Drama Junkies

Citizens of Blog Land, I've neglected you!

It seems like every time I write a new post I'm apologizing for the length of time that has passed between posts. Haha. What can I say? Life is so busy. Exhausting. Full. Wonderful. I'm not making any promises, but in the future I shall try to do better...*wink wink*.

Anywho...

My Mom always told me that it takes all kinds of people to make up this crazy world...and having been lately thrust into the corporate arena, that little nugget of truth has never been more apparent. Being the extremely laid back person that I am, it never ceases to amaze me how adult individuals over 40 years of age still have the capacity to be such drama junkies.

Seriously people...do your jobs, address issues as they arise instead of talking about someone behind their back, keep it professional, be genuine, and be kind. Is it that difficult? For some....apparently it is.

By no means am I claiming to be perfect. There are people who, as I've gotten to know them better over the last 2 months, have gotten under my skin. I've learned who is two faced and who can keep confidences. I've learned who I can trust and who I cannot. The key, in my humble opinion, is to remember that we are all there for the same reason, and that we're all a team and should be working together to meet our business goals. Who cares that so and so gets on my nerves? What does that have to do with me doing my job? Absolutely nothing.

But maybe that's just me. I hate conflict. I hate confrontation.

Thankfully, none of the interoffice conflicts have touched me. I stay in my little corner of the office and try not to say a word. But I hear the complaining and backbiting that goes on. It's mind boggling.

Still love the job, though! People however....are flippin' nuts!

22 Days

I cannot believe that it has been a month since my last post!

To my faithful readers and followers, my sincerest apologies and thank you for your patience during my unexpected blogging sabbatical. As you may have already guessed, the reason behind my absence has been due mostly to school work.

Ladies and Gentlemen! This is it! There are officially only 3 weeks left until I graduate.

Teehee.

This morning I pulled my cap and gown out of their bag and tried them on for the first time. As I looked at myself in the mirror, my heart skipped a beat. I twirled around. Yep, I sure did twirl. Ha. Then I ran to my closet to figure out which shoes I was going to wear.

Black. Pointy toe. Patent Leather. 3 inch heel.

In case you were wondering.

Then I started rummaging around trying to figure out what I'm going to wear underneath the gown. I just happened to find a pink silk blouse from NY&C with the tag still on it. I had totally forgotten I had bought that shirt! So, of course I had to try on the shirt along with the shoes and my go-to black skirt. As I pranced in front of the mirror, I tucked the shirt in, untucked the shirt, added a scarf, took the scarf off, added a necklace, removed the necklace....and finally I decided that I need a thick black belt to go around the blouse if I leave it untucked.

So, my ensemble for Graduation Day is complete, I just need to go shopping for a belt.

Teehee.

My excitement is literally growing by the day. I have waited for this for SOOOOO long! And it's here! EEEEEEEKKK!!!!

What's more exciting is that this past Friday, I was able to work on my resume with a family friend, who's also the director of career development at IUS. So now my resume is complete and absolutely phenomenal! I've been contacting acquaintances who are lawyers and even submitted an application with the Louisville Bar Association Placement Department. Networking, networking, networking is what it's all about.

This is such an exciting yet scary time. I'm closing the door on one part of my life and stepping into a completely new and different world. On the one side it would be so easy to stay where I am and continue to work as a nanny indefinitely because it's comfortable. But that would be the easy and the safe thing to do. As I always say, 'Nothing risked is nothing gained'.

So Blog Land, I covet your prayers as I move out of one sphere and into a new one. I know that with your prayers and mine, that the LORD will lead and guide me to the right people and the right places!

22 days and counting...!

Could it Be? Is it Spring?!

This is a morning that dreams are made of! Our patio door is open, the balmy breeze is blowing in, the sunshine is filtering softly through the clouds, the birds are singing, and the frogs are just going crazy in the pond next to our building!

Ah. Spring time at last.

I hope.

For all I know we could have a few inches of snow again tomorrow. This weather has been anything but predictable of late. But, whatever the forecast is for tomorrow or even later in the day, I'm determined to enjoy this little interlude of divine spring time.

As it happens, this week was my spring break from school. I did still have to work, but it was quite nice to be able to sleep in a few mornings and to spend my evenings reading for fun instead of poring over the intricacies of Excel and Litigation. I could have worked ahead but I decided that I needed a break. In that vein, I haven't popped open a school book or even logged into BlackBoard to check my grades. I've absolutely refused.

