A little piece of heaven

A couple of weeks ago I did something that is completely uncharacteristic of me. It was the weekend before Presidents' Day, and I was sitting in the family room watching television when out of my mouth came the words, "Hey, why don't we go to the Auto Show on Monday?" I don't know what got into me, but the craziest part was that it wasn't a slip of the tongue, or even a quick brain-fart. I actually meant the words. And, here's the part that makes it COMPLETELY uncharacteristic of me...I didn't change my mind two minutes later and try to take back my idea. I thought Josh was going to cry. Because the man knows me too well, he very quickly replied, "Yes! Great! Sounds good! Wait, are you serious?" At that moment I felt that I had done my wifely duty for the rest of the year.

So on Monday morning Josh, Molly, and I took off for Chitown. Because I was in an overly generous mood I agreed to take the train into the city. Josh loves taking the train. I'm not sure why, but he almost gets giddy about it. It's not so much that I don't like riding the train, because I do. It's just that I don't like running FOR the train when you are late. But again, I was being generous. So we got on the early train, had a nice ride in, and then were dropped off at McCormick Place. It was easy. TOO easy.

I suppose I should mention that before we took off for our day I had suggested that we buy our tickets online. "Lines may be long," I suggested. "No, they won't be that bad," said Josh. Now, I'm not sure that I actually said this or just thought it, but in any case my mind begged, "This is the CHICAGO Auto Show, not the CENTERVILLE Auto Show!" But, whatever. I'm really trying to be less "naggy" when it comes to things like this. Call it an early Lenten promise. So, as we walk into McCormick Place, and file up the stairs like cattle, I see something that HAS to be an optical illusion. My eyes HAD to be playing tricks on me because the line that was formed in front of me reached all the way to Gurnee, I swear. It actually may have been part of the line for Superman the Ride, that's how long this line was. You can just imagine the sweet look on my face. It was at that point that Molly gave a little laugh, and I said, "I'm going to the bathroom." (Did I mention that I had finished off a Large coffee from Dunkin' Donuts on the ride in? Anyone who knows me well knows that that was my beverage intake for the entire week!) I left Josh and Molly to fend for themselves, because if I had to stand in that line, there was a very good chance that there would have been a major accident, and not the automobile kind.

Do you ever have conversations with yourself? Well, at that point I was having an argument with the me of yesterday who wanted to buy the tickets online, and the me of today, who was doing the "potty dance" in line at the restrooms. I was mentally trying to figure out what time we'd actually get IN to the show...Maybe 12:00? 2 hours in line sounded about right. That gave us a few hours before we'd have to be back on the train...we'd have to forgo lunch, but maybe we could buy a pretzel at one of the vendors? Maybe they have nachos? Yummmm...... So after my visit to the little girls' room, I felt better and realized that this day was not about me, so I should just let it go. I walked back upstairs and couldn't find Molly or Josh. Uh-oh. Luckily for me I had my cell phone (and it was on) and Molly called to tell me that the line had opened up and they were moving. There was no way I could get into the line, so I should just wait for them. Sidenote: What did we do before cell phones???

I must say, I was shocked at how fast that line moved. I don't think it ever stopped. 20 minutes. That's how long it took. And you know what, it was well-worth it. I'm pretty sure that the Auto Show was like Josh's heaven on earth. He grabbed pamphlets, sat in cars, took pictures, smiled, etc., etc., etc. He told me about his first car, and then told me about his next car. I realized that day that for him, automobiles are much more than just pieces of painted steel. They are a piece of his childhood, a bond he shares with his dad. I made a quiet vow that day to not complain every time he wants to show me a car on the internet. I won't hem and haw every time he goes to Borders to buy a new Corvette book. I won't even try to recycle his old Road & Track magazines without him knowing about it. I'm not going to stand in the way of this little piece of his childhood heaven.

And I know that he would do the same for me.

25+ Things...

