a new hobby? hmm...

"Does the flower get thirsty too, or is it just the root that needs water?"
Honest question from me, a gardening simpleton.

With my new place came flower beds and flower boxes. The seller informed me that "those flowers in the walkway are yours to care for." Great, I thought. It's not that I don't think the flowers are pretty, I just don't want to be responsible for keeping them alive, let alone responsible for the aesthetics of the walkway that I share with five neighbors. My gardening resume is shallow - ranging from carrying plants to pulling weeds to killing a bamboo plant. I have never even bought a plant. I'm just being honest.

With some serious consideration, it seemed fake flowers would be the best option for the flower boxes - no financial or time commitment needed on my part. They'll last, they'll look real from far away, and they will not die... so my mom went shopping for some and comes home with some gerber daisies, some green leafy plants, a sprawling flowering plant, and something else called "silver fog." Fake? Nope, they're real.

So here I am, three weeks into my new place and watering my flowers every morning (almost). They are alive. They have blooms. The soil is moist. And today I received my first compliment on my flowers. I was kind of proud.

I hate to generalize, but I'm pretty sure gardening is for women older than forty ... so I'm wondering, just what have I gotten myself into?

the ring.

I never use to look for it. I could hardly remember what hand it goes on. I was quite oblivious. But things are changing. I am quickly realizing that looking for the ring is crucial - and spotting it can be a real bummer.

Case in point...
A really cute guy had caught my eye in the computer lab at my school. Everyday that I had class, I would see him, and we often would catch eachother in eye contact. I thought to myself, I need to strike up a conversation with this guy. So, I finally work up the nerve to say something ... I see him in the computer lab ... I sat within chatting distance ... I glance over and remember to check the left hand ... and sure enough a wedding band. Case closed. This guy is off the market. Bummer.

So I'm learning. Check the left hand. Not only is it an availability indicator, but awkward conversation preventer for sure. It's a must.

ode to summer.

Has it really been 2 months since something eventful happened in my life? Hardly. But it sure was busy. I have 8 days left with my middle school lovelies, I'm purchasing my first home, and I have found the man of my dreams...

The last part isn't true, but it has a nice ring to it.

Summer has just about kicked off ... summer classes, sand volleyball, weeknights of just being outside, and weekends of running, riding, and swimming. I love it and cannot wait for more.

So here's to summer... to the sun, the clouds, more posts, and a nice glass of wine on my new balcony!

i'm back.

Okay. I'm back. I'm ready for more. Spring fever? Probably. It always used to happen to us in college...

it has reached a new level.

My students - my 11-12 year old students - have decided that Mr. Parker and I would make a great couple. Yeah, that's right, my students are trying to match me up. The same students who call me "Mrs." believe that he and I would be cute together. When the second student in one day informed me that we would make a good couple, a different student overhead only to chime in with, "Yeah, thats what everyone is talking about!" Well shoot, doesn't that make me feel so special.

I thought it was pretty funny to be set up with a personal trainer, let alone a guy named Buck... But that was nothing compared to my students stepping in for the next set-up.

funny memories

To much of my dismay, in college it was rare to see a hot-guy around campus. They were on the endangered species list. It may have been the fact that it was a "brainy" university or maybe because it was so frigid most of the school year that everyone was in survival mode - either hiding out at home or hiding underneath layers of clothing, scarfs, and hats. Seeing a hot-guy, or even just a cute guy, was so rare in fact that my friends and I would document any such spotting of a hot-guy and quickly report the sighting to a friend. The conversation could go something like this:

Spotter of hot-guy: I saw a hot-guy today.
Recipient of hot-guy info: WHERE?!
Spotter of hot-guy: At the bus stop in front of the union around 10am. He was blonde and kind of tall, athletic looking. Have you seen him before?

The way we acted, you would have thought there were only 6 hot guys on the entire college campus of 25,000 undergrad students. Actually, now that I think about it, 6-10 is probably more accurate.

It was a good thing our sports were fun to watch.

break time.

I'm taking a break. No more set-ups, match-ups, blind dates, or awkward first meetings. Sure you tell me, "you never know, the next one could be the right guy..."

but if he's the right guy, then he'll show back up when the break is over. For now, I'm on a definite recess.

i saw the movie

...He's Just Not That Into You.

The moral of the story: There are "rules" for dating that clearly indicate whether a guy is into a girl. (ie. He will call you, he will find you, he will make sure to see you, etc etc etc.) The rules must be adhered to at all times, and at no point in time should a girl consider her situation, or relationship, the exception to the rule. There are absolutely no exceptions to the rules - EVER.

