It feels like Florida outside - just a tad colder. It's been raining and it's windy and cloudy, but the sun is shining. Just reminds me of Florida somehow.
Yet again, I've gotten up around 6:30 - 6:45, thrown some clothes on, put a barrette in my hair and drove Andrew to his carpool about 15-20 minutes away. I drive back, put my pjs back on, and promptly go back to sleep. It's been won-der-ful.
Yeah, so I'm up now, and it's noon. I love break. :) I was going to have to babysit tonight, but they moved it to tomorrow night. So...today...let's see. Gotta go to mom's bank to deposit a check, then to Kroger to buy some pretzels to make white-chocolate covered pretzels for the party that I'm not going to (I love home too much to go partying!). I might drive over to TJMaxx to see what they have since my dear friend, Rachel, gave me a gift card for my BDay (bless you dearie!)
And for the rest of the day? I do need to update and send something to MM, and I think I'm going to work on Thank-yous for my birthday and then a special Christmas gift I'm making. I just came up with the idea yesterday - it's going to be cool.
Well, wherever you are my dear friends, may you have a glorious day! She says with arms dramatically spread out.
P.S. Since my schedule is not quite so busy, I will probably be updating more - so scroll down to see all the new posts! Thank you! :)
Friday, December 19, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Recent Pictures
Here are some pics from Nicole's Christmas Party, Sam's Birthday, and Thanksgiving 08 at the Conley's. And finally our 2008 Christmas Picture.
My Ponderings
Last night, two vans and a moving van made their way down to 12th Street and set up several tables with clothes, cookies, coffee, and hot chocolate. Soon we had a crowd. Mismatched clothes, toboggans, wide-toothy grins, grateful hearts. Most were polite, appreciative. Some sang carols with us, some laughed and joked around, some just stood quietly sipping their hot drink. It's in times like these that I feel extremely blessed. I wonder at God's goodness to me. Why I am here and they are there? I know some of them are there because of their own choices. But others? What traumatic event happened in their life that now they wonder where their next bed will be? I know why - because of sin. And that is why Jesus and this time of year is so precious. He saves the rich and poor, the healthy and sick, those with a home and those who have none. He was born to save His people from their sins. He calls anyone. I just pray that those people will respond. Whether it was a smile, the giving of food and clothes, or a tract, somehow they will look to the baby who was born, who lived and died, but rose again. For it was He who came to save and seek that which was lost (Luke 19:10). This Christmas - join me by reaching out, even if it's just a smile, a hug, a listening ear. Reach out - because Jesus reached out to you and me. Who knows what difference it could make.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
That and This
"Change before you have to." - Jack Welch
Hmm...very good thoughts Mr. Welch. I know I need to do some changing; breaking old habits and making new ones.
TO DO before break:
Hmm...very good thoughts Mr. Welch. I know I need to do some changing; breaking old habits and making new ones.
TO DO before break:
- Video Comparison Paper (3 pg.)
- 50 Books not read + reviews
- Bio Lab - Lab 29 - 30 and Lab Summary
- Read Ch. 9-15 in EEL (yeah, right!)
- Notebook for EEL
- Notebook for Herm.
- Update Herm. Brochure and email to MM
- Study for Herm. Test
- Study for EEL Test
- Study for Child. Lit. Test
- Christian / Community Service Report
- Turn in IRE money.
- Pick up DVD from Lisa.
- Talk to Mr. Wolf
In other news - I still have a job. I wasn't quite sure. It's been 3 weeks since I've worked. Rick said I do have some hours on the new schedule.
More Christmas music on blog - more of my faves. I have a lot.
BTW - 5 MORE DAYS!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
Me and Pants and Curlers
This is me at my finest. :) I found this picture and thought it was funny.
Now back to work.
P.S. Grandma doesn't have to have surgery. They put her arm in a plastic cast and they said it should heal on its own. I guess the splint or cast the ER put on it was way wrong and it was no doubt causing a lot of pain. She feels much better now. Thanks for your prayers.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Weekend
It's 9pm Sunday night, and what a weekend it has been. I never would have dreamed that this would have happened.
We left for Missouri early Wednesday morning. I slept and did homework. We had a good trip. All the family was there when we arrived. My uncle had brought ping pong, pool and air hockey tables and we decided to have tournaments. We bought posterboard for the rankings and prizes for the champions. We drew names and fit everybody in for each of the games. We were having a great time playing and being together. Thanksgiving Day, we had a feast, and enjoyed cheesecake for my birthday cake. Friday - Brenda, Dee, and I organized some of Grandma's cabinets. We made a couple trips to Wal-mart. That evening some of us were working on the tournaments. I was reffing Ping-Pong. Grandma and my cousin was playing. Grandma was doing really well. She had already played air hockey (and loved it) and had played pool. She had lost one game of ping pong (but still had done good). I believe she had just tied up the second game when she went for the ball and fell and just laid there moaning. It hurts me to write about it now. Quickly my aunt Tricia, a nurse, came in and told us to get blankets and to call 911. Grandma was still moaning and it looked like she fell on her arm - she could still move her fingers. A volunteer fire squad responded first. Then the ambulance finally came. There was a big rush as we decided who was going and getting the vital documents and clothes for Grandma. I sat on the swing outside in the cold holding my two younger cousins as we watched the nightmare. I prayed. I was scared. I was sad.
