Tim in our neighborhood

Walking down what will be Williams Street

Out of control: me and them but in completely different ways

The cats are insane, which is making me insane. I'm pretty convinced that for both Emerson and Berkeley their life goal is to become a pro-wrestler. And they practice on each other...at least the chasing and pinning part. They practice their jabs on anything in their path: christmas ornaments, table legs, sweatpant strings, pillows...anything. And they even have the grunting and groaning part down. When they start to get pinned, they will start squealing as they try harder and harder to win the match.

At first this was cute. Now, not so much. I'm glad they have each other to play with, seriously. That's why we got two. But seriously, dudes. Do you have to decide to wrestle at 2 a.m.?? There have been countless times where I have been rudely awakened and scared out of my freakin pants by a crash of something or another. Or just by thuds and bangs. They wrestle with obstacles. The table, just a part of the game. The sofa? Let's lunge over it to land on a vase then proceed to chase the other cat down the stairs and then back up where we'll finally end underneath the aforementioned table...because, hey, it's more fun to wrestle with table legs and chair legs jutting into you and your opponent. It makes more clumps of hair come out and then you get to see your mom get really mad when she finds gigantic clumps of hair all over. Plus, it's just fun to make as much noise as possible because then the two unfortunate people SLEEPING in the next room will wake up and see the excellent fight going on IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.

A few weeks ago they broke one of my favorite vases. We woke up to this crash and seriously thought someone was breaking into our house by first breaking a window. Last week when Tim was gone, they started up again and somehow managed to drag a target bag into it. Since I was in a sleep induced coma-like state, I thought someone was in my house (it seriously is that loud) and stealing stuff by putting it into a bag. Stupid, yeah, but I was sleep-walking! The other night they did it again. And I'm not kidding when I say that it seriously sounds like a 120 pound person throwing themself repeatedly on the ground. We went out there about 4 times to try to break them up.

So perhaps my cats are fated to be pro-wrestlers...the kind that only wrestle when the rest of the world is sleeping. It is completely out of control and I'm out of control because I can do nothing to stop it. I try to keep them awake when we're awake, but NO that is their sleeping time. Maybe that's the problem... hmm... maybe because I try to keep them awake when they want to sleep, this is what they are doing to me. Seeking revenge...those punks. It totally just clicked.

Trans Siberian Orchestra

In my previous life I was a band geek. Ok, maybe it wasn't a previous life. Maybe it was only about 10 years ago. I've played the piano since I was about 5 and the flute since I was about 12. I've also tried my hand at the clarinet, trumpet, piccolo, oboe, saxaphone, and bassoon. I was definitely a nerd. But I loved music, any way, shape or form. Although I have to admit that rap has never and probably will never do anything for me.

I've been in several bands...school concert bands, marching bands, choirs, and actual bands (with guitarists, keyboard players, singers, etc). The actual bands were my favorite along with the concert bands. This being the case, I've always been enamoured with the Trans Siberian Orchestra. They are known best for their Christmas songs. It's kind of Christmas classical music with an 80's rock band twist and a Christmas-y story. Great stuff.

So I've always wanted to go to one of their concerts. For some reason, it seems like it was difficult to get tickets in Kansas City. But this year, I was invited to go when a friend at work's date cancelled at the last minute. I knew that they were going to be in Phoenix but Tim was going to be out of town so I just figured we'd go sometime in the future. So, even though I should have picked Tim up at the airport like I good wife would do, I selfishly elected to go to the concert instead (after him first telling me it was ok about 100 times. And he only beat me home by an hour so it wasn't like he was just sitting at home for 4 hours all by himself).

I'm so glad I jumped at the chance to go...it was awesome! I am so intrigued by these guys. Their Christmas stuff was outstanding but even better than their Christmas music was their funky, modern rock arrangements of classical pieces like Beethoven. It was incredible. I would totally recommend that anyone go if given the chance. I was completely floored by the talent of this group. If you are into good music and actual music talent, check out these guys. They're amazing.

A realization of how much I don't know. Humbling, if nothing else.

One of the funnier things I've done lately is try to buy a baby shower present for one of my co-workers who is having a shower on Sunday. I know nothing about babies or kids.... well, really anyone under the age of about umm...15. Before I went to embark on this adventure, I chatted with her a little bit about what she really needed. In other words, I just wanted to shake her and demand that she tell me EXACTLY the one thing she wants most, in minute detail. BECAUSE I KNOW NOTHING. Instead, the response that I got was, "I threw everything away after we had [her first child]. I need everything." I went in to talk to her because I knew she wanted only practical stuff. There was no mention of clothes. I can do clothes. I'm always the girl who shows up to these things with ridiculously expensive baby clothes that will only get spit up on within two hours of the first wear and that they will grow out of in three months. So my problems arose when I realized that she wanted practical stuff. I understand but I don't DO practical.

