Yes, I'm Still Alive...

Okay, I have so much going on right now that blogging is last on my list. I do have to say that I am starting to relax a bit (not much though) about school - whatever will be, will be - at least that's what Doris Day said.

Jacob is crawling! I can't believe it...he's also learned that he can crawl to Bailey's (our dog) dish and join her in a little snack. Its not so much that he's eating dog food, I'm just concerned that he's going to choke - he still has no teeth. Which reminds me, I need to learn the Heimlich and Baby/Infant CPR...just add it to my list, right!

Thanksgiving is coming up quickly as are finals...I can't believe how fast the time goes. Its always about this time of year that I always remember my Grandpa Cecil and how much I miss him - I wish he got to meet Ron and Jacob so they would know what a great man he was...I hope he is proud of me. I'm just glad Jake has such wonderful grandpas and I hope they'll make ice cream with him one day. Random thought, I know...

Anyways, I guess I better get back to Chemistry - talk about something being all consuming - its all I ever do! AGH, this too shall pass!

Take care!

Feeling Groovy...

Okay, I have to say that I love fall weather. I don't know if there is anything better than wearing shorts with a sweatshirt...I'm pretty used to carrying a sweatshirt with me anywhere I go because the buildings at school are so FREAKIN' COLD!

I had an "I Feel Old" moment the other day at school...keep in mind that most of my classes this semester are Freshman/Sophmore level classes - you can see where this is going, I'm sure. These kids were born in '89-'90...okay, I was in Jr. High!

I was talking about my friend Tara's bag phone and how I thought she was so cool because she had a "mobile phone" and they had NO idea what I was talking about - I'm like hello, cell phones had to come from somewhere...they used to come in big bags and you even had to have an antenna on your car window! They were amazed, bless their little hearts.

I'm having a pretty great day today - Jake has slept through the night for the last 4 nights! YES! I made a 94 on my Intro. to Modern Biology test, waiting on my Chem exam score - I'm just feeling really blessed today...

Maybe Ron will take me to Red, Hot, and Blue for dinner sometime this weekend to celebrate life being pretty dang fantastic...

I'll be back soon with some new pics of my big man - he'll be 6 months old on the 24th! I can't believe it!

Take Care!!!

GO FALCONS!!

I thought I would just mention, as I said I would earlier, the greatest Pee-Wee football team in Oklahoma City - The Falcons!

My nephew, Brendan, plays football (he's #11)- and he pretty darn good. The team was in a tournament over in Argyle, TX last weekend and they won they whole thing.

The cool thing was they beat a team from OKC they had never beat before - so I know the boys were so proud of themselves. I was going to post some 'action' shots but Ron moved them all to my sister's laptop and I just have a few shots from the trophy ceremony.

Here's my shout out to the Falcons - keep up the good work! Most of all, Happy 11th Birthday to my little nephew...I guess he's not so little anymore - but I hope he knows how incredibly proud Uncle Ron and I are of him and just how much I love him.

I DID IT!!!!!!!

I know its been forever, but I've been pouring myself into school. What little I have left goes to Jake and Ron...and apparently not to cleaning my house but that is another story (I need a maid).

I was never the college student who would have gone to ask for help - and I have a tendency to not ask for help in my personal life as well - but I finally broke down and emailed my Chemistry prof and told him a I needed help. I meet with him every Monday from 4-5, just after another study group for Chem - can you tell this is a time consuming subject???? So we went over the "math" today and I actually get it! Turns out I was just having problem with my conversions - dimensional analysis is the bane of my existence.

I came home and did my pre-quiz for Chapter 6 and I got them ALL right! I was so freakin' stoked that I cried - Ron thinks I'm a freak. Jake just screamed - he's into this screeching with excitement phase, especially when Bailey (our dog) walks by...

I just thought I'd share - I need to commemorate that evening...hold onto it as a reminder that I am doing that thing which I think I cannot do (I love Eleanor Roosevelt) and succeeding!!!

In the word's of SNL's great sage, Stewart Smalley....I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it people like me!

More to come...and I have to tell you about the crazy fun football tourney we went to this weekend...GO FALCONS!

Take care!

The Pressure....

A pressure cooker is designed to cook things faster by increasing the pressure under which they are cooked....as the pressure inside increases, the boiling point decreases...I'm a foodie and could probably explain why eggs are good "binders" - lecithin - and tell how pressure cookers work. But I'm at a loss for valence shells and orbitals, be they s, p, d, or f.

Both are science - one is interesting to me and one just really new (and sometimes not at all interesting). But the later is my future and I've got to be successful (aka, get an A in chemistry).

I have never in all my life, even with motherhood looming, felt such enormous pressure to succeed. I have put everything on the line to follow my dreams and am terrified that it won't work out.

Okay, so I'm venting. I've spent most of my "holiday" weekend in tears because I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. What do I do in response, I cook - go to something I know. I made casseroles and reminded myself that I am capable of great things - as we all are.

