Caffeinated Randomness: I need caffeine

If this doesn't classify as caffeinated randomness, I don't know what does.



So. I'm on the hunt for a new coffee maker.

I inhereted my old Krups coffee maker from my parents. Immediately, I felt a connection. Here was a coffee carafe that was not only stainless steel, but it kept my coffee warm for hours -- without warming the surface of what it touched. Cool on the outside, hot on the inside. Gorgeous.



Unfortunately, as my house is a small cottage and we have a smaller kitchen than I had in our apartment, my coffee pot had to be stored on the washing machine. And, due to loading too many clothes in said washing machine, it might have fallen off a time or two. But it was stainless steel. It made it through.

This week, though, it's been on its last leg. The filter holder has not been letting water through. I washed the coffee pot with a half water/half vinegar solution. Didn't touch it. Oh, and just for funsies, then the filter holder wouldn't close.

So at 9:30 p.m. last night, I went online browsing for a new coffee pot.

At 10:30 p.m., we had purchased one from Wally World.



It's a Hamilton Beach coffee pot, one that looks pretty awesome and makes 10 cups of coffee at a time. I really wanted a Keurig coffee pot, but they only have single-cup brew options. I drink four cups at a time. Not gonna fly.

I was more than a little excited to try out the new HB (for more reasons than one; stay tuned). I read good reviews about the product and felt it was the best option money and coffee-wise. I got everything ready last night so I would be able to drink my first cup at 7 a.m.

As you can see from the picture, the HB has a cool design: you put your coffee mug up to the machine, and it dispenses coffee. It's supposed to be very easy. In fact, the box advertised that it was a way to get coffee with just one hand.

Unfortunately, when I went to press the button for the coffee, nothing came out.

Hmmm...

I pressed a little harder. Nothing.

Finally, I placed my left hand against the back of the coffee pot and slammed my mug (hey, it's 7 a.m. and I need caffeine!) against the button. Finally, with extra strain and using both hands, I was able to get coffee.

What the heck??!!!

I looked at the box again. I can't remember at the moment exactly what it said, but, in my mind, it taunted me with a hand gently pressed against the button and receiving coffee. Jerk.

I'm hoping to take the machine back tomorrow morning and get another one. Same one. I'm hoping this particular one is simply defective.

But...in case it's not, what kind of coffee pot do you use?



***BTW.....

I have exciting news.




Really exciting news.




Superman landed a job at his dream place to work.




EEEKKK!!! =D

Why I love weddings

First off, you get all fancied up...








If you're lucky, you get a ride in a limo or party bus...


If you have a reception somewhere other than a Baptist church, there's also DANCING...

Superman is on the left, and the groom is on the right.

Friends K and J (which, oddly enough, are mine and Superman's initials as well...)


You get to reuinte with old friends...




And, if you've had a successful night, you end up looking like this:

We're going to the SUPER BOWL!!!

What. A. Night.

What a weekend!! Seriously, I know everything can be improved on, but I would have been hard pressed to have a better weekend.

Two of my close friends married, and Superman and I were in their wedding. And the Saints are going to the Super Bowl.

WHO DAT!!! WHO DAT!! WHO DAT SAY GONNA BEAT THEM SAINTS! NOT THE CARDS AND NOT THE VIKINGS AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO LET THE COLTS WIN EITHER!!!

(Can you tell I didn't sleep last night? I tried, I really did, but I kept thinking about that win.)

To signify this historic win, I want to relive some of my favorite Saints Facebook posts from last night...

Identification: Saints -- Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas.
Vikings -- Brett Farve, Adrian Peterson.

Before the game...
I have saintxiety...

I'm even wearing Kim Kardashian's perfume...it's all for you, Reggie...

43 years we’ve waited. I’m not sure I can wait another 40 minutes.

Francophile prediction: today will be a good day for NFL players named "Pierre."

During the game...

I'd ask Favre if he wanted cheese with that whine, but the entire city of Green Bay would set itself on fire.

