Have Suitcase...Will Travel

back, for awhile

2009-05-11T11:54:00.000-07:00

Seeing as it has been OVER a year since I last blogged, I'm not sure that there is anyone out there to read this.

Alas, I will re-cap the last year and then move forward.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year of motherhood.
I'm tired more often though.
I've gained weight and am now fastidiously working to shed the "fluff"
I still have struggles.
I feel like I'm constantly multi-tasking.
I love working from home.
I'm not ready for summer.

There. See? You haven't missed much! I am getting ready for my sister's wedding this weekend. Yea! I'm not sure about my shoes though. I just made my first attempt at buying shoes online and I'm not sure if it's all it's cracked up to be. I love getting things delivered, getting letters in the mail, etc. So that's a bonus. But, when I'm shopping at the store, I try on a pair of shoes, crinkle my nose and then put them back. In this case, I open the box, crinkle my nose and then have to make a trip to the post office. sigh. Free returns are great, but they also mean a scheduled trip to the post office. boo. So, I have a pair of shoes that are okay, but I'm not sure they are GREAT. Oh well, that means sending only two pairs back where they came from.

that's all for now. I've got to pace myself.

Proud Mom

2008-04-27T20:14:00.001-07:00

Well, after 53 hours of labor and a C-section, my daughter greeted the world. She is a precious gift that I sometimes have a hard time believing is real. The labor and delivery were a bit too real though. They don't call it labor for nothing, and our original plan was to do everything as natural as possible (we're granola like that). We knew that we needed to be flexible and to do whatever would be best for me and the baby. So, after laboring for FIFTY-THREE WHOLE HOURS without any pain medication, and hearing that it could go on for days more, with high risk to both of us, I gladly opted for a C-Section. Within 30 minutes, my daughter's cries filled the room. I know I'm biased, but I think she is beautiful and perfect. I can't even begin to describe the love I have for her.

Tick-Tock

2008-04-09T05:58:00.000-07:00

Well, my due date is this Sunday, and so I study my calendar too closely and look at my watch too intently these days. I wake up in the morning thinking "is this the day??" and go to bed at night thinking "is this the night???" With such an easy pregnancy, people would ask me if I was ready to have her yet. Honestly, I wasn't. I was enjoying the 9 months that sailed by, enjoy feeling her move inside me (I still do) and taking time to get adjusted to becoming a mom. So many things to do with the nursery and things to prepare for an additional little person living in your home. But now. I think it's time.

I don't sleep well and it's amazing how much that can affect your day. My body is wondering if it will ever get to shed the extra pounds it has accumulated over these last few months. Simple things like washing my hands in the kitchen sink is difficult because I am *that* far away from the sink and so it requires either bending over at an awkward angle to reach the water or leaning on the counter to wash my hands. (I choose the latter). I eagerly anticipate my weekly chiropractor appts to adjust my back, hips and stubborn rib that is out of place. But why am I complaining? I have the privilege to feel my daughter's movements every single day. Although I look forward to seeing her move outside my tummy and realize "so THAT'S what she was doing in there", I think I will miss the gentle nudges I've gotten so used to.

So, baby girl. Take your time. We'll see you when you're ready to greet the world.

I love you already.

Adjusting

2008-02-12T11:27:00.000-08:00

My grandmother went to heaven yesterday morning. My emotions and thoughts have been all over the place since then. I had so focused on not wanting her to suffer any more, but now I realize how much I miss her.

And then I'm reminded on how real the cycle of life is. That I won't see my grandmother's face again, but today I got to see my baby's face. Her little nose, lips. I watched her open her mouth, move her fist to her face, and open her eyes. Her life outside the womb will begin soon.

It's so much to take in.

Goodbye Grandma. I will miss you.

Letting Go

2008-02-05T19:23:00.000-08:00

My last grandparent is dying. My grandmother has been on hospice care for a couple of days now and is not expected to make it to the weekend. Her health has declined so much in the last week and every day she looks more and more different. I can't imagine what it is like to suddenly lose a family member. All of my family member's deaths have been expected. But there is also something horrible about watching a human body shut down and waste away. I know where my grandmother is going when she dies, she knows where she is going when she dies. So what is this? This painful, lingering, morphine-controlled day where she must suffer?

But when she goes, I will miss her. And it's a chapter of my life I never looked forward to. Not having any grandparents.

As I feel my baby kicking in my womb, how I wish that Grandma could have seen her. She was so excited about her. Her first great-grandchild. She put her hand on my tummy just two days ago. What a precious moment I pray that I will never forget. It was like passing the baton onto the next generation. My daughter will never know her great-grandma, but I will tell her about her. How even in her last days, she smiled when I told her that I loved her.

It's hard letting go. But she's ready. And now, so am I.

Inhale, Exhale

2008-01-30T19:42:00.001-08:00

I'm having trouble breathing today. And eating. It seems that the baby has had a growth spurt faster than my body can adjust and since my lungs and stomach are in her way, they must be sacrificed. Three small meals and many gasping breaths later, I'm tired. By the way, have you ever noticed how many people do not know the difference between "breathe" and "breath"? Just something that catches my attention.

I went to the chiropractor today and when I mentioned that some of my muscles in my shoulders were tender, she asked me if I would like to have a massage as part of my therapy today. MASSAGE!?!? THE MAGIC WORD!?!?! I've been going to this chiropractor/practice twice a week for a month now, and they are absolutely first rate. They have now exceeded all expectations. I had a great adjustment (my hips are starting to shift these days) but then..... oh my word, a wonderful massage. And all I paid was my usual co-pay. She said that they would leave it in my chart for my next appt. I go twice a week, people! Do you know how glorious this is?!?!? I guess you're beginning to notice my excitement by now.

Speaking of excitement, our nursery is coming along nicely - we're completely changing the room and it's really looking sharp. Yea!

Sunday I'll be 30 weeks preggers. It has FLOWN by. I can't imagine how fast it will go when it's single digits. I'm such a planner and the suspense on if she's going to be early, on time, or late is killing me. Such a big date and you have no idea when it will be! Some people do, I guess, if you have a planned c-section or induce, but since we're not planning on either one, it's all up in the air.

Hope everything is going well for y'all.

School's Out

2008-01-16T09:38:00.000-08:00

Yes, I'm still alive. My life as I know it is changing, and I'm trying to keep up. It's such a whirlwind at times, and there are moments that are very surreal. Such as this past Sunday, in our childbirth class, and it hits me. I'm in a childbirth class! I'm going to have to deliver a baby! Wow! I have become obsessed with baby registries and bottles and diapers and slings. Yes, these are a few of my (now) favorite things.

I never ever dreamed that I would be excited about learning everything I could about being a mom. I mean really, it was never a dream I had for myself. But God is working on my heart, and frankly, it's been a miraculous change. Sometimes it's still overwhelming, but if He is the one that created my little girl, then I can trust that He will help me through the change of becoming a mom.

Thankfully I was able to finish another class in school last week. I took a Wintermester class, but it's now over and I have kept up my 4.0. I am really excited for the break from school. I still have 7 classes left before I finish my degree, but for now, that's on hold.

I'm getting bigger and bigger all the time, and am now in my third trimester. Whew! It's gone by so very fast. Is there a pause button on this thing? I have books to read and a nursery to finish!

So, that's my latest and greatest. Sorry I've been such a bad friend and blogger for not touching base. It's not due to lack of interest, but simply a lack of time.

TTFN!

Why I love New York

2007-11-28T18:18:00.001-08:00

Lady Liberty

Their Home Depots have glass ceilings.

Theiir churches have beautiful stained glass windows.

They have fabulous restaurants with fun pictures. This same restaurant is located all over London. And it's just as good.

Two words: Central Park.

Whee!

Updates

2007-11-16T04:40:00.000-08:00

It's been about two weeks since the last post. Alot has happened since then.

I've finished a few tests and quizzes for school. Finished my research paper last night. Phew!

New York was a fabulous trip, I was worn out by the time I got back. I'll try to post some pics soon of Central Park. It was so beautiful (as usual).

And the recent news as of yesterday morning - IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!!!

SO very excited. :)

Amstaff Momma.

Happy Howlaween!

2007-10-31T16:02:00.000-07:00

I don't really get in to Halloween. Especially this year since I have an insurmountable amount of homework to do in the next week. (The Everest of Homework, people.) No time for the doorbell to be ringing and interrupting homework time and driving the dog nearly mad.

I have immensely enjoyed two things today, however. One - the little Yahoo animation in the top left corner on their website with the ghosts and the kids. Really cute.

The second discovery was on Google. I use Google ALOT. Today I was looking up an address in New York City and I saw the Streets box so I clicked on it. It is a street level map which makes it appear that you are walking down whatever block you want to. It has the intersections labeled so you can turn and go down another street. I really don't know how they did this. Did someone take pictures of every street in NYC? Do they have that many mounted cameras? If so, how do they have all the angles? It's not a satellite, because it's street level. Am I the only one who didn't know about this? Is it only available in New York? I found the church where we do service projects and the house where we stay. The main window is the regular Google map so you have your bearings. And guess what? It has a little icon and arrow to show which way you are pointing. And today? The little icon that represents you is a little witch on a broom. So bascially, I FLEW from the church in Brooklyn to the Upper West Side. On a broom. This morning. In NYC.

It's the little things people.

Have a safe and Happy Halloween.

Taking After Dad

2007-10-04T17:35:00.000-07:00

I had another sonogram today. The baby is at 13 weeks now and we got a few precious seconds to glimpse into its world. I'm already convinced that the baby has all of Brian's genes. That or I understand why my energy has been zapped from me. Because it took it all!!!!! This baby was MOVING today. I can't feel a thing yet, but it was pretty cool to see it moving its arms, legs, turning this way and that. My side of the family is not exactly known for their energy. We love naps, sleeping, slothfulness, lethargy. Brian's family can't sit still. MUST GET THINGS DONE!!!! is their motto.

Yeah, it's got his genes alright.

Six more weeks and then we can stop calling it an "it". :)

Early Bird Gets The Exercise

2007-09-17T18:29:00.000-07:00

I can put it off no longer. I MUST begin walking. More than my neighborhood. Because I'm already beginning to show. At 10 weeks. And I want to at least do the 3 mile Turkey Trot this year. Long-sleeved t-shirt = the magic words and incentive to walk.

This morning I walked around the work complex, seeing a turtle swimming in the pond, dragonflies dancing in the breeze. It was actually nice. AND it helped me wake up before 9am - no small feat.

The plan is to walk a minimum of a mile M,W,F. Maybe do the elliptical Tues, Thursday.

I've got a baby to keep healthy, a New York trip coming up (lots and lots of walking) and a Turkey Trot.

Waddle Waddle.

Flyin' By

2007-08-28T17:10:00.000-07:00

2007 has completely flown by for me.

Spring Semester = busy with work and school.

May = 2 1/2 glorious weeks in the UK and Ireland. Bliss.

June = Camping in Tennessee 2 weeks and 1 week in very hot Las Vegas

July = Managed to cram 2 classes in one month which equaled being a full-time worker and full-time student. Not so fun. 9th anniversary with my company. Turned 31!

August = Celebrated 8th wedding anniversary. Found out I am pregnant! Celebrated hubby and his twin's b-day. Celebrated my mom's and his mom's b-day. Announced pregnancy to the fam and friends. Started back to school this week.

So what does the fall semester hold?!?!

Nicknames

2007-08-21T16:50:00.000-07:00

Growing up, I seemed to accumulate many nicknames. Most were derivatives of my name, but as you grow older, other names begin to morph. Some, not so flattering (the 8th grade Emu Legs moniker stands out). Others are terms of endearment. The nicknames waned off in college, and then I got married. Voila! More nicknames! Meeting people in the Blogosphere created new spinoffs. Co-workers bestowed new ones too, but somehow I've always had the nickname Smiley everywhere I've worked. Last week I was honored with a brand-new nickname. One that I wasn't sure I would ever have, but God had different plans. My new nickname?

Mommy.

To All of Us

2007-07-31T12:58:00.000-07:00

What do Tracey, Harry Potter and I have in common? Today's our Birthday!

WAHOO!!!!

Had the best phone conversation EVER with my dad today.

It's a good day.

Non-Irish Eyes Are Smiling

2007-07-17T19:51:00.000-07:00

Because they took in these views....

Cliffs of Moher
Cliffs of Moher

Inish Moor - largest of the Aran Islands
This place was AMAZING.

Wowza. Cobh Cathedral. The one above it is Blarney Castle, but I can't seem to type next to it. I did kiss the Blarney Stone. Along with 10 million other people.

They are healthy, just enjoying the rare Irish sun.
Beautiful North Atlantic.

II have no idea where this was but it was pretty.

Welsh Beauty

2007-07-02T17:35:00.001-07:00

Well, I'm back from the travels. No planes, trains, ships, car trips for awhile. School starts next week so I am essentially grounded until Christmas. Boo. Until then, I have fond memories of yesteryear (or yestermonth).

