Looked out the window and what did I see? Water plants growing as green as can be.
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Expectations, Dreams, and Startling Realities
I have always been a big dreamer. I am successful at everything that I attempt. I do not fail! Throughout my 25 1/2 years, I have had an almost unreachable standard, set by me, for me. And recently, I realized that it's just not possible ~ this realization has come with a lot of heartache and disappointment.
The first time that I got a B was my sophomore year of high school. I was in Geometry, I had the cool teacher who let us eat, drink and chew gum. She didn't assign seats, she let us come and go and sit where ever we wanted (even on the floor ~ that's my favorite place). The second six weeks I got a 91, one little point from an A. I will add that I cheated on almost everything to do with that class, and somehow still didn't succeed, DUH!! It was devastating! My parents actually considered putting me into therapy because I reacted so extremely. Making a B meant that I'd have to take the semester exam, it meant that I wasn't smart, I'd have to be in school with the losers and the dumb people, which to me, meant failure. I'd end up flunking out of school and becoming a lifer at the Cracker Barrel, have several children by several different men, never be able to pay my own bills and always have black circles under my eyes. I'd wear scrunchies and miss matched socks, my current live in man would have a mullet and wear wife beaters and have plumber's crack. My double wide trailer would be blown away in a tornado and I'd be on Fox news describing the train sounds right before everything went black. My whole world was ending ~ and all because of a B in Geometry.
I've moved on, but not too far. I actually ended up graduating from high school with a 3.9 and from all five colleges with a 3.4 GPA. I got into graduate school with no problem (although, my GRE score isn't high enough for Vanderbilt, it's still ok.) and I plan on becoming a successful therapist with a healing center where people can come to relax, feel safe, enjoy bettering themselves and their families, meet people and form support systems. I'll be a wonderful wife and mother of at least four children by the age of 32. I'll be the soccer mom, the room mom, the cool mom, the mom that everyone comes to for good food and advice. I'll have a smile on my face, matching shoes and purse, ironed clothes and a happy home (and NO SCRUNCHIES!!!)
As I sit back and take a look at all of this, there seems to be one rather large flaw... I, I, I, I, I... I have lot sight of the big picture, yes, dreams, goals and expectations are important. But being a child of God is the reason that I exist. He has given me each and every gift in my life, and I took them all, left Him out of the picture and gave myself all of the credit. In fact, I was writing this earlier, the electricity flashed and I lost everything that I had just poured out onto the screen. After crying for a minute, I laughed, said ok God, and started all over again.
Part of the reason that the fertility issues have bothered me is because of my all or nothing attitude. Ideas and goals that come to me are to be to my specifications or not at all. It's a flaw that I have, I am working on that and many others. It's funny to me that God can see me, He knew who I was before anyone, He knows my thinking, my incredibly insane rationale, my self-centered, petty, immature tendencies ~ and He loves me anyway. In fact, He sent His own child to die in order for me to have hope, forgiveness, grace and love. It's just crazy that He would do that for anyone, let alone Mae Anne McCullough Hale (You must say my name with a southern drawl or it just isn't right. Everybody, really draw out those vowels and slurr all of the consonants, puhleeez! ~ Maaan Mmcculla Hayuhl).
I am not perfect, failure is ok and it's bound to happen. When it does, it will be a learning experience and God's hand will guide me to the next step.
Thank you God for your love, forgiveness, grace, sense of humor, and most of all for your Son. Without any of this, I'd be a lost fool. Instead, I am a saved fool with hope for tomorrow and a home with you. Please help me to remember this moment of reality and love.
Tidings of Joy... Hope, grace, love and self acceptance. :)
P.S. I must add that it's been an incredibly emotional day and I just openly weeped while watching a Hillary Duff movie on the Disney channel. Kleenex anyone?
The first time that I got a B was my sophomore year of high school. I was in Geometry, I had the cool teacher who let us eat, drink and chew gum. She didn't assign seats, she let us come and go and sit where ever we wanted (even on the floor ~ that's my favorite place). The second six weeks I got a 91, one little point from an A. I will add that I cheated on almost everything to do with that class, and somehow still didn't succeed, DUH!! It was devastating! My parents actually considered putting me into therapy because I reacted so extremely. Making a B meant that I'd have to take the semester exam, it meant that I wasn't smart, I'd have to be in school with the losers and the dumb people, which to me, meant failure. I'd end up flunking out of school and becoming a lifer at the Cracker Barrel, have several children by several different men, never be able to pay my own bills and always have black circles under my eyes. I'd wear scrunchies and miss matched socks, my current live in man would have a mullet and wear wife beaters and have plumber's crack. My double wide trailer would be blown away in a tornado and I'd be on Fox news describing the train sounds right before everything went black. My whole world was ending ~ and all because of a B in Geometry.
I've moved on, but not too far. I actually ended up graduating from high school with a 3.9 and from all five colleges with a 3.4 GPA. I got into graduate school with no problem (although, my GRE score isn't high enough for Vanderbilt, it's still ok.) and I plan on becoming a successful therapist with a healing center where people can come to relax, feel safe, enjoy bettering themselves and their families, meet people and form support systems. I'll be a wonderful wife and mother of at least four children by the age of 32. I'll be the soccer mom, the room mom, the cool mom, the mom that everyone comes to for good food and advice. I'll have a smile on my face, matching shoes and purse, ironed clothes and a happy home (and NO SCRUNCHIES!!!)
As I sit back and take a look at all of this, there seems to be one rather large flaw... I, I, I, I, I... I have lot sight of the big picture, yes, dreams, goals and expectations are important. But being a child of God is the reason that I exist. He has given me each and every gift in my life, and I took them all, left Him out of the picture and gave myself all of the credit. In fact, I was writing this earlier, the electricity flashed and I lost everything that I had just poured out onto the screen. After crying for a minute, I laughed, said ok God, and started all over again.
Part of the reason that the fertility issues have bothered me is because of my all or nothing attitude. Ideas and goals that come to me are to be to my specifications or not at all. It's a flaw that I have, I am working on that and many others. It's funny to me that God can see me, He knew who I was before anyone, He knows my thinking, my incredibly insane rationale, my self-centered, petty, immature tendencies ~ and He loves me anyway. In fact, He sent His own child to die in order for me to have hope, forgiveness, grace and love. It's just crazy that He would do that for anyone, let alone Mae Anne McCullough Hale (You must say my name with a southern drawl or it just isn't right. Everybody, really draw out those vowels and slurr all of the consonants, puhleeez! ~ Maaan Mmcculla Hayuhl).
I am not perfect, failure is ok and it's bound to happen. When it does, it will be a learning experience and God's hand will guide me to the next step.
Thank you God for your love, forgiveness, grace, sense of humor, and most of all for your Son. Without any of this, I'd be a lost fool. Instead, I am a saved fool with hope for tomorrow and a home with you. Please help me to remember this moment of reality and love.
Tidings of Joy... Hope, grace, love and self acceptance. :)
P.S. I must add that it's been an incredibly emotional day and I just openly weeped while watching a Hillary Duff movie on the Disney channel. Kleenex anyone?
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
As you can see, I'm not very big and it takes very little pressure for me to turn around and clean in another direction. You may learn more about me at www.hammacher.com, I came with fun accessories and even a remote that attracks men to use me of their own free will! If you have any more questions about me, just ask and I'll be happy to answer. Happy cleaning! <3, Rosie Roomba
Empty Thoughts and Ramblings ~ Feel Free To Add To Them!
Wow, I think this is actually the first time that I've gone to blog without a specific idea in mind. How sad...
I'll just let my fingers do the walking and I am sure that my thoughts will eventually catch up.
Yesterday I got paid to take care of two of the most well-behaved children on the face of the earth. Maryn Rose -almost 3, and Gage - 15 months. They live in a big farm house out in the middle of a corn field (insert Children of the Corn music here). They are the two youngest in a family of 4 children and have parents that juggle 40 hour week jobs and farming, as many families in this area do. It was a lot of fun to experience a day in the life of motherhood. (insert the Matt Elliott rendition of "Someday" here.)
As I type, my Roomba is busy at work making the white burber carpet in the living room appear to be clean. I came home yesterday to meet two new stains right at the edge of the living room floor. Today, I sent them to meet their Savior. I just love removing stains. It goes back to the immediate gratification deal that mowing gives me as well. I can tell that men who obviously do not realize how difficult keeping a clean house can be, designed our house and all of the others in the neighborhood. Anyone who puts white floors in a house needs to be institutionalized!
In 12 days I will begin my second semester as a graduate student. I was looking over my registration the other day and came across the "F" word ~ "FRESHMAN". I almost had to sit down on a freshly made bed, it hit me that hard (BTW, sitting on a made bed is cause for certain repercutions in the Hale house, some random tick I picked up from Mema, blame her ~ nothings ever my fault!)!!! I didn't go through six & a half years of undergrad in order to be labeled a freshman all over again. This is just an atrocity!!!
I'll stop here, Roomba has sung her "Your floor is now clean!" song. I'm off to empty her and put her back to work. There's just no rest for the weary!!!
Tidings of Joy... and clean carpet! :)
I'll just let my fingers do the walking and I am sure that my thoughts will eventually catch up.
Yesterday I got paid to take care of two of the most well-behaved children on the face of the earth. Maryn Rose -almost 3, and Gage - 15 months. They live in a big farm house out in the middle of a corn field (insert Children of the Corn music here). They are the two youngest in a family of 4 children and have parents that juggle 40 hour week jobs and farming, as many families in this area do. It was a lot of fun to experience a day in the life of motherhood. (insert the Matt Elliott rendition of "Someday" here.)
As I type, my Roomba is busy at work making the white burber carpet in the living room appear to be clean. I came home yesterday to meet two new stains right at the edge of the living room floor. Today, I sent them to meet their Savior. I just love removing stains. It goes back to the immediate gratification deal that mowing gives me as well. I can tell that men who obviously do not realize how difficult keeping a clean house can be, designed our house and all of the others in the neighborhood. Anyone who puts white floors in a house needs to be institutionalized!
In 12 days I will begin my second semester as a graduate student. I was looking over my registration the other day and came across the "F" word ~ "FRESHMAN". I almost had to sit down on a freshly made bed, it hit me that hard (BTW, sitting on a made bed is cause for certain repercutions in the Hale house, some random tick I picked up from Mema, blame her ~ nothings ever my fault!)!!! I didn't go through six & a half years of undergrad in order to be labeled a freshman all over again. This is just an atrocity!!!
