Gingerbread men, snow mountains, etc.

UPDATED TO BE INCLUDED ON BOOMAMAS tour of Homes - - Christmas Edition... Please go by there and see all the wonderful homes that are decorated for Christmas!!!



As previously noted – we were supposed to move – on Nov. 15.

We didn’t.

We have boxes stacked everywhere! This was causing a problem when I tried to create my Christmas decoration mental image because one set of those boxes, the ones in the living room, were just in the way!

I refuse to unpack the boxes though.... So, now they are magically transformed to a snow mountain - - decorated with ribbons, glitter, stuffed animals, and a nativity scene..

Why yes - - it is a bit junky looking... but much more festive than a bunch of brown boxes!!


We call it “making the best of a less-than-perfect situation.” One more reminder that we REALLY want a new house - - and I just am praying that I don’t have to unpack one more box until I am in a new house.

We also did our own Gingerbread house this year – My first one!

The last picture is the back of the house... looking amazingly like the front of the house. Its the pattern that came in the Walmart box - I don't know of many houses that have the same print on the front as the back... but these ginger people, I think they get in ruts too easily. They make up for it in their candy coated decorations though.

Ronnie was mostly in charge of decorations – his creativity amazes me. We had to buy extra icing in multiple colors so that there would be enough variety in color options. I wondered if that was the smartest thing to do, seeing as how this house has a history of ant problems. But, so far, so good - - and it made the house so much cuter!

He also roasted his own marshmallows.

And here is the mantle – looking majorly like it did last year.

Here is the tree - -

And one of the FOUR “first Christmas together 2007” ornaments that we have. Not that I am indecisive (well.. maybe) but more because we bought ours and then received three as gifts! Its great to have back-ups for when we break them… it always happens.

Anyway – it helped to get me more in the Christmas spirit – something that has not really happened to this point. Its usually my favorite time of year – this year it seems to be missing something. Not sure why – but just praying that the “wonder” of the season and the amazement at the birth of my Savior will come to be more than just a list of things to do as we go through this season.

Redirect the focus

Update

I have unpacked all necessary items.

The rest of the box-mountain will remain in my living room, as a reminder that we WILL move. For the Christmas season, it will probably become a “snow-mountain” when I cover it with white cloth and put Christmas decorations… nativity scenes, Christmas villages (I don’t have any right now, this seems like a good reason to get some right?), and other Snowy items on the “mountain.”

While it is encouraging that we will still be moving – it is frustrating still to not know what is coming. I am dealing with it though (sometimes dealing by finding reasons to NOT be at home for an evening… out to eat, to the movies, to Target… you get the picture) Ronnie and I like to go out anyway… so, this gives me a good reason.

I appreciate all encouragement from my dear friends here on the blog – as well as those who message me on Facebook etc. You guys are the best…

I think my favorite part of this blog/friendship/facebook junk is that it is this great combination of the blessings God has given me in friends throughout my life. I mean seriously – the encouragement comes from friends that I had when I was in 7-8th grade – touring the west coast as a Jr. in High school – my mentor when I was in college – my coffee buddy that lives in the city with me now – my host mom… ahem… host sister when I toured with Wings – and of course – my mom – who really has become my best friend. I look at the frustrations of my life, and vent them to the world via this open blog about my life… and then watch my comments roll in from people who mean so much to me… now, and in the past… and see that house frustration really means nothing in the long run. I believe I quote from “It’s a Wonderful Life.” When I say – “no [wo]man is a failure who has friends”

All that to say thanks guys…

Uncertainty.

Uncertainty.

This is the definition of my feelings right now.

Uncertain.

I have been working for the last 2.5 months on a campaign. It was supposed to end on Nov. 4. We are now in “canvassing” mode – and we will know sometime in the next three weeks if we will go into a recount situation. I thank God for the chance to work in this capacity. I am learning a LOT. My selfishness though was ready for some free time. It did not come.

Questions I answer every day are…. How long will this last? Who is going to win? Can we pull through? Will we recount? How long does that take?

