Kimology

Kimology #3

2010-08-25T12:09:00.000-07:00

I hate the little squares cut out of the side of the pool to suck water in, monsters could be hiding in there.

I call frozen pizza that you bake at home cardboard pizza.

I currently have magenta streaks in my hair.

I like for all of my money to be in order of denomination smallest to largest and all facing the same direction.

My favorite colors right now are pink and green.

I hate pastels.

I am insecure.

I love taking pictures yet I always let my husband keep the camera.

I love the ocean and the beach but I prefer a pool with a view.

My mom and dad divorced after 29 years of marriage when I was in the 8th grade.

I have no children yet.

Forget banking I'm back in the Hair biz!

I prefer to write with a pen that is not to fat or too skinny.

I have really thick hair.

I like organizing things.

I'm part of a church plant.

I treat my pets like they are furry little people.

I like to cook.

I miss my mom.

I really really really want a dog.

I love good surprise stuff in the mail.

Purchasing office supplies/school supplies makes me giddy.

Frozen vegetable that you microwave to steam in the bag are my favorite but I only like canned green beans.

2010-08-19T22:23:00.000-07:00

How long will it take....

2010-08-19T20:14:00.001-07:00

So I am in a trendy upscale salon. I love it. I do wonder when the point will come that I don't get a little jolt every time I hear one of the clients refer to their nanny or their guest house or their 2 month long vacation to Europe. It's the norm. It's not like they are bragging, this is just how their everyday life is.
One day I'm sure I will be immune to their wealth.....perhaps that day will be when they are paying ME to cater to their salon needs and not my master :0)
Yes when I am receiving the $160 for their tab plus my $20+ tip, yes that will be when I become immune to their wealth. Because they are sharing it with me!

I am lucky!

2010-08-11T18:46:00.002-07:00

Looking at my husband who is stretched out taking a nap next to me on our bed and thinking "I am lucky because I have an incredibly sexy husband"

Goodbyes :'0(

2010-06-15T14:54:00.004-07:00

I got up at the crack of Dawn this morning to get ready so my great friend Dawn and I could go on a shopping excursion in Indianapolis. We had originally planned to go see our friend JMe who moved up by Chicago awhile ago but after talking to JMe we decided that we were nuts to try and do that trip in one day. There would be no relaxation only running around and having a blast!

Dawn and I became good friends through a series of unfortunate events. Once we realized how well we meshed together and how natural it was for us to hang out it became routine to open up to each other and just be real. For that I am very thankful.

We had so much fun shopping and I wasn't planning on spending any money since I'm kinda broke now that I have no job but Bath and Body Works was having a major sale and by major I mean MAJOR. So naturally I stocked up!

We came back to my apartment and just chilled for a bit. She just left and now I'm sad. That was the last time that I will get to really hang with her for a long time. It wasn't a "goodbye" so much as a "see ya later" but even a see ya later hurts sometimes.

Since this is my last week here in the Midwest, I am having to say a lot of "goodbyes" & "See ya laters" this was really the first one. UGH.

I have a cram packed week of goodbyes. I am going to spend time with me mum tonight, Lunch with Cobi tomorrow, Picking up Nate tomorrow night (YAY YAY), Appointments Thursday, Hang with someone Thursday night, Jocelyn's goodbye, me mum again and Nate & Kate's on Friday (although I'm sure we will see Nate & Kate again before we leave), Saturday morning we get to see Marva's son Jackson to say "hello & goodbye" then we will probably spend time with Nate's parents or maybe Sunday, not to mention the lack of goodbye I had with V due to crazy demands and I have a whole list of others that I just can't work in.

If every there were a time to be mayonnaise! I would spread myself even more thin. I know I've let people down in this process but seriously I am only one person. I have done pretty good with this up until about now. I am used to goodbyes because I am a born and raised army brat, but now that I am older I have developed friendships that mean more to me. These are not just surface friendships but true friendships that are centered around Christ.

Even though me and my mom fight like cats and dogs I am gonna miss her like crazy. I'm pretty sure that my mother in law (who is riding out to Cali with me) will have to drive the first leg of the trip because I'm gonna be an emotional mess.

I'm also gonna miss my family who all live down south. I don't get to see them very often but its different since we will be a billion miles away now, a 32 hour drive or 5 hour flight.

And to top it all off I had to say goodbye to Winnie 6 weeks ago, my fish Kitty & Fido 5 weeks ago and Nate 4 weeks ago and live like a big girl. Praise Jesus he's gonna be here tomorrow!!!!

So yes this is a hard week: tissues, check!

Even though I am experiencing an emotional overload right now, I am happy to have been called on this mission. I want to bleed God's love over everyone I come in contact with. I am ready to take Escondido head on! Goodbyes have a heavy price but the work for God is priceless.

So as the Steve Fee song goes: I'LL GO ANYWHERE, I'LL DO ANYTHING, AT ANY COST FOR YOU MY KING!

If Hell were a happy place.....

2010-06-03T18:49:00.002-07:00

My facebook status today was "If Hell were a happy place that is where I would have been today"
So close yet so far away. My last 2 weeks of work and its been hell so far but my God is a good God and I have been able to be happy no matter what is thrown at me!

Praise be to God my father!

Count Down

2010-05-19T20:30:00.002-07:00

The count down is on my friends!

Nathan headed out 2 days ago *sigh*

I'm headed out in 34 days

I only have 18 more days of work

Only 42 days until Eclipse comes out

and 33 more days to spend with friends, get all packed up and ready to roll outta town

But who's counting?

3 weeks

2010-04-15T20:14:00.001-07:00

3 more weeks of school
6 more classes
2 more tests

God, you wanted me to rely on you so here I am

2010-04-12T14:45:00.004-07:00

I had a broken speedometer for a really long time and don't you know that I never received a speeding ticket while it was broke! Go me!!! I get it fixed on Friday and the next day Saturday we were traveling down to Georgia for spring break to visit my family and what happens? I get a stinking speeding ticket. So maybe the saying "If it ain't broke don't fix it isn't 100% accurate" I mean my speedometer was broke but when I fixed it I got a ticket.... hum...
Anyway
I misplaced my speeding ticket so I didn't know how much, who to, when by or where to send it. I called SEVERAL state police offices trying to figure it out. After much hoopla I got the info I needed.
Don't speed, lesson learned, after a big pay out to Bartholomew county. Boooo to that!

All of this investigation, spending time on the phone with officials and what not made me decide that it was time for me to finally get on the victims notification list for Justin (He murdered Marva)

I called the New Castle Correctional Facility to figure out what I needed to do since that is where he current residency is and after a few transfers and more numbers given to me I finally got to the person I needed to be talking to.

The gentleman was so nice and informative. After he got the right inmate he said "Oh he's put away for awhile!" HOW ENCOURAGING FOR ME! Those are comforting words to hear especially after the horror of that dark day.

He took all of my information and got me set up in the system so that whenever the time comes for Justin to have a parole hearing or anything like that I will be notified several ways to ensure that I am aware of what is going on. It surprisingly was not too emotional to go through this. The whole process is pretty neat. I have a secret web site and code to get on and basically spy on Justin. I can see if he has been in any trouble in prison or if he is doing good and all other sorts of things. He even gave me Justin's inmate number so I can write him or if I ever call to get info I won't have a problem.

Right before we hung up I asked him if he happen to have the expected release date for Justin. He said: Yes, it is December 31, 2015
Me: What?
Him: 12-31-2015
Me: Oh, that is too soon!
Him: Well, in the state of Indiana an inmate only has to serve approximately half of their time. It can go up to their full sentence for bad behavior but knowing that they only have to serve half of their time is an incentive for them. We want to in cent them so they will be compliant during their time here.
Me: He will behave because he wants to get out!
Him: That is the idea but don't worry because he could serve the entire sentence if he starts acting up
Me: *silence, then I start to cry* Ok, thank you very much

The gentleman as I said was very nice and comforting but some information you can't relay comfortably.
I felt like their was a hole in my chest. HOW CAN THIS BE? He was sentenced for 20 years. He only has to serve 9. He took someones life. Marva, my marvelous Marva will never be able to hold her son again, she will never be able to see his milestones in life, or kiss his ouchies, or brag about how smart he is or how awesome his hair is. Jackson will NEVER get to know the love his mother had for him, he will never have her wrap her arms around him and tell him that no matter what a bully may say he is the most awesome kid in the world and that God thinks he is special. He will never get the How to treat a lady lecture from her or the You need to go to college and get an education speech.
The love she had for him in their short time together was one of the most beautiful things I have ever got to witness. He will never get to see or feel that.

What Jackson will get is weekly visits to see his dad behind bars for the first 9 years of his life. His paternal grandmother who has custody of him filling him full of lies about how horrible his mother was not only to him but just a horrible person in general. He will hear about how she never loved him and didn't want him. Then in 2015 he will get his father back. The same father who murdered his mother in front of him with his bare hands.

Why? I don't understand at all. I want to be mad at someone or something but I know that God has a plan. God had all of this worked out before it happened and he has a really good reason for all of these events.
I am selfish because I don't want God to use Justin to grow the kingdom. It's crazy I know. I should be happy that God could take such a horrible tragedy and bring glory to his name but I just want to beg him to please please please use someone else. I just don't want Justin getting any credit for something so awesome.
I have forgiven Justin for what he did and I want him to truly repent and go God's way, I just don't want him to get credit for it. Selfish I know I know.

I just feel that even if he does repent that he shouldn't get out, not that soon. 2015 is just around the corner! I'm not ready for that. Marva will never get another day so why should he get any more days of freedom. Marva will never get another day to raise her son so why should he get the chance too? Why should Justin get to see Jackson grow up? To teach him how to skateboard? To make him dinner or go to his parent/teacher conferences?

It will do Jackson NO GOOD to have his father back. Nathan and I could have raised him to be a wonderful person. He would know who Christ was and what a relationship with God means. He would know the awesomeness that was his mom and the fact that she loved him so much she almost couldn't contain it! He would know that even though he never got to know his mommy that she knew Christ and that she is in Heaven with him because Marva did commit her life to Christ one Sunday in Church while she was pregnant with Jackson right after one of PK's messages.

It is a trying time in our lives right now and to add this on top of it almost buckled me. I know that God will never give us more that we can handle, so I am relying on God. That is what he wants. For us to rely on him. I will praise him in the good times and the bad.

God, you wanted me to rely on you so here I am. I can't do this with out you. I should probably be over all of this. I normally deal with it ok, but this is a lot. I knew he would only have to serve about half but to know that it is so soon. How can he be getting out so soon when I still hurt so bad? I love you and I trust you. Please give me the strength to get through this the way you want me to. I want this horribleness I have been through to bring you glory so please help me do that.

"...I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you"-Isaiah 46:4

...He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak: -Isaiah 40:28,29

...For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for him to help them- Isaiah 30:18

Why am I so discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again- my Savior and my God!- Psalm 42:11

The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.- Psalm 29:11

You will destroy those who tell lies. The Lord detests murderers and deceivers.- Psalm 5:6 :0)

"Listen to me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you will have it. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your father in heaven will forgive your sins, too"-Mark 11:24,25

Numbness please

2010-04-11T19:44:00.003-07:00

I want to be numb right now. Just for a little bit. That way when I start feeling again I could experience everything to its fullest.

I am so full of excitement for our up coming move.
I am so full of sadness for getting rid of some of our pets.
I am so full of apathy when it comes to my current job.
I am so full of brokenheartedness in my relationship with my mom.
I am so full of optimism for our future.
I am so full of gratefulness for my friends that are taking this journey with us.
I am so full of fear for our financial situation.
I am so full of anxiety because I have to find a job & get my California Cosmetologist license.
I am so full of jubilation in my relationship with Christ.
I am so full of passion for my wonderful husband.
I am so full of dread for the homesickness that I may encounter after our move.
I am so full of astonishment that God picked me to partake in this journey.

Wait a minute....

2010-04-10T07:38:00.003-07:00

Today is Saturday and I'm off! Wooohooo
My husband volunteered to go help some friends of ours get their house ready to sell because they too are moving out west with us.
I have several parties to attend this afternoon but I am free this morning.
I am getting our apartment ready to move.

Wait a minute.....

Why is he helping them when our house still needs done?

LOL

It's all good. I've got time this morning and we don't have to sell our place, we just have to get out. Not to mention that the people he is helping spent an entire Saturday helping us clean out our storage unit when they had stuff to do at their house. If I didn't have obligations for this afternoon I too would be there helping out until it was time to go to The Branches for Threads.

Plus I can get rid of more stuff if he isn't around to say "We should keep that" :0p

Friends helping Friends = Good!

Epic Fail

2010-04-01T21:18:00.004-07:00

Tonight my mother basically told me that I am an epic fail at being a daughter.

That = awesome*

She didn't say that exactly but it was implied in the conversation, the same conversation that she said she is proud of me and wanted to show me off.

I have "let her down" but she won't tell me how?

WTH?

At least throw me a bone so I can fix what I screwed up.

Instead the conversation ended with her saying that she was just going to "stay to herself" and let me live my life with my family (which she insists is only Nathan)

I told her that I couldn't do that and she pretty much said "tough".

So, I have no idea if my mother will be talking to me anymore.

That also = awesome*

*awesome drips with sarcasm.

Cats outta tha bag!

2010-03-31T19:12:00.004-07:00

So today I told my boss about California.
She was surprisingly happy for us.
She did say that she can't think of anyone she would want to take my place.
That's kind of a compliment right?
You just gotta know my boss to understand this.

Next up:
Start applying for jobs

We are moving out with several other families to plant a church in Escondido. We have a call to share the living word with others. We will be stepping out in faith to grow God's kingdom. Yes it is California and no I have no clue how I got so lucky that God called us to go there. Even though it is a crazy beautiful place on the coast, there are a lot of terrifying things that go in with this move.

and even though the cat is outta the bag, my boss asked me not to say anything to anyone because she doesn't want someone thinking that because my position will be open that NOW is the time to make a great turn around in their work ethic just so they can get the job and then go back to having, well no work ethic.

