Have you ever worked with ALL women? Working with only women is dangerous. Everyone is catty and someone is always pissed at the world. On the other hand, everyone is very understanding. Well, almost everyone.
Today was no good. The entire time I was being trained by this one woman. She's one of those people who have a way of making you feel like a big idiot (which I know I'm not so the whole time I just wanted to punch her right in the face and leave). At one point in time she looked at me and said, "Well, I already went over this with you once so you should obviously be taking notes." This was prime punching-in-the-face time. But I held back. Anyways that sucked. . . .I will be having a conversation with my supervisor tomorrow morning.Moving on. Awesome things that have been happening lately:
Rhode Island!! Zach and I headed North to visit the Grandparents. We love them because they are awesome. Here are some lovely pictures.
Zach made a delicious meal for six! He just wanted to. So we invited the Hedges and the McNeals and Zach made delicious yummies. Apple butter glazed pork chops with homemade mashed potatoes, sauteed zucchini and squash, salad, and dinner rolls. So delicious.
CAMPING!!!! Last weekend Zach and I headed to Bass River State Forest for camping! Rae and Kevin were already there with the tents all setup. It was sooooo fun. The weekend was full of bocce ball, Rook (a card game), delicious food, wonderful weather, and laughing. Lots of laughing. It was so nice to be in the middle of a forest with no city noise or yuppy people. Noteworthy items: --We got kicked out of the lake because apparently we're not aloud to swim after Labor Day Weekend (water dragons?) --Zach is able to climb up trees real fast and with little effort. --Rae and I are amazing camper-cooks. -- We also are really good at reading for long periods of time while sitting right next to one another while Zach and Kevin hurl hatchets at trees. --Smores are in fact delicious over charcoal grills. --We also were not aloud to build a fire because it hadn't rained in a while. --Bocce ball and Rook are both very good games. --Zach can juggle bocce balls (in case you were wondering). Collage time.
almost forgot the sweet painting/birthday gift I made for Rae!
For some time I’ve been contemplating writing a guest spot for my Wife’s blog. I thought since she gives the broad strokes of what’s been going on in NJ, I’d set forth to create a window into the smaller, less visible aspects of our life. While such a view is by nature narrower, it offers a more nuanced perspective. So I hope it will sketch in some of the details and display more of our unique character.
This first guest spot is a poem I wrote. I was reading some essays by Eugene Peterson from his book Subversive Spirituality. He’s a well known pastor and scholar and he utilizes a lot of classic literature and poetry to give depth to his writing. I thought I would try to explore my own artistic faculties in preparation for this next academic year. So this is a first attempt and may expose me as a novice poet.
Some clarifications I bet my wife would feel better if I included. First, I apologize for the expletive in the first line. Second, she defended the odor of the couch, which I could not debate since my nose is mostly ornamental. On its best day it can barely be bothered to be breathed through, much less smell anything with any reliability. So, I know I couldn’t out smell Kaley on the smellingest day of my life. Third, the stains are nearly invisible and can only be seen by the trained observer. All this is just to say, please, no one send us a new couch, because this one really isn’t all that shabby, although I assure you many will find it rather ugly in person.
The Golden Years of My Furniture
By Zach Grant
Yellow couch you look like shit
Like Big Bird ate dayglow threadbare mustard
My cat retched up tarry bile on you
The stains scrubbed into a rusty tint
Chronicling “cheechy-mon’s” digestive misfortunes
You smell like you look
I’d end you with fire by the tracks
But my wife loves you
And so do I
This past Sunday five of my closest girlfriends road-tripped all the way to Princeton, NJ. We had a wonderful time. They arrived on a Wednesday. Unfortunately I had to work Thursday and Friday morning. . . . however we managed to have a grand ol' time none the less. Wednesday and Thursday night was spent hanging out and touristing around the town. Princeton is beautiful so it is fun to show people around, but it's also kinda hot out and. . . .well I was real tired.
We also went out to Terhune Orchards. . . which is favorite. This time I did two things there I had never done. . . .tried their Cider Slush----delicious and refreshing---and fed the goats for a wopping dime. Zach and I definitely felt more at home after realizing we know Princeton well enough to show our friends a good time.
Friday night was so great. We. . . .me, Cally, Jenni, Halie, Hollis, Megan, and my dear wonderful friends Rae and Ruth. . . . drank some amazing Sangria. . .among other yummies. . . .and played hilarious games---Three Round Charades and Catch Phrase. It's so fun to act silly and laugh so dang hard with your closest pals (sigh--miss them already). We all had such a great time.
