Domesticating

I have been particularly domestic this week.

I finally planted my flowers on Monday, after they sat forlornly in their trays for about four days.

I also decided to make good on my New Year's resolution to branch out on my cooking and baking. On Tuesday, I made instant pudding. On Wednesday, I cooked tacos, with ground beef and everything. Friday, I made cornbread muffins from a mix.

I know. Baby steps.

To make the cornbread, I had to buy a carton of 18 eggs, from which I only needed one. So my next move is something with a lot of eggs. Any suggestions? Think something that requires two or three other ingredients and take five minutes.

Lesson learned: I'm no Martha Stewart, but I make great instant pudding.

Foiled again

Mother Nature has gone and thwarted another of my big plans. I should be in the mountains of Yosemite right now, but instead I'm sitting here on my couch. I was supposed to go backpacking with a couple people on this three-day weekend. I had my new backpacking backpack all ready. We had even bought food. Last weekend it was 100 degrees. This weekend, it stormed, lightening and hurricaned. I'm a little bitter about the bad timing. Of course, next week looks beautiful.

Lesson learned: I should never get my hopes up.

Blurred

Lately, my contacts just don't seem to sit on my eyes right. I sit here and blink. They refocus, then blur again. It will drive you crazy.

Being the college graduate that I am, I think I have honed in on the source of this eye correction malfunction. I sit in front of a computer all frickin day. I'm guessing that has something to do with it. It's just a stab in the dark.

Lesson learned: Maybe I should quit my job and become a shepherd. I'd get a good tan out of it.

Attacked

I got attacked by a bird today. No joke. I was walking in to a local retail store, chatting on my cell phone, when I got dive bombed. The thing actually landed on the back of my neck. I had to bat it away.

My poor friend, Megan, who happened to be the lucky one on the phone with me, got the brunt of my scream.

Lesson learned: Stay clear of those nests.

Birthday suit

I'm just recovering from my wild and crazy Birthday party ... Wait, it's 10:30 p.m., and I'm at home. I may even get in eight hours of sleep tonight. Wow, I didn't think I was, but maybe I am getting old. I'm not going to say my new age (28) because everyone over 40 will scoff at that last statement.

A bunch of my coworkers and a few others were troopers and came out for dinner and bowling. (The title of this entry was my bowling name tonight).

So no shots and dancing, but that's probably a good thing. Particularly because now that I'm getting closer to being an adult, I have to think about the fact that I have to work tomorrow.

Lessons learned: Now that I'm 28, I'm a fantastic bowler.

Climbing the manure pile

I did a climb over the weekend that was like none I've done before. It's called Manure Pile Buttress. Yes, you can laugh at the name. I did.

So my friend, D, and I, got a rip roaring start. And by that I mean we started climbing at 2 p.m. We did it in five pitches and it took us five hours. I've never done anything beyond a two-pitch climb before, so I won't downplay it, it was sort of an epic feat for me. (For those of you who don't climb, a pitch is basically a length of rope. One climbs up to a ledge or good stopping place. The other follows, Then the first one goes again.)


It wasn't as scary as I thought it might be. I did worry slightly beforehand that I would get up there and have a melt down. When I started getting freaked out, I would just sing the song, "Please Lord Give Me Peace." Most of the time it was just a good challenge though.

I can see how people get addicted to this.

Lesson learned: Expect bruises.