Only 2 Me

I See the Light ~ Tangled

2012-01-22T17:56:00.000-06:00

I love this song from "Tangled". Savannah and I were able to watch this movie together, and we were both captivated.

It's good (every once in a while) to take a break from being an adult. ;)

Princess Jewel Protection

2012-01-16T22:31:00.001-06:00

While home over Christmas I stayed at my sister's home w/her family. Every morning I noticed something that always made me chuckle. I'd come back to my niece's room after getting ready in the morning and the three rings I almost always wear would be neatly aligned on her bookcase or dresser, whever I happened to take them off the night prior.

When I packed up to return home I could not find my rings anywhere. I figured I left them at my mom's because I had checked everywhere else. Since the time I was younger, I would always put my rings on a certain cabinet handle by the sink when I would wash the dishes. But when I checked at my mom's house they were not there either.

Desperate to figure out where I left these rings, I thought maybe my sister-in-law had moved them b/c she had been at my parents' and helping where she could while visiting. I called her but my brother said she hadn't seen them.

For 2 weeks now I have been wracking my brain trying to figure out what I did with them. A few nights ago I was talking to my niece on the phone and I mentioned the rings. I was just going to ask her to keep her eye out for them, but before I could get anything out she interupted me. "Um, do you mean the three rings that are in my Princess Jewelry Box? There's a gold one w/a little shiny center, and one with a square shiny thing, and then another one w/lots of little ones. Is that it Aunt Jessica? Is that what you are missing. Because I will keep them for you. I mean, I will keep them from getting lost. I will not even take them out of my Princess Jewelry Box. They will be safe in there. I won't even take them out to touch them or anything."

Oh my. I was crackin' up. While on the phone I was thinking - Hmmm - I don't recall putting them In the Princess Jewelry Box! ;) hehehe I'm sure she'll do a great job protecting them until my next visit. I might have to take her to a jewelry store so she can pick out a ring of her own now. Then her Princess Jewelry Box won't seem quite so empty.

Student Helps with Reality Check

2012-01-11T17:55:00.002-06:00

Monday the Lower Academy went ice-skating. The kids were all very excited.

This is my class.

All geared up and ready to go!

There was a lot of fun, had by all!

These were our two EMT-Ice Unit Volunteers

(as they were deemed)

They kept their boots on, so (w/out being asked) they shuffled over to help out any of the younger children who fell. These are two of the most thoughtful, caring boys I have ever met. :)

My class after a very exciting time on the ice.

(For a couple it was their first time w/skates on!)

A couple bruises to prove they had been out on the ice! ;)

Skating was the highlight of our week, so today I had the kids draw pictures and write a couple of sentences about their experience. All my grading was complete, so I decided to join them. I wrote the story below. Of course, I know the girl in the picture is not how I Really looked, but I didn't think it was too far fetched. Then, one of my students came up to my desk and handed me their paper, and boy did I have a Reality-Check!

This is how I see myself:

This is how my Students see me!!!!

I had to laugh .... Quietly, in my head of course! ;)

Slightly Ahead - for Once

2011-11-18T22:40:00.000-06:00

For the past few weeks I have been going through my 'stuff' and weeding out what I don't use, or what I don't like to use. I've had piles and bags lined up waiting for Thanksgiving break to come so I can take them down by my folks' and donate them to a 2nd hand store. (If it's far away from me the chances of me buying my things 'back' are greatly decreased!)

This weekend is going to be quite busy, and the beginning of next week is much the same. My plan is to leave for home Tuesday evening, but I wanted to be all packed and ready to go. Then after my last meeting I can hit the road.

Today I was able to take everything I've set aside and load it up so all that's left now is to pack and then load my luggage in the car. I'm so excited b/c usually I have great plans to go through my belongings and take a car load to Goodwill, but it always turns out to be one bag, or only a few choice items b/c I haven't had time to really dive in and purge. I know I still have more, but I'm pleased with the progress made this time.

Now I'm that much 'less' stressed with what I need to do before I leave. This is a weird feeling - being on top of things ..... I LIKE IT!!! :D :D

A Nail or Two

2011-11-18T22:18:00.000-06:00

My Grandpa has been painting as a hobby since his retirement a few years ago. I was able to visit him this summer and he let me view his collection. There were a couple originals that caught my eye and he let me take them home. They've been sitting in my office waiting for their moment to shine.

The painting below is one my mom chose for me and I absolutely fell in love with it. For weeks it's been sitting 'on' the back of my piano. I thought it would look lovely 'above' the piano, so I set it there as a reminder. Today my roommie offered to help me hang it. Pretty much I supervised - but regardless I'm extactic it is actually Up on the wall!!! :D

Thank you Grandpa

I love this painting, and I think of you each time it greets me.

Love ~ Jessica

Fall Fun 2011

2011-11-11T00:22:00.000-06:00

A few pictures from our fall celebration at school today. It's hard to think of leaves, turkeys, and pilgrims when the trees are bare, snow greets you in the morning, and Christmas is popping up EVERYWHERE .... (*even in my own house!*)

K4 - K5 "How to Cook a Turkey"

I did not give them Any cooking tips - just so you know! ;)

Casual Day!! YEAH We L♥ve these days!

~ Not 'Just' Classmates - Friends ~

Our Yummy turkies! Everyone did a fab-tacular job! :D

These are Miss Orr's!!

(*I didn't mean for them to turn out looking like angry birds - But hey! If you were being hunted down for dinner you probably wouldn't be all smiles either! hahahaha*)

Obviously, I Need to Run More

2011-11-09T21:54:00.000-06:00

Once upon a time, in a rural, country community there lived two sweet teachers. These teachers loved their classes very much and always tried to find fun activities for them to do. One beautiful fall day they took their classes on a short nature walk to a park nearby. The adventure started out with a great deal of excitement.

Paired with a buddy, each student walked two-by-two with an afternoon of fun awaiting them just down the road. Upon arriving at the park each child ran with excitement to the activity of their choice: swings, slides, merry-go-rounds, etc.. The teachers rested on a bench and watched with happy hearts as their students' eyes lit up with happiness.

The youngest students were collecting little acorns to count in class later. A lot of laughter and shouts were to be heard from all.

After a few minutes one boy came up to the teachers and said, "I think I'm bleeding." The one teacher (yours truly) did not hear him. She glanced up from her paperwork to see a shirt full of 'berry juice' with 'berry juice' also smeared on the palms of his hands he held out in front of her. While trying to process where in the world he got into berries (B/c she had Just seen him at the merry-go-round), the other teacher was poking her arm and pointing upward. As her eyes lifted she saw blood literally dropping from this child's head. By the time her eyes reached his face she thought she was looking at something from a horror film. His head was caked with blood - a clump of hair was matted with it, while a river was running down the side of his face.

This child was quite brave. He had enough composer to come to his teacher and calmly say, "I think I'm bleeding." Since they had taken a 'nature hike' to the park they did not have a vehicle. The one teacher (yours truly) turned to the other and said, "I'm going to run and get my car." After taking 3 steps she realized she would need her keys which were on the park bench. Starting out again she started to give herself a little pep-talk. She had been working out for quite a few weeks and knew she could run (even though it wasn't something she enjoyed). About 1/3 of the way there she was ridden w/guilt b/c her legs would not allow her to run. The sun was incredibly hot, and she had just eaten a heavy lunch, and she felt terrible that in the midst of an extreme emergency she couldn't even run to save the life of her student.

Catching her breath she started at it again. Almost to the school three cars passed this frantic teacher, yet none stopped. Upon entering the school she started calling for help while gathering supplies. Soon w/first aid kit and towels in hand, she and the boy's mom (who happened to teach at the school) climbed into the chariot and raced to land of accidents where her son was waiting.

Almost arriving at their destination the teacher could not believe her eyes. All the students were lined up two-by-two, except for one brave leader, guiding the followers back to school. The lone teacher was in the back of the line holding our brave student's head close to her side w/some form of clothing/material pressed to his head to contain the bleeding.

Come to find out those three cars had also passed them - all three drivers looked at the crew with inquisitive stares - yet none stopped!!!

The injury was caused from nothing more than a caring heart. Our 'broken knight' had been pushing the peasants on the merry-go-round. He saw one peasant beginning to fall and when he leaned in to help him the bar from the merry-go-round made direct impact with his head. After cleaning him up there was no major wound to report. As these teachers learned firsthand - head wounds bleed excessively!!!

The broken knight's teacher (yours truly) commended the other teacher on how organized she was in gathering all the children to line up and begin walking back to school. She laughed and told the other teacher it was insane. The young students went to collect their acorns quickly, but then they all fell, not wanting to leave them behind they started picking them up, but then they were rolling around and the kids ended up having to leave them behind anyways. Then another student thought it would be a great time to tell a story, so he started talking about round-abouts in a far away land - which that story ended abruptly when the teacher cut him off so he would start walking.

The most humorous part of this tale is, the teacher who stayed behind had her cell phone with her the entire time. She did not even think about it until after the broken knight was back at the Castle of Learning being bandaged.

*As an update: The teacher who stopped running and felt guilty just recently ran 2 miles without stopping. Running past the park was part of the route she took. She knew she could do it ... it must have just been the conditions (extremem heat, and just eating a heavy lunch) that caused her to stop afterall.*

Shortly after the whole ordeal and already back to work.

(*At one point he said, 'Miss Orr, it only hurts when I do this.' And he totally thumped his bandage incredibly hard. Sheesh! I said, 'Don't do that!! It's trying to heal!' (oy) *)

Harvest Party 2011

2011-11-09T20:41:00.000-06:00

This year for our Harvest Party we decided to go simple in our decorations. I was happy b/c we were able to get everything up well before the festivities began, and everything was cleaned an hour after everything was done! Woo-Hooo!! :D

Musical chairs,

Candy Guessing Game,

Doughnut on a string races,

Find the Scarecrows,

and the best part

THE CANDY SCRAMBLE!!!!

Even some Moms participated! :)

This really isn't as easy as it may look.

It doesn't look like much candy - - but that's b/c they had already 'cleaned up!'

Those bags were LOADED!

The Office

2011-10-29T17:47:00.001-05:00

I just sat in front of my paper shredder for a Very long time! Who knew I had so much to destroy! ha. I strategically placed my 'liquid-energy' in these shots. ;) Half-way through I thought maybe I should have just started a little bonfire outside. It's very hard for me to get rid of stuff - as the pictures somewhat portray. Now I'm just sitting back and praying noone calls and says they need verification of anything I just shredded!! If I do receive that phone call, I'll be more than happy to send them my three bags of 'documents', and they can put together their very own puzzle.

Ahhh - finally finished! Now on to my next task!

Fall Family 'Frame" Fun

2011-10-07T20:27:00.000-05:00

When I visited home last week I went to a 2nd hand store and picked up a photo frame. On pinterest, I've seen people hold up a frame and have their picture taken, and I really liked how it looked. Here's what we came up with. (Please note: Just for fun.)

West Virginia 2011

2011-09-24T20:33:00.002-05:00

This summer Jimmy Dean and I set out on a road trip! :O Goldie, although a little dented from her roll in the ditch this summer, seemed to be up for the challenge. Thankfully, Ryan and JD's Mom were able to watch the kiddos so she didn't have to worry too much while she was away.

Day One: Soooooooooooooooo excited!!!!!

Saturday we drove to my parents, then spent the night and left from there for the long trek to WV. We went to church in the morning, and jokingly I said, "Don't be mad if we can't leave 'til 2." Maybe I should watch how I joke around .... we left at 2.

Day 2: Traveling to WV

We got to Chicago and hit traffic. Not overly excited, but just 'went w/the flow'. We were listening to a book on cd, and finally I said I needed music to change things up a bit. After 2 hours I was thinking, we really could have finished that book on cd.

Then we see a sign: "Accident Ahead - Use alternative route" ?!?!?! Whuuuuuut!!!!! We don't Have an Alternate route .... This Is our route! Oh man! I literally was only releasing my brake to move 2 inches for hours and hours and hours.

After the sun began to set we cranked out the dvd player, brought up the pillows from the back, and got comfy for 'movie night' - in the car - in bumpber to bumper traffic - with no end in sight - trying Not to think about how hungry we were, and how much we really needed a bathroom!!! The movie barely started and traffic picked up. Go figure.

For the first time in my life I did the, "Put on you blinker and just start scooting over" move. I Never do that, but I think 3 lanes were closed due to clean up. Oy! Never want to relive that.

Day 3 (Monday the wee hours of the AM)

I drove through the night. And around 2 in the morning JD took over. Finally got to PA and we stopped for gas around 6. Not only was Goldie the only car at the gas station, JD and I were the only females outside of the attendants! Quite awkward. Needing a bathroom we went inside only to discover it was only there they gave you a key for the facilities Outside!! :( Single room. Meaning One of us had to stand outside. *scared face* I took guard first but there were so many trucks and guys comin' 'n goin' I could barely take the fear anymore. I finally knocked and said HURRY UP!! Looking back, (Duh!) we're girls; we should've just shared the room and did the polite 'turn your back' while you wait. We made it out alive. *whew*

When we got back on the road we went to pass a white truck. I said that truck was at the gas station - the passenger is really good lookin'! JD suggested we drive ahead and then pull over, like the car broke down. I said, yeah, my luck they'd drive past, and we'd get the weirdo. Then we were being funny, saying, yeah - the ol' weird guy would get out and ask if we were ok, and we'd be like, "YEP! We're fine" Vrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr and speed off! hahahhaa

Ryan packed a little surprise. It was this cute lil' pink flamingo. JD's m.i.l. knitted it for her. JD can't stand yarn, and JD's mil highly dislikes flamingos. So anytime we see flamingos when we're out we pick them up for "Mil" and "Mil" knits for JD and her kids quite often! haha It's great fun.

I thought it would be fun if we took pics of all the places "Pinky" went on our trip. I held the flamingo while JD snapped the pics - due to her dislike for yarn.

We "Thought" Ryan also packed this mitten (as an inside joke), but come to find out - nope .... it was just in there from some other trip! hahahaha

After being w/Nina for a few .... minutes, she was clued in to how JD and I "cackle". She came into the bedroom one morning w/a basket to 'collect the eggs' from all our cackling! hahahhaha That "Cracked" me up!

Nina loves to feed people. I love to talk. Here we're both doing what we love .. w/each other!! :) ♥

On day 4 of our trip (Tuesday) There was a little excitement in the U.S. An earthquake hit near D.C. and tremors were felt states and states and states away. That day JD was sitting in living room and I was getting ready for the day. As I walked past to go put my make up on she asked if they got earthquakes in WV. I gave her a very puzzled look, like: "Where did That question come from". She said she was being serious, her chair was shaking. I walked over and put my hand on her chair. I felt Nothing, so I patted her on her head and told her she would be fine. I heard the window shaking up a storm, but honestly I just thought it was b/c the AC kicked in or something.

While getting ready I had a funny thought which I had to share w/JD. I walked back out to the living room and asked if she farted. hahahha She did not find that very amusing. (I laughed!)

A couple of hours later the house phone and cell phone were ringing, and things got a little crazy. Come to find out there Had been an earthquake. Yeah - JD did Not let me off easy. I got "The Look". I admitted my error, but I did state, that in my defense I did Not say WV doesn't get earthquakes! When JD called her mom to tell her, I shouted, "Gerilynn farted so bad it registerd a 9.5 on the rictor scale!!!" bwhahaha That's our little inside joke - which now all my blogging friends know. ;) hehe

This is an outfit Nina wore when she was in her 20's.

Her mother actually had to "Take-it-in", which is the size you see now.

I don't even think my clothes from my teen years are this tiny!

~ Friends ~
Nina, Me, Zelma (Pastor Tallman's Mom) • JD, Me, Joe (Terry's husband) • Nina, Woo-Woo, Me

Joe and me • Me, Darlene, Terri • Me 'n Zelma

When I lived in WV I would crash Zelma, Dorothy, and Marilyn's quilting get togethers. I would try to sew and learn how they quilted. Those ladies have the patience of saints!!! :) ♥

Pinky's Trip!!

Milwaukee, West Virginia, Tennessee

Lounged around, hung over look out points, climbed trees, visited the Corvette Museum

got in trouble, tried to be a back seat driver, went fishing ...

- it was very hard to keep track of him! ha.

Random trip shots.

Yeah! Goldie's 100,100 mi b-day! ;)

I asked her if she wanted "Premium" fuel for 100,000 b-day

.... she didn't respond.

Of course, at about 98,000 miles I tried putting diesel in her b/c I was 1/2 asleep. ;(

This picture cracks me up every time I see it.

JD was taking a picture of the view. When the shutter opened, this is what she captured.

It looks like she was purposefully trying to get a shot of this equiptment though.

hahahaha

Wow! What a Day

2011-09-13T20:12:00.000-05:00

I have had a cough for over 2 weeks. In the past few days it has turned violently rough and gaggy. Quite painful and uncomfortable.