Tintern Abbey - Henry VIII ordered it burned when the church wouldn't let him get divorced.

Someone's backyard.
There are so many castles in Wales, I honestly don't remember which one this was. Just that we booked a stay on a farm at the Tourist Information Center across the street from it.

Black Mountains to the left. Breacon Beacons National Park to the right.

Incidentally, despite the gorgeousness of Brecon, my sis and I decided that that sounded like a good curse word. i.e. "That Brecon Beacon Traffic!!!"

Seven Falls

Caenarfon

Yeah, that clears things up.

English Beauty

2007-06-22T18:54:00.000-07:00

I've got to pace myself posting pics. The last two trips in the last 5 weeks have captured almost 900 photos. I'm off to Las Vegas tomorrow to take more. Sadly, this will be my last trip for awhile but the ride has been fun.
Here is the beauty that is England.

Garden at Rochester Cathedral

The White Cliffs of Dover
My cousin's garden (and bee)

Pride and Prejudice was filmed here. I searched and search on the internet for where it was. Never found the exact location. Hours of googling this and that. I went to a Tourist Information Center (TIC) and she said, "oh yeah, I know exactly where that is, you just drive here" and pointed to it on the map. I could have kissed her.

Mr. Rochester and Mr. Darcy

2007-06-01T15:48:00.000-07:00

I now know where they live, I just had a hard time tracking these mysterious men down. They were elusive and timid little forest creatures. Maybe they were hunting on their large, magnificent estates. Next time, I will devote more time to my waiting and pining for these gallant men.

Haddon Hall. Home of Mr. Rochester (at least on the most recent BBC version).

Lovely estate.

Oh, but the Creme de la Creme. Mr. Darcy!! You make me swoon! Just look at YOUR estate!

See? I'm swooning!

You're so muscular!!

Swooning.

Today's the Day

2007-05-09T11:54:00.000-07:00

I'm leaving tonight for the British Isles (and Ireland). I just turned my calendar page and today's verse is very fitting, "The Lord is faithful to all His promises, and loving toward all he has made." (Psalm 145:13). He's gotten me through another semester of school (finished last night - YEA!!!!), busy work schedule, and now has blessed me with this upcoming trip.

Please pray for our safety in traveling the next 2 1/2 weeks (I'm driving on the wrong side of the road on the wrong side of the car!!!) .

See ya!

T-minus 6 days and counting

2007-05-03T10:42:00.000-07:00

YEA!

Just 6 more days in the US of A!

Meanwhile...
must finish lab project tonight.
must write 4 short papers
must attend 1 more deaf event this weekend
must study for final exam on Tuesday
must complete homework assignment
must take quiz on Friday
must pack
must work 4 more days

Then I'm London bound!!!!!!! (extra exclamation marks per my sister's request)

Field of Dreams

2007-04-30T20:06:00.000-07:00

Well, the grass might not be greener on the other side of the fence, but there sure are some lovely wild flowers just on the other side of our pickets.

I give you my smiling dog.... (well, not GIVE you, but, you know what I mean)

She wouldn't be my baby without those sweet ears of hers.

I won't get to see her for most of this month. She's my sweetie though.

The Suitcase gets ready to travel in T-minus 8 days.....

Can't Believe I Actually Remembered My Password

2007-04-13T05:49:00.000-07:00

Hello! Happy Friday! Happy April! Happy 2007!

Yeah, yeah, I know it's been awhile since I posted, but it's Friday, and I'm drinking coffee, so here I am, ready to post.

Jes' talk about Salt & Vinegar chips made me think about all the weird flavors of chips (crisps) in Britain. So, here are my Top 10 in no particular order....

1. Walkers Crisps Cheese & Onion Flavour (when you really want your co-workers to stay away)

2. Walkers Crisps Heinz Tomato Ketchup Flavour (I wonder if my ketchupholic s-i-l would actually like these)

3. Walkers Crisps Prawn Cocktail Flavour (I think I just shivered)

4. Walkers Crisps Roast Chicken Flavour (I've tried these, it's like a Ramen noodle on a chip

5. Walkers Crisps Marmite Yeast Extract Flavour (eww ewww ewwwww)

6. Walkers Crisps Lamb & Mint Flavour (my nana used to make lamb and mint, but never on a chip)

7. Walkers Sensations Crisps Thai Sweet Chilli Flavour (I've had these as well, not bad, but the flavor gets kinda old after awhile)

8.Monster Munch Roast Beef Flavour (I think I still have some of these in my pantry- I can't make myself eat them)

9. Walkers Sensations Poppadom Bites Creamy Chicken Pasanda & Coriander Flavour (say that 5 times fast)

10. Walkers Lites Crisps Honey Glazed Ham Flavour (I think I just threw up in my mouth)

I'll be in England a month from today. Which ones do you want me to bring you back!?!? :p

Dreaming....

2007-02-23T08:10:00.000-08:00

I found this site today. I am really, really hoping that I will get to see this area in a couple of months. Our trip to Britain in May is in the planning stages and I'm hoping that my aunt is a big Pride and Prejudice fan because Cat and I sure qualify as official Darcy fans.

Brooding Yumminess.

Giving Thanks and Praise

2007-02-21T09:01:00.000-08:00

Luke 17:11-19

Ten Healed of Leprosy

11Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"
14When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed.
15One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
17Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."

It's annual evaluation time at work. Brian and I both received our evals and our bosses were very kind and generous to us. I am very thankful to them, but I know I need to remember ultimately where these blessings come from.

As I was walking to the other part of the building today, I overheard someone say "the stars were aligned just right to enable me to have this opportunity". She had a spirit of thankfulness, but failed to recognize who made those stars. That things really don't happen just by chance, and that if they do, thanking the "lucky stars" really isn't giving credit where credit is due.

Have a great day my friends. Rest, and be thankful.

Washing My Eyes Out With Soap

2007-02-16T10:13:00.000-08:00

Yeah, so in class last night, we learned all the bad words that have ever been conceived in English and were taught the signed version of that. With visuals. And Motions. And things I never, EVER wanted to see my prof. do. Unclean! Unclean!

So yeah, maybe it's ok to let a little shampoo run in my eyes in tomorrow's shower. Scrub those images away. I guess I'm going to need them if I'm interpreting for someone who's momma didn't teach him right from wrong, but yeah. I was blushing. And the prof. called me on it. It's one thing to be married. It's another to be giving the class visuals on what married people do.

Geesh!

Love Is In The Air

2007-02-14T07:56:00.000-08:00

Gal. 5:14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

James 2:8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right.

Mark 12:31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.

I Corinthians 13:1-8, 13

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Ruth 1:16-17

"Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me."

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

What Would Flipper Think?

2007-02-13T12:33:00.000-08:00

Wow, I always knew that dolphins were smart, but these guys are showing some superior levels of intelligence. Since they are so good at stopping the bad guys, what's next for them? Stakeouts at the local donut shop?

Wickedly Funny

2007-02-09T07:12:00.000-08:00

I can't stop laughing at this. Apparently I'm not the only one that enjoys listening to The Colonel. Who cares if he's a year older than my dad. He's 1/2 Welsh. That's got to count for something.

Overheard

2007-02-08T11:36:00.000-08:00

In response to one co-worker stating that this year they are offering "Anti-Valentine's Day Cards".

"Oh, cmon! If you don't have a Valentine, SUCK IT UP!"

-said by the sweetest co-worker (that's also a grandma)

Time Warp

2007-02-06T14:10:00.000-08:00

I went to a funeral today and it was like being in a time warp. There were people there from the church I grew up in. There were people from the church I went from ages 15-22, and there were people from my parents church now. I saw my art teacher from 4th grade. The high school leader I really liked. My parents friends. My best friend/boyfriend from high school and college. His mother. My wedding coordinator. My mother. People that used to work with my mother-in-law. Wow. So many different people, feelings and times. Surreal.

It was the funeral for the dad one of my high school/college friends. The four of us double-dated and worked together at camp and the church was one of our pick-up locations. The last time all four of us were at that church, we were in college. All sweating in the Dallas heat. Now they're married, and the bf/bf and I are each married to other people.

Yeah. So, I'm supposed to be working on my paper right now. The one that is due in 2 hrs. I guess I better get to work. But that was the closest I've ever been to understanding how God sees time. All blended together at the same moment.

Wow.

Wascally Wabbit

2007-02-05T07:01:00.000-08:00

Are there words that you can't pronounce correctly or have difficulty saying? Two come to mind for me. Without full concentration, extended periods of time trying to slowly say them correctly, these two phrases are not coming out of my mouth. Even then, I can't say them right.

Rob Roy
Wet Roadways

"ro's" are the death me. What words leave you tongue-tied?

Must Learn Balance, Daniel-San!

2007-01-31T19:33:00.000-08:00

I feel like Stretch Armstrong. I actually never HAD a Stretch Armstrong, but my cousin David did have a Spider Man that was made up of whatever substance Ol' Stretchy was made of. Whatever that was.

My life feels like it's getting pulled in a million different directions, and I feel like each piece is getting neglected. I'm juggling, and for now I can keep all the balls from falling, but only for now. Work consumes 55-60 hrs per week when you include commute time. I'm taking classes (I keep wanting to say the ASL version of taking classes, TAKE-UP CLASS) at two different colleges, I volunteer for two different church ministries, I have a husband, a family, friends. I'm trying to commit to a quiet time, and I want to blog. I want to watch TV, but I need to clean house. I need to work out, but I want to read. AUGH!!!

So yeah, at any given time, one or more (I'll go with more) of these things are going to get neglected. How do I balance them all? How do I give each of these things the time they need? How do people have kids and work full-time? And go to school??? insanity.

So, yeah, if you're not seeing me post, it's not all at all because I don't want to. But I'm trying to balance all the other "stuff".

Life really is good. I know I'm blessed. I'm blessed to have all those options. I am thankful for my job. The fact that they pay for my schooling. That I can go to school. And church. That I live in a free country. I just need to slow down. And breathe.

Like the name of one of my all time favorite sights to behold. I just need to "Rest and Be Thankful".

OK, OK, I'll Post Already

2007-01-22T06:22:00.000-08:00

Apologies

Yea, you know you haven't blogged in awhile when you've had your "new" laptop for several weeks and your own blogger address is not "remembered" by the computer when you start typing it in. Because you HAVEN'T typed it in on this computer. Ever. Yeah. It's been awhile.

I do try to stop by your sites though. TRY to at least. But don't always have time for comments. I know, I know, I've been a bad blogger. "Badly done, Emma, badly done".

Boring Stuff

So, what to say. Work is great, but very busy. School started up last week. I'm attending two schools. Well, actually, I'm taking classes at two schools, but one is online, so I'm not actually attending two schools. One class looks to be relatively easy. The other - impossibly hard. Lots of papers, projects, lab time. The Prof. recommended moving into the lab, and just showering in the gym. It will be our new home away from home. Blech.

Fun

What else. I went out for a "Girl's Night Out" last night, and had a great time. All the ladies are quite a bit older than me (we were celebrating a 50th birthday), but they sure know how to have fun. We saw The Queen, and then went to eat at Chili's. 5 of us saw the movie together and two of them just joined us for dinner. The movie is about the Royals, specifically the Queen's reaction to Princess Di's death. One of the ladies at dinner was stating that she didn't really know the impact of Diana's death, as she only heard about it on a short-wave radio. She had been a missionary in Nairobi at the time and only heard about the death. I mentioned that I had been in Oklahoma, and another lady said she had been in New Mexico. One of the ladies that hadn't seen the movie starting laughing, saying we were too funny. We looked at her, puzzled. She thought the movie was about Queen Esther and not Queen Elizabeth. She couldn't figure out how we had heard about her death on a short-wave radio, or in OK and NM. I guess you had to be there, but it was pretty funny.

Tentative Trips

2007 tentative trips in the works - England, Wales, Ireland, Tennessee, Las Vegas and New York
wahoo!

Experienced

I was purchasing a textbook for school last week (a campus bookstore is a FABULOUS place for people-watching, btw). I was making my purchase and took a pen out of my purse to sign my credit card receipt. Standing next to me was an older, toothless lady with stringy hair, hovering over her purchases, and talking on the phone. Suddenly, she started grabbing MY pen out of MY hand. Then she gave it back to me, but started telling me a phone number. It took me by surprise, but then I quickly realized she was wanting ME to write it down for her. I was writing as fast as I could. "My credit card company wanted to make sure someone wasn't using my card" was all I got out of it. No "thank you" or anything. The cashier started snickering and I couldn't help but start laughing. Strange, indeed.