Excitingly, I received my letter from school this week, confirming that my application for graduation has been accepted and that the date for the ceremony will be May 14! I can't remember if I've said this before, but I had not originally planned on walking in the ceremony. However, as the date draws nearer, I've decided that I am going to participate in the ceremony. This is quite possibly one of the biggest and longest time coming accomplishments of my life. I want to savor every single moment of it because I have worked SO hard for it.

In other randomness, my cousin turned me on to a group called 2Cellos. As my faithful readers, ya'll should know by now that I LOVE cello music. Add to that the fact that these guys are playing one of my absolute favorite Michael Jackson songs...and well...Epic-ness  has been achieved and I can die a happy woman. Teehee.

Anywho. Enjoy this awesome rendition of this song and then get outside and enjoy this beautiful spring day!

Falling Trees and Itchies

Since the end of last year and the beginning of this new one, it feels like all I do is apologize for the time that has lapsed between posts. Once again, citizens of Blog Land, I must apologize...and hope that I can find the time to start posting regularly again. I won't bore you with the details of school life (which is boring, even to me), money problems, single-hood problems, ....blah, blah, blah...I will simply say that life in Wonderland is as cRaZy as ever.

This week, Little Sis was on winter break from school. Strike anyone else as odd? Winter break? In February? Weird. Anyway, it reminded me that as much as I love the little booger and hope for kids of my own one day, I am NOT ready for that just yet. Since her brother now goes to a different school, it was left completely to me to entertain her. From 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Oh heavenly Father.

By body was in shock from having to wake up at 6 a.m. Now, I know that this is normal for most people, but I'm a woman who doesn't go into work until around 2 p.m. Needless to say, going from working a 4 hour day to an 11 1/2 hour day is enough to leave even the most rested person reeling. I didn't get anything done around the house all week and I think the dog was beginning to think I had abandoned him. By the time I got home each night I didn't want to do anything but eat and go straight to bed. Which is what I did.

Now, I don't know if I was just slap happy from the long hours, but by Thursday afternoon, everything the kids were saying was hilarious. Little Sis randomly started crying at the doctor's office because it started to rain and she didn't want her favorite tree at the bus stop to get knocked over. Mind you, it wasn't storming...just raining. I had to bite my lip to keep the giggles inside. She had real tears in her eyes. Then her brother reminded her that it was just a tree...like any other tree in the whole world...."Besides" he said, "do you even KNOW that tree?" I was through. I was glad we were alone in the waiting room because an obnoxious snort flew from my nose and a peal of laughter straight from my gut ripped through my mouth. Little Sis just looked at me with an expression that said, "traitor". I couldn't help it! After all, this wasn't a tree in their yard...this was a random tree at a bus stop!

Later, when we were in the car on the way home, and I was sufficiently recovered from my giggle attack, Little Sis says randomly, "My butt is itchy". My jaw dropped and Big Bro says, "Eeeeewww!" and then bursts into giggles. Once again, I'm trying to hold the giggles in, because really...that's gross. I asked her why her butt was itchy and if she had had a shower the night before. She said no, but that she thought it was because of the huge poo poo that came out of it earlier. Big Bro and I were undone. I was laughing so hard I was crying, and once again Little Sis couldn't understand what was so very funny. Really, I guess it wasn't that funny. Then she said, "Well it was a really big poop". We laughed all the way home.

Oh Mercy.

Now Trending in Wonderland

A belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to the inhabitants of the blogosphere!

After the end of the semester, I decided to take a much needed sabbatical from writing. However, with the new semester less than a week away, I figured it was about time to get back into the swing of things. With any luck, this will be my last semester. Of course, as is the usual way of things, financially speaking, this semester has already proven to be difficult since my student aid has decreased and during the last 2 weeks in December I found myself, quite unexpectedly, not working. Needless to say, my careful budgeting was ruined. What can a girl do? God has always provided for my needs, sometimes quite miraculously, and I have faith that He will continue to do so.

Besides my nervousness about money, I'm really excited about this semester and I'm determined to make it the best yet. I will be taking 3 classes and only one of them is a paralegal course. The other two are gen-ed  classes that I've put off for the last few years. In short, this semester should be a breeze. I hope.

I have had quite  a few questions over the holidays regarding my love life and so I'll just answer this once and for all....I don't have one, neither am I interested in anyone. LoL. I admit that I'm completely ok with this. I think it's funny that whenever anyone asks me if I'm dating anyone and I say no, they always get this pity look on their face and feel the need to pat my shoulder and say something to the effect of, "there there, don't worry, it will happen eventually". Haha. Yes, I'm sure it will. But at the moment, that's probably about the furthest thing from my mind. I never thought I would get to the place where I was actually 100% ok with being single, but whaddya know? By God's mercy and grace, I finally arrived!

