RANT: It's kinda funny when...

I think it's kinda funny when

• People lie to a direct question, and you know they're lying, and the other knows you know they're lying, but they keep lying anyway.
• You're close to someone one day, and the next they don't even look at you when you pass by.
• A professor expects you to know things you never learned and then wastes 10 minutes trying to make you guess on a question you don't know the answer to (because you never learned it). 
• People talk to hear themselves talk. It's especially funny when no one is listening, but they keep talking anyways.
• One day someone's your absolute best friend, and the next day they don't know a thing about you and could care less to learn. 
• Someone rides your butt for 5 miles in the fast lane until they move to the right lane to try to pass you and then they get stuck behind a car that's even slower. (This one really does make me feel slightly victorious.)
• You're in such a bad mood that Christmas songs tick you off. ("Christmas in San Francisco"? Sorry, but that doesn't sound like my idyllic Christmas vacation spot)
• One bad thing ruins a whole day. Actually pretty childish to let that happen.

And yet, it happened to me today. Oops. 

The sun'll come out tomorrow.
Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow
There'll be sun!

Just thinkin' about tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs, and the sorrow
'Til there's none!

When I'm stuck with a day that's gray and lonely,
I just stick out my chin and Grin and Say,
Oh!

The sun'll come out tomorrow.
So ya gotta hang on 'til tomorrow 
Come what may.
Tomorrow! Tomorrow!
I love ya Tomorrow!
You're always a day away!

Shorkie Dilemma

This post will be 500 times less meaningful than it would have been if I had a picture alongside it.

(I'm getting a camera for Christmas so hopefully this will only be a problem for a short time. I would like my blog to become a lot more colorful and fun to look at... I apologize for the blandness as it is now.)

Husband and I decided to eat at our favorite local Chinese buffet this morning. And while I'm mentioning this, can I just say 9 out of 10 people that were there were wearing OSU (the tenth person was me in my OU hoodie). I'm not, by any means, a sports fan.. But I was a little caught off guard. I thought this was sooner territory? Guess not. Or maybe Cowboys like Chinese more, who knows.

Anyways, that's not the point. After we ate lunch, we realized we needed to stop at the grocery store to buy bread, cheese, and lunchmeat so he could have dinner tonight at work. Chickasha recently opened a Save-A-Lot store near the Chinese restaurant so we decided to try it out (after all, who doesn't like to save... a lot?). On our way across the street, Husband spotted a truck parked by a store with a pen full of puppies for sale. So, of course, we stopped to look (who doesn't look at roadside puppies?).

The couple was selling four pups... 3 Shorkies (Shitzu/Yorkshire terriers) and 1 Morkie (Maltese/Yorkie). The Morkie was a 16 week old white male with black patches. The 3 shorkies were all 9 weeks old and had black and brown blended fur. They, literally, looked like little Ewoks. There was one male and two females. The female we liked in particular had a stump for a tail because its mother got a little over-zealous when chewing off the umbilical cord. Due to the stumpy tail, black/brown fur, and teeny furry ears... This little pooch looked not only like an Ewok, but like a little teddy bear. It was the cutest damn thing I have seen in a very long time (pardon my language, but it's true... Like I said... A picture would make this 10 times more effective a point).

I write this post to explain how badly I want a small dog. I love lap dogs. Bless poor Luke Puppy's heart, he's just never going to be a good lap dog. For one thing, he's not allowed on the furniture, so that kind of nips that idea in the bud. Anyways, we've been discussing lately getting Luke a playmate, but we wanted an older dog (maybe 2 or 3 years old) who is about the same size as him so that Luke can be playful and not cause any damage to. This little teddy bear, although ridiculous and totally adorable and exactly the dog I want, would be a horrible match for the pup we have already. It makes me incredibly sad. Luke and I long for different things in a partner.

I can't linger on this topic or I will resort to crying.

*Side Note: Save-A-Lot is a crock. The store is arranged very strangely so we had trouble finding what we were looking for. The worst and craziest part of all was that we had to bag our own groceries. I mean.. what? What kind of grocery store makes you bag your own groceries? They ring up the items and put them back in your cart, then you roll your cart over to a table with a bunch of bags on it and you have to bag them all up yourself. Call me outrageously lazy, but isn't that what their job is? What if I was in a hurry and had a cart full of groceries? I'm supposed to take everything out of the cart AGAIN, bag it all up myself, and reload it all? Anyways, Husband and I weren't very happy, so we're not going back.