Last night, I coughed until the wee hours of the morning. As soon as I would get comfy and Almost fall asleep, I'd jolt up into a huge coughing fit. At 12:30 am I went on my porch hoping fresh, cool air would help. There was a horrible smell in the air. I couldn't figure out why someone would be burning their trash at that hour. Groggy and cranky I climbed the stairs back up to my bedroom, opened my window, and tried to get some sleep. After a few more rounds of fighting my body, I finally gave in. Took my old cell phone (which I use for an alarm clock) downstairs and slept in the recliner. My body was relentless in letting me rest. I couldn't even lean the chair back a little bit or I'd start hackin' away.

After I slept for what felt like an hour or so, my phone rang. It was my friend Jimmy Dean. She asked if I was ok. I said I was, and asked what time it was. Her response: 8:30!! She was at school wondering where I was b/c that's when class starts. My alarm / 'phone' had D.I.E.D! Oy! Took a .2 second shower, ran over to school, and couldn't help but wonder why so many people were burning their trash in the morning?!?!

Made an appointment to see the dr. b/c so many people have been effected by coughs that have turned out to be bronchitis or walking pneumonia, so I didn't want to take a chance. Went to my appointment this afternoon and I'm told my lungs are clear, and it's sinus related to allergies??! But I have NO drainage. Crazy, crazy, crazy. The dr. said that's why I'm coughing b/c there's no drainage. So now I'm on 2 different meds and I need to sinus cleanse my nose. Yeah, that's gonna be interesting. Can't wait to write a post on that event. haha (Just kidding. I'll spare Those details!)

As I was heading to the pharmacy for my prescription I was rearended at a stop sign. Holy Cow! (Goldy and I are fine - the older man had just 'looked away for a second' ... I guess that causes people to hit their accelerator.)

Then, come to find out, what I was breathing in last night was all the smoke from the Boundary Waters burning in Minnesota.

And on top of everything else, while working out this evening, Jana (fellow workout buddy and my postal carrier) tells me my mailbox was on the ground this morning.

I think I should just go to bed early, and stay under my covers 'til Friday. I'm exhausted just thinking about my very cooky day!

Another School Year

2011-09-05T23:04:00.000-05:00

For the school year 2011-12 I'm doing a western theme in my room. Getting everything ready has been exciting. "Keep it Simple" seems to be what I say to myself over and over again. Otherwise I go overboard and before you know it you walk into a life-size version of a scrapbook!! I love 3-d, different textures, and for things to "pop" and sparkle! If I have at least 'some' of those elements, I'm happy!

My new tables didn't arrive yet, but I have make-shift ones until they do.

Can't wait to see what the year holds. Giddyap!

And the Winner Is ...

2011-07-06T01:15:00.000-05:00

Our older students went to ACE's Regional Competition this year and they caught the bug! The "I want to do this again b/c it was Great" bug! Maybe you haven't heard of it before - but it's a very contagious little booger! ;) There is another competition after you compete 'locally' but that is the International competition, with students enrolled in the ACE program from around the world!! :O It's quite costly also. The kids were determined though. They worked hard and raised money numerous ways, and in the end they exceeded their financial goal and were given the green light to travel down to Virginia for the competition.

~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so I will keep this brief. Each of our students came home with a medal, which we were ecstatic about; but there is one in particular I would like to share with you. Personally, I love photography. People have different styles, but when I am drawn into a picture you cannot talk me out of liking it! ;)

This is our student (Barak) who entered a photo at the international competition. Obviously it was a good thing "I" was not part of the event b/c I was not even successful in making This picture clear! ;)

The first time I saw this photo I got lost in its beauty.

So there it is. The thousand words I cannot express. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did (and still do!). Barak won First Place and it was well deserved! :)

Bookmark Craft - Christmas 2010

2011-05-29T00:16:00.000-05:00

This is one of the little crafts I worked on before Christmas for my mom and sister(s)! ;) It's a non-traditional bookmark. All the girls in my family are readers ... for some reason I missed that train. Savannah was very sad I didn't make her any bookmarks, so I have to remember to get some to her. She has quite a library already at the age of seven, I hope she's not expecting a bookmark for each book! *yikes!*

My supplies

I used the Cricut to make my shapes and monograms

and I used the CuddleBug for the embossing

My Mom's

(Virginia Grace)

My Sister's

(Rebecca)

My Sister-in-Law's

(Arlene)

My Kind of Camping

2011-05-28T23:42:00.002-05:00

Summer 2010 some close friends of mine talked me into going camping with their family. I am Not a camper! I enjoy getting away .... but a hotel with a pool is fine by me. I ended up enjoying the time we spent out in the woods. It was not what I had pictured. We went to a camp site where you rent a lot. Some of the lots had the option of hooking up to electricity. There were also facilities with plumbing! :) (Big plus) The showers you had to pay $.25 for 1-3 minutes (or something like that, I forget now). I tried using only one quarter .... but I ended up using 2 or 3 quarters! ;) If my dad would have installed that system while I still lived at home he would have saved money, and I would have saved time listening to lectures on conserving hot water!!!

Peaceful - Serene - Calming

Made my own dinner over an open fire!

It was delicious!!

My friends definitely gave me a hard time about this!

In my defense - I was helping one of them out here.

The poor neighbors - listening to the crickets chirp and then all of a sudden the whhhhrrrrrr of a sewing maching breaking into their evening relaxation!

*Oh well! I did finish the project.*

A Memory Restored

2011-05-28T23:17:00.000-05:00

My sister was working on a picture dvd for our Grandma, but some of the photos she was given were worn. She scanned a couple to me and asked if I could fix them w/my Creative Memories software. The picture below is the one I was able to work on and finish for her. The little girl is my dad's mom, and the couple is her parents. I was very pleased with how the final product turned out, and am thankful my sister was able to use it in her collection.

Double Take

2011-05-28T22:58:00.000-05:00

At two different stores a while ago, I had to do a double-take. Glad I had my camera!

Personally, I don't see how this will help me .. ??

With price changes like these, I'll need to take out a loan for school supplies!

Breezy stroll

2011-05-21T18:20:00.000-05:00

Rebecca, Savannah, Josiah, and I went for a 'windy-walk' while I was home.

Auntie Jessica and Savannah

Josiah and Auntie Jessica

~ ♥ ~ Sisters ~ ♥ ~

Rebecca 'n Jessica spring 2011

Moments of - "Hmm"

2011-05-21T17:21:00.000-05:00

The things I notice:

Hmmmm - how am I suppose to use this?

Made in the USA - yet written in kongi ..... ??

If you've seen "Ramona and Beezus" this definitely reminded me of Hobart's truck

Are you suppose to take a bite and put it back on the shelf? Is the "living it up" part purchasing something that someone else has taken a nibble out of??

Look at this photo and the one below very carefully - can you see what my friend and I noticed?

Syrup by the same company, each 24 fl. oz.

The only difference is the type of bottle, yet the tall bottle is $.90 more! ?????

ps - My friend doesn't like when I pull out my camera when we're grocery shopping! hahaha

iPad meets Grandpa

2010-09-14T22:35:00.007-05:00

This summer I received an e-mail from my grandpa. That was a surprise b/c I didn't think my grandpa ever went online, or a computer for that matter. Not only was it an electronic note - he sent it from his new iPad. Yep folks ... my grandfather is officially more hip than me!! I don't care though. I love my grandpa and welcome any notes from him ... old fashioned or new fangled!

Frank Shelton Jones

Frank and Bobbie Jones

(Grandpa & Grandma to me!)

Rebecca, Reuben, and I w/Grandpa

Playtime

From flying me in the air to iPad messages!

Feelin' Thrifty

2010-09-11T16:04:00.002-05:00

I've never viewed myself as suffering from "stuffitis" (as Dave Ramsey would put it). It would be a lie if I said, "I never say, 'Ohhh I want that'"; but wanting something and purchasing it are two different things. The BIG things are easy for me to walk away from - it's the little things that get me every time. "It's only $1", or "I haven't gotten anything in a long time, this will be a treat for me" are my biggest enemies! Those are the thoughts I have a hard time battling against and seeing victory!

Stories about how people cut out their fraps. and caps. and save hundreds have always fascinated me. I always wonder what I can cut out, but usually end up empty.

This summer I've been carefully going over my finances - j * o * y (if you can't sense it, let me spell it out: Sarcasm)! I'm reading the Financial Peace book by Dave Ramsey and trying to come up with a plan. I have learned, I am not as wise as I think I am!

After doing some research yesterday I wanted to listen to Dave on the radio. I knew I wouldn't be able to get reception on my literal radio, so I decided to go to his website and download a show or two. On his website he wanted you to purchase a subscription. I didn't even click to see how much it was. Automatically that was out for me b/c that is definitely an 'extra'! Instead, I got 'creative'! I googled radio stations that carry his broadcast, looked for one that had his show on live, and then just double-clicked and enjoyed a free show, just as if I had a radio that would pick it up. ;)

It's funny the little things in life that make me feel like I made an effort to improve my station. Hopefully, all these 'little things' will add up and I can enjoy some breathing room!

creature of habit = recipe for blonde moment

2010-09-08T22:24:00.002-05:00

Leaving church tonight I walked across the parking lot to where I ALWAYS park. Being pitch black outside, I hit my 'unlock' on my keyless entry so my headlights will turn on and shed some light on my search. No lights ... I keep pressing 'unlock' and still nothing. I finally turn around and there my car is lighting up the entire field in front of the church .... flashing actually as I continually hit the button.

Guess I forgot I didn't park in my 'usual' spot. Wonder what'll happen if I ever switch pews! Oh brother - I'll either end up on the platform or in someone's lap! Obviously I've learned I can never own a car w/out keyless entry or I will at some point be stranded in a parking lot searching for my ride!!

facebook is stealing my time

2010-09-08T22:12:00.002-05:00

Who would have thought a site meant for "quick" quotes and what not would actually take me away from my blog I love. Sooooo much has happened that I have not recorded, and now *poof* all the thoughts are gone.

Driving home tonight I was thinking about how I'm sooooo busy, I don't even stop to think about what happened in a day ... let alone what took place last week. This is crazy! I want to enjoy life - not try to remember it once I'm in a nursing home! S * L * O * W * * * D * O * W * N

My family visited me the week before school started. Wooo-Hooo! Had soooo much fun. Have to write down some funny things the kids said/did while they were here.

First night - eating out at Grandpa's Pizza, Savannah says,

"Are you older than my Mom?"
me: No (*Feeling a little insulted b/c there's almost 3 years difference - which is HUGE once you're near 30!)
Savannah: If you're not older than her than why are you taller?

ha ha ha ha - had to laugh. Being only a little over 5' tall, I don't usually hear that I'm taller than someone!

While still at the restaurant Savannah asks:

"Why is your house so long and skinny"
me: Because it's a trailer, and trailers are made to be moved easily - sort of like taking your house with you instead of moving to a new house. They make it skinny so it can go down the road.
Savannah: Well .... where is the driver's seat?

HA H AH AH HA HHAH HA HA Me: "It's not THAT mobile!!!"

*last one I can remember*

Savannah: "Jessica, do I have a cut on my lip"
me: "Let me see ... ... *Pooches out lip* ... ... nope! You're fine!"
Josiah: "Jessica? Do I have a cut on my lip? *pause* ahhhhhhhh *Sticks out tongue super far* hehehhehe
me: "hah aha ha - Nope! You're fine!"

Not My Brightest Moment

2009-12-12T14:24:00.002-06:00

Decorating for the Christmas season - this is nothing unusual. Me having a "dahhhh" moment, also not unusual. This moment happened yesterday morning. I was helping my friend "Jd" put up a bulletin board. My stapler quit. I thought ... Oh man! Must be out of staples. I tried opening the top but it was stuck. So what did I do ? .... Look at the "posed" pictures below. They duplicate what I really did! (ey-yi-yi)

I faced the stapler at me (why .. I still don't know) and "pulled-the-trigger"!

Seriously, a staple shot out and landed right here on my sweater!

I was too scared to open my eyes - I thought for sure, even though I didn't feel any pain, the staple was in my eye!!

Only-2-Me

(ps - Please don't laugh at my dorky sweater ... it is SUPER warm and I keep it at church/school for when it get SUPER cold! I don't mind if you laugh at my blonde moment but no wise cracks like: Mr. Rogers called and he's lookin' for his sweater!) ;P

That Wasn't A Hint!!

2009-12-10T01:19:00.003-06:00

When my sister and I were much younger we would take naps in the afternoon. One particular afternoon - right before her birthday - Rebecca asked me to give her a hint of what one of her presents was. I didn't want to do it because Mom had told me not to tell and I didn't want to spoil the surprise.

After asking me several times and convincing me to give in I said, "Vanna White." (or something very obvious like that) Oh did she ever get upset. Jessica - you totally ruined it! Now I know I'm getting the Wheel of Fortune game for my birthday! Good going! I'll have to act surprised when I open it up - thanks a lot! That wasn't a hint - that was practically telling me!

I got so upset - that's the whole reason I didn't want to give her a "clue" - I'm not a very "discreet" person. You either get all or none w/me! She rolled over in a huff and I felt soooooo bad. In my defense I'm almost 3 years younger, I didn't know any better.

Since that day I try my very best not to give hints or clues when things are up. It's not easy - but I always bring this story up if she starts asking questions and usually she'll say --- alright, alright already. I'm sorry I ever asked! I don't even remember that happening!! Never mind! :) Glad my memory supplied one moment in time that I can put to good use!

Kiddos

2009-12-08T00:35:00.003-06:00

Glad he didn't use this "smile" at the photographers!! ;)

They're family - I gotta love 'em! ha ha ha ha I love .... "the eyeball!"

Such a cutie! Notice .... the Mitten and the Garden Glove ????? Hmmmm - who knows! He didn't seem quite this big to me when I was home, but now that I see this picture *sniff* it looks like he'll be out of that car seat in no time.

This is my bud. He was the only family member that offered to help bring in my luggage when I was home. He marched right out to my car with me, and after I gave him a little container of chocolate candies, and I think a soda to carry he says to me, "you have to hurry up - this is gettin' heavy." He also told me I had to shut the door b/c his hands were full. I had to laugh. I had my backpack on my back, a duffel bag strapped around my shoulder, my bathroom caddy, purse, and suitcase (on wheels) - but I had to get the door b/c his hands were full. I even made sure and repeated it just to see if he'd catch what he was saying in light of my predicament - he repeated it just the same. I chuckled in my head. Good help is hard to come by these days. ha ha (jk)

I went in and without putting down what I was carrying I repeated to my mom what had transpired outside. She laughed b/c Josiah was standing right beside me the whole time agreeing that I had to get the door b/c he was helping me and his hands were full and everything was getting heavy!!! :) Too cute!

Thrifty

2009-11-13T08:25:00.004-06:00

I have piles and piles of material. I also have quilters blocks (but they're really rectangles), not many, but I've never used them. Well --- now I can say I've officially used them:

Fall Good Work Board

2009-11-13T08:05:00.003-06:00

I can't take all the credit for this board. I am responsible for the wording going down a little bit - but the words are "falling"!!! ;) I had the general idea, but then the K-4 teacher said do you have this, this, or this? Most of the answers were no - so she came over and put up everything .... except the falling words! ;P

I think I got the tree leaves on sale one year. All we did was take one bunch and spread it open and then staple it. I love the 3-D effect! :) The thing w/falling leaves - there is no rhyme or reason. They can be strategically placed to cover up flaws -- like the flaws you don't see b/c we placed leaves over them.....ha ha ha ha The squirrel really isn't just hanging out in mid-air. He's in his hole in the tree w/all his acorns.

Thanksgiving Bulletin Board

2009-11-12T22:12:00.004-06:00

Gerilynn made this board at church. I loved the "curtain" idea. She bought a lacy-looking table cloth and cut 4 rectangles. Then she stapled it behind the top of the window frame and I tied them back with cute little bows - so little in fact, you can't see them in this photo.

I also love the tablecloth, candlesticks, and table. (The fruitbowl is really neat up close too - it looks like a golden fruitdish from Bible times or something!) Gerilynn did the table freehand! :O The candlesticks are from the cricut and are super cute. The red tablecloth was for a round table, so she just cut a straight strip on the edge to get this effect.

If there were a chocolate cake on this table - I might just pull up a chair! ha ha

Fun Night

2009-11-12T19:41:00.004-06:00

Do you remember having a sleepover with your friends? It's a great childhood memory. Of course as the kid it's great b/c there's no responsibility - as the adult it's entirely different. You have to look out for their well-being, and make sure they're enjoying themselves.

Tonight some of the kids from church/school had a sleepover.

