Life with Curly

Also...

2010-04-18T22:38:00.001-07:00

It looks like I need to address the html on here. I'll get to that eventually...

I can't believe this is still here!

2010-04-18T22:27:00.003-07:00

I signed in to my blogger account to join the Drink Green Smoothies page. Haha- I haven't posted on here in 3 years. Facebook really did take over.

Right, well, for those of you who don't know me - don't bother with the last posts, they are way out of date.

I left that flooring store a long time ago. It was a horrible experience and it inspired me to go back to school. I attended university for a few semesters and then landed a job as a GIS technician. I am still doing correspondence courses to finish my certification.

It is interesting reading my religious views as they have changed over the years. I am what you would call a liberal Anglican now.

I have been married for nearly 10 years and still have my two cats. They are 12 and 9.

For those of you that I am meeting through the Green Smoothie challenge - a bit more about why I am doing it. I have had a number of health struggles over that last few years. I finally started getting answers this fall. It turns out I am insulin resistant (pre-diabetic), and had a vitamin 'D' deficiency. Basically, moving from the hot, dry interior of BC to the coast was BAD for my health.

So, cutting way back on sugar has helped me out in so many ways. I am doing the green smoothie challenge because I love green smoothies (they are tasty) and because I want to see the effects on my blood sugars. They are pretty much stable, but I have been told that eating too many servings of fruit at a time will be bad for them. I'm not sure if I buy that.

That's all for now - maybe I will start utilizing this thing again!

It's been a while

2007-10-14T22:40:00.000-07:00

Wow! I haven't posted on here in forever. Does anyone still read this or is it passe because of Facehook?

I'm not ever sure I remember how to do the HTML editing. This could be interesting.

Well, an update on my life. I am now working at a florring store. I am dreaming of finally going back to school and finishing my degree. Shaun has a real job now (teacher) and life is good.

We miss the interior and find it hard to make friends here. ah well... All in time.

That's it for now. Maybe I'll actually post some imteresting thoughts on here some time.

Chilliwack 'n stuff

2007-02-13T14:08:00.000-08:00

OK, so the last time you heard from me, I had just moved to Chilliwack and had a slough of hospital/doctor visits. Never fear, I have kept up with that ritual. Where to begin...

I work at a 'casual fine dining' restaurant here. Nice place. Can't figure out if my boss loves me or hates me or a little of both. Meh - I chalk it up to his being French.

Shaun TOC'd (Teacher on Call) for a while and had some part-time classroom work. As of January he has a full-time temporary position at the school in our neighbourhood. He is teaching grades 4/5. He has great bunch of kids and is really enjoying it, although I don't see much of him as he is constantly planning. This is life being married to a young teacher.

Chilliwack is, um, interesting. I'm sure that I like it all that much. It smells like poo (thankfully not in my neighbourhood). People here just aren't as friendly as Kamloops. And they seem so... I don't know. Behind? They live right near Vancouver and SO many of them never leave Chilliwack. AND IT SHOWS. I really thought I was going to like it here, but I don't.

I have applied for a job as an on-board with Rocky Moutaineer. I REALLY want to get on with them again. I should hear back this week. I am waiting on pins and needles. If I get the job that means I will be travelling on the train between Vancouver and either Jasper or Calgary. Of course, I will over-night in Kamloops, which is awesome, because I will get to see the sun, however briefly, before my 8 PM bedtime.

That's enough for now. Perhaps I will share some of my more humourous musings about Chilliwack another time. BYE!

A long week

2006-09-03T15:07:00.000-07:00

Whew! What a week it has been! Let me fill you all in: I worked for Monday and Tuesday and was supposed to spend Wednesday and Thursday packing. That didn't exactly happen. We ended up doing all sorts of running around on Wednesday. We went to the doctors to renew prescriptions before the drug place ran out. We had to pick up several random last minute things. Then Shaun had to work at 4. THEN I was about to start packing when my friend Lisa called. SHE'S PREGNANT after about 11 years of trying! YAAAYY! So, naturally I went to visit her instead of packing. Thursday was supposed to be packing day. Unfortunately I got very sick on Wednesday evening. I will spare you the details, but needless to say I finished several Sudoku puzzles while hanging out in the bathroom. So, Thursday, being thoroughly dehydrated, I didn't do much. As the day progressed, I noticed that my head was really itchy. And then I noticed what I thought were big bites all over. They turned into full-blown welts by the end of the day. I woke up in the middle of the night to find my neck and chest covered in hives! So, we were supposed to leave for Chilliwack at 8 AM. Instead I went to the hospital. And waited for 3 hours and the left, thinking that I'd be better off to go to a clinic in Chilliwack. So, we left for Chilliwack around 11:30. We unpacked and then went to the clinic. The first one was packed and sweaty and hot (nobody here has air conditioning). So, we went to a different one. Only about a two hour wait By that time my stomach was also covered in little red dots. The doc told me to take Benadryl. Then she noticed my horrible cough (remnants of a cold from 4 weeks ago). She told me that I need puffers. Which was not such great news the day AFTER our drug plan ran out. I got my puffers went home and took Benadryl and had an oatmeal bath. I went to sleep and woke up only to find my entire body covered in horrible, red, itchy welts. No longer the 'bug bites'. So, off tot he hospital this time. That wait wasn't too bad. The doc did mention that I looked like I was trying to get myself into the dermatology text books! So, more prescriptions (prednasone) and more benadryl and Zantac (who knew? Zantac help allergies too.). It is FINALLY starting to clear up today, although I am still itchy. My body is now covered in fading rash and small bruises and broken blood vessels where I scratched too hard. Welcome to Chilliwack! Incidentally, I did manage to find myself a great pharmacist at the Safeway. At least something good came out of it. ooo... and I got 10x airmiles on my $120 worth of drugs. That's it for now. We love our new place. We went to our friends' church this morning and really liked it. Later y'all!

One month and counting...

2006-07-30T22:18:00.000-07:00

We are moving to Chilliwack in one month!

We just came back from the coast. We were there for Curtis' and Pauline's wedding. It was beautiful. We are so proud and excited and honoured to be a part of it and their lives. We are even MORE excited to move to Chilliwack and actively participate in our friendship! LOL.

We found a place to live (pending reference checks). It is a 2 bedrooms basement suite in a new house. It is a little small, but nice and new. It is ground level and bright.

Shaun has a contract for a once-a-week afternoon position in the school district. He will be TOC'ing the rest of the time and constantly applying for more positions. I don't have a job just yet. The good news is that I will be able to collect EI while I look, because I am re-locating for my husband. It is a relief to know that there will be some money (however little) coming in eventually.

Other recent events: I am now a vegetarian. As a result of a highly personal experience with God. I don't know how long this is for. So far so good. I am a potato-chip vegetarian (as my friend Ingrid puts it). Maybe I will post details on my experience. We'll see.

So, that's all for now. We'll see if I get to posting again before the move. Wish me luck!

Ehud's home (republished due to comment spam)

2006-07-28T08:26:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of him at the vet being force-fed. I'll admit it - I went to pet prayer websites. I felt stupid at first, but I was taught a lesson. I felt like God spoke to me through this about lots of different things. The night I wrote the previous post, I went on to a couple sites and asked for prayer for him. I prayed about the situation and felt peaceful about it. He took a turn for the better the next day. He is home now and eating on his own! Yay!!! I feel cheezy saying all of this, but then, that is a lesson I learned! Thanks everyone for your prayers and caring words.

Favourite lyrics.