The phone callers call in with desperate hope in their voice. I return their questions with certain positive answers. We are not giving up hope. We are working hard. At the end of the conversation I must end with a question in my voice though. I have the same questions they have. I can give reassuring answers only so far, and then must admit to myself that I do not have an answer.

Last Friday Ronnie and I took a step that we have waited on for 18 months. We signed a lease on a house. It was a beautiful new house. Two stories. Colonial style. With a dishwasher. With an oven. With a basement. For a decent price!

We reserved the U-Haul for November 15.

That’s tomorrow.

We called our landlord and told him we would be moving.

I started packing. I packed everything that we didn’t need to use between each day and Saturday. My living room is full of boxes, there are no pictures on the walls. My house is no longer home.

That was ok.

I was supposed to move on Saturday! I could handle this for a week with the promise of a new house in days.

Tuesday Ronnie found out that there is a sulfur problem with the water. It smells like rotten eggs. ROTTEN. EGGS. I really don’t want my clean body, clothes, and dishes to smell like rotten eggs.

We researched via Google - it’s all ok, they make a filter.

Wednesday we found out that the rental company would not cover the cost to install the 1200-3000 dollar filter.

Wednesday afternoon we cancelled our lease agreement due to “a material disclosure” that they apparently did not disclose. (lawyer talk). We called our current landlord and told him we do not want to move. I don't think he has called back. I don't know what will happen there.

Wednesday night we came home to a box filled house. I have no desire to unpack in this house. I was supposed to have a new house. With carpet, and a dishwasher, and an oven, and an electrical system that we don’t have to worry about killing our electronic devices. (I don’t have to remind you that our list of dead electronics since we moved into this house is REALLY long do I?.... Two TVs, three telephones, 3 internet motems, a refrigerator, etc. etc. etc.)

Last night I met with a friend at Starbucks. I needed the time with her. She encouraged me more than she will ever realize.

This morning I can’t help but ask – what is coming next? How long with my job last? Will we pull through at the end of this election? Do I really have to unpack all of my stuff in THIS house? Will I have a place for my friend to stay when she comes to visit in the middle of December from Georgia?

The answer I have heard more than a million times since we started actively looking for a house a year ago is this. “The housing market is GREAT for buyers now! You can have whatever you want for whatever price you want.”

Apparently not.

I don’t get it.

I don’t know what is next.

I don’t know how to find out what is next.

We have prayed, waited, prayed, waited, walked through seemingly open doors, only to have them slam in our face. We prayed some more. Here we are. Waiting.

Here is my new theme song by Sanctus Real. I am choosing to believe the words of this song. The chaos WILL fade – there WILL be peace. It is my prayer. Even when I don’t FEEL that God is in control – it doesn’t change the fact that He is.


It's time for healing
Time to move on
It's time to fix what's been broken too long.
Time to make right
What has been wrong,
It's time to find my way to where I belong.

There's a wave that's crashing over me
And all I can do is surrender.

Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace
And it's hard to surrender to what I can’t see
But I’m giving in to something heavenly.

Its time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Re-evaluate who I really am.
Am I doing everything to follow your will?
Or just climbing aimlessly over these hills?

Whatever you're doing
Inside of me
Oh it feels like chaos but somehow there's peace.
And it's hard to surrender to what I can't see,
But I'm giving in to something heavenly…Something heavenly.

It's time to face up,
Clean this old house,
time to breathe in and let everything out……
that I've wanted to say for so many years,
time to release all my held back tears.

Whatever you're doing inside of me,
Oh it feels like chaos but I believe,
That you're up to something bigger than me…Larger than life…something heavenly.

More fish?

Well, maybe soon I will be able to tell you about going to the Sarah Palin Rally in Salem, VA last night - but honestly, I want to be able to get up pics and stuff from meeting Todd Palin, and the Sarah Palin rally soon...

And - I think this story is funnier

Remember the fish??

Well, it turns out that before the last fish died - he had completed his job of passing his genes along to the next generations.

His partner, is now great with child(ren)!

