three years later...

and I'm a Virginian on paper. Spent quality time at the DMV (to be fair, the actual process was quick and rather pleasant, it was the lines that were time-consuming. I got there at 7:30 a.m. and the line was already around three sides of the building. Guess I wasn't the only one in the county with that bright idea) and got a piece of paper telling me that they're mailing me a real license. Now to track down a notary and get my lost title squared away.

V. proud to say that I hit 700 consecutive days of French today. Ou, je suis fier de 700 jours de francais. And very much looking forward to a day off~first one since January. It will be divine to have a break from the tedium of commute/office/commute/sleep/commute/office.

Happy kick off to summer all y'all!

giving

"To the wrongs that need resistance,

To the right that needs assistance,

To the future in the distance,

Give yourselves."

~Carrie Chapman Catt

flutter by

Still getting fun cards in the mail from The Bloggess's posting. Woke to cool breezes and a couple of cardinals in the tree under my window~they wouldn't cooperate for a photo shoot though.

blessings be

upon whomever invented the ceiling fan. Our temps leaped 50 degrees and my unit gets full afternoon sun.  While my plants may enjoy it, I'm not fond of it.

how nice was that?

This week's selection of posies~and, as the Trader's clerk didn't find a price on them? He gave them to me. A beautiful start to the weekend.

vignettes

While my boss is nothing like this~name the movie where this scene repeatedly occurs!

Carnations always get sneered at, but they have lasting power and a good return on flower monies spent. 

Yes, that is 126 points for ONE play. And yes, it's been a slooooooow week at work.

discovery

I've worked in the same building for almost two years and didn't know there was a gorgeous courtyard in the back with Adirondack chairs, cafe tables and park benches. If I had known, I would have held classes out there. As it is, I will have to wander out for a few minutes on pleasant days.

all sorted

Not sure why I've never made fresh pickles out of any veg, but today was the day. Looking forward to enjoying their crispness in a couple of days. (Tuesday night update~I forgot to put water in the recipe, so these little rounds of crunchiness just about remove your jaw with acidity. Oops.)

Everything sliced/diced and ready for the week; and while I am deeply grateful to be employed, I'd really like to craft a life where Sunday evenings weren't melancholy/depressing. 

it was a dark and stormy night...

was the beginning of a goofy story Uncle Jerry used to tell us. The entire thing was: "It was a dark and stormy night and the captain said to Bill~'tell us a story.' So, Bill said, 'It was a dark and stormy night...."

When you're in middle school, this is the height of hilarity. One of the good memories swirling around this month of Mental Health Awareness.

And in the mundane/satisfying tasks, the correct compartments are full of brake fluid and windshield wiper fluid. Who knew adulting could be so fun? I'll spare you photos of snaking hair out of the drains that also happened this weekend. 

A yummy gift from my tutee~while I didn't make it to any of the Embassy Row events this year, at least I got some chocolate from another's visit.

choosing

Getting dressed for work is never that fun~all those choices and accessorizing and blah/blah/blah. But right now? It's a miracle I make it to work with our wild weather swings. I've worn boots and a heavy sweater. Sandals and a breezy summer top. Rain coat. The thermostat is confused with the running of heat and a/c closely together.

Grateful that I'm almost to the weekend and can slob out blissfully for several hours.

astonishing

Every once in awhile, the concept of the cell phone amazes me. How this little device can allow me to chat with my cousin (happiest of days, John!) on the other side of the country is pretty incredible.

So while people rail that cells are ruining our posture, our social skills, etc. etc., sometimes they are phenomenal.

Who knew that you could buy so many moods at Walmart? I used to buy light bulbs merely based on warttage, but I'll take emotional support where I find it. Should I need subtle reassurance, you'll find me hanging out by my lamp in one corner of my kitchen.

appreciated/ing

Even though I'm not technically a teacher at present, my boss still got me a gift for Teacher Appreciation Day. 

Tonight brought time with a friend~a fellow alum from Westminster. A pleasant enough evening to sit outside and catch up on the past few months.

twilight

obvs v. far removed from the Beltway

is one of my favorite words and time of day. Is there anything better than driving with the windows down through the summer (ish) end of the day? There was a brief moment at the end of my commute where I actually got to take my foot off the clutch and drive and it was glorious.