How many days until Christmas?

Okay, this is my last chance to have a full day of Christmas shopping. I've put it off far too long and I've been pretty selfish with my time. I don't know what my problem is this year. I just can't seem to motivate. So, I woke up early this morning and I made my list, I've checked it twice....okay not yet, but I will. I'm sure I'm leaving someone out.

My goal today: Shop AND bake AND get a Christmas photo of myself so I can create a Christmas greeting card. Yes, I'm a nerd. I'm hopeful that I'll get it all done. I just need to get going now....

Boyz II Men

Did you know they're back?
Sweet Monkey!

"Boyz II Men, ABC, BBD - East Coast Family!"

From what I see/hear in the video, it's gonna be good. How can you go wrong recording some sweet Motown hits? Yeah, you can't -- especially if you're Boyz II Men!

I hate traffic!

So last night I left my doctor's appointment and was supposed to get up to UNCC for an informational sessions on a Meeting & Event Planning program. It took me 10 minutes to get from the office to the place I would get on 485. Well, I was given the wrong direction on 485. Then it took me awhile to find the next exit to get off 485. Once I did that, I got into the wrong turning lane....again. The traffic on that side of town is horrible. People are not kind in letting you in their lane. So, when I realized that I wouldn't be able to get up there to UNCC before 6:30pm, I gave up. I am sad because I think it would have been really helpful to hear about this program.

Anyway, I met up with a friend for some Vietnamese and good conversation. That helped to make me feel somewhat better. Then, I went over to the Finks to get some "cocktail" attire for a party on Saturday. I am so excited that I might get to wear this one dress of Em's. It's gorgeous. I sure hope it fits me.

Today is going to be a better day all the way around. I can feel it.

And now an appropriate poem

Broken Dreams

As children bring their broken toys
With tears for us to mend,
I brought my broken dreams to God
Because He was my friend.

But then instead of leaving Him
In peace to work alone,
I hung around and tried to help
With ways that were my own.

At last I snatched them back and cried,
"How could you be so slow"
"My child," He said, "What could I do?
You never did let go."

Please God. Let me let go. Give me the strength I need to do it.

I'll get by....

I'll get by with a little help from my friends.

Honestly, this has been a rough couple of days. I didn't sleep well last night which is weird because it should have been Saturday night I didn't sleep well. Strange.

This is an odd time of my life. Letting go of something that was a huge part of my life for a long time and then wondering what the future is going to hold. Letting go is always my weakest point. Sometimes I hold on much to the detriment of my emotional health. I always want to be nice and not hurt people.

Gosh, I want to believe there's hope for me. I don't mean that in the way it sounds. I just want to believe that there's HOPE. i want to believe that I can hold on to something/someone and not be disappointed.

But in all this drama, I have some amazing friends who are quick to encourage me that better days are ahead. They simply encourage me. I feel like I have my own band of cheerleaders.

I love my friends.

Rock out

Remember that vid I posted awhile back of the preppy highschoolers doing the "Soulja Boy Crank That"? Well, this is Travis Barker doing a drum remix of that tune. It's pretty amazing.

Name Analyzer

Name Analyzer

Sublime
Tough
Energetic
Prompt
Happy
Adventurous
Neat
Innocent
Enlightened.

Hmmmmm.

Yoga with a twist....literally

So, I've been slack about using my YMCA membership for the last couple of months. My excuse is that the weather has been so nice that I wanted to be outdoors. Lately though, it's been getting dark earlier and I haven't felt much like walking in the dark and the cold. So today I ventured over to the Y for "Christian Yoga". I had no idea what to expect. I've only done yoga once before and that was years ago. I really wanted to give this a whirl. Emily did prenatal yoga before Vivian was born and it kind of piqued my interest again.

It was really great. It was challenging physically and spiritually refreshing. She spoke words from Scripture along the way and prayed at the end. I almost cried when it was over. There was such release at the end. Yes, there were cheesy moments, but overall it was really good for my body and my spirit! I'll definitely go back next week.

One more thing: I ran into one of the other women who took the class in the locker room. She said that she couldn't take the religious stuff and that she wouldn't be back. I reminded her that it was promoted as Christian Yoga. She said she knew, but she couldn't take it. I said, "Well, that's too bad."

Kids

I'm sure you've seen this vid before, but I have to post it. It's hilarious.

I heart NYC

I really love the city.

Some highlights from the trip:

1. Going to Ellis Island on Saturday with my cousins and getting a tour led by Ms. Meaney. I kid you not. That is her name. She was about 5 feet tall and very, shall we say, manly. She also made some of the most dramatic pauses I've ever been witness to. Here's a photo of her in action.

Ms. Meany

2. Central Park. It's simply gourgeous this time of year. We walked around for a couple of hours it seems. We got a couple photos and I got coffee at the Boathouse . It's funny how most of what I've seen of Central Park before is what I've seen in the movies. So, I kept on thinking to myself "Oh, this is the scene where....." I started to say this out loud, but realized quickly that it made me seem like I watch way too many movies.

central park

3. Band of Horses. I can't believe how much I love this band. I can't get enough of songs like The General Specific or The Marry Song or Is There a Ghost? Please check them out here or here
I guess I'd call them alt-country rock. they have a twang, but they can rock it out too. Two bonuses: they recorded their album in Asheville and they live in Mt. Pleasant! Why is this important? I am from Asheville and my family vacations near Mt. Pleasant. Anyway, they do a fantastic job of representing the Drrrrty South.

4. City streets. I love the energy, the life, the buzz of the city streets of NYC.

5. Good friends/family. I saw my cousins Jenny and Matt and then Matt's wife, Nicole. I saw Luke and Monica as well. It was so much fun!

6. Random celebrity sightings. We saw Tina Fey and Seth Myers as they picketed for the Writers Guild.

7. NYPD. I have in hand, a business card of one of New York's finest. He wanted to make sure I had his phone number for my return visit to NYC. How nice. Thank you, Gene. Love ya, mean it.

Losin' their cool....I mean shirts

Poor guys. How embarassing! Several players from VA Tech lost their
shirts before a game against Georgia Tech! They had to wear GA Tech jerseys!

New Home?

So I think I might have found a condo here in Charlotte! Yesterday, my realtor Lars and I headed over to a condo during my lunch break. I didn't think much of this place from the outside and neither did Lars. We thought we were going to just look at this place to get a sense of what this particular community had to offer. Well, this place was really cute! It's small, but it's just what I need! It's been updated and it's in an awesome location! For those of you who pray, please pray. So far, I have a lot of peace about this. It's a big commitment and I have been having a hard time making decisions lately. I think this will be a good thing for me.