I started doing some research.

It turns out that Mickey Mouse Platys are able to be pregnant up for 8 times after one time of .... umm... getting pregnant.

Each of those 8 pregnancies can produce up to 85 "fry" (baby fish!)

Each pregnancy also takes about 30-35 days.

Basically, within 8 months we could be the proud owners of up to 750ish BABY FISH!!

I can only have 10 per 10 gallon tank.

So, how many of you want a fish??? I will soon have about 740 to give away. These are nice fish! Cost about $2.99 at PetSmart! Not your average goldfish! They have something looking like a Mickey Mouse head in their tail! Its GREAT for kids....

No, really, if we don't separate the mother from the fish within a few hours of her giving birth (yes, platys are one of the few fish that actually give live birth, they don't lay eggs) - she will eat all of the babies.

Motherhood at it's finest I guess.

And cheap fish food for us! (just kidding. sorta.)

I also, through this research have learned how to tell a boy little fish from a girl little fish. Things. I. Never. Thought. I. Needed. To. Know!

Well, life is never boring around here.

In other stories. My sister is having a boy!

Meeting Todd Palin

Oh but yes.

I had ANOTHER of those moments… you know THOSE moments… this weekend.

Sunday Ronnie and I were at the Martinsville Speedway (not because I like NASCAR that much) and here are the highlights of the day.

Meeting Todd Palin outside the gate.
Going with the Palin entourage into the garages.
Continuing to accompany my Congressman (the real reason we were there) and the Palin entourage into the driver’s meeting before the race.
A trip into the media center… with… yes… that’s right.. the Palin entourage.
Climbing into the pit area – and seeing all the drivers before they went on stage… WITH the Palin group.

Basically, Ronnie and I got to spend about 3 hours walking around with Mr. Palin. He is a great guy! He talked to us, Ronnie got to introduce some friends that were there to Mr. Palin.

Now, I am sure that he will never remember us… but it was awesome to hang out with him before the race.

In true fashion for me and Ronnie - - - we left before they ever started up the cars and didn’t watch ANY of the race. Unfortunately, NASCAR tickets are wasted on us… but it was SO much fun to meet Mr. Palin… and to see the drivers up close so I could get sme pics for my brother and his friends. (The problem was I don’t know who all to take pictures of… so I took pics of everyone I sawJ)

We are also in the pics on the front page of the Martinsville Bulletin (local newspaper) here in the area...

I can’t post the pics yet… will try to get them up soon!

Praying for K

A girl from my dad's church in Alabama is very sick. Please be praying. Here is the email that has been sent out up to this point.

K has been diagnosed with Polyarteritis nodosa. Basically, it is an infection or inflammation of the small or medium arteries in the body that results in weakening and damage to the arteries involved. Often, clotting occurs in addition to the bleeding.
We should continue to pray for wisdom for the medical team and give praise to God for revealing the condition so quickly to the physicians. This quick diagnosis (although I am sure it has not been quick for the family) will allow appropriate treatment to begin immediately.

There will be more information soon.

One fish, Two fish.... you know the rest

I have been prodded.

My friend with the baby – (that is how she will be known until another friend has a baby) – told me in very direct terms yesterday that I need to blog again, it has been TOO long!

So, although it is really hard to write anything that has nothing to do with the work I am doing – I am going to try.

We now have fish. I would post a picture, but I don’t have one yet. I will work on that – maybe.

Ronnie had like 3 fish when we got married, but they just recently moved into our house. Actually, one of the three he had when we got married passed away prior to moving in with the new family. So, then we went and got two snails, (cause I didn’t want to have to clean!) and moved the two old fish into our home. Where our old TVs used to sit. (remember those were broken last year. Both. Of. Them.) So, now we have the fish tank sitting on the TV stand.

Two days later, one of the fish died.

Ronnie said that those types of fish are community fish, so we had to go get new fish.

We didn’t get just one new fish.

We got 5.

So, we then had 6 fish and 2 snails.

Then the two snails died.

Then another fish died.