Walmart, you win again.

Ur in Trouble

... Get it?

Well, maybe you will.

Have you ever been woken up in the middle of the night by an overwhelming urge to go to the bathroom? This happens to me often because, like the extremely intelligent college-educated person I am, I constantly disregard medical advise to not eat or drink past a certain time. However, instead of getting up and going to the restroom, I often lie in bed thinking about how I can get out of getting up to make the strenuous 10 foot hike to the bathroom.

I would rather:

1. Purchase a portable potty to conveniently set up next to the bed.
2. Wet the bed and deal with it later.
3. Hold it all night and just never go back to sleep and think about more ways to avoid getting up.
4. Make Braylen go to the bathroom for me.
5. Make Luke go to the bathroom for me. 
6. Call my dad and make him go to the bathroom for me (as repayment for all the times I went for him)
7. Take my pillow and blanket to the bathroom with me so I can keep sleeping.
8. Move my bathroom to directly next to my side of the bed.
9. Destroy the bathroom so I have no reason to need one (this one never quite makes sense to me).
10. Buy sleeping pills so I can sleep through these urges and wait 'til the morning to go. 

And let's not even mention the word "catheter". 

Oops, I just did. Please forgive.

As you can see, I really don't like getting up in the middle of the night for bathroom purposes. I have such a distaste for making these unpleasant journeys because more often than not, once I lie back down after going to the bathroom, it takes me about 30 minutes to get back to sleep. This wouldn't be such a problem if I didn't get up more than once in the night. 

I really need to listen to doctors. 

And I really need to not write blog entries at 3:42 AM. Sorry you just had to read this. But I had to write about it while it was fresh on my mind. I'll wait until later in the day to post so I can edit any type-o's I may have made, so at least you don't have to go through that. 

But do you get it? 

One is the loneliest number...

Braylen is back on the night shift so Luke, Kit-Kat, and I are left to our own devices here at the house. It would be kind of nice to have a quiet home, but sometimes it can make me a little blue. I like to hear the loud thud-thud-thud of my husband's Clydesdale feet every once in a while (don't tell him I said so though..) and being able to look over at him on the other couch click click clicking away on his computer (paying absolutely no attention to the ravishing red head sitting in the same room). Not to mention the fact that when he's gone I have to take the dog out in the cold, freezing, ice cold wind and run the risk of getting frostbite. It really is a tragedy.

So I need to look on the bright side.

Ten Things I Like about Being Alone in the Night:

1. I have the whole king size bed and the covers alllllllll to myself. (I probably could stop the list right here and that would be enough... We have a fantastic bed.)
2. I get to control the remote. All of my DVR'd shows from the previous week get watched while the husband's away. It's very nice. I can also watch the shows that cause him to roll his eyes at me.
3. When I leave the toilet seat up (enabling Luke to drink from the toilet) I have no one to blame but myself. Along with when I leave the bedroom door open (allowing him to drag out socks from the laundry basket) and leave a napkin, paper towel, or straw wrapper in Luke's reach. It's always more fun to blame it on Braylen, but it saves me the energy of raising my voice when it's my own fault.
4. I feel very independent when it's up to me to guard the house, lock the doors, feed the animals, turn down the heater before bed, and wield the shotgun. I am woman, hear me roar!
5. I can have a friend over or go see a friend without feeling bad that Braylen is the third wheel or being left out. Bonus, it allows me to throw killer parties (in fact, the keg just got here... hold on).
6. No one's here to make fun of me when I have on a hoodie, pants, socks, jacket, and zebra print Snuggie with the heater on... and am still cold. I'm not exaggerating... It's happened. Several times.
7. I can get myself a snack and don't have to be attacked by puppy dog eyes (not from the puppy, by the way) asking if I can grab him one, too. 
8. I can pass gas and no one looks at me like I'm a cavewoman. Luke has respect for my physical need to release gas... HE never judges me. 
9. I have my choice of couches. That's two whole couches (not to mention the four recliners in the basement) that I have full control over. This kind of power should be outlawed.
10. I don't have to cook dinner. As much as I love cooking, it's nice not to have to. 