Positive posting

I am sorry for the last (and now deleted) negative post. My heart hurts a bit. I feel myself slipping into negativity and that's not me. I'm hopeful. I'm positive. I know better days are ahead.

I'm money.

This clip is rated PG-13 for language.

Vivian Elizabeth Fink

One of my bestest girl friends, Emily Fink, had a baby last night. Here we are in our first group photo. Everyone together now, "awwww."

Community

I visited a Community Group last night. After months of visiting this church, I finally made a connection on Sunday and was invited to a Community Group that meets just down the street! Even though most of the people in it are younger than me, I was challenged by a friend to try to get over that and see that it might just be what I need for NOW - not forever. This friend also said they may keep me young! Ha!

Anyway, God is faithful in providing just what I need....again. You'd think by now I'd just expect it, but I'm always kind of surprised. Each little thing like this builds my little faith. I'm growing. :)

Good Times

The lovely bride and her dad
JoEllen and Amie
The Brendles and me
Crrrazy girls
Some shots from this weekend's wedding of Joy Horrell (now Joy Allmond. Yep. Allmond, Joy).
I reconnected with some old and dear friends. It was a great time.

Mike Huckabee

This guy is worth paying attention to!

Hi

So I've been blogging here for the last week. I posted there one last time this morning. So check it out. Now I'll return to Vie de Fifi.....with a vengeance. I'm here to provide amusement, to cause you to think a little more and to just make you laugh. It's how I roll....

Keep checking back!

Another fun video

God as King

So, today the sermon was given by Dr. Richard Pratt. He was one of Mark Upton's instructors at seminary. This was one of the most convicting messages I've heard in a long time. I cried as I drove home because I felt so raw and exposed.

Dr. Pratt taught on the portion of Matthew 6 that we commonly know as The Lord's Prayer. It's where Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray. Dr. Pratt drove home the point that we tend to focus on the latter part of the prayer, "Give US our daily bread....forgive US.....deliver US." The part we don't really focus on is the first verses which are "Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, they will be done on earth as it is in Heaven."

Dr. Pratt suggested that the way Evangelical Christians view God is skewed quite a bit. He is our Royal King. That's who this prayer should be directed to -- to a Royal King. It's a concept we aren't familiar with -- this notion of being under a King's rule. He said, "Kings are inconvenient." When you live under a king's rule, you don't live for yourself. What the king says, goes. He is the authority. That's just the way it goes.

The thing that really got me (and many things got to me this morning) was when Dr. Pratt said that if your faith is covenient, that if your Christianity just fits perfectly into your life, that God is probably not King of your life. Ouch. Double ouch. He got me. I am afraid that I've become way too comfortable being a Christian here on this earth.

He also suggested that the Lord's prayer also challenges us to change how we view this earth. Heaven is the standard; earth is the goal. If we are to ask that the Lord's will be done on earth as it is in Heaven, that should radically change how we live here. What kind of a legacy do we want to leave as Christians? Do we simply want to make good money, sustain a good job, be kind to others, etc.? Or do we want God's will to be done in our lives and to impact others this side of Heaven? We should do what He says now. We aren't living to escape earth to go float on a cloud and play a harp all day FOREVER. We are to carry the truth of the gospel to others NOW.

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Then all these things shall be added unto you.

Easy Like a Sunday Morning

A couple of months ago, I started visiting a church where their Worship service starts at 10:45am. I get up way before that (usually between 7:30 and 8am). So, I started walking/jogging as soon as I finished my first cup of coffee. I love this time that I have to myself -- well me and the trust iPod. I sometimes listen to sermons I've downloaded or I listen to some Worship music so that my heart gets a head start on the upcoming Worship service. If for some reason I miss this time, I miss it and it makes me a little grumpy! This is my time to enjoy the outdoors, to pray, to hear God speak to me. Anyway, I went on my walk again this morning and I feel refreshed. I am in no hurry and I have time to sit and blog about it before I head out the door for the day!

Dance Craze

So, my brother Blake said this is all the craze right now (my words, not his). Apparently, this is the dance that is sweeping the nation. For some of us, it was the electric slide or the achy breaky, or the tootsie roll. Now, it's this:

St. Bernard's Project

I'm doing this. Check out the link to the left entitled Fifi Goes 2 New Orleans!

This is how I feel

Love is a Battlefield.

Photos

For those of you who don't visit my flickr site, here are some of my homework/class photos. oh yeah, and if you didn't already know, i love taking photos!!

light


crazy charlotte

A record

So, my mom would be so proud. I turn 31 in less than 2 weeks and I've hardly talked about it with anyone. Usually I'm all about my birthday. This year feels a little different. I don't feel as "jazzed" about turning 31. It's as if something shifts when you fully enter your 30's. I've definitely felt older, a little more succeptible to health problems, etc.
Anyway...I'm just sayin'...

Problem

I keep losing the connector cords that connect my camera to my laptop computer. i seriously lose every one I get! Yesterday, I had it in my hand and now it's gone. I have searched my house from top to botttom and even in my car. Dah! It's so frustrating because I have photos to upload from my photography class last night. Maybe I'm too proud of my shots or something. Anyway, hopefully I will find the cord and be able to upload photos once again.

Josh & Molly

A couple of the cutest siblings I know!

Lovin' Phil

I downloaded the iTunes essential Phil Collins today. I had forgotten how much I loved Phil until listening to a podcase of This American Life the other day. The title of the show was Breakups. The show focused on this one woman's attempt to write a song in the aftermath of her breakup. Her boyfriend broke up with her and she was devastated. One of the cheesily romantic things they shared was a love for Phil. So, who did this woman consult while attempting to write a song to convey her feelings after the breakup? Phil Collins. After her breakup, she found that his songs were the ones that described her feelings. When her boyfriend broke up with her, she actually quoted Phil. Now, that may be taking it a bit too far, but it was this line from Against All Odds, "You're the only one who really knew me at all." You know, Phil really does know how to write a love song.

So, here's to Phil.

Some of my favorites:

Against All Odds
Easy Lover (with the black Phil)
In Too Deep
Separate Lives (with Vonda Shepard)
In the Air Tonight

Alcatraz

This is HILARIOUS.

Will I leave my heart in San Francisco?

That is the question.