I'll stop here, Roomba has sung her "Your floor is now clean!" song. I'm off to empty her and put her back to work. There's just no rest for the weary!!!
Tidings of Joy... and clean carpet! :)
Sunday, August 08, 2004
Saturday, August 07, 2004
Lawn Mower Mae Anne
Today has been one of those days that I wish I could put in a bottle, take out, and re-live all over again any time that I need to. So, I'm putting it here just for that reason.
My husband and I have a wonderful relationship. In fact, we're pretty much both so sarcastic, dumb, and silly, that pretty much any period of time is spent laughing at each other or at people and situations that we deem laughable.
This is our weekend to mow my Gran's yard (she lives in Centertown, which just so happens to be about 2 1/2 hours from us in the Nursery Capitol of the World ~ Warren County, TN). This is the third time this season that Brandon has mowed (or is it mown?), but my first. (Yet another reason that he's so fantastic.) We got up and actually left the house by 8:00, which is a feat in and of itself. Got to Manchester and loaded up B's Dad's John Deere (didn't think our old Murray could handle another round at her place and ours too!) around 10:00 and we're off to mow by 10:30. The ride there, was just so fun, we laughed the entire time (of course one could say we were delirious, but still, we laughed). Here's an excerpt.
Setting: Us in the truck, passing one of many cow pastures.
B: "Mooo, moooo (directed to the cattle, apparently he didn't get this out of his system at 5 years of age). I think we need a pet cow for the back yard. Sassafrass could really use a friend to play with, and I'd never have to mow again."
M: Laughing. "Umm, honey have you ever been around cows before? They're a lot of work, not just fun and tipping while they sleep."
B: "Well, maybe once, at the fair. ..No, not really. I like them but ours won't need work ~ it'll just eat grass and entertain the dog. Besides, we'd get a miniature cow, like the Sheffield (meaning Shettland) Pony, only a Sheffield Cow!"
M: Guffawing. "Ok honey, the next time you come upon a "Sheffield Cow" we'll get it, just to entertain the dog."
How can you not love a man who wants a mini cow?!!!
Then as we got to Gran's I experienced one of the best immediate gratification situations ever: I got to mow on a John Deere lawn tractor!!! Now, if it's something that you've never experienced, please make sure that you do. In fact, we have to mow again in early Oct, so meet us in Centertown and I'll show you the ropes! It was such a smooth, quite, peaceful (except for the grass in the eye bit, not so peaceful...) ride that I literally could have done it all day long. I love immediate gratification, and there's nothing like mowing, painting, or cleaning to get that "Job well done" feeling. It was fun, quick, like mowing w/ a Caddy, and I got to spend time w/ my Gran Gran!
Later we showered at the in-laws, had a great, late, FREE lunch at O'Charley's and then spent a couple of hours visiting w/ my step-mom (Daddy had to work 3:50p.m. til 5:00a.m. at the base, apparently they are testing fighter pilot engines or something top secret like that, so don't tell anyone you know.). Then, on our way home through the beautiful, rolling hills, we witnessed one of the most perfect sunsets in all of creation. Placed there at that moment just for us to enjoy. "How Beautiful!"
A wonderful day, with a wonderful man, visiting our wonderful family ~ not too shabby!
Tidings of Joy... And perfect sunsets! :)
P.S. If you say my name really fast and w/ a country accent, it often sounds like "man" or "my aunt". Yep, my momma cursed me, bless her heart ~ and mine!
P.P.S. Reading back over this makes me sound a bit on the red neck side. Oh well, can't run from my raisin'!!!
My husband and I have a wonderful relationship. In fact, we're pretty much both so sarcastic, dumb, and silly, that pretty much any period of time is spent laughing at each other or at people and situations that we deem laughable.
This is our weekend to mow my Gran's yard (she lives in Centertown, which just so happens to be about 2 1/2 hours from us in the Nursery Capitol of the World ~ Warren County, TN). This is the third time this season that Brandon has mowed (or is it mown?), but my first. (Yet another reason that he's so fantastic.) We got up and actually left the house by 8:00, which is a feat in and of itself. Got to Manchester and loaded up B's Dad's John Deere (didn't think our old Murray could handle another round at her place and ours too!) around 10:00 and we're off to mow by 10:30. The ride there, was just so fun, we laughed the entire time (of course one could say we were delirious, but still, we laughed). Here's an excerpt.
Setting: Us in the truck, passing one of many cow pastures.
B: "Mooo, moooo (directed to the cattle, apparently he didn't get this out of his system at 5 years of age). I think we need a pet cow for the back yard. Sassafrass could really use a friend to play with, and I'd never have to mow again."
M: Laughing. "Umm, honey have you ever been around cows before? They're a lot of work, not just fun and tipping while they sleep."
B: "Well, maybe once, at the fair. ..No, not really. I like them but ours won't need work ~ it'll just eat grass and entertain the dog. Besides, we'd get a miniature cow, like the Sheffield (meaning Shettland) Pony, only a Sheffield Cow!"
M: Guffawing. "Ok honey, the next time you come upon a "Sheffield Cow" we'll get it, just to entertain the dog."
How can you not love a man who wants a mini cow?!!!
Then as we got to Gran's I experienced one of the best immediate gratification situations ever: I got to mow on a John Deere lawn tractor!!! Now, if it's something that you've never experienced, please make sure that you do. In fact, we have to mow again in early Oct, so meet us in Centertown and I'll show you the ropes! It was such a smooth, quite, peaceful (except for the grass in the eye bit, not so peaceful...) ride that I literally could have done it all day long. I love immediate gratification, and there's nothing like mowing, painting, or cleaning to get that "Job well done" feeling. It was fun, quick, like mowing w/ a Caddy, and I got to spend time w/ my Gran Gran!
Later we showered at the in-laws, had a great, late, FREE lunch at O'Charley's and then spent a couple of hours visiting w/ my step-mom (Daddy had to work 3:50p.m. til 5:00a.m. at the base, apparently they are testing fighter pilot engines or something top secret like that, so don't tell anyone you know.). Then, on our way home through the beautiful, rolling hills, we witnessed one of the most perfect sunsets in all of creation. Placed there at that moment just for us to enjoy. "How Beautiful!"
A wonderful day, with a wonderful man, visiting our wonderful family ~ not too shabby!
Tidings of Joy... And perfect sunsets! :)
P.S. If you say my name really fast and w/ a country accent, it often sounds like "man" or "my aunt". Yep, my momma cursed me, bless her heart ~ and mine!
P.P.S. Reading back over this makes me sound a bit on the red neck side. Oh well, can't run from my raisin'!!!
Wednesday, August 04, 2004
John 19:30b
"It is finished!"
My story is nowhere near the story of Christ, but I still feel a victory. The painting in the house is done, the tape has been pulled down, the rollers thrown away, I don't see even a speck of paint on the carpet, and I am a happy woman! I have accomplished a fairly large task, painting close to 1,000 square feet of our house with just a couple of people to step in and help... Not too shabby.
I still have two weeks of vacation time left before school starts back. Hmmm, the hampster in my head is trotting awful fast to keep the wheels of creativity flowing. I bought a computer program to make all kinds of artsy~fartsy stuff the other day. Maybe I'll actually sit down and learn how to use it correctly, then I can start my own custom stationary online business and make enough cabbage to pay for the program. Wouldn't that be a hoot??!!!
Or, I can sleep... a lot.
And read some good books ~ Mike's are really good, but I'll finish them up in no time. I need an epic story to completely engross my time and make it to where I can't even reach for a drink b/c I am unable to tear my eyes away from the page. Fill me in on such a title, please.
Or, I can clean up the not so clean areas of the house that I happened upon during my painting expedition. Who knew that our all white ceiling fan had blades that reversed to black?!!! (Or was that dust? Nah, not in my house!) And how do all of those little knats & bugs get in the windows that I can barely sweep out w/ a broom while standing in a kitchen chair? What are they ~ super insects? Obviously not since they had all passed away by the time I found them!
I need some good ideas for fall and winter landscaping that doesn't require a lot of maintenance. I have tons of stuff for the spring and summer, but only two little (and I really mean little) holly bushes for any other part of the year. Any suggestions?
If I were into labeling, which I'm not, I'd say I'm a bit twitchy and need to be constantly busy. Take your guess at what the DSM IV would call me... Ahh, the disorders of the world that control our lives. That's another blog all together.
Tidings of Joy... And no more painting!!! :)
My story is nowhere near the story of Christ, but I still feel a victory. The painting in the house is done, the tape has been pulled down, the rollers thrown away, I don't see even a speck of paint on the carpet, and I am a happy woman! I have accomplished a fairly large task, painting close to 1,000 square feet of our house with just a couple of people to step in and help... Not too shabby.
I still have two weeks of vacation time left before school starts back. Hmmm, the hampster in my head is trotting awful fast to keep the wheels of creativity flowing. I bought a computer program to make all kinds of artsy~fartsy stuff the other day. Maybe I'll actually sit down and learn how to use it correctly, then I can start my own custom stationary online business and make enough cabbage to pay for the program. Wouldn't that be a hoot??!!!
Or, I can sleep... a lot.
And read some good books ~ Mike's are really good, but I'll finish them up in no time. I need an epic story to completely engross my time and make it to where I can't even reach for a drink b/c I am unable to tear my eyes away from the page. Fill me in on such a title, please.
Or, I can clean up the not so clean areas of the house that I happened upon during my painting expedition. Who knew that our all white ceiling fan had blades that reversed to black?!!! (Or was that dust? Nah, not in my house!) And how do all of those little knats & bugs get in the windows that I can barely sweep out w/ a broom while standing in a kitchen chair? What are they ~ super insects? Obviously not since they had all passed away by the time I found them!
I need some good ideas for fall and winter landscaping that doesn't require a lot of maintenance. I have tons of stuff for the spring and summer, but only two little (and I really mean little) holly bushes for any other part of the year. Any suggestions?
If I were into labeling, which I'm not, I'd say I'm a bit twitchy and need to be constantly busy. Take your guess at what the DSM IV would call me... Ahh, the disorders of the world that control our lives. That's another blog all together.
Tidings of Joy... And no more painting!!! :)
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
Fly Family Doomed to Die!!!
If you look at the two pictures below this post, you'll see my husband on a fly killing spree. The funny part about it all is that it took place between 11:45 and midnight last night and most of it happened while the two of us were brushing our teeth and getting ready to go to bed. (Yes, we're night owls!)
