Friday, December 28, 2012
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
"I've Got a Feeling"
I received this Monday in the mail from Fred's mother.
I've got a feeling that this is the beginning of a good thing...
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
The Story
Mmmm! Where to start?
The Story -- Brandi Carlile
PREFACE
There is quite a bit of the preface that I will skip over, but we will start on Wednesday, December 5, 2012...
I received a call from my dad about needing to be at Anderson's Hospital at 0600 on December 12th. That was followed by a facebook message from Jessica that validated that Jessica was going to be induced on the 12th. December 5th was also Frederick's birthday. So excited about Jessica and wanting to wish Fred a "Happy Birthday," I gave him a call. It was not that long after I got off of the phone that Ariel, in the cubicle, beside me asked, "Have you told Fred about Jessica?" "Yes." Such a random question, I asked, "Why?" She had already told me that I would be engaged before 2013, her simple question gave away the proposal's time frame. Without an answer from her, "Never mind. I don't want to know." was said as I walked away from her. Bummer? Well, it wasn't exactly a winner.
So that weekend, I cleaned up the apartment. It is typically what I do on a weekend with no plans; but boy, did I scrub the place down for Fred. The assumption was that he was going to do it sometime between Tuesday and Thursday of the following week. And I was going to be ready and looking pretty for when he showed up at my door.
Tuesday, December 11th... He never showed up.
Wednesday, December 12th... I was trying to get work done and keep an eye on facebook the entire morning, waiting to hear word that I needed to leave for Meridian ASAP. I left work around 0930, and thought to myself, "If that boy comes to the hospital (which would have been awesome because he would have been involved with the birth...) and steals the thunder away from Jessica/Ryan/baby, I am going to be hot! He never showed up. Good thing! But that night, I was a little bummed.
Thursday, December 13th... I had planned to head back south after stopping by the hospital to hold Eden. But, I really, really didn't want to leave so soon. I had PTO to use for my un-worked hours but didn't know if I was "supposed to be in Picayune" Thursday night/ Friday. I called Jessica. I asked her opinion about missing work and briefly told her about Ariel's massive hint that Fred was coming. She instantly blew Ariel's gesture off and asked "Why don't you just stay." All it took was her asking me, and I was ready and willing to stay longer.
Thursday night... My mom's dog, who never-ever-ever barks, barks. It startled me. "Was that Baby?" I asked Jan. "Yes." she replied. Weird... was my thought. Not much longer after that, my cell phone went off at 2045. It was Frederick. I had briefly talked to him earlier that day, but he said that he would call me later while he was on shift. I denied his call, picked up the house phone, and dialed him back... for reception purposes. He started talking about having a "busy day," and I just knew that nothing was going to happen at this point and that he was in Sumter, SC.
We talked about our day for maybe 10-15 minutes or so, and then he asked me to do him a favor. "It's kind of cloudy over here, and I can't see the stars. But do you know the constellation Orion? Can you go outside and look at the three stars that make up his belt, and I'll imagine that I'm looking at it too so that we are looking at the same thing at the same time?" "Ummm, it's cold outside. Can I look at it from the window?" "(laughs) Yes, that will work." So I go to the bedroom, tell Jan to be quiet (because she's in there), and look out of the window.... except it's foggy, and I can't see out! So I quietly brainstorm, trying to come up with a way not to go outside but not lie to him that I can't see the stars. Then he asks me, "Do you see me?" "What?" "Do you see me?" I cover the phone, look at Jan and say, "I think Fred is outside!!" She cuts eyes at me, and I shove my face into the window and look down. There's a face, a handsome face that is looking up at me.
I shut off the phone, throw it down, and head for the door. He was walking up the steps when as I stepped out on the porch. "What are you doing here?!" "I came after you, Baby." "... what are you doing here?" We just embraced each other for a long time. I'm terrified to let go, because what if he proposes to me?! He doesn't let go... I think he was trying to figure out this next move. I invite him inside, and then we walked down the driveway to get his car, and then we walked back inside the warm house. Happiness galore!