That night we brought in a TV from the camper and watched August Rush while we waited for news. It helped distract us for a while. We cleaned the house - anything to get our minds off it for awhile. There was a lot of worried glances and troubled hearts. Grandma and Grandpa live 1 1/2 hours from the nearest family members. We've already been talking to them, trying to convince them to move closer. They have so much stuff in the house and the barn - so much stuff.
Later that night, we heard that Grandma had gotten Xrays and they were releasing her. It was a holiday weekend. She couldn't get into the doctor until Monday. They came home with her about 2:30 in the morning and got her situated in a recliner. I went to bed soon after.
Saturday, I got up around 11 a.m. Grandma was sleeping, but she had vomited in the night. Saturday was hard. She would eat, but anytime she got up to walk around, she would vomit. Those memories of my very sick Grandma will stick with my for some time, I'm sure.
I remember my aunt Brenda, papers spread out before her, calling people, trying to figure out insurance stuff, trying to get advice as to what was best.
We debated on whether to take her back to the ER - the vomiting, nausea, pain. Finally we decided to keep her unless things got decidedly worse. After several bouts of nausea and vomiting, Grandma's doctor friend wrote her a prescription for different pain medicine and nausea medicine. My dad and uncles and aunt Tricia met the dear angel doctor at Walgreens to get the medicine. He even took them to the hospital to see the X rays. No wonder Grandma was in pain. She had fractured her humerus and had a bone spur a piece was pressing on a nerve- I don't know what else but it's bad.
They brought the medicine home and pizza for the family. After administering the medicine, Grandma slept and slept and didn't vomit and was perky - she still has pain, but she said she feels like a new person.
Dad, Andrew, and I left early this morning to head home. We had rented a van and had to get it back to the airport by 8:30 tonight. Mom and aunt Brenda are staying with Grandma this week and hopefully she'll be well enough to go to my Uncle Dewayne and Aunt Dee's house in Oklahoma this weekend.
Needless to say, we are all tired. Those first 3 hours on the road were rough for my dad - he was so sleepy. I couldn't drive the rental van because I wasn't old enough. But God gave me special strength those first 3 hours to keep me awake so I could keep Dad awake. I got a lot of reading done.
So here I am. Home. Mom's not here. I've got homework, errands, grocery shopping, Christmas program, night class. I'm overwhelmed. I guess the whole reason for this post is that I'm asking for your prayers. I need you to lift me and my dad (especially) up to God this week. I don't feel bold or selfish in asking, because the Bible tells us to carry each other's burdens, and how do you know if I have a burden unless I tell you. God has helped me and my family so much this weekend in so many big and little ways, I know He will not fail. But I do need your prayers and love and encouragement as I face this next week. Thank you, if you've stayed to read all of this. I needed to get it all out. I'm not sure how to end this but to again ask for your prayers and support. I'm sure I might be blowing this out of proportion a bit - I know I'm emotional, but that is why I'm reaching out. Please don't isolate me. Include me, support me, love me, pray for me. And perhaps sometime I can return the favor. Thank you again, friends, for listening and being there for me. I'm looking up to the One "...who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask and think..." (Eph. 3:20 NKJV)
We left for Missouri early Wednesday morning. I slept and did homework. We had a good trip. All the family was there when we arrived. My uncle had brought ping pong, pool and air hockey tables and we decided to have tournaments. We bought posterboard for the rankings and prizes for the champions. We drew names and fit everybody in for each of the games. We were having a great time playing and being together. Thanksgiving Day, we had a feast, and enjoyed cheesecake for my birthday cake. Friday - Brenda, Dee, and I organized some of Grandma's cabinets. We made a couple trips to Wal-mart. That evening some of us were working on the tournaments. I was reffing Ping-Pong. Grandma and my cousin was playing. Grandma was doing really well. She had already played air hockey (and loved it) and had played pool. She had lost one game of ping pong (but still had done good). I believe she had just tied up the second game when she went for the ball and fell and just laid there moaning. It hurts me to write about it now. Quickly my aunt Tricia, a nurse, came in and told us to get blankets and to call 911. Grandma was still moaning and it looked like she fell on her arm - she could still move her fingers. A volunteer fire squad responded first. Then the ambulance finally came. There was a big rush as we decided who was going and getting the vital documents and clothes for Grandma. I sat on the swing outside in the cold holding my two younger cousins as we watched the nightmare. I prayed. I was scared. I was sad.
That night we brought in a TV from the camper and watched August Rush while we waited for news. It helped distract us for a while. We cleaned the house - anything to get our minds off it for awhile. There was a lot of worried glances and troubled hearts. Grandma and Grandpa live 1 1/2 hours from the nearest family members. We've already been talking to them, trying to convince them to move closer. They have so much stuff in the house and the barn - so much stuff.
