This will be brief as I still have a LOT to do on my paper, but I had to share with the blogosphere the weird incident that just went down.
Caitlin, Edwin and I decided that Ice Cream was calling our name. It does that from time to time. So we loaded up the Intrepid and headed over to Braum's. This was a quick run, so I am shoeless, Caitlin is wearing someone else's pants and Edwin is donning his flannel jammies. We had no intention of being presentable because well, we just wanted some dadgum dairy creaminess and there was no need to get all gussy'dup for the likes of the cows. Therefore, we went the route of the drive through. Edwin politely told the nice talking menu that we were feeling rather indecisive tonight so it might take a minute. *crickets chirp* Nothing...but silence. The awkward moment passes and the voice in the talking menu says, "Take your time. Order when you're ready." I turned to Caitlin and at the same time we realize the talking menu must not have known what indecisive meant and had to run for a Webster. We made up our minds, placed our order, and gathered up our goodies at the window. (Edwin paid because he ROCKS! and because I'm a doof and forgot my wallet.) We pull out of Braums and head through to parking lot to get back on Hall of Fame. We are on the East side of Blockbuster when I start hearing, "HEY!! HEEEEEYYY!!!" I turn around to see a flash of apron on our tail. I said, "Edwin, STOP! We're being chased!" (Hey...I never claimed to be brilliant, okay??) So Edwin stops, Caitlin rolls down her window and a Braum's guy (NOT the brilliant and wonderful drive thru guru Zach who totally got my order right) named Boseefus or somethin'er other thrust his hand throught the open window.
Okay, that was for dramatic effect.
He really just said that he had given us the wrong milkshake and was bringing us the correct one. I'm not kidding!! This kid ran out of the building, probably hurdling countertops and small children, to chase our car through the parking lots of two businesses to bring us a different milkshake. Now that's service. Or psychotic. You choose.
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Monday, December 26, 2005
I wonder how I'd look bald?
Why, you ask? CAUSE I'M PULLING MY HAIR OUT!!
These stupid winter intercession classes are designed for students who have NOTHING ELSE TO DO with their time. I am struggling to get this dadgum paper done. My
mother (God bless her) was off work today so she did some research for me. However, it was all on the internet and I have to have 15-20 sources that are a mix of magazines, books, internet and interviews. OMG. It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have a TEST over 5 chapters tomorrow!! I read the first chapter verbatum and did well on the practice test but I have a feeling I won't stay awake long enough to do anything but skim the rest. I'm not going to lunch tomorrow so that I can stay at work and study. That's where I have to take the exam so that my boss can proctor it. Ugh.
So why am I blogging, you ask? CAUSE I'M RETARDED.
And because I had to check my email to see if my instructor sent me any further messages about the test. So really, I'm not slacking as much as you'd think. Been studying for 6...hours... Brain...cramping...
P.S. Happy Birthday to my dear friend DREW tomorrow!!!!
These stupid winter intercession classes are designed for students who have NOTHING ELSE TO DO with their time. I am struggling to get this dadgum paper done. My
mother (God bless her) was off work today so she did some research for me. However, it was all on the internet and I have to have 15-20 sources that are a mix of magazines, books, internet and interviews. OMG. It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have a TEST over 5 chapters tomorrow!! I read the first chapter verbatum and did well on the practice test but I have a feeling I won't stay awake long enough to do anything but skim the rest. I'm not going to lunch tomorrow so that I can stay at work and study. That's where I have to take the exam so that my boss can proctor it. Ugh.
So why am I blogging, you ask? CAUSE I'M RETARDED.
And because I had to check my email to see if my instructor sent me any further messages about the test. So really, I'm not slacking as much as you'd think. Been studying for 6...hours... Brain...cramping...
P.S. Happy Birthday to my dear friend DREW tomorrow!!!!
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Friday, December 23, 2005
Last Straw
So I have decided to take a break from drowning my sorrows (Just kidding.) in a pint of Ben & Jerry's to tell you why at this very minute I have just experienced The Last Straw. Let me tell you how bad this day has turned out to be. Honestly, you'll laugh. I promise.
First off, I had to work open to close today, which honestly isn't all that bad. It's just lovely to complain about. :) Due to this fact, it was dark by the time I left and I had to go pet sit. Petsitting folks, is probably one of the easiest jobs known to man when it comes to this particular pet. He is super sweet and requires next to no attention regarding his litter box and food bowls. He is a great cat. So I accepted the task of taking care of him. I only had to go by once a day for two days and literally had to do very little. It was dark and I really couldn't remember where I was going so I drove very slowly until I found the house. I opened the door, went in and turned off the alarm system just as I was supposed to do. I checked on the kitty and made the rounds to make sure all in the house was as it should be. As I was leaving, I set the alarm system back and began to make my exit. As I opened the front door to depart from the more than likely MULTI MILLION DOLLAR HOME, I set off the dadgum ALARM! I'm serious people, I about s**t a brick and wet myself all at once. I slammed the door shut and of course...screamed bloody murder. I ran back across the house to disarm the system and then called for reinforcments. I called the home owners best friend and she attempted to walk me through resetting the system. Yeah, no such luck. So, I had to call the actual alarm company and they said they couldn't help me because I don't have any passwords. Crap with a capital RETARD! I then call the owner and had to leave a voicemail, because 'did they answer'? Ahhh...hell no. I spent a good 45 minutes freaking out between phone calls. I heard tires screech twice and assumed to cops were coming to get me. When no one rang the bell or busted down the front door, I had visions of them surrounding the house and watching me through the immense plate glass windows; waiting to pounce on me the second I opened the door to flee. In the end, all got sorted out and I left the house safe and sound...and fully armed!
I got home and began working on some homework. I have a paper to write that is due on the 28th. As I was sitting here, I started to notice a rather fowl smell. Come to find out, my lovely kitties decided to use my bedroom floor as their new open floorplan litter box. I went in to clean it and found that they had urinated AND defecated on the floor. I had to get rubber gloves and trash bags, people. OMG. They hate the special litter they have to use after their declaw. I'm seriously contemplating switching them back and saying to hell with it. I got the mess cleaned up and went into the kitchen to get some ice cream to cool my temper. I was scooping the ice cream from the carton when the spoon snapped clean in two and I slung half a carton of frozen dessert across the floor. All I could thing was, "DAMN!" I cleaned up my mess and decided to forgo the dessert option. I came in and sat down to call a friend and found out my phone is completely dead as a doornail. (What the crap does dead as a doornail mean, anyhow?)
Now, I am finishing my beer and watching the end of a sappy romantic comedy. "I think I'd miss you even if we never met." The day I meet a man who will say those words to me, is the day I've died and gone to Heaven. Don't worry all, I'll keep in touch when I get there. ;) I am going to call it a night now. Early to bed, early to rise. I will work on my assignment more tomorrow, but for now, I need to end this day, and end it quickly.
First off, I had to work open to close today, which honestly isn't all that bad. It's just lovely to complain about. :) Due to this fact, it was dark by the time I left and I had to go pet sit. Petsitting folks, is probably one of the easiest jobs known to man when it comes to this particular pet. He is super sweet and requires next to no attention regarding his litter box and food bowls. He is a great cat. So I accepted the task of taking care of him. I only had to go by once a day for two days and literally had to do very little. It was dark and I really couldn't remember where I was going so I drove very slowly until I found the house. I opened the door, went in and turned off the alarm system just as I was supposed to do. I checked on the kitty and made the rounds to make sure all in the house was as it should be. As I was leaving, I set the alarm system back and began to make my exit. As I opened the front door to depart from the more than likely MULTI MILLION DOLLAR HOME, I set off the dadgum ALARM! I'm serious people, I about s**t a brick and wet myself all at once. I slammed the door shut and of course...screamed bloody murder. I ran back across the house to disarm the system and then called for reinforcments. I called the home owners best friend and she attempted to walk me through resetting the system. Yeah, no such luck. So, I had to call the actual alarm company and they said they couldn't help me because I don't have any passwords. Crap with a capital RETARD! I then call the owner and had to leave a voicemail, because 'did they answer'? Ahhh...hell no. I spent a good 45 minutes freaking out between phone calls. I heard tires screech twice and assumed to cops were coming to get me. When no one rang the bell or busted down the front door, I had visions of them surrounding the house and watching me through the immense plate glass windows; waiting to pounce on me the second I opened the door to flee. In the end, all got sorted out and I left the house safe and sound...and fully armed!