I still miss him, though. 

I wanna be rich.

Have you heard this song? "I Wanna Be Rich" by Calloway has been playing on the station I listen to every once in a while (mostly on Way Back Wednesdays) and every time I hear it it gets stuck in my head for the rest of the day. It's so darn catchy. "I want money. Lots and lots of money."

I mean, who doesn't? Well, I guess some people don't. But, as a newlywed who's newlymortgaged (it's a word, k?), 'lots and lots of money' sounds particularly nice.

But that's beside the point. I only titled this entry that because it's in my head.

I really wanted to tell you that it's hard for me to blog. I went to the University of Oklahoma today to watch my blog-idol Ree Drummond speak about her life as a new blogger. It was extremely interesting (and hilarious) and it caused me to appreciate what she's done even more. For the past several months I have had a few people tell me I should write a blog (well, some didn't call it a blog, they went for a whole book, but let's me serious...). Not bragging at all, just saying this whole thing wasn't necessarily my idea. I've had many blogs in the past, but they never served much of a purpose. They were mostly "I did _____ today." One of PW's main points today was encouraging new bloggers to keep at it and not give up in the beginning. (Robin, I can hear you telling me "I told you so!")

I just want to make it clear that I'm still not comfortable with this blog idea. At least, not so much with my blog. I would love to delve into this whole blogging world, I just don't know what direction I want to go with it. I feel like talking about my life with Braylen and the pets is going to get old very soon. Plus, I don't want to seem like I feel people should care what happens day-to-day in our lives. I'm quite possibly taking this much too seriously. In fact, I know I am.

I just felt a disclaimer should be made: I am a newb, so bare with me.

So don't be asking me why..
I wanna be rich, oh!

Distraction

I've noticed lately that my life has become a bit of a distraction.

Imagine that I have two lives happening at the same time. The fun, lovey, relaxed one has definitely taken a front burner to the clean, studious, responsible one. It's a tad bit worrisome. (I'm sure for some more than others.. For example, it doesn't bother me a bit, but I'm sure my mother and mother-in-law are cringing... Or will be once an explanation is given).

I absolutely love being home. I get to hang out with my husband and my puppy, watch TV and movies, play Trivial Pursuit (which I stink at, but every once in a while get one right), go visit family, or entertain friends for dinner. I looooooove being at home. It's my favorite. I even like cleaning... Or at least tidying up after a big clean has already taken place... The big clean kinda stinks. Anyways, what I'm saying is... Maybe it's because my physical school is located 50+ minutes away that I find it so easy to forget about it when I'm not actually there. I can probably count on two hands the amount of hours I've spent studying for classes.

*Side Note: Clinic is not included in those hours... I've spent many more hours than I could count in preparation for clinic. The difference is, that's something I actually enjoy preparing for and implementing.

Okay, back to what I was saying. In the past month, my attention span for the afternoon class (I have two in the morning and two in the afternoon every Tuesday and Thursday) has gone from around 50% to about 5% (on a good day). I literally play Spider Solitaire, Freecell, or a random iPhone app during my last two classes EVERY Tuesday and Thursday. What's silly is I'm still making an A in both classes, but I'll write that up to good test-taking skills. It really makes me depressed at times though because I want to be involved in the class, but I just don't have the energy by the time those two roll around. I'm really hoping the scheduling next semester is better for my attention span, but we'll see.

What made me think of this, is that I should probably get started on my homework tonight. But instead I will either clean my house (to rid myself of an excuse to do so later, when studying will be really important) or watch TV. And I have a feeling it's going to end up being the latter. Oops... Thanks DVR, for distracting me from graduate school for the 56,974,847,574,398,030,000th time. Yeah, it's been that many times. I can't even count that high. Which is probably why I'm still in school.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

At least in my world, it is.

Braylen and I started playing the Christmas station on Pandora a few weeks ago. It takes my breath away how much Christmas music soothes me. It brings me down from the worst of moods, and makes me excited about life.

