Caulking successful!

I decided to tackle a home improvement project. Some of the caulking in our bathtub was gross and mildewy and I just couldn't take it anymore. So, I spent Thursday evening scraping out much of the old caulking and replaced it with new, clean caulking the next morning. And, now, I don't have to avoid touching certain parts of our tub. Yay! Successful home improvement project! See before and after below.

Conversation with Target Employee

Setting: Me holding a tube of caulk in my hand in the aisle where I found it at Target

Me: Excuse me, do you know if you carry caulk guns?
Target Employee (TE): (blank stare)
Me: Well, this is caulk, but in order to use it, you have to put it in a caulk gun. (I make the appropriate gesture here to try to trigger his mind.)
TE: (blank stare)
Me: You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?
TE: No, no I don't.
Me: Never mind.

Seriously. I know we're in a city and all, but still.

A journey begins

I woke up with this quote reverberating in my head.

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step"

Christmas Eve

My mind is full of a bunch of things, but I'll try to keep this concise. I just came back from a Christmas Eve service at my cousin's church out in McLean. I'm not sure what denomination the church is, but it was much more liturgical and "high church" than I am used to. There were some things I didn't understand (like the procession of the cross), some things I understood, but hadn't seen in a while (an actual introit), and some things that were very familiar to me (lots of Christmas hymns). Regardless of familiarity and my comfort level with certain practices I see as slightly ritualistic, it was a great time to reflect and collect my thoughts about Christmas and Jesus.

Then, on the way home, I heard a song that I think about all year long, but I only ever hear it at Christmastime. It's called "A Strange Way to Save the World". Just after that, I drove back into sight of the city and realized this is the first Christmas I've ever spent in the city -- any city.

Yeah, I'm ready for Christmas now.

Is today longer?

Now that we've passed the Equinox, I'm enjoying the extended daylight.

Yes. I'm joking.

Weekend of Demarcation

It seems as though this weekend is a line of demarcation in my life... in little ways and in big ways. This weekend marks the end of work in 2007. Now that work is officially over, it seems to mark the beginning of the holidays for me. But on a sadder, and more significant, note, it marks the end of Amy and Hyla: the DC years. Today was the last day of just being there for the normal, mundane bits of "doing life" on a regular basis. We spent most of the day together, just hanging out, carrying boxes to her car, making dinner, watching a movie, chatting about boys -- some of our favorite things. But, then, inevitably, the end came and she had to leave to pick up Luke. Tomorrow, she and Luke will set out on a cross-continental journey (doesn't that sound schmancy?) and end up in a place she will soon call home.

I cried. I cried a little this morning. I cried when we actually said goodbye tonight. I cried on the couch after she left. Fortunately, Jones (Jonathan's dog that I'm watching this week) reached over with an understanding paw at the appropriate moments. I'm not sure why this is so emotional for me. I know people move... especially in DC, it's just a hazard of life. People's lives change. My friendships evolve and change all the time. I've known it was coming for months. And, yet, it has me all choked up.

So today is the line of demarcation that has my dear friend Amy living in my neighborhood, doing her DC life on one side of it and her life with Luke on the west coast on the other side. And, of course, I wish her only the very best.

I sense another line of demarcation this weekend, but I don't want to jinx it so I'll keep that to myself for now. Stay tuned for more! (I've been formulating my new year's eve post for a few weeks now in my head.)

Time to regroup

Because we have such a crazy December (and fall) at work, we get the week off between Christmas and New Year's each year. That week off starts right now! I usually have a grand plan, a detailed itinerary or a to-do list from here to Montana. Not this year, though. I have 10 days ahead of me with almost no plan at all. I'll have to say goodbye to Amy within the next 48 hours. Not incredibly excited about that. But, other than that, it should be a good, relaxing, play-it-by-ear kind of week. I'm hoping to spend a little time with Chris, build up my tights repertoire and hit the pool a lot. Everything else is negotiable. On to vacation!

Random day off

I decided to take today off for several reasons. This week is a seven day week for us - 1 concert day + 5 weekdays + 1 concert day -- voila! 7 day week. So, I decided to take a day off in the middle to give me a little break. It was also to spend a little extra time with Amy today before she leaves and time runs out. We went for a final popping man visit down on Hains Point, spent some quality time on the couch with bbq chicken and a movie and then went and worked off the chicken in the pool. I'm gonna miss that girl!

Well, back to the grindstone tomorrow.

Miracle needed

I need a job miracle. It is SO time for me to leave my position and I am really excited to use all that I've learned at MCW at some new occupational adventure. Anyways, I'm trying to be diligent and working on it, but I could use a little bit of miracle, too. I really want to try to stay in DC, but if the only (and best) opportunity I have is in a far away land, then it would be really hard to turn that down.

Also, it's incredibly, annoyingly cold here today.

Thoughts from a Saturday

As you may have guessed from my lack of posting, it's been a little crazy lately. Just a busy, busy time for my job, but the important thing is I'm here now!
Today was a real whirlwind of a day, but a great one! I got a real tree this morning for the first time ever. It's just a little chubby one, but it smells great and I love it! (Thanks to Chris for carrying it the whole way home!)
Then, after a frenzy of Christmas shopping and wrapping, I got to hear Jane Monheit in concert tonight. She's a fun performer and makes you feel like you're sitting in her living room. I want to go hear her again after she's had her baby... you could kind of get the idea that she was a little more reserved than she normally would. Anyways, that was great! I was fortunate to get a ticket to this sold-out show.
One final thought thanks to some kids on the metro:
"Why are we going back to Gallery Place? It's raining!"
"To spend time together. Because that's what families do.... spend time together."

Novel.