PBS

I came home from the Girl's Night Out around 9pm and found the TV on, but no one home. Not too unusual, but the it was recording Channel 13. Not a channel normally being "DVR'd" in our home. I started watching it (it was a TV - on, in my house, need I say more?) and realized it was Jane Eyre. I watched for awhile and then realized it had been recording for awhile so I hit the rewind button to see how far back it would go. It had all but the first few min., but then it cut off at 10pm and I was so disappointed! I figured I'd watch something else on the DVR and saw that it had purposely been recorded, so I got to finish off the show. Well, I got to finish Part 1, but I can't figure out when Part 2 is showing. Yes, I've read the book several times, but I need to see Part 2 dang it! When Brian came home I asked him if he realized that he had recorded Jane Eyre. He said yes, that my sis had thought I would want to see it and called to tell him to record it for me. Thanks Cat! I was so excited!

Well, that's all for now, I'll try to come back soon.

Latras!

Happy New Year!!!!

2006-12-31T22:42:00.000-08:00

Welcome to 2007!!!!

I hope that this year will be a blessing to you and will be the best year yet. For me, 2006 was a year of dreams, hopes, tears, happiness, contentment, pain, and joy. And vacations, lots of good vacations. Only God knows what He has in store for me for this next year. I just need to learn to trust Him on it.

Happy New Year to the Blogosphere! And good luck writing the correct year for the next month!

Tagged

2006-12-20T08:03:00.000-08:00

Deals tagged me. I'm going to rebel and not follow ALL the rules of the game, but I'll comply on the main points. I'm supposed to list 6 weird things that I do, or 6 weird things about me. So, here they are in no particular order.

1. I can fall asleep mid-sentence, and do, often. It's a gift, really. I can fall asleep so fast that I surprise even myself. I'll be in the middle of Pillow Talk, and Brian will be like, "what?!!" And yes, I will be either carrying on a conversation of my now dream, or just sleeping. Yea. Nice, huh?

2. The song "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" will put a smile on my face EVERY time I hear it. Conversely, hearing "O Holy Night" or "It Is Well With My Soul" will send tears down my face. 99% of the time.

3. I could eat Asian and Mexican food for the rest of my life and never get tired of it. yum.

4. I read the same books over and over again. I watch the same movies over and over again. I think I was conditioned into this as a child because there was such a limited selection of movies that we were allowed to watch that we had to watch the same ones over and over. So now, it comes naturally.

5. I can't eat Pasta Roni or Mac n' Cheese unless it has that "Rooster Sauce" stuff on it. It is now against my religion to eat Mac n' Cheese that doesn't burn my lips.

6. I sleep with 2 stuffed animals. But you knew that already.

4.0

2006-12-18T11:18:00.000-08:00

Oh yeah baby. I've got a 4.0 GPA these days. WAHOOOOOOOOO!!!

I got A's in BOTH classes this semester. AND the class I tested out of. AND the one I took this Summer.

4 classes. 4 A's.

Stoked. I am simply stoked.

I would not normally be bragging about this, but you have no idea how hard college was on me the first go around. My GPA up until this year was a 2.6 something. And now, 8 years later. I have a 4.0. So, it's averaging to at least a B now. This is progress!

I'm SO excited!

Score!

2006-12-13T13:36:00.000-08:00

I tested out of ASL I!! I tested OUT of ASL I!!! I TESTED OUT OF ASL I!!!!!!!!

or in ASL GLOSS - TAKE-UP ASL I TEST I. PAH! PASS SUCCEED I. FINISH EXCITE I.

YEA!! That's a "4 hour class" with alot of lab time that I don't have to take. AND I made an A! A 94 to be exact. Three tests later and I don't have to take the class. I'm stoked!!

Now I just need to find out if I did ok on ASL II yesterday and then I have one more exam tomorrow. THEN I'M DONE! (for a month).

This has been a CRAZY week for me. Appreciate your prayers Peeps.

Skewl

2006-12-05T06:15:00.000-08:00

Bah! I am currently in the "I've got way too many tests to take in the next two weeks" phase of school.

2 tests today
1 test Thursday
3 tests Tuesday
3 tests Thursday.

Yes, three final exams with 3 parts each. Glory be! I need some serious prayers people. I need to be able to concentrate, remember, and of all times for me to have my right hand hurting for some unknown reason! I think it's scared. Please pray for my right hand!

Anyone want to practice signing with me? Pwease?

Food, Family and Fun

2006-11-27T09:58:00.000-08:00

It was another successful Thanksgiving this year. Brian and I stretched it out over a long weekend, eating with my family on Thursday and his family on Saturday. We ate, we talked, we ate some more, talked, and then kept eating. Both of us gained some poundage, and that's with me running ALOT in one week. I actually ran 25 miles this week, which is a lot for me. Not for this guy, though. My fam was talking about him at the Thanksgiving table and so I had to Google him when I got home. Is it just sheer craziness to exercise THAT much? 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days!! He runs 70 miles just for PRACTICE. And now that he's done all those marathons, he couldn't just take a break, no. He's running back from NYC to San Francisco. Running home instead of flying. Who is he, Forrest Gump? insanity.

Anyways, where was I. Oh yeah, I was eating. I did run the 8 Mile Turkey Trot this year, which is fun, and a good way to justify eating 3 pieces of pie. And that was just the afternoon serving. I ate MORE for dinner. Gluttony. Sheer gluttony.

It was good to see the family though, my aunt and uncle now have a second set of twins, but instead of my twin cousins, this time they have a boy and a girl. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. So cute! I LOVE dogs, in case you didn't know. Puppies are just the best.

So, yeah, it was a great holiday weekend. I'm ready for Christmas now!

Best Bond Movie EVER

2006-11-19T07:19:00.000-08:00

Go see Casino Royale. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Did this one have a different director? Or have they just changed a few things about it? He's more of a lone ranger in this one. No Q, no nifty toys. But Daniel Craig is now my favorite (favourite) Bond.

Blue. Eyes. Wow.

Get your tickets now!

Central Park: How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count The Ways...

2006-11-17T10:23:00.000-08:00

Well, I am back from NYC. I wouldn't want to live there, but I sure could have stayed longer. The weekend flew, as always. It was a different trip than I had expected. Normally the group is split half-way into those that are doing evangelism/street ministry and those that are doing service work. I'm always the later. We have some very bold people and I'm not one of them. I'm always the designated painter, and it seems to be a good fit for me. However, we only had 8 people working 1 day on the painting and just 2 of us on another day. Normally there's a "young" group and an "older" group, but this was an older group and it just had a different feel. Not bad, but different. I hung out with a family of 3 all weekend and we quickly became a family of 4. We enjoyed Central Park every morning, late night Starbucks and even later talks, riding the subways, and I did my first walk-through of Little Italy and Chinatown.

The weather wasn't very cooperative, in fact, I never even saw the top of the Empire State Building, it was so cloudy. It rained some, was cloudy alot, and pretty cool. But it was THE CITY, and I love it there. Here's some reasons, in no particular order...

1. Junior's Cheesecake (we split slices of Strawberry, Cherry and Carrot Cake Cheesecake. ooh la la),
2. VERY helpful New Yorkers. One that walked us blocks and blocks to take us to a French Fry place we wanted to try.
3. Seeing friends at the church every year.
4. Getting out of my comfort zone can be a good thing sometimes.
5. Central Park, Central Park, Central Park.

6. Christian Hostel. It's so very quaint and precious.

I have more pics (of course) but Blogger is being stubborn. Hopefully more to come later.
Thank you for your prayers!

Get a Rope

2006-11-09T11:17:00.000-08:00

Do you remember the old Pace commercials? "This Picante sauce was made in San Antonio, where people know what real picante sauce is supposed to taste like. Where was your sauce made?" (says sheepishly) "New York City." "NEW YORK CITY?!?!!" "Get a rope".

Well, get ready to hang me b/c I'm headed there tomorrow morning. Although I might not buy any hot sauce there so on second thought, hold the hanging.

Yes, I'm going on the annual service/mission trip to NYC with a group from church. Yea! I'll probably be really excited tomorrow but for now, I'm just nervous. Why? Because I need to:

Pack
Write a 2-5 page paper within the next 3 hours
Spend 3 1/2 hours at school
Finish up chores around the house
Mentally/Spiritually prepare for the trip.
And I won't be home until 9:30 tonight to do the above tasks. AUGH!!!

So, prayers are coveted for the trip and for my sanity in preparing for it. Please pray for safe travel, blessings for the 16 of us going, and that we will be used as God pleases.

Gotta get going on that paper now. Latras!

Needing a Foot Massage in the Worst Way

2006-11-06T06:34:00.000-08:00

Well, I did it. Without the necessary training and without losing the weight I had hoped to. But, I did it. I ran (and walked) a 1/2 marathon yesterday morning. I woke up at 5am to get into my running gear, get my stuff together and head to Dallas. My feet covered a whopping 13.1 miles around a lake, mansions, and rolling hills. Hills you'd never notice in a car but feel every step while jogging. It's a sense of accomplishment to know that I really did it, I earned the medal I received at the end for finishing. wahoo!

I saw my one of my English teachers from high school volunteering at the race, one of my high school classmates, and a jr. high crush. Very surreal. My sister finished about 50 min. before me, in just over 2hrs. I finished just under 3 hrs, but it's actually better than I thought I'd do. Sure Lance Armstrong covered twice the distance in only 9 extra minutes, but who's counting.

I did it. Just don't ask me to stand up.

Breathtaking

2006-10-30T07:31:00.000-08:00

Please go take a look at this slideshow. I don't think I'm the only one fascinated by what is not normally seen by the naked eye. One of the things I love most about camp is lying on a raft at night in the lake and gazing up at the stars. There's not alot of light pollution at camp and it's amazing what we miss living near a big city. These photos give us a glimpse of what we normally can't see. I can't even begin to imagine how much more He has created. And I will see it one day!

So, for your viewing pleasure, check this out. And while you gaze upon the stars, remember these verses...

Genesis 1:16 - God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.

(I love how it's so matter of fact, almost like an oh yeah, and He made the stars too.)

Genesis 15:5 - "Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them."

Job 26:13 - By his breath the skies became fair; his hand pierced the gliding serpent.

Psalm 8:3-4 - When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?
(this is my personal favorite. I think I need a good humbling now and then )

Psalm 33:6 - By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

Amos 5:8 - he who made the Pleiades and Orion, who turns blackness into dawn and darkens day into night, who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out over the face of the land—the LORD is his name-

I Corinthians 15:41 - The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor

Good-bye Ol' Buddy

2006-10-24T04:19:00.000-07:00

Scootie is making his final trip to the vet today. He's been a good ol' dog and it's time for him to go. Good-bye my friend.

Surviving

2006-10-20T17:38:00.000-07:00

Well, I made it through one of the busiest weeks I've had in a long time. Full of tests, projects, and full-throttle week at work. Now it's time to relax, enjoy the weekend, the weather and the reprieve.

One thing I'm not enjoying is watching my little friend slowly getting worse. I'm known Scootie almost as long as I've known my husband. He's hubby's twin's dog and since he lives next door, we get to see him quite a bit. Scootie is now suffering from tumors growing all over his body. To "try" to slow the tumor growth, he must take medicine. The medicine makes him thirsty. Being thirsty makes him drink alot of water. This makes him pee. Often. So, Scootie is living most of his last days at our house, where there is an ever-accomodating doggie door.

Scootie is beginning to suffer and it absolutely pains me. I love dogs. I really, really do. The fact that I carried around a 3 inch thick AKC book of dogs for most of my elementary years should proove it. Babies scare me. Dogs love me. And the feeling is mutual. So, it's hard for me to say goodbye to ol' Scootie. To those long ears, sad eyes and giant paws. Hang in there buddy. And if it's time to go, it's ok. You've been a good ol' dog.

The AmStaff (and Basset Hound) Mom.

Am I In The Wrong Class?

2006-10-12T08:02:00.000-07:00

Well, mid-terms are upon us next week and it seems that my ASL classes have morphed into Creative Writing. It's a struggle for me to write blog posts, much less school papers. So, my school duties for the next week include:

1.) 5 hours time in the lab. No voicing. Lots of signing.
2.) 1 paper to include 20 sentences. Not just any 20 sentences, mind you. Two fingerspelled words per sentence, 2 numbers, and 1 fingerspell loan sign (FLS). Piece of cake (dripping with sarcasm).
3.) Videotape myself signing the above paper.
4.) Videotape myself signing 2 different stories.
5.) Write a story with 10 different types of numbers, three different names, 10 different cities and 10 different FLS'. Oh, and we have to use the ones she gave us, not just random names, cities, etc. HELLO! THIS IS CREATIVE WRITING!!!
6.) Videotape myself signing the above story.
7.) 2 written tests.
8.) 2 receptive tests.

Just when I was really enjoying school. Boo.

Alllllmost There

2006-10-10T14:03:00.000-07:00

When I was checking my email (one of 5 accounts), I saw that I had an American Airlines mileage summary. You need 25,000 points for most domestic flights. I have 23,915. I'm flying to NYC next month for my annual mission trip there. Hopefully it will push me over the edge. That's more than 1100 miles round-trip, right?