2006-07-20T19:49:00.000-07:00

OK everybody. I am copying something I saw on someone else's blog. Favourite lyrics. These are mostly from recent songs. Share, share, share everyone!

"Forgive, sounds good. Forget, I'm not sure I could. They say time heals everything. But I'm still waiting"
Dixie Chicks - "Not Ready to Make Nice" From Taking the Long Way.

"Politics, it's a drag. They put one foot in the grave and the other on the flag."
Ben Harper - Both Sides of the Gun - from Both Sides of the Gun

"It's just sugar. Just a pill to make me happy. No, it may not fix the hinges. But at least the door has stopped its creaking."
Sheryl Crow - Weather Channel - from C'mon, C'mon

"Hate me today. Hate me tomorrow. Hate me so you can finally see what's good for you."
Blue October - Hate Me.

Sometimes, things just suck.

2006-06-27T17:47:00.000-07:00

I am pretty sad right now. My cat is dying and I can't do anything about it. Unless I come up with another $800. And even then, there's no promise that he'll get better.

Just over a month ago I took him in for his shots and a checkup. Everything was good. A few weeks after that he started peeing all over the house. I took him in again and he had an infection. Several anti-biotics later he was fine. Everything checked out. Then a few days after that, he started throwing up. Not a lot, but enough to be concerned. Then he REALLY started throwing up. He kept me up throwing up 7 times in one night.

I took him to the vet. X-rays, IV's urine tests, blood tests, anti-nausea drugs, barium x-rays, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, and an ultra-sound (and $700) and there's nothing wrong, except that he won't stop puking and he can't keep food down.

This is so frustrating. The next step is exploratory surgery, which I can't afford, so he can't get it. I hate being here. He's a really good boy and I am really sad. There's nothing I can do except put him down. I'll give it a few more days, but this doesn't look good.

Poor kitty.

PS - in case I didn't mention it - I'm not in the mood for advice or opinions.

2006-04-21T08:44:00.000-07:00

The Stobbe Monkey! Sage!

2006-04-21T08:43:00.000-07:00

my new niece! haylee!

"Church for the unchurched."

2006-04-13T22:08:00.000-07:00

My husband and I were having this discussion the other day and I would like to put it out there for comment and debate.

We were discussing what we refer to as Christian culture. OK - and we don't like it much. Sometimes it is so hard to separate church, Christianity and current Christian culture.

One of our favourites is "church for the unchurched". It seems like such a trend AND so many churches claim to be just that. Doesn't that, in a sense, turn "church for the unchurched" into exactly the opposite?

Putting "community" in the name of a church. Lots of places do that now. We hypothesize that it is replacing the trend of naming churches "The " (which was a church-for-the-unchurched thing for a while). Now, our church is one of these "community" churches and we LOVE it. This is by no means a shot at them. In fact, we feel that they fulfill their name. It's just this: We have seen some renaming of churches with placing the word community in them. Is the a reflection of God changing the church? A sign of repentance perhaps for those who don't feel they are in the community enough? A way of making the congregation feel better about their role in the community? A Christian trend that is perhaps insulting to those in the surrounding secular community? I don't know. I've just been thinking a lot about it.

I guess lately I just wonder about these things. Why isn't it good enough that we just go along and live out our Christian lives in the community and next to the unchurched? Why do we feel the need to advertise our status to others? Shouldn't it be obvious? But then again, what should our lives look like? I suppose that is how some of these Christian culture things become so trendy - A new revelation institutionalized.

Which leads me to a paradox of sorts. It strikes me that what I would propose would just be another form of church for the unchurched

*SIGH*

Please weigh in on this, I would love to hear your thoughts!

Newses

2006-03-06T19:44:00.000-08:00

Hey. Just catching up. I don't seem to be much in a blogging mood this year. So, I am a widow for 4 more days and then my hubby is back home!!!!! YAY!!!

I made a little trip to the Fraser Valley last week. Visited my fabulously pregnant friend Mandy, my fabulously un-pregnant but pink-haired friend Connie, and my fabulously physically-impossible-to-get-pregnant friend Curtis (sorry Curt, it's the only way I could keep up the theme!). Along with their other halves (who are also ALL not pregnant). It was a wonderful and much needed break for me. It is SO great to have such wonderful friends! You all rock!

So, we have (sort of) decided to move to the Fraser Valley / coast area in the fall. For availability of work, school and FRIENDS! We shall see. As with most things with us, it could change.

That is mostly it. I am happy to report that Joe and Shauna had a baby girl whose name I don't know because my husband forgot it!

Bye for now! I will get back to blogging one of these days.

Monty Python

2006-02-15T21:23:00.000-08:00

Wow! I just got Monty Python's Spamalot. HILARIOUS!!!! I love it. It is the Holy Grail, but a musical version. I would like to share some song lyrics with you all.

The Song That Goes Like This
Once in every show
There comes a song like this
It starts off soft and low
And ends up with a kiss
Oh where is the song
That goes like this?
Where is it? Where? Where?

A sentimental song
That casts a magic spell
They all will hum along
We'll overact like hell
For this is the song that goes like this
Yes it is! Yes it is!

Now we can go straight
Right down the middle eight
A bridge that is too far for me

I'll sing it in your face
While we both embrace
And then
We change
The key

Now we're into E!
*hem* That's awfully high for me
But as everyone can see
We should have stayed in D
For this is our song that goes like this!

I'm feeling very proud
You're singing far too loud
That's the way that this song goes
You're standing on my toes
Singing our song that goes like this!

I can't believe there's more
It's far too long, I'm sure
That's the trouble with this song
It goes on and on and on
For this is our song that is too long!

We'll be singing this til dawn
You'll wish that you weren't born
Let's stop this damn refrain
Before we go insane
For this is our song that ends like this!

The only thing that's missing is some cursing at a key change! This is for all of you who appreciate musicals AND Monty Python.

More quotes

2006-01-23T23:53:00.000-08:00

I was looking through my old songs from my singing days. I found one that I just love. The words are so beautiful. Truth be told, I don't quite get them, but I like the song anyway.

Sure on this shining night
Of star made shadows round
Kindness must watch for me this side the ground.
The late year lies down the north.
All is healed,
All is health.
High summer holds the earth.
Hearts all whole.
Sure on this shining night
I weep for wonder wand'ring far alone
Of shadows on the stars.

A thought (not an original one, I'm afraid)

2006-01-19T09:56:00.000-08:00

I am reading this great book right now called Blue Like Jazz. I would like to share a quote with you all.

Only one more thing that bugged me, then I will shut up about it. War metaphor. The churches I attended would embrace war metaphor. They would talk about how we are in a battle, and I agreed with them, only they wouldn't clarify that we were battling poverty and hate and injustice and pride and the powers of darkness. They left us thinking that our war was against liberals and homosexuals. Their teaching would have me believe I was the good person in the world and the liberals were the bad people in the world. Jesus taught that we are all bad and He is good, and He wants to rescue us because there is a war going on and we are hostages in that war. The truth is we are supposed to love the hippies, the liberals, and even the Democrats, and that God wants us to think of them as more important than ourselves. Anything short of this is not true to the teachings of Jesus.

Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz, Thomas Nelson Publishers:2003,(132).
(am I missing school? gotta give credit where credit is due!)

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good MOVE?