So there it is my blog reading peeps. We are moving to California, hopefully in June but it is all up to God. Prayer would be appreciated. We can have all the plans we can think of put in place but if we don't rely on God it will be for nothing. We both need to find jobs, an affordable place to live and it would be great if it could be as smooth and an inexpensive as possible.

and hey....if you wanna throw some cash our way to help on the expenses we will be more than happy to accept it.

....But all your feverish plans are to no avail because you never ask God for help. He is the one who planned this long ago. Isaiah 22:11

We will rely on God and God alone to take us through this journey he has called us on.

God then me, sorry no time for you.

2010-03-30T17:39:00.002-07:00

So I participate in a triad with two very dear friends. We agree to study 30 chapters of the Bible for a week, then we get together or email about it. Since we all read the same chapters we can bounce things that we find in our selected readings off of each other. In this way we grow our relationship with God and with each other. We hold one another accountable if we fall behind or are even contemplating doing something we shouldn't and it, it is good.
I do good for awhile but often get off track with my priorities.
You put the important things first like God, then the rest will just fall into place.
I do great then BAM I let the "little" things sneak in and the next thing I know I am cramming to get the important things done at the last minute. I often volunteer before I really think about what I'm saying, I put other peoples needs before myself (not necessarily a bad thing) but it is getting out of hand.
Well I have decided I don't want to stay on that roller coaster anymore.
Stop please I'm getting off.
I am going to prioritize myself more.
I will read my Bible and spend time with God daily.
I will get my school work done on time.
I will fit haircuts in for others when I can and not just say yes because I'm sure I can squeeze it in.
I will do a little house work daily instead of waiting until I shower at midnight to give the shower a "quick deep clean"
I will make time to call friends but I will do better about saying "Sorry I can't help out with that"

What has prompted this?
I have a knot in my stomach because I have school work, very hard school work and the time to complete it is running out. I normally work well under pressure but it ain't happening so much just now.
I normally do a good job of expressing myself and letting out the poison that reeks inside but right now it is stuck just under my esophagus. I'm distant and tired.

I had a mini conversation/potential argument with my mom tonight about how I'm not "family" enough for her. What it boils down to is that we just have two very different opinions of what family is. During this is when I realized that I am doing too many things at once for too many others and I'm letting me and everything that I need to be doing slip away.

I need to put God first, then I need to concentrate a wee bit on my self and what it is that I need to do. I want to be there for everyone but just like they tell you on a plane "If the face masks fall please put yours on first. If you attempt to help others put theirs on and you pass out you will be doing no good for anybody"

I need to put my mask on first people. Don't be afraid to ask. If I can do it I will but don't be upset if I have to say "I just can't right now" that doesn't necessarily mean "No" it might just mean "later"

I took the time to read my Bible on my lunch today. Took time for myself instead of working on something for someone else. It really refueled me and for that I am thankful. I was refueled by God because he needed me to be ready for what he sent my way.

I called a customer who was on our over draft list today and he just happened to be in one of my classes last semester. He came in so I could help him with his account and he had an eye patch over his right eye. In the course of conversation I discovered that he shot himself but was unsuccessful in his suicide attempt.
We talked about God.
It was good.

Thank you Jesus for doing what it is that only you can do. Thank you for giving me the strength when you knew I would need it.
Thank you for letting me share how wonderful you are with others. And thank you for giving me the gumption to say "No" to people when I need to.

Frustrated

2010-03-27T22:13:00.002-07:00

I am frustrated.
I don't understand why people go through the rigmarole to be dishonest.
Just say what you really want to say.
There is no need for you to come up with a complex reason.
The truth is sufficient.
Give it a try.
You might like it.

Oh Blog...

2010-01-30T15:54:00.002-08:00

Why do I abandon you for such long periods of time?

Why do I not really care if I talk to you for awhile?

Why do I not want to spill my guts to you to "empty" my emotional system daily?

Why are you just not that important to me?

I mean I seriously like you but you just ask so much out of me as a friend...

But I thank you for giving me a break...

I appreciate how you always listen to me ramble, cry, get angry, feel righteous, explode, share...

I like that you don't hound me to "let it all out", sometimes keeping it in feels good...

Thanks for understanding that other things are more important than you most days...

Ok, Ok, Ok you talked me into it sheesh you are just so understanding I guess I can't avoid you forever!

Sigh of relief or a groan of despair?

2009-12-19T20:29:00.003-08:00

Finals week is officially over!
Do I sigh with relief
or
do
I
Groan with despair?

I missed some important events this week, I canceled an evening out with a friend, I fell asleep 4 different times while finishing a final paper (I finally went to bed) so I'm sure the paper is great until the last page then it probably has a bunch of random misspelled cow jumped over the moon mumbo jumbo.. that does not in ANY way relate to the class...
I took my last final and just picked random answers instead of taking the time to look them up. I got a 32 out of 100...
That last bit is not normal behavior for me. I currently have a 4.0 and I like it, but I can kiss that goodbye this semester.
I can't complain because I still passed my classes. I was doing well enough in my last class that I didn't care if I bombed the test.
So I took a walk on the "wild" side and didn't do the responsible thing for the last final but JIMMY CRACK CORN AND I DON'T CARE!
I wish I had more hours this week so I could have supported everyone I needed to, socialized with the people who wanted me too, been the wife I usually am, been the student I usually am but my conclusion is if we had more hours in the day we would be required to work more hours too ;0p

So I sigh with relief because hell week is over but I groan in despair because I was a bit of a slacker and didn't live up to my full potential. But really the groan is just a weensy groan.

You found what?????

2009-12-14T20:20:00.002-08:00

So we had to drill some safe deposit boxes today and usually they are empty and people just didn't return the keys, well four out of the seven we drilled had stuff in them. All had papers, ya know the basics: birth certificate, savings bonds, receipts for important stuff, will's, deeds, etc. except one. One in particular was very heavy. I handled it with care and opened it up to find guns. 4 guns! A SMITH AND WESSON 357 magnum, a 9 mm, a 45 and some itty bitty girly gun. The really cool one was the SW 357. This gun was huge!
Thankfully I got to shoot some various guns about two weeks ago and one was a hand gun so I was not nearly as nervous around these as I could have been. I am not claiming to be a gun expert but if you had never held one you wouldn't want to be handling any strange guns. So I followed proper gun safety and didn't point them at anyone.... and I bagged them and tagged them.

Marva, I am so weak!

2009-12-09T15:53:00.005-08:00

So we are coming up on your 3 year anniversary of you partying in Heaven with JC. It still sucks and hurts and I miss you and I still cry and I am selfish. Yes I know you are singing glory right now but I need you, I want you here with me. I miss being able to just stop by your house whenever or calling you when some great injustice has occurred and your brutal honesty with me when I'm being a spoiled brat. I miss the comfortable silence we could have, I miss your pork chops and ranch tatoes! I miss your laugh, your smile, your gorgeous hair, I miss your awesome best friend advice and your cat lady sweater :0) I miss your son.
I haven't seen Jackson since late summer/early fall of 2008. Sharon picked him up for their weekend and she offered to meet us at Ihop and then Burris playground so we could spend some time with him. He had no clue who we were. Me... his aunt kimmykat and Nathan his uncle Nate. We are nobodies to him now.
You have to believe that we fought for custody. The lawyer said that he could dig up all sorts of junk on Justin's parents but he followed that up with "How much money do you have?" We had only been married 3 months and had ZERO funds. The card was maxed out on our wedding and no one would give us a loan for that amount of money with no collateral and we sho didn't have anything worth that much. He then closed with letting us know that in Indiana unless you had a will stating you wanted us to have custody it would be a battle that we probably, more than likely wouldn't win. We showed him the journal where you stated we were Jackson's God Parents but Indiana does not recognize God Parents.
Indiana also didn't remove Justin's parental rights since he didn't abuse Jackson. Apparently abusing the mother isn't enough for them to remove custodial rights. Justin signed his rights over to Owen and Sally. They haven't changed, they still suck, major!
1 by 1 they fell
June passed away
Owen passed away
Vinney passed away
but I'm sure that their student teacher aka your sorry replacement is still around.
We tried so hard to stay in touch with Jackson but I am weak Marva. I couldn't stomach being in their house, watching them pretend like everything was fine, listening to them tell me how well Justin is doing in prison and how he has figured out how to get around the system on some things, and when they started trying to convince me that it was all your fault and Justin couldn't help it, I had to quit!
They went so far as to send Chrissy to my work with pictures of Jackson asking me to come and visit because they missed me but it was just a ploy. As she was leaving she asked me to testify in court so Don and Sharron couldn't get visitation. She had the balls to say "You know Marva wouldn't want this"
I replied with "You guys haven't gave a crap about what Marva wanted" or something close to that.
Sharron kept telling us that we could come up on their weekends but they only get him every other weekend and they live practically 3 hours away. You know them.
It has been well over a year now since we have seen Jackson or Sally. It is the anniversary month of your murder. On Monday night I woke with an anxiety attack because in my nightmare Justin got out of jail and I didn't know and he just showed up at my house.
That's one of my biggest fears ya know...he gets out and I don't know and run in to him somewhere. I'm just not sure what is going on with me because I don't dream about you, Justin, Jackson or that situation.
When we put up the tree you would have been so proud of me. I found your ornament and I didn't breakdown not even once. God was with me, I got tears in my eyes but they didn't overflow.
So it's been an emotional month. I didn't even realize how much it was affecting me until someone asked me how I was doing, because they know what happened.
Tonight I had to run errands on the icy streets. I went to Morrison to pick up something, then to CVS close to Fazolis, then to Marsh on Walnut and I parked where I never park since the parking lot was icy. As I was getting ready to get out I froze because I saw Sally. Ironically she was donating money to a bell ringer. I couldn't get out of my car I was just stuck. Then she came out and got in a truck with Jackson in the back and what appeared to be a man in the passenger side. Man!??? What the crap? So I need to call tomorrow and make sure that Justin didn't get released. Sure he only got 25 years but he is eligible for parole in half the time and because Indiana is lame, he automatically got 2 years off of his sentence for good behavior so he has been in for going on 3 and he really only has to serve 9 but with overcrowding in the jails, you just never know. They don't look at voluntary man slaughter as harshly as murder. He murdered you but they settled so the prosecutor would get another "win" since elections were coming up and Justin got voluntary man slaughter. Indiana laws blow!
So 20 feet away from Jackson and he has no clue who I am. There is a hole in my heart, God can fill it but I'm not sure if he hasn't because he needs me to use it for something to glorify him or if I haven't let him.... IDK MY BFF!
Emotion overload this week. I love you and selfishly miss you. I am so sorry that I was too weak to continue. I should have fought harder for Jackson or sucked it up and pretended like I could stand those vile people but I couldn't....because I'm weak. I am so sorry my friend.

Keymology

2009-12-02T20:18:00.004-08:00

I follow Christ

I adore socks and pillows

I've never met a Cadillac that I liked

I believe you can only have 1 best friend

I am completely silent in the mornings

I NEVER wear pajamas outside of my bed

I set my alarm for odd ball times like 8:03 or 7:49 never on the 5's or an even number

I heart going to the movies

Halloween is my favorite holiday and no I do not love satan or evil

I am an animal rights advocate

I am a licensed cosmetologist

I often over volunteer my time

I want a penguin and an elephant

I met the love of my life at 15 & married him at 23

Abby's Candles in grape are da bomb

Mmmmmmm Mexican food

I have a skinny girl fighting to get out of me

I wanna be the kind of mom that when my kids randomly bring home other kids I never have to say "We don't have enough"

Still a Backstreet Boys fan

I have pet a shark

I want an outside shower

I may or may not be an innocent car wreck expert

I have elves on my Christmas tree ladder

Mittens make me smile

I can't wear anything other than Burt's Bees on my lips or they explode

I am way emotional

I have a fear of failure

I am afraid of the dark

I have ophidiophobia

Alfred Angelo Fuchsia & Black were our wedding colors

I have 2 brothers

I'm a born and raised Army brat

Food textures creep me out

I prefer the bed to be made before I get in it

I believe it should always snow on Christmas Eve and Christmas

I love to sing

I fell in love with Ireland

I have a 9yr old massive carnival gold fish named Kitty

I prefer to be cold

I love the wind

I've learned the hard way that you should always answer your phone if you can

I have too many purses and shoes

The best games of all time involve the Super Mario Brothers

I'm not scared of new adventures

I get kankles when I fly :0/

I am a slight germ-a-phobe

My all time favorite past time is reading

Open Mouth, Insert Foot...

2009-10-11T21:49:00.004-07:00

Have you ever said something then went "Uh...wait a minute, that is NOT what I meant"

We are in Chicago visiting -V- and we have been friends for so long that we have many many phrases that we say and others don't understand. Sometimes it is just a random quote from a movie like "Let's brew another batch" from Hocus Pocus or "Bam" IDK what that is even from.

As we were walking out of her apartment door tonight for fun and adventure I said "When we get back it is time for us to make some baby magic"

Then when we hit the hallway I thought "Um... I hope no body heard that"

It really doesn't mean what one would assume.

Back when Nathan and I lived in our town house and -V- lived across the grass she would often come over and we would play Mario Kart Double Dash.
In MKDD you can be baby Mario and baby Luigi. I was always baby Luigi and -V- was always baby Mario. We would pick the baby buggy as our car and kick some major butt. We won the entire game and thus we referred to it as "BABY MAGIC"

Since Nate and I knew we were coming up to visit we brought MKDD. As we were leaving -V-'s place I was trying to indicate that we needed to play MKDD and only Nate and -V- knew what I meant by "When we get back we need to make some baby magic"

Thankfully nobody saw or heard the three of us leave her apartment!

We had a baby!

2009-10-07T18:03:00.004-07:00

A face only a mother could love!

3 Generations of Harris Women

At least I think my new demon possessed baby is a girl...

We wanted to buy this awesome Halloween decoration but passed, it was almost $50! Oh well it was cool to play with.

Pet Peeve (sp)

2009-09-30T18:25:00.001-07:00

I loathe it when people yawn while talking on the phone.

Hello Rude much!?!

