Blog Reboot

I've decided to restart my blog, but under a different name and with a different purpose.  "Eclectic" was all about my life and my thoughts about my life.  And while that was meaningful to me and somewhat helpful, writing about the things that go on in my everyday life just didn't seem to hold my attention too much.  So, I've decided to write about something I like a lot, something specific (and no, that would not be my handsome soon-to-be-husband).  I'm thinking crafts instead.

Planning my upcoming wedding has gotten me thinking about a lot about crafting.  I'm what you could call at DIY bride.  I'd rather figure out a way to do it myself than to buy something pre-made.  So, I've been scouring the internet for wedding project ideas, and wracking my brain for a few more, especially projects that highlight my own kind of flair. 

In future entries, I'll be talking about the projects I'm working on and, of course, showing pictures of my progress.  I have absolutely no idea how these projects are going to turn out, but I can't wait to try!

Meet My Physical Terrorist...I Mean Therapist

So, four weeks ago, I tore ligaments in my left index finger during an Aikido class. It really didn't hurt, and I didn't think I was a problem until my finger swelled up to twice its normal size and my hand developed nasty-looking purple bruises on the back. My MD told me to ice it, put a splint on it (that I had to buy at the local Walgreen's), and get a squeezy ball for when I took the splint off. He made no mention of needing to see him again or of needing any additional physical therapy. I followed his instructions to the letter.

Well, that was until I took the splint off after four weeks and realized that my finger is now perfectly straight (my double-jointed fingers are never perfectly straight) and that I can't bend the dang thing without bursting into sobbing tears. That's bad. I'm left handed and a guitar player. Although a straight finger would make bar chords really easy for me, I just can't go through life with a finger that makes me look like I'm pointing at everyone and everything. It's rude! Somehow I doubt that a squeezy ball is going to fix that problem!

So, today I went to a hand specialist who informed me that my finger should never have been immobilized (fabulous!). So, now I have several weeks of physical therapy to go through in order to get the finger back to its normal, unusually flexible self. You might be giggling and thinking how silly physical therapy for a finger sounds. I did that myself. I especially cracked up when I started thinking about painting a face on my finger, adding some hair to the top, and doing finger puppets with it :-)

Sadly, that's not what happened. By the end of the 15 minutes of therapy with a very nice, if not slightly sadistic, woman, I was near tears and debating whether I could actually leave the finger straight and still function normally. She gave me exercises that I need to do six times a day, 10 times each. These exercises basically force the finger to flex, even when it don't wanna. And it really don't wanna! The movement is searingly painful, and I can feel the ligament move when I'm doing them, which just gives me the willies! I keep picturing the thing snapping right off my finger and through my skin. (OK, I've been watching too much Anime; I admit it.) What evil creature came up with these dastardly exercises anyway?

The good news is that with my new and improved buddy strap, I can keep doing Aikido, which I've been doing all along anyway, and I will be back to normal in a few weeks. It's just going to be a very painful few weeks!

Bermuda!!

So, I may complain from time to time about my job, but I can't deny that the benefits are fabulous! I was informed this week that I'm going to Bermuda for our big annual meeting. What a great birthday gift...an all-expense-paid trip to Bermuda! I know I'm going to be working really long days, but it's Bermuda!! Even if I have to go to the beach at midnight, I will! I probably won't get to enjoy much of the scenery, but I will do what I can while I'm there. I just can't wait!

I really haven't traveled much. Most of my trips consist of going back home to Michigan for one reason or another. I've been to Disney World and to New York, Baltimore, and Washington D.C., but that's about it. Going to Quebec for my honeymoon is really only "foreign" trip I've taken, so having the opportunity to go to Bermuda is just absolutely awesome!! And, I've always wanted my passport, so this is a great opportunity for me to get it. Of course, getting it on such short notice (I leave in two weeks) is a bit of a freaky endeavor, but it'll be fine.

It's funny, as soon as I was told that I was going, my mind flooded with things like "my bathing suit is nine years old, I need a new one" and "dear God, do I own shorts that fit?". Needless to say, I've got a lot to do before I leave that doesn't involve getting things done at work. This is a big deal for my company, so I want to make sure that I represent them well, especially since I'd like to go to the AGM again (although next year it won't be in Bermuda). I'm really excited though. I can't wait for June 16th!!

I PASSED!!

It's official! I actually get to graduate! After five years of working on my master's degree, I'm finally finished. There was some question on whether I would get to graduate, given the fact that I didn't pass the master's exam the first time around. But, the retake results are in and I passed!! I turned in my last research paper and reading journal last night, so I'm good to go.

