bah!

frustration.
i still can't get blogger to upload pictures. what is wrong?

i know you've all been missing me.

its been a while.

there is nothing huge to blog about.

i could tell you that we've painted the blue chairs brown. but can't seem to find the time to finish the seats. stay tuned.

i could tell you that we have some wonderful friends here...all of which are young couples with dogs (no kids yet). and that i'm still obsessed with petfinder, and still having dreams about puppies, and waking Jonny up at night to tell him i thought of another great name for 'our dog' which we don't have...and that he still loves me (somehow) and puts up with it.

i could tell you about how we spent 2 hours last night making an 'orienteering' course for the boy scouts. and i learned that metal attracts magnets in the compass, and the difference between 'magnetic' and 'true' north....and i thought about how the earth turns, the constancy, the wonder that is creation and universe and felt very very small.

i could tell you about how the weather has been absolutely gorgeous, daffodils and tulips are everywhere, and we love spring. i drove with my windows down last week, wind whipping my hair, sunglasses on, and (half) naked people running everywhere. glorious. i'm looking forward to summer with every beat of my California heart and soul.

i could tell you about how we are making it through the last few crazy weeks of the semester, counting down to the end and counting our blessings: the opportunity to be here and go to school together, learning so much and increasing our earning potential...and the fact that one school year is under our belts. have we really been here for a year? we don't feel so much like strangers.

i could tell you about how we scored a used washer/dryer set for a great price, and can't wait to set it up in our new apartment in a few weeks. (remember our laundry woes? stolen clothes, wet armfuls, broken machines, lost quarters...). its been about 8 years since Jonny has had laundry in his actual living space. 4 for me. we no longer have to be green with envy of those of you who only have to lug your dirty clothes down the stairs or into the next room!

i could tell you that Jonny's parents are coming to Chicago this weekend and we are beyond excited to spend some time in the windy city with them! now, if we could only find a way to get up there that doesn't cost an arm and a leg...(parking in chi-town is ridonkulous.)

i could tell you that we had the missionaries over for dinner and my madeup southwest-chicken dish turned out amazing (if i do say so myself). they encouraged us to share what we believe with our friends and those around us...i thought a lot about life and religion and the existence of God. i still have faith, even if its not the most popular thing to do nowadays.

i could tell you that i've been feeling very creative lately. or at least wistful for creativity. wishing for the time/money/skills/tools to make it happen. decorating, sewing, composing, painting, gardening, photographing...you name it, i want to try it. now if i could just be done with this thing called graduate school that takes over our lives...reaches into every corner and every pocket and every second and has the power to pull me back, just as i'm on the verge of escape.

BUT...all of that is kinda boring without pictures!

sorry. guess i told you anyway.

here's a happy thought (...maybe there is hope for me):

"Too many people believe that creativity is a talent with which some people are born and the rest of us can only envy. This is a negative attitude that is completely mistaken. Creativity is a skill that can be learned, developed and applied."~Edward de Bono

:)