happy birthday?

this is a book - like a coffee table book - that justin's dad sent him for his birthday. at least, i think that's why he sent it. it is exactly what it looks like. a book full of carrot-top kids. i will say that again: it is a book full of carrot-top kids. kids with red hair from every state. it is so weird, it is hilarious and particularly at home on this huge-A coffee table in this cozy little home of redheads.

i hope this isn't supposed to be a hint

ps - sorry it's sideways. i just tried, like, 4 ways to get it turned the right way, and even though it looks normal in EVERY OTHER application and location, every time it uploads it here, it's sideways. just turn your head to the side.

it's come to this.

obviously i've gotten SUPER serious about working out. why else would i be drinking this? i'll tell you why. because i always crave chocolate milk after i work out, and the guy at the desk convinced me that this would be really good for my muscles. with any luck, i'll be buff like my dad in no time.

last night we went to see Over the Rhine at Workplay and it was spectacular. it was so good that i kind of wanted to join the people behind us chanting "OTR forever!!!!" thanks to a really crowded workplay we shared a table with my new friend Sarah. in fact, it was a conversation i had with Sarah (between musical acts of course - we're not rude) that inspired my next list:

the person i wish i was. . .

- listens to NPR and understands, nay, enjoys it.

- is entirely comfortable going to a concert alone.

- enjoys records (like vinyl) more that recorded reality shows.

- reads, then uses what she has read to have intellectually stimulating conversation

- has her own pilates mat and attends regular classes

- cares less about her clothes and more about people

- siezes the day each morning with coffee, alone time and a run, bright and early, instead of clinging to her bed for as many minutes as possible.

- can articulate why certain moments are so funny

- is patient enough to find awesome crap in thrift stores.

let's be honest, that's a short list but its all i have time for. because the person i really am is late for tutoring.

the curse of the pale-skins

This is the sun. Yesterday he decided to return to Birmingham. I was so happy to see him that i spent all day outside. Now, my legs feel like fire. I wish my melanin would get with the program.

for the past 5 days, i've been sick. not quite go-to-the-dr-and-get-a-note kind of sick, more the just i-feel-bad-enough-to-be-whiney-and-annoying-in-public sick. i have a cough that seemed to really annoy the girl in front of me at sound of music. and my head consistently feels like its about to explode. so i've been taking drugs, whining to my husband and attempting to rest. when i do have an appetite i seem to be craving really fresh things, like this gem of a recipe from smitten kitchen. it is DE-LISH-US. Even Justin took a few bites then got himself a plate. it combines some of my old favorites: fresh green beans, arugula, corn - with my new favorite: pearled barley. SO GOOD i tell you. fresh, healthy and full of goodness. it was perfect for this sunny tease of a day.

sigh. even HE can't bat 1000

last night my husband helped clean out a closing book store. this morning he was cleaning out boxes and boxes of cheesy Christian books that the owner donated to the church. then this conversation happened:

husband: hey, who is that south carolina author who wrote all those books?

me: pat conroy?

husband: yeah. would you have wanted some signed copies of those books?

me: YES!!

husband: sorry i didn't get those for you.

sigh. seriously? he's not from the s.c. he just doesn't know.

how come i never. . . .

1. cook low fat appetizers for girl parties? i'm sure that somewhere out there is a GOOD appetizer that doesn't include a whole block of cream cheese or a cup of mayo.

2. use the tiny little video camera that i own to record how funny me and my friends are?

3. eat the greek yogurt i continue to buy because i think it's cool? maybe the better question is: why do i keep buying it?

4. take my two pint glasses of change to the bank to get that cizash. they are just taking up space.

5. write whole posts on how awesome my husband is? (um, because that would be cheesy and sappy, and i'm not that into it. still, he is that awesome.)

Well, that's it for now. Signing off:

Emily