Free flight baby!!!! Now, where can I go next?!?!?

Have Suitcase...Will Travel!!!!

3 1/2 Stars

2006-10-04T08:05:00.000-07:00

Action (or is it Ashton?) heroes, near-death experiences, conquering your fears, rugged guys. This is the theme of the new movie The Guardian. Kevin Costner is looking better than ever. Ashton proves he can play a serious role. The Coast Guard gets its plug. All in all this was a very entertaining movie.

I had seen Hollywoodland the weekend before and it was o.k. , but kind of heavy. I was hoping for the next L.A Confidential and was disappointed. Overall Diane Lane and Ben Affleck give pretty solid performances (yes, I said Ben Affleck), It was probably his best movie since Good Will Hunting - one of the best Dramas out there. One of my personal favs at least. Speaking of Mr. Damon, when is the next Bourne movie coming out? That's going to be GREAT.

She Talked Me Into It

2006-09-27T19:35:00.000-07:00

Due to a fantastic post, (the comments are glorious, seriously), I have agreed to post proof of my childhood favorites. A friend that I have never met in person, but feel like I know, talked me into proving my love of all things Wonder Woman, teddy bears and Scooby Doo. So folks, enjoy. Laugh it up. I can take it.

THE best teddy bear in the world folks. His name - Teddy. Dolls had NOTHING on him.

The ITCHIEST sleeping bag in the world. But it was WONDER WOMAN. (note the chili bowl haircut) *sigh*

It's hard to see, but it's Scooby Dumb and a vampire on the TV screen. Why we have a TV on top of a TV, I don't know. And evidently the color brown was IN.

And for the creme de la creme. Proof. I loved my Underoos. I was downright SASSY in them.

No More Pain

2006-09-25T21:38:00.000-07:00

My Uncle Sammy passed away tonight. It's a sad evening, but also one of peace. He is no longer suffering and he met his Savior tonight. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Where Two or More Are Gathered

2006-09-25T12:30:00.000-07:00

I covet your prayers for my Uncle Sammy. We saw him yesterday at the hospital as he is in the last stages of life. He has been fighting cancer, but it has taken over and it seems that the end is very near. Please pray that his suffering will end soon. He's ready to meet his Savior.

Thank you my blog family.

And while I'm at it, here's another one.

2006-09-20T11:42:00.000-07:00

I typically take these from Tracey, but hers are always sooooo much more interesting. But, I try. I really do. In fact, I do this instead of journaling. Sad, but true. So, here we go peeps.

Are you in a relationship? Sure! I've got friends here, family there. Oh, not that kind of a relationship, eh? Well, if you must know, I've been a Mrs. for 7 years.

Do you hate more than 3 people? No. But I can think of at least two that I really, really dislike.

How many houses have you lived in? 2 before marriage, 5 since. Evidently whoever said marriage brings stability was ly-ing.

What is your favorite candy bar? Payday. So very non-chocolatey.

What are your favorite shoes? Probably the ones I'm wearing right now. Airwalks. They're like an egg crate for your feet.

Have you ever tripped someone? On purpose, no.

Do you own a Britney Spears CD? No.

Have you ever thrown up in public? Unlike Tracey, I don't have a great throw-up story. But maybe that's a good thing.

What is your favorite music genre? Depends on if I'm driving, reminiscing, sleepy, or cooking.

What is your sign? Leo. I think. I'll have to check my blogger profile.

What time were you born? 7:35 pm.

Do you like beer? No. Give me the sweet stuff.

Have you ever made a prank call? Yeps.

What is the most embarrassing CD you own? I guess Juice Newton? But man, it's a great CD. "Just call me angel of the mornin' ahnnnn-gel"

Are you sarcastic? Can you not hear it dripping?

What are your favorite colors? Blue. Any shade.

How many watches do you own? 3.

Summer or winter? Winter in Texas. Summer anywhere else.

Spring or fall? Fall, FAVORITIST time of the year. And yes, favoritist is a word. Backoff.

What is your favorite color to wear? Black. Closely followed by dark gray. I'm know. I'm bold like that.

Pepsi or Sprite? Pepsi, unless it's after 8:30pm. Otherwise I'll have to go with non-caffeinated Sprite.

What color is your cell phone? Silver

Where is your second home? I'm still trying to pay for this one. geesh!

Have you ever slapped someone? no.

Have you ever had a cavity? Yes. Not until after I had my braces taken off. go figure.

How many lamps are in your bedroom? 1 regular size. 3 itty bitty ones

How many video games do you own? Me? none. Hubby? who knows.

What was your first pet? 17 fish.

Have you ever had braces? See above cavity comment.

Do looks matter? Yesh.

Do you use chapstick? nope.

Name 3 teachers from your high school: Clem, Durrett, Plexco.

American Eagle or Abercrombie? American Eagle. Although I have some comfy Abercrombie clothes too. I don't like to buy from there, but if given to me, I'll wear often.

Are you too forgiving? Yes.

Do you own something from Hot Topic? No.

What is your favorite breakfast? Please see previous post.

Do you own a gun? Yes, so don't try to come over and scare me at night, capeesh?

Have you ever thought you were in love? And weren't - yes. And was - yes.

When was the last time you cried? A few weeks ago.

What did you do 3 nights ago? Went to church.

When was the last time you went to Olive Garden? Last week. Three of us go about every week. All three get the exact same thing everytime. Boring. But we sign and don't speak the whole time. Not so boring. (with the exception of the waitstaff).

Have you ever called your teacher mom? No, but my mom was my teacher for two years. That wasn't such a good thing.

Have you ever been in a castle? Yes, several. Oh how I love thee, Britain.

What are your nicknames? It's such a long list, really.

Do you know anyone named Bertha? No. Lucky for me and them, I guess.

Do you own something from Banana Republic? oh, how I love thee, Banana.

Are you thinking about somebody right now? No, I was thinking of Banana Republic still.

Have you ever called someone Boo? No, but I've called someone Bo. Does that count?

Do you own a diamond ring? Yes. And a gun. The ring's mine peeps.

Are you happy with your life right now? Yesh, life is good.

Does anyone like you? I sure hope so.

What were you doing May of 1994? Hmmm. Senior trip. Bacculearate, HS graduation. Ah, the good ol' days.

McDonald’s or Wendy’s? Wendy’s. By FAR.

Do you like yourself? Sometimes.

Favorite feature of the opposite sex? Eyes.

Are you afraid of the dark? No.

Have you ever eaten paste? No.

Do you have a webcam? No.

Have you ever stripped? Wha? For a living? No. To get in the shower? Yes.

Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds.

What was the last film you saw at the cinema? I can't remember! It was just a few weeks ago. I remember thinking it was pretty cute. Oh well.

What are your favorite TV shows? Amazing Race, CSI, Survivor

What did you have for breakfast? Organic Granola and vitamins.

What is your middle name? It starts with an "L". That's all you get.

What is your favorite cuisine? Mexican probably. But I'm not a Mexican. Contrary to popular belief.

What foods do you dislike? Mushrooms. Cooked Blueberries.

What is your favorite CD at the moment? Depends. Right this very minute? Goo Goo Dolls.

What kind of car do you drive? Civic.

Favorite sandwich? I enjoyed a good veggie sandwich today with K-T at Panera Bread. If you put a little avocado , then THAT’S my favorite sammie.

What characteristics do you despise? Attention cravers.

What are your favorite clothes? Pajama pants.

If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation where would you go? New Zealand. I can pack really quick if you're offering. My passport is current too!

What color is your bathroom? One's green/red. The other is green/purple.

Favorite brand of clothing? Eileen Fisher. But she's muy expensivo. Oh, but the fabrics. The comfort. Clothing Yumminess.

Where would you want to retire to? Retire? They took away my pension. I'll never get to retire.

Favorite time of day? Sunset.

Where were you born? Dallas

Favorite sport to watch? Dallas Mavericks B-ball, baby!

Are you a morning person or night owl? I am a night owl. NOT a morning person.

What did you want to be when you were little? A teacher, I think.

What is your best childhood memory? Christmas one year. Our presents were a trip to Disney World.

Eye Color? Dark brown.

Ever been toilet papering? No, but I forked a house once.

Favorite day of the week? Saturday.

Tha-tha-tha-that's all folks!

Me me me me meeeeee

2006-09-15T18:24:00.000-07:00

Complete the Thought:

Never again in my life: Will I be the same age I am today

When I was five: I had a "chili bowl" haircut

High School was: an experience, to say the least. Wearing the same clothes everyday will do that to ya.

I will never forget: the way my grandfather looked when we died.

I once met: a man that later became my husband

There’s this girl I know who: has ridiculously shiny hair

By noon I’m usually: Starvin' Marvin'

Last night I: skipped out on lab time at school so I could watch Survivor

Next time I go to church: it will be Sunday

What worries me most: that people don't like me

When I turn my head right, I see: darkness. the lights are off in my office

When I turn my head left, I see: the malibu lights shining through the blinds

You know I’m lying when: I can't keep a straight face

If I was a character written by Shakespeare, I’d be: Don't ask me about Shakespeare. I fell asleep in MacBeth. But I've been to his grave and his home. Does that count?

By this time, next year: I'll know more sign language, will have finished a half-marathon and be 20 pounds lighter. (i.e. found a genie and had my 3 wishes granted)

A better name for me would be: Amstaff Mom. That's why I picked it.

I have a hard time understanding: Math.

If I ever go back to school I’ll: Well, actually I was planning on going back on Tuesday. Is not going an option?

You know I like you if: I call you. It takes great effort for me to talk on the phone.

Darwin, Mozart, Slim Pickens & Geraldine Ferarro are: An interesting group of people to put in the same room.

Take my advice, NEVER: eat a mushroom. Eating a fungus can't possible be good for you.

My ideal breakfast is: aChick-fil-a chicken biscuit.

A song I love, but do not have is: Life is a Highway. I need to just buy the dang thing.

If you visit my hometown, I suggest: You don't do it in August.

Why won’t anyone: give me 2 million dollars? It' s not too much to ask, right?

If you spend the night at my house, DO: be prepared to have a 55 pound Amstaff curl up next to you.

I’d stop my wedding for: "well, it's a bit late for that!" Wedding was 7 years ago, peeps.

The world could do without: Terrorists

I’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: Its butt.

My favorite blonde is: Matthew McConaghey, well, he's almost blonde.

Paperclips are more useful than: chewed gum

San Diego means: you have a lot of money.

And by the way: I appreciate that you read my blog!

We Will Never Forget

2006-09-11T08:43:00.000-07:00

(photo taken on 8/21/2006)

It's a day we will never forget. We should never forget. The shock, the horror, the anger, the sadness. A country forever changed. Families, friends, co-workers deeply affected. Seeing the pictures again, watching United 93 again last night, being in NYC three weeks ago, the memories come flooding back.

Due to my husband's job, there were several tv's on CNN 24/7 as current events directly affected his job. THAT morning, he saw the initial reports coming in and called me. I remember that I was standing at my supv.'s desk and could see that he was calling in on my line. I just knew something was wrong. After he told me what was happening, I remained glued to the television in the cafeteria. I watched the towers collapse live. I will never forget that sight.

I remember the deafening silence outside. I would normally go walk on my lunch break and since we were only miles from the airport, I was accustomed to planes flying over head every few minutes. I remember walking outside and hearing nothing. That first day that I once again saw a plane flying overhead, my heart leapt with joy. America would survive!

Alot has changed in the last 5 years. Our idea of security, our innocence, the very geography of our country. I have had the privilege of traveling to NYC several times since 9/11 and always feel compelled to visit Ground Zero. It is a somber sight. But it is beginning to heal.

May we keep our country, our leaders, and the families of the heroes of 9/11 in our thoughts and prayers today.

God Bless America.

I'm Still Al-iiiive (sung in my best Eddie Vedder imitation)

2006-09-08T06:13:00.000-07:00

Ah, the days of PearlJam in highschool. I was going to make my title "I'm Still Alive!", but then I couldn't help but think of PearlJam when I started typing. At home, there's a dvd of my last week of high school. (Scary, I know!) I took my camcorder to class the last few days and there's a video of us driving madly in a Ford Bronco in the parking garage at school. My friend Jason would never touch the brakes while careening down the 7 story parking garage. Tires squealing, music jamming (this is where I'm Still Alive comes in), the magic 8 ball on the gearshift. A Jcol sandwich between two of my buds all squished together in a Bronco II. Great memories. But would I really want to be 17 again? nahhhh.