If you can't keep it in and it just keeps coming out please excuse your self from the phone conversation and call someone back!

ugh

That is all

My relationship with God....sometimes

2009-09-28T18:35:00.003-07:00

"There For You" by Flyleaf

Sometimes I'm a selfish fake
You're always a true friend
I don't deserve you
'Cause I'm not there for you
Please forgive me again

I wanna be there for you
Someone you can come to
Runs deeper than my bones
I wanna be there for you
I wanna be there for you

Swirling shades of blue
Slow dancing in your eyes
The sun kisses the earth
And I hush my urge to cry

I wanna be there for you
Someone you can come to
Runs deeper than my bones
I wanna be there for you
I wanna be there for you

'Cause I hear the whispered words
In your masterpiece beautiful
You speak the unspeakable through
I love you too

I wanna be there for you
Someone you can come to

I wanna be there for you
And be someone you can come to
The love runs deeper than my bones
I wanna be there for you

I so kicked her butt

2009-09-22T20:07:00.003-07:00

So I have went head to head with the gym two times now. So far I have won both battles. Muhahahaha victory is mine!
This skinny chick was next to me on the bikes and I was sooooo kicking her butt. I just happened to notice that her effort level was set to level 3 and mine was at 5 BAM! Now what. (You gotta say this all sassy cuz it really aint a question...you feel me) I was not spying on her either I was just looking around to avoid looking at the timer on the bike because I might loathe the bike and I honestly believe that the timer is slower because I hate it. 1 minute is really like 3 minutes! Watch out people watch out! And no she wasn't on it for an extended period of time so its not like she was kicking butt or anything. I believe that she is working on trimming her thighs. Flat stomach big thighs....if only I were so lucky :0p

HiiiiiiYAAA!

2009-09-16T10:09:00.002-07:00

So it seems to me that Satan is in full force battle mode. He is attacking a lot of my friends right now. I was under attack last week and now it seems to be all the people around me. WHAT IN THE WORLD?!
God must be brewing up a big pot of.... well you get my drift, so Satan has to retialate. Well I say "Hiiiiiiya" and karate chop him in the _________________________ (fill in the blank)
So yeah Satan is a jerk-face and to that I say YOU SUCK SIR!

Oh My!

2009-09-14T19:24:00.004-07:00

HA....or something like that....Right?

2009-09-13T18:49:00.003-07:00

Lets go back in time shall we?
A few years ago someone who we thought was becoming a friend of ours started spreading a vicious lie about Nathan and I. Of course it got back to us and it hurt. We made a few mistakes *side note Not anything major just a few little mistakes financially* and after we became Christ followers we decided to handle our situation the way God tells us to in the Bible. Well this person twisted our situation all around and made it 1 billion times worse than what it really was and made us look like big nasty losers. I never shared with that person how much their lie hurt us. I am a super emotional person and I think that the wound was too fresh to be able to handle it in a loving manner. I had enough dirt on this person to spread truths to hurt them but I didn't. Instead of being nasty and vicious back we chose to start distancing ourselves from them.
Lets jump back to present time eh?
I talked to this person today and KAZAM they are now in the same situation Nathan and I were in a few years ago (with a few differences). Now you see my mind and heart don't always operate on the same accord. In my mind I thought HA...OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT....RIGHT? but in my heart I was feeling pain for them. The situation they are in sucks there is nothing good about it. Logically I wanted to be like JUSTICE IS SERVED! WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND! NAN-E NAN-E BOO BOO! But my heart took over my brain and those thoughts were fleeting thoughts that I don't think I really had at the moment. I believe they were more of an after thought like "Hey shouldn't I have been all like BAM IN YO FACE"
I hurt for them, I have and will pray for them because learning from your mistakes just sucks sometimes and no one should get joy from watching you go through it.
So God has transformed me from the inside out (I'm still working on the outside part but you get my drift)
This post isn't about me, it is about God and the marvelous work he has and is doing!
I praise you God for all that you are and for loving me even when I suck.

Boring!

2009-09-11T21:15:00.002-07:00

So I just finished my World Geography assignment and let me tell you I feel smart.
I had to read a pro side and a con side to the unification of Europe and then weigh in with my opinion. It is really boring so feel free to not read it but I felt smart after posting this. You should have read some of the others... I'm just saying. Below is my post.

I believe that you can look at this several ways. As noted on page 67 uniting all of the countries would take the currency from many to just one. A united Europe with one currency would bring in a lot more money with tourists. I for one would probably visit other European countries instead of picking one and sticking to it my entire vacation. It is such a hassle exchanging currency not to mention the money I lose when doing that. The lost money is money that I could have spent on goods in the different countries. I would like to think that if more people spent more money in a “united Europe” then that would boost their economy. While this is just one good point to have the United State of Europe I must say that I disagree with them uniting.

In just looking at the pros and cons I feel that the cons far out weigh the pros.

To start with not every country is on the same page religiously. Pages 62 and 63 talk about the immigration Europe is facing. With so many Muslims now becoming involved with Europe it would never be feasible to try and have one major religion. Page 63 states that many men unskilled and uncompetitive in EU get involved in petty crime or the drug trade and end up harassed by the police, they turn to their faith for solace and reassurance. How are they going to feel if they are ostracized for their faith?

While some of the smaller countries may benefit from getting assistance the larger countries are going to be footing the bill. The bigger you are the harder you fall. I imagine that the larger countries have made a much larger deficit in their budget in an attempt to sustain and better their situation and are going to need all the money they can get to bail themselves out. Who would get to decide where the money goes and how it is spent. Unification would be a major change and not one that could happen over night.

The next issue I see is the language barrier. Page 58 points out that the 590 million people speak numerous languages and not all of them are mutually understandable. It also raises a good question of how is one determined as the “official” language. School curriculum would have to change; the new official language would need to be required. Attempting to get the entire country speaking the same language I believe would take more than a few decades. The old faithfuls who would hold on the the “old” ways would have to die off and I think it would take a few generations before their influence disappeared and the new “norm” actually became the accepted norm.

In my opinion there would be far too many people who would be feeling suppressed and controlled to have the European unification to be anywhere successful. The statement on page 67 “...ultimate goal….the creation of a federal United States of Europe, a worthy competitor and countervailing force in a world dominated by another federation, the United States of America”

That is a scary statement. If that is their ultimate goal, to compete with the USA, then I feel that they are not ready for unification. Their focus should be to better the lives of their people not to be able to dominate who they think is their biggest competitor.

New Widget & 69 days!!!

2009-09-11T19:07:00.005-07:00

Wooohoooo I am sooooo excited about my New Moon count down widget! I decided to delete the movie trailer, I mean sure I thoroughly enjoy watching the NM trailer every stinking time I get on my blog but I am sure that some of you out there make a sound of displeasure when you hear it... you freaks :0)
I originally wanted a NM count down widget but all they had was the trailer widgets so I took what I could get. But yesterday on Stephenie Meyer's official website they released this widget. So needless to say I now have it.
*Sigh*
Only 69 more days until NEW MOON!
And you are welcome. I am glad I could provide you with the information you most certainly need because everyone in the world should know how long they have to wait for NM!

Technology!

2009-09-10T19:34:00.003-07:00

We are having a Mexican food carry in tomorrow at work and I signed up to take in 2lbs of taco meat. On my way home at 9pm tonight I remembered that I only had 1lb of hamburger thawed out. I stopped by Marsh to grab another pound and when I made it to the check out the cashier was talking to a woman about her receipt. She looked up at me with out a greeting and walked away with the woman. I thought "OOOOOOk I probably would have said I will be right with you but what ev I will just glance at the magazines until she gets back" Since it was kinda of late she was the only cashier. When she came back she started ringing up my purchases, I went back to the actual check out line and gave her my Marsh card. My bill went from $27 to $12! Wooohooo for my Marsh discount card. I laid my phone down to get out my debit card, below is what happened next:
Cashier: "Is that a CELL PHONE with a CAMERA?" while leaning down inspecting it in awe.
Me: I paused for a moment thinking "Don't all cell phones have camera's now???" and "Is she serious?" Oh my friends she was VERY serious. I said "Yeah it is"
Cashier: "That is WEIRD!" as in I can't believe that there is a cell phone with a camera in it!
Me: In my thought bubble "What rock has she been under?" I really wanted to say something like "I know right! It is amazing what kinds of things they can do with technology theseadays, I mean what will they think of next.... maybe the INTERNET on cell phones or the ability to play music on cell phones!"
I didn't really say any of those things but I did kinda think them :0)
Shame Shame Shame on me!

You suck!

2009-09-08T16:31:00.004-07:00

Yes that is right You suck! That is basically what my boss told me today.
I think from the minute I walked in the door today I must have had a sign on my face that said "Please attack me emotionally today, I enjoy it!"
With in the first 3 minutes she jumped on me and stayed there until she left for lunch. She even made me cry... (gasp and insert dramatic music here bom bom boooommm)
I sometimes cry easily however NOT a work.
Long story short: I made a teller mad and she retaliated which gave my boss the ammo she needed to pull attention away from herself. In the conversation she said "I can't coach you on your personality you have to change that yourself, your personality stinks and it needs to change"
That is worse than hearing "You are not doing you job"
I mean my personality....really??
What was really heartbreaking is that I try to be Christ like all the time especially at work because it is such a spiritual battle field and I really really really try to bleed God's love on others with out being a Bible Thumper and today after she said that I thought "What am I doing? Obviously not God's work if this is how it turns out" so I was distraught.
Tonight my good friend MO as she is listed in my phone called and we chatted for 30 minutes which is HUGH for us because neither of us really like talking on the phone that much.
She said that Satan is attacking where he can and if he can just get me to shut up he will succeed in his efforts.
BING! A light bulb came on over my head.
That is exactly what I was going to do.
IDIOT! (You must say this drawn out and in Renn's voice)
I was going to let the prince of darkness win. I was feeling so low that I thought I will just keep my mouth shut and say the bare minimum to everyone from now on.
The teller that retaliated against me was a teller I just recently wrote a recommendation letter for and surprise she received a scholarship for school because of it and I also spent countless hours on the phone and multiple emails trying to find her a paid internship at ONB which I did! So it really hurt that she would be such a witch.
At last because of my great friends who all love God, I will be heading to the battle field again tomorrow fighting battles for God's glory and wearing his armor.

Galatians 5:21-23 (NIV)²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Ephesians 6: 14-17¹⁴Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

BAM! TAKE THAT SATAN!
As my good friend PK would say "KICK SATAN IN THE COOKIES!

Warning! Family Reunion. You may judge me on this...

2009-09-06T20:21:00.005-07:00

I had the "privilege" of getting to attend our family reunion today. I try to go every year with my mom because it is her side of the family. At this reunion each family unit or single adult brings a dish or several and also they bring their own plates/silverware and drinks. Today someone asked what dish I brought. I looked at them and said "I didn't (insert pause here), I am a married adult and live in my own home, until I start receiving my own invitation (like I'm not a kid anymore) I count my mom's food as mine."
Then I realized that I didn't have a drink so I made a quick run to the Village Pantry to grab some soda and decided to pick up some cheese puffs. That's right folks I brought CHEESE PUFFS to the family reunion. Never say I don't participate!

As I was at the family reunion I looked around and realized that I am not really related to these people. I mean they are like from a different planet. I promise you there was an entire family of mullets there today. I rest my case!

There are approximately 6 people from my "extended family" that I see on a pretty regular basis so I don't need to attend the family reunion to catch up with them. The others.... I don't really want to know.
I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW judge all you want but are you attending family reunions to make sure that you keep in touch with ALL of your family. Let us just be honest folks, there are some family members that when people ask you if you are related to them you respond with "Why?" This should not be a normal response but it is!!!!!
So one of my classy and cool family members said "This is why no one ever gets to know anyone, we always sit with our click" my response "I'm ok with that"

There it is people, my brutal honesty. I am a firm believer that you sometimes have to create family. Yeah Yeah Yeah family is important and all that but sometimes you get the crap pot if you will. I refuse to pretend to be happy to see people once a year that I don't even know their name, they don't know mine and we are all ok with it. This isn't a one way street here.
So this is why I have a lot of acquaintances but am very picky about my core friends. You know the people you are REAL friends with not just the niceties on Sunday but the actual "What's new in your life and I really mean it because I care about you?"
And did you read about the mullets???

Lunch Date with another Man!?!?!?

2009-09-03T20:14:00.006-07:00

That's right people, I had a lunch date with a man that is NOT my husband today.

It was lunch with the wonderful 2 year old Mr. Isaiah. I mean really have you taken a look at him? He is handsome, blond, big eyed, sensitive, full of conversation, and absolutely adorable!

I can't help it people this guy has got my heart wrapped around his little fingers ( I mean that literally. His fingers are tiny he is only 2)!

So look out Nate... I love you hunny but Isaiah is irresistible and he has carved out a spot in my heart for himself.

His wonderful mom joined us as well! Tacos = yum!

Facebook is screwing with me!

2009-09-01T14:55:00.002-07:00

So I was on facebook last night when I saw an advertisement for Midnight Sun. For those of you who are not Twihards:
1st let me just say "What are you thinking? You are soooo missing out!" but whatever I am not judging... much.
2nd is some back ground info.
Stephenie Meyers wrote the amazing Twilight Saga. There are currently 4 books in the series: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn.
She was in the process of writing a 5th book titled Midnight Sun when someone leaked it. She knew who it was because she gave out different copies to a few different people so it wasn't hard to figure out who the jerk was. Stephenie was so upset that she decided in August 2008 that she was not going to finish the book at this time.
*Shed a tear, it is ok*
She later confirmed that she would finish the book however she was not putting a date on it.
I am a hardcore twihard so I often check her website for updates.

Flash forward....

I was on facebook last night and on the side bar there was an advertisement for a contest to win a copy of Midnight Sun!

AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! How could I not know about this? I mean me... a twifanatic!?!?!? My heart rate increased and I was super excited at the prospect of Midnight Sun being so close.

HEY Don't you dare judge me!

I went to www.stepheniemyer.com to get the scoop. BIG BUST. There was no mention of Midnight Sun anywhere.

Stupid Facebook it was just screwing with me.

Warning! Frozen Hot Dogs.

