Conversations with a Conservative

I think most of you know by now that I'm an engineer (still in training, I have to wait until December to apply to take the PE exam, but let's not talk about that - it kind of freaks me out).  Engineers are not generally considered creative, which I actually find sort of funny.  If you think about it, engineers have to be creative because we have to come up with solutions to problems, but I guess when it comes to artsy creative they tend to be lacking. I sort of think I fall in the middle.  I love creating and making things, but I'm sure I do it in an engineer/analytical sort of way.  Take quilting, for example, it is really about geometry in the basic sense.  You can take different basics shapes, and make endless quilts by changing up the fabric or the layout just slightly.  I love that. Anyway, I guess most of my colleagues still fall in the "not so creative" camp.  I had to create a sponsorship sign for a conference at the end of this week for my boss.  It

I don't mean in the sorority/fraternity sort of way.  Even though my alma mater was big on that, I actually sat that out.  It kind of intimidated me and I didn't really have the money to keep up with those fancy girls.  Anyway, I digress. What I'm actually talking about is yogurt.  I know a lot of people have started trying the greek yogurt.  My mom, for one, really loves it.  I have been enjoying it for a while, but I change which kinds I like at different times.  My favorite way to eat it is plain flavored with a little honey.  Yum! I go between brands, but when eating it one morning, I noticed on this particular carton it said: "Suggestion: Please do not stir."  I don't know why that struck me as funny, but I used to always stir it up.  Maybe that changes the texture and taste or something?  I have no idea, but I quit stirring it and I think it does taste delicious.  Anyone else seen or heard this?  Know the reason why?  I mean I'm pretty certain

I most certainly do not!  Green is my favorite color so I had to really chose what I wanted to wear today.  My outfit isn't anything flashy today, but I like it. What I'm wearing: New York and Company cardigan, had forever Black J. Crew tank, had forever Lands' End Canvas skirt , $19.99 (plus additional discount with reward points and free shipping) Lands' End Canvas sandals , $13.98 (plus tax) Necklace, from an accessory store in my hometown, $4ish (can't remember for sure) Also, I want to leave you with "The Breastplate of St. Patrick."  My minister shared this with us last year, and I really liked it.  I hope you enjoy it and your St. Patrick's day. "The Breast-plate of St. Patrick" I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the Threeness, through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation. I arise today through the strength of Christ with His Baptism, through the strength of

I feel like this season of life has just been overwhelming for me and many people around me.  It blows my mind at church just how much everyone seems to be going through.  There isn't any one thing for me, but just life that is busy.  After this weekend, the next three are packed!  I'm either out of town or hosting people (or both).  It is all good stuff, but just a lot. I feel like I lost all last weekend with our plumbing issues and then my foot and then our dog got a urinary tract infection.  I honestly don't know how y'all do it with kids.  I always ask my mom that.  Where does that energy come from because right now my husband, my dog, and myself are about all I can handle. Looking back at the way I started the two paragraphs above, I think I might feel too much.  I actually got irritated with my husband a couple of nights ago because he kept telling me he thought I was off (female translation: emotional, unhinged).  I actually wasn't and felt very okay, bu

(Photo from: battelle.org) I just realized I never really gave an update to the crazy weekend we had.  Long story short, we had to go stay with family for Saturday night and all of Sunday because the poor husband ran out of steam.  I wasn't a ton of help with my silly foot, and he was covered in mud and muck for most of the day.  Crawling around under a house just beats you down physcially and mentally, especially when you think you have fixed it when you really haven't it.  Luckily we found an awesome plumber who fixed us up on Monday, and I have enjoyed a nice hot shower every morning since.  It really is wonderful to have water again!

"Please stop giving me your unsolicited advice!" Has anyone else ever had that happen?  I'm sure you have, it seems to be very common for the pregnant ladies out there. Here's what's going on: A very nice lady at my church means well, I know that.  However, the last two Wednesday nights at Bible study she has told me how things I'm doing and my doctors prescribed are killing me.  We live in a large world full of many different people, and thus, opinions.  I sort of subscribe to the thought that I think you can find a study that proves almost anything you want.  One day you hear one saying coffee will kill you and the next day hear how a little a day is healthy.  My point is, I think you weigh the options and pick what works best for you.  (I don't apply that to my walk with God or the Bible - trust me, that is a post I'm working on for a whole other day). A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned to a different friend at church that I had been struggli

The pictures above are of the mess in my hallway leading to crawl space hatch and of  the actual hole in the ground in my hall closet right now.  I can’t wait to clean it all up – here’s hoping it is soon! I just want to wash my hands.  Does that sound gross?  Sorry, but the anti-bacterial gel is just not cutting it.  I’m trying to keep perspective since there are millions and millions of people around the world without water, but our society in America doesn’t tend to except non-bathed people as much. We went to the local H*me Depot last night to pick up the supplies the hubby needed to fix the link.  We were confident we knew what needed fixing and wanted to get it done before the cold front and rain moved in.  I guess if you are under the house with no lights, it doesn’t really matter if it is night or day.  Around 10:30 last night, we finally called it quits.  We thought we had fixed it, but when we turned the water on, it bubbled up from the ground still.  The only pipe

(Photo from: lumbertonpolitics.blogspot.com)  Actually, the husband is pretty good at fixing things, but I sometimes I wish we could just pay someone else to do it.  Being a homeowner is great, but somedays it just feels like the whole house is going to fall down. We were just going along living life like normal, and BAM!  Okay, well really it was more like we got our utility bill in the mail and it said we used 3 times as much water last month as the previous.  Yeah, that wasn't normal.  So the hunt for the water leak began. Our house was built in 1955 and we live in TX so that means no basement and it is pier and beam, which also means we have a creepy crawl space that houses all of our plumbing.  Also, they used to say you should go there during a tornado, but I'm pretty certain that will never happen.  It is so creepy!  I think I'll take my chances in the closet, but hopefully no tornadoes hit our house! Anyway, I guess the leak was a good thing because it forced

Not much too exciting going on here these days.  The headaches are about the same, but a talk with the doctor today gives me some hope.  We are adjusting the meds so I hope that helps! Since I haven’t been feeling well, I haven’t really tried too hard on my outfits.  I was home sick last Wednesday with a migraine and pretty much got one everyday last week, and I was on the path for that this week.  I’m hoping tomorrow will be a better day. I haven’t been political lately, but I do have to say one thing.  I think the Democratic senators in Wisconsin truly are being immature children.  Just because you won’t get your way doesn’t mean you run and hide.  Our Republic operates based off those we vote into office, and in Wisconsin, it is pretty clear what the majority wants.  The Governor, Senate, and House were all voted to be mostly Republicans so the rest of the state needs to accept that.  The senators claim that it isn’t fair for the voices of the teachers union to not be heard, but