I actually hadn't visited my own blog in a week, just viewing your comments in my email account. I guess it really was time for a new post! School is going great, but I'm having some VERY long Tuesday and Thursdays, gone 16 hours those days. Basically just sleeping at home. literally. I'm undergoing a crash course in ASL, but thankfully, my receptive skills seem to be hanging in there. No voicing for almost 5 hours straight, but I undertand most of the conversations going on. I do find it difficult to take notes in an ASL class though. I guess I had never thought about it, but in a "hearing" class, you can keep listening while you take notes. In a "deaf" class, however, you look down at your paper and you miss whatever the instructor is saying. I haven't yet mastered the skill. I've had to videotape myself several times for class, and that is a bit un-nerving. I look like a statue. Not very ASL-like.

ASL is such a beautiful language, but it is definitely a foreign language. I always thought that the deaf read libraries worth of books and that they signed English. Some probably do, but not the majority. The majority read at about a 4th great level and they have a hard time writing English. Not as hard of a time as I do writing in ASL (called glossing). For instance, in English, I'd say "I'm going to the Macaroni Grill for lunch with two of my friends today". In ASL, that would be, TODAY THREE-OF-US GO EAT^AFTERNOON M-A-C-A-R-O-N-I G-R-I-I-L. Clear as mud, right? Yea, for me too.

So, let's see, what other news in my life? Hmmm. I've started the travel arrangements for the next NYC mission trip. I have my ticket for Nov. YEA! After being in the City two weeks ago, I realized how much I miss it. I'm ready to go back soon. It's so alive there, and I have so many great memories of being there with my buds. Good times.

I'm really needing to get into shape, so I went jogging on Wednesday and my thighs are still killing me today. Going down the stairs is the worst. augh! I'm doing a 5k at the end of this month and want to be ready to jog the whole thing. I plan to do the 8 mile Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day, and I really, really want to accomplish my two-year goal of running a half-marathon in Nov. I need to send in my check by Monday if I'm going to do it, so I need to decide if I'm committed to the training or not.

Other than that, life is good. No more trips for work, but I'm still enjoying my new job.

God is Good!

Back to School

2006-08-29T11:00:00.000-07:00

Well, after a brief hiatus, I'm going back to school tonight. Did I mention that I got an "A" in my Business class? SCORE! I was VERY excited about that.

So tonight begins my adventures in ASL in college. I'm looking forward to it, but I'm a bit nervous too. I'm never studied ASL in a CLASS. Just with my friends. So, this is a bit different and alot of the students already know each other since they had the prev. class together.

Maybe I'm over-thinking it all, but I just wish my knowledge of the language was at the same level as the knowledge of signs. It's like knowing English, but not knowing grammar. They tend to go hand in hand. Although you can include adjectives in a sentence without knowing exactly what an adjective is. So, I will probably have to take a test this week to see if I really qualify for the ASL II class or if I need to take ASL I first. We shall see.

I'm heading to Cal-i-for-ni-a tomorrow morning. Yea! Just a short trip though, I'll be back Thurs. in time for school.

So, that's my latest and greatest. I'll chat with ya tomorrow from the West Coast!

Planes, Trains & Automobiles

2006-08-24T11:19:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm back in the land of Tejas after enjoying daily temps of 75-80 degrees in the NE. I did my fair share of Planes (4 flights), Trains (Metro-North and NYC Subways) and Automobiles (2 rentals and 2 car services rides) in a 4 day period. It was a smorgasboard of airports and hotels and experiences.

Favorite quotes while on my journey:

"I'm SO SORRY my car is SO HOT. I'm about to DIE it's so HOT OUTSIDE!!!! " (This from my friend in NY when it was approx. 80 degrees outside). I made her swear not to come to Texas in the next 2-3 months.

"I'm just sitting around, waiting for my flight". (This quote was provided by the lady in the bathroom stall next to me while she was talking to her friend on her cell phone.) She had called the lady right when she began "sitting around". Yeah lady, sitting on the pot, that is.

I delivered three presentations while on my trip, but also managed to do a little bit of shopping, and a quick voyage into NYC when I arrived in White Plains on an earlier flight. I got to enjoy my favorite sandwich (the Chicavo from Lenny's) and scarfed it while sitting in Central Park. NICE.

So now that I'm back, I at least have a few photos to remind me of the trip, and of last week's to Florida. I'm off to California next week. yea!

Treasure Island Beach, St. Pete

Proof my feet were in the Gulf of Mexico....

Inside Grand Central Station

From my perch in Central Park

Happy Birthday! (and anniversary)

2006-08-19T20:25:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to the oh-so-innocent looking boys in the photos below. Yes, my hubby and his (somewhat) evil twin are celebrating their birthday today! The bow-ties just kill me. KILL ME!

The anniversary part is that it's been 1 year since I met Eddo, Jes, and Roger in person. One year ago today my husband was given the name Brian by Eddo. He's been Brian on Blogger ever since.

Happy Birthday Guys! (Brian is on the top photo)

I'm heading to Boston, NY and Pennsylvania this week. I'll check in with y'all from there!

Where's the Beach?

2006-08-14T20:27:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally made it to Tampa. It rained the whole time we were flying over Florida which can be a rollercoaster ride. Upon arriving at the gate (well, almost), we were told that the lightning was so bad that the ground crew couldn't guide us in. 30 mins. later, we were able to get off the plane only to hear the sirens going off again. WE were off the plane, but our luggage was not coming off anytime soon. Sigh. After picking up a banana and a water @ Starbucks (you'd be proud of me Tracey), I began the wait. Then I waited to get my rental car. When I arrived at the hotel, I was greeted by a warm chocolate chip cookie. No, I don't like chocolate, but at this point, I was thankful for the love.

So, here I am, in wet, rainy Tampa. I sure hope I get to see the beach tomorrow.

Security was a breeze at the airport. A light pat-down, but no waiting at all. Not for me at least, but one guy and his agent(?) was forced to go through the thorough baggage check to the side. Evidently it was a very thorough check b/c he was just sitting there waiting. His name?
Emmitt Smith. No privileges at D/FW airport for the uber-famous I guess.

Good night folks.

Good News/Bad News

2006-08-11T13:38:00.000-07:00

Good News: I'm flying 8 times this month.

Bad News: I'm flying 8 times this month.

I LOVE to travel, but I'm going to be one parched, stressed tourist it sounds like. Wish me luck, myfirst trip is Monday! Florida here I come! (eventually)

If I Could Turn Back Time

2006-08-10T09:54:00.000-07:00

I would have checked my OTHER email account (my 3rd one) last night. Then I would have seen that Starbucks was offering me a free Iced Coffee from 7-9 this morning.

BLAST! RATS & MICE!!

Hmph.

2,555

2006-08-07T16:58:00.000-07:00

That's how many days I've been married. Since I changed my name. Since I added an extra ring to my finger. Since I became his wife. And you know what? It's just not enough. I want alot more. Happy 7th Anniversary to us.

New Toy

2006-08-03T05:26:00.000-07:00

When I started my new job a few weeks ago, I got a new cell phone. I was checking out the features of the phone and realized that it is also could be an mp3 player. My gears began turning. I'd been wanting a mp3 player with more memory than my current one (my free gift with Turbo Tax). So last night I bought the little USB adapter and special headphones that allow both for the listening of music and answering/disconnecting phone calls. I also got a 512MB TransFlash memory card. (Am I the only person that hasn't heard of this?) It's so tiny!

So, last night I sync'd my phone with my pc and voila! my phone was transformed into a walking jukebox.

I think my birthday money has been put to good use. :)

Spam of the Day

2006-07-31T08:49:00.000-07:00

Taken from this morning's spam that got around the spam-filter.

"This transaction is 100% legal and does not relate to money laundering and is free from Drug money."

Good to know, eh?

Hello Again.

2006-07-25T20:09:00.000-07:00

Hello All. Yes, I'm still alive, although I am extremely tired at this moment, but I felt the need to post. I'm barely existing in the blogosphere lately. Work has been SUMO busy at the new job, but I'm loving it. School is still trucking away, and oh, yeah, my birthday is coming up in less than a week. Wahoo.

In honor of the new decade beginning for me, here's something to reflect on my past, present and future. It's not nearly as intriguing or creative as my friend Tracey's, but I normally leave the creativeness to those from California. And Happy B-day wishes to her as well, it turns out we share the same birthday. Fun!

What curse word do you use the most? Does "Blast" count? Or "Rats and Mice"? Those are my most popular.

Do you own an iPod? No, I own a cheap imitation that I received for free with my Turbo Tax purhase.

Flip flops or sneakers? It depends. I'm not one of those people that can wear flip-flops in the winter time. It's against my religion. And I'm not about to run in flip-flops either, that would be a sight. Tennis shoes for running please.

Would you rather take the picture or be in the picture? Are you kidding me???? Anybody that has met me (or seen my office) could answer that one. What kind of option is that?? Give me my Canon please.

What was the last movie you watched? Superman.

Do any of your friends have children? Um, yeah.

Has anyone ever called you lazy?Yes.

Do you ever take medication to help you fall asleep faster?No. As if I need help in that department. I'm about 30-45 seconds away from sleep at any given moment.

What CD is currently in your CD player? U2, the Joshua Tree

Do you prefer regular or chocolate milk? I will NEVER drink regular milk. Chocolate milk, maybe 3-4 times a year.

Has anyone told you a secret this week? Yes, today.

Have you ever given someone a hickey? I think so, I really don't remember.

Who was the last person to call you?My sister

Do you think people talk about you behind your back? I'm sure.

Did you watch cartoons as a child? A continual source of happiness - Scooby Doo, Wile E. Coyote (supergenius) and Tom & Jerry.

How many siblings do you have?1

Are you shy around the opposite sex? I'm shy in general, but less with the opposite sex.

What movie do you know every line to? Clue

Do you own any band t-shirts? No

What is your favorite salad dressing? Real Italian, the red stuff at the little Italian restaurants.

Do you read for fun? Absolutely.

Do you cry a lot?No.

Who was the last person to text message you? LeRoy

Do you have a desktop computer or a laptop? Both. Desktop at home, Laptop at work.

Are you currently wanting any piercings or tattoos?No.

What is the weather like? Dante's Inferno

Would you ever date someone covered in tattoos? Covered? No. A few, yes, if they were somewhat tasteful.

When was the last time you slept on the floor? Last week I think I fell asleep on my living room floor petting the dog. The 30-45 second rule applies here.

How many hours of sleep do you need to function? More than I get.

Are you in love or lust?Both. But I'm married, it's o.k.

Are your days full and fast-paced?For the most part.

Do you pay attention to calories on the back of packages?Sometimes.

How old will you be turning on your next birthday?The big 3-0. Yes, people. 30. I can't believe it. 6 days and counting.

Are you picky about spelling and grammar? Spelling errors are like a flashing neon light.

Have you ever been to Six Flags? I had season passes.

Do you get along better with the same or opposite sex?Opposite.

Do you like cottage cheese? Oh my gosh. Nast-y. Refer to the milk answer.

Do you sleep on your side, tummy, or back?Whatever it takes. I'm happy anyway.

Have you ever bid for something on eBay?Yes. 60+ 100% feedbacks, thankyouverymuch.

Do you enjoy giving hugs? Do you know me internet? Do you really? Because you should know the answer to this like the camera one. I think I would shrivel up and die if I went a week without one. Literally.

What song did you last sing out loud? With or Without You. (Refer to the U2 CD)

What is your favorite TV show? Right now I'm watching a whole lot of Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye. Love the ASL. Favorite is CSI though.

Which celebrity, dead or alive, would you want to have lunch with?I'll go with Helen Keller.

Last time you had butterflies in your stomach? My last job interview?

What one thing do you wish you had? Don't even get me started.

Favorite lyrics? I'm too tired right now to think. Catcha later.

I Saw The Sign.

2006-07-20T06:05:00.000-07:00

Hello gang. Yes, I am back, and I must admit I have been. The day after I arrived back in the land of "my gosh it's so hot I can't breathe" I started school, the next day after that I started a new job, so it's been crazy busy. Really, it has. So, mucho apologizes for not posting, since you probably figured out by now that I wasn't in Scotland for 3 weeks, which would have been nice thing.

I was really wanting to write a long, descriptive post of Scotland, and since I didn't have the time at work, I put it off. Once I get home, I'm on dial-up so the goal of linking pictures on blogger was unobtainable, and no, I didn't think of writing the post at home and then linking pictures until just this moment. Sorry.

School is going wonderfully, a small class, a great prof (who lets us out early and not at 10:10 pm like she's supposed to), and a fellow soon-to-be interpreter in class to sign with. Yea! Not too much homework, and that all makes me a happy camper (student). I even met with the head of the interpreter program and I don't have to take ASL I. YEA! ASL II here I come!

The new job is wonderful. Challenging, but exciting. It's been difficult scheduling time to train the person in my old job and still work on my new one, but time will help that out. I really like it here.

Scotland was amazing. What can I say. Beautiful country, lovely people, great friendships initiated. God really blessed our trip and I am thankful. I will be posting pics of it the next few days, but for now, here are the signs that made the 4 mile a day walks to the train station fun.

This is my favorite. I love the steam, and the smiling dog.

