The Right Road Home

Today marks the seven year anniversary of when Darrell and I began dating. To this day, I'm still amazed at how the smallest decisions in life can create such a ripple effect so that you are forever touched by the outcome.
My life as I know it began the day I walked into a little bar named Don Quixotes. I wonder what I would have said then if you had come up and told me that seven years from then, I would be married and have two children with the hot guy leaned over the pool table. And that the guy standing next to him would be my brother-in-law. And that he would marry and be the father of three children with the beautiful brunette girl sitting a couple tables over. Or that the dashing man and spunky blonde who owned the place would be my beloved in-laws.

I probably would have laughed in your face-- and then we would have had another shot:) Buttery nipple, please!

That fateful entrance into that particular bar changed my life forever, and confirmed for me once again-- that yes, everything happens for a reason. As I sit here tonight and think about the crazy turns life takes, I keep thinking of the words to a Lori McKenna song. And since she can say things so eloquently, in clever, clear ways in which I could never convey my feelings... I'm going to let her finish this out for me.

This one's for you, Darrell, should you actually stumble over to the OB and read this:) I love you. Here's to the next 7.



Someone was crying and the bells rang,
then I don't remember a thing.
you were talking but the words came -- from somebody else.

Someone said kiss her and so you did
I was smiling like a little kid.
you kissed my teeth and then we both hid-- inside each other's arms

All you really need is someone to be here,
Someone who'll never let you disappear.
This may be just a softer place to fall,
but someone will answer when you call.
And I will be that witness to your life.

Got that job and joined the Union
Fought every urge that told you to run.
Stared down the barrel of an empty gun-- and wondered a bit.
Stopped listening to all your friends,
they think this is where life begins and ends.
No one reaches, no one transcends,
They just learn to live with it.

All you really need is someone to be here
Someone who'll never let you disappear
And I will be that witness to your life.
You should never have to be alone
someone will always call you home.
and I will be that witness to your life.

Up the road, your car comes into view
and from our front lawn I just smile at you...
another day I thank the Lord that you
took the right road home.

The Time Has Come

(Disclaimer #1: This is a very self-involved blog, so please proceed with caution.)

It's time.

I've been saying for YEARS that I want to cut off my hair, but now, I think the time has finally arrived. This may not seem like a monumental decision to anyone else, but let me tell you a few things about my hair and the thoughts going through my blonde-tressed brain.

1. I have not had any type of short hair do since ... oh say... 1997. And I hated it. I fought with it every single day. I have Patty Duke hair. You know what I'm talking about, right?? The hair that does a little flip at the bottom the shorter it gets. But, my hair has changed drastically since having children, and to be honest, I just really don't have time in my life to worry about it if my hair does flip when it's shorter. My daily battles with the Duke-Do were also long before I discovered the joy of a flat-iron, so I think I could tackle the problem these days.

2. At my bachelorette party, my bff Heather composed a really fun questionairre for all guests to complete to see how much they knew about me. One question was "What is Jessica's favorite feature on herself?". The point of this little game was for all my guests to tell me what THEY thought my answer would be, and then I would tell me what the answer actually was. I didn't keep an exact count, but I think it is a fair estimate to say that at least 75% of the girls said that my hair was my best feature. Apparently, everyone else loves my hair WAY more than I do.

3. (DISCLAIMER #2: DAD... DO NOT READ THIS PORTION) I have this thing about long hair being sexy. I've always thought that during love-making, there was nothing hotter than flipping the hair back and it cascading down the middle of my back. As true as that may have felt at the time, let me tell you straight up than when we do make love these days, I certainly don't have my hair down. It gets caught in all sorts of uncomfortable situations and/or body parts, so it's piled on top of my head anyway.

4. I know rationally that the difference between long and short hair is this: Long Hair= can get away with air drying for work, but Short Hair= must fix. I think I'm ready to tackle this though, simply because the less hair I have, the less amount of time it will take to dry it. And THAT is the sole reason I don't flat-iron my hair every morning. It takes too stinkin' long to dry before doing so.

5. I'm married. And my poor husband has been looking at my hair piled on top of my head (as soon as I walk in the door, that's where it goes) for 7 years now. Maybe it's time to shake things up and give him something else to look at.

