I've lost my creative.

I used to be really creative.  I'm not sure if that's the word I'm looking for, but it's going to have to work for now...because I cannot find my words.  
I used to write poems as a child, and then later, when I learned how to play guitar and took voice lessons (Thanks, Mom!), I wrote songs.  I wrote songs ALL the time.  It was constant. They were just pouring out of me; I couldn't even control it.  Sometimes I think it's because I'm happy (Thanks Bryan!), because it's so much easier to write sad songs than happy songs.
Sometimes I think it's because other than summer, I don't have any time to myself to just think and be me.  Teaching and directing take a LOT out of me creatively (and otherwise ;), so I think my brain doesn't make the connections to the world/life like it used to.
It's not that I haven't tried to write (or sing and play guitar for that matter), because I have.  I get frustrated very easily and I give up. 
Sometimes I'll have an idea or a thought that would be perfect, but by the time I can write it down or do something about it, it's gone.
I feel like I've lost a part of myself and I want it back.  I feel like there has to be a happy medium.  It was always so much fun and I got so much out of it.
That's kind of why I started blogging (and we all see how very good I am at keeping THIS going)...to maybe find my creative again.
Here's to trying!

Books

I read "The Art of Racing in the Rain" yesterday.  More like the Art of Making Gretchen Cry. Anything with animals and people dying and I'm pretty much toast.

That book is so freaking sad!  It was good, but I'll never read it again.

I'm looking for something else to read since I've already read "Bossypants."  Hilarious.  I would read parts aloud to B on our road trip (after laughing hysterically out loud). I'm sure it came out just as funny when I read them. Ha!

Any suggestions for a new, light read?  I can't cry my way through another book just yet. I was going to read "Water for Elephants" (I've owned it since last year, just haven't read it yet), but I hear that's pretty intense. I also have "The Kite Runner."  I'm noticing a pattern.  I started my summer last year with "A Prayer for Owen Meany," which I LOVED, but it ruined me for any other book that summer.  I couldn't commit to anything else. I should have ended with that one.

Things I learned while on a road trip with my husband, etc

1. I am freakishly afraid of other people's dirt.

2. Bryan will clean every surface I have to touch with a handi-wipe...without being asked.

3. I need to stop watching Dateline or whatever show it was that featured all the disgusting things you can find in a hotel room.

4. Thanks to the movie "Four Rooms," I also always think there is a dead body in the box spring of every hotel I encounter.

5. I've actually checked.

6. I haven't found any dead bodies. Yet.

7. I sleep in a bed bag that B bought me. It's a protective sheet sewn into a sleeping bag.  I love it.

8. Whomever invented this is a genius.

9. I tried a crab cake for the first time in Boston.

10. And clam chowder.

11. Both weren't too bad.

12. I don't like hotels that open your doors, take your bags, and suck up to you.  I can carry my own bag. (and I don't expect a tip when I get the bag to the room).  I much prefer to be left alone.

13. Baltimore is one of the coolest cities ever.

14. Boston is one of the coolest cities ever.

15. I would love to move to either place...but probably Baltimore, because they don't get nearly as much snow.

16. I checked.

17. I touched a sting ray!

18. It was at an aquarium, but I think it still counts.

19. It only took me 45 minutes of standing next to the tank.

20. Considering I won't swim in the ocean, I'd say that's not too bad.

21. I think I have forgotten how to drive, since B did all the driving.

22. Thank goodness.  I'm not sure we would have made it otherwise.

23. Pressing the detour button 87 times while driving from Virginia Beach to Connecticut is a bad idea.  Instead of taking the REAL expressway, it will take you on US 1.  Through 37 tiny little towns with 100 traffic lights each...that are always red when you need them to be green.

24. Always go to the bathroom when you get the chance.  See #23 if you don't believe me.

25 The Melt Bar and Grilled is amazing.  We've been there four times.

26. Twice on this trip.

27. There's a place called Five Guys Burgers and Fries.

28. That's pretty awesome, too.

29. We planned a lot of our trip around food.

30. Weddings planned by event planners are FABULOUS. Gorgeous.

31. Photo booths should be mandatory at all occasions.

32. Especially ones with lots of drunk people.

33. States with turnpikes have the best rest stops/bathrooms.

34. Road trips are not for relaxing.

35. I believe Road trip is actually defined as being on the road more than anywhere else.

36. Tina Fey's book Bossypants is hilarious.

Well, that's probably enough list-making for me. I have a pile of laundry calling my name.  What's your favorite road trip experience?

