It’s been twenty-some odd days...

...so here are twenty random thoughts about my life at this point (a la some of my favorite blogs).

1. I’m learning that it’s true - there’s no way to be a superwoman. It is actually impossible to keep a house, work a full- or near-full-time job, raise healthy and well-adjusted children, keep a busy schedule, and maintain one’s sanity. In my life, what gets left out is the keeping of the house. It’s not that it doesn’t bother me to live in disorganized chaos, it’s just the least important thing on my to-do list. I fully intend that to change once I live in a house with more than one closet.

2. Today is my roommate’s thirtieth birthday. I could go on and on about how much I love her and depend on her, but some other time. I just keep thinking about how when we were in college, she used to talk about 32 being her best year. It’s only two years away, and she’s just a Ph.D and one child away from making all of her 32-year-old dreams come true. The rest she has covered - great hair, great job(s), great marriage. I wonder if her thoughts on 32 have changed any as she approaches that golden age?

3. I love my minivan. And I’m not afraid to tell anyone that. I think the inventor of the minivan should forever live in the sweetest corner of heaven. Any vehicle that houses 15 cup holders is tops in my book.

4. I hate doctors. Let me rephrase. I hate going to doctors. I was never this way until the trauma of my third trimester with J and the subsequent trauma of her early weeks. But now I have an absolutely abnormal paranoia of doctors, procedures, diagnoses, hospitals...well, all of it. Ironic that I work in health care.

5. I only have 4 cousins. I have 1 nephew who is blood relation. I have 6 nieces and nephews (and 6 more, if you count their spouses and significant others) on D’s side of the family. I’m closer in age to those 6 (12) nieces and nephews than I am to D. Weird.

6. I grew up in a big city but now don’t think I could live in one. Some days I hate the small town life, but most of the time I find it very comforting, sweet, and homey.

7. If I could do anything other than what I’m doing right now, career-wise, and be guaranteed success, I would open a bridal shop and wedding planning business. This would come as no surprise to my girlfriends who know me well. It would shock the hell out of my husband.

8. I am an Episcopalian. I’ve found it to be the perfect fit for me, although it was rough getting there. I love the liturgy. I love the cycle of the church year. I think our priest is fabulous, and I love that he co-officiated our wedding. I think kneeling to pray is humbling. I love high-church churches. I love low-church churches. I love that there’s a choice. And I’ve found that most of the Episcopalians I know are (although quirky) a fabulously interesting bunch of people.

9. I will probably never own another American-made vehicle.

10. I’m in the midst of contemplating a job change. Actually, I’m pretty darn sure I’m going to change. I’m hoping that what I’m going to will be better than what I’m doing now, even though what I’m doing now really isn’t all that bad. I like the thought of change, but it is a little scary. The logistics of a job change are sticky, but I hope in the long run, worth it.

11. I’m absolutely and 100% devoted to the College of Wooster. I think it is a wonderful and unique place. It’s where I grew up. Liberal arts education is an experience everyone should have. My husband does not agree.

12. If I ever had to choose between not flossing my teeth and not brusing my teeth, I would actually choose not to brush.

13. My kids make the best faces and noises when they are asleep. One of the best moments of my day is going into my daughter’s room right before I go to bed, when she’s been asleep for at least 3 hours. I love to pick her up and snuggle her. I love those little gurgles and squeaks that she makes. I also love going in to tuck in my son. It’s really funny to try and engage him in conversation when he’s completely asleep. Most of the time, though, he doesn’t say anything. He just throws his arm over my shoulder and heaves a big sigh. Pure heaven.

14. I don’t understand how the world functioned before: the super-capacity washer and dryer, the crock pot, travel mugs, and the internet.

15. I’ve found that my mom wasn’t lying all those years when she said all she wanted for Christmas was for her family to be happy. All I care about on Christmas now is the presence and health of my husband, my kids, my mom and brother, and my in-laws.

16. We’ve been married for 7 years. We’ve had 2 cats that entire time. I have cleaned the litter box twice. My philosphy? Don’t ever get started on one of those nasty jobs you don’t ever want to have to assume as your responsibility. Ditto for ironing any other adult’s clothing and taking the trash to the curb.

17. I love mowing the lawn.

18. I suck at thrift-store shopping. I’m not even any good at TJ Maxx. I don’t understand how anyone ever finds good stuff there. I just can’t do it.

19. My husband is the most well-rounded person I have ever met. There is no one in the world like him. He knows more song lyrics than any human on earth, I’m quite convinced. He also gets calculus, can prescribe medical procedures and various drugs in the middle of the night after just being awakened, like, MOMENTS ago, has an uncanny ability to make anyone feel comfortable anywhere, has friends from his childhood that he still keeps in touch with, and could be occupied by the internet for days just looking at random stuff. There’s no end to the things he finds interesting.

20. If my kids ever get their hands on this and read it, I hope they laugh their little heads off. I hope I look back on it in 10 years or more and do the same.