Spared

It's a twister!! This is the one that touched down and damaged a store that i frequent... only 7 or so miles away!!


Praise God! I survived another round of crazy tornado weather here in Memphis!! They always hit right when i'm about to leave work too. But honestly, I'd rather be here at work in this giant building than in my small house or in my car!! Basically the tornadoes surrounded my neck of the woods, but didn't go straight through. There was one that did some major damage to a Khol's and several surrounding businesses about 7 mi. away from here and then there were some that hit another 10 mi. on the other side. Praise God! There was very little damage to this area.. if any. I barely saw any tree limbs down. It looked like a new river had decided to form in my front yard, but besides that, all is well. =) I enjoyed the stormy weather actually.. which is a huge improvement from what it used to be for me. I was DEATHLY AFRAID OF EVERYTHING!! Including Cats!!! ha!! Anyway...

I spent the evening in my parentless house with my sweet dog asher and a medical terminology book and later season 7 of "Friends" It's so cozy in my upstairs nook. I love it. When the weather cleared, I ventured out to the local Super Target in search of pretty things to spiff up my den. I got a beautiful runner a pillow and a new fake flower. =) I must say it's really shaping up in there. I just loooove making things pretty. I can't wait to have a whole house to have free rein. I hope my future hubby doesn't have much of an opinion in that area.. if he does.. hopefully we'll be able to make peaceful agreements. I'm planning a fun night with two of my favorite friends tonight. I'm not sure what yet, but whatever it is needs to be cheap.. I had the privelage of being the victim of a hit and run in the target parking lot a few weeks ago! I was running an errand for the shower that I was throwing for friend Kerri. I was in the store for like 7min. tops and someone decided to be an idiot and run into my parked car.. the paint marks left were red.. maybe some shopping carts rebelled against mankind.. who knows.. all I know is that I have to pay $200 that I was saving for other important things. Bummer!!! Where is the blessing in this? Right now the blessing i'm seeing is definately the fact that instead of paying a $1000 deductible, i'm paying $200 since it was a hit and run. I'll take it. In all things, it's important to see that blessing. If not, we would be pretty miserable people. Take care friends and have a fab weekend!!

On a lighter note..

" It was only a little Pee.. why the 30 minute timeout?"

" You touch the duck... I keel you"

Hummm....

Ok. I am almost embarrassed to share this, but I must be super ready to have a man because I keep having these dreams. Maybe it's because I have been obsessing over the Bachelorette that has a lot of affection and dating in it, but I don't know...

I have been having dreams (all with different guys- one was Brad Pitt!!) and in the dreams I am a couple with these guys and I am so infatuated with them and craving their affection. They usually give me some, but not as much as I'm needing. Any psychologists out there who can help me figure out my inner soul? It's like a magical switch that has been turned on recently that's causing me to think about all of this more. I’m content, but it's like something deep down that just won't shut up! If I'm going to continue to feel this way.. I need a man soon!! Alright God, I know you are working. I trust you!

my crazy head

I have the theme song to VBS stuck in my head!! ahh!! "Blast off to cosmic city" The kids are singing it tonight and hopefully our hard work will pay off. They have so much fun singing and doing the extremely fun motions that we've been teaching them all week. There is nothing like working with these kids and watching them have a blast. So much fun. =) not to mention free meals each night. =)

I took my devotion to "The Bachelor" series to a whole new level and decided to apply to be a bachelorette on the next Bachelor. I seriously don't think I'll get anywhere.. all I did was fill out a brief form with very basic info and submitted a picture. I have to laugh at myself for even trying. I have to admit though, there is a small piece of me, a very unrealistic piece, that hopes to make it. I know that I have no idea how tough this whole process would be and how I would totally not fit in as a devoted Christian.. but hey.. try it out and see what happens!! Nothing probably. stay tuned...

Sad

It's raining outside and my mood equals the gloomy weather. Jillian the bachelorette picked the wrong dude!! Most women in america would agree.. Ed just isn't quite the package that Kiptyn or Reid were. I don't think they will last. Super bummed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All will be redeemed if Kiptyn is chosen for the new bachelor. Love him!! He's definately the total package. Lots of women will sign up for him.

