More photos...

Too Religious

I have recently heard through the grapevine that there are some people who no longer read my blog because I have become too "religious" for their liking. haha! To that I say...AMEN! :) It's not that I am a more religious person, I think its that I have finally found a place that lights a fire within my spirit and prompts me to be a better person. I have always been a believer, a spiritual person, but I have finally found a place that feeds me. If there are any people out there who feel that they have been missing something or feel that they would like to give church another try, I highly recommend Lifechurch. I'm not kidding. It has inspired me to make changes in my life and has given me hope for the future in ways I never knew possible. Even if you'd like to give it a try in the privacy of your own home, you can now visit the newest campus on the internet. You will watch the same thing that we see every Sunday.

Today, the questions we asked were "Why are we here? What should I do with my life? Is this all there is? What now?" I have asked myself each of these questions very, very recently and it was comforting to hear a new perspective on it. Basically, I know that it was no accident I was in that church today. It is no accident that I am where I am. I need to work harder on not being successful, but on being significant. I want my life to have purpose so badly, that I have been overlooking the fact that it already does. My purpose may be a small role, but it is a significant one that I am honored to have. I feel sorry for those who don't realize that church doesn't have to be a structured place where you feel guilty everytime you leave. (Believe me, I believed that too.) I wish they could find what I have found, a place where you are truly inspired and uplifted and welcomed. A place where you see that we are forgiven and loved. To those of you who have walked away from it or felt pushed away from it, I hope you realize that you are still loved and there is a place where you can be embraced.

Prom Night 06

Can you believe it's already that time of year?! PROM! Holy crap. I had so much fun at my prom...SIX YEARS AGO! Daaang...I'm gettin gold. It was an amazing night full of so many memories.

I had the pleasure of taking some photos for my friends daughters as they went to prom tonight. Here are a few, there will be more on the way...

Nuttin' Honey

There's not a whole lot going on here to blog about these days, but I didn't want to leave my loyal subjects wondering about my whereabouts. Here I sit, fingers poised above the keys, yet no thoughts are with me...what to say? What to say?

I guess I'll just a quick recap and call it a night:

*Matt paid me the money he owed me for groceries. DORY GETS A FULL TANK O' GAS TOMORROW!
*Walked around Boomer with Cait n' Ed...laughed the WHOLE way around.
*Fed up with my job.
*Got told (by a guy) that if he could change one thing about me, that he would make me a guy so he could date me. HECK YES! That is one CREATIVE and unique compliment.
*Watched bits n' pieces of Ace Ventura.
*Downloaded some sweet music. I was surprised to realize just how much I missed music. I listen to the same crap on the radio day in and day out and I miss being in the know.
*Got told I was stunning. :)
*Found out my Drew is coming to see me this JUNE!
*Got some interesting news that I can't share quite yet because I don't know enough details yet.
*Cait and I went throught the "chute" at Blue Cow Burger...don't ask.
*Talked to the Lord of the Land...(my new landlord) and put finalizations on my new casa May 1st.
*The roomies painted pictures for my new casa so I can have a piece of them with me. We debated whether or not to put pieces of hair and eyelashes into the paint...JUST KIDDING.
*My cat is totally chasing his tail right now...and I love it. He's brilliant.

I can't think of anything else right now...what an exciting life I lead, eh? You want to be me. You know it.

You Might be Destined for Greatness

I am in a really weird mood...kind of sad in a way. I'm not really sure why. I just feel rather down at the moment. Nothing bad has happened...I just need some inspiration or a pick me up. Someone make me a "mix tape".

Found this here and couldn't stop laughing. :)

You might be destined for greatness.
But you’ll never get anywhere without a name. So here’s a handy-dandy set of guidelines for coming up with the right STAR moniker. And just to get the ball rolling, I’ll go first.

