Give

Give

I've got to keep you pleased in every way I can
Gonna give you all of me
As much as you can stand
Make love to you right now, that's all I want to do.

I know you need it, girl, and you know
I need it, too
'Cause I found what the world is searching for
Here, right here, my dear
I don't have to look no more
And, oh, my babe, I hoped and I prayed for someone
Just like you to make me feel the way you do.

Never, never gonna give you up
I'm never, every gonna stop
Not the way I feel about you
Girl, I just can't live without you.

I'm never every gonna quit,
'Cause quitin' just ain't my schtick
I'm gonna stay right here with you
Do all the things you want me to.

"Never, Never Gonna Give You Up"
- Barry White

Zen

Zen

Feeling the sand between my toes. 

Rain dogs howl for the century
A million dollars at stake
As you search for your demi-god
And you fake with a saint
There's no sex in your violence
There's no sex in your violence.

Try to see it once my way
Everything Zen
Everything Zen
I don't think so.

"Everything Zen"
- Bush

Something White

Something White

You said there is no reason
And the truth is plain to see
But I wander through my playing cards
And would not let it be
I'm one of the sixteen virgins
Who are leaving for the coast
And although my eyes were open
They might just as well be closed.

And so it was later
As the miller told his tale
That her face at first just ghostly
Turned a whiter shade of pale.

"A White Shade of Pale"
- Annie Lennox

I Love

I Love

I used to dream about love, and sure it's how it was
But I don't have to dream no more!

'Cause I, I got more than I can stand
I found me a lover in another man
I got you baby that's all I was waiting for.

And I love the way you love me
I place no one above, the way that you love
And I love the way you love me, and baby no matter what
I love the, I love the way you love, yeah, yeah.

Oh baby, baby, baby, I might as well face it
I've fallen in too deep, you've got control of me
Without a doubt, it has to be the greatest
You are every bit the man I had hoped you'd be.

"The Way You Love Me"
- Karyn White

Half

Half

I was born in the arms of imaginary friends
Free to roam, made a home out of everywhere I've been
Then you come crashing in, like the realest thing
Trying my best to understand all that your love can bring.

Oh half of my heart's got a grip on the situation
Half of my heart takes time
Half of my heart's got a right mind to tell you 
That I can't keep loving you (can't keep loving you)
Oh, with half of my heart.

"Half of My Heart"
- John Mayer featuring Taylor Swift

Treasure

Treasure

Just a little souvenir from North Carolina. I love it. 

Give me your, give me your, give me your attention, baby
I gotta tell you a little something about yourself
You're wonderful, flawless, ooh, you're a sexy lady
But you walk around here like you wanna be someone else.

I know that you don't know it, but you're fine, so fine (fine, so fine)
(Oh whoa-oh-oh)
Oh girl, I'm gonna show you when you're mine, oh mine (mine, oh mine)

Treasure, that is what you are
Honey, you're my golden star
You know you can make my wish come true
If you let me treasure you
If you let me treasure you.

"Treasure"
- Bruno Mars

Too Much

Too Much

Nobody gets too much heaven no more
It's much harder to come by
I'm waiting in line
Nobody gets too much love anymore
It's as high as a mountain 
And harder to climb.

Oh you and me girl
Got a lot of love in store
And it flows through you 
And it flows through me
And I love you so much more
Then my life... I can see beyond forever
Ev'rything we are will never die
Loving's such a beautiful thing
Oh you make my world... a summer day
Are you just a dream to fade away.

"Too Much Heaven"
- Bee Gees

Leaves

Leaves

All the leaves are brown, and the sky is grey
I've been for a walk on a winters day
I'd be safe and warm if I was in L.A.
California dreaming on such a winters day.

Stepped into a church I passed along the way
Well, I got down on my knees and I pretend to pray
You know the preacher likes the cold he knows I'm gonna stay
California dreaming on such a winters day.

All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey
I've been for a walk on a winters day
If I didn't tell her, I could leave today
California dreaming on such a winters day
On such a winters day, on such a winters day.

"California Dreaming"
- The Mama and The Papas

Hand Drawn

Hand Drawn

Moonlight on canvas, midnight and wine
Two shadows starting to softly combine
The picture they're painting
Is one of the heart
And to those who have seen it
It's a true work of art.

Oh, the red strokes
Passions uncaged
Thundering moments of tenderness rage
Oh, the red strokes
Tempered and strong (Fearlessly drawn)
Burning the night like the dawn.

Steam on the window, salt in a kiss
Two hearts have never pounded like this
Inspired by a vision
That they can't command
Erasing the borders
With each brush of a hand.