Anyhow, I think that sufficiently updates you, Blog Land citizens.

Happy Wednesday!!

Jammin' to a little Dubstep....

A Little Reflecting

Things have been stressful, to say the least, for the last few weeks in Wonderland. Make that the last month. Not much has changed, but for the moment, my outlook has.

I'm feeling pretty positive and have enjoyed my day quite a lot. As I was having my prayer time this morning, a feeling of absolute peace and joy swept over me. I was SO happy to have the ability to go to a quiet place and  pour out my worries and fears to the LORD. No, the situations won't change immediately, but there is great relief in rolling over some of the heaviness of the cares of this life onto more able shoulders.

Oddly enough, while I was at the gym earlier, that same feeling of peace and joy came over me again. There I was sweating it out on the elliptical and I was all of a sudden aware of God's presence in my life.

At a time when lately my days have been filled with a lot of anxiety and stress, these little moments are like little drops of ice cold water running down my throat...giving me that extra little push I need to make it through the rest of the day.

Life is mountains and valleys. Tomorrow may be a day when I'm completely overwhelmed and cannot find or feel God no matter how hard I try. Being able to remember that just a day before I was so aware of Him makes those dark places a little more bearable. Just because I can't feel God at the moment, doesn't mean he's not there.

Food for thought Blog Land!

Run In with Murphy

Nine days into NaNoWriMo and disaster has struck. Or rather Murphy with his dumb law has.

After my coffee was brewing and the dog had been taken out, I hopped back into the bed, plugged in my trusty Macbook and got ready to do some writing while the inspiration was freshly pumping into my brain.

I pressed the power button.

Nothing happened.

I pressed it again.

NOTHING HAPPENED.

Was the outlet not working? Had a fuse blown?

I looked at the little light on the power adapter cord. Or rather, I looked where the light should've have been. It was dark. No little green light was glowing back at me.

I felt panic rising up in my chest and the anxiety that is never very far away welled in my stomach and rose into my chest, threatening to cut off my air supply.

Ok. So. Admittedly I'm being a little dramatic. Ok. A lot dramatic. I, did, however, start to panic. I have research to do for school, papers to write, a PowerPoint to put together for Sunday, and a book to write!

This is NOT a good time for this to happen!

Here's the deal with my power adapter. It's the only problem I've ever had in the 4 years I've had the computer. Well that, and the fact that I need a new battery. So, when roughly a year or so ago, the power cord started to fray and eventually just broke in half, I replaced it with a cheap generic adapter from some company off of Amazon. As I now see, not the best choice as far as quality goes, but 20 bucks is a lot better than paying 80 from the Apple store. Did I mention that I never replaced the battery (which is $130 from Apple)? So, the Mac only works when plugged into the wall.

Suffice it to say, I wish I would've just bit the bullet and bought an adapter and cord from Apple. Besides the fact that I'm in the middle of writing a book that must be completed by November 30th, it is also roughly 5 weeks from the end of the semester, also known as, crunch time and the time when professors throw everything at you at once. Until I can get to work on Monday and use my bosses power cord, I have no way to access the information on my computer.

Haha. Oh the tragedy of it all.

In the mean time, I'm trying desperately to remember what the last thing I wrote in my book and pick up from there using my sister's laptop. I'm SO glad that she has a computer now, even though it's tough to share when we both have online classes. It is, however, better than nothing at all.

And it's getting to be that time of year where it becomes necessary to purchase presents for family and friends...what a perfect time to have to shell out $250 for computer parts.

BUT! I REMEMBERED THIS....

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. Romans 8:28
 

Counting it all JOY, Blog Land!

Cookie Thief and Dum-Dums

So, this is undoubtedly the information and computer age. Everywhere we go we're confronted with different technology media, all vying for our attention. At the grocery store, at the mall, in the bathroom *giggle*...you can't get very far these days without seeing someone with some kind of device attached to their ear or palm.

I am an avid Apple lover. I love all things Apple(with the exception of the newest system "update"). I have a Macbook computer and an iPhone 4S. If it wouldn't be completely ridiculous and superfluous, I'd get an iPad. Whenever I do eventually buy a full desktop computer, you can bet it will be a Mac.

Unfortunately, technology has become one of those things that you can't live with or without. While most of the time it is consistently consistent, there are those terribly inconvenient times when it decides when it doesn't want to be consistent. Like at 11:45 p.m. when you have a paper due at midnight. Or when you're lost in the boonies and your GPS stops working. Or when you're trying to register for classes and instead of the desired screen, up pops a screen with random numbers and letters with the word "dummy" interspersed between.