I can't tell you how happy I am that I get to graduate. It's been a long haul. I've literally put my blood, sweat, and tears into getting this degree. It's not that I actually intend to change careers--I like my job that pays me really well--now that I have it. My reasons for getting this degree really don't have much to do with my job. Starting this program was one of the first things I did that was just for me. I didn't do it to compete with my friends, or to please my parents, or because I was expected to. I did it because I wanted to. I don't always do what I want. Most of the time, I do what other people want or expect from me. But this, this was mine. And it didn't come easy. I definitely struggled along the way with school and with myself.

In the end though, I'm proud of myself for what I have accomplished. And for me to be able to say that is the best gift in the world.

My New Little Friend

As sad as it was to say good-bye to Victoria, I am pleased to announce that a new little critter has weedled his way into my heart. Meet Quigley:

He's four months old and an absolute sweetheart. I went into the Anti-Cruelty Society with every intention of picking out a very small kitten, like in the 8 to 9 week bracket. But, they were all adopted. I was decidedly disappointed, until a little brown stripey paw grabbed my finger. He had my undivided attention as he rolled on his back and looked lovingly at me. That sealed it. I just had to bring him home. I'm such a sucker.

I've never had such a snuggly cat. Victoria snuggled, but not like this. He wants to sleep on my chest. He wants to be held. He likes kisses and being carried through the house. It's a bit strange for me, but I'm not complaining. He's a joy to have, but he's also definitely a kitten. There's a lot of jumping and running and playing going on in my apartment now. So much so that I have to leave the house to get anything done. Even eating is a challenge. I officially do not like paw prints in my sandwiches. Personal preference.

But, in the end, I can't resist that little face. He doesn't replace Victoria, no kitty ever will, but he's a very special kitty, and I'm happy that I get share my life with him.

Good Bye, Miss Kitty

It's never easy to say "good bye" to someone you love. Last Sunday, I said good bye to my little girl. I had been planning on taking her back to Manistee and putting her to sleep there, but she and Mother Nature had different plans.

She weedled her way into my heart from the moment I first saw her hiding in the back of her cage at the Anti-Cruelty Society. She was everything you could ask for in a furry companion and a few things you probably wouldn't want. But, she was never boring. She had personality, and she filled my life with companionship and happiness (also bite marks and scars).

My apartment feels empty now. Her toys have all been boxed up, and her tent put away. You wouldn't think that something so small could leave such a big hole, but she did. I miss her, the random showering episodes, her refusal to allow me to go to the bathroom alone, her greeting me at the door when I come home, her hogging the bed. I miss it all.

But despite missing her, I think I'm ready to move on. I had plenty of time to prepare for what was going to happen eventually. And even if the timing of it was out of my control, she went very peacefully. I couldn't have asked for it to have gone better actually, for my sake and for hers.

I will always remember her fondly. Eight years of constant companionship will not be forgotten. But, I think I'm ready to start thinking about getting another kitty. It won't happen right away. But sometime soon, a little fuzzy one will strike my fancy and I'll just have to bring him or her home with me.

In the meantime though, I hope my little queen is raising holy hell in heaven. That was, after all, what she was happiest doing, and she was definitely good at it!

Well, That's News.

Apparently, there was a bomb in my building yesterday. Both the Tribune and the Sun Times have articles about it. It seems that everybody knew about this incident, except those of us who work in the building. The building management never told us that there was a bomb. They didn't evacuate us. They just quietly called the police and hoped nobody would notice the police cars and bomb squad officers milling around the building.

It took me a long time to get used to working across the street from the biggest terrorist target in Chicago. I freaked out just a little when the government uncovered the incredibly poorly planned attack on the Sears Tower, even though I knew it was nothing. Somehow I felt safe. I believed that the building would do what was in its power to protect the people who spend the majority of their lives between these walls. Now, I'm not so sure. My company wasn't notified of the incident until 5:30, almost three hours after it happened. And all our people were told was that there was an incident with one of the tenants and the police had been called. Yeah, there was an incident alright...somebody sent someone here a bomb! Hello! Don'tcha think communication would be a good thing here?

My favorite part of the articles is where they say that the bomb didn't do what it was intended to do. Really. It didn't blow up? How nice. The fact that something like this could happen where I work is just a really freaky thought for me. Perhaps I'm a little naive about such things, but really who would have thought?