2009-08-30T20:04:00.002-07:00

At youth group we usually have hot dog's as one of our main foods for the kids. Today all of the Ball Parks were frozen so I ran a block of frozen hot dogs under the tepid water to break them apart so I could cook them on the hot dog cooker.
Enter the hazard...
As I was trying to break them apart my fingers slipped on some particulary stubborn hot dogs that were refusing to break loose. When my fingers slipped I really hurt the middle finger of my left hand. It did that thing where you hit something with a lot of momentum and the skin that is normally attached to your finger keeps moving but your nail stays put.
Yeah... ouch.
I didn't rip my nail off or anything disgusting like that, I didn't even bleed but I did pull the skin apart from my nail just a little bit. So I now am sporting 2 bruise marks under my nail and my finger really really hurts.
Oh the things I do for the youth! Who knew frozen hot dogs could be so hazardeous?
Perhaps they should come with a warning.

Good Friends, Good Food and Good Conversation

2009-08-25T20:06:00.003-07:00

I got to hang out with two of my very good friends tonight. Tonya and Kate came to Muncie with out the kiddo's to have some chill girl time. Our plans were dinner at the O.G. (Olive Garden) then off to see a chick flick, we were leaning toward Julie & Julia but the movie didn't start until 9:50. Our next choice was The Time Travelers Wife but it didn't start until 9:40 so we skipped the movie and came back to have some chat time at my place.
While we were having girl time our husbands were having a guy night only the best part??? They had the kids! Woohooo. Don't get me wrong I love all of their children but girls need a break too.
How cute are we?
*Side note, I learned tonight that you can sub any pasta in any dish at O.G.

2 Jesus Points

2009-08-24T19:40:00.004-07:00

A coworker of mine came back to work today. She took last week off because her oldest son was starting school for the very first time. *Sweet right?*
Today she is telling everyone we work with how she and her husband along with another couple plus one more male friend went to a strip club.
1. Why would you go?
2. Why would you tell other people you went?
3. Why would you go with another couple if you really felt you must go?
4. Wouldn't you be worried about your soul?
She was talking about how the other men were getting lap dances. Then she went on to brag about how she actually ENCOURAGED her husband to get a lap dance.
5. Morals aside...what woman in her right mind would encourage her husband to spend money on that?
She thought it was great because he wouldn't do it with her (his wife) there, he just had too much respect for her!
6. ARE YOU FLIPPING SERIOUS?
This is the chick that claims to be a "christian" you know the kind. Judgemental but is good on Sunday's sometimes attends church and not just on Christmas and Easter. Claims to love God but then turns around and talks trash about everyone, starts rumors and lets everyone know all about her sex life, all while ensuring she is the gossip queen.
I had a long conversation with her about her visit. I wasn't hateful but I really wanted to know where she was coming from. How can you claim to be a Christ follower and then proceed to turn your back on him all the time?
My other staff were encouraging her all laughing at her sick and disgusting story. I felt so alone in my office and thought "I have to get out of here"

Flash forward to a few hours later.

Another one of my employees comes in my office and we had a few words. There is something she wants and I won't give in (disclaimer: I have very good reason, I mean I am the boss so I must do what is right) and we talked it out. Our conversation ended up with me inviting her and her family to church. She is moving back in with her mom and will be living in Farmland. The conversation was like a breath of fresh air. It made me realize that I am where I am because God wants to use me. I can bleed God's love on my employees and hopefully that will be a breath of fresh air for them when they hear crap like the above story.

I have had many great conversations that were Christ centered with my employees but so often it seems like I am throwing seeds on the rocks, but today I saw where one seed just may have landed on the soil.
So PRAISE GOD, praise God for using me who is completely unworthy of him. I wish I knew the right thing to say to make everyone realize just what they are missing and that they would all TESHUVA.
My wonderful husband called and I told him about the day. He said "I'm proud of you baby, you just earned 2 Jesus points"
and to that I say "Nice"

Today made me think about The David Crowder Band's song Everything Glorious.
You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
And I am yours
What does that make me?

Wolf Power? Who knew???

2009-08-19T19:12:00.005-07:00

So my friend -V- told me I should check out this 80's fab wolf t-shirt on Amazon. To the left my friends you can see the "awesomeness" Amazon has said that this shirt has been on their web site for years with not a lot of hype (I really have no clue why either) until a college student posted a funny comment. Since this post on www.amazon.com the shirt sales have exploded, due to its mystical powers. You can read the comment below.

It has become a best seller in the apparel category. Reviewers have touted the shirt's magical properties to attract women, including cheerleaders.

"This item has wolves on it which makes it intrinsically sweet and worth 5 stars by itself, but once I tried it on, that's when the magic happened. After checking to ensure that the shirt would properly cover my girth, I walked from my trailer to Wal-mart with the shirt on and was immediately approached by women. The women knew from the wolves on my shirt that I, like a wolf, am a mysterious loner who knows how to 'howl at the moon' from time to time (if you catch my drift!). The women that approached me wanted to know if I would be their boyfriend and/or give them money for something they called mehth. I told them no, because they didn't have enough teeth, and frankly a man with a wolf-shirt shouldn't settle for the first thing that comes to him.

I arrived at Wal-mart, mounted my courtesy-scooter (walking is such a drag!) sitting side saddle so that my wolves would show. While I was browsing tube socks, I could hear aroused asthmatic breathing behind me. I turned around to see a slightly sweaty dream in sweatpants and flip-flops standing there. She told me she liked the wolves on my shirt, I told her I wanted to howl at her moon. She offered me a swig from her mountain dew, and I drove my scooter, with her shuffling along side out the door and into the rest of our lives. Thank you wolf shirt.

Pros: Fits my girthy frame, has wolves on it, attracts women
Cons: Only 3 wolves (could probably use a few more on the 'guns'), cannot see wolves when sitting with arms crossed, wolves would have been better if they glowed in the dark."

I mean really folks... we should all have one!

CANNA I GET A WOOT WOOT!

2009-08-19T14:46:00.003-07:00

WOOT WOOT! Word homies!! We now have the internet at HOME. I know I know I know it is simply.... wow. You just never know what your missing until you have it. Ahhhh so I believe that I will be back to blogging reguarly now. So look forward to reading more about the wonderful and amazing Ireland, because seriously it is so fantastic you need to see, read, hear more.
*insert girlie giggles here*

Newry & Kids

2009-07-31T11:35:00.003-07:00

We went to Ross Travers (?) and checked out the Christian Renewal Center. WOW! I believe these people should give me and Nate this place....

We then ventured to Newry to be locals. We ate lunch at ground a trendy coffee bar and then had some chai tea. It was not as good as ours at FFC, so I tossed it.

After some shopping at TK Maxx no that was not a typo it is TK not TJ here. I scored a PUMA bag for 9.99! Sweet action. We headed home to get some rest before the heathen youth get here :0) for a BBQ.

The kids are here now so I gotta go!

2009-07-29T17:25:00.003-07:00

Nathan and I ventured out and about the town today! We went to the post office and exchanged our Euros for Pounds. I'm pretty sure that we lost a LOT of money when we exchanged. We originally exchanged in Newark, NJ from US to Euros (because that's what we were told we needed!) and when we got here we found out that Northern Ireland uses the pound because it is part of the UK. Southern Ireland uses the Euro, soooo we had to go to the post office to exchange our Euros to pounds because in most NI places they do not take the Euro. When the post master told us what we were going to get back in US if we exchanged the Pounds made my jaw drop. I'm still not sure where the money went!?!?!?

While in New Castle we ventured to a little used book shop and one their versions of a dollar store. Their pound is our dollar, so one of their versions of a dollar store is "Around A Pound". The lady we were with Cynhia, had to hit the grocery to pick up some missing ingedrients for our lunch she let us roam for about 20 minutes and we had to meet her back at the car. The grocery she went to was Lids. This was their version of our Aldi's. They had giant pictures of fruit and vegetables and underneath it said "SERIOUSLY CHEAPER" hahahaha That guy should get a raise :0)

After lunch we went to Downpatrick. Cynthia dropped us off on her way to Belfast to drop off an intern from Paris at the airport so she could go home. We visited a cathedral, St. Patricks grave, The prison and all the stuff that went with that, then the St. Patrick center where it was a museum with a IMAX movie *Way different version of an IMAX than ours*. Cynthia picked us up on her way home.

After dinner we went to Dundrum to hang with Richie's youth kids. FYI Irish youth is WAY different than ours!!!! The Taylor University soccer team joined us and we just hung out with the kids. Then we headed to the Galley (?) to get what Pink called the BEST fish and chips. Well I gave it a whirl and I still detest fish (and chips when fried in fish grease) *Insert disgusted look here*! Everyone loved them with the exception of me and 2 others and all 3 of us despise fish in general so I guess we don't count.

After we dropped the soccer team off we went to a real Irish pub! It was nothing like I expected. I was thinking a loud smoky bar where giant Irish men were tipping over in a drunken state *In all fairness I have not been to many bar's in my life and never an Irish pub* It was a really nice restaurant with no smoking and they stop serving alcohol at half past 11. Hardly anyone was there and it was a family establishment. Nathan and I had our first and I believe last glass of Guiness. They let us keep our glasses as souvieners. So yeah... were practically locals now :0)

It is now 1:22 A.M. and I need to get to sleep. I can't be falling asleep durring the Bible lesson tomorrow now can I?!

Wednesday!

2009-07-29T01:37:00.003-07:00

I have high hopes for today. It has been hard to hear God because everyone is trying to drown him out (by that I mean they love God but they are too busy with trying to put their agenda on everyone else), but today, today I feel good about.

Excuse me... Could you please shut up?

2009-07-28T14:03:00.002-07:00

I have always had a fine appreciation for people who know a LOT about something.

What I have never developed an appreciation for is people who THINK they know a lot about EVERYTHING.

What a Day!

2009-07-27T16:45:00.008-07:00

Today we went to Narnia

And we came out at the Irish Sea

We discovered some really cool things

P.S. I had NO clue that seaweed attached its self to rocks!

We made some friends!

But at last it was time to head back

And get ready to hit the streets downtown

All in all we had an awesome day!

Belfast!!!!

2009-07-26T10:52:00.003-07:00

So Nathan and I made it safely to Ireland! Woohooo, this place is beautiful.
I was in the country for about 45 minutes when I learned my first valuable lesson.
The Taylor University soccer team is also staying at Murlough house and they just happened to be on our plane. We were instructed by Richie (I am referring to him as our Ireland tour guide) to follow the lads and get on the same private coach to get to Murlough house. They were detained at customs because they didn't give the officers a satisfying answer as to why they were in Ireland. Apparently training for soccer wasn't good enough. We were almost detained with them because we are staying at the same place! We made it through and went downstairs to claim our luggage *this is where I learned my lesson* I had to use the "facilities" because lets face it airplane bathrooms even on a 757 are not spacious and you almost have to perform acrobats to pee!
So Nate points out that there is a bathroom to the right of us. I look and see a door to the left of the bathroom door *logically one would think 1 is the men's and 1 is the women's* so I am delirious mind you because it is around 4 a.m. Indiana time and I didn't sleep on either plane ride. I stumble past the group of airport workers and to the bathroom. Mind you we have been traveling non stop in the air for like 7 hours so my ankles are really kankles at this point. I open the bathroom door only to be greeted by a urinal?????
No one was at the urinal THANK GOODNESS but I assess my surroundings and at first *Hello I'm still delirious* think "Weird! Why would Ireland have urinals in the women's restroom?"
So I take a small step back because I am still in the door way and take a closer look at the stick figure on the door.
Oops! This stick figure is NOT wearing a dress.
I turn around to make a hasty exit and one of the women are pointing at the women's restroom (NOT next door to the men's but WAY on the other side of the room.

Lesson #1 in Ireland: Always pay attention to the stick figures attire!
*yes I know you think I would already know this* :0)

My friend V landed in Dublin a few years ago and she said that the bathrooms smelled good. FYI the bathrooms at the Belfast airport DO NOT SMELL GOOD.

More to come this week on Ireland so keep checking back!
Did I mention that this place is BEAUTIFUL!

Cosmic Vending Machine???

2009-07-19T11:19:00.003-07:00

I have had several friends who have "issues" with God. As the "Token Christian" friend they turn to me. Sometimes they almost sling insults at me because MY God is not answering them aka Giving them what they want. I had an extended conversation once with a dear friend. I will paraphrase our words
Friend: "I've talked to God! I asked him to ......, and he isn't listening to me. He doesn't care"
Me: "Perhaps he is telling you something you don't want to hear, so your not listening"
Friend: "NO! All I have ever asked he ignores me, he never gives me what I want. He can't hear me"

I have been rolling this over & over in my mind for awhile now. What is the best way to respond to people when they are in this mind frame.

One Sunday PK hit the nail on the head.
GOD IS NOT A GIANT COSMIC VENDING MACHINE IN THE SKY!

That night when I was reading my Bible I came across something called Off And Running. In my Bible there are little boxes here and there like this that will pertain to something you have just read in the above/below/beside scripture. This one was in the book of John.

Pray Expecting to Get Answers (Read 1 John 5:14-15)
"Prayer is not getting your will in heaven. It is getting God's will on earth. Prayer is not an argument with God in which you try to persuade him to move things your way. Prayer is an exercise in which his Spirit enables you to move yourself his way. Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance. It is laying hold of his willingness. We like to gravitate toward the latter part of these verses. But don't forget the first part. You have to first "stay in Christ" by maintaining a healthy, ongoing relationship with him. When that happens, you will see your will coming in line with his, and your requests will begin to mirror what Christ wants to do in your life and the lives of those around you. At that point, you can be assured that God is listening to you and will answer your prayers"

TA-DA!

So simple. Why would God give you the time of day when you WON'T give him anything?
My dear friend (as far as I know) has never had a real relationship with our wonderful, loving heavenly father. She doesn't even play the hokey pokey as Pink would say. She just flat out has no connection to God. So sad. I love her and I want her and anyone who doesn't know Christ to have him in their lives.
Sorry I was getting off track here.

