Words from the not so wise

only 3 months this time

2008-09-02T17:35:00.000-07:00

still here. keeping up with everyone while having a terribly busy summer. had a great visit from the ones (see bethany's blog for pictures), had a birthday, went to san fran (loved it), saw mark litchford get married, hunter started his new job and oh, i myself will be looking for a new job. details are long and fuzzy, weird combo I know. its a long story but everything will work out. due to the sensitivity of what the details entail i cannot elaborate so...i wonder if i have retained anything that lipscomb taught me. we shall see. i also read every book in the twilight series and loved every minute of it. shout out to bethany..whoop whoop! my hydrangea bush is not looking good.....real sad but i did get some nice blooms off of it. our yard has been taken over by yellow jackets..no good. we can't find where they are coming from. also no good. enjoy the pics.

Family pic

Sonoma Valley (Hunter's fav)

Muir Beach

Muir Woods (redwood forest, my fav)

Lombard St

us in front of alcatraz (loved it)

BABY DREW

5 months ....has it really been that long?

2008-05-27T18:39:00.000-07:00

thats right...i am still here. i bet some of you have even stopped checking to see if i have updated. well, i am not making any promises but will say that you can count on a good long post tonight. nothing much to say here. work, friends, family, work. thats about it. i got a new nephew on March 31st (i thought about the cabaniss family) His name is Drew Harold. Babies being born is an absolute miracle!!!!! We have been on 2 trips to Memphis this spring. One for spring break and the other for our friends' law school graduation. I am so thrilled. Several of our good friends are moving back to Chat. I cannot wait!!!!!! HURRY UP and get here! Hunter got a new job at Dalton Public High School. This will be an interesting change compared to good ole BBS. We just finished the school year out. I am a little sad. BBS is a great place. We are planning on a family trip to San Fransico in June. Excited and nervous....Lindsay, can you give a few traveling pointers????? I have definitely been VERY busy in my flower beds this year. After the fiasco of last year with a freeze after i planted everything, i have been doing my homework. the accountant in me could not stand to loose money on flowers again. I am still diligently tending to my new hydrangea bush....maybe i'll post a picture one day. thats about it. just plugging away at life...stay classy bloggers.

Soulja Boy and Thoughts

2008-01-28T18:34:00.000-08:00

I just watched Miss Sheila from the food service at Lipscomb do the Soulja Boy (sp?) on You Tube. Over the top for me. Then I watched the Pi Delta pledges do it too. WOW!!!!!!! Highly entertaining.
Now for your thoughts......please fill in the blank. Wouldn't it be nice if my women's ministry at church did ______________________________. There is no right or wrong answer. Just trying to get an idea on how we need to meet the needs of women today.

Hello, my name is Andrea...remember me?

2008-01-21T08:38:00.000-08:00

First off, I have to say how proud I am of all of my friends. They are having babies, raising toddlers, bulding houses, working(teaching sex ed) and SKY DIVING!!!!! Who knew this bunch of girls(i still think of us as twenty and living in the dorm sleeping on bunk beds)would grow to be such amazing women. I am so glad to know you all. I have neglected my blogging "duties". I could come up with excuses why I haven't but looking at what everyone else is doing and maintaining a blog I won't waste our time. We had a great holiday season. I so enjoyed everyone's holiday cards (sick, its Christmas people, Christmas). They are still taped up on a bookshelf (a fine holiday tradition growing up) and they won't come down until I feel like it. Congratulations to all you new mommies out there! Your babies are super cute. Good luck with all of that mess that comes with babies. You'll be great!! Specifically to Lindsay Sloss (i know this is your maiden name, just felt like typing it)- You have more nerve than anyone I can think of right now. I watched your video. It was fantastic. I loved it. I wonder what is next on your list of things to do...this is not a hint at starting a family.
Back to me...we went to visit my family and got to ski. I love it. I am not very good at it but I love it. At heart, I will always be a mountain mama (take me home country roads makes me cry everytime I listen to it). Still working, Hunter is coaching and thats about it. We did have a birthday party for Hunter's 30th birthday a couple weeks ago. It was great! We did a casino theme..games, prizes and all. Not much going on now. Just hanging out and watching football and trying to stay warm. Take it easy!