2005-12-13T15:23:00.000-08:00

Yes, the rumours are true. We are moving again. Right in between Christmas and New Year's (we truly are brilliant). Here's how the story goes... I sat down to do our budget just over a month ago. After much cursing and swearing, I accepted the fact that we were not going to make it through the year. So, we are moving into my parents' basement (which is currently being finished). I'm not sure what I was thinking. Now I am having little stress attacks when I think about moving in. Living with them didn't work so well for me for the first 19 years of my life, I'm not sure why I think it will work now! Praying hard! And a door. There will be a door between us. Albeit an unlocked door. But still...

Other than that. Shaun is off on practicum in Vernon for 10 weeks starting Jan 2. I suppose that makes the move a little easier for me - at least I won't be alone. A few more months and he will be a real teacher. Then we will probably move to Timbucktu so he can have a job!

I am enjoying my work. I just got raise (which makes it even more enjoyable!).

Anyhow - our email address won't be changing, so email me and I will send you our new snail mail. A friend is moving into our apartment, so it's not like we won't get our mail, but we'd prefer not to bury her in Christmas cards and bills. We are currently seeing if we can keep our current phone number and sign up for VoIP.

My Favourite Get Fuzzy Quotes.

2005-10-31T21:39:00.000-08:00

Have I done this before? I'm doing it again!

"I'm off to make a deposit at the local savings and litter."

"You're an orthodox jerk is what you are!"

"I shall be pot."

"You're such a joke, I bet Mickey Mouse had a picture of you on his watch."

"...you will be shamed like a child actor in a bed-wetting commercial"

"Now is the winter of our incontinent."

"Let us never speak again of this so-called instant pudding."

"So I'm watching TV last night and it's getting really Belgium..." "...You're really starting to disinfect me."

"Let's just say I have the benefit of hindsight." "Well, congratulations to you and your magical butt."

"Whose toads are these I think I knew
His frogs are in the viscous stew...
....
...
Reptiles to throw before I sleep
Reptiles to throw before I sleep."

Anyone else a fan? Any favourite quotes?

2005-10-27T22:41:00.000-07:00

And what a party it was! Miss Bucher's 1st!

There are no chunks of glass embedded in the shiny mouse.

2005-10-07T21:56:00.000-07:00

I uttered that exact phrase today.

Really...Very...Busy..

2005-10-04T15:45:00.000-07:00

I will be posting more as of Oct 13 - when the train season is over!

Update on me? I am working for the train and for a men's store downtown. It is fun, and I am loving it. I was concerned at first that I would hate it and was considering quitting. Thank God I didn't. And I had trouble with the girl I work with. OK - she drove me nuts. Nice enough girl but...well...19. That about explains it. But, in answer to my prayers, she quit because she got a full time job (she has a kid to support, it just seemed vendictive to wish she would leave and go without). And one of my good UN-CRAZY friends was hired.

What else? Ooooo... my boss gave us his extra tickets to the University fundraiser. It was an Indian dinner and dance. SO much fun. Except we are so very white and can't dance half as well as the little-old indian ladies. And I smelled distincly like curry the next day. And I think I was drunk for the first time in 10 years! YIKES! I don't know. I was extremely light-headed (which one of my friends pointed out to me means DRUNK). And I did not feel so well the next morning. (but then again - I can get a hangover and not have been drunk). I felt fine by the end of the night (I cut myself off due to light-headedness). What's the level of drunk? Probably just tipsy... I don't know. Do I need to be forgiven for this? I only had 2 glasses!

Of Course!

2005-09-13T23:04:00.000-07:00

I had the night off work tonight. A rare thing - to have a Tuesday night off. Naturally, I went to the movies. We saw The 40 Year Old Virgin. Hilarious! I dropped my friend off, and on the way home I got a flat tire. Near home, but not near enough to risk driving home. Of course I didn't bring my cell phone with me. Of course it was raining. OF COURSE hubby is not around. I walked to my old highschool music teacher's house and borrowed their phone and hung out. My friend and her boyfriend were kind enough to drive out and get me. He even showed me how to change the tire so now I can do it myself! YAY!!!! I owe someone some beer, I think...

WHAT THE?!?!?!

2005-09-08T08:17:00.000-07:00

So, I think SPAM has gone too far. My pics blog has a bunch of comments that are ads! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? LEAVE ME ALONE!!!

Wine Cheeks

2005-09-06T23:56:00.000-07:00

So, it is late at night, but at the request of my dear friend Connie, I am writing something.

I had a stressful night at work. Then I had a glass of wine. Hence the title of the post.

Hubby is out of town right now He comes home on weekends. It's only for 3 weeks, thankfully. It's just me and the cats. Kinda lonely.

I have a new job. Did you all know that already? Selling high-end men's clothes (and suits, of course). It's fun and relatively low-stress. Plus, it's full time. So, I am working something like 55 hrs/week and 7 days a week until TRJ ends in mid-October.

On that note, I need to get some sleep cuz... guess what?... I have to work tomorrow!

Jon Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt

2005-08-28T23:36:00.000-07:00

Jon Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt
His name is our name too
And whenever we go out
We can hear the people shout
There goes Jon Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt
Nah-na na-na na-na na...

That popped into my head today.

I was thinking about Mennonite-themed pseudo swears. I learned a lot at Bible College. Thought I would compile a list for fun. Feel free to add your contributions. Here are mine:

"When the Schmidt hits the fan"
"What the Funk?!?"

Rocky Mountaineer Trip

2005-08-23T23:22:00.000-07:00

Hey all! Just got back from my 3-day Rocky Mountaineer trip to Jasper and Banff. Here are some of my pics.

Feeling Melancholy

2005-08-18T18:56:00.000-07:00

Over time and over space
You've left the house but not the place
What's it like to not be free?
To patch your wounds with pieces of me?

Just had to get that thought out of my head. I am feeling bitter and depressed. LOL - PMS breeds bad poetry, I guess.

Why must I always come up with a creative title?

2005-08-13T09:20:00.000-07:00

Well, I think I am about done messing with the template.

For, a brief week in time I had 3 jobs. However, schedules were not working out, so I am down to 2. I am working at a high-end men's clothing store. OLD men's store. It's fun, although I have been bored out of my skull a few times. Love my boss. He just sorta trusts me to do whatever. It's weird. I'm not used to not having someone looking over my shoulder all the time!

I went to the waterslides yesterday and despite my best efforts, I still got a burn! It was worth it. I love the tube ride! Hee-hee.

Is that enough? I must go to work now. Talk to you all later!!!!

Still updating..

2005-08-03T00:48:00.000-07:00

Well, it seems that all I have to post about these days is changing my blog. LOL. I will try to talk about more than just that. I haven't quite got it finished. For those of you who are looking for my links ETC. they are underneath the posts. Hope to have that remedied soon. We had a great long weekend. We got to see our friends Joe and Shaun from the coast. We realized that we hadn't seen them for 2 years! It was great fun. We went to the lake and bummed around in beautiful weather for a couple days. And did some "car camping" (we set up tents on my Grandma's property at the Lake - toilets were but minutes away!) I am still hunting for a job. I had a weird interview today. The guy basically stood there and read my resume to me and didn't really ask many questions. LOL. Oh well. Small business. We'll see. The weather has been beautiful here. Nice and sunny and hot. Not as hot as it normally gets, but hot enough. That's it for now. Later all! Oh yeah.... Has anyone heard of the Aussie show "SeaChange"? Some Aussie guests told me that I look and act like someone from the show. Just curious (and a little vain perhaps).

Coming along

2005-07-25T15:14:00.000-07:00

getting there..... almost done.... Oops! I can't read the comments. Weird. And the colours suck. At least they're there.

