I arrived home late last night to see that my father'd left his truck at work. Which automatically clued me in to the fact that he'd need a ride into work the next day. No problem.
I walked in to the house, after scaring away (not intentionally) the two cats that were outside our front door howling like the world was about to end. Commence general discussion of the day, which included guesses as to what in the world could the cats be doing.
My mom casually adds, "Oh, by the way, you're going to have two passengers to work tomorrow."
I raise my eyebrow, or at least attempt to, since I can't do that very well, and manage to look sufficiently confused. I ask, "Well, Daddy, I figured, but...?"
She smiled as she said, "And the Eastern Grey Squirrel we trapped that's outside on the back porch. Didn't you know tomorrow is Annual Take Your Squirrel to Work Day?"
Um, no, I failed to get that memo.
Apparently we've had a squirrel in our attic who has been trying to make his home up there amongst all our boxes and possessions, and my father would have none of it.
At this point, many thoughts of the network of Newark squirrels attempting to take over the world one house at a time came rushing through my head, but to try and explain NUSA would just take too long, and you'd probably all look at me like I was weird or something anyway if I told you, so I'm not even going to try. Or at least, not at this point. That might be some other day's post.
So instead, I laughed hysterically at the prospect of celebrating such a day, then proceeded to visit the back porch in an attempt to try and see him (which proved unsuccessful as he was being quite uncooperative), and then took him for a ride this morning in the trunk of my car.
After we got to work, I tried again to look at him, and was rewarded with a great hiss of fury from the little furball who was running about like mad underneath the sheet that was covering the trap.
So get on out there, find a squirrel and take it with you to work today!
(As an aside, he was captured humanely and as this is typed up is being let go in the wilds that is Brandywine Creek State Park. Meaning, we're trying to make sure he stays as far away as possible from our house.)
February 26, 2008
February 21, 2008
The Dark Tower Dream
It was cold. Bone-chillingly cold. Absolutely freezing cold. It was night. We had to survive the night.
I was in some sort of circular room. There was no way out of this room that I could see. From what I could tell, there were tapestries on the walls, and a dais at the front end of the room.
There was another man there with me who was alive. I don't remember his face. There were also other people in the room with us. They looked like they could have been automated, if they weren't practically frozen already because of how very cold it was in that room. Their faces had a bloated sort of look, and they were turning slightly blue. All of these other bodies were strewn all around the room on the floor, some of the bodies on top of one another.
The man I was with I understood to be someone I cared for. I believe he was a 'significant other', though if it was a fiancé, or a husband, or just someone I had strong feelings for and who in turn had strong feelings for me, I do not know.
The only way we knew how to survive was to huddle close together under the thinnest of thin blankets. Somehow, our body heat would be enough to sustain us, despite the shabby blanket.
****
I woke up at approximately 1 a.m after having dreamt that, frozen solid, despite sleeping under 9 blankets on my bed. After I went back to sleep, I dreamed the same thing again. I woke up one other time during the night, and when I finally fell back asleep after that, I dreamt it a third time. I was still in the process of dreaming it when my alarm went off this morning.
When I woke up this morning, I was frozen solid. It's now bed time, and I'm still chilled to the bone.
Now, if I buy into the theory of The Dark Tower, then what I dreamt was either a past event or a future event, or else something that belongs to a parallel universe of sorts, a universe in which I have a double, since dreams allow us to look into parallel universes (or at least, this is my understanding of what I read).
I've also had the theory as I contemplated over this dream that it could possibly be another 'unknown' scene from the book, a scene in which a horn-less Scudamour (he having somehow managed to get of the filthy thing) and I (as Camilla) had been found out as we were trying to escape back to Normal Time and were thrown into a room in the Dark Tower to await a fate worse than death, if we could survive.
Obviously, I much prefer this second idea to my dream, instead of one in which I'm forced to sleep in and around frozen dead bodies and freeze to death myself. That, and not to have nightmares over any more C. S. Lewis fiction.
And to somehow manage to warm up.
I was in some sort of circular room. There was no way out of this room that I could see. From what I could tell, there were tapestries on the walls, and a dais at the front end of the room.
There was another man there with me who was alive. I don't remember his face. There were also other people in the room with us. They looked like they could have been automated, if they weren't practically frozen already because of how very cold it was in that room. Their faces had a bloated sort of look, and they were turning slightly blue. All of these other bodies were strewn all around the room on the floor, some of the bodies on top of one another.
The man I was with I understood to be someone I cared for. I believe he was a 'significant other', though if it was a fiancé, or a husband, or just someone I had strong feelings for and who in turn had strong feelings for me, I do not know.