Could it be...2 posts in one month

2007-10-15T17:48:00.000-07:00

Yep, I have something else to say in the month of October. First off, I love that it has cooled off a little bit. My most favorite time of the year is fall.I love the smell of the air. I don't really know what that smell is but its just different. My parents came down to see the new floors and to help me pick out an early Christmas present...rugs for our floors. The one under the kitchen table is too small. I am going to move it to the bedroom when I find one that is the right size for the table. Another thing I have to say is our friends Justin and Casey brought their new baby over to visit and she is so cute. I am so glad we got to see her. Casey, I had a blast at dinner too. =) This past weekend we up to Nashville for the Vandy/Ga game. It was a close one. We tailgated all day Saturday. It was a blast. I forgot my camera. Oh well. I plan on going back to Nashville this weekend for the baby showers. Hope to see you bloggers there.....will we know how to communicate without a computer.......see you soon!

Back in Business

2007-10-02T17:45:00.000-07:00

Alright, I am back again. Since my last post football season has begun, we went to a Georgia game (GO DAWGS!!!!), we got hardwood floors and our air conditioner that cools the upstairs went out. Did I mention that thats where the computer is? Yeah, its been 93 degrees inside of our house, upstairs that is. We have a seperate unit for our main floor. So we have been cool but it has been too blank hot for blogging. We sold our church building to a Baptist congregation and are currently renting the building back from them. We have church from 1-3 on Sunday afternoons. Its different. So, I now technically go to the Baptist church building. We are currently building a new church building. Its my first official stewardship campaign. Interesting. Another thing that has been going on is my teaching 2 times in the ladies Wednesday night class. Also interesting. Lets see, I know of at least four people of the 20 pregnant ladies i know, that have had there babies but it seems like they have been replaced by more pregnant ladies. WOW!!!!! My parents are supposed to be coming in this weekend. Next weekend we hope to be in Nashville. The following my grandmother might come down. We are planning a trip to Cincinnati the last weekend of October to see Hunter's sister. I know, your head is spinning...so is mine. I have been checking blogs just no comments for whatever reason, I figure its laziness. Here are some pictures:

New floors and Clifford

New floors

The rest of these pictures are of the GA game

Catch up time

2007-08-19T17:21:00.000-07:00

Well, here it goes. I will try to sum up our summer quickly..yeah right. I think the last post was right before July 4th. So I will start there. Hunter's sister, Dawn and her family, moved to Cincinnati, Ohio the weekend after the 4th. I knew I married into a smart family. =) So, our nieces came to visit for about 2 weeks. We had lots of fun. I read the last Harry book as soon as Hunter finished it. I loved it and only cried once or twice. We celebrated our 5th anniversary this year by getting massages, eating out and staying at a bed n break. in downtown Chattanooga. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. We went to see my parents in Ohio and I made an apple pie with my grandmother. I was thrilled. I really don't think she and I have ever baked together. We got tile in our kitchen, laundry and bathrooms. Interesting to say the least. We had a little mess up with the tile guy and had to set our own toilet in order to use the bathroom one night. It was interesting to actually have to figure something out with my husband. But my father in law, who teaches plumbing, helped us. It wasn't bad. I love my new floors. Our next adventure is hardwood floors. We've babysat a little for our youngest niece. On a sad note, my childhood dog, Mickey died. Hunter's uncle has also passed away recently. Its sad. But on a brighter note, Hunter's sister is pregnant again!!!! If all goes well, Heather will be having a baby in April or May. We're not sure how far a long she is. That makes the 18th person in my immediate circle that is currently pregnant. DON'T DRINK THE WATER! We went to our friends', Jeffery and Emily, wedding last weekend. It was a lot of fun. I got to spend some good times with Carrie L. School has started and Hunter plans to coach again. Hunter's dad is also coaching girls basketball at his high school this year. Should be interesting. He asked if I would help. We'll see. That about wraps it up for us. Here are some pictures....Peace, love and rain....lots and lots of rain.

Kitchen

Laundry

1/2 bath

Master bath - my favorite

upstairs bath

Our niece eating and wearing some peanut butter and jelly

More Ohio pictures

2007-07-02T18:21:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of the GIANT ANT that I found on my hand while watering one morning. I thought I knocked it off my hand but later found it on my SHOULDER!!!!! I screamed several obscenities and the dog went running into the bedroom. He was protecting me like a good dog should. Ha! (these pictures are not for the faint of heart)

Miss Ohio

2007-07-02T17:42:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures from our weekend in Ohio. It was over Memorial Day weekend. I know, that was awhile ago.

This is Mickey. I got Mickey for Christmas one year. He will be 14 in October. He is old.

This is my letterman jacket from high school. Its smooth, I know.

