Blank Canvas

Leap Day!

2012-02-29T09:14:00.000-05:00

I felt like I just had to post today since it'll be another four years before I can post on February 29th. Is that ridiculous? Well, if it is, I don't care :)

Let's see...what's happening in the world these days? All my friends are popping out babies left and right. It's insane. I have to remember all their kids faces too so I can recognize their profile pictures on Facebook. Almost every day I think of turning off my Facebook account yet again but then I remember friends far away and how I love looking at pictures of their lives and seeing their kids grow up while I don't have a chance to see them. If they all had blogs that they kept up with that would be awesome and there would be no need for Facebook (or it's broken Timeline).

Right now I'm reading a book about Starbuck's that I really love. I'm taking a cake decorating class (one week left) and it's been super fun and a lot of work. I brought my classwork (a decorated cake, obviously) to work yesterday morning and, this is no joke, it was gone in about two hours. And it was a two layer pound cake. My friend Erin is taking it with me and that's my favorite part. We don't really get to see each other as often since she got married and is planning their move to Seminary this summer, so I enjoy those two hours a week we've gotten to hang out. We have spent a lot of time decorating in this class, but my very favorite thing we have done so far has been making clowns on cupcakes. Melt your stinkin' heart they were cute!!!! I loved them. I drove straight to Jay's house to give them to him and he loved them too. Then I got a text the next morning that he had eaten the clowns feet off. That made me giggle hysterically and I have no idea why. I guess that's one reason why I love the guy, cause he sure can make me laugh :).

Half Marathon training is going fairly well. Ready or not, here it comes! We are volunteering at the Snicker's Marathon in Albany this coming Saturday and we're also organizing a charitable run for one of our favorite organizations. I'll post more about that later, hopefully! Yay! I'm running in the Color Run 5K at the end of next month. If you haven't heard about it, you should check it out because it looks like a ton of fun. I registered with some other friends, so we'll leave there all colored out! The weather is starting to level out and that means biking weather is coming!!! Hopefully I can knock that century goal out this spring. That would be great.

I've been volunteering at our local Crisis Pregnancy Center. I volunteer about twice a month and it's a new day that they've opened, so people are still learning the new hours. I've only had ladies come in one night I've been there, but it was a very encouraging and fulfilling time. I realized what a need there is in this community to love on these women and unborn children and help their mothers know that child was created to be given life and that her child has a purpose and pray she decides to give it a chance in this world. Mostly it's a wonderful blessing to be able to love on the mothers because some of them don't know they are loved or that they are even loveable.

I know I wrote several months back about volunteering at Catalyst in Atlanta and what an awesome time it was. I got an email to volunteer for Catalyst 1-Day in Atlanta next month. Of course I didn't pass up the chance. Catalyst has been a wonderful organization to volunteer with and they truly care about their volunteers and their mission.

I think that's all that's headed over this way. My camera still isn't fixed, so I feel like my life is out of sorts because I haven't taken a good picture in several months. I need to get it fixed then I will fill several blogs with picture after picture when I go crazy with that shutter button!

Happy Leap Day, wherever you are!

My Month Without

2012-02-01T14:10:00.004-05:00

I've never really been big into New Year's Resolutions because:

1) I'm a terrible planner
2) most people never actually keep them
3) I don't want to put a damper on the whole year becuase I didn't do something I set out to do
4) because everyone else is doing it

I don't mean that I don't set goals. I do have goalish type things. I just don't do it at the first of the year just because somebody somewhere made it an unwritten rule that people should only decide to attain things starting at the beginning of the year. I set my aspirations whenever they come to me. And they almost never come to me at the beginning of the year and they pretty much never come to me on an annual basis. That's why I have a list of things I'd like to do within the next two years...gotta give yourself a little room for error, right? Yep, that's my story :) Maybe my personality type isn't really "goal-oriented." I just wanna be happy, doing things that make me happy, with people that make me happy. Sounds simple enough.

Where was I going with this post...??? Oh yeah (*snaps fingers in excited remembrance*), well, I mentioned on another post at another time that I was training for my first half marathon. I found that I have obstacles in my life that were making that difficult. So, I wanted to see if there was a difference once I cut them out of my life. So, I got the notion to cut out carbonated beverages and chocolate/desserts for the month of January. When I go to restaurants I generally get water anyways because other drinks are so dang expensive and I'm so dang cheap, but here at work it's easier to tell myself I need the caffeine to get through a thousand conference calls a day (slight exaggeration), so I go to the machine and grab a drink instead of water. Then, by the time I get home and get my run in, I'm half dehydrated from lack of water. I'm not saying I drank a twelve pack of Diet Dr. Pepper a week, you won't be seeing me on a future documentary about people that drink a gallon of soda a day, nor anything silly like that, we're talking like three drinks a week or something, but regardless...it was costing money and costing me nutrients.  Also I have a slight addiction to sugar. I'd rather have dessert than a real meal. I'm not kidding.  I'd just assume have a piece of key lime pie and skip dinner altogether. Again, it was killing my training.  The sugar highs (and then lows), the lack of protein and fiber was easily seen in my running and day to day living.

I didn't think I was going to be tortured this past month, but I did think it might be kind of difficult. Honestly though, it was a breeze. A cake walk, without the cake, if you will. :)  Removing those items made me far more energetic, hydrated, and healthier. I think I had a better mood overall. Eating crappy foods makes me feel crappy and self-conscious, so without them, I felt awesome!

I won't lie though, I have it set in my heart to go home and make Jay and I a pecan pie tonight, but then that'll probably be close to it for the month. I'm not planning on "making" myself go without all of this month, but I am very aware of the difference it makes for the body and the soul.

Random Musings...

2012-02-01T13:37:00.003-05:00

I hate to admit this, but there are times I struggle with going to church. I love my relationship with Jesus and I love all of the wonderful blessings He's shown me and given me over the years. I believe in His sacrifice, in His calling, in His mercy, and in His sovereignty. I believe He is just, I believe He is good, and I believe, above all else, that our call from Him is to love. To love even the unloveliest.
So, my struggle with church is about the mask that everyone always seems to be wearing. Church has become a stage, in my opinion. I look around and I get sad. I get sad because I see the act. I see how everyone is made up in their Sunday best. Pretty clothes, perfected hair and make-up. Arms around spouses and children in cute dresses and Mary Janes. I get sad at the production that seems to take place. How sometimes, no matter what we're sharing about Jesus, we always sing five songs, we always pray four times, and we can always fit it into an hour and fifteen minutes so we can race each other out of the parking lot and so no one is late to the restaurant for lunch.
I don't say all of this to tell people not to go to church. I go 95% for the music. No lie. Somehow the worship, the lyrics, the guitar, the drums, and the rhythmic beat to words stemmed from a honest, broken, and faithful heart speak to me far more than the sermons ever do. This past Sunday I was able to see through the lyrics to the hearts singing them. I was able to see past the mask because I was reminded of some of the truths behind those masks. Specifically, we were singing a song by Matt Redman and the lyrics to the chorus went a little something like this:

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

...and as we sang those words I looked at the faces of those around me. And their eyes seemed to be singing from different perspectives. From the youth and my peers, as we sang those songs, it seemed there was more hope in their hearts. They seemed hopeful that no matter what comes ahead that God will indeed be faithful as He promises. And from the seasoned souls I saw confirmation. Confirmation that God is indeed faithful. Watching a seventy year-old woman sing those lyrics with arms held high made me want to know the story behind her heart. I wanted to know what chapters in her life had God proven His faithfulness to her. Her assurance seemed to stem from life experiences rather than blind hope. And I see how's there's power in confession and truth. How knowing of a neighbor's past abortion, divorce, addiction, or struggle makes me relate and rely on them in a whole new light. It actually makes it easier to love.

If I don't even know the real you, how can I love you?

There's something so powerful when we're loved as we truly are and not as we pretend to be.

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep...

2012-01-03T08:30:00.003-05:00

In keeping with tradition, here's the list of all of the places my head found a place to rest in 2011. Granted, it's not nearly as grand or mobile as last year's list, but I'm happy and at peace with where I find myself laying my head these days.

Americus, GA
State Park, Northern FL
Orlando, FL
Amicalola State Park, GA
Chatsworth, GA
Pensacola, FL
Atlanta, GA
Gainesville Hwy Recreation Area, GA
Vogel State Park, GA
Lawrenceville, GA
Richmond Hill, GA
Milwaukee, WI
Butler, GA
Gray, GA
Warner Robins, GA
Smyrna, GA
Dallas, TX
Plains, GA
FDR State Park, GA

I'm looking forward to 2012 and all of the places my head will find a place to rest and all of the new adventures that will come with that.

Happy sleeping...wherever you are. :)

Have a goal? Write it down and share it.

2011-12-29T11:09:00.000-05:00

Hey, you remember when I made a list of 30 things I wanted to do before I turn 30 or get boring (ya know, whichever comes first)? I had a list in my head and I wrote it down. But that still wasn't enough to make some of those goals start becoming reality. I can handle the reading twelve books a year one on my own because I can pick up a book to read. But there are others that are more easily attainable when I share them with others. Not because I want to brag about things I want to do or things I'm doing to reach those goals, but because it helps make those goals more tangible and accountable. It help me visualize where I am headed or where I want to be headed. I like seeing dreams become reality. And I am so thankful that I have a man in my life that is an even bigger dreamer than I am. Not only does he dream big and wonder big, but he lives life big. And I just love that about him.

I wanted to run a half marathon at Thanksgiving, but that didn't happen. When I got Roosevelt all of my running became slow jogging and/or walking. I put the goal on the back burner. But, guess what? I just registered for my first half marathon. The big day is April 28, 2012. There are several reasons I wanna run this half. One, so that I can show myself that I can do it. Two, so that I can take every opportunity to be active and mobile while my body is able. Three, so that I can honor thirteen little girls that Katie has shared her life with in Uganda. When I run and get tired or think about stopping, I think about those girls and how big they are living their life. How much stronger and braver and more heroic they are than I ever will be or could ever imagine to be. They are my heroes and I want to run for them. Thirteen miles for thirteen girls, and a point one for a mom that is a mother to the masses. She is Mommy to many and has blessed my soul by hearing her story.

I will also be taking on my first overnight backpacking trip this weekend. I got a sweet backpack for Christmas and am eager to put it to use. Again, all because of a man that wants me to reach my goals and wants to be a part of the process.

I encourage you to not only make plans for a year, but to make plans for life. To make your dreams reality. To always be striving, reaching, stretching, and growing. As life goes on and you glimpse at the pages of your story, you will be inspired by your own story and at what impossible dreams have become reality because you didn't give up. All because of hope. All because of a dream.

I'm a Goal Reacher, People

2011-12-15T15:22:00.000-05:00

I'm just writing because I met my reading plan for the year! I know it may sound trivial, but I had set a goal earlier in the year to read at least twelve books a year. Now, I don't mean just start twelve books a year, but I aim to start and finish at least twelve. A book has to be really, really, really good to keep my interest. But what happens when it catches my interest is that I can't put it down until I finish it. I'll stay up till the wee hours of the morning for days on end until I finish a great book. It's pretty ridiculous actually, but I can't help it. I have an entire bookcase of books that have bookmarks (or receipts or letters or gum wrappers....ok, whatever was lying around at the time) to mark the first chapter or two where I started but couldn't quite get into it enough to finish. I'm so happy I finished, and when I just wrote them down to see where I was towards reaching my goal and I believe I can come up with thirteen actually! Honestly there may've been another one or two in there that I read and forgot to write down, but I have no idea. I thought that I had only eleven, so I was trying to find an amazing book to occupy me for the next week or two before the new year. I got Jay a couple books for Christmas and I happened to think one looked really interesting, so I ummmm already read it before he gets it for Christmas (insert awkward smiley emoticon). Is that a no-no???? I made sure not to mess the crease or bend the pages or let Roosevelt eat it. Shoot, I bought it used, so I guess someone else already read it too. Why am I even discussing this right now?

Anyways, here's to happy readers all over the world and to at least twelve amazing books next year.

I've been horrible at keeping my library on here updated, oh and my book review page too, but if you care about my list for 2011, here it is. :) All of Don's books were rereads, but they are so good I could read them over and over again. And most likely will. I'd love any recommendations for next year's reading list!

Happy Reading!

Long Overdue

2011-10-27T12:34:00.001-04:00

Where have my blogging manners gone? Life has just been super busy and super amazing and I just have not found the words to sum it all up in blog postings. I'll start with a little recap and maybe follow up with some pictures once I get them recovered (yet again) from my silly memory card. Sometimes I try to make light of really frustrating situations by throwing words like silly, goofy, or funny in the description, but it's actually really quite frustrating! :)

So, at the beginning of October, I flew out to Dallas for work for a little peer-to-peer learning, some Habitat building, and some two-stepping classes at the local dance hall. Also decided to throw in a four hour trip to Urgent Care with a co-worker when she got incredibly sick. The Starbucks across from Urgent Care was super cute and quaint and I enjoyed both of my trips there. Addicted much? Maybe. It's those gosh darn Salted Caramel Mochas. Why do they have to be so yummy? Don't judge. I loved participating in the building of a home. It makes my cube job well worth any stressful days that we have. It puts the job, the mission, and the end result in perspective and makes me thankful for any ability I have to contribute to bettering the life of the person standing next to me.

Following the trip from Dallas, I stayed in Atlanta to volunteer for the Catalyst East Conference. I really wanted to be a part of the conference because this amazing woman was going to be one of the speakers. As volunteers we had the ability to sit in on a few of the sessions provided we were where we needed to be, when we needed to be there, for our work stations. I didn't want to miss listening to Katie. I bought her book there and was blessed to be in a long line of people getting their books signed. I had been working the resource station selling the books to people that were getting in line and after the line died down a little, I went out to get in line. So, I was at the very back. The back of the line was told that we might as well not stand in line because there was no way were going to get up there. He said it would be pointless to keep standing there. A few people surrendered and left the line. I wasn't about to. I was, like you know, why not wait a little longer. I was the very last person to get my book signed and got a high five from the guy that had suggested we give up and stop standing in line. :) Kuddos to faith and perseverance.

I had an amazing time volunteering and still talk about it almost every day. I loved the people I worked with for three straight days. I love the Starbucks coffee, the chick-fil-a, and the water we were provided an endless supply of. I loved the guests and meeting so many people. I loved how busy it was, how full of energy it was, and how encouraging it was. Not only did I get to hear Katie, buy her book, and get it signed. I was also about to meet my very favorite blogger of all time. Drum roll please...Jamie the Very Worst Missionary. I was so excited to hear that she was actually coming to Catalyst and was even more stoked when I got to meet her. It's like for real now. She knows that I exist in the world, even if she hasn't realized that we should be best friends. :) She says stuff out loud that I think and wish someone would say. I read her blogs to so many people. It's probably kind of ridiculous, actually.

If you think all of that isn't awesome enough...I had no idea I was about to be blessed this much, but I got to go to a screening of Blue Like Jazz, the movie. Donald Miller is my very favorite author and this is a book turned movie (with a little editing) of his book Blue Like Jazz. I had actually just reread the book about a month prior to Catalyst, with no idea that I was going to get to see a screening of it. Our resource station was positioned across from a Blue Like Jazz the Movie booth. I thought they were just giving away awesome coffee cups while telling people about the movie. So, when I tried to get one of a co-volunteer's friends to swipe me a cup while I worked, someone mentioned signing up to see the movie. I said, the movie doesn't come out until next year, what do you mean you signed up to see it tonight? Of course when I realized what was happening, I immediately went over and put my name on "The List" to see the movie that night! I couldn't believe it!!!! I get there and it's packed out and I get an amazing seat (the one that's right behind the little railing, so you can put your feet up with out getting in trouble or annoying anyone. Then come to find out that the director is there, and also the two guys that started the Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the movie. I can't explain what a great experience it was to be at a screening with the director explaining how it's all gonna go down tonight. So, cool. Best movie watching experience. Ever. Not to mention, the guy next to me was talking like we were BFFs throughout the whole movie. Awesome. I loved it.

So, you know how I said that Don is my favorite author? Well, he references this guy named Bob Goff in a lot of his writing. Bob is super wise (I would suggest following him on Twitter-he has a lot of insightful quotes he posts)...and guess what? He too was a speaker at Catalyst that I was hoping to hear. And guess what else...I did get to hear him!

I'm telling you, it was an amazing three days. There was more, but I'll leave it at that. Unless you really wanna know more, then you can just ask me, and I'll be glad to tell you all about it. :)

Wanna hear even more news?

I had a birthday this month.  Celebrated the big 2-8. A million other friends had birthdays this month too. It's pretty much the most awesome month to be born in. Let's not even lie about that. Just kidding. Kinda.

Last month Jay (yay!) took me to Zoo Atlanta. I had not been there in years. It was amazing! I love seeing things that I didn't truly appreciate or understand as a kid. Even though we probably still acted like five year olds. I'm a huge fan of Lemurs now. They are hilarious!

Roosevelt has also gone camping with us, twice! And he did great. For my birthday, Jay gave me a doggie daypack for him. I will surely post those pictures (ahem...after they are recovered, of course)!

A few girlfriends and I took our pups to Providence Canyon this past Sunday. It was a lot of fun! It's such a beautiful park. Hard to believe something like that exists in Georgia. It seems so random to be here. We had a great day. Even if the first highlight of the day was the three of us on the side of the road gagging and scooping one of their poops out of the kennel! Don't worry, it wasn't Roosevelt's :)

That's pretty much life right now. Just baking, working, hanging out, going on dates with a cute boy, running, and riding bikes.

Oh, and I started training for a half Marathon in April that I'm running in honor of Katie's 13 girls!

Oh, oh...and I just got my hair cut. I was scared, but I was ready for a change. I have a cute little ponytail now.

I think that's all now, for real this time. :)

Hope you're loving life...wherever you are!

Nom-nom-nom-nom

2011-10-14T13:56:00.001-04:00

I like eating, my dog loves to eat.

I like eating real food, my dog loves eating anything.

I've only had him for about three months, but here's a little list of the things he has deemed edible:

The remote control.
A John Mayer cd-guess he wasn't a fan.
My cell phone charger.
My laptop.
My cell phone.
A chair from the kitchen table.
Two frisbees.
The clips on two compression sacks.
His bed.
His travel bowls.
My tennis shoes.

All of that and, surprisingly, the cell phone charger and cd are the only things that aren't still usable.

This also explains why our vet recommends I get toys for "durable chewers." I should've named him Chewy, or something else that describes his incessant need to chew, yet also equally captures that adorable face that makes this chewing stage tolerable.

Happy chewing :)

I'm also accepting any tips on how to stop the chewing. Yes, please. :)))))

Waiting Here for You

2011-09-19T16:06:00.000-04:00

Christy Nockels: Waiting Here for You

September? Seriously?

2011-09-19T15:41:00.002-04:00

For some reason, when September comes, I am hit with the realization that the year is almost over when really, it's already two thirds over.

I love the change in seasons. I always sense the changing in my life. Seasons remind us that life is always changing. Even though it's fall, every day is preparing and drawing closer to that next season. Life has been super busy lately and I am a little late on a few posts. I planned to be a little more detailed, but since it seems like old news already, I'll just fit it into one post.

My friend Jamie and I went to a Maroon 5/Train concert a few weeks ago. Her husband let her go with the promise she wouldn't come back with any new boyfriends. I promised to look out for her, although, sitting for several hours listening to attractive men sing to you would sure make a gal wonder. :) We paid entirely too much for tickets off of craigslist...but I don't regret it for a second. It was SO much fun! Here are a few snippets of from the concert:

yes, she likes to rock out with the guitar

well hellloooo there...

The next day I met up with two other dear friends for Labor Day weekend. Our weekend agenda was slammed with activities such as: visiting sweet friends, shopping, baseball, shopping, church, shopping, and more church. Amy loves to shop. Like seriously! I can only take so much, but we did the right amount and broke it up throughout the weekend. Here are a few pics from the weekend!

i don't know...

college pals!

love some frozen yogurt!

went to Passion City Church where Chris Tomlin led worship...amazing

one of Chris' guitarists...dear world, you can model any of my future blind dates after this fella. Like, for real.

Our Christmas Card Photo

2011-09-11T22:04:00.001-04:00

Ten Thousand Reasons

2011-09-06T14:04:00.001-04:00

I can't articulate what I want to say in a post...but I have to share this song. I'll post more about the weekend when I have more time, but Sunday night a few friends and I attended Passion City Church in Atlanta. Chris Tomlin led this song from Matt Redman's newest album and we sang it together as a community after receiving communion. It's pretty much my new favorite song.