Friday, December 14... My plans for my day off was to wake up slow, take it easy, and rest. I couldn't sleep past 0545 and got up to email my manager about not going into work. Fred woke up around 0700. My easy-going morning turned into "Let's get ready and go get breakfast in DeKalb." So that's what we did. We grabbed breakfast at Subway, ate it in the car in front of the grocery store, grocery shopped, visited with my dad, visited with my mom, and went home to drop off groceries before driving to Jessica and Ryan's house.
THE MAIN EVENT
We walked back outside on the porch to soak up the warm sunlight and love on Cali, the best cat ever. I am not sure how we started joking about this, but somehow I told Frederick, "Oh yeah. Well you can just leave, go on back to Gulfport and hop on the next flight back to Charlotte." [[Side Note: This is how we work. We love to be ridiculous with each other like the above; and quite frankly, I love it!]] "Really?!" "Yeah, just leave. Go get all of your stuff. .... You can leave the cologne I got you. (pause) I'll use it on my next boyfriend." (laughter) "Next boyfriend?!" "Yep." "I knew you had another one! How about you use it on..." "No, stop. I know what you're going to say." "What am I going to say?" "I know what you're going to say." "What?" "Frederick!" (I knew that he was going to say husband...) "How about your first husband?" "FIRST?!!! No! My ONLY husband! ... first?!" "You know what I meant. (pauseeeee) How about your first husband?"
To the knee he went. Out a ring box he pulled. Open it he did.
I'm looking at him, and the only thing that would come out of my mouth was, "No. No. No. No! What are you doing? No."
"Will you marry me?"
" (quietly said) No. No. Oh wow. Wow."
"Is this not a good place?"
"No, it's fine. Wow. (pause) Say something sweet."
I can't remember what he said, but the poor guy did make sense while fumbling over words. I just remember that his last words was about asking me to marry him on my "house floor".... aka, the porch.
"Yes. Yes! (pause) Handsome, put the ring on my finger."
(maybe 3-4 minutes later) "Um, can I get off of my knee first. It's beginning to hurt."
And on went the ring. And boyfriend/girlfriend became fiance. And I didn't think that I could love that guy anymore... Um, was I wrong.
THE FOLLOW-UP
My favorite part of the day was not Fred dropping to his knee and asking me to spend the rest of my life with him... although that was just a half-of-a-notch below the highlight... Holla!
My favorite part was both us just sitting down on the front porch of my house, leaning up against the front door, pants warm from the late-fall sun, hearing Cali meow and receive attention from the both of us, and discussing Fred's planning... all of the back story, why his chose this particular weekend, etc. We just hung out... for maybe close to an hour. We simply sat there and enjoyed each other's company. It is the little things that we love and adore, like just hanging out on my porch. That's what I so dearly love about him! And I cannot wait to be able to simply enjoy his presence day in and day out.
He explained his reasoning for this particular time frame. This might sound lame, but I know how Fred thinks and where his heart is. The Hobbit came out the same day, and I had made it clear that we would watch this movie together. We both love LOTR and Peter Jackson's films, and so we would end of seeing it together much sooner than possible. Also, our first football game that we watched together was the Steelers vs Cowboys. That was a fond memory of his and mine. And this past weekend, the same weekend, they were play again, and we could watch it together. :) I think that there were a few more reasons; but I am nearing the end of my blogging time limit, so this will do. Again, you might think "lame." I think I love him all of the more for the way he looks at things and how he expresses his love.
He also confessed that he had been working with Jessica on the timing and where I was going to be. He called her the day that he found out that she was going to be induced a week later. He talked to her after the birth, and they both wanted me to stay in DeKalb. Jessica was beyond subtle about asking me to stay. Fred was paranoid that her asking me would clue me off, since another friend had given away so much information already. I was proud of him for going to my big sister, the one that I go to for a lot of advice. :) Birthing a baby and helping a future brother-in-law out. Mmhmm, Mrs. Moore!