For some random reason, a family of four or so flies decided to take up residence in our house. There is nothing more annoying than a fly family flying around your head as you try to go to sleep. Brandon (a.k.a. Fly Sniper) took it upon himself (not that I volunteered) to divide and conquer the fly family. Two were in our dressing room and two in our bedroom. We barricaded the two dressing room flies in the 8' by 8' area and Brandon started swinging away ~ it was soooo funny to watch and try to not get hit by the flyswatter at the same time. I had tears and toothpaste running down my face from laughing so hard!!! (Notice there isn't a picture of me at the time... Evil, I know, but hey, he allowed me to take the pictures!) After about 10 minutes of de-flying we headed into the bedroom and the poor fly family has been laid to rest in the garbage can of our bathroom.
Not as funny now that I read it, the meaning is a bit difficult to get across without my fantastic use of facial expressions, but oh well. I felt the need to let you in on a typical night in the Hale household! Hope yours was as exciting as ours!
Tidings of Joy... and no more fly families! :)
For some random reason, a family of four or so flies decided to take up residence in our house. There is nothing more annoying than a fly family flying around your head as you try to go to sleep. Brandon (a.k.a. Fly Sniper) took it upon himself (not that I volunteered) to divide and conquer the fly family. Two were in our dressing room and two in our bedroom. We barricaded the two dressing room flies in the 8' by 8' area and Brandon started swinging away ~ it was soooo funny to watch and try to not get hit by the flyswatter at the same time. I had tears and toothpaste running down my face from laughing so hard!!! (Notice there isn't a picture of me at the time... Evil, I know, but hey, he allowed me to take the pictures!) After about 10 minutes of de-flying we headed into the bedroom and the poor fly family has been laid to rest in the garbage can of our bathroom.
Not as funny now that I read it, the meaning is a bit difficult to get across without my fantastic use of facial expressions, but oh well. I felt the need to let you in on a typical night in the Hale household! Hope yours was as exciting as ours!
Tidings of Joy... and no more fly families! :)
Monday, August 02, 2004
The long awaited top o' da fridge picture. It didn't come out like I wanted, but you can get the idea. Besides, when is it not fun to climb on top of things?!! (Please ignore the dishes that haven't made their way to the cabinets, I'll have to fire the housekeeper... oh wati, that's me, never mind!) :)
Warning: The Provera has kicked in!
I'm on the stinkin' Provera again b/c well, it wasn't successful the first time. I have to let all my peeps in Blogland know that I am not my usual self while on this necessary evil. I apologize in advance for any off hand remarks or comments for the next 7 to 10 days: and especially for the pessimistic attitude. Please pray for my husband, he's the person that receives a majority of my non-pregnant frustrations. Earlier today I asked him not to wash his hands in the sink ~ it truly has made me incredibly anal (even more so than usual!) and my senses are on red alert!
Does it bother anyone else that there are people in this world, blessed by God who still wear socks with sandals and have mullets? Come on, I know I'm a pretty tough fashionista, but really. Women, don't let your men defile the eyes of the world by committing such a fashion atrocity, please!
Brandon took the digital camera with him to work, so the pictures of our newly painted territory will not be posted until later. The promised shot from the top of the fridge will just have to wait.
Till then... Tidings of Joy.
Does it bother anyone else that there are people in this world, blessed by God who still wear socks with sandals and have mullets? Come on, I know I'm a pretty tough fashionista, but really. Women, don't let your men defile the eyes of the world by committing such a fashion atrocity, please!
Brandon took the digital camera with him to work, so the pictures of our newly painted territory will not be posted until later. The promised shot from the top of the fridge will just have to wait.
Till then... Tidings of Joy.
Sunday, August 01, 2004
Total Body Workout...Via Painting
I don't' know that I have ever been so sore in my entire life. Yesterday I started painting around 9:30a.m. and stopped about 11:30p.m. Luckily one of my best friends, Yvette (just Vette to me) came up from Huntsville (SG, it's only an hour and a half away, but the AL line is roughly 15 miles. I'll hook you up w/ Tenn geography in no time, you'll be whistling Rocky Top and everything!) to help out b/c Brandon refuses to do anything except tape off. We knocked out the kitchen (including the 15' tall walls) and dining room and got one coat onto the living room walls.
I am exhausted after just finishing the (hopefully) last coat in the living room. Tomorrow I'll get the hallway and won't pick up another paint roller until we get to decorate a nursery. My body is sore from my crown to my toe nails, but pulling up that tape and seeing the end result is all worth it! (That's my paint mantra anyway!!!) I'll post pics tomorrow after everything is back in place, I know your aching to see how it's turned out.
The best view of everything is from the top of the refridgerator, you should try it, pretty fun! Then again, it could be the fumes talking.
Tidings of Joy... Rest and not having sore fingers or toes! :)
I am exhausted after just finishing the (hopefully) last coat in the living room. Tomorrow I'll get the hallway and won't pick up another paint roller until we get to decorate a nursery. My body is sore from my crown to my toe nails, but pulling up that tape and seeing the end result is all worth it! (That's my paint mantra anyway!!!) I'll post pics tomorrow after everything is back in place, I know your aching to see how it's turned out.
The best view of everything is from the top of the refridgerator, you should try it, pretty fun! Then again, it could be the fumes talking.
Tidings of Joy... Rest and not having sore fingers or toes! :)
Friday, July 30, 2004
Pondiferous Point O' the Day
Is it a coincidence that my toilet bowl cleaner (something by Lysol) & Pepto Bismol smell exactly the same? I think not...
I'll leave it at that.
Brandon & I are off to the Flo (Florence, AL) for a hot Friday night date in Lowes' paint section, a dinner at Ricca Toni's Italian Restaurant,& Target. What more could a girl ask for?
Tidings of Joy... and having enough WW points to have Parmchicken and Caesar Salad... mmm, mmmm good!
P.S. I am so addicted to ...'s.... It's almost ridiculous.... Really.... I just can't seem to make them stop coming across the screen.... Demons be gone!....
I'll leave it at that.
Brandon & I are off to the Flo (Florence, AL) for a hot Friday night date in Lowes' paint section, a dinner at Ricca Toni's Italian Restaurant,& Target. What more could a girl ask for?
Tidings of Joy... and having enough WW points to have Parmchicken and Caesar Salad... mmm, mmmm good!
P.S. I am so addicted to ...'s.... It's almost ridiculous.... Really.... I just can't seem to make them stop coming across the screen.... Demons be gone!....
I'm a bit tired, so don't be surprised if this is odd.
My eye doctor (Jeff Jordan of Remke Eye Clinic) is a nut. I met him for the first time on Tusday and it was like talking to my little brother (ok, 6'1" isn't little, but you know what I mean). He was hillarious, we were arguing back and forth about nothing. Quite amusing I must say. Earlier this afternoon I had to go back so he could check how my contacts are working out (or just so he can make bank, take your pick), and we battled some more. I think it's the controlling aspect of our personalities, we seem to be a lot alike. Our link? We both lived in Memphis for a while and couldn't stand it. Ahh, the things of this world that tie people together!
I was reading the oh-so-odd book of Isaiah earlier (not the entire thing at once, I can only handle two or three chapters b4 bed) and came upon these directions. "You will find the king at the end of the aqueduct that feeds water into the upper pool, near the road leading to the field where cloth is bleached." (ch.7, v.3). How bout that for directions? Interesting how God can be so descriptive at one time and so non-descriptive at others.
The last thing I read b4 trying to sleep was 2 Peter 2:22 "A dog returns to his vomit and a washed pig returns to the mud." (The Book) Not the best picture to have in your head b4 you lay down to sleep!
I couldn't sleep so I've been haunting blog-land for a while, we are all interesting in our own little ways. It's funny b/c I have mental images of what everyone looks and sounds like, I'm sure they (my mental images, not the people themselves) are probably completely off. You should check out Matt Eliott's page, he posted a picture of himself and all I can say is he's a brave man!
Well my little blog family, this is where I will say, "Good night, sweet dreams, I love you." I think I may be able to sleep now that it's 2:12 a.m.
Tidings of Joy... but not the whole dog to it's puke thing, gross! :)
I was reading the oh-so-odd book of Isaiah earlier (not the entire thing at once, I can only handle two or three chapters b4 bed) and came upon these directions. "You will find the king at the end of the aqueduct that feeds water into the upper pool, near the road leading to the field where cloth is bleached." (ch.7, v.3). How bout that for directions? Interesting how God can be so descriptive at one time and so non-descriptive at others.
The last thing I read b4 trying to sleep was 2 Peter 2:22 "A dog returns to his vomit and a washed pig returns to the mud." (The Book) Not the best picture to have in your head b4 you lay down to sleep!
I couldn't sleep so I've been haunting blog-land for a while, we are all interesting in our own little ways. It's funny b/c I have mental images of what everyone looks and sounds like, I'm sure they (my mental images, not the people themselves) are probably completely off. You should check out Matt Eliott's page, he posted a picture of himself and all I can say is he's a brave man!
Well my little blog family, this is where I will say, "Good night, sweet dreams, I love you." I think I may be able to sleep now that it's 2:12 a.m.
Tidings of Joy... but not the whole dog to it's puke thing, gross! :)
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Look to the bottom right of the screen and tell me what you see.
That's right folks! I finally have a blog role posted on my page. If I had known that a poem would've gotten me this far, I'd've been scribbling them out years ago!
Seriously, thank you to SG for the numerous e-mails and html thingys so that I could get my page lookin' like the rest of yuns! I like it a lot (Forrest Gump style). At the time that all of this was going on and I finally had it figured out, I had a Tom Hanks moment in the movie Castaway when he finally sparks a fire. I felt like yelling, "I ...HAVE... BLOG ROLE!!!" and dancing around my office/guest room/Stampin' Up room. Instead, I went out and played with Sassafrass, she was excited for me.
Yes people, it has been accomplished! Now on to the next challenge... let me think of one and I'll update you later. I can tell you are on the edge of your office chair (or like me, your director's chair that just happens to fit at the desk!)
Tidings of Joy... "I... HAVE... BLOG ROLE!!!!" :)
Seriously, thank you to SG for the numerous e-mails and html thingys so that I could get my page lookin' like the rest of yuns! I like it a lot (Forrest Gump style). At the time that all of this was going on and I finally had it figured out, I had a Tom Hanks moment in the movie Castaway when he finally sparks a fire. I felt like yelling, "I ...HAVE... BLOG ROLE!!!" and dancing around my office/guest room/Stampin' Up room. Instead, I went out and played with Sassafrass, she was excited for me.