I am so excited. This time tomorrow (EST), Steve and I will be in the air somewhere over the western half of the United States and making our way to San Francisco. What am I most excited about? ALCATRAZ. For those of you who have seen So I Married An Axer Murderer, you get part of this. It's such a place of intrigue. Its walls and cells hold so many stories. Some of these stories will be told via the audio tour and I can't wait.

Steve and I are booked on a 48 hour hop on/hop off bus tour. We figured it was the best way to see the city in a limited amount of time! This includes a downtown loop, a Golden Gate loop and then a night loop of the city.

Another thing I'm excited about is the cuisine -- there's so much to choose from out there. Thanks to John Murphy, who lived there for a few years, we will be able to navigate to some of the local hot spots.

I'm also looking to forward to capturing images of this fantastic city with my new camera! A dream of mine would be to have some good enough shots to display in a show of some sort. Steve is really encouraging me in this endeavor and I'm so thankful for that.

So, perhaps I'll leave my heart or part of it. We'll just have to see!

Update

It was a very busy and emotional weekend. I am tired. While I'm emotionally exhausted, I am so glad I was able to be home with my family during this stressful time. Thanks to all of you who prayed, called, offered encouragement and support. It really means so much to know I have such wonderful friends.

My mom is home resting. She came through the heart cath. without any complications. Her heart is in good shape. They still don't really know what caused her low blood pressure in the first place, but every test came back clear. She was released from the hospital on Saturday afternoon. She was so glad to be able to be back home. Things are okay, but I'm sure she'll have to take it easy the rest of the week.

So anyway, thanks so much friends.

Heavy heart

My mom is sick. Yesterday she was admitted to the hospital for low blood pressure. The crazy thing is that she has a history of HIGH blood pressure for which she's taken medications for years and years. Apparently she's not been feeling so well the last couple of weeks. She couldn't go to work yesteray and her doctor told her to come in. Well, she did fine on the EKG and the blood tests. She did fine on the CT scan of her chest. They ordered a stress test for this morning and she failed. Her blood pressure skyrocketed. Now, she can't remember why she's even in the hospital. Thankfully she knows my dad, my brother and is aware of current events. I spoke to her briefly and she was terrified. Apparently my dad wasn't together enough to tell her what was going on. So, I told her. I can't explain the feelings I am experiencing. I'll try. I'm scaerd. I'm scared for so many reasons. Some of them are selfish. What would I do wihout my mom? How will this affect me? Then my mind goes to my dad. What would my dad do without my mom? Would he be okay? How would he deal with Blake on his own?
My family suffers so much. My parents hearts have been broken by their children. My mom has been plagued with health issues. My dad has been such a good husband to sit by my mom's bedside time and time again. He adores her. She is his strength. It breaks my heart to be on the phone with him and have the line go silent. I know that he is crying on the other end and cannot find any words to utter.
I don't feel capable of dealing with this. I know God is in control. How can you be a Christian without having that pounded into your subconscious. I have to tell you though, I am having a really hard time sensing His presence -- that He desires good things for me and for my family. It sure looks like we've been cast the short lot. My head hurts from crying. I need to wrap this up. Steve is coming to pick me up so we can drive to Asheville to be support for my dad. Bless him.
Facing the mortality of a parent is a strange thing.

Another Myspace real life encounter

Friday night, I had fallen asleep on my couch while watching A League of Their Own on TV. Steve was sitting/lying on the floor after just sneaking some semi-sweet morsels that I bought just for him when he comes over. He loves them.
So anyway, my phone makes the sound that it does when a text message comes in. I walk over, pick up my phone and notice it's a NJ area code. I knew it wasn't one person so I texted back, "Moe? Is that you?" Sure enough, it was my friend Monica Navarro. I know her through a mutual friend. She's one of those people that I connected with right away. Anyway, Monica had texted to find out if I was around. She was sitting over at Sir Edmund Haley's, a local pub, with some of her friends from Charlotte. Due to a security breach Friday morning, flights were cancelled. Monica was only supposed to lay over in Charlotte, but she was unable to get a flight out. Thankfully she has friends here. So, Steve (after he finished off some more semi-sweet morsels) and I headed over to meet Monica. It was one of those times where you just pick up and it feels normal to be hanging out with people you've never met before. MySpace has been good to me. This is the 4th time I've met a friend in person after only exchanging online communications. All 4 I now consider friends.
By the way, Monica was stuck here until Sunday evening so we were able to meet up with her again for Indian buffet after church on Sunday. Yay.
Oh and her friends were great too! I look forward to hanging with them again sometime soon!

Andrew the Martyr

I've been reading in this book Foxe's Book of Martyrs this evening. Really, a lot of us who profess to be Christians have no clue what the early Christians had to deal with as a result of following Christ. I'm no sure what percentage of the early Christians died horrible, painful deaths, but it was common.

One martyr's story struck me. It's Andrew's story. Remember him? Andrew was Peter's brother and he was also a disciple. Well, he died a painful death. Like his teacher, the object of his devotion and his God, he died by crucifixion.

In the book, it gives the account of what Andrew's last moments were like. Here's an excerpt from the book:

"Andrew, going toward the place, and seeing afar off the cross prepared, did change neither countenance nor colour, neither did his blood shrink, neither did he fail in his speech, his body fainted nor was his mind molested, nor did his understanding fail him, as it is the manner of men to do, but out of the abundance of his heart his mouth did speak, and fervent charity did appear in his words as kindled sparks, he said, "O cross, most welcome and long looked for! with a willing mind, joyfully and desirously, I come to thee, being the scholar of Him which did hang on thee: because I have always been they lover, and have coveted to embrace thee!"

Wow. I mean, seriously, Wow! Who in modern times follows Christ with such devotion and dies so courageously? I know there are stories, but they don't seem to be in our neck of the woods. China, yes. Parts of Africa, I'm sure. It causes me to question my own devotion? Do I love my God so much that I would welcome, look forward to being martyred for his name?

It's definitely a sobering subject, yes?

May those of us who are Christ followers consider our heritage and be thankful that there were those brave enough to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ in the face of certain death and at the very least, great persecution.

Urban Dictionary

Word of the day from here

HOMER

1. American bonehead.
2. Pull a Homer: to succeed despite idiocy.

"Looks like I just pulled a Homer!"
- Magic Johnson, after slipping on water and having the ball fly out of his hands, off a ref's head, and into the basket for the game winning three pointer.

BoSue Twinklepants

This is the avatar I created!!!

Meet Fifi Simpson

This is my Simpsons avatar a la John Murphy.

