Sisters by Chance, Friends by Choice

The award for the World's Worst Blogger surely goes to the Ligon household by now. For those of you who read, thank you for being patient, and for continuing to come back, even when things are light, as they have been this month.

So far the October of 2013 has been a good one, albeit if not quite as fall-like as this lady would prefer. Alas, as the great Mick Jagger once said, "You can't always get what you want". I have been home most of this month, much to the detriment of my boss' boss, but you know, it happens, and I am grateful for the time I have had at home to enjoy with my sweet husband and our cute pup.

Last weekend, my baby sisters came into town for a long weekend over their Fall Break, and it was just wonderful. Of course it rained the whole darned time (because Kayla was in town, and apparently Kayla is not allowed to come to Norfolk without rain), but it was just so nice to have them here. We did get to go to a hockey game, which was super fun!, but, because of the rain, we spent a lot of time inside, watching movies, eating yummy food, and just catching up. There is something about sisters. Obviously I know nothing about having a brother, and I am sure it is also quite nice, but sisters...sisters are just a magical thing in this world. Sisters are a special kind of friend. Sometimes sisters drive each other crazy. Sometimes they think they hate each other. Sometimes they hurt each other's feelings, and make each other mad, and take sides, and do all those other things that sisters do, but, at the end of the day, sisters are the fiercest defenders of each other. As my sisters have gotten older, I have truly begun to cherish our time together. Not that I didn't cherish them when they were little, but, there was just such a gap, and our lives were so different. Nowadays, I feel like we can talk about things - silly and important all the same, and really have a conversation together.

Kayla and Morgan - I am so glad you are both my sisters. You are each unique in your own special ways, but there are parts of each of you that remind me so much of me, and that makes me so very happy. I know I can be overbearing and "mothering" at times, but it is only because I love you both so. Y'all are two of my best friends, and I am so thankful for the time we get to spend together.

Tuesday Randomness

I can't quite figure out what day of the week I think it is, but I can tell you with all bits of certainty that I am certain it is not Tuesday. I don't know why - yesterday was one of the Mondayest Mondays I have had in several weeks (thank you 3 hour conference calls!), but even in thinking about today it did not feel like a Tuesday. Hrmm. I am sure that is the most insightful bit of nonsense you have read this morning, so thank you for playing along.

I don't have much to write this morning in the form of long, wordy sentences, and epic prose, but I thought I would give you a nice list of updates on the Ligon clan this morning (everyone likes lists, yes? Or is that just me because of my list-crazed mother who instilled this love in me, and, now, who gets excited when I tell her that I put things on my list just so I can have the satisfaction of crossing them off? Phew.). In order of absolutely no importance:

• I am heading to Orlando today. Luckily, this is a short trip (fly out this morning, be back Thursday morning). No trips to Disney World are planned (which would have made me sad were it not for my last trip to Disney World).
• Harris has started his fall semester of class. So far he seems to really be enjoying it! He will have to tell you more about it because, currently, my favorite thing he talks about regarding class is piracy. I like to pretend it's Captain Jack rather than Somalians, but whatever.
• For those of you wondering (and I am sure there are so many), my love affair with oatmeal has come to its timely end. I have moved back into a protein shake era with my breakfasts.
• Harris' schedule has slightly normalized for the months of September and October, which means we can actually plan things! First up, a visit from the in-laws this very weekend! We also have plans for the Citadel vs. ODU football game later this month, a visit from my sisters for their fall break next month, and a potential visit from my BFF and her hubby also next month! How exciting is all of that?! There is definitely something to be said for normalcy in a schedule, folks.
• Week 1 Fantasy Football goes to Harris. Damn you, Peyton Manning! (okay okay, I actually really like Peyton Manning, but seriously 50 freaking points! Ridiculous! The damn you only would have held had it been Tom Brady.)
• Also related to football, Cowboys get it together! You pulled that one out by the skin of your teeth Sunday night. Ugh.

Okay, that's all I have time for this morning. Time to go finish getting ready, and hop a cab to the aeroporte (I like to call the airport the air-o-por-tay, just go with it). Hope everyone has a happy Tuesday (or whatever day you wish to think it is)!

Weekending and Mondaying

It often seems like a cruel joke that the weeks are so long, and the weekends so terribly short. I swear, two days during the work week can seemingly drag on forever, while the weekend days just pass in a blur. Someone call Sheldon Cooper and find out what the scientific explanation is for this. I was so distraught about the passing of the weekend, I just could not bring myself to blog yesterday. Okay, so that is a total lie, but it sounds super dramatic, right? At any rate, my weekend was short, but good. I had lunch with a good friend, whom I haven't been able to catch up with in some time, I did all of my weekend things, like grocerying (I feel like grocerying is a way more fun verb than grocery shopping) and cleaning house, and taking wandering walks around the neighborhood with Lucy. I comforted Lucy through a ridiculous afternoon thunderstorm that seemingly came from nowhere (side bar: anyone use a thunder jacket on their dog, and does it work? This is a serious question). I drove the hubby to work so that he would not have to walk through the thunderstorm, lest he be soaked or struck by lightening. Other than that, I am not sure where my weekend went. I wish I could say I am reading some riveting new novel, but I have been in such a reading rut this year. For a girl who loves to read this is very discombobulating. Anyone have any must reads? Recommendations welcome.

This post has been very ho-hum, thus far, but get ready, the prolific use of exclamation marks is coming! Yesterday, while a Monday, was a glorious day, cause for celebration, in fact. The hubs rounded out another 10-day stretch of work (ugh), we were finally able to have a date night, AND we were finally able to toast to his success of finishing his first semester of grad school! Finally, finally, finally! I had a busy day of work and conference calls yesterday (I did manage to make some yummy cookies during a conference call though - recipe coming tomorrow!), so while I worked, he finally had a play day and headed over to the driving range for a bit. He was also kind enough, before he went a-golfing, to whip up some of his famous marinara sauce to simmer for dinner, and simultaneously torture me with amazing smells. Once the day of working was done, we settled in for some wine (mmm Cupcake Red Velvet - definitely a new favorite blend!), and got cracking on making some homemade pizzas! Harris, in all his kitchen prowess, made a Margherita (mmm fresh mozzarella), and a new (garlic, leeks, and pesto - ah-mazing!) for our eating enjoyment. We then proceeded to sit at our dining room table, sipping, chatting, and savoring our time together. A perfect evening. To round things out, Harris then suggested a family walk, where he led us to our favorite little froyo joint to grab a bowl, and then come home to watch the season premiere of Hell on Wheels. So glad for the time with him, and so, so glad he has this weekend off too!