So I know I’m tardy to last week’s Office party (hey! that was another Teal Mousefives reference for those of you playing at home), but my lateness has done nothing to dampen my enthusiasm.

And as always, I’m hoping for an extra dose of ‘Nard Dog in this week’s episode. Andy makes everything better. Especially a cappella singing.

1. “Hey there. Dwight Schrute here. Listen. Uh, would you be interested in restocking on paper? My cousin came down with a case of that nasty new goat fungus.”

2. “Now I’m halfway through the Twilight cookbook. Last night I had Edward’s Cornflake Chicken.”

3. “Pregnant Pam and I, we get hungry at the same times, so we’ve been eating together a lot. Not all meals. Just second breakfast, lunch, second lunch and first dinner.”

4. “I do not plan on helping unless it’s a boy.” // “I cannot wait for that joke to be over.”

5. “Don’t get revenge on me, nerd.”

6. “Bear my child. I want to have a child for business reasons and I want you to be the mother. If you agree, say nothing. If you disagree, say anything.”

7. “Word of advice, speaking as a former baby.”

8. “I’m sort of a master of distraction. When I was little, my mom always received compliments from teachers about how I was able to distract others in class.”

9. “I can do the ‘Evolution of Dance’ dance.”

10. “Item 1: Child will be breastfed by the mother for exactly six months then weaned onto a nutrient-rich winter vegetable mash provided by the father, Dwight Schrute, hereafter referred to as Morpheus. Agreed?” // “Agreed.”

11. Meredith: “I have a shirt like that in my car.”

12. “I’m not crazy. She’s crazy. 5-7 minutes. 5-7 minutes. 6 minutes. Different. But not really.”

13. “We’re having a little girl.”

14. “Our Ultra Feast menu theme: Hollywood.”

15. “Are you kidding?” “Are you kidding?” “You can do this.” “You can do this.”

16. “Let’s check how dilated she is. THIS IS RIDICULOUS.”

17. Dwight in that TransAm – ohmyword it made me howl. And when he thew the sword out the window? Delightful.

18. “I’ve gotta go wash my eyes.”

19. “Love you. As a friend.”

20. “I searched everywhere, but I didn’t find it. What I did find was mold. And lots of it. So I did what anyone would do: I read a book, had a bath, got a good night’s sleep and made plans to eradicate it. I also made plans to ask Jim where he bought his marvelous sheets. Time to get to work.”

21. Meredith: “Like Clooney.”

22. “Oh good. You know everything.”

23. “Say nothing. You will learn to love me.”

24. “Read the fax. I’m asking you out.”

25. “I couldn’t find your iPod.”

Okay. So maybe not so much with the Andy. But it was a Dwight Showcase, and for that I am deeply grateful.

Plus: a sweet baby girl. It was an embarrassment of Office riches.

What did y’all think?

I know. I KNOW. “The Office” was new last night. But I haven’t watched it yet. It is, however, first on my must-see-TV agenda. And I’m a little embarrassed to tell you why I missed “The Office,” so just let me whisper “it rhymes with Teal Mousefives” and then cover my eyes and shield myself from your scorn.

I’m sorry. I’M SORRY.

(But did anybody see it when Ramona said “she’s making a mountain out of a hole”? It was right up there with last season’s “kudooz.” MADE ME SO HAPPY.)

Anyway, I just wanted to take a break from my trivial goings-on and make sure to remind y’all about the Compassion bloggers in Kenya. I’ve read some beautiful posts over the last couple of days, and right now I’m taking in Ryan’s beautiful photographs. We all have such an incredible opportunity to make a difference through a one-to-one relationship with a child.

Hope y’all have a wonderful weekend – and if I watch “The Office” later tonight, I’ll be back.

(I just said that like the Terminator.)

(It made me laugh.)

(I’m so mature.)

Anybody else’s ears still ringing from that last note Siobhan Magnus hit at the end of “Think”?

Sweet mercy. I think my windshield may have shattered.

Tonight was sort of a mixed bag for the girls, and I really wanted to hug Haeley Vaughn and Didi Bernami. Honestly, I thought the judges were a little hard on Didi, and you could tell that she was so stinkin’ frustrated in terms of trying to figure out how to please them.

But there were definitely some standouts. I really liked Crystal Bowersox (who’s in a little bit of a league of her own), Katelyn Epperly (yes, the song was slow, but it was interesting) and Paige Miles (her voice reminds me a little bit of Whitney – pre-Bobby B., of course).

What did y’all think? Any favorites yet?

If you’re joining the Linky, please add the link for your specific post – not just your general blog URL.

I don’t know how else to say this, so I’ll just, well, say it:

This winter has kicked my tail.

KICKED MY TAIL.

And believe you me, I have tried to figure out why. Maybe it’s because I was in a little bit of a funk at the end of fall (wemustneverspeakofmybirthdayagain). Maybe it’s because our wintertime holidays didn’t pan out exactly like I hoped they would. Maybe it’s because I got sick over Christmas and spent about four days in the bed, which really only served to make me want to spend more time in the bed. Maybe it’s because All The Gray started to rub me the wrong way around, oh, December 1st, and it’s pretty much been gray for the three months since then. Maybe God wanted me to walk through some sadness and some lonely for a little while. Maybe I’m just hormonal.

But this much I know for sure: I AM READY FOR SOME SUNSHINE.

(And yes, I know that given where I live, I’ve had a mild go of it in terms of winter weather.)

(Which is why this winter’s emotional state has left me more convinced than ever that I MUST NEVER LEAVE THE SOUTH.)

Yesterday afternoon Alex and I were at the post office, and the trees had huge buds on them. I actually took a picture so I could have a little visual reminder that the spring, it is coming. I bought some new nail polish this past weekend because I thought it might make me feel better to have a pretty spring color on my fingers and toes. I’ve been listening to a bunch of new music so I can make my spring soundtrack selections (I always have a spring soundtrack – it’s one of the great joys in my life, and I highly recommend it).

And this morning, when I walked outside, I heard some birds singing. I smiled and thought, Oh. This is a VERY good sign.

Bring it on, sweet spring.

Two quick things before I put up the Mr. Linky:

1) I don’t need to hear any Idol contestant sing “What’s Love Got To Do With It” or “My Girl” ever again in my whole life ever and I’M NOT KIDDING ONE BIT ABOUT THAT.

2) I thought Michael Lynche and Lee Dewyze were great. Also: Alex Lambert is going to be one to watch when he gets a little more comfortable on stage.

What did y’all think?

p.s. If you’re doing the Linky thing, please add the link for your specific post – not just your general blog URL.