I took a different bus this morning. It would have gotten me to my regular bus stop at exactly the same time IF the bus driver would not have opened the door at a stoplight to talk to a passer-by and then continue to sit through a green light still talking. I finally just got up, interrupted their conversation about some girl who used to date Danny, asked if I could just get out there and walked the extra two blocks to my office. I got into work on time but, honestly, can you believe he actually sat through a green light talking to his friend? Crazy.
Wanna know something else crazy? Cosi slept through the night last night. 11pm to 6:30. And I woke her up at 6:30 to feed her. I guess the trick is not letting her sleep in the afternoon. So what do I mind more – a semi cranky baby at 8 o’clock at night or missing a full night’s worth of sleep. hmmmm.
AND, she has decided that it’s no big deal at all to roll over from her tummy to her back. When she did it, I clapped and yay’d and she looked at me as if to say “dude, chill out, it’s not like I rode a bike with no training wheels”. I tried to get it on video, but the little stinker only smiled and laughed when the camera was on.

I have this picture of me somewhere. My age is uncertain, although I want to say I’m somewhere between 6 and 8. I’m sitting in the captain’s chair of a boat. I’m probably wearing a white tshirt that is covering a handmade fuschia colored bikini. I’m holding a beer bottle and smiling.
Yesterday, Cosi and I drove up north with some friends whose parents have a lake house. There were three families. Altogether, there were 12 of us. We spent the day riding on the pontoon, stopping every once in a while to jump in and cool ourselves off. On the way back to the house, our host let A*(she’s eight years old) drive the boat. At one point, as she was driving, James stood up in front of her and teased her, trying to stand in her line of sight.
And as I watched them, I felt all grown up. James was that crazy friend of my dad’s who gave me the beer and took a picture because he thought it would be funny. And it was.
I feel so blessed to have these friends around me. Crazy friends that will make Cosi roll her eyes as she looks back at pictures of her and her friends growing up.

Myspace is evil and ugly, blah blah blah. My niece, who I talk to every six months or so (my family, we’re not so big on keeping in contact), just found me on myspace. This makes me very happy because I hate to talk on the phone, but I love her, so it all works out swell.
My niece is 24 years old. She got pregnant when she was 18. Her daughter, my great niece was born on 9-11. THE 9-11. What a great memory of your birth, eh?
When my sister got re-married back in 2000, I was asked to be her matron of honor so I headed out to Mississippi (does anyone else say the crooked letter rhyme when spelling that out?). When I first got there, there was much talk of Nikki and her new boyfriend. My sister didn’t like him much and she was recalling a few times when she was pretty sure that this guy had hit my niece. My niece was 17 at the time and living with this guy. Why my sister did not demand that Nikki come home and live with her until she turned 18, I do not understand.
My sister-in-law and I staged an intervention the night after the wedding telling Nikki that it was entirely possible, if she ever felt the need, to leave this guy. She wasn’t tied down to him, we told her, there wasn’t even any marriage vows that she would be breaking. My sister-in-law suggested she just take a break and go back to Florida with her and my brother. There was never any mention of any abuse, we were just trying to make Florida seem like a fun option.
The next morning, Nikki and I had planned on hanging out until she had to drop me off at the airport. She came late and brought the jerk….and a shiner. Do you know how horribly difficult it is to sit in a car with a guy you know just put a bruise on your niece’s face?
We stopped somewhere and as soon as he was out of the car, I started asking questions. I can’t remember another time that I had been so angry. Apparently, he had gotten angry the night before as well. Nikki had mentioned to him that she might like to go to Florida for a while and according the bruise on her face, he didn’t like the idea.
We dropped him off at home and I began my plea for Nikki to run away with me. Come to Tennesse, I said. Your uncle and aunt are coming in two weeks to Atlanta and we’ll take you there and you can go home to Florida with them, I told her.
Somehow (thank God), I talked her into it. We went back to her mother’s house to make plans. Her mother, finally, catapulted into action and called the cops on this guy (I honestly can not remember his name). She bought a plane ticket for Nikki to ride back with me and we went to the police station to make the complaint.
Fast forward to Christmas time -same year. Nikki tells me on the phone that she’s pregnant. The father is nowhere around. I feel a bit guilty sending her off to my brothers house where they smoke pot and let unwed teenagers get it on. My mom reminds me that getting pregnant is better than getting hit. Maybe I agree with her.
All this was said to demonstrate that my niece has not always made the best decisions. She’s a mess. But a loving and wonderful mess. My sister, when she had Nikki, was not much older than Nikki was when she had Brianna. It took her a while to make good decisions too.
So, in this email that I got from Nikki this morning, she tells me that she has left her live-in boyfriend. The one that she had bought a house with a year ago. She said something about how she couldn’t be with him right now because she couldn’t trust him.
And my first instinct is to pull her close. I want to bring her here. I want to take care of her. It’s times like this that I hate living so far away from family.