Someone explain to me how that's a personal foul? And let me guess, the announcers think, "That's a good call."

Horse manure penalties.

Is it just me, or do the refs and the Vikings need to get a room? Seems like there's a lot of love on that field.

Put the refs on a parade float during Mardi Gras since they love throwin so much...Let em throw some beads rather than flags!

Reggie, will you be my Valentine? Check yes or no.

Dear Reggie: the Vikes would like to thank you for their next TD.

Oh, nah! Vikes get the ball on a muffed punt. Bad Reggie, bad!

Welcome back, Butterfingers Bush.

Adrian Fumbleson. Thank you, sir!

The Saints are serving up FUMBLAYA!

After the game...

And that's it. My voice is officially. gone.

Legally Blonde revised quote: "Saints fans get endorphins--endorphins make people happy and happy people just don't shoot their husbands... they just don't.” Crime rates will be lower tonight thanks to the SAINTS!!!

The whole neighborhood is screaming!!!!!!!

Sorry, Pro Bowl, Drew Brees has other plans. Geaux Saints!

Long time coming. I'm second-lining down my street right now. Geaux Saints! Who Dat? Not the Colts! Geaux Saints!

What people outside of New Orleans don't understand is that this is SOOOO much more than football for us.

Kudos to Farve, who played one heck of a game. The man's got class, and I respect him for that. But...GO SAINTS!!!!!

See you in the Super Bowl in two weeks, Peyton Manning!!! We're ready!!!!

It's a love/hate relationship

WOO HOO! Today is D-NO Day (Departure for New Orleans Day)!!! WHO DAT?! S AND C DAT!! Wedding day is tomorrow!!

Superman should be so proud.

I sent him a joking text message a few days ago saying, "I hate you because now I'm in love with sports." He replied something about indoctrination, brainwashing, and stuff like that. I don't know. I'm not always the best listener. But apparently something has clicked lately.

Let's back up: Growing up, I didn't watch sports. At. All. I may have gone to church Super Bowl parties, but it was always to watch the commercials. I couldn't have cared less about the game. I played tennis in high school. Did I watch tennis on TV? Maybe for five minutes.

In college, I tried going to some football games. I mean, everyone else did (well, actually, everyone else didn't, as I went to a suitcase college, but you get the idea). I got bored before halftime.

In fact, I remember dating a guy and asking Superman (remember, we were buds for a while before we started dating) what I should get him for Christmas. Here's how the conversation went:

Superman -- "Well, what sports does he like?"
Me -- "Uh...I dunno."
Superman: "Wh-? What? How can you not know what sports he likes or what his favorite team is? That's what you base his gifts off of!"

Yep.

After I started dating Superman, I realized exactly what a sports fan is. He went to football games. He went to basketball games. He went to baseball games. And any game he didn't get to go to, he watched on TV.

We married, and Superman became a sports information director for our alma mater. He continued with this occupation for four years, in which time I learned that each team actually has more than one coach -- you have the defensive coach, the offensive coach, and scores of others. I learned Superman's favorite teams: the Saints and the Boston Red Sox. I learned who my alma mater's coaches for various sports were. I listened to Colin Cowherd, Bill Simmons, and Lord knows who all else.

Most of the time I tuned it out. But here's how it dragged me in: sports also sometimes encompasses pop culture.

Seriously, think about it: A-Rod's crazy behavior during a photo shoot (can't remember which one) and his dating Kate Hudson. Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson. Reggie Bush and Kim Kardashian. So when I heard news like that, I listened.

And, while it took about four years, I believe I'm stuck.

Here's how I know.

I was talking to a coworker this morning about a new coaching hire and how the new coach made a funny joke about Mike Leach and was defending the search committee, saying, "Actually, five days is a normal amount of time to hire a coach. Kiffin left UT on Monday, and UT hired Derek Dooley on Friday..." and discussed Brett Farve and the Saints and how the Dome is going to go crazy when the Saints (possibly) retire Deuce's number before the game...