Heinous

Thank goodness I'm not the only one who thinks Crocs are awful!

Seriously

Saw this on Craig's List. It's real.

Audience of One

I spend a lot of time desiring the approval of others -- family, friends, co-workers, whomever. Lately, I've been more and more aware of the need to only be concerned with the approval of One. Scripture is clear on the fact that we need only be concerned with what God thinks of us, not anyone else. Christian radio doesn't often have a lot going for it, but every once in awhile I will catch a really good song. This is one of them. The words are very appropriate and express a lot of what I'm feeling right now.

Audience of One
Big Daddy Weave

come on my knees
To lay down before you
Bringing all that I am
Longing only to know you
Seeking your face
And not only your hand
I find you embracing me
Just as I am

And I lift these songs
To you and you alone
As I sing to you
In my praises make your home

To my audience of one
You are Father, and you are Son
As your spirit flows free,
Let it find within me
A heart that beats to praise you.
And now just to know you more
Has become my great reward
To see your kingdom come
And your will be done
I only desire to be yours,
Lord

So what could I bring
To honor your majesty
What song could I sing
That would move the heart of royalty
And all that I have
Is the life that you’ve given me
So Lord let me live for you
My song with humility

And Lord as the love song
Of my life is played
I have one desire
To bring glory to your name

To my audience of one
You are Father, and you are Son
As your spirit flows free,
Let it find within me
A heart that beats to praise you.
And now just to know you more
Has become my great reward
To see your kingdom come
And your will be done
I only desire to be yours,
Lord

And we lift these songs
To you and you alone
As we sing to you
In our praises make your home

To my audience of one
You are Father, and you are Son
As your spirit flows free,
Let it find within me
A heart that beats to praise you.
And now just to know you more
Has become my great reward
To see your kingdom come
And your will be done
I only desire to be yours,
Lord

And while we're on the subject of churches...

Check out the latest news from the Vatican

here

My friend Christy posted her response to this article here.

What I'd like to find in a church

A place that will encourage me to respond to the Lord in authentic, reverent worship; a place that will encourage me to grow in my relationship with Jesus Chirst through prayer, preaching of the Word, fellowship with other believers, and service to the Lord and others.

Details

My faith is always strengthened a little bit more when I realize that God cares about the most minute (mi-newt) details of my life. For example, I bought a book of stamps about a month ago. This is a big deal to me because I never do it and it always makes me feel a little bit more "adult" and responsible for some reason. Like, if I ever get the urge to write a note to someone or if I have to send out a bill, it's not going to wait on being sent out du to me not having a stamp. Neurotic? Maybe.
So, anyway, I lost this book of stamps about a day or two after buying it. Thank goodness I sent out my bills on time. I felt accomplished.
Then, the next time I went to mail something, they were gone. I searched high. I searched low. I felt very sad about these lost stamps which featured the Liberty Bell.
Just moments ago as I was scrounging for change in the deep recesses of my purse, I opened up my wallet hoping with all hope to find a quarter or two mashed deep down in the pocket NOT intended for loose change. What did I see instead? A faint edge of that Liberty Bell. Yes!
So now I can feel responsible all over again.

YUM

YUM
Originally uploaded by Schmizzly

Filet, loaded baked potato and asparagus, oh my! This was a great meal shared with Steve at Main Street Bistro in the booming metropolis of Gastonia, North Carolina. We had an awesome time with the Finks over a nice, drawn out dinner. We had good wine, a great appetizer (Crabtini--lump crabmeat with little crunchies and drawn butter). Another great part of our evening was our server whose name we think is Lisa. She was funny.....so funny. She told us she was a bit trashy because she loved beer. So, whe was no help in choosing which wine would accompany our meal. While Randy and Steve were ogling Steve's iPhone, she came up and was genuinely awestruck. She said it was just like a tv! hahahaha.
Anyway, it's always fun to share a great dinner with great friends!

cali alli and me

cali alli and me
Originally uploaded by Schmizzly

awww. i miss my friend Gigi. she is too far away in the UK. i think i may have to journey over to see her soon. we used to have the best chats. she is a dear, dear friend-a kindred spirit. we first bonded over being narcissism. not ours of course! ha! yes folks, and that was the beginning of a beee auiful friendship.

too cool for school

too cool for school
Originally uploaded by Schmizzly

and this is what happens when you have a glass of wine and billy joel is playing in the background.
(photo taken last summer at Big Bear Lake, CA while vacationing with Mimi and Gigi)

i always wondered

i always wondered
Originally uploaded by Schmizzly

Just in case you were wondering too. If you can't read the sign, it says that when you see the pink rump on a female baboon, it means she is fertile. All I can say at this juncture is thank God we are not designed like that. Women have enough arse issues -- can you imagine if we had to deal with this?

Blonde and short

DSC02928
Originally uploaded by Schmizzly

I think I like my hair like this best. I was just perusing some old photos on Flickr and came across this shot. It's shorter and I like the color.
My hair is getting long, but I just don't think long hair is my best look. I'm not fishing for compliments here. I'm just processing. Hair is a big deal. And I still haven't found a great stylist/colorist here in Charlotte. Oh well. There are worse things.

More than meets the eye!

tonight was a good night. It started with gal pal time (thanks holly and christy!!) at Sushi 101 and then finished with a movie date with Steve-o. Guess what movie we saw? Ahem.

If you are a child of the 80's and were ever into this cartoon, i believe you will LOVE this movie. it has action, humor, and great effects (visual and sound). i personally loved the sound of the robots transforming -- all kinds of clicks and stuff. very cool.

the acting (of the humans) or should i say, overacting, was a bit much at times-- especially the australian signal/frequency analyst girl. particulary good was the character of sam witwicky. i have no clue if the spelling is right, but i'm too lazy to google or imdb it and it's 12:15AM which is way past my bedtime. i will not spoil at all, but let's just say that i enjoyed the special relationship that developed between a man and his car. too cute. and sam was funny and cute and really endearing. he is the nerd. i love nerds.

there are several moments where this movie looks like Top Gun -- especially scenes where the guys are boarding the F-16s while the dramatic soundtrack is playing. no volleyball scenes between humans and robots though. disappointing! i was almost waiting to develop a crush on one of the autobots. would it have been Jazz? or the obvious choice, Optimus Prime? Hmm. tough call.

i was informed by Steven (a constant source of information to me) that this was a "ride" movie. it's true. you feel like you've been on a fun ride for a couple of hours. lots of oooos and ahhhhs. i left a happy camper and i didn't feel woozy or throw up. this is positive!

so, go see it!