They:

1.) Played with their friends

2.) Ate dinner sitting beside their friends

3.) Played "Duck-Duck-Goose" until their legs fell off and then started a beanbag relay

4.) Made a version of s'mores with WAY more marshmallows than I've ever seen before and added Reeses PB cups instead of "just" a chunk of Hershey bar.

5.) Created a campout on the living room floor with TONS of blankets and pillows and then settled in for the night.

I don't know about all the little campers -- but I'm exhausted!! I did NOT come up with this plan - I was just the helper, the extra pair of hands. At times like this though, I wonder - how do the Duggars survive?? I think it's probably b/c I'm use to "singular" and they've been wrapped up in "economy-size" for so long it's just a whole different mind set.

This picture is wayyyyyy brighter than it should be. Wouldn't you just love to be a kid again!! :)

A Slimy Situation

2009-11-12T19:35:00.003-06:00

The other day in reading circle one of my students was putting their hand behind their back. I thought I saw a small dark colored object and wondered what "toy" they had.

Me: Student, what's behind your back?

Student: Teacher, my hand.

Me: What's in your hand?

Student: *pulls out hand from behind back and sheepishly says* A booger

Me: *gag, gag, gag, gag*

It was the most disgusting booger I think I've ever seen in my entire life -- and I've seen a lot of 'em! In fact, the Pre-K teacher chased me down the hall with a real slimy one, on a tissue from one of her kids, last year!!! I won't even tell you the end of that story - but it was pretty gross!!

Thank you Lord that I caught a glimpse out of the corner of my eye - otherwise I probably would have found it with my hand when I went to stack the chairs later!

A Small Miracle

2009-11-07T14:03:00.003-06:00

I want to share a small miracle I experienced yesterday. Ten years ago when I was in college (*sniff* - now that's sad and depressing to admit -- not that I went to college, but that it's been a decade ago!!), I signed up for a store discount card at a store I patronized while in school. I never went to this store at home, but I kept the card for each year I went back to school.

Being the "ahem" pack-rat that I am, I never got rid of this card, even though I never used it anymore. I have been trying very, very, very hard to overcome my "hording" issues, and I have been going through boxes and piles and yadda yadda yadda.

This particular store has since become very popular among the people where I went to school b/c they run really good sales where if you play your cards right (sort to speak) you get a lot for a little. For example about $230 worth of groceries for $23!!! :O

Some folks I know will be in the area and coming back here and they are going to do some major shopping. They weren't sure if the "rules" had changed about only being able to swipe your card twice a day or what, so they were trying to see if anyone else has this particular card. Well, around here we don't even have this store.

I told them I "HAD" one in college, but I was pretty sure in all my purging I threw it out.

Man oh man did I give myself a lecture. Sure, the one time you finally throw something out it could actually work in your favor. Where's the line?? When do I throw things out and what do I throw out!! Oh, I was going on and on and on. Glad I live by myself - if anyone would have been there with me they probably would have hit me!

I knew I had put business cards and things that size in one particular spot. I thought that would be the best place to look first. Before I did I prayed. I said, Lord, I am almost 100% positive I got rid of that card, but if I didn't could You please let it be where I'm going to look so I don't rip my house inside out. I really have a lot of things I have to get done, and I won't stop looking for this card until I've exhausted every nook and cranny of my house.

Wouldn't you know it, I started looking through that stack of "business cards" and there it was. I couldn't believe it. I had just experienced and answer to prayer and I just stood there in "disbelief" even though I was holding the card in my hand!! I still shake my head b/c if you know me at all you know I can never find anything I'm looking for!! I have to "find it" when I'm "not" looking for it otherwise it just won't happen.

So now I'm able to help out in a small way, the cause of discount shopping for the financially challanged and I'm siked b/c I'm one of the financially challenged!! ;) ha ha (I tried to give it a more colorful name!)

Thank you Lord for your many blessings and for helping me with even the "little things." :)

Chocolate Pie

2009-11-07T13:51:00.002-06:00

Thanks to my sister introducing me to recipes online I was able to make a chocolate pie for our bake sale at church.

A few ingredients

Three different things to make: Crust, Filling, Chocolate Curls

Most important supply -- Caffine!!!

Finished pie crust

Tadda!!! Finished pie!

dots, stripes, and anything else

2009-11-07T13:46:00.003-06:00

I promise I did not help her pick out this outfit. I laughed so hard when I saw it though b/c I promise this is what I'd do when I was a kid -- an even now sometimes....on laundry day!

I don't think she wanted me to take this picture -- thankfully she doesn't know the whole world can see it now. Guess I should find an adorable picture of her too --- this one was a fluke, but I think that's what made it stand out even more.

This Little Piggy

2009-11-07T13:44:00.002-06:00

My class hard at work finishing up their little piggies.

Late July 4th Humor

2009-11-07T11:40:00.003-06:00

I just realized I forgot to tell you my July 4th story.

I went with some friends to someone's house and while there we were going to light off some smaller - sold by roadside - fireworks. All was going fine until......

One wasn't packaged right and when the fuze was lit it tipped over and fireworks were exploding everwhere!! I'm not exaggerating that part. They were shooting in front of the house, to the side, over the top, across the street into a field .... just EVERY which way.

I flipped out --- go figure. Started screaming and running, I didn't know where to b/c that's the closest I've ever been to a war zone! I was going to dive under a car but then thought, things are exploding at ground level and what if the gas tank is hit and the car explodes!!

I'm pretting much runnin and screaming like a chicken with its head cut off and one flew RIGHT BY MY HEAD!!! I'm not exaggerating that point!! That's when I really flipped out. Thankfully the Lord watched over me, but that was quite an experience.

My one friend says, after it's all done, "I told you not to move." HELLO!!! Do you know me at all!?!??!?!? I said, NEXT TIME GRAB ME AND PIN ME DOWN!!! I'm not rational in stressful situations .... I'm not even rational in non-stressful situations!! Too funny. Only-2-me ....thought I'd share.

Mental note: Next time .... watching "home" fireworks from INSIDE!!

PS - That particular lemon of an explosive was given free b/c "x" amount of dollars were spent.....They failed to say it was b/c the little child packaging it didn't do it right!! Maybe roadside explosives aren't the best! ha ha

9 years old again

2009-11-07T11:30:00.002-06:00

In Arithmetic class the other day I was reviewing: if you add 0 to a number, your answer is automatically the other number b/c you are not adding any more to it.

~ ~ ~

Me: If I turned 22 on my birthday, but then every birthday after that I didn't get another year older how old would I be??

class: 22

Me: (mumble) Unfortunately since I turned 22 I've had 6 more birthdays and they all counted ... glad you can't add that much.

Student 1: You're not 22.

Me: *laugh* No, you're right, I'm not

Student 2: (had been thinking in the back of class) .... *shouted out* You're 28!!!!

Me: :O Yes, you're right, wow! Didn't really think anyone was paying that close attention to what I was saying. On my next b-day, I'll be 29

Student 1: And after that you'll be 30!!!

Me: Yes, thank you for that

Student 3: That's not even possible - you look like you're 9!!

---- Oh my word!! I laughed so hard I think I snorted ... but all the other kids were laughing also. I don't know if 9 just seems "old in kid years" of if he just took the 2 out of the 29 to be dramatic, but whatever the reason, he totally took me off guard and made me laugh really, really, really hard. It was hard to get back to the lesson after that, but we did.

This is the same student, that said "I'm almost as tall as you" when we were outside walking down the sidewalk. I don't know if he meant in shadow size?? Part of me thinks he really thinks that - bless his little heart he's the youngest and the shortest in my class - but he's definitely a firecracker!

How Many??

2009-11-07T10:40:00.003-06:00

Our Fall Harvest Party, at church, went really well. I was helping Miss Tesfamariam with the 1st grade and under kids so I'm not 100% positive what happened with the older kids in the gym. I did have to go in the gym a couple of times and from the sounds of things they were all enjoying themselves immensely.

I don't have pictures from the room I was in b/c I was a little busy to take pictures - but we had a blast. There were about 20 kids all of which I'm sure had a stick of sugar BEFORE they came! ha ha

We also had a bake sale and I made a chocolate pie. All the proceeds went to the school. Every little bit helps.

It was a great night .... oh wait ... I can't believe I almost forgot to post this part.

At the end of the night I was by the front doors and someone told me something was on my car. It was pitch black outside. I thought they were just joking to see how hard they could get me to peer into the darkness. Since we were going to have visitors I parked as far away from the church as possible, and I locked my car - something I don't do a lot now since I'm in the boonies. As I "sarcastically" squinted in the direction of my car "just to give 'em a laugh," all of a sudden I did see lumps on my car. What in the world?? I ran up to my car and it had been T.P.'d. Not overly happy b/c you know Goldy is my baby, I started asking who did it b/c I was going to make them come out and clean it up. Then those who were by me started saying, look inside, look inside. And I thought -- I locked my car, I don't need to look inside, but again to appease them, I did - and there was stuff INSIDE my car too!! Now I'm starting to get really irritated b/c that means someone went through my personal things to get my keys. As I was leaning up against my glass looking in I felt something weird on the window but I associated it to the cold temps outside - like frost setting on or something. That was until I heard someone say, We told Tony not to poor the Koolaid on your car but he wouldn't listen! WHAT!?!?!??! WHAT!?!??! Now pure raw anger is washing over me. Someone pulled their car around with their lights shining on mine and I about cried. Red Koolaid was sticking to my car along with all the TP. I was soooo mad b/c I'm trying to think if Koolaid takes enamel off vehicles b/c I didn't learn that part in driver's ed B/C PEOPLE DON'T USUALLY GO AROUND BATHING THEIR CARS IN SUGAR LIQUIDS!!!

I had to walk away. I had to bite my lips. I had to LEAVE FAST!!!! I went inside, got my keys - which were right where I left them, and a garbage bag ... for clean up not to put dead bodies in or anything. I went back outside and all the teens (who were guilty of either the action or standing around laughing while others were doing it) all starting throwing away the tp. It was EVERYWHERE - tons of it was in the grass b/c since it was outside, and breezy, the tp not doused in koolaid or stuck to a windshield wiper blew off. The tp inside my car had fruity candy mixed in also - which I wasn't too happy about b/c again - it's dark out, I can't see in my car real well and if I missed some and turn my heat on ... fruity colored upholstery isn't the most desired thing. One of the mom's licked her finger and rubbed at the Koolaid and said, it will come off. Just poor some hot water on it.

Oh - ok ----and where would I get that from??? There's no hot water at the church - only on special occasions - Pot Luck - when we have to do the dishes afterwards. Then they said I could do it when I get home. Heat up some water and pour it on my car. Ummmmm - why is it these teenagers are the ones that did the damage and I'm the one that has to run back and forth with heated up water????

So I took a different approach. I drove to the nearest town w/a carwash - got my car washed and gave the bill to the teen who had the bright idea to pour this stuff on my car.

I like practical jokes --- the non-destructive kind. People move things on my all the time and make me feel like I'm losing my mind and I really do laugh. But just like in college when a "practical-joke" was wrongly played on me and things were ruined on my bed - I just don't go for that.

My "fun-night" kind of had a down-side to it. And then the extra 1+ hour(s) taking care of my car took away my extra hour of sleep b /c when I got home I still had to go over my S.S. lesson and clean up my kitchen from the pie baking from earlier. (*note* - it's really hard to study scripture when you know you have to get out of your flesh, but you're so irritated you know it's going to take longer than 5 min.)

Maybe I am getting old..er and I don't laugh things off as easily anymore. I don't know. I don't know how much I would have laughed this off at any other time in my life. I have a lot going through my mind....$$ ...my car's not paid off yet, I don't have extra doe for gas and car washes; time / responsibilities ... I was exhausted from going, going, going prior to the party, and then knowing I had things to take care of when I got home.

If it would have been summer and light out, and koolaid wasn't in the picture, I may have had a better attitude. Then we all could have just washed the car and been done with and had fun while washing it. Guess we'll never know -- and after this, I'm pretty sure I don't want another teenager touching my car again.

The really funny part is my friend told them where my car keys were .... yeah, it was nice of them to confess that, and I kindly informed them never to do that again. If my car is locked --- IT'S obviously done for a reason.

My car keys have not left my side since this blessed event, and I lock my car ALL the time again just like when I lived in a highly populated city. When I play the piano for church, my keys are on the piano where I can see them at all times. When I'm at school they're in my sweater pocket -- and my sweater's on me!

If you want to laugh - this "joke" was suppose to be funny ... "I Hit a Mummy!" Maybe I'll laugh in a few years - or when I'm in the nursing home looking back on my life. Right now, although I love our teen group very much, I want them to realize they crossed a line. I'm not an old fart - I really will laugh along with them at things they do to me ... just like I have in the past ... it's just that I do not appreciate jokes that take time and money away from me. I don't have a whole lot of either to spare. I'm actually spending time to update my lacking blog and I'm ridden with guilt. I know one day when they grow up they'll realize, and I don't wish for anyone to have to become an adult before they have to 'cause it's kind of a depressing / discouraging / stinky process .... and I know I have a long way to go yet.

Hopefully, the next "prank" I tell you about will be genuinely funny; one where I'm saying, 'You'll never believe the trap I fell into the other day!!!' Until then......

Fall

2009-11-07T10:08:00.004-06:00

One of the ladies from church painted posters to hang in the gym for our Fall Harvest Party! I loved seeing which new one she was working on.

Big Girl

2009-09-04T20:39:00.003-05:00

Why is my little girl growin' up??? Yesterday she read to me out of her 1st grade reader. *sniff* She's growing up! This is Savannah and me on her 6th b-day! SIX!!! I still feel like she should be 6 MONTHS old - not Years!! I went along for her piano lesson this week and I looked at my sister like I was going to cry. She just laughed (silently), as if to say - been there, done that, moved on. I'll get there - one of these days!

Red means S T O P ! ! !

2009-09-04T19:57:00.002-05:00

When did a red light at an intersection become an optional stop? Has it been so long since I've taken the driver's test that the rules of the road have actually changed??

My mom and I were running errands the other day and I counted 5 -- F I V E vehicles that went through SOLID red lights - not pinky or orange colored -- RED!!! At one intersection it was actually 2 cars bumper-to-fender (not being towed) who went through practically attached! The first car was behind the intersection crosswalk when the light turned red - so why he and the car behind him thought they could legally, safely make it through the intersection I have no clue.

The other memorable Red Light Run was a SEMI!!! I stinkin' BIG honkin' SEMI!!! What in the world!! My mom and I had the green - but decided we should let him go. I know sometimes I'd like to be a little "flatter," but via semi squashing doesn't really sound appealing.

Maybe I've just been away from city intersections, and stop lights for so long that I just get way too worked up when fellow drivers don't do what they're suppose to -- not according to me -- according to the law! Thank you Lord for watching over us and keeping us safe on the road. :)

2009-09-04T19:53:00.002-05:00

I want to post a comment - but this song sums it all up!

Hollie Steel

2009-09-04T19:36:00.006-05:00

I love Simon's expression when she begins to sing. I wonder if her performance would have come off differently if Simon would have buzzed her. If I heard a BIG "X" sound right before my first note, I don't think I would have all my wits about me. Of course - we'll never know for sure b/c I'm not as talented as she! ;)

Connie Talbot

2009-09-04T19:33:00.002-05:00

It's hard to believe two years have passed since this hit the internet. My niece is 6 now and I cannot imagine watching her on a stage performing in front of so many people. I think it's so wonderful that she'll sing for church - with other children. This video always makes me smile.

chickens....singing

2009-09-04T18:59:00.001-05:00

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

Girl Talk

2009-08-28T18:24:00.002-05:00

My friend sent me this and I laughed so hard. Savannah had a "few" moments like this where even I could no longer give her my undivided attention. :D

Mt. Olympus

2009-08-28T16:42:00.004-05:00

Recently I went with some teens from church to Mt. Olympus - these pics are for you mom! ;)

We had a lot of fun - but it was an eye-opening experience to help me realize I'm not as young as I "think" I am! ;)

Random Act of Kindness

2009-07-26T17:16:00.003-05:00

Saturday I was the recipient of a random act of kindness.

I pulled up to a fuel pump - driving my sister's mini-van no less - and routinely started to "gas-up"! Out of the corner of my eye it felt like someone had walked up and was peering in the driver's side window - which totally freeked me out!! I finally took a closer look and realized it wasn't a scary situation at all.

At the front of the van stood an elderly gentleman washing my windshield! I stared in disbelief for a moment, and then found my voice and thanked him. He said he noticed it was dirty when I pulled in. I told him I'd been traveling and some bugs wanted to get a free ride -- they just didn't realize it would cost them their life!! ha ha

He was a quiet man that didn't seem to want to be thanked really. That simple act made me think. What have I done for somebody - anybody recently? Would I do what he did? Am I aware of others in this world or am I so caught up in me I don't notice others? At one point in life this was something that was probably common - people being kind to others. Have we gotten so far away from being just plain old considerate of others that now the slightest thoughtfulness expressed to us seems ... odd -- foreign -- strange -- out of the norm -- "suspicious"!!