Yes people, it has been accomplished! Now on to the next challenge... let me think of one and I'll update you later. I can tell you are on the edge of your office chair (or like me, your director's chair that just happens to fit at the desk!)
Tidings of Joy... "I... HAVE... BLOG ROLE!!!!" :)
OK, I'm a big dramatic dummy!
I have been trying to set up a blog role for what seems like a bajillion years. Last night SG kindly told me what to do, problem is, I can't find the "example you are supposed to copy in the help section." Please, all my kind friends who are technologically inclined, help me out! I am near my wits end. I need you, I'm crying out in a loud voice and saying "HELP ME PLEASE!!!" I can be more dramatic if need be...
Woe is me ~ poor little soul from Tennessee
wanting to link to friends so that you too shall know
all of the laughs, hugs, and tears upon which my blog family does bestow.
It is a place where we come to let loose and let go.
If only I could link to these family members so you can see
the happiness and open arms that blogging brings to me.
If it is written somewhere on the wall,
please tell me so that I too can join the linkers club and not fall
from the grace God has granted in order to know all....
And that my friends is where it shall end,
no need to go any further than this.
PLEASE give to your blog friend who is in so much distress.
A bit dramatic and over the top, but that is my personality
I cannot make it stop.
You take me as I am and laugh at my comments and jokes
My plea to you is
"Please help me folks!"
Woe is me ~ poor little soul from Tennessee
wanting to link to friends so that you too shall know
all of the laughs, hugs, and tears upon which my blog family does bestow.
It is a place where we come to let loose and let go.
If only I could link to these family members so you can see
the happiness and open arms that blogging brings to me.
If it is written somewhere on the wall,
please tell me so that I too can join the linkers club and not fall
from the grace God has granted in order to know all....
And that my friends is where it shall end,
no need to go any further than this.
PLEASE give to your blog friend who is in so much distress.
A bit dramatic and over the top, but that is my personality
I cannot make it stop.
You take me as I am and laugh at my comments and jokes
My plea to you is
"Please help me folks!"
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
Monday, July 26, 2004
No hope for teaching
I talked this morning with a principal and the director of schools of Lawrence County. Both of them basically said "Thanks for your interest, but we don't have $$$ to hire a new teacher and three teachers who weren't tenured from last year were let go as well. But be sure to get on our substitute list (it pays all of $35 a day) and we'll talk to you when the state comes through with more $$$." So much for 'No child left behind'!I'm a child, they're all about leaving me behind!This is crap...
Ok, on to happier thoughts. The beach loved me so much that it tried to come home with me. I keep finding little tidbits of beach love all over the house and car. I knew I had a magnetic personality, but this is just too much!
I don't know what to do with all of this time on my hands. Brandon and I are going to Florence, AL tonight to check out the paint selection at Lowes (we're so far out in the country that we have to drive at least 45 minutes to get to Lowes, Old Navy and Best Buy, what a tragedy!). Last fall I painted our bedroom a deep red color called Summer Pudding. It took 5 days, 3 gallons and 4 coats to completely cover my walls, now we get to put up crown molding in order to hide my 'drops of love' that are on the ceiling and our bed is strategically placed to hide uh-ohs on the carpet! I get so excited about doing projects that I want to dive right into them instead of taking the time to do prep work, such as taping off the boarders. Oh well, live, learn, and then put up crown molding!
I ordered two of Mike Cope's books from Wal-Mart online last night. They should get here in a fews days, until then, I am going to clean the house, send the beach love to the garbage can, paint my hallway and living room, attempt to put up crown molding, sort my guest room closet, organize my school stuff, and spend some time with my husband. If you have any advice on ways in which to do such matters, I am all ears, or eyes I guess since it'll be on the computer screen!
Tidings of Joy :)
Ok, on to happier thoughts. The beach loved me so much that it tried to come home with me. I keep finding little tidbits of beach love all over the house and car. I knew I had a magnetic personality, but this is just too much!
I don't know what to do with all of this time on my hands. Brandon and I are going to Florence, AL tonight to check out the paint selection at Lowes (we're so far out in the country that we have to drive at least 45 minutes to get to Lowes, Old Navy and Best Buy, what a tragedy!). Last fall I painted our bedroom a deep red color called Summer Pudding. It took 5 days, 3 gallons and 4 coats to completely cover my walls, now we get to put up crown molding in order to hide my 'drops of love' that are on the ceiling and our bed is strategically placed to hide uh-ohs on the carpet! I get so excited about doing projects that I want to dive right into them instead of taking the time to do prep work, such as taping off the boarders. Oh well, live, learn, and then put up crown molding!
I ordered two of Mike Cope's books from Wal-Mart online last night. They should get here in a fews days, until then, I am going to clean the house, send the beach love to the garbage can, paint my hallway and living room, attempt to put up crown molding, sort my guest room closet, organize my school stuff, and spend some time with my husband. If you have any advice on ways in which to do such matters, I am all ears, or eyes I guess since it'll be on the computer screen!
Tidings of Joy :)
Sunday, July 25, 2004
Beach baby, beach baby there on the sand...
from 10:30 to 12:15, then off to shop for a bit and on to the wedding.
I had a fabulous time in Moblie. My sister-in-law, Karen, went with me. Brandon's not much for weddings, he was at ours and I think that other than any children we have, he pretty much met his life quota! Karen is married to my younger brother Jonathan. It's really the first time we've ever gone anywhere alone for an extended period of time. It was a great bonding experience and fun to have a 'little sister'. I've got an older sister (who, btw, is THE BESTEST in the world), so changing roles was a lot of fun.
I learned and heard several different things on Alabama's interstate and beach this weekend:
1. "I've got sand in my crack" is funny, but always true when you lay down in the sand. Our umbrella neighbor's 6 year old was incredibly informative.
2. When you hear the words "What part of TinC are yuns from?" It's usually a good idea to fib.
3. Alabamans are almost as nice as Canadians, even at the McDonald's drive through.
4. Nascar races don't only happen on race tracks, but also on I-65. No officials are necessary, and points do count!
5. The La Quinta Inn is an interesting place to stay, but not at all like I thought it was going to be.
6. L.A. (Lower Alabama) has germs, but apparently I don't mind them as much as I do Atlanta's (Question? See July 5th blog.)
7. The ride down was lots of fun and full of conversations and stories, the ride back took a million years, was quiet, full of cheesy music from the 90's, and my bum was very numb the entire time.
8. My daddy called, apparently he hasn't fallen off the face of the earth, he's just been busy.
9. You really can't go back home. It was fun to see old friends, but the relationships have changed a lot. Almost sad..
10. Sunscreen works very well, as long as you don't leave it in your hotel room!
I had a great time. Jon did a fabulous job singing. There were two I do's and a kiss and now one of my dearest friends is married to the girl that makes his dreams come true.
Hotel room for two nights in Moblie (via Expedia, who I will not use in the future!) ~ $168
Lobster dinner with the little sis at Outback ~ $25
An hour and a half on the beach and seeing a friend get married ~ priceless.
Tidings of Joy.
P.S. I got 135 points out of 150 on that stinking paper. Maybe I'll make an 'A' afterall... :)
I had a fabulous time in Moblie. My sister-in-law, Karen, went with me. Brandon's not much for weddings, he was at ours and I think that other than any children we have, he pretty much met his life quota! Karen is married to my younger brother Jonathan. It's really the first time we've ever gone anywhere alone for an extended period of time. It was a great bonding experience and fun to have a 'little sister'. I've got an older sister (who, btw, is THE BESTEST in the world), so changing roles was a lot of fun.
I learned and heard several different things on Alabama's interstate and beach this weekend:
1. "I've got sand in my crack" is funny, but always true when you lay down in the sand. Our umbrella neighbor's 6 year old was incredibly informative.
2. When you hear the words "What part of TinC are yuns from?" It's usually a good idea to fib.
3. Alabamans are almost as nice as Canadians, even at the McDonald's drive through.
4. Nascar races don't only happen on race tracks, but also on I-65. No officials are necessary, and points do count!
5. The La Quinta Inn is an interesting place to stay, but not at all like I thought it was going to be.
6. L.A. (Lower Alabama) has germs, but apparently I don't mind them as much as I do Atlanta's (Question? See July 5th blog.)
7. The ride down was lots of fun and full of conversations and stories, the ride back took a million years, was quiet, full of cheesy music from the 90's, and my bum was very numb the entire time.
8. My daddy called, apparently he hasn't fallen off the face of the earth, he's just been busy.
9. You really can't go back home. It was fun to see old friends, but the relationships have changed a lot. Almost sad..
10. Sunscreen works very well, as long as you don't leave it in your hotel room!
I had a great time. Jon did a fabulous job singing. There were two I do's and a kiss and now one of my dearest friends is married to the girl that makes his dreams come true.
Hotel room for two nights in Moblie (via Expedia, who I will not use in the future!) ~ $168
Lobster dinner with the little sis at Outback ~ $25
An hour and a half on the beach and seeing a friend get married ~ priceless.
Tidings of Joy.
P.S. I got 135 points out of 150 on that stinking paper. Maybe I'll make an 'A' afterall... :)
Thursday, July 22, 2004
No more teachers, no more books
no more sitting in class for four hours a night,
no more Taco Bell Chicken Quesadillas in the car at 10:00 at night,
no more dodging armadillos and deer on the back roads,
no more looking at dead, bloated cows lying on the side of the road waiting to go to the tannery,
no more stressing over ten page papers,
no more reading about empathy until 2:00 in the morning,
lots more nights at home with my hubby,
lots more time to relax,
lots more time to paint my living room (a soothing latte color BTW)
and best of all... It's for THREE WHOLE WEEKS!!!
Summer vacation is finally here and I AM SO ELATED!!!! Tomorrow I am headed down to Mobile to visit with dear friends, see a wedding, and in my down time I'll go to the beach, read a good book (maybe Beth Moore, it's been a while since I've visited with her) and fall asleep to the sound of the waves hitting the shore line. Tell me, what could be better than that?
A new instance came suddenly upon me yesterday. Brandon and I were talking about finances and I said I'd be happy to get a job if it was needed. He said it wasn't necessary, but would help out, so I have a teaching application sitting in front of me. It's due by Monday, and if offered the position I'll basically start immediately.
I'm not sure if this is the best route for us to take, but I'm sure that I could be a fabulous, memorable, highly energetic teacher. Heck, I can have fun making slop as long as the people around me are fun too. I did a good job when I student taught, I just know that I have plans other than teaching (plus, I'm not an apple sweater person, not to label or sterotype, but you know what I'm talking about, right?). And I'm not exactly one to conform to all ways sent down from the central office and just teach "the test".