I got home and began working on some homework. I have a paper to write that is due on the 28th. As I was sitting here, I started to notice a rather fowl smell. Come to find out, my lovely kitties decided to use my bedroom floor as their new open floorplan litter box. I went in to clean it and found that they had urinated AND defecated on the floor. I had to get rubber gloves and trash bags, people. OMG. They hate the special litter they have to use after their declaw. I'm seriously contemplating switching them back and saying to hell with it. I got the mess cleaned up and went into the kitchen to get some ice cream to cool my temper. I was scooping the ice cream from the carton when the spoon snapped clean in two and I slung half a carton of frozen dessert across the floor. All I could thing was, "DAMN!" I cleaned up my mess and decided to forgo the dessert option. I came in and sat down to call a friend and found out my phone is completely dead as a doornail. (What the crap does dead as a doornail mean, anyhow?)
Now, I am finishing my beer and watching the end of a sappy romantic comedy. "I think I'd miss you even if we never met." The day I meet a man who will say those words to me, is the day I've died and gone to Heaven. Don't worry all, I'll keep in touch when I get there. ;) I am going to call it a night now. Early to bed, early to rise. I will work on my assignment more tomorrow, but for now, I need to end this day, and end it quickly.
Holiday Humbug
Dear Santa,
I am beginning to feel dampened by the impending holiday and I HATE that. The Christmas season is my favorite time of year (minues the whole Winter thing) and I hate feeling that I'm ready for it to be over. I'm not tired of the usual things people complain about such as the music...the junk food...the 24 hour marathons of "A Christmas Story" and "It's a Wonderful Life". Those are in fact some of the things I cherish. I'm tired of the stress that comes along with the holidays. The stress of wondering if there will ever be someone to share the holiday's with. I'm sitting at home alone right now, watching a rerun of Friends and feeling sorry for myself. I think most of that has to do with the fact that I worked the long shift today, ate lots of sweets and am wondering if I will ever be able to get all of my projects done in time to actually enjoy the holiday. I tend to worry more about basic life issues when I'm tired and doped up on loads of sugary sustenance. I should have known to stop with the chocolate cake when my cheeks began to sweat. Haha!
I'm not trying to be a Grinch, because I am still FULL of the holiday spirit. I enjoy everything about this season. I would just really like my heart to grow three sizes this year.
I am beginning to feel dampened by the impending holiday and I HATE that. The Christmas season is my favorite time of year (minues the whole Winter thing) and I hate feeling that I'm ready for it to be over. I'm not tired of the usual things people complain about such as the music...the junk food...the 24 hour marathons of "A Christmas Story" and "It's a Wonderful Life". Those are in fact some of the things I cherish. I'm tired of the stress that comes along with the holidays. The stress of wondering if there will ever be someone to share the holiday's with. I'm sitting at home alone right now, watching a rerun of Friends and feeling sorry for myself. I think most of that has to do with the fact that I worked the long shift today, ate lots of sweets and am wondering if I will ever be able to get all of my projects done in time to actually enjoy the holiday. I tend to worry more about basic life issues when I'm tired and doped up on loads of sugary sustenance. I should have known to stop with the chocolate cake when my cheeks began to sweat. Haha!
I'm not trying to be a Grinch, because I am still FULL of the holiday spirit. I enjoy everything about this season. I would just really like my heart to grow three sizes this year.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Pilfed
Totally stole this from someone else. :)
Four jobs you've had in your life:
Swim Instructor for wee ones at Indian Mounds Pool, Quincy, IL
Holiday Help at The Buckle
Sales Associate at JCPenney's
Office 'Manager'/Receptionist at The Cat Clinic
Four movies you could watch over and over:
You've Got Mail
Return to Me
The Notebook
Flight of the Pheonix
Four places you've lived:
Enid, OK
Quincy, IL
Watonga, OK
Stillwater, OK
Four TV shows you love to watch:
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Trading Spaces
Paula Dean
Friends Reruns
Four places you've been on vacation:
San Antonio, TX
Disney World, Orlando, FL
Quincy, IL to see family
I don't have four!! Waaa!
Four websites you visit daily:
Dooce
Amalah
Facebook
Xanga- I have lots of friends with blogs there.
Four of your favorite food:
Chimichanga's from El Vaquero
Pizza
Shrimp Fettucini Alfredo
Ice Cream
Four places you'd rather be:
Quincy, IL
Disney World
My own apartment. I can't wait to decorate! Yeah!
Opening Christmas Presents! haha! Only 3 more days!
Four jobs you've had in your life:
Swim Instructor for wee ones at Indian Mounds Pool, Quincy, IL
Holiday Help at The Buckle
Sales Associate at JCPenney's
Office 'Manager'/Receptionist at The Cat Clinic
Four movies you could watch over and over:
You've Got Mail
Return to Me
The Notebook
Flight of the Pheonix
Four places you've lived:
Enid, OK
Quincy, IL
Watonga, OK
Stillwater, OK
Four TV shows you love to watch:
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Trading Spaces
Paula Dean
Friends Reruns
Four places you've been on vacation:
San Antonio, TX
Disney World, Orlando, FL
Quincy, IL to see family
I don't have four!! Waaa!
Four websites you visit daily:
Dooce
Amalah
Xanga- I have lots of friends with blogs there.
Four of your favorite food:
Chimichanga's from El Vaquero
Pizza
Shrimp Fettucini Alfredo
Ice Cream
Four places you'd rather be:
Quincy, IL
Disney World
My own apartment. I can't wait to decorate! Yeah!
Opening Christmas Presents! haha! Only 3 more days!
Boondock Saints
This has to be one of the most disturbing scenes in a movie that I have witnessed to date. Guy accidentally shoots his druggy girlfriends cat and splatters it on the wall. EEWW! Gross, right? Best part? This conversation followed...
"I can't believe that just f****n' happened!"
"Is it dead?"
Is it dead?! For the love of Pete and all that is cowboy...is it dead? Sheesh.
What is the weirdest/most memorable movie scene you can think of?
"I can't believe that just f****n' happened!"
"Is it dead?"
Is it dead?! For the love of Pete and all that is cowboy...is it dead? Sheesh.
What is the weirdest/most memorable movie scene you can think of?
Monday, December 19, 2005
Ugh!
YUCK!
I got home from studying and watching a Christmas movie with my lovely co-workers to find a HUGE pile of liquidy spew in the middle of my bedroom floor. Edwin had called me earlier to let me know that Fuji threw up, but I couldn't find it anywhere in the house but my room. Eeew. He also (or it could have been his partner in crime) crapped behind my computer armoir. Picture this folks. Me, crouched down as far as I can be, as close to the desk as I can be, with my left arm fully behind the armoir, holding a paper towel roll. I'm attempting to scoop the poo into the tube so I can remove it without having to move the entire piece of furniture. OMG, what a task. Both cats were sitting in the floor watching me like, "What are you doing?! I put that there for a blasted reason you silly human!!" I have no idea what is wrong with him and why all of a sudden he is throwing up and not using his litter box. Insanity! Now, I am blogging, when I should be dadgum studying for the test I have in Media & Society tomorrow. Not kidding. The class started today and I have my first test tomorrow. On top of that, I have a photography assignment due tomorrow night and I don't have the pics done. I have to take a few more and get them transfered to black and white and then have them all printed before class tomorrow night. OMG. Freaking out. I am thinking Journalism wasn't the best option for me now, because deadlines...they are not my friend. :) Some changes need to be made around here, just not quite sure what yet.
I got home from studying and watching a Christmas movie with my lovely co-workers to find a HUGE pile of liquidy spew in the middle of my bedroom floor. Edwin had called me earlier to let me know that Fuji threw up, but I couldn't find it anywhere in the house but my room. Eeew. He also (or it could have been his partner in crime) crapped behind my computer armoir. Picture this folks. Me, crouched down as far as I can be, as close to the desk as I can be, with my left arm fully behind the armoir, holding a paper towel roll. I'm attempting to scoop the poo into the tube so I can remove it without having to move the entire piece of furniture. OMG, what a task. Both cats were sitting in the floor watching me like, "What are you doing?! I put that there for a blasted reason you silly human!!" I have no idea what is wrong with him and why all of a sudden he is throwing up and not using his litter box. Insanity! Now, I am blogging, when I should be dadgum studying for the test I have in Media & Society tomorrow. Not kidding. The class started today and I have my first test tomorrow. On top of that, I have a photography assignment due tomorrow night and I don't have the pics done. I have to take a few more and get them transfered to black and white and then have them all printed before class tomorrow night. OMG. Freaking out. I am thinking Journalism wasn't the best option for me now, because deadlines...they are not my friend. :) Some changes need to be made around here, just not quite sure what yet.