So, out I ventured trying to interpret things such as boopy or goopy or whatever pillows that supposedly are used to nurse babies. And travel mechanisms...apparently it's a car seat that fits right into a stroller...isn't that a novel idea?! And receiving blankets...what the hell are receiving blankets? And onesies? Again, what the hell are onesies? And bouncers? (Until I saw what this actually was the 'bouncer' thing kind of cracked me up. A bouncer for a baby? Again, what the hell?)

As I'm trying to discern just what all of this confusing stuff is, I'm then complexed by a new problem: the brand. I genuninely believe that different brands are way better than others. Like Jif peanut butter or Heinz ketchup? Can't go generic. Or like Banana Republic, JCrew, or Nordstrom as compared to Wal Mart? Come on! No comparision. There is a complete difference in quality and I am all about quality. I'd much rather spend more to have it last longer and be nicer. And herein was another problem in the baby department. What baby brand is good? I've heard of Carter's, right? But I've just HEARD of them somewhere along the line. I've also heard of Wal-Mart...what if Carter's is the generic brand of something else? I have no absolutely no clue. And there were so MANY brands: fisher price, just one year, something starting with an 'e', pooh stuff...way too many overwhelming options.

So I spent approximately an HOUR pacing about five aisles, contemplating what was quickly becoming way too difficult of a decision. I finally decided on something. At that point, I still had no clue but I was tired of trying to decide. So I just went with it. I have no idea what it's called and I don't know the brand. It's one of those carrier things that the mom or dad straps on to their chest or back to carry the kid. I've just seen people wearing them (like one lady was wearing one carrying a TEENY baby while hiking up Camelback mountain. She is totally my hero). And I never decided on the brand thing. I just got the most expensive one, figuring that had to mean something. I'm debating whether or not to get an outfit for the baby... in case the practical thing turns out to be not so practical, at least I KNOW I can pick out a cute outfit to offset the other thing that I don't even understand.

After this whole experience, I'm a little bit scared at my ignorance considering that I could someday be a mom. Who knew there was this much stuff for babies? I was completely and utterly overwhelmed. There are even special BATHTUBS for babies. I just never knew. I have only seriously ever held three babies in my whole life. One was my cousin Kristyn. She was born when I was six so I have no memory really of the experience. The other was my second cousin Josh who was born when I was 12. Again, ancient history. The other was my cousin-in-law Camdyn about two years ago (and her parents probably didn't know that she was the first baby I've ever held in my adult life. Otherwise they might not have handed her off). I am not a pro at this...at all. There is a possibility that I could harm any human being I bring into this world simply by unconscious incompetence. Therefore, I don't have kids, and it's these humbling, overwhelming learning experiences that lengthens the time in which I will consider having them. It just got lengthened again. I'm thinking maybe 10 years? Sounds good to me. By 33 I should be somewhat more knowledgeable, right?

Snow issues.

When we were leaving Iowa, one of my biggest pet peeves quickly became the response to "We're moving to Phoenix." Everyone responded to this as, "Oh it's SO hot there." Really? Then I should have totally re-thought my decision to move here because I seriously thought Phoenix was the equivalent of Alaska. Someone the other day asked me if I missed the midwest, if I was homesick, if I missed snow. My response? If I thought I would miss snow, why would I move to Arizona? Exactly. Because, contrary to some people's opinion on what I know, I KNEW going in that Phoenix was warm. That was EXACTLY why I moved here. If I wanted to stick with snow, with cold weather, with long winters, with humid summers, I could have more easily found a job in the multitude of states that offer exactly that. There are about 5 states that have mild, warm winters. And I was picky enough to demand that we move to one. And here I am. Go figure.

I hate snow. Similarily, I hate cold. Especially in the midwest. Because it never ends. Not only is it cold, but it snows. Not only is it snowy and cold but it is dark late in the morning and early at night. And it is not always sunny. I hate the feeling of being stuck inside for five miserable months of the year and having to wear 24 layers just to walk to your car. I would much rather have heat than sub-freezing temps and snow or even worse, ice. I sort of don't like rain either. It's just so gloomy. I just like sun. Some people argue with me and tell me they like winters, they like the snow, they like rainy days but I guess I'm wierd. I just don't. And yes, it is hot in Phoenix in the summer. I'm not denying that. But HELLO! It is still sunny! And you can still at least go outside...go to the pool, do stuff at night or in the morning...