It's all just a lot to process, and could really change the dynamics of our family and affect the speediness of my grad school work. Please pray with us, it's all very new and out of my hands (well, except for turning in the application, which I'll do tomorrow). I'm not sure how it will turn out, and I'm kind of scared. I don't take rejection well and there is only one teaching job open in the county. My shoulders and neck are tensing up, so I'm gonna pack for the beach and think happy thoughts!
Tidings of Joy, the beach, sun, weddings, and ... even getting a 'real' job! :)
no more Taco Bell Chicken Quesadillas in the car at 10:00 at night,
no more dodging armadillos and deer on the back roads,
no more looking at dead, bloated cows lying on the side of the road waiting to go to the tannery,
no more stressing over ten page papers,
no more reading about empathy until 2:00 in the morning,
lots more nights at home with my hubby,
lots more time to relax,
lots more time to paint my living room (a soothing latte color BTW)
and best of all... It's for THREE WHOLE WEEKS!!!
Summer vacation is finally here and I AM SO ELATED!!!! Tomorrow I am headed down to Mobile to visit with dear friends, see a wedding, and in my down time I'll go to the beach, read a good book (maybe Beth Moore, it's been a while since I've visited with her) and fall asleep to the sound of the waves hitting the shore line. Tell me, what could be better than that?
A new instance came suddenly upon me yesterday. Brandon and I were talking about finances and I said I'd be happy to get a job if it was needed. He said it wasn't necessary, but would help out, so I have a teaching application sitting in front of me. It's due by Monday, and if offered the position I'll basically start immediately.
I'm not sure if this is the best route for us to take, but I'm sure that I could be a fabulous, memorable, highly energetic teacher. Heck, I can have fun making slop as long as the people around me are fun too. I did a good job when I student taught, I just know that I have plans other than teaching (plus, I'm not an apple sweater person, not to label or sterotype, but you know what I'm talking about, right?). And I'm not exactly one to conform to all ways sent down from the central office and just teach "the test".
It's all just a lot to process, and could really change the dynamics of our family and affect the speediness of my grad school work. Please pray with us, it's all very new and out of my hands (well, except for turning in the application, which I'll do tomorrow). I'm not sure how it will turn out, and I'm kind of scared. I don't take rejection well and there is only one teaching job open in the county. My shoulders and neck are tensing up, so I'm gonna pack for the beach and think happy thoughts!
Tidings of Joy, the beach, sun, weddings, and ... even getting a 'real' job! :)
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Yet another random glimpse...
Ok, so I know that the Bible is supposed to be very historical and a great educational tool, etc. etc. BUT, I've been reading my way through the O.T. I think this is the first time I've ever made it all the way to the Song Of Song's/Solomon. Here is where my warped thinking comes in...
It has many similies (I think that's what they are called, wasn't exactly an English pro in school) and likens a woman's breasts to "twin fawns of a gazelle" (ch.4, v.5). Now, I am a pretty big Crocodile Hunter fan, and when I read the gazelle line it just sounded very Steve Irwin to me. I had an incredibly tough time making it through all eight chapters without picturing Steve in the Australian Outback. I literally laughed the entire time!
Another thing that stuck out to me was ch.1, v. 6 "Don't look down on me, you fair city girls, just because my complexion is so dark. The sun has burned my skin..." I guess women have always thought about being tanned in one case or another. Talk about life applications!!!
Tidings of Joy... and Biblical writers with Aussie accents! (Is that wrong to think and blog about?!!) :)
It has many similies (I think that's what they are called, wasn't exactly an English pro in school) and likens a woman's breasts to "twin fawns of a gazelle" (ch.4, v.5). Now, I am a pretty big Crocodile Hunter fan, and when I read the gazelle line it just sounded very Steve Irwin to me. I had an incredibly tough time making it through all eight chapters without picturing Steve in the Australian Outback. I literally laughed the entire time!
Another thing that stuck out to me was ch.1, v. 6 "Don't look down on me, you fair city girls, just because my complexion is so dark. The sun has burned my skin..." I guess women have always thought about being tanned in one case or another. Talk about life applications!!!
Tidings of Joy... and Biblical writers with Aussie accents! (Is that wrong to think and blog about?!!) :)
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
So much to say, so little energy...
Just a glimpse into my brain, a very justifiable, warped, bit on the sarcastic side, silly comments around every corner, little noodle.
My favorite verse in the Bible is Proverbs 31:18 New Living Translation (aren't you proud of me Jon? Not the same ole King Jimmy gal I was all those years ago...)
Chapter 31 is talking about the virtuous woman, my favorite description is...18. "She watches for bargains."
Chew on that for a while and then let me know what you think. If that's not a reason to shop, I'm not sure what is!
Tidings of Joy :)
My favorite verse in the Bible is Proverbs 31:18 New Living Translation (aren't you proud of me Jon? Not the same ole King Jimmy gal I was all those years ago...)
Chapter 31 is talking about the virtuous woman, my favorite description is...18. "She watches for bargains."
Chew on that for a while and then let me know what you think. If that's not a reason to shop, I'm not sure what is!
Tidings of Joy :)
Monday, July 19, 2004
I don't like my ad at the top of this page
Come on Google / Blogspot, give us something new to look at other than trampoline and Cancer info; something upbeat, something uplifting, something interesting, just something else... please?!!!!
Eddie George asked the Titans to let him go today. It's a sad, sad day in Titan Land. I can hear the T-Rac crying as I type. We have lost Eddie, my personal favorite player ~ Frank Wycheck (am actually considering naming my first-born for the man, just think Wycheck Hale, the jokes are endless... ),Justin McCairins (sp?), The Freak (no longer will we hear the Titan rendition of that fantastically funny country song), and goodness knows who else is leaving. Come August 21, it's gonna be a different team hitting the field, I hope Jeff knows what he's gotten himself into. Of course, if in January we're at the Super Bowl, I never wrote this blog entry...
I'm crispy today. Yesterday while visiting with my sister, Lynette, I realized that I am incredibly close to being considered an albino (minus the white hair and pink eyes, of course!). I am heading down to Mobile for my friend, Kevin Farrar's wedding and didn't want to look as if I'd spent all summer writing term papers (cuz we all know that's a big fat lie!). So I took advantage of the early, bright afternoon, got in a bathing suit and got burnt to a crisp, and I'll probably do the same thing again tomorrow. My routine is listening to 5 songs and two ads on the radio, taking a drink of Diet Sun-drop (just for you Clarissa!) and then flipping. The strife to look non-albinoish is pretty high, it's just a price that I'm willing to pay, for what reason, I'm not sure. (I think I just made a comma splice, what a fun phrase to say! comma splice, comma splice, comma splice)
Heading off to bed, must rest the lobsteresque face. Maybe I'll peel and see how long I can get each strand of dead skin ~ one of my favorite competitions with the siblings as a small child ~ gross, yet incredibly fun...
Does anyone know a good area of Moblie to stay in? I've never been and the groom had zero suggestions. Let me know if you're familiar with the place, please.
Tidings of Joy and Titans football ~ fall is just around the corner.... :)
P.S. Blogger's spell check is incredibly random. (and I'm an awful speller, oh well, maybe in the next realm it'll get better...)
Eddie George asked the Titans to let him go today. It's a sad, sad day in Titan Land. I can hear the T-Rac crying as I type. We have lost Eddie, my personal favorite player ~ Frank Wycheck (am actually considering naming my first-born for the man, just think Wycheck Hale, the jokes are endless... ),Justin McCairins (sp?), The Freak (no longer will we hear the Titan rendition of that fantastically funny country song), and goodness knows who else is leaving. Come August 21, it's gonna be a different team hitting the field, I hope Jeff knows what he's gotten himself into. Of course, if in January we're at the Super Bowl, I never wrote this blog entry...
I'm crispy today. Yesterday while visiting with my sister, Lynette, I realized that I am incredibly close to being considered an albino (minus the white hair and pink eyes, of course!). I am heading down to Mobile for my friend, Kevin Farrar's wedding and didn't want to look as if I'd spent all summer writing term papers (cuz we all know that's a big fat lie!). So I took advantage of the early, bright afternoon, got in a bathing suit and got burnt to a crisp, and I'll probably do the same thing again tomorrow. My routine is listening to 5 songs and two ads on the radio, taking a drink of Diet Sun-drop (just for you Clarissa!) and then flipping. The strife to look non-albinoish is pretty high, it's just a price that I'm willing to pay, for what reason, I'm not sure. (I think I just made a comma splice, what a fun phrase to say! comma splice, comma splice, comma splice)
Heading off to bed, must rest the lobsteresque face. Maybe I'll peel and see how long I can get each strand of dead skin ~ one of my favorite competitions with the siblings as a small child ~ gross, yet incredibly fun...
Does anyone know a good area of Moblie to stay in? I've never been and the groom had zero suggestions. Let me know if you're familiar with the place, please.
Tidings of Joy and Titans football ~ fall is just around the corner.... :)
P.S. Blogger's spell check is incredibly random. (and I'm an awful speller, oh well, maybe in the next realm it'll get better...)
Sunday, July 18, 2004
Krispy Kreme & Godiva & Almost All is Well
Today has been absolutely fantastic. Not only did I finish my term paper (at 2:30 Saturday morning), get 2 & 1/2 hours of sleep and turn it in on time, but I finished that dreadful class and can now move forward in my academic career! GO ME!
After church this morning Brandon & I headed to Manchester to visit with his parents and mow their yard. It's just about the only way we can think of to help them out, and one of the only things they'll allow us to do. When B. talked to his mother she said that Ron had been out mowing for about half an hour already. Talk about stubborn!!! His doc said specificly not to do that. Oh well. I 'm glad that he had the energy to get up and do something, even if he wasn't supposed to...
Anyway, back to the great day.
While Brandon mowed Hilda and I went shopping. She is a world class shopper, the woman can sniff out a sale from 50 miles away. It's always a lot of fun to get out and have an activity that allows us to talk. It's usually then that I learn all about Brandon and what he was like as a child and things that Hilda and Ron have experienced in their lives. I love to listen to stories.
Hilda's birthday was on Wednesday, B and I sent her some chocolates from Godiva that came in an iced cooler and wrapped with a bow and birthday card. We had so much fun picking it out, and she absolutely loved the gift! We all took turns picking a piece to eat and describing what it was like for everyone ~ kind of funny, I know, but it was really good!