"10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)"

[Chorus]

Bless the Lord, O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning

It's time to sing Your song again

Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me

Let me be singing when the evening comes

[Chorus]

Bless the Lord, O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger

Your name is great, and Your heart is kind

For all Your goodness I will keep on singing

Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

[Chorus]

Bless the Lord, O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

And on that day when my strength is failing

The end draws near and my time has come

Still my soul will sing Your praise unending

Ten thousand years and then forevermore

[Chorus x2]

Bless the Lord, O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name

Lord, I'll worship Your holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name

I'll worship Your holy name

Enjoy the video I got from YouTube:

Music to My Soul

2011-08-31T10:30:00.000-04:00

I'm so happy right now. I'm sitting at my desk on a conference call, with a headset on and a speaker over one ear. In my other ear I hear the weekly devotional group singing downstairs. I always have a call during this time and can never go to devotions, but I sure love hearing them sing. This is what they just finished singing.

"He Knows My Name"
I have a maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in His hand
(chorus)
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And hears me when I call
I have a father
He calls me His own
He'll never leave me
No matter where I go
(chorus)
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And hears me when I call

I'm grateful for a job where I can hear those words sung and praised freely. It's definitely the song I needed to hear this morning.

Have a wonderful Wednesday-wherever you are.

Mission Accomplished

2011-08-30T22:22:00.002-04:00

I received a mission in the form of a comment after my last post. Thanks for being such a devoted reader, Laura :) The mission was as follows:

Alrighty Partner so here is your mission if you choose to accept 1) make a new dish this weekend (no pasta/burgers/chicken pie). Completely all new to you. 2) Take a picture of something you love/someone you love to hang out with/something you loving to do. Nothing fancy just a snapshot.

Alrighty, so the new dish I decided to make was Parmesan Crusted Talapia with a side of roasted potatoes. I will admit that the roasted potatoes were not a new item to me, but I've only made them once before if that counts for anything. I used to not be a fan of fish and this was my first time cooking fish of any kind myself. I've eaten fish that other people have cooked, but this was a very first for me! Forgive the picture and lack of vegetables. I've always been a meat and potatoes kinda girl :) I'm working on trying to eat my veggies...but see, I did add a little sour cream and a lemon to add at least a little color.

Side note: the recipe for the talapia called for paprika. Well, ya see, when I stopped by the store I grabbed a little container of it and put it in my basket. When I got home, there was no paprika to be found. I checked my receipt and it was no where to be found on the receipt either! So, apparently I didn't buy it afterall. I subsituted a Penzeys spice called turkish seasoning that happens to have paprika in it. I think it turned out really well, although if you use the turkish, I'd go a little lighter on the spice than the recipe calls for.

Part two of the mission calls for a snapshot of someone I like hanging out with and/or something I love to do. I decided to take my camera along today with Roosevelt and I when we went to the pecan orchard. Here are my snapshots with a real camera and not my camera phone!

mmmmm...dirty water!

can you guess who got the first bath when we got home?!? tough life huh? :)

I happened to catch him between "sit" and "down"-he gets those confused still! haha :)

I know, I know...she said "a" snapshot! But he's just so cute!

Thanks for the challenge Laura!!!

Happy Tuesday world! :)

Bikes, Photography, Trespassing, and More Stories About Roosevelt

2011-08-24T22:47:00.002-04:00

I feel like I haven't really posted anything in a while. Nothing much beyond book reviews and a snippet here and there. And I'm not quite sure where this post is going. Truth is, I haven't really been doing much here lately. I mean, I've been doing stuff, just "nothin' to write home about," or however the saying goes. Another truth is that I've been finding myself in a position of content restlessness. Yes, it's possible, because that exactly sums up what I feel like right now. I feel like I'm perfectly fine with my status quo right now, but also feeling a stirring that I'm ready for something to change...or rather, ready to be changed.

I have a really sad story to tell you. It's about a girl, let's call her Amanda, that had a great hobby, she actually had a few really great hobbies (but of course they were great to her because, well, because they were her hobbies..duh). The girl got really sad and stopped putting any effort into her favorite things. So, she found new things that she found she liked to do and she was less sad, but not quite happy. *this is the part where the sad story turns less sad, so get ready* Amanda decides that she misses her favorite hobbies and decided to make herself more busy by participating in all of her hobbies, old and new. The end.

Tonight I went on a bike ride with my friend Keri. Riding my bike is one of the hobbies I've somehow let slip away. The reasons it slipped away are stupid and immature and pretty pathetic if you wanna know the truth, but obviously they worked. I have been thinking about riding for a while now. Almost weirdly wanting to ride. Keri and her husband bought each other bikes as gifts (that's a great marital budget move by the way-both get something you like while also purchasing it under your "gifts" budget line item!--well, at least if I were married I'd probably think it was great!) and they go riding sometimes when he is home on the weekends. She and I have talked about riding several times in the past several months but had never actually gone. Tonight we went. I got home, changed clothes, pumped up my tires, walked my dog and then loaded her up in my car. BTW...it's so much easier fitting my bike into my RAV than in my Taurus!!!! We had such a fun ride...well, except for that whole dog chasing thing. She's definitely one of my favorite friends in my life right now, maybe ever actually. The weather was great and I didn't eat a single bug along the way. I did get one stuck in my eye...but just one. It was just what I needed to refuel the joy I find in riding on these long country roads.

Taking pictures is another passion of mine that has gotten lost somehow. I think it was mostly because I didn't feel like I was any good. That mostly I got "lucky" if one turned out like I wanted. I wish I knew more than I do, and I don't feel like I'll be good enough, even for myself, until I am able to grasp a few fundamentals I feel I'm lacking. I'm already working on rectifying that...so no worries. Another reason is because I am pretty tired of trying to take a picture and the words "FOR" or "CHA" or "ERR" showing up where the image count is supposed to be. I have taken my camera to two different camera shops and neither can tell me what the deal is. I know what I need to do about it, and it's not a big deal, I just haven't made the decision to do it. But I miss taking pictures. I probably haven't taken more than fifty pictures since I returned from my cross-country trip last summer. Not more than fifty...that's pretty pathetic for me. Unfathomable actually. I think some of that has to do with "Amanda" being sad at times, but I'm ready to restore my joy in my shutter button and lens.

Cooking. I seriously stopped cooking. I have still baked with Danielle every now and then, but the passion I use to have for wanting to try something new to make all the time...that passion left. It didn't really leave I guess, it just got...lost. I've cooked more dog treats for my dog than I've cooked for myself in the past five months. That's something else I'm changing. I don't know why I thought giving up these things I loved were going to make me feel better. I think that maybe I thought it would help me move on in some areas of my life and I believe in some ways that's been true. I think also maybe I thought I would get to be someone else. Someone that wasn't sad so much. I have changed, but mostly in positive ways, and I think it'd be even more positive if I spent more time doing things I love rather than just passing time doing "whatever."

Let's see...we've hit the bikes, the photography, and a little about Roosevelt of course...trespassing, that's what I forgot to mention.

So...Roosevelt and I go running/walking (depending on what he's sniffing or tangled up in) at least every other day. We have about two routes we usually go because the two roads that intersect just down from us are kinda busy and people (yes, I'm guilty too) drive around seventy miles an hour down them and I chose two ways that are less likely to get us run over. Good canine mommy, right? :) Ok, well, the other day Roosevelt got really tired and laid down in some grass to rest and I COULD NOT get this fella to budge one bit! Usually I can pep him up to make it the rest of the way home, but not this time. I seriously thought I was going to have to carry him home. And we didn't even go that far. The other day we were going back down that road and he stopped to smell an area of grass (the exact spot he stopped to lie down the day before) and I noticed a beautiful orchard. Just full of pecan trees. I also noticed this gate...that happened to be padlocked. But, you see, there was a fairly large gap between the doors of the gate. Large enough that if I ducked down and turned sideways I could get through. I mean, it's practically begging me to come in. Oh, I checked around and there were no "private property" or "no trespassing" signs. Sure, to most people the padlocked steel gate should've been a sign, but not to me. I'm more literal than that, thank you. I clearly require you to flat out tell me not to come in. :) Roosevelt and I went running down that trail. It wasn't far, but it was glorious. There weren't a million mailboxes for him to sniff and pee on. He just ran and ran with me. And, yeah, we went back yesterday. And today. Except, today the gate was OPEN. Roosevelt was pretty accustomed to this routine and walked right up. I swear he looked at me like he had won the lottery when he realized the gate was open. I wasn't sure if I should go in or not, but I did. But I didn't run down the trail. Instead we walked on the inside of the road for which we actually should've been on the outside. Basically we were on the wrong side of the fence. But I was so nice because I wasn't walking in a ditch or on the road. We didn't stay long though! I actually wanted to share this story because of the experience we had yesterday. Roosevelt has a retractable leash. Sometimes he forgets he's on a leash, takes off, and almost leaves me with one arm less. Yesterday when we were in that orchard I decided to let him off his leash (*hold breath at this point*). He knew as soon as he was off and he took off like a bolt of lightening. I love seeing him run as fast as he can because I'm sure he has so much energy stored up from being inside all day, just like me. He was running and running and running and I called him...and he came back. Sure he almost bulldozed me over, and the treats I had in my hand helped, but still, he came running back. And it made me think about Jesus. How sometimes I'm running and running and running as fast as I can with no destination in sight and He's there, waiting for me to come back to Him. Calling me back to Him.

Picture this...

2011-08-24T16:57:00.001-04:00

Somehow I've fallen away from one of my greatest passions...taking pictures of amazing things (I plan to expand more on that topic later)...so here are a few pics I've found on my phone from here lately...not the greatest quality...but nevertheless...Enjoy! :)

Reflection

More reflection going on...

Standoff with the cows...they followed us all the way down the fenceline...I think they thought Roosevelt was a mini one of them...I don't see how they could have been confused, do you? :)

Ok, so maybe I like pretty sunsets :)

things I do when left alone unattended...

"you're so vain you probably think this blog's about you...don't you?"

more awesomeness.

me just being pretty excited about life in general ;0)

#6 Book Review-Evolving in Monkey Town

2011-08-23T23:36:00.004-04:00

This blog post has been moved to the "Book Reviews" page.

It can be found by clicking right HERE!

#5 Book Review-Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People

2011-08-21T19:14:00.004-04:00

This blog post has been moved to the "Book Reviews" page.

It can be found by clicking right HERE!

The best things in life are free

2011-08-13T22:23:00.002-04:00

Do you think Roosevelt's favorite toy is this ten dollar rubber bone/rope combo thing I got for him with hard earned tip money...

I swear he has more toys...he just takes them all out when I put them in his bucket.

Nope...his favorite toy is one of these two rocks I picked up off the shores of Lake Michigan with Caity a few months ago when I was in Milwaukee.

He loves to kick the flat one around the kitchen floor like a hockey puck.

Crazy kid :)

Built Ford Tough

2011-08-13T21:48:00.004-04:00

I've had this computer for years...it's an HP Pavilion. It has thousands of pictures stored on it, topped off by thousands upon thousands of memories from emails and blog posts it's gone through.

Struggling is a term I use loosely when describing her state.

You see, not long after I got it I was working on a paper and there was a spider on it and I got scared and jumped...and dropped the computer. Now the cd drive just pops open whenever it feels like it.

Since then it had been through two new hard drives and a new power cord.

Then, last November, I was dog sitting and the puppy chewed through the new power cord, so it was taped together with electrical tape.

And then my handsome little fella decided to nibble on the keyboard while I was in the shower one morning.

But you know what...all of that...and I'm typing this blog post on it!!!! That's hardcore equipment right there!

I did get a new computer for Christmas, this one just gets better internet reception so I still use it more often than the newer one.

Here are a few photos so you can better appreciate this story... :)

#4 Book Review-I Dared to Call Him Father

2011-08-13T09:20:00.003-04:00

This blog post has been moved to the "Book Reviews" page.

It can be found by clicking right HERE!

Reunion Realization

2011-08-03T14:01:00.000-04:00

Dear Class of 2002,

Please don't expect me to attend our ten year high school reunion...which happens to freakishly be next Spring.

How in the heck did that happen???? I'm dead serious. How in the world have almost 3,650 days passed since I walked across the football field at my high school graduation. Ten years since we all threw our caps in the air, ready to take the future by storm. That is just wicked crazy. I worked for a catering company the other night for a twenty year high school reunion. And that was strange-amost like children masked in booze, grey hairs, and wrinkles. It was funny, in a weird way, to see how some things never change. The insecurities, the groups, the drama. It was all still very evident in the people at the reunion. But to think how the years pass like minutes, whether you're ready for them or not. I don't have any intention of attending my reunion, if they have one, but not because of people I don't want to see. I really can't think of anyone that I wouldn't like to see. I just don't actually know very many of them that well. I graced those halls for four very difficult years, and that was it. I didn't grow up with any of those I graduated with and very few do I keep up with. Most of my life-long friendships were established in college. I think a lot of the social media applications have almost depleted the need for reunions, when it takes all of five seconds to see what someone's been up to in the last ten years. One reason I don't want to go either is because I honestly don't feel like I've changed all that much in the 9 1/2 years that have passed. I haven't met the mark on any of life's defining moments. I haven't chosen a "career" yet, I haven't chosen a husband, I don't have children, I haven't purchased a home, and so many other things. I still feel as open to decisions and direction in life as I was when I was 18. Settled-down is the phrase I guess I'm looking for. I haven't settled-down in almost ten years. And I'm not sure how I feel about that. I really do have mixed feelings about it-ranging from "left behind" to liberated. When I graduated high school I thought I'd be much more settled in my life by now. I thought I'd be married right after college. And imagined I'd be on kid numero-two-o about now. To be honest though, I can't imagine either of those right now. I have friends that are already freaked out about turning thirty and we still have years to go. The age doesn't really matter to me. I still feel like I have so much life to live and so many decisions to make. Ten years? I mean, I feel like I must've gone to sleep and woke up 9 1/2 years later and I'm just getting started figuring out what I want my life to represent. I don't know when I'm going to grow up or even if I really want to for that matter. I'm pretty happy with where I am right now.

So, enjoy the reunion folks. Maybe I'll have some of my junk figured out by our twentieth :)

Canine Motherhood

2011-08-03T11:23:00.000-04:00

I've decided I'm going to be a terrible mother some day. I'll be one of those mothers that talks about their kid all day and how much more awesome my kid is than yours. And my kids will be spoiled, most likely in some major way. I will also probably cry when they go to the doctor, school, sleepovers, and any other pivotal life stages.

I know all of this because now that I've been initiated into canine motherhood, I talk about my dog all the time. Like all the time. But he's so freakin' awesome and cute and smart. I also spoil him and I hardly ever go to the store without getting him something now. I do have good reason though because the more toys he has, the less electronics he'll eat at home. Money well spent in my book. And yes, so maybe I got a little sad when I had to leave him at the vet last week. Don't judge. Gee wiz.

Next week he's having a few sleepover nights at a friend's house while I go on a short little trip. And last night I was going through his routine to my friend like she's never owned a dog before, and she's owned several. She's more than competent to take care of him and love him while I'm away. She's probably more competent than I am actually. I know, I'm ridiculous.

I've gotten mixed reviews on his breed. But I know that he most certainly has some brittany spaniel in him and whatever other kind of breeds that have low to non-existent aggression levels, are extremely intelligent, and like lots of exercise. I've learned that training and consistency are keys to him respecting and obeying me. We have been working on several obvious commands like come, sit, down, stay, wait, off, let's go, leave it, and load up. All of those but "off" he's gotten pretty well. My friend says she's going to try to teach him something while I'm gone. I'm really pumped! Next on my list of "investments" for his life are a doggie daypack for hiking and an agility set for training and exercising outside. Mental exercise is just as key as physical and agility training encompasses both. I can't wait for September to come to be followed by cooler, crisp mornings and evenings. Oh goodness, how I can't wait for cooler weather! All of this may seem a tad past the state of ridiculousness, but I had always had a secret dream of being a dog trainer, so this really is fun and fascinating to me. I see what little effort and force it takes to train a dog and how much they love learning new things. I think it's so incredible and I have so much fun training him!

Roosevelt also loves our new car! Needless to say, we have been a little more anchored at home and not as road heavy for the sake of my budget. Although there's nothing more I'd love to do than pack up and hit the road for somewhere new. Right now, though, we are content to be near home, hiking, running, Bible studies, baking nights, catering, nice long walks and sweating...did I mention sweating? August brings travel for work, September a much needed girls weekend, and October for volunteering at a conference. Other than that, the chips can fall where they may.

#3 Book Review of "A Walk in the Woods"

2011-07-26T23:08:00.004-04:00

This blog post has been moved to the "Book Reviews" page.

It can be found by clicking right HERE!

In Hiding

2011-07-23T00:00:00.001-04:00

I met up with a friend for dinner tonight and then we came back to my quaint little abode to watch a movie I received in the mail from Blockbuster (product of a Netflix revolt). I wanted my friend to enjoy the priviledge of knowing Roosevelt (sVelt is his German alter-ego), so we came here to hang out and play around with the little guy. While we were watching the movie I started noticing Roosevelt walking back and forth whimpering with a prized chew bone in his mouth. Then I heard him over in his doggie bed scratching and trying to "dig" a hole to bury his bone. Then we cracked up as he was pushing his nose back forth like he was putting "dirt" (aka-air) back on top of it. He hides his bones all the time. And he cries until he finds...what is, in his mind...a good hiding spot. He hides them behind the television stand, in the basket with my extra blankets, in his bed, and in any random corner in plain sight. I'm not too sure about his background or what kind of shelters he had been in, or even if he was ever given treasures that were his very own. The thing is, he's safe here. I get to be the one to bathe him, to scratch his ears, to try and brush down that cowlick on his rear, to give him treats, to feed him, to shelter him, to walk him, and to love him. I gave him those treasures. I've given him all of his treasures he has now. So, why does he want to hide them from...me? I know they're here, I bought them and/or brought them here for crying out loud.

While I was watching him I started thinking of how ridiculous he was acting and how much time he was wasting trying to hide something I provided and was not going to take from him. Then I think of how often I do that in my relationship with Christ. I think of all of the treasures he has entrusted me with that I try and hide from Him. The feelings, desires, dreams, and relationships that He himself gave me that I try and take control of or hide from His view. I am reminded of the verse in Jeremiah 23:24 that goes a little something like this:

"Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?" declares the Lord. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the Lord.

Dear Lord, may I only store treasures in Heaven and declare the works of Your hands among all men.

p.s. Roosevelt still hasn't found a good hiding spot...maybe he'll learn soon. He's given up for now and is sleeping again...tough life, huh? :)

Ode to Debbie Dangerous

2011-07-20T15:33:00.003-04:00

Dearest Debbie,

I’m a little sad to write this ode in honor of you today. Mainly because our years together are up. We’ll no longer be traveling companions. You’ll no longer bring me to work or take me home. You’ve been a good girl, but today you’re so sick that I can’t fix you. Today I got a little choked up thinking about the good days we shared. I was thinking about the boys I’ve cried over sitting in your driver’s seat. Your steering wheel serving as my collection bowl of tears. Thinking about all of the stars I’ve gazed at through your sunroof and all of the shooting stars I got to see through your windshield and all of the state lines we’ve crossed together. I thought about the nights I attempted to sleep in the front seat, the night Laura and I both tried to sleep in the two front seats. The two times I slept in the back seat with my road bike also being in the back seat. Your abilities were always underestimated. You weren’t labeled four-wheel drive, but you sure rode like you thought you were. Remember all the bags I’ve pack and the places we’ve moved? And the night you held eight adult girls and you drove us around in the middle of the night in Colorado? I’m sure you were equally entertained and embarrassed by the car parties and bad singing you’ve been a witness to. Hey how about all of the cops we’ve met because you were always willing to get me anywhere super-fast? Even though I was never on time, you always tried your best to make up for it. Or all of the presents and baked goodies we’ve taken to friends. Gosh. So many memories. I’ve been thinking about all of the places you’ve taken me that I had never been before. How you brought me safely back to the people I love. I think of my little college alumni sticker that's half coming off. Yet, it still serves as a little reminder of the place that became my home. Thank you for letting me tie those friendship bracelets to your steering wheel. I don't know how many times I've been at red lights and played with those bracelets and thought of the friends and relationships they are tied to. Thank you for being willing to pull off the interstate that night so that Laura and I could line dance to Amos Moses. You were always up for an adventure. That’s how I knew we were perfect for each other. I’m really glad we got to travel Colorado together, well almost the whole country for that matter. Thanks a million for taking me to New Mexico last summer and for letting Mo and I draw all over your windows with window crayons. It sure made for a fun trip. I’m really glad you were around to go with me to pick up Roosevelt. He’s going to miss you too, but he really needs air conditioning in this Georgia heat.