"The Red Strokes"
- Garth Brooks

Sun Flare

Sun Flare

Out on the Cape Fear River during my Wilmington
vacation.

See out past the water
Ain't it nice to see her shine again
So just look out past the shadows
Cause they will always be there my friend

Calling out past the mountains edge
I felt my voice grow faint
There are two paths down this mountain
And the distance ain't my friend

See out past the water
Ain't it nice to see her shine again
So just look out past the shadows
Cause they will always be there my friend

Down this gap, it divides us
The hanging rock, the sun flare
I'm taking the longest route to the bottom
But I know my way around there.

"So They Say"
- Hush Arbors

Private

Private

All the men come in these places
And the men are all the same.
You don't look at their faces
And you don't ask their names.
You don't think of them as human.
You don't think of them at all.
You keep you mind on the money,
Keeping your eyes on the wall.

I'm your private dancer, a dancer for money.
I'll do what you want me to do.
I'm your private dancer, a dancer for money.
And any old music will do.

"Private Dancer"
- Tina Turner

Text

Text

I pray what you ain't sayin' don't mean what all my friends say it means
Maybe you can give me just a couple of lines I could read between
You could even tell me a lie
Anything to get me by.

Come on and text me, Texas
Before you turn off your phone
I'm a wreck and I'm restless
Gotta feelin' that you're not alone
Yeah it's breakin' my heart and I'm startin' to get the message
Come on, text me Texas.

"Text Me Texas"
- Chris Young

Hobby

Hobby

Traveling is one of my favorite hobbies.

Stealing hearts was your pastime.
I saw girls falling hook line
You stole kisses and threw them aside
Hits and misses your love-side.

You've changed for the better
You've changed for the better.

Making waves was your hobby
And I asked you to hold me
And I knew it
You do it in front of the world
And I'll end up different from the other girls.

You've changed for the better
You've changed for the better.

"You've Changed"
- Sia

After

After

After the laundry is done. :-)

After midnight, we're gonna let it all hang down.
After midnight, we're gonna chug-a-lug and shout.
We're gonna stimulate some action;
We're gonna get some satisfaction.
We're gonna find out what it is all about.
After midnight, we're gonna let it all hang down.

After midnight, we're gonna shake your tambourine.
After midnight, it's all gonna be peaches and cream.
We're gonna cause talk and suspicion;
We're gonna give an exhibition.
We're gonna find out what it is all about.
After midnight, we're gonna let it all hang down.

"After Midnight"
- Eric Clapton

Small

Small

Won't even but penny candy anymore. :-(

In the wee small hours of the morning,
While the whole wide world is fast asleep,
You lie awake and think about the girl,
And never, ever think of counting sheep.

When your lonely heart has learned it's lesson,
You'd be hers if only she would call,
In the wee small hours of the morning,
That's the time you miss her most of all.

When your lonely heart has learned it's lesson,
You'd be hers if only she would call,
In the wee small hours of the morning,
That's the time you miss her most of all.

"In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning"
- Frank Sinatra

Favourite

Favourite

Cheering on the Cyclones from Wilmington, NC,
with one of my favorite people. :-)

Your friends are sorry for me
They watch your pretend to adore me
But I'm no fool to this game.

Now here comes your secret lover.
She'll be unlike any other.
Until your guilt goes up in flames.

Did you know when you go it's the perfect ending,
To the bad day I'd gotten used to spending.
When you go, all I know is you're my favorite mistake.
You're my favorite mistake.

"My Favorite Mistake"
- Sheryl Crow

Colour

Colour

Today, riding the slow train along the way
Going to who knows where and who knows when
Not knowing where you're rolling, it's the learning of this journey.

I feel if all of you people gather and believe
Being what makes you breathe in is enough
Promise to carry on from each moment to the next one.

These beautiful colours, infinite patterns so hard I see
And if we're all of the same stuff there's not one of you is the same as me
Proud beautiful colours, indifferent for you to see
Sometimes the beauty of it all seems unbearable 'til the colours bleed.
(keep breathing)

"Beautiful Colours"
- Duran Duran

Detail

Detail

I want to be...
The wine that swirls around your tongue
I want to be the Harley
That you sit upon.

I want to be...
The Elvis that makes you scream and shake
I want to be the velvet
That hugs your pretty shape.

What ever I think of it's not enough
To show you my love
I want to be your everything.

The trouble is you just don't know who the hell I am
But I'll change that little detail, if I can.

"Everything"
- Howard Jones

My Happy Place

My Happy Place

Iowa is my happy place. :-)

Ev'ry time my little world seems blue
I just have to look at you
And everything seems to be some kind of wonderful.