On out way back home we stopped by my sister's house. It's been a couple of months since I have seen the girls and I just needed some good family time to see what they were doing and get in my hugs and kisses. Shelby (7) and Halle (19 months) are so funny. There is never a dull moment with the two of them around! The most interesting thing was when Halle came out of the garage with a fishing pole. It was only about four feet longer than she is, she had a great time swinging it around and watching us all dodge her.
After getting back on the road for our 90 minute trek back home, we had a hankering for some Krispy Kreme doughnuts and Sun-drops. If you are not blessed enough to live in Sun-drop land let me know and I'll send you some. Without a doubt, the best soft drink made, hands down!
Now, we are home and headed for a good night sleep. Hope you are too.
Tidings of Joy :)
After church this morning Brandon & I headed to Manchester to visit with his parents and mow their yard. It's just about the only way we can think of to help them out, and one of the only things they'll allow us to do. When B. talked to his mother she said that Ron had been out mowing for about half an hour already. Talk about stubborn!!! His doc said specificly not to do that. Oh well. I 'm glad that he had the energy to get up and do something, even if he wasn't supposed to...
Anyway, back to the great day.
While Brandon mowed Hilda and I went shopping. She is a world class shopper, the woman can sniff out a sale from 50 miles away. It's always a lot of fun to get out and have an activity that allows us to talk. It's usually then that I learn all about Brandon and what he was like as a child and things that Hilda and Ron have experienced in their lives. I love to listen to stories.
Hilda's birthday was on Wednesday, B and I sent her some chocolates from Godiva that came in an iced cooler and wrapped with a bow and birthday card. We had so much fun picking it out, and she absolutely loved the gift! We all took turns picking a piece to eat and describing what it was like for everyone ~ kind of funny, I know, but it was really good!
On out way back home we stopped by my sister's house. It's been a couple of months since I have seen the girls and I just needed some good family time to see what they were doing and get in my hugs and kisses. Shelby (7) and Halle (19 months) are so funny. There is never a dull moment with the two of them around! The most interesting thing was when Halle came out of the garage with a fishing pole. It was only about four feet longer than she is, she had a great time swinging it around and watching us all dodge her.
After getting back on the road for our 90 minute trek back home, we had a hankering for some Krispy Kreme doughnuts and Sun-drops. If you are not blessed enough to live in Sun-drop land let me know and I'll send you some. Without a doubt, the best soft drink made, hands down!
Now, we are home and headed for a good night sleep. Hope you are too.
Tidings of Joy :)
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
Complete and Total Nothingness
So, I have my term paper to write that just happens to be due on Saturday at 8:00 a.m. in GC 301 on the campus of FHU. If I had had my way, without considering my husband, finances, our home, and relations all about us, I would have attended Pepperdine University. The master's program for counseling and their theology for the C of C is much more along my idea of thinking, but that's a completely different suject all together.
This whole blogging experience has brought several different gifts to me. 1.) Thoughts and encouragement about living through and for Christ, 2.) Laughter, 3.) Tears, 4.) Friends all over the U.S., and 5.) More reasons to blog, read comments, and over all, just procrastinate more about this stupid paper.
What's with having to write a set amount of pages anyway? Shouldn't we be able to just thoroughly exlpore and support our idea without having to fulfill a page standard?! I am so ready for this class to be over with. I'm burnt out, just on this one class. Others I'm in are fantastic. My attitude is very poor and incredibly prickly. I don't like it, so I'm stopping. The End.
Tidings of ... ten pages on resistance. (I am the resistant in this case, maybe I should include this particular blog, but am sure that would help only in lowering my grade.)
P.S. Am happy to quote and use the term "verbal diarrhea"!
This whole blogging experience has brought several different gifts to me. 1.) Thoughts and encouragement about living through and for Christ, 2.) Laughter, 3.) Tears, 4.) Friends all over the U.S., and 5.) More reasons to blog, read comments, and over all, just procrastinate more about this stupid paper.
What's with having to write a set amount of pages anyway? Shouldn't we be able to just thoroughly exlpore and support our idea without having to fulfill a page standard?! I am so ready for this class to be over with. I'm burnt out, just on this one class. Others I'm in are fantastic. My attitude is very poor and incredibly prickly. I don't like it, so I'm stopping. The End.
Tidings of ... ten pages on resistance. (I am the resistant in this case, maybe I should include this particular blog, but am sure that would help only in lowering my grade.)
P.S. Am happy to quote and use the term "verbal diarrhea"!
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Happy Places
When I am having a pitty party of one, for one, I have places that I go to. Sometimes they deepen the pain or sorrow, but more often that not, they lift my spirit. I have had a pitty party for myself today, and then I chose to do something about the factors that I have control over.
One place that makes me happy is blogland. Specifically reading Mike Cope, Clarissa Cox, Judy Thomas, SG, and my old pal Jon Owen.
Another place I go is to the Bible, especially the books written by Paul. His message is always consistent. God loves you, I love you, keep on keepin' on.
And for a Mae soul massage, I go to the drawer in my kitchen where I keep all the cards and notes from friends. It's nice to know that you are loved and thought highly of, even when you don't particularly deserve to be.
Where do you go for your soul massage?
One place that makes me happy is blogland. Specifically reading Mike Cope, Clarissa Cox, Judy Thomas, SG, and my old pal Jon Owen.
Another place I go is to the Bible, especially the books written by Paul. His message is always consistent. God loves you, I love you, keep on keepin' on.
And for a Mae soul massage, I go to the drawer in my kitchen where I keep all the cards and notes from friends. It's nice to know that you are loved and thought highly of, even when you don't particularly deserve to be.
Where do you go for your soul massage?
Monday, July 12, 2004
Linking and Blog Roles
I just figured out how to link, I think. Just doing a test run. This is where I got the info.
Tried to do a blogger role and it didnt' work out. Now that I am so accomplished and techonologicly advanced, I thought I may attempt it again.
Tidings of Joy.
Tried to do a blogger role and it didnt' work out. Now that I am so accomplished and techonologicly advanced, I thought I may attempt it again.
Tidings of Joy.
Aching
Last Wednesday my father-in-law was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphoma Leukemia. Today he is in St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville having fluids put into his body in order to prepare it for chemo tomorrow. He will stay for observation after the chemo treatment, and Lord willing, be released on Wednesday. Then, he'll do it all again in three weeks. Beginning in August, he'll start stem cell replacement at Vanderbilt Hospital. Please keep Ron, Hilda, Brandon, me and the medical staff in your prayers. I pray for a swift remission status, and ease on Ron and Hilda.
Now I must get to work on a ten page term paper for Clinical Intervention. My topic is "counseling the reluctant." Why I chose this, I have no idea. Apparently, I was rather gusto at the time. After the 24th, summer school will be over and I'll have a nice, three week long break. Very much looking forward to that.
Tidings of Joy.
Now I must get to work on a ten page term paper for Clinical Intervention. My topic is "counseling the reluctant." Why I chose this, I have no idea. Apparently, I was rather gusto at the time. After the 24th, summer school will be over and I'll have a nice, three week long break. Very much looking forward to that.
Tidings of Joy.
Friday, July 09, 2004
Bubble Wrap and Jazzercise Trampolines
When I was younger, there seemed to be nothing better than getting to open shipments that were packaged in bubble wrap, except of course MOND~O BUBBLE WRAP!
That feeling came rushing back to me yesterday when Brandon received a shipment for work. It housed his newly repaired Dell laptop, small bubble wrap and, you guessed it... MOND~O BUBBLE WRAP!!! The excitement was endless, even today I am basking in the warmth that these memories bring back.
Many years ago, during the jazzercise craze of the 1980's, my mother bought a small trampoline. I'm sure that her intentions were to get exercise on it during the winter months. However, as many of us know, almost any exercise devise in the house gets used a couple of times and is then converted into a)a laundry drier, b)an ancient artifact to be studied by future anthropologists, or c) a new toy for the kiddies on rainy or snowy days when it's is nearly impossible to go out and the 4 channels on the television have oh-so-interesting speeches given by the president. Well, in the McCullough house we took option c. So, when we got bubble wrap and mixed it with the jazzercise trampoline, there was no end to the amount of popping and hopping. IT WAS A GREAT DAY!!!
Just wanted to share that fun little moment.
Tidings of Joy. :)
That feeling came rushing back to me yesterday when Brandon received a shipment for work. It housed his newly repaired Dell laptop, small bubble wrap and, you guessed it... MOND~O BUBBLE WRAP!!! The excitement was endless, even today I am basking in the warmth that these memories bring back.
Many years ago, during the jazzercise craze of the 1980's, my mother bought a small trampoline. I'm sure that her intentions were to get exercise on it during the winter months. However, as many of us know, almost any exercise devise in the house gets used a couple of times and is then converted into a)a laundry drier, b)an ancient artifact to be studied by future anthropologists, or c) a new toy for the kiddies on rainy or snowy days when it's is nearly impossible to go out and the 4 channels on the television have oh-so-interesting speeches given by the president. Well, in the McCullough house we took option c. So, when we got bubble wrap and mixed it with the jazzercise trampoline, there was no end to the amount of popping and hopping. IT WAS A GREAT DAY!!!
Just wanted to share that fun little moment.
Tidings of Joy. :)
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
The innocence of children
I am working with the 2 & 3 years olds on Wednesday nights at church, all 3 of them, four if a cousin is in town. They always take turns praying, tonight's most 'brings tears to my eyes b/c I can not laugh' prayer was by a little girl named Mayrn Rose. This is what she prayed.
"Dear God, Thank you for Momma and Daddy, chocolate milk and cake. Amen"
How much more precious and innocent does it get? Too cute no to share.
Tidings of Joy, chocolate milk and cake.:)
"Dear God, Thank you for Momma and Daddy, chocolate milk and cake. Amen"
How much more precious and innocent does it get? Too cute no to share.
Tidings of Joy, chocolate milk and cake.:)
Goober and Bottle Rockets
I live in a small town. Want to know how I can tell? Not by taking a census, but by reading the free newspaper that is thrown into our ditch on Sunday and Wednesday mornings.
Our town is a bit obsessed with Mayberry, there is a club for it and everything. This past weekend Lawrenceburg celebrated Liberty Days with an annual parade, the first ever Miss Liberty pageant, and by having a "Salute to Mayberrry Days" contest. Who was the officent of the contest and the grand marshall of the parade? None other than Goober. Well I'll be!