Now, here we are, with the 5 fish, A rock vacuum, (the new addition to my appliance list), slime coating, antibiotics, etc. etc.

While they are fun to watch, I sometimes find myself asking… why? I mean, even the fun of watching them gets old after about 3 minutes… they don’t do tricks, don’t play fetch, don’t bark to warn us of strange things in the area…. Etc. etc.

Anyway, there – the new post is 100% devoted to fish.

I am still in the campaign – still alive and all that jazz. It’s fun – interesting – frustrating – exciting – and basically a roller coaster every day. I am sure I will have TONS of stories to tell when its all over with. But for today – I will just say – YEA for the fish…. They are the calmest (most calm? Not sure about my grammar there) part of my life right now.

Wild Game Dinner

Well, it is so slow getting things posted right now. Political life is CRAZY! However, I am having a blast.

We went Saturday night to a wild game dinner for the Congressman I work for. It was crazy.

Remember that bear I saw a few weeks ago on Skyline drive?

Next time I see him, I will be able to say "I ain't 'skerd' of you.... I eat bears like you for dinner."

Oh but yes, this little girl has eaten BEAR!!!!! And Snapping Turtle, and Dove, and Elk (GROSS), and Wild Turkey, and well - those were the top items. There were some others that I have had before, rabbit, squirrel, deer, talapia - you know the basics.

Anyway, I had a hard time with some of it. And finally just had to resort to the fried fish, and the veggies - - but not until I had actually tried all the things I had never had before. The bear was actually GOOD! I was kinda surprise because I have heard it could be tough, but it really tasted good. They had shredded it like you would BBQ, so the "toughness" wasn't there... and it had a LOT of seasoning - so I am sure that helped... Salt and Pepper always make things better right?

Anyway - the campaign trail is hot these days, the people are always coming up with new stuff. I am working with TONS of volunteers, stuffing TONS of envelopes, talking to the media (SCARY) sometimes, and MANY random other things. But it's fun.

Hope all is well in your world.
Sorry I am not regular posting. Maybe after the campaign.

some pictures

Here are a few pictures of the beach last weekend...

The hermit crab picture is for Aubrey - - she got her hermit crab as you can read about here... so Ronnie wanted his pic taken with "his" hermit crab in VA. Beach...

my new coffee table...

and me and ronnie before that political event that I referenced here.

A moment from the movies

Every now and then in my life, I have these moments. They don't happen often - I am afraid I would take them for granted if they did... But moments that make me feel like I am in a movie. You know what I mean right? Those things that happen when you just think "this is NOT really happening to me.... things like this don't happen to normal people."

A couple of examples include the moment I lived my dream and stepped off the plane to live in Germany for a year.... a couple moments from when I traveled with Wings... One moment is as I was laying on the beach in Phuket, Thailand - 6 months after the Tsunami of 2004... You know what I mean...

Only a handful of times in my life do these things happen.

Last night was one of them.

I have started my new job on the campaign of my Congressman here in southern VA. The whole week has been quite an experience. I have learned a TON, worked a LOT, and really had some good time getting to know him, his wife, and his sister - all of who work closely together in the office.

Last night, we were attending a fundraiser. There were different "levels" of entrance, but due to the fact that I am on staff now, Ronnie and I were able to attend all three levels... the first level required donations of $2,000 per person to enter... it went down hill from there - but even the lowest level was still a nice donation.

The location was a "farm" out in our county. But this was no typical farm - it is owned by a man that owns the gas company that heats our house in the winter. The house was absolutely GORGEOUS. The fields were landscaped perfectly, the "barn" was a wonderful building that held about 250 people for this event.

The attendees included our State Senator, State Delegate, other political leaders, as well as Attorneys, distributors, etc. etc.

The point at which I realized this was one of "those" moments was when my Congressman got up to speak - he of course introduced his wife first - - then his sister - - thanked the man who owned the home... and then introduced me and Ronnie to this crowd of people as "the newest member of the campaign staff." I waved to the crowd of people, then turned and looked out the door over the fields, past the American and Virginian flag flying in the breeze, realized that my Congressman not only knows me, but I was just introduced to a ton of people by him... It was one of those moments for me. One of those moments that feels it shouldn't happen to me... those things don't happen to normal people!