Amazing stuff

If this exhibit comes to a town near you, go go go!
I don't really understand how anyone can leave the exhibit believing that evolution is how we came about. The details of our bodies inside and out is overwhelming. Steve and I had planned to go to Charlotte version of Downtown After 5, but walked by the Discovery Place and decided to see if we could get tickets. And we did! I can't even begin to tell you how wonderfully we are made. The detail down to the tiny little blood vessels and nerves all over our body -- it's humbling. Steve and I talked about how so much can go wrong with all or many systems, but how it's in perfect balance. My favorite part was the prenatal section. It was very moving to see the development of a child inside the womb. They even had the body of a woman who died during childbirth with her child still intact inside her womb. Oh my word it was incredible! Our bodies are "fearfully and wonderfully made."
The bodies are preserved by this method called Plastination. Steve and I got a laugh when we were leaving the exhibit and the girl who took our little audio tour device told us that their was a short video on "pasteurization" right outisde. I thought maybe she said "plasteurization". Poor girl.
(This picture is not mine)

Touched

Have you seen this film?


I saw this movie tonight and I kept having to wipe tears off my face. And by the way, do you notice that one eye seems to tear more than the other? My left eye certainly does! I kept having to wipe the tears off the left side of my face.

Anyway, this movie is great! It's clean. It's sweet and heartwarming. Plus, the acting is good and it's got some cute kiddos in it.

Anyway, go rent it or add it to your online cue!

Remembering Ruth

She was a picture of grace, integrity and strength -- relying solely on her Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ for all things.

Good Enough?

This is a question that has been plaguing me since last weekend.
Here I sit in my rented apartment. I do own the couch that I am sitting on. I am 30 and more than half way to 31. I am single. I do not have any children. I have a bachelor's degree and a paralegal certificate. The state of North Carolina has certified that I am indeed a paralegal. Thank you NC. I feel validated by you at least.

I keep asking myself If I could have been more had I tried harder. Why wasn't I pushed a little bit more? Why didn't I challenge myself in school? Why didn't I go to law school like I had planned since law school? Do I honestly not feel I'm smart enough to do it? Am I locked into this way of thinking? Is it always about money?

After going to Connecticut last weekend for my cousin Mallory's graduation from King Low-Heywood Thomas School (www.klht.org), I felt like such a slacker. I felt like she had accomplished more in high school than I did in all my year's of schooling. I felt like my uncle was disappointed in me. I felt like I had let him down by not pursuing higher education. I have since been told otherwise.

I still can't help but feeling like I took the easy way out. I sailed through school and pursued a major because it came easy to me. My dreams of being a physical therapist ended when I got a "C" in Biology 110. How's that for giving up easily? And now what? Now, I work in an okay job, getting a good salary, but feeling like it's not what I'm meant to be doing?

Why don't I have lofty goals? Why am I not as ambitious as I feel like I should be?

*Deep sigh*

I don't have answers. I am tired of the status quo. I am tired.

I want to be more, do more, achieve more. Where do I start at 30?

Heaven help me.

Leaving on a jet plane

It's Sunday night. Tomorrow morning I will be flying to Charleston, SC and then driving home to Charlotte, NC. I will be very thankful to be home.
CT has been good. It is a different world here. The rolling hills of the estates (read: mansions) here are very impressive. It's all about the Benjamins.
My cousin Mallory graduated from KLHT (prep school in Stamford CT) and my uncle (her father) gave the commencement address. He is a gifted speaker and he's pretty darn witty. He wrote and Ode to the Class of 2007 and had a little rhyme for every student (all 60 of them). It drew a lot of laughs.
Anyway, it was a good time visiting with relatives I haven't seen in a very long time. My cousin Trace has 2 kids, Michayla and Spencer. They are precious and there will be photos posted up on my Flickr site very soon. When I hang out with them it makes me wish we had been more a part of each other's lives. Ian is a great guy and Mallory is hilarious.
Anyhooo, I'm almost home.

Last day

So today is our last full day at the beach. Tomorrow morning we (the fam) board a plane to Connecticut where my Uncle Durrie will deliver the commencement address at my cousin Mallory's high school graduation. It seems bizarre to be flying somewhere after being at the beach for a week.

Part of me is ready to be back in Charlotte. Not at work necessarily, but just in my own space. My niche. Yes, I think I have one there now.

I miss my friends a lot too. I really needed a playmate for this week. It would have been great to have someone to go run with, to just hang with. Everyone else had a "buddy". It's cool though. I'm making the best of it.

This morning, we will eat a big breakfast of eggs, pancakes and bacon. Then, we'll head to the beach for a couple of hours. The rest of the day is open. The sky is blue, the breeze is slight. I think it will be a good day.

I pray so!

I love the beach

Here are some photos to go with the day. Let me say right off that today was so much better of a day than yesterday. We hit a bit of a rough patch. That happens in many family vacations. Right?
So anyway, here are some photos from the last couple of days.

Ahhhhhh....the beach.

Greetings from Isle of Palms

So, yesterday I would count as our first REAL day of vacation. The weather was purrrrrfect. We went to the beach around 10, stayed until noon, came up for a bite to eat and then I went out to the pool. I napped in the afternoon, checked e-mail, chatted with a couple of friends AND answered an important work question. I am SO dedicated. Ha!

Anyway, I am trying to make the best of this vacation. I think any family vacation has its bumpy spots. The key is to have good boundaries. That is why in a few minutes I will go on a long walk by myself.

It's funny but I do miss a couple things back in Charlotte.

Well, that's all for now. I'm off to walk. Wish you were here!

Vacation

I'm heading to the Isle of Palms today. Tropical Barry is heading there as well. I just hope he doesn't stay there too long! Last time we had a family vacation, it rained ALL week. I will be so sad if it happens again. I know we need rain, but come on!!!

Anyway.....off to the beach we go - sunshine or not.

Thanks to Discover South Carolina for the image.

hope

this word is my theme right now. i'm going to be okay, but at the same time, i'm okay just the way i am. we're formed by things in our past -- good or bad. sometimes it takes some of us longer to figure this out. i'm hopeful. i'm hopeful that one day i'll be a great girlfriend and eventually wife. oh and maybe mother. i'm hopeful that i'll be a better friend, daughter, girlfriend with good boundaries. i'm starting to say what i mean. i'm starting to say what i really thing. i'm starting to figure out who i really am. i'm a child of God first and foremost!