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Wonder
Have you ever been friends with someone and in a weird, twisted combination of slowly and all at once, you begin to realize that you care much more for them then they do for you? I'm so blind. It took me quite some time to realize that this was happening and now, all I want to do is stand in my front yard and yell it into the winter; get it off my chest; let it go. How do you let something like that go?
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Mish Mash
Here it is, Thursday night. The 'End of Finals Eve' if you will. I have one more final tomorrow afternoon and I'm done!! Well...then I start ANOTHER class for the winter intercession on Monday. Blech. None of my grades have been posted yet so I'm a little anxious. Okay, a LOT anxious. I know I passed everything, I just want to know by how much.
Tonight was a good night. Edwin, Caitlin, Matt and I went to dinner together. We haven't spent that much time together in a LOOONG time. With busy schedules and prior engagements, we just never seem to coordinate everyone together. We had a good time at dinner and played with a 25 cent bouncy ball when we got home that Cait bought me out of the toy machine at the restaurant! haha! Such fun. Cait and I worked on some Christmas presents and holiday cards and I also did some studying for my Algebra final. Matt ran off to study for his big exam tomorrow so Ed, Cait and I watched The Santa Clause. I LOVE that movie! "I love you Santa Clause."
My kitties are spending the night at The Cat Clinic tonight and it makes me really sad. I made the decision to declaw (and neuter), which I was battling with terribly. Everyone (except for a select few) decided it would be funny to refer to me as "a bad mom" and make me feel even more horrible for "ripping out their toes". Such nice people I work with. I know they're kidding, but I thank God that they keep their mouths shut with real clients. Oh wait. I AM A REAL DADGUM CLIENT. My cats were in their care and I am a paying customer. I guess I'm just upset because I had such a hard time deciding to do that and I resent the fact that I'm made out to be a bad person because of it, kidding or not. Oh well. The boys get to come home tomorrow and I am so happy! I miss my little fur balls. I miss them sitting in the bathroom with me while I'm getting ready in the morning. Kodak chasing his tail in the corner, Fuji licking the condensation off the tile. I can only hope, with the thoughts "The schnozberries taste like schnozberries" running through his little head. They are such a comfort as only a pet can be. All snuggled up warm in bed with me at night; the static electricity from their fur sending up sparks and hisses like smoke signals in the night. I know they can be awnry but, they're kittens. That's what they do, and I wouldn't have them any other way.
My friend Melissa and I went to look at apartments yesterday. She is looking at potentially moving with her husband and depending on the housing situation next year, I will more than likely be looking for a new residence. I found one I really want! My friend Misty lives there now and I could potentially take over her lease in May if all worked out. It's a cute little two bedroom with a HUGE kitchen and my cats are welcome there. I would be in walking distance of the laundry and to the pool. That's right, the POOL! It would be closer to work, church, my mom and Meridian where I take my photography class. (It will be over way before May, but I'm hoping to take more.) It's in a really nice area and is surrounded by mostly adults and no irritating, party hungry, freshman. Besides the fact that it's nice, Misty is one of those people who 'gets things done'. She got them to put in a new bathtub, sink, etc and is having new screens put on the windows and a peep hole put in next spring. She is also anal about things being clean, so I know that I will move into a clean apartment and I won't be confronted with the normal moving day heebie jeebies where you don flip flops in the shower and whatnot. My rent is going to spike astronomically, but hopefully I'll be able to work things out. It's going to be expensive to live by myself no matter what, and this place makes me feel safe and I know I could make it home. We'll just have to see what the next six months hold. Actually, preleasing starts in March and if I want her place, I'll more than likely have to stake my claim on it soon. Ugh. Decisions, decisions.
Well, it's getting late and I have to work in the morning. (Why do I even mention that? Everyone knows I work EVERY morning.) ha! Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
Tonight was a good night. Edwin, Caitlin, Matt and I went to dinner together. We haven't spent that much time together in a LOOONG time. With busy schedules and prior engagements, we just never seem to coordinate everyone together. We had a good time at dinner and played with a 25 cent bouncy ball when we got home that Cait bought me out of the toy machine at the restaurant! haha! Such fun. Cait and I worked on some Christmas presents and holiday cards and I also did some studying for my Algebra final. Matt ran off to study for his big exam tomorrow so Ed, Cait and I watched The Santa Clause. I LOVE that movie! "I love you Santa Clause."
My kitties are spending the night at The Cat Clinic tonight and it makes me really sad. I made the decision to declaw (and neuter), which I was battling with terribly. Everyone (except for a select few) decided it would be funny to refer to me as "a bad mom" and make me feel even more horrible for "ripping out their toes". Such nice people I work with. I know they're kidding, but I thank God that they keep their mouths shut with real clients. Oh wait. I AM A REAL DADGUM CLIENT. My cats were in their care and I am a paying customer. I guess I'm just upset because I had such a hard time deciding to do that and I resent the fact that I'm made out to be a bad person because of it, kidding or not. Oh well. The boys get to come home tomorrow and I am so happy! I miss my little fur balls. I miss them sitting in the bathroom with me while I'm getting ready in the morning. Kodak chasing his tail in the corner, Fuji licking the condensation off the tile. I can only hope, with the thoughts "The schnozberries taste like schnozberries" running through his little head. They are such a comfort as only a pet can be. All snuggled up warm in bed with me at night; the static electricity from their fur sending up sparks and hisses like smoke signals in the night. I know they can be awnry but, they're kittens. That's what they do, and I wouldn't have them any other way.
My friend Melissa and I went to look at apartments yesterday. She is looking at potentially moving with her husband and depending on the housing situation next year, I will more than likely be looking for a new residence. I found one I really want! My friend Misty lives there now and I could potentially take over her lease in May if all worked out. It's a cute little two bedroom with a HUGE kitchen and my cats are welcome there. I would be in walking distance of the laundry and to the pool. That's right, the POOL! It would be closer to work, church, my mom and Meridian where I take my photography class. (It will be over way before May, but I'm hoping to take more.) It's in a really nice area and is surrounded by mostly adults and no irritating, party hungry, freshman. Besides the fact that it's nice, Misty is one of those people who 'gets things done'. She got them to put in a new bathtub, sink, etc and is having new screens put on the windows and a peep hole put in next spring. She is also anal about things being clean, so I know that I will move into a clean apartment and I won't be confronted with the normal moving day heebie jeebies where you don flip flops in the shower and whatnot. My rent is going to spike astronomically, but hopefully I'll be able to work things out. It's going to be expensive to live by myself no matter what, and this place makes me feel safe and I know I could make it home. We'll just have to see what the next six months hold. Actually, preleasing starts in March and if I want her place, I'll more than likely have to stake my claim on it soon. Ugh. Decisions, decisions.
Well, it's getting late and I have to work in the morning. (Why do I even mention that? Everyone knows I work EVERY morning.) ha! Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Comfort
I received this by email and found great comfort in it tonight. I pray that each of you find peace and know that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
Dear Lord, I thank You for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you.
I ask now for Your forgiveness. Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You. Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. And It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits.
I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those that don't believe.
But I thank you that I believe. I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met. I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees it.
Dear Lord, I thank You for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you.
I ask now for Your forgiveness. Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You. Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. And It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits.
I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those that don't believe.
But I thank you that I believe. I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met. I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees it.
Monday, December 12, 2005
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Numbers
Name Twenty People: (these are in no order of preference)
1. Caitlin
2. Kristen R.
3. Edwin
4. Matthew
5. Shana
6. Sue Ann
7. Jacey
8. Brent R.
9. Misty
10. Michael W.
11. Melissa
12. Liz R.
13. Katie
14. Drew
15. Suzanne
16. Sherene
17. Lynette
18. Amanda R.
19. Nathan
20. Clint
-How did you meet 13?
I met her when she started working at our office and I got to train her. LOVE HER!
-What would you do if you never met 5?
I would be very sad. She has turned out to be a great friend and co-worker.
-What do you honestly think of 10?
He is the best brother a girl could ask for, even though he drives me absolutely insane and I am thankful each and every day that we don't live together. :)
-Have you ever liked 1?
Well yeah! She's my girlfriend! J/J I have always liked her, she is a great friend.
-Would 4 and 11 make a good couple?
Absolutely not. 4 is married, for one, and I have NO idea what in the world 11 sees in girls these days. I'd be a very bad judge to pair him up with anyone.
-Do you think that 12 is hot?
She's a hottie!! She's a LIZ!
-Would 1 and 17 make a good couple?
17 might think so! hahaha! BUT NO! Besides, 1 is with 3.
-On a scale of 1-10, how cute is 14?
Could this have landed on a better number?! 14 is THE hottest thing since the toaster. So hot in fact, I'd let him have my babies.