Where have all the gentlemen gone? I would love to see my community, my country filled with Mr. Windshield Cleaners! He wasn't doing it for fame or publicity, he genuinely just saw a way he could help and did it.

I didn't even notice my windshield and its condition before pulling into the gas station, but after it was cleaned I sure smiled at how the sun's rays seemed to come alive. Mr W. Cleaner will probably never read this, but I would like to thank him for his kindness, and for causing me to stop and think - even though that was not his intention. I will never forget this complete stranger I spent only a few minutes with. Not because of what he "said" or "gave me", but because of his actions that spoke more volumes than I could ever possibly read!

A Little Humor

2009-07-07T13:33:00.000-05:00

JUST A TAP ON THE SHOULDER

A passenger in a taxi leaned over to ask the driver a question and tapped him on the shoulder. The driver screamed, lost control of the cab, nearly hit a bus, drove up over the curb, and stopped just inches from a large plate glass window.

For a few moments everything was silent in the cab, and then the still shaking driver said, 'I'm sorry, but you scared the daylights out of me.' The frightened passenger apologized to the driver and said he didn't realize a mere tap on the shoulder could frighten him so much. The driver replied, 'No, no, I'm sorry, it's entirely my fault. Today is my first day driving a cab...................
I've been driving a hearse for the last 25 years.

Shoe Cleaning

2009-06-26T21:23:00.003-05:00

So my friend was out in dirt yesterday, and today they vacuumed their shoes b/c "clapping them doesn't get all the dirt out!"

? ? ? ?

I have never in my life seen that before - and I don't know if I'll ever do it - but I sure wanted my camera right about then.

Friend - you know I love you, but I HAD to post this! :)

Funnies

2009-06-25T18:04:00.003-05:00

I found 2 scraps of paper with student's funnies written on them and I want to throw out the papers - so here are the funnies.

* "Our pens are dying from lack of seeing"

* "Teacher, I might need your black out." (instead of white out)

* "We have overactive laughing spasms."

* Students discussing a motivational game quietly.

"I only got to move once."

"Me too."

"It's a rip off!"

* "Have you ever heard of 'author unknown?'"

And this one really cracks me up - but it's from my Grandma. We were driving and this car kept inching onto the road from a business. Cool as could be Grandma says, "You can go, some cars will stop." :) ha ha

I Have a Lot to Learn

2009-06-03T13:32:00.002-05:00

I'm not in the texting scene at all - I really should be in a rocking chair on a porch somewhere smiling at the sunshine and flowers - but I'm not there yet. I'm thinking I'm going to have to learn this list of chat acronyms b/c it's listed with my school info. Oh Man!! I've colored the ones I know.

Funny how there's soooo many different extremes with this mt training. I've had to learn about computer operating systems, this list of chat acronyms, and what I thought was going to be the hardest part of the program - medical terminology! Who Knew!

AFAIK - As far as I know
AFK - Away from keyboard
AKA - Also known as
ASAP - As soon as possible
B4 - Before
BAK - Back at keyboard
BBS - Be Back Soon
BCNU - Be seeing you
BFN - Bye for now
BRB - Be Right Back
BTDT - Been There Done That
CU - See you
CUL - See you Later
FAQ - Frequently Asked Question
FWIW - For what it's worth
FYI - For your information
G - Grin
GA - Go ahead
HIWTH - Hate it when that happens
IDK - I don't know
IMHO - In My Humble Opinion
IOW - In other words
IRL - In Real Life
JAM - Just a Minute
J/K - Just kidding
LOL - Laughs Out Loud
NRN - No reply necessary
OBTW - Oh, by the way
OIC - Oh, I see
OTOH - On the other hand
OTT - Over the Top
PD - Public domain
PMJI - Pardon me, Jumping in (when you interrupt a conversation)
REHI - Hello again
ROTFL - Rolling on the Floor Laughing (also ROFL)
RUOK - Are you OK?
S - SmileSB - Smiles back
SYL - See you later
TIA - Thanks in advance
TNX - Thanks
TNX 1.0E6 - Thanks a million
TTFN - Ta Ta for Now
TTYL - Talk to You Later
YKYBOTLW - You know you've been on-line too long when...

The only other acronym I've used is one my mom taught me when I was little. On the back of an envelope I'd write S.W.A.L.C.A.K.D.S. Which stood for - Sealed With A Lick Cause A Kiss Doesn't Stick!! :)

Horse Warning

2009-06-01T16:54:00.003-05:00

Gender-Specific
Driving Etiquette

A woman is driving at night on a narrow country road...
At the same time a man is driving in the opposite direction on that same road. When they narrowly pass each other at high speed, the woman rolls down her window and loudly shouts - HORSE! Immediately the man shouts back - WOMAN!

The man laughs. He is proud to have reacted so quickly to the shouting woman and takes the next turn in the road, maintaining his speed.

Moral of the story: Men never listen, and when they do, They don't understand one word a woman says. AMEN!!!!!

2009-06-01T16:52:00.001-05:00

SENIOR DRIVING

As a senior citizen was driving down the freeway, his car phone rang. Answering, he heard his wife's voice urgently warning him, 'Herman, I just heard on the news that there's a car going the wrong way on Interstate 77. Please be careful!'

'Heck,' said Herman, 'It's not just one car It's hundreds of them!'

Name Tags Aren't Such A Bad Idea

2009-06-01T16:50:00.002-05:00

OLD FRIENDS:

Two elderly ladies had been friends for many decades. Over the years, they had shared all kinds of activities and adventures. Lately, their activities had been limited to meeting a few times a week to play cards. One day, they were playing cards when one looked at the other and said, 'Now don't get mad at me .. I know we've been friends for a long time, but I just can't think of your name! I've thought and thought, but I can't remember it. Please tell me what your name is.' Her friend glared at her. For at least three minutes she just stared and glared at her. Finally she said, 'How soon do you need to know?'

In-Laws

2009-06-01T16:50:00.001-05:00

A husband and wife were traveling, when they started bickering. They went on and on till it turned into a very heated argument, yelling back and forth. Finally in a rage, the woman abruptly turned her back to him -facing out the window, and the red faced man looked straight ahead as they drove in silence. After a couple of hours they passed a farm. In the field they saw a mule, a pig, a cow, and a dog. The husband said, "Relatives of yours?"
She answered, " Yes, they're my in-laws."

2 Brazilian Men!

2009-06-01T16:44:00.000-05:00

A blonde watching CNN hears that 2 Brazilian men died in a fire.
She cries & sobs, "Oh my word!" How many is a brazillion ?

Polish Remover

2009-06-01T16:42:00.000-05:00

Did she threaten to kill you?

One day, an immigrant from Poland entered a New York City Police Precinct to report that his American wife was planning to kill him.

The police officer on duty was intrigued by this, and he asked, "How sure are you that she is gonna kill you? Did she threaten to kill you?"
"No," replied the nervous immigrant.
"Did you hear her tell someone else that she's gonna kill you?" "No."
"Did someone tell you that your wife is gonna kill you?" "No."
"Then why did you think she's gonna kill you?" asked the exasperated police officer.
"Because I found bottle on dresser and I think she gonna poison me!" He handed the police officer the suspect bottle.
The police officer took one look at the label on the bottle and started to laugh out loud.
The immigrant became indignant and said, "What so funny? Can't you see the label on bottle said 'Polish Remover'?"

Barocky Road

2009-06-01T16:37:00.001-05:00

New Ice Cream

In honor of the 44th President of the
United States, Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream
has issued a new flavor, "Barocky Road".

Barocky Road is a blend of half Vanilla,
half Chocolate, and surrounded by
Nuts and Flakes.

The Vanilla portion of the mix is not
openly advertised and usually
denied as an ingredient.

The Nuts and Flakes are all very
bitter and hard to swallow.
The cost is $100.00 per scoop.

When purchased it will be presented
to you in a large beautiful cone, but
then the Ice Cream is taken away and
given to the person in line behind you.

Thus you are left with an empty Wallet,
no change, holding an empty cone,
with no hope of getting any Ice Cream.

Aren't you feeling stimulated?

The Diagnosis

2009-06-01T16:22:00.001-05:00

The Wife

A woman accompanied her husband to the doctor's office.
After his checkup, the doctor called the wife into his office alone. He said, "Your husband is suffering from a very severe stress disorder. If you don't follow my instructions carefully, your husband will surely die.
"Each morning, fix him a healthy breakfast. Be pleasant at all times. For lunch make him a nutritious meal. For dinner prepare an especially nice meal for him.
"Don't burden him with chores. Don't discuss your problems with him; it will only make his stress worse. Do not nag him. Most importantly, make love to him regularly.
"If you can do this for the next 10 months to a year, I think your husband will regain his health completely."
On the way home, the husband asked his wife, "What did the doctor say?"
"He said you're going to die," she replied.

Scents at Cabela's

2009-06-01T16:16:00.001-05:00

Incident at Cabela's

A woman goes into Cabela's to buy a rod and reel for her grandson's birthday. She doesn't know which one to get so she just grabs one and goes over to the counter.

A Cabela's associate is standing there wearing dark shades. She says, 'Excuse me, sir. Can you tell me anything about this rod and reel?' He says, 'Ma'am, I'm completely blind; but if you'll drop it on the counter, I can tell you everything fromthe sound it makes.'

She doesn't believe him but drops it on the counter anyway. He says, 'That's a six-foot Shakespeare graphite rod with a Zebco 404 reel and 10-LB. Test line. It's agood all around combination; and it's on sale this week for only $20.00.' She says, 'It's amazing t hat you can tell all that just by the sound of it dropping on the counter. I'll take it!'

As she opens her purse, her credit card drops on the floor. 'Oh, that sounds like a Master Card,' he says. She bends down to pick it up and accidentally toots. At first she is really embarrassed, but then realizes there is no way the blind clerk could tell it was she who tooted.. Being blind, he wouldn't know that she was the only person around?

The man rings up the sale and says, 'That'll be $34.50 please.'The woman is totally confused by this and asks, 'Didn't you tell me the rod and reel were on sale for $20.00? How did you get $34.50?'He replies, 'Yes, ma'am. The rod and reel is $20.00, but the Duck Call is $11.00 and the Catfish Bait is $3.50.

Serves Him Right

2009-05-23T12:37:00.003-05:00

My friend just showed me this video and I couldn't help but think that this guy got EXACTLY what he deserved! Way to go granny!! :)

Meek and Quiet Lips

2009-04-24T21:14:00.002-05:00

I'm always goofing around with my friend about women having "meek and quiet spirits" b/c we are Sooooo not quiet --- and the meek part is questionable also! ha ha Anyways, she'll be quiet sometimes but her eyes will be speaking VOLUMES!! So I'll say, "are those you're meek and quiet eyes talkin' again?" or "Woaw! Those are the LOUDEST meek and quiet eyes I've seen!!" ha ha

Anyways, my friend's husband found this online and I about died laughing when I saw it. How true that my life, once again, can be played out by animated characters!

Bowl of Peas

2009-04-22T12:26:00.002-05:00

My class has workbook pages where they have to draw pictures for words or phrases, which shows me wether they're reading the words correctly or not. They're usually right on, but last week I had a case of misinterpretation that had me rolling over in laughter.

When I dismissed for lunch, one of my 1st graders came up to me and was all excited. They wanted to show off a picture they had drawn during class. They said to me, "Teacher, I drew a picture of the Leaning Tower of Pisa!" I was shocked. I didn't even think they knew what that was. I took the book to look at the picture, and was confused (b/c being the good teacher I am, I did not look at the word they were suppose to draw). They said, "Get it, the Leaning Tower of PEAS!!" ah ah ha ha ha haha ha haah and started laughing and laughing. Then I laughed at the ability they had to do a play on words.

My other 1st grader looked a little distraught. They said, "Oh, I didn't draw that. I thought it was "peace", and I didn't know how to draw that, so I drew "Peace and Quiet." (See Below:)

Oh My Word!! When I saw this I literally could not see b/c I had tears streaming out of my eyes. I quickly told them they had to line up for lunch b/c I didn't want my student to think I was laughing AT the drawing that was done "incorrectly". They went to the lunch room, and I high-tailed it down the hall to where this student's mom's class is. (Ugh....just to claify - the mom isn't a student - the mom is the teacher! ok - I just thought there might be some confusion there!) I told her the story, which was hard to do b/c I wasn't breathing real well, and there was laughing and snorting going on. Then I showed her the "Peace" picture and she had the SAME reaction. We were laughing soooo hard.

Then she said, we have to show the Pre-K teacher. She of course has radar ears (love you Pre-K teacher), and yells down the hallway -- "WHAT ARE YOU SAYING ABOUT ME??!!!" :D (That's an on-going joke, b/c we always assure her we don't talk behind her back, we talk about her right in front of her. She's always saying to us -- "I'M RIGHT HERE!!!") So she comes in the class, and I go through the story again and she has the same exact reaction.

Then she said, we have to show the K-5 teacher (who is the mom of "Leaning Tower of Peas"). So she comes in the classroom, and after going through the whole story has the same exact reaction.

You know how the Bible says, laughter doeth good like a medicine. Well - we were pretty healthy after all of that let me tell you. :D

A few funny points - The "Peace and Quiet" drawing came from the pastor's kid, which got huge jokes like, Hmmmm, what does the pastor do at his house!?? ha ha (All in good fun - don't think we jab our pastor or anything!) The whole image came from a short scene in Kong fu Panda where there's meditating.

I don't know if I did it justice, but hopefully, you were able to at least chuckle!

fast 'n funny

2009-04-13T17:35:00.003-05:00

Ok - I was suppose to write my funnies down first thing tonight b/c I can't be on the computer long. So what did I do instead - yeah, not what I was suppose to. So I'll write super fast - and you try to keep up! :P

1. Just for fun, I asked my class what the capital of Wisconsin was. We haven't gone over it, and for those of you who don't know it's Madison. One student asked, the capital of the world?? The capital of America?? No, no I said, just of Wisconsin, what is the capital of Wisconsin. Finally, one of my 1st graders, nearly coming unglued bouncing up and down says, "I know teacher, I know!! The capital of Wisconsin is 'W'!!!"

Let me tell you, I about wet my skirt!! Poor kid looked all dejected, like, why's my teacher rolling over with laughter?? I finally composed myself and through little snorts of giggles, I said, well, you are right, Wisconsin is a state's name, so it does have a capital W at the beginning, very good. And I just left it at that. (It had all the other teachers in stitches when I told them too!)

2. One of my 2nd graders looks at me today all bewildered. With his eyebrows furrowed he says, "Teacher, have you ever heard of the author, "unknown?"

ha ha haa ha haa

3. My 1st graders both had their hands raised. One mouths to me that they have to use the restroom, so I said, ok. Then the second one stands up, and says, "Yeah, I need to too, b/c I think we have the same problem!!" I was really shocked and confused. I thought, what, have they been discussing their bowmovements or something??? Well, then the one saw the other heading for the classroom door, and quickly recanted. Ohhhh, uhhh, nevermind. I just mean, can I come up to your desk!!?? I think the one assumed the other had quietly asked to come to my desk. It just tickled me though. "I think we're having the same problem."

Hope you laughed. It's good to laugh!! I love to laugh. I laugh at the same things over and over and over again - well, that's probably partially to do with my short term memory loss - I forget the funnies, so when I hear them again it's like I'm hearing them for the first time! :D

Cracked Glass

2009-03-30T17:45:00.002-05:00

The other day I was driving back from seeing the dr. and a truck was passing me. No big deal, until I heard something hit my windshield. Nooooooo! I don't want to deal with a cracked windshield!! I immediately started inspecting my windshield, and sure enough, on the left hand side there was a crack about 1/2" long. Guuuurrrrrrrrrrrrr!!! I felt it with my finger, and it wasn't just a flat cut, it had made the glass protrude where I could feel it on the inside. Of course, I didn't want to cut my finger, so I didn't rub it that hard. I became instantaneously grouchy. Since I have a cell now (thanks Tim and Rebecca!! :D ), I picked it up to call someone b/c I had to share my frustration!

I call my sister-in-law, Arlene, b/c when I went down to visit her she has a long crack in her windshield, and she said we shouldn't talk about it b/c of the way "luck" and car issues run with me. She was getting ready to walk out the door, so I quickly told her why I was calling her. Oh my word!! What are the odds that I had seen her just 7 days prior, had that discussion, and then WHAMO! I got hit with a rock!!??!?!

