Who knew?

Who knew it had been so long since I last posted? I spent the few days after learning about Veteran's Day to prepare for my sister-in-law's baby shower, and it was a mighty success!

But a mighty undertaking. Baby G is ready for the world, at least when it comes to clothes and furniture and swings and blankets. I'm ready, too!

Post shower, I was kept busy at work with an assortment of administrative jobs to better prepare ourselves for next year's busy season. Of course, being the nerd I am, I loved it. Making lists, scratching things off, verifying that X compares properly to Y which links back to Z. I geeked out daily.

Then there was the work potluck lunch for our entire floor. I had never heard of such a thing when I was at my previous job. And it was glorious. Very nice spread of food and a great selection of desserts, plus some entertaining time spent with co-workers.

After that, I spent a day taking photos of my brother and his wife + belly and it ended up being so much fun! I was the quintessential photographer: skinny jeans, old Converse, Gandalf t-shirt, wavy hair and Aviator's. Watch out, world! We had a blast and the photographer voice just came spilling out of me. "Don't move! Hold it! Look at each other! Stop fake smiling, Yanni!", etc, etc. It came so naturally and it was hilarious. But the pictures turned out great (some of them, anyways) and I look forward to doing that again! Any takers? I like to practice!

Since one potluck just wasn't enough, to celebrate a friend's birthday she hosted a potluck lunch at her adorable house (with new wood floors, may I add) in Kingwood. I attempted, for the first time, to make a Broccoli Cheese Casserole. Eh, it was alright. I used wild rice, which I apparently am not a fan of, so I told myself to try again in the near future. The potluck was fun and active and we all watched the Texans pry defeat from the jaws of victory. Go Texans?

That weekend, Harry Potter had come out and I was excited to see it...though not with 10,000 other people. So I waited...and my opportunity presented itself Tuesday of this past week when I dragged a semi-reluctant friend with me.  The movie was alright. It moved at the pace of the book and I remembered how bored I had gotten reading it. Good job, movie, for being so much like the book, haha. An accomplishment not many can boast.

I figured with Thanksgiving two days away, my calendar would clear up. Not so, said the universe.

I went to a painting class on Wednesday night and it was truly fun. There were four new people in our group and they each enjoyed themselves. My painting turned out alright, as well. It definitely makes a difference when you drink wine vs. drinking coffee. Ha!

Hello, Thanksgiving! Where did you come from? I swear it was just Halloween...

I made my second attempt at a Broccoli Cheese casserole and this time met with much greater success. Stick to the Minute rice variety, it makes for a much tastier dish. The family came over and we enjoyed a very delicious spread of food. Minus my sister getting stung by a wasp two minutes into the meal, we had a great day. Seriously, what are the odds of that happening?

But today marks the second official day of the Christmas season and I am so excited! I hit a few Black Friday deals yesterday and knocked a few family members off the list. I always say each year that I'll start shopping earlier, but does it happen? Nope. It doesn't.

Maybe next year...

Veteran's Day

To all those who have served or are serving in uniform, thank you!

Veteran's Day was originally known as Armistice Day and it celebrated the armistice (ceasefire, military agreement) signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany that ended the war.  It took effect at 11 o'clock in the morning, the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" of 1918.

After World War II, Armistice Day became Veteran's Day in the United States and Remembrance Day in countries of the British Commonwealth of Nations. 

In the UK, they have two minutes of silence to commemorate the roughly 20 million people who died in the war precisely at 11 o'clock.

Karma

Karma: I, too, am a fan of Carson Daly. (Hopefully more than just one person gets this reference...Rosa!)

Today has been a great day. Good deeds are being repaid in spades.

I don't know that I could ask for more...so I won't. And I will be on my best behavior all day!

Me fail English? That's unpossible!

Magnanimous - showing a noble or courageous spirit
--> The young girl returned the dropped wallet which the man considered a very magnanimous gesture.

Exuberant - joyously unrestrained and enthusiastic
--> I am exuberant about everything.

Obfuscate - confuse
--> The explanation that Timmy's mom gave him when he asked where babies came from only served to obfuscate the poor little boy.

Ballyhoo - excited commotion
--> The cupcake truck tended to cause quite the ballyhoo wherever it parked.

Temple Grandin

Dear Claire Danes,

That Emmy you just won for your portrayal of Temple Grandin was well deserved. Scratch that, it goes way beyond deserved. It is not often that an actor becomes the character they are portraying, and you did just that.

I was lost in your manner of speech, so very like hers, and in your eye movements, so very like an autistic woman would behave. I was impressed. I was enthralled. 

You were mesmerizing. Not to mention how incredible this woman's life actually was, and how that story in itself was captivating. I could have watched you, and her story, for another two hours. 

Signed, now an even bigger fan, 

Bex

Temple Grandin is an autistic woman who has worked tirelessly to improve slaughterhouses across America. She redesigned them and made the process incredibly humane. One of the most poignant lines in the movie was when Claire Danes said "Nature is cruel, but we don't have to be." 

This woman, Temple, is inspiring. Despite the limitations imposed on her from her Autism (which she has never let define her), she has become a leading scientist in Animal Husbandry and is a professor at Colorado State University.  She invented a squeeze box to help calm her down, as just one example.  She's incredibly brilliant and the autistic influence on her mind allows her to see the world in pictures and then she connects them.  This is her gift. Well, this is what she made into a gift. 

I don't know how closely the movie followed her real life and family, but if it was anywhere close then her mother is one of the most incredible people I've yet to learn of.  Her aunt, as well. So many mothers and fathers out there are left clueless and hopeless when they first find out their child has autism.  Imagine what this was like in the 50's when any behavior outside of what was considered normal was labeled insane and you were quickly and quietly shipped to the nearest Sanitarium. 

Temple's mother and aunt were relentless in their love and assistance and challenge.  When Temple finally allows her mother to touch her, hug her, in the movie, the tears spilled over. A mother, unable to hug or touch the child she loves so dearly? What heartbreak! And what unconditional love from day one.

Temple is a fascinating woman. Wikipedia her. There's honestly too much to put on here. And then watch Temple Grandin. Kudos, Claire! Brava! 

Rock the vote!

I hope you voted. Well, if it matters to you. If it doesn't, then ignore this post. :-)

I voted. Proudly.

Men and women have been in uniform all around the world fighting for our rights as free American citizens since we established ourselves as a country in 1776.

I may not have the courage to wield a gun on foreign soil, but I will do my part and take part in what has been fought for and given to me.

Election Day has been set as the "First Tuesday following the First Monday of November" which can happen as early as November 2nd, like this year, or as late as November 8th, like next year.

This year is Midterm Elections, meaning no Presidential candidate is on the ballot. Every two years the following are voted upon: House and Senate members. House members serve 2-year terms and thus are on the ballot every time, but Senate members serve 6-year terms, staggered so that at every election 1/3 of the Senate is up for grabs.

The most interesting thing I read about Election day was how it was decided upon to happen on a Tuesday.  As a farming society in the mid-1800's, Farmers needed at least one day to travel to the County Seat to vote.  Therefore, since Sunday was reserved for worship and Wednesday for market day, Tuesday was chosen.

Also, it looks like we are the only country in the world to hold elections on a Tuesday. Now, some states in the U.S. do recognize today as a Civic holiday so as to encourage voting, but there are only a handful.  Voter turnout is low, but as the years have progressed and people have taken greater advantage of early voting (and they've removed more and more restrictions concerning early voting), this has improved, which I think is wonderful!

I am proudly supporting my "I Voted" sticker and will do so all day. I hope you are, too, fellow Americans!