Catch up

Right now I am sitting on Cynthia’s bed while she sits on her computer and types as well. Guess it runs in the family. Rather interesting.

I am going to attempt to catch you all up on what has been happening over the past couple of months. I was going to do it as separate blog entries but well, as Inigo would say in The Princess Bride, “Let me ‘splain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up.” Lol So, that is what I am going to do.

School: I believe that I mentioned that I passed my comprehensive exams. Whew. The next phase was to write my prospectus and pass the defense for that. I figured that the defense was really just a way for all of us to make sure that we are on the same page and to agree on how I was going to proceed. The defense went well. My topic was solidly approved and advice was given on how to proceed. Now that I have a game plan, I should be able to plug along fairly well. At least, I hope so.

Work: I barely survived the semester but managed it somehow. Juggling is so not my strong suit. I teach way too much but I need what little money I can get from it. I do love teaching but. . .ugh, too many classes burn a person out. Next semester I will have one less English class so that should be better. Just don’t tell my wallet that. Lol Work at the store is gong fairly well. It is good that I am away for a few days because I was starting to feel a little fried from that too. I do like the job but the getting up super early for the morning holiday hours was starting to wear upon me. I am so not a morning person and waking up before the sun is just so ugh. Part of the problem is that I tend to pick up energy late at night and so that doesn’t help me get good sleep. Ah, well, I’ll stop bitching now.

Social: Part of the problem this semester was that on top of my normal schedule, I was actually having a social life. It’s because of my hanging out with Jonathan and Mike. To refresh your memories, Jonathan is my new high school teacher friend. We met in August when he came into the store and we started talking. I did a book fair for him and then we became friends. He’s a good guy and lots of fun to hangaround. I have dubbed him the “little brother I would have drowned.”

Mike is a regular customer at the store. I’ve “known” him for about a year. And I’ve been flirting with him for that long though he was apparently unaware of it until September (which I’m still trying to figure out because there were times when he flirted back but that was all. . .how confusing!). Anyway, back in October right before my spring break, Valerie came down (so we could go have fun in Asheville) and we planned upon going to see Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Wererabbit (wheeeeee!). Good movie, watch it. Well, Jonathan planned on going with us and Mike happened to come into the store (he always comes in on Fridays) and so I asked him to come along too. It was a good evening. Later I dragged him to see Serenity(buy the DVD!) with myself and Erin. After that, I let him pick the movie and we started hanging out more regularly. I wasn’t sure what was going on with us (obvious that I like him and he likes me but was there more?) but that all got cleared up at the beginning of this month. We are “officially” dating. It’s been fun and a great energy booster. We get along very well. Different personalities on some levels but that’s good. We have a lot in common in the areas that matter. So, we’ll see. As Mike said at one point, “It’s complicated.” But a hell of a lot of fun. So, if any of you were confused by “The Perfect Gift” entry earlier. . .now you know. And should you have questions, well, you know how to get in touch with me. Lol

I’m to go to the northern Kyle’s for New Year’s. I’m hoping that Mike will be able to come up and join us. He has to work all this week (his request for time off was denied) but we may get lucky on the timing. I’ve never been “with” someone for a New Year’s before and it would just be so special to have him here. It would so start the new year off on the right foot.

Ah. . .life is good right now.

The Perfect Gift

Omg. . .last night I got the most awesome gift. A few weeks ago I took Mike to Itsallinthename (a new store in Columbia where I told everyone to shop for presents for me) and showed him some things that I would like as a Christmas present. I specifically took him to see a limited lithograph by Nene Thomas that I wanted. Well, they didn't have the one that I saw at the online store but they did have one that is just as gorgeous. And he got it for me! Now, I did show him other things so he would have options but. . .yippee! Mike even got it framed for me and it is sooooo nice. I so absolutely love this gift. I could look at it forever. Instead of trying to describe it, here is a copy:



Isn't it gorgeous? And you know what I realized today? That I signed Mike's Christmas card as "Always, Lynn" and the name of the peace is "Always." lol Yeah, I know it's just a coincidence but it's a cool one. I am so bouncing off the walls.

Hugs and Happy Holidays to all!!

Fruits Basket Character

Ok, so Mike's favorite manga character is from Fruits Basket. So, I decided to take a little quiz and see which character I would be:

TOHRU:



If you want a description of her, go here: Tohru

Hmmmm. . .wow, this is his favorite character. Guess there is a reason beyond "momentary insanity" for us to be going out. (sigh) Now I really do need to read these books. Ah well.

My top result for the SelectSmart.com selector, What Fruit Basket Character are you?, is Tohru

Happy Birthday, Daddy

I remember the first time that I saw this picture. I laughed and laughed because I thought he was so goofy looking. Now I look back and think how handsome he was at 17. The black and white photo doesn't do the steel blue eyes justice but at least it shows that Kramer spark.

I try not to remember how he looked at the end but how he looked for most of my life. How he looked in the good times. A lot of my photos are in storage but I think this one pretty much sums up our family spirit:



Wish you and mom were here. I miss you both.



Marilyn Kramer and Charles Kramer on their wedding day June 18, 1960
(6/25/43-3/28/92) (12/4/36-1-8-98)