Later in the evening, our State Senator was talking with us, and said "You guys make such a great team!" That was so exciting to me - I am enjoying this political world that I am in now. I wouldn't be here except for my husband though who has all these contacts set up.... I don't know where all this road will take us - but I do know that as long as we are doing things like this, I want people to see us together - as a team... its nice to be part of a team... So often I think couples do so much stuff separate from each other, that they aren't a part of each other's worlds...

I like being on Ronnie's team.... I like joining his world... I like our team of two - its nice here.

I only post on Monday's now

I guess I am turning into a weekend writer...

My weeks just haven't been very exciting lately - but all that is about to change!

Anyway, we did get to go to the beach this past weekend! I was so excited, and maybe soon I will get some pictures posted. We went to VA. Beach for Saturday all day and most of Sunday. I was a short trip, but one that was needed! I LOVE the beach! It was absolutely beautiful... and even though like 5 million other people were there, we were able to just relax and do nothing with sand and ocean for two days!

Tomorrow, life changes. Again.

Yep, it't true, I have a job.

Remember last year when I had just gotten married, and I began working for the State delegate and his campaign? Remember how everyone wondered what I was doing?

Well.

Here we go again.

I am going to be a "campaign aide" again this year. However, this time it is for our U.S. Congressman. He is the incumbent and I start tomorrow into two months of political insanity.

So, this will greatly limit any public opinions that I might have otherwise posted here on the world wide web....

Anyway, here we go again! If I don't see ya before then, see ya after the election (I do plan to try to post some in between these times... I am just not making any promises.)

Ladies Banquet and Skyline Drive

Well, our weekend was full of fun....


It started Friday night, when we went to the Ladies' banquet. Ronnie was one of the waiters, and of course, I just went to... well... be there:). This event was how we really started flirting back in Jan 2007 - - this was the third one we have been to together - - and although it was the first time that Ronnie wasn't the waiter of my table. It was still a wonderful time. This was the largest of our Ladies banquets to date... there were 180 tickets sold... I think more than that actually showed up!





Saturday morning we woke up without a plan. Usually, for us, a lack of plan means that we end up wasting the day away asking each other 100 times "what do you want to do?"... "I don't know... what do YOU want to do?" etc.


Thiis Saturday morning was different. We went through a few options, but ended up decided to drive about 3 hours up to Skyline Drive. A part of the Shenandoah National Park in VA. It is also an extension of both the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Appalachian trail that travels from Georgia to Maine.

The first attempt to get to skyline drive - we were following our trusty GPS... (who apparantly is NOT completely omnipotent) ended like this...






We turned the Echo around here... drove back down the dirt road - found two men mending their fence (we were SERIOUSLY in the middle of nowhere!!) they disagreed on the best way to get to skyline drive from where we were.... we followed instructions that included statements like this:

"when you see two houses across from each other turn right."

"when you get to the store go straight... don't turn there!"


Anyway - those directions - in that area - - since there is NOTHING there.... got us there. We were finally on Skyline Drive!


Ronnie had been there before when he was in college - so we started out going to a familiar location for him. BlackRock. The walk here started with this warning:




I should have turned around at this point.


I didn't.


5 Minutes later, I was INCHES away from stepping on one! If I had not heard it move I would have hit it right on the tail!!


So, needless to say, the rest of that trail was an adventure for me.... and for Ronnie - who then had to carry me on his back through portions of the trail that were too grassy, too close, or if I just got scared. He also had to go ahead of me and "check out" all the rocks to make sure nothing was hiding to "get me."


Here are a few of those pics:







After a while of climbing on the rocks, we decided to take a second hike to a waterfall. In theory, it was to be a 3.4 mile round trip hike. This was the warning before embarking on this hike.





No biggie.


After the snake incident at Blackrock - I was a bit nervous about this one!

