Kick off your Sunday shoes

Today was a lazy day. The only thing I accomplished is posted right here...both this entry and painting my nails. I have 3 colors. All shades of blue. Any color I pick makes me happy. The color on it's own, but also the accomplishment I feel from not biting my fingernails, which only occurs when they're painted. So, after a week of failing to not bite my fingernails, I'm starting over. Again. And while that might not make me feel good, to start over, it feels good to be starting. To try again. To not give up on this. Also, trying to take a picture of my hands did not pan out. Sorry. Both my toes and fingers are sporting "Ogre the Top" blue. Plus, I like the fact that my toes are properly formed...that is the slant, with my second toe not being longer than my first, or of equal length. Perfect.

Unusually and exceedingly peculiar and altogether quite impossible to describe

Today, I went to the Ren faire with Renny. I tagged up with her and a couple of other people I didn't know. She was all decked out with bottles looking like a mad Renaissance scientist if they had scientists that they didn't imprison and eventually kill. When we first started rooming together, I never would have guessed the kind of friendship that would be formed. Life is good that way. She and I have come to see how much we can compliment each other. I love spending time with just her, which we got to do yesterday after her friends left. She created quite a drink with the ends of a sno-cone, a rootbeer float and some of her powerade potions. Spending time with my forever ex-roommate always helps me put me back in perspective. She gives me permission to be who I am, even if it's not someone I think I should be. She is someone who is always who she is. I had a smile all afternoon...

Oh, Say does that star spangled banner yet wave

Every day, with out fail, my grandfather places his American flag outside his door. And some days, that's enough for me.

Summer came like cinnamon, so sweet...

Today, I got to go to one of my favorite field trips. I love the opportunity to walk away from the front table and just be with the kids. I don't miss being a counselor so much as I miss just sitting with the kids. Talking to them, listening to their stories, and goofing around. This summer has been difficult, but good. While I'm ready for the summer to be over, it has been a good summer, like the past 4 have been. Day camp is, despite its frustrations, the best summer job one could hope for. The main reason for that, of course, is the kids. Even the most obnoxious or seemingly mean kids are usually good kids if you can get them one-on-one, when no one's trying to prove something. On the field trip, a couple of the campers adopted me, asking me to go laser tagging with them, following by the go-karts, and ending with mini-golf. That time made my day.

shades of gold displayed naturally ...

Every week, I go to dinner at OCB with my grandfather. We've been doing this for a year, now, on breaks we include my sister. They recently got new plates and bowls. It's been my mission to only get yellow. I'm responsible for getting my grandfather's beverage from the beverage bar, and his ice cream for dessert. I had to start getting soup bowls to satisfy his sweet tooth. I'm really glad that I've had the opportunity to do this thing with my grandfather. I don't really have any more words than that. I know that I usually speak of OCB and becoming a regular there with a distinct tone, but with my grandfather, it was and is worth it.

I'm gonna write you a letter...

It always makes me happy to see that parents are taking what I tell them seriously. I love seeing the follow through, and that knowing what I tell them about their child means something. Usually, I'm not super happy when it's bad news, but to know that they're taking it to heart, and that they're following through with their kids makes me very happy. I also love invented spelling. And that's why this letter makes me smile.

Smile like the sun

Today was a very blah-case-of-the-Mondays day for me. I was grumpy, tired, allergy-y, and a mess of just blah. My moment today came when I was about to leave work, a little after 5, and Carrie came up to me, complaining about how hungry she was. I asked what she ate for snack, and she told me that she was too hungry at lunch, so she didn't have anything left for snack (which, by the way, is very something that one of the campers would say...) So, she asked me to go buy her something. I called her crazy, because there's really nothing right by, and I'd have to backtrack no matter what. However, when I got in my car, I realized that yes, I was having a lame day, but that was all me, not anything else. My perceptions were the ones that were out of place, so I decided to go to a local bakery and buy all of the closers (and myself) smiley cookies. Now, everyone has had smiley face cookies, and while they're pretty, I'm sure there are more delicious cookies in the world, but what mattered was that they were bright, they were appreciated, and they allowed me to kick my grumpy mood out. Not totally, but enough to make me smile, at least a little.

I wanna taste it, give me a little taste...

Today I went for food with Erik. For some reason, I've just been wanting Indian food like it was/is my job. I think it's the naan. There is nothing in the world like it. It's just warm, and chewy, and bread. And we all know how much I love bread. Almost as much as books...more? I can't tell. However, I went for dinner, and my running theory is get everything! That way, I can eat something I like today, and then I can just save what I don't feel like today for tomorrow. Plus, the dinner meal thingy turns out to be the most delicious deal...I get rice, naan, chicken, fish, more chicken, veggies, AND dessert. This meal had me at naan and a dessert. Plus, I got to eat it with Erik. Staring at the picture with naan in it is making me lose focus...what was I talking about again? Erik? Naan? Books? All three can qualify for a post here, so I'm going to end this before I get more confused... :)