Prepare to be riveted…

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME:(first pet and current street)
Joe Ramsey

2. YOUR MOVIE STAR NAME:(grandfather/grandmother on your mother’s side, your favorite candy)
Katherine Reese

3. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME:(favorite animal, favorite color)
Cat Green

4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME:(middle name, city where you were born)
Katherine Enid

5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME:(first 3 letters of your last name- last 3 letters of mother’s maiden name, first 3 letters of your pet’s name)
Wei Ier-Fuj

6. JEDI NAME:(middle name spelled backwards, your mom’s maiden name spelled backwards)
Enirehtak Reilloc

7. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME:(middle name, street you grew up on)
Katherine Ash

8. SUPERHERO NAME:(”The”, your favorite color, the automobile you drive)
The Green Escape

Easter Sunday

I learned a lot at church today, as I usually do. It was definately an hour well spent. I hope that everyone who stumbles upon SLATS is having a blessed day and spending this Easter with family and loved ones.

Won't you be my neighbor?

Well folks, it is a beautiful day in the neighborhood! The sun is shining, there is a beautiful breeze, the birds are chirping...What more could you ask for. I got up this AM, got ready and headed to work to pick up the good ole pay check. GOTTA LOVE PAYDAY! I drove around with the windows down and the sun roof open, the shades on (Yes Kristen, I still call them shades and my future is SO bright.) and the radio blaring! I got some interesting looks when I was listening to Metallica "Until it Sleeps" haha! I'm telling you, I have a very eclectic taste in music. :)
Now I am sitting here doing NOTHING and I am loving every minute of it. I'm gonna finish up here with my nothingness and then I'm going to start packing some more stuff for the big move. I think Katie and I are gonna hangout tonight and I'm totally pumped. I miss my Katie-Lady!! :) Have a great day ya'll!

P.S. I found this picture at my mom's house yesterday and I thought you might like to see that I was full of attitude...even then. And check out that sofa!! Holy crap, that's VINTAGE! :)

Maybe it's Me

I am in the crabbiest mood!! Okay, not really, I have been worse. This is just a weird mood where I want to be alone, yet I'd like some company. haha! I don't know what it is to be exact, but it seems like there are things that are getting on my last nerve today. SERIOUSLY.

1. We have recently learned that President G-Dub will be gracing out city for the commencement ceremonies of Oklahoma State University. Now, I HATE all things political so please bear mind that whatever I say here is in no way meant to be for OR against the president. Now, to my point. There are a number of people who are rather miffed that the President was chosen to be the speaker and even some who are planning to protest. Protest! WTF?! Seriously, I understand that people have their opinions and whatnot and that they want to make a statement...yeah yeah yeah, I get it...but don't ruin someones graduation because of it. Go to DC, go where ever you want to and state your opinion, I'm all for Freedom of Speech, but don't discount the fact that some people are just happy to be graduating and would like to get through the day without traffic congestion, tension and protestors.

2. Please, for the love of Pete, don't use "There are soldiers fighting and dying for my rights to freedom..." etc. as your excuse to be obnoxious and have a blatant disregard for common courtesies and the people around you. I can assure you, that particular soldier you speak of would be rather salty to discover that he is watching his brothers in arms die so that you can get drunk and disordery at a restaurant without having to take any responsibility for your actions. Go ahead, tell him you appreciate all he's doing for you, I'm sure he'd love to hear it.

3. Lastly, please think about the way you look at or speak to people. If you're in a bad mood, deal with it. You don't have to take it out on anyone. I, for one, choose to blast my anger at the anonymous void that is the internet. You should try it, it feels GREAT! All I'm saying is that those of you who feed on the craft of making people feel inferior, stupid, worthless or unwelcome are merely reflecting your dissatisfaction with yourself. I hope you find happiness along the path of life and you learn how to share joy instead of contempt.

This is where I end my surly mood, grab a pint of Ben & Jerry's and go work on my laundry. Much love!! I'm all better now. I'm sure I'll get some heated emails for that one...but DAMN, PMS is hard. :) Have a great day ya'll!

New Look, Same Great Smartass!