I’m sorry for those poles at the bank that I side swiped by mistake that one time. I really didn’t see them. I’m sorry for the bike chain grease stain on your back seat because I didn’t fix the sheet to protect you. I’m sorry for the sweaty socks and smelly tennis shoes I left in there sometimes. I’m really sorry about the time I fell asleep at the wheel and almost really hurt us both. I’m glad we both made it out safely…well, I was safe…but you had to have a little work done. I’m sorry for keeping a cd in the car for weeks at the time, but you know how lazy I can be at changing them and also how I tend to listen to something until I know all the words…or at least until I think I know all the words. You've seen me at my very best and my very worst. You've been privy to many days of laughter and of tears.

I don’t think of this new stage as replacing you as much as just letting you go for your sake. I kept you as long as I could. But it’s better for you that I not take you so far away anymore. I know a four hour trip to the north of the state to go camping seems like minutes to us now, but it’s more than you can take. Please accept that. You were a great friend and you’ve kept me safe for many miles and many hours. To be honest, I'm a little scared of getting a new friend because I feel like I'll be losing our memories. But this is for the best, for both of us. You'll never be just a car or just another Ford Taurus. You’ll always be my little girl.

Happy trails my friend.

Zero Times Any Number Is Always Zero

2011-07-17T22:14:00.000-04:00

Two girls go to Target.
Come upon the dollar spot.
Buy two $1 multiplication activity books.
Go back to apartment and have multiplication activity races.

Lose a race, you get a sticker on your face.

Good times. I love my friend Amy.

p.s. I won. Boom!

This could be love...

2011-07-17T20:35:00.000-04:00

I met this guy last week online.

Immediately I determined he was the most handsome guy I'd ever met.

I thought about him all week long.

He lived over two hours away, but I really wanted to meet him.

We have so much in common. We both love the outdoors, hiking, running, and being loved in general.

He's got the most beautiful honey colored eyes.

We finally decided to meet this morning.

We spent all day together and I'm only more determined that I must love him.

He's had a hard time finding someone to love him unconditionally in the past.

We've decided to give this thing a shot and see how it goes. I'm pretty pumped about it.

He decided to move here. I'd like you to meet him.

This my newly adopted family member.

This is Roosevelt :)

(I promise he's not mad here, his tail was wagging...really, it was...he just clearly isn't accustomed to having his picture taken...we'll work on it...)

Just a Noodle

2011-07-15T16:07:00.001-04:00

Last night I made spaghetti. I love cooking and baking, but sadly that's a part of my life that has fallen to the way-side these past few months. But last night I wanted to cook and I wanted to eat. And I wanted to cook and eat spaghetti (and I wanted to be lazy and watch movies because it was rainy and drizzly).    So, I did.

I was on the phone while I was cooking and just grabbed the first box of half used noodles out of my cabinet. And I broke them in half and put them in boiling water without looking at the box and without paying any attention to the noodles in my hand. Then I kept talking on the phone. And I ground my beef and mixed in my spaghetti sauce. While still on the phone. Then I finished cooking spaghetti and I fixed my plate. And I was still on the phone. And then I took a bite. I was still on the phone. Finally, I got off the phone and ate another bite of spaghetti. That's when I realized I had grabbed the linguine noodles instead of the spaghetti noodles or the angel hair noodles I usually use for spaghetti.  My first thought was "ahhhh, man!"

The point in this (to you...probably seemingly useless) story is that no matter if I chose linguine, spaghetti, or angel hair...they are all just noodles and the end result was still a variation of spaghetti.  So, I got what I wanted, right? Nope.  The whole it's "just a noodle so it doesn't really matter theory" didn't quite do it for me, it totally changed my spaghetti. Honestly, it tasted differently than my spaghetti usually does and it felt differently eating it. It got me thinking about all sorts of things in our lives that have the "noodle theory." How many times in my life I'll settle for any old noodle because I'm not paying attention and don't really know what I'm accepting for myself...when if I were paying attention and listening, I'd choose the right noodle (whatever that "noodle" may represent). Nothing is ever "just a noodle" is it?

What about you? Got any noodle theories?

My Officially Unofficial List

2011-07-13T16:29:00.001-04:00

One of my favorite authors posted a blog a while back that shared his fiance's "list" she had created some odd years ago. The list was composed of characteristics and traits that she wished for her future husband to possess. A lot of flack was dished regarding this list and if it was biblical to entertain such an activity. Some had views that it was sweet and romantic for her to have shared this list with him and he with the world. Others went as far as to say it was on the brink of detrimental to their forthcoming marriage. While I understand and totally agree that we should not hold our spouse (current or future) to such a high regard as to demand anything nor expect him to meet each and every one of our needs, I do think it's natural...and I'll go as far as to say expected...to have a general rule of thumb for deciding who you want to spend the rest of your life with. I mean, come on. I don't see how that's unbiblical. We walk around in our minds with this "list," what's so wrong to go as far as to commit enough to write it down? When you go out and look for a job, you have guidelines for what you're looking for. Yeah, the market's tough (it's tough in the dating world too...trust me), but you know what your skills are, you know what your passions are, you know what you hope to gain and learn from your job. Why on Earth would one not have the same type expectations for a relationship. There has to be a way that you're narrowing down to what you feel God has chosen for you. Number one should obviously be to have someone that loves the Lord with all of his heart. Of course I want that, but there are thousands and even millions of men that meet that criteria. I feel God created us with specific desires and passions and relationships are ways in which those can mesh and we can better serve the Lord together. I don't think there's anything wrong with having traits and characteristics that you would pray your future spouse would possess. I actually think it would be wrong to have no criteria. With all of that...add on the fact that I was actually recently asked what I am looking for in a future spouse...I have been doing a little thinking and have come up with an official unofficial list myself. And by that I mean...I understand that this list is not a report card, or a test, and as humans, no man will fulfill my every need and I will never...and I mean ever...be able to fulfill any man's need. I was created to love the Lord with all of my heart, mind, soul, and body...and if He chooses for me to marry...then I was also created to be my husband's helpmate...not His God...and my future husband was not created to be my God or my fulfillment. I just want to make sure that's clear. I also understand that I, as well as if/who I marry, will constantly be changing...therefore this is not all inclusive nor all exclusive. It will be be forever changing...within reason...like I will be. The Lord knows who I need to be with and He will expand and narrow my heart and my "list" (no matter if it's mentally or literally written down) until I am with the one He has prepared for me. I feel a strange sense that the author's fiance and I are kindred spirits in many ways-because her list is scarily similar...close to identical...like in a major way...to who I would also like my husband to be like. Probably makes sense why I like reading her future husband's work so much! We obviously have the same taste in men! Therefore I'll confess to taking a few items off her list because either they were so good or there was just no other way for me to phrase it (I put little *s next to those).

Dear Lord:
I would really like it if my future husband...

loves God with his whole heart*
is very patient and doesn't lose his cool easily
comes up with really cool and awesome things for us to do together and with friends...while I love doing really cool and awesome things...I'm not as good at planning them.
reassures me of his feelings for me with his actions and words*
is not afraid of my sensitivities, scars, and wounds but wants to be a part of healing them*
loves to have people over and shares the desire to have a home that everyone loves to come to and call "home" as well
pursues me*
doesn't want cable and would rather play outside
prays daily for our relationship
knows how to make a fire, put up a tent, and sleep outside
tells me I'm beautiful no matter how ugly I feel
has a servant's heart
is always searching for ways to write a better story
is faithful
wants the whole world to know how he feels about me, isn't afraid to show it or say it*

Again, this is just a small list on my heart today. Just something to put out there in words. The Lord knows my heart and He knows far better than me, that's for sure. :) We'll see what He has in store.

Make sure you tell those in your life that you love them. Tell them now. Why not? Why wait?

#2 Book Review-The Happiness Project

2011-07-10T23:55:00.004-04:00

This blog post has been moved to the new "Book Reviews" page.

It can be found by clicking right HERE!

Hello Summer

2011-07-10T23:19:00.002-04:00

July 4th shaped up to be a pretty busy, well-deserved, long weekend. After I finally arrived home early that Friday morning I got to work to receive an email from a former co-worker that I still remain very good friends with. She asked me if I had plans that Friday. I actually did have plans, but those plans were with a friend that recently got married and who always forgets to get back in touch with me after she asks me to do something. So even though I had "plans" I wasn't sure if they'd pan out or not and I didn't want the evening to pass with me waiting on someone that's in a major life adjustment period. So, I told my friend I was free (turned out to be the better decision because...yet again...I never heard from the friend that had originally asked to hang out that night). Jamie's husband and two kids had left her home alone while they went to Colorado to visit her husband's side of the family. I was gone all week in Milwaukee, so I wasn't around to keep her company and she was itching to do something. She was to pick her family up at the airport on Saturday night around eleven, so we had a little over a day to do anything we wanted. We were both getting off a little early and decided to meet up at her house and figure something out from there. I was just planning to bring both of my tents, both sleeping bags, and a swim suit. Once we got all packed up and started out of her driveway we looked at each other and said "ok, where are we going?!?!" I had looked up several state parks before I left my house and most of them were full and you had to reserve for the whole weekend since it was a holiday. I found a KOA in Richmond Hill that wasn't full, so we decided to head towards Savannah! We had such a great random trip! When Laura and I were on our road trip last summer we had both gotten these "tattoo arms" for like a dollar in a grocery store we stopped at. We were going to take pictures with our new tattoos so she could send a pic to freak out her folks. I still had my tattoo arm in my car, so I grabbed it before piling into Jamie's car. We stopped at a quickie to go to the bathroom and get something to drink. I had been running late, of course, when I was headed to Jamie's so I didn't stop to get cash...well the people in the store made me spend $5 to use my debit card. I was browsing the aisle trying to decide what to get when I came upon candy cigarettes my sister and I used to buy as kids. I had no idea they sold them anymore. I am a non-smoker and don't advocate smoking to any degree...but most of my family smoked when I was a child...so my sister and I buying candy cigarettes was our way of "fitting in" the family. It was a normal sight for us. So...anyways, don't judge. I got the candy cigarettes while Jamie was in the restroom and didn't show her my purchase until I got in the car. We had way too much fun as grown women playing with a fake tattoo and candy cigarettes. We weren't very good rebels because we were laughing hysterically for five minutes before I could actually get a picture of her in the get-up to send to her husband.

We set up camp at the KOA and then headed to downtown Savannah where we split an entree of Mahi Mahi and then headed to a dueling piano bar. The next morning I woke up to a text from Jamie asking me if I was awake. She went to get us breakfast and let me sleep another half hour before we broke camp and headed off to a new adventure. Also from my car I had grabbed this package of washable window crayons that Mo and I had gotten for our random days off together last summer. Jamie and I had tons more fun with those as we tagged cars everywhere we went. The piano bar we went to was called Savannah Smiles, so we started calling ourselves and tagging cars as the "Smiley Bandits." I'm sure we had people all over Savannah, Tybee Island, and Richmond Hill talking about us! Jamie drew the line when I wanted to tag a cop car...she was probably right about it not being the best idea...so I reluctantly obeyed. We enjoyed good food, the beach, camping, and just a little sunburn. We topped our trip off at a place called Basil's in Savannah where I got a personal sized pineapple-pepperoni pizza. Basil's has an adjoining location called Basil's YO that sells the most amazing frozen yogurt. When you go in, you get a cup and you fill it with as much frozen yogurt as you would like and any toppings you would like. They had as many toppings as you could possibly imagine! Then you pay by the pound. I got a small portion because my pizza was so awesome that I was already full, but I wanted to try it anyways Mine amounted to about 2.75...then Jamie was filling her cup. She got to the counter and hers ended up being a whopping 6.94!!!! Thankfully she didn't eat all of it, but wow! The pounds sure do add up!

Laura was home from VA for the weekend at her family's. I had planned to get up to her folks' house a little after dinner on Sunday and then stay the night. The next morning, the 4th, we were going to be volunteering at the Peachtree Road Race. I had not seen a lot of Laura's family in a few years actually. We're facebook "friends," but I had not seen anyone but her mom in probably at least four years. Her middle sister and her husband had a child since I'd seen her last. I have heard so much about this little munchkin and it was so good to finally meet the little one! We tried to go to bed relatively early so that we could be up by 3:45 to drive to the airport to catch the marta to get to the race.

We arrived at the race site around seven in the morning and helped to hand out over 60,000 finisher t-shirts. It was such a fun time! I love race volunteering, but I must say this may've been close to my favorite. I think my favorite has been handing out finisher medals at an ING half marathon. It's so awesome to see people accomplish so much! This race was interesting because it was ALL about the t-shirts. Seriously. We were warned about all of the ways people may try and steal t-shirts or how they may come back for seconds. It was crazy. I was even told to yell as loud as I could for security should this one guy try to come back through again because he had purchased multiple bib numbers, but you only get one t-shirt per finisher, no matter how many bib numbers you purchased (it's officially listed that way in the rules). Pretty crazy stuff! Laura and I opted to work at one of the large t-shirt pods (a pod is what they called each group of people handing out t-shirts). I'll be honest, we chose that pod for the men. We didn't want to work the small or medium section because smaller guys would be coming through there and we didn't want to work anything higher than a large because of hefty men...we thought large would bring the greatest return of attractive, fit men around our age. We were pretty dead on about it :) When we handed out a t-shirt we had to also mark the bib so that no one could go through a different pod and get another t-shirt. You have to mark the bib...no matter where the runner placed their bib. It got crazy. Quick. Come on people, why not just place the bib over your stomach or your lower back?!? Why do I have to mark your sweaty bib "down there" or on your boobs? Really?!? Most sane people would hold out the bib a little for you so that you could mark it. Others weren't as considerate. Thankfully I wasn't the girl that had to mark the bib of the guy wearing the american flag speedo. Just the speedo and shoes. That's all he had on. I asked the girl if she felt weird and she said she just tried not to look while she was marking. All in all, pretty fun and memorable. If I'm in GA this time next year, I think I'll be there again!

After the race Laura and I headed to her aunt's house where her family was going to be. We took part in awesome food, swimming, and a pretty intense game of volleyball. It was super fun! It was so good to see my friend and I can't wait till Christmas to see her again!

Happy Summer...wherever you are!

Grounded

2011-07-04T22:35:00.004-04:00

I typed that last post on the Wednesday night before I was to fly home. Life is always an adventure...here it goes...

Jason and I go to the office for a few hours Thursday morning to do a few follow-up meetings regarding the monitoring trip. We take a long lunch (about 2 1/2 hours because of a meeting we had to wait around until 1 o'clock for) and head to the only actual indoor mall left in Milwaukee. I don't know exactly where it was, it was far away from the office though. It was honestly Jason's idea to go. I think he was looking for something for his wife, or maybe he thought I would appreciate going there. I liked the Barnes & Noble in the mall...and the Restoration Hardware. Oh, and I ate at a Five Guys for the first time, but it won't be the last. :) Anywho...all is well and we head back to the office for our final meeting. We head to the airport, check-in, check out the used bookstore in the terminal (pretty cool but most recent books were about what they would be at a regular bookstore), and then head through security to wait for the plane to board. Our fight boards on time and we're all good to go for our trip. The plane starts pulling away from the terminal and the pilot fella comes on the speaker and kindly tells us that there is bad weather over Lake Michigan and we have to go another route; but we have to wait for clearance to fly in the Chicago airway. Systematic updates like this go on for about an hour and a half. I finally broke down once and got up to go to the bathroom (I was in a row of three seats and mine was next to the window). At this point lots of people are standing up because we're showing no signs of moving any time soon. The pilot comes on the speaker after the first hour and a half and tells us that we're cleared for take off on the new route, but now we don't have enough gas to get to Atlanta, so we have to go back and get fuel. I'm laughing on the inside picturing a gas station for 747s. We sit on the runway for another half an hour before the fuel truck gets there. I'm getting pretty hungry at this point and text someone to ask if pizza hut delivers to airport runways. The response I got was "totally. I think their number is 911. Just call and ask for a pizza." That made me laugh more on the outside than the inside. Lots of people are getting pretty frustrated because of plans, connecting flights, rental cars, hotels, and a number of other things. I'm not too worried because I'd much rather the plane not get struck by lightening and very much like the plane to not run out of gas mid air. Therefore, I'm more than willing to wait out any necessary (and even mildly unnecessary) precautions. I got the latest Backpacker, The Happiness Project, and A Walk in the Woods, so I'm pretty much set for reading material. I also spent the better part of the first few hours emailing pictures to myself from my phone that have been there well over a year so that I can make room for the next year's worth-bitter and sweet memories of what I found stored on there.

My window from the plane looks out over the wing and also the side of the plane the fuel truck pulls up to. The middle guy from the adjacent row decides to start calling me #3 (my window number in my row) and decides to take it upon himself to ask me every five seconds if the fuel truck has left yet. He then proceeds to take bets with the rest of his row as to whether I'm 26 or 28 and whether or not I'm a consultant or an instructor of some kind. I don't know if this random assortment of conversation is flirty banter or bored annoyance. Either way, it provides a little entertainment. A little. It was entertaining until I decided his airplane equivalent of "are we there yet" (translation-"has the fuel truck left yet?") is just an annoying as the real one. I start pretending to read so I look busy and he won't keep trying to talk over the aisle to me. And fyi, there was no love connection, although his brother sitting next to him could've been another story :)

We get all fueled up and then get back in position for take off. Three hours from our scheduled departure we actually take off. They pulled out the drink cart and served water during the three hour delay. I declined because I didn't want to ask my row to get up again for me to go to the bathroom later. An hour into our flight the guy next to me gets up to go to the bathroom. He comes back and tells me that he's starving. I express that I, too, am pretty hungry. He then offers me a bag of peanuts he had just swiped from the flight attendant cart. I laugh at his thievery and generosity to share his steal and tell him no thanks because it looks like the flight attendants are getting ready to give out drinks and snacks. The closer they get to our aisle, the more my hunger pains are twisting in my stomach. We're flying now and it's getting dark. I love flying at night. I mean, like loooove it. I love the stars. They are the most marvelous creation to me. I can lay and look at the stars for hours. Literally, for hours. So, flying high amongst them is way cooler. I also love looking down and seeing all of the cities and lights and wondering what people are doing. Wondering if they're home, happy, sad, lonely, in love, working, dreaming, hurting. It gives me the honest view of my insignificance here. I felt ashamed at my hunger. I had eaten lunch a littler earlier than normal but had gotten about half a tall vanilla bean frap from Starbucks down before heading through security. I felt ashamed because I didn't feel like I should be hungry. I felt I had eaten enough all week to satisfy me for the next week and maybe even the week after. How many people that I could see down there had not even eaten that day? And I was "starving" because my internal dinner bell had buzzed and had involuntarily been snoozed. How selfish of me. The two flight attendants were about a quarter of the way down the plane when the pilot comes on again and tells us that the only snack they have on board are peanuts. The guy next to me says "wow. Can this flight get any worse?" I immediately said, yes. And I proceeded to offer him the following reasons (1) we could crash and die (harsh, but true. sorry) (2) it's probably worse for people allergic to peanuts and (3) it will get worse if they run out peanuts before getting to us. I kindly failed to mention that he had already stolen and eaten two bags of peanuts himself. I also later reiterated my point about the flight potentially getting worse when I wondered out loud if the fog from the air conditioner was really carbon monoxide. My positive pessimism rubbed off on him when he handed me his two bags of peanuts he received from the flight attendant. I think he really did realize it wasn't so bad after all. I ate my two little bags, and must admit to eating one of my neighbor's two. I did save the other one "just in case" we were stranded a little longer and times were to get desperate. After a total of five hours we arrived in the Atlanta airport.