I can remember listening to carols as we put up the Christmas tree growing up. Decorating the tree was always one of my favorite parts of Christmas, and it still is (I've been holding back putting up the Christmas tree since October). Listening to Little Drummer Boy, Silent Night, and Jingle Bells while hanging up the ornaments that have been on our tree since I can remember... The memories I have from Christmastimes past are some of my favorites and most fond.

Last year, I had to drive through a blizzard to make it home for Christmas Eve. Now, I say "I had to" and many people would disagree that it was a necessity. Unless it hasn't been made clear, Christmas is my absolute favorite time of year. The day before Christmas is the big day for my family. If I hadn't driven home, I would have been alone in a town without any friends or family around on my favorite day of the year. There was no way that would happen. Even though I didn't get to be with Braylen, being home with my family (for probably the last time we'll all be together like that) was well worth the treacherous drive.

This year, I'm hoping that the crazy snow we had last year tones it down enough that we can see everyone and get to enjoy our time altogether. This is my first married Christmas, and although things are supposed to dramatically change once your married, I think we'll actually be able to stay fairly regular with what we normally did. I'm just excited to be a part of his family, as well as spend time with my wonderful parents and grandparents. I am so thankful that I get to share the holidays with my best friend and our family. To have all of these blessings so early in my life is something I never could have hoped for.

Santa outdid himself.

Rant: Morning Radio

Since school started, I've been listening to 98.9 KYIS FM faithfully every day. In the morning, it's Jack and Ron, and on the way home it's usually Drew and Kaci, too. I've been noticing in the past month or so that Jack and Ron are quite sexist. And not just in a "for the radio" kind of way to make them look "good" (although, does it really make you look good?). It's getting almost ridiculous.

First example: A few weeks ago they somehow (as often happens) found their way to the subject of women and sex. They went on and on, back and forth, about how a good woman will do everything she can to please her man and that's what her goal is. No matter what it takes, she will find the perfect ways to bring pleasure to the man she's with and will accept nothing less. I let it go though, because, let's face it, it's partially true (the other part being that the man should be doing his part also. So I ignore each time they make comments like that.

Next example: This happened this morning, and honestly I had to change the radio station. They got a letter from a young woman who was writing in to tell them that she has a problem with sleeping with a guy too soon and getting attached and then the guy leaves. I got a phone call and missed what the point of her letter was, but Jack and Ron took it as a cue to explain how women should act in a relationship. Apparently, women should be willing to open their legs and be completely unattached with a man. They should show no interest in them (if they're mature) and the feelings and all that crap comes later. Okay, I'm not kidding here. A woman called in to discuss the subject with them. She said that her and her husband slept with each other for over a year before they formed a relationship, and now they've been happily married for over two years. Jack and Ron applauded her for her maturity saying that her and her husband were both extremely mature and other people should look to them for how to be in a relationship. They said that if you're mature, you can sleep with someone and have zero attachment to them. That women should be willing and happy to be this way, and that will show a man how mature and womanly she is. It's unbelievable to me.

I understand that as far as modern standards go, I'm naive and ridiculously old-fashioned about sex and what it should mean to a young adult. I just can't comprehend how sleeping with several partners is considered having a "healthy sex life." I can't fathom how far south our culture has gone when promiscuity is praised and considered healthy, but I guess that is where we are.

98.9 lost a loyal listener this morning.

Her Highness

Here's the thing about my cat. I know that I talk a lot about my pup, Luke, but before there was him, there was a cat named Kit-Kat. November 2nd of this year marked our 8th year of having Kit-Kat. (Let me say that I named her when I was in the 8th grade, so give me a break.) For a long time, she had been my only pet and we became verrrrry close, even though I have always been more of a dog person than a cat person. She is a princess, but a very sweet princess. She loves to have the center of attention, loves to be in the middle of the room, has to be on everyone's lap, and looooooooves to have everyone pet her and love on her. She is very dog-like in that respect, which is probably why I love her.

