Hope Never Disappoints.

Yeah, I know, I haven't written in forever.  I really thought I ended up posting last week, but apparently I did not.  There are some big changes happening for me, namely, I'm getting a new roommate, and I'm changing gyms.  Whew, big commitments, I know.  My anxiety is up a little more than usual these days.  But, I'm sure everything will be fine.  Isn't it always?

I'm excited to get back to work tomorrow.  Ha, mark this day on the calendar, I don't say that I'm excited to work too often.  But, I'm ready.  I miss my kiddos, and the staff, and I'm just generally looking forward to be on the move again.  I've found I'm perhaps too good at relaxing and could spend most of my days cuddled in bed, watching tv, movies, reading or writing.  Yesterday, my mom and I had a hilarious conversation.  (She was the first person I'd actually talked to all day when she called after 7 pm.)  Here's how it went...

Mom:  What did you do today?  Did you stay in bed all day?

Me:  Wellllllll, not ALL day.  I had to get up to go get my massage.

Mom:  Oh, woooooow.  

Me:  Hysterical laughter. 

I thoroughly enjoyed it.  I know once I get going tomorrow I won't stop until who knows when.  So, it was nice to get to just veg out.  

Spring break went fast.  It always does.  I had a great time being with my parents and my sister and Andy.  Andy and Jeanine took me clamming, which was.....an experience?  I don't really understand tide tables and so, therefore, it made the clamming seem pretty silly.  On top of that, it was really cold!  I completely misestimated how cold it would be at 6 am on the ocean.  It was cold.  My hands, ears, nose and feet were frozen.  My sister's hands were completely white.  And, on top of that, we had no clue what we were looking for --- some little divot in the sand?  Apparently that means there is a clam there.  Andy helped me catch one clam, which actually was pretty exciting.  But, clamming loses it's appeal quickly when you aren't catching clams, kind of like fishing, or mushroom hunting.  Jeanine and I ended up just taking pictures to pass the time.  

The rest of the time we were up North we spent the time at Washington Square and other various malls.  I was under the impression that everyone wanted to go shopping...until the third day of going shopping when I was told that I am exhausting.  I had no idea!  Maybe that's why I'm tired all the time...I wear myself out.  That's all I can think.  I have to be with me 24 hours a day, so just imagine how exhausting that could be!  :o)~  

My mom and I also deep cleaned my apartment.  That felt so good!  Remarkably, three days later it still looks clean.  I'm very pleased that nothing has been messed up yet.  I even got my closets cleaned out.  You wouldn't be able to tell that I did that if you looked in my closet because I still have entirely too many clothes, but I did give away two bags and a bag of shoes.  I love to purge things.  Sadly, this is a trait my sister and I inherited this from my mother.  Tidiness and cleanliness are next to Godliness, I guess.  

Beautiful supermoon - Literally, 5 minutes later it was gone.  So glad I caught it before it disappeared. 

Boredom ensues and we pretend we are catching clams.

My catch!  Those suckers are much bigger than I expected.

The day's catch.  I caught the sand dollars.

It's fun to pretend that I'm really good at clamming. 

My new tv stand that I'm completely in love with!  I saw this piece at Target and had to have it.  Dare I say my sister's love for furniture is wearing off on me....Also, I assembled this piece in a mere one hour!  I rule. 

God or Oscar...who do I love more?

Movie theatre decor - Movie theatre candy! 

This year, for some reason, I was really into the Academy Awards.  I tried really hard to see all of the best picture nominees, but I did not accomplish this goal.  Fail.  I did succeed in having an Oscar party to really up the excitement around the awards ceremony.  Unfortunately, this years Oscars were a bit of a let down.  Nothing of note, or excitement, really happened, but it was fun to have friends over and eve more fun to make yummy treats that coincided with each best picture nominee!  Check out the pictures below!

More decor...and the candy doubles as party favors at the end of the night!

I did not see this movie.  But, I heard the family was poor, it clearly had something to do with winter, and I had left over corn bread?

The Social Network - Mark Zuckerberg, founder of facebook, is seen munching on sushi and drinking appletini's.  Being as I don't eat sushi, we had shrimp cocktail.  And, being a Sunday night, we had apple juice instead of appletini's. Just as classy don't you think?

Black Swan - Peeps, grapefruit, and devil's food cakes.  In the movie, Natalie Portman's character is seen eating two things, and one of them is grapfruit.  Peeps obviously signify the swan.  And the Devil's food snack cakes because well...see the movie, and draw your own conclusions!  

I did not see The King's Speech...yet.  But, the characters have English accents, so I assumed tea was appropriate.

127 Hours - Trail mix and beef burritos.  If you know the story, then you know the Aron Ralston was stuck between a rock and a hard place for several days having to subsist on one beef burrito he brought for the hike. 

True Grit - Cowboy beans, aka baked beans.  

My most favorite dish, and favorite movie.  The fighter!  Irish bacon and cabbage soup.  YUM.

I do not watch too many animated films.  But, since they are aimed at children, though many adults enjoy them,  I figured Mac n Cheese was more than applicable. 

Who says I'm not multi-cultural?  I included a movie from the best pictures in foreign film.  And, also I love Javier Bardem, who is the lead role in Biutiful.  I did not see the movie...yet.  But, I figured, at any rate it was a great excuse to get to eat guacamole!

The table spread

The partial-counter spread

The Kids are All Right - Deviled eggs because of all the issues with trying to conceive and talk of eggs and what not.

The only picture I didn't get was for Inception, which was Dreamsicle jell-o.  Orange flavored jell-o with cool whip.  I could never forget Inception!

Hopefully, a good time was had by all!  I certainly enjoyed opening up my home and sharing the Oscar's with friends.  It made for a much more enjoyable Sunday night.  Even though, some naysayers, believed I went "over the top" (yes, someone actually said that) I would not have done it any other way!  Thanks friends!  

Fail.

I feel brain dead and must sleep.  That's all there is to it.  No excuse.  No reason why.  Nothing.  I'm just tired and don't feel well.  I think I could sleep for 1000 days, or at least a solid 16 hours.  I will earnestly attempt my raving rant on education tomorrow.  Stay tuned because it's going to be good.

Fighting flies,
judy