But I can’t really say that – Seeing as how we’re not even completely moved from our old house. It’s the last time I’ll say it (here), but it’s oh so true.

We have too much crap.

Three times yesterday, Cosi’s little head met with danger. Early in the morning, as I was sitting on the floor with her in her room, I lifted her up to feed her and the top of her head met the bottom of the open armoire door. Bang! And boy did she cry. Later, in the early evening, the SMWB (aka Uncle Eric) handed her a rattle, which she grabbed and then promptly rammed it into her forehead. Ouch. Then late last night as I was holding her, she scraped the side of her head against my not so soft necklace.
I mean, I’m sad and all, but it kind of makes me happy that she’s growing into a baby that will undoubtedly get hurt. I mean, that’s what kids do, right?

Cosi slept for a solid straight 6 and 1/2 hours last night. She would have slept more but I wanted to (read:desperately needed to) feed her, so I woke her up to eat. She ate with eyes half closed and promptly fell right back to sleep. Dare I say this could be the startings of a baby who sleeps through the night? Truth be told, I’ll kind of miss our middle of the night feedings. It’s actually something I look forward to.
Tonight we’re hitting the State Fair to partake in Fried Fry and tummy-turning carnival rides. Can you say F U N? Hopefully we won’t stay out too late so we can get some Settlers playing into the SMWB’s visit.
The girlfriend and I had dinner alone last night and it was lovely. Lots of getting to know you questions and background stories. I’m just gonna go ahead and say it – I really do like her. I’m sure once I get to know her better, there will be things I do not like. It can be said of everyone, I’m sure. But for now, I’d put her up there with people I could sit on the porch and smoke with anyday. And I’d even give her my second to last one.

If I knew how to put the video up here, you’d see this. Instead you’ll have to go to (aforementioned link) watch Cosi working on her rolling over skills. If you turn up the volume, you can hear what sounds, to us, exactly like a countdown. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve watched that video in the past day and a half.
Since my brother was in town this weekend and it was his birthday, John and I decided to throw him a little party. My brother knows none of my friends, so we thought it would be fun to send out an invite for a Birthday Party for Mystery Guy. And fun it was. My brother seemed to have a good time, thanks no doubt, to my margaritas. Some people even brought him presents. I’ve got great friends.
I’ve not made judgment on the SMWB girl, but I like her. A few things I like about her:
-She eats with her left hand
-Her proportions
-The fact that the SMWB has a little bit of pudge around his middle
Tonight, we’re hanging out sans men, so maybe I’ll get to know her a little better. I’m sure there’ll be more to come.

Yesterday, I experienced my first disappointment with the bus system. Even though I walked up to my bus stop at (roughly) 4:45 pm, my bus, the 22, didn’t arrive until 5:15. Long wait! I did figure out once I was home (and I had a stinking suspicion while I was waiting for my route to arrive) that I can take the 55 home and it will actually drop me off about 40 feet closer to my house than the 22 does. I’ll try that today.
Tonight, Cosi and I are heading out to the Farmers Market while John helps the K*’s move out of their house/our new house. It’s pretty exciting thinking we’ll be able to move some of our stuff in as early as tomorrow.
John and I nearly finished up all the packing of Cosi’s room. While doing so, we got into a bit of an argument. Just for fun, let’s see what you all think. When you pack is it better to:
1)Pack as fast as you can and worry about seperating the good from the bad once you get there
or
2)Go ahead and remove what you don’t want now so you don’t have to worry about it when you’re unpacking.
??
The visit with my brother has been good. The SMWB comes in late Saturday night/Early Sunday morning. He’s bringing his girlfriend, who better be at least the Fifth Most Wonderful Girl (that’s FiMWG). That’s the least I can accept.
On a side note, Cosi will be turning three months old tomorrow. I can’t believe how very fast that time has passed.