There you have it. The randomness that is me. This inward discussion is a prime example of why it takes me so long to make decisions at times. I have to fight with the "young" me and the "getting older" me. And for some reason... cutting off my hair is striking me as an "older" thing to do. I know it's just hair. I know it will grow back if I hate it. I just need to work up the courage to walk into the hair salon, face Jessica (yes, my hair girl's name is Jessica:)), and say it once again- It's Time. She's been witnessing my battle with this decision for so long now... I'm sure she'll know what I'm talking about:)

So get ready for a chocolate brown with red highlights stacked bob Jess headed your way in the future. If only I can get my mid-back long ashey blonde with dark brown underneath self to stick to my guns.

True Conversation from the Hall House

Mom: "Jaxen, your arms sure are starting to get a lot of hair on them."

Jaxen: "Mom...that's not hair! It's cherry fur!"

(Five year old brain translation: Cherry Fur = Peach Fuzz)

Good stuff.

The Books that Bind

The library. As a child, I spent a LOT of time at our local library. It was beautiful, cozy, and had the best children's librarian of all time, Mr. Dixon. The children's portion of our library was on the bottom level of a wonderful old building. So although it's not technically underground, it felt that way, which definitely added to appeal of the place.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.elkcity.com/Library/library.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.elkcity.com/library/&h=1072&w=1600&sz=299&hl=en&start=2&sig2=gKfDI38v4m_vEwdkDGVSmQ&um=1&usg=__8bJ5attwvH5P1Xryg90qcmSjb94=&tbnid=2vbxJGWIna7S9M:&tbnh=101&tbnw=150&ei=DkLLSJH4Gon6MrzFpZMB&prev=/images%3Fq%3Delk%2Bcity%2Blibrary%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

I would stay for hours, walking along the shelves, trailing my fingers along the spines of all the books that were just calling my name. I can still remember the layout of the categories. Now, as an adult, I work just a few blocks from our beautiful downtown library branch.

It is spacious, full of light, and very modern looking, all very different from the library of my childhood, but the appeal is the same. I visit it at least once a week. And yes, I still trail my fingers along the book spines.

Now it's your turn-- what's your library like? Do you have "good" library memories from your childhood?

Why I Blog

I just ran across a really intriguing meme over at http://www.callapidderdays.com/ . So I thought I would give it a whirl. I'm interested to hear everyone else's responses!!



5 Ways Blogging Has Affected Me:



1. Through blogging, I have met some really cool people. Although some of the blogs on my list are written by people that I actually know here in the real world, I have a few virtual buddies that have developed as well. Specifically, Kathy over at 2Kids3Martinis is just a laugh a minute. Love that crazy girl! And I've had the opportunity to connect with JessicaH. over at Fustian that I sadly only got to spend time with on one occasion while she lived here in OKC. Really, Jessica...what's up with that??? I think you're crazysupercool (and we all know you have an awesome name!), and only got to chill with you circa St. Paddy's Day 2006. Bummer. God bless blogger for letting me get to know you a "wee" bit better:)

2. This blog allows me to share some of my brain process with my dear ole' dad. I get busy at work and don't communicate via e-mail as often as I should. And I HATE to talk on the phone, so I certainly don't call as much as I should either. Via my blog, my dad can keep up with what's up in this crazy brain. And hey... if he likes what he reads, he can comment. If not, he can ignore it. Gotta love that, LOL! There's always a certain danger to allowing your parents to read what you write...but I figure I'm 30 years old (Oh crap, I just turned 31- and totally forgot!!). Anyways, there comes an age at which you just have to say, "This is who I am" and just try not to reveal any deep dark childhood secrets via blog:) PS Love you, Dad!

3. I have always loved to write, but have fallen off the journaling bandwagon since having kids. Since I am much faster at typing than writing, blogging is a much more efficient way to release my thoughts. Most of the time, they aren't even important thoughts, but I can sleep better knowing that I've released them into the blogging void for any and all who are to read them.