I know I can't express this feeling of tenderness
There is so much I wanna say but the right words won't come my way.

I just know when I'm in your embrace
This world is a happy place
And everything seems to be some kind of wonderful.

"Some Kind of Wonderful"
- Marvin Gaye

Floral

Floral

The boutonnieres from our wedding.
Dried and hanging in the closet. 

If you're going to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you're going to San Francisco
You're gonna meet some gentle people there.

For those who come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there
In the streets of San Francisco
Gentle people with flowers in their hair.

All across the nation such a strange vibration
People in motion
There's a whole generation with a new explanation
People in motion, people in motion.

"If You're Going to San Francisco"
- Scott McKenzie

Make

Make

Breakfast of Champions!

Turn down the lights
Turn down the bed
Turn down these voices inside my head
Lay down with me
Tell me no lies
Just hold me close, don't patronize
Don't patronize me.

'Cause I can't make you love me if you don't
You can't make your heart feel something it won't
Here in the dark, in these final hours
I will lay down my heart, and I'll feel the power
But you won't, no you won't
'Cause I can't make you love me if you don't.

"I Can't Make You Love Me"
- Bonnie Raitt

I am so exhausted. Daylight Saving screws me up big time, and this year is no different. Add to the fact that I was up at 5 am to go workout.

I'm off to bed!

Love you Awesome Nerds,
Robert

Young

Young

Can you imagine when this race is won
Turn our golden faces into the sun
Praising our leaders, we're getting in tune
The music's played by the, made men.

Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever, forever and ever?
Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever? Forever young.

"Forever Young"
- Alphaville


Whoops. A little late on this post.  I'll strive to do better today.

Love you Awesome Nerds,
Robert

Sweet

Sweet

Resisting temptation at Whore Foods,
I mean Whole Foods.

I don't wanna be needing your love 

I just wanna be deep in your love

And it's killing me when you're away, ooh, baby

'Cause I really don't care where you are

I just wanna be there where you are

And I gotta get one little taste.

Sugar

Yes, please

Won't you come and put it down on me?

I'm right here, 'cause I need

Little love and little sympathy 

Yeah, you show me good loving

Make it alright

Need a little sweetness in my life

Sugar

Yes, please

Won't you come and put it down on me?

"Sugar"

- Maroon 5

The Hubby and I made a trip down to Des Moines today. Now that we had our income tax refund, it was time to replace our home computer. After 8 faithful years, it was time to retire our old iMac and purchase a new one.

The saleswoman at the Apple Store was kinda taken back that I knew EXACTLY what I wanted (so much for her upselling me). The store is going to transfer the music and photos from our old Mac to the new one, so we should get it back tomorrow or Monday. 

I'm posting this from my school MacBook Air.

I also made it a 6-day sweep at the gym this morning, but I was a bit put off.

Saturday is my least favorite day to go to the gym because of all the "Weekenders". These are the people who work out on occasion, but go to the gym on Saturday morning to make themselves feel like they're being healthy. So they take up almost every piece of cardio equipment and do more talking with their friends and socializing than actual exercising.

I had planned to ride the stationary bike this morning, but every single one of them was taken. So instead I hoped on one of the elliptical machines for my workout.

I don't mind people chit-chatting at the gym, saying a quick hello or a short conversation. Heck, I do it when I'm there. It just bugs me to no end when people don't realize that some of us are there to just workout, and not talk with their BFF the entire time they are there.

Ok, I think I'm done ranting.  lol

Love you Awesome Nerds,

Robert

Remedy

Remedy

I'm finding a lot of peace and freedom at the gym.

And I'm falling
I'm falling
I'm falling
For you my remedy.

Day after day the world it can make me so cold
With so many people why do I feel so alone
It all fades away when I see your face
You're linked to me like a melody
Can't you see babe how you heal me. 

You're my remedy
Heaven sent to me
When you go away
I can hardly breathe
You're my remedy
My sweet escape
From insanity
You're my remedy.

"Remedy"
- Kaci Battaglia

It's been a long week. After getting home from school today I took a nice 3 hour nap. It felt wonderful, but I could have used another few hours of sleep. That's what tonight is for. :-)

I've been dedicated this week in getting to the gym every morning. Tonight, the Hubby made my week, by commenting that he can see the weight loss in my face.

Score!

Love you Awesome Nerds,
Robert

Out The Window

Out The Window

This time
Nothing else could come between us
We'll find
More than we could ever know
Slowly
We'll let go of yesterday
Why don't you stay?

