ex(PR)essed

Well, it’s another dreary, rainy day in central Pennsylvania. Spring is certainly off to a slow start. The flowers are blooming and the trees are budding, but the weather has been mostly cool and wet. It’s safe to say that I’m not the only one with a major hankering for spring!

Let the randomness begin:

I have three lamps in my office. By using them, I avoid the unflattering and eye-straining glare of the overhead flourescent lights. On Monday, two of the bulbs burned out, and yesterday the third one gave out. Amazing timing, don’t you think?

Jeff and I had a pretty low-key, relaxing Easter weekend. This year, we enjoyed Easter dinner with a group of 13 other “orphans,” meaning those who were without biological family nearby to celebrate the holiday with. Let me tell you though, there was a definite sense of family around the table as we enjoyed a delicious Easter potluck at Ruth and Terry’s. What wonderful, gracious hosts to exchange a restful Sunday afternoon for a hectic house full of people. We felt blessed to celebrate the Savior amongst such loving friends.

I’m totally having one of those weeks where I’m feeling a bit overcommited. Of course, it’s all good stuff, but it’s taking its toll nonetheless. Evening commitments on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and hosting company on Saturday might be a bit too much. Note to self.

One wonderful stress reliever about this week was the season premier of “Deadliest Catch” last night. Jeff and I have been anticipating the return on this show for months, and we were in place right at 9 p.m. to see the new season get started. I could hardly stand the suspense of whether Phil would skipper the Cornelia Marie this king crab season after this terrible health issues last season. I’m disappointed that the boat left the dock without him…it won’t be the same, for sure. And, while I certainly don’t wish Keith any harm (he had both a scare with cancer and a head injury last night), I could do with him and the Wizard getting considerably less air time. There, I said it. Mean? Maybe. Honest. Yes.

Random musings from yours truly on this, the 25th day of July, year of our Lord 2008:

All good things must come to an end — like this season of “The Deadliest Catch.” The show wrapped up without any assurances that Captain Phil Harris will be back next season. So, from now until April 2009, I am without a weekly dose of Sig, Johnathan, Phil, and, thankfully, Keith.

Some good things are nearing an end — like time spent with Amanda, one of my precious senior high girls from my small group who is headed to college in just three weeks. And time spent with Brenda, my scrapbooking friend who goes to college in northern California, which, if you’re wondering, is pretty stinking far from here.

Some things are just beginning – like the weekend! Hallelujah! The Lorows are looking ahead at two days of fun. A picnic with the Patton girls, a housewarming party for friends, and, hopefully, plenty of lounge-around-and-enjoy-the-summer time!

Beginning is sometimes the hardest part – this week Jeff and I tackled cleaning out our closet and drawers. Once we got started, it was a breeze, but, boy, was it hard to get started! I am now on an organizational binge…so I’m tidying up in the loft too.

Speaking of hard – one of the biggest challenges of my job is helping secular media better understand what type of institution Messiah really is. I get so tired of seeing us classified as ultra-conservative by people who don’t know anything about Messiah and don’t care to take the time to do any research. So, so frustrating.

But, to end on a happy note – it is Friday! Have a great weekend!

Oh my goodness — the coolest thing happened to me this morning! Most of you know that I’m a huge fan of the television show “The Deadliest Catch.” It’s the only show that Jeff and I clear our schedules for, and we (ok, mostly me) have gotten very attached to a few of the captains and their crews, including Phil Harris of the Cornelia Marie.

Earlier this week I blogged about all the changes in my life, not the least of which is the impending season finale of “The Deadliest Catch” and the lingering questions about Captain Phil Harris’ health. And, here’s where it gets really exciting: Morgan Howard, son of Cornelia Marie Collins, the primary owner of Phil’s boat, commented on my blog entry! I am a smidge excited; just ask my co-workers or my husband!

Isn’t the blog world crazy? I get to write about things/people that I love, and, sometimes, I even make an unexpected connection with a stranger. Love that.

