A fantasy…

I would like to have lunch with Tim Gunn.

On a Wendesday afternoon.

At a restaurant that uses linen napkins.

And I would wear a sundress.

(We’re healing. Life is going on.)

Almost 48 hours later…

It still tough. I still haven’t grasped the severity of what happened, but I am sad.

The news media is starting to leave. I keep telling people, I really appreciate that they were here. People needed to see what happened so they understand why the NIU Huskies will forever be changed. But at the same time, its a huge reminder that something really terrible happened.

When I went to the noon mass on Friday, my husband sent me a text – the mass was announced on CNN. I got there and there were a couple cameras in the back of the church. Each time I turned around there were more. Maria and Andrew had to keep corralling them when one of them would stray from the pack. They were given rules, and one of them was they had to be out before communion. Everyone I spoke to after mass was shocked at how quietly they left. Some people didn’t even know they were gone. So, news media, thanks for leaving quietly.

You know how after someone dies, you feel guilty for laughing? I did until this morning, and honestly, now I’m looking for reasons to laugh. I think I’d really like to watch Anchorman today.

I engaged in some retail therapy this morning. Not a good idea. I now own 4 new pairs of black socks, a Brita filter, and a pizza pan. At Walmart, they have all of the NIU Huskies clothes at the front, and its really picked through. They also had red and white candles laying out with the clothes.

I don’t want to delete the texts I got on February 14 from my friends.  The “are you ok?” texts.  I hate seeing them, but I love that they cared.

I’m going to stay in for the rest of the day. I have a craft project I’d like to do, and my husband is coming home tonight. I find myself really hoping we can go back soon. Back to “normal”.

Forward, together, forward.

How do you sleep

after students were killed on your college campus?

After Virgina Tech, my heart ached for the families of the students that were killed, and for those who saw it happen. I certainly didn’t give any thought about how it affected the woman felt sitting in her office across campus. Until it was me.

Everytime our sports team does something great, it’s going to be associated with this moment, at least for a couple years. When people hear “NIU”, they won’t think of Huskie pride or the great education NIU offers. They’ll think of the deaths. We’ll get condolences when we travel with the football team this year, instead of “Good game!”

The good side is this: NIU doesn’t get a lot of national exposure. The nation is about to see what a Huskie is. Wait until you see our pride.

Cubs catchers and pitchers reported today!

In honor of catchers and pitchers reporting for Spring Training, I offer my Cubs cookies, or “Cubookies”, if you will. (And I do.)

I made regular old sugar cookie dough, divided into three lumps, two of which I added red or blue food coloring to. The ratio was about 1/2 no coloring, 1/3 blue, 1/6 red. (Yes, that adds to 1)

Yum! Ready to enjoy with an Old Style… or not.

What I bought to get through the blizzard

Hot chocolate, coffee, Real Simple magazine, and the book Moneyball.  A book about math and baseball?  Sign me up!

How bad is the weather? I just watched a neighbor help the mailman push his truck, which had become stuck in the middle of my street.  Think about that.

(stuck truck)

How to throw a 70s (style) birthday party

1. Order cupcakes from an awesome bakery, only giving them the direction that they should be “70s style”

2. Get an ugly tablecloth from Goodwill, and cover it with 70s foods such as Chex Mix, bacon wrapped pineapple, weenies in BBQ sauce, chips and dip, cubed cheese and dipping mustard, Easy Cheese, etc.

3. Ask people to dress in 70s clothes

4. Party! Happy Birthday Husband!