If I can make a textbook zabaione for my killer Tiramisu, then I can master basic quantum mechanics. At least that is what I keep telling myself, they both are daunting - one is just more familiar...

This too shall pass and I will be given no more than I can bear...it will be worth it when all is said and done.

Thanks for listening...

Take care!

Laundry, Laundry Everywhere...

The greatest question of the universe, how do 2 adults and one child dirty so many clothes?!?!?!

I can give Jake a couple outfits a day, I do pretty well to keep a bib on him since he's a drool bucket these days - but most of the laundry I do is from Ron and I - not our spawn.

I have done 9, yes - that's 9, loads of laundry today - I'm sure that pales to Kate's (of Jon & Kate + 8) but it is a lot to me. I guess I'm going to start to limiting what we wear and how many times we can change - you must wear PJ's for at least 2 nights and use towels at least 3 times...is that gross?

I just don't know how I'm going to keep up with the house and with school - maybe I need a maid but I can't afford one - anyone want to clean for free? Doubt it...no one does anything for free these days.

Just thought I post to express my frustration with the insanity that is my laundry...

Take care!

End of a Long Three Days

Well, I'm officially back at school. I had classes on Thursday and Friday, was supposed to have Chemistry lab this morning but apparently it doesn't start until next week (thanks for getting the word out).

I sat Friday morning in Chemistry lecture just watching the students pour in...all 300 of them!!! I have never in all my college experience had a class this large! Its going to be nuts! Its so big, they have small groups you can sign up to be a part of to review the information/ask questions - I will be partaking in any extra help I can get...I'm already looking for a tutor, LOL :)

My courses this semester are pretty much Freshman level (except for Behavioral Neuroscience) and the new Frosh all look like babies to me - I'm sure they are great, but I just don't get when I started to get old and they started to look so young. Gone are the days of getting to color my hair to make a dramatic statement, now its just to cover my gray...

I wonder how I can break the ice - you were born in '90 - huh - interesting. What could we possibly have in common??? The great equalizer - be my friend and I'll buy you beer - of course I'm totally kidding, I would NEVER buy beer for someone underage - that's what Sorority & Frat parties are for.

Anyways, I need to get back to reading...

Take care!

Family Affair

In an effort to make up for my recent lack of posts, I figured I'd brag on some of my family members and their wicked creativity & coolness.

My brother-in-law, Mike, is a wine maker (not sure of the actual term). He's married to my middle sister, Kristen and they have a beautiful little girl named Eliana. I'd put a picture of her on here, but my sister never seems to send them to me - could she be trying to tell me something???? Anyways, if you want some killer wine check out his website, Odisea. I love them all, order a couple - he'll send them to you :)

Dean is my uncle who lives in San Diego, we all feel bad for him because he gets to spend the year in perpetual perfect weather (yeah, right). He's an artist - he got to spend some time in Italy painting. He painted my sister, Brandi, a beautiful view of Florence and the Il Duomo. Maybe when I'm old like Brandi (here's to being over the hill) he'll paint me something too :)


George is Ron's cousin. He is awesome, I really enjoy getting to spend time with him (even though its only short periods here and there). He's a potter. He also needs us to feel sorry for him because he lives on the beach - works as a professor at College of Mainland. Maybe we can move in with him if I get into Med School in Galveston. What's really awesome...he's in the Smithsonian! You can check out his work, just scroll down to his name. I am lucky enough to have 2 pieces...but I have my eye on one of his frogs (not the animal, but the thing to hold flowers).

Another fabulously talented Bowes is our cousin David. I'm just getting to know him, but he's pretty wicked awesome too :) He lives in a totally boring town called San Fransisco and is a musician. Not the starving artist kind, but the kind that really gets to play and make a living (well, I'm assuming this part and you know where that can get you). He plays in the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra

I hope they don't mind me bragging on them...I often live with a better to ask for forgiveness than permission mentality - hope it doesn't backfire on me.

Take care

Consistenly Inconsistent

By now you all know my dirty little secret...I have a lazy streak. Yes, I know, its hard to believe. Its been a while since my last post, but I have a tendency to get caught up with a lot of different things - no one told me raising a child would occupy ALL my time :)

By the way, here's my little Pumpkin Bottom (watch out Michael Phleps).

I'm trying very hard not to be lazy but it doesn't seem to be working. I have the best of intentions to blog every day and it just doesn't work out...so you'll have to accept my apologies - I know its painful when you can't read all about life at the Bowes' house every day.

I guess I'll just have to try harder...

Take care!

Olympics Hoopla - Lovin' It

I LOVE the Olympics! I wait patiently for the Summer Olympics every 4 years and am awed at what the Games symbolize for us as a global community.