Sorry folks, Blogger quit on me again. The pictures aren't showing up. I had several more signs. Maybe later!

July 4th and 5th

2006-07-05T15:33:00.000-07:00

I love Scotland!

We had an all day tour of Scotland yesterday. We took trains to our destination, walked a ton, took a million photos and loved every minute of it. We had a great tour guide, the train departures and arrivals worked out great, and we even got to make a really good connection with some ladies on our return train. After sharing many laughs, we started talking deeper about faith and things, and then I asked them if there was something that we could pray for them for specifically. They both said that they had NEVER had anybody ask that and one almost started crying. It was really amazing. We gave them our email addresses, so please pray that they will connect with us again, maybe even in Scotland. Their names are Beverly and Maria. They were my age.

I took a TON of photos yesterday, so much so that I used up my camera battery in one day. Sniff. Breathtaking views. Literally. I gasped when I saw the view over the edge of a cliff (no guardrail.) I can't wait to see my pics!!

Today we spend 12 hours painting the laundry room. Minus lunch and dinner of course. But seriously, it took ALL day. But it's finished now, and on to the next paint project tomorrow. We're heading to Glasgow by train in the morning and then back to the house to paint the fire escape stairs in the afternoon.

It's so beautiful here, and different. I'm still not looking the correct way when crossing the street. Oh well, so far so good.

The people are just amazing. Please keep praying for us, and thank you for your comments. Sorry I don't have time to visit your sites, just a quick post but I'll be back soon!

AM

I'm in Scotland!!

2006-07-03T14:37:00.000-07:00

Greetings All!

I'm here! All is well! It's SUCH a beautiful country! Our flights went well, although two of our members didn't make it, so there are 6 of us here. The place where we're staying is the former mansion of the family who designed the Paisley print. Amazing place. We're meeting alot of people and working hard. Today we walked alot, we trimmed shrubs and used a pressure washer to peel paint off the laundry room. We were soaked and cold by the time we were through, but it was fun.

Tomorrow we are taking a holiday to enjoy our Holiday. We will spend the day on a tour of Scotland. Yea!

We still have lots of work to do here but the people are just amazing, and God has really blessed us. We really feel that this is exactly where we need to be. He answers our prayers abundantly more than we can imagine.

I just finished reading your comments on my previous posts. Thank you so much for your prayers and sweet words. They are such an encouragement to me.

Sorry I can't post pics, but I hope to write again.

Cheers!

Have Backpacks, Will Travel

2006-06-29T05:06:00.000-07:00

Well, ready or not, the next chapter of my life is about to begin. Saturday is July 1st. It's the day that I will fly to London, and then to Glasgow. It is the month that I will turn 30, that I will start school, and a new job. Cha-cha-changes.

I feel like it's a fresh start. School was a terrible experience for me. Between my self-esteem and the battles between my mom and me, I have no good memories of it. OK, one. I got an "A" in Business Math. I had a great professor for that class and I think that's the only "A" in Math I had since elementary school. I'm a different person now, and I am ready for the challenge of school. Ready to learn and accomplish. It's really a good feeling.

What better place to kick off this new chapter than in Scotland? We're cutting our teeth on this trip, but ya know what? It's not our plans. It's His plans. And come what may on this trip, I believe our hearts are in the right place and that God will bless that. I'll probably be covered in paint by the time I'm through. Have enough British tea in me to host the 2nd Boston Tea Party, take too many pictures, but also have memories that will last a lifetime. God willing, we will impact lives for eternity. That I am able to go on this trip is such a God-thing. I'm excited and nervous and eager with anticipation.

Please pray for our team. For those doing evangelism and those doing construction (me!) and those doing a little of both. Please pray for safety, time-management, servant's hearts, friendships, and souls.

When I return, I will begin school the following day, and then start my new job the day after that. I really is a new chapter, alot of things happening at once. I really am excited. I also know that we don't know what tomorrow holds for us, and that THIS is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.

God bless you my blogger friends. I'll try to say "hi" to Nessie for you! Have a wonderful Fourth of July, and we'll talk again soon!

Two Weddings and a Rodeo

2006-06-28T05:31:00.000-07:00

After returning to camp, I attended a friend's wedding the next day. An outdoor wedding on Lake Ray Roberts. (or is it Ray Roberts Lake?). Anyways, aside from the storms that crept in when the reception started, it was a beautiful wedding, and we enjoyed the fellowship with our friends. I did forget my camera though, no pics.

This past Friday night, we were invited to attend the Mesquite Rodeo at Resistol Arena. Always a good time, but especially when you're hanging out with your camp buds in a box suite with unlimited BBQ. SCORE!

Cowboy Poker Anyone? Last one sitting gets the moola, AND the moo.

As Foghorn Leghorn used to sing, "Campdown races sing a song...do-dah..do-dah..."

The rodeo is right in front of us and they're watching it on tv!

Saturday, I attended another wedding and it was good to hang out with friends once again.
"Hi Beyonka Shaddai!"

Camp Photos, Part 3

2006-06-26T11:47:00.000-07:00

Continuing with the Camping Theme....

Brian checks out the sunset. And our course, evidently.

Hiking on the mainland. This tree was ginormous. We actually had a trail here. Later,
we were walking in a creek bed. Complete with deer skeletons.

Brian had canoed over to the mainland, that's why his shirt is wet.

They climbed up wet shale to the top, while I stayed on Terra Firma.
There was a small waterfall here. Very neat!

Nothing but green!

Returning from the hike. I took a boat ride back, as I had to protect my camera
at all costs. There was a huge snapping turtle swimming near them.

Showers of Blessing

2006-06-22T11:28:00.000-07:00

Don't have the official call yet, but my current boss did tell me that I GOT THE JOB!!!! I will have 8 years of service with my company next month, and this job is going to be the perfect combination of my work history. It's so perfect! And, I get to TRAVEL! And it's a raise, and a promotion!

God is so very, very good. I don't deserve His blessing, but I am truly grateful and give Him all the glory. I don't deserve it. And I'm thankful.

Thank you for your prayers!!

More Camp Bliss

2006-06-22T05:49:00.000-07:00

Continuing on with the camp photos...

This is the extent of civilization that I saw for two weeks. This is the dock, about 10 min. by boat but the closest store or building to us. Note all the cute birdhouses.

We rented a cabin for three hours to watch the first three Mavs games. This is on our way to the cabin where about 8 of us huddled around a 19" tv. Brian is a good boat driver. :) The island is directly behind us in the photo.

I have numerous photos of this face of the last 10 years. Man, I love this guy.

Group photo! The camp director's favorite color is orange. He even special ordered an orange ski boat. So, in honor of him, here we are. This is where we normally gather to watch the sunset.

I'm having a love/hate relationship with Blogger right now. I was just getting to my sunset and hiking pictures when it decided it didn't want to post any more photos. There will be a part 3 evidently!

Bliss.

2006-06-21T05:39:00.000-07:00

Here are pictures from camp. See why I enjoy it so much??

Here's our home for two weeks! Note our "bathroom sink" strapped to a tree. Complete with Listerine, toothbrushes, paste, flashlight and a Nalgene full of water. Mirror strapped to side. Bathing products in tub on top. Yes, we bathe in the lake. No, I don't miss showers.

The southern tip of the island.

Brian signed up to wash dinner dishes every night as his daily chore. That water is hot!

The kitchen. Brian entertains the kids.

How I spent my day.....

Reading/Sleeping on a raft in the lake by day. At night, stare at stars.

Riding around in a boat watching guys ski on oars.

Ride on Wave Runner. Hey Josh! It's my turn!

Blast. Blogger stopped uploading pics on me again. Well, I'll post more later.

Btw - the interview went wonderfully yesterday. I really think I got the job! Will find out soon and will keep you posted. Thank you so much for your prayers!

Back to Life, Back to Reality

2006-06-19T18:57:00.000-07:00

Whew! Yesterday was the first day to be sitting at my desk in THREE WEEKS! Wowza. After a week of training and two blessed, wonderful weeks of vacation, I am once again at my home away from home. Not that I can complain too much. My job blesses me with 29 days of vacation this year, in addition to many Friday's off, so I can't complain in the least. Even better than that, I have an interview for a new and better position this morning at 10am. Will you pray for me? I would LOVE to have this job. Really, it's a perfect fit, and it's sounding really promising. They waited for three weeks to interview me. Yea! So, please pray that I'll do my best during the interview.

Being at camp was SUCH a restful reprieve. Seriously. It's the most relaxing vacation I can imagine. It's beautiful. It's serene. It's active. It's relaxing. It's stress-free. It's climate-controlled (sorta). It's 24 hours a day with really good people. It's a place to get quiet. To enjoy sunsets either with your friends or by yourself. It's laying on an 8 person raft at 10:00 at night out on the lake with your friends as you watch satellites streak across the Big Dipper. It's having a hard time locating the Big Dipper, not because of the light pollution, but because there are millions, billions of other stars in the sky that you can see. So much that it's hard to even make out where the Big Dipper is in all the vastness. It's laying on lounge chairs next to the water with your female friends, everyone with a book in hand. It's falling asleep in a hammock with a good book. It's going to bed in June and being COLD. 55 degrees means snuggling in a sleeping bag and listening to the water splash against the shore 30 ft. from your tent.

It's seeing wild turkeys, salamanders, deer, turtles (the box and snapping kind), fish, bats, and snakes (yes, I LIKE snakes). It's clinging to my husband's life-jacket as we zoom on a jet-ski going 55mph, with a 13 year old boy holding on to my life-jacket yelling SWEET!!! as we glide across the water. It's soaking teenagers with the afroementioned Wave Runner. It's hiking in the forest and watching my husband climb a 40 foot "waterfall". It's swimming a mile and then stopping to do Ai Chi on the shore with 40 year old women, but laughing the whole time and getting algae on your arms from being in the water so long. It's cheering the Oldies (over 30 and/or married) as they beat the Goodies (under 25 young studs) in a volleyball match.

It's eating smores and pies around a campfire, and drinking raspberry tea and lemonade because the water tastes bad. It's sharing an outhouse with 30 people and learning that an empty can of raspberry tea filled with peat moss and dumped in the outhouse hole really will make the smell go away. It's singing Blessed Be the Name, Blind Man, and I've Got Peace Like a River (with motions) around a campfire. It's teaching teenagers how to play Wahoo and then watching 8 year olds play it when they're done. It's riding around in a ski boat while kids who have spent every summer of their life on the island show amazing skill at slaloming. They get bored with regular skiing so they barefoot, or ski on an oar.

It's bonding with people that I've known my whole life. I became close friends with the Sunday School teacher I had when I was 4. My first memories include her and now my recent ones do too. It's being blindfolded late at night and being inducted in the Ga-Ga Sisterhood, complete with secret ceremonies never to be discussed even on this blog. It's sharing your joys and sorrows with people of all ages.

So yes, reality is here again, but so are the memories of two weeks of a true vacation. And now - I get to eagerly anticipate my trip to Scotland next Saturday. God is Good.

P.S. Blogger is not cooperating on the pictures. I will post those later.

Intermittent at Best

2006-05-25T19:16:00.000-07:00

I'm am gradually weaning myself out of the blogosphere. Sad, I know. I shall return at a later date, but I'm afraid I won't be able to post here for awhile. I'm in the process of training someone at work, so no time to blog there. I'm in training all next week, and then I'm on vacation for awhile. So, it will be almost a month before I'm back. I'll try to check in during the evenings, but I will probably just be commenting on your sites and not mine. I hope to be back around the end of June, and then will leave you again as I cross the "pond" to Scotland. I will return to our regular programming the middle of July.

Life has been good, just busy. Going to some weddings soon, have my training, going on vacation, going on a mission trip, starting school again this summer for the first time in 8 years. I put in for a new job that I am REALLY hoping to get. It's go time for me!

I will SO miss chatting with you as much as I want, but will check in as much as possible.

Take care my blog family!

Girls Day Out

2006-05-22T06:40:00.000-07:00

I had some fabulous girl time this weekend. Saturday afternoon I attended a bachelorette lingerie party. Wahoooo! For the event,the girls rented a pontoon boat at the marina and had the party on the lake. With the wind in our hair and time on our side, we lounged, we talked, we partied. Such fun!

Seven of us attended, and none of us really wanted to claim the title of Skipper, so people took turns driving the boat. We finally decided to coast for awhile and so we turned off the engine and broke out the food and drinks. After feasting, the bride to be (wearing her Bachelorette hat and banner) opened her gifts. Little did she know that all the remarks regarding her gifts were being written down. After she finished, one of the girls read the quotes, saying that this was what she will be saying on her wedding night. Oh, it was too funny. For my readership's sake, I won't repeat them. (smirk)

We floated for about an hour and then decided to head off for a different area of the lake. Turn key, crrrrrrrnk. Turn key, crrrrrrrrnk. Nothing. The engine simply would not turn over. Try, try again. Laughter ensues. Now, we are 7 women on a party boat. When we left the marina, the "Skipper" wasn't giving the boat enough gas and we stalled about 4 feet from the dock. We saw the smirks on the fishermen's faces. Now here we are in the middle of the lake with an engine that wouldn't start. We had one paddle. And a cell phone.