Saturday morning we woke up (some slower and sicker than others) and headed out to NYC. We took the ferry which is always so much fun and super convenient. Once we got there we headed straight to Times Square to pick up our tickets for Promises Promises. While we waited for the show we headed to Ellens Stardust Diner. Also a grand ol' time. Watching waiters and waitresses sing (some quite well) while waiting on tables is very impressive. Finally it was time for the show! Soooo good. Highly recommend it. After the show we wandered around the city. Highlights: couple doin' the nasty in Central Park right next to the entrance of Strawberry Fields, searched for Once Upon a Tart in SOHO (closed :( ), had a delicious dinner in Greenwich Village. . . . Yay for good times and amazing friends.
On another happy note. I got a new job! Though I will miss Starbucks and its inhabitants. . . . I am looking forward to learning a new job, having a more normal work schedule (8:30-5 Mon-Fri), and having the opportunity to save a bit more money. I will be working at an Ophthalmologists Office as one of 7 (?) front desk assistants. Did I mention I am excited about being able to wear perfume, paint my nails, wear my hair down, and not come home smelling like coffee? Oh. . and scrubs! Thank you, Jesus!
Miss you and love you all!
Well it's been a while. So for you 16 or so people who read my blog, I apologize, because so much fun stuff has been happening! Let's start with our new decor in the apartment. I know, get excited. Before we left for Saint Augustine we found a freakin sweet green couch on the curb, so of course, we adopted it immediately. No we did not replace our old couch because it too is awesome. So we had to rearrange everything. . . .and this is what we ended up with! Also----Zach got me pretty flowers that lasted FOREVER and while we were in Saint A we picked up some new bedding. . . ch ch ch check it out.
And now for the Fourth of July! We celebrated by eating lots of yummy food with our neighbors and friends and then lighting stuff on fire. Is there any other way? I made a yummy broccoli salad for everyone and then a star studded apple pie for Zach.
After the fourth we worked and did boring things and THEN we went to FLORIDA!!! We had so much fun! We visited friends, played games, went to the beach, went to the beach, went to the beach, went to Colleen and Hats wedding, celebrated Callys birthday, went to the movies, and ate at yummy places. So good. We shall start with a lovely group shot before the wedding. This was taken from the top of my car. . . still pretty good.
The ceremony was beautiful. It was held in front of the Barracks in Saint Augustine, right in front of the water. Colleen looked gorgeous and Hat looked, as Zach says, "Hat had a butt that just won't quit."
The reception was held inside the barracks. Very pretty. Jeff caught the garter, he always catches it. We all nibbled on yummies, danced, ate cake, and then sent the bride and groom off with sparklers.
Love you and miss you all.
This has been such a wonderful weekend, and tonight is still to come! Yay Fourth of July BBQ! Yesterday Zach and I headed to a little farmers market with the Hedges. I purchased some broccoli and Ruth went home with a whole bunch of yummy fresh goodies. Afterward we had a delicious hot dog lunch outside. The Summer here is so nice. Some days are hot, but not nearly as hot as Florida. Today our windows are closed and the AC is on. But just last week we had all the windows open and the house was so pleasantly filled with cool air and warm sunshine. That definitely would never happen in Florida. It was like a Spring Florida day. It is safe to say that experiencing a Summer in New Joysee is definitely making me more okay with spending another two years up here. Me and Joysee are bonding a bit more every day.
Moving on, Saturday afternoon Zach has a mystery date planned for me (my favorite). He took my kayaking on this canal that we live by. I have been wanting to go for a while now, so it was a wonderful surprise and the perfect day for it. Zach did like 95% of the paddling all by himself, I was just enjoying the relaxing ride sooo much! He didn't even complain when I slowed us down by dragging my feet/hands in the water. He's so sweet.
After kayaking and relaxing for a bit we went to Mediterra downtown. It was sooooo yummy. I has the beef tenderloin and Zach had a delicious steak. yumyum. It was a wonderful and very much appreciated date-night. I love my hubsband.
Love you and miss you all.
CAMPING!!!! Last weekend Zach and I headed to Bass River State Forest for camping! Rae and Kevin were already there with the tents all setup. It was sooooo fun. The weekend was full of bocce ball, Rook (a card game), delicious food, wonderful weather, and laughing. Lots of laughing. It was so nice to be in the middle of a forest with no city noise or yuppy people. Noteworthy items: --We got kicked out of the lake because apparently we're not aloud to swim after Labor Day Weekend (water dragons?) --Zach is able to climb up trees real fast and with little effort. --Rae and I are amazing camper-cooks. -- We also are really good at reading for long periods of time while sitting right next to one another while Zach and Kevin hurl hatchets at trees. --Smores are in fact delicious over charcoal grills. --We also were not aloud to build a fire because it hadn't rained in a while. --Bocce ball and Rook are both very good games. --Zach can juggle bocce balls (in case you were wondering). Collage time.