Spring! Or whatever...

1. It totally doesn't feel like spring.  It did for about a day, and then I got a snow day last week.  

2. I have been painting my nails weekly since the end of August. It's become a mild obsession.

3. I think it's funny that my students not only notice, but think I color-coordinate to match my clothes.

4. I don't. :)

5. I like OPI, China Glaze, and Essie.  I just ordered a new essie from a collection from last year.

6. It's blue. I can't remember the name. Today I'm wearing "Sew Psyched" by Essie. I like it.

7. I would love to lose 20 lbs by my friend Emily's wedding the end of May.

8. I'll settle for 10.

9. I've been working out about 2-3 times a week since the end of February.  Apparently, that's not enough as I haven't lost an ounce.

10. I'm not okay with that.

11. I need to try harder.

12. I'm getting pretty desperate for spring break. I'm exhausted.

13. I'm not going anywhere, but I may pretended one day and turn the heat up to 80, make daiquiris, wear shorts, and listen to island music. Sand in the living room hasn't been ruled out, but that's only because I haven't mentioned it to B yet.

14. I want to move to an island in the Mediterranean.  This may be a problem because I don't speak another language.

15. A girl can dream.

16. I'm already sick of baseball.  Opening day isn't upon us yet.

17. I need a hobby. I'm really super busy during the school year, but I'd like something fun to take up some time in the summer (i.e. the only summer I won't be taking classes...after I finished my master's I'm on a self-imposed hiatus for a year...since I've pretty much been in college since 1997).

18. We're going to 6 weddings this year.

19. I'm amazed that I know this many people.

20. I'm saving up credit card points to by yard stuff from Lowe's.
21. I do not have a green thumb.  Not even close.

This is pretty much what my brain is like.  

What do you have planned for summer?

Random List--Just for fun

1. This is going to be random...just a warning :). I feel like blogging, and I don't have any topics!

2. Wow. It's been a long time since I've posted!  I guess I've been busy.

3. Since I last posted, I finally got my Master's degree! Yay!

4. We're onto the second play of the year...the musical "Anything Goes."

5. It's going to be awesome.

6. We're watching "Super Troopers."

7. It's so stupid, but so funny.

8. Winter can be done any time now.  I'm not wishing my life away.  Spring weather can show it's loverly face in February.  Seriously.  I hate driving in snow. It's terrifying.

9. The only way snow is acceptable is if it causes a SNOW DAY.

10.Steve might be the most adorable kitty ever.

11. Squeak and Jack tie him for first.

12. I think we have five weddings to go to this year. Yay! That means new dresses! Any suggestions?
13. I need a spa day. Who's with me?  Or a snow day. I'm not picky.
14. My friend Adam said he's going to rework some of my songs so I can license them on ASCAP.  I'm excited.
15. I wish I were singing. :(  All my creative is sucked out of me. It makes me blue.
16. I think I have the winter blues.
17. I have so many things I WANT to say, but CAN'T. 
18. Have I mentioned how much I love swearing?  
That ought to be good for now. I'll try to post more often, but I can't make any promises. :)

Making Lists

I love making lists. Usually, they are lists of things I need to do for the day or the week, or things I need (want) to buy. I'm going to make a list on here because I haven't blogged in freakin' forever and I start back to work tomorrow and of course, I'm not tired yet (but I will be tomorrow!). This is a list of randomness...pretty much just anything I can think of that I want to put into a list. :)