I wanted to just soak up our engagement... just the two of us and our family and friends. So it did not become facebook official instantly. I decided that Frederick could make the decision as to when we put it on facebook, and he did so Sunday night. We had such a blast watching the responses and "like"s come in. His friends, my friends, etc. We loved all of the congratulations love that we received. My favorite of that night... laughing hysterically at how facebook showed our engagement story. (SEE PICTURE BELOW) All it focused on was Fred's head and barely showed by top of mine. We laughed and laughed! What fun!
Where's Jaclyn?
If There Was No You -- Brandi Carlile
This song sums it all up...
I am not and have never been the kind of girl that has dreamed about my wedding day, my proposal. I have been praying for my future husband since about the 7th grade. It's so crazy to think that I have been praying for Frederick Richard Schmidt for well over a decade now. And although his proposal was not anywhere close to way I tentatively hoped it would be, it is unbelievably priceless! The humor involved, the painful waiting process, his pursuit of me... from Sumter to Atlanta to Gulport to a 4-hour drive to DeKalb (He chased me. Heads up, girls love to be chased, to be pursued!), how he chose the perfect ring that screams "Jaclyn" without any help from me, to the way that he loved on me, hugged me, held my hand, pulled me close, grabbed my hand during the prayers in church Sunday, conformed to my family visiting schedule Friday (that's all we did Friday), and how he repeatedly and repeatedly and repeatedly told me that he loves me.
Oh, Handsome Man. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for pursuing me, for your hard work planning the proposal, for going with the flow when I messed up your plans, for spending time with my family, for talking to me and listening to me, for making me laugh, for wrapping your strong arms around me and securing a portion of my future, for re-assuring me of your love for me... for being you -- tall, dark, handsome, goofy, funny, intelligent loving, compassionate, passionate, Christ-follower you. I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with you! I cannot wait to see how God is going use us for His glory and to show the world around us how much He loves us by the way we choose to love and be committed to each other. I cannot fathom the amount of laughter, tears, smiles, and hugs that we will accumulate over the years. And sweet Fiance, I love you... so much!
"Woo me!" And that you did! Love you, Frederick.
Baby Niece
Once I figured out that Jessica was pregnant, I had hopes that little baby would be baby boy. But the day of Jessica's inducement, I thought, "A little girl wouldn't be such a bad thing."
Waiting. Waiting. Standing. Waiting. Waiting while standing, followed by more waiting.
We knew that the baby had been delivered and was healthy.
Waiting. Waiting. Wah-ate-ing.
And then Ryan walks out with an adorable baby. He does not say much, looks at all of us, pulls the swaddling blanket away from the baby's mouth, and asks the following question, "So, does this look like a boy or girl?" We all silently stare at him.
"It's a girl!"
A unanimous and harmonious chorus of "Ahhh" erupts from everyone, and the volume of the sounds make her, little Eden, scrunch up her face. :)
The crazy thing is the amount of love that I have for the kid. It was instant. Love at first sight? Yeah, it's a real thing.
Waiting. Waiting. Standing. Waiting. Waiting while standing, followed by more waiting.
We knew that the baby had been delivered and was healthy.
Waiting. Waiting. Wah-ate-ing.
And then Ryan walks out with an adorable baby. He does not say much, looks at all of us, pulls the swaddling blanket away from the baby's mouth, and asks the following question, "So, does this look like a boy or girl?" We all silently stare at him.
"It's a girl!"
A unanimous and harmonious chorus of "Ahhh" erupts from everyone, and the volume of the sounds make her, little Eden, scrunch up her face. :)
The crazy thing is the amount of love that I have for the kid. It was instant. Love at first sight? Yeah, it's a real thing.
Welcome, Eden Elise! Welcome.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Tuesday Morning Music
Jack Johnson -- Pandora Station.
Apparently the cold weather can't shake off this low-key, tropical feel for music.