The only way we knew how to survive was to huddle close together under the thinnest of thin blankets. Somehow, our body heat would be enough to sustain us, despite the shabby blanket.
****
I woke up at approximately 1 a.m after having dreamt that, frozen solid, despite sleeping under 9 blankets on my bed. After I went back to sleep, I dreamed the same thing again. I woke up one other time during the night, and when I finally fell back asleep after that, I dreamt it a third time. I was still in the process of dreaming it when my alarm went off this morning.
When I woke up this morning, I was frozen solid. It's now bed time, and I'm still chilled to the bone.
Now, if I buy into the theory of The Dark Tower, then what I dreamt was either a past event or a future event, or else something that belongs to a parallel universe of sorts, a universe in which I have a double, since dreams allow us to look into parallel universes (or at least, this is my understanding of what I read).
I've also had the theory as I contemplated over this dream that it could possibly be another 'unknown' scene from the book, a scene in which a horn-less Scudamour (he having somehow managed to get of the filthy thing) and I (as Camilla) had been found out as we were trying to escape back to Normal Time and were thrown into a room in the Dark Tower to await a fate worse than death, if we could survive.
Obviously, I much prefer this second idea to my dream, instead of one in which I'm forced to sleep in and around frozen dead bodies and freeze to death myself. That, and not to have nightmares over any more C. S. Lewis fiction.
And to somehow manage to warm up.
February 15, 2008
Extreme Makeover Home Edition
Extreme Makeover Home Edition came to Wilmington, Delaware this past week! This show is definitely one of my all-time favorites! My brother's place of business helped sponsor the project! For information on the family they helped, check out Anderson Extreme.
February 14, 2008
Highlights from Florida
Highlights from my trip to Florida:- Spending a majority of my time with all those people in that picture. I love them all very much. - Dinner at Stacey's Buffet with 70+ people (all of the above and then some)
- Meeting and getting to know Janet (who is now like another Aunt)
- Spending time with my grandmother
- Meeting my great-great-great grandparents for the first time via pictures
- Beach volleyball with almost all of those people in that picture
- Teasing Rochelle
- Reading
- Relaxing
- 80 degree weather with little humidity
- Remembering my great-grandfather
- Picnic at Uncle Bill's, with all 50+ of us crowded in there
- Playing several rousing rounds of Catch Phrase with 30 people
- Sunday dinner at Uncle Bill's
- A possessed toilet
- Walks with Abigail (my absolutely adorable second cousin, who is sitting on the lap of my Uncle Bill, who is the second from the right in the row of people sitting in the picture)
- No problems with any flights both ways, with either the flights or acquiring luggage
- Finding a good bunch of them on Facebook in the last week so I can continue to stay in touch with them
- Stephen's crazy dancing on the beach
Walks with Abigail were definitely a highlight. She's 2, and latched on to me almost immediately. She would pull me outside and wanted to walk with me up and down the street where we would sit and watch the cars and count them as they drove by.
I had so much fun with all of those beautiful people, most of whom are either, aunts, uncles, first-cousins-once-removed or second cousins. It was so cool to be a part of something that felt so much larger than myself, and it's all thanks to my great-grandmother and great-grandfather. I love you both and will miss you here on earth, but I know I'll see you later!
A Valentine's Day Syllogism
Major Premise:
Chocolate is made of cocoa beans.
Minor Premise:
Beans are legumes, and are therefore very good for you.
Conclusion:
Therefore, chocolate is very good for you.
The end.
Chocolate is made of cocoa beans.
Minor Premise:
Beans are legumes, and are therefore very good for you.
Conclusion:
Therefore, chocolate is very good for you.
The end.
February 12, 2008
If I ever take another day for granted, someone please slap me.
There was quite the ice storm around here late this afternoon, of course in time for the 5 o'clock rush hour traffic (why does it always happen at that exact moment?) that reminded me of last year's storm at about this time.
I told my dad that I didn't need to ride home from work with him, that I would be fine and would take it slow and be safe and careful driving.
I didn't know that even that doesn't stop potential accidents from happening.
It happened when I was at the corner of 4 and Gender Road, which just happens to be the last turn before I get to my development. Up ahead of me, I noticed that the light was turning red and I needed to slow down because of it; the cars at the intersection were getting a little too near, and I was going a little faster than I probably should have been, considering the conditions.
I put my brakes on, and on any given day, things would have been fine. With a coating of ice on the road, however, that all changed.
As soon as I put the brakes on, my wheels started to spin out and I was starting to slide out to the right.
