I am so bored with life right now, that I literally just dared myself to take a photo of myself while in the midst of a Property II lecture. I totally won the dare.
I think that guy in the back is literally like, “Really?”
November 17, 2009
Admittedly, I can be a really tough person to handle. I can be hard to take, and I make a lot of people uncomfortable. I have a temper on me, and have only a slightly larger amount of patience since having a baby – I started with none. I’m incredibly picky and a total perfectionist. I’m rarely wrong, despite the fact that I’m wrong a lot more often than that. I curse a little too much, and I tend to make statements that the Politically Correct Police would haul me off to jail for.
However, despite my imperfections and all of the personality-related things I have working against me, I rarely find myself in a bad mood. I am as negative as they come, but a genuinely happy and satisfied person. I talk about the negative aspects, despite really only seeing the positive ones. I think most people would be truly surprised to hear that I am incredibly shy, prefer to be alone, and am quick to forgive (although, trust me…I wasn’t always this way). Despite lots of bad being thrown my way, I am truly capable of being able to focus on the good.
Today, however, was an exception. For the first time in as long as I can remember, I experienced a terrible, rotten, no good, very bad day (isn’t that the title of the children’s story?). I’m not really sure what it was, but even Tom couldn’t seem to pull me out of my funk. I even managed to tell my class, at the beginning of the period, that I wasn’t “really feeling the whole teaching thing tonight.” Nice, Katie…good work.
I’m really missing my grandpa, and feel like I have a lot of unresolved issues since his death. Impending final exams are really starting to eat at me, and I’ve had enough, “Ms. Jeter, where’s the stapler?” I can handle for another 30 years. I’m stressed about seeing friends I haven’t seen in a year or so in the coming months, and I’m sad that I will only have one week to spend in Colorado for the Holidays. My legs hurt.
Yeah, that last one was random, I know…but I’m really frickin’ tired of my legs hurting.
I’m hoping to wake up on the right side of the bed tomorrow…ahem, today. I have to be at class in a little less than nine hours and it would be great to be feeling back to my old self.
In the meantime, admire Dirk in all of his glory:
He asked me today to take some head shots of him so he can model women’s underwear.
Not really, but, if you knew Dirk, you might actually tend to think that was true. In reality, he’s being promoted or something in his fraternity/freaky secret-keeping/masonic temple or something. I told him I’d take his “professional” pics that he has to submit before the ceremony…
…I’d say they turned out pretty “professional.”
November 15, 2009
I’m sitting here lost in thought. Wondering when we will wake up. Wake up and realize that we are being overrun. Overrun with socialists. Overrun with corruption. Overrun with dishonesty.
When will the American people wake up and realize that he is causing our country all sorts of harm? That South Korea is currently on the highest state of military alert? That there are nuclear weapons involved? That our troops in Afghanistan need more troops to not only protect the people of Afghanistan, but to protect themselves as well?
When will the American people realize that they don’t have to put up with all of this shit? That socialist agendas are not more powerful than the voice of the American people? That a healthcare bill approved by less than half the majority of the people of the United States should not pass?
When will the American people wake up and realize that the recent increase in their car insurance was a direct result of Obama’s taxes on corporate America? That no matter how many promises he makes for hope and change, he has no intention of delivering the kind of hope and change the Majority anticipated?
When will the American people wake up and realize that Obama’s genuine disinterest in national security will one day be the direct result of a harmful place for our children? That the desire to be politically correct is allowing a window of opportunity for those who wish to harm our people? That the attack in Ft. Hood actually was a terrorist attack — the first one on his watch? That it took less than one year in office for an attack to happen on American soil, when Bush was able to avoid it for years and years after 9/11?
I’m not really sure when we all became so silent and timid. I know I’m silent. I’m timid. Sure, I write about my anger, my fears, my concerns and my overall doubts that Obama can do anything remotely functional these days on my blahg. But I don’t dare take my opinion to the streets. I wish I would, though. I wish everyone would. I wish we could be back in the days when people revolted. I want to take a pitchfork to the streets. I would love to see our people rise up and revolt against this administration that consistently seems to focus on the election of 2012, rather than the voice of the American people.
How far does it have to go before we finally say enough is enough?
November 14, 2009
The 2009 Chili Cook-Off at the Jeter household was a success.
Ok, really, there was no chili cook-off. In reality, I just made my first pot of chili. ever.
It turned out fantastic.
My heart is burning, my stomach is screaming and my esophagus is on fire…that, my friends, is good chili.
The bonus? Tom liked it too.
There’s something very rewarding about cooking a meal for your family. I guess I feel that way because I never do it. I’m horrible, but I rarely cook. Tom and I both fend for ourselves around here, unless I have the time to throw something together. And even then, Tom usually isn’t a fan of whatever I’ve made. We cook so little around our house, that today was the first time we used the Crock Pot since I gave birth to Thad. Oops. 