Sigh. Hooked.

Jump

I'm one coffee cup away from going completely bonkers.

I'm a super-organized person, and that's no pun for my "Superman" family theme. I may be messy and may not dust, but I can tell you within four inches where anything is.

This is a necessity of working 40+ hours a week, training for a half marathon, and going for my Ph.D. in another state. Trust me, two years ago, I was SO not like this.

This semester should be much better than last semester...which stunk like rotten bananas. I have one of the same professors, but at least I'm used to her teaching style and know what to expect. And the other prof is my favorite. And I have all the notes for his class. So that's going well.

And work is going well. I'm organized there. I have to be.

Running is my stress relief. Nothing will knock out stress better than a four-mile run. It's heaven.

But throw one more thing -- even a super awesome thing -- into the mix, and I'm just about to pack my bag and move to Looney Toones.

I literally wrote a one-page schedule of Things Which Must Be Accomplished Today. And, in case I forget anything, I have a dozen or so reminders which will pop up on my phone during the day. Pack, pick up contacts, drop off my sweet Superdog at her Aunt Misti's house, get stuff ready for class next week (actually, that wasn't on the list -- eek!!), etc.

Tomorrow will be better. Tomorrow I will be in a car riding down to New Orleans, where I can focus on my friend's wedding. Tomorrow I'll be back with my husband (who has to leave today to get fitted for his tux). Tomorrow will be easier.

But first comes today.

At Super Duper U

Superman and I are sitting at his favorite coffee shop, both typing away at our computers. It's Week 1 of spring semester at Super Duper University. I have an hour and a half before my next class. It's 5 p.m.

While I was slightly irked to find out that my 2 p.m. professor plans to let us out early Every Time, I did see the silver lining. We have a group project due April 1 (seriously, do you think it's an April Fool's Joke????), so this gives me and the other two members of my group time to plan. It may also be used as study time. We'll see.

I'm praying that my 6:30 p.m. prof lets us out early. Please!

In good news, though, Superman and I had an Ah-MAZ-ing windfall (well, after the fact -- you'll see). We got a prescription for his testing strips for his diabetes, thinking they'd be cheaper that way (they're $1 per strip normally). Well, guess who was wrong!! I'm sure my face held a Kodak horrified moment when I scanned my debit card for $106 for 100 testing strips. I might have fainted, too. It's possible.

However, as I called my insurance company today to discuss the stupidity of this (especially as Superman is supposed to test twice a day), these awesomely brilliant people (seriously) gave me a phone number to call...and the person on the other end has already shipped Superman testing strips and lancets...for FREE!!

WOO HOO!! Let me do my happy FRRRRHHHEEEEE Dance!!! Go ahead, shake that booty!

So, yeah, we do have to eat the $106, but that's okay. We learned, and they're free and being delivered to our doorstep. I'm pretty stinking happy.

Heading down to N'awlins this weekend, too, for a wedding. I doubt I'll get time to see you, Rachel, but if get out of the wedding festivities, I'll give you a call!!

BTW, give a hand to Rachel for designing this way cool site. She's so ridiculously talented. I might be a wee bit jealous.

Just a wee bit...maybe...

But the wedding will be tons of fun, as it's one of my close friend's (and one of Superman's) who are getting hitched, and both Superman and I are attendants. I'm so excited. I haven't seen C since last July (they live in Ohio), so it's going to be a great time.

Happy Tuesday!!!!!!

Superman, my rockstar

Rin and I ran 4 miles last night on the treadmill. None of the towels were clean, so sweat ran down all over my face/neck, and now those areas itch. Yes, you're probably thinking TMI!! TMI!! at this moment. But it could be worse. I could tell you that I had to walk about half of the last mile because lunch felt like it was coming back up. I could tell you what I had for lunch. But I won't.

Good morning!!! HAHAHA!!

