On Our Way To Crazy

It’s hard for me to think about major decisions. I’m impatient, and I’m always ready for change. It’s a real struggle for me to sit down and rationally consider the pros and cons of anything. I just want to pick something. We’ll figure out the rest later.

Sometimes, these tendencies work out in my favor. Deciding to date someone I met on the internet. Taking this job. Buying pointy boots. As a general rule, the things I jump into blindly turn into positive, and sometimes life-changing, experiences. But some decisions deserve more consideration than others. Buying shoes is not as important as buying a house. Accepting a date and accepting a job are on very different levels. That should affect the effort I put into the making of the decision, but it usually doesn’t.

Lately we’ve been questioning a major decision we made back in the fall. We committed to something we thought was one thing, but hasn’t turned out quite like we’d imagined. It has affected our spiritual life as a couple, as well as our social circle. When we made the decision, I was sure we were doing the right thing. And when we told people what we were doing, I had all the right words to convince everyone. Maybe to convince myself. This was right. This was good.

So here I am, looking back on the things I once said with such certainty, wondering what the heck I was talking about. Wondering what to do next. Wondering how to make a big decision and feel confident in the final choice. Not only do I not have the answers, I don’t even know the process to find them.

I’ve been listening to a lot of new music lately. I don’t claim to be a reviewer, and I can’t talk to you about the production or the levels or the effect an album will have on the future of music, but I can tell you why I like it and THAT WILL HAVE TO DO.

You Could Have It So Much Better – Franz Ferdinand
I love this album because it makes me dance in my office. It starts with a toe-tap. Then I add a bit of a head-bob and before I know it I’m twisting around in my chair and drumming on the desk. It makes me want to be at their concert, or at a party, or in my living room by myself where I can fully dance the way this music makes me want to. I didn’t love the first Franz Ferdinand album. I dug the single, but that was it. And while the single (Do You Want To) is my favorite on this one, it’s a great start-to-finish listen. LOVE.

Strange and Beautiful – Aqualung
I’ve actually been listening to this one for a while, but I don’t think I’ve mentioned it here. I. Love. Aqualung. It’s melodic and soothing and fabulous. He’s coming to the Ryman in March with David Gray (we’ll be in line first thing in the morning for tickets) and I am beyond thrilled. That is, assuming the show actually happens.

Indiana – David Mead
I’d heard and loved the song “Nashville”, and picked this up in a used music store a few weeks ago. I really enjoy the whole album – it’s that mellow singer/songwriter thing that gets me every time. But “Nashville” is far and away my favorite track. I listened to it a lot on the drive back from Dallas, and I think it’s one of those songs for me. The kind that are always on your top-songs-of-all-time-ever list. The right song at the right time.

The Very Best of Dwight Yoakam – Dwight Yoakam
I spent the majority of my life convinced and loudly professing my disdain for Dwight Yoakam. I can’t remember the basis for said disdain (two words that only need four letters! Fun!), but I was very adamant about it. It couldn’t have been because my dad liked him… my love for CSNY and Pure Prairie League has never wavered. Regardless, my opinion of the man has done a complete 180. Maybe it’s because the songs remind me of childhood. Maybe it’s because I love singing “Little Sister”. Maybe it’s because my brain began functioning properly.

Careless Love – Madeleine Peyroux
Lighting 100 plays “Don’t Wait Too Long”, and I always find myself trying to be sultry and sing along. This, as you can imagine, is a complete failure. Sultry is not my thing. But this music? Totally is. The whole album is jazzy and moody and sexy, and I love every second of it.

Elevator – Hot Hot Heat
See “You Could Have It So Much Better – Franz Ferdinand”

Can I just say? I am so Miles’ favorite.

I mean, there is no contest. No question. No tie-breakers. That dog loves me the mostest, and Aaron is a distant second. Veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery distant. I can’t even see him from here.

When we are watching TV, he always chooses me for some snuggle action. It doesn’t matter where I’m sitting, that’s where he wants to be. He’s especially fond of trying to get in my lap when I’m reading something… that’s sitting in my lap. He’ll flop right down on top of my newspaper or get in between me and the magazine. He knows that thing is getting my attention, and HE WANTS IT.

Last night I was on the sofa and Aaron was in the chair, and Miles was (of course) asleep in my lap. I moved my leg and woke him up. After giving me the MILES THE WONDER DOG LOOK OF DEATH, he walked down my leg to the end of the sofa. Aaron then tried to persuade him to come over to the chair.

(This, by the way, might be my second favorite Miles trick.)

Aaron: Miles, come here! *pats the ottoman* Come here, Miles!
Miles: (thinking) Is he crazy? He is so my second favorite.
Brandi: He’s not coming. I’m the favorite.
Aaron: Miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiles. Come here, buddy.
Miles: (looks at me, thinking) Watch this.

Then he jumps off the sofa and runs toward the chair. Aaron gets ready for him to jump up, and… he doesn’t. It’s a total fakeout. He makes Aaron think he’s coming for some cuddling, but he’s not. He’s doing a 180 and heading right back to me.