But I’ve decided on a pre-New Year’s resolution – cook more for my family. Even if I will be busy in the evening, I want to try and see if I can throw something together for them to warm up on their own later.
That’s right. I want to be that mom. You know the kind — the ones who have glass dishes in the freezer with frozen lasagnas, and who can literally whip together anything they want at any time without having to run to the grocery store. I want to understand the difference between olive oil and canola oil, and be able to differentiate celery salt from onion salt. Better yet, I want to know when to use them.
Is that really so much to ask?
Here’s my happy kid, by the way. Today was one of the rare days where he woke up from a nap on the right side of the bed (he’s a lot like me…it usually takes him an hour or so to come to and not be a total turd). He was all smiles and we had fun while daddy was at school.
November 13, 2009
Here’s a little Friday the 13th riddle for those of you who are convinced that it’s an unlucky kind of day…
“What’s worse than having thousands of dollars in medical bills in the middle of a Holiday season in which you wonder whether you should even spend the money to travel home to Colorado?”
Answer: Having Chase call you to tell you that your credit card numbers have been stolen and $600 in charges were made in the State of New York.
Awesome.
Thank God for fraud protection, because those aren’t charges we are going to have to eat, but seriously? It’s the Holidays, people. Can we try not to be total assholes just once?
Tom and I know a few people who go to school with us and have had the exact same thing happen to them recently…even down to the charges being made in New York. We think it all stems back to a particular place in downtown that each of us tends to frequent. Hopefully Chase can get to the bottom of the problem.
And in other news…before my 5-hour nap today (yes, you read that right), I managed to snag some shots of the Monkey boy (with the help of my fabulous photo assistant, Tom Jeter…he rocks) to put together a Christmas card.
Now, this isn’t the exact format I’m going to use, but it’s the same photos. I think it turned out pretty darn cute. I was unsure at first, but again, a 5-hour nap can do wonders for the mind, body and soul. When I woke up, I thought, “Well that isn’t bad at all!”
I can’t believe it’s already time for Christmas cards. And presents. And sleighs. And red sweaters. And Santa. And stockings. And, oh…I could go on and on.
Where in the heck did 2009 go!?!?
November 11, 2009
Earlier today, as I contemplated what I should take a picture of for my 365 project, I read my friend Erica’s blog and was inspired.
Normally on a day like Veteran’s Day, I might find a pretty flag or maybe something “patriotic” to snap a photo of and call it a day. However, today, she inspired me to do more. Erica actually inspired me to make it a teachable moment.
Now, Thad is too young to understand the significance of a cemetery, or the American flag, or what those in our United States military have actually done for our freedom; but, nevertheless, I took him over to the area in Grand Rapids where they’ve laid so many of our country’s bravest and finest to rest and we spent some time walking around.
Two things really struck me about what I saw today:
- Typically when I’ve seen photos of cemeteries where they have memorialized our soldiers, I am always in awe of the beautiful uniformity and the crisp, white color of each of the headstones. However, this particular cemetery seemed run down. Headstones were crooked and many of them showed only a remnant or two of their white color. For the most part, they were shabby, tattered, and no longer being cared for.
- There were no flags. Today is Veteran’s Day…each of those headstones should have had a flag placed at its base, as a way to say “Thank you for your service.” But no. Instead, I found one — one — headstone that had fake flowers. That was it.
For the most part, these soldiers buried in Western Michigan seem to have been forgotten about. It was really sad to see. It made me wonder how many places in our country no longer have the kind of funding or care to take care of such important memorials.
Growing up in this family, Thad will definitely know about military service and what the cost of freedom actually is. His daddy, his grandfathers, his cousins, his great uncles, and even his great-grandfathers are all either serving in the military now, or served in the military many years ago. I am proud for the work that each of the great men in my family did when they served. Whether it be building generators in Alaska, defending our country’s borders, serving in Vietnam, re-fueling fighter jets during Desert Storm, or serving as General Patton’s right-hand man, each of their work has been important.
Thanks to the many men and women who have fought for our freedom, Thad and I were able to enjoy a beautiful sunset, feeding the ducks on the Grand River. I can’t imagine what life would be like without the kinds of freedoms we have…our country takes so much for granted. Even the simple things to us seem impossible to others. I’m so grateful that my child will never have to know those kinds of restrictions.
November 11, 2009
Alright, it’s pretty much getting to be that time again. I can’t believe how time has flown this year. I was just thinking, back in August, “Thank God finals are over. Now I don’t have to worry about them for another 17 weeks.”
Well, guess what.
I’m worrying about them.
My first exam is in 5 weeks. Ugh. Five weeks. Considering everything else that Tom and I have going on, it might as well be 5 days. Sigh.