But my favorites so far this morning...
Apparently the cold weather can't shake off this low-key, tropical feel for music.
But my favorites so far this morning...
Friday, November 30, 2012
Preguntas
Can this day drag any more?
Cannot it be closing time?
Who wants to work five days in a row?
Instead of "why so serious," why not "why SO slow?"
Why? ... simply why?
___________________________________________________________
These are all legitimate questions on this given Friday.
T - 00:01:15
"I think I can. I think I can. I think I can."
More like "hope," I hope I can.
Hope.
(sigh)
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Stupid Day: The Conclusion
Oh dearly beloved, by the grace of God I survived yesterday... Shall I tell the rest of my story. Yes. Why yes, I shall.
Dyslexia.
I put in a trouble ticket yesterday afternoon for a certain system's passwords to be reset. Why? Because I could not remember my old password (hmmm). About an hour later, a super nice lady called and gave me directions on how to get to her so that I can reset my password. "If you go to the end of the hallway and turn left, you'll (blah blah blah). But if you take the RIGHT instead, you'll run right into my door. I'm not sure if you can get in, so I'll give you a minute and open up the door."
Out of my office I go. To the end of the hallway I go, and then I saw the right or left option. Well, I took the right, of course. I walked all of the way down the hall but never saw where I was supposed to run into the lady's office. But there was a door... so I entered. I took a "right" again, and continued down that hallway until I noticed that the room numbers were very, very far off. Panicking now at this point, all I can think is, "Great. That lady is going to think I'm crazy, and I'm going to have to return to my little cubicle and wait for that humbling call. I retraced my steps and then saw this door open with a lady standing in it allllll the way at the other end of the hall. And it dawns on me, I took the left instead of the right.
Again, dearly beloved, in my mind... I turned right. I am 100% dyslexic!
Uncensored.
Remember how I could not think yesterday? A co-worker made yeast rolls and placed them in the most awesome strategic place... the front table. Well of course, I have minimal will power (Or as Grandmother used to say, "My won't power... as in I won't eat that."). So I wondered up to the front of the room to see what there was to eat. There was a stick of butter up front, and a co-worker started joking with me to eat the butter. "No! That's gross. ... You eat it." said I. Then the lady that brought the yeast rolls and butter in said, "Butter is good for you." (jokingly stated).
Without thinking, these words just came out... "Good for you... if your goal is death!"
... How morbid. I have these hilarious, hilarious in my mind, thoughts all of the time, but I generally never them out of my head. Oops. There was no comment of reply from anyone after I said what I said. Hmm. Wonder why.
Klutz Syndrome.
I was summoned to get a 14ish pound turkey for the next door Thanksgiving lunch. So for the third trip to Walmart in three consecutive days, I burst into Walmart headed straight to the frozen turkey section... just like everyone else and their mother, brother, sister, aunt and uncle. I went digging for an acceptable turkey, threw one in the cart, and then wisdom hit me. I called the one and only Jessica Moore.
I talked to her for a moment, only to realize that I was in everyone's way. So I booked it over by the fruit. While talking to her, I heard something fall behind me. That's right. My booty backed right up into the bananas, and a bunch fell to the ground. As the notion to pick them up is processing, I see a man that is waiting to get past me. I just couldn't leave those bananas on the floor, so the poor man had to wait on me to pick up the bananas and juggle holding and talking on the phone. Poor guy.
Jaclyn Got (Almost) Run Over by a Reindeer... Automobile-Style.
Trying to leave Picayune's Walmart, I came to the 4-way stop... the only way out of the place. It came time for me to proceed forward and I did just that, but the red vehicle to my right was moving too. We both tapped brakes; and without thinking, I kept moving. Praise the Lord for safety, because I was almost hit!
Praise the Lord for getting me through the day and keeping me safe, because Lord knows how I would not be here today if it were not for the lending of His strength and love and protection.
_________________________________________________
Dyslexia.