The Process of Changing One's Template

2005-07-14T00:18:00.000-07:00

Wow! As you can see, I am in the process of changing my blog. I am learning alot about HTML and CSS (something that I didn't know existed until I started learning about HTML). I can't seem to figure out why the image I set as background won't show! It shows in teh preview. Oh well! I apologize for the unreadability - I am trying to improve things. It will not stay this way forever!

Here are some of the links I have been using to teach myself:

an all-around useful page for learning the basics

a useful page of color codes

a page about cascading style sheets

So, keep looking for changes. Later everyone!

The Annual Blueberry Rant

2005-06-25T10:20:00.000-07:00

OK - I wrote about exactly the same thing a year ago when I started blogging. Maybe I will make this a tradition....

I hated blueberries my entire life, until last year. I was just reminded of how much I love them again this week! Weird. I didn't think about blueberries all winter. Must be because I am programmed not to look for them or crave them or "see" them in the grocery store. Mmmmmmmm!!!!!!! YUM! I had blueberries at my parents' house this week. Then I went and bought some. And some whipped cream. YUMMY, YUMMY, YUMMY! They're supposed to be good for you too; antioxidants or something. Go blueberries!

Thus ends the annual blueberry rant.

O.K. Connie - hint taken!

2005-06-19T22:52:00.000-07:00

Yes, It has been a while hasn't it?

Well, my biggest news is that I FINALLY quit the Delta! I am so happy to be gone. There were a few final straws for me (I am tired of explaining it, so I won't) and I quit with 2 days notice. I only did it because Shaun has a great F/T job doing kids programs at the library. I might bum around for a month or two and think about my next step. We'll see.

Other than that we are relatively boring people. I am spending a lot of time in my yard (I still can't get ahead!). Oooo.. I had my 27th birthday last month. I celebrated by eating gelato and then going to work.

That's enough for now. Later all!!!

Cougar Voice

2005-05-17T23:20:00.000-07:00

So I lost my voice a week ago and still have not gained it back. I have been affectionately nicknamed "cougar" at work, because I sound so, ahem, sexy. I just need yellow hair and beef jerky skin. Oh yeah, and a divorce. I'm too young to be a cougar. So, essentially, I'm not at all qualified - I like my husband, I don't smoke (often), If I went for younger men, I'd get arrested. Basically, I have the voice. May it go away soon.

A friend and I decided to have a cougar weekend in Vancouver. It didn't really work, though. Mostly because we are both married and too young (she is only 25!). And it was too late to drink excessively - the hotel bar closed. So, we gave up and went to bed. Essentially, we had a few Martinis and some Colts and laughed about my voice. LOL. Maybe when we are 40!

I had a fun weekend in Vacouver. I got to see a bunch of friends and attend a PMS clinic! Yay for PMS. I am headed back in July for an appointment. In the mean time I have to journal EVERYTHING everyday; meds, food, life events, work, sleep, exercise moods, other girl stuff....etc. Should be great for someone with ADD such as myself. UGH! I'll figure it out. I NEED to do this.

Anyhow - enough about me for now. Hope you are all well.

2005-05-11T14:01:00.000-07:00

My new nephew - Spencer!! What a cutie!!!!!!

2005-05-11T12:00:00.000-07:00

Mom and Dad and Spencer.

Thought-provoking site

2005-05-05T00:02:00.000-07:00

I copied this link off of someone else's blog (thanks Saint!). I really liked what this person had to say. Read the post titled... um... something like 'Prophet Where Are You?'. It was interesting, thought-provoking and refreshing... I like things that make me think and tickle my brain!

Having said that, I don't know this person and haven't read the rest of what they have to say, so, uh, I don't know if they're crazy or not! USE YOUR BRAIN WHEN READING!!!(shouldn't that always be true? LOL!) Anyway, I liked this particular post.

More Lyrics (original ones, yes)

2005-04-29T23:25:00.000-07:00

I started writing this MONTHS ago. I came up with a few more words tonight.

For better or for worse
For horror and for curse
For being washed as black as sin
For bruising more than just your skin
Baby, move on
    Don't you dare look back
    He's the addict's crack
    You keep moving on and on and on
    Don't be sentimental
    It will drive you mental
    You keep moving on and on and on

Funny how these things come to you sometimes.

2005-04-25T00:41:00.000-07:00

Had to post this! A picture of a picture of my nephew several years ago. How cute!

I'm sure this is ironic...

2005-04-25T00:19:00.000-07:00

I have twice now absent-mindedly taken Ritalin instead of another drug. Ritalin is not a good thing to take before bed! I laid awake most of the night last night. I have discovered one thing - I would not make a very good bulemic. I realized about 5 minutes later what I had done and tried to make myself throw up. I can't do it. I guess there are worse problems to have.

This is sort of like the whole chicken and egg question... or maybe it's like the tree falling in the forest question. Either way, it's a good question: If I had taken Ritalin, would I have been focused enough to not take Ritalin?

Reality TV.

2005-04-13T11:45:00.000-07:00

I was "discussing" (I don't know if you can call it that if it was e-mail) a friends love life when I came up with a great solution AND new reality TV series: "Who Wants to Marry a Mennonite?".

Any suggestions? I was thinking that all the contestants should wear WWJD? t-shirts and have an eliminations round based on their cocky Christian bumper stickers.

What do you think?

A quote from the mouth of miss Autumn (stolen from her Mom's blog)

2005-03-26T20:15:00.000-08:00

"Once I was so bored, I played with a pole."

That kid is priceless.

I like this

2005-03-22T18:05:00.000-08:00

These are the lyrics to "Weather Channel" by Sheryl Crow. I think it's about depression. I don't really know, but I like them.

Sunny morning
You can hear it
Siren's warning
There is weather on both sides
And I know it's coming

Just like before
There's a black dog that
Scratches my door
He's been growling my name saying:
You better get to running

     Can you make it better for me?
     Can you make me see the light of day?

Cause I got no one
Who will bring me
A big umbrella
So I'm watching the weather channel
Waiting for the storm

It's just sugar
Just a pill
To make me happy
It may not fix the hinges
But at least the door has stopped its creaking

I got friends they're
Waiting for me to
Comb out my hair
Come outside and join the
Human race
But I don't feel so human

     Can you make it better for me?
     Can you make me see the light of day?

I got lab coats
Who will bring me
A panacea
While I'm watching the weather channel
Waiting for the storm

You won't want me
Hanging round the
Birthday pony
Even though it's just a game
You know we are the same
But you're the better faker

Owwwwooo....

2005-03-15T12:32:00.000-08:00

Don't you hate it when you finish typing a post and hit the wrong key and *poof*!?

I had a bad weekend. You will get the abridged version because I don't feel like typing it all over again. Maybe I will just use word clusters!

low coolant light, high coolant, hot car

head gasket, $$$$$$, time

work? niece's birthday in Vernon?

!Grandma's car!

work, ice, fence, dent, scratch

Vernon

tires shouldn't look like this: / |

ICBC, grandma's insurance, me... :-(

work? rental car! $$$$$$$$

Owwwwooo, back

no work

T3, muscle relaxant

couch, movie, computer

That about covers it!

Updates on me

2005-03-01T16:17:00.000-08:00

Well, I survived President's week!! (for those of you who have no clue what I am talking about, it is an American holiday involving swarming Canadian ski hills).

I worked quite a bit! It wasn't as busy as expected... largely due to the lack of snow. It was raining today. I am only anticipating about 2 more good weeks of work. And then several weeks of being poor and scraping by.