And, as promised, here is a video and some pictures from the Grant Terry concert Friday night. I actually have three videos, but it took about 30 minutes to upload and process this one video, and so that's about as good as it's gonna get. Enjoy!!



This is one of my favorite pics of my husband.








Our friends Bret and Elizabeth came in for the show.

Where are you?

Grant Terry’s CD dropped Friday night, and, in celebration, Grant held a concert at one of the area churches. Superman played the keyboard and served as background vocals. It was an awesome night with two bands opening (check out David Dunn – he's AWESOME), children trying to play with Superman's keyboard (a hilarious story, another time), and an opportunity to visit with great friends, even via text message...

Let me give you a little background on my friend C. She’s my next door neighbor, she’s hilarious, and she loves to play pranks (Did I mention the one that involves Superman, curses, and plastic wrap?). Therefore, when I got the first text message, it’s no wonder I was suspicious.

C: I see you…
Me: I don’t see you.

C: Look around.
Me: I did. And I don’t believe you. I think you’re at the movie.

C: Nope…in a little
Me: Where are you then? What color shirt is the singer wearing?

C: The Dwight answer would be … Trick question…There is no singer…black.
Me: Ha! I knew you weren’t here!
Me: Bears beats Battlestar Galactica.

C: What…Snap…Then who am I stalking?
Me: What, wait? Do you really think you see me? Where are you? I’m at Superman’s concert.

C: Me too. At First Baptist Church.
Me: Wrong church there, Sherlock.

C: Snap. What’s going on here?
C: I thought the keyboardist looked weird.
Me: Oh my gosh, are you seriously at a different concert?

C: We give up. We’re going to the movies now. Tell Superman he played well tonight…I guess.
Me: Sad day!

C: Sad day indeed.
C: But a highly entertaining story.


Next blog: Pictures and video of the Grant Terry concert!!

Snuggle buddy

Superdog earns her keep on cold winter nights.

Granted, I understand you Northerners have -60 degree nights and shovel snow off your driveway on a daily basis in winter, but that's why I don't live further north. A 20 degree morning makes me want to cry...if I didn't think my tears would freeze.

I know lots of people don't allow their dogs in their beds, and I was one of those people until I got Superdog. I didn't want dog hair in my bed, I didn't want dog accidents in my bed, and I didn't want to watch where I tossed and turned out of fear of squashing a small dog.

But then I saw this little face:



And she cried when she was away from us. So I relented.

You wouldn't think a five-pound Chihuahua would be such a fantastic living heater, but she really is. So much so that on a cold night, Superman and I might pull her over to our side to warm our tootsies.

Last night, she cuddled up around my stomach, and I thought, "Ahhhh...now this is really nice." She was stretched out, and I was stretched out, and there was peace on the earth.

Until she moved and put her cold little nose against my skin.

I rearranged my position where my legs made kind of a 4 shape, which was an open invitation to her. She loves nesting, and any small space between your legs is fair game.

And her cold little nose was against my legs. And she kept smacking her lips. On what, I don't know, but it quickly got annoying.

I pushed my legs over to Superman, hoping to warm them, but that position quickly became uncomfortable. Superdog sneezed. Ew.

I pushed her unwilling body over to Superman.

Then I got cold.

I moved over and cuddled next to both of them.

Super Runner

One of my students said I was a secret gansta. I'm okay with that.

I don't really see myself as a "serious" runner. I see myself as a "play" runner, even though I do run about four times a week. What's the difference, you may ask?

Let's go to the Make-It-Up-On-The-Spot dictionary, courtesy of Lois Lane II.