-What language does 19 speak?
He totally speaks my language. He speaks Slushi.
-Who is 8 dating?
Well he better not be dating anyone or I'll have him up shit creek so fast he won't know what hit him!! He's married the the ever wonderful number 2. LOVE HIM!
-Is 9 a boy or a girl?
Such a girly girl! "Water with lemon, please." LOVE HER!
-When is the last time you talked to 18?
It's been a few weeks I guess. When I went to take pictures of her squishy baby!!! :)
-What’s 3’s favorite band?
TOOL
-Does 2 have siblings?
Me! Oh and some other biological siblings (but who's counting genes?), Brian, Carrie and Clayton
-Would you ever go on a date with 7?
Um, already have! Who do you think was always in charge of gettin' me shitfaced?
-Is 15 single?
Oh who knows. This girl is always with someone new and I can NEVER keep track. :)
-What’s 4’s middle name?
Todd
-What’s 20’s fantasy?
To marry me!! Duh.
1. Caitlin
2. Kristen R.
3. Edwin
4. Matthew
5. Shana
6. Sue Ann
7. Jacey
8. Brent R.
9. Misty
10. Michael W.
11. Melissa
12. Liz R.
13. Katie
14. Drew
15. Suzanne
16. Sherene
17. Lynette
18. Amanda R.
19. Nathan
20. Clint
-How did you meet 13?
I met her when she started working at our office and I got to train her. LOVE HER!
-What would you do if you never met 5?
I would be very sad. She has turned out to be a great friend and co-worker.
-What do you honestly think of 10?
He is the best brother a girl could ask for, even though he drives me absolutely insane and I am thankful each and every day that we don't live together. :)
-Have you ever liked 1?
Well yeah! She's my girlfriend! J/J I have always liked her, she is a great friend.
-Would 4 and 11 make a good couple?
Absolutely not. 4 is married, for one, and I have NO idea what in the world 11 sees in girls these days. I'd be a very bad judge to pair him up with anyone.
-Do you think that 12 is hot?
She's a hottie!! She's a LIZ!
-Would 1 and 17 make a good couple?
17 might think so! hahaha! BUT NO! Besides, 1 is with 3.
-On a scale of 1-10, how cute is 14?
Could this have landed on a better number?! 14 is THE hottest thing since the toaster. So hot in fact, I'd let him have my babies.
-What language does 19 speak?
He totally speaks my language. He speaks Slushi.
-Who is 8 dating?
Well he better not be dating anyone or I'll have him up shit creek so fast he won't know what hit him!! He's married the the ever wonderful number 2. LOVE HIM!
-Is 9 a boy or a girl?
Such a girly girl! "Water with lemon, please." LOVE HER!
-When is the last time you talked to 18?
It's been a few weeks I guess. When I went to take pictures of her squishy baby!!! :)
-What’s 3’s favorite band?
TOOL
-Does 2 have siblings?
Me! Oh and some other biological siblings (but who's counting genes?), Brian, Carrie and Clayton
-Would you ever go on a date with 7?
Um, already have! Who do you think was always in charge of gettin' me shitfaced?
-Is 15 single?
Oh who knows. This girl is always with someone new and I can NEVER keep track. :)
-What’s 4’s middle name?
Todd
-What’s 20’s fantasy?
To marry me!! Duh.
Ketchup Catch-up
Alrighty, so I guess it is time for a quick update. (JUST TO APPEASE KRISTEN!) :) I am taking a break from studying for finals, so please bear with me...my mind is mush.
Last weekend was GREAT! My best friend Kristen and her DARLING baby Reagan came to stay the weekend with me. It was filled with food, shopping and lots and lots of girl talk. Couldn't have asked for better. Unfortunatley though, poor baby Reagan was allergic to her antibiotic and we had to take her to the Emergency room on Sunday. She is doing just fine but we wanted to make sure that she was okay. Too many stinky diapers for one little tush to endure! Poor baby! We went to lunch that day and she INHALED an entire cup of ranch dressing at Joe's. I don't think I have laughed that hard in quite some time. Seriously, picture a shirtless baby, squealing like a monkey, completely covered in gooey ranch dressing. Priceless. By about noon I was beginning to have a mild headache so we went to eat and I took some medicine. By the time they left at 3ish, my head was swimming. I distincly remember running past Edwin (with such speed that I believe he may have feared for his life) saying, "I don't feel so well." From that point on, from approximately 4:30pm to about 3:00am Monday morning I threw up every solitary hour. I'm not talking mild nausea here people, I'm talking my shoulders KILLED me the next day and it hurt to cough, sneeze or even laugh. At about 1:30 Edwin woke up to me running down the hall to the bathroom. (I still feel really bad about that, Ed.) He said, "I know you're not okay, but are you okay?" Between meek and pathetic wimpers I said, "I don't know." I DON'T KNOW?! Holy crap, I'm retarded. He told me he would sleep with his cell phone and I was to call him if I needed anything. By 3am, I had an iron like taste in my mouth and everything that came up had an orangish/red tint. (I KNOW you wanted to know that!!) I feared I was vomiting blood so I was sitting in bed dialing Edwin's phone number, while putting on my shoes. He answered with a groggy, "hello?" and then got up to drive me to the emergency room. We sat there for a short time while I filled out paper work and then they took me back into triage. We went through all the routine stuff and I had normal vitals aside from dehydration. I was put on an IV with some happy, anti-nausea meds. Prior to that HOWEVER, a nurse attempted to put an IV in the top of my right hand and blew the vain. I later found out by an RN in one of my classes that he was new and she couldn't stand him. Greeeaat... He didn't know to take off the turnicate in order to stop the bleeding until another nurse walked in and told him. Dork. So I have a rather fancy bruise on the top of my hand that gets prettier and prettier every day. There was a nice sized blood stain on my bed too. The nurses response to my bleeding: "Good thing we're putting in an IV in case we need to give you more blood." THANKS! ASS. I am sure he was joking, but yeah, SO NOT FUNNY. The nurse who came to my rescue was nice. I like her. Ms. Rescue Nurse. Dumbass left and Ms. Rescue Nurse went to get Edwin for me. He sat in the hospital with me for 2 HOURS while I slept and got IV fluids. It was 5am before we left the hospital and then he took me to the pharmacy to fill my "anti-nausea-heaven-in-a-tube". If that's not a great friend, I don't know what is. Is there some kind of medal for that? Well, there should be. I missed the next two days of work and school and lost 10 pounds in the process. I have yet to eat three meals a day but I was however able to eat an ENTIRE meal yesterday without the slightest hint of "OMG! I'm gonna be sick." It was the first time I hadn't felt sick after eating. YAY!
My sick days have now rolled into Final's Week and a whole new form of nausea. Before any of that gets started though, I had one last hurrah! Katie, Misty and I went to OKC yesterday to go shopping for one of our adopted Christmas families. We had raised (with the help of MY FAMILY!) over $600. We were able to adopt two families and SPOIL.THEM.ROTTEN. We had two carts worth of goodies and had to make two trips to the car. I'm not kidding. This kid is going to have an amazing Christmas. I wish so badly that we could be there to see him open his gifts. I can only imagine how happy the mom will be too. Not only did she get great gifts as well, but to see the look on Nicholas' face when he sees what Santa brought? Magical. I am so honored to be involved in such a great project and I am doubly blessed at the great family I have for donating. You have truly helped a mothers wish come true this Christmas. Next week, we are going again!! This time for 2 year old Caden. I am so excited! I look forward to this every year!
NOW, let the nausea set in. I got up this morning and got ready for church early so I could sit and study before we left. Church was great today as always and I left feeling renewed. We went and met Edwin's parents for lunch at Mazzio's and then headed home for more studying. I worked on my identifications and essay's for history and then began the task of studying for macroeconomics. My two worst tests are TOMORROW! My friend Melissa is coming over in a few minutes and we are going to work on macro together. Maybe if we tag team this beast, we'll survive. Ugh.
