The M Half of the M -n- J Show

Moving Day!

2013-01-21T21:25:00.000-06:00

photo from morguefile.com I am working on cleaning several things up, but for now, you should know I have a new blog! Finally, after several months of planning, I own my domain at www.mayihaveaword.com. Stop by the new place, take a look around, and make yourself at home!

January 6 Small Stones

2013-01-06T21:50:00.001-06:00

The white of the truck coming toward us flashes while Hubs stomps on the brakes to save us from collision. Thank goodness for good brakes and an empty parking lot next to the road.

January 2 Small Stones

2013-01-02T07:11:00.001-06:00

In the small dark hours, they curl up against me, one on my feet, the other at my shoulder. I turn to breathe in his calm, his contentment, and probably at least a few cat hairs.

An Open Letter

2012-12-18T06:00:00.000-06:00

source: morguefile.com Dear You, It's time to write this down. I know you've heard it all before. I know much of it is probably already written somewhere. I'm just putting it here so it exists in one more place. I hope it helps. You know that time you thought you weren't smart/good-looking/rich/fit/talented enough to associate with the people you know? When you thought your friends deserved

Of Love and Loss

2012-12-16T23:23:00.000-06:00

photo source There's no need to go into details here. You've seen the coverage on your favorite news and/or social media site. We all know what happened. We just don't know why. As much as I wish I could, I'm not going to solve it here. It's a complex combination of things that I just don't understand. I am concerned about a few specific things, aside from the obvious concern for everyone

Final Small Stones

2012-11-30T21:08:00.001-06:00

It's the last day of the week, the last day of the month, the last day of NaBloPoMo, and the last day of NaNoWriMo. That's an whole lot of endings for one Friday. The holidays are really upon us now, and most of the houses in our neighborhood are lit up. We'll be visiting with family and distant friends in the next week and can't wait. Happy December, everyone!

Thursday Small Stones

2012-11-29T20:49:00.000-06:00

We drove down a few streets in the neighborhood with Xmas decorations out. It's been a long week and I'm looking forward to the weekend. The Austin book club is coming back together again. :-)

Last Midweek Small Stones

2012-11-28T23:23:00.003-06:00

I spent the day co-facilitating a class with a colleague I don't get to see very often. There are 7 new people I feel comfortable chatting with in the halls of the office. Massages are a wonderful way to end an evening.

Tuesday Small Stones

2012-11-27T22:20:00.000-06:00

It was cold enough overnight to use the comforter on the bed. We've been able to make holiday travel plans. Time with old friends soothes my soul.

Final Monday Small Stones

2012-11-26T21:18:00.000-06:00

Bootcamp this morning was tough. It was energizing, sweaty, hard work. Awesome. I had an especially productive work day. Some visiting colleagues insisted on taking me out to dinner.

Sunday Small Stones

2012-11-25T21:09:00.000-06:00

While Hubs worked all day today, I took myself on a 5-mile walk around the neighborhood. I learned some things. There is a park with a public potty less than 2 miles away. This is excellent news. No, seriously. I drink a lot of water. I can walk 5 miles without feeling like it's the end of the world. I get hot and tired, for sure. But I can do it. People put up Christmas decorations the

Holiday Weekend Small Stones

2012-11-24T19:50:00.001-06:00

After 3 fun days, we dropped LilBro off at the airport to head home. We hope he comes back when he has more time off. Hubs and I spent a fun lunch with a friend I haven't seen in a few months. Yay Liz! We took the scenic route home. This is code for "I missed a turn and we drove an hour out of the way."