911

So many of you know that I have had an interesting stay here in my apartment. The noise next door has been somewhat disturbing at times. It seems to be a collision of cultures. They value noise, I value quiet.

Well, today took it to a new level. I had to call the police. In my mind I HAD to. I was napping on the couch this afternoon when I got up to use the restroom. When i left the restroom, I heard a lot of commotion coming from the apartment next door. I heard banging around and then a female voice telling the male to get off of her. She said this many times. There was another female voice speaking in low tones. I couldn't really make out what she was saying. I also heard the baby named Israel crying. There was a child witnessing all of this. I could tell that the female who was being attacked was crying in between her yelling "get off of me!". My heart started racing. What do I do? Is he going to kill her? Is this simply none of my business? I couldn't just let something happen. So, i made my way to the front porch where I could still hear the yelling. Then, glass broke. I have no idea if it broke on someone. It broke. So, I dialed up 911. Police? Fire? POLICE. After a littel back and forth with the operator over location, she assured me someone was on the way. While on the phone with her, I hear someone yelling, "Get the fuck out of here!" The ladies are trying to get Patrick (I know who it is by now) out of the apartment. He doesn't leave.

Charlotte police must have more important things to do today. It took over 15 minutes for them to show up. I was so nervous. Do I sit outside? Do I stay inside? I opted to perch myself on the arm of the couch and see what would happen. It took maybe 2 minutes for the officer to go up to the door, to ask if anything was wrong and then to leave.

Maybe I should not have called.

Now I'm nervous because obviously they will know who called. I'm the one who has complained about their "noise" prior to this occasion. Will they be upset with me now? What if they retaliate?

I think I did the right thing. No, I know I did. There is a child next door. A woman was being attacked. She was in danger. I sure hope my neighbors would do the same thing if I was ever in that position.

It has made me reflect on my relationships. I thank God that I had a boyfriend whom I trusted completely. I know....I KNOW he would never have touched me in an argument. I know that he would never have threatened me or made me feel unsafe.

What is with people like my neighbors? Do they get brought up in homes where this is the norm? Why do women put up with that? Oh, I know there are a host of reasons, but right now I have to ask that rhetorical question.

Will this child, Israel, grow up to do the same thing as his father? Unfortunately I think that statistics would agree that he will. How sad.

Other than that the day has been very low key.

Ecards

Check out these hilarious e-cards at www.someecards.com

Good Music, Good Times

I saw them last night at an in-store performance at Manifest in Charlotte. WOW. They are FUN, unique, talented and cuuuuute!
If you haven't heard the Avett Brothers, go out to iTunes or just go ahead and buy one of their albums. I doubt you will be disappointed!

Pulling hair

Obviously I had some time on my hands this afternoon.

Guess what?

I'm getting ready to watch Anchorman for the first time ever.

For ol' time's sake

I just love this skit. It takes me back to high school and my friends, Erin and Amy, whom I used to laugh with constantly.

Zeal

I'm currently reading a book called True Discipleship by William McDonald. In the chapter entitled Zeal, he writes of a man who was inspired to live a life of all-out dedication to Christ by reading an article by an atheist. This is an excerpt of that article.

"If I firmly believed, as millions say they do, that the knowledge and practice of religion in this life influences destiny in another, then religion would mean to me everything. I would cast away earthly enjoyents as dross, earthly cares as follies, and earthly thoughts and feelings as vanity. Religion would be my first waking thought, and my last image before sleep sank me into unconsciousness. I should labor in its cause alone. I would take thought for the morrow of eternity alone. I would esteem one soul gained for heaven worth a life of suffering. Earthly consequences would never stay my hand, or seal my lips. Earth, its joys and its griefs, would occupy no moment of my thoughts. I would strive to look upon Eternity alone, and on the immortal souls around me, soon to be everlastingly happy or everlastingly miserable. I would go forth to the world and preach to it in season and out of season, and my text would be, "What shall it proft a man if he gain the whle world and lose his own soul?"

I forget

In the last week, I've heard two stories that have reminded me that the Gospel (the good news) of Jesus Christ actually has transforming power in people's lives.

First, I had dinner with my friends, J and S. S was not raised in any sort of religious environment. When she was 30 years old, she read a tract from the Billy Graham folks. In that moment after she finished, she recognized her sinful state and believed what she read in that simple little tract -- Jesus Christ came to seek and save the lost -- that he died so that she might live. She really believed. Her life changed. She still talks about that moment in her life and all I see in her eyes is love for this Savior. Upon listening to her share her story, I got chills and tears welled up in my eyes. He IS real. It is truth. He changed people. He changes people.

This morning, at the end of the service, a man stood up to read a letter from a missionary couple in Nairobi, Kenya. The letter started out by telling the recipients that they had a new daughter, Mary. Mary is a Kenyan woman, 26 years old. She was raised in a strict Muslim home. She has chosed to follow Christ. Apparently, upon finding out this news, her family tried to kill her! They beat her severely, but she managed to escape. Now, she has no contact with her family. This was 2 years ago. Mary struggles with the separation she feels from her "real" family. This missionary couple who shared Christ with her, has taken her in as their daughter. Not long ago, on the 2nd anniversary of her beating, she sat on a bench near a shopping mall praying. She asked God why there had to be this separation. What was her purpose as a Christian? When Mary opened her eyes, sitting next to her in full Muslim dress was a young woman. Mary sat there and shared with this young woman (known simply as "F") the message of Jesus Christ. The woman was open to the message Mary shared with her. That is where the letter ended. Mary went home that night feeling like God has answered her prayer. She was now able to share this one who had changed her life with others!

The letter then had an additional note. The missionary had added a post script. This young lady, "F", had made a decision to follow Christ. She said it was the first time she had known peace.

It's amazing. I have been a Christian so long that I've forgotten what it really means. Tonight I thanked God for restoring some of the wonder of it all. I want the awe of the gospel to return to my life. It does change people.

"To those who believe, He is precious.." I Peter 2:7

LOST

This guy from TMZ.com has the funniest play by play blog about LOST. I love it. His wit is sharp -- makes me laugh out loud. Seriously y'all. LOL.

Check it out

It's 2:19am

I'm up and it's not because I have insomnia. My frickin' neighbors have a penchant for watching tv until all hours of the morning. I am so angry that my heart is beating through my shirt. People think I should bang on the wall. That seems immature to me. Plus, there is a child that sleeps on that room. First it was loud arguing (to the point i almost called the police). Then, it was their "lovemaking". Now, its the tv. I put earphones in, but that only lasts so long. Then, I'm up again because I hear the damn tv. Excuse my language. I'm just really mad at this moment.