Last weekend was GREAT! My best friend Kristen and her DARLING baby Reagan came to stay the weekend with me. It was filled with food, shopping and lots and lots of girl talk. Couldn't have asked for better. Unfortunatley though, poor baby Reagan was allergic to her antibiotic and we had to take her to the Emergency room on Sunday. She is doing just fine but we wanted to make sure that she was okay. Too many stinky diapers for one little tush to endure! Poor baby! We went to lunch that day and she INHALED an entire cup of ranch dressing at Joe's. I don't think I have laughed that hard in quite some time. Seriously, picture a shirtless baby, squealing like a monkey, completely covered in gooey ranch dressing. Priceless. By about noon I was beginning to have a mild headache so we went to eat and I took some medicine. By the time they left at 3ish, my head was swimming. I distincly remember running past Edwin (with such speed that I believe he may have feared for his life) saying, "I don't feel so well." From that point on, from approximately 4:30pm to about 3:00am Monday morning I threw up every solitary hour. I'm not talking mild nausea here people, I'm talking my shoulders KILLED me the next day and it hurt to cough, sneeze or even laugh. At about 1:30 Edwin woke up to me running down the hall to the bathroom. (I still feel really bad about that, Ed.) He said, "I know you're not okay, but are you okay?" Between meek and pathetic wimpers I said, "I don't know." I DON'T KNOW?! Holy crap, I'm retarded. He told me he would sleep with his cell phone and I was to call him if I needed anything. By 3am, I had an iron like taste in my mouth and everything that came up had an orangish/red tint. (I KNOW you wanted to know that!!) I feared I was vomiting blood so I was sitting in bed dialing Edwin's phone number, while putting on my shoes. He answered with a groggy, "hello?" and then got up to drive me to the emergency room. We sat there for a short time while I filled out paper work and then they took me back into triage. We went through all the routine stuff and I had normal vitals aside from dehydration. I was put on an IV with some happy, anti-nausea meds. Prior to that HOWEVER, a nurse attempted to put an IV in the top of my right hand and blew the vain. I later found out by an RN in one of my classes that he was new and she couldn't stand him. Greeeaat... He didn't know to take off the turnicate in order to stop the bleeding until another nurse walked in and told him. Dork. So I have a rather fancy bruise on the top of my hand that gets prettier and prettier every day. There was a nice sized blood stain on my bed too. The nurses response to my bleeding: "Good thing we're putting in an IV in case we need to give you more blood." THANKS! ASS. I am sure he was joking, but yeah, SO NOT FUNNY. The nurse who came to my rescue was nice. I like her. Ms. Rescue Nurse. Dumbass left and Ms. Rescue Nurse went to get Edwin for me. He sat in the hospital with me for 2 HOURS while I slept and got IV fluids. It was 5am before we left the hospital and then he took me to the pharmacy to fill my "anti-nausea-heaven-in-a-tube". If that's not a great friend, I don't know what is. Is there some kind of medal for that? Well, there should be. I missed the next two days of work and school and lost 10 pounds in the process. I have yet to eat three meals a day but I was however able to eat an ENTIRE meal yesterday without the slightest hint of "OMG! I'm gonna be sick." It was the first time I hadn't felt sick after eating. YAY!
My sick days have now rolled into Final's Week and a whole new form of nausea. Before any of that gets started though, I had one last hurrah! Katie, Misty and I went to OKC yesterday to go shopping for one of our adopted Christmas families. We had raised (with the help of MY FAMILY!) over $600. We were able to adopt two families and SPOIL.THEM.ROTTEN. We had two carts worth of goodies and had to make two trips to the car. I'm not kidding. This kid is going to have an amazing Christmas. I wish so badly that we could be there to see him open his gifts. I can only imagine how happy the mom will be too. Not only did she get great gifts as well, but to see the look on Nicholas' face when he sees what Santa brought? Magical. I am so honored to be involved in such a great project and I am doubly blessed at the great family I have for donating. You have truly helped a mothers wish come true this Christmas. Next week, we are going again!! This time for 2 year old Caden. I am so excited! I look forward to this every year!
NOW, let the nausea set in. I got up this morning and got ready for church early so I could sit and study before we left. Church was great today as always and I left feeling renewed. We went and met Edwin's parents for lunch at Mazzio's and then headed home for more studying. I worked on my identifications and essay's for history and then began the task of studying for macroeconomics. My two worst tests are TOMORROW! My friend Melissa is coming over in a few minutes and we are going to work on macro together. Maybe if we tag team this beast, we'll survive. Ugh.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
While I'm here...
I'm totally going to steal this from Steph because I think it is a fun idea! I created a list a while back called "100 Things About Me". Well, nows your chance to fill in your answers. Email me here and tell me one or more things about myself. Good or bad, they will all be added to the list of "100 Things About Me: By You". What fun! Or not? Be gentle. :)
Also, as mentioned in the previous post, I have to take 6 of my best photographs from the past 2 months to my class on Tuesday night. Are there any specific photos that any of you have liked that you think might qualify as one of my best?
Also, as mentioned in the previous post, I have to take 6 of my best photographs from the past 2 months to my class on Tuesday night. Are there any specific photos that any of you have liked that you think might qualify as one of my best?
Bad Landings
Today I am discussing bad landings, but in more than one context.
First off, the flight home from St. Louis was AWFUL. The whole flight was unbelievably turbulent and I had to continuously pray that I wouldn't throw up on anyone. Not to mention, praying that we wouldn't crash. Multiple times our altitude dropped and I got that weird "wee" feeling you get when you drive over a big, unexpected hill. Or when you sail over the top of a great roller-coaster. This however, was not nearly as fun and I never once said "wee". As we were coming in for our landing, a decrease in speed was not felt and sent many passengers into a panic. Myself included. We were coming in at a dramatic angle and the man sitting next to me kept repeating, "Straighten up. Please straighten up." Our left rear tire hit the runway and we bounced off. Our right rear tire hit, we bounced. Finally, both tires hit at the same time and we were greeted by the runway. Passengers grabbed the seats in front of them to brace themselves agains the force and then held on as we finally reduced speed. Remember when you were 16 and learning to drive? You would hit the brake before you even knew how touchy it was and it would throw you and your passengers hurtling into your seatbelts? Yeah, so happened. When we finally came to a full stop, we all looked around at each other as if to say, "We made it?" The poor girl in front of me was white as a sheet. A dear woman across the aisle held her hand for majority of the flight and talked about random facts of life in order to distract her. The dear soul who had been sitting next to me said, "Interesting flight, huh?" I replied with, "Yes. Interesting landing." I then asked if he had been praying. He said yes with a somewhat sheepish grin. I prodded him more. "That I wouldn't throw up on you?" His grin grew as he nodded and said yes. :) We arrived safe and sound. I got off the plane and with hands shaking, called both of my parents to let them know that I had arrived. In movie fashion, I saw Edwin and Caitlin walk through the doors just as I was coming down the escalator. I went straight to Cait and gave her a big hug. "That was the worst flight EVER!" I was so glad to be on solid ground. We stood at baggage claim for a good half hour before we realized we were at the wrong carousel. Damnit. We had to go to the security desk and then back to an office where all unclaimed luggage gets hoarded. We found my bag and finally began the treck home. The wind had not let up at all and Edwin 'white-knuckled' it the whole way home. He did an amazing job, because I never even noticed that it was windy. I nodded off everynow and again and the next thing I knew, we were home. Home, Sweet Home.
On a completely different subject, I have been concidering changing my major to Journalism with an emphasis on Public Relations. I genuinely think this will make me happier than business ever could. However, I'm terrified. People always tell me I'm a good writer, but I have my own distinct style. I write like I talk and don't always use the appropriate punctuation. Or phrasing. And I worry that sometimes people compliment my writing merely to make me feel good. As much as I dearly appreciate that, I worry about it, because I am guilty of doing that. I dated a guy who I told all the time he was a wonderful singer because I knew it made him feel good about himself and I worried that he had a low self esteem. Now, I am haunted by the image that he may attempt music as a career and he will get laughed off the stage and that I will have had a hand in it. I don't want to be laughed off the job, people! And photography. There's another one. I love photography, but I am really good? What if everyone is telling me this because, "Oh, Liz needs something to make her feel good about herself." What if I really suck?! And in photography class on Tuesday I have to take 6 of my favorite photographs and have them critiqued. What if he laughs and is like, "You want to do what for a living?" What if I land myself in a job that I think I love and come to find out, I have zero talent for? Part of me thinks I should continue my mundane path of a Business degree and take the 'safe' route. The other part of me says, "Take a chance, Liz! For once in your life, be brave."