I put in a trouble ticket yesterday afternoon for a certain system's passwords to be reset. Why? Because I could not remember my old password (hmmm). About an hour later, a super nice lady called and gave me directions on how to get to her so that I can reset my password. "If you go to the end of the hallway and turn left, you'll (blah blah blah). But if you take the RIGHT instead, you'll run right into my door. I'm not sure if you can get in, so I'll give you a minute and open up the door."
Out of my office I go. To the end of the hallway I go, and then I saw the right or left option. Well, I took the right, of course. I walked all of the way down the hall but never saw where I was supposed to run into the lady's office. But there was a door... so I entered. I took a "right" again, and continued down that hallway until I noticed that the room numbers were very, very far off. Panicking now at this point, all I can think is, "Great. That lady is going to think I'm crazy, and I'm going to have to return to my little cubicle and wait for that humbling call. I retraced my steps and then saw this door open with a lady standing in it allllll the way at the other end of the hall. And it dawns on me, I took the left instead of the right.
Again, dearly beloved, in my mind... I turned right. I am 100% dyslexic!
_________________________________
Uncensored.
Remember how I could not think yesterday? A co-worker made yeast rolls and placed them in the most awesome strategic place... the front table. Well of course, I have minimal will power (Or as Grandmother used to say, "My won't power... as in I won't eat that."). So I wondered up to the front of the room to see what there was to eat. There was a stick of butter up front, and a co-worker started joking with me to eat the butter. "No! That's gross. ... You eat it." said I. Then the lady that brought the yeast rolls and butter in said, "Butter is good for you." (jokingly stated).
Without thinking, these words just came out... "Good for you... if your goal is death!"
... How morbid. I have these hilarious, hilarious in my mind, thoughts all of the time, but I generally never them out of my head. Oops. There was no comment of reply from anyone after I said what I said. Hmm. Wonder why.
________________________________
Klutz Syndrome.
I was summoned to get a 14ish pound turkey for the next door Thanksgiving lunch. So for the third trip to Walmart in three consecutive days, I burst into Walmart headed straight to the frozen turkey section... just like everyone else and their mother, brother, sister, aunt and uncle. I went digging for an acceptable turkey, threw one in the cart, and then wisdom hit me. I called the one and only Jessica Moore.
I talked to her for a moment, only to realize that I was in everyone's way. So I booked it over by the fruit. While talking to her, I heard something fall behind me. That's right. My booty backed right up into the bananas, and a bunch fell to the ground. As the notion to pick them up is processing, I see a man that is waiting to get past me. I just couldn't leave those bananas on the floor, so the poor man had to wait on me to pick up the bananas and juggle holding and talking on the phone. Poor guy.
________________________________
Jaclyn Got (Almost) Run Over by a Reindeer... Automobile-Style.
Trying to leave Picayune's Walmart, I came to the 4-way stop... the only way out of the place. It came time for me to proceed forward and I did just that, but the red vehicle to my right was moving too. We both tapped brakes; and without thinking, I kept moving. Praise the Lord for safety, because I was almost hit!
Praise the Lord for getting me through the day and keeping me safe, because Lord knows how I would not be here today if it were not for the lending of His strength and love and protection.
Monday, November 19, 2012
The Return of Stupid Mode
Okay. Okay okay okay. Fine. Alrighty then (Ace Ventura style).
..................
So I'm on a role de blogging. Spanglish, anyone? But please, at my demise, humor me by laughing (or at least reading) at my mentally lame moments today.
I am working on the final processes on this go-away-already chart. But one little thing has led to another, so two of the five bullets are wrong and need fixing. I am intelligent, right? ... Fine! I am semi-intelligent at best. So why not use those three to four fully functioning brain cells and problem solve this little booger.
The only way that I could come up with to solve the problem is to re-load all of my data into a certain formatted file. Great! Except that this procedure would take definitely more than an hour with a good chance that the problem would still be there once it was finished loading. (Sounds like a plan to me!) It has been loading for about 20 minutes now, and my manager walks back to see how things are going. I show her the annoying dotty problem, and she's like, "Oh, just go in a delete it."