From my window I see the world pass me by
And the world looks fine
Now I've found a place where the sun always shines
All the time
In my mind
Now I've found the place in my mind where the sun will always shine when it's cold outside
Now we've found love
The sun will always shine in my mind.

"From My Window"
- Swing Out Sister


OMG it's only Thursday?!

It has been the longest week, but I'm thankful that tomorrow is Friday. It will be a bit strange as today was my student teacher's last day with me. I'm really gonna miss him as he did an amazing job and the kids loved him.

I've been having a good week getting to the gym and watching what I eat.

And I'm noticing a difference.

And a few of my co-workers have noticed as well.  :-)

Love you Awesome Nerds,
Robert

Geometric

Geometric

I'm not sure where it started
But I know where I'm going because
I've seen where I've come from,
Seen who I am and what I've done.

I'm not sure where it started
But I better find out pretty soon 'cuz
If I don't know where I'm going, I'm sure to wander far from where I'm 
Supposed to be.

But if, my geometry is incorrect
Then by my power I'll never be found.
I'll follow myself around the circumference
Of my circle, til I fall down.

I'll struggle with having doubt
That you're there.
I'll suffer from having doubts,
That you care.
I'll suffer happily,
Because I believe.
Oh the joy, of positive suffering.

"Geometry"
- Whosah

Another long day.

Because of a blizzard that didn't happen last week that canceled a night of parent/teacher conferences, we got to make them up tonight. yay

So I'm pretty exhausted.

Now it's off to bed.  I need sleep!

Love you Awesome Nerds,
Robert

Open

Open

Making a cake for a co-workers birthday.
A Better-Than-Sex cake.  Soooo goood.

Lying beside you
Here in the dark
Feeling your heartbeat with mine
Softly you whisper
You're so sincere
How could our love be so blind
We sailed on together
We drifted apart
And here you are
By my side.

So now I come to you
With open arms
Nothing to hide
Believe what I say
So here I am
With open arms
Hoping you'll see
What your love means to me
Open Arms

"Open Arms"
- Journey

So exhausted.  It's been a long day, and it's only Tuesday.

Sigh.

Off to bed.  Tomorrow is another early workout day!

Love you Awesome Nerds,
Robert

Part of Me

Part of Me

A freshly pressed shirt is a thing of beauty.

Yeah, (sunrise) there's a new sun a risin'
(In your eyes) I can see a new horizon
(Realize) that will keep me realizin'
You're the biggest part of me.

(Stay the night) need your lovin' here beside me
(Shine the light) need you close enough to guide me
(All my life) I've been hopin' you would find me
You're the biggest part of me.

Well, make a wish baby
Well and I will make it come true
Make a list baby
Of the things I'll do for you
Ain't no risk now
In lettin' my love rain down on you
So we can wash away the past
So that we may start anew. 

"Biggest Part of Me"
- Ambrosia


There's something about ironing that is so soothing and comforting to me. I just love the way a dress shirt looks and feels after being pressed.

No, I don't use any starch.

It's funny because I used to not iron my dress shirts - I was a hot mess.  But then something changed.

I don't know what it was, but suddenly I wanted my shirts to look nice, to feel nice.

But alas, my dress shirts are looking kinda, well, ratty. I've had them for a long time and I know I need to buy new ones.  I'm hoping that my weight loss will allow me to buy smaller ones than the XXL ones that I wear presently.

But tomorrow is another day and I need my sleep.

Love you Awesome Nerds,
Robert

Starts With R

Starts With R

My Wedding Ring

I'm glad you're home
Well, did you really miss me?
I guess you did by the look in your eye (look in your eye, look in your eye)
Well lay back and relax while I put away the dishes
Then you and me can rock a bell.

You can ring my bell, ring my bell
You can ring my bell, ring my bell
You can ring my bell, ring my bell
You can ring my bell, ring my bell

The night is young and full of possibilities
Well come on and let yourself be free
My love for you, so long I've been savin'
Tonight was made for me and you.

"Ring My Bell"
- Anita Ward

I love my wedding ring.

It's made from titanium and while it doesn't match the Hubby's exactly, it's very similar. The Hubby's is a replica of Ed Harris' ring in the movie "The Abyss". We found it on a website with a number of different styles, and mine is called the "Eclipse".

I do get a little bit of grief from my friends because I take it off for various reasons - the gym, showering, washing the dishes - but it's a little loose on my finger, so any time it gets wet, it has a tendency to slide off.

I had a long weekend and I took a road trip to Minneapolis. It was a fun trip, if not freakishly cold.

Because sure, to get away from central Iowa I decide to go to someplace even colder.  LOL

But more about that later. I need to get ready for tomorrow.

Love you Awesome Nerds,
Robert