My gut reaction was to compensate by turning my wheel to the left, but then years of drivers ed./defensive driving/common sense kicked in, and I realized I needed to do exactly the opposite of what my gut told me to do, which was to let go, and let my car turn to the right while slowly applying my brake. It was also in that second when I realized that this could be the end to a lot of things, for my car was spinning out on Route 4 and could have ended up like one of any number of the cars I passed on my way home, which had either their front end smashed into the midian, or their back end smashed into the curb facing the opposite way in traffic. I had never experienced that sort of thing before, and while I won't say my life flashed before my eyes, I will say that I was very scared, both for myself and for anyone else who might have been in the way.
Thankfully, there was no one in the right hand land.
Thankfully, I was far enough behind the cars at the light that I hit no one in front of me.
Thankfully, the cars behind me were far enough behind that no one hit me.
Thankfully, my car stopped with my front end in basically the direction I needed to go. The cars that were stopped let me go in front of them and make my way slowly into my turn lane.
I was home within five minutes (having gone even slower than previously, for by that time, the built-up tension was at the point of releasing itself, and I wanted to make sure it didn't get in the way of my driving abilities).
I can't tell you how thankful I am that there is nothing worse than some high-strung nerves to deal with at the moment. I learned the value of leaving an inordinate amount of space between vehicles the last time I was in an accident, and I am so very thankful for that now. I am also thankful that my life and the lives of those driving around me were spared from something awful.
We all must have something bigger planned for us that we still need to do in this world, and I for one am grateful.
And so, if any of you should ever catch me whining or complaining about how supposedly unfair life ever is, or if you catch me taking life and/or other people for granted, you have my permission to slap me. Or at least, remind me very strongly in the way of your own choosing that there are just some things shouldn't ever be taken for granted. M'kay?
I told my dad that I didn't need to ride home from work with him, that I would be fine and would take it slow and be safe and careful driving.
I didn't know that even that doesn't stop potential accidents from happening.
It happened when I was at the corner of 4 and Gender Road, which just happens to be the last turn before I get to my development. Up ahead of me, I noticed that the light was turning red and I needed to slow down because of it; the cars at the intersection were getting a little too near, and I was going a little faster than I probably should have been, considering the conditions.
I put my brakes on, and on any given day, things would have been fine. With a coating of ice on the road, however, that all changed.
As soon as I put the brakes on, my wheels started to spin out and I was starting to slide out to the right.
My gut reaction was to compensate by turning my wheel to the left, but then years of drivers ed./defensive driving/common sense kicked in, and I realized I needed to do exactly the opposite of what my gut told me to do, which was to let go, and let my car turn to the right while slowly applying my brake. It was also in that second when I realized that this could be the end to a lot of things, for my car was spinning out on Route 4 and could have ended up like one of any number of the cars I passed on my way home, which had either their front end smashed into the midian, or their back end smashed into the curb facing the opposite way in traffic. I had never experienced that sort of thing before, and while I won't say my life flashed before my eyes, I will say that I was very scared, both for myself and for anyone else who might have been in the way.
Thankfully, there was no one in the right hand land.
Thankfully, I was far enough behind the cars at the light that I hit no one in front of me.
Thankfully, the cars behind me were far enough behind that no one hit me.
Thankfully, my car stopped with my front end in basically the direction I needed to go. The cars that were stopped let me go in front of them and make my way slowly into my turn lane.
I was home within five minutes (having gone even slower than previously, for by that time, the built-up tension was at the point of releasing itself, and I wanted to make sure it didn't get in the way of my driving abilities).
I can't tell you how thankful I am that there is nothing worse than some high-strung nerves to deal with at the moment. I learned the value of leaving an inordinate amount of space between vehicles the last time I was in an accident, and I am so very thankful for that now. I am also thankful that my life and the lives of those driving around me were spared from something awful.
We all must have something bigger planned for us that we still need to do in this world, and I for one am grateful.
And so, if any of you should ever catch me whining or complaining about how supposedly unfair life ever is, or if you catch me taking life and/or other people for granted, you have my permission to slap me. Or at least, remind me very strongly in the way of your own choosing that there are just some things shouldn't ever be taken for granted. M'kay?
February 06, 2008
Leaving on a Jet Plane
My great-grandfather passed away last weekend. I am just about ready to leave here to fly down to Florida with my family to attend his funeral services.
He will be missed.
Any prayers would be appreciated.
He will be missed.
Any prayers would be appreciated.
February 01, 2008
Do you feel...
...as if you are aboard a rickety trolley, racing furiously in the wrong direction?
February is often like that.
February is often like that.
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