I decided that good ole SLATS needed a new look for the impending summer. In doing so, I have lost a number of the links that were on my list. So, if you miss seeing yours on here or you never had yours on here and want to, drop me a line and I'll hook you up. :)

Hot! Hot! Hot!

So yeah...the thermometer in our living room reads that it is 94 degrees in here and 125 outside. Not gonna lie, that's dadgum HOT! Okay, so the actual gizmo thats reading that is back at our old house somewhere and we have no idea if its in direct sunlight or not...assuming it is. :)

Seriously, it's so blasted hot in here that the cats are passed out on the rug like sacks of potatos and I'm sweating profusely. I would turn on the air, but yeah, that would be the easy option. ha!

Going to give you the random highlights of the day.

*Got talked down to and made to feel majorly insignificant.
*Got told I'm someone's hero. :)
*Got told that I am such a good writer, I make the other people in class look bad. HOOrah!
*Walked through the sprinklers on campus and had this unbelievable urge to squish my toes in the greenest grass I have ever seen. Seriously. OMG. Totally didn't do it though.
*Found out my good friend Brent is having a job interview this coming Tuesday! YAY! Everyone say your prayers that he gets it, okay? I am selfish and don't want him too because they would move further away, but then again...yeah, I want them to get it.
*Got told I have the most amazing eyelashes. Random? Yes. Flattering? Most definately.
*Contemplated going on a walk again. (Walked around Boomer Lake two nights in a row!)Then I remembered, oh yeah...HOT! HOT! HOT! Nevermind.
*Realized that I am so unbelievably happy for a very dear friend of mine who has the most flabbergastingly amazing boyfriend. Seriously, if you knew all the nice things this guy has done, you would kidnap and clone the little bastard. He made her a mixed tape ya'll...a MIXED TAPE. Totally 80's, totally cheesey, totally romantic beyond words. In addition to that, he's funny beyond words and completely understands "Pickles? You're trying to molest me via drive through."

I have nothing more to say. Have a great day all!

Honda

This is freakin' awesome...

Accidental Meeting

This is the final creative writing piece for my class. The only suggestion given to me so far has been to encorporate some sort of nervous tick into my main character that she does when she is worried. Any suggestions?

