1. 19 May 2011 · 09:19 AM

    “Well, how did I get here?”

    Life has felt like that a lot lately: Husband who treats me better than I could ask for, new house with a pool and more rooms than we can fill, baby on the way, and a sense that we’ll stay put for a while instead of hopscotching across the country following the next job.

    Jeff and I often spent our 20s wanting to avoid becoming a cliche — we weren’t into walking the traditional path to Grownupland: Live together, elaborate engagement, big wedding, buy first house, get dog as proxy for child, if dog works out move on to filling house with babies, all while working at a jobby job with good benefits and decent hours.

    Somehow we’ve ended up in the middle of in Grownupland anyway, albeit without the dog (the jobby job’s hours and benefits are debatable). I guess we just entered adulthood from a side door instead of marching through the front gate.

    A friend once told me you’ll know you’re a grownup when you stop worrying about whether you’re becoming a cliche because you’re too busy living your life. So maybe that’s where I’m at.

    “How did I get here?” Does it matter? The baby’s kicking, the sun’s shining over the back yard and I’m … happy.

  2. 17 March 2011 · 02:18 PM

    In which two moms-to-be plot alternative playtime activities

    Me: omg, i just looked at the full etsy store for that [Omar Little] bib. Lolsville.

    Her: OOOOH! I want the Steve Martin finger puppet!

    Me: and frieda kahlo, who could totally get down with don draper!

    Her: LMAO

    Me: you know they would — notorious sensualists

    Her: so true, so true. All they need to do is one of Anais Nin and they could have a “special section” reserved for finger puppet debauchery.

    Me: just call it the delta of venus

    Her: LOL

    Me: Meanwhile, Lloyd Dobler and Max Fischer could debate existentialism

    Her: Do one of Charlie Sheen. It comes with a goddess and a suitcase full of blow.

    Me: and ira glass could interview bob ross

    Her: LMAO. And this is why we don’t have our own shop on etsy

    Me: yes… and why if we had the cash we could buy this lady out and make ridic youtube videos

    Her: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

    Me: we may not be fit to raise our future children.

    Her: ya think? [My husband] is convinced our child will probably send us to our room without dinner

    Me: Oh, that’s so happening … But don’t the guys behind Team America: World Police have children?

    Her: I believe they do. In which case, how bad could it be really? They’re the same brains behind South Park. We’re not that bad, are we?

    Me: No. I don’t think we’re even in Family Guy territory yet.

    Her: Whew! Relief. ..Though we still have a few more months

    Me: And then 18+ years…

    Her: We’re doomed… 

    Me: Yeah. But I’m over it already.

  3. 10 January 2011 · 02:44 PM
    This Christmahanakwanzika I had some of the best gifts ever (visits from my parents and big sis, a terrific latke party with friends and a sense that after a year and a half in Houston, it’s starting to become home). One of my gifts didn’t arrive till this weekend, though, and I gotta say that despite its lateness, it’s pretty fab. Knowing that I’m always freezing in the office, Jeff ordered me fingerless gloves with built-in hand warmers. I just plug these puppies into my USB port and voila! perfectly toasty hands even when the newsroom feels like 30 below. Jealous? Order some for yourself. Photo: Tom Fowler/Houston Chronicle

    This Christmahanakwanzika I had some of the best gifts ever (visits from my parents and big sis, a terrific latke party with friends and a sense that after a year and a half in Houston, it’s starting to become home).

    One of my gifts didn’t arrive till this weekend, though, and I gotta say that despite its lateness, it’s pretty fab.

    Knowing that I’m always freezing in the office, Jeff ordered me fingerless gloves with built-in hand warmers. I just plug these puppies into my USB port and voila! perfectly toasty hands even when the newsroom feels like 30 below. Jealous? Order some for yourself.

    Photo: Tom Fowler/Houston Chronicle

  4. 02 November 2010 · 06:26 PM
    Happening now. Happy democracy day.

    Happening now. Happy democracy day.

  5. 03 October 2010 · 01:37 PM
    These are some of my favorite people. I know we all tend to glorify our college days — the parties more outrageous, the hijinks more ridiculous, the stories transforming into epics.  Legends have their place. What’s even better is how, 15 years after we first met, these women continue to teach me about strength, resiliency, intelligence and fun. Sarah (bottom left) transformed from an oh-so-intense pre-med into an ace in health care policy who now saves her intensity for Sox games. Amy D. (in the veil) went back to her hometown to teach English and marry her high-school boyfriend. When she realized that fairytale was toxic, she had the strength to walk away and find the man who’s best for her. She’s now trying to do the same for her career and I know she’ll succeed. Karen (third from left) hasn’t let being a new mom stop her from running marathons 5Ks, nor has it slowed her commitment to causes she believes in.  Heidi (green dress) constantly reminds me that picture-perfect is a myth, even if her life seems that way from outside. She’s taught me that when the kitchen burns down, you just build a better one. And when your hair goes gray, you turn yourself into a platinum bombshell. Also, she produced these two goons. ‘Nuff said. Amy F. (black dress) married a cop and teaches math to high-school geniuses. That may sound respectable, but she’s still the biggest badass among us.  Me, I’m just the girl in the middle taking it all in. Thanks, ladies, for all you add to my life. 