I've noticed within the past few years how big of a brat she is, however. She has started a habit of meowing for food anytime someone walks into the kitchen where her food dish is. She also meows anytime she's not allowed to do something she wants. Example: Our front storm door doesn't close all the way unless you pull it closed, so she's started escaping. Granted, she often doesn't leave the porch, and definitely doesn't leave the front yard, but I've had one too many cats die from being hit by cars and I really don't like the idea of losing her that way. We always immediately go out and bring her back in. And then she meows to be let outside again (which I think she learned from the dog, by the way). This morning, Braylen and I took Luke outside and I let Kit-Kat out also just to see what she'd do if she could go outside with permission.

She barely moved. She didn't leave the porch. And after 5 minutes, she was scratching at the door to be let back in. It's kind of like how she'll meow and scratch at ANY closed door in the house (especially when she knows we're on the other side of the door) and then once you open it for her, she's not interested anymore. It's ridiculous. She's such a teenager.

Oh, another thing about this lovely kitty is that she HATES (hates hates hates hates hates) other animals, including her puppy-brother, Luke. Any opportunity she has to swat and hiss at him, she jumps on (keep in mind she's de-clawed, people... I'm not subjecting my pup to abuse). She even tricks him into thinking it's safe by every once in a while letting him lick alllll over her face and sniff all he wants for about 10-15 seconds before she snaps and pounces on his face. It's funny and completely mean all rolled into one ball of fur. We kept saying before we got Luke "Kit-Kat will get used to it. She'll have to! Eventually, she'll grow to love him." Ummm... I think we were wrong.

These kids are driving me bonkers, but I sure do love 'em.

Oops. I forgot.

Okay, so let me introduce myself, as a new blogger. (And yes, I realize that this is my third post, and the second one in less than two hours)

First of all, this blog has been titled "Unexpected Fortune" because I have recently been given huge amounts of money and am a millionaire.

Just kidding.

When I say "fortune," I'm more talking about how fortunate I have been within these past two years, and within my life, as a whole. The blessings God has given me are immeasurable, and I never would have expected them growing up (especially in junior high and high school).

I never imagined that by age 20 I would be married to the love of my life, living in my first home, taking care of a puppy, attending graduate school, and planning a family. Well, let's just say that I imagined it and never believed it could actually happen to me. I envisioned that I would become the cat lady (with Kit-Kat being the ruler of all the other cats, of course) and came to terms with the idea that I'd have to be ready to live my life alone. I'm not quite sure why I had such a pessimistic view about life... I think I just wanted to prepare myself in case that happened. I wanted to be able to still love my life and myself, even if things didn't turn out how I so desperately wished that they would. Once I came to terms with the idea that I needed to be happy alone or with a partner... I met Braylen.

*Cue the gags*

I'm sorry but in every other relationship, I somehow managed to sabotage it and push them away. I assumed that would happen with my husband... That I would find something to dislike and use it to put a wedge between us until he was so miserable we broke up. I don't know why I did these things, I just did, okay?

Funny story... Braylen and I went on a double date with a female high school friend of his once. While the boys stared blankly at the football game on the screen, her and I talked about them, of course, and how much we loved them. I told her about how when he and I started dating I expected him to be like all the other flings I'd had other the preceding years... I assumed we would hang out a time or two (I'd get attached of course, cos I'm one of "those girls") and then I'd never hear from him again. I told her that after our first night of hanging out, I never thought he'd text again. She laughed and said "You definitely didn't know Braylen very well!" It's something that I've grown to love more and more about him. He's constant.

Back to what I was saying... Although I was used to relationships fizzling out quickly, Braylen never gave that a chance. Once he and I were together, he was hooked. And I don't mean that because I'm so wonderful (even though, I mean, it's completely true)... I just mean that he's so loving and considerate (gag) that he would never leave someone he cares about. I have always longed for a relationship or even a friendship that would be completely reliable, always constant, never a doubt that we were there for one another... And I had no idea what that could mean until Braylen came into my life.

So when I say that this is an "unexpected" fortune, I truly mean I never could have anticipated this type of happiness. Especially not this early in my life. And by "fortune," I mean that not only his love, but the love of his family and his friends (which are now MY family and friends) are more valuable to me than any amount of money.

Our life together is my unexpected fortune, and I hope that this blog is a place where we can share this fortune with whomever wanted to read about it.