I've let the management know. They say call the police. It seems silly to bother the police who are out making the city a little safer by warding off violence to come to an apartment due to me being able to hear noise through the wall! I am considering writing my neighbors a short letter letting them know what I hear and how I would really appreciate it if they would be a bit more considerate.

I think what makes me the most upset is the lack of consideration. I have no idea if these people even work. I rarely see them, but I hear them a lot. When I come home, the tv is on on the bedroom. When I go to sleep, it's on. Come on people! Go outside!!! Live a little. FOR MY SAKE.

(I'm open to suggestion on how to handle this issue. Please leave a comment if you feel so inclined).

Now, I'm on my couch hoping to catch 4 more hours sleep. Funny thing is, I can still hear the tv in the distance. It's going through 2 walls!!

Finally

Finally American Idol can gain some credibility after tonight! Sanjaya, see ya later!

A Great Tragedy

Surely everyone knows what occurred on the campus of Virginia Tech yesterday. I've been trying to think of what to blog in response to it. Words don't come easily at times like this. You just wonder how something like this can happen. Evil is tangible these days. You can't read the news without your stomach being turned by something you read. Injustice, the total depravity of man, natural disasters, death, sickness, etc.

The words of this hymn always seem to comfort me. May they comfort you upon reading them. Here are two verses that I believe are most applicable.

Be Still My Soul

Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fulness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Reactions and the weekend

Well, I visited home for the first time since I got my new piercing. Of course, it was the first thing everyone wanted to see, but no one made a comment. I think I amuse them above anything else. I'm just wired a little different. Maybe it's a bit of a rebellious streak, but my heart is in the right place. Honestly.

It was a good weekend with the fam and our good friends the Hamiltons. They are like my second parents. We always laugh a lot when we're all together. Saturday morning, we went to the Hot Shot Cafe - a local breakfast hotspot. So delicious. I got 2 eggs cooked medium, home fries, extra crispy bacon and wheat toast. MMmmmm. Then off we went to B.B. Barnes to shop for plants. I ended up getting a shallow basket and filled it with 5 different little plants. It will sit on my front stoop. Of course, seeing as it's cold in Charlotte tonight, it will sit indoors until it warms up a bit. Later, we went out for a nice dinner at Amici -- a nice Italian restaurant. I was the only one not crazy about my entree. And so it goes.

After dinner, I met up with my dear friend John Murphy. He likes the piercing. We set off for Scully's where we had a pint of Blue Moon. The we ventured to the W.A. (West Asheville). It was the 5 year anniversary of the Westville Pub. We didn't partake, but we sat outside at one of the tables and chatted for over an hour. I see how my friend has grown so much in the last few months. It's so awesome. God is faithful. That sums it up.

This morning, we worshipped with other Christians and had the Lord's Supper. It was good to see old friends. Afterwards, we had a big lunch back at the homestead. Deeeeelish. My mom made: pork ribs, chicken and broccoli casserole, hash brown casserole, cabbage salad, 7 layer salad, and strawberry jellow. YUM. No diet today.

Oh, I almost forgot. I managed to catch something on fire. That added a bit of excitement! I turned on the wrong burner and there was a placemat on the burner I did turn on. We got a good laugh, but the smoke inhalation was dreadful.

After a relaxing time catching up with friends, I hit the road back to Charlotte. Now, I'm sitting on my couch enjoying the quiet of my apartment.

Work tomorrow. *Sigh.

LOST

Well, I'm 18 minutes into tonight's episode of Lost and so far, so good.
Kate and Sawyer are reunited and they hold on to each other tightly. Everyone is a bit skeptical of Juliette being in the camp. I like that they're giving us more these days. I feel like the story is actually developing and it's good stuff.
Awww, Hurley just plopped down in the sand next to Juliette. "You're one of them aren't you?"

The episode just got better from there. Yay LOST. You're really back!

random thoughts

1. western christianity --- do we limit God? do we only see a portion of what He is capable of because of fear or what?

2. materialism -- it's used to distract us from spiritual pursuits because it keeps "me" first and not God

3. i feel like i'm missing my other half.

4. i am sad.

5. drivers in charlotte are not very kind.

6. Jesus died so that i might live.

7. In my current state of sadness, I relate more to Christ and take comfort in the fact that He experienced sadness and loss in His life. It's one of the reasons he took human form -- so that He could identify with us.

Those are my random thoughts for tonight.

HI

It's 7am. I should be in the shower. I just felt like posting a little 'hello" to all of you blog readers out there. Today should be about 80 degrees in Charlotte. My last day to wear spring clothes for a few days. I hear Easter is going to be COLD. Why is it that meteorologists are usually wrong all the time when they predict snow, but when they predict ANYTHING else, they're right on? Discuss amongst yourselves.

Hope all of you have lovely days. I'm praying I'll be hopefull, optimistic and content today. What are you hoping for?

my one word

my one word is COMMIT.

i have a hard time committing to things. many times it's out of fear. what will happen if i commit to this or that? will my free time be infringed upon? will too much be expected of me? will i lose freedom? will i lose....SOMETHING?

i was challenged by Mike Ashcraft, pastor of Port City Church yesterday. He was preaching a follow up sermon to his church regarding One word vs. New Years Resolutions. His point was if we can identify one word that represents what we want to focus on, it is more likely we will be successful. Focusing on one thing is easier than 10 things.

His word was FINISH. At first, it just meant finishing tasks, finishing conversations and following up on them. Or simply finishing is work day well. Then it turned into finishing his whole day well. He was able to focus on finishing. He also quoted this verse, Psalm 90:12: So teach us to number our days so that we may attain a heart of wisdom. I love that verse. Each day should count for Christ.

What kinds of things do I want to commit to? I'd like to commit to finishing tasks at work (which today includes committing to finishing this blog). I'd like to commit to serving my community somehow. I'd like to commit to coming home and journaling about my day so I can look back and reflect on what God is doing at this time in my life. I'd like to commit my life to my God.

Those are just some of the things I'd like to commit to. I'm sure there will be other things that surface as I let the Lord lead me. I want the Lord to change me and I want to commit to letting him do that!

For more info on One Word see My One Word

Seeing you

Your sweet face.
I came to adore it -- scruffy and all.
Seeing you tonight made me feel differently than I thought I would in that situation.
No, I don't regret our decision.
I'm still sad.
Sad for what could have been and what we wanted.