I don't know if part of it was because Atlanta was my final destination or if it was more of my "don't make plans because they don't usually work out" personality, but I honestly found the whole experience more amusing than frustrating. I honestly don't think I ever felt upset or frustrated about the five hours on that flight. I can understand that people have plans and want to get where they want to go, but really? We all arrived safely at the expense of a little inconvenience. Is that really such a tragedy? Is that really something to get so upset about? Not to mention how "instant gratification" focused our culture is. We want what we want, when we want it. No excuses. And that's just wrong. I actually enjoyed that flight and was happy with the ebb and flow of life's little unexpected adventures. I got a lot of reading and thinking done and I got to fly at night and see this amazing sunset above the clouds. I never would've gotten this view had our flight left on time.

God is good, all the time.

You remember how last time my fight was cancelled and the lady I was with made sure I got a hotel room so I wouldn't drive back home so late at night. The guy I was with this time said "so, are you just going to drive back tonight?" His wife was coming to pick him up at the airport and I didn't want to be any more of a burden than the day had already been to him (he had been having ear/sinus problems all week since we arrived in Milwaukee), so I didn't ask about staying in town since it was already midnight. I decided to drive home because I had a 9:30 meeting and then lunch plans anyways. I drove for about two hours but pulled over when I was catching myself drifting off to sleep. I tried calling my sister in Alaska because she has a four hour time difference so she was the only person I could justify calling at 2 am my time, but she wasn't home, so I opted for car camping in some business parking lot about 40 miles outside of town. I got up about 5:30 the next morning and came the rest of the way home. The next day at work my boss got on to me for not calling him to get me a hotel room when I was in Atlanta, so I guess if this ever happens again, I won't drive home so late. I thought I was saving the company money and someone the inconvenience of driving to a hotel to check me in, but it's nice they value safety over either of those. All in all, I was really glad the flight was delayed. I got my sunset, stars, and city lights from above 10,000 feet. It makes me more grateful for the little things I take for granted or somehow feel unjustly entitled to as an American. Truth is, the pilot and the flight attendants didn't want to be on that flight any longer than we did, but they never let it show.

Praise God for safety, sanity, laughter, and free peanuts.

it's almost the 4th-uh-juh-lie

2011-06-29T23:29:00.001-04:00

Currently I'm plopped in the middle of my queen size hotel bed in Milwaukee. I'm staying in an "inn and suites" which really means the rooms are all suites-which means...it's bigger than my apartment back home. Makes me miss the layout of my last studio greatly. There's a lot to be said about how a home makes you feel. I loved how open and sunny my last studio was. The owners apparently loved mine too because they came in when I wasn't home and took pictures of it with all of my stuff and then posted them on their website and I didn't realize it until I was getting ready to move out...two and a half years later. Kinda creepy, but in some weird way I was also flattered they liked mine that much. Actually I just pulled the website and they still have my pictures up. Five of the eight pictures they have are my old apartment, taken in 2008! I still remember specific moments in that apartment and I was truly sad to pack up and leave last year. That's mainly because that was the longest I had ever lived in one place. It was a home. It was my home, you know? If I weren't saving over $200 a month where I am now, I might consider moving back to one of those studios. I like where I am now just fine. It's just doesn't feel like a "home" yet. But, it's a roof nonetheless. Don't get me wrong, I am very grateful.

I have no idea why I just went off about home and living arrangements. :) Oh well. Like I said I'm in Milwaukee for a work trip. The weather here is as near perfection as I've ever felt outdoors. I've eaten at The Cheesecake Factory...twice. I also went to Kopps, this awesome place where I tried frozen custard for the first time. They only have two specialty flavors available per day, or you can always just go with the chocolate or vanilla that's always available. I sampled both flavor options for today's date...the Strawberry Cheesecake and the Pralines 'n Caramel n' Cream...went with the praline flavor. Loved it. Couldn't eat it all. Now wishing I had some more. I also went to REI and Barnes & Noble...so yeah, it's like I'm in heaven on almost every level. I'm working on this book called "The Happiness Project" that I spotted at B&N another time I was there and it was also recommended to me on amazon (they know me really well apparently!)! After a recommendation from the guy I'm travelling with, I picked up a copy of "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson. Bryson is a very well known travel writer and this book details his adventures while he thru-hiked the AT. I'm serious about this backpacking, people! Please let me know if you hear about a female hiker that has written about her adventures on the trail, because I'd really love to read a female's detailed perspective from the AT. If there isn't one...I may've just found my calling! For real, go read about Ken and Marcia Powers, they are amazing! I have enjoyed the food, the weather, the free cable, the pool, and they gym, and I actually wouldn't mind staying here in Milwaukee for a little longer.

I love my job for the following photos:

I love, love, love seeing the homes that are being built. That has truly been my favorite part of these monitoring trips. It makes my job real. Makes it have purpose. Makes me see the greater good that still comes from the stressful days. Makes me want to grab a hammer and start building myself. Makes me want to do more.

Milwaukee Habitat homes! So awesome to play a role in this story!

This was supposed to be a cool ladder shot, but my cell phone isn't a "smart" phone...she does the best she can :)

The following sign is in the kitchen of the affiliate:

You agree to: wash your dishes...

The following picture serves as proof that even though you have a bold and highlighted sign posted right beside the sink, where there's no way one could possibly miss it, that sometimes...sometimes it still doesn't work...

My favorite part of the whole entire trip has been getting to spend about seven hours with Caity. I love this girl! She is such a wonderful friend and person. She is so real and honest and refreshing to be around! As soon as she pulled up at my hotel it felt like I had just seen her the day before. Love those kinds of friendships. We ate at this really awesome place that I can't actually remember the name of (and I also forgot my receipt which means I won't be getting reimbursed for the Nutella Banana Crepe nor the appetizer of Sweet Potato Fries), but if I do happen to remember or find out, I'll repost with a link! After dinner we went down to Lake Michigan and then hung out with some of her friends. It was a great night and I'm still recovering from all of the fun. I also keep forgetting to empty my purse of the rocks I picked up and my right shoulder is a little sore today from carrying around the extra weight. It was totally worth it. Here are a few pics!

I love my friend!

Here are a few pics from Kopps!

It was as good as it looks :)

I can't explain it...but I like it.

We head back to 'ole GA tomorrow evening. Looking forward to Laura flying home and passing out 55,000 t-shirts to our closest friends at the Peachtree Road Race! I am so excited to see my long lost friend.

I am also having a really hard time deciding what I want to do for vacation this summer. I had been crossing my fingers to go out to the ranch and hike another 14'er with Sue...but yesterday I got an email about a 3-day 100 mile bike ride in Wisconsin. I would love to do both, but I literally can't, not without going in debt. So, I'm praying about which one the Lord wants me to do. Maybe if I stopped getting speeding tickets then I could afford to do more things. I wish my lead foot from driving was somehow reflected in my running skills (or lack thereof), but somehow the lead in my foot only makes me slow while running...which I haven't been doing very well at this week in Milwaukee :-/ Whoops.

I was also going to write about my dinner date with an 80+ year-old and a two year-old...neither of which I am related to...neither of which are related to each other either...but it's too good to cram in a summary post, so maybe I'll save that for another day...

That's what's happening towards the 4th-uh-juh-lie (we Georgians never enunciate The. Fourth. Of. July) in my life. I'm off to snuggle in this big 'ole bed with one of my books. Good night from the cheese state.

love,
the Cheese Head

#1 Book Review-AWOL on the Appalachian Trail

2011-06-27T00:14:00.006-04:00

This blog post has been moved to the "Book Reviews" page.

It can be found by clicking right HERE!

Just Wait...

2011-06-22T00:06:00.005-04:00

Those words...just wait...have been the answer to many a tearful prayer over the years. The past nine years actually. Right now I'm sitting on my couch (and surprisingly I have Internet reception sitting correctly on my couch as opposed to the usual position of having the computer on one arm of the couch and me turning sideways in order to get one bar of "very low" signal strength to use the Internet...thanks landlord for the connection though :) I'm sitting on the couch listening to the rain fall and every now and then a strong gust of wind. Our soil and our farmers have been praying for months now for rain, yet, they've had to wait. I've been praying for rain too, both figuratively and literally. Several times over the past few months it's looked like it was going to rain, and possibly storm, but rarely have the drops actually fallen and when they do it almost seems like it's just enough for the soil to suck it up and thirst for more. This coming week I think it's really going to rain. At least that's what I saw on weather.com this morning. I should've been a weathergirl. I mean, they basically just guess. I wish I could turn in my projects and work assignments with a 10% chance I did it right. Lucky ducks.

Back to the rain...I feel like that's where my heart is right now. I'm just ready for the rain. Ready for the storm to cleanse and wash over me, ready to be renewed. Ready for a downpour. For a long time I've been aching for a date with God. And by that I mean, I've been seeking a challenge to learn and grow my relationship with Christ through a community of believers. I hate to say it, but sometimes I don't get that from any of the churches I may attend. I don't feel the push or passion that makes me on fire for my relationship with Christ or that makes me want to do something radical with my life for the sake of something bigger than myself. I've gotten that from a few books I've read and I got that from Jay. I don't know if that makes me seem incredibly selfish to say that or even to think it. I know that church isn't supposed to "give" me anything or "do" anything for me and I know it's not about me at all. I totally get that. But my motives are not intended as selfish. I want to be pushed and encouraged to know who God (as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is more intimately so that I can love more like Him. I don't know how to love like Christ. I don't know how to love unconditionally or even how to love anyone for an extended period of time for that matter. But I want to. I want to so that I can love you like I was created to love you, not like I was taught to "love" my whole life.

I have a community of believers, just for this short sweet summer, that I have fallen in love with. We are doing a study on the Holy Spirit and honestly, God has never felt more real, more present in my daily life. I have never really studied or listened to much on the Holy Spirit, still don't know a lot, but I do know that He is my Comforter and my Helper. God is not some Big Man in the sky that we send our wish lists to. He dwells within us. Just even typing that makes me feel safe and at peace with whatever storm is hovering over my soul. I had never read Jesus' prayer for His disciples or even His prayer for us before. Never knew He said it would be better that He not be here anymore, better because He would send a Helper that would never leave like He, in the flesh form, would have to leave. When I think of the fact that God knows every hair on my thick head and every single, salty, ugly tear I've ever cried...I also think about how much hair is actually on this thick head, how much it sheds, and how many nights I cry, I am blown away that God has never missed a single one. Never. Used to when I would pray my "how...why...what should I do about...give me peace about...give me a clear answer about...show me that..." prayers and would hear "just wait" I would feel this sense of urgency. Like I needed another answer than that. Hearing that only made me ask more questions. Like why would God not give me rest over whatever the issue at hand was? Why is He making me wait still? What exactly am I supposed to be waiting for? I would just get frustrated and be like "come on God, throw me a bone please!" I just needed to know something, just something. It really affected my prayer life and I almost didn't see the point in praying because I always felt like I got the same result. Lately though, when I hear "just wait" it registers differently. It no longer feels like the "just wait" that would come from a frustrated parent when a child is interrupting with some need that's not really a need, but to the kid it feels like a dire emergency, but the parent knows they can hold on for like five freakin' seconds. Now when I hear "just wait" it sounds soft and comforting. I know I'm not left alone in my "waiting." It's more like the waiting I felt as I was driving towards the Rockies. As I clutched the steering wheel and approached those glorious mountains, I was amazed...but I knew to "just wait" because the best was yet to come. So, I'm here...just waiting...because I'm not quite ready yet. For whatever it is He's preparing me for. And for once, I'm ok with that.

~Psalm 131~

My heart is not proud, O Lord,

my eyes are not haughty;

I do not concern myself with great matters

or things too wonderful for me.

But I have stilled and quieted my soul,

like a weaned child with its mother,

like a weaned child is my soul within me.

O Israel, put your hope in the Lord

both now and forevermore.

~Psalm 85:10-13~

Love and faithfulness meet together;

righteousness and peace kiss each other.

Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,

and righteousness looks down from heaven.

The Lord will indeed give what is good,

and our land will yield its harvest.

Righteousness goes before him

and prepares the way for his steps.

~John 16:7, 12-13~
But I tell you the truth:
It is for your good that I am going away.
Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you;
but if I go, I will send him to you...

I have much more to say to you,
more than you can now bear.
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes,
he will guide you into all truth.
He will not speak on his own;
he will speak only what he hears,
and he will tell you what is yet to come.

New Tuneage

2011-06-20T14:17:00.000-04:00

Please check out this upcoming artist. She has a few "official" videos on youtube, but this is my favorite song I've heard so far...so that's the one I'm posting. Enjoy! Oh, and buy her music!

Click here for a blog about a 50 state road trip she did with a friend so she could tour and her friend could write. I actually heard about the road trip first, thought it was awesome, checked out the blog, read on and then discovered that one of them was a singer/songwriter. Makes me wanna start a savings account for a 50 state road trip! Sign. Me. Up. Yes, Please!

City Slicker

2011-06-20T10:14:00.001-04:00

Yay, Yippie, Woo Hoo! I finally got my memory card back from Columbus! Here are a few quick pics that I was missing in my post about Memorial Day...

Add caption

Hiking...

Hammocking and biking...

Reading...ah, it was glorious.

And there ya have it folks!
----
Well, I've been doing this marathon training lately. The first goal is to run continuously for thirty minutes before even starting the program. I run 5Ks, but I almost always, ok always, have to stop and walk at some point, even for just a minute. I run several days a week, but I never time myself or set distances. I just run until I don't feel like running anymore. And apparently that's always before three miles in one stretch of running! I've never been an endurance runner, so I started in the pre-training training program at the level I felt I was at. And that was running 10 minutes and walking 5...repeating twice. Three days for one week (and then the running increases by five minutes each week until you run thirty minutes four times a week for two weeks and then wa-la...time to start the for real, for real training). My only free day to head over to Columbus to pick up my memory card happened to be on Friday, which was supposed to be my third day of training. I didn't want to miss running because I had actually taken a rest day Thursday due to my muscles hating and yelling at me all day because of pilates and running on Wednesday. I decided to take my running clothes over with me to Columbus and run on the riverwalk after I had gone to the camera place and after, obviously, I had gone to Barnes & Noble.

Let me backtrack for a sec. I love going to cities. I love the lights at night, all the busy-ness, fun things to do, ya da ya da ya da...but I have never thought I could see my self living there. I just have always had this image of city life being dirty, unsafe, and sleepless. I love being a "country" girl. I love porch swings, running on dirt roads, riding my bike past cows while yelling in a very deep voice "heeeeey cooooowwwws!" (the cows don't like it so much), I love living in a town so small that it's hard to go anywhere that you don't recognize someone, and I love the fact that I leave with my car and home unlocked without fear. All reasons I love my current city as well as BV in Colorado. Well, when I went to Columbus on Friday I actually contemplated that I might like to live there. It's no Atlanta or anything, but it's one of the larger cities in south Georgia. Pretty crazy considering that just recently have I stopped getting lost and ending up in Alabama every time I try to get home. Pretty crazy considering every time I go there I usually say "I could never live here!" (that's always when I am lost as well). But after going to the camera place, whipping over to B&N, and then changing to go running on the riverwalk...a little piece of my mind changed and my heart softened towards the kind of life I assumed one lived in the city. I started my run down a few blocks to the riverwalk from downtown near the bike shop I frequent. I headed down a nice downhill towards the river. It was already almost nine, so it was getting kinda dark. But the river was just sparkling from the street lights alongside the river. The weather was really nice since it had rained my entire drive over to Columbus. I was just feeling great, having an amazing run and thinking, it would be so awesome to have this kind of night available every day. I was thinking "I might could see myself living here." As I was thinking this, I ran past this man and his daughter fishing over a railing at the river. They spoke and after he said hi, he said "oh, please be careful down there (motioning further down the riverwalk in the direction I was headed), some guy just robbed some girl, and the cops are looking for him down there." My next thought was (insert brake squealing noise) "I don't want to live here afterall!"

I kept on running for a few minutes (ok, probably like a minute) after seeing them. I would turn around to make sure they were still within sight and listening distance. Then, after I couldn't see them anymore, I realized it was way darker than I wanted to be running near a lurking and missing robber, so I turned around and went back the way I had come. I ended up finishing my run on the streets of downtown, which I thoroughly enjoyed. My iPod Shuffle wasn't working, so listening to the music as I passed bars and clubs was pretty cool. In my last few minutes of running I ran past the convention center thingy downtown and there was a band setting up outside. Then I saw the marquee said something about the Miss GA competition that weekend (or something related to Miss GA). I ran past these two ladies and one of them was wearing a bib number on her shirt. She didn't look like the typical pageant girl...but I was like, hey, if you wanna try out...go for it. Then I passed a guy with a number on his shirt. That's when I went...wait a second. What is going on here? I looked on the side of the building and there was a 5K getting ready to start! I thought that was so awesome that you could just be out running and come up on a 5K race! It was a pajama 5K at that. Even more awesome. I checked out the registration table and I would've signed up if (1) I wasn't almost done running (2) it wasn't 30 smackeroos (3) if the money wasn't going towards a beauty contest. Now, I'm all about running for a good cause and if it had been for something other than raising money for the Miss GA competition I maybe would've coughed up the dough. But considering I had just gone roughly three miles and would probably have to walk more than normal if I signed up, I didn't think it was worth the money. And the t-shirts weren't all that cute, so I didn't sign up. It was still great that the opportunity was there. Then I stopped at Taco Bell on my way home to get a soft taco, and some guy that works there tried to give me some free leftover burritos. I said no thanks while thinking I'd take the taco for free. He didn't offer that option though.

All in all, I determined even though I don't want to move today...that maybe some day I could see myself living in "the" city. And definitely not for forever...just maybe for a season of life.

1.5 Dozen + 1

2011-06-15T16:03:00.002-04:00

In my postings, like everyone else, I reference people in my life. People that might not know how much I love them and cherish their existence in this place and time. While this list is anything but exclusive, there are 19 hearts and souls out there that I'd like to make mention of specifically. These people have helped to make me who I am and who help me continue to mold me into the person I hope to be. I love you all.

1.5 Dozen + 1 (in no particular order)

1. Jana S.
     Jana is the wisest and most insightful person I know. Hands down. No contest. She is one of my most favorite people on the planet and I can't imagine how I would survive without her friendship. She has more faith and hope in Christ than anyone I know. She never tries to be good, she just is. She's less than six months older than me, yet I want to be like her when I grow up.  She can do anything. Anything.  She truly loves everyone she meets. She's the most patient and encouraging friend I have. I hope that, some day, I'm half the mother she is. And she's really funny. And she sings really pretty. And she's given me half of my nicknames.

2. Keri H.
     Keri reminds me of Jana in a lot of ways. I really hope they get to meet one day.  She's a 4-H agent in our county and she's is the greatest and most ethical worker I have ever known. I know that may be a random statement about a friend. Sounds more like a job recommendation, but the thing is...her work ethic flows through her life. She is great at her job because she serves where she works. She has the biggest servant's heart of anyone I know.  At the age of thirty, she has received so much recognition for her hard work. And she would never tell you about it. Never. She is the most humble and gracious person.  When she is telling a story about something not great or stressful, she always laughs as she's telling it. And two weeks ago we picked up trash on a street in our city because it really bothered her that so many people were littering.  If you drove down the street and saw two girls walking with a trash bag and wal-mart sacks on their hands as gloves...that was us.

3. Jay W.
     No other relationship has shaped me more.

4. Erin H.
     When I hear the phrase "friends are the family you choose," Erin always comes to mind. She is family. She is the person that I think of the first second I need a friend. She has, is, and will always be there. And I the same for her. We have been roommates...twice...which means...we really know one another. We have been friends through many of our growing years.  She is so sweet and sincere and truly pure of heart. She used to say she would be fine if she never got married, that she was content to always be single...well guess who got married about a month ago? You guessed it...she did!  It's been awesome to see her grow as a sister in Christ and now see her grow as a wife and I think she's going to make the cutest mother some day.

5. Mo P.
     I met Mo this summer at the ranch. She's the face and smile that only greets the world with love and compassion. She truly has taught me what it means to try and love everyone you come in contact with. She reminds me of Mother Teresa if that tells you anything about her as a person.  Mo and I had the same day off at the ranch and we went on several road trips and excursions that you can read about in my blog posts from last summer. She drove with me all the way to New Mexico and helped me make goody bags for people we had yet to meet on the R:WT. She has a heart of gold and smile that brightens everyone she knows.