This is part of the view from my parents front porch. Thats right folks, I grew up on a farm. I live in the city but I miss the quiet slow pace of the country.

Catch up

2007-07-01T18:17:00.000-07:00

Yes, it has been a month since I have posted. I am sure I can come up with many reasons for my neglect however, they are not important because I consider them excuses which I loathe. So here is the synopsis. Hunter went to basketball camp for 2 weeks of June. I went to the beach for 4 days in June. My parents were here this weekend and I spent this last week cleaning and preparing for them to be here. My work is still hectic. Sitting in front of a computer when I get home is not top on my list. I have spent this evening catching up on everyone else. I feel back in the know. I have several pictures I want to share with everyone but it takes so long to download. I will just have to sit and do it. Also, my flowers are starting to look good. I have battled and battled this year. All I can figure is I may be considered a "gardener" one day. I send rain and perserverance to you all......i'm out

YEAH ME!

2007-06-02T13:23:00.000-07:00

I just made a card with products you can purchase from Lindsay. Normally I do not like what I create but today I think I made something pretty darn cute. I had to share. Its a card for a baby shower gift.

Tag, I'm It

2007-05-31T17:56:00.000-07:00

I have been tagged by my friend Heidi to name 5 of my fav restaurants in Chattanooga, but I am going to list a Proctorville restaurant too. Here's my list:
1. Typhoon of Tokyo - You can get fried rice and veggies with this really great sauce. I love it. There are other options at this place but I like the stir fried veggies
2. Bonefish Grille - Boo on this selection because its a chain but this is where we eat for most special occasions.
3. Jim's Spaghetti House (P-ville) - It speaks for itself. Its a spaghetti place with some of the best pie I have ever had. Its very old fashioned. The waitresses wear all white with their hair up in nets. Its a neat place.
4. Amigos - this is a mexican place in chattown. Its pretty good and cheap.
5. Mellow Mushroom - Its a pizza joint. They have a great lunch special.

Okay, there's my list and now I have to tag 5 people, I think. I tag: Jillina, Angie, Bethany, Kate and Lindsay. Thats a good variety of cities. Dish girls......

Baby birds

2007-05-31T17:24:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of the baby birds who rented my flowers out briefly. They have all flown away now.

Melt down

2007-05-19T14:29:00.000-07:00

For those of you who read my previous post, it was clearly a melt down. I haven't had one in awhile so apparently I needed one this past Tuesday. I don't really remember what all I wrote probably because I was doped up. Thanks to you for reading and thanks to you for replying. I thank my God for my friends. You guys rock. Now go enjoy this super weather!!!!! peace in the mid.

Late night

2007-05-15T21:29:00.000-07:00

I am reminiscent of late nights spent in the dorm writing papers that were due in 6 hours. Dry eyes, strained brain, extreme exhaustion. I am definitely not in that boat again but I do have the dry eyes right now, because its too late for this stuff but I have to speak my mind. First, I want to thank God for my parents wisdom. I was so worked up today when I got home from work and exercising that I couldn't breath or so thought I couldn't breath. Anyway, I took some meds to calm me down. Sidebar, hadn't needed them since college. Then I talked to my parents on the phone. It was much needed and I miss them dearly. I am so thankful that my parents take the time to talk to me when they know I am worked up. I felt 10 times better after we got off the phone. I just had to say how thankful I am for them. I feel like Jerry Mcguire when he rewrites this philosophy on how to be an agent. Anyway, I have learned tonight that I am not what I thought I am. Here I have tricked myself into thinking I am this open minded, non judgemental, uncompetitive person. Boy I am wrong! I am so caught up with what I would call an unfair situation at work that I cannot see how un Christ like I am in thought and action. I feel like I have been a busy body. I have not started a rumor mill or anything. I'll just say again. I am caught up in something that I have no control over. RELEASE ME! (props to Wilson Philipps) I also feel I have acquired this reputaion at work that disgusts and embarasses me. I want that to change. blah, life is hard. Lord come quickly. I'm done. Do not worry. I am just put out with myself. I love my husband. I love my friends. I love my family. I am blessed by God. When I prayed for wisdom, I didn't know what I was asking for. When I prayed for patience and to never meet another boy, I met Hunter. I find that interesting. Some may see it as humor. I do not see how people make it through this life denying God's peace and comfort. I fully accept my portion and then some. Pour it on me please. I am sure this is the first of several "Deep Thoughts", by Andrea posts. Thank you to all my readers out there. You mean a lot.

Not good...

