Crash

I couldn’t resist having a proper look-see at a newish house just a stone’s throw from Bible College campus. It’s your standard three bed, three bath McMansionvilla. The South loves itself a “bonus room,” and every realtor must play an infomercial host, “Oooh, but there’s more!” and they toss in this whole extra parlor like it’s a potholder and I’m supposed to throw my panties in the air, “Yip! Yip! Yaw! Too good to be true!” Trust, the home I was looking at is really a four bed cookie cutter deal. I set up an appointment for a private viewing of the house.

And by that I mean I asked expressly for trouble.

As I approached the cul-de-sac wherein my prospect sat, I got all nervous nelly about meeting the realtor Miss Laverne. I had corresponded with Miss Laverne, who mercifully appreciates the technology of text messaging, in lieu of speaking telephonically (gasp, perish the thought) or e-mailing from her AOL account which is totally acceptable practice in Confederate commerce. I believe phonebooks are even used here for purposes other than boosting up small children to the dinner table (?).

I was wearing my crusty gym clothes. I was also wearing a helmet--which, by the way is adorbs with a ladybug print--because I was driving our motorscooter. We had just gotten it fixed (the scooter) and one of the quirky handlebars that has the power to accelerate was, turns out, no longer quirky.

You know that part in your nightmare when you can’t hit the brakes? It’s awful something fierce, isn’t it?

Oh. I. Broke. Oh. I. Oh. That. Happened.

The garage door was completely busted inward. And the crash was not a silent one. Ha.

Miss Laverne came out and I wasn’t sure if I should turn on the waterworks or if I should just pretend like I was not the same person who had come for the private viewing at 10 a.m. Nope! Hehe! I’m just the person who promptly at 10 a.m. crashed her motorino into the garage door of strangers who are trying to sell their house.

In the end I decided to cry but I was so sweaty and shocked that my tear ducts were paralyzed.

Miss Laverne was so kind, though, and, honestly, a good two minutes of me making the ugly face trying to cry was enough for her to ask me if I wanted to check out the rest of the house. I was unhurt as was the bike so we stood the bike and myself up and we went all HGTV on that place.

The rest of the house was really gorge. Bright and palatial, but like I said, I was still quite stricken by the accident. It sort of felt a little insincere to remark on the lovely tray ceilings when I had just effectively disassembled one of the major egresses of the home.

So, this must be a sign, right? That I'm meant to own property in both hemispheres. The North and the South. Think the installment plan is the ticket. Gonna lock down the garage first, work my way up to the kitchen, put the half-bath on layaway. Lock it up by end of fiscal year.

I spoke with Miss Laverne later in the day about our options, in terms of repairing the garage or just waiting to put an offer in on the house wherein, apres an official inspection, we would ask the owners to repair the unsightly garage door before we bought it.

Miss Laverne might have even asked God to bless my heart for cracking a joke like that;I knew I was dealing with a true Southern belle.

I then asked God to bless her heart. No, I didn’t really, but I wonder what she would have said to that. Bless your heart. No. Bless YOURS.

Oopsanooga.

The above described incident occurred some months ago and all damages have been paid for and repaired. Except the damage to my ego :)

Me Do This Summer

I start back to teaching this week, so I thought I'd glance back LIKE LOT'S WIFE OHHH NOOOO and take stock of how well I managed to complete my summer bucket list.

From June 7, 2012: A list of summer must-dos in no particular order: 1. Organize clips + build professional website Here it be! 2. Complete sabbath school lesson project (Um, 1 out of 4 ain't bad?) 3. Publish an essay or two (Oh, haha. About that...) 4. Hunter Museum (It'll still be there next month, right?) 5. Salted Caramel ice cream from Mitchell's in Cleveland, OH 6. Fit back into all of my summer shorts 7. Read at least 4 books for pleasure (2 out of 4 ain't bad?) 8. Complete Photoshop professional growth course 9. Take a hike in Asheville 10. Learn to make some new summer salads

Love, laugh, floss, bike, smooch, read, friend, mom, wife, summer like it's an action verb.

comfy seats

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Geography

I love my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio like I love watching an old man get up and dance with his wife; the sight is tenuous begging for air support on deck, but in the meantime, your heart just melts as endurance and charm pirouette. ***

I love the college town where I spent 3+ years like I love my thermal shirt from high school. It's ragged and shabby sleeved, and it doesn't fit me perfectly anymore, but it is dear and a piece of nostalgia and so so comfortable.

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I love Washington, D.C. where I interned for 9 months like I love a smart set of luggage. It's sharp and sophisticated and on the go. Only with me for a short time.

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I love Boston where I lived for 10 years like I love a clicky pair of heels. They look fabulous and elevate my stance. But eventually it's time for me to take them off for something more practical.

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I love Chattanooga where I live now like I love kale and carrot juice. It's a mellow cocktail of healthful ingredients. I drink to health but not for a second mistaking it for a milkshake.

The fresh air and the stunning scenery and the affordability and the kindness of strangers and the good schools and the accessibility and the weather...these attributes of our home have been flooding my world lately and I'm so grateful.

Here are some pics of some recent visitors to our lovely mid-size city that you must come experience for yourself.

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My brother-in-law came to visit with his lovely wife. They are longsuffering. And! They bring iPads!

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My sister-in-law Shannon pulling her nephew on top of the dragon. Things like this happen here all.the.time.

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Do we agree that Little Man is definitely doing Zumba in the background?

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Continuing with this narrative, do we agree that Little Man is definitely wondering why these people cannot pick up the Mambo from a simple sidewalk imprint?

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My sister-in-law is not only the spokeswoman for Fanta, but also the face of Chattanooga! Even though she doesn't even live here. Unfairness!

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Baby Girl, totally the face of the Seven Bridges half marathon.

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Loverpants and Little Man, they are just beautiful faces.

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And these faces always make me happy to live here.

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