Because my dog does some sweet tricks.

And I am the favorite.

Happy Anniversary, Parents!

We can all only dream of having 34-and-counting good years together. You guys are an encouragement and an inspiration. Thanks for being fun and giving us a crazy childhood. I am forever grateful.

I wish I had a copy of your wedding picture (complete with short yellow satin dress, MOM) but this will have to suffice.

As a general rule, I am cheap. I’m always looking for a deal, and I rarely buy anything that isn’t on sale. But every now and then, I splurge.

In the upcoming months I have at least two dressy occasions – Steffanie’s rehearsal dinner and an after party for a certain lame-o awards show. As I have been known to take AGES to find an outfit for any event, I decided to go ahead and start the search for the perfect dress that will be stunning and fabulous for both occasions.

And I found it. It was full price, but I didn’t care. It was gorgeous. But I hesitated. What if it goes on sale between now and April? I decided to hold off and think about it.

So today I go back to the website to look at it again and send it to my mom to see what she thinks. And it’s gone. GONE. Not on sale, not full price, not anywhere. Straight up gone.

Where did it go, people? Where?

This is it. If you happen to see it wandering the streets, searching desperately for its rightful owner (ME), snatch it up. I need it oh so desperately.

As part of my healthy eating plan, I’ve started bringing my lunch to work. I’ve never been good at meal planning, so while the idea of making something at home and bringing it in sounds good, it’s not happening. Leftovers? Sure. But not a whole new meal made in advance.

Now, I’ve never been a big fan of the frozen meal. Especially the meat in those things… it kind of grosses me out. But on a whim at the grocery store I headed over to the frozen foods aisle. When I got there, a large, loud woman was blocking most of the freezer doors with her cart and herself. She was very kind, though, (loudly) informing me that if I bought twelve Lean Cuisines, I would save five dollars. I did not buy twelve Lean Cuisines, but I did follow this woman’s advice on which ones were good. I also believed her when she told me that they are the best brand of low-fat/calorie frozen meals, or, as she put it, “Them Smart Ones is nastay.” So far I’ve had cheese ravioli, a roasted veggie pizza and a southwest chicken panini.

Y’all.

They are so good.

I mean, amazingly good.

The ravioli was yummy, and with the salad I brought in it made a great and filling lunch. But the pizza and the sandwich? Awesome. And fascinating… how does bread cooked in the microwave come out crispy? HOW? I can’t imagine. But it does, y’all. It’s soft and crispy and not at all soggy or chewy. It’s fabulous.

Fabulous.

Go buy some.

Today is another rainy day like Friday, I still like them.

We had a great long weekend. I feel like most of my weekend posts talk about how lazy we were, but I’m okay with that. We don’t have kids, we don’t have a lot of obligations. It’s a lazy time in our lives. We’re taking advantage.

I saw five movies this weekend: Glory Road, Millions, Happy Endings, Mr. &Mrs. Smith and The 40-Year-Old Virgin. And I liked them in that order.

I am really glad to have friends that will spontaneously burst into song with you at restaurants. Even when that song is “Born to be Wild.”

My most favorite lunch place, Kalamata’s, is now open right down the street from my office. This thrills me like you would not believe. They have fantastic tomato soup.

On my way back from lunch Switchfoot was playing on three of my six preset radio stations.

I like Fall Out Boy. Have we met? I’m Brandi. I’m 14. And Justin can’t marry Britney or I’ll just cry and cry and cry.

There are very exciting possibilities on the horizon with Aaron’s job. No details, but keep us in your thoughts and prayers. This could be very good.

I freaking love my dog. It’s pathetic.

I love rainy days. Love them. I could totally live in Seattle, even though I hear it doesn’t actually rain there as much as we think it does and housing costs a million times more than it does here. No matter. I love the rain.

Last night I had the joy of being woken up by thunder. I do my best sleeping during thunderstorms. I inched my head around the pillow to see the clock, afraid this wonderful thundery goodness had come right before I had to get up. Doesn’t it always seem to happen that way? You’re all jazzed to go back to sleep, but your alarm is set to go off in ten minutes. This morning, however, the rainy day gods were looking out for me – it was 6:00. Now, I know some of you are reading this and saying, “Six! I’ve been at work for hours by then!” And to that I say, “Nyah-nyah. I get up at eight and I don’t even feel bad about it.” Then I stick my tongue out at you. And then I go back to sleep for two more hours.

Getting out of bed on rainy days is tough, especially when it’s the kind of rain that blocks the sun. Your room is dark and cool, the thunder and rain are lulling you to sleep, and you have to get up and get dressed. Not fun. (Less fun for Aaron, whose morning duties include walking Miles. Miles does not love rainy days.)

Rainy days are peaceful for me. Relaxing. I feel like there’s less pressure when it’s raining. Late to work? No problem! It’s raining. Of course I can’t work out today, it’s raining. You want me to do something besides sit in this chair and read this book? Sorry, no can do. It’s raining.

Love it. Love the rain.