Your sweet eyes.
They hold within them such care
and genuine concern.
I was lucky the lucky one to be viewed through these eyes
your eyes.

Your strong hands.
They held mine when I needed to feel loved
and assured
that I was going to be okay
or just when you wanted to be closer.

(Remember how we'd laugh when we'd sit in movies and we could never get our arms in the right position to hold hands comfortably?) I do.

Your heart.
It was always so full for me.

Seeing you makes it all fresh in my mind.
I'm so thankful for you--
for what you meant to me,
for what you mean to me.

Plush

The Terminator




St. Paddy's evening was spent here
My good friend John Murphy had this ingenius idea of a Medical Experiments themed plush toy show. It was amazingly cool. To walk into this gallery and see all these pieces of plush suspended from fishing line....well, the pictures speak better than typed words. So, go to this page
and enjoy the show.

Way to go, John Murphy. It was a wonderful evening!

No longer Lost

For all of you LOST fans out there, check this out. I chuckled out loud reading parts of this. Tee frickin' hee.

TMZ take on last night's episode

I love the wit with which this guy writes.

March Madness

You're weird if you don't like this time of year. Just kidding. You're not weird....just different. And I mean different in the very best way possible.

So, here's to good times and basketball. Let the fun begin. GO HEELS!



(This photo DOES NOT belong to me)

Warm it up

I've seen An Inconvenient Truth. And truth be told, it did disturb me. Now, since I'm a Christian, I know that God has a plan for this earth and we humans can't do anything change what's been set in motion. That's my opinion at least. Now, I'm all about being a good steward of what we've been given. I think it's responsible and right to recycle, to use less energy, to drive less, etc. I don't think we can reverse the tide though.

Anyway, I was just reading this article on Al Gore and how he has become this polarizing figure in the scientific community. Even the scientists who agree with him, want him to pipe the heck down. Many scientists agree that there were many inaccuracies in the film.

What is the result of this film?

Well, as usual, our society will take Al's word for it. We like people telling us what to think so we don't have to. Basically, the movie concludes that the planet is dying and we don't have any hope except to save it ourselves. How sad.

Our society educates itself via the film industry. Many of us (including myself) watch movies and take them as truth. Movies are good for entertainment at the very least. At best, they do make us think and challenge us. So, watching An Inconvenient Truth should make us take a step further into educating ourselves about what's really going on. Don't let it stop at the concession stand.

As a Christian, I find great comfort in knowing that this Earth is not my home. My home is in heaven. This earth and everything in it (both ugly and majestic) will pass away. I think we see evidence of this happening sooner rather than later. I'm not going to get all "end times" on you. I'm just saying that there are signs and you should pay attention to them.

And now to be super cliche: Live like today may indeed be your last. Live like you may not see tomorrow. Treat others like like you may not see again. It will change you. And, if you do call yourself a Christian, well, act like Christ did. Be evidence in the case for Christ. Make a lasting impression.

Funny Oscar Moment

This is really funny:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid353549946/bctid537026601

Radio Indie Pop

I'm really enjoying the music here

Peace

I experienced "The Peace" when I visited an Anglican church with some friends. I thought it was strange. All these people walking up to me saying "Peace" or "God's peace" or "Peace be with you." I still think it's weird, honestly. This cartoon has a funny take on it! By the way, this and others like it, can be found here

My oh my!

I miss MySpace less and less these days. I guess not having access to the internet at home is exactly what I needed to break the ol' MySpace habit. Maybe my laptop dying was a blessing disguised, for a short time, as a curse! It was fun when people would write, comment, blog, etc., but now it seems people aren't using it as much. Either that, or I'm just not as cool as I used to be. And we all know that's not true! Tee hee. Well, maybe it's one of those things where how much you get out of it is based on how much time you put into it. And I'm certainly not putting any time into it anymore.

Thought for the day

If He wasn't thinking about me, I wouldn't exist.

"For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist."

Rose obscured

From a not-so-secret admirer.
Tee hee.

Love

I John 4: 9-17

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.

Pro Valentine

To even things out:


Find these nice gems at Paper Crave

Anti Valentines

Visit Meish.org for gems like these

Go Organic

So, I just signed up for this:

Absolute Organics

I'll get fresh veggies and fruit every 2 weeks on my doorstep! I am so excited. My dear friends Randy and Em have had this service for awhile now and have enjoyed it tremendously. They're making 2007 the year of the Organic Transition. I need to eat my fruits and veggies, but don't always know what to buy and how much. This will force me to eat them and get creative in preparing them. You never know what you will get each time, but you can tell them what you definitely don't want. For me this means no pears and no grapefruit.

In closing, for your viewing pleasure, I offer you this:

Store Wars

Sleep deprivation

If last night is any indication of how life will be when a baby comes on the scene in my life, I'm going to have a hard time.

I moved into an apartment a week and a day ago. My parents were the first ones to sleep in my place and the following day, my dad said there was a baby next door and it had woken him up with its crying. All last week, I heard no baby in the middle of the night. I did hear it whimper around 7 one night, but it didn't bother me because my bed time is not 7pm.

The last two nights have been a different story altogether. Sunday night, I woke up to slight whimpering along with the sounds of tv and talking. Last night, the baby was crying loudly. Putting the pillow over my head didn't help. I actually got up and made a bed on the couch. I was cold. I was unhappy. Some time later (I have no idea how much time actually passed), I got up and went back to my bed. I did fall asleep and so had the baby at this point. The alarm went off this morning and I felt like I had only slept 2 hours.

I have no idea what to do. Do I complain? I mean, a baby will cry. But am I just supposed to go back and forth between my couch and my bed for the next few months? How miserable is that?

*Sigh. Apartment living. This is what I get!

Precious

This is a photo of my dad, Roger, and me. Even then I adored my dad. I still do. I think much of my personality has been genetically passed on to me from my dad. Unfortunately, some of the physical genetic traits, I have received as well. The "solid" build, the McKendrick hips and thighs, etc. But to the important stuff....He's a people person. He knows how to make people smile and everyone loves my dad. He should have his own show, Everbody Loves Roger. Ha! Back in high school, people loved coming over to my house because my dad always joked around with them. Those are such good memories. My dad may not have acquired great wealth in this life. That seems to be the measure of men's success in our culture. My dad made his baby girl feel special. He makes me laugh. He sometimes doesn't know the right words to comfort me, but he tries. He gives good hugs and he says he loves me. I know he means it.

So, this blog entry is a tribute to Roger. Love you dad!