Then I called my mom to vent. After that I was at Gerilynn's house and I told her, and then I told my friend Angela. I was just blah, blah, blahhin' about the whole thing. I was in such a foul disposition about it, and when I talked to my mom I said, Sheesh! They only thing that's original with my 2 yr old car is the AIRBAG!!!!!! (which was a drastic lie - but sounded good, and got a laugh!)

My mom told my dad, and he said I should call my insurance so they could try to stop it before it ran clear across the whole glass. Great! Just what I wanted to do - call my car insurance yet again. You know when you pay people to work for you when the "unexpected" happens, you shouldn't fear having to call them. Your first thought shouldn't be, oh man, are they going to drop me!?!?!? It's just very disheartening.

I wanted Gerilynn's husband to look at it first, b/c he's mechanically / car minded, just to get his opinion, and THEN I was going to call my insurance.

So I asked Ryan to look at it. He goes out to my car, and rubs it from the outside, and it looked like he couldn't feel it. I quickly say, well, I can feel it from the inside. Which, as the words were coming out, I thought, hmmmm, how come I can feel it from the inside but not the outside?? That doesn't make any sense! He goes in my car and starts rubbing it, and before my eyes -- THE SCRATCH STARTS TO DISAPPEAR!!!! :O

(This is the part where I haven't an ounce of pride left!)

He gets out of the car and tells me it was just some tape!

OH MY WORD!! I wanted to die!!! Do you know how glad I am that I did NOT call my insurance!!!!???!!? Can you imagine if they sent someone to my house, to check out my car's windshield, all for a measly piece of leftover tape of some sort!!!!!??? They probably would have dropped me .... for stupidity! They probably would have thought - you're not fit to drive a car!!!

I have no idea how this "tape" got on their either. I never saw it before, it was too low to be left over residue from an oil change sticker. I'm stumped. The only thing I can think of, is maybe when it was at the body shop they posted something while they were working on it. Who knows - it sure made a funny moment though. Then I had to go back and tell all those people I had blabbed too - it really wasn't a crack.

Walk of Shame I tell you . . . Walk - of - Shame!

(note: Arlene, you'll probably read this before I call you - so yeah - I don't have a crack in my windshield that I can see ...... YEAH!!! :D)

From Butterflies to Furry Birds!!

2009-03-30T17:37:00.003-05:00

This is how a portion of my phone conversation went with my niece yesterday:

Niece: My mom said it's spring now, but I don't see any butterflies out!!

Me: Well, it has to get warmer, and the sun has to shine more.

Niece: I'll be sad for the bunny rabbits and the birds then .... b/c they're fur will make them too hot!

Me: It's ok - when the weather gets warmer the bunnies fur falls out - not all of it, but enough where it's not too hot for it anymore.

Niece: Ohhhhh! .... Does the same thing happen for the birds? Does the birds fur fall out too??

(I was trying not to laugh when she said this)

Me: Well, the birds mault, which means their "feathers" fall out. So in a sense, yes.

I know my niece will not read this for quite some time, but I have to make a true confession here.....I was just talking off the cuff. This just sounded logical to me. Oh how I dread the day when she'll say, "Well, I read in a book that actually......*blah blah blah* --in essence, You're wrong Auntie Jessica!" :( *sniff* Of course, her saying, "I read somewhere...." is inevitable b/c that's exactly how her mama is! :)

Ahhh, too cute - bird's fur!

So My Dad

2009-02-06T13:32:00.002-06:00

I would never dare tell my dad he's too old to drive ----- this would so be his response!!!!

Converter Disappointer

2009-02-03T18:32:00.002-06:00

Have you switched your tv to the converter box - if needed?? I did. *sniff* It doesn't do what I expected AT ALL!! "NO SIGNAL" was all I got!!! :( double frown :(

I just watch dvd's, my tv doesn't work the greatest. I thought this "magic box" would make a BEAUTIFUL picture. Funny - if Bush were president, you know this would ALL be his fault!!! Actually, it still probably could be b/c we were issued the announcement of this change during his presidency.

Oh well. I was ok w/not watching tv, until I was teased with the fact that I could - and now I'm sad - b/c I can't! What makes me even more sad is I had to rearrange furniture to reach extra outlets ( no power strip ), and I was up really late, And THEN I saw "No Signal." Maybe the signal sleeps after midnight! Between that and my ink cartridge incident, I had a very interesting weekend!!

So Not a Twitterer

2009-02-03T18:25:00.004-06:00

I heard of this thing called "Twitter." Have you heard about it? You can speed blog. It only accepts 140 characters or less.

ha ha aha ha ah a LOL ha ha ah aha ha ah aha LOL ha ha aha ha ha aha ah ah LOL ha ha hah ah aha ha aha ha aha aha ha aha ha ha ah aha LOL ha ha

ha ha ha

haha ha h
ah a
ha

ha

uh-hummm

ha

Can you imagine me typing one of my tales in ONE HUNDRED FORTY characters or LESS!?!?

Sorry, that's why I was laughing so hard! Maybe I should try it one day. Just to try to do the impossible for me.

.....
..
.....
....
.....

NAH!!! ha ha :D

car no pics

2009-02-03T18:18:00.002-06:00

Update: I got my car back 1 - 23 - 09

I got all teary-eyed when I saw it. *sniff* We're on the road again - but we're (or "goldie's") in the garage A LOT!!!

Fixed car good - Black ice BAD!!!

The Ink That Never Runneth Dry

2009-02-03T17:53:00.003-06:00

So I've started the wal-green way of shopping. I'm very new at it - but am very, VERY excited!! I love to save money. Actually, it's a love hate relationship. I have a lot of those. I love saving money, but I hate losing quality. I bought off-brand butter. :( *sniff* I usually LOVE saturating everything with butter. Let's just say, this butter will probably be around when I turn 30!!! Oh, and t.p. is still one thing I refuse to by if it is not 2-ply or have a stitched design. If it's just flat - you know you're fingers will need washin' -- if ya get my drift!! You don't save money if you wrap your hand up like a mummy before wipin'!!!

Friday before we hit Wal-greens - with shopping list in hand - my friend told me ink cartridge refills were on sale for $5 AND there was a $5 rebate - so it would ultimately be free!! Wow!! I LOVE that word! It's been Sooooo long since I bought ink - since "like" I moved here! (1.4 years!) So I opened my printer (which took me a while to figure out - 1.4 years since the last time!!) to see what ink cartridges I needed. Imagine my complete shock when my printer was EMPTY!! NO INK!! My mouth dropped open, my eyes bugged out - I know - hard to picture!

I was shocked. Let me tell you why. I HAD JUST USED MY PRINTER THE WEEK PRIOR!!!! AND IT PRINTED!!!!

Needless to say, I grabbed the phone and called my sister. .... And then my Mom ..... and then my sister-in-law!!!!

Not believing my own eyes, I grabbed my laptop and hooked it up to the printer. Hit print, and almost started screaming from the freakish horror that my page was printing - like there was a brand new cartridge in there!!! Why buy ink if there's "like" some secret reserve ink that's in there?!?! In the back of my mind I know this is NOT possible.

I was all sad. I couldn't get ink for free. I went from free to $30. Which still was a blessing b/c usually color is $30 by itself but I got black AND color for that price.

Saturday I go to load my NEW ink. I'm operating blind b/c I don't know where my instructions are, and what's on the lip of the printer is not helpful at all. Nothing is clicking, there's no definite, "I'm going to stay in here" feeling. I finally thought, maybe I have to turn on the printer. I pulled the new ink out, and hit the "on" button. Printer noises started. And then a bad "joke's-on-you" moment happened. Like an elevator rising up to your level with the president ----- ummmm well maybe your boss, and you're standing there looking like a slob, shocked out of your mind --- there rose my original ink cartridges!!

I couldn't believe it. Man! So it wasn't a modern day miracle where the Lord kept my cartridges full. *sniff* I was totally bummed. Mainly b/c I had told SO many people!! (even more than I posted!) I even took pictures of the "empty" printer to blog my whole story. Talk about feeling like a fool! I've never seen a printer where the ink cartridges burrow down somewhere.

Isn't it amazing I can pump my own fuel!!??!!??

As this was happening my exact words were : Ey-yi-yi!! ONLY TO ME!!!!

Why Do You?

2009-02-03T17:18:00.003-06:00

If you are reading this than you are obviously a blogger or at least a member of this society's modern communication system. I have a friend who does not understand the concept behind modern technology. The more I try to explain, the more I realize, I really don't understand it either. All are welcome to see I am sooooooooooo not consistent. My use of technology does not fall in the category of "Use - or - will - die!" But it does fall by "Will - die - if - unable - to - use!"

Why do I blog?

Why do you blog?

Why do YOU read MY blog?

I blog to keep in touch with friends and family. I don't use it as a way to meet people. I really don't see myself as that interesting that people would actually want to strike up a conversation with me. Actually, after reading my blog, people are probably like, "Now there's ONE person I'm glad is NOT my neighbor!!"

I definitely don't blog to "fight a cause!" If you know me I'm the biggest pacifier out there. I want everyone to be happy. I want there to be daisies, lollipops, and rainbows 24/7!! I have an opinion, and every once in awhile it will shine through - but this is 97% a goof off - you'll never believe what happened to me - blog.

After my friend posed these questions to me though - I started thinking about it. Would you be willing to answer these questions? You don't have to leave it under "comment." You could e-mail your response. I'm just curious.

Like me, many say this is a source they use to keep in touch with friends. But why not just a mass e-mail? Why not a phone call? Why not an old-fashioned form of communication? Why does it have to be a new-fangled source? What's wrong with the good-old way?

Mass e-mails mean - if you accidentally "forget" someone, and they learn from someone else you didn't send them the latest news/pictures/or whatever, then you're facing "hurt feelings." With blogging, I feel like it's up to the individual to find out what's going on in my life. I know I'm not a consistent writer, but if you read my blog, you'll have some idea of what's going on with me. Those who really, really want to know read - those who just want to make sure I'm still on planet earth just pop in every once in awhile.

A lot of times with a mass e-mail you get / give too much info that's not applicable.

Do you do Facebook??

Do you do Bebo??

Do you do MySpace??

Why?? Why do people post pictures?? Why do you put yourself out there on the internet?? Do you know how many weirdos there are out there??

I have "networking" accounts - and like the background of my blog - I do NOTHING with them!! Maybe it's b/c I'm never on "my" computer, but I don't feel comfortable downloading ANYTHING!!

Is it to see how many friends you can have? To "spy" (just to be funny - AND COMPLETELY HONEST folks!)? To really find someone you haven't seen in forever?

I keep my blog open - (unless something causes me to lock it) but anything with more photos than my profile pic I have locked. I hate that I want to use these sources for anything BUT evil, but b/c they have been used for wicked they automatically get a scornful look by those who don't use them, and can see them as only evil. I feel guilty saying, "I'm on Facebook." I don't even admit to Myspace anymore. Even saying that - I feel like I have to "explain" myself. Well, sorry, but I'm not going to. I'm tired of being made to feel guilty for doing nothing wrong.

I'm not stupid. I know there are evil people out there. Mankind is sinful. I don't feel like I'm careless in my .com - ing though.

How would you explain networking/blogging to those over 45?? How would you explain it to show you understand what is being said on the news, but those are people that satan is ruling, and being a Christian you have completely different uses?? It almost seems impossible.

Can you answer my questions??

I would really appreciate responses. Thank you in advance!

Grandpa

2009-01-01T22:08:00.003-06:00

I was working on my Dad's Christmas gift and wanted to post some of my 'treasures.'

I didn't know my Dad's Dad when he could get around well. I only knew him sitting in his chair, with his left arm immobile, and right eye shut due to several strokes. He never really talked that much. I always made a point to shake his hand, go in for a hug, kiss him on his prickly cheek, and tell him I loved EVERYTIME before leaving my Grandparents' house. I am soooo thankful I did that. It's the only connection we really had.

These pictures helped me see my Grandpa in a different light. These are from when my parents were living in Hawaii. How nice. I have asked myself for YEARS why they ever decided to leave!!! It's probably a good thing since I burn so easily!! :P ha ha

My Mom!! xoxo

My Dad and His Dad

My Dad

My Dad and His Parents

I love this picture of my Grandparents!

They seem so carefree here

This picture showed me a glimpse of my Grandpa's humor -- I see sooo much of my Dad in him.

I love my Grandma's sense of humor too!!! :D

(Funny I see my Mom and Dad here!)

I love how my family obeys signs -- I think we swim where we're not suppose to too!! :P

XOXOXOXO

Wii Elbow

2008-12-30T20:28:00.002-06:00

My Sister and I played Wii Tennis and the next day our arms hurt sooooo bad. As we were both rubbing our arms I said, "Most people get tennis elbow - we got Wii Elbow!!"

Please stay safe, and remember Wii sports can cause just as much pain as "real" sports!!

Deja'vu

2008-12-23T19:21:00.005-06:00

DEJA'VU

PART I

On Saturday morning I left the northwoods to travel down to my family's home. I wanted to leave Friday, but my dad said there was a bad snowstorm and to either leave Thursday after school let out, or Saturday. Not exactly what I waed to hear, ... but he's dad so how can I argue??It was a little frustrating b/c where I was we received very little snow, so it was difficult to comprehend that south of me there were mountains and mountains of snow. Everyone was telling me to drive carefully - which I had all intentions of doing, b/c this is a long break so I really wasn't in any great hurry.I got about 1 1/2 hours from home when it happened yet again. I got into wreck #4!!

It's 2 months shy of being 2 years from my last car accident, and 5 days shy of my 2 year anniversary of my initial car accident. If that doesn't make sense to you - I was in 2 car accidents within a month and about a week of each other.

Looking back to Saturday, I know I could have done nothing differently. It would have been easier if I would have been doing something stupid like changing radio stations or not being alert, but that's not the case. I was coming into a bigger city, in the middle of a freeway interchange, and decided to go 5 miles under the speed limit b/c it wasn't a nice divided hwy anymore -- which is what I love to travel on. A pack of 8 plus cars passed me and I thought, why is everyone always in a rush to go nowhere. And right then I noticed break lights all turn on simoultaneously, followed by swerving, and 3 cars trying to share 2 lanes!!! Oh boy!! I tapped my brakes, merely to slow down b/c I honestly thought I was going to avoid collison impact b/c I had such a great distance between me and then. But what happened next was only partially true of my initial thought.

When I tapped my brakes I didn't realize there was a patch of black ice (that's the only thing I can figure, b/c to this moment I never saw it), and all of a sudden it was like I was in an action-packed car scene of a Bourne movie or something. In a matter of seconds - which at times felt like a fast version of slow-motion ... if that makes any sense - I started out fishtailing really big, then going sideways, and then into a full 180. It was a very sereal, out-of-body experience. I sat behind my steering wheel not knowing what my fate was going to be. I pretty much knew something was going to come in contact with my car - but I did not know how severe it was going to be. It felt like a couple of seconds before something hit me and I stopped watching the roadway spinning all around me.

There were no cars directly beside me, and the ones that were behind me stopped completely - they were far enough away where they could see me start to spin and they were able to stop. I'm glad they did, b/c by the time my car stopped, I was facing them head-on!! I motioned with my hand that I was going to turn around so then I would be facing the right direction - but I didn't know where to go from there. I didn't know if I should get off the freeway and assess my vehicle or what b/c there were no other cars that I came in contact with. All of my other accidents were at the fault of others so I just always had to wait around for the police. This was kind of a solo deal - in a sense!

After I got my car facing the right way, and started down the road again I noticed 2 cars pulled over. I thought - nope - I am pulling over, b/c $10 says these cars are what started the initial brake tapping!!So I pull over. There's one car in front of me, and one car facing the wrong way with 2 guys standing behind it. The car in front of me didn't seem to be damaged. The car beside me had a semi-teppeed hood. One guy was dressed for the cold weather (single-digits!), the other had on a zip-front hoodie, shorts, and sandals!!! ??? I don't care if you're just going down the street - you never know what's going to happen and should dress according to the weather. I didn't get out at first b/c drivers didn't seem to notice that they should slow down. We're on a bridge of sorts, with 2 lanes of traffic heading south, and very, very, VERY little shoulder space. Finally I crawled over to my passenger's side and opened that door to get out.

Upon opening that door I heard a band of snakes all around me!! What?? OH NO!!! My TIRES!! I jump out, and right before my eyes by round tires are depleating rapidly!! :( *sniff* Not just one, both the front and rear!! Double Sniff Sniff!! All I could do is shake my head and say - oh this is NOT good!

I pulled out my boots, heavy coat, hat, and gloves and started dressing for the low temps. Then I went to the front of my car which was directly across from the 2 guys across the 2 lanes of traffic. I noticed one of them had a cell - so I skipped the introductories (I thought we could save those for later) and asked them if they had called the police. Sandal boy says - and I quote - "I Don't Know Their Number"! Mentally I shut my eyes, rolled them, and shook my head. Physically I acted unphased and said - did you try calling the operator. I thought - how can you forget the number to 9-1-1?? I didn't think it necessary to call 1-800-car-wrek to get the weekend police but whatever, I wasn't the one with the phone so I didn't think I had the 'right' to say anything.