Yeap...the computer was calling me dummy.

Of all the nerve!

All I wanted to do was register for next semester!

So, I giggled to myself and then shut down Safari, waited a few minutes before trying again...this time I got an error message that said something like, "break in attempt detected, number of cookie sections detected: 2"

Oh Lawd! There's a thief amongst us trying to break in and steal all my cookies!

Teehee.

Haha. I don't know why but that error message struck me as hi-larious. I mean, really...I could laugh or pull my hair out...and well...I do so love to laugh.

Anyhow, I'm still trying to register for classes and continue to be alternately verbally abused and warned of break-ins by my computer...and because I'm feeling a  lil zany, a lil crazy, and a lil awesome....whilst I'm being abused warned....this is the music going on in my head....

Disenchantment ---> Transitions

It's Midterm week.

I can't believe that the semester is already half way finished. For the most part I have been staying on top of things, and not procrastinating too terribly. Which is a vast improvement for me.

I'm afraid that there hasn't been anything particularly blog worthy going on in Wonderland....or perhaps I'm just a little too preoccupied with everything to really consider whether it's newsworthy or not. It could also be that most of my writing energy has been tunneled into pumping out 2 papers a week on the vastly interesting (can you taste the sarcasm?) worlds of Tort Law and Civil Procedure.

But anyhow.

In the last month I have stepped out of my comfort zone and and really stuck my neck out. In the end, the result wasn't what I had hoped it would be, and I am still weathering the disappointment. But mostly I'm proud of myself for trying something new.

I've learned that rejection isn't the end of the world. Even though some days it hurts like it is. I've learned that the image in your head of how things are "supposed to be" is detrimental and counter-productive to finding happiness in each day. I've learned that feelings are like waves...you can't always keep them from coming, but you can decide which one to surf.

Everyday I'm learning that if all I have in this world is Jesus, then He is More than Enough.

Disenchantment, whether it is a minor disappointment or a major shock, is the signal that things are moving into transition in our lives. 

William Throsby Bridges

ViSalus & Contractions

I officially feel like I've been run over by a truck...that then backed up and then ran over me again just for good measure. Blah. I can't be 100% sure, but I'm pretty sure this is all my own fault.

Since the middle of August, I have been doing ViSalus, which is a meal replacement plan, where you drink shakes 2 times a day instead of what would be your normal meal. All of the plans differ and some plans only require you to replace 1 meal a day. It really just depends on what you're trying to accomplish. I'm happy to announce that after 1 month of ViSalus I have lost exactly 12 pounds! And that's with minimal exercise. I hate exercising.

My sister is a promoter for ViSalus and I have to admit that when she first started talking about it, I was more than a little skeptical. However, when I finally decided to try it for myself and then proceeded to lose 3 pounds in the first week...well...I was a believer!

At the risk of sounding like one of those infomercials, I will say that I have never felt better about my body, and I have also never had more energy. I am on the plan to replace 2 meals a day, so for me, that is breakfast and lunch. You know that feeling you get after you eat lunch and then go back to work and then have to fight to stay awake? I haven't had that experience since I started ViSalus! It really has been amazing. I've lost 12 pounds and only have 18 more to go!

Anyhow, I digress.

The blah feeling.

Have I mentioned I'm an emotional eater? And that for the last week, I've kept forgetting to refill my anti-depressant medication? Ha. So yesterday, the whole time I was at work, I was feeling a bit blue, and started craving something fatty, cheesy, and meaty. I wanted a huge burrito from Puerto Vallarta! I asked my dear baby sister if she wanted to come along after work and she declined. Boo on her.

I, however, remedied that situation by stopping at Moe's. My favorite thing to get there? The Homewrecker Burrito. It's HUGE. I mean, like, a burrito as big as your head. So I ordered it in all of it's burrito-y goodness, filled to bursting with beef, cheese, lettuce, guacamole, sour cream and rice. And of course, you can't go to Moe's without getting a cup of their creamy queso.

So, quite excited, I rushed home, to settle into my PJs and start chowing down. And chow down I did...until I ate the WHOLE thing AND half of the cup of queso.

It was delicious. I enjoyed Every. Single. Bite.

Until about 20 minutes later. Dear Lord, did that burrito wreck my life!

What was I thinking? What with the shakes and really only eating one real meal a day, my stomach has shrunk considerably. And I just stuffed a burrito as big as my head into it? What a stupid little girl I am.