1. "Cougar Town" is my new favorite show. It is so funny! It makes me laugh out loud...sometimes it's hard to breathe. I cannot wait for the new season to start. I wish my friends all lived in my neighborhood and we could be silly and drink wine and hang out all the time. Friends! Move to my cul de sac!!!
2. Same goes for "The Middle," and "Modern Family."
3. Strange as it sounds, I really don't watch too much TV...at least during the school year. We just got DVR from Charter, so now I can tape everything I want to and watch it during my nearly non-existent free time.
4. I painted my toe nails AND my finger nails today. (Not the same color.) This is a big deal, people. I don't think I've painted my nails (and left it on for more than two seconds) since my wedding :). My toes are Affair in Red Square and my nails are You Don't Know Jacques. :) I like it. I hope it doesn't chip.
5. I'm nervous about the school year (typical nervousness), but not as much as I figured I would be this year. I'm the class of 2013 class advisor, I direct two plays (well, one play, one musical) a year, I have my last class before my master's (where I need to get 100 hours outside of work), I have 34 students in my AP class, I'll have a student teacher in the winter and I'm a mentor :). Whew. I'm tired just typing it! Oh! And I want to write a grant for books, etc for the English Dept.
5. I want to start dressing nicer...skirts and whatnot. I just like to be comfortable. I'm not sure if the two mesh. Time will tell.
6. I love Fantasy Football...but I still don't really get the game. :)
7. I think weekends should be three days. I need more time!
8. I like odd numbers.
9. I'm pretty excited (probably too excited) that the Pumpkin Spice Latte is back at Starbucks. I don't usually go to Starbucks ($6 for coffee? Please!), but I love that and the Peppermint one at Christmas.
10. I've already watched "A Christmas Story" and "Christmas Vacation." We went to the "A Christmas Story" House in Cleveland (I freakin' LOVE Cleveland!!! Don't judge.) and met Ian Petrella (Randy!), and I usually start watching Christmas movies in August...:)...so it's not weird for me. That was rambly.
11. I tend to ramble (and had to end the list for today on an odd number.) :)

What are you favorite kinds of lists?

Eight hour work days? Ha!

I really just haven't felt like blogging lately. I don't have much to say and I don't think people really read it anyway. Which is okay :). I've been really busy. We're gearing up for the winter musical...it starts on the 24th! We've have rehearsals four nights a week for the past few weeks, plus I have class on the other night, so busy may be an understatement. My brain and body are on overdrive, so the last thing I want to do is talk/write more about it. I literally come home and sit. I put on my sweats and sit. I absolutely cannot function once I get home. I'm lucky I can even get out on weekends.
Plus, I was in a car accident on Tuesday, so my car is out of commission for a few weeks. Thank goodness my parents are awesome and are letting me borrow one of their cars until I get a loaner. That could be as soon as Tuesday. Luckily, I am okay (I think it's due to my Grandma driving skills!), and the Matrix WILL be okay, so it's all good.
I read an article today about stress relief or getting into shape or something (I don't even remember)...and it said something making sure you had an eight hour work day...lately, mine have been more like eleven hour work days (which probably explains why I cannot function when I get home...let's just said a lot of restaurants know us by name...hmmm...). What a joke! That kind of explains my thighs...I was trying on dresses as Target on Saturday, and caught a glimpse of my thighs...it's been a while since I've seen them, since I don't have a full-length mirror...oh my. Let's just say I'm counting down the days for the play to be done so I can start working out again! My thighs will thank me!
Today is Valentine's Day. Bryan and I don't typically celebrate, but I wanted to get him something (without a holiday, I would have just given it to him anyway), so he got me Sarah Jessica Parker's new perfume, SJP NYC. It's lovely! I usually wear Clinique Happy with Aeropostale, so it's a bit of a change, but I recommend it highly. Yum. I also got seafoam from St. Laurent Bros. (Thighs? Are you hearing this?) It's my favorite candy...plus, it's dark chocolate, so it's got to be healthy. Ahem.
I got some super cute patterned tights at JC Penny's on Saturday. They were $14 on sale for $2!What a bargain! I also ordered some adorable boy shorts at American Eagle (Free shipping ends tonight...Thanks Chloe for all the good shopping deals!!!)
Well, Happy Valentine's Day! :) I hope you all have a great week :).
Oh! I almost forgot! We're up for new cell phones in March...right now we both have the Palm Centro...which I LOVE, but I was pondering the Palm Pixi or maybe even a Crackberry...tips?