This trail also dropped 915 feet over the course of the 1.7 mile one-way trek to the falls.

This was the "waterfall" we worked so hard to see....




A bit disappointing huh??? Anyone see the water???


Descending 915 feet one way means that you CLIMB 915 feet over the return 1.7 miles back to the car....

Climbing 915 feet, over 1.7 miles, watching for bears, mountain lions, snakes, and wild hogs the whole time... yep - definately "a good time was had by all."

We weren't done yet. We pulled into the little roadside store and saw this....

Yep - those deer would just about come right up to us! I was not using zoom on my camera!

Leaving the deer - we drove around the corner and ran into this guy:



Luckily - our only encounter with the bear was from INSIDE my car. But knowing how young he must have been - I have to be honest, I was a bit nervous that "mama bear" would be coming behind me as I had my camera stuck out the window getting the pictures. I kept an eye on the rear view mirror. I mean, seriously, the echo is small.... a Large bear could throw it down the mountain... I am sure of it!

Finally, the sunset looked like this:

And we headed home... it was an amazing day of adventure -

I think next time we will go shopping:)

Weekend help

First of all, thanks so much to those of you who have been encouraging to me over the last couple days. I can't explain it... it doesn't make sense... but it was just so dark Friday.

For an update of the weekend - after I started feeling better.

Saturday night we went to an event in our city - someone gave us tickets to "Mandolins and Magnolias" - a fund raiser for our museum. It was a bit stuffy at first - a lot of people that have too much money sitting around sipping the selection of drinks.

We had taken 3 friends with us. 'H', a new friend in our city, her husband had to work, so this was good for her to get out... and then two kids - the two that I teach piano lessons to. The advertisement said they would have kids games, and, not having kids of our own - we decided to adopt two for the evening.

When we got there, some other friends from the church were there too. So, the 7 of us, amid the stuffier variety, had a lot of fun, watching the dog show, touring the museum, playing badmitton and croquet. It was a wonderful night to be out of the house.

a few pics of the evening:

Then, on Sunday evening, when we didn't have church responsibilities, Ronnie and I went to Roanoke to the Star on the mountain and watched the sunset from the top of the mountain. It was some good 'quality' time with my man.

a few pics:

Now, I am supposed to be cleaning now - so I will get back to work - that laundry that I didn't do Friday - also didn't do itself... so it has to be done today...

Another Day Update

Quickly,

I am better tonight.

My wonderful husband made me go out - - he prayed one of the most amazing prayers I have ever heard him pray on the way to town - - then he made me get some Chick-fil-a - - walk around Target, the Mall, Lowes, etc.

PS. Did you know that for 25 cents more, you can get chocolate added to your cookies and cream milkshake at Chick-fil-a?? A CHOCOLATE COOKIES AND CREAM MILKSHAKE!!! It was amazing.

I feel that it isn't like a solved problem. This afternoon, I felt more than ever, like I was walking down a dark tunnel - I didn't even want to come out of it. I knew in my head that most of what was echoing in there was not Truth... but that didn't seem to matter in my heart.

Anyway, maybe I will be able to figure this thing out sometime. I have never been one to truly battle depression. I know the Truth... that I am blessed beyond measure... that I am loved, and that I love others. But today, for some reason, none of that mattered...

Anyway - thanks so much for the prayers! Keep them up. I will keep you updated.

Another Day

Well, I have to be honest today. I know most of my blogs are up, pushing funny, happy-go-lucky, life-is-a-bucket-of-roses, blogs.... if that's what ya came for... this ain't it today... sorry

I don't feel like blogging.

I don't feel like doing laundry (this is normal though.)

I tried to work on my newest adventure - - a new bedside table - - but my drill battery was dead... and requires 16 hours to charge.

I don't even feel like watching the Olympics.

Even worse, I don't even feel like going shopping as Ronnie and I had planned to do tonight.

Ya see, I am usually a 'do-er.' I do things. I really like to do things that help people - - but even when that can't be accomplished - I still 'do.' I have never been one to be lazy day after day. Oh sure, there are those rainy Saturdays - - but honestly, the reason they are special is because every other day is NOT like that!