Black Friday Small Stones

2012-11-23T20:35:00.000-06:00

I swore I would not get involved with the retail madness that is Black Friday. Then I saw the phone I was planning to upgrade to next week was on sale for a crazy low price. So Hubs, LilBro, and I hung out at the cell phone store while we waited for my turn. Then we walked out with a new phone and it's a ton of fun. I walked 4.5 miles by myself this morning and saw my mascot heron. After a week

Thanksgiving Small Stones

2012-11-22T20:15:00.000-06:00

We spent 5.5 miles today exploring downtown Austin with 23,000 of our closest friends. I cooked turkey, dressing, roasted veggies, deviled eggs, and orange cranberry relish. Hubs and LilBro said it was good. I was bored by the time it was all done. All three cats have enjoyed snuggles and pets with Hubs and LilBro since LilBro arrived yesterday. It warms my heart to see LilBro in my house, with

More Midweek Small Stones

2012-11-21T10:41:00.000-06:00

I realized that all the posts I've written over the past several days were in Draft mode instead of Published. Whoops! Solved it. Cleaning the house and preparing for Little Brother's visit is very exciting. We haven't seen him in several years. I heard joyous news yesterday morning that my dad's wife's brother (still with me? Let's go with step-uncle) successfully underwent a liver transplant

Begging

2012-11-21T09:44:00.000-06:00

Image from morguefile.com Creativity must flourish. Ideas must be shared. Writers must write. I spend a good deal of my day writing and editing for a living. I edit when I don't want to. I see misspellings and misused grammar all the time. I've learned - mostly - to ignore it. However, it affects the image a reader has of a writer. When a piece has obvious spelling, punctuation, and word

Tuesday Small Stones

2012-11-20T20:37:00.000-06:00

I was able to cross several time consuming things off my work list today. Wearing my favorite comfy jeans is like an all day hug. Although Little Brother missed his connecting flight, the airline put him up in Minneapolis and we'll get to hug him tomorrow!

Monday Small Stones

2012-11-19T20:32:00.000-06:00

Back in my office after a week away. It feels a little like home in there now. Although I faceplanted against a glass door at work, I did not spill my soup, break any bones, or hit the floor. To soothe my bruised ego (and other things), I enjoyed an Angry Snake Bite with dinner because I'm a grownup and I can do that if I want to.

Sunday Small Stones

2012-11-18T20:30:00.000-06:00

Grocery shopping today in preparation for a big meal with my little (not baby, that's the other one) brother this week. I love Thanksgiving. Lots of talk and planning about the future, about moving forward, about living life. Tanner's burn has pretty much healed completely and he's snuggly all the time.

Weekend Small Stones

2012-11-17T20:27:00.000-06:00

One of my favorite people had a birthday yesterday. And my baby brother turned 23 today. What is this world coming to when my baby brother gets old enough to be nearly my age?! One of Hubs' lifelong dreams came true today. He's been so giddy about it; I love that boyish smile he gets when he's silly happy. This morning's brisk walk included Hubs and just the right amount of sunshine. Sadly, no

Friday Small Stones

2012-11-16T20:25:00.000-06:00

I snuggled with my furry boys for at least an extra hour this morning. I slept in my own bed, with my own furry boys, and with my own husband. (not that I'd previously slept with anyone else's husband.) Long work days earlier this week led to a short working Friday. Yay!

Small Stones at Home

2012-11-15T21:24:00.001-06:00

I had a great time connecting with colleagues who are also friends this past week. I didn't get to see my non-work friends as our days were long, and for that I am bummed. I felt a strange combination of familiarity and strangeness walking back into the building where I worked for 4 and a half years. I then felt a strange combination of sadness and relief to again leave that building with no

Midweek Small Stones

2012-11-14T22:52:00.000-06:00

An invigorating walk with a colleague and friend started my day just right. The cheers and greetings from colleagues I haven't seen for a while illustrated that sometimes, I am missed. Spending a bit of social time with a person I don't know very well opened my eyes and my heart to other ways of thinking, other ways of feeling.

Tuesday Small Stones

2012-11-13T21:41:00.002-06:00

An early morning walk with a colleague and friend gave me energy and clarity to start my day. A long day of meetings and fun with colleagues revitalized working relationships. An evening spent alone with my thoughts, my laptop, and a book has helped recharge my batteries for tomorrow.

Monday Small Stones

2012-11-12T21:35:00.000-06:00

Visited some of my old stomping grounds. Quality team building with colleagues. A comfortable hotel room.