2007-05-14T17:26:00.000-07:00

Its official. I am not good at keeping a budget. I don't know how to make myself do it. Apparently its supposed to be a husband and wife thing but since my husband couldn't be less interested in actually looking at our budget I am on my own with it. Maybe this is what it is. I don't want to spend all my time thinking about our budget and what we should and shouldn't be doing. I would find myself extrememly boring. Maybe I'll just be boring. We'll see. The verdict is still out.
My flowers are coming along. I see blooms in the very near future but, some one's dog insists on peeing on my hard work. I am ready to kick some butt. I will just put pepper and chili powder out again. It really works for a couple of weeks and then you have to reapply. I have 5 baby birds in one of my hanging baskets. The babies are ugly right now but they are slowly getting their feathers. I guess I could put a picture up.
My niece turned one yesterday. She didn't like her cake. Shocking, I know. She didn't like the way it felt in her hands.
To answer your question Casey, I mostly plant petunias and begonias. I find them the easiest for our hot summers. I planted some hastas this year. They are already huge. Again, I put some pictures up. Hope everyone has a good regular week.

More Friends

2007-05-02T18:23:00.000-07:00

I just added two "new" friends to my list of blogs to check daily....why is blogging so addictive, why? Ashley and Whitney. YAY!!!!!!! Not much is happening here. I intend to post some pictures of my little buds on my flowers that looked ever so dead just a few weeks ago. I will tell you the secret...Miracle Grow. I have partially turned into a mimaw, simply because I love to fool with my flowers and I have named some of them. Just the one's hanging on my porch. They are Big Momma's House, Cabbage Patch Kid, Pinky Tuscadera and Flying Purple People Eater. Big Momma's House has a bird's nest in it with 5 little eggs. I thought the name was appropriate. The others are also named based on appearance, well really color. Anyway, thats what this mimaw is up to. Also, Jillina and her men are supposed to come eat dinner with us on Friday. I haven't seen William in a year! I guess that means I haven't seen Jillina in that long either. Thats real bad. word.....

Comments

2007-04-23T18:15:00.000-07:00

Since I spend most of my time reading everyone's blogs, I find that I don't leave time to comment, for fear of being on the computer all night long. So I am going to leave a comment on my blog for those who I wanted to comment on but for lack of a better word, was too lazy to do so. Here we go...
Elizabeth- I teared up watching Isabella's pics. Not sure exactly why. I am sure however that she has your eyes, even though they are blue. The life that pours out of them is just like yours. I love it. Becky-Congratulations on your baby news. That is wonderful. You are one of the thousands of people I know who is currently pregnant and due in the fall. I guess it was the thing to do in late January early February! ha! Chris Anne- I look forward to your logic daily, or at least when I am checking blogs. What a sweet child you have. Jillina-What can I say...you also crack me up. I should call or come up soon. Laurie - I too love your daily stories and pics. I hate that we didn't get to know each other better at Lipscomb. I feel like I missed something great. Most of you don't know my friend Heidi but she is Amy Stone's sister-in-law just as a point of reference. This one goes out to her...Heidi-the pictures are beautiful and that Matthew is a heartbreaker. And lastly, Bethany and her quest for kids. I think you and I may have elaborated on this topic before. I too remember a time when I thought kids were for the birds, however I like children. I have always liked kids. Babysat, volunteered to coach, teach VBS, man the nursery, just play outside, whatever. But never really wanted one of my own. Then ever so slowly and surely I find that my grinch heart (3 sizes too small) is growing towards the thought of children in my home. I am starting to feel that kids may make the home what it is. A home. I have much deeper thoughts but for fear of appearing "mushy" I will stop. What I am saying is its okay to feel you may never want them. I too tend to follow the crowd and was determined NOT to have a child just b/c everyone is, and believe me that time is now. I have been where you are and I must say I thought I would never change....who knows. If the grinch can grow heart maybe I can get the nerve. (grin) Disclaimer: These last few statements are in NO way to lead you to the thought that I may be pregnant or trying.

No words....

2007-04-18T18:24:00.000-07:00

I am sad to report that my flowers bit the dust in the brief return of winter we had 2 weeks ago. I meant to blog this earlier but I was trying to break my daily blog habit. I had one more pic but it wouldn't let me download it. BOOOO! While you scroll down please, silently play Taps in your mind. Thanks for stopping by.

HOPPY EASTER!