So, one of the girls calls the marina. They make sure that we're doing everything right. Still nothing. So, they said they would send somebody out. "Where are y'all exactly?" they say. Response: "my back is to the dam". This is what they're contending with. Ha ha ha. We give them slightly better directions and they tell us that help is on the way.

45 min. later.

One of the girls has been waving her colorful sarong at fellow boaters, thinking they are the rescue team. It's clearly an older couple, and the woman is wearing a straw hat. Not exactly your typical rescue team. Man and son on Jet-ski. Wave of sarong. Fishermen. Wave of sarong. So, we call the marina again. We find out that the rescue team has been called to the dock because of a snake bite. Clearly this out-ranks 7 damsels in distress. They tell us to look for a boat with a blue flashing light. The sarong makes it's appearance once again.

Since the boat has been sitting for 45 min., the young twenty-something male on the other end of the line attempts to diagnose the engine trouble from afar. Crrrrrrnnnnnk again. Then the fun really begins. He instructs the Desperate Housewife on the other end of the phone to have one of the girls squeeze the gas pump. "I tried to squeeze it but it was hard!" "You squeeze it, you have more experience!" "Why does it get keep getting harder to pump?" It actually was all innocent conversation, until the Desperate Housewife began saying that she could hear laughter on the other end in the phone. The young twenty-something had "accidentally" hit the intercom switch and everyone in the marina was laughing at the conversation. It went on and on, but hey, it was a Bachelorette party, after all.

45 min. later.

We see a blue light. They clearly see us. The sarong is still waving. It's the sheriff's office, and they are greeted with a "can we take your picture?". All they give us is a puzzled/are you joking look. Suddenly the 7 of us are joined with two armed men. Party is over. Well, not really, they were really nice, and thankfully they couldn't get it started for awhile either. Finally, it starts. Then it dies. Then it starts again. Then it dies. Finally, we're up and running and begin to head back to shore.

After unloading all our gear and once again hear how the young twenty-something literally had tears in his eyes from the prior conversation, we headed home to get cleaned up. Later on in the evening, we headed to Johnny Carino's to continue the feasting. It was a fabulous day.

Verse of the Day - May 18

2006-05-18T09:14:00.000-07:00

"Instead of looking at the fashion, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it?.... If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers....don't you think He'll attend to you, take pride in you, do His best for you?"

Matthew 6:28-30 MSG

Parenting Isn't For Cowards

2006-05-18T08:25:00.000-07:00

It's a book title, but it's also a summarization of my feelings. Last night I was able to voice alot of my frustrations with my parenting, as well as my fears of being a parent. This is such an accomplishment for me, as the skill of burying my feelings and emotions reaches epic proportions. I feel that if I don't learn how to express my feelings, I will never really be free of the baggage that I carry. But oh, is it easier said than done. So, as I struggle to express these feelings, I hope that they will begin to release their grip on me.

As I begin to write the other day, the words begin to spill out of my mind and into my fingers and I felt the need to read my own words to really see exactly how I felt. I think the chains are now broken, but the scars left behind must heal. Then I can begin to put this behind me. To not dwell on the past and bring it into my future, but to learn from it, to be a better person because of it. I don't want to have it hovering over my head that my childhood, specifically my teenaged years and early twenties were so difficult. My goal? To see the reality, but then move on. No, I don't want to dwell on my parenting all my days or use it as a crutch. But I simply must see it for what it was. Painful. Hurtful. Distrustful. Lonely. Chaotic. How do you reason with that which was unreasonable? I think that my mind is finally accepting that which encompassed years and years of feelings. I have shut them out, blocked them out for fear of re-living them.

I have done what I can to keep the peace these last several years. And for the most part, it has worked. But the truth is that it can also be an emotional rollercoaster of moods and conversations. You never know what the mood will be, whether there will be anger or disappointment on the other end of the phone, or a cheerful voice. You don't know if your decisions will be accepted with pride or with disdain. It's as if I am walking on a balance beam and have to defend a push or a shove as I walk. It seems that sooner or later I it is inevitable that I fall, or fail.

As I had a phone conversation the other day, another realization hit. Nothing has really changed. The control, the erratic conversations, the undefined questions. They are all the same. They have a different target these days, but for it to come back to me, all I need is the "right" scenario, and it would happen all over again. And this CANNOT be. How do I begin to protect myself? Do I know how?

Blogging has been very therapeutic for me over the last year. It is refreshing to see how other people deal with life. I have been able to meet some of these people in person and cherish their friendship. Others are miles away, and we will more than likely will not meet this side of heaven. When I was reading on how a fellow blogger responded to the unkind words of her mother, I was astonished at her response. Because she OWNED her feelings and what her mother said did not affect them. I will be 30 this year and I feel like I am finally discovering my independence when it comes to decisions and feelings. I am no longer hiding behind the curtain on the stage, I am building the confidence to stand in front of the audience without trembling.

Reading other people's stories also brings up feelings that I missed out. Missed out on making memories with my dad that I can cherish for the rest of my life. I have the memories of accompanying him to the photo lab. Him occasionally picking me up from school. I realize that having a dad is something that many others envied. I can't take that for granted, but it could have been so much more. I can count on one hand the gifts that I have received my from dad from the age of 5 to the present. A Music Machine record right before my sister was born. A bell from a trip to Canada. The Little Mermaid movie (which my mom thought was evil and didn't want us to watch). The movie Rear Window. Ropers for a western event in jr. high. I cannot think of a single time that he took me somewhere just to go. There was never "let go somewhere together" whether it be the movies, or dinner, or anything. Yes, there was love, but the necessary demonstration of that love was absent. I realize now how important that is to a girl, and how searching for it in others can never really replace it.

The pieces of my life are beginning to be glued back together. Yes, they were broken, by both sets of parents, but they are not ruined. I will not let them be. The pieces will instead become a beautiful mosaic, transformed and changed.

Thank you for being there for me as I go through this journey.

14 Years

2006-05-15T07:39:00.000-07:00

I just wrote 5/15 on a message note for my boss. Click. A date of rememberance. Do you have those dates? Dates that are hold much more significance than just another turn of the page. Memories, emotions, photographs in the mind. As I sit here I try to sort out the feeling. It's a mixed emotion. Because something changed 14 years ago. The good came with the bad. The elation with the confusion. The joy and the sorrow. A turning point in my life.

I've been doing a lot of reflecting lately. The last few weeks have been a sorting of feelings and emotions. How do I really feel? Dare I feel? It's a relationship that began in the womb. But did it really? It's a bonding from the beginning of my existence. But was it really? It's complex and jagged and painful and yet... comforting. We all thought about that relationship yesterday, in some sort of way. Because yesterday was Mother's Day.

Oh, I've spent hours and hours and hundreds and hundreds of dollars trying to really understand what that relationship is. A mother to a daughter. But more importantly - MY mother. To me. But in the last few weeks it has solidified a little more. I understand it more. I think. It is such a complicated thing. How do you begin to trust that which has hurt you. And yet has loved you? How can those things go together? The answer is that they don't. Like oil and water are the emotions I received and that I now feel.

I have begun to realize that my optimism has come at a great cost. It has not allowed me to truly feel. But dare I? Dare I feel that which has both pushed and pulled me like a giant rubberband, snapping me in great pain, and yet pulling be back time and time again? I was not taught to really feel. Because feelings come from thoughts and thoughts and ideas can be different than those of others. And different from those of our parents.

As I was conversing with my co-worker the other day, she made a comment on how as you raise your children, you keep in mind that the purpose is to allow them to become more and more independent as they grow. Process. Process. Process. What a refreshing thought. Can it be true? Can parents strive for their children to be independent? Does it not always produce conflict, strife, guilt trips? How can it not?

From my experience, when an effort to control clashes against an independent thought, two things can happen. One, the dominant control wins, shattering the belief system, independence and confidence of the child. Or two, the independent thought wins, but the consequence of guilt and silence envelopes. So, is that really winning?

The first 15 years of my life, the Control was in control. On May 15, 1992, a window was opened. Like a beam of light into a dark room, a relationship began that opened my eyes to something different. It wasn't instantaneous, but time caused the possibility to become the reality. A different relationship began to grow. And as that one began, so began the downward spiral of the other one.

I had my first date 14 years ago today. No longer did I want to accept every decision my mother granted me. My feelings became more important. I began to realize that not every mother was like my mother. It didn't always HAVE to be that way. But my realizations were not made into a reality. Far from it. I attempted to deal with my frustrations, the best I knew how. Submission, silence, sneaking around. None of them healthy, but neither was the relationship.

As my feelings would build up, I would cover them up. Showing those feelings only brought more pain. Learning how to reverse that pattern would become a life-long process. Learning to shut down became a defense mechanism. An unhealthy one at that. The feelings of guilt and fear took their toll. The wounds became scars. Do you see those scars on me? I try to hide them well, but they are there. The fears are still real. Fears of repeating the parenting I received. Fears that the cycle will not break.

Looking back, I am still grateful for that day 14 years ago. The day another world was opened. But now I see a bigger picture of that world. One that I hope and pray will become more and more clear as the days go by. I think the scars are starting to fade with time. I pray they do.

Strange Weather, Even for Texas

2006-05-11T07:52:00.000-07:00

We've had the strangest weather lately. I've lived in Texas all my life and it never ceases to amaze me just how much the weather changes around here. One week it's 101, the next it's 50. One day it's sunny and hot (Tues), the next it's cold (last night I was FREEZING at my nephew's soccer game). In the last week or so, it starts out cool and rainy and then turns to sunny and 80% humidity. That's not even including the storms. 3 people were killed two nights ago from a tornado that was about 40 miles from my house. Two weeks ago something hit our house too. It was either straight-line winds or a tornado that didn't completely touch the ground.

We were watching our Judge Judy episodes on our DVR two weeks ago and had heard that there were storms southwest of us. Then, the tornado sirens started to go off behind our house. I was on the cell ph. with one brother-in-law while Brian was standing by the window. Lightning filled the sky, showing an eerie green color and then POW! something hit the window that was 2 inches from Brian's nose. We high-tailed it for the "potty room", grabbing Abby in the process.

I'm sure we were a sight - our master bath has a separate potty room, with a door, but it was not designed for multiple people. I was standing next to the toilet, still talking to Brian's brother (who was in their closet with his family). Brian was talking on the other phone to his other brother (who was in their bathroom) and the dog is looking at us like we're absolutely nuts.

It passed quickly and so we went outside to inspect the damage. Out of our entire neighborhood, only three houses were hit, ours and our next door neighbors'. It snapped fence posts and large branches like toothpicks, but didn't lift the cover of a sandbox. Very interesting. Thankfully, the damage was minimal...

Obviously Abby was in a full panic.

Fence posts snapped like twigs

Abby surveys the damage.

You just don't see branches wrapped around pickets every day.

Reflecting - Today's Verse of the Day

2006-05-10T09:42:00.000-07:00

Psalm 8:3-4 NLT

"When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers - the moon and the stars you have set in place - what are mortals that you should think of us, mere humans that you should care for us?"

just thinking.

97% More to Go....

2006-05-08T09:47:00.000-07:00

According to this, I've visited 3% of the world's countries. I am crying "no fair", however, because I couldn't count the 3 countries in Britain that I've visited, it only counted as 1. Rats. (and beans). And I just realized Holland isn't showing either! HEY! I call foul!

So many countries, so little time.

create your own visited countries map

I'm doing better on the U.S. - a whopping 58%.

create your own visited states map

United 93

2006-05-05T18:38:00.000-07:00

This was not a movie that I really wanted to see, per se. I was actually extremely hesistant in seeing it. As I expected, I was extremely emotional during a great part of this movie. I can't explain the emotion, I think it is different for everyone. Brian experienced nervousness and rage. I was sobbing.

Please go see it. I think it is important for every American to see this movie.

We must never forget.

Sigh....

2006-05-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

I'm listening to the soundtrack of Pride & Prejudice while looking at a photo of where I will be two months from today, God-willing. I am in the midst of planning for our group's mission trip to Scotland, and they sent me this pic yesterday. I gasped in delight!

I am so very content.

Big Difference

2006-05-01T06:56:00.000-07:00

This is the effect that eating at Gloria's restaurant has on me. The moment that the scent of the warm black bean dip permeates my nostrils, a euphoria like no other descends on me. My work group took me to lunch on Friday, and this is the result....

This is quite opposite the effect of Brian eating black beans like my grandmother used to make. Especially when he would lock the windows in order to "seal in the pleasant odor". Rage, anger, and malice all combusting simultaneously was the effect it had on me.