I went back to looking at my car. Ohhh the sadness and heartbreak. Besides my now ground touching rims, my rear bumper was detatched, the side was smashed in going to my gas tank - which made it look funky. I couldn't tell if the gas cover was messed up, or if everything around it was messed up and it was sticking out regular or what. ?? Both my doors seemed to open ok, and I didn't see any damage to them. Of course it was hard to tell with frozen tears going down my face. They weren't "pity party" tears, they were "I am freezing out here" tears! Then I went to the front. Part of my wheel well was hanging down, and on the front bumper an underlining of sorts was hanging down. By the headlamps there were also issues. My rear lights were still intact which amazed for everything else that I saw that was wrong. I only saw one cracked and broken reflectore/light - it's hard to describe b/c it's not a standard vehicle light - it was actually ON the bumper.

PART II

"Rick" from the other side of traffic comes over after quite a few minutes. He apologized, but I completely understood b/c people were just zooming by, like somehow they were excempt from experiencing the same kind of misfortune as the poor saps pulled over. I asked him if "Sandals" had called the police. He said "Sandals" didn't want to call 9-1-1 b/c he didn't want to get fined. ??? I was totally shocked - and angry. I had no clue if any passer-by called it in, and we had been out there for at least 10 minutes by then.Then "Rick" says to me - you better what out b/c quite a few people have slipped up there. I told him I was scared to be in my care, b/c if someone "accidentially" hit it, they'd probably push it over the little guard rail (which when driving by they look WAY bigger than when you're standing right beside them and semis are passing you, and you think - there's no way this would hold up against that!!!), but if I'm outside I was afraid someone would accidentially slide and hit ME and then I'd be a gonner. Seemed like a lose / lose situation!

Not 2 minutes after that conversation and BAM - WHAM - CRUNCH - SLAM CRUNCH CRUNCH CRUNCH!!!! Car, after truck, after car were sliding and hitting each other in the SAME spot. I was very thankfully at that moment that we were up the road a ways. The only positive thing out of so many crashes was that traffic FINALLY started slowing up. After standing outside for nearly 30 minutes, I finally felt safe enough to sit in my nice warm car. I've never witnessed so many crashes. I tried talking to Sandals again and asked him if he got through to the police. That was a negative. I finally had it. I said, "CALL 9-1-1!! THIS IS A MULTI-CAR SITUATION HERE -- THIS IS AN EMERGENCY!" He finally dials, and tells me, "There aware of the situation." Whew! Good. Well, what does that mean? What's the ETA?? Little did I know it was far from over.

Some ironic things happened that I noticed.

The salt truck made it to the scene before the emergency vehicles.
The wrecker made it to the scene before the emergency vehicles.
"Sandals'" dad went in his son's car and when he sat in the driver's seat he had to move the seat up and forward from the back seat -- and Dad "Sandals" was taller than Son "Sandals", which means Sandal's Jr. was not driving responsibly - he was driving like a punk!! I'm sorry, but I know some pretty tall people and even they don't sit in the back seat when they drive - and this kid was nothing more than average.
There were more crashes, but not everyone stayed. at least 6 other cars - that I saw were in collisons, but then drove off.

The accident happened at 10:30 and the first officer finally arrived at 11:15. I seriously was glad noone was injured. Can you imagined having an opened wound - not only on that busy freeway, but in those freezing temperatures!! I wonder if we were on the back burner b/c noone had serious injuries. I don't know. I'm thankful someone finally arrived - but after my first look at "who" it was - I wasn't as happy as at first.

I mean no disprespect to our law enforcement - I Have no desire to do their job - but after seeing our first officer's demeanor I turned around and mumbled "Oh great - we get crabby cop!" Maybe he was going on no sleep, I don't know, but that was just my first impression, and I really did not want to deal with him. He first talked with the 3 cars behind me, (and they were down a good ways) then he crossed traffic to talk to 2 other drivers, then up to "Sandals" and then me. When crossing traffic he held up his hand - ok understandable - he didn't feel like being turned into a cop burger, but then when he got to the car - and mind you he is STILL walking, he furiously swings his arm and shakes his head at the driver he initially stopped, so he could cross the road, b/c he was annoyed that this poor driver couldn't read his mind and know when to start moving again! That's why I thought what I thought.

Then, just to add a little cream to the top, while walking to Sandals, he looks glaringly across traffic at me and yells "WHO ARE YOU" I really didn't know how to respond. I was raised to be respectful to authority, but I was in shock of this officer's behavior. Not like he has to wear kid gloves around me or something, but sheesh, a simple "I'll be with you in a moment ma'am" would really go a long ways.

I finally found my voice and said loudly, Uhh, JESSICA. His response ... "WHO" My response "JESS - I - CA" Officer "WERE YOU INVOLVED WITH THIS??" Me "YES" Officer - shakes head. And turns to talk with Sandals Sr and Jr.

At this moment I am praying for God to intervene. I am very expressive and heaven knows, given the opportunity with Officer Crabby, I would DEFINITELY do something expressively damaging. Either tone of voice, body language, sarcastic answer - or a combo of all 3.

My prayers were answered. Two more officers arrived on the scene and I was assigned a very nice "Officer Hines". He spoke professionaly, yet not rudely, he was considerate and said I could sit in my car and talk to him through the window, and he offered to call in for assistance when he saw my tire and damage situation. Calmness in an unpleasant situation is the best way to go.

PART III

The wrecker came for me a short time later. He was very nice also. I asked him if putting on two new tires would get me home. And he said, "I don't know where you're going to get 2 tires today." :( Not what I wanted to hear. It was Saturday, everything - mechanical - was closed, and then he added that even with 2 new tires there was no gaurantee I would make it all the way home b/c of other damage we couldn't see. He asked where I wanted it towed and I informed him I was not from the area, I was just traveling through, so I had no clue. We talked for a few minutes and finally decided on a body shop he had personally done business with, and recommended highly.

I watched helplessly as my car was loaded up onto the back of a wrecker, and it just looked so sad and pathetic. :( When it was finally sitting on top, it was leaning to the right, with all its other damage, and I felt like I was on a non-animated episode of "Cars" - the junkyard part.

The officer finished talking to me - so I climbed up into the wrecker and off we were to the body shop. The vguy driving was easy to talk to. Found out that he was actually the owner of the towing company, which really put my mind at ease about where we were dropping off my car, b/c he had used them to fix his trucks - and to do body work. As the owner, especially, of a business where your trucks are your livelihood, I don't believe he would recommend a shaddy repair shop.

He told me he would drive me to the airport to rent a car, and then he added that he'd make sure there was actually something available for me to rent before leaving. Ahhhh I just thought that was so considerate. After crabby cop I really wasn't sure what to expect from anyone else on the scene, so I'm glad the Lord had my fate in this man's hands and not CC's. The plan was to drop my car off, go to the airport, rent a car, and then he'd leave and I'd go back to the bodyshop to unload EVERYTHING in my car. Since he wouldn't be with me on my trek back, he made sure I knew which roads we were on, and how to get back. Thankfully, there weren't a lot of turns.

We got to the airport, and they had either 1 mini-van or 1 dirty vehicle. A car's a car so I didn't care what they put me in at that point, I just wanted to be home - off the road - and with my family. I asked Mr. Wrecker for a business card, and then thanked him for all his help and wished him a Merry Christmas. Miss Avis hooked me up with a white Chevy mini-van setting me back $100.80 -- I was really hoping for a $60- but nothing more than $80 charge - but I wasn't in any position to barter. Then she went through all the extras. Bumper-to-bumper coverage for an extra $40 - which after just coming from the scene of an accident I thought maybe I should consider - but I did decline. Oh, and this one you'll love. She asked if I wanted the convenient fuel fill-up, or I wanted to return the vehcile with a full tank of gas. I really didn't know. I asked her to explain it. And she said, you can return the vehicle and they will fill it up for $13.99 a gallon, or I can fill it up and return it with a full tank of gas. HOLY COW!!! It didn't take very long for me to say "I'll fill it up myself!!" That's crazy!!

After I signed all the paperwork, I walked over to the phone station. There was a lit up picture of a telephone on the ceiling above a group of stainless steel cubicles. The first one had a seat -- but no phone. Instead there was a box with a keyhole. I thought - what in the world?? I looked at the ceiling sign again to make sure it was really a telephone sign I had seen. It was. So I walked to the next 4 cubes and they all the looked the same. I thought I was in the middle of a horrible dream. I went around to the other side and that side did have phones. whew! I sat down and went to call my mom. My phone card had died, and even though I could renew it, I knew that would take time so I decided to call collect. Our family, has always declined collect calls from family (unless it was Dad when he was hunting and calling from a gas station or something), otherwise, it usually means - call me back at home, my phone card died. We used this system all the time in college. So when they asked my name I said, "JESSICA-Call-Me-Back-Emergency" What an odd name hey!?? It's all computerized so I didn't feel too ridiculous. My mom wasn't in, so then I called my sister.

Here I am, in a stainless steel box, cold, unnerved, and then I heard my sister's voice. She asked if I was in an accident right away. I told her yes, but that I was alright. I don't have a cell phone so I call home to say, "I'm leaving, see you in a couple of hours", and then noone hears from me until they see me face-to-face. I said I haven't cried yet, so I'm probably going to start. And sure enough, good ol' niagra falls started streaming down my face. I said a lot of different things. I was glad the accident wasn't worse. I hit a cement block - I could have flipped over and plumeted a couple of stories to the ground. Surprisingly, I was very calm - even though I know that's hard for people to imagine, but from somewhere really, really, really deep down inside, this person I never knew emerged. No tears, no wild imagination, it was a thought provoking, sensible person. I didn't want to get back on the road again - especially in a vehicle that wasn't mine. I wouldn't be familiar with it, I NEVER drive mini-vans, and now that I'd been delayed so long I knew it was going to be getting dark and that the roads were not getting any better.

I know God has a reason for all things. After I thanked him for protecting me, I asked, am I not getting something?? I mean technically 4 accidents in 8 years. 3 within 2 years of eachother. None, and I repeat N * O * N * E, of them were my fault, and there were never any life threatening injuries, but still traumatic and stressful. I've always attracted bad drivers for some reason. I get tailed, cut off, flipped off, you name it - short of being shot (which I'm not saying I want this to happen so I can be all inclusive here) I've had just about everything happen to me now.

With each of these things, I've been more alert as a driver. I know my limitations, I know how fast things happen - people really do "come-out-of-nowhere", that's why it's important to be SURE you're alert so you're not the cause of something horrific. Some things I avoid - drivers talking on cell phones -- I try never to drive beside them or directly in front of them. Vehicles that are iluminated with techno gadgets - monitors in all shapes, sizes, and colors. From tv's, gps units, to palm pilot / music gizmos and I try to stay far behind them so I can avoid them -- they're usually in a big hurry anyways so that's usually not a problem.

I know I'm deviating from my story - and I know I've said this before - but we really drive with a false sense of security. We drive plasitc cars, with pop-out-pillows (airbags), and little blue buttons (onstar) and think "driving is so much safer with all these new cars!!" It's NOT!! Well, whatever, my little words, on my little blog, are not going to change the driving habits of the world - it's just my "opinion" from real - life experiences. I drove all the way home with no more close calls. The vehicle I drove had traction control, so I 'felt' safer, even though I didn't rely on it. I drove 5 mph under the entire way home. Felt bad for the guys behind, but wasn't about to change my speed. Having out-of-state license plates helped b/c I felt people passed me much quicker instead of staying behind me for long periods of time.

It was sad leaving my car all alone in a snow-covered parking lot, with a little white Saturn beside it with a major teppeed hood, pillow case hanging from the steering wheel, and no front end, being the only thing it had for company. :( *sniff sniff*I finally made it to town. I took the long way through the city, b/c even though I grew up here, I'm not familiar with the freeway system and I needed to "fill up" prior to turning in the van at the airport. There were more accidents, and now there was slush on the ground. I had told Mr. Wrecker, it seemed like everytime I've been in an accident, I've just filled up my car!! From now on I'm keeping it at 3/4 of a tank!! ha ha After I left the filling station I had a bad feeling -- uh oh! I have a full tank of gas. Thankfully, I made it to the airport just fine.

I get to the parking garage to turn in the car, and there's a sign that says Return Avis Rentals Here ... DO NOT BACK UP. There's a speed bump with spikes sticking out, and no attendant. Ummm yeah. Don't know exactly what I'm suppose to do. I mean, I've already lost 2 tires, I really cannot afford to blow out 4 rental tires also. I waited there for what seemed like forever, and finally thought - maybe they only pop your tires if you go the opposite direction over them (like you're trying to steal a rental) like what they have on military bases. Finally, after debating in my head for several minutes - I creeped over the spikes at 0.00000001 miles per hour - holding my breath the entire way! Whew! Everything was fine.

Followed the arrows, parked the car in front of a sign that told me if there was no attendant I needed to *Note my returning mileage * retrieve my personal belongings * lock the vehicle * and go to the curteousy desk to turn in the key. I turned and looked at ALL of my "personal belongings" and laughed. ha! I didn't have just a suitcase, and a toiletry bag. Oh no, that would have been much toooooooo easy.....and this is me we're talking about! I had:

Medium Wheeled Suitcase
Small Wheeled Suitcas
Sewing Machine
Sewing Basket
Laptop
School Bag
3 Pairs of Shoes
1 Pair of Boots
3 Shopping Bags
BIG Fleece blanket
Dressy Winter Coat
Traveling Snacks
Toiletry Caddy With everything from my Poof to my razor sticking out!)
And just to add to the humor -- MY BIG NOODLE EXERCISE ROLLER!!!!!

Ey-Yi-Yi!! Now do you see why I laughed. I locked the van and went inside for a cart so I could unload everything. I couldn't find a cart - then I had to stand in the rental line forever to ask for a cart. The clerk nicely told me to - go all the way down this hall - take a right - go to the third floor - go through the east doors - and on the right you'll see them. I had a "huh??" look on my face. I finally shook my head, to clear it a little, and said, Uhhhh what floor is this?? I followed his directions, but before the elevators I saw a line of carts. Woo-hoo. I thought they looked a little small, and maybe the carts on the 3rd floor would be bigger, and not wanting to risk getting lost in the airport, I decided to get one of these carts on Not venture to the 3rd floor.

I went to take a cart, and my arm jerked -- the cart was stuck on something. Hmmm. That's weird! I tried from the other end, and they were stuck that way too. I've used caddy/carts before, but I've always just grabbed one that was "laying around." Then I noticed they were on a track, and it was locked. Hmmm - that's crazy. Ohhh wait. It hit me! They must want you to pay for them. Then I saw it - and ATM looking machine. I read the little monitor and it was flashing: "No Carts Available." ???? Huh!?!? I looked back at the row of carts, and then read the sign again and then just shook my head. Sheesh! What are these 18 carts on reserve or something?? So I was forced to be elevated to the 3rd floor. I went to the monitor and caught myself shouting - 3 BUCKS FOR A STUPID CART!!!!!!!! I quickly looked around - whew! Noone was passing at that moment. No cash or change small enough so I had to use my credit card! :( I couldn't believe it. I think I was more shocked b/c I was expecting it to be like the Aldi system. You put a quater in, get your shopping cart, put your shopping cart away, get your quarter back. This was NOTHING like that.

Made it back to the Avis counter. All pride was completely squelched by this point. The worker said, wow, you weren't kidding. I explained that I had been driving down, it wasn't that I was coming from a flight. Then he says. Oh were you in car accident today. ??? Again, I had the HUH?!? look on my face. I was wondering if I had it written across my forhead. I tentatively told him, with a questionable look on my face --yyyeesssss. He then went on to tell me my sister had called asking if I had checked in yet, b/c she hadn't heard from me and she was really scared something had happened. Awwww. It cracked me up that this guy remembered this! I assured him I had called Rebecca as soon as I had arrived.

We had just finished talking when all of a sudden I hear someone say, "Jessica?????" It was Rebecca, but she had the funniest look on her face, as she was trying to figure out if this bag lady in a bright orange winter hat, with TONS of bags hanging EVERYWHERE was really her sister!! I was already mortified b/c all of the public could see me, and I was just trying to keep my head up. I finally said, JUST GET ME HOME!!

Let me tell you. I have a whole new respect for bag ladies!! They make it look WAY easier than it really is!! Did I share with you trying to get it all together?? After I got everything on the cart, neatly stacked, I realized I forgot my exercise noodle in the back seat! :( I had to start over trying to get all my "personal belongings" to balance on this itzy-bitzy cart. Then when it's all stacked, I'm pushing it, filled to overflowing, while my laptop is crossed over me going one direction, my school bag (which is busting at the seams due to extra loose packing), and then my purse is dangling from my wrist.

