one year closer to joining the AARP.

For the past couple of weeks I’ve been noticing that my hair was in desperate need of a trim. I’ve been trying to let it grow, so every time I would go get my hair cut; I would ask her to leave the length and just trim up the layers.

Well during some of my riveting classes (please notice this is sarcasm because I’m not that big of a nerd), I have begun twiddling with my hair. Which of course lead to the noticing of is scraggly state. And last night I noticed a long solid white strand of hair. Just in time for my birthday, which is just around the corner. I’d be lying if I said that I’ve never found a white hair before, but they are definitely rare. Well, anyhow, my sister has been known to find one or two so I thought I would share the newsflash with her. The following text message ensued.

Me: I found a white hair

Sissy: Aw, it sucks to get old, I feel your pain.

Me: Who said old

Sissy: Ok if it makes you feel better I am the only one getting older here and that white hair was a fluke.

I love my Sister.

Then I sent her a random text that was meant for someone else, and of course it made no sense to her. Which is probably a more telling sign that I’m old, because I stink at text messaging. That is definitely reserved for a younger generation.

GoodbiPod

Well, my iPod has shuffled off its moral coil. I took it to the genius bar and the technician said, that it could be fixed. BUT… it would be about $40 shy of the cost of a new iPod, so looks like I know what I’m getting from Matt for Christmas!!!

Anyhow, this has made me pretty sad. I decided to write a little something to it as I wish it farewell.

Dear Nano,

We’ve had some great times together, you and I. When I first got you I vowed to take really good care of you and your treating technician told me today that your diagnosis is grave. I asked what I had done to break you. And the tech man’s answer was “use it… a lot.” So first off, I’d like to thank you for your service.

You were there for that very first ½ marathon in Memphis, TN. It was seriously cold that day. And I was questioning why a sane person pays money to run in 38 degree weather. You kept me going for that first 13.1 mile adventure. When my body was aching, my crappy shoes had failed me, my ankles were screaming at me for subjecting them to such punishment, you kept playing and tried to bring on beats of encouragement.

During the training, you filled those hours with song. Occasionally, I would sing out loud. You didn’t judge me for my schizophrenic choice in music. We were Golddiggers with Kanye, we were from the Boondocks with Little Big Town, we were Fergalicious, we had a Little Less Conversation with Elvis, and the list goes on and on.

You were an imperative part of my performance in the second ½ marathon in Nashville. The course was brutal, my goodness the hills. But I turned out my best time and felt pretty good at the end. I could not have done it without you!

You were there when patellar tendinitis struck. You were there when Ashley and I were idiots running in the rain, or wrapped up like Muslims and running in the freezing cold. I’m sure you were glad when we came to our senses about the cold.

At the Homecoming 5 K we were defeated by Matt. That stinker stayed on our tail the whole time and then shimmed right on ahead of us.

We ran our last ½ marathon together last December. Memphis was so much more fun the second time around. We had accomplished so much in that time. You know they had tried to ban you from being there because of the events at the Chicago Marathon. But I said there was no way they were taking my musical motivation away from me, no way.

When school became more demanding and we couldn’t spend time together running, you stepped it up. With your help, I was able to secure an “A” in agency and partnership. I listened to those study guides while grocery shopping, biking with Matt, rocking away on an elliptical, climbing stairs to no where on the stairmaster, or pounding the pavement on a run when I could. I really wish you could have hung on till the bar exam next summer.

Thanks for the memories, and assistance for the past few years.

How's Biscuit?

Biscuit has learned a new skill. She can climb the pen. She jumps on the side of the fence and then climbs it like a ladder.This is not good. Sneaky little devil.

So... much of Saturday morning was spent putting an electric ribbon around the top of the pen. It only took one encounter for Charlotte to understand what it was and what happens when you touch it. Biscuit on the other hand is still testing it.

Escape artist isn’t her only talent. She also can do a pirouette. She does this repeatedly at feeding time. She is a talented little mutt. She and Charlotte are getting along great. Like Peas and Carrots the two of them.

Here's a little video of her skills

Preservation room- where they make delicious jams and jellys*

Last summer we had so much from our garden, and we wanted to be able to preserve as much of it as we could. So Matt and I learned to can. A have also decided to make jelly. We had an abundance of jalapeño peppers. So, I made jelly out of some. I love pepper jelly over cream cheese with crackers.