Finding love and working with kiddos.

Tonight is the finale for the Bachelorette!!! ahhh!!! Jennifer and I sent excited e-mails at the exact same time. We so think alike!! We are having a fellow Bachelorette Junkie Tivo it and then going over to watch it along with munchies after VBS tonight. I'm so nervous and have no clue who she will pick! It's usually easier to tell on the last episode. We'll see... i'm just scared to death it's the dude that I dont like. He's given her much more of his heart. In my opinion, he's the safe choice, but may not be the right one for a lasting love. He seems a little flaky. He left the show in the middle because of a work thing, then came back and was all of a sudden saying he loved her. I don't know ... a little scary. But really.. I don't know any of these people, even though I act like I do. And it's not my opinion that they'll follow or even care about. ha! I'm so silly. I guess i feel the need to get into someone else's romantic life since I don't have one of my own. But really.. I think i'll enjoy these kind of shows even after I'm married and have kids.. Like Charlotte and Jennifer. =)

Another fun thing for the week is the fact that i'm helping out with VBS. Me and the Digirolamo sisters are in charge of the music and memory verse room. =) How fun! We are teaching motions to the very long song that they are learning and It's like doing an hour long aerobic session. I guess I won't have to go to the gym this week.

LIVE!!

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will.
You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too,
so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love
for things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone
you love. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every
sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.
Don't be afraid that your life will end,
be afraid that it will never begin.

My Vice

I need to start blogging at home. That's where the interesting pictures are. That and I've had a day where I can accumulate stories and interesting scenarios. I am excited about getting my upstairs lair painted. Mom and I went yesterday to pick out some paint and she's going to start on it today. I'm tired of looking at blotchy walls! I have this whole vision for my upstairs landing and for the den. I am excited to see it all come together. The main thing is $$. When I move in somewhere new I like to get it all set up and pretty right away.. that is when it really feels like home. I will have to practice patience to get what I really want and not spend a fortune. That's my vice for sure.. Shopping!! I get the vision and it's hard for me to hold back! I think another part of it is my age.. I want to "Nest" and set up house. It's a natural God-given desire. Not only is it natural, but it's just part of who I am.

I have so many things I love to do, but money gets in the way. I have decided that I am an expensive girl. I like to own and to do expensive things. It's a good thing I’m getting my masters!! I wish I could fast forward a year or so and start on that degree now!! I'm ready to move forward!!

Man Drama

OK.. I really haven't written two blogs today.. I actually wrote the other one yesterday with the intentions of adding pictures before the post but didn't. I will add them once I am at home. It's really hard for me to want to get on the computer once i'm home when I've been sitting at my computer all day!! I have a lot of energy to burn. I consider myself a pretty active person. I always like to have a project.. otherwise.. i'm very bored!

Anyway.. I watched The Bachelorette- The Men tell all the other night and had some thoughts to share: First of all.. there was waaaay too much drama for a bunch of men. I don't know how much of it is actually staged.. but really.. how much of that can you really make up? They were going on and on about "Man Code" how you don't dis the other men to hang out in your room, or rat out another guy who is cheating.. I mean how immature can they be?! A lot of them were giving this one guy a hard time because he let the bachelorette know that one of the guys in the house had a girlfriend. They were also ragging on him because he was too perfect... too much of a gentleman. He had the most character of all of them!! If you want my opinoin they were all jealous!! The women in the audience and in all the blogs I've read.. absolutely love him! He would be a wonderful next bachelor! Oh.. and I'm so excited because the previews for the final episode show the profile of my favorite guy, Reid, with a ring in his hand. Even though he was let go, it looks like he's coming back!! woo hoo!!

Yes, it's silly that I care so much about this reality show, but hey, it's fun!! =) I hope that Jillian makes the right decision!