The answer is simple. You have to have a RELATIONSHIP with God. He is not a giant cosmic vending machine in the sky for you to visit when you need something.

Fear

2009-05-23T08:25:00.004-07:00

I woke up this morning with fear controlling my body, then I realized that today is only Saturday so I collapsed back in bed and slept for another hour.
When I woke up an hour later I had a moment of panic.....then I realized that today is Saturday. I stretched, got up and got ready for the day.
Nathan and I will be heading to Memphis this afternoon for a wedding tomorrow.
Tomorrow is Sunday and I will be getting up early to go to Cardova Tennessee and style the Brides hair. No pressure just one of the biggest days in her life! :0)
I always get struck with fear the day before something major because I am afraid that I will miss it, be late, not be able to find it, etc....
At last I am good to go, we will check in to our hotel tonight, go eat at a restaurant people keep telling us we have to eat at in Memphis, I will set my alarm and have the front desk give me a wake up call. What's the chances that I will miss both of those???

Tourist

2009-05-22T13:46:00.003-07:00

This trip to visit my family has been interesting. Nathan and I are getting to be tourists. I lived here for a few years and never once did my family and I venture out. I'm sure the adults did but I was a kid so I was stuck at home.
We went back to the Bluff View Art District today and ate lunch at Tony's. Ohhh lala, it was good, then Nathan and I took a stroll around the art district and took some fun pictures. I'm sure Nate will put them up on his blog for your viewing pleasure.
Last night we hit the Murder mystery dinner theater, it was a blast! I got pulled up on stage as part of the act, the food was good, the show was good, the atmosphere was good, yeah it was good.

mUrDeR mYsTeRy????

2009-05-21T13:18:00.000-07:00

We are going to the Murder Mystery Dinner Theater tonight...in less than an hour and I have been lazing away on the net. (you just don't miss stuff til you get to use it) So I need to:
Blow Dry My Hair
Flat Iron My Hair
Apply My Make-up
and
Get Back On The Net
:0)

Vacation.....kinda...

2009-05-21T12:35:00.003-07:00

So Nathan and I made it safely to Tennessee with a pit stop to Chick-fil-A in Murfreesboro. You can read all about our trip down by going on Nates blog. We had a minor hair crisis this morning but all is better now.
Seriously I am sure that some of you are laughing at me right now but it was a crisis folks! When we were packing I realized that I only had liter size of my PROFESSIONAL shampoo and conditioner and I was running out of hair spray so I told Nate that we would just stop by the supply store on our way out of town. Well....we forgot.
I get in the shower today and realize when I reach for my shampoo & conditioner that I was a doofus and didn't bring any. Nathan said "Just put your hair up and we will get some after lunch" The problem was that I had already wet my hair down.
I don't have normal hair. It is EXTREMELY curly and has bleach in it = unmanageable, tangled mess. The last time I didn't have my products I almost had to cut my hair off because I couldn't get a comb through it. NO JOKE.
So Nate goes in search of shampoo & conditioner. My brother uses a razor on his head so he doesn't have any hair products in his bathroom. Nate brings back SUAVE 2 IN 1 from Katie & Steph's bathroom. (It was all he could find)
WHAT!?!?
As I am trying not to have a breakdown I attempt to wash & condition my hair with this trash.
*SIDE NOTE, Under NO circumstances can a product cleanse (removal of junk from hair shaft) and condition (replacement of nutrients back into hair shaft) It just can't happen people, it just can't*
I attempted to comb out my hair while spending 40 minutes calling around trying to find a professional beauty supply store and then threw it up in a pony tail.
We ate lunch in the Bluff View Art District of downtown Chattanooga, and then headed to my brothers work place. Mick's (my brother) work bought a hotel that was built in 1909. The down stairs is a computer data thingie but the 2nd and 3rd floors are the original hotel. It was crazy awesome getting to explore it. It was so beautiful, the staircase was my dream staircase. It needs some work since it has been there since 1909 but who cares!
Our camera died so Nate didn't get any great pictures but there is always tomorrow.
We went to State Beauty Supply and TADAAAAA I bought what I needed. We went back to Mick's and Nathan and I showered for the 2nd time in just a few short hours. My hair no longer feels gummy when it is dry and slimy when it is wet. I got a comb through it in just 1.5 minutes if that long! Praise GOD for the small things!!

And I checked my grades....4.0 for this last semester. Woot Woot!

Not Finished...

2009-05-17T11:58:00.003-07:00

I decided to change the blog layout and it is not done. I need to change the top so the color matches.
Notice the vines on the side...
Notice the branches in the middle....
Yup that's right folks THE BRANCHES.

Confused

2009-05-15T18:05:00.002-07:00

So I'm a little confused by some events that have passed this week.
I think it is amazing that God gives visions to people. Visions for them to carry out to grow God's kingdom. Visions that they are supposed to carry out to give GLORY to GOD. Visions to help lead people to the SAVING KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST.
Only to be squashed and for them to not be allowed to carry out the vision of GOD.
GOD, people. GOD!
It is not about us and our comfort. It is about the unsaved, those on the pathway to hell.
I remember hearing some say they would do anything short of sin to lead people to Christ.
Well it looks like anything except that.....

I was bummed, greatly disappointed, wallowing even but then I realized that everything happens in GOD'S timing.

So this trendy chick is chilling. Big things are going to happen all in God's timing!

It's been awhile....

2009-05-10T11:29:00.003-07:00

So Nathan and I still do not have Internet access at home, this is why I do not blog right now.
We went to Jamaica in January and I promised to let you guys know about how the trip went.
At first I wasn't ready to share because I was so over whelmed with emotions and thoughts.
It has been just over 3 months and here I go...

I have a love hate relationship with Jamaica.
Yup...I said it...
I am not a builder, if you look at me you can see that I am not really physically active. I despise the heat & food with bones in it, well not really my thing. I am an animal rights activists and the people of Jamaica have a hard time taking care of themselves let alone all the stray animals, hence the hate part of our relationship.
However there is a flip side as well.
I loved talking to the people and getting to witness to them. RELATIONSHIPS, that is what I am all about. I believe God made me outgoing for a reason, surely he has a plan to use me and my personality to help benefit his kingdom.
We built the house for was a single mother of two. Her oldest daughter Jessica stole my heart. Here were these two beautiful little girls in poverty. It was so sad. These children have nothing and sometimes do not get to eat yet Jessica was the happiest little girl ever. Everyday on our way down to the work site Jessica would be there to greet us always with a smile on her face and jibberish coming out of her mouth. This two year old could not form sentences or have conversations and then I realized her mother really didn't talk so how would little Jessica learn?
One night we went to the boys home. Another sad experience. Here were all these boys being taken care of by one lone man. Try as he might he just couldn't give each child the individual attention they deserved. So while we were there we got to talk to them, witness to them by teaching them the story of Joseph, play games with them and get to know them.
I loved the time I got to spend with my husband and the entire team. We met people from other states in the US and got to hear their story. We learned how the missionaries live and work. We shared secrets with each other and prayed for each other. One of the most important things we did was to get out of our comfort zones, not always an easy task!
In short this is the story of my love/hate relationship with Jamaica. I can't tell you everything about the trip because that would be the longest blog post in history and I think you should check out missions work yourself.
God definitely changed my heart while I was in Jamaica, I guess we will just have to see where that leads us.
Thank you to everyone who donated to us so we could go on this trip. If we haven't already told you in person then it's coming.

On a roll...

2009-02-09T21:29:00.003-08:00

I was totally on a role with school tonight and then blackboard shut down! WHAT THA...? Oh well I will get some sleep tonight and be able to tackle it fresh tomorrow.

Still not ready

2009-02-08T19:14:00.002-08:00

I'm still not ready to share about Jamaica yet. Processing takes some time ya know. If you haven't already stopped by my husbands blog and read/saw all about the missions trip then you should ;0)
I'm behind in school work too so that is going to set me back as far as blogging goes.
Talk to you soon blog homies!

The time has arrived...

2009-01-16T17:44:00.002-08:00

We have to be at the church in just 7 hours. I am waiting patiently for Nathan to finish packing so I can pack. It is amazing how prayer helps so much. Thank you to everyone who prayed for us this week. I am as cool as a cucumber. Shout out to my homie Cobi- I so wish you were still going!
Everything just ya know fell together and tonight I am pumped. Pumped to be going, Pumped to be in Jamaica, Pumped that God is going to use ME, Pumped that I will develop stronger/new friendships with others, Pumped just pumped.
So goodnight for now, I will return to blog land sometime in February probably. I don't want to commit to blogging as soon as I get back. I think this is going to be such an amazing experience that I may need a little time to absorb it when we are back in Frigid Indiana! I must say impeccable timing with the weather...

Miss us while we are gone,
xoxo~Keym

Pray please

2009-01-12T18:48:00.002-08:00

So just a few short days away from Jamaica.
Ton's of people have been asking me "Are you getting excited?"
Seriously what am I supposed to say?
Don't get me wrong I am so fortunate and blessed to be able to go. I am looking forward to getting to do God's work. I just don't have the faith in myself. What if I fail? What if I say or do the wrong thing and have the exact opposite effect that God wants? I have NO clue how to build a house. NO PRESSURE THERE.
Also this week is overwhelming on my schedule.
Work, haircuts, haircolor, School started today, Growth group, Youth group, Getting the house in order and the pets settled for the next week, laundry, packing, dental appointment. All of this in a few hours in a few short days.
So yeah I am excited about Jamaica but right now my emotions are on OVERLOAD! I am sure once I am up in the air life will be good again, but until then would you please pray for me?

2009-01-12T17:47:00.003-08:00

Luke AFB is west of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by civilization that complains about the noise from the base and its planes, forgetting that it was there long before they were. A certain lieutenant colonel at Luke AFB deserves a big pat on the back. Apparently , an individual who lives somewhere near Luke AFB wrote the local paper complaining about a group of F-16s that disturbed his/her day at the mall.

When that individual read the response from a Luke AFB officer, it must Have stung quite a bit.

The complaint:
'Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base:

Whom do we thank for the morning air show? Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 A.M, a tight formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall, continuing west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet. Imagine our good fortune! Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyns early bird special?

Any response would be appreciated.

The response:

Regarding 'A wake-up call from Luke's jets' On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four- ship fly by of F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over the grave of Capt. Jeremy Fresques. Capt Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day.

At 9 a. m. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and friend. Based on the letter writer's recount of the fly by, and because of the jet noise, I'm sure you didn't hear the 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques as I gave them their son's flag on behalf of the President of the United States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who under stand the sacrifices they have endured..

A four-ship fly by is a display of respect the Air Force gives to those who give their lives in defense of freedom. We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respects.

The letter writer asks, 'Whom do we thank for the morning air show? The 56th Fighter Wing will make the call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents of Capt Fresques, and thank them for you, for it was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of their lives.

Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you....Jesus Christ and the American Soldier.
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr.

USAF

Twifan

2009-01-10T20:32:00.003-08:00

I may not be 14 but I am a Twifan. In fact I pre-ordered the "Special Edition" Twilight movie tonight from Amazon.com. It comes out March 21, 2009, just 3 days after my birthday~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME.
Twilight = Good times

One of my favorite pictures!

2008-12-30T18:29:00.002-08:00

This is one of my favorite pictures. It is a picture of Nathan and me when we were on vacation in northern Indiana. I believe I took the picture right after we left the beach or maybe we were actually at the beach. I took it on one of the first ever digital camera's. The kind that you put a floppy disk in to save the pictures on. NO JOKE. We still have it :0)
Yes I held the camera up side down, not on purpose mind you and apparently I forgot to zoom out. It is Nathan's mouth and my eye.
I'm not sure why I love it so much but I totally do. It makes me laugh.

To blog or Not to blog? That is the question.

2008-12-27T10:18:00.002-08:00

So I feel like I should blog...but I really don't have anything to say. So do I need to blog or do I not need to blog...
I really thought more people would like the Hands song, it's not necessarily about the video but about the words of the song.
Christmas was great, this was the 1st Christmas that Nathan and I were alone on Christmas morning!
My house is terrible, everything is disorganized right now.
Nathan has a touch of the flu or something related.
I am reading Breaking Dawn for the 2nd time.
We just got some more money for our missions trip!!!!
God has blessed me.
Today I finally realized what an amazing, wonderful, mighty God we serve. We pray and pray and pray and he does not always answer us the way we like but prayers are answered. It hit me today that I love him and worship him even when times are bad. No matter what, it is well.
*I've always known what kind of a God we serve and that no matter what we should praise him, but today I think that some things just fell into place for me*
It is well...

Hands

2008-12-25T19:12:00.002-08:00

This song says so much, especially with the way our world is right now. No matter what we CAN do the work of God, our wonderful savior.
Merry Christmas!

I BEAT PK!

2008-12-25T09:48:00.002-08:00

Flipping Awesome, I beat PK! He ALWAYS knows who starts a blog before anyone else does. Well except that one time when Pink knew about Sari first...

Angel Silvers is now blogging! Check her out!

zzzzzzzzz....

2008-12-18T21:35:00.002-08:00

It is 12:36 AM and I am now officially done with this semester. I missed 4 out of 25 questions giving me a 84% on my final. At first I was irritated but then I realized what time it was and how sleepy I am.
Woohoo to me, but now I am tired so very tired.
Here is to the end of the semester...swa-eeeet!

Just like family

2008-12-17T20:31:00.003-08:00

Tonight our growth group had our (I think it might be appropriate to say annual) white elephant gift exchange.
It was mad chaos and tons of fun!
We had it at the Smith's house, Gary deep fried a turkey (YUMMIE) and the rest of us brought side dishes.
*In the words of Shelby "Would you like some side dish?"
The food was great and the presents were well....interesting.
I believe there were 17 adults and 13 kids tonight. Yes everyone showed up! Well everyone except one family but they had family in town that would have put us at 19 adults and 16 kids.
WOW
So we ate and then we drew numbers. Everybody brought stuff from home that we didn't want anymore. Gifts could be stolen twice and the person who had #1 gets to go again when everyone is done. We opened, stole, traded and grumbled at some of the junk we all got. The kids went first and they had a blast and when we were all done with presents we sat around and sang some Christmas songs with Nate C. leading on the guitar.
While enjoying the company of my growth group/church family I thought this must be what it is like when a huge family gets together and celebrates the holidays.
What fun!
Nathan and I are so very blessed to be involved in a growth group. Through up's and down's they have been there. We support each other, guide each other, keep each other on track, and just do life together. Just like a family. It's fun and uplifting.
So yeah this is my random plug for growth groups....
Just Do It!