GOOD NEWS!!!!! The latest ADD / PMS med combo is working!!!!! YAY!!!!!! I'M NOT CRAZY ANYMORE!!!!! (well... mostly). I didn't cry uncontrollably before my last period, AND I can sleep, AND my stomach doesn't hurt, AND I don't have a crippling case of dry-mouth (eyuck!). So, now that's figured out... I need to go visit someone about my non-mental PMS symptoms (like wanting to die from cramps!!!!). My doc is going to send me to someone in Vancouver. It would be nice to have some answers. I am thinking endometriosis, but we will see. One thing at a time. It is a good thing, I suppose, that I want to adopt. I'm not sure I could actually have my own babies anyway!!!!

So much is going on in our lives these days! Some of it I don't really want to post about. But feel free to e-mail or Messenger me, if you are curious.

I have some new pics as well, if you would like to look!

LATER ALL!

Clumsy.

2005-02-18T19:46:00.000-08:00

A photo of one of my many accidents today. I managed to break a dish, slam my finger in the drawer, hit myself in the head with a tray, spill ketchup on myself, change my shirt, and then get maple syrup on the new one (LOL - I managed to at least wipe that one off). Here is my finger bruise from slamming it in the drawer. It is really quite spectacular in person:

Accident prone.

2005-02-14T13:21:00.000-08:00

Ha! There are pictures of more than just my butt on my picture blog too! I just updated today with more. PICS.

2005-02-14T13:15:00.000-08:00

I have nothing to blog about these days. I just patched these jeans and I am pleased with the result. I am too poor to buy new ones, so good thing it worked out! WOW! I don't normally look so bootie-liscous. It's just an illusion, I have no butt in real life.HA! There, I blogged!

Pics!

2005-01-28T18:57:00.000-08:00

New photos! Cliquez ici!

See our cats, our ill-fated hike in Pederson Creek, and the view from our new (relatively) place.

YAY! Shaun's parents gave us their old digital camera because they won a new one! SO MUCH FUN!!!!!

Ramblings

2005-01-23T02:31:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in a while. I seem to be having a bit of insomnia this week. Tonight included. No good reason for it. OK - no good reason other than sleeping on the pull-out couch. Shaun's parents are here so we gave them our bed. I don't usually have trouble sleeping on it. Tonight it is making me crazy. LOL. At least you all get an update on my life, I guess.

Where to start. I almost PMS-freaked-out again (see the Ritalin blog Dec 23 for more info on that). Went to the doc. Now I am on anti-depressants too. Am a little nervous about taking so many brain-altering drugs. Apparently these are a common combination, even though they can a have a bad interaction. I am a little scared of that. My doctor didn't know. The pharmacist told me. I may get really irritable and anxious. I guess combined, the anti-depressants would have the opposite effect. I just feel like one of "those" people right now. We all know them. Take all sorts of drugs. And talk about them. Like they somehow need attention from everyone. I feel like I am turning into my mother!

On a completely different note.... Shaun parents gave him their digital camera for his birthday. How cool is that? They won one, se we got theirs. It's only a year or two old, I think. It is pretty nice so we are excited.

We also just got Widnows XP. What a difference that made! It's like getting a whole new computer, acutally. It sped it up SO much. The 'accursed' WinME was really slogging through stuff, esepecially when it came to the internet. We thought our comp was dying! We are glad that we don't have to buy a new one that we can't afford!

Lots more to say. Maybe later. I need some sleep.

Get Fuzzy and Robert Frost

2004-12-26T19:24:00.000-08:00

A quote from my most favourite recent Get Fuzzy

A Kitty Litter-ary Moment with Bucky B. Katt
Whose toads are these I think I knew
His frogs are in the viscous stew;
He will not see me stooping here
To launch his toads to frog fondue.
The little puss would think it queer
To stop with no frogs to toss near
Between the toads and froggy fling
The farthest frog tossed o'er the pier
He gives the slimy newts a swing
As if they are some green plaything...
The only other sound's the cheep
Of peepers pinned and sent flying.
The toads are best found sound asleep
But I have prodigious frogs to reap.
Reptiles to throw before I sleep.
Reptiles to throw before I sleep.

-Darby Conley (as Bucky Katt), Get Fuzzy, December 19, 2004.

Thinkingses

2004-12-22T17:11:00.000-08:00

Just thinking and being thankful. I am still frustrated about money, but, it could be worse. Things were somewhat put in perspective for me today. The lady who processes all my room charges and gives me cash back hasn't been to work yet this week. I have nearly $100 backed up owing to me. I would be frustrated... OK, I am a little... except that she has it much worse than I do. So what if I can't buy everything I thought I would? She was sick and then lost a close friend in a car accident last night.

So, I come to the conclusion that I am blessed. I have a good husband, good family, and cute kitties! I have wonderful church, a nice home, and great friends. I have baking supplies (soon to be turned into something yummy!), and home-made Irish cream (that's right - you heard me!). I have a Christmas "tree", decorations, and a brand new wreath from my mom and dad (and early Christmas present). I have a dirty car that works and some gas in the tank. I will make it to work. I will travel to Vernon to see my family on Christmas.

Life is good.

Despair!

2004-12-17T20:37:00.000-08:00

My credit is rapidly going down the drain! My faith is waning right now. I owe so much money to so many people. I pay so little rent and it still isn't enough. I am having trouble feeling positive. We don't have money for Christmas presents, we really don't. We don't even have money to buy stuff to make Christmas crafts! It is depressing. I would be thrilled if $10 000 suddenly dropped from the sky. It would be gone, but I would be thrilled.

I don't know what to do. My few months with little work and few tips have been hard. Not to mention the under-abundance of student loans. So nice of the government to remove the tuition freeze and not increase student loan funding. I want to cry. I hate this.

I got a letter from the MSP collections division today. I sent in my application for premium assistance but they take up to 3 months to process. In the mean time, I owe them $672 (I am still trying to find a way around that).

I am finding it hard to have faith that God will take care of it right now. I know he takes care of lots of little things in little ways. Right now it isn't enough. I don't understand. We have all sorts of crazy stories about how He has taken care of us. What is it this time? Is it me? (Rhetorical question, by the way. Just in case someone has something trite to say about tithing).

*SIGH*. We will be OK. Tomorrow is a new day of praying for tips!

I'd say I'm sorry for complaining... but I'm really not. This is my blog and my feelings. Perfectly Christian or not, it is how I really feel.

I think my biggest fear right now is that someone is going to give me advice.

Christmas specials

2004-12-16T09:26:00.000-08:00

Here's an excerpt from one of my favourites. I'm sure you will all recognize this:

You’re a mean one Mr. Grinch
You really are a heel.
You're as cuddly as a cactus,
And as charming as an eel,
Mr. Grinch!
You're a bad banana,
With a greasy black peel!
_________________________
You're a monster, Mr. Grinch!
Your heart's an empty hole.
Your brain is full of spiders.
You've got garlic in your soul,
Mr. Grinch!
I wouldn't touch you
With a thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole!
_____________________________
You're a vile one, Mr. Grinch!
You have termites in your smile.
You have all the tender sweetness
Of a seasick crocodile,
Mr. Grinch!
Given the choice between the two of you,
I'd take the seasick crocodile!
______________________________
You're a foul one, Mr. Grinch!
You're a nasty, wasty skunk!
Your heart is full of unwashed socks.
Your soul is full of gunk,
Mr. Grinch!
The three words that best describe you
Are as follows, and I quote,
" Stink, stank, stunk!"
_________________________
You're a rotter, Mr. Grinch!
You're the king of sinful sots!
Your heart's a dead tomato,
Splotched with moldy, purple spots,
Mr. Grinch!
Your soul is an apalling dump-heap,
Overflowing with the most disgraceful
assortment of deplorable rubbish imaginable,
Mangled-up in tangled-up knots!
__________________________________
You nauseate me, Mr. Grinch!
With a nauseous super naus!
You're a crooked jerky jockey,
And you drive a crooked horse,
Mr. Grinch!
You're a three-decker sauerkraut
and toadstool sandwich,
With arsenic sauce!
-Dr. Seuss

God, prayer etc....