Fast-forward to today. I get up this morning, quite excited that the kids are on fall break and that I don't have to work...and proceed to the bathroom to um...drop some friends off at the pool. Ha. Well when I go back to lay down I am hit with pain so severe  I literally double over. I head back to the bathroom. Nothing happened. I head back to the bed. Gut-wrenching pain again. Head back to the bathroom. Nothing happened. This continues for over an hour and I take gas-pills AND Pepto Bismol. But I'm still experiencing burrito induced contractions every 3 to 4 minutes.

*Sigh*

I finally decided that I was just going to have to ride this out...or go to the ER. So, I curled up into a ball in my bed and rode the burrito waves until I fell asleep. About every hour I would be awakened from some very strange dreams by a particularly painful burrito contraction. And would then contemplate heading to the ER before drifting back in to sleep land.

Finally at 3:30 (that's in the P.M.) I woke up and didn't feel any pain radiating from by stomach region. Yes, people of blog-land, I had burrito contractions for 5 hours!

I am happy to say that the contractions have subsided, but my stomach is still not feeling very regular. I have had 1 shake today and half a cup of coffee and it looks like soup will be all I will be having for dinner. But I consider this a lesson learned. 2 lessons learned actually.

1. I will never live through child-birth.

2. Don't stuff a burrito that's as big as your head into your tummy that has shrank to the size of a lemon!

More Will Follow

Autumn seems to have come upon us quickly and unexpectedly. The arrival of the cool temperatures has beat even the changing of the leaf colors. While this is one of my favorite times of year, the change of the seasons brings with it an unwanted guest...allergies! Boooooo!

Both of the kiddos have been sick and Little Sis has had a sinus infection. As soon as I noticed her runny nose, I began popping Vitamin C, but to no avail. Who can withstand the pollen laden air of the Ohio River Valley? No one. So, at 3:30 this morning I was awakened by the inability to breathe through my nose. This was remedied only by the liberal smearing of Vicks right under my nose and all over my face where my sinuses should be. That along with lying practically in an upright position allowed me to fall back asleep after about an hour. Boo. 

Other than that, all is well in Wonderland. 

I have exciting things to talk about, but I'm so Benadryled I can hardly keep my eyes open. 

More to come later!

And Time Goes By....

I'm having a hard time believing that August is almost over. Before you know it will be Christmas time and the eve of a new year. But one thing at a time. I worked late last night and was driving home a little bit after 8. I was surprised to find that the sun was already starting to go down. By the time 9 rolled around, it was almost completely dark.

The days are getting shorter, announcing subtly to the world that one season is about to end and another about to begin. Fall, is as I'm sure I've mentioned before, my favorite time of year. I love the way the leaves look when they're turning colors and falling to the ground. I love how it's cool in the mornings and evenings. I love the smell of bonfires. I love going to pick pumpkins and buying Chrysanthemums for our balcony! Ah, fall!

But, we're not quite there yet. So for the time being I'm still enjoying the summer heat, the fact that the kids have gone back to school, and that my second to last semester of college has begun, as well. As is always the case, my postings may be fewer in number as I dive into the books and expend my creative energies on sucking up as much of the world of Tort Law and Civil Procedure as I can. I will, however, attempt to hammer out at least one post a week and maybe even surprise you with another excerpt from my book, if I can squeeze time in for more writing in that area too.

Oh! And here's a random question, which I really need an answer to. When is it ok, if ever, to ask a guy to dinner? Yes, Blog Land, someone new has caught my eye....but I don't know if I've caught his....should I ask? Or just wait for him to? Would love to hear your opinion on this matter!

Only 2 more days until the weekend!

Happy Wednesday!

25 Lessons in 25 Years

I was not looking forward to today as it marks my 25th birthday. I have always thought that it's all downhill after you hit this age. However, my perspective on this was altered by a quote that I found while browsing Pinterest.

"Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many"

Puts things into perspective doesn't it? So, I'm thankful that God's mercy and grace has seen me through to another birthday! 

So, to celebrate in Blog Land, I will do what I love...making lists...ha. I'm going to share with you The 25 Things I've Learned in 25 years. 