And I haven't even gotten into the other main reason of why I despise snow. And if anyone argues with me on this point, I hereby declare you as insane. Driving. Even in the heat of the summer, I can drive in Phoenix without fearing for my life. I cannot count the many times that I just knew I was going to slide off the road in the midwest during a snowstorm. Or the couple of times that I actually did slide into something. Or all of the cars piled up in the median of the freeway on 1-35 because they slid off (one day we counted 65 cars in the ditch in a 20 mile stretch of road). And we had $400 snow tires on one car and all-season tires on the other!

I will admit that I do think snow is pretty. And sometimes a rainy cold day would be nice to have just to sit inside and eat soup and have a fire. BUT, BUT my longing for sun, warmth, and perfect days far outweighs my desire to have that weather. I just looked and right now Iowa is in the single digits with a negative windchill and with snow forecast for tonight. Kansas City is likewise freezing and under a winter snow warning. Read: lots of snow is falling.

I cannot say I miss it. If I want to see it, I have VOLUNTARY snow available. I will hop in my car and drive to Flagstaff, to the mountains. But, as of yet, I don't miss it. I don't envy anyone out there right now. I get cold weather here, believe it or not. In the mornings here, it is literally freezing. Like 30-35 degrees. That is cold enough to experience cold but still under the high temp for the midwest right now! It warms up to 60-65 degrees which makes the days perfect. And for me, I couldn't ask for anything better. I've experienced both now so I can honestly say which one I like better. And judging by where I live, I'm sure you can guess which one is which. So, to everyone who gave the advice that Phoenix is hot, yes it is. But, when you are freezing your butt off in the winter, I'm outside running, not wearing a coat, leaving my windows open. Right now my advice to you is that the midwest is COLD and I'm admire you for sticking it out but I'm so glad I'm not you. Hopefully you are not like me and you enjoy the cold and snow. If so, have fun and enjoy.

And the argument of why truck drivers are so bad begins to become more clear.

There is something alarming about seeing an 80 year old hunched over grandpa-looking man driving a huge semi truck. Granted some 80 year old drivers are probably better than some 20 year old drivers but STILL. That just seems wrong.

How to annoy me so much I can't see straight...and no, I don't think this is an anal annoyance. I think it's just flat out rude.

For anyone who is married, does it annoy you when someone writes something or refers to you as "Mrs (your husband's first name) (your husband's last name)?" It drives me absolutely insane. I. despise. it. with. a. passion. HELLO! I AM NOT Mrs. Tim Richards. You can call me Mrs. Jenn Richards, Mrs. Jennifer Richards, Jenn, Jennifer, JR, butthead, whatever. ANYTHING but Mrs. Tim Richards. I hate that. Hate it. Did I mention I hate it?

To me it is so offensive. I get so annoyed by it. I think the tradition of it stems back to when women were considered to be almost property of their husbands. And they probably were very proud and flattered to be called Mrs. So and So. I am proud to be married to Tim. I took his last name (I didn't HAVE TO!) Doesn't taking someone else's last name mean enough? I feel that by referring to me as Mrs. Tim Richards, I am not really my own person. If it isn't bad, why isn't he called Mr. Jennifer Baker? Ha, seems to me like most guys would wet their PANTS if that happened. How hard is it to write MY first name or refer to me as JENN? I know it really isn't that big of a deal and I shouldn't get my panties into a wad because of it but it really just urks me. I can't understand how if it is NOT a big deal, why are people STILL referring to me as Mrs. Tim Richards? JUST WRITE MY NAME! It is ME they are addressing, put MY flipping name...how hard is it?

We ran into this issue when we were doing our wedding invitations. We wrote my parents individual names. (IE: Mr. and Mrs. (dad's first name) and (mom's first name) (joint last name)). But my mom actually WANTED to be Mrs. (my dad's first name) (my dad's last name). You can imagine the jaw dropping that occured on my part. I know that it's just a generational difference but I just can't understand it. And when people address me as that or refer to me as that or worse even, INTRODUCE me as that, I just want to scream. Lately I've received several things addressed to Mrs. Tim Richards which is why I'm so particularly annoyed by it right now...perhaps the next piece of mail I get addressed this way I should return to the sender and write on the envelope that no such person exists. Mrs. Tim Richards...who's that? So, maybe I am being a little bit anal but I despise being referred to as something that I'm not. I am an individual, Tim is an individual. We married so now we have the same LAST name. Not first...apparently some people think I took his first name too. But I don't really think I look or act like a Tim, do you?