2007-04-08T18:53:00.000-07:00

Yeah for the Easter Bunny, who by the way no longer visits our house. Its sad for me because I love to eat candy so much. We ate at Hunter's parent's house for lunch today. It was great. I made the cake. I am very proud of my grass and eggs. However, when we opened it today for the big reveal, the dye from the jelly beans melted and ran down the cake plate. It was a little messy but good. Hope everyone had a wonderful time with family today. Back to the grind tomorrow. yuck!

Why???

2007-03-27T19:11:00.000-07:00

Why have I just spent 2 and half hours in our upstairs, where the air conditioner doesn't work. The thermostat literally reads 88 degrees. Why??? I'll tell you why, because I am addicted to this ridiculous blog stuff. Call me nosy, call me social, whatever, I love reading about everyone....yes including the people I don't know. Pretty sure I just spent an hour reading about an American wrongfully accused of murder. On a lighter note I just like to see what all is going on. Whats worse, watching tv for 2 hours or being on the computer for 2 hours? Its not like I don't sit in front of one for EIGHT HOURS a day. Carple tunnel here I come. In the words of Mrs. Griswald, Nice Clark, real nice.

Before (cont.)..........

2007-03-27T17:37:00.000-07:00

Before......

2007-03-27T17:16:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of our hard work this weekend. Most of the flowers are newly planted so they look really small. The pansys and other orange flowers were planted in the fall and have stayed around. I would like to note that I did most of the work, laying the gravel around the air conditioners. I had to put a picture of that in. Also, while accidentally downloading every picture in our camera, I found a funny picture of our friend's little boy, Matthew at church. Ha! Enjoy the scenary. I will be sure to post pics when everything is blooming crazy, I hope.

Did a lot and missed a lot

2007-03-25T17:39:00.000-07:00

Hunter and I were gone most of last week. We got to go to Disney World for several days. We went to each park, thanks to my parents buying our tickets, wooohoo! We did everything that we possibly could, except ride the Pirates of the Carribbean, it was closed for repair. We went with my brother and his family, my mom and grandmother Stephens, my dad's mom. My dad couldn't go because of work. We did a lot. However, I missed a lot of big stuff this week. Lindsay became an aunt, Elizabeth is pregnant along with every other person I know. Be careful drinking the water these days. I had the best time with my nephews, at Disney. I know the oldest two pretty well but I don't know the youngest one as well. He is possibly the funniest 3 year old I have ever been around. He told me that I crack him up. I just died laughing. We have worked in the yard for the past 2 days. I am very sore. We made 3 trips to Ace Hardware yesterday because it took that many times to get all of the mulch and gravel we needed. We planted flowers and cleaned up our mess today. I am attempting to keep the flowers I bought blooming this year even in August, which is a miracle in the hot weather we have. I just have to say that our lives seem so full right now of just life stuff, some good things and some bad. I had a friend at work lose her husband this week and neither one, I don't think, had/has a relationship with God. I am just sick over it. I know they believed in God but just not a life commitment. Its hard to watch others suffer with grief, especially without a relationship with God. This post is consistent with all of my others, long long. I just save it all up for one time. I don't have any pictures of Disney. We are not big picture takers. Sorry. Hope everyone has a good week. =)

Update on regular life

2007-02-27T18:01:00.000-08:00

Well, I don't have any funny stories to share or visiting celebrity friends so I figured I would just give the 411 on life these days. Hunter coached basketball this year. Its been 2 years since he last coached. Of course, you all know I love basketball so I didn't mind going to the games. But this year I really enjoyed watching more than the other years. I don't know any of the kids so I didn't have any attachment. Maybe I was bored. Anyway, the season is now over and we have a lot of free time.
I am extremely busy at work. I have adopted a new philosiphy at work, "Don't work for the promotion, just work and the promotions will come." I am not out for some hard core career but I found myself working to be praised or patted on the back. I wasn't working because that is what I am there to do. Since I have changed my thinking, I have experienced a lot less pressure I place on myself at work. And its seems I am getting a ton of stuff done. Interesting.
Also on a career note, I am speaking at Hunter's school's career day on Thursday. Ha! All of you should laugh at this because well, you know me. I am going to promote my profession to high school students. Wow. Also, I am 10 years older than these kids. I have never thought of my self as old but around high school kids, at 26, you are old to them.
I have attempted a budget on paper to hopefully be debt free, with exception to our house. I am definitely trying to act on my confession of materialism. The budget begins March 1st. It will be hard but not impossible. We will see.
Nothing more is going on. I am totally digging the weather. I am totally digging all the blessings from God- friends, family, weather, laughter and everything in between. Lets see if I can leave with a good blessing.........May you have the energy to complete your laundry (including putting it up), an excuse to ride with your windows down tomorrow with your best song on the radio and the luck or skill to cook a dinner that tastes like your mom made it. Rock out.