Later that night, we heard that Grandma had gotten Xrays and they were releasing her. It was a holiday weekend. She couldn't get into the doctor until Monday. They came home with her about 2:30 in the morning and got her situated in a recliner. I went to bed soon after.
Saturday, I got up around 11 a.m. Grandma was sleeping, but she had vomited in the night. Saturday was hard. She would eat, but anytime she got up to walk around, she would vomit. Those memories of my very sick Grandma will stick with my for some time, I'm sure.
I remember my aunt Brenda, papers spread out before her, calling people, trying to figure out insurance stuff, trying to get advice as to what was best.
We debated on whether to take her back to the ER - the vomiting, nausea, pain. Finally we decided to keep her unless things got decidedly worse. After several bouts of nausea and vomiting, Grandma's doctor friend wrote her a prescription for different pain medicine and nausea medicine. My dad and uncles and aunt Tricia met the dear angel doctor at Walgreens to get the medicine. He even took them to the hospital to see the X rays. No wonder Grandma was in pain. She had fractured her humerus and had a bone spur a piece was pressing on a nerve- I don't know what else but it's bad.
They brought the medicine home and pizza for the family. After administering the medicine, Grandma slept and slept and didn't vomit and was perky - she still has pain, but she said she feels like a new person.
Dad, Andrew, and I left early this morning to head home. We had rented a van and had to get it back to the airport by 8:30 tonight. Mom and aunt Brenda are staying with Grandma this week and hopefully she'll be well enough to go to my Uncle Dewayne and Aunt Dee's house in Oklahoma this weekend.
Needless to say, we are all tired. Those first 3 hours on the road were rough for my dad - he was so sleepy. I couldn't drive the rental van because I wasn't old enough. But God gave me special strength those first 3 hours to keep me awake so I could keep Dad awake. I got a lot of reading done.
So here I am. Home. Mom's not here. I've got homework, errands, grocery shopping, Christmas program, night class. I'm overwhelmed. I guess the whole reason for this post is that I'm asking for your prayers. I need you to lift me and my dad (especially) up to God this week. I don't feel bold or selfish in asking, because the Bible tells us to carry each other's burdens, and how do you know if I have a burden unless I tell you. God has helped me and my family so much this weekend in so many big and little ways, I know He will not fail. But I do need your prayers and love and encouragement as I face this next week. Thank you, if you've stayed to read all of this. I needed to get it all out. I'm not sure how to end this but to again ask for your prayers and support. I'm sure I might be blowing this out of proportion a bit - I know I'm emotional, but that is why I'm reaching out. Please don't isolate me. Include me, support me, love me, pray for me. And perhaps sometime I can return the favor. Thank you again, friends, for listening and being there for me. I'm looking up to the One "...who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask and think..." (Eph. 3:20 NKJV)
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Thankful
Tonight I got to be with old and new friends for a little over an hour - quite enjoyable. Tiffany and I go way back to Jr. High where we hated each other. Then I went to ACA for 2 years then Tiff came when we were Juniors and we became fast friends. Those last 2 years of HS were probably some of the best and bittersweet years of my life. We had great times and times we regret, but we stuck it out with each other through all the changing, confusing, heartwrending guy relationships we had (you know how HS is!) Now we've both been in college 3 years. We don't talk or see each other near as much as we did in HS, but our relationship is still very cool. Anytime we talk or see each other, we just pick up where we left off. I haven't seen her since summer but it "feels" like we've seen each other every day for the last 3 months. Know what I mean? It is quite wonderful and I cherish our relationship.
Melissa (Tiff's cousin) was also there who I am blessed to see around school. Lissa's great too - she keeps me laughing. Love ya girl!It was good seeing Tiff and Melissa's cousin Heather and seeing Leanne (Tiff's friend from college) and meeting Katherine (another friend from college).
These lovely pictures are Tiffany's attempt to get all six of us in a picture. (Because she wouldn't ask the cute guy at the window to take them - Tiff and I have a funny experience about cute guys and pictures!)
What a great start to Thanksgiving Vacation.
I'm thankful for FRIENDS and FAMILY. (I get to see family tomorrow night - more pics to come!)
And to my faithful readers out there in blog land - I'm thankful for YOU too! Much love!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Faith-filled Speech
I'm tired and busy and wonder how it's all going to get done, but "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you [me] will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ." And it won't be the end of the world if I don't get everything done. :) God is good. Be "estatic in Christ" (borrowed from M.M.).
Philippians 1:6 NIV
Philippians 1:6 NIV
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Fa La La La La
Christmas Music is uploaded for yours (and my) listening enjoyment. Right now all I have is Jim Brickman and Mannheim Steamroller. M.S. brings back such great childhood memories. It was (is) our favorite Christmas music. But I also enjoy Jim Brickman too. Enjoy!
P.S. We might be putting Christmas up next weekend, so I'll put up a "Christmasy" picture.
P.S. We might be putting Christmas up next weekend, so I'll put up a "Christmasy" picture.
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