6. Leah S.
     Leah is the most easy going person I know. I never go to her with stress or issues because I know she'll say, and truly believes, that everything will work out. She's so positive about life's circumstances and has such faith that life will work out as it should, even when we don't understand why something is the way it is. It's refreshing to be in her presence. The funny thing is, Leah was my tour guide when I had my first visit at my college.  Then months later I met her again and we became friends.  Then we were roommates for a summer. Then I was in her wedding. I was a tour guide for my college after I started and when I gave tours of the campus to people I would secretly think "I don't think I could see this person becoming a best friend or being in my wedding."  Crazy how you never know when or by what means God will put someone in your life. Getting that college tour, I sure never would've guessed I would've been in that girl's wedding! Life is funny that way ;)

7. Emmalyn S.
     Emmalyn is Leah's daughter and she's not quite two and a half. I've known her since a few days after she was born. I have never really been around babies and she was the youngest baby I had ever held. I used to refrain from holding babies because I'm kinda clumsy and always thought I'd drop them or break them or lose them or "something" them. Emm has really brought me out of my baby-fearing shell.  It's been so awesome to be her little friend and see her grow and develop as a person. I know she probably won't always think I'm cool and won't always call me Bammer, but I'll always think she's cool. And trust me, she is.

8. Betsy C.
     Like Mo, I met Betsy at the ranch and she is one of those girls that I was never quite cool enough to be like. She's beautiful, athletic, outgoing, crafty, funny, witty, super smart, and can just hang out with the guys. She brings no drama and everyone, and I do mean everyone, that meets her loves her. People are just comfortable being themselves around her. She is just Betsy and doesn't worry about what others think of her. She's currently in training for a Peace Corps two-year stint in Ghana, Africa. I mean really, could she get any more awesome?  Her blog is on my reading list...please keep up with her adventures, and pray for her safety and growth.

9. Gail H.
     Miss Gail is Erin's mom. Erin's dad is also going to be on my list, but they each have impacted me as individuals, so I wanted to list them as such. Like I said about Erin, their family has really become like a family to me. They have been intertwined in so many parts of my adult life that I can hardly articulate where their footprints on my heart began.  Miss Gail is such a wise woman. She has such a heart to listen and to love others. I worked for Miss Gail and she has given me so much encouragement as an employee. She would leave little notes at work for me to tell me she appreciated me. I cannot express how much that meant to me. And for someone that thrives off of words of affirmation and encouragement, this really meant a lot for me as I grew into my college and career years. I seek her wisdom and motherly advice on a constant basis and I don't know how I would've made it without her.

10. Careen S.
     Miss Careen has five adult boys. Can you imagine raising a house of five boys?!?! That right there should tell you that she is easy going and relaxed! One would have to be! I love being a part of their family life in the small ways I have since knowing her. Their family is extraordinary. She has the kind of home I would love to have. A home they open up to whoever God chooses to place there.  They frequently have retreats of sorts at their house where their son just invites people God places on his heart and they all share and worship together over weekends. She expressed at a Bible study the other night that she is so thankful for the life God has given them and thankful the Lord placed the same gifts and desires of compassion and hospitality on both she and her husband's hearts. Thankful they could use their home to reach out to others. Her life is rooted in Jesus and it's evident in every area of her life.

11. Laura H.
     I have shared numerous stories about my friendship with Laura.  We are different in so many ways, but all of that I think is what has grown such a wonderful friendship. We balance each other out like no other friendship I have. She is the definition of a friend. I know that she is there for me...NO MATTER WHAT.  My children will call her Aunt Laura, so there :). She loves her friends and her family. She takes the time to send notes and packages with heartfelt time and love spilled into them. Everything she does she does it with passion and with love. You never get less than 100% effort with Laura. Even though it's been about five years since we've lived in the same town, I think we're even better friends now.

12.  Cindy W.
     Miss Cindy is Jay's mom.  Last summer when I was in Colorado she wrote me the first letter I received out there. And she wrote me at least once a week while I was away. She sent pictures of their family, sent pictures of her flowers, and always said the sweetest and encouraging things.  She has a rock collection(s) and she grows several flowers in her home and in her yard. She collects rocks from all over. And I have yet to go anywhere that I haven't thought of her and wanted to grab all of the coolest rocks for her.  I do not have what is called a "green thumb." Someone that can grow beautiful flowers. I wreck everything I try to grow. I think that people that grow plants and flowers are a special breed.  Flowers are high maintenance! You have to really know them to be able to care for them. And people that can do that with flowers are people that do that in their relationships.  She has a very special and genuine heart and I am very thankful for her friendship.

13. Amy H.
     Amy is also a past roommate from college. We lived together my first year of grad school, which was her last year of undergrad. She also used to want me to marry her cousin so we could be in the same family.  I finally drilled in the fact that we could be just as good of friends even if we weren't related by marriage :) Amy is a person that I am truly myself around. She just gets me. She gets my weird sense of humor and we laugh about 90% of the time we're together...at stuff the general population wouldn't find amusing. Such as when her car wouldn't start at 1:30 AM after we had driven to a sketchy quickie to buy bottled yoo-hoos (she just had to have the bottled kind!)...all we did was sit in the car and laugh at how ridiculous the situation was. Also putting up her new tent in her living room so I could show her how to set it up. And then sleeping in said tent that night...in the living room. We share our struggles and our trials without passing judgement. I know that she is a friend unconditionally because...trust me when I say...our friendship has been tested in its years. We can go weeks (even though I wish we didn't have to) and maybe even months without getting to talk and when we finally do, it's like I just saw her yesterday. Our friendship has never missed a beat, even though it's geographically disconnected.

14. Anya G.
     Anya is one of a kind. Seriously, I don't think I'll ever meet anyone that reminds me of her. She's that special and unique. She is one of those girls that comes off as tough and "one of the guys," but really she has a very tender heart and is the most compassionate person you could meet. She was one of the girls from the ranch as well.  I laughed so much with her!  You know those people where, no matter the situation...random and ridiculous stuff always seems to happen to them?!? She is one of those people! Like getting caught on our mountain bikes in the middle of a herd of cattle and then laughing so hard I'm crying and can't even pedal anymore...I mean, that stuff doesn't happen in real life! :) She really taught me what it means to live life to the fullest and laugh every chance you get. I miss her just typing this.

15. Danielle D.
     I almost put Danielle T., but that's because she just got married like a week ago. But her new last name starts with a "D." So, I have to make sure I'm accurate. Danielle and I were partnered together through our BSU with a Big Sister/Little Sister program. I was supposed to be the "big sister" but Danielle has really taught and inspired me more than I could have ever done for her.  She is so encouraging and so real.  Transparency in relationships should never be underestimated. We were friends instantly and she'll always be a dear friend to me.

16. Bob H.
     Mr. Bob is Erin's dad.  As you've probably noticed, I don't have many men on this list. That's not by accident. Although I'm sure a lot of it stems from my past, I don't have many "close" relationships with men. And I think that's fine.  But Mr. Bob is one of the few men in my life that have had a positive influence. He's a great father and a great husband to Miss Gail.  I can't express what it has meant to have a positive father-figure in my life. He has been that role model for me and I will forever be thankful.

17. Caity "Mae" P.
     What to say about Caity? She was a cook at the ranch last summer. And my first impression of her could not have been more inaccurate. I won't say what my first impression was, but I will tell you what I know of the actual Caity. I have never met someone more real in who they are and more comfortable in who they are than Caity. Caity has never been the person to only talk to certain people. She is so laid back and comfortable to be around that she can talk to anyone around her. You ask her a question, she tells you what she thinks. No ambiguity. No wondering what she meant by what she said.  What you see is what you get. And I got a real friend. I hope you're just as lucky.

18. Jamie K.
     Jamie is a former co-worker turned friend. This lady has worked for everything she has. She got married right after she finished high school and has since worked and studied her way through college and grad school and into an awesome position she now holds. And she has only reached a portion of what she aspires to attain. She loves her family and is such a joy to be around. When she's at work, she's at work. But when she's ready to have fun, she has fun! She's a great prank partner and a really hilarious travel partner!  Her laugh is contagious and her heart is bigger than anyone could imagine. She does so much good that no one ever knows. And she cares far more than she ever gets credit for. She's truly an inspiration.

19.  Sue M.
     Sue owns the ranch with her husband. They hire about thirteen folks a year and around four hundred people apply to work at the ranch each year. I can't imagine picking only 13 people out of 400 applicants. I am so lucky she chose me last year. Sue really is one of my heroes. She is one of the most amazing women I have ever met and I hope I get to learn even more from her. She really is like Jana, seriously. She can do anything!!!!  And she's great at all of it!!!!  She cooks, rides bikes, hikes, sews, rides horses, is a CPA (random for a ranch owner...right?!?), is the most hospitable person on the planet, and she has such a quiet spirit. I mean what I say when I say I am blessed beyond measure to have gotten to know her.

None of what I said really comes close to what I wish I could say about each of these people. And there are so many more I could put on here. But these 19 are amazing individuals that I would like for people to know about. I have always felt you should tell people in your life that you love them and what they mean to you.

Keep loving those in your life...wherever you are.

Lifeski

2011-06-10T14:51:00.009-04:00

I know I said I would post about Memorial Day after I got my camera working. I took my camera and memory card over to Columbus last week and the guy told me they would have to run a recovery thingy mcbobby on my memory card to see if they could retrieve the "missing" pictures. The thing is, I knew there were hundreds of pictures on my card, but when I would hit the play button on my camera, it was just showing that I had like ten on there. No bueno. Anyhow, I told the camera folksies to go ahead and do their recovery thang and I would come the next day and pick it all back up. Well, it was ready last Friday, but I just have not had the opportunity to get back over there (over an hour drive in a not convenient direction) and don't know when I will. So, I decided I'd go ahead and post anyways. Maybe I can go back in and add the pictures in a week or two when I'm able to get over there and get my pictures. Hopefully they all were recovered!

Following the whole work trip extravaganza, I wasn't exactly sure what I was going to do for Memorial Day. I didn't want to bust in on any of my friends for the holiday weekend and sure didn't want to be home alone. I had talked about going with some friends several weeks prior, but we never mentioned it again...and I sure wasn't going to officially invite myself. One of the catering companies I work for sometimes had already called a few times that week and asked if I could work that Saturday night. I was not sure about going with my friend, so I didn't say yes of course. But when I didn't hear from my friend, I sent one of the guys at the catering company a message and said I could work if they still needed me. I didn't hear back from them again, so I was like hey, I'm going to take a trip somewhere. I had already stopped at REI when I left the Habitat headquarters that Friday. They were having an awesome sale and I mean, honestly, I just really wanted to go to REI...sale or no sale. I got a Coleman tent several years ago. For $25. At Wal-Mart. It was on sale as well back then. And by "back then" I me four years ago, and my pre "I finally realized I'm outdoorsy and hiking, biking, and camping is what I've been missing my whole life" days. The tent had worked out great those years. It's great when (1) you have someone to help you set it up so you don't cuss when you get to the other side and one of the poles from the side you just left comes out when you're trying to put in the new side, (2) when you haven't left the rain fly pole in Michigan two years ago, (3) when you're not the only one sleeping in a 4 person tent when it's 40 degrees outside (cold air just seems to stick around when there's so much space in there!) and (4) when you're an expert roller and can fit the thing in the stuff sack on the first try...hint, it usually takes me at least twice to make it fit (only once have I been awesome enough to get the poles in the same bag as well). I like that tent when I'm camping with someone and we can share in those joys together :)

All that being said, I was ready to embark on my first "real" tent. The brand name kind. The kind for "backpackers" like I aspire to be. So, yeah, I went to that sale and I got me a lovely new tent! And I was soooo ready to try it out! I got up that Saturday morning, packed my stuff, sat down in my living room with my atlas, opened it to Georgia, and said 'where the heck do I wanna go?!?!" I had an annual state park pass with two unpunched holes for free camping, I had an annual National Park pass, and I had a long weekend to do whatever I wanted, by myself. Ok, to be perfectly honest, I wasn't all that thrilled about the "by myself" part. I really would've loved company! But I also was making the best of circumstances by not letting that hinder me. I started looking around at parks and campsites all over the state. And then I realized...it's a holiday weekend, what are the odds there will even be a site to go to? So, I got online and like I feared, most of the state parks I looked up were already booked up. And most you had to book for Friday night through Sunday night, so I was pretty sure I wasn't finding a site. I had called Great Smoky Mountains National Park and one of the campgrounds had sites. I was planning to head up there, even though it was in North Carolina and a little longer than I desired to be driving. I really wanted to go camping and if I had to drive all the way up there, then I was going to do it. So, I thought, you know, I'll just drive until it starts getting dark and stop at all of the recreational areas that have campgrounds I couldn't register for online and maybe I'll find a campsite...maybe. If I didn't drive all the way to GSMNP, I wanted to hike Brasstown Bald, the highest point in GA (even though it's not very high). So, I head north. Once I get up past Lake Lanier and past Gainesville I start looking for camping. I stopped at the few campgrounds I spotted from the road and none of them had sites available. It's getting to be about 8:30 and it's starting to get a little darker. The last campground I stopped at was at the DeSoto Falls Recreation Area. I pulled in and there was a gate they lock at ten. Past the gate there was parking for the day use area that led to picnic tables and short hike to stretch your legs. I keep driving to the campground (a few feet more) and circle it and...of course, no sites. But I knew if I kept driving that it was going to be dark, I was probably going to run into the same situation, or, if I did happen to find a vacant campsite, that I would have to set up in the dark and I had never set up this tent before considering I had just gotten it...yesterday. The nearest state park was Vogel State Park. I decided to sleep in my car in the day use area because (a) it was safe considering they lock that gate at ten, (2) I didn't want to keep driving in the dark with nowhere to sleep, (III) I don't have an aversion to sleeping my car (did it several times last summer), (d) I figured I'd offer to pay the $12 camping fee if the ranger tried to make me leave. But no one told me to leave. I slept in my car, parked right next to the restroom and all. :) It was awesome...maybe a little uncomfortable because I drive a Taurus and my road bike was in the bike seat...but still awesome because I was safe...and it was free.

The next morning it's looking a little cloudy and I also realized I didn't pack any layers. I didn't want to hike up a mountain by myself with no extra clothing or a raincoat, so I decided I would hit up Vogel State Park. I thought that even if people had to reserve their camp sites for all three nights that maybe someone was not going to be able to stay all three nights and that there just might be a site available. I was right!!!! I got to the park and rode my bike around to get my bearings on where everything was. Then I went into the visitor center and got a site! Yay!!!! I put up my tent (took me a little bit to make sure I knew what went where). I do have a little extra orange pipe looking thingy that I'm not sure where it goes, but the tent stayed up all night long...and that's what's important! Here's my awesome two man tent!!! It was SOOOO easy to put up!

Home, Sweet, Home!

On Saturday, before I had gotten to Desoto Falls, I had stopped at a grocery store to get some food. Once I got to wherever I was headed, I didn't want to have to spend more money to eat out or anything, so I stocked up on some granola bars, trail mix, Gatorade, and wheat thins oh my! I played in the park for two days, read a whole book, slept awesome, hiked to the waterfall twice, and was almost attacked by geese. The hiking was great and the biking on the road outside of the park was very strenuous and I wish I could say I biked a whole lot, but I really didn't. I biked a little, a very little. It was very hilly and I would've died. There were so many families there and it was fun to be sitting in my hammock reading and also listening to the noise of kids playing in the water, cute couples fishing together, geese hissing at everyone, kids that were sunburned and hot, crying and tattling on their siblings. Kids from the campground gathering to play dodge ball. Kids are so awesome. I mean, no matter where they are, they always make friends. I wish I still were more like that. All in all, it was a very relaxing weekend for me. I considered it a retreat of sorts and I needed the downtime and I needed the time away. I can't articulate what nature does for my soul. It's just good, very good.

One of the best parts of the weekend was that I got to see my bestie and my bestie's kiddo! :) I don't get to see these kids enough and spending less than two hours with them at Tallulah Gorge State Park was enough to recharge my heart until I see them again.

I was telling my friend Keri something about Jana and her family the other day and she said "I need to meet this family because I already feel like I know them!" And I said "you do! you'll love them!!!" And I'm very right about that :)

This past weekend was another fun filled wedding weekend! I will change it up a bit and list a few pros and cons from this marvelous weekend:
Pros:

Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake!!!!
Dancing the night away
Slumber partying with the bridesmaids and my other bestie Erin (Erin and I weren't bridesmaids...we were the scripture reader and program-passer-outer, but we had just as much fun as the bridesmaids :)
Breaking all kinds of driving laws in order to keep up with the caravan of cars going all over the place for each of the weekend's events (it's not every day someone gives you a thumbs up in the rearview mirror when you clearly run a red light)

Cons:

Being left alone at a table with a seven year old because the DJ has asked all of the couples onto the dance floor. If she gets married before I do someone's gonna get hurt! :)
The DJ then later coming up to me and telling me that I'm a beautiful lady (that wasn't really a con because he was relatively attractive), but then telling me that next time I go to a wedding I need to bring a man (gee, thanks, if I had one to bring, I would've brought him!)
Phone and GPS dying and having a car that won't let me charge either of them. Pure awesomeness
The pastor forgetting to cue me to read scripture during the wedding (whoops! although I probably would've been nervous and messed up anyways!)

It was a beautiful outside wedding and truly one of the best times I've ever had at a reception. Not to mention the bride is one of the greatest friends a girl could ask for. She deserves nothing but the best!

Love you Danielle!

Welp, tomorrow is the Loop the Lake 5K. Wish me luck and have a great weekend...wherever you are!

Will ___ melt??

2011-06-03T15:49:00.007-04:00

That's a question I find myself asking all too frequently when I leave something in my car.

Why? Because it's three days into June and already skimming at a hundred degrees on a daily basis down here in 'ole sou'wess ge-oh-juh. So hot it'll make ya wanna Slap. Yo Mamma. So hot it may as well melt the mortar between bricks. So hot that on my way to work today I was sweating so bad I had to remind myself that yes, I actually did shower this morning before going to work. So hot that I really wish Adam and Eve had not had the Fall because it would be sooooo awesome if we could just all walk around nakie without temptation and lust and jealousy and all of that other junk now associated with nakie-ness. And I don't say that because I want to see everyone naked (because ewww, no thanks), and it's not because I want everyone else to see me naked (I'm not that kinda girl, thank you), it's because it would be awesome if all of this clothing didn't make me sweat!

I asked my self the above question "will this melt, will that melt" while I was packing for the weekend away. I answered "yes, probably maybe, or I wouldn't be surprised" so much that my weekend bag is now up three flights of stairs with me in my cubicle instead of downstairs in my car. At least if I were to randomly spill water on myself (although that idea isn't so random for me as much as it is normal and maybe even a 'lil expected) and need a blowdryer or need to straighten my hair some more, I can just reach into my bag and pull out my gear...and wahlah!...beauty in a bag :)

I guess the thing is, I am from Georgia. I have lived here al...most my entire life (minus literally like seven months from 27.61 years). I am use to summers, I am use to heat, I am use to sweat, but this...this is not like the many Junes I remember. Maybe they should change the phrase "global warming" to "global furnace" when describing our conditions in the southeast part of the U, S, of A. Maybe it's because last year I spent from the beginning of May to the end of September in Colorado and then the next few weeks in the upper part of the country. Maybe missing that one, might I add glorious, summer of mosquitos, gnats (I always pronounce it guh-nats in my head so I remember it's spelled with a "g"...same thing I do with puh-sychology), a heat index above a hundred, and the first few minutes of being in my car trying not to touch the steering wheel because it's so hot...maybe missing all of those things is what did me in. Maybe that's why I doubt my ability to hack it now. I'm officially a whimp, there...I said it. Although I will put a little positive spin on this whole heat issue I'm venting on. I actually don't mind sweating. Sweating makes me feel active. Although I don't like sweating all of the time because sometimes I want to look cute because eventually I want to meet a handsome prince and live happily ever after and let's face it...it's hard to look cute when you're all sweaty and nasty. My face gets really red when I'm hot and my hair hates me and is out to get me (especially in the heat and humidity), so there ya go. I love the south and love being a southern girl. And I love being a sweet, Georgia peach (well...most of the time I'm sweet) ;-)

While everything I place in my car may...and probably will... melt. I am determined to beat Mother Nature and enjoy my southern summer whether she likes it or not! Here are a few ways I intend to enjoy this summer (and considering I am not a planner, I think I did pretty darn good!):

1. Just registered for Loop the Lake for next Saturday. A 5K run in Cordele. It may take me half an hour, but I will cross the finish line.