Hail to the Chief.......

2007-02-21T17:43:00.000-08:00

Thats right, my friend G. W. came to town today. All downtown stood still for a couple of hours this afternoon. I didn't get to see the motorcade but I did see several pictures that other people took. I don't care how old he is, I still think he is a cutie. Word up George.

Shout Out!

2007-02-07T17:58:00.000-08:00

I just want to say how thankful I am for my God! Just to be able to lay any concern at His feet is a comfort to me right now. So many hurts happen in life and God is the ultimate comfort to my soul. This brings me to a verse that is very much on my mind these days...."Do not be anxious about anything, but in EVERYTHING (my emphasis), by prayer and petition, present your requests to God. For the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 I hope I quoted the verse right. Sorry if I didn't but I think the idea is there. WOO HOO!

Yeah for the snow!

2007-02-01T18:53:00.000-08:00

FRONT YARD

FRONT YARD AGAIN

BACK PORCH

Hunter didn't have school today and I had a one hour delay at work. Can you believe it, work gives one hour delays. There was hardly anyone there. The snow was very pretty and the best kind. Here when you woke up, delayed work and melted by the end of the day. Yeah for the snow!

Just life

2007-01-31T19:09:00.000-08:00

I have nothing thrilling to post just regular life. Working, watching Hunter's basketball team and church stuff fills my calendar. Its suppose to snow a little tonight so I plan on going to work a little late in the morning. I intended on setting up our online bill payer tonight, but got lost in the world of blogs. I too must confess I am a reader of blogs of people that I don't know all that well. Its just interesting. I don't have that many pictures so I don't have too much to worry about. My dog, Clifford is pawing at me to go out, so I have to wrap this up. Happy Winter, I hope it snows a ton tonight.

(Big sigh)

2007-01-18T20:01:00.001-08:00

Thanks for the votes of confidence. They are appreciated. Its strange how those thoughts ease a little when you know you are not the only one thinking them.
I wish everyone a great weekend where all of the stop lights are green, the lines are short at the store and your husband folds the laundry and says the right thing at the right time that makes you thank God for him. Love and misses.

"I miss you much" - Janet Jackson

2007-01-17T18:24:00.000-08:00

I miss my friends.

Questions and lots of them

2007-01-17T17:54:00.000-08:00

Please be advised, this is a semi-continuation of my previous post. If you haven't read it and you desire full comprehension (SP) go for it.
Here goes another attempt on the quest for clarity. I have questions, and lots of them. Disclaimer - Do not read this with the obligation to provide solutions or answers to these questions. I am not in search of concrete answers per say, but I have always felt like I could mull my perplexities(not a word) over in my head and fairly quickly determine a semblance of logic. Not so much these days. Is the anesthesia? Am I just at a place in life where I have lots of "life" questions? For example, What is my purpose according to God? What is it He wants me to do, I guess my spiritual gift(s)? Is it to work as an accountant until I retire? Will I get to be the president of a company? What is the job I desire most? Wife? Mother? Teacher? CPA? Church secretary? Does Hunter hit jackpot and have a job where I wouldn't ever have to work? Is that what I want, to stay at home? Or would I rather work and hopefully be a mom? Am I bored? Whats next? How do you decide if you want kids? Why so cautious at work? Am I trying to make friends? I have some pretty good ones right now. You're just there to work, right? Why don't I have all of the answers right now? Why all the complaining and whining and negativity? What the heck? Purpose. Focus. Goals. Things that are most important to me. What are all these things?.......(long pause for time spent in thought)............Has anybody else experienced this? Might I say again, What the heck?

Slideshow

2007-01-05T19:08:00.000-08:00

Blast from the recent past. Just liked this pic.

Clifford

Clifford again.

Us as Napoleon Dynamite and his girlfriend, Deb for Halloween.