But just so you know, it’s been six.
The baseball game was loads of fun. I’ve heard this term before, but I didn’t know what it meant. I guess I had never actually stuck around a baseball game long enough to see the seventh inning stretch. That alone makes me like baseball. How could you not like a game that allows time for you to stretch? Give me a game that allows you to stretch, encourages you to lie down and plays lovely music for you to fall asleep to and I’m totally in love with it.
My little and I really got along well. He was a quiet soul who just wanted to watch the game, eat stadium food and guzzle down mountain dews. Luckily the restroom was right behind us, so when he jumped up and rushed away, I could see exactly where he was going. I think John and I would enjoy being bigs. Maybe we’ll look into it after life settles a bit (read: finishes thesis and completes our move).
On the walk from the bus stop to my office, I saw many people here in the city, no doubt, attending GenCon. Not many people dressed up like their favorited role-playing characters, but lots of people pulling their rolling suitcase, filled to the brim with what I can only imagine is the computer that will help them win the competition they’ve been training for all year long, behind them.
I really must pack tonight. August 19th is approaching quickly.

I get to leave work early today to go to an Indians game. It’s time for our yearly community service gig and someone had the brilliant idea of us partnering with Big Brothers/Big Sisters for a day at the park. Not only do I get to leave work half a day early, but I get to eat hotdogs and popcorn!
My brother and sisterinlaw arrived around 2:30 this morning. Didn’t get to visit much, but we have a few days together. They look just as I remember them. I can’t wait to hear what they think of our little Cosi.

Funny how this is turning into less of a journal about my bus-capades and more about normal everyday life stuff.
But just because i said I would…I was afraid I wasn’t going to make it on time today. The bus was a little late. But still, I arrived on the doorstep of my work building right at 7:45. Getting here so early means that I can leave by 4:45 and arrive home right at 5pm. That’s real nice.
Last night, we stopped in to visit some of our favorite people. When we move, we’ll be living directly behind these crazy kids and I couldn’t be happier. I envision late nights of star watching and some morning breakfasts. Last night, for the first time, Finn and Cosi noticed each other and they stared and smiled and it warmed my heart.
My brother arrives tonight/tomorrow morning for his yearly visit/attendance of GenCon. Our house is a mess what with all the boxes and all, but we’re excited to have them nonetheless.

Because my husband is a brilliant historian, we have finally decided on paint colors for the new house.
We were having such a hard time matching colors. The house is so open, it was very important for us to find colors for each of the rooms that went well together.
Enter the brilliant husband, who started looking at posters made by the WPA. And voila – The color scheme of the new Beeler House.
Front Room

We had to pick something that would look good with our Kyle Original. I think we succeeded. Our plan is to paint the walls the green of the trees. The trim throughout the house will be the peachy color on top of the houses.
TV Room

The room will be pained the darkest of blue in the poster. Nice and dark, no? Very conducive to TV watching, methinks.
Dining Room

I think this is my favorite of all. We can’t decide what color the walls should be for this room. Do we go with the bright coral or just stick to the nice, but inviting taupe?
Kitchen

We’re thinking the walls will be the yellow. Is that too much?
Eventually, we want to change Cosi’s room into a PI office theme. It’s a running joke. “Cosi Beeler is a private eye” (really have me sing the whole song for you sometime). We like this poster as a theme for the PI room.

And finally because we loved the poster (mainly because it made us say dubstf)...
The Bathroom

Thoughts? Criticisms? Gushings of praise?