2004-12-14T09:46:00.000-08:00

    Thank God for "small" miracles! Our landlord told us to knock $75 off the January rent. We are poor. This is good news!
    Had a funny experience on Sunday. We decided to put up our Christmas lights. We borrowed a ladder from a friend from our former church. I had seen a few people from the church that week to have coffee, drop off baby gifts etc. He said that our name had come up and they had been praying for us. I immediately felt defenive.
    What the heck is wrong with me? It's prayer! Would I prefer that they didn't pray for me? I guess my first reaction when it comes from that church is that they only pray if they think there is somethig wrong with me. That is such a wrong attitude! First of all, I don't know if that's why. Second of all, WHO CARES? It's prayer! at least they love me enough to pray. And I need it... I HAVE NO MONEY!!!! Why should I care where prayer comes from?
    Maybe it's that I got in contact with so many people I haven't seen all in one week. I can see how that might seem weird. Cause "concern". LOL. I don't even know if it's concern! I will take it as love and leave it there. Thank-you God that you care enough to move people to pray for me!

Sorry if this is dark for some of you... (don't worry, it's not about me!)

2004-12-09T16:24:00.000-08:00

For better or for worse
For horror and for curse
For being washed as black as sin
For bruising more than just her skin
I'm trying not to hate you.

James 2

2004-12-06T10:55:00.000-08:00

I was discussing a line in a song with my friend Connie (yes, I am still listening obsessively to U2). I don't know if this is what it means, but it is a fun parallel, don't you think?

You speak of signs and wonders
But I need something other
I would believe if I were able
But I'm waiting on the crumbs from your table
-Bono, Crumbs From Your Table

And...

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
-James 2:15-16, NIV

Isaiah 30

2004-12-06T08:31:00.000-08:00

Oh, how I love the book of Isaiah. Oh, how I love God!
If you read may Day 3 post on The Ritalin Diaries, you will note that I was stressing out and questioning things, because I felt crappy on day 3 of trying this out. Yesterday, aside from taking my drugs, I was over-tired, overworked, unable to go to church (because I had to work) and I had a headache. So, I started questioning if this drug was really going to help me.
I went to bed early and awoke feeling much better today.
I have been trying to read one Proverb a day as a devotion. When I had read it over twice, it had taken up about 7 mins of my life. So, I decided to pick up Brad's book on listening prayer (note to self, I enjoyed reading, wasn't feeling anxious like I needed to hurry up and read).
I was reading the chapter on the importance of scripture in hearing God. He mentioned a verse in Isaiah 30. This is one of my favourite chapters! I had written an exegetical paper on this chapter, but had forgotten the verse he mentioned(about the "voice that tells you 'turn to the left' or 'turn to the right...'"). But then I skipped to one of my favourite verses - the one my paper had focused on:

In repentance and rest is your salvation, In quietness and trust is your peace.

That verse had been the crux of my paper! I think God was reminding me why I love Him and love the Bible.
So, essentially, God is telling me to relax and lean on him, whatever the outcome will be. If I am ADD, then I know and can deal with it. If I'm not, then I know and can deal with it. Either way, I will know for sure!

P.S. - it is a really awesome passage. If anyone is interested, I still have the paper (all 10 pages of it!).

Chocolate cake

2004-12-04T08:26:00.000-08:00

This is on the Ritalin Diaries as well.

Ritalin is supposed to be an appetite suppressant. Well, after work yesterday I was SO hungry that I had a giant piece of Delta chocolate cake. Seriously, the best chocolate cake I have ever had. Homemade with Grand Marnier Sauce and raspberry coulis. YUM!!! Then, later that night I had pachos! Except I shared them and I did feel full. But still... that's not much of a low calorie day. I figure if I'm gonna take this, there have to be some 'good' side-effects.

Let me explain

2004-12-03T13:15:00.000-08:00

OK - so that last post was a little vague. We are exploring ADD right now and trying to determine whether or not I have it. I have started a blog to journal my reactions to Ritalin. If you click on the title of the previous blog it will take you there. Don't feel like you have to read it. It is likely going to be long. It's mostly for me.

R-Day

2004-12-03T05:44:00.000-08:00

ADD. Ritalin. Click on the title for a link.

My new CD...

2004-11-29T13:46:00.000-08:00

Yay! I just got the new U2 album (CD and DVD set). WOW! I love it! I am definitely in obsessive listening mode! I don't know how Bono can have so many profound things to say all the time. A gift, I guess. Any fans with favourite lines? Favourite songs? Do tell.

Murphy's Law? Hmmmm.....

2004-11-12T19:29:00.000-08:00

So, a not-so-funny-at-the-time funny story. I manage to lock my keys in my car maybe 2-3 times a year. Last year I did it two days in a row with the car running. My poor roomie got to rescue me both times. He mentioned that I should hide a key under my car. Great idea. I just never got around to it.

I was at work yesterday. For those of you who don't know - I work about 45 mins out of town. I had a slow day. A family of 6 came in after we were closed and wanted breakfast. At first I was frustrated, but then I thought about it - maybe God is trying to give me the $ I prayed for in the form of tips. Little did I know. Anyway, they left me a $20 tip. Pretty nice. I was all ready to take it home and buy some groceries. It turns out getting home would be the hard part.

Yes, I had done it again - I locked my keys in my car. I actually thought I had them when I got out (in my defense). It turns out they had fallen on the floor. I could see them through the window. One of the kind maintenance men tried to break into my car for me but that didn't work.

I called home, no answer. I thought it was rather strange since it was Remembrance Day, the buses weren't running and Shaun didn't have the car. I figured he had walked somewhere or someone had picked him up to do a project. I called around and found a ride but, unfortunately, not Shaun. I wanted to get his keys so I could drive my own car home instead of leaving it there. I called EVERYWHERE I could think of to see if Shaun was around. I left several messages, changed the voice mail, called people in his program, I even called there girl who lives below us to check and see if he was in the yard and maybe that's why he wasn't answering the phone. Nope, he wasn't in the yard.

I sat around, ate lunch, made phone calls. In total, I was at work for about 3 hours past my shift. I finally just called for a ride and figured I would catch a ride up the next day to get the car. When we finally got into an area with cell service, I checked my phone and sure enough, there was a message. From Shaun. I called back.

It turns out that he had been home the whole time. Our cordless had silently died and the other phone wasn't plugged in! OF ALL THE DAYS!!!!!!!! He was even carrying the phone around with him while he vacuumed so he wouldn't miss my call (I always call before I come home)!

So, I spent that $20 tip on lunch while I was waiting and gas for the friend who picked us up. I guess that was God making the best of a bad situation.

So that was my long day. On reflection, I wonder if asking God to give me patience was really such a good idea!

1999 (sorry Connie)

2004-11-10T13:18:00.000-08:00

HA!