“Where is he? Why hasn’t he called? This isn’t like him…”
Shay paced back and forth across the living room rug, leaving a worn path in the cream berber. It was 9:30 now. A full hour and a half past Alex’s normal arrival time. The routine was always the same. He’d get off work at 7:00, call Shay as he walked to his truck, tell Britton goodnight as Shay held the phone to her ear and then he’d drive home. Same routine for the past six months. But tonight, tonight was different.
269-5555 Shay dialed his cell phone number again. She lost count at call number seventeen. “Hey, this is Ale…” She slammed the phone down before the recording could finish. She knew it by heart. Her anger was gradually turning into deep, shaking fear and worry. She had already tried to call him at work, but the office was already closed down for the night. She had even gone so far as to call the local hospital to see if anyone fitting his description had been admitted. Shay wasn’t normally one to worry so much, but Alex was definitely not one to break routine. She sat down on the sofa and rested her chin on her hands. The sparkle of her wedding band caught her eye. She began to nervously spin the ring round and round her finger. “Seriously Alex! For the love of Pete, just call me!” She slammed her hands on her knees and stood up in one swift, aggressive motion.
10:00pm Two hours late. Britton was crying and restlessly rolling in her crib in the next room. The baby monitor buzzed a soft, gently hum. The ceiling fan whirred and clicked. “Alex was supposed to have fixed that last weekend.” Shay walked to Britton’s door and peaked her head in. Her beautiful daughter stood up and raised her chubby arms in the air. The instant she was lifted from the crib, her head found its way to Shay’s shoulder. She burrowed down and fell back into a soft slumber. Her tears had subsided and were replaced by the sounds of her breathing. The beating of Shay’s heart was so rapid, she was sure it would wake the baby. As she stooped to lay her back in the crib, the door bell rang.
Ding.
Dong.
Ding.
Those three melodious notes that normally rang the arrival of a beloved friend and visitor, suddenly held a somber, threatening tone. Shay pulled the cover up over Britton’s back, pulled the door shut behind her and made her way to the front door. Her heart raced. She reached for the doorknob with a trembling hand and pulled open the large oak door. Words were not spoken. A glance of the figure that darkened her doorstep was enough to drop her to her knees. Her entire body was overcome with violent shakes. Her fingers touched her lips and the tears began to flow as hard as the rain outside. She turned her face towards the gentleman that was now standing inside the door. His hair was salt n’ pepper grey and his eyes were warm and friendly. He crouched beside her, and with his grandfatherly hand, pushed the now damp hair from her face.
“Ma’am. I’m Officer Mitchell. Ma’am?”
Shay’s cries grew stronger as Officer Mitchell helped her to her feet and then escorted her to the sofa. She collapsed into the cushions and made her best effort to regain her composure.
“What happened? Where is my husband?”
“Ma’am…there has been an accident. I’m so sorry. The roads were slick and we have reason to believe the other driver had been drinking. He was flown to Mercy Hospital, but there was nothing that could be done.”
They sat together on the sofa for what seemed like hours, but only a few moments had passed when Officer Mitchell stood, poised to leave 7 Penn Brook Lane.
“Ma’am, is there someone you would like me to call?”
“Yes. Call my husband and tell him I’m not laughing. Tell him to come home. And stop calling me Ma’am. My name is Shay.”
Officer Mitchell squatted in front of Shay. He took her hands in his and once again wiped the hair from her face. Looking deep into her sorrowful eyes he said, “Shay, I have lived many, many years on this Earth, and have come to learn that I know very little about life. I meet lovely people like you every day and wonder why in God’s name do bad things happen to such good people? Then I tell myself that faith will guide me. Faith will guide you. I know this may not mean anything now, but I hope you hear me when I say that your husband is not gone. He’s merely gone ahead.”
With that said he patted her hand and made his exit. He left what was once a home full of warmth and laughter. He left a woman, broken on the sofa.

Tattoos?

Cast your vote here!

MusicalMeme

Answer the following questions using only the song titles from a chosen musician/band.

Musician I chose: Michael Buble

Are you male or female? You Don't Know Me

Describe yourself. Dream a Little Dream

How do some people feel about you? I've Got You Under My Skin

How do you feel about yourself? Can't Help Falling in Love

Describe your ex: Kissing a Fool

Describe your current significant other: How Do You Mend a Broken Heart (Haha! As you can tell, I don't have a Significant Other)

Describe where you want to be: Home

Describe how you live: Nice n' Easy

Describe how you love: Fever

What would you ask for if you had just one wish? You'll Never Know

Share a few words of wisdom: You'll Never Find Another

Now say goodbye: That's All

Oooh...Who shall I tag?
I think Lil Red needs to do this, and Brent. Oh and Edwin too! How about Amanda and Kristen? And Nicotine! Yes, yes...that'll do. Oh, who am I kidding?! I want everyone to do this! DO IT!

Buy Me

Buy your ekwisdom.blogspot.com t-shirt here. ha! For real! I make ZERO profit off this, I just designed it. Make your own, it's muy fun.

My Life: The Soundtrack

Opening credits: Sweet Home Alabam: Lynyrd Skynyrd
Waking up: This Could Be Heaven: Seal
Falling asleep: Goodnight, Elizabeth: The Counting Crows
Average day: It Ain't Over til It's Over: Lenny Kravitz
First date: I Don't Know How I Got By: Edwin McCain
Falling in love: Isn't it Romantic: Tony Bennett
Love scene: Secret: Maroon 5
Fight scene: Vitamin: Incubus
Breaking up: My Favorite Mistake: Sheryl Crow
Getting back together: One More Day: Diamond Rio
Secret love: Save the Last Dance for Me: Michael Buble
Love Lost: Why Can't this be Love: Van Halen
Life's okay: What a Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong
Mental breakdown: Sailors and Saints: Dashboard Confessional
Driving: Inside Out (Beautiful Oblivion): Eve6
Learning a lesson: Only God Can Explain: Kid Rock
Deep thought: Deep Enough to Dream: Chris Rice
Flashback: Canon in D: Pachebel
Partying: Sharp Dressed Man: ZZ Top
Happy dance: Margaritaville: Jimmy Buffet
Regreting: When Can I See You Again: Babyface
Long night alone: Somewhere Out There: An American Tale Sdtrk.
Death scene: In This Very Room: Drew Quintero
Closing credits: Life is a Highway: Tom Cochran