I’m convinced that today will be far better than yesterday. Besides the blog excitement, my favorite Amandas are meeting me for lunch and it’s the last night of VBS! My VBS kids have been so much fun, and I love seeing the Patton girls every night.

One more thing would add to the fabulous-ness of this day: Sig…Edgar…Johnathan…are you out there?! I would love to hear from you too!

Change is hard. People say that all that time. And, I believe them. I know that the statement is about 90% true for me as well. Change is hard. I like routine and knowing what to expect. More black and white and less gray. So, these past few weeks have been hard.

The Tour de France, which, post-Lance and no-one-who-wins-the-Tour-is-clean, barely holds my attention anymore. What are they thinking this year? No prologue? No traditional Monday rest day? No time bonuses? No Johann Bruyneel at the wheel of a team car? It’s all just borderline ridiculous.

You know what else is changing? “The Deadliest Catch.” Captain Phil Harris has caused me a few gray hairs and much anxiety this season. Coughing up blood is never good, and last night, on “After the Catch,” he confirmed that he may not be able to return as captain of the Cornelia Marie next season; his fishing career may be over. I don’t care for this news one bit. If anyone leaves the fleet, I think it should be Keith. (Can I get an “amen?!”) As a matter of fact, I would like to start a campaign to vote Keith off the Bering Sea. Or at least off my favorite show. (Which ends for the season next week…more change to deal with.)

Speaking of leaving…two of my colleagues are doing just that tomorrow. This is where change hits a little too close to home, and I don’t like it one bit. Scott, graphic designer extraordinaire, has accepted a job at an advertising firm in Lancaster, and his departure leaves me not just with one less colleague, but specifically down a colleague with whom I could talk openly about my love of the Muppets and Coldplay. His departure is disheartening for me, one of his biggest Messiah fans, but I obviously wish him the best as he takes the advertising world by storm!

Then, as if that isn’t enough, my twin, my very own twin, has decided to leave her job as editor so that she spend more time with her new daughter — Clara.

Who can blame her? Not me. But, I will miss her dearly. Cute Becky was one of the first people on the third floor of Old Main that I truly connected with, so her departure is bittersweet both professionally and personally.

So, with all this change, what is staying the same? Good things like God’s faithfulness, Natalie and Emma’s complete adorableness, and the undisputable fact that Jim Henson was a genius. Right, Scott?

Until shortly after 9 p.m. last night, I totally intended to blog about my first bike ride of 2008. I say that with some embarrassment because it was a mere two summers ago that I trained for and successfully completed a century (100-miler for your non-pedalers out there). And, I’ve been on my bike a total of three times since. Yikes. But, it felt good to be back out there last night, even though the Harrisburg Bike Club blew past me, and Jeff said I coasted too much. I was so grateful to be able to easily clip in and out of pedals and shift smoothly. Two skills I thought might be lost during the hiatus!

Anyhow, did you watch The Deadliest Catch last night? Pins and needles my friends. Phil Harris, captain of the Cornelia Marie, chainsmoker, and caffeine addict, took a nasty tumble when hurricance force winds and waves battered the boat. He thought he cracked a few ribs. As if that wasn’t bad enough, he was soon coughing up blood. In the middle of the Bering Sea! Not good. Not good at all. Finally, he agreed to head to St. Paul Island for medical attention. The show ended with no resolution, no sense of whether he was going to be alright or not. It just ended with one very concerned Lorow fretting to her husband about her “friend” Phil and wondering how she can stand to wait seven days to know his fate. (Yes, I might be too attached to these guys. Except Keith. I don’t like Keith at all. He’s mean.) I know Phil lives and all, but what if he isn’t on the show next year? I can barely stand the thought.

You know what else I can barely stand the thought of? My girls — Allyson, Natalie, and Emma — leaving once again for another vacation. It has been a solid four weeks since I have had quality time with these girls, and I absolutely hunger for their cute faces. Thankfully Allyson agreed to meet me tomorrow and ease my suffering.

Finally, one good thing about today that I must mention: My cute twin Becky is back!