Over the weekend Matt and I picked apples off a tree next to Matt’s parents’ house. I made some Apple jelly and then made my very first attempt at baked apples. They turned out pretty good, and the whole house smelled absolutely divine!

I have a new appreciation for those that have been doing it for years. It’s pretty time consuming to us new comers, and can get pretty tricky with all the boiling water and hot containers that you can’t touch with your hands. Aunt Marilyn, I’m sure you have some wonderful recipes, tips, tricks, or advice that we would love to hear. If any come to mind, you have my email address, feel free to send me one anytime.

I have a feeling that quite a few of our friends may see a this label in a Christmas present this year.

*from the movie National Treasure.

Apparently all I was missing was a big red "A"

The past few months seem to be turning into a huge blur for me. Everything seems to running together and piling on top of each other. Matt and I have been so busy and we’ve been staying pretty exhausted.

Matt was in Murray, KY for a weekend class last weekend so I was a lone duck on Halloween. I went to Betsy and Wayne Abrams house for a chili cook out they have had for a few years now. I dressed as Little Red Riding Hood. I asked my mother to make me a cape, but if you know my mom, and her sewing skills. She made me the whole get up. My mother, like me, is a little meticulous when it comes to some things. She made the cutest outfit for me. I got a lot of compliments. She did so well, she even lined the cape. I hope she is able to teach me how to sew when I get out of school.

My friend Adrienne’s husband, Travis, said that I looked like the woman from the “Scarlett Letter”. Adulterer was not exactly the look I was going for, but I guess it could have passed for Hester Prynne.

I’ll have to get a picture of me in the costume and post it.

It's almost November!

So we've almost made it through October folks! Matt and I actually made it to Murray’s Homecoming. And Matt had a blast at the National FFA convention in Indianapolis. He called me absolutely breathless with excitement because he was going to be getting a shipment of FREE text books. Yes, guys you heard correct. Matthew Silvey was excited over free books. My, my, my how things change.

I’ve been studying hard. I had an appellate brief to write (Translation… I long paper), a big project, and two tests coming up. My fake trial is the week after the second test (Nov. 12^th), so there’s no resting until that is over. The project was a Group project, and we know how those always turn out. Someone takes charge (that would be me) and the rest lay back and enjoy the ride, putting in an ounce of effort every now and then. I might explode if I go into detail over it right now, but lets just say, Shelby was not a happy camper for a bit.

In good news, my friend that graduated lawschool last year found out he passed the bar on Oct. 10^th. I’m very excited for him, and it just reassures me that if I put in the work, I too have a good chance at passing the bar next year. ALSO… I found out that my niece and nephews will, more likely than not, be coming up to visit for a week after Christmas! I’m super excited.

Hope you all have a Happy Halloween!

Milestones

Well, milestones have been passed in the Silvey household.

Matt passed the praxis II and his Ag ed Praxis. He met both the Tennessee and Kentucky (which is higher than TN) standards. Matt is going to be a great teacher. He has so much enthusiasm and passion for the field of agriculture. He is going to the National FFA convention in Indianapolis with his class towards the end of the month. Matt’s really excited to get the most exposure he can to FFA, they didn’t have Agriculture classes at his High School. Matt gets all his agricultural inspiration from his father. His dad really taught him a love of the outdoors. He only has about 2 months of classes left in the semester. All he has to do is now is finish it out and student teach.

I passed my MPRE (ethics part of the TN bar exam). I’ve also started studying for my finals at the end of the month. I have 2 exams and 2 projects that make up the 4 finals I have at the end of the month. In November I have my trial, and in Dec. a BIG mid-term. I keep saying in my head, “you just have to make it to Nov.” then “you just have to make it to Feb”. Things have managed to move pretty quickly. But I definitely feel the stress the past 3 plus years have put on me.

In other news…

We married off our two friends that got married in the same weekend, and both weddings were wonderful. Matt and I both had a lot of fun and wish them long and happy marriages.

Erica and Jeff Sutch 9-27-08

Matt and I at the reception

Monica and Jayson Sorensen 9-28-08

The Bride and I