We finally made it home. Merry Christmas to all - and to all safe road conditions!! :P

*please know what I "meant" to write in areas where I jumbled my thoughts - or the computer put my cursor in a new spot when I was typing and I couldn't find it!! :( ----I'll be editing later.*

Size 2

2008-12-23T18:28:00.003-06:00

My sister gave me 2 bags of clothes to go through - which totally made my day!! :D She said, if I didn't like them, or they didn't fit, I could either think of someone else to give them to, or we could ship them to Goodwill.

So I'm holding up these clothes, trying to gauge if they would fit or not. I did think of a few other people who might fit some items better then me - but I wasn't sure. Finally I said, "I am such a bad judge at figuring out people's size." My sister said, "Oh, well in that case -- I'm a size 2!!"

I love my sister!! :D :D

prayers and soggy cereal

2008-12-21T16:42:00.003-06:00

So this morning Savannah and I ate Corn Pops together. I said, do you want to pray, or do you want me to? She said, Ummm I will! So we bow our heads and close our eyes.

Dear Jesus

Thank you for this day,
thank you for this food,
thank you for Momma,
thank you for Daddy,
thank you for Josiah,
thank you for Grandpa Al,
thank you for Grandma Barb,
thank you for Grandpa,
thank you for Grandma Grace,
thank you for Jessica,
thank you for my cute little kitty (toy sitting on the table),
thank you for everything,
thank you for great, great, great, great, great, great Grandpa
thank you for great, great, great, great, great, great Grandma
Dear Jesus' name ~ Amen!

I didn't want to have a non-prayerful spirit - but at the same time I really, REALLY hate soggy cereal. So tomorrow I'll be pouring my milk AFTER we pray.

I do have to comment on the fact that she was very consistant with her "greats." It was six for each - I counted. I betcha these "Grrrrrrrreat Granparents" of hers never thought they'd be prayed for some 100 plus years later. She did had to have so many "greats" in order to get here! :) She asked if she prayed too long while we were eating, and I said, Well, I like that you remembered to thank God for so many things - b/c too many times people forget to do that. I hope she remembers to always thank the Lord.

cleanliness is next to Godliness

2008-12-18T15:05:00.002-06:00

One of my students' mom looked in her child's desk for something - after they had left the room - and she was shocked. She wondered why they could keep their desk so clean and NOT their room!

The next day I made mention of that before we left for lunch, trying to encourage ALL of my students to be responsible at home - not just at school. I said it's funny how your desk is spotless and your room is messy!!

Then one of my students pops out with - "Hmmm! And I'm just the opposite. My room is clean and my desk if filthy!!

I cracked up! I still haven't completely mastered being able to control my laughter. The way it was said - like a fact of common knowledge - gave me no hope of keeping it in! This child is far from filthy!! All of my students are actually very good at keeping their things in order. We all get out of order sometime - dah, we're working!

I love my students ... they make me happy! :)

The Hidden Message

2008-12-08T16:32:00.003-06:00

Last year I decorated a tree at church that said Jesus is the Reason for the Season. It also had red bulbs on it that had Jesus Is the Gift written on them - one letter per bulb. This year I actually had a helper, so it didn't take as long to put it up - what a blessing!! :D

It was nice to see on Sunday morning. Ahhhhh Sooooo homey!

Sunday night I walked past it and stopped dead in my tracks. I wasn't directly looking at it but something seemed different. I turned around and my mouth dropped in horror!!!

ALL of my bulbs spelling out "Jesus Is the Gift" were randomly placed throughout the tree, not in one place, like I had it, so you could read what was on the ornaments. Shock turned to anger -- and one shouldn't have anger -- ESPECIALLY in church. I stormed down the hallway -- in a non-marching but determined way, and found Angela. I declared -- "SOMEBODY MOVED ALL THE BULBS ON THE CHRISTMAS TREE!!" I was ready to go on when she kind of smiled -- and I'm thinking in my head THIS IS NO JOKE!!!

Well - open mouth, insert foot. My friend Floss - who was right in the room, had done it b/c she thought kids had been playing around and clumped all the ornaments in one spot -- she didn't see that anything was written on the bulbs! Ohhhhh!! I felt sooooo bad.

I still haven't fixed it -- and it does look really really really good the way Floss arranged everything. Maybe next year I'll just put on the ribbon without the words on the ornaments. Maybe it's too much of a good thing - and really people don't read it, they just think - poor Jessica doesn't know how to decorate a tree. ha ha

Floss - if you're reading this -- I really do love you. And I feel bad for being "angry." If you re-arrange them again though - I'm tellin' Pastor!! ha ha :)

Correction

2008-12-04T17:11:00.002-06:00

I need to type a correction. One of my Tom Turkey descriptions was incorrect. What I thought might be a Pilgrim was in fact a Tourist. I was wondering what was around its neck and now I know -- It was a camera ... oh wait ... or maybe it was a passport?? Oh great!! I probably shouldn't have even said anything at all!!

It's a good thing I don't work for a newspaper - my column would probably turn into a daily "retraction." You'd hear people say, "Pass me the sports; Do you have the bussiness section; Can I have the funnies" and then a little voice out of nowhere would say .... "anyone seen the retractions?!?!" (The 'voice' I hear in the back of my head is "Rozz" from Monster's Inc.)

This is where one can use their imagination -- Art is MEANT for the imagination anyways!! :D I'm imagining it is a lucky rabbit's foot hanging around this guy's neck -- b/c REALLY it's a turkey around Thanksgiving and he needs all the luck he can get!!!

....poor rabbit though!

Chinese

2008-12-04T17:08:00.001-06:00

Conversation between 2 first graders

girl - What does Mississippi look like??

boy - It looks like Chinese

I have no clue where that came from!!

Jingle Bells

2008-12-04T16:43:00.003-06:00

The other day at school one of my 2nd graders asks me if I want to hear the "kid" version of Jingle Bells. I told him sure -- I did NOT expect to hear this:

"Dashing through the snow

on a pair of broken skis

Going really fast,

crashing into trees

The snow is turning red,

I think I might be dead

Now I'm in the hospital

with stitches in my head!"

I was laughing so hard, he started laughing and couldn't even sing the chorus. I wrote down the words so I could blog it - b/c something this good just can't be kept to ones self - but what I didn't expect was part II the next day!!! Before I had a chance to type this out, my student and his older sister came up to me with a new twist to the chorus:

O Jingle Bells

Jared smells,

Kaden laid an egg

Alec thinks

and Levi stinks

and the teachers all shout

FIRE IN THE HOLE!!!!

Ok, again - laughing so hard they couldn't finish. Come to find out, this was as far as they'd gotten, but still - that was just over breakfast!! I think we may have some child prodigies on our hands!! ha ha ha Or, maybe just some really, really, really funny kids. But that may be due to the fact that they're stuck in school with ME all day!! ha ha Another good possibility of why I laughed so much is b/c these kids' names aren't just names - I know each one - and it was funny to imagine these kids and what was being said about them. I also could virtually see the teachers being goofy and yelling FIRE IN THE HOLE!!! I love funny moments!! :)

Christmas Lights

2008-11-28T13:39:00.005-06:00

Oh my word!! I'm doing good if I can get ONE Christmas tree to light up without pulling out my hair!

This is hilarious!!

Disclaimer: A very, very funny friend e-mailed this to me - I do NOT endorse the site at the beginning of this clip.

Where's Tom???

2008-11-25T16:21:00.011-06:00

Poor Tom Turkey! Last week he came to our school all stressed out b/c he didn't want to be served at Thanksgiving dinner! He asked the students to help him come up with a disguise so he wouldn't get shot!

Below are the fun, creative ideas each student came up with. Enjoy -- we sure did!

Grade 2 - Indian Head Dress

Grade 5 - Camouflage

Grade 6 - Animal Store Owner ... I think

Grade K-5 - Super"Turkey"

Grade K-5 - Angel

Grade 2 - Hunter (Notice the missing foot and Note: "Missed the Deer, Shot my Foot!)

Grade 1 - Clown

Grade K-5 - Witch

Grade 3 - Pilgrim ... I think

Grade K-5 - Packer Player

Grade 3 - Indian ... I think

Grade K-5 - The All-Around Sports Dude

Grade K-5 - Diva Princess

Grade Preschool - Spider (B/c Mom thought making "SpiderMAN" would be a little toooooo complex at 3 years old!!)

- Note - It did COME to school with 2 Googley eyes -- rough day!

Grade 8 - The Non-Turkey Hunter

Grade 11 - Dangerous Criminal

Grade 1 - Diva Princess II

Below are the Teacher's Entries:

Preschool Teacher - Turk....I mean Elephant ( Note what it's saying: "Gob....I mean "Elephant Noise"!)

K-5 Teacher - Grocery Bag (There's a raincheck sticking out of the top of the bag for a "fresh turkey" and it's signed by "Tom Turk."

1st and 2nd Grade Teacher (yours truly) - Bowling Ball and Pins.

Upper Learning Center Monitor - Hunter "Carrying" a "Turkey"

Last But Not Least

Upper Learning Center Teacher - Target (Her note says "Whew! That was close!! Gobble Gobble!"

After all the entries were up on the board we all voted for who we thought would save Tom.

For the Students the CRIMINAL disguise won.

For the Teachers, the BOWLING BALL and PINS disguise won.

We had such a blast doing this project. I know a "Few" Tom's out there didn't make it through the Thanksgiving holiday - but I hope we were able to assist a few in escaping their fate ... at least for another year!! ha ha

Pie Social

2008-11-20T16:53:00.002-06:00

Every year at Thanksgiving, our church has a "Pie Social." Last year, my first year here, I missed it b/c I went home for Thanksgiving. This year, while trying to live a little more frugally, I've decided to stay here for this holiday, and go home for Christmas.

I was endlessly harassed last year concerning events at church that involved food. It seemed like I missed every single one. Either I happened to be visiting my parents or I was deathly ill. Whatever the case, I don't think I made a dish for a potluck Sunday (which we have once a month), until I'd been living here for at least 6 or 7 months!!

Now that I've ventured into bringing a dish to pass at our potlucks (and trust me I pray VERY hard I don't make anyone sick. Mostly for selfish reasons though. You see, if I got teased endlessly PRIOR to bringing food, can you imagine the torment I'd have to endure after COOKING food and poisoning someone!?!?!), the time has come for me to bake a pie.

humph How does one go about creating something they've only ever purchased by the slice at Baker's Square?? Yeah! No clue! At times like these I really, really miss the city.

My sister told me about a great pie she found online, so I looked it up, and I printed off the recipe. I'm a little leery though. You see, just yesterday, I brought a chicken pot pie to school, for lunch. I BURNT IT ... IN THE MICROWAVE!!!! How does one accomplish such a thing?? I don't know. My talents exceed even my own expectations!!

The really sad thing is, if by some form of a glorious miracle, I actually pull off creating something edible - I'll have NO proof. (I guess the proof would be in human life still existing at church - but that's not what I mean.) I accidentally left my battery charger, and my one "Charged" battery at my parents. No Kodak moments here.

Wednesday is the big day. I'm not even a big fan of pies. Why can't we have a BROWNIE social??? Mmmmmm Moist, warm, ooey, gooey brownies with a cold glass of milk!!!!!! Man! I'm licking my lips just thinking about it, and I don't even have any brownies I can make when I get home. *sniff*

Stay tuned for the outcome of "Operation Chocolate Pie"

At Least 5 Will Survive

2008-11-11T16:27:00.005-06:00

Sunday morning it felt like winter. When I woke up I took some cough medicine - due to a sore throat, then I looked outside and there were flakes falling from the sky, and then I saw something lumpy in my driveway. ??? Wait! What was that?!?!

I had no clue what I was looking at. My windows were frosted, and whatever animal it was, was far enough away I couldn't quite make it out. I thought - is that a bear? It was black and shiny and round. Then it started moving -- and its body was breaking up - NOPE definitely not a bear?? Could it be black pigs?? I was really stretching with that one. Then these round things really started seperating - and there in front of me - only weeks prior to Thanksgiving, were 5 ENORMOUS butterball - big time - turkeys!! I discovered why their necks move all funny when they walk. It's b/c they're sooooo off balance. They have these little pins for legs, and bowling balls for bellies. They're just trying to keep from tipping over.

They all had beards, but one of the beards was a good 8 - 12" long!!! WOW!!!

I saw this video a few years ago, and I had to stop and laugh -- these turkeys knew they would survive in my yard .... b/c unlike my neighbors - I have no firearms!

Enjoy!! :D

]

Freedom Writers

2008-10-27T17:57:00.004-05:00

I just spent nearly 2 hours watching political clips on youtube and can I just say I am sick to my stomach. I honestly do not think I could handle being around a tv right now. I remember during the last election I was very, VERY stressed out, and the only difference this time is I am sooooo removed from advertising. As soon as I get a mailing I throw it out, as soon as a recorded political voice is on the other line of my phone I hang up, as soon as political commercial comes on the radio I flick it off - but I mostly listen to cds anyways so that rarely happens. Some may think I am uninformed - but that's ok - I'm still living and I won't need heart stints any time soon!! I give kuddos to those in America who are willing to fight for what's right in the ignorant muck that's out there. Personally, I cannot stand the stupidity.

History Repeats Itself

Growing up, I seriously just thought that meant, there's nothing new in the history books. In a way, I was right on track ... there isn't. ALL conflict, wars, economical problems, and everything else had the same core issues, and they're the same issues we're fighting today it's just noone calls them what they are. AND if you do see all this junk for what it is, and you speak out you're automatically labeled. You're an extremist!! Well excuse me for being an American!! I have that right -- my forefathers made sure of it, and soldiers today are dying for it!!

Saturday, I watched Freedom Writers with Hilary Swank. It gave me chills and made me cry. There is swearing in it, but overall, I have to say it's one of the best movies I've seen - especially b/c it's real.

It's hard knowing America is led to "tolerate" everyone except my faith. It hurts a lot. We have the truth and everyone thinks we're crazy. Sometimes I sit back and wonder why God loves us. I think my theme song is "This World is NOT my Home"! I love the church I'm in. I'm am able to be involved in eye-opening Bible studies and they encourage me to know, God really is the one in control.

Anytime I hear the word tolerate I always think of Hitler. I don't know what the future holds, and I don't think I want to know. Good or bad, I want to trust in the Lord no matter what. I don't want to only beg Him for help during the hard times, I want to beg Him to be near me during the good times. The Jews didn't deserve what happened to them - noone deserves that! We don't deserve God's love either but He offers it to us abundantly.

What I've been trying to work on is my mental name calling. In Freedom Writers it's shown how hatred and division start with just the little things and they escalate. Dah - again - history repeats itself - I already knew that. I think I just needed a refresher course. We'll see how it goes. One thing at a time - I'll just work on my political name calling for now - no promises as far as my names for drivers who should NOT be on the road. Baby steps ya know!

I'm exhausted. So much for a little fun blogging. At least my heart beat is back to normal. Or maybe it's just slowing down b/c I'm mentally exhausted.

Enjoy the "cheaper" gas prices while you can - if they've dropped in your area. Somehow, I always plan it just right to fill UP right before the big drop. I was driving on fumes and decided to fill up -- next day -- prices dropped 20 cents!!! UGH!!!! So, hooray for everyone else who was on "E" today and not yesterday.

*sniff sniff - only 2 me*

ps - Obviously, the no name calling thing won't begin until AFTER I post this b/c I did do a little name calling throughout my entire post!

At the Pump

2008-10-12T16:57:00.003-05:00

Wed. night, after church, I had to get fuel. So I pull up to the gas pump, turn off the car, get out, walk over to the pump, and .... ??? What's that?? There was something swaying above to keypad monitor. So I got closer to see exactly what it was (When am I going to learn my lesson??), and what was it exactly??? I'm still not 100% sure, but I'll do my best to describe exactly what I saw.

There was a slimy, booger/goober substance attached at the top of the screen hanging down about 4 inches, swinging in the breeze!!!

OH MY WORD!!! I simultaneously started screaming, twitching/jumping, and gagging right out in the middle of the gas station. The attendant probably thought I was mentally challenged or something. This isn't the most proper way to act - especially in Mayberry USA, BUT this goes right along side with puking in the street of downtown when my whole mouse episode took place - but I didn't blog about that - too much pride I suppose -- or just plain forgetfulness when I start telling a story.