"Ouiser"

Narration and "voice" assignment from Creative Writing, OSU.

“COME ON! You stupid piece of junk!”
You would have thought I was maneuvering an aircraft carrier, circa 1912 down I-35 this morning; hull scraping across the pavement and grinding its way between traffic. But no. Aircraft carrier she is not, 1962 Chevy Nova she is. Why in God’s name my good-for-nothin’ husband had to leave me with this olive green hunk of junk is beyond me. He bought this contraption the year we were married, despite my telling him he was an IDIOT. “Ford’s the way to go, you moron! Haven’t I taught you anything?!” Well, I apparently hadn’t taught him anything because two months after we were married this hideous beast resided in my front yard; right between my azaleas and the crab grass. I am far from quiet as I make the turn at highway 33. I send a spray of gravel across both lanes of traffic along with a stream of bright orange sparks as my bumper comes into contact with the shoulder. A thick plume of black smoke is being emitted by the tail pipe as well as a comparable plume from the driver side window. I haven’t been able to kick the habit for years. At this point, with 55 years of smoking under my belt, I have fewer days left than cigarettes. Why stop now? No use making things any harder I always say. Easy roads, take the easy roads.
I flick my still lit cigarette from the open window and take a good long look at the old hand before me. “When did that happen?!” Just yesterday I was a young, petite thing with raven hair and bright eyes. Now I’m lucky if I can pluck all the raven hairs from my chin before I head off on my daily errands. The few friends I have in this world think I’m a crotchety old bitty…and they’re right. I’m as rusty in appearance as my automobile and I’m sure it has a lot to do with my perpetual sour mood. On a number of occasions they have affectionately referred to me as Ouiser Boudreaux, the lovably obnoxious character from Steel Magnolias. They tell me that my eyes are permanently squinted from years of looking down my nose at people and that if I’m not careful, they are bound to go crossed. Remembering this comment, I lean forward to take a peek at my reflection in the rearview mirror. I tug at the crow’s feet on either side of my eyes and let out a grumble. “As Ouiser would say, ‘I’m not crazy; I’ve just been in a very bad mood for 40 years!”
I pulled into the long drive of 7 Penn Brook Lane. Children were running
through the yard, giggling and playing. “This is it,” I tell myself. “This is my hell.” I kick open my car door and pull my larger-than-last year self from the seat. I turn to slam the door and took one last look at my reflection in the clouded window. “Oh, heavens! Would you look at this hair?! Blasted car!” I give the tire a swift kick and then curse at it for causing me pain. “Why couldn’t my good-for-nothin’ husband have left me with a Caddie?! With some air conditioning for Pete’s sake!” I had turned the ignition off already, but moments pass before the car finally dies. Putt, Putt, Putt…BANG! The kids squeal and giggle. I turn to peer at them through the newly emitted cloud of black fog. “Watch it wee ones…Ouiser's here.” They scurry like cockroaches. I cough a deep, smoker’s cough, spit off the side of the porch, pop a breath mint, and walk through the front door.
“Mrs. Fletcher. Hi, how are you?”
“Terrible. I’ve been to at funeral today, Sweetheart. How do you think I’d
be? And I’ve got so much static in my hair, I can just about pick up everything except money and men. Where’s my niece? And why aren’t there napkins on this table? You need napkins when you’re having guests. Shay? Honey, where are the napkins?
Shay?!”