If you didn't catch the opening ceremony last night - you missed out, big time! This was probably the best opening ceremony I have ever seen. What made it even more special was the fact that it was so special to the Chinese people - a country so steeped in tradition, history, and secrecy - it was amazing. No matter your political beliefs, it was a magnificent spectacle and has definitely placed China on display and in the middle of the global stage.

I have a special place in my heart for athletics - I played sports in school (some badly, like basketball) and learned so much about healthy competition and how to loose gracefully. The most important lesson I learned is there will always be someone better than you but it doesn't mean you can just give up, you just have to work harder. It is also a sad day for me - this Olympics brings to a close Women's Softball (unless it's picked up for the 2012 London Games). Bummer - what a great sport.

Here's to the athletes of the world....you inspire us!! I can't wait to watch...

Take care!!!

Random Thoughts...

I know I've been out of the higher education loop for a while and we all know that everything is expensive right now. But give me a break! Over $600 for textbooks?? WTF!!! I guess there is a slight break if I can get used books - a whopping 25% savings - Woohoo!

I have this uncanny ability to walk into a store and pick out the most expensive item - I guess the same holds true for schools and books. Since I'm not working anymore, I guess I should work on this...I did buy 'generic' laundry soap and fabric softner the other day at Sam's (don't tell my mom). So far so good, my clothes aren't falling apart yet and they smell clean so I figure we're all right.

Ron and I had dinner with friends last Friday night - we had a blast! Its been so long since we've been out without the baby and it was nice to have some adult interaction. We're going out for restaurant week here in Dallas in a couple weeks and I'm looking forward to that - Nobu - haven't been their yet and as a closet foodie I'm totally stoked. It will be a nice close to my first couple days of school.

I'm going to OKC this week. I know my family is chomping at the bit to see my little man. Who wouldn't want to...he's too freakin' cute. He had 8 of his 10 fingers in his mouth this morning and just couldn't figure out why he kept choking and coughing. I got picture of it on my phone but I can't figure out how to get it to my email - I'm pretty much inept at those type of things. So, I guess you'll have to trust I'm telling the truth about his cuteness.

I just finished The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. I'm glad Ron wasn't here - I was in tears - he generally gives me a hard time about crying over books (he still ribs me about crying when Professor Dumbledore died...it was very sad, by the way). This is such an appropriate book for where I'm at in life right now - if you haven't read it (it's very short) or watched his Last Lecture, I would definitely recommend it.

I suppose those are enough random thoughts...

Take care!

I Have the Best Friends...

I guess part of this blog thing is getting to know me. A big part of me is made up of my friends. I am sorry to tell you that I, and not you, have the best friends on the face of the Earth! Yeah, I said it...deal with it!

My best friend in the entire world is Brooke - she has been through more crap with me than anyone could possibly imagine - Can anyone say trash bag of limes??? Long story, maybe I'll tell it later. I used to live in her dining room, no I'm not kidding. We were in college, I showed up to my house one day and all my stuff was on the driveway (yet another long story...I seem to have a lot of these) and she and Jeni let me move into their dining room. It was sweet...what female college student doesn't want a closet made cinder blocks and a shower curtain rod (yeah, I really had one). I love her more than she will ever know and I hope she' proud of me that I'm going back to school...she told me it was about time. She's no nonsense and I value that most of all, she always tells me the truth.

My girls here in Tejas rock...I hope they know who they are. I'm pretty sure they do, I wouldn't think myself that bad a friend that they don't know I love them. When I moved here, they took me in and loved me as their own. They are wonderful wives, wonderful mothers, and wonderful people in general. My life is more full because of them...I'm most greatful for their counsel and willingness to listen - I don't guess it hurts that I feed them now and again either (I'm a pretty good cook, if I can toot my own horn). Thanks for the many prayers and well wishes, you all were the first to learn of this journey because I knew I could trust you...so thanks.

Last but not least - my mom and sisters. Their unconditional love and acceptance is beyond anything I could ever ask for. Even though both my OLDER sisters have made comments regarding my cleavage [reference picture above] (one because she is jealous, I'm sure) I have learned more from them than I could ever say....their struggles and joys have made them the people they are today and I love them more than they will ever know. I couldn't say enough about my mom - she's awesome - I hope I'm half the mother she is and I'll just leave it at that for now.

There's my shout out to my friends...thanks for making me the person I am today. You can put away the waving cigarette lighters now...seriously, put them away...you might set yourself on fire :)

Later!

Everyone Else Is Doing It!

Well, I guess I am one of those - if everyone else is doing it guess I will too!

I can't really post much now as Jake just woke up from his morning nap and he is HUNGRY. If anyone's seen the little bugger you could pretty much assume he stays hungry. He's a few days over 4 months and weighs in at a whopping 19 pounds! Can anyone say Linebacker????

I will say he's pretty stinkin' cute (he takes after his Daddy in that regard) and he's totally rocked my world - all in good ways, though.

Here are some pics of him at 4th of July...Yeah, that's me in all my sunburned glory!



















We'll chat more later....TAKE CARE!