itchy

only in houston could i have 7 bites and NOT be at camp.

i can’t believe it either.

nope your eyes aren’t fooling you. it’s true.

i am sure there are worse things that could happen to me. but right now i can’t think of one of them.

i (don’t) heart newark

i assume anyone who reads this reads jasen’s blog…so i won’t bore you with the details twice…however…newark…you need to smile more. if we can…you can.

anyway. 2 more flights and we are back home.

man i need a vacation from my vacation.

what’s right in the world.

as you know…we just returned from the arts conference. what a refreshing time and much better suited to our needs than last year. we were blessed with so many different types of service to communities. the last session was mosaic’s “Scribble” service. wow they are doing amazing things for the people of los angeles and surrounding cities. i think what i most appreciate about their team is they are not trying to be anything they’re not. and talking about embracing local culture. whew. i could go on forever about them. but speaking of mosaic…we were able to see our super pal nate at the conference. it was such a surprise…and a momma and papa bear could not be more proud. i am so glad he has found a place to use his gifts and talents. send him a line if you get a chance. he so busy, but you’ve got to hear about all the fabulous things he is apart of.

what is right in the world. ever thought about that? i know i am often focused on what’s wrong with the world rather than what’s right. jasen and i were just discussing how negative and cynical we have become. it’s scary actually. a flip in perspective is really what was needed.

i have discovered i am not comfortable in crowded spaces. so on the train to the city i was feeling overwhelmed and nervous. jasen and i were caring a lot of luggage so it was really awkward on the small train. so of course at each stop more and more people were getting on and crowding a little more. with the thought of the week still fresh in mind, i decided to take a breath and look around and see things through new eyes. i noticed a man get up and give his seat to a women and a child look around the train with awe and wonder. it’s amazing to think of all the things that are right with the world. mac (computer and cosmetics), peanut butter, the chicago cubs and dahlias.

i know we can name hundreds of things wrong in our world, but stop and ask yourself, “what’s right?”

what cell phone?

so a month ago while i was on the plane for boston…some how my phone didn’t end up off the plane with me. so i had to do the whole thing and call the phone insurance and pay 50ish dollars to replace it. which worked out great…i got an upgrade and now my phone has itunes. (which i still have never used…which goes to show you again how easy it is to want stuff you do not need…)

anyway back to my interesting story.

last week as i was exiting the plane for our lay over in atlanta…jasen asks “do you have your phone?” i check and i do.

score: cell phone 1: amanda 1

i wake up in north carolina the next morning…and guess what? yep…no phone.

score: cell phone 2: amanda 1

how does this keep happening to me? i can’t blame it on jasen this time…i handled my bag all on my own.

call the airline…no phone found. call home to check messages…none there. call cell phone…no strange person answers.

keep reading…this story has a happy ending.

come to find out it was left in jason and diana’s car on our ride home from the airport!

result: no phone on vacation! so sorry if i have not called you back yet. or ignored a text message.

conclusion: cell phones and i do not travel well.

irony: we still have 3 more plane rides to go.

sunburn and softball

so we are on vacation. F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S. we thought we were without wireless…but we found one spot that works in the bathroom. whew…a whole week without internet? what are we to do? i already thought i lost my phone. but it fell out in jason and diana’s car. i can’t be away from ALL forms of communication.

jasen asked me today “does it feel like i am on vacation?” i said i didn’t know. does vacation mean you are away from work? or away from home? it were the first one, i can’t say i am on vacation. they find you…they always find you.

we have been on the beach for a couple of days. it’s different adjusting to nc beaches…i was laying on my towel yesterday and my face was next to 2 cigarette butts. nice.

dad or mom or even allie…if you read this…YES i have been putting on sunblock…tons of it and wearing a HUGE hat and glasses…however that sneaky sun has its ways to find me. i have a random burn on my upper thigh and that skin right under your shoulder but not quite your arm pit. and it hurts. boo. and what makes it worse is that all the ashdown’s have to do is mention “sun” and their skin turns golden brown. it’s sickening. i however will be content bundled like an Eskimo.

jasen and i have been watching the women’s college softball “world series.” don’t ask me why. it is interesting. it’s girl drama without the dialogue. very entertaining.

well…another day in the books. we will try and load some pictures soon.

so and so what if i’m a super fan?

well i LOVE this band. i listen to the cd at least once a day…and my obsession is so bad that if i am riding in the car by myself…i have to change the cd before i get out so jasen doesn’t roll his eyes at me…

it’s that good.

i’ve been wanting to post about it for a while now…but really haven’t had the time. so here is my lame attempt at a tribute. you can check them out here at margotandthenuclearsoandsos.com. the music is so fab.

i also found this on their website…i’ve been reading on their blog about their adventures in recording a NEW ALBUM!! can’t wait.

give it a try…and listen to their fab one liners.

or just listen for emily. she’s awesome. i want to be her when i grow up.