Now back to the whole small town bit. The past two newspapers have had very bright and colorful front page pictures, not of the "big boned child" doing a belly flop off the local public pool diving board, (that's reserved for the Manchester Times) but of Goober sights all around town.
Another clue as to our small town status was this headline "Bottle rocket explodes in officer's face". Keep reading, it gets better...
A Lawrenceburg Police Officer was subject to an unpleasant Fourth of July surprise Sunday evening when a bottle rocket flew into the open window of his patrol car and exploded in his face... According to reports filed through the police department, the officer was headed northbound on N. Locust Ave. (the 4 lane in town) when the firework flew into the car and exploded... The officer noted that several vehicles were traveling in the opposite direction, but indicated that he was unable to determine the point from which the bottle rocket originated.
I am amazed at some of the things that happen here. Never a dull moment.
Tidings of Joy... And bottle rockets :)
Our town is a bit obsessed with Mayberry, there is a club for it and everything. This past weekend Lawrenceburg celebrated Liberty Days with an annual parade, the first ever Miss Liberty pageant, and by having a "Salute to Mayberrry Days" contest. Who was the officent of the contest and the grand marshall of the parade? None other than Goober. Well I'll be!
Now back to the whole small town bit. The past two newspapers have had very bright and colorful front page pictures, not of the "big boned child" doing a belly flop off the local public pool diving board, (that's reserved for the Manchester Times) but of Goober sights all around town.
Another clue as to our small town status was this headline "Bottle rocket explodes in officer's face". Keep reading, it gets better...
A Lawrenceburg Police Officer was subject to an unpleasant Fourth of July surprise Sunday evening when a bottle rocket flew into the open window of his patrol car and exploded in his face... According to reports filed through the police department, the officer was headed northbound on N. Locust Ave. (the 4 lane in town) when the firework flew into the car and exploded... The officer noted that several vehicles were traveling in the opposite direction, but indicated that he was unable to determine the point from which the bottle rocket originated.
I am amazed at some of the things that happen here. Never a dull moment.
Tidings of Joy... And bottle rockets :)
Monday, July 05, 2004
Sights & Sounds
What an interesting 4th of July weekend I've had. There have been some very interesting, fun, and also disturbing things to come out of it.
Friday afternoon I decided that we needed a break from Tennessee, so Brandon and I jumped into the truck and headed down to Atlanta. Being big kids, I thought that a day at Six Flags would be the next best thing to meeting Mickey Mouse, so we got our tickets online, booked a hotel room and drove on down. About half way there we realized that it would be too late to have dinner at a swankey place in Hotlanta and decided that Birmingham's Outback was a fine substitute! Boy Howdy was it!! We had grilled lobster tails that were out of this world.
We got to the suite around midnight, this is where things really started to go wrong (in my mind anyway!). You see, I'm a closet grem-o-phoebe. It's really gotten pretty bad lately and I didn't realize exactly how bad until we stepped inside the room. I shudder now even as I think of it. The room itself was fine, a Marriott suite for under $100 on July 4th weekend, you really can't ask for too much more. Everything was clean and in order, no funky smells or anything that would cause me to complain to the management. As soon as I opened the door, I just hit germ freak mode. I have watched too many episodes of The View (you know the ones where they tell all the negative things about traveling?)and it all just came rushing at me. I wouldn't walk on the carpet w/out something on my feet, I didn't want to even look at the bed spread (scene's of CSI and their black light kept popping up in my mind!), and the shower completely freaked me out! I just went a little over the edge. I had problems sleeping b/c of all the images of other people who had been here before me... IT WAS BADDD!!!
After the hotel deal, we got to Six Flags, I was all excited about being at a theme park for the first time w/ Brandon, and it happened again! As soon as we got in line for the first ride, I put my hand on the rail and it was all over... Germs, germs, germs everywhere! And on top of that,I HATE CROWDS! The ride we were on was one where you have to stand up & a contraption comes over your head to hold you in place. Now with me being every inch of 5'3", the holder thing hit to where I couldn't turn my head w/out touching the pads to my face. It was awful! (The actual ride itself was very exhilarating, upside down turns, and all that jazz.) After we got off, Brandon just looked at me and laughed. He said, "Was it the ride, the people, or the place?" I just smiled and said everything was ok, lets find something else to ride, look around and then see what happens.
My husband is so wonderful and understanding. His next words were, "Ya know, if we get wet, I'll be ready to go. What do you say?" Then, the lights shined down from heaven and the blessed angels sang "Glory to God in the Highest"!! I just love him sooo much! So, we got on a ride that at Opryland was called the "Grizzly River Rampage" I can't remember the Georgia name for it, got completely soaked to the bone. (While all the while I'm thinking of little things swimming in the water that has soaked every stitch of clothing on my body, but nevermind that...) And headed straight for the truck. An hour or so later when we actually found it, I scrubbed down as much as I could with Baby & body Works anti-bac Country Apple scented wipes, and we were off.
We visited w/ Chris and Krysta Barnes some dear friends from the Faulkner U days, in the carpet capitol of the world, Dalton, GA, and then took the scenic route home. I don't know that I have ever been so glad to see Lawrenceburg, TN as I was on Saturday night. Thank you God for our own home, clean sheets, clean clothes and clean hair.
Then a strange thing happened on the way to church Sunday morning. I saw a couple parking their Porsche at another church. It was where they parked it that was odd. There is a sign in the parking lot that has about one and a half spaces b/t it and the fence. This was where they parked, the furtherest possible space from the building. Now, here is what concerns me. If you can't trust the people that you gather together with to worship the God who has given you life and hope of life eternal in a parking lot, what does that say about you? It was very disturbing, even worse than the germs in Atlanta.
After that, on our way home, we came upon a very bad wreck. One of the people involved had obviously been badly injured. He appeared to have fainted and was literally hanging from the shoulders up out of the truck window. Police were on their way, there were numerous cars around and Brandon and I decided that since we weren't witnesses, the best thing for us to do was pray for the people involved. I later learned that the man had been killed. It was very eerie, sad, and emotional. I've prayed a lot for the man and his family. Other than that, I don't know what to do to get the pictures out of my head.
Then, last night was the ever popular, 'sit out on the deck and enjoy the neighborhood fireworks' night. It was nice. We live pretty far out in the country among the rolling hills that Tennessee seems to be so famous for (other than the fantastic accent many of us are blessed with!). Seeing other families and friends come together to celebrate and light up the sky with gorgeous colors was a treat in and of itself. Thank God for the freedom to do just that.
There's my 4th of July weekend all wrapped up in a bundle. Sights and sounds galore. Some happy, some sad, some germmy and some glad. Hope that yours was blessed.
Tidings of Joy. :)
Friday afternoon I decided that we needed a break from Tennessee, so Brandon and I jumped into the truck and headed down to Atlanta. Being big kids, I thought that a day at Six Flags would be the next best thing to meeting Mickey Mouse, so we got our tickets online, booked a hotel room and drove on down. About half way there we realized that it would be too late to have dinner at a swankey place in Hotlanta and decided that Birmingham's Outback was a fine substitute! Boy Howdy was it!! We had grilled lobster tails that were out of this world.
We got to the suite around midnight, this is where things really started to go wrong (in my mind anyway!). You see, I'm a closet grem-o-phoebe. It's really gotten pretty bad lately and I didn't realize exactly how bad until we stepped inside the room. I shudder now even as I think of it. The room itself was fine, a Marriott suite for under $100 on July 4th weekend, you really can't ask for too much more. Everything was clean and in order, no funky smells or anything that would cause me to complain to the management. As soon as I opened the door, I just hit germ freak mode. I have watched too many episodes of The View (you know the ones where they tell all the negative things about traveling?)and it all just came rushing at me. I wouldn't walk on the carpet w/out something on my feet, I didn't want to even look at the bed spread (scene's of CSI and their black light kept popping up in my mind!), and the shower completely freaked me out! I just went a little over the edge. I had problems sleeping b/c of all the images of other people who had been here before me... IT WAS BADDD!!!
After the hotel deal, we got to Six Flags, I was all excited about being at a theme park for the first time w/ Brandon, and it happened again! As soon as we got in line for the first ride, I put my hand on the rail and it was all over... Germs, germs, germs everywhere! And on top of that,I HATE CROWDS! The ride we were on was one where you have to stand up & a contraption comes over your head to hold you in place. Now with me being every inch of 5'3", the holder thing hit to where I couldn't turn my head w/out touching the pads to my face. It was awful! (The actual ride itself was very exhilarating, upside down turns, and all that jazz.) After we got off, Brandon just looked at me and laughed. He said, "Was it the ride, the people, or the place?" I just smiled and said everything was ok, lets find something else to ride, look around and then see what happens.
My husband is so wonderful and understanding. His next words were, "Ya know, if we get wet, I'll be ready to go. What do you say?" Then, the lights shined down from heaven and the blessed angels sang "Glory to God in the Highest"!! I just love him sooo much! So, we got on a ride that at Opryland was called the "Grizzly River Rampage" I can't remember the Georgia name for it, got completely soaked to the bone. (While all the while I'm thinking of little things swimming in the water that has soaked every stitch of clothing on my body, but nevermind that...) And headed straight for the truck. An hour or so later when we actually found it, I scrubbed down as much as I could with Baby & body Works anti-bac Country Apple scented wipes, and we were off.
We visited w/ Chris and Krysta Barnes some dear friends from the Faulkner U days, in the carpet capitol of the world, Dalton, GA, and then took the scenic route home. I don't know that I have ever been so glad to see Lawrenceburg, TN as I was on Saturday night. Thank you God for our own home, clean sheets, clean clothes and clean hair.
Then a strange thing happened on the way to church Sunday morning. I saw a couple parking their Porsche at another church. It was where they parked it that was odd. There is a sign in the parking lot that has about one and a half spaces b/t it and the fence. This was where they parked, the furtherest possible space from the building. Now, here is what concerns me. If you can't trust the people that you gather together with to worship the God who has given you life and hope of life eternal in a parking lot, what does that say about you? It was very disturbing, even worse than the germs in Atlanta.
After that, on our way home, we came upon a very bad wreck. One of the people involved had obviously been badly injured. He appeared to have fainted and was literally hanging from the shoulders up out of the truck window. Police were on their way, there were numerous cars around and Brandon and I decided that since we weren't witnesses, the best thing for us to do was pray for the people involved. I later learned that the man had been killed. It was very eerie, sad, and emotional. I've prayed a lot for the man and his family. Other than that, I don't know what to do to get the pictures out of my head.
