Potpourri

Has anyone made good sweet potato fries? I tried last night and they were so-so at best. I've eaten good ones, so I'm wondering if anyone can give me hints.

I dropped my fall class at UNL. It was a little bittersweet because I truly enjoy going to college. However, as much as I like it and feel true accomplishment in the work I do, I realized that my own special combination of perfectionism, slight adult ADHD and general dislike of sitting alone at a computer for long periods of time make it highly likely that I will never finish a PhD. I'm struggling with wrapping my brain around the idea that I can do it, but that I probably won't. I have a tendency to plan a lot, think about what I want to do and have an extraordinarily difficult time deviating from my path. I'm getting better at change as I get older, but I still struggle. I think that's why I liked this post (Growing Pains) so well--I completely identify with Howe in the World junior. Change is tough--especially when we've planned our lives around certain events in a certain order.

We need new windows. An SUV just drove by the house with its stereo up at full blast and all the windows in the office rattled. Derek says that he can replace the windows. I am completely amazed by that because NEVER IN MY LIFE have I done something so handy.

I am not a fan of middle of the night infant feedings. I am REALLY not a fan of infants who do not go back to sleep after a 3:00AM feeding. But on the flip side, I mostly enjoy the excuse to hang out around home and not go anywhere or do much besides feed the baby. Yesterday, after she ate, Elsa and I sat in her room and listened to a CD from start to finish. I don't think I've done that in 20 years and it is truly one of life's pleasures. We listened to the Bathtub Dogs, which is a new favorite of mine. The first song on the CD is the theme from The Breakfast Club. Of course, that meant that I had to spend some time telling Elsa about classic 80s movies. I'm sure she can't wait to see them.