1. Women are the most resilient creatures that God created.

2. Pooting never ceases to be funny...

3. The most hilarious things happen in the middle of the sermon at church...when you cannot laugh.

4. Being extremely analytical is a blessing and a curse.

5. Over thinking can ruin something in .5 seconds flat.

6. You are never too old to stop learning.

7. You will outgrow some of the friends you've known since Kindergarten...and that's ok.

8. Hell really does have no fury like a woman scorned.

9. Waiting on God is not passive. It is active.

10. Some lessons have to be learned the hard way.

11. Books are precious things.

12. Parents who make everything easy for their kids now are handicapping their future.

13. Having a few close friends is better than being Ms. Popularity.

14. If someone you trust is telling you another person's "secrets", chances are they're telling someone else yours.

15. Sometimes love is fireworks...at other times...it comes softly.

16. Friendship is the most important foundation of a romantic relationship.

17. The world does not revolve around me.

18. It is absolutely, 100% ok to cry.

19. Faith in God also means faith in His timing.

20. It's ok to have high standards when it comes to the men.

21. Coffee is a precious gift from above.

22. I can do ALL things through Christ.

23. It will take a brave man to love me.

24. Music is the language of our deepest feelings.

25. Quoting from the book Captivating...I used to feel this way, " I am not enough and I'm too much at the same time. Not pretty enough, not thin enough, not kind enough, not gracious enough, not disciplined enough. But too emotional, too needy,  too sensitive, too strong, too opinionated, too messy. " However, I have learned that through Jesus Christ...I AM ENOUGH. 

*Quote taken from Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge

Scary Stories, Giggles, and ZZzzss

Do you remember those times when you were younger and all your family was at someone's house for a get together and by the end of the night, you and all your cousins ended up in someone's bedroom all smooshed onto one bed...giggling, pushing each other off, and trying to scare each other?

As a kid, I experienced many times like those and...miracle of miracles...I got to experience that again this past weekend. As I mentioned before, my sister and I left on Thursday night for a little getaway to my mom and step-dad's house. My 10 year old twin step-sisters were there, along with my older step-sister's two little daughters.

On Saturday night, we had a movie marathon  and once we got to the third movie, I decided I was all movied out and laid down on the bed in my mom's room. The lights were out and I didn't think anyone had seen me go in, but after about 5 minutes, my sister wandered in...said she didn't want to watch the movie either, and crawled into the bed as well. It was only about a matter of 15 minutes before the twins and the nieces came in...effectively ending the silence. Ha.

I was laying horizontally on the very end of the bed...my sister was toward the top...and the kids were everywhere in between. LoL. The lights were still out and it wasn't long before Jess started trying to scare the twins by telling stories of a "red-eyed" girl who lived in the closet and in the wall. Haha. This of course sent everyone scurrying under the covers...and the fight for the blankets commenced. I was  nearly pushed off the bed about twice and got my head squashed too many times to count. Haha. When that was over the twins starting talking about somebody from school whom they called..."chump butt". My sister and I nearly fell off the bed again...this time from cracking up. Go ahead Blog Land...say "Chump...Butt" out loud. Now try not to giggle...pretty impossible, eh? Ha. We continued to giggle until someone came up with the idea to have a contest to see who could pretend to be asleep the longest. Yup. You know what happened....next thing I know my step-dad is coming in the door flipping on the lights and yelling "wake up!". Hahaha. Isn't it funny how that happens....everyone's laughing and talking and then all of a sudden bam! Everyone's knocked out. LoL.

Anyway. That was just one part of a very fun weekend. We went to the Indianapolis Zoo on Friday...where I pet a SHARK!!! We went to this amazingly fun water park called Splash Island on Saturday...it has a lazy river!!! And on Sunday my step-dad grilled!!! In between all these fun activities the kids kept us in stitches pretty much the whole time. They are crazy fun.

In short, it was a ridiculously fun weekend and just what the doctor ordered.

WE FOUND NEMO!!

SO CLOSE...!

             

THE TWIN'S CREATIVITY...
THOSE ARE GLOVE PEOPLE...WITH DIAPERS...AND SMILES...
AND PONTY TAILS.... AND THEY'RE HOLDING HANDS...BAHAHA

A Ride on the Wild Side

It has been an especially trying week. I've been getting up an hour earlier to work out...my body is still trying to figure out what's going on, and Little Sis has been throwing temper tantrums, sometimes 2 or 3, everyday. Thankfully, today is my Thursday and after tomorrow I'm heading out of town for a mini vacation.

My daily "home from work routine" always involves throwing on some sweatpants and  big comfy shirt, cuddling up in the bed or on the couch with my faithful computer in hand and checking the news, blog stuff, and emails. And of course...Pinterest. Ha.

My home page is set to CNN (yes...I know...I'm a news buff nerd) and what usually greets me is the same depressing twaddle everyday. However, as I scrolled down the page a news bite caught my eye...it read, "Woman's Scooter Flips on Escalator". I figured this had to be some kind of joke. But nonetheless I clicked on the video...

Let's just say that after this week...I needed that laugh.

 Oh hush, blog land!

I know, I know...it could've been dangerous...blah..blah...I know...! And I am truly glad that the lady is all right. But...erm...that is one of the funniest...and one of the dumbest things I have ever seen. Especially considering there was an elevator she could have used.