Big difference. K-T and Cat know, just ask them.

Shock and Awe

2006-04-28T08:24:00.000-07:00

Because there really is no other way to describe this.

I knew I should have changed my profile pic.

Happy Administrative Professionals Day!

2006-04-26T07:22:00.000-07:00

To all the hard working, job-never-done Administrative Professionals, I hope you have a wonderful day!!!

(Hope everyone else has a wonderful day too!)

Update: It's a GREAT day for me!!

I've received:
$50 gift card to Amazon.com
$50 gift card to Whole Foods
Flowers
Giant cookie
E-cards
Cards
2 Balloons

I am so thankful to be blessed by a wonderful work group. YEA!!!!!

I'd Like To Thank the Academy (and my Canon Elph)

2006-04-25T05:33:00.000-07:00

I'm stoked! I was featured in a travel blog today. How cool is that?!?!! So, in honor of the nomination, I will feature some of my favorite pics from my recent travels.

Taken inside the great hall at Ellis Island. I was able to find a postcard of the ship my grandmother took on her voyage from Wales to America.

This is one of the first sights she saw, in this Land of the Free I call home.

Central Park Beauty.

These were taken from the top of our cruise ship in Roatan, Honduras.

The natural beauty of Belize in December.

East Texas Pines.

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Sites of Oklahoma , where you can kill two birds w/ one stone.

Local beauty - my current wallpaper, taken at Dallas Blooms.

Yes, I am one happy Amstaff Mom when I am traveling!

I have plans to use my passport this summer, and some other trips are planned as well. I look forward to sharing my memories and photos with you.

Still here.

2006-04-24T12:29:00.000-07:00

Don't have much to say, just figured I would post something different for my oh-so-faithful readers that check-in only to see the same post listed from last week. I've never considered myself a writer, much more as a commenter, so it's difficult for me at times to think of something to post on my own blog.

I had a nice weekend, but as usual, it flew by. Enjoyed spending time with Brian's family, eating (and eating and eating) together, sitting around chatting, and holding my wee little nephew. The fellas, with little to no help from me, cut down a very large but very dead tree. With much prayer and sweat, it came crashing down in the perfect spot. No harm done(except the tree).

We got the curtains hung up in the kitchen, and I will need to hem the ones in the living room, they're a little too long. It looks so different with the curtains and matching pillows. I will take a picture to post when I'm all finished. I'm very pleased with the results, and give my sister-in-law full credit.

Other than that, life consists of working, spending too much time in the car, church stuff, signing, and trying to find time to read. Throw some chores in there, and that's pretty much my world. It's fun though. And God is Good.

Happy Monday!

Getting Immersed

2006-04-19T11:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had the best sign language lesson yet. About 10 words were voiced during an hour-long lunch with 5 people. WOW. Two deaf people, two interpreters for the Deaf (one was my friend's spouse and the other was our friend), and then me. I was very nervous before we went, just for the intimidation factor alone (they were EXPERTS after all). (And the 2 cups of caffeinated tea didn't help). But everyone was so very nice, and soon I realized I had nothing to worry about. Although I didn't understand everything that was signed, I understood a good portion of it, and enjoyed the signing so very much.

I'd never seen two deaf people sign to each other and it was AMAZING to watch. And to see my friend sign with his wife, who is an AWESOME interpreter was so very fun. I am hoping she will take me under her wing and teach me more ASL, since I don't know it. I know signs, but I'm pretty much signing English at this point, and I will need to learn and master ASL in order to interpet someday. She, on the other hand, interprets for a living so it was like learning from Master Yoda or something. Too cool.

We are hoping to go to one of the Deaf Coffee Chats soon (RR are you signing coffee or Starbucks?) . How fun will it be just sitting around, drinking coffee and signing together.

I've never enjoyed learning so much before this. I'm still in awe of the whole thing!

Verse of the Day

2006-04-18T06:59:00.000-07:00

Thoughts as I flipped over my verse of the day calendar....

Do I really REALLY have to COMPLETELY forgive? Because I say I do, and then a reminder flashes back and hits me right between the eyes. Does that mean I've forgiven and just not forgotten? Or maybe I really haven't completely forgiven after all.

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13

Struggling. Because I was COMPLETELY forgiven.

Can't Breathe....Need More Oxygen....

2006-04-17T07:06:00.000-07:00

This humidity is killing me! Yesterday I wearing a sweatshirt as I ate my cereal outside, because it was 40 degrees. Today, I'm wiping the sweat off my brow. Yesterday I enjoyed mountainous views and air with zero humidity. Today I'm gasping for breath (well, almost).

Wednesday night, Brian, Cat and I headed west, young man. To Colorful Colorado. On the way, we went through the Land of Enchantment aka New Mexico. Enchanting, isn't it?

A couple of hours later, we hit REAL beauty - at the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.

Brian and I enjoy the scenic views.

Hey! Be careful up there!

Cat takes in the breathtaking views.

We narrowly avoided being crushed to death.

Somehow I developed Super-Human strength when we crossed the state line.

After going through Colorado Springs, we spent time with Brian's family near Denver. My sister-in-law made me curtains, drapes and pillows for my living room and kitchen which turned out so very well. I'm so excited! Brian helped our brother-in-law turn their 100+ year old piano into a bookshelf. The piano was too old to ever be tuned again, but the wood carvings were still very nice, so now it will be treasured in different forms. Cat enjoyed spending time with her friends in Denver. Although it was a long time to be spent in the car on a short trip, we enjoyed our time together. Hopefully we will be able to go back again soon!

Welcome to the Plaaanet

2006-04-11T14:23:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Exist-aaance. Everyone's here, everyone's here.

OK, enough singing, but please join me in welcoming the newest addition to our family. My sister-in-law and brother-in-law are now parents to a little baby boy.

I'm leaving now, as I'm on my way to go see the little guy.

:)

Please. Let Us All Remember.

2006-04-11T05:38:00.000-07:00

Seven Days that Shook the World

April 9, 2006

by Greg Kandra

After spending the last few weeks in the desert of Lent, suddenly we find ourselves in an oasis, clutching long leaves of palms.
But like so many things you see after being in the desert, it’s a mirage. What we see, or think we see, is about to shift before our eyes.
Soon enough, the palms will be whips. The leaves will be thorns. Jubilation will become jeers. That is the paradox and the mystery of Holy Week.
The liturgies of this week are powerful and primal. In the days to come, there is silence and smoke, fire and water, shadow and light. We are a part of something both ancient and new, and what we do this week reminds us of that. The altar will be stripped. The cross will be venerated. The tabernacle will be emptied. The Blessed Sacrament will be moved. Bells will be stilled.
And yet here we stand, at the gates to Jerusalem, palms in our hands and hosannas on our lips, beginning the arduous trek to Calvary.

It is easy to be distracted by the events of the world, and not really pay attention to what we will do this week. Somewhere, wars are raging, and politicians are squabbling. Somewhere, Easter eggs are being sold, and chocolate is being inventoried, and plastic grass is lining wicker baskets.

But not here. Not now. Not yet.

This week, take the time to wonder about what we are doing, and what we are remembering.

For close to two thousand years, we have gathered like this, in places like this, to light candles and chant prayers and read again the ancient stories of our deliverance and redemption.
But are we aware of what we are doing? Do we understand what it means? Do we realize the price that was paid? A proper accounting is impossible. The ledger—His life, for our souls—seems woefully unbalanced.

So try this. This week, take a moment in each day that passes to wonder: What was He doing during this time of that one week all those centuries ago? What was crossing His mind on Monday, on Tuesday, on Wednesday? What sort of anguish? What kind of dread?
Has anything we have ever worried about, or lost sleep over, or agonized about, even come close?
He was a man like us in all things but sin. He must have been terrified, His mind buzzing with questions. Long after the others had drifted off to sleep, did He stay awake and worry? Maybe He sat up alone, late at night, whittling a piece of wood, the way His father had taught Him, until a splinter sliced His skin, drawing a rivulet of blood. He might have flinched and thought: Well, this is nothing. And still it stings. How intense would the pain of death become? How long would it last? How much humiliation would He be forced to endure, stripped and bleeding? And: What about His mother? Is there anything He could do to spare her from this?

As you shop for Easter baskets and dye, think of this. Ponder this. Wonder about it. Make it a kind of prayer.

And then, remember what we are doing, and why.

Because, of all the calendars in all of human history, this is the week that changed the world.

I borrowed this from Tracey, who borrowed it from The Anchoress. Bold emphasis is mine.

Let us all remember.

Happy Bloggerversary To Me

2006-04-10T11:57:00.000-07:00

I've been blogging for a whole year now. Sharing my life's story, wishes, prayers, thoughts, pictures and memes with you, my blogger friends.

What started as a Google search has led to some wonderful friendships that I truly cherish.

Many thanks to you, my blogger friends, and especially to Eddo and Jes who both created this blog template for me, and whose blogs were in the results of the aforementioned Google search.

The last year has been a fun ride, I look forward to what the next year will bring.

And Now You Know.

2006-04-06T07:19:00.000-07:00

FSU professor: Jesus may have walked on ice, not water
07:02 AM CDT on Thursday, April 6, 2006
Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Jesus walked on water, according to the Bible, but a Florida State University professor says he may have actually walked on a hard-to-see patch of ice.
Doron Nof, a professor of oceanography, said a rare combination of water and atmospheric conditions in the Sea of Galilee 2000 years ago may offer a scientific explanation for one of the miracles recounted in the Bible.
Nof said a patch of ice floating in the Sea of Galilee – which is actually a freshwater lake – would have been difficult to distinguish from unfrozen water surrounding it.
"I'm not trying to provide any information that has to do with theology here," Nof said in an interview Wednesday. "All we've thought is about the natural process. What theologians or anybody else does with that, it's their business, so to speak."
According to the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark and John, Jesus' disciples were out on the Galilee at night when a storm came up. Jesus walked to the terrified men, who thought he was a ghost, according to the accounts.
Darrell Bock, a professor of New Testament studies at the Dallas Theological Seminary, lightheartedly dismissed the idea that Jesus walked on ice.
"I'm just cold to the theory," said Bock, author of "Breaking the Da Vinci Code," which defends traditional Christian beliefs challenged in Dan Brown's "Da Vinci Code."
"I tend to treat it as a real miracle," Bock said. "Almost all the nature miracles are challenged in one degree or another."
Other reaction to the theory has not been so restrained.
"I get hate e-mail on the average every three minutes," Nof said. One e-mail called him "the most stupid person on the planet" and closed by wishing that he "go to hell where you belong."
Nof's research appears in the April issue of the Journal of Paleolimnology, a publication on the reconstruction of lake histories. Nof's co-authors are biostatistics professor Ian McKeague of Columbia University and atmospheric science professor Nathan Paldor of Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
They came up with the theory after studying records of long-ago water temperatures in the Mediterranean Sea, based on core samples of shells and other animal remains taken from the bottom.
The records indicated that two lengthy periods 2,500 to 1,500 years ago were chilly enough for ice patches to form during cold spells on the Sea of Galilee, said Nof, a native of Israel.
The unfrozen water surrounding the ice would have come from salty springs along the lake's western shore, he said. Salty water freezes at lower temperatures than fresh water.

Ha ha ha ha! Oh, and don't you just LOVE the e-mail he received? Because Christians are, of course, SUPPOSED to wish for people to go to hell. Oh my.

On a completely different subject, I think I now have a new favorite movie. Does watching it twice (for the 3rd and 4th time, respectively) in 3 days constitute a favorite movie? If so,
Pride and Prejudice (the 2005 version) is my new favorite movie. Maybe I can squeeze in a 3rd time this week, for it will be a charm for sure. I mean, scenes like this just take my breath away.

Watch it, oh please, please watch and enjoy. And yes, you will warm up to Darcy as the movie goes on. Not at first, but later. He gets more and more handsome. When he laughs - wonderful, when he walks across the field - oh the emotion. I won't say anymore. Just watch.

Quiet.

2006-04-03T20:15:00.000-07:00

I am in Dallas for a few days, staying with the parents while I'm attending a conference for work in downtown Dallas. I had already planned on staying here to avoid the long commute from home to here. The term "long commute" was confirmed this morning when I spent 1 hr. and 45 min. in the car. ugh.

It actually turned out to be blessing that I was already down here. My cousin called my parents this evening and said that my uncle was at the hospital. He's been fighting cancer and has now taken a turn for the worst. He will probably begin hospice soon, and so we went to see him at the hospital tonight. It was hard to see him so weak, but thankfully they have been able to relieve his intense pain. My cousin quit her job about a year ago to faithfully take care of her daddy, and so it's hard to see the pain she's in now after she heard the news. I'm so glad I was down here so I could go see him. I'm hoping to go see him tomorrow after the conference as well.

Please pray for my uncle Sammy and his family. I would really appreciate it.

Through it all, God is good.