Right now, for the last two weeks of my life, I can not come up with ONE productive thing I have accomplished. Until a couple weeks ago, I still had classes going on that I was teaching... before that, I was still working at the church... and doing Tupperware parties... Now, since we are preparing to move... and yet not yet moving... all that is gone - and we are still here. I could pack... but honestly, I just feel like doing nothing.

The worst part is that it is a beautiful day outside! I don't even want to go out there.

So many 'un-true' statements go through this little mind.

- you aren't qualified for those jobs that help people out
- you can't do it anyway, why try.
- you won't be able to finish anything you start, so why try?

it even goes so far as.... - you are just useless.

Useless?? I don't want to be useless.

I was listening to a Matthew West cd that I got back in the Spring - Some of the lyrics include:

You got something to say
If you're livin', if you're breathin'
You got something to say
And you know if your heart is beatin'
You got something to say
And no one can say it like you do
God is love and love speaks through
You got it, you got it
You got something to say

Listen up, I got a question here
Would anybody miss you if you disappeared?
Well your life is the song that you sing
And the whole wide world is listening

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"

Basically - - those are from two of the songs... it should encourage me to get off my tail and get busy doing something.

I also saw this morning where a lady won $50,000 worth of K-mart gift cards. She lives in a poor area of the country. Instead of doing what we all would first do with that money... she went and bought school supplies for 9,000 students that live in her neighborhood. They all got a full backpack of school supplies. WOW! I cried.

I don't usually cry at things like that.

Probably because used to.... I participated in that stuff... I wasn't sitting at home watching it on TV.

But in the back of my head, it echoes... "what if I had given everything?" and "would anybody miss me if I disappeared."

Now, don't say stuff like "I would miss you..." What I mean is that my questions are real. Honest. What difference has my life made in the last few days? Weeks? Months? I haven't helped any one get school supplies, Haven''t been able to show love in a way that impacts people.

So, I look online for jobs... in order to get a job helping people, making a difference, you have to already have 5-7 years experience in doing that. Here comes the qualification thing again....

My heart is just kinda empty.

There is so much I want to do.

There is so much I feel I need to do.

Yet, I am here waiting. For what? I simply don't know.

So, I sit here. On my couch. Empty.



Comments closed. Please spend that time praying for me instead.

Lake Day

So, Saturday Ronnie and I went to the lake with his parents. It was a wonderful day - I got sunburnt - Ronnie jumped off some rocks that he has wanted to jump off of for a long time - we found some golf balls next to a golf course (they were in the water) - but the real stories of the lake day came before and after.

We were supposed to meet Ronnie's parents at the lake at 11:00. We were right on track when we saw this...

These two cows - mom and child - held us up for 5-10 minutes. Then we had to stop to tell the local farmer that they were loose. SERIOUSLY!!!! Where do I live??? When we saw them and I started taking pictures, Ronnie asked if it was going to be my blog this week - I said "YES!! I haven't had to stop in the road for cows since I was in Belize.... a third world country!" He said I have had more blogs about animals than any other one thing since I started this about a year ago...

Hmmm...

I live in Southern VA... enough said:)

Anyway - The second big story for the day has to have a bit of introduction. Ya see, coming from Alabama, carries with it some stereotypes. I can't tell you how many Virginians get funny looks on their faces when after an intelligent conversation, they find out where I am from. Apparantly, most of them think we are uneducated losers or something. I even had one lady - a school teacher - say "Well, I guess you are GLAD to get out of there then!" after hearing my homestate was the heart of dixie. I get redneck jokes, accent comments (this coming from some people who don't even pronounce their 'r' in words!), etc. etc.....

As we were leaving the lake... having already been delayed that morning due to cows in the road... we saw this:

A DUMPTRUCK PULLING A BOAT TRAILER!!!! This was parked at the boat ramp! I was amazed! After all the comments, jokes, and funny looks.... I am so happy to see something more redneck than the things I have seen in Alabama!! :)

I do like my new home - its nice most of the time - and it provides PLENTY of blog material... It's just nice to know that although some places in the US carry more stereotype, 'redneck' is nationwide!