I found my old box of letters and stuff sent to me from 1997-1999: The Bible College years. I guess I got married, wised-up and started throwing stuff out after that. Here is pictue of 1999 for you. It made me giggle. 1999 thoughts on email from my dear friend Connie... (italics mine)

Look! I'm writing a letter! Just what Canada Post wants. They're mad 'cause of that new-fangled thing called E-mail. Crazy aren't they? Not that I wouldn't use it if I had the money for a computer and all that Jazz. However, for me, a stamp costs less. And, (...here it comes, I love it!...) you can't send photographs.

I also found letters from someone named Hugh Jass (LOL), a Christian contemporary romance novel teaser, and a stickman drawing of a friend snowboarding off of a cliff.

When did I grow up?

Providence

2004-11-06T15:17:00.000-08:00

God IS good. He IS!

We are, to say the least, short for cash these days. We have been praying to have the $ to pay our rent etc. Did God EVER come through (and then some)! Last Saturday, we had an unexpectedly busy day. Like, REALLY busy. Of course, we were understaffed. The bad news is, it was really stressful. The good news is that I made $100 in tips and worked 1.5 hrs of over time. Same thing yesterday. Only I made over $120 (some of it was US $ - you do the math). God is good. I can pay my bills.

The only thing is - here's where I feel really bad and STUPID. I bought a new shirt yesterday to wear to the RMR (local) staff party. It was really nice. As I am driving home with my non-refundable purchase, I remember that what I really want is tickets to Les Miserables! Not enough $ anymore. I was incredibly sad. I have been waiting to see it forever. I felt so stupid and mad at myself. I am praying that God will somehow get me tickets. Is that wrong? I would have just taken it back, but can even God get past Le Chateau's refund policy?

Thoughts found

2004-10-31T21:20:00.000-08:00

I just found a sheet of thoughts I typed this spring while struggling with my former church's concepts about righteousness and coming before God. They were reminders to myself. I have edited out my typos and clarified a bit, but this is mostly it:

It is just as dangerous to rely on the Word at the expense of the Spirit as it is to rely on the Spirit at the expense of the Word.
God has sent the Holy Spirit for a reason, may I not ignore it. He has given the Word for a reason, may I not ignore it. Just as the Father son and Holy Spirit are one, so the written, spoken and sensed word complement one another. None is complete without the other.
Striving to be “righteous” will produce no spiritual result. We must let God transform us and accept what has already been done for us. I cannot change myself. Only God can. I cannot make myself righteous. Short of accepting the gift of righteousness that comes through Jesus alone, nothing I do will make me anymore righteous. I can give to the poor and give my body to burned (thinking about the love verses in Corinthians). It is blasphemous to believe anything other than that it is God who makes me righteous. I live “righteously”, not because I must do to be a Christian, but rather because I desire to. Because I am transformed. Because I want to live with and for God.
God loves me.

"The Curse" AND the Bambino (for all my girls)

2004-10-28T14:57:00.000-07:00

This morning I was driving to work listening to the news. The Red Sox won the World Series. I nearly cried.

I don't even like baseball.

Patience

2004-10-19T14:38:00.000-07:00

     I think God is trying to tell me something. It goes something like this......RELAX!!!
     God has been speaking to me through friends. I was standing in line at IKEA this weekend laughing because I had, of course, picked the "slow line". My friend told me that she was trying to model herself after someone she knew who had decided not to care. You'll get there when you get there. Who cares? Good idea.
     Then I was talking with another friend about hating my job because it is not ultimately what I want to do. I like what he said. You have eternity, why be impatient? Good point.
     I have come to this conclusion: Impatience is not logical for Christians.What a great lesson! I really do need to learn patience.

I just wish it didn't take so long.

The Death of a Toe VIEW AT YOUR OWN RISK - not for the squeamish!

2004-10-06T15:50:00.000-07:00

OK - I won't subject you to my disgusting toe on here. Just click on the title if you are feeling particularly morbid.

Ah, what a day!

As you can see - I am having toe trouble. I won't go into too much detail. Needless to say - I finally went to the doctor. The doctor was a liar. Told me it wouldn't hurt. I ended up pulling off my sock and shoe (while driving) and jamming some papertowel between my toes that had previously been wrapped around the remnants of a week-old bagel. I was praying for all green lights so I wouldn't have to shift in my barefooted-paper-towel-led state. Instead, I got even the weird lights going red on me!

My toe looks like a giant blood blister right now. She told me it might go black a bit - but I'm not sure if this is healthy!

On a completely different note - I ran into someone I know on my way to the clinic. One of those people that intimidates me. I can't figure out what he's thinking and I can't read him - it drives me crazy. I was really tired because I just got off work and had only slept for 4 hours the night before. And my face goes pink when I don't get enough sleep. So of course I run into this person and become acutely aware of the fact that my face is hot and pink. Then I think that he thinks I am turning red because I am talking to him and promptly turn red. How's that for self-defeating? I get embarrassed because I think someone thinks I am. A vicious cycle. The moral of this story - get more sleep!

Kleenex and DVD's

2004-09-29T09:17:00.000-07:00

Ugh! I'm sick. It's inevitable - work slows down and I make plans for yard, house and laundry. Instead, I end up lying around my messy house wanting to die!

Why is choosing cough medicine such a big deal? I have this great fear of ending up with the wrong one. I can't mix drugs. What if I take cough medicine and I can't breathe through my nose all day? I'm choosing my fate for the next few hours of my life! SCARY!

Well... back to the couch.

Thoughts

2004-09-24T20:50:00.000-07:00

I had this thought while I was driving today. That happens a lot when you have and hour and a half to yourself everyday (an aside - does anyone know of a cheap version of the bible on CD? My devotion times are definitely hurting due to the early morning schedule - I figured I could listen on the way to work). My driving thoughts seem so poetic and then I usually forget by the time I get home. I just remembered this one.

I was thinking about this friend of mine. She is a bit of a drama queen (as another friend put it). I always seem to attract those kind of people, but am completely unable to do anything for them. Anyway - it's just crazy how disaster follows her. I see that she creates a lot of it too. And surrounds herself with it. She freaks out about stuff all the time. Runs her mouth off. Gets mad at everybody else and blames everybody else. And can't be dissuaded. She just keeps talking and getting angry. She goes a mile a minute. Makes mountains out of molehills. Smokes, drinks, sleeps around. Lets guys talk her into all sorts of stuff. It's a fairly typical story - abused as a child.

The thought was sparked when I saw her go speeding by me on the highway today. It wasn't surprising - yet another self-destructive behaviour. It occurred to me that if she slowed down (both physically and metaphorically) she would be crushed by her past. That it would fall right on top of her and she would have to face it. So she runs her mouth and her car at high speeds to avoid unpleasantness. And (as the cycle goes) ends up creating more.

Aging

2004-09-20T01:00:00.000-07:00

OK - I know I'm only 26, but I have been finding numerous grey hairs in the past few months! All these short, stubby grey hairs. It's growing in that way! I always used to think that I would grow old gracefully. Now that aging has started (although I suppose it has always been happening) I feel this compulsion to start buying Nice 'n Easy and Oil of Olay!

2004-09-13T21:03:00.000-07:00

Shoulder pic. Not a cleavage pic! Note the bandages! Don't worry - they are only for holding my shoulder in place.

So, I hurt my shoulder again. Something frustratingly stupid this time. The good news is that it should heal quickly. Not like that last EPIC shoulder recovery. All I did was hit my shoulder on the bathroom counter while bending over to pick something up! Of course, being me, I hit it in exactly the right spot! I couldn't lift my arm for an hour - hit a nerve or something. Anyhow, I am feeling much better and the tape, however ugly, is helping alot.