First off, the flight home from St. Louis was AWFUL. The whole flight was unbelievably turbulent and I had to continuously pray that I wouldn't throw up on anyone. Not to mention, praying that we wouldn't crash. Multiple times our altitude dropped and I got that weird "wee" feeling you get when you drive over a big, unexpected hill. Or when you sail over the top of a great roller-coaster. This however, was not nearly as fun and I never once said "wee". As we were coming in for our landing, a decrease in speed was not felt and sent many passengers into a panic. Myself included. We were coming in at a dramatic angle and the man sitting next to me kept repeating, "Straighten up. Please straighten up." Our left rear tire hit the runway and we bounced off. Our right rear tire hit, we bounced. Finally, both tires hit at the same time and we were greeted by the runway. Passengers grabbed the seats in front of them to brace themselves agains the force and then held on as we finally reduced speed. Remember when you were 16 and learning to drive? You would hit the brake before you even knew how touchy it was and it would throw you and your passengers hurtling into your seatbelts? Yeah, so happened. When we finally came to a full stop, we all looked around at each other as if to say, "We made it?" The poor girl in front of me was white as a sheet. A dear woman across the aisle held her hand for majority of the flight and talked about random facts of life in order to distract her. The dear soul who had been sitting next to me said, "Interesting flight, huh?" I replied with, "Yes. Interesting landing." I then asked if he had been praying. He said yes with a somewhat sheepish grin. I prodded him more. "That I wouldn't throw up on you?" His grin grew as he nodded and said yes. :) We arrived safe and sound. I got off the plane and with hands shaking, called both of my parents to let them know that I had arrived. In movie fashion, I saw Edwin and Caitlin walk through the doors just as I was coming down the escalator. I went straight to Cait and gave her a big hug. "That was the worst flight EVER!" I was so glad to be on solid ground. We stood at baggage claim for a good half hour before we realized we were at the wrong carousel. Damnit. We had to go to the security desk and then back to an office where all unclaimed luggage gets hoarded. We found my bag and finally began the treck home. The wind had not let up at all and Edwin 'white-knuckled' it the whole way home. He did an amazing job, because I never even noticed that it was windy. I nodded off everynow and again and the next thing I knew, we were home. Home, Sweet Home.
On a completely different subject, I have been concidering changing my major to Journalism with an emphasis on Public Relations. I genuinely think this will make me happier than business ever could. However, I'm terrified. People always tell me I'm a good writer, but I have my own distinct style. I write like I talk and don't always use the appropriate punctuation. Or phrasing. And I worry that sometimes people compliment my writing merely to make me feel good. As much as I dearly appreciate that, I worry about it, because I am guilty of doing that. I dated a guy who I told all the time he was a wonderful singer because I knew it made him feel good about himself and I worried that he had a low self esteem. Now, I am haunted by the image that he may attempt music as a career and he will get laughed off the stage and that I will have had a hand in it. I don't want to be laughed off the job, people! And photography. There's another one. I love photography, but I am really good? What if everyone is telling me this because, "Oh, Liz needs something to make her feel good about herself." What if I really suck?! And in photography class on Tuesday I have to take 6 of my favorite photographs and have them critiqued. What if he laughs and is like, "You want to do what for a living?" What if I land myself in a job that I think I love and come to find out, I have zero talent for? Part of me thinks I should continue my mundane path of a Business degree and take the 'safe' route. The other part of me says, "Take a chance, Liz! For once in your life, be brave."
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Arrivals & Departures
After landing in St. Louis, Dad and I gathered my luggage from the carousel and headed to his house. I was impressed by the area of St. Louis that his house is in. Honestly, it wasn't at all what I was expecting. I guess I had the stereotypical city in mind and then we turned down a tree-lined street with lanterns and Christmas lights. His home sits on a cute corner lot with large trees and within walking distance of a park. He gave me the grand tour and informed me that the back bedroom was mine. It was to be decorated by me and was designated as my place to stay when I visit or should I ever find a need to move there. It was a very nice, and appreciated, gesture. We then stayed up late baking sweet potatoes that we were in charge of for Thanksgiving dinner. We sat up and talked for quite some time. It was really nice to get to just sit and chat with my Dad. We hadn't honestly done that in quite some time. We have our differences, but we are working on them.
The next morning, I arose to the smell of fresh brewed coffee and the sounds of my dad saying, "Bubble, it's time to get up." Bubble. Man I haven't been called that in FOREVER. The story of why I am called Bubble will be for a later date. :) We got around early and began the 2 1/2 hour drive to Quincy, Illinois. We talked the whole way about everything from religion, to college majors, to family. It was a loooong drive though. My ass was asleep by Troy, MO.
Arriving at my Grandparents was different then I remember. Simply because I am a different person than I was when I left. I am older for one, so the little things I once brushed aside mean so much more. As I opened the front door, I was greated by the wonderful smells of a traditional family holiday and the warm hugs from my Grandparents. My Grandpa is what one would call a Marshmallow. He gets all giddy and childlike when he's happy. He pinched my cheeks and gave me a big hug. It's funny how you can't pin point exactly what you miss about a person until they do it. Who would of thought I'd miss him pinching my cheeks. haha! I helped myself to some homemade fudge and a diet coke (I know, what a combo.) and then sat and chatted with my Grandma. Grandpa finished up his noodles and then more family began to trickle in. Christine and Rob, my aunt and uncle, were first. They brought along their pug Coco who instantly stole the show. My animals have NO idea what spoiled really means. ;) Wear Coach collars, they will not, for mommy cannot afford them. My brother was next. He grabbed me in a bear hug and attempted to pick me up off the ground. Dork. But he's my dork and I love him. He gave me a new phone that I am super excited about! I love new gadgets. I'm easily amused. My uncle Mark was the last to arrive. He is by far, one of the funniest people I know, without even trying. He told me that I get prettier every time he sees me. For all of you 'favorite uncle wannabes'...BEAT THAT! Tell me I'm beautiful and you'll be in the running once more. We sat down to a HUGE meal and then half the family fell asleep in the living room floor. Christine and Rob left to visit some more family and the rest of us watched Christmas with the Kranks and then played a good ole fashioned family game of Oh, Hell. I'll have to teach everyone to play that cause it is FUN with a capital F! After the last round, Mark had to leave and meet some friends for the QHS Thanksgiving Basketball Tournament. I didn't go because Dad had to work the next day and we needed to head back to St. Louis by 7. Mike had to leave too, as he had a 3 hour drive ahead of him back to Bloomington. We said our goodbyes and headed out the door into the cold. The drive back was just as long, but once again, filled with good conversation. Dad and I ended up watching Dances with Wolves on television and then called it a night.
Friday was interesting as I had my dad's house all to myself for a looong time. He left for work at 8 and I was there alone until after 5. I wrote a paper for macroeconomics and studied for my impending exam. I also rearranged his living room. Haha! I changed the whole dadgum place to when he walked in the front door he just stood there like WTF? We ordered Imo's Pizza for dinner, which can I just say OMG!! People, we have got to petition to get an Imo's. Best damn pizza in the WORLD. We spent the rest of the evening rearranging some more and hanging pictures, cause girls, this was the ultimate BACHELOR pad. The man has approximately zero decorating skills. He had curtains hung in the living room. Straight from the package. Apparently wrinkles are in this season. ;) JUST KIDDING DAD! The next couple days seemed to kind of run together. We got up Saturday and went shopping, went to lunch, got a cat, hung more curtains. Yup...you caught that. Dad got a cat. Bubba. He is a 4 month old, neutered male, domestic shorthair, grey tabby with personality to spare. OMG this creature is insane. haha! He is so sweet and cuddly, but has more energy packed into his little body than he knows what to do with. And vocal! OMG is he ever vocal. My dad needed a little friend like that. He needed someone to talk to besides him self. So 'Bub' as he has been coined (get it, Bub, Bubble...) has made himself right at home and I think that both guys are very lucky to have each other. Along with the cat, I also talked my dad into getting a Christmas tree. SCROOGE here, hadn't had a tree in quite some time! I told him he HAD to atleast get a freakin' wreath or else everyone on his new block would know he was Ebenezer. We got out all of his old decorations from his mom and also the ones from when he was married to my mom. There were quite a few unique treasures that my brother and I had made. Frightening. :) The halls are now as decked as they can be. It makes me happy to know that he has some cheer to look at now. It's not healthy to go through Christmas without a little of it in your house and heart. Am I right?
Sunday, Dad and I got up and went to church and then came home and made a second "pretend" Thanksgiving dinner. We roasted a turkey and had sweet potatos. I made a coconut creme pie but forgot it was in the fridge and never ate any! UGH! haha! We went to downtown St. Louis and got pictures of the rubble at the old Busch Stadium. That was pretty cool! It was sad too; I can't even begin to tell you how many times I have been in that stadium. I saw the Cards (of course!), the Oakland A's, the Texas Rangers and countless others. I love a good baseball game! It makes me sad that it won't be there anymore, but at least there will be a new one in its place.
The flight home. Man, that is going to take a little longer to tell. I'm going to close this one for now. It is time to start the car and get it warmed up. I HATE THE COLD! But then again, I say that about the HEAT too. :) Happy day to all.