Priceless

Just came off of a FABULOUS birthday weekend! I just have to say how blessed I am to have some amazing friends. Each day came more well-wishers and birthday greetings and gifts. Thank goodness for Facebook to remind everyone! I just felt so loved. I have always been the giver and the affirmer and sometimes didn't feel the love in return. Well.. it wasn't the case this year. I saw how blessed I am. It seemed like everyone remembered and did something to show me how much they cared. I feel so blessed to have such incredible people in my life. God is so good. So if you are one of those people reading this, thank-you for being you and for being my friend! I am made for close friendships, but I also realize that God wants me to rely on him for that perfect peace, that perfect friendship. When others can't be there.. God is. I am so thankful that God distanced my friends for a little while to remind me that he's always there.. to train me to look to him over everything else for joy. I have that intimate, unshakable relationship with him. I don't want to be that person who only comes to God when things aren't going so right. I want that consistent relationship with God NO MATTER WHAT! God is faithful to provide for all of my needs.. he knows exactly what people to bring into my life and when. I am so thankful for that. He knows my heart. I pray that he always challenges me with someone new, something new.. I never want to stop growing. In Jesus name!!

All things for the Good.

I am so blessed to have some amazing women in my life!! I planned a b-day celebration at a swanky little restaurant last night and decided to invite the ladies that are most important to me. There ended up being 6 of us. We sat and laughed and shared and enjoyed a meal together. Such a simple thing was just so much fun. ... so refreshing. I finally feel that I have a solid group of friends around me again here in Memphis. When I cam home after graduating from college then living away for two years.. I had a tough time finding my place. Now that I have been here for about 4 years, I finally am feeling I have a spot. Granted, not everyone is in the same place, but that's what being an adult is all about. I appreciate the fact that i have friends in all different walks of life.. different phases and different circumstances. We learn from each other. I like the variety. Being a part of a click isn't so satisfying.. you don't get the round of people that you should have. God knows what's importatnt to me. I'm a people person and having those close relationships is a big deal to me. It always has been. The importatnt thing is, that I don't let that get in the way of putting God #1.

I want to be able to rely on God alone for my joy, for my peace. I should never have to only rely on others. People will let you down. The past couple of years, God took me to a place where others weren't there so much and it was just me and him. I am SO THANKFUL for that time!! It was tough, but God was conditioning me to rely solely on him.. and wow.. what an experience it's been! God knows exactly what he's doing. He works all things out for the good of those who love him. Even when the pain is unbearable.. it's for the good!! Stick with it, continue to minister and serve, and God will bless you for it!!

What Kept Me Awake!!!

( This must be what was outside my window)

I just got done reading a friend's blog about thunderstorms which made me very thankful to be single and to have no kids at the moment. My story from that stormy night is much different. I usually sleep right through those suckers.. however.. this has not always been the case.. I used to be PETRIFIED of stroms.. there was a threat of a storm and I was practically jumping in my parents' bed already. I made this my habit until I was in college.. I don't know what I did living in the dorms.. talk about creeping out some dormmates.. acutally most of them woulden't have minded the cuddle time.. anyway... I was always that child creeping my parents out in the middle of the night staring at them or shaking them senseless until they woke up. Now is a different story..

I have no idea what time it was that I awoke from my very peaceful sleep, but all I know is that I was hot, my dog was laying quite peacefully at my feet (thank Jesus) and the thunder seemed to go on for hours!! I need my sleep here people!! Once the first loud and annoying storm was over and it seemed to be just rain.. I settled back in to a restless sleep until morning. I hope tonight is clear and cool and perfect!

I'm going to eat with a group of my friends at a swanky restaurant in Collierville for my birthday tonight. ahh.. eating out.. dressing up.. and close girl friends.. what a great evening it will be!!