Life Lesson #231

2008-12-15T20:45:00.006-08:00

I went to Ivy Tech today to register for spring semester classes.

Wait hold up let me give you some back story......

I went to 3 different High Schools by my sophomore year. I started in one, my parental units got a divorce so I moved to another school with my dad. In the second school I was taking all AP classes. I passed all of my classes with fantastic grades. End of freshman year I high tailed it to Indiana to be with my mom. What I thought I wanted and what I really wanted were two different things so back to mom I went. *Props to all mom's out there in blog land*
When I got to Indiana they told me that based on the state requirements I would loose all my credits from my freshman year. After much fighting the generous Winchester Community High School decided I could keep my semester credit of Government.
Wasn't that nice?
Anyway they pulled every single credit I had with the exception of Government because at the time in Indiana as a high school student you were REQUIRED to take the basics: Algebra I, Biology I, Earth Space Science, etc... in high school. It did not matter that I had passed the advance placement classes.
*Side Note*
I would just like to point out if someone can pass AP Bio 2 then I am pretty sure they have Bio 1 in the bag. Ya feeling me?
So long story short I crammed 4 years of High School into 3 years and I went from graduating with honors to graduating with a basic diploma (not even a core 40). My guidance counselor wasn't paying attention and 1/2 way through my second semester of my senior year she told me that I was a science credit short of core 40.
And science was my jam yo!
BSU said "NOPE! NO CORE 40 = NO BSU"
They kindly referred me to Ivy Tech.
Went to Ivy Tech and due to my high school scores they let me skip all of my pre-req's. WHICH IS WHAT BSU WANTED ME TO TAKE THERE!
I had a car wreck and took time off of school.

Flash forward to last semester

I decided to go back to school, I got signed up and student affairs would not let me in one of the classes I wanted to take because I had not met the pre-req's. *Yes the same pre-req's that they let me by pass*
She told me "You'll need to get copies of your high school transcripts....."
I said "Um...you have them"
She said "No, not likely"
Me "Yeah, yeah you do"
Her "I'll look but we don't keep them back that far"

I wait patiently until she comes back with MY FOLDER
She fixes it and I am in my classes.

Flash forward to this semester
I am finishing this semester and that means it is time to register for next semester.
Same thing. Student Affairs said I hadn't met the pre-req's and I needed a copy of my .......

Me: "You actually have them in a file back there"
Her (yes the very same person): "No, if we had them then they would have been transferred to our electronic files"
Me: "I had this problem last semester and they were in a file back there"
Her: "NO...if we had them they would...."
Me: "Yeah that was what was supposed to happen last semester..."
Her: "Hold on"

She comes back with MY FOLDER

Her: "I can't believe that they are still back here. Someone didn't do their job last semester. They should have put this in our system. I don't understand....blah blah blah blah"

She basically went on to trash who ever helped me last semester while glaring at me like I did something wrong.

When she finished I smiled ever so sweetly and said "Yeah that's what you said last semester when you helped me"

Her face dropped. She silently got up and went across the room and asked another person to upload me into the electronic filing system. When that was complete she signed off on my classes and I was on my way.

So LIFE LESSON #231 Don't trash other peoples work or lack of, it very well could come back to bite you on the rump!

Compassion

2008-12-13T19:04:00.003-08:00

We received our second letter from Brigida today. Brigida is the name of the little girl we sponsor through Compassion International. I must say she is absolutely adorable. She is in kindergarten and she is a genius! She writes her own letters and her printing is near perfect. Of course Compassion has to translate it for us and they print it under her writing. She tells us that her favorite color is red and she likes chicken!
Nathan is reading what she wrote right now, since he took a zillion years of Spanish. It is amazing to me that the little amount of money we give to her has made such an impact on her life and we don't even miss it.
God is good.

Cuz I wanna

2008-12-10T21:39:00.002-08:00

Things I want to do soon not in any certain order:

Learn how to play the guitar

Become amazing at playing the piano

Relearn the clarinet

Learn how to play the violin and viola

Become a herbalist

Skydive (Bonzai)

Drive a motorcycle

Be a size 6 (Inside joke)

Belch the ABC's

Become a marathon runner or whatever they are called

Be a Martha Stewart understudy

Be the valedictorian

Hair and makeup artist for movies or famous people in general

Be able to tackle a MAC

Read the entire Bible

Swim with dolphins

Go horse back riding

Star in a movie

Scuba diving

Sky diving

Learn how to paint (really great stuff) not just happy trees

Master the BBQ

Be able to do a handstand out side of the water

Work for a suicide hotline

These are just a few.

I karate chopped a spoon in a hole because I'm a Ninja!

2008-12-09T20:32:00.004-08:00

So this is a fun email my mom sent to me. You simply follow the directions. Her line was "I had lunch with my neighbor in your bathroom because I'm sexy and I do what I want!" HAHAHA that is hilarious coming from my mom.
Anyone else want to play? My line is in the title of this post. Let me know if you play!

Pick the month you were born:*
January-------I kicked
February------I loved
March--------I karate chopped
April----------I licked
May----------I jumped on
June----------I smelled
July-----------I did the Macarena With
August--------I had lunch with
September----I danced with
October-------I sang to
November-----I yelled at
December-----I ran over*

Pick the day (number) you were born on:*
1-------a birdbath
2-------a monster
3-------a phone
4-------a fork
5-------a snowman
6-------a gangster
7-------my mobile phone
8-------my dog
9-------my best friends' boyfriend
10-------my neighbor
11-------my science teacher
12-------a banana
13-------a fireman
14-------a stuffed animal
15-------a goat
16-------a pickle
17-------your mom
18-------a spoon
19------ - a smurf
20-------a baseball bat
21-------a ninja
22-------Chuck Norris
23-------a noodle
24-------a squirrel
25-------a football player
26-------my sister
27-------my brother
28-------an iPod
29-------a surfer
30-------a homeless guy
31-------a llama

What is the last number of the year you were born**:
1--------- In my car
2 --------- On your car
3 ----------- In a hole
4 ----------- Under your bed
5 ----------- Riding a Motercycle
6 --------- sliding down a hill
7 --------- in an elevator
8---------- at the dinner table
9 -------- In line at the bank
0 -------- in your bathroom

Pick the colour of shirt you are wearing:*
White---------because I'm cool like that
Black---------because that's how I roll.
Pink-----------because I'm NOT crazy.
Red-----------because the voices told me to.
Blue-----------because I'm sexy and I do what I want
Green---------because I think I need some serious help.
Purple---------because I'm AWESOME!
Gray----------because Big Bird said to and he's my leader.
Yellow--------because someone offered me 1,000,000 dollars
Orange--------because my family thinks I'm stupid anyway.
Brown---------because I can.
Other----------because I'm a Ninja!
None----------because I can't control myself!

Now type out the sentence you made and let everyone see!

So Blessed

2008-12-08T20:19:00.002-08:00

Nathan and I are going to Jamaica in January 2009 on a mission’s trip with Farmland Friends Church.
Nathan went to New Orleans this past summer on a mission’s trip and he loved it. He came back on fire for God and ready for another trip.
I am a little more apprehensive.
The Jamaica trip isn't free. We have to raise our funds and I was having trouble not worrying about it. After much prayer and asking someone totally awesome to pray also (They offered to take prayer requests on their blog...how awesome is that!?!) I turned it over to God.
This Sunday while Nathan and I were on stage doing a run through for worship, Pastor Marggy picked up my purse and put an envelope in it. I checked it out later and found some cash in it for our mission’s trip to Jamaica. It was an anonymous donation (not to mention the 1st donation) that still brings tears to my eyes. I put my trust in God and he opened the flood gates. How simple.
We are no where near the amount that we need yet but I have faith that with what we have saved and what donations will be coming in (through the grace of God) that the financial status of this trip will be A-OK!
So I want to say THANK YOU to whomever it was that gave us our first donation. The blessing that you have bestowed upon us has forever touched our hearts.

If any of you blog stalkers would like to contribute to the SEND NATHAN AND KIMBERLY TO JAMAICA FUND just make a cash donation (any amount helps) or make checks payable to CSI Ministries and put our names in the memo line. You can mail it to CSI here in Muncie or you can give it to us personally *we prefer this so we can thank you in person :0)* or if you would like to remain anonymous then pass it on to someone who works at FFC and they will make sure we get it!

So long story wrap up, we were so very blessed this Sunday by someone's generous giving heart. Thank you again whoever you are!

Lyrics?!? What Lyrics???

2008-12-04T20:31:00.004-08:00

I bought the Twilight soundtrack before I saw the movie. I wanted to be prepared for the movie you see.

I think most of us have a tendency to make up our own lyrics to some songs. I mean who really needs to know the actual words?

Well there is a song called SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLE on the Twilight soundtrack and I was jamming to it in the car the other night and Nate singing along to it sang..."I want to play Whack-A-Mole"

Song: Glaciers melting in the dead of night...Supermassive Black Hole
Nate: "do dooo do do do I want to play whack-a-mole"
Me: ....."What?"
Nate: "I wanna play whack-a-mole"
Me: hahahaha it's SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLE
Nate: No, I'm pretty sure they say I WANT TO PLAY WHACK-A-MOLE!
Me: hysterical laughter

Tonight I am listening to the soundtrack while doing my online class and on came SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLE and I could see the wheels turning in Nate's mind, so I thought I would share it with my wonderful blogging community.

Ashlee Simpson has a song that says "I'll greet you at the door...I'll be your french maid"
I sang "I'll meet you at the door...I'll be your bridgemate"

I always wondered why she sang about playing cards, at least I think that is what bridge is?

Do you have any of your own lyrics to actual songs that you would like to share?

Um Yeah...

2008-12-02T20:04:00.004-08:00

Do you ever look at something and think "Um, how did this happen?"

That's where I am at tonight with our linen closet.

We do have a crazy amount of towels, wash rags, sheets and blankets but I am pretty sure that at some point I had that entire thing organized.

I spent 3 hours today at our laundry mat catching up on laundry, at one point a woman who had been in and out said "Your a trooper I'm here to tell ya"

It wasn't just our normal clothes, I had to wash towels and sheets too. We have our own washer and dryer, however our apartment is not equipped to hook them up so boo for us we have to use the laundry mat. A what's with people not cleaning out lint traps? "Um Y.U.C.K I really don't want to touch your lint. You take care of yours and I'll take care of mine. Thanks."

Nate conked out early tonight and I stayed up. I was getting ready to go to bed and I decided to put away the sheets and towels. I opened my linen closet only to stand there confused for an undetermined amount of time going "Um, yeah. How did this happen?"

There were sheets (not folded precisely as they once were) on the towel shelf and the blanket shelf looked pretty skimpy and other misc. things were strewn about here and there. I took out the sheets that were messy, they are going to take more than a minute to fix and reorganized my towel shelves.

Laundry is put away, homework is done and I am going to bed to read some more of New Moon.

So have you ever had some "Um...yeah, how did this happen?" moments?

Oh Winnie...

2008-12-02T11:23:00.004-08:00

I have wasted soooo much time today, well only after I got home from taking Winnie to the vet this morning.
She had to fast last night so she could have blood work done to determine if she has diabetes.
I am torn right now because I am not sure what I want the results to be. If it comes back positive for feline diabetes that means she will have to see a new vet and stay for 2 or 3 days to have her insulin adjusted to the correct amount. That means I will be shelling out cash for insulin for my cat! and giving her a shot every day.
If it comes back negative then that means she just likes to urinate on the carpet. The first two places we lived with her the carpet was ruined BEFORE WE MOVED IN by the animals that lived there before us. I chalked her urination up to the smelly carpet, but this apartment had brand new carpet put in before we moved in. I feel like we spend all of our time cleaning it now.
Someone suggested that I just "put her down" :0/
Not funny
She is one of our kids, if I have to shell out the bucks to keep her healthy then that is what I will do, you don't just adopt a pet only to throw it to the curb when they have a few issues. People are so bizarre!
but... we can't be having her pee everywhere when we have children crawling around.
Ugh
What to do what to do?

New Background, You like?

2008-12-02T10:07:00.002-08:00

So yeah I actually devoted some time to my blog today. This is not something that I normally do, I feel there are sooooo many other things I could be doing, like reading the Twilight saga!

So what do you think?

I am digging the black and pink but not so much feeling the diamonds on the side. I just don't do round cuts! LOL

small town...BIG impact.: Urgent Prayer Needed!!!

2008-12-01T21:00:00.000-08:00

small town...BIG impact.: Urgent Prayer Needed!!!

Doors...Ugh!

2008-11-30T20:03:00.005-08:00

I realized today just how many wonderful friends Nathan and I have and we continue to make more wonderful friends. God has truly blessed us with people who love him and can help us keep on track.
Tonight in youth group Pink talked about being thankful. It just hit me that I am THANKFUL to God for the friends he has lined us up with.

It seems weird to me that as one door opens another closes. I sometimes wonder "Why? Why do any of the doors have to close? Can't they just all stay open and we can all wonder round and round?" Obviously some doors need to be closed and sealed forever but others, well why just one door?

Today while thinking about my true friends, (You see I am very picky about those I actually consider a friend. I feel that I have many many many wonderful acquaintances but friends don't usually come in groups, unless you have an amazing growth group like me. I also believe that you can only have 1 best friend. I have never really got the whole "I have 2, 3, 4 etc. very best friends" what really makes them special if there are more than one of them? But hey each person is different so whatever.) I came to the realization that I am losing a friend.
I have been friends with this person for quite awhile now and I have felt over the last several years that our friendship has been crumbling.
Why is it that we sometimes cling to any shred of hope we can grasp, to hang on to something that is one sided, only to be disappointed again and again? Are we gluttons for punishment? We put ourselves out there just to be taken advantage of and absorb more hurt and pain than necessary.
Why?
I am not trying to be a martyr a victim or whatever here. I have in soooo many relationships been a terrible friend and people clung to me when I should have been dropped off like yesterday's trash and not looked back upon.

