watch Spiderman 2. Andrew exibited both brotherly concern and his very masculine nature while we watched the movie. He would instruct Paige as to when she needed to cover her eyes because of the violence of the scene. Now, I never could figure out why it was ok for him--a 4 1/2 year old boy--to watch the scene, but she--a 4 1/2 year old girl-- needed to cover her eyes, but she did nonetheless. None of it phased him, though. What DID phase him were the kissing scenes! If there was even a CHANCE that kissing could occur, Andrew practically killed himself while trying to hide behind the sofa!

Andrew is also very into sports. He was watching a football game on Sunday afternoon and he couldn't always tell you who was winning, but he definitely knew his teams! And apparently someone took him to see the Florida State Seminoles play the Duke Blue Devils because he was very excited to tell his aunt--a die-hard 'noles fan--all about it!

And he loves to play football at a moment's notice. You could be standing in the hall talking to someone and, from somewhere behind you would come the words, "Hut, hut" and then there you were, prostrate on the floor with Andrew around your knees. I was playing with Andrew and made the mistake of rattling off a few numbers before i said "hut, hut" (and I know about as much about why you would say numbers before you call "hut" as Andrew does, but like my fellow football player, I immitate what I observe, even when I don't understand it.) Needless to say, at least while we were still visiting, Andrew picked up on that little detail and his "huts" now included a few random numbers and a whole lot more gusto! Andrew also liked to play these "pick-up" games of football at very unusual times but I won't go into more detail on that here--Della, that's your story to tell! ha!

One more story about Andrew--and this comes from his mom, Stephanie. She told us about one day when she'd taken the twins to Barnes and Noble. She stopped by the magazine section to grab a few magazines to read while she sat with Paige and Andrew in the children's section. She said that as they were leaving the section, Andrew's arms were full of hunting magazines. I guess he needed some reading material to occupy him while they were in the children's section as well?!

I don't know if my memories will be as funny to you as they are to me. I laugh just thinking about these stories. I had such a great time in Tallahassee! Thank you Darren and Stephanie for such warm hospitality and such funny kids! Y'all have a great thing going!

YAY!!

Well, ladies and gentlemen. I sullenly trudged up to the library to check my email and write a little on the woes of being without a computer and being forced to use public computing services (i.e., the library computers) when what did I notice in my hotmail inbox? A SHIPPING NOTICE from Dell!! Yay, my new computer is now on its way! After MUCH deliberation, I finally ordered my computer on Thursday. I designed my own on Dell.com, but chickened out about ordering it without talking to a person first. I called the toll free number and a helpful fella named Victor helped me to design the computer that's right for me (and all of those other cheesy lines you hear in comercials). I'm getting an Inspiron 1150 (a laptop--b/c I'm SUCH the mobile, on-the-go chick! ha!) I'm so excited!!