And for that teacher.... while VA is fine... I am PROUD to be a Bama girl:)

I have some serious thoughts developing in my head... maybe they will come into a real blog soon.

I may be WAY behind the times - this made me cry!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-ERm0_tuKM

I don't know how to imbed yet.... WAY behind the times...

Our church just got back from a mission trip to Uganda.... so it hits home... there is also a final verse that he added that is not in this video... he added it after his daughter was killed... here are the lyrics.

I’ve walked the valley of death’s shadow
So deep and dark that I could barely breathe
I’ve had to let go of more than I could bear
And questioned everything that I believe
But still even herein this great darkness
A comfort and hope come breaking through
As I can say in life or death
God we belong to you.

Survey

Here I am.... I have tried to blog a couple times this week, and it just hasn't happened. So sorry. I even posted one - but decided to pull it. Maybe something legitimate will come out soon. Until then... a survey.

Bloggy Survey...10 years ago: fall 1998 I was starting my Jr. year at the University of Montevallo. I do believe this was the first of several times that I would consider quitting music all together.... That Jr. year was a PAIN!

5 years ago: fall 2003 - I did a mission trip to Venezuela... my sister was getting married... I was getting ready to go to Germany

5 months ago: March - nothing amazing happened that month that I can remember.

5 things on my list of things to do tomorrow:
1. run
2. laundry
3. dishes
4. budget
5. unpack

5 bad habits:
1. saying yes to too much
2. always looking for 'what's next'
3. holding my feelings inside till i explode
4. exaggerating my emotions
5. letting people 'get to me' about silly stuff

5 places I’ve lived:
Alabama
Georgia
Virginia
Germany
Texas

5 things people don’t know about me:
1. There isn't much that I won't tell if someone asks... or... maybe you DO know that!
2. I am much more emotional than I want you to know.
3. I don't like to dry my hair
4. I usually feel guilty when I spend money... even when I spend it on stuff I need - - I still have guilt! I know!! what's wrong with me??
5. I think it will be fun to be an old lady... one day... later... not yet.



ok - - i will get ya stuff for real soon.

Jon's big day

Well, tomorrow is the day we have all waited for... My little brother... the one that has made the subject line more often in my blog than anyone else probably... is getting married.

He is the last of the three Warren kids to go through the wedding... umm... excitement. The first time mom and dad have been "mother and father of the groom."

Being at mom and dad's house this week has been exciting... but there is NEVER a dull moment here! I am reminded of how different my "life-pace" is in VA whenever I visit here. Its crazy here!

Since being here... here is a general list of the things that have happened to those of us already permanently attached to theWarren clan... this does not include what the bride and her family have been doing... because I dont even have time to get to that list... I am talking about less than 72 hours for us....

4 haircuts
2 eyebrow waxings (the haircuts and waxings have a long story in them too.... WAY too long for this late night blog)
4 pedicures
3 manicures
8+ hours decorating the church (Wednesday night till 1:30 am)
1 hour exercising
1 car accident - Jen had someone pull out in front of her Thursday - not her fault - totaled her car - she is ok - just sore... go to her page for more info.
1 day babysitting Aubrey
2 hours of normal Wednesday night festivities at church
1 trip to Hobby Lobby, the mall, Best Buy, Bruno's etc.
1 counseling session
3 trips to Starbucks
2 trips to Target
3 trips to Wal-mart
1 computer repaired (mine)
1 family dinner
1 rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

Ok - that's all I care to think about now.

The bottom line... tomorrow, in the evening, my little brother will be a married man. He is marrying a wonderful, godly girl. I have never seen my brother so excited about something in his lifetime. I am praying already that tomorrow is the day my soon-to-be-sis-in-law dreamed of. I am also praying that their marriage will be blessed by God.

For the random day that Jon and Brantley read this.... I love you both so much!