2. Training begins for my first half marathon for Thanksgiving (haven't registered yet...still making sure I have the guts to see it through!). This is far beyond just a large goal for me. But, I'm kinda into goals right now, so...me likie.

3. I'm planning to go out to Colorado to visit the ranch, a few friends, and maybe hike another 14'er with Sue! (does that count as sticking it to the heat...or is it really tucking my tail and running from the heat????)

4. Plan to see one of my BFFs, Laura (one way or another!)

5. Plan to eat as much watermelon as I can possibly hold, every chance I get.

6. Water festivities must commence!!!! Woo Hoo!

7. BASEBALL SEASON

8. Helping my 4H agent friend plan a fundraising bike ride.

9. Road trip to somewhere new? Ideas anyone???

10. New Bible study group that I'm siked out of my mind about!

I was going to put "dating" on the list, but that's kind of a stretch...soooo, I'll file that one under my "if by some miracle" pile.

Get out there and enjoy your summer...wherever you are!

When Life Hands You Lemons...Throw Them

2011-05-31T13:47:00.003-04:00

Ok. Kinda. Sorta. But. Not Really. Ok, maybe I'm a little serious :)

I love living my life like an adventure. And that's good news, because just about everything in my life turns out to be an adventure, whether I like it or not! And I promise you that as I'm posting this I am very cool, calm, and collected. I actually think it's a really funny story, just crazy how life can be.

The story began Sunday night (05.23.11) while I was working for a catering company. I fainted. Literally. For the first time in my life. And I still don't know why or what was wrong with me that night. I think I was just dehydrated and really hot. It was really scary and I won't go into more embarrassing details. The bruises are healing, just know that! Not only that, but I was scheduled to fly out of Atlanta on Monday morning for a work trip. I had ALL of my packing to do Sunday night/Monday morning. I get up at five in the morning to finish packing (all the while feeling completely fine except for being extremely tired from going to the bathroom every hour due to the gallon of water I drank before going to bed) and leave by seven in order to make it to the airport an hour before my flight was to leave. Airport security was a breeze. I didn't wait in ANY lines whatsoever. IN ATLANTA. I even had time to take a quick break before arriving at the gate to pick up my airport essentials:

Ahhh...not much can beat this combo right here.

The flight was quick and awesome and it was so fast I didn't even get to finish my magazine. I had travelled for work before, but never flown for work, so I don't know the ins and outs of company charge cards and rental cars. I've always driven myself and paid for myself and got reimbursed later...so this was an all new experience for me. We leave the terminal and head to the car rental place at the airport. The lady I was with said that you can pick any car you want that's in the same group as the name of her company card. So, she picks the car she wants (I am actually just along for the ride this whole week, so I don't get to make any important decisions, or even drive for that matter so I didn't really care what she chose) and it's a small, burgundy, little economy car (we're non-profit...we go economy). She tells me to go ahead and wait by the car she chose while she signs us up for it. She walks away and I pop the trunk and load up my bags in the trunk. I put my computer bag in the back seat. Then I pull out my remaining peanut butter m&ms and sit in the front seat digging through the glove compartment. When all of the sudden...this lady is walking around the car looking at her paper work and then looking at me and then looking at the car and then looking at me. And then she walks away. I thought maybe she wanted some m&ms and I thought nothing more of it. Next thing I know, my co-worker yells across the parking lot (yeah, she's a yeller) that the car she picked was in fact assigned to someone else and we can't have that car. After I put all of my stuff in it and was chowing down on peanut butter products. Awesome. The same lady that was circling the car like a predator was the actual renter and she was just really concerned about why I was in her rental car. I laughed because, seriously, what else is there to do?! And then she stood there and watched me while I took all of my stuff out of the car and then she drove away with me standing behind the car with all of my belongings. She seemed pretty mad about it, but it really wasn't my fault. I thought it was pretty funny actually. We ended up with a Chrysler 300 which was HUGE and anything but economy (free upgrade, baby!). Carolyn hated it and everyday talked about how much she hated it. And she scared me a little driving it. But I'll leave it at that :)

The work parts of the trip went really well. It was awesome to meet some of the people I talk to (and by that I mean...phone, email, conference calls, etc...) on a daily basis, but had never met in person. It's so funny to meet someone you've been talking to for months and the real-life version is very different from the person you had imagined you were talking to. We didn't have a whole lot of "free" time, but we did take a few minutes to go to the beach one night and then another night we went to this art night on the bay where local artists set up stands with homemade crafts, art work, and jewelry. I didn't get anything, but I loved walking around and seeing everyone's creations and how each booth is such a reflection of the artist's personality.

Here are a few beach pictures to make you a little jealous:

Beautiful Sand!

Bay View

Gorgeous Sunset!

Jealous much? We also ate some really awesome food during the week! I tried Mahi-Mahi for the first time...but only after getting clarification from the chef that a "dolphin fish" is not a regular "dolphin" and that I was not eating Flipper or any of his immediate kin...and that it is in fact illegal to kill a regular dolphin. I'm not a vegetarian by any stretch of the imagination...but come on, I could never bring myself to eat a cute little dolphin. I did order when I was informed it was just fish. It was AMAZING to say the least. I am not a huge fish eater because I really hate the smell of fish, but this was the best fish I have ever had. Hands Down.

Our last day of the trip was Thursday and the plan was for my co-worker/travel companion and I to go to the office and work till lunch, leave for lunch, and then head to the airport. Easy enough. Hmmm. Well, we get done with lunch around one. Our flight wasn't scheduled to leave until 4:10 and it's a really small airport, so we had at least an hour to spare...so we quickly decided we would go to the greatest place on Earth...well, one of the greatest places on Earth. Barnes & Noble, duh! But while we were still finishing lunch (at a great Italian place where I indulged in my favorite pizza and toppings...pepperoni and pineapple...don't hate...try it :) I get a call from a number I don't recognize. So, I don't answer it. That's how I roll. Well, a few seconds later, my travel buddy got a call too. She answers hers and it's an automated call from the airport saying our flight had been delayed half an hour due to inclemate weather in Atlanta. We were like "Sweet!" more time at the bookstore! After I relished sixty pages of my book and a white chocolate mocha from Starbucks, we head to the airport.

After waiting in line to use the kiosk to check-in and then wait in another line to check our bags, we get another call about a delay...this time it was delayed until 6:30ish. We had already returned our rental car and were checked into the airport, so we stayed and went ahead through security and decided we would just sit at the gate and get some actual work done. There were three flights scheduled to go to Atlanta that night and we were the first of the last three. Ours was delayed so long that the people from the next flights were arriving at the airport. It was getting a little crowded. A plane pulls up to the gate and Carolyn tells me that it's probably our plane and that we'll most likely be boarding soon. It was only about 5:30 by then, so I was thinking, great! I go ahead down the terminal to the restroom so I won't have to go on the plane. Carolyn watches our stuff and said she'd go when I got back. She leaves when I get back. All I'll say about my sweet co-worker is that she's quite a bit older than me and she has some ailments. She has trouble walking fast, so she was going to be gone for a little while. She had been gone about five minutes when they announce that no, our flight was not going to be boarding soon like Carolyn thought, but they have cancelled the flight altogether and the other two flights were pending cancellation and we should all go back downstairs and rebook flights. People are all but running down the terminal and down the stairs. Oh no!!! I grab all of my stuff and my co-worker's stuff and wait for her outside the bathroom. By the time we get downstairs we are really like fourth from last in line. After being in line for quite sometime, I talked to a few really cool people about where they were planning to go and why it was vital they get on the next available flight.

While waiting in line, Carolyn and I try to work out a rental car with the airport because someone at the ticket counter told Carolyn the next flight out to Atlanta that wasn't booked would not be till Saturday. So, we thought of renting another car and driving back to Atlanta. I was thinking...Lord, please don't give us that Chrysler again! When we get to the ticket counter, the lady tells us that since we are just needing to get to Atlanta, that she can get us on another flight. That it was the passengers needing to connect elsewhere that were being booked later so that the Atlanta airport wouldn't get overcrowded. Someone was using their head that day! We get stand-by tickets for a flight leaving at 8:46 (it's about 6:30 by this point) and guaranteed seats the next day from Fort Walton if we didn't make the stand-by seating. Carolyn puts the rental car on hold until we can find out if we are going to make that night's flight. So, we go back upstairs and sit some more. We went to get some food at the sole eating place in the terminal (told you it was a small airport) and they had closed the kitchen because they ran out of food. More awesomeness. Thankfully they had some premade salads and sammies you could get. We did make the stand by flight and it finally took off the ground around 9:45. It was apparently some sort of military graduation or release for leave, because the airport and our flight was full of military men. Not a bad scenery if I don't say so myself :) We arrive in Atlanta around eleven, but because of the flight delays and whatnot, we had to sit on the runway for an hour until we could park the plane. That's a funny image to me...a traffic jam of airplanes :) My work put me up in a hotel in Atlanta for the night and I was ever so grateful! So, the next morning I went to work at our Atlanta headquarters. I had never been there before and was really excited to go. I also got to meet a few other people there that I talk to on the phone and email all the time, but had never met. I had left my car at the off airport parking because I didn't want to get stuck in Atlanta in holiday traffic and it was already close to one in the morning, so I didn't mind someone else driving me around. Carolyn was already planning to drive to the hotel so she could put my room on the company card...so I just rode with her to the hotel. The Atlanta office is only about two blocks from the hotel and the Marta was about two blocks from the Atlanta office. So I took the Marta to the airport to take the shuttle to my car where I put my bags in the trunk and then sat in my car with the AC blarring and went "WHEW!!!!" It was a very busy week, but it was really neat and I'm super glad I got to go.

My camera is acting a little silly, but when I get it working again, I'll post about my Memorial Day weekend adventures and add some pics to spice it up :) Have a great Tuesday...wherever you are!

"Remember...You must be out there making memories too"

2011-05-19T13:30:00.001-04:00

I eat lunch with my friend Jamie quite often. I get an hour for lunch while she gets half an hour. If I don't have errands to run, I'll just go back to work and do some web reading until it's technically time to "go back to work." Today I was "next blog"ging it and came across this fascinating blog. They are the couple I aspire to be when I am old enough to retire (minus the casino part, my "luck" makes me more prone to losing moo-lah). Although...I am beginning to realize that eventually I need to start saving for retirement. I just love their lifestyle! Travel, travel, travel! It's remarkable! Nothing is more romantic to me than taking off with your cute little hubby and traveling the country. I just want to pinch their cute little cheeks!!!!! I mean, what an amazing marriage to be spending this time together seeing new things, trying amazing new foods, meeting extraordinary people, and camping in a different state almost constantly. I love just picking up and thinking I have a destination in mind and everything in the middle is up for grabs! It's so freeing and liberating. They spend a week here, a week there and eventually wind up somewhere and she is so rad that she blogs about it. It really and truly inspires me. The last line of her most recent post is where this post title came from. And my friend, it is soooo true. I don't know a whole lot of people in retirement age (disregard the fact that I worked for a retirement community for a year and a half), but the few that I do know on a personal level, I often wonder "what do you do all day?" One of my fears was that when I retired I would be bored out of my mind! Honestly, it's one reason I didn't like my job at the retirement place, because it just seemed so down and out. So...final. Like their lives were over and I did not want to live and work amongst that. But this adorable couple reminds me that there is much life to live and memories to be made. Retirement isn't a death sentence people!!!! They probably get amazing senior citizen discounts too! Being 27 and a full-timer shouldn't stop me from following my dreams either! I don't want to wait around until I'm 65 (well...retirement age will probably be 90 by the time I get to 65) to get out there and see and do things. Not having a cute little hubby to roam the country with won't stop me either!

So, today I challenge you. Do something completely new today. Not because it's your birthday or a holiday or a special occassion. Do it because it's a typical Thursday, because you're lucky enough to be alive today and because you have the opportunity today.

Every day is a gift, so enjoy it, wherever you are!

65 in Less than 5

2011-05-18T15:45:00.005-04:00

Just the fact that I'm posting on the world wide web means that I survived my bike ride from last weekend. I didn't really get a chance to ride more than a total of ten miles the week leading up to the ride. Friday night I went to bed a lot later than planned and didn't have any of my gear packed or ready to go. I am as polar opposite as you can get from a morning person. I can stay up till five in the morning, but it's like an act of Congress for me to get up at five a.m. So, usually if I'm going on a trip or leaving early, I have to pack the night before to ensure I forget as little as possible. Needless to say, when I went to bed on Friday night with nothing packed and my clock went off at 5:40 am, I seriously debated just staying in the bed. I was laying in bed thinking of how good I had been sleeping and how easy it would be to go back to sleep. And I rolled over with that very intention. Then I thought of the friends I had shared information about the bike ride with. After that I thought of all of the people in my life that would follow up with me and ask how the bike ride went. And I had to get up. I couldn't risk letting anyone down and I knew I wouldn't be able to stand it if I let myself down. So, I got up and packed up my things and left my house by six thirty.

It sprinkled a little on my drive over and the sky was looking pretty cloudy and dark. I got to the registration table in Cuthbert around seven thirty and noticed there wasn't a large turnout. This was only the second annual ride, so I wasn't sure how large of a crowd there was the previous year. The ride started right at eight o'clock and twelve of us started. Originally they offered two routes, one that was 65 miles and one that was 100 miles, but everyone had signed up for the 65 miler. One girl (she looked all of about sixteen) started the ride out on a mountain bike and I knew she would have a hard time with that. I didn't see her after the first five minutes and around the half way point someone told us they had already picked her up a ways back and taken her back to Cuthbert. Another guy was just riding from Cuthbert to Edison all along, so only ten of us finished the ride. The volunteers said a large number didn't come out because of the weather predictions. Terrible planners like me don't even check the weather :) It did end up sprinkling a little in the beginning and after not really riding all week, I was seriously doubting my abilities to finish after those first few hills. I also didn't check out the route beforehand, so I didn't know how hilly it was going to be. Before this ride, the furthest I had ridden was a little over 44 miles, so this was going to be a personal record for me. The ride started at Andrew College and immediately after starting this older man was asking me my name and where I was from. He rode with me all 65 miles. He has two sons that are around my age, so I think maybe he felt protective or something. I felt bad because I am not a fast rider and I felt like maybe I was holding him up. I told him several times to go ahead of me, but he stayed with me and we both finished.

A couple of the hills were really fun...yeah, fun :0/ There was one set of hills called Double D's. I went up both of them about six miles per hour. We get to the half way point and I sat and had a snack and made time to take this picture with my riding friend, Mr. Mike:

As you can see, the bad weather predictions did not prove to be true! It turned out to be a great day! I never put on my sunglasses and thankfully had slathered on enough sunscreen to not get sunburnt! I took off from the halfway point (actually, it was at about mile 40...so more than half!) feeling great! I was thinking "it's smooooooth sailing from here!" WRONG! I went up the toughest hill I may've ever gone up in my entire life. I literally went up the hill 3.5 miles per hour. Yes, THREE POINT FIVE miles per hour. I could've crawled up that hill faster than I was biking. But I never got off and walked. I took it one pedal at a time. And I've found that's how I have to do a lot of things in my life. If I look to far ahead at the pain that may be coming, I make it worse on myself. If I look right in front of me and take it one step at a time, I do a lot better at getting through each day. I'm actually having to practice that a lot these days.

It felt so great finishing the ride! And we finished before one o'clock, so less than five hours! Not to mention I got home and then worked at a catering company for ten hours. Saturday was a very busy day! I was so glad I went and I realize that when I push myself, I can do a lot more than I think I can do. I did a bike-a-thon years ago in college to raise money for summer missions. It was 22 miles long. And that day, I thought I was going to die. Now, I've ridden three times that amount, and I didn't die. And one day I'll ride 100 miles. I'm looking forward to it :)

Hey...get out there. You can do it! Whatever it is you think you can't do, you can do it! Wherever you are!

Last Stops

2011-05-13T16:40:00.003-04:00

Before finishing up the blog posts about my road trip with Laura, I'd like to introduce one of our "guests" along the way. You've already met Debbie Dangerous and boy did she keep us on our toes. The next guest I'd like to introduce you to is Wild Bill:

Wild Bill (sometimes known as Flat Bill) is also Laura's dad. We took pictures with him, EVERYWHERE we went. It was so fun and was certainly a conversation piece on several occassions. Laura had heard of the idea from some place and thought she'd surprise her dad with an album of Wild Bill's adventures. We enjoyed having Wild Bill along for the ride and it would not have been the same without him!

Ok, so Laura and I had already "technically" been in Washington once. We ended up camping in Washinton on our way to Portland. Our main destination in Washington was Seattle and obviously Spokane so that Laura could fly home. We just wanted to see more of the Northwest part of our country and I don't regret it for a second. The tricky part was that we had to go over this teeny weeny little bridge in order to get from Oregon to Washington (or at least, to go the way we wanted). This is where I will introduce you to Sylvester. Sylvester is my GPS and he was my companion for many many miles. My first trip with Sylvester was when I went to visit my wonderful friend Jana that lives in Sylva, NC. So, we asked Sylvester his suggestions for getting across to Washington. This is Sylvester in the midst of finding us across the little bitty bridge:

Alright...alright, maybe the bridge wasn't so little after all. It was actually 4.1 miles long and is the longest continuous bridge in the US. So, yeah, kind of a big deal. Laura was such a trooper and drove over it (and do take note that she is driving well below the speed limit!)!

We finally make it to Seattle and it's beautiful. Not rainy or cloudy like the Seattle it usually is, so we were very lucky to have perfect weather! We stayed at the City Hostel and it was so great! I definitely recommend it to anyone! Laura and I had stayed in a hostel on a previous road trip and this experience far outweighed our first one. We had keys to the building, keys to our rooms, and shared the room with two other girls. It was a great place to stay. It was right downtown and within walking distance of everywhere we wanted to go. My car was parked outside all night long with no problems and they stored my bike for me until we were ready to leave.

We had a few places we were set on going in Seattle. One, the flagship REI. This is THE REI of REIs. Although, personally, I like the Denver one the most out of any I've ever visited. But this is the mack daddy of them and is three stories high. Of course I had to go. We also wanted to see the Space Needle. We also wanted to go up in the Space Needle, but it was too foggy the morning we were there, and we didn't have time to go back when the skies cleared so we decided to each save our $18 bucks and spend that on something else. Pike Place Market was a must; as well as the original Starbucks. Enjoy the photos below:

I didn't get a picture of the REI. By the time we got there, it was getting dark and all of my pictures of it didn't really turn out to be my faves. But, we were there. Trust me :)
Oh...can't forget the picture of the gum wall!

Yum! :)

So, like all of our other locations...our time in Seattle was too short. Must go again...that's turning out to be my life motto.

I won't do a whole other post on Idaho so I'll try and cram it in here. Our last stop of the trip was Sandpoint, ID. Another spot that was recommended by a friend. Laura and I ended up staying in a hotel there because...well...because we couldn't find campsites! And it was getting too late to look, so we opted for a hotel, the hot tub, hot showers, and a good night's sleep before Laura flew out the next day. It was well deserved :) Sandpoint was like a world of it's own. There was water, and mountains, and amazing little downtown shopping, and everyone was so friendly. Just nestled there in the north of Idaho. They even had their own Statue of Liberty (with which Laura and I may've taken over a hundred pictures with):

I had such a great trip with Laura. She's such a wonderful friend and hopefully when we're old foggies, we'll still be taking random road trips together!
This final picture is at the Spokane Airport.

I guess I'm done updating about this trip from last September...sorry they were SO late! Time to get back to reality! :)

Happy Friday...wherever you are!

Oh Oregon

2011-05-11T09:49:00.002-04:00

I have to first apologize regarding the break in posts about this trip. It was slightly interupted by my biking post, but here we go again!

I also feel like I should explain some logistics. These posts are in basic order of the largest amount of time we spent in each state, but this is how it actually went down:
Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Washington (and then after dropping Laura off at the Spokane Airport, I went back through Idaho to get to Montana).

On our drive between Wyoming and Oregon, we made a special stop at the Potato Capital of America in Idaho! We didn't have the spare cash to enter the museum, but we snuck a peak during a trip each to the restroom.

Our first stop in Oregon was Mount Hood. For some reason I have always been drawn to articles about this mountain and climbing it is secretly (ok, I guess not any more) on my list of things I would love to accomplish in my life.