Then, last night was the ever popular, 'sit out on the deck and enjoy the neighborhood fireworks' night. It was nice. We live pretty far out in the country among the rolling hills that Tennessee seems to be so famous for (other than the fantastic accent many of us are blessed with!). Seeing other families and friends come together to celebrate and light up the sky with gorgeous colors was a treat in and of itself. Thank God for the freedom to do just that.
There's my 4th of July weekend all wrapped up in a bundle. Sights and sounds galore. Some happy, some sad, some germmy and some glad. Hope that yours was blessed.
Tidings of Joy. :)
Thursday, July 01, 2004
Sharing
Well, I've been contemplating whether or not to put this particular subject on my blog. Then, after a bit of thought, I figured it couldn't hurt and may just end up helping... Here goes.
Brandon and I have been trying for 15 months (give or take a few days) to have children. Since we are both in our 20's and relatively healthy, the doctors wouldn't do any testing until we had unsuccessfully reached the one year point. Which was in April. After some testing, I found out that I have something called PCOS (polycistic ovarian syndrome). It bascily means that there are lots of small cysts on my ovaries that keep me from ovulating. Hence, no baby.
After several doctor visits and only having to have two vials of blood drawn, I am on a drug called Provera. It's supposed to force me to ovulate. We get two months on that. (I began the meds this morning.) If we aren't successful then, I go to Clomid. A ferltiry drug that often causes multiples (PLEASE GOD ~ LET IT WORK!). After six rounds of Clomid, if we still aren't pregnant, then the next step (after many more tests and who knows how many vials of blood) is either invitro or adoption.
This is where my husband and I differ on opinion. He feels that invitro is too far, and that there are cold children in other parts of the world that need our warm home and love. I feel that it's my body, and even though I am INCREDIBLY OPEN to adoption, I'd rather have it as a choice, not a force. It's so far down the road that we have agreed not to discuss the matter until we absolutely must. I change my mind ALOT, so we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.
That's my sharing experience for the day. Please keep us in your prayers. I don't know how I'll react physically or emotionally to the medication. Luckily, my husband is incredibly loving, sensitive and caring. He said that if he spends a bit more time on the four wheeler, I'll know that he just needs to get away from everything for a while. He's not too serious about things ~ it helps my stress level to stay low.
Tidings of Joy & Fertility. :)
Brandon and I have been trying for 15 months (give or take a few days) to have children. Since we are both in our 20's and relatively healthy, the doctors wouldn't do any testing until we had unsuccessfully reached the one year point. Which was in April. After some testing, I found out that I have something called PCOS (polycistic ovarian syndrome). It bascily means that there are lots of small cysts on my ovaries that keep me from ovulating. Hence, no baby.
After several doctor visits and only having to have two vials of blood drawn, I am on a drug called Provera. It's supposed to force me to ovulate. We get two months on that. (I began the meds this morning.) If we aren't successful then, I go to Clomid. A ferltiry drug that often causes multiples (PLEASE GOD ~ LET IT WORK!). After six rounds of Clomid, if we still aren't pregnant, then the next step (after many more tests and who knows how many vials of blood) is either invitro or adoption.
This is where my husband and I differ on opinion. He feels that invitro is too far, and that there are cold children in other parts of the world that need our warm home and love. I feel that it's my body, and even though I am INCREDIBLY OPEN to adoption, I'd rather have it as a choice, not a force. It's so far down the road that we have agreed not to discuss the matter until we absolutely must. I change my mind ALOT, so we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.
That's my sharing experience for the day. Please keep us in your prayers. I don't know how I'll react physically or emotionally to the medication. Luckily, my husband is incredibly loving, sensitive and caring. He said that if he spends a bit more time on the four wheeler, I'll know that he just needs to get away from everything for a while. He's not too serious about things ~ it helps my stress level to stay low.
Tidings of Joy & Fertility. :)
Friday, June 25, 2004
"Hollars" and Tires
Last night I was on my way to school. It was coming a Noah, I couldn't see more than 15 or so feet in front of me and low and behold, I hit a random piece of wood in the middle of the road. After hoping that nothing had happened to my little Accord, I turned down the Dixie Chicks, slowed down and knew that indeed something had happened!!! I had my first ever blow out. Well, the area that I happened to have been stopped in wasn't exactly what I would call inviting... It looked more like a sceen out of a horror film in the back woods of Tennessee (think Deliverance) than a place that would house welcoming strangers. I got out of the car to check for damages and saw that it was only the front tire, not any missing engine parts or something equally as bad.
Being a girl who doesn't pay much attention to important things like knowing that your car comes with a spare tire and the things to switch it out and put on the little doughnut, I figured the best thing to do was walk (in the rain) to the nearest, least frightening house, find a person (or man) capable of changing a tire, give them a few bucks and be on my merry little way. What I found was a very nice lady who didn't have a phone (of course my cell laughed at me when I tried to call my husband, actually laughed!), but was willing to take me somewhere to call. At this point I am over an hour away from home and have only about 40 minutes until class starts.
We decided to check out the car and see if the two of us could put on the spare. (I was really just there for moral support and to hold the cute little yellow gingham umbrella.) The nice lady (I never got her name, how grateful do I sound?) told me to pop my trunk, got out the spare, a little pumper-up thingy for the car (which I now know is called a Jack, why not a Jill?) and was ready to work her fingers to the bone (in the rain). Here is where it gets really interesting...
Personally, I've never been a big fan of TDOT and their never-ending projects to patch pot holes and make your travelling life a bit more on the stressful side. BUT last night, they were HEAVEN SENT!!! As the lady was starting to so stufff, they stopped in the little hollar (or valley to non Tennesseans) and offered to change the tire for me. She was more than happy to let them, I said "Thank you so much for your help." She got in her car and went back to watching Jerry Springer (at least that's what I had heard while standing at her door.)
The two TDOT guys (Bear, a very large man who reminded me of a teddy bear with a very thunderous voice and a slight speech impediment, and Joe, the young guy who took instructions from Bear). Had me up and ready to run in just a few minutes. It was rather humerous to watch (while still holding the yellow gingham umbrella) b/c Joe had a hard time understanding what Bear was saying and he would look up at me as if I could interpret. My only help was shrugging my shoulders. A good thing to remember is "lefty loosey, righty tighty." I am so thankful to all of the people that were willing to help me out. Just goes to show that you really can't judge a book by its cover.
Tidings of Joy.
P.S. I made it class on time and home safely. As I type, my husband is at the BF Goodwrench place having new 100,000 mile tires with side wall impact, airbags, and anti theft devices, or something lke that put on the car. Just in case...
Being a girl who doesn't pay much attention to important things like knowing that your car comes with a spare tire and the things to switch it out and put on the little doughnut, I figured the best thing to do was walk (in the rain) to the nearest, least frightening house, find a person (or man) capable of changing a tire, give them a few bucks and be on my merry little way. What I found was a very nice lady who didn't have a phone (of course my cell laughed at me when I tried to call my husband, actually laughed!), but was willing to take me somewhere to call. At this point I am over an hour away from home and have only about 40 minutes until class starts.
We decided to check out the car and see if the two of us could put on the spare. (I was really just there for moral support and to hold the cute little yellow gingham umbrella.) The nice lady (I never got her name, how grateful do I sound?) told me to pop my trunk, got out the spare, a little pumper-up thingy for the car (which I now know is called a Jack, why not a Jill?) and was ready to work her fingers to the bone (in the rain). Here is where it gets really interesting...
Personally, I've never been a big fan of TDOT and their never-ending projects to patch pot holes and make your travelling life a bit more on the stressful side. BUT last night, they were HEAVEN SENT!!! As the lady was starting to so stufff, they stopped in the little hollar (or valley to non Tennesseans) and offered to change the tire for me. She was more than happy to let them, I said "Thank you so much for your help." She got in her car and went back to watching Jerry Springer (at least that's what I had heard while standing at her door.)
The two TDOT guys (Bear, a very large man who reminded me of a teddy bear with a very thunderous voice and a slight speech impediment, and Joe, the young guy who took instructions from Bear). Had me up and ready to run in just a few minutes. It was rather humerous to watch (while still holding the yellow gingham umbrella) b/c Joe had a hard time understanding what Bear was saying and he would look up at me as if I could interpret. My only help was shrugging my shoulders. A good thing to remember is "lefty loosey, righty tighty." I am so thankful to all of the people that were willing to help me out. Just goes to show that you really can't judge a book by its cover.
Tidings of Joy.
P.S. I made it class on time and home safely. As I type, my husband is at the BF Goodwrench place having new 100,000 mile tires with side wall impact, airbags, and anti theft devices, or something lke that put on the car. Just in case...
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Just wondering...
Does anyone actually read what I have to say? Just wanted to know so that I could throw in little things to make you laugh, cry smile or curse. Take your pick.
My first grad school final is tomorrow. I'll say goodbye to Marriage and Family and hello to Group Counseling, while entertaining Clinical Intervention on the side. Pray for me, and my husband ~ he's the one living with the juggling entertainer!
I put a pop-up blocker on my 'puter and now it won't let me do the blog spell check. Sorry for any mistakes! Feel free to correct them if you are a controlling perfectionist,otherwise, let me know how to reverse the situation...
Tidings of Joy :)
My first grad school final is tomorrow. I'll say goodbye to Marriage and Family and hello to Group Counseling, while entertaining Clinical Intervention on the side. Pray for me, and my husband ~ he's the one living with the juggling entertainer!
I put a pop-up blocker on my 'puter and now it won't let me do the blog spell check. Sorry for any mistakes! Feel free to correct them if you are a controlling perfectionist,otherwise, let me know how to reverse the situation...
Tidings of Joy :)
Wednesday, June 09, 2004
Creative Differences
So, you all know that I'm in grad school. I've made the commitment and my wonderful husband has been gracious enough to let me only focus on school and not worry about working too. (Thank you Hale~b!) Last night in class my fellow classmates were moaning and groaning about the length and turn in date of a paper that had been assigned a month ago. Me, being the non-procrastinating person that I currently am, have almost finished the mere 7 pages that were originally assigned. Our dear professor gave in to the pressure, lowered it to 3 pages and pushed back the deadline. For my classmates, I have a statement. "Quit your wining and get to work! It's not like you didn't know what you were getting into when you signed up for the class. We are in GRAD SCHOOL for the love of Jehosephat!!! Grow up, suck it up, and get to work!!!!" Ok, I feel better. Creative differences set aside. Now, I must grow up, suck it up, and get to work on cutting down my paper.
Tidings of Joy :)
Tidings of Joy :)
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