Fight Against Abortion

This is an e-mail that I received from my cousin about abortion. Please read it and consider doing this yourself! This organization writes the letter for you. It's very simple!

http://www.sba-list.org/c.ddJBKJNsFqG/b.4148019/k.9FFF/Contact_Congress/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=ddJBKJNsFqG&b=4148019&aid=12511&msource=c4alerts&tr=y&auid=5070622

How would you feel about the possibility of having your taxes raised to help the government pay for abortions?
Well that might just be a reality by the end of August, which is why I need you to act now to stop the biggest attempt to force taxpayer funded abortion on-demand on the American people.
If we do not act today, the lives of thousands of unborn boys and girls will fall prey to abortion courtesy of our pro-abortion Congress and President...using your very own hard-earned tax dollars.
It is a proven fact that taxpayer-funded abortion only serves to increase abortions. Even the other side admits this, saying abortions could increase by 25% among those eligible for government health care, if taxpayers were forced to pay for abortions.
It is quite clear that abortion is NOT health care, yet the other side continues to argue it is.
President Obama has clearly stated that he supports taxpayer-funded abortions as part of his health care reform. In his speech to the Planned Parenthood Action Fund in July of 2008, President Obama said that in his mind "reproductive care is essential care, basic care, so it is at the center, the heart of the [health care] plan that I propose." When asked for clarification later, an Obama spokesman said that “reproductive care included abortion."
In the current House health care reform bill, Nancy Pelosi and her pro-abortion friends have left the door open for Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and her unelected pro-abortion bureaucrats to define abortion as part of “reproductive care,” just as Hillary Clinton has already done at the State Department. We cannot allow pro-abortion forces to write abortion into national health care coverage.
And make sure you forward this e-mail to all your friends and family. We need to make sure every voice is heard in this fight.

http://www.sba-list.org/c.ddJBKJNsFqG/b.4148019/k.9FFF/Contact_Congress/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=ddJBKJNsFqG&b=4148019&aid=12511&msource=c4alerts&tr=y&auid=5070622


Thank you for all you do in the fight to protect unborn boys and girls.
For Life,
Marjorie Dannenfelser
Susan B. Anthony List President
703-875-3370www.sba-list.org

This and That

I am no longer watching the bachelorette!! She got rid of Reid. Jennifer and I about died. I've decided that she's a dumb girl who is too afraid to take a chance on a guy who obviously loves her, but can't express it just yet because he's been rushed on the show!! Instead she picks the guy who ran out on her in the middle of the show for some work thing.. then came back in his Richard Simmons short shorts and not so matching gay scooped tank top. What in the world?! The dude isn't even cute!! If she picks him over Kyptin.. I'm going to quit watching the whole series. Seriously!! So after my rage... I'm going to post a forward that I thought was super funny and so so true! Have a great day!