A lot on the brain

2007-01-02T17:39:00.000-08:00

Here it is, the beginning of another year and find myself with a lot on the brain. For the first time I can recall I feel pressured to have a New Year's resolution. I have NEVER been one to have a resolution for the simple fact that they are made to be broken. I was able to keep one the year before last but that was interupted by my gallbladder. I used to exercise.....used to being the operative words.
I find myself perplexed this evening so I am using this blog to hopefully gain an ounce of clarity. Hope you don't get bored and if so please move on to something more fun to read or watch or whatever.
The New Year is supposed to represent a freshness and renewal. Not so much for me. I am ready to throw everything I own in the garbage. We have too much stuff, period. There is no reason for us to accquire items we do not use. And I feel like I have tons of that right now.
I just determined my perplexity and possibly the New Year's resolution that is eating at me....selfishness and materialism. Its not my resolution to be selfish or materialistic. I have just realized that I am those things. SICK! So here it is annouced technologically.....I resolve to give more and receive less. I don't need all of this stuff.
Now that I am feeling a bit lighter, I think we have to get a playmate for Clifford. We went to Ohio for the week and Hunter's sister kept Clifford for us, and he didn't wag his tail when we picked him up. Nice. I feel like a bad parent. He's bored and slightly lonely. I feel crappy about it. So the search begins....
On a cheery note, I am so glad that all my friends put pictures on their blogs. I love looking at them. I don't feel as removed from your lives when I see the pix.
I just re read my blog and it is depressing. I promise to bring the funny, or at least what I think is funny, on my next entry. Hope everyone is having fantastic and productive New Years. I am now ready to start mine....thanks for reading.

Life, liberty and the pursuit of Christmas gifts

2006-12-08T17:25:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone. It is time for a marathon post since I haven't posted a meat and potatoes post in awhile. Hopefully I will be able to tie my post into my title as I try to do each time, but have been unsuccessful the last couple of posts.
First, life. I feel like I am on the way back to normal life after my gallbladder surgery. I am so thankful that I had a surgeon I liked and a mom who came to take care of me. My husband has also been very helpful and caring. So far it seems that the gallbladder was my issue. I feel so much better. At first I didn't think I was better but now I can say I do feel better. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers.
Second, liberty. I went to my surgeon this past Tuesday and he released me back into the world. Of course, I had already gone back to work because the cabin fever had reared its ugly head. I had to get out. He said I could do some walking for exercise but was clear to go skiing at the end of the month. Yeah! I am thankful for those of you who desire to care for people's ailments (sp?). You ROCK!
Lastly, the pursuit of Christmas gifts. That is was I am going to do after I check everyone's blog, pursue some gifts. I am going to try to do most of my shopping online. We will see how it goes.
Now to stray from my title. Hopefully we will be going to Ohio for the week of Christmas. GLORY! I can't wait to go home. Also, I hope that everyone will attempt to see the movie coming out titled "We are Marshall". If you will remember that is very near to where I am from, so close in fact that I attended summer school there for 2 years of our fabulous college careers. You will see lots of footage of where I cruised as a teenager. I can't wait to see that either. Its a true story hopefully presented well. Probably the notable part of the movie is that MATTHEW MCONAHEY (sp? again) plays one of the main characters!!!!!!!!!! Tasty, very tasty.
Well, I must go play Santy Clause. I don't know if I will have time to send cards this holiday season. I can't wait to see all the picture cards from the cutest babies I know, haven't met yet, but feel like I know. HO! HO! HO!

On the road to recovery

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

Well, its over. The official removal of my gallbladder is complete. It happened the day before Thanksgiving. I was able to eat some dressing and turkey on Thursday. So far so good. I am at home now and hope to go to work soon. Tis the holiday season. Hope everyone is in the spirit. More soon.....

Nothing to say

2006-10-17T17:45:00.000-07:00

Just saying hi to let everyone know I am still here. The meds are semi working. Oh, my dad's mom had a malignant tumor removed from her colon yesterday. She's doing ok, just trying to recover. We don't know about treatment going forward but I am sure the doctors will tell us soon. I am terribly sad and jealous of the weekend of fun I will miss. I hopefully will be traveling to Jekyll Island to see a friend get married. Hope everyone is having a productive week. I haven't done squat for the last 3 days at work...not good at all. Word.