It seems that my home trips are far more (read: sarcasm here) fasciniating than my trips to work on the bus. The first day, as I pulled out my book, someone said to me, “oh we have a bookworm, do we?. I’d read if I only knew how.”. He continued to talk, mostly about stuff I didn’t listen to, but I felt a little sorry for him – not knowing how to read and all. I wanted to tell him that I would teach him, but I’d have no idea where to start. I guess I need to work on that – you know in about 4 years.
On my second trip home, a guy walked up to me and said, “When they ask you why they should give you the job, tell them how it will change you, not how you can change the job.” He continued on, saying that companies never wanted to hear what they were doing wrong. He told me he knew it sounded crazy, but it was guaranteed to work. Too bad I wasn’t actually going to a job interview.
So it seems that my bus trips are very non-eventful. But they are forcing me to write here, so I may continue with the boring-ness.
Cosi and I sucessfully made it to Chicago on the Megabus. I fed her as soon as I got on and I was met by some eye rollings and whispers. This breastfeeding thing really must be a big deal.
She was great on the bus. She got a bit fussy about halfway into our trip, but it’s only because she was tired. Tired and no swaddle makes a Cosi baby squeal with sadness. I heard that squeal many times this weekend. That little girl fights sleepiness with something that I just can’t quite comprehend.
We’ve got a few full weeks ahead of us. My brother and sister in law are heading into town on Wednesday and then the SMWB is bringing his girlfriend in for a meeting of the friends. And he’s still got to meet Cosi. Poor girl still has not met the man that could one day be her father (you know, if her parents suddenly die before she’s able to take care of herself). Speaking of, we really need to get a will done.
Enough happy talk! Let’s dance!
Speaking of dancing, I’ve seen this movie twice in the past two weeks and I’ve loved it every time. It makes me wanna dance.

So, that’s it. I’ve made my bed. I’ve invited Bradley in. I think he’s going to surprise all you naysayers!

Things I learned today:
1. The book I’m reading is about dying. Lots and Lots of dying.
2. The 55 will get me downtown just as well as the 22. And maybe just a hare faster.
3. You do, in fact, have to pull the stop chain even at the major stops. Otherwise, the bus driver will only open the enter door and you’ll be stuck waiting till the next stop (which is only 20 feet away, but still!)
All in all, a good experience yet again. It seems I’m learning more and more and the days go on. Tomorrow, Cosi and I take the megabus to Chicago.
I think I’m ready.

I can’t believe I’m doing this. You have to understand – Trying new things, for me, is extremely difficult. I have this memory of John and I pulling up to the carwash and me asking him if he will switch me and drive into the automated car wash tunnel. I’ve never done it before. I have no idea how to pull up onto the tracks. How will I know when to stop? Do I put my car in neutral or just keep it in gear?
John refused to switch places and I cried. He made me do it. He’s good at that.
This morning as I was putting my shoes on, I reconsidered. What if taking the bus makes me late for work? What if I take the wrong one?
But I decided to be strong and go for it.
I got there a bit too early – 7:15. The bus drove the opposite way to pick up people behind me at 7:20 or so. I noted that I could probably get there around 7:25 and be just fine. As I’m waiting for the bus to come back to pick me up, our friend M.A rides by on his bike. He’s so intensely careful of the traffic around him that he doesn’t notice me saying his name.
There’s maybe 10 people on my bus – The 22. Two women talking about closing on a house – One lady in scrubs talking on her cell phone – A kid no more than 13. These are the only ones I really notice.
I watch as people pull the chain to notify the driver that they want him to stop. I’m hoping that I’ll know when to let him know that I want to stop. Luckily, the stop that I want is a major one and the bus stops anyway. (How many times could I say stop before the end of this post?)
At least, I think it stops anyway. I did see the lady beside me start to pull down the chain, but I thought she didn’t because she realized the bus driver was going to stop anyway.
All in all, it was a smooth ride. I walked into my building at 7:45 – a whole 15 minutes before I really need to be there.
Here’s hoping the ride home will be just as nice!