Our main destination for the trip to Oregon was Portland and the west coast. Again, I have always loved anything regarding Portland and have always wanted to go. Not to mention that one of my favorite writers, Donald Miller, is a resident of Portland. The thing is, I am not much of a planner because, like I have said in previous postings, things never work out like I plan. This where I will introduce our first guest, Debbie Dangerous. Debbie Dangerous is my car and this is how she got her name:

I can't tell you that this was the first, or last, time that Debbie made her appearance known, but things like this always make adventures a little more adventurous :)

When we finally made it to the parts of Portland that were safe and relatively clean, we struck out on the sections we wanted to see. We didn't have much time left because we had to make it to the west coast to check into our yurt. So, we had to cut the trip to Portland a little short due to the hours spent with Debbie at the doctor, but we made the best of it. On the trip, Laura and I were reading Through Painted Deserts and in the book Don references this coffee shop he frequently goes to. I'm not typically the "stalker" type, but I wanted to go to this coffee shop! It was such a cute little shop. And it was nestled in the most welcoming area of town. The streets were filled with runners, joggers, bikers, and cars. No one flies around you on the street looking at you like you're insane for daring to ride a bike for exercise like they do here in GA.

After leaving Portland, we were West Coast bound, literally! I had never sunk my feet into the pacific coast and it has been a life long dream. Laura had been such a trooper by camping with me that I decided to treat her to a little "princess" camping otherwise known as a yurt. Here was our home for the evening:

And this is the site we had been waiting to see!

I truly fell in love with the state of Oregon. Everything was just so lush and green and the weather was perfect. Time there was too short and I am planning a trip back as soon as I can.

Go to Oregon whenever you can and enjoy your Wednesday...wherever you are!

The Top 10 Reasons I'm a Terrible Cyclist

2011-05-09T22:15:00.004-04:00

About a year and a half ago I made one of the best decisions of my life. That decision also turned out to be one of the scariest ones. While I won’t go into how I ended up all alone in north Atlanta meeting a guy named Jessie that I thought was a girl named Jessica in a Lowe’s parking lot, I will tell you that I walked away (unharmed and alive) with a carbon fiber road bike that I purchased off of craigslist. It has been my one and only purchase off of craigslist, but it was an amazing deal and I truly love my bike. I also love riding my bike.

I went for a ride tonight and began thinking about how bad I am at it! I mean, we all have our talents and God given skills-but anything involving coordination and safety is not really my thing. I read a blog recently about a girl that said she loves to bake, but is a terrible baker. But she still does it. I definitely feel the feeling! I am a terrible cyclist, but I love it. You’re probably thinking, “oh, you can’t be that bad.” Well, I’m so bad, I made you a list. A list that I all too quickly came up with. A list that I very well could continue! But, thankfully I won’t let this little list deter me from my hobby. So, enjoy the list, but know I won’t quit riding any time soon!

1. I’m abnormally uncoordinated. I mean, you know how some people are just clumsy and uncoordinated? Well, I’m really uncoordinated. Seriously, a ridiculous amount of uncoordination.

2. I always forget to wear sunscreen when riding in the daytime.

3. I always forget to wear bug spray when riding at dusk.

4. My bike always goes with my gaze. If I look over at a field, or a house, or a cute little doggie…I’m immediately riding over in that direction.

5. Bike shorts make me feel like I’m wearing an adult diaper.

6. I always forget to wear sunglasses and spend more time than necessary picking South GA bugs out of my eyes as a result.

7. I always wear my iPod…that one may even be illegal. Whoops. Not real sure…

8. I’m a compulsive gear shifter.

9. In addition to number eight…99.9% of the time I accidentally shift in the opposite direction of what gear I meant to shift to.

10. In my seat bag I have all of the necessary components for changing a spare tire. Except for a pump. If you ride by and see some girl on the side of the road with a spare tube, tire levers, patches, and a multi-tool thingy…yeah, that’d be me.

Happy riding. And here’s a picture of my precious bike :)

Why Wyoming? Why Not!?!

2011-05-09T11:09:00.001-04:00

After leaving the great state of Colorado our next destination was Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Jay had spent two summers out there and told me numerous stories of it's beautiful mountains and the lovely city of Jackson Hole and I just had to go! And I'm sure glad I did!

We had a pretty long ride to the park because we were driving straight there in order to meet all of our destinations on time. But sometimes when you're riding across a state with beautiful, natural, landscape and there aren't tall buildings and houses destroying the area...sometimes...well...sometimes you have to go to the bathroom and there isn't anywhere to go. So...you just gotta go. I don't have any qualms about going to the restroom outside because I frequently find myself having to go outside...but Laura thought it would be funny to catch me in the act of finding the perfect bush to perch behind:

And then sometimes you get to a campground at the end of September thinking that everyone is back at work and school and that there will still be plenty of campsites to choose from at 9 PM. But sometimes that's not the case and you find yourself like this:

This is Laura and I in the car because out of the three campgrounds still open that late in the season, NONE of them had a free site. I couldn't put up a tent just anywhere because a park ranger would catch us and I wouldn't have time to take it down before being found. While I was ok with my sleeping bag outside in the great outdoors, Laura wasn't as thrilled. So, she wanted to sleep in the car. But then I got out there with my sleeping bag I realized I didn't feel as comfortable being by myself, so I went and got in the car too. Laura and I looked like glowworms and this is me thinking "really, are we actually going to get sleep like this?" And no, we actually didn't get very much. We couldn't let the seats back any further because my car was full from our trip stuff and all of my belongings from the summer...and maybe my road bike in the back seat. But it was a very fun experience and we didn't get discovered by park rangers. Yay! Mainly because I pulled out of the picnic area as he was pulling in. Whew!

The next morning we left the picnic area and drove straight to the Jenny Lake Campground to find a site as early in the day as possible. 1. because we wanted to make sure we got a site this time and 2. well, because we wanted to make sure we got a great site! After picking a site that someone had already vacated, we put up the tent and then took a tour around the park. We then stopped by the visitors center to get some souvies, maps, and hike ideas. We decided we would do the Hidden Falls hike. It was a beautiful hike and we met some pretty cool people along the way.

The following picture was of Laura and I with two new friends after we decided to climb down and take a dip in glacier water! Laura was the only dry one in the house! Matt and Mike were on a road trip from South Carolina following their college graduation.

After the gorgeous hike and paying for a $7 shower at the rec center. Laura and I decided to hit up the infamous Jackson Hole. We went and got some amazing dinner and then hit up one of the local hot spots and found entertainment by watching the locals boozing it up and struttin their stuff on the dance floor. There weren't too many people in the bar that night because it was a Monday night. I don't dance if there are less than 10 people dancing, so I didn't venture out onto the dance floor, but we enjoying watching everyone else!

Now, tell me we didn't pick a great campsite....

The stay in the Tetons was way too short. And it's now on my list of places to return to ASAP.

Stay tuned for a post about our VIP guests along the way, as well as more on Oregon and Washington!

Have a blessed Monday...wherever you are!

Livin La Vida Loca...A little late

2011-05-05T14:52:00.003-04:00

I've been feeling a little (well, a lot) nostalgic lately since it's coming up on a year since my departure to my second home...the great state of Colorado. One of my nearest and dearest friends, Laura, flew out to Denver to meet me at the end of the summer and we took a week long road trip. I never blogged on that trip and well, that just had to change. While browsing through the gazillion pictures I have on my book of face, I decided that one blog post is just not going to cut it. So, settle in for a few postings. That will give you time to enjoy the pictures, as well as give me days to return to the glory days :)

A little background info-Laura and I met our freshman year of college at GSDub and I have taken more road trips with her than any other person in the universe. We have walked the streets of Chicago, Bloomington, D.C., New York City, Denver, Jackson Hole, Portland, Seattle, and Sandpoint. We may have also danced on the side of one lucky interstate road in Oregon. And, surprisingly, we're still friends. We've seen how the other can be after being stuffed in the car with another human being for twelve hours and/or getting lost in new cities while being extremely hungry, and we're actually friends in spite of those "moments" we have both had. Although there have been moments we have both wanted to pull the other's hair out-she's one of the greatest friends a girl could ask for and I wouldn't trade her for anyone else.

We also have a signed agreement on a napkin out there and the winnings are dependent upon whoever gets married first. By our current relational situations...she's at a slight advantage! :)

Ok, OK...back to the latest road trip. Like I said, Laura flew to Denver and our very first stop was none other than the most awesome REI in the continental united states. THE one and only, Denver REI. Feast your eyes upon this beauty:

Oh yeah, it's pretty sweet. I visited that store so many times in my short four months in Colorado. My purchases there probably amounted to about 95% of my dividend this year!

After my fingertips were ripped from the door of REI, I managed to regain my sanity and move on to our next adventure. A Rockies game! And...of course, they won! Duh!

Laura and I both love baseball games. We enjoy the action and frequently get caught up in the environment and cheer for whatever everyone else is cheering for. TULO!!!! And the above picture is one that I always seem to take at baseball games. It kinda reminds me of taking a picture of someone taking a picture. Taking a picture of baseball players watching a baseball game. I don't know...it's just my thing I guess :)

That night we stayed with my friend Britney (a former summer ranch worker that helped us out SO much in 2010). The next day Laura and I were headed to Wyoming. But I just had to stop in Boulder one more time. I love that city. It's big, but it's small feeling. So quaint and so cute and so active and sooooo inviting. So, me! I would live there in a second. Why am I not living there? I have no idea.

Caity (Caity Mae as I like to call her) was one of the cooks at the ranch my summer there. Her family is the founder of Penzeys Spices. Up until my summer at the ranch, besides generic store versions, the only spice company I knew of was McCormick. Caity had several Penzeys samples this summer and I fell in love with several of them (the cinnamon sugar is amazing on toast!). I vowed that I would never buy another McCormick spice (unless absolutely necessary because there is no Penzeys in GA). I am a full fledged Penzeys supporter and intend to be for a very long time. Probably for like ever. You should immediately go to their website and sign up to receive a free catalog. It has all of the spices listed as well as awesome recipes. The double vanilla extract and almond extract is to die for! I want it simply to smell it every day. I wish I could take my nose off and leave it with the almond extract while I went on about my day. But, I might look weird if I did that, soooo...we'll just leave it at that.
The following picture is of me outside of the newly opened Penzeys Spices in Boulder!

Those were our main attractions in the day and a half that we were in Colorado. Stayed tuned to hear all about our adventures in Wyoming, Oregon, and Washington. And I also have three very important guests to introduce to you. Don't let the curiosity get to you!

Have a great day...wherever you are!

Floored...

2011-05-03T15:22:00.001-04:00

Well, I found something else to blog about today...maybe I am turning into the other kind of blogoholic. Annnyways, so, I usually bring a snack to munch on around this time every day. Usually it's Pirate's Booty, but today I needed chocolate. So, I headed to my office floor's vending machine...and this is what I contemplated buying...

Looks good, right?!? I wanted a Snickers, but kinda wanted a Twix...so I headed down two flights of stairs (yes, I am one of a few americans that doesn't take the elevator) to see if my goodies could be found in a different vending machine (larger machine with many more options) and this is what I found...

I know, I know...what's the difference. Please, humor me and look a little closer. Yes, that is a thirty cent difference you see in price. And yes, this is the same office building. Can you guess what machine I will buy my snacks from in the future???? And you would be correct to assume I marched back up the stairs to my floor where I purchased a Snickers bar for the low price of $0.65 :)

And it was yummy (and it probably tasted just as good as the $0.95 one)!

What did you snack on today?

Confession...

2011-05-03T14:50:00.007-04:00

...I am a blogoholic. And not a blogoholic in the sense that I blog too much, but that I am overly obsessed with following other people's blogs (and not in a weird, stalker kinda way). I don't have cable, a stable internet connection at home, or even a newspaper subscription...but I do love me some good blog reading :). My day is instantly brighter when I log into my google reader to find that my favorite blogs have been updated. I love the pictures, ideas, insight, transparency, and bonding that I find when reading personal writings by people I know, as well as people I have never even met. Strangers are no longer strangers in the world of blogging.

Today I pulled up my blog with the thought of posting a message. When I couldn't think of anything intersting to say I hit the infamous "next blog" button at the top of the screen and walla! I stumbled across this blog. I read it during my entire lunch break. It. Was. That. Good. I was captured by her heart and laughter and how much she loves her husband. It was like this continuous story that I happened in the middle of and I wanted to keep reading to see where it all started. That's what I love about blogs. You can tell the world as little or as much as your little heart desires. And tell them as often as you desire. There is no character limit and there is no annoying little line under my words telling me to consider my "sentence fragment." Your sentences can make sense. Or not. See, that wasn't even a complete sentence and I'm allowed to post it. Love it.

So, this little ditty goes out to whoever, whomever, and who the heck ever reads my blog posts. And if you're a blogger and you're thinking of not blogging anymore because you fear no one reads your blogs. Well...

Send me your blog address.

Because I will read it.

And I will love it.

Guaranteed.

(thanks google for the photo)

Happy Tuesday and Happy Reading...wherever you are.

Kudos to a Sore Bum

2011-04-18T10:20:00.003-04:00

I wanted to share a bit of optimism and future planning to let you know I haven't completely turned into a hermit and shut off the world. A friend sent me the following flyer and I just signed up for the 65 mile bike ride posted on it. I would love, love, love to do the century ride (100 miles), but the most I've ever ridden is about 44 miles, so I'm not sure I can be ready for a hundred miles in less than a month. Either way, here's something I'm looking forward to. Hopefully the spin classes I've been taking will pay off! Think of me on May 14th as my bum will be sore and I'll probably be a tad sunburnt! :)

Happy Monday!

Sweet Memories

2011-04-15T13:27:00.004-04:00

Oh my gosh. I just got an email from my friend Caity that made the suh-weeeeetest video ever and...I.Must.Share...Immediately. It's a video slideshow she did of last summer at Elk Mountain Ranch. It brought a smile to my face and an ache in my heart for these precious faces in this video. Love you all from Elk Mountain Summer 2010!

That Song in My Head

2011-04-14T14:51:00.006-04:00

So, you all know how there are times in your life where songs just seem to speak to you more than others. Lately I've felt strangely spoken to by several songs. I couldn't decide just one song to share...so I made a little song of my own compiled by a verse from each of a few that I've enjoyed listening to lately. Words in the midst of this seem to bring me a little peace. Enjoy.

Sometimes a hurt is so deep deep deep

You think that you're gonna drown

Sometimes all I can do is weep weep weep

With all this rain falling down

Feels like being underwater

Now that I've let go

And lost control

Water kisses fill my mouth

Water fills my soul

So many times I've wondered where I've gone

And how I found my way back in

I look around awhile for something lost

Maybe I'll find it in the end

Too late, two choices to stay or to leave

Mine was so easy to uncover

He'd already left with the other

So I've learned to listen through silence

Sometimes it lasts in love,

But sometimes it hurts instead,

Sometimes it lasts in love,

But sometimes it hurts instead, yeah

*Here's the song list in order of the verses from above(two *s means there's a video if you hover over the title).

**Patty Griffin's "Rain"
Jewel's "Break Me"
Norah Jones' "Feelin' the Same Way"
Sara Bareilles' "Between the Lines"
**Adele's "Someone Like You"

Uninvited Guests

2011-04-04T23:05:00.002-04:00

No, not in-laws (‘cause I don’t have any-besides I’ve always loved the families of my boyfriends!). No, not the well-intentioned friend overstaying their welcome (because if you’re a friend of mine there’s no way you could overstay your welcome). This uninvited guest is still be determined.

Let me set the stage for you…I come home to my lovely, quaint, and welcoming home after a long day at work. My mind is set on a nice bike ride to the cross-country trail that one of the high schools built. I love biking, but wanted to get in a run too because even though biking is exercise, I’m still sitting on my bum, which is what I happen to do at least seven out of my eight hours at work. I walk in my door, drop my keys on my island, and proceed into my living room. That’s. When. I. Heard. It. What it was, I still don’t know. All I know is something was trying hurriedly to get away from in between my TV and my bookshelf. I ran out of there so fast! I ran outside and my heart was beating about a million miles a second. I called Jay because I didn’t know what else to do. He was in Plains and there was nothing he could do, but it was still nice to be talking to another person should I pass out from panic. My landlord pulled up to his house as I was on the phone. I get off the phone and walk over to their house. They were entertaining one of their daughters and her children. The wife answers the door, I explain my horrid situation, and she says “oh, you have a little creepy crawly.” I was like, uh, yes m’am! I wanted her husband to come over and look over my place so I would know that whatever it was, was gone. I told him I thought maybe it was a mouse and I would set some traps (my bad PETA, but he has to go) that night, but I just wanted to know I was safe for the time being. He is down on the ground looking under my couch and proceeds to tell me that, “he’s more scared of you than you are of him.” HMMMM…DEBATABLE! Mr. Landlord gives me the all-clear and I, all the while being paranoid out of my mind, continue in my aim to change clothes to go riding. After he leaves and I get the courage to go to my closet, I hear a noise in my bathroom and I make a mad dash to stand on my couch, holding a broom, and breathing like crazy. I thought, “I pay rent to live here and that little jerk is making me scared to stay in my own house! The nerve!”

I have insulated a few doors, set a few traps, and checked daily as I come in and out. No sign of my little “friend” so far. So far, so good.

I pray you don’t have any uninvited guests in your home today. Happy Monday!

Feelin' Kinda Springy!

2011-03-25T11:36:00.001-04:00

Good Morning America!!!

When I say that, is your first thought the television show, or standing on a rooftop somewhere awesome with arms spread wide, or something else entirely? Well for me, I think of the French family with the cutest, littlest, blondest, curly hairedest, two front teeth missing girl you ever did see. This family visited the ranch this summer and they got in really late on Sunday night around 10:30 or so (most guests arrived around 3 or 4ish) and most everyone was gone to bed or in their respective cabins when they arrived. They slept in the Pioneer Lodge (which was three single rooms side by side in a cabin). And six of the staff girls slept in the three rooms in the back of those rooms (2 gals per room). Of course they were all suffering from jet lag and they couldn't sleep most of the night. Us girls in the lodge all awake Monday morning to one of the little girls shouting in her room "GOOD MORNING AMERICA!" (in a very English accent) They were SO glad to be here! That's definitely a day will not soon forget.

I had been missing ranch life and horseback riding terribly since I've been home. I love making memories with Jay and doing new things together. He has done so much in his lifetime that it's hard to find something that we have both never done, or at least something he's never done. I tried the "memory making" thing on a road trip a few years back. I really wanted to go parasailing on our trip. I looked up the weather, found some locations, prices, and all that jazz. Well, we were going to Michigan in the middle of Summer and I thought the weather was going to be perfect. Turns out the weather did not agree with the predictions and 40 degrees is not ideal parasailing weather. Go figure. So, needless to say, we didn't go. I went horseback riding (side note: why do they call it horse"back" riding...isn't it a little obvious you would be riding on his back? k, anyways...) at the ranch and I knew Jay had been riding before, but that was one thing we had never done...TOGETHER! He had finished his adventure race and his only day off was no longer taken up by training, so I planned for us to go! It was AMAZING! We went in north, GA because, let's face it, I was a little spoiled by riding in the Colorado mountains. Technically we were in GA and TN, but either way, it was gorgeous. I am not a big planner. I'm good at coming up with ideas, but I usually leave it to someone else to put the pieces together because nothing, and I do mean nothing, usually turns out like I plan. So, I didn't plan anything except the two hour horse ride and I figured hopefully that would at least work out :) The weather and scenery was perfect. It's definitely something we'll do again. I don't know that we'll drive over four hours one way to ride for two hours again, but hopefully we can find somewhere equally beautiful to ride that's closer by. The ranch we went to made me miss Elk Mountain so much!!!! I'm so glad to be home and I don't regret not going back this summer to the ranch, but I do miss it!

Spring (and pollen, good gracious the pollen) is all over the place here at home. It's been remarkable running, hiking, and biking weather. It's also been great to again enjoy lunches at the park with my friend Jamie. Although, I did just look at the weather and I think next week will be a snuggle up, watch a movie (or three), bad weather, time to get some much needed cleaning done while it's nasty out, reading, and cooking new stuff kinda week. In spring also comes wedding season! Nothing brings friends together like someone gettin' hitched! :) Wedding showers are in progress for various friends and I think there's about three wedding within a month that I'll be attending. If I ever get married, that probably won't be me folks. I'll be getting married in the dead of fall and on a mountain, at least that's what I'd love to do!