    These are some of my favorite people. I know we all tend to glorify our college days — the parties more outrageous, the hijinks more ridiculous, the stories transforming into epics. 

    Legends have their place. What’s even better is how, 15 years after we first met, these women continue to teach me about strength, resiliency, intelligence and fun.

    Sarah (bottom left) transformed from an oh-so-intense pre-med into an ace in health care policy who now saves her intensity for Sox games.

    Amy D. (in the veil) went back to her hometown to teach English and marry her high-school boyfriend. When she realized that fairytale was toxic, she had the strength to walk away and find the man who’s best for her. She’s now trying to do the same for her career and I know she’ll succeed.

    Karen (third from left) hasn’t let being a new mom stop her from running marathons 5Ks, nor has it slowed her commitment to causes she believes in. 

    Heidi (green dress) constantly reminds me that picture-perfect is a myth, even if her life seems that way from outside. She’s taught me that when the kitchen burns down, you just build a better one. And when your hair goes gray, you turn yourself into a platinum bombshell. Also, she produced these two goons. ‘Nuff said.

    Amy F. (black dress) married a cop and teaches math to high-school geniuses. That may sound respectable, but she’s still the biggest badass among us. 

    Me, I’m just the girl in the middle taking it all in.

    Thanks, ladies, for all you add to my life. 

  6. 01 October 2010 · 11:24 AM

    I am in love with this 3 minute history of hip-hop. Fallon channeling Biggie is a LOLfest.

  7. 09 September 2010 · 01:39 PM
    Two years ago today, this happened. I’m gonna sound all shmoopy now, so those of you who hate sentimentality may wish to skip this next bit. The night before our wedding, I contracted a case of jitters. Not cold feet exactly, but an awareness of the weight of what we were about to do. For keeps. For life. My internal voice couldn’t help but insert a question mark on that last sentence — “for life?” Divorce has come calling on nearly all the couples in my family; even the most permanent-seeming relationships were pulled under by its current. Some have been replaced by better partnerships — evidence that as we grow and change love does, too. Still, I want “for life.” Jeff does, too. And in the two years since we slid rings on each other’s fingers, I’ve not once felt jitters. This man, who I already loved as deeply as I thought possible and whose friendship made me open up to the possibility of happiness, amazes me with his compassion, his convictions, and an unerring radar that zeroes in on my bullshit and never let’s me get away with it. Any wall I ever erected around my heart came down that afternoon, on that Hawaiian beach. Our love, our friendship and our trust in each other have replaced walls with wide-open spaces. Happy anniversary, baby. For real, for keeps, for life.

    Two years ago today, this happened.

    I’m gonna sound all shmoopy now, so those of you who hate sentimentality may wish to skip this next bit.

    The night before our wedding, I contracted a case of jitters. Not cold feet exactly, but an awareness of the weight of what we were about to do.

    For keeps. For life.

    My internal voice couldn’t help but insert a question mark on that last sentence — “for life?” Divorce has come calling on nearly all the couples in my family; even the most permanent-seeming relationships were pulled under by its current. Some have been replaced by better partnerships — evidence that as we grow and change love does, too.

    Still, I want “for life.” Jeff does, too. And in the two years since we slid rings on each other’s fingers, I’ve not once felt jitters. This man, who I already loved as deeply as I thought possible and whose friendship made me open up to the possibility of happiness, amazes me with his compassion, his convictions, and an unerring radar that zeroes in on my bullshit and never let’s me get away with it.

    Any wall I ever erected around my heart came down that afternoon, on that Hawaiian beach. Our love, our friendship and our trust in each other have replaced walls with wide-open spaces.

    Happy anniversary, baby. For real, for keeps, for life.

  8. 25 August 2010 · 10:54 PM
    Nation Shudders At Large Block Of Uninterrupted Text

    Unable to rest their eyes on a colorful photograph or boldface heading that could be easily skimmed and forgotten about, Americans collectively recoiled Monday when confronted with a solid block of uninterrupted text.

    I love this. Not even a blurb to draw them in. Heheh.

    (via Instapaper)

  9. 17 August 2010 · 05:36 PM

    We gave the in-laws "The Wire" on DVD. Then this happened
    • Jeff: So...
    • Omar from “The Wire” just wrote me on Twitter.
    • I told him how my dad is saying to me, “Omar don’t scare.”
    • He said, “That’s great – cause he don’t. Tell him I said what up.”
    • Awesome.
    • Jill: I cannot stop smiling. Twitter is magic.
  10. 06 August 2010 · 10:00 AM

    Coworker (and father of two) to me (childless)

    • Him: We're at rainforest cafe. Jealous? Someday you two will also get to frequent such exclusive joints.
    • Me: I live for the day Chuckie Cheese becomes part of my world. Seriously, though, I hope you and [redacted] are taking notes to share with us noobs when the time comes. 
    • Him: Enjoy your freedom while you can.