...except in the case that the guy decides you are his exception. In this said case, an exception is granted, and then a girl can consider herself an exception to the rule. Of which means there are exceptions to the rules, and these exceptions will take place in every relationship that is right.

This process should make sense. Clearly, the girl will know when she is the exception. Riiiiiiight.

Valentine's Day.

I used to receive My Little Pony and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle cards asking, "Will you be mine?" Though my kids are a little too "old" for decorating shoe boxes, class parties, valentine exchanges, and pink cupcakes, I did end up with my own set of Valentine's . Some of the best/interesting...

1) It started off with a red carnation from a student, who claims that I am her favorite teacher. It's important to note that I do not have this child in class! Haha, gotta love 11 year olds.

2) "Here this is for you ... my mom had extras." So I was handed a little Victoria's Secret purse containing body splash, lotion, and body wash.

3) A single homemade chocolate covered oreo... from the quiet, smart girl who never raises her hand in my class.

4) Fun dip. To:Miss W. From: Zach

5) One chocolate candy from Abdi.

6) A box of chocolates and a stuffed frog holding a heart showed up on my desk mysteriously. As I asked the class who gave it to me, nobody responded and they just kept working ... except one little boy was looking at me through the side of his eyes with a little smirk on his face. Is this from you? He just nodded. At lunch time he came up and asked if I was going to open the chocolates. When you open them, can I have one? Of course.

There's something special about working with these kids. Sometimes I can't see it, but times like these help me open my eyes.

So maybe it didn't have Barbie or the Ghostbusters on it, but the best card of all came in the mail from my girl friend...

Happy Valentine's Day! Will you be my Valentine?

Yes No

(please circle one!)

I love the Valentine's Day that I know ...

a trainer?

Co-worker sets up Anne - Take 4.

#1 = Gym Teacher
#2 = Fire Fighter
#3 = Health/Gym Teacher
#4 = Personal Trainer

Now, this is getting funny...

another one down...

The streak continues ... these boys are flying out almost as fast as they roll in. A few weeks going strong and then BAM! They sketch out. It is what it is, but this time I decided to call him on it.

So it went something like this ... he's calling me on the phone, we're texting throughout the days, we're making plans to hang out. It's safe to say that 75% of all actions were initiated by him. It's something that I'm always really particular about - just so that I know who is chasing who. With that being said, it was easy to notice the "drop-off". He's not calling, barely texting, and essentially avoiding plans to hang out. I'm a smart girl, I can take a hint.

I quickly tired of wondering, thinking, over-analyzing, and making excuses for him. I refuse to be "that girl". I want him to man-up and grow some. I message him:

"Hey u gotta be real with me here.. be straight up about things.. you know what I mean? No hurt feelings if u don't want to be in touch but be straight w me."

It takes awhile for him to reply. I'm sure he was a bit caught off guard. Finally he says, "Its not that I dnt wanna be in touch w u. I just dnt want anything serious at all."

Serious?! Of all things that I am, I definitely am not serious in relationships. Let's get real here people ... I've never even been in a serious relationship, I've never be in-love, I've never even introduced a boyfriend to my family! With Buck, I definitely should have been the one saying, I don't do serious.

So there it is. Another one down, another one bites the dust.

one week.

It kind of feels like it has been much longer, but really it's only been a week. Buck is still around after one week.
Is that an accomplishment? Hardly.
Is it going well? I think.
Is he a good guy? Yeah, it seems so.
Do I call him"Buck"? Actually, yes.
There is no saying what is going to happen at this point. It is way too early to call. With my lack of successful relationships in the past, I honestly have no idea how things are supposed to go. The one thing I do know is that this time I need to roll with it, go with the moment, and simply just let things play out.

Are you sore?

Am I sore? Is that supposed to be a joke? Yes, I am sore. I have a significant bruise on my right knee and my left ass. My left shoulder aches when I pull it backwards and my right ankle hitches when I walk. Was it worth it? Yeah, but I'm just not very good.

When one is used to being fairly good at most things she attempts, it can be frustrating when things shake out differently. That's pretty much the story of my relationship between the snowboard and I. I want to get along. I like him. I think he's cool and cute and basically a stud. I'm working hard at our relationship to not give up ... and I'm open and willing to work through the bruises and the hardships so that one day we can live harmoniously. The problem is, the snowboard and I have a long way to go, and I'm not sure he's pulling his half of the relationship.