Compilation.

About 30 minutes ago I finished my second test in a horrible class called Speech Science. Now, I could attempt to tell you the gist of what Speech Science is about.. If I had any idea, myself. But, sorry, I'm pretty sure this will be the first C I ever make, EVER. If I can even pull off a C. Example question from said exam:

T-F Voice onset are perceived categorically while formant transitions are perceived continuously.

Hm... let me tell you... I used the answer to this question in my therapy session just yesterday!!!

Oh wait, no I didn't. Because the answer to that question will never apply to my practice.

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Much more exciting news: My Luke Puppy comes home from the vet today. He was neutered yesterday, so I'm sure when he gets home he'll be just THRILLED with Braylen and I. Hopefully he'll forgive us, one day.

This is the wonderpup. I know... He's beautiful. He's really humble about it though.

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Wonder of wonders... My husband and I are both free to stay up as late as we please tonight! I don't have class or clinic tomorrow and it's his first of two days off tomorrow. What does this mean? Well, it could mean a number of possible situations... 

1. We order pizza, watch our Netflix movie, take a walk with the dog, and go to bed by 10. 
2. We hit the town (aka OKC or Norman) and go see a movie after having a fabulously delicious meal. (Can a meal be measured in deliciousness by how fabulous it is? .... Let's go with it...)
3. We go and see our parents, and they feed us. (unlikely)
4. We go to A&E, La Fiesta, Jake's Rib, or China Moon. The only restaurants in Chickasha we ever go to. 

I'm hoping for number 2. Because I'm a girl, and I like to go on dates with my husband. And I like that, when we go on dates, we still hold hands and give each other googly eyes. 

When he's not watching whatever sports team is on the TV screen at the restaurant we're at.

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And now I'm going to eat the lunch my husband lovingly packed for me at 7 AM this morning. 

It starts...

Along with so many other new beginnings in my life these days, I've decided to start keeping track of (yet another) blog. Facebook is great and all, but I want a place to really document all the things going on in our lives in a narrative form. Sometimes I need a little bit more explanation room than a status update will give me, and let's face it... What I have to say is definitely that important, no?

Ummm, yeah. Soooo anyway..

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Oopsie, I wrote a whole paragraph yesterday and then had to pause writing so now said-paragraph is irrelevant and had to be deleted. Way to be side-tracked, missy.

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Here's the thing about grad school: It's awful and wonderful at the exact same time. Let me elaborate...

Pros:

1. The practicum. Both the preschool and the clinic have been wonderful practicum experiences for me (thus far). I am really enjoying going into treatment sessions, and am actually excelling and progressing in my abilities (or so say my supervisors, anyway). 
2. The setting. The new building we're in is spectacular. I mean it... Spectacular. Oh, and it's minutes from Bricktown.
3.  

Wait, I can only think of 2 good things.. Crap..
(Bear in mind, #1 is a very big pro.)

Cons:

1. The commute. I drive about 50ish minutes, one way, at the peak of morning traffic, to make it to morning classes and clinic (which start at 9 AM). 
2. The teachers. Oopsie. Not to be mean, but the classes just aren't taught like I'm used to. Which may/may not be my own fault, but in my opinion this is a huge con. If I'm having difficulty focusing in your class, I promise it's not because I have attention problems, just sayin'...
3. The technology. "But wait," you say, "wouldn't that be a 'pro'?" Afraid not. Call me old fashioned, but I rather enjoy taking notes on paper. However, the lecturing style in class makes it next to impossible to keep up with pen and paper... Note the school requirement that everyone have a laptop. Everyone takes notes on their laptops. I could delve into the specific cons of having 24 laptops simultaneously tack-tack-tacking away for 5 hours, 2 days a week, but I think I'll let you use your imagination. 

I was thinking of other cons I could list, but they were all personal decisions that I made, so I can't blame that on grad school... At least not in writing, of course.

I will say this, at the end of this 18 month program, I will be ready to get my certification in a field that I've grown to love, so I suppose it can't be all bad, right? A Bachelor's and Master's degree in a total of five years.. I really can't complain.



That being said... It really takes away from time I could spend with my puppy.