The next morning, I arose to the smell of fresh brewed coffee and the sounds of my dad saying, "Bubble, it's time to get up." Bubble. Man I haven't been called that in FOREVER. The story of why I am called Bubble will be for a later date. :) We got around early and began the 2 1/2 hour drive to Quincy, Illinois. We talked the whole way about everything from religion, to college majors, to family. It was a loooong drive though. My ass was asleep by Troy, MO.
Arriving at my Grandparents was different then I remember. Simply because I am a different person than I was when I left. I am older for one, so the little things I once brushed aside mean so much more. As I opened the front door, I was greated by the wonderful smells of a traditional family holiday and the warm hugs from my Grandparents. My Grandpa is what one would call a Marshmallow. He gets all giddy and childlike when he's happy. He pinched my cheeks and gave me a big hug. It's funny how you can't pin point exactly what you miss about a person until they do it. Who would of thought I'd miss him pinching my cheeks. haha! I helped myself to some homemade fudge and a diet coke (I know, what a combo.) and then sat and chatted with my Grandma. Grandpa finished up his noodles and then more family began to trickle in. Christine and Rob, my aunt and uncle, were first. They brought along their pug Coco who instantly stole the show. My animals have NO idea what spoiled really means. ;) Wear Coach collars, they will not, for mommy cannot afford them. My brother was next. He grabbed me in a bear hug and attempted to pick me up off the ground. Dork. But he's my dork and I love him. He gave me a new phone that I am super excited about! I love new gadgets. I'm easily amused. My uncle Mark was the last to arrive. He is by far, one of the funniest people I know, without even trying. He told me that I get prettier every time he sees me. For all of you 'favorite uncle wannabes'...BEAT THAT! Tell me I'm beautiful and you'll be in the running once more. We sat down to a HUGE meal and then half the family fell asleep in the living room floor. Christine and Rob left to visit some more family and the rest of us watched Christmas with the Kranks and then played a good ole fashioned family game of Oh, Hell. I'll have to teach everyone to play that cause it is FUN with a capital F! After the last round, Mark had to leave and meet some friends for the QHS Thanksgiving Basketball Tournament. I didn't go because Dad had to work the next day and we needed to head back to St. Louis by 7. Mike had to leave too, as he had a 3 hour drive ahead of him back to Bloomington. We said our goodbyes and headed out the door into the cold. The drive back was just as long, but once again, filled with good conversation. Dad and I ended up watching Dances with Wolves on television and then called it a night.
Friday was interesting as I had my dad's house all to myself for a looong time. He left for work at 8 and I was there alone until after 5. I wrote a paper for macroeconomics and studied for my impending exam. I also rearranged his living room. Haha! I changed the whole dadgum place to when he walked in the front door he just stood there like WTF? We ordered Imo's Pizza for dinner, which can I just say OMG!! People, we have got to petition to get an Imo's. Best damn pizza in the WORLD. We spent the rest of the evening rearranging some more and hanging pictures, cause girls, this was the ultimate BACHELOR pad. The man has approximately zero decorating skills. He had curtains hung in the living room. Straight from the package. Apparently wrinkles are in this season. ;) JUST KIDDING DAD! The next couple days seemed to kind of run together. We got up Saturday and went shopping, went to lunch, got a cat, hung more curtains. Yup...you caught that. Dad got a cat. Bubba. He is a 4 month old, neutered male, domestic shorthair, grey tabby with personality to spare. OMG this creature is insane. haha! He is so sweet and cuddly, but has more energy packed into his little body than he knows what to do with. And vocal! OMG is he ever vocal. My dad needed a little friend like that. He needed someone to talk to besides him self. So 'Bub' as he has been coined (get it, Bub, Bubble...) has made himself right at home and I think that both guys are very lucky to have each other. Along with the cat, I also talked my dad into getting a Christmas tree. SCROOGE here, hadn't had a tree in quite some time! I told him he HAD to atleast get a freakin' wreath or else everyone on his new block would know he was Ebenezer. We got out all of his old decorations from his mom and also the ones from when he was married to my mom. There were quite a few unique treasures that my brother and I had made. Frightening. :) The halls are now as decked as they can be. It makes me happy to know that he has some cheer to look at now. It's not healthy to go through Christmas without a little of it in your house and heart. Am I right?
Sunday, Dad and I got up and went to church and then came home and made a second "pretend" Thanksgiving dinner. We roasted a turkey and had sweet potatos. I made a coconut creme pie but forgot it was in the fridge and never ate any! UGH! haha! We went to downtown St. Louis and got pictures of the rubble at the old Busch Stadium. That was pretty cool! It was sad too; I can't even begin to tell you how many times I have been in that stadium. I saw the Cards (of course!), the Oakland A's, the Texas Rangers and countless others. I love a good baseball game! It makes me sad that it won't be there anymore, but at least there will be a new one in its place.
The flight home. Man, that is going to take a little longer to tell. I'm going to close this one for now. It is time to start the car and get it warmed up. I HATE THE COLD! But then again, I say that about the HEAT too. :) Happy day to all.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Gateway
On Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, I boarded a plane for St. Louis, Missouri. I made it to the airport safely thanks to my dear friends and roommates Edwin and Caitlin. I arrived in plenty of time to sit and read the book, The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Literally, I read the WHOLE thing. I was sitting in the airport for almost three hours. Honestly, it wasn't that busy. At least not nearly as bad as one would expect for the day before a major family holiday. I sat on the far end of gate C9, in a stream of sunlight, reading my book. It was peaceful and quiet and I was rather enjoying my few moments of solitude. Then, a man in uniform pushed an elderly woman in a wheel chair my way and said, "Here you go ma'am. You can sit next to this nice woman and keep her company." He proceeded to deposit the woman one seat away from me. She was quite possibly the most gruff and abrasive woman I had ever met. She never once acknowledged me or the fact that the nice gentleman had escorted her to a seat. The first thing she did was phone her children to tell them how awful her day had been. How the man who was to drive her to the airport was late and how in her rush to get into the car, she wasn't sure if she had locked her front door. She began shouting, no, YELLING at her son on the phone, asking him if he had tried to call her. This shouting match went on for at least 20-30 minutes and continued up until the moment I boarded the plane. Our flight was overbooked so the airline was taking volunteers to take a later flight. NOPE. No way was I going to sit next to the Spawn of Scrooge for another two hours. What a hateful woman. I smiled at her, hoping that a little cheer would maybe rub off on her, if only for a brief moment. Once again, NOPE. She went immediately back to yelling at every person she could get to answer the phone about how uncaring all the people who didn't answer their phones were. *Sigh* The woman did however create the opportunity for other passengers and I to trade sympathetic and humorous glances.
The airplane was the smallest plane I have ever been on. It also looked like it had the potential of being the oldest plane I had ever been on as well. There was one row of seats on the left side of the aircraft and two on the right side. There was an approximately 14 inch aisle seperating the two. Only one set of overhead compartments were available, so all of the people who had assumed they could take carry-ons, had to go back and have their bags checked at the entrance to the plane. Irritating? Oh, I bet. The flight was fairly uneventful. I finished reading my book (which I wasn't all too impressed with) and then stared out the window for the rest of the trip. It was amazing. I don't think I have ever flown at night before. If I have, I must have slept right through it because this was something I surely wouldn't have forgotten. The cities literally sparkled. A soft golden glow was a haze over each one. As we came over St. Louis, the plane lowered slightly, giving way to the views of tree tops that looked more like fuzzy, green quilts and long ropes of diamonds and rubies on the highways. Rivers and roadways snaked amongst each other. We flew over the remnants of Busch Stadium. It was a giant pit of dust with large machinery moving around inside it. The frame still stood, but the heart was gone. The Arch stood watch over the progress and acted as a beacon for visitors. We landed smoothly and all gathered our belongings. I walked off the plane and down the tunnel to my Dad who was waiting amidst the crowd. I was so ready to be off the plane, not because it was a bad flight, but because I hadn't spent a holiday with my family in five years. St. Louis wasn't home, but just as the Arch is the Gateway to the West, St. Louis was the Gateway to home.