So before you self-righteously shake your heads at my seemingly callous response...watch the video for yourselves...

Marcel the Shell

There are no words. . .just watch. . .HILARIOUS !

QuirkyAlone

I have finally figured out what I am. I am a quirkyalone.

Nope...that's not a typo...let me help you out with the official definition.

Quirkyalone: n. adj. a person who enjoys being single (but is not opposed to being in a relationship) and prefers being single to dating for the sake of dating. It’s a mindset. Quirkyalone is not anti-love. It is pro-love. It is not anti-dating. It is anti-compulsory dating. 

The idea of quirkyalone was invented by a woman named Sasha Cagen. She has written a book and has a website. The Quirkyalone movement began with a simple essay. 


Now, to many of my readers this post may seem like it came out of the clear-blue sky. I'm not one to talk much about my love life...or rather the lack there-of...at least not on the World Wide Web. However, as my 25th birthday rapidly approaches, I have become increasingly aware that well...I'm alone. A few of my closest friends have been among the unfortunate set of people whose phones have been plaugued with "woe-is me, I'm alone" text messages over the last week. 

Now just to clarify...I'm usually pretty content with my single-hood. But...well...we all have our moments...or weeks. Ha. If there's anything that I hate, it's that feeling of discontentment with things as the are, yet an inability to change things. I have been told on numerous occassions, "Well, why don't you get out there just to date around." Um...because...that's a waste of my time? Duh. What's the point in dating just for the sake of dating? I don't like the idea. And sometimes...as much I hate going home after an evening out with friends to an empty apartment...I would prefer that to dating someone that I merely tolerate just because I don't want to be alone. 


It's a weird existence. A Catch-22 of sorts. The inevitable lonlieness that is a natural part of being single...and the incredible freedom of not settling either.


I would like to be in a relationship. In fact, I love being in relationships...but is it too much to want fireworks? Or at least a little bit of lightning? Ha. Nope. I think not and guess what? I won't settle for less. 


That being said, I officially dub myself a quirkyalone. 


And if Mr. Right comes along sometime soon...no one will be more surprised than me!

Below I've added the excerpt of Sasha Cagen's original essay. Pay attention...it could be you!

People Like Us: The Quirkyalones
by Sasha Cagen

I am, perhaps, what you might call deeply single. Almost never ever in a relationship. Until recently, I wondered whether there might be something weird about me. But then lonely romantics began to grace the covers of TV Guide and Mademoiselle. From Ally McBeal to Sex in the City, a spotlight came to shine on the forever single. If these shows had touched such a nerve in our culture, I began to think, perhaps I was not so alone after all.

The morning after New Year’s Eve (another kissless one, of course), a certain jumble of syllables came to me. When I told my friends about my idea, their faces lit up with instant recognition: the quirkyalone.

If Jung was right, that people are different in fundamental ways that drive them from within, then the quirkyalone is simply to be added to the pantheon of personality types assembled over the 20th century. Only now, when the idea of marrying at age 20 has become thoroughly passé, are we quirkyalones emerging in greater numbers.

We are the puzzle pieces who seldom fit with other puzzle pieces. Romantics, idealists, eccentrics, we inhabit singledom as our natural resting state. In a world where proms and marriage define the social order, we are, by force of our personalities and inner strength, rebels.

For the quirkyalone, there is no patience for dating just for the sake of not being alone. We want a miracle. Out of millions, we have to find the one who will understand.

Better to be untethered and open to possibility: living for the exhilaration of meeting someone new, of not knowing what the night will bring. We quirkyalones seek momentous meetings.

By the same token, being alone is understood as a wellspring of feeling and experience. There is a bittersweet fondness for silence. 

Sometimes, though, we wonder whether we have painted ourselves into a corner. Standards that started out high only become higher once you realize the contours of this existence. When we do find a match, we verge on obsessive—or we resist.

And so, a community of like-minded souls is essential.

Since fellow quirkyalones are not abundant (we are probably less than 5 percent of the population), I recommend reading the patron saint of solitude: German poet Rainer Maria Rilke. Even 100 years after its publication, Letters to a Young Poet still feels like it was written for us: “You should not let yourself be confused in your solitude by the fact that there is something in you that wants to break out of it,” Rilke writes. “People have (with the help of conventions) oriented all their solutions toward the easy and toward the easiest side of easy, but it is clear that we must hold to that which is difficult.”