4. I can share my love (or dislike) of books with others. Although I love Darrell dearly, we are definitely opposites in a lot of ways. Darrell likes to hunt and work on his old trucks. I like to read and sing. I'm definitely the more artsy-fartsy one in the relationship. I've bought him a couple books, but the only one he actually read was The DaVinci Code. (Funny sidenote: While reading DVC, he was so caught up in the book, you couldn't even speak to him without him snapping at you. He totally ignored all of us until he finished the last page. *Hmmmm* Guess it was good to get a taste of my own medicine:)) I recently bought him a Bear Grylls book thinking that it would capture his interest since BG is his tv boyfriend, but it's still sitting in the bag. Occasionally I will try to share my opinions about a book with him, but suffice to say, he doesn't give a shit. But he pretends to listen, and I guess that is what really matters:)

5. Blogging gives me something to do. Now that the wedding is over, I don't know what to do with my evenings. Some days I feel like life is anticlimactic now. I've had the kids. Bought the house. Gotten married. What's next??? I know there's always some endeavor right around the corner, but right now, I just can't seem to see it. I need a goal!!!! Oh wait. I do! Finishing this blog!!

So there you have it. That's why I do this crazy thing called blogging. What about you?? I'm curious!

A reesponse from the mostest smarterest man I knowed

Here is my dad's reply to my last blog re: the letter my son's teacher sent home.

Enjoy!!



Subject: Condensation with Jessica
I inn joyed your remakes about the teacher letter. Hear is my humorless response too it. LOL (lots of luck) 6 read sons she might have made that many miss steaks. This might be perfect spelling but I did not spell check it. LOL

1. Did not have her glasses on
2. Had a migrain from the stress
3. assumed spell check was never wrong . LOL ,or due to lack of supplies had a computer without spellcheck.
4. Under duress to get the newsletter out with 20 screaming kids nearby
5. No one else was there to 100 % (Jack Daniels)proof it. LOL
6. After all of the above she just didn't care to proof it. LOL (?? lots of luck)


Now really... Is there any wonder why I'm a daddy's girl?!! I told Dad he should start a blog:)

The First Letter Home: Or How NOT to Use a Spell Check Program

I am saddened. Disheartened. And just plain frustrated.
That being said... let me explain why.

This evening I sat down to read the first letter that has been sent home from my son's kindergarten teacher. Let me now provide you with a few quotes:

1. "Now they feel safe in their new surrounding and convertible with the adult in charge."

2. "Using shoestring as away to accidentally pop others in the back."

3. "They are aol (absent with out leave)."

4. "Each parent is encouraged to send snack for the whole class (currently there is 28 students)."

5. "Unless a parent request that I don't."

6. "Thank you for your patients."

Now. Let me break these offenses down for you (just to provide an example of how my brain works).

1. Seriously. Is there any way at all that convertible could possible mean the same as comfortable?? This is a prime example of a spell check program error... it was apparently misspelled to begin with, and then the wrong selection was chosen in the spell check options. But when re-reading the letter for proofing (before distributing to PARENTS???) would you not notice this HUGE error??

2. Yet another spell check error--- away does not mean the same as a way.

3. Is there really ANY confusion in this world that AOL (internet provider) and AWOL (commonly known acronym throughout the world) could possibly mean the same thing?

4. Snack. Is. Come on-- it's simple elementary grammar to know that your noun and verb must match. Singular noun = singular verb. Plural noun= plural verb.

5. *sigh* RequestSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! Not request.

6. Probably the most painful error of all. This sentence occurred at the end of the letter and by this point, I was about to scream.

Let me insert here, please, that I do NOT read blogs (and/or letters) with the intention of editing them as I go. It's just something that my brain has always done. I think I was an editor in a previous life. Nor am I saying that I never make errors, or that I'm not guilty of stupid grammatical mistakes, especially while blogging.
But really folks. This is from a TEACHER!! This is the FIRST correspondence distributed to almost thirty parents and this is how you want to come across???
Let me also insert that both my mother and father taught elementary school for almost 25 years. I majored in elementary education, made it to student teaching, and then realized that it wasn't what I wanted to do with my life. I have a tremendous amount of respect for teachers. But I also go into this new parent/teacher relationship with high hopes and expectations. I know it's unrealistic to expect every teacher I encounter to be as intelligent or giving as my parents were to their students. But I DO expect my kids' teachers to be able to form grammatically correct sentences on paper.

*Sigh* I should have finished my degree.