After I composed myself, a little, I grabbed 12 paper towels from the dispenser by the window cleaning station, and with much trembling arms, and convulsing throat I scooped the slime off the gas pump and threw it in the trash. I didn't feel the slime at all - I made sure of that by the excessive towel usage. I didn't even want to use the touch screen anymore - and I didn't want to move my car either - again pride. For the first time in a very long time I thought, Huhhhh, I wonder how many germs are actually on a gas pump unit -- and why did we ever go to a touch pad system??? Why don't we just start having nurses on hand at gas stations to give us tetna shots while we're at it!!

I pulled my sleeve over my hand to protect my index finger as I selected my payment option, but I was thoroughly grossed out! When I went in to pay, I was going to tell the attendant so she could bleach it, but there was a rather large not so hygienically savvy looking guy in there and I opted to keep quiet just in case this piece of nature came from him!

As soon as this happened I thought - I have got to call Gerilynn!! Gerilynn is my friend from church who is a germ-a-phobe ... or so we say she is. She ALWAYS has sanitizer on hand -- and the good stuff too from Bath & Body Works!! :) The other day she was talking about trying to sanitize a public bathroom before using it, and she said it would be so much easier if sanitizer came in spray form. Huh!! Wouldn't you know it, I saw a travel size, spray sanitizer pen -- WITH A CLIP!! So I got it for her. She also wears these purple latex gloves for the icky jobs. Man, what I wouldn't have given to have her as a passenger in my car that night!!

I called her as soon as I got home, to tell her my horror story (Well, after washing my hands a couple of times in hot soapy water)!! We gagged and laughed together. The next day before Pastor started devos G. hands me a business sized envelope. I thought it was another scrapbooking invitation, b/c that's how she always does it. This envelope was lumpy though, and she said I would have to open it to see if it was a scrapbooking invite. So I did, and out fell a purple pair of latex gloves and the note below. I love Gerilynn!! :) And for not being at the gas pump with me that night -- her drawing is quite accurate!

I do have to add this. When I told Gerilynn this story on the phone, I said, it may have been from a horse. Completely serious she asks, "Why would a horse be at a gas pump??" Like duh Jess, you don't need to fill up a horse with gas - you just give them oats and they're good to go. I started laughing and said, no no - like when they're in a trailor being transported somewhere. I can so see one of them snorting and slime coming out.

I am just praising the Lord it was NOT on the PUMP HANDLE!!! You wouldn't be reading this right now if it had been, b/c I would have died right there. Here lies Jessica - who knew BP would have been her last stop in life! What a way to go!

Have it Your Way

2008-10-12T16:51:00.003-05:00

If I remember correctly, I believe that is the slogan for Burger King. Regardless - that's just how I had it Friday night. I made my VERY first hamburger and added all the fixin's!! :D This may seem odd to some - but I count it a step up from Mac 'n Cheese or a bowl of cereal for dinner!!! I was rather proud of myself. Of course, I didn't snap a shot of what a mess I made eating it - but it sure was delicious!!!

Fall '08

2008-10-10T20:53:00.010-05:00

Every Autumn I try to go to a high point and look out over a sea of beautiful warm fall colors. One year I climbed to the highest point in West Virginia with some friends (at least I "think" it was the highest point), and I was able to capture some amazing pictures - although being there in person was much better.
Another year my mom and I climbed the stairs at Steeple View. I believe it was a bell tower we were in , and it was just gorgeous.
Two years ago I was in an airplane flying to Japan, and I was able to see some of the most gorgeous colors. Then while in Japan Nathan, Arlene, and I went for a nature hike and we were able to see some of the most beautiful trees ever.

I didn't think I was going to be able to do that this year, but the Lord blessed in a very unexpected way. Three friends from church appeared on my doorstep and said ... We're going to Tim's Hill - Let's go! :O :) The highest point in Wisconsin - A tower already set at a high elevation. I just love to view what God has given to us to show us His hand. He is so great and can do whatever He wants - yet He deamed it possible to allow such a simple pleasure as seeing leaves changing colors before they fall off for the winter.

Certain areas here are almost completely bare (like my yard), but other drives are still quite gorgeous with full, colorful trees. Below are a few shots from my yard tonight. Enjoy!

Thank you Lord!

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea

Creation's revealing Your majesty

From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring

Every creature unique in the song that it sings

All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,

You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.

You are amazing God

All powerful, untameable,

Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim

You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go

Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow

Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light

Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night

None can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable,

You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.

You are amazing God

Incomparable, unchangeable

You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same

You are amazing God

by chris tomlin

Can You See Them?

2008-10-10T20:47:00.003-05:00

Hmmmm - Could these have been my visitors??

I went outside tonight to take a pic of the tree in the backyard and I walked down the porch steps before I realized I had company. Can you see both of them??
They actually let me walk towards them - I walked just past my car and they still didn't run away. This was VERY awesome!!

My Bear Story

2008-10-10T20:12:00.002-05:00

Last week I came home from school pretty tired - but determined to get some things accomplished around the house. I started by sorting laundry - and then off to the kitchen to start the hot water running to fill up a soapy sink to do the dishes in. On the counter I saw my sunflower from Vicki ( - thanks - ) dying. I decided to toss my dying sunflower and then wash my vase right away. There's a tall grass patch in my yard I figured I should throw the sunflower into so if a sunflower decided to pop up later that would be a nice place for it to do so.

I went outside with vase in hand (don't know why I didn't just take the flower out beforehand), and I walked to the right side of the grass patch b/c that's what is nearest the house. As stretched my arm behind me to give the flower a good toss something didn't feel right. I froze for a second and then dropped my arm and peered over to the left ---- and that's when I saw this:

I just though - hmmm how odd, and went about my original plans.

....
....
...
Yeah if you believe that you obviously do NOT know me at all. The following is how the rest of the story (called only-2-me happenings) played out!

I immediately walked slowly closer to this massive crater of crushed grass as my eyes grew larger and larger. My mouth now hanging wide open and the vase nearly dropping out of my hand! As I stopped directly in front of the picture you see above it is then I screamed!
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Then I took a breath ... and screamed again!
AHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I may not be an outdoors gal -- but I knew enough to know THIS IS THE BED OF AN ANIMAL!!!!!! I tried telling myself it was probably just a deer - b/c I've not actually seen an animal bed before - but I couldn't talk myself into it....not by the size of this! I even tried to be a sleuth. I do know what deer poopies look like now (and I have also stepped in a pile b/c that's how they fall) so I was bending near - without actually stepping in - to see if I could see any evidence, but to no avail. And one has to think - would you want to sleep where you poop??? Can't you just see that conversation played out. Now Bambie - I don't care if you just went when you were in the Peterson's yard. I want you to march yourself over to those woods and try one more time before you come back into this bed I've made for us!

After getting the screams out, and trying my hand at detective work, I went back in the house and did what anybody would do. I called my friend from up the road (who by the way has also helped by being on alert for my potential-mouse issues! - he'll definitely have a very special reward in heaven for having to put up with me!) and just calmly asked if he was going to be around the area anytime that night! ;) ha ha Well, bless his heart, he came over, and I expected him to get out of his truck and say - It's just a deer bed - you're in the northwoods now - you can't get freaked out everytime you see something like this. Well I was right in the first count....he got out of his truck! :) ha ha Then he just stood there, looking at it - for a really long time. I was quiet - but there was a whole lot of noise up in my head. Ok, very funny - you're just not saying anything b/c you know I'm standing here flippin' out inside b/c you're not telling me "chill - it's just a deer." This isn't funny. Oh my WORD!! It really is a bear and he doesn't want to tell me. Ok, ahhh, does he not know what this is?? Nahhhh, he's just really messin' with my head! OH MY WORD I'M GONNA DIE!!! IT'S A WHOLE FAMILY OF BEARS!!
Then, he starts feeling the grass, and sniffing, and steps in it. By now I'm about having a heart attack and ready to start packing boxes, when he sticks his hand down in the grass and says - yep it was just a deer. I think that was the first breath of air I'd taken since he arrived. He said I was right - it really was a very large bed and he really wasn't sure when he first got there if it had been a bear or deer. He found a spot where a deer's hoof had hit ground, and felt the print, and it was small so it wasn't a bear. Needless to say I was quite relieved. I just don't know how long it was there. I definitely didn't notice it when I came home from school, and I didn't see this HUGE obvious chunk of crushed grass on my way to school, or at any other time, so I have no clue when I had overnight guests. It must've been one night when I kept my porch light on. You know like Hotel 6 (or whichever one) "We'll keep the light on for ya!"

Even though there was no bear - I still call it my bear story --- until a better one comes along (*worried look on face!*) B/c you know with me - there is BOUND to be another one!!! I may not know when, or when -- but I know there will be one!

But Where's the Bride's?

2008-09-22T17:38:00.003-05:00

Last weekend I went to a retreat with the ladies from my church. We grouped up to save money on the hotel bill and I have to say, my roomies made me laugh.

I have to blog this story even though my friend wants to go unnamed, so unless you were there and knew who I stayed with, this incredibly fun loving lady will go unmentioned.

This is what happened.

Funny friend uses restroom. Comes out and announces they have a little toiletry kit for grooms but there's not one for brides. I said, ahhh, that's probably cause the bride took hers with. It wasn't until that evening, when the normally ditsy lady (and I say that with every ounce of love I have) of the group came out of the bathroom laughing and said, Uhhhh - that's a "Groom" kit as in "GroomING!" I was laughing so hard I thought I was going to have to go USE the bathroom!!!

I guess these funny moments don't happen just to me. I have to say, if I would have been paying attention to what was on the bathroom counter, I may have had the same thought. I don't know that I would have voiced it - but I probably would have.

I loved my room!! It was a BLAST!! :D

Country Style

2008-09-08T20:18:00.003-05:00

All of my neighbors have really nice mailboxes -- me I'm going country -- wild grass and weeds and all.

Ok - it's not b/c I "wanted" to, it's b/c I don't have a weed whacker or a push mower so I can't get around these hard areas. As long as I just keep telling myself "I'm going for the country look" maybe I won't feel so humiliated that I'm the only mailpost on the road barely visible.

Funny, I thought only people living in suburbs had these prideful, comparing neighbor moments! Guess not! Human is human no matter where you call home.

Definitely NOT Mickey - the short version

2008-09-08T19:27:00.004-05:00

I visited my parents not too long ago for a little over a week. When I came back home I brought my niece with me. It was late when I got in (around 10p), and I just wanted to go to bed. I brought Savannah in laid her on the couch b/c she had fallen asleep in the car, and then started hauling in "stuff." Luggage, toys, yadda, yadda. I took toiletries in the bathroom (in the dark), and then realized I had to "go" to the bathroom, so I turned on the light and went to use the toilet when I saw something in the toilet. I thought it was just debris from not being used, so I looked CLOSER, only to realize it was a DEAD MOUSE!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!! I jumped about 10 ft. straight up, covered my mouth and went screaming to the back of the house. (Yeah, and I was the adult in the house!) What does one do in a situation like this?? CALL MOM!! Which I did. I am not ashamed to say I was flipping out.

(Aren't you glad this is one moment I didn't care to capture in Kodak!)

I knew I couldn't flush it - I couldn't get near that commode - so I was going to leave it til morning and call my pastor. I know that sounds terrible, but he always says, if you need anything let us know. Well, I considered this a need!!

I went back in the bathroom to get what I had put on the counter, and I was going to shut the door. I don't know what possessed me but I decided to look in the tub, out of curiosity - looking back I wish I wouldn't have done that! There was a dead mouse, all rigor mortised, laying there with lots of little black things by it (I didn't know if they were things eating it, or turds - later found out they were turds, but at the time I didn't want to take a closer look!). Same scene took place. Jumped 10 ft. in the air, covered mouth and screamed and screamed and screamed. Then I told myself to put on my big girl pants, get in there, and get the stuff off the counter. I could barely move I was so stiff, but I did it. I shut the door and thought - breath. Ok, I just wanted to go to bed. And that's when I saw it -- TURDS ON MY BED -- AND MY PILLOW!!! AHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!! Flipped out again. Shut my bedroom door and thought, ok - we can sleep on the couches and clean this up in the morning and that's when I saw it - little gifts left on the couches, counters, and the hallway.

Enough's enough! I told Savannah to put back on her shoes we were going to a hotel. Yeah, the nearest hotel, just a "little" ways down the road, but I did not care! I packed back up the car and we were on the road again. UGH!! Not the best welcome home that's for sure!

The next day my sister and her family came up. Her and her husband helped clean and bait traps and the whole nine yards. I'm still jumpy. I shut my toilet seat after EVERY use! I check all traps upon entering a room. No more - dopey, dopey, doe! just walking into a room. Oh no! There is must apprehension and detective action taken!

Friday, I came home after 9, checked all the traps, and after breathing a saw of relief I was walking through the kitchen when I caught something out of the corner of my eye, and my heart did one of those freak-out flip-outs!! Below is what I saw ... what are the odds???

only 2 me!

Flowers '08

2008-09-08T18:38:00.002-05:00

I barely have thumbs - let alone green ones! This summer I stepped out of my ... house ... and decided to try to grow ... something! ;) You see, I like the idea of the outdoors, I just rarely find myself actually enjoying the sun and fresh air. So I bought some flowers (yes, I decided not to go with seeds b/c ummm - yeah I'm too impatient!), and after those bit the dust I went out and bought a second bunch!! ;) I am soooo not joking either. I'm glad the Lord is in charge of keeping me breathing b/c seriously, if it weren't for that, I would so be dead!

I thought this one plant was really taking off. Wow! A nice BIG green sprout was appearing. Then it just sorta started taking over and I realized - Ummm, I think that's a WEED!! Look at that sucker! It's a miracle my poor little flowers got any nutrients at all!! They were probably praying they're blonde owner would rip the WEED out and stop thinking it was actually part of the plant!

Just 2 weeks ago I was sitting on the porch and saw a hummingbird diving into my petunias for the nectar. It was the neatest thing I have seen in a really, really long time. I love it when I can take in a moment the Lord gives me, and I recognize it as just that.

I'm still not sure what this plant is, but I purchased it b/c it was orange - so was the one beside it, but as you can see, I cut it out of the picture b/c it wasn't faring so well! My friend Jordyn loves orange, and I got it so I would remember her everytime I saw it. Now that she moved away it would be really nice for it to be blooming wonderfully, but cold temperatures are upon us now - so yeah - don't think it's gonna survive much longer.

Next year, I am going to try to venture out a little more. Baby steps you know. One little step at a time. All last year I had one plant in my classroom. My students kept saying, "Miss Orr!! The plant! It's dying." I just wanted them to experience the miracle of bringing something back to life! *ahem* Now that plant is in my living room - it's been revived a few times there too - but right now it's doing splendid. Then, this summer one set of flowers bit the dust, and the second set did half way decent. I'm ready to hit next summer full force. That's easy to say now - but hopefully I'll be just as motivated to get in the dirt in about 9 - 10 months! Maybe I'll branch out and try planting some vegetables too. :) Maybe my HIDDEN talent is planting food - not cooking it!!! ha ha

Dog Days of Summer

2008-09-08T18:14:00.005-05:00

Shortly after leaving for college my family purchased a beagle. When I talked to my dad he said I had been replaced. Yeah, it wasn't comforting to know I could be "replaced" by a smelly, loud, annoying, four-legged creature that sniff / licks its ... well you know what dogs do - no need for me to * s * p * e * l * l * it out.

At the beginning of August I was in the house and for a moment I felt like I was "home" at my parents'. I paused, and thought that was a weird feeling. Then I heard it again and realized exactly what made me feel like I was home ... I heard howling outside. I jumped up and ran to the window I thought would show me the source of the noise -- and then I tried a different window -- and then another window after that -- and then ugh yeah, 2 more windows after that. (I'm terrible at knowing where sounds are coming from - I hear noises all the time - I just can't pinpoint which direction they're coming from!) Finally there was only the bathroom window left, and I figured if I didn't see anything there, I was going to HAVE to go outside. (I only said that half heartedly to myself b/c who was I trying to fool, there was no way on this green earth I was going to step foot outside my tin box safety zone!)

Well, here's what I saw:

And then he called a friend.

After they both "took care of business" I wasn't sure if all the sniffing and turning around in circles was b/c they had actually caught a scent of a bear, or they were just picking out the premier place to pee!! I tried telling myself - beagles just hunt rabbits!! But I know so little about the likes of huntin' dogs I couldn't quite convince myself. I was just hoping if something had been tracked they scared it out of my yard/woods and up the road. I was really hoping a flannelized creature with a gun did not show up next - I don't know what I would have done then!

Adventure, adventure!!

powerful machinery

2008-08-25T22:09:00.000-05:00

I was never allowed to use my dad's riding lawn mower when I lived at home - but I don't have a push mower now so I had 2 choices: learn how to use a rider or invest in some cows to chew my lawn down.

.......... this is me getting my crash course in how to operate some heavy machinery.

It's almost the end of summer and I still have all my fingers and toes ... I take that as a good sign!! :D