I just want to thank all my friends and loved ones for the educational emails over the past year...
Because of your warning I live in a zip-lock plastic bag with clean oxygen piped in after passing through 18 filters which are replaced each hour.
Thanks to you, I no longer open a public bathroom door without using a paper towel.
I can't use the remote in a hotel room because I don't know what the last person was doing while flipping through the channels.
I can't sit down on the hotel bedspread because I can only imagine what has happened on it since it was last washed.
I can't enjoy lemon slices in my tea or on my seafood anymore because lemon peels have been found to contain all kinds of nasty germs including feces.
I have trouble shaking hands with someone who has been driving because the number one pastime while driving alone is picking your nose.
Eating a Little Debbie sends me on a guilt trip because I can only imagine how many gallons of trans fats I have consumed over the years.
I can't touch any woman's purse for fear she has placed it on the floor of a public bathroom.
I must send my special thanks to whoever sent me the one about poop in the glue on envelopes because I now have to use a wet sponge with every envelope that needs sealing.
Also, now I have to scrub the top of every can I open for the same reason.
I no longer have any savings because I gave it to a sick girl (Penny Brown) who is about to die in the hospital for the 1,387,258th time.
I no longer have any money at all, but that will change once I receive the $15,000 that Bill Gates/Microsoft and AOL are sending me for participating in their special e-mail program .
I no longer worry about my soul because I have 363,214 angels looking out for me, and St.Theresa's novena has granted my every wish.
I no longer eat KFC because their chickens are actually horrible mutant freaks with no eyes or feathers.
I no longer use cancer-causing deodorants even though I smell like a water buffalo on a hot day.
Thanks to you, I have learned that my prayers only get answered if I forward an e-mail to seven of my friends and make a wish within five minutes.
Becauseof your concern I no longer drink Coca Cola because it can remove toilet stains.
I no longer can buy gasoline without taking someone along to watch the car so a serial killer won't crawl in my back seat when I'm pumping gas.
I no longer drink Pepsi or Dr Pepper since the people who make these products are atheists who refuse to put 'Under God' on their cans.
I no longer use Saran wrap in the microwave because it causes cancer. And thanks for letting me know I can't boil a cup of water in the microwave anymore because it will blow up in my face...disfiguring me for life.
I no longer check the coin return on pay phones because I could be pricked with a needle infected with AIDS.
I no longer go to shopping malls because someone will drug me with a perfume sample and rob me.I no longer receive packages from UPS orFedEx since they are actually Al Qaeda in disguise. I no longer shop at Target since they are French and don't support our American troops or the Salvation Army.
I no longer answer the phone because someone will ask me to dial a number for or which I will get a phone bill with calls to Jamaica , Uganda , Singapore and Uzbekistan .
I no longer buy expensive cookies from Neiman-Marcus since I now have their recipe. Thanks to you, I can't use anyone's toilet but mine because a big brown African spider is lurking under the seat to cause me instant death when it bites my butt. And thanks to your great advice, I can't ever pick up $5.00 dropped in the parking lot because it probably was placed there by a rapist waiting underneath my car to grab my leg. If you don't send this e-mail to at least 144,000 people in the next 70 minutes, a large ostrich with diarrhea will land on your head at 5:00 PM this afternoon and the fleas from 12 camels will infest your back, causing you to grow a hairy hump. I know this will occur because it actually happened to a friend of my next door neighbor's ex-mother-in-law's second husband's cousin's beautician... Have a wonderful day, anyway!

Yes, I'm old enough to throw baby showers for my friends!! Ahh!!

I threw a baby shower for one of my best friends this weekend. Kerri is one of my oldest friends. We have known each other since we were young kids, but didn't really click until Jr. High. I've decided that If i could do one every other weekend I would be a happy girl.. well.. maybe once a month. =) Everything fell together. It did help that I had dedicated the week before to getting stuff together. I plenty of time to plan ahead and stay organized. I stayed on top of everything. The day of there was very little stress. And thanks to the help of my mom, and friends Amy and Diane, we were rockin' and rollin' and ready to go by the time the first guests arrived. I coulden't have been more pleased with the way things went. She had plenty of gifts, the food turned out perfectly and the atmosphere was just right. I can hardly wait to throw another one! I plan on doing another for my friend Amy who is having her first girl in November. How fun! Babies are more fun than wedding showers I've decided.. well.. I think. My own better be FABULOUS!! =) Until then... I'll continue to put 110% into making my friends' showers beautiful.

Oh and Jennifer and I are getting together to watch how the Bachelorette fits with her three remaining men. Go Reid!! Let you in on a little secret.. Jennifer watched her and Reid's date twice last week!! ha!! Technically.. three times.. ha! Sorry Jennifer!

Judge if you Want..

Ok.. so my friend Jennifer and I are obessed with this season's "Bachelorette" with Jillian Harris. We usually get together and watch.. if we can't.. we catch up with DVR. Yes, we are proud nerds and faithful followers of a flaky reality show.. much like most of America with their reality shows. With the "Bachelorette" it's actually a nice break from reality. The dates they go on are WOW!! I can't help but put myself in her shoes and dream of an exotic getaway with.. yes, just one man. I can't help but be espically jealous when she is on a date with Reid. Jennifer and I agree that he is our favorite. =) Can't help but pick favorites. Can't wait until the finale! The hopeless romantic in me wants her to be the next Trista and Ryan and have two kids and live a beautiful life.. happily ever after. That's what we need to see with all the negative going on these days. I'm rooting for it. Lets see another happily ever after from the Bachelorette. If anyone will.. Jillian will.. she's got her head on straight.