(dumb-founded at the simplicity and brilliance of the solution)
"Really? That's it? I was trying to re-load everything."
........................
The pause above is a moment of silence for all brains (aka mine) that have figuratively gone to pot.
.......................
We observe again.
......................... Okay! Fine! I'll stop that. Enough.
So my rest-of-the-afternoon problem has been solved in four-to-five clicks.
The Return of Stupid Mode.
Stupid Mode.
Stupid.
..................
So I'm on a role de blogging. Spanglish, anyone? But please, at my demise, humor me by laughing (or at least reading) at my mentally lame moments today.
I am working on the final processes on this go-away-already chart. But one little thing has led to another, so two of the five bullets are wrong and need fixing. I am intelligent, right? ... Fine! I am semi-intelligent at best. So why not use those three to four fully functioning brain cells and problem solve this little booger.
The only way that I could come up with to solve the problem is to re-load all of my data into a certain formatted file. Great! Except that this procedure would take definitely more than an hour with a good chance that the problem would still be there once it was finished loading. (Sounds like a plan to me!) It has been loading for about 20 minutes now, and my manager walks back to see how things are going. I show her the annoying dotty problem, and she's like, "Oh, just go in a delete it."
(dumb-founded at the simplicity and brilliance of the solution)
"Really? That's it? I was trying to re-load everything."
........................
The pause above is a moment of silence for all brains (aka mine) that have figuratively gone to pot.
.......................
We observe again.
......................... Okay! Fine! I'll stop that. Enough.
So my rest-of-the-afternoon problem has been solved in four-to-five clicks.
The Return of Stupid Mode.
Stupid Mode.
Stupid.
Suspicions
So we've already discussed that I am the spawn of Satan today, right?
Yeah. Uh huh. I am pretty sure that there is a demon inside of my body, and it is trying to exit my body through my right bicep.
Note (again): I am not crazy.
That muscle is having a mega-noticeable muscle spasm... aka, it's the demon.
Yeah. Uh huh. I am pretty sure that there is a demon inside of my body, and it is trying to exit my body through my right bicep.
Note (again): I am not crazy.
That muscle is having a mega-noticeable muscle spasm... aka, it's the demon.
Dearest Monday morn,
So forlorn,
Despise do I
And how I want to kick you in the upper thigh.
Nappy day,
Go away!
Normalcy,
come back.
Can't I just be my typical Jac...
Lyn?
The end.
A Warning to the Masses
I am the epitome of the spawn of Satan this morning... yesterday... and have been progressing that way through most of last week. It is not like it is my goal. It was like, "POOF," and things instantly turned that way. I do not want this title; and the fact that I am currently sporting around this sash of "Just try me today" makes me even more irritated... because I do not want to be this way. "Sick cycle carousel."
Note: I am not crazy.
Note: PMS-ing is a real thing. I have a few years of solid, convicting evidence. Don't believe me? ... Ahem. Remember who I am today? That's right. You nod your head in total agreement and show no signs of disbelief.
Just this morning, there was a truck that decided to ride my tail all of the way from Stennis's north gate to NAVO. The real kicker was turning off of the main road and into NAVO's parking lot. She might have been a yard away from my bumper... maybe. I parked. She parked ahead of me in the handicap parking spaces. I saw her about 20 feet ahead of me, and my first inclination was to yell at her at 0540, "Really, woman?!"
Pray for me. I am needing a state-of-Texas sized dump truck load of God's love today. I am needing His forgiveness, His compassion, His grace and peace and total trust in Him, and His love-love-love-love-LOVE! It is the only thing that will melt away this evil barricade that has been placed around my heart and mind.
I am needing this. I do not like asking for things, and I am asking which should clue you, the reader, in that this is dire. God is love. I am a Christian; therefore, I should be a follower of Christ, of God.... meaning that I should love. And as stated previously, I am the spawn of Satan (aka Mrs. Anti-love) this morning. Not cool.