The airplane was the smallest plane I have ever been on. It also looked like it had the potential of being the oldest plane I had ever been on as well. There was one row of seats on the left side of the aircraft and two on the right side. There was an approximately 14 inch aisle seperating the two. Only one set of overhead compartments were available, so all of the people who had assumed they could take carry-ons, had to go back and have their bags checked at the entrance to the plane. Irritating? Oh, I bet. The flight was fairly uneventful. I finished reading my book (which I wasn't all too impressed with) and then stared out the window for the rest of the trip. It was amazing. I don't think I have ever flown at night before. If I have, I must have slept right through it because this was something I surely wouldn't have forgotten. The cities literally sparkled. A soft golden glow was a haze over each one. As we came over St. Louis, the plane lowered slightly, giving way to the views of tree tops that looked more like fuzzy, green quilts and long ropes of diamonds and rubies on the highways. Rivers and roadways snaked amongst each other. We flew over the remnants of Busch Stadium. It was a giant pit of dust with large machinery moving around inside it. The frame still stood, but the heart was gone. The Arch stood watch over the progress and acted as a beacon for visitors. We landed smoothly and all gathered our belongings. I walked off the plane and down the tunnel to my Dad who was waiting amidst the crowd. I was so ready to be off the plane, not because it was a bad flight, but because I hadn't spent a holiday with my family in five years. St. Louis wasn't home, but just as the Arch is the Gateway to the West, St. Louis was the Gateway to home.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Countdown
So today I will be flying home for Thanksgiving.
Eek!
I have flown by myself before, many times in fact, but I still always get nervous that I am forgetting something. And, I've never flown this close to a holiday before either. I'm sure everything will go fine, I am just a supreme worrywort. I am going to print of my itenerary at work because my printer needs ink and Cait and Ed are sleeping. Don't want to use either of their printers without asking. I'm sure they wouldn't care, but I'll just do it at work. Besides, I was running a wee bit late this morning and wouldn't have stopped to do it anyway. (HOWEVER I will stop to blog because I am going to be in SUCH withdrawals for the next few days!!) I have to work until 12:30 and then it's off to seek the airport. Fun times. BIG thankyou to the great and wonderful Cait for printing off research for my blasted Macro paper and for Mom for taking Cait and I out for a scrumptious dinner! Way to boost the mood girls! :) You rock!
Now I'm going to gather up the boys and get them ready to board at the clinic. I'm gonna miss those little fur balls!!
I wish you all a safe and happy Thanksgiving!!
Love, Liz
Eek!
I have flown by myself before, many times in fact, but I still always get nervous that I am forgetting something. And, I've never flown this close to a holiday before either. I'm sure everything will go fine, I am just a supreme worrywort. I am going to print of my itenerary at work because my printer needs ink and Cait and Ed are sleeping. Don't want to use either of their printers without asking. I'm sure they wouldn't care, but I'll just do it at work. Besides, I was running a wee bit late this morning and wouldn't have stopped to do it anyway. (HOWEVER I will stop to blog because I am going to be in SUCH withdrawals for the next few days!!) I have to work until 12:30 and then it's off to seek the airport. Fun times. BIG thankyou to the great and wonderful Cait for printing off research for my blasted Macro paper and for Mom for taking Cait and I out for a scrumptious dinner! Way to boost the mood girls! :) You rock!
Now I'm going to gather up the boys and get them ready to board at the clinic. I'm gonna miss those little fur balls!!
I wish you all a safe and happy Thanksgiving!!
Love, Liz
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Thankful, Part 2
Drew, I said I wasn't done yet!! Gah! Of COURSE you're on my list of things to be thankful for. In fact, I'll put you first.
* My Drew- I am one of those lucky people, blessed I guess is a better word, that has been graced with a plentiful circle of friends. I have always had an easy time making friends in new places, whether that be school, work, or in random places. :) That's not to say that new places aren't scary as hell until you find that friend who makes your worries melt away. When I was 13, I met just that friend. Drew and I met in band on my first day in my new school. We had a couple other classes together too. He was like no other friend I had ever had. He instantly made me feel safe and protected. We became great friends that have grown over the years into best friends. He is the friend who has traveled the 600+ miles to see me in Oklahoma more than anyone else. More than my father and my brother combined. He has agreed to carry out "the plan" if I asked him to, and I honestly believe that he would do it if that's what I really wanted. I love him more than anything I know in my heart of hearts, that I would not be the person I am today had he not been there. We have been through everything together and I wouldn't trade him for anything in this world. There are just some people that you KNOW you will be friends with for a life time...he is definately one of them.
* My Job- As much as I complain about my job, I am SO lucky to have it. I work with a staff of amazing people and I get do to a job that I love. I work with the public, I get to run an office (and we all know my affinity for office supplies. I drool in Staples.), and get to play with kitties. My boss has given me a scholarship to school, I get paid time off (when I'm allowed to take it, ha!) and have benefits. I am 23 years old and have been allowed the opportunity to start a retirement fund. I am doing things with my life now, that I probably wouldn't be doing had I not started working here 4 years ago. Some of my best friends have come from this job and also, some of my greatest accomplishments. I am thankful to have a respectable job in a town that prides itself on academics and advancement.
* My church- I have never, in all my life, looked forward to going to church as I do now. I enjoy getting up and going with my roommates each Sunday. No matter the topic that day, I always learn something and am always touched in one way or another. The Wednesday group that I attend with Matt has also been a blessing. I never knew how much I was going to enjoy it, or how much I missed something I never knew I was missing. I have sat in that building and been touched more times in the past 2 months than I have in all my life. Now THAT is something to be thankful for.
* My car- I know that some people would consider my SUV 'unneccessary' or 'a gas guzzler', but the baby gets better gas mileage than my old corolla! haha! And the reason that I am thankful for that car, is that it has allowed me to go see family in Illinois, Watonga and El Reno without fear or hesitation. I often postponed trips places because I was concerned my car wouldn't make it or that something would happen. Now, I feel safe putting Reagan's carseat in my vehicle and driving her to see my Grandma, putting my roommates in it and driving to Illinois. I am blessed that I had the opportunity and the means to get the car I wanted.
I need to finish getting ready for work now. So I can drive the car I'm thankful for the job I'm thankful for. :) Have a great day everyone and God Bless.
* My Drew- I am one of those lucky people, blessed I guess is a better word, that has been graced with a plentiful circle of friends. I have always had an easy time making friends in new places, whether that be school, work, or in random places. :) That's not to say that new places aren't scary as hell until you find that friend who makes your worries melt away. When I was 13, I met just that friend. Drew and I met in band on my first day in my new school. We had a couple other classes together too. He was like no other friend I had ever had. He instantly made me feel safe and protected. We became great friends that have grown over the years into best friends. He is the friend who has traveled the 600+ miles to see me in Oklahoma more than anyone else. More than my father and my brother combined. He has agreed to carry out "the plan" if I asked him to, and I honestly believe that he would do it if that's what I really wanted. I love him more than anything I know in my heart of hearts, that I would not be the person I am today had he not been there. We have been through everything together and I wouldn't trade him for anything in this world. There are just some people that you KNOW you will be friends with for a life time...he is definately one of them.
* My Job- As much as I complain about my job, I am SO lucky to have it. I work with a staff of amazing people and I get do to a job that I love. I work with the public, I get to run an office (and we all know my affinity for office supplies. I drool in Staples.), and get to play with kitties. My boss has given me a scholarship to school, I get paid time off (when I'm allowed to take it, ha!) and have benefits. I am 23 years old and have been allowed the opportunity to start a retirement fund. I am doing things with my life now, that I probably wouldn't be doing had I not started working here 4 years ago. Some of my best friends have come from this job and also, some of my greatest accomplishments. I am thankful to have a respectable job in a town that prides itself on academics and advancement.
* My church- I have never, in all my life, looked forward to going to church as I do now. I enjoy getting up and going with my roommates each Sunday. No matter the topic that day, I always learn something and am always touched in one way or another. The Wednesday group that I attend with Matt has also been a blessing. I never knew how much I was going to enjoy it, or how much I missed something I never knew I was missing. I have sat in that building and been touched more times in the past 2 months than I have in all my life. Now THAT is something to be thankful for.
* My car- I know that some people would consider my SUV 'unneccessary' or 'a gas guzzler', but the baby gets better gas mileage than my old corolla! haha! And the reason that I am thankful for that car, is that it has allowed me to go see family in Illinois, Watonga and El Reno without fear or hesitation. I often postponed trips places because I was concerned my car wouldn't make it or that something would happen. Now, I feel safe putting Reagan's carseat in my vehicle and driving her to see my Grandma, putting my roommates in it and driving to Illinois. I am blessed that I had the opportunity and the means to get the car I wanted.
I need to finish getting ready for work now. So I can drive the car I'm thankful for the job I'm thankful for. :) Have a great day everyone and God Bless.
Monday, November 21, 2005
My Weekend
The following are pictures from my wonderful weekend!! Look at those squishy babies!!
This is Reagan and her cousin Nash. What dolls!
This is Reagan and her cousin Nash. What dolls!
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