So, here I sit, being that person. Writing on my blahg. Sitting in a local coffee shop. Listening to my iPod and working on my Mac. I once heard a comedian talk about that image – white people with their Macs in coffee shops. It made me laugh. Of course it isn’t true for everyone, but, as I look around, most of the people in here have an illuminated apple on the back of their laptops.
Anyways, what was I talking about?
Oh, yeah. Finals. Ugh.
I’ve been outlining like a mad woman for the past week or so, and am finally ready to start making flash cards. However, between bouts of incessant responsibility, I can’t help but think that in 6 weeks, once finals are over, I will be surrounded with family and friends, celebrating Christmas. And, one week after that, I will be surrounded by even more friends, celebrating the union between one of my favorite people in the world, and her best friend. And then, once that is over, I will be celebrating my one-year anniversary being inflammation and scar-tissue free since becoming a Weggie.
So much has happened this year, it’s unbelievable. It’s hard to believe that at this time last year, I was struggling to balance school and surgeries, while consistently battling for air. It’s also hard to believe that Thad had just turned one year old and was only then beginning to take his first steps. I had not yet completed my first year of law school, and thoughts of becoming a teacher had not even entered my mind.
Now, I am facing down my third and final year of law school. Thad is a regular little human being (the other day I watched him walk over to the fridge, grab his sippy cup, close the door and walk away…he’s so useful, it’s awesome). Through our ups and downs this year, Tom and I are in a peaceful place in our marriage, despite the medical bills hanging over our heads. I am enjoying my time as a teacher at ITT, and am already thinking of new ideas for my next term of victims students. I have finally, after a four-year struggle, found a doctor who I am absolutely in love with. And, if all goes well in 2010, in one more year, I will be medication free…
…which means maybe sometime in 2011, there will be another set of baby toes running around the Jeter household.
The year 2009 was definitely a rough, rough year. I mean really, I’m already reminiscing on it being over and it’s not even Thanksgiving. My hopes are that 2010 will be much, much better. More stable. Less expensive. Hopefully not as quick.
Ok, back to studying. I think I’ve avoided Property II and Evidence for long enough.
Sigh.
November 11, 2009
Well, it was another exhausting day in baby land. I swear, I never feel as worn out as I do after spending 4 hours with a person smaller than my cat. But, I must say, it’s definitely worth it.
So Little Miss Corinne, here, is the daughter of my law school friend, Diana. Diana rocks. She’s a doctor. And a law student. And a mom. And she has good taste in beer. I mean really, is there anything better than that?
Corinne was born a little early and spent some of her first days in the NICU. At her first appointment, she was in the fifth percentile for height, weight, and all the rest of that good stuff that they measure incessantly for the first two years of life. Now, about two months later, she’s in the eightieth percentile. She sky-rocketed in weight, which is awesome. And, after spending some time with her, I understand why…the girl can eat. She puts me to shame. We took a break literally every 3 or 4 minutes for her to eat. Wouldn’t it be awesome if we could get away with that for the rest of our lives and still be this cute and small!?!?
So cute, right?
And, in case you’re wondering, that red petti skirt belongs to me. I actually dropped a nice little fist full of pocket change to add it to my collection of photography goodies…I don’t even have a daughter. That’s how gorgeous it was. I am the mother of a little boy, and I bought the most expensive article of clothing I could find…for a girl.
November 10, 2009
Dear Denver Broncos,
Remember that time when you started off the season 6-0 and I would take the time each week to give you a shout out, thus shaming all other NFL football fans who failed to root for you? Well, this whole “we are suddenly losing” thing that you’ve started on is really cramping my style. Quite frankly, you’ve made me look like an ass.
Baltimore was forgivable because they’re actually a pick for the Super Bowl. But Pittsburgh? At home!?!? Shame, shame donkeys.
I’d appreciate it if you could get your act together. Next week is a big game. I have no idea who you play, but let’s just call it a big game for the sake of calling it a big game. Mmmkay?
Oh, and if the orange and blue isn’t working for you, feel free to get back the the yellow and brown…at least those colors saw victory.
Forever yours,
Katie
November 8, 2009
God is teasing me with this fantastic weather. While many in places out West (ahem, Colorado) have already seen the winter’s first big snow (without winter even being official), I am currently basking in the warm, 65 degree weather that is Western Michigan.
Instead of curling up in sweatpants with 10 weeks of school to catch up on, I’m tempted to take my child outside, photograph the blue skies, and generally enjoy this Sunday afternoon.
How about a compromise? While Thad naps, I’ll get some outlining and flash-carding done…after all, finals are 4 weeks away. By the time he wakes up, some friends of mine will have made their way to our place and Tom will be lighting up the grill. This Sunday is a perfect day for friends, beer, kabobs, burgers, and football.
Go Broncos!