Rilke is right. Being quirkyalone can be difficult. Everyone else is part of a couple! Still, there are advantages. No one can take our lives away by breaking up with us. Instead of sacrificing our social constellation for the one all-consuming individual, we seek empathy from friends. We have significant others.

And so, when my friend asks me whether being quirkyalone is a life sentence, I say, yes, at the core, one is always quirkyalone. But when one quirkyalone finds another, oooh la la. The earth quakes.

—From To-Do List, July 2000, and Utne Reader, September 2000.

What do you think? Could that be you too?

Don't Hit the Road, Jack! Don't Do It!

Is June National Fix the Interstate month?


I ask this because it seems that no matter where I go these days, I am plagued by the sight of those bright orange cones and barrels that so inconveniently block lanes, on ramps, and exits.


On Monday I was a half an hour late for work.


Tuesday I was an hour and a half late for work.


Wednesday 15 minutes...and finally today...I made it on time.


I didn't oversleep. I didn't leave the house late. I simply got stuck in traffic. Because of my half hour delay on Monday, on Tuesday I decided to try an alternate route. See the problem is that in an effort to repave the bridge connecting Indiana and Kentucky, the brilliant lawmakers or whoever it is in Frankfort that makes these decisions, have decided to close the ramp offering easy access to the East End of Louisville via Interstates 64 and 71. I decided I would take the adjacent bridge and then hop back on 65 North from downtown and then access 71 from there. Big Mistake.


I thought that taking the alternate bridge was the perfect solution to my problem. I was soooooo wrong. It took me 15 minutes to get to the traffic light to turn onto the bridge and it took me 30 minutes to actually get across the bridge. I crossed the bridge at 8:30. I had 15 minutes to get to work. 


I weaved my way through downtown Louisville and got onto the on ramp and guess what I ran into? Yup. More traffic. I slowly worked my way up to the ramp to I-71 and finally arrived there only to find that...that ramp was closed too.


And so where did the detour take me you might be asking yourself? Teehee. 


Right back across the bridge into Indiana. So, at 8:45, the time I'm supposed too be arriving at work, I find myself back at the starting point.


I laughed.


I mean, really, what else could I do?


Ha.


So, I got back on the bridge...the one I had been avoiding, and it proved to be much quicker than the alternate. It took me about 2 minutes to cross it versus the 30 minutes on the other one. The only way to get to where I was trying to go was to take a completely out of the way route. However, at 9:30, 1 hour and 20 minutes after I left home, I finally arrived at work.


And then....today in an effort to get home, I sat in traffic at a complete standstill for 25 minutes. I mean...we did NOT move. People were getting out of their cars. It was insane. I feel like I've spent more time in my car than I have anywhere else this week, and spent a ridiculous amount of money on gas. I'm happy to say though, that my work week is officially over and I am on vacation for the next week. 


Maybe by the time I have to go back to work they'll have the roads all cleared. It's unlikely but...hope springs eternal. Ha. 

Glimpse

What I find so interesting about blogs is the glimpses that it provides into the "realness" of a person. Like love, people are many splendored...multi-faceted....and just when you think you know them...Wam! They surprise you.


Anyway...my dear friend C has gotten me hooked on pinterest...I have several boards and have decided that I will share one pin from each board...a little glimpse into the sometimes hidden part of the soul. These are things that I find aesthetically pleasing, funny, or thought provoking...enjoy!

          

They took it and ran away laughing when I tried to get it back!

Venice...Definitely on the Bucket List.

Ya'll know who runs my house!

Squish the Bug!

Well, it was unexpected...despite my daily imbibing of two 1,000 mg vitamin C pills and OCD-esque washing of my hands...I came down with a...dun dun duuuun...stomach bug! 


For the first time in almost 6 months I had to tell my employers I could not come to work. It was a phone call that I didn't want to make because I knew that it would put them in a tough spot as they scrambled to find alternate child care before they both had to leave for work. But, as my fever climbed and as I took up residence beside the toilet, it became obvious that the stomach bug had bitten and bitten hard. There would be no leaving the house...They were very nice about it, and the mom, who is a doctor even offered to prescribe me something for nausea. 


However, two days later, and I'm glad to say that I feel almost 100% better. My tummy is still a little rumbly but the fever has broken, I feel hungry, and I actually have energy. I tell you what, there is nothing like being sick to make you appreciate good health. 


Oh! And one good thing did come from this...I lost 3 pounds! Haha. 


Anyway, it's back to the old grind and time to play catch up. Convention starts exactly a week from today and I have lot left to do to get prepared for teaching the little ones. 


As you go about your day Blog Land, keep this song in mind...it's been in my head...I love it and is a perfect expression of my own testimony of God's faithfulness in my life.