I realized that with some people it is just easy to be a God loving, caring person around them. With others it is far too easy to have "fun" around them and lose sight of who we really want to be.
I have tried so hard not to be a bible beater with people who do not have a strong faith but looking back I wonder if that is what God wanted me to be. I just kind of feel like at this point no matter what decisions I made, I could not have made the right choices.
Ugh! How frustrating.

So to make a long story longer ;0) at what point do you know what you need to do? Do you keep fighting remembering all the great times? Do you just let yourself fade into the background? Do you take a stand and say "Hey..."?

I believe that God loving people can be friends with those who do not know our loving father, after all someone needs to be their unintentional shining star, so it is not a matter of that. Perhaps as we grow we change and that is why relationships die.

My best friend, Marva Rhea, once disappeared from my life for awhile. We went months with out talking and hanging out. We just let it slip. When we came back together it was like we never missed a beat. At one point she told me that she purposefully avoided hanging out with me during that time. When I asked her "Why" she said it was because I made her want to change her life and give up the bad choices she was making and at that point she did not WANT to give up these things. ~I can respect that, who am I to judge anyone?~
In our conversation she said that I never harassed her about these things I did not agree with or made her feel bad, but just being around me made her desire to be a better person.

Please believe that I am not delusional enough that I believe that I make people want to make positive changes. It is pretty cool that I made her feel that way but we had a very special friendship, that's why we were very best friends! The funny thing is that she made me want to be a better person too!

So I thought "Do I make this person feel bad about the decisions they are making?" I have not tried to and I am not judging them but I didn't with Marva either. We often surround ourselves with people who are making or have made similar decisions as us. It is a natural comfort, they have NO room for judgment at least that is what we think.

I do want better for this person but I am not someone who thinks that I can "fix" people. I am but a mere tool for God and we all have free will. No one can control our actions or our decisions.

So I will be praying about what I should do. At this moment I feel like I should just let myself fade into the background. But who knows perhaps God will lite a fire in me.

Cheese just may make the world go round!

2008-11-29T21:44:00.003-08:00

So yeah I like cheese. I mean it is just so good. In lots of forms.
White cheese dip, cheese cubes, blocks of cheese, cheese sticks, shredded cheese, sliced cheese, melted cheese, fondue cheese, cheese on top of stuff, cheese under stuff, cheese that's not really cheese (Velveeta), cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese, smoked cheese, I mean the list can go on for a while...
Oh and Tonya makes really good shredded cheese when we have tacos!

However I do not like
String cheese. ~I O.D. on it and then jumped on a trampoline when I was like 7, not a good combo~
Generic Cheese
Powdered Cheese
Cheese on veggies
Moz. cheese in pizza crust
or Swiss cheese
Seriously why did they attempt to ruin cheese with these?

Other than these few items cheese is great.

So yeah I like cheese, it kinda makes the world go round.

Oh Me Oh My

2008-11-28T20:18:00.004-08:00

I was a poor witness tonight.
Nathan's cousin Collins passed away today. He was only 15.
We went to the family's house because Nathan has a deep history with them.

I should have stayed home.

I am very sorry for their loss but I do not mourn for Collins. He is free now. Free from the crazy that life spun at him. He can walk, talk, run, dance, sing and praise our WONDERFUL God.
He is home.

Collins had a difficult life.
He couldn't move, speak, focus his eyes, eat, etc.... Nothing.
He existed.
His parents thought that they were doing what was best for him and maybe they were. People are entitled to their own opinion and I have one.

Opinions are like buttholes.... everyone's got one :0)

They are older and could not lift Collins and give him the proper care he needed but they could not sacrifice and place him in assisted living or a group home either.
I can't say that I blame them, if I was faced with the same situation I have no clue what I would do. I would like to think that I know what I would do but...

It is easy as an outsider to say "Well if that were me, I would blah blah blah"

Yup easy to say what you would do, but you just never know until you are faced with that particular situation.

Anyway there we were and I remembered exactly why we do not really hang around these people. They are so self absorbed.

There was enough smoke in that house to make it a bar.

Oh and here's a real treat...

Another cousin, is 8 months pregnant with her 2nd baby was SMOKING!
Now if you followed me when I first started twittering I was furious one night because this same person, pregnant with the same baby, was SMOKING and DRINKING.

Yup read it again...

Yet everyone acts like its OK... "Well, she's smoking Marlboro Lites!"
"Oh, excuse me, I guess I didn't see the LITE part above the Surgeon Generals WARNING!"
.
.
.
.

Ya know it also kinda bugs me when people say "You have/had nothing to feel guilty about..."

Really?

Hum...if it is necessary for you to point it out, out of the blue mind you then ya know, maybe, just maybe there is a reason to feel guilty....

Perhaps that is just me and my philosophy!?!?

There are a few funny parts, you see with this family here is a basic equation:

Celebration= Fry something up
Tragedy=Fry something up
Rain= Fry something up
Holiday= Fry something up
Sun Shining= Fry something up
Nothing to do= Fry something up

They love to deep fry things, lots of things, well actually ANYTHING.
They deep fried a hotdog for me once :0/
Tonight they were deep frying steaks...WHOLE steaks...
and they were talking about putting syrup over corn chips and baking them.

What? Who does that?

When I stepped out of the vehicle 30ft away from their house I could actually smell the grease from inside the house.
I thought I was gonna hurl on their lawn, yeah for me I kept it in!

These are just a few examples of some of the crap that went on tonight.
I hate when people jump on the TRAGIC BANDWAGON, I am NOT one of those people. Seriously you can touch base with them, feel for them, help them, pray for them but you don't have to immerse yourself in the tragedy and make it your own.
Get a clue people

So yeah, I was a terrible witness, I was negative on Twitter, I could not say a whole lot, there is some rule to life...
"If you can't say anything nice then don't say anything at all"
So sorry Tweets that you had to read my complaining.

It is sad that someone passed away, but it is even more sad that people want to make it an event of themselves and the person who passed gets lost in the fight to claim the attention.

Is it in You?

2008-11-25T21:05:00.001-08:00

Tagged

2008-11-25T20:26:00.004-08:00

7 Random Weird Book Facts

1. Twilight. I love them. Every single one of them. I am reading the entire Twilight series again. These are the only books that I have read over again on purpose. I do think that they will be read many many many more times.

2. I worked in my high school library. I always got the best books before anybody else. *muhahaha*

3. Harry Potter Books Rock!

4. I love reading historical romance novels.

5. Getting lost in Gregory Maguire's books is always a complicated good time.

6. The Bible is AWESOME however I need a BIBLE FOR DUMMIES version or maybe a modern day version.

7. Twilight... best book to movie crossover. Don't dispute me I love it ok!?

7 Random Weird Facts about me

1. I love Reading ;0p

2. I love socks, mittens and pillows.

3. I like to balance random things on my head at random times.

4. I hate to give things away, I might need it. But I hate being cluttered. Go Figure!

5. I am an animal lover, however there is a no fur = no go policy in my house. The exception is Kitty and Fido (our gold fish)

6. My vehicle used to be a magnet for accidents. NEVER MY FAULT JUST ASK THE POLICE OR MY INSURANCE AGENT!!

7. I prefer for everything to be neat and organized with the one exception of my purse. Everyone needs chaos somewhere.

So like Milah, I am NOT tagging anybody. I repeat I AM NOT TAGGING ANYBODY.
If you want to play along you can answer 7 random facts or 7 random book facts about yourself and let me know by responding to this post.

2008-11-24T18:20:00.000-08:00

What do you do when you feel like you are becoming one of the things that you fear most?

Just a run down of today

2008-11-11T20:12:00.003-08:00

So the night before last I slept terribly. At one point I woke up nose to nose with one of our cats Tootsie. She was actually on my pillow and I was nestled on the edge, so yeah we were sharing my pillow. I futilely tried to disturb her enough that she would get up and MOVE but to no avail. Tootsie simply got up and did a circle or two and settle back down in the exact same spot only facing the other direction. When the alarm went off I was disoriented. That was kinda how the whole day went. Well last night I was determined to get some gooooood sleep. I took two sleeping pills and out like a light was I. Nate said he did all kinds of annoying things and I never once hissed at him :0/
~I woke up today at 10:56 am and it felt good!
~I ate left over tacos from last night (hey it was lunch time, who cares if I just woke up)
~Watched a part of Legend of the Falls (for the first time)
~Put the dishes away and reorganized some kitchen stuff
~I got tonight's dinner ready and cooking (pot roast)
~Started thawing out some hamburger to make tomorrow nights dinner (Chili)
~Made the bed
~Took a shower
~Got dressed
~Picked up a few things in the living room and bathroom
~Day dreamed about reading the Twilight Saga again :0)
~Procrastinated starting my research paper on Bipolar Personality Disorder
~Checked some blogs and my internet just stopped working
~Organized my school stuff and started on my paper
~Text Nathan several times while attempting my research paper
~Opened my bedroom window after shutting off the heat that was on 64*
~Watched my neighbors bring home a Family Dollar Cart (yes a real one)
~Worked on my paper
~Twittered
~Emailed my paper to myself
~Put on my makeup
~Ate some of my delicious dinner
~Watched some more Legends of the Falls
~Kissed Nate hello when he got home
~Twisted and pinned my hair up
~Kissed Nate goodbye
~Drove to School
~Dropped off my bag in class
~Printed off the rough draft of my research paper
~Went back to class
~Received my A on my last test
~Listened to some people droan on and on
~Took lots of breaks (so my teacher could talk to us individually)
~Got out of class an hour early while eating a cup cake
~Arrived home
~Checked the mail
~Spent some time with Nathan
~Ate a little left overs
~Finished watching Legends of the Falls
~Cleaned up some kitchen mess
~Changed into bed time clothes
~Sat down on our bed
~Turned on my laptop and saw Edward!
~Did some of my online homework
~Now I am posting about my day!

Thanks for reading

I'm taking the challenge!!

2008-11-09T18:19:00.005-08:00

I am taking the challenge!

The 6th folder on my computer is of our honeymoon in Cancun Mexico.

The 6th picture is a picture we took from our balcony over looking a portion of our pool.

Just past the pool you can take stone stairs down to the white sands of the beach and into the crystal blue ocean.

Our hotel was HUGE, if you look to the very right of the picture you can see a section of it, the whole thing was shaped like a giant blockey U with stair step sides. Anyway it was a beautiful, wonderful, romantic time.

So are you gonna take the picture challenge. 6th folder 6th picture....whatcha got?

`Bout to go B-Spears

2008-11-03T20:18:00.002-08:00

So it is mid term week and life is a bit of crazy now. Not much coming from me for awhile. I have 2 midterms (1 of them I have neglected to read the book), 1 test over 4 chapters in psych, 1 research paper to get started, 1 black board post, 3 black board responses and 1 social psychological therapy session to come up with and lead. So woohoo for midterms *dripping with sarcasm*

I am in book 4 of the Twilight Saga OMG BECKY it is sooooo good. But at last no fun reading time for me, at least for a little while. Dumb dumb stupid school :0) and stupid responsibilities too!

Pictures will be coming of my Halloween extravaganza! So stay tuned!

TWILIGHT SAGA

2008-10-28T20:25:00.005-07:00

Twilight Saga.... need I say more?

Ok, ok I will.

I LOVE these books.

I read a lot and by a lot I mean a TON. I love books large and small, black and white, frontwards and backwards, right side up and up side down. I just simply love books and getting lost in them.

Harry Potter was one I refused to sub-come to until I could not stand it anymore. I finally caved and started the last week of August 2007 and finished all 7 by the first week of November 2007. Those books are so intricately composed you really have to pay attention to understand and keep up. I loved them. At that point I had decided that Harry Potter and J K Rowling were the best things that ever happened to the reading society. Yes folks they are that good.

But then.....

TWILIGHT AND STEPHENIE MEYER (THIS IS A LINK YOU SHOULD CLICK IT)

YES THE TWILIGHT SAGA IS THAT GOOD THAT I MUST NOW WRITE IN ALL CAPS AS I REFER TO IT. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO DEEPLY SUCKED INTO A BOOK AND THE CHARACTERS IN THE STORY. I CAN'T PUT IT DOWN. I STARTED THE SERIES THE END OF THE WEEK BEFORE LAST AND I AM NOW ALMOST DONE WITH THE THIRD BOOK. THERE ARE ONLY 4 BOOKS IN THIS SAGA SO I MAY BE GETTING SAD THAT MY JOURNEY IS COMING TO AN END. AH EDWARD AND BELLA WHAT MORE CAN I SAY?

YES I AM A NERD AND I AM GOING TO PUT UP A WIDGET THAT GIVES THE OFFICIAL COUNT DOWN TO THE TWILIGHT MOVIE PREMIER.

I break for Corn Husks!

2008-10-26T19:48:00.006-07:00

So it is fall and harvest time in Indiana and we have a LOT of corn. I feel like I need a bumper sticker on my bumper that reads
"I BREAK FOR CORN HUSKS"

As I am driving down the road, usually "THE 32", I often see something scurrying across the road and I tap my breaks. I love animals, so big or small I don't want to smash one on the road with my tires. This would make me sad :0( so I try to avoid it.

My breaks get a workout during harvest time in Indiana. You see what I am most often breaking for is not natures furry little critters but CORN HUSKS!I know I know I know.

After the combines have whisked the corn out of the fields there are a lot of corn "bits" and what-not left just laying around. Indiana is flat so when the wind blows so does all the "bits" and often times when a single dried corn husk is drifting across the road it resembles something that can scurry and has a heart beat.

Better to be safe than sorry so after a quick glance at all of my mirrors I tap the breaks to avoid crushing what appears to be some sort of a furry creature out for a jaunt across the road. More often than not it is a corn husk I avoided hitting :0)

They are not just flat pieces of dried up leafy stuff that is easily recognizable as a husk. No no no they are sometimes curled or bent so when the wind blows it looks like something hopping or running or whatever.