My New CD

2004-09-08T23:50:00.000-07:00

I have a new CD. I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I do. It is the friend of a friend's CD. Anyhow, I was expecting some sort of Christian contemporary thing. Y'know...nice. It IS, but it doesn't quite sound Christian contemporary. I'm not quite sure how to label it. I have seen the label "folk" used for it. I'll go with that. Anyhow, I am REALLY liking it. I listen to it on the way to and from work every day. I don't know that the sound clips necessarily do it justice. I've met her a few times - cool girl. I am excited for her. She won a Juno for this album. Here's hoping it catches on.

My favourite quote (which also happens to be in the album jacket): "One of these days it will be easier to mean what I say, if I can just remember each and every day, that this world is not my home, and I never walk alone, and before time began my days were known by you."

Spell-check

2004-09-04T19:32:00.000-07:00

Has anyone else noticed that Blogger's spell checker tries to correct the word "blog"?

No one reads my blog but Connie!

2004-09-04T19:26:00.000-07:00

It's true!

To church or not to church, that is the question. I feel stuck right now. I have to work tomorrow - they seem to always ask me to work on Sunday. I think I am the backup for anyone who gets sick. I said I would work the occasional Sunday... I should have mentioned that even once a month is too often! I should have used the word emergency. But how can I say 'no' to my friend who is croaking and crying to me on the phone? Why do they tell her to ask me first?!?!

I wonder what is right here. There is being helpful and compassionate and then there's letting your work take advantage. I don't want to be a jerk, but I don't want to work Sundays. But there just isn't enough staff right now. UGH! I don't know.....

Bittersweet Moving Day

2004-09-01T20:43:00.000-07:00

Ahh..... The problem tenant moved out. Too bad the problem didn't. Click on the title of this post for pictures (or look under my links). *SIGH* I will go back to cleaning now.

Never buy a Kenmore!

2004-08-27T20:06:00.000-07:00

Wow! After a whole bunch of crappy service (a whole other story), we discovered that our 3-year old Kenmore vacuum cleaner needs $200 in repairs! Needless to say, we said "#$&^! that", and we are now shopping for a new one. Apparently they only cost $300-$400! Oh.... because I have that kind of money! Of course! I could just go get one for $100, but I have 2 cats. Not that THAT matters because they have been locked in a room for weeks due to the fact that they pee all over the carpet! Maybe they wouldn't if our vacuum worked....

Late-Night Logic

2004-08-18T23:00:00.000-07:00

It seemed like a good idea... taking apart my vacuum cleaner. It wasn't working. I figure I'll remember where everything goes. I was mostly right. Unfortunately, that doesn't really help me. Did you know that there are repair instructions for every other type of appliance on-line? Just not vacuums. Wish me luck....

WAR!!!

2004-08-05T17:30:00.000-07:00

The toughest fight I will ever fight. Yes, the war against cat urine. I am currently losing. They look innocent enough, but they aren't, they aren't. I am baffled. They were never "pee-ers" before. Now they are going all over the house. One of them actually prefers the bathtub to his own litter box. Easy to clean I guess, but strange.... very strange. We have tried stain and odour removers on the carpet. I hate carpet. This wouldn't be happening on hardwood or laminate. We just bought a new one. I am buying feline pheromone spray and diffusers on eBay. Will keep you updated......

A rock and a hard place...

2004-07-13T04:38:00.000-07:00

It's 4:30 AM. I can't sleep due to an adrenaline high. Why? Some half-naked chick was breaking stuff and running around the building screaming like a demon. My husband got to deal with it while I called the police. A friend of the problem tenant downstairs. Both of them were on shrooms. I know that we have to evict her, but I feel bad. She's a nice girl who makes very bad decisions. It's hard to have hope for her. I don't foresee a good future. Are we making things better, worse or no different by kicking her out? I think we would be enabling her if we let her stay. Aside from that, I don't think the other tenants would feel secure AND there may be liability issues if we don't evict her and something serious happens. Well, I am no longer shaking. I need to go entertain her kitten (who is running around my house). She's off at her former foster mom's coming down. I felt really bad putting the kitty back downstairs with all the broken glass. And he's pretty cute. Is that enabling? Or just compassion for the cat?

The Laundry Nazi

2004-07-05T01:16:00.000-07:00

That would be me. I am feeling torn right now. It is midnight. The laundry room hours are 8 AM - 11 PM. I heard somebody tiptoe down to the laundry room and then loudly turn on the and machine run! This whole caretaker thing is frustrating. I'm not about to repeal the laundry room hours(since it IS right below our bedroom). I am tempted to just go and shut it off. A consequence of their breaking the rules. Except it doesn't really happen often. And the laundry machines WERE busy all day today. But still, they're like children (tenants). It's all about discipline. Plus, we just gave one of the tenants a warning telling her she was going to be evicted if she broke the no noise after 11 PM rule again. It's one of those things, once in a while is OK... 5 days a week is not!(We didn't even get to the unspoken don't-repackage-illegal-drugs-in-the-building rule with her). How can I enforce those rules, but not the laundry room ones? I don't know, but here I sit, typing away, debating. Wow, they are in the room right now, I can hear them below me. As I type this, do I dare go? I can think of thousand good reasons not to let people run the machines past 12. Especially the ones involving flooding and fire. *SIGH* What's a girl to do? Pretend she never heard it, I suppose.

Shady past...

2004-07-03T15:45:00.000-07:00

I never thought I'd say this but, thank God (yes literally), for my hubby's "shady" (lol) past. I bring him suspicious looking paraphernalia that I found on the lawn and he informs me that someone in the building is "manufacturing". Don't think I can go into any more detail. This should be fun to deal with... I'm OK with "dealing" with it. There's something about being woken up at 4 AM (today being an excellent example) that makes me rather grouchy and unforgiving.

Blueberries

2004-06-30T09:25:00.000-07:00

What's up with the fruit theme? After 26 years, it finally happened... I like blueberries! Strange how that works, just all of a sudden. I've never liked them. Not even a year ago! Has that ever happened to anyone else? I seem to be on a picture kick. Just got Hello, so I am playing. Pretty fun.

Brother's wedding

2004-06-29T23:23:00.000-07:00

More wedding photos

2004-06-29T13:24:00.000-07:00

The Fam

"The Makeup" from my bro's wedding

2004-06-29T13:21:00.000-07:00

Grapefruit

2004-06-29T13:13:00.000-07:00

Namely, the one forming on my hubby's ankle. We moved our piano in today (YAY!). It fell on hubby's ankle (grapefruit). At least the piano is OK, I guess....

Beginner

2004-06-29T01:36:00.000-07:00

Oooo.... first post, I guess I need to say something meaningful or important.......----.......----- hmmmm....---******---nutin' This is mostly for my dear friend Mrs. bootie-zak (lol) who told me several months ago (and likely doesn't even remember the conversation) that I should start "blogging". I guess I rant a lot. Now that hubby has to go to bed at 7PM I have ALL this time on my hands. Well, I just found a new church. Pretty cool. I am actually excited to go to church again! Of course, it has only been ONE Sunday. I was just lamenting over my inability to be poetic. It's like I have all these great, deep thoughts, and try to put them to paper - they just sound lame. So here was my thought... I was thinking about my whole switching churches thing. So very painful. I realized though, that without experiencing that pain, I never would have known the joy of walking into another church and just knowing that it was safe and cool. I guess it that whole love/hate good/evil thing. Well, that's enough for now, eh? My first blog. Wow.