1. I am the oldest of four girls. This was fun when I was young, and it is still fun now that I am not-so-young. We are each others' best friends. Seriously.
2. I've known that I was going to be a teacher since I was a little girl. We used to play school in our basement. I also used to pretend to play the guitar and sing songs to my sisters and cousins, but that's besides the point...
3. My sisters, cousins, and I used to perform original dances and plays in our basement. We charged a dime to our audience guests.
4. I can still remember the lyrics to songs from my childhood. For that matter, I can still remember the dance moves to some of my favorite performances.
5. I decided to room with Heather at IU on a whim our senior year of high school. Thank goodness for Snowflurry. It was one of the best decisions of my life.
6. I'm proud to say that I teach at the Catholic grade school I attended as a child. When I was in sixth grade I told Mrs. Barkey that I would teach with her one day. I was right!
7. My husband and I met on a blind date. We were set up by my high school advisory teacher. (He takes his job very seriously). I am forever grateful to Rob McCall for that. I am also thankful that he gave Josh a note card with my last name spelled phonetically. Did I mention Rob was an English teacher??
8. I love my job.
9. I accidentally cut Katie's pinky finger off when I was three. It was an accident, of course. I slammed her finger in the door of our bathroom. I'll have you know that I was doing something very important at the time...I was tattling.
10. My middle name is Rose. I was named after my Great-Grandma Rose, who lived to be 105.
11. Some of the best times of my life were spent in Bloomington, Indiana. I miss all of my friends and roommates immensely.
12. I am not afraid to speak in front of large audiences. In fact, I really like to do it.
13. Even though I am deathly afraid of heights, I have gone hiking in the mountains of Utah twice. The first time was an accomplishment. The second time was just stupid. It took me 16 hours, I fell 5 times, and I lost every toenail on my sore feet. Luckily the Fish family took care of me!
14. I was a volunteer assistant volleyball coach for 7 years at MHS. It was a fantastic experience and I will miss it next year.
15. I like beverages, but I rarely finish them. You can usually find me by following the lines of half-filled pop cans around the room.
16. I love food, love to cook, but don't understand the concept of portion control. I always have leftovers. Always.
17. I'd like to write a children's book one day.
18. My favorite indulgence is perfume. I love buying new scents. If you ever need a gift idea for me, perfume it is! Amy got me Vera Wang just for my wedding day. It will always remind me of that beautiful day.
19. I had the BEST wedding ever. It was a gorgeous day, and I was surrounded by everyone I love. And...I never left the dance floor (the music was amazing). :)
20. I love to sing and dance, but don't do either well.
21. Amy and I made an audition tape for Amazing Race. We weren't chosen, but I guarantee that we would've been an audience pleaser.
22. If I could relive my high school and college years, I would. I loved every minute.
23. My youngest sister, Molly, is 11 years younger than me. However, I'm starting to think we look exactly alike!
24. My parents have been happily married for 31 years. So have my in-laws. On our wedding day, both sets of parents cut a cake with us. It was one of the sweetest moments of that day.
25. My dad, who is my hero, secretly took dance lessons when he found out Josh and I were engaged. He told us later that he swore that he would learn to dance when one of us got married. My mom then started taking lessons with him, and then later I joined them. My dad and I danced to "My Girl," and thinking about it still brings tears to my eyes.
26. I still miss Uncle David, Grandma, my Grandpas, and Merly every day.
27. If I were being chased for my life, I would stop, hold my breath, and hopefully pass out.
28. I hate talking on the phone. I don't answer. I don't call. Please don't take it personally.
29. Josh and I are a perfect Trivial Pursuit team. He knows history, science, sports, and I know anything that can be found in People Magazine.
30. On July 20, 2009 I will be 30 years old.
31. Every year my family and friends partake in Iron Pumpkin. It is a tradition that started with me, Molly, Heather, Tim, and Dad. It has grown in popularity. (We even have shirts courtesy of Molly)
32. I think that some day I'll be a good mother.
33. The summer of 1999 was the best summer of my life. Right Harbison?
34. I have two happy places: Ludington, Michigan and The Villages, Florida.
35. I have never laughed harder than I have with my cousin, Sarah. Especially when making music videos to Aerosmith.
36. Yahtzee is the greatest game ever invented. I'm proud to say that I don't have to use a calculator to tally my score, either.
37. My first new car was a black Pontiac Sunfire that my family lovingly referred to as the "Jenfire." It was attracted to accidents and speeding tickets.
38. I wish being bald were fashionable. My track record with color and cuts is not good. (See senior year of high school)
39. I find myself humorous.
40. I like to make lists.

Feb.3, 2006

On February 3, 2006
I went on a blind date.
We ate Mexican food.
And talked.
And laughed.
Then we went bowling.
And talked.
And laughed some more.
It was a great night
That has led to many other great nights.
I will forever be grateful for that blind date
On February 3, 2006.