Poetic Heart

On more than one occasion, I have been told I have a poetic heart. By this, I think they meant that I can see things, and describe them in a way that is purely mine. Purely simple, yet complex, all in the same profound swoop. Needless to say, I am not one of these people who finds myself poetic. I merely make an attempt to unravel the thoughts that wind their way through my brain...each.and.every.day.

As I layed here in bed tonight, (Yes, I got up out of my warm, comfortable bed so that I could blog this all down.) I began to remember things I had seen or heard today that made me think. Things that made me write in my head.

The first thing was sitting in church this afternoon and listening to the pastor answer the timeless question of, "Why doesn't God answer my prayers?" I absorbed his words, because it was something I had been needing to hear, but didn't realize. I am one of those people who prays and prays and prays for the things I want or need, but then oftentimes, doesn't realize that those very things I pray for, are the things I already have. As the Sheryl Crow tune goes, "It's not getting what you want, it's wanting what you've got." Today, Pastor Craig said that many of us, himself included, pray for things and then expect that we are going to receive exactly what we prayed for, not even aware that we got more than we were expecting. I was laying here tonight, really thinking about what it was that I want. What is it that I pray for? Then it hit me, I have that very thing in abundunce. My life is overflowing with the things I desire, it's my own fault that I hadn't been seeing them in all their forms. I have been blessed with the ability to see things in a way that others cannot. Perhaps it is with this blessing in mind that I have had the love for words and pictures bestowed upon me. I appreciate little things, such as watching a father today in church, reach out and hold his little girls hand. Watching a young couple scoot closer together during prayer and bow their heads together. Hearing a huge gust of wind sail through the trees and awaken the leaves resting on the ground. Feeling a cool breeze through an open window. I am so thankful for all these little moments. Yet I wouldn't be me, if I didn't say that these little moments make me oddly sad. Though I am surrounded by a vast array of answered prayers and of course, a few unanswered ones, I am still left wondering what else is out there. When will I discover my one true purpose? I guess that's just one of the answers that will be shown to me in its own due time. For now, I will make my attempt at not second guessing everything I have ever done, or thought. I will continue to pray and know that He can, He will, and even if He doesn't...I'll still believe, for those unanswered ones might be exactly what I've been searching for.

This may not have been poetic, but just as poetry speaks to people individually and uniquely...so does prayer.

Meme #890037483...

1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 24 and find line 5:
"All right."
Thrilling, I know. ha! It's a novel called A Million Little Pieces by James Frey. It's a true survivors story, about a man who was as low as a person could ever possibly be, and fought his way back to the top.

2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can, what do you find?
A cream and green paisley pillow my roommate made.

3. What is the last thing you watched on TV?
Gray's Anatomy

4. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?
television...and the wind blowing through the trees, rustling the leaves on the ground, touching the earth.

5. When did you last step outside?
I haven't felt too well today, so the last time I was outside was when I went to church this afternoon. I am sitting next to the open window getting my dose of fresh air however.

6. Before you started this survey, what did you look at?
My kitties curled up in peaceful slumber on the sofa.

7. What are you wearing?
yellow capris and a grey Phi Eta Sigma (honor society) t-shirt

8. Did you dream last night?
I'm sure I did, but I couldn't tell you what it was about. Although I do remember faint images of me hitting a guy over the head with a baseball bat. Seriously. I need help. :)

9. When did you last laugh?
During church. I laugh every Sunday.

10. What is on the walls of the room you are in?
A Marilyn Monroe poster, an abstract guitar poster, Photomosaic Van Gogh Starry Night Poster, floral print, 5 paintings done by Yours Truly and my wonderful roommates. Surprisingly enough, it fits. Eclectic = Creative

11. Seen anything weird lately?
I saw some very interesting attire at church today. You'd be surprised what some people deem appropriate. Not just for church, appropriate in general.

12. What do you think of this quiz?
I enjoy these.

13. What is the last film you saw?
Space Camp, circa 1986. Great flick that took me back to when my brother and I were kids. Watched it today.

14. Four people who you’d like to complete this survey:
Anyone who'd like too...

You Got That Right