My picture should be beside procrastination in the dictionary

2006-10-10T16:44:00.000-07:00

So I went to the surgeon yesterday about my non functioning gallbladder. He is 90% sure that it will have to come out but to ensure that we are not just taking it out for the heck of it, he wants to rule out acid reflux, indegestion and ulcers. Therefore, I am on Prevacid temporarily to see if that helps. I have to eat as if normal to see if I have any gallbladder pain. This I am afraid off. Because I don't want my stomach to hurt however, I will never know if it works until I try. Otherwise, things are fine. Same old same old here. We are keeping my inlaws dog this week, Beau, a bisshon frise (sp?). He is cute and smiley. I took his picture but I'm too lazy to figure out how to download it. I watched Extreme Makeover on Sunday and saw the family Lindsay had sent us pictures of. I kind of felt like I knew them....sort of. We had a very disappointing loss with the DAWGS this weekend. It was pathetic.
Now, since I normally support my title, here is why I have chosen it. It tends to be my nature to wait until the last minute to do what I know has to be done. I almost make myself sick with either anticipation or dread or just shere laziness, because I don't want to do something. Apparently my body has also taken a liking to this M.O. , by putting off the removal of my gbladder until the last minute. That is why my picture should be beside procrastination in the dictionary.

Therapy

2006-10-02T18:18:00.000-07:00

After my amazingly long post yesterday, I have a renewed spirit about me. I can honestly say it was a little bit of therapy. I have a week until I find out if I will be an organ short. Thanks for all of the prayers. Otherwise, I am just working, trying to be involved in church stuff and taking care of Clifford our dog. Can I just say that I love reading everyone's posts....and while I watch the Bachelor:Rome as I type, I WISH I SPOKE ITALIAN! I would love to speak 2 languages. I am still sad about missing the girls weekend so for now I am going to pretend I will be there.....IT'S GOING TO BE SO MUCH FUN. CAN' T WAIT. Happy Monday!

Hooked

2006-09-30T13:53:00.000-07:00

Lets get down to business. First, I meet with a surgeon on Oct. 9th about my gallbladder. Second, I had further testing at the Ear, Nose and Throat doctor on Thursday and was definitely sick the rest of the afternoon, which I feel was partly my fault because of this simple fact. I can't get past the fact that I am getting older. There, I typed it. It is my current short term philosophy that a side effect of getting older is that your body requires pills to get better faster. I am not a pill head. I don't aspire to be one. I don't want to rely on them. So that is why I laid misreably on the couch from 1 pm to 1 am Thursday afternoon. I took a pill to feel better cause I felt so bad I couldn't fall asleep. It wasn't magical but I noticed a difference. Stubborn me. I find out the results of the E.N.T. tests on Monday.
Now to support the title I have chosen for this blog. As I laid on the couch this afternoon, watching football, a thought popps into my head, "I wonder if anyone has responded to my blog?" My curiousity spikes. I find my lazy butt leaping (not really) off the couch to come upstairs and discover.....yes, I have friends!!!!! No, no. That's not the thought that popped into my head. I am ashamed to say that the thought that truely popped into my head was....."I'm hooked." I cannot believe I am this excited to be looking at a computer on this most gorgeous Saturday afternoon. I am hooked after 2 posts on this outlet.
It has just come to my attention that I have a lot to say this afternoon. I have been quiet all summer, sick really, and if you know me any, scared that I am going to die from absolutely nothing. In a shorter word panicked. I am still nervous about the surgery possibilities but as far as I know my tests are over, just results now.
I think I have run out of space on the blog thingy.
Yes, please continue to pray for my body to get healthy again. Don't have this picture in your head that I look all pitiful, cause I don't. But still pray. I am not one to ask for such "help". I appreciate them, prayers, more than I can express on this page.
Hope your Saturday afternoon and evening is beautiful and full of good memories with loved ones. Since I have gone from blunt to mushy to reflective back to mushy and being the well rounded person I am, HA!, I will end with blunt again and leave you with possibly 2 of the best words eyes could read............GO DAWGS!!!!!!

Entire body entact

2006-09-27T15:09:00.000-07:00

This is going to be short and sweet. I had a HIDA scan last week, which monitors the functionality of your galbladder......well, mine is not functioning properly. So yes Jillina, I do have something up my sleeve, a malfunctioning gallbladder. I will keep everyone posted on this. I don't really have answers to surgery/removal questions yet, just doctors appts. If it were up to me I would leave my entire body entact. Gotta go. more to come.

First time for everthing...

2006-09-26T19:06:00.000-07:00

So, here it goes. I have joined the ranks of those known as bloggers. I am not the biggest fan of technology but all my friends are doing it, so why not. Today is just another day filled with work, the grocery store, a high school soccer game, parents who take their children's sports a little too seriously, awesome fall weather, a cloudless night and the Contender on tv. Yes, my husband is a fan. Tonight is the season finale. I don't frequent my home email account much so this is my attempt to stay, for lack of a better word, abreast of all the goings on of my friends. Can't wait to here from you. Word....