So yeah, I am doing my part to keep Indiana's Corn Husks safe folks, are you?
I BREAK FOR CORN HUSKS.

I'm fired!

2008-10-16T15:01:00.002-07:00

So I am totally fired! Yup that's right I am firing myself. I did not successfully predict the future. Nathan and I switched like we normally do and to top it all off... I did not take a nap at all, not one single nap.
Now to some of you that may seem like no big deal but, I sleep in the car if I am not driving. That is just what I do. The calm lull of the passing stuff on the road, the gentle rock of the vehicle as it takes me to my destination. I always fall asleep on long trips I just can't help it. Not this time though. Who knew I was so terrible at predicting the future!?!? So yeah, I fired myself.

We arrived around 11:15 pm and chilled for a couple of hours and then went to sleep in my brothers bed and it was AWESOME! His bed is so comfortable it puts ours to shame and I love ours. So good sleep time.

I also started reading Twilight last night and it rocks! I am only on page 79 but I am digging it already.

My nieces were estactic to see us, and we chilled all day. Now Nathan and I are getting ready to head to my other brother, Allen's house.

What time is it?

2008-10-15T00:36:00.003-07:00

So it is now 3:36 am yup AM! Nathan and I were planning on leaving for Tennessee tomorrow at 9 am sharp. HA!
Nate has an exam he has to do on campus and I am gonna sleep in a bit.

I had class tonight and took an exam in Psych that I studied and studied and studied for and then I took notes and rewrote the notes on index cards I could use in class. So needless to say I knew the info frontwards and backwards or so I thought. Apparently my teacher has an affinity for wording tests just so,... just so she can mess with your mind :0)
I am hoping for an A but since I did the best I could possibly do I will settle.

I came home and Nate's mom was here and she took us out for a late dinner. It was nice getting to spend time with her. Then we had to do laundry while doing more school work. Then it was home to put away laundry and pack for tomorrow (for me at least) Nate had to finish school work to turn in tomorrow at 9 am so he can take his final. The final touches for tonight, straighten up the house and now at 3:42 am I am going to do my last bit of homework before sleeping.

So since I am ready and he has some stuff to do tomorrow that I can't help with I get to sleep in! WOOHOOOO!

By the way did you know I can predict the future? Here read on and I will predict tomorrow and you can check back in a day or two and see if I was correct....
In our future I see us taking more driving breaks and switching off drivers far more often than normal for us.

Don't forget to check back on my next post to see if I have a future in fortune telling.

Must not forget the neck pillow oh and my handles to adjust my seat backs were fixed so yipee to us because we can now recline to nap in the passenger side and when Nate drives he does not have to sit up freakishly tall (that is how I drive, the back of my seat is almost straight up, HEY, don't judge it is what feels right to me) he likes a bit of an angle. So woohoo the trip should go well.

Back home again in Muncieania

2008-10-13T21:55:00.003-07:00

So we are back home for a day and a few hours and then off to the south.
I decided to pick out a book from my book shelf to read, but I still have Twlight to read so I picked a book that I could put down for weeks at a time if need be.

Mirror Mirror by Gregory Maguire

Gregory Maguire is a twisted, in depth, complicated story weaver. He takes the original fairy tales and reworks them from another point of view. Wicked is the story of The Wizard of Oz from the wicked witch's point of view, Confessions of an Ugly Step Sister is Cinderella from one of the step sister's point of view, etc...

I am now reading Mirror Mirror which is Snow White but I am not sure who's point of view, we shall see.

There are a few quotes in the first few chapters from the priest that I want to share with all of my fellow bloggers.

"I've never been persuaded you had much of a soul. More like a little damp anchovy stuck between your breasts, trying to breathe. That's what you smell like anyway"

Also from the priest...

"I'm a priest, I know better than most when a lie is permitted"

and last but not least from the priest, a prayer...

"May you choke on your godless superstitions and spend eternity in coals up to your squid marks. Amen"

I like reading Gregory Maguire's books. They are exceedingly complicated and when you think you have it figured out BAM he hits you with another twist. His book Wicked is a Broadway Musical and Nate and I went to Chicago last may and saw it. It was fantastic. When I first start one of his books I feel stupid because they are so complicated but after words I am like "Oh" so I continue to read. It is a plus that you can put it down for weeks or months even and come right back to them.

So I foresee it taking me awhile to get through this book since I have the Twlight series to start!

Chi-Town

2008-10-12T21:21:00.005-07:00

So -V-, Nate and I went to Chicago today. It was an exciting and fun trip! We took a train from Hammond Indiana into downtown Chicago.We hit Navy Pier and then the Magnificent Mile. While heading down to the pier someone said "Hey, I know you people" We all turned and saw an acquaintance from High School who now lives in Chicago.
Small World, really small world.
This happened on our Honey Moon in Cancun. We didn't know the people but they were from Muncie and recognized Nate's Ball State sweat shirt.
Small world indeed
Anyway we snapped lots of photos on -V-'s camera (ours likes to eat batteries so they were dead) and did some shopping.I like to get lost in bookstores so we hit Borders, *side note, I really wish we had one of these in the big city of Muncie* and I caved and finally bought the first book in the Twilight series and also bought my dad a book by Bill Cosby since we are heading down to visit him. Nate hit up Express and got some great deals. They just happened to be having a BUY 1 GET 1 50% OFF the ENTIRE store. Then it was a mad dash back down the Magnificent Mile (which I might add I think is WAY longer than a mile) to make sure we made it to the Millennium train stop to go back home. If we had not made it we would have waited 2 more hours to go home.I took this photo of a random downtown Chicago Pigeon. I love them, seriously, they are like the Mafia of Chicago. They just don't care and I imagine if you make them mad....
Back on the train where we had some.....interesting males sitting in front of us.
Home and to the pool. 1 of 4 on grounds, seriously yo!
Back home, shower, drop off a movie and back for taco's!
Now it is time for TERMINATOR 2.... night all!

Who wrote this????

2008-10-07T20:26:00.003-07:00

So I am confessing, but only to those of you who read my blog so don't tell. I have slacked majorly in the reading aspect of all of my classes. Financial Aid was crazy this semester and I was in to class for 4 weeks (yes 4 weeks) with out any books. Luckily the teachers were all aware of the financial aid issues so life was good.
Well I finally got my books and I was like "yuck!" that is a LOT of reading if you put it all together. I love reading but text book reading falls in a complete other category and it is not on my top 10 list.
I have been doing great! I have a perfect score in all of my classes. Don't ask I am just good like that sometimes :0) *just kidding just kidding, but I do have improve skillz*

Well it caught up with me. I took a quiz in Behavior Modification and got 100%. Now it is time for the first test over EVERYTHING we have read.

Sooooooooo now I MUST read 103 pages by Thursday so I can take the test. Not a big deal really but I am skipping class a different class tomorrow to attend growth group (for the 1st time this semester) and a meeting at my fantastico church. So I will not have a lot of time tomorrow and it is now 11:33 PM so.... get my drift.

Anyway to make a long story longer....

I was reading in my Behavior Modification Basic Principles by David L. Lee and Saul Axelrod Third Edition and I came across something I found humorous on pg 17.

~When someone turns on a light, for example, is that person adding light (positive reinforcement) or removing darkness (negative reinforcement)? The answer is unclear and unimportant.

WHAT?

Can someone please explain to me why if it was soooooo UNIMPORTANT then why in the world is that little diddy even in the book? Seriously yo! Did they have a word quota they had to meet or what?

hahaha David and Saul (;0) had a sense of humor

Nothing new

2008-10-06T19:36:00.001-07:00

Nothing new to say, sorry.

Vacation next week though!

Can't sleep must watch HEROES

2008-10-01T21:31:00.002-07:00

So school is going well, perfect scores in every class. A great big YIPEEEE TO ME!
How did I do on my GIGANTIC test you ask?

Well we will just have to see...but I only guessed on a few and left one question blank. Hey hey hey don't judge me I had to write the 6 thingamabobbers of some scientist for psychological social dilemmas. Yup that's right try saying that fast three times :0)

Went to class tonight and I was the only student who showed up for 30 minutes. All of the others went to our normal meeting place for class but at last they did not pay attention last class. South Side was having an Open House so our classes were moved back to Ivy Tech.
I tried to bargain for bonus points since I paid attention. You just never know til you try, ya know!?
Our class is 3 hours long. We spent the first 2 "fighting" because there is always one, no matter what there is always one. The last hour of class was fun! We had a list of people and they all had descriptions. We had to narrow the list down to 6 people we would want to take into our bomb shelter (we had to pretend the world was getting nuked and we were going to survive along with 6 peeps of our choosing from this list and start the world over again)
One of the girls in our class decided she would not vote because you can't put a value on one persons life over another.
I kindly asked if she was going to offer up her position in the shelter so we could get on with business, I mean after all we are talking about being the only survivors who have to reproduce and rebuild the world here!
Everyone wanted the Catholic Priest to be in with us. I was like "Um why? I can talk to God on my own thank you. How about the guy who knows all about planting and harvesting vegetation and stuff? I mean he can do a lot of good to rebuild the food supply for the world?"
Needless to say it was interesting! I had a good time. After all it was hypothetical.

Then I came home and Nathan and I watched the end of Season or Volume 1 HEROES.

Oh my goodness if you have not seen this show you are seriously missing out. After reading the rule book of life (because we carry one in our back pocket) we realized that it was required that we go out and immediately purchase HEROES Season/Volume 2.

So tomorrow night after I have dinner with a previous coworker and after Nathan gets back from worship practice we will be starting Volume 2. WOOOHOOO "HELLO NEW YORK" if you watched the show you would totally know what I am talking about :0) any takers, any?

Ho hum ho hum

2008-09-25T18:44:00.002-07:00

I should be...

-writing a paper

-reading a LOT of school stuff

-taking a quiz

-taking a test, a really really long test

-catching up on more reading

-preparing for tomorrows meeting

but instead I am blogging :0)

Ho hum Ho hum there is always more that needs done

Fool me once....

2008-09-23T21:46:00.002-07:00

Fool me once shame on you, Fool me twice shame on me!

Do you ever have expectations for people only to be let down? I do. Not often but more than I should. I don't have expectations for everybody just a few. And it is a hard pill to swallow when they let you down.
I have often wondered if they would have let me down if I didn't have those expectations? After much thinking the answer is yes. You see we all have expectations of people even if we don't realize it. We expect mutual respect, it is just one of those things that is a given. You don't have to mention it "Oh by the way I expect you to respect me and I will respect you. Agreed?"
When your homies don't show you the mutual respect it stings.

And it may just be me but it seems to me that the people who let you down the most are the ones sucking up God's blessings. That sometimes makes me bitter. HEY LEAVE SOME FOR ME WOULD YA?
But the bible says in (my words) "Why should you care what blessing I am giving others? You should be happy for them.

So at last, you let me down big time but WWJD? God love ya- soak up those blessings! After all fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me.

INNOVATE 20008

2008-09-18T18:39:00.003-07:00

So we are at Granger Community Church for the Innovate 2008 Conference. This church is so cool that it is ridiculous. I love it!
I was a little disappointed though because the youth info stuff was yesterday.
B U M M E R
But I did get to go to a breakout session on Growth groups and I learned a lot.
Pastor Tonya would love the kids facilities here. The have slides to get your kids where they need to go!!!! Not wimpy slides either! I wanna take a ride.
There are fun crazy posters that say fun crazy things all over the church, lots and lots of snack breaks, cool videos, neat structure, etc......
Nathan and I got up at 3:37 AM this morning to get here by 8:00 AM with Pk and Brian, I didn't go to bed until around midnight and Nate didn't get to bed until after 1:30 AM, so needless to say after very little sleep and lots of fun info today I am beat.
So beloved bloggers it is off to sleep for me so I can get up tomorrow for another fun info packed day!!!!!
Wooohooo Innovate 2008

Thank you

2008-09-11T20:25:00.001-07:00

This is a THANK YOU to everybody that has ever served or is going to serve our country.

9-11 is a day that just may live in our lives forever, I can remember it like it was today. How sad, how simply sad.

The worst part is knowing that there is always more to the story than what "we" know.
People pop off at the mouth thinking they have it all figured out, ignorance. Ignorance is sad. People died that day, sometimes I just want to scream "SHOW SOME RESPECT AND KEEP YOUR TRAP SHUT!" but because we have people fighting for our right for freedom of speech, there is only so much we can do. It seems kind of like an oxymoron, people, good people have fought and still fight for our right to trash talk them.

I normally steer away from political and war talk. I am a born and raised Army brat and that is something that I am proud of. So I know that I tend to have a bit more passion about some of these issues than others and that is ok. If we all thought the same the world would be a boring place.

WOOOOHOOOOO

2008-09-10T18:35:00.002-07:00

Woohooo for me! I got a promotion. I am now the Assistant Branch Manager for the Muncie South Madison Old National Bank.
Not sure when I start though because my boss has her talons in me and doesn't want to let go :0)

This process was part of the emotional week. I interviewed 3 weeks ago. They finally made an offer to me last Friday around 4:30 pm! I said "I'll let you know on Monday"

I prayed, talked to Nathan and a few other people seeking guidance, then I prayed some more. At that point I really didn't know if this was what God wanted for me. In my frequent chats with "The big guy" before I even applied, I came up with a magic number. This number was it. Well they didn't offer me my magic number. So after the weekend of chatter and prayers I countered on Monday. Now you see this is the first time I have ever experienced being in a position where it truly did not matter if I did or did not get the promotion. So I had a bit of freedom. Don't get me wrong it is a sweet deal (I think) but life would not have been over had it not worked out. I actually put it all in God's hands and did not worry about it, until Sunday night. I had a minor freak out about countering. It was brief though because I gave it back to God.

So anyway, when I countered I countered for more, thinking they would come back with a lower offer but NO THEY MET MY COUNTER!

Praise Jesus!

2008-09-08T19:48:00.001-07:00

Fun filled weekend
Back to work, it started off ok but it quickly became overwhelming emotionally for me.

WHAM

Tomorrow is a new day...