Nevertheless, I shall carry on. No matter how many nights of "Midnight Madness" I need to board through or how many edges I catch, the snowboard and I will make it work. I will learn to trust him and embrace the speed. I will keep my weight on my front foot and I will use my back foot as my rudder. I will not settle for boarding on my heels down the entire hill. And one day I will be able to stop on a dime, spraying fluffy white stuff on whomever is in my way.

I will make this relationship work.

buck is cool.

Who would have thought? Not me. He definitely exceeded all expectations. He even met my brother ... and it went well.

Get this: We talk on the phone. Kinda crazy.

his name is buck.

I'm being set-up with a guy named Buck. This ought to be interesting.

it's my brother's fault.

The conversation between brother and Guy on my brother's way out of the bar Saturday night goes something like this...

Brother: "you guys have fun tonight... I hope it goes well with my sister."
Guy: "yeah me too but I just can't get a read on her."
Brother: "She's a tough shell to crack, but keep trying ... eventually she will."

Gee thanks brother. After all these years of being beyond protective, and you back off now? Go figure.

So it's his fault that Guy wants to stop by for dinner on his way through town tomorrow. Guy's just trying to crack me.... upon recommendation by my big, bossy, bad-ass brother. Thanks for that.

"oh. o.k"

My friend calls and asks ..."How's it going so far? On a scale of 1 to 10..." A fun night? 8. Level of interest? 2. Hey, I'm just being honest.

It's not there. I gave it a minute, a weekend, a chance. It's just not going to happen. It was awkward because I knew Guy and I were not even close to being on the same page. At the end of the night he went in for a good night kiss and I gave him the cheek. He goes, "Oh. o.k." I could tell he wanted to high-tail it out of there at that point. Obviously he wasn't expecting the cheek.

It all started wrong. He showed up at my doorstep with flowers. I had been very clear about how I don't want flowers and do not like to receive them - on at least 2 previous occasions. Did I seem like I was kidding? Well, I wasn't even remotely kidding.

Later he wants a drink at the hockey game. I do not want one. We talk about wine and he says he can find me some. I do not want wine. I say this. He goes for his beer and returns with a cup of wine for me as well. Did I seem like I was kidding? Not kidding this time either.

The good thing is that I now have witnesses. My friend and her boy saw the night unfold. They saw that he is a really great guy. Most importantly though, they also fully agree that he is not the right guy for me. I'm not jumping ship too early, but it's definitely time to grab a raft and start paddling away.

Though the flowers are surviving in a makeshift vase, also known as a water bottle, I never did finish the wine.

you can't stay here.

Guy is driving down for a visit today. Yep, you got it, today. In matter of fact, he is probably in transit at this moment. He wants to hang out. Sigh.

Sure I could have said no, but I couldn't be that blunt. I claimed plans for both Friday night and Saturday night. He countered, "I can just shoot down for the afternoon on Saturday." Not much I can say to that except, "you can't stay here." He was ready for me to say that. He had forewarned his brother that he may need a place to crash. This guy isn't joking.

On my turf means I make the plans? Not that easy. A Saturday afternoon in January. Even more difficult. So I cancelled my Saturday evening plans and now we're heading to the hockey game... with a friend and her boy. She's on my side though, and she knows my feelings about the whole situation. She is totally helping me out. Thank you God for girl friends.

So there you have it. Guy is coming to town for a date.

This would be a great moment for blind-date guy to sweep in for the save. If only...

uh-oh.

Uh-oh is right. I don't think I pulled off my plans. In matter of fact, I think everything that I thought before was either wrong or has changed... and I'm pretty sure I don't know what I think anymore. Does that make sense? Too much thinking.

First things first: Blind-date guy is officially out of the picture. We passed the allotted time frame for contacting each other, and now we shall never speak again!! Haha. Truth be told, there really wasn't anything that went wrong, but apparently it wasn't right. I wish I had more for you on this one .... but that's all folks!

Going into the wedding week, Lil G (of which he is not quite as little as I originally claimed, so I will drop the "lil" part and call him G, or Guy, so as to continue keepin' it real...) was causing me some worry. I planned to clearly transmit the message that I'm just not that interested, I'm difficult, I'm very busy, I don't date, I'm not good at dating, it won't work out, and all other messages along this spectrum. Well, I did that. I was clear, blunt, straight-up, and honest. I'm a girl of my word. And this always works for me...

Guy took everything I said and did over the past five days ... and likes me more. While I'm telling him all of these things that are intended to discourage interest and scare him off, he is asking if he can still try.

Still try? uh-oh.
"Sure, you can still try. You can't say I didn't warn you about me, and you can't think I'm a jerk when you realize that everything I told you has come true."

"I think that's why I like you."

Uh-oh. What have I done? Clearly, not what I set out to do.