I hope you're enjoying your spring so far!

Life these days...

2011-03-06T15:40:00.001-05:00

I moved into a new apartment this past week. So. Glad. To. Be. Done. Moving. I have a love/hate relationship with moving. I love the "new" aspect of starting something fresh and exciting. But I dislike things being all over the place and not knowing where anything is for about a week. I love getting the chance to go through things and clean out my life (in ways) and minimize down to what I actually "need." Apparently hoarding is a growing epidemic in our country and I am determined not to become a hoarder. I just closed out a storage unit I had for TEN MONTHS! Yes, ten months. When I left for the ranch last year I got the storage unit and when I moved back, my living arrangements were only going to be temporary, so I didn't see the point in unloading and unpacking when I was just going to turn around and have to pack it again in a few months. It was pretty nice moving this time because I didn't have to do much packing, just unpacking mostly. But as I unpacked box after box I began to realize, what am I doing with all of this "stuff" in my life. If I could go the past ten months with only enough to fit in my car, then I surely didn't need everything in storage. I am a very sentimental person and I love to save cards and notes and little momentos from various occassions. But when I don't remember where this very special momento came from that I apprarently saved for a very special reason...it's time to give it up, sorry. We used to have a Goodwill store in Americus and two locations where you could drop off items to be donated. When I cleaned out my boxes and had about a car load to take to goodwill, to my dismay, the store NOR the drop off locations were anywhere to be found. WHAT?!? Thankfully we still have a salvation army and they came to work the next day with a nice drop off at their back door...whoops.

It's so hard to believe almost this time last year I was getting ready to pack for the ranch. It's good to be settled for a while. While my nomadic lifestyle over the past year was fun, exciting, ever challenging, and eventful, it's nice to be able to have a place to call home. It's wonderful to have my pictures back and my cookbooks and all of Jay's wonderful furniture he's made me. Jay, Aaron and I cooked our first meal at my place last night and played RISK and it was wonderful. I've been at my job with Habitat a month tomorrow and at my apartment a week tomorrow. So far...seven days of stability and I'm not itching to leave yet :) All is well with the world.

The past few weeks have been spent getting ready to move, planning a wedding shower for Erin, playing in the woods at orienteering meets, getting poison oak, hanging out with my favorite little girl Emmalyn, training a little with Jay for a 30-hour adventure race he's doing this coming weekend, and anticipating spring running and biking weather. Jay and I are hoping to take a little bike trip this summer, so I am desperate need of uphill training! I hope to rope him into training with me (I need the accountability) after his race is over.

Until next time. Enjoy your Sunday!

It's beginning to look a lot like...well, a new beginning!

2011-02-17T15:09:00.002-05:00

Welp...over a month and a half has passed since my last post, and as of today I am a day and about two hours shy of finishing up my first two weeks at a new job! Hooray! I am also about a week and two days shy of moving into my new apartment! More Hooray! It's gonna be a busy month...

I just started working for Habitat for Humanity International as a Grant Account Officer. Basically I am the middle man between who wants the grant funds and who's giving out the grant funds. I'll post more details later hopefully. I have so much to learn considering I've never worked in grants before, but so far things seem to be working out quite nicely :-)

It does seem as though the weekends have been quite beautiful and Jay and I have tried to enjoy his one day off a week the most we can. A few weeks ago we hiked the Pine Mountain Trail...the whole thing...in one day. It was kind of awesome! The next weekend we went out on the lake for some canoeing and then this past weekend we went to an orienteering meet in north GA. If you don't know much about orienteering, it's basically having a map and some woods and you have to try to find these checkpoints they have hidden out there. Few things bring me more joy than finding those checkpoints! The courses are color labeled based on difficulty. Orange is the level I have finally obtained on my own (up until about now I couldn't do anything off trail without Jay), and even though I came in dead last, I am so pleased I made it out on my own! I don't know if you would call it stubborness or dedication, but I was not about to give up on a checkpoint and be disqualified...no matter how long it took me to find that gosh darn checkpoint! :-)

That's life as I know it here at home. Happy at home. Have a great day!

Wrapping it up!

2010-12-28T17:01:00.003-05:00

I can't believe it's been so long since I posted last. I'm currently back home in Georgia still searching for a job. Geez...six years of college, two degrees, and two and a half years since I graduated and no job?...wow. I'm still searching, applying, praying, and trying to stay optimistic and enjoy the free time while I can. Not too much has happened since I've been back home. I have been to three weddings in the two months I've been back! I miss the ranch and life there like crazy, but I feel at home now.

I felt like blogging, but didn't have much to say, so I'll just copy an idea I saw on a blog recently. The guy posted a list of all the cities he had slept in throughout the past year. This has been a year of traveling for me and I don't know if I'll ever have quite a year so eventful nor a list so long! Enjoy! :)

Americus, GA
REI, Atlanta, GA (Scratch-N-Dent baby! AAAANNND...first in line!)
Atlanta, GA
St Simons Island, GA
Sylva, NC
Graham Cave State Park, Montgomery, MO
Bonny Lake State Park, Idalia, CO
Boulder, CO
Buena Vista, CO
In a sandbox at some park on the side of the road in New Mexico
County Road 390, CO
2 Random Spots in Utah
Aurora, CO
Denver, CO
Grand Teton National Park, WY
Maryhill State Park, WA
Cape Lookout State Park, OR
Seattle, WA
Sandpoint, ID
Missoula, MT
Glacier National Park, MT
Random spot on the side of the road near Helena, MT
Rapid City, SD
Milwaukee, WI
Random travel plaza near Cleveland, Ohio
Strafford, VT
Fairfax, VA
Auburn, GA
Warner Robins, GA
Plains, GA

During my trip out to the ranch and the extensive month I traveled and took my time to get back to Georgia, I traveled through 32 states. It was an amazing year. Although so many things are up in the air and I still have no idea what I wanna be when I grow up, every decision I made was worth it and I wouldn't change a thing.

Happy New Year!!!

BV Favorites!

2010-09-08T16:06:00.001-04:00

The closer my time here in BV (Buena Vista) comes to an end, the more I am realizing all of the things I have grown to love about it. I thought I'd share some of my favorite hot spots, eateries, and moments here (and around the area) from this summer:

~Favorite Coffee Shop: BV Roastery (following closely in second is Bongo Billy's)
~Favorite Drink: Mexican Mocha...YUMMMMMMM
~Favorite Thrift Store-Newbee's
~Favorite Chocolate Shake-K's Ice Cream
~Favorite Outdoor Store-The Trailhead
~Favorite foot TLC spot-Bella Vita (Jennifer's the bomb!)
~Favorite Post Office Staff Person-Gary!
~Favorite City Market Butcher-Doug!
~Favorite Hike-(so hard to choose this one!) but I'd have to say hiking Mt. Massive
~Favorite Camp Spot-The first viewing area exit when you get into Utah (when you're coming through Grand Junction)
~Favorite Wildlife Spotting-Marmot
~Favorite Elk Mountain Meal-Thursday nights...spinach salad with strawberries and lemon poppy seed dressing topped with the oven baked chicken and a side of cowboy queso and tortilla chips.
~Favorite Purchase this summer-Berry colored Marmot softshell
~Favorite After Hours Hot Spot-The Rope (aka The Lariat)
~Favorite Pizza-Eddy Line
~Favorite Ranch Amenity-the luxury of peeing outside when I'm running or hiking
~Favorite Freedom-a billion gazillion stars every night
~Favorite Ranch Activity-Square Dancing on Tuesdays
~Favorite Movie seen this summer-The Kingdom
~Favorite Comedy seen this summer-The Backup Plan (although some parts were terrible, it was HILARIOUS!)
~Favorite Guest this summer-Singlular guest would be Gary Elam from Georgia :-) But my favorite family was the UK family with Emily and Michelle and Sebbie
Favorite Ranch Pet-Blue (I love that dog!)

I hope this makes you wish you were in Colorado with me! :-)

Have a great day!

Enjoy the Sunshine While You Can

2010-09-05T23:10:00.003-04:00

I know I have probably mentioned her once or twice before, but I absolutely adore my boss, Sue. She’s one of the coolest people I have ever met. She’s the hardest worker I know and she still loves getting out horseback riding, biking, hiking, or spelunking (not for too long though, she doesn’t like the tight spaces). During staff orientation she told us that we should enjoy our days off the most we can and to try and not sleep the day away. If you find yourself with a break in the middle of the day she’ll often tell you to get out and “enjoy the sunshine while you can.”

Today I went for a run and, I must say, the weather here in Colorado has been PERFECT to say the least. At night and first thing in the morning it can get down to about 35 degrees, but by midafternoon it’s usually around 85; gorgeous clear blue skies and a billion gazillion stars at night. Most nights when I’m walking back to my cabin in the dark I imagine I live in a giant planetarium. It’s absolutely breath taking. There was certainly sunshine to be enjoyed today!

I kinda sorta have this habit of analyzing everything and I can take almost any object or idea and relate it back to my life somehow. I guess it can be considered an annoying trait, but I actually kinda like it. Well, today when I was running I was thinking how Sue tells us that we should enjoy the sunshine while we can. I think we can definitely apply that idea to our lives as well. There are times in our lives that things are as great as we could ever imagine or hope for, but the reality is that too is only temporary. That sunshine will only be around for a short period of time. I heard a quote once that said something kinda like “if you’re not currently in a storm or coming out of one, then get ready because that just means one’s coming.” I guess that can come across as sounding cynical if you take it that way, but I don’t. I just think it’s true and is just a reality you can’t dance around. We are all fallen and people in our lives are bound and certain to disappoint us as well as we are going to disappoint them. Everyday won’t be perfect, but some days are and that makes it all worth while. Enjoy the happy days knowing hard days are sure to come as well. Enjoy the sunshine while you can.

Suddenly September

2010-09-01T13:42:00.001-04:00

Man, it's so hard to believe it's yet another month in this whirled wind of a year. Where in the world did August go?

It's even harder to believe that in about two and a half weeks my time here at the ranch will be done. Sue has mentioned me coming back next summer as a cook, but it really all depends on where the Lord leads me next. If I end up being a ski bum for the winter then I'd love to come back next summer. I've seen and done so much this summer, but there's still so much I'd like to do and see in this state. Colorado now has a very special place in my heart.

There are now only six of us staff left at the ranch and it is so quiet right now. Not that that is a bad thing, just very different. The guest list is getting smaller and smaller each week. As the leaves begin to change to their glorious reds and yellows and as the nights begin to get crisper I am reminded that yet another season is coming to an end. I read a quote the other day that said "every end is a new beginning." How very true is that statement? Change has always been very hard for me. I hate letting go, I hate goodbyes, and I hate endings. But there's a beauty in the unknown, in the ability to take on something new. I think courage and risk are beautiful and I think they make our hearts and minds bigger than we thought possible. It's not the "new" thing (be it a place, a relationship, a job, a home, a car, or even a new phone) that's scary or hard to adjust to, to me it's the "in between" time that's the hardest. The realization that this thing (whatever it may be) that we've become so accustomed to and felt safe with is over and that it's time to trust and be brave and try something new thing that gets me the most.

It's funny how I began this post with the idea that I woke up this morning and it was a new month, but now my eyes are a little blurry with tears. Some are tears of joy because I've loved my time here and loved all the things the Lord has taught me with each season of my life, but also tears of sadness for how very different my life is today than it was almost four months ago. I've missed my friends who have new engagement rings on their fingers, I miss the friends that have had babies while I've been away, I miss friends with babies I just haven't seen in a while, and I miss my friends in general that are scattered all over this country and this world. I miss the relationship I loved the most and invested the most in that has turned out very differently than what I've prayed for for years. But there's so much comfort in knowing that I'm not in this alone. God is my Protector and my Healer and He will not let any of these pains or trials go without bringing Him glory in some way.

This summer has surely changed my outlook on a lot of things. I feel more knowledgeable about so many things and am more open minded about other things. I have experienced a lot of firsts here and I have very few regrets in these past few months. Here's a little recap of a few things I've done this summer:

Uno: I summited my first 14'er! A few months back I attempted Mt. Huron and fell a few hundred feet short of the summit, but I made it to the top of Mt. Massive! It was such a great day and great experience. There were about 6 of us on the hike together and we met a random guy named Randy on the saddle between two of Massive's peaks and he hiked with us the rest of the way and then followed us back to the ranch for dinner. It felt so great to actually accomplish something I set out to do and I cannot put into words how small feeling and humbling it is to see God's creations from that perspective. How could God create so many things so beautiful and huge and massive and dangerous, and yet still create me with those same hands? It's the most amazing feeling! Aaaand....I finally got to enjoy my peanut butter sandwhich from up there! It was the best sandwhich I ever ate...hands down!

Dos: I walked goats on a leash for the first time. They are extremely funny animals and it just really felt like I was walking a weird looking dog.  I know it's probably a little random fact to put on this list, but I actually used to be afraid of goats. I had the misconception that they bit and ate everything and I always thought they would attack me or something. While it's true they do nibble on everything, their front teeth aren't sharp at all and it kinda tickles when they nibble at you.

Tres: Spelunking! One random Tuesday afternoon when Anya and I got done with our morning chores Sue asked if we wanted to go with her to this place called Porcupine Caverns. So we did a little hiking to this cave and went spelunking! I had never been down in a cave and never had so much fun laughing following these two crazy girls around in a cave!

Cuatro: Flashlight Manhunt. Enough said. Ok, maybe not. When our guests come to the ranch our main hopes are that they feel at home and that they have the best vacation they have ever had. And honestly, most do feel that way when they leave. One week we had a really large group and in that group there were a large number of children and preteens. On Saturday nights we have a country candlelit dinner and everyone dresses up and we give out awards for different events throughout the week. All of the guests got close this week and we loved them all too. After dinner the kids wanted to get a massive game of flashlight manhunt going. It's where you break up into two teams and one team hides outside in the dark and the other team counts and then goes and finds the other team with flashlights. The best part was that we were playing on the ranch in the middle of a national forest with so many rocky mountain stars surrounding us and all you could hear was the laughter and running of about 20 kids and staff. It was so much fun and it really felt like home. That's the stuff life is made of. Good times :-)

Cinco: I'll just lump all of the National Park visits into this one number. Oh my stars...I have seen so many national parks and historic sites this summer! Maybe not that many when you look at the list, but considering I only have one day off a week, it's a lot! I still have one left to go to in Colorado, but they are all so different and most of the time I can't believe those sceneries actually are in America. I actually went as far as to buy an annual pass, so if I don't find a job within the next two weeks I may just be park hopping! :-) Here are the parks I went to (most of them were with Mo!):
     Arches National Park
     Canyonlands National Park
     Mesa Verde National Park
     Rocky Mountain National Park
     Garden of the Gods
     Royal Gorge
     Four Corners (even though it was closed for construction)

Seis: Slept ouside under the stars. While this wasn't necessarily a first for me, it was the first time I had ever done those things without Jay. Mo and I slept in Taos, New Mexico in a sandbox in a city park, we slept outside in a viewing area in Utah, we slept on the ground in this campground in Utah, we slept in hammocks along side a river before hiking a 14'er, and I've slept in my car more than a few times. It's so great to just be outside in nature and see the stars and feel the cool air. I thought I had lost my tent poles in Missouri before I got to Colorado this summer, but the other week I found them in my trunk. I'd almost prefer no tent though, it's just so freeing and welcoming to wake up in the midst of it all.

Siete: I've hung out of a window and attempted to slap the butt of a cow in open range more times than I can count.

Ocho: I drove over nine hours one way to give someone a hug and to tell him I was proud of him.

While this list is far from over, these are the most memorable to me right now. I will spare you the complete list because while they may be exciting to me, they may not be that exciting to whoever reads this. :-)

I just continue to pray the Lord would allow me to enjoy and rest in these next few weeks and not be so wrapped up in what I'm doing next. The summer isn't over yet.

Enjoy your day, I'm enjoying my Colorado day :-)

The End of an Era

2010-08-15T23:01:00.001-04:00

It's hard to believe the summer is so quickly coming to a close. This week will be filled with lots of "lasts" unfortunately. Josi is leaving this week so it's going to be the "last" time all of us girls do a lot of things together. It's very bittersweet. Virginia Tech needs her more than me, so I'm sure she'll be excited to get back home and back to Brad. Josi and I have been the "Team 2" cleaning team for the last twelve or so weeks, so today was our last day to turn over cabins together. We relished by jumping on unmade beds. Afterwards we all had lunch together with the smorgasbord of leftovers that we always have on Sundays and then she and I headed to our cabin to change to layout on the Kid's House porch until it was time to get ready for guests to arrive. While we were laying out and reading our books we started hearing these strange sounds hitting the trees and the roof of the kid's house. Turned out to be little Tyler, Matt, and Caleb launching water balloons at us from the bunkhouse. Unable to tolerate defeat we retreated to our cabin to bust out the package of water guns I've been hoarding for the past few weeks. We both loaded up with two in our hands and each put two in holsters we constructed with our swimsuit bottoms. Matt was the only one we were able to attack. To make a long story short, the afternoon ended with me wearing two five gallon buckets of water and having a very intense struggle over the water hose while it was going full blast. Sue was observing from the comfort of her home and said one of the funniest things she's ever heard was when I turned on Josi and yelled "every man for himself!!!" It was a great afternoon. Perfect Colorado weather for sun and fun. I'll miss these days with these guys.

Please continue to pray for us all here. The past staff that we've met say these are the hardest days, when everyone starts heading back home. I still don't have plans set in motion for after I'm done here, but I'm one step closer to an extra month in Colorado. I think I have an interview this week, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

It's Hard to be Still

2010-07-27T17:10:00.006-04:00

Katelyn and I drove into town last night to meet some of the other staff for ice cream at Kay’s. While we were talking we were just randomly listing things we do in our “free” time. Most of the staff usually has an hour or two in the afternoons between lunch stuff and dinner stuff. I was telling her that Josi and I have talked about the fact that when we come to our little cabin and home we always immediately start doing something. We never just come in and sit and do nothing. We are literally always getting ready to do something; be it writing letters, reading, talking, getting laundry ready, showering, getting ready for a hike or run or bike ride. Always on the go and always on to the next thing. Katelyn was saying that she is basically the same way except she never gets ready for runs, bike rides, or hikes because she doesn’t exercise, but she is alike in a lot of other ways. And she said “you know, it’s hard to be still.” I couldn’t agree more. I just finished reading In Praise of Slowness and the book talks a lot about different areas in our lives where we tend to rush and push forward to the next activity and how crucial it is to slow down in those areas and how much more we can enjoy life if we enjoy each moment instead of already thinking about the next moment. Examples were food, sex, driving, work, leisure, etc. I found myself guilty and shaking my head in acknowledgement of my own faults as I was reading. Life on the ranch is much slower and sincere than any other time in my life. I have truly enjoyed my time here and it brings things into perspective and causes me to reflect on a lot of things I miss and want to keep the same or things I don’t miss and want to change in my life. For one, I only spend money once a week and that’s on my day off. I have bills that are automatically drafted from my bank account, but the value of a dollar has all but diminished to me as far as pleasure and entertainment goes. But even though the ranch has brought a simplicity, slowness, and sincerity into my heart it’s still easy to even rush that. Like I said, Katelyn and I drove into town but then Anya and Josi rode back with us and we were all reminiscing about the past few months here and how fast the summer has gone. Josi will be the first to go home and she leaves on August 19th and she was saying things like “I only have 4 more weeks to do this or 3 more times I get to do this activity…” I find it’s so hard to miss the now when we are already focusing on what’s coming and how sad it’ll be. I don’t want to be sad for three and a half weeks when I could be happy for that time and then be sad on August 19th…ok, I’ll probably literally start crying on August 18th, but you get the point. It’s also easy to get anxious and worry about what I’m going to be doing come September 20th, especially when people start asking “what’s next for you?” I try to take the best approach and that’s to enjoy the moment now, apply for jobs when I can, and pray the Lord will open a door of opportunity where He wants me. I want to be still and open to what He wants. I don’t desire anxiety, worry, or sadness in my heart. I don’t desire that for anyone. I want to rest and take refuge in He who knows best and wants the best for His children. When I pray, I pray for direction, I pray for rest, and above all, I pray I would be still and know He is God. It’s still hard to be still.