Serious runner (seer-ee-uhs ruhn-er)-- a runner who actually runs the full eight miles needed to this week breezily and who (obviously) does not ridiculously sweat in the skin-tight workout pants

Play runner (pley ruhn-er) -- a runner who'd rather talk than run and who enjoys running for a six-minute time, walk one minute, run five minutes, walk one minute, and then goes back and forth for three to four minutes of running to one to two minutes walking because she's exhausted and has sweat dripping down her face (if it's not unbearably cold)

As a side note, what do you do when you want to run outside and it is FREEZING? (Okay, okay, for those of you who live in one of the 40 states north of me, I understand that 30 degrees is not cold to you -- but it's cold to me!!!) The church's exercise room is not open on weekends (or Friday nights), so our long runs on Saturdays HAVE to be outside. Any suggestions on how to warm my body up before it goes out in the miserable cold to cry?

Here's my more pressing question, though: Is it better to run slower and longer or the way I was before (faster but with more breaks)? I tried the slower-run-thing Tuesday and found that after 2.25 miles, I was not huffing or puffing or breathing heavily at all -- but my time was not good AT ALL (it was about 3 mins slower than usual). So....any suggestions? Thoughts? Comments?

Oh, and to the increased happiness of my parents and hubby, I finally went to go see my allergist. I have asthma and, while running obviously HELPS your breathing (so states Dr. L. Lane II), they were anxious that I would not have the breathing capability to make it a half-marathon.

I have not taken medicine for my asthma in over four years, but, unfortunately, I did discover that my lung capacity has dropped to 91%. Which IS NOT THAT BAD. But I did get put on two different mediciations -- one which I'm supposed to take before I run and which makes me SUPER RUNNER. That's when I ran 2.25 miles EASY. I'm not sure if it was because of the slower pace or the meds, but it was one of the most fun runs I've had -- and that was after exercising on the elliptical. =D

And three miles is set for tonight! I can't wait!

Blessings

No, I haven't been gone for about two weeks. Who me?

Christmas was awesome -- and I claim Christmas as the past two weeks, by the way. Superman and I headed to New Orleans to see friends and family; I felt blessed.

Speaking of blessings...

(Yes, I know that was about the cheesiest transition possible. I'm okay with that.)

So we started teaching the twentysomethings class for real yesterday (first week was introduction, second week we had one person for our Christmas party, and then we were gone for two weeks). Not only did we have about eight people, but we started the book, "The Tough Sayings of Jesus." If you haven't read it and get the opportunity to do so, do it. It's mind-blowing.

Four sessions make up the book, and we're dividing each session in two because they're long, and we like to cover each part thoroughly. Yesterday and next Sunday are on the story of the rich, young ruler who asks Jesus what he can do to receive eternal life. I could get in to what we discussed yesterday, but I really want to talk about blessings.

What are blessings?

Dumb question, right? But I'm totally serious (and TOTALLY revealing my age right now). Here's what the author of TTSOJ says: most of us look at the materialistic things people have as blessings, i.e., if you are wealthy, have a nice house, have your health, you are blessed. In that case, the rich, young ruler would have been seen as blessed. But Jesus basically shows that, while he has all the worldy possessions he needs, the man is not blessed because his identity is based on what the world gives him instead of what Jesus gives him.

Okay, then, back to the question: What are blessings? Can they be material possessions?

I actually e-mailed our young adult minister to get a better feeling for this question, and I did some research on my own (and am seeking help from bloggy Christ-followers), and here's the non-materialistic answers I found:

Jesus (and subsequently, our salvation)
Wisdom
Deliverance from evil
Children
Hearing from God
Following God's ways (which has practical applications: If you don't do x, y won't happen)
Life eternal
Spiritual gifts

On first glance, I gotta admit, I was like, "Well, um, this really isn't going to help me pay the bills or get me a bigger house, etc." But then, I realized, "Oh, WAIT. These are BETTER -- these are blessings the world cannot give." (And, frankly, they're much cooler.) Not only that, but these are from our Heavenly Father, from whom all good and perfect gifts come. WOW!

Anyway, if you have any input on this subject, I'd greatly appreciate it!! And, once I talk with our young adult minister and do some more delving into God's word and find out more, I'll let you know! =)