Note: I am not crazy.
Note: PMS-ing is a real thing. I have a few years of solid, convicting evidence. Don't believe me? ... Ahem. Remember who I am today? That's right. You nod your head in total agreement and show no signs of disbelief.
Just this morning, there was a truck that decided to ride my tail all of the way from Stennis's north gate to NAVO. The real kicker was turning off of the main road and into NAVO's parking lot. She might have been a yard away from my bumper... maybe. I parked. She parked ahead of me in the handicap parking spaces. I saw her about 20 feet ahead of me, and my first inclination was to yell at her at 0540, "Really, woman?!"
___________________________________
Pray for me. I am needing a state-of-Texas sized dump truck load of God's love today. I am needing His forgiveness, His compassion, His grace and peace and total trust in Him, and His love-love-love-love-LOVE! It is the only thing that will melt away this evil barricade that has been placed around my heart and mind.
I am needing this. I do not like asking for things, and I am asking which should clue you, the reader, in that this is dire. God is love. I am a Christian; therefore, I should be a follower of Christ, of God.... meaning that I should love. And as stated previously, I am the spawn of Satan (aka Mrs. Anti-love) this morning. Not cool.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
A Novel of Insightful Comparisons
As I wait for something that I am loading to finish... um, loading, I have decided to blog. :) And I have been wanting to blog on this for a while now but never find the time or motivation to do so.
We all have our moments, right? Those times when we lose sight of the a goal. Those times that the worst gets the best of us. Those times when we become fed up with things, want to give up, threaten to toss up a white flag and stomp away like a brat. We all have had those moments. If you have not, God bless you... because I know that you have wanted to but somehow much have maintained composure during it. And for the record, I might just be in awe of you... whoever your amazing-self might be.
Using the above but turning my attention to another topic, I find marriage... maybe not just marriage but a committed, loving relationship so intriguing, so attractive, so inspiring, so insightful into how awesome and amazing and loving and compassionate and patient and forgiving the Creator and Savior of the world is. May I explain?
Case Study #1: Distance sucks. Waiting sucks. The word "sucks" sucks at accurately describing how I feel about distance and waiting. In a need for control, a stumble over emotions, frustration, and listening to others' input on your situation... ahem... the worst got the best of me. I became so annoyed with and frustrated with waiting for Fred that I made up in my mind that I wasn't going to put forth any more effort. "I had done my part! It was his turn to buck-up." So for two days, I decided that I didn't have to talk to Fred, that I didn't even want to talk to him. He called; I answered. The words out of my mouth were either negative, whiny, playfully and sarcastically ugly, or I just remained quiet on the phone because I knew that "I had nothing nice to say, so why say anything at all." On the third day, I was over my little, tyrannical surge and opened up. I told Fred how I was feeling, how I was simply done with him, how I was not waiting any longer, and how he had/has all of the control at the relationship at the moment. It's not like I can go purchase a ring and drop to my knee to beg Fred for his undying love for me. No! I'm a female. That is pish-posh. So the only power that I can conjure up was to be the one that either threatened or did put the relationship to an end. Is that not horrible?! He listened. He quietly asked, "Do you realize what that would have meant?" "Yes. It would have meant the end of us. I knew exactly what it meant when I was thinking it." He got very quiet. My eyes were opened to what I had just revealed right after I said it and heard the awful silence that followed.
The next night, I apologized over the phone. (Again, distance sucks! I would have much rather him seen my eyes than simply hear my words.) He admitted that the silence was him stepping back and making sure that he wasn't ignorantly off course. I admitted that I only wanted to hold the ruling scepter for a moment and that I chose an ugly way to do so. He laughed and laughed at me and my confession. And for about a week after that point, he joked about it with me, and the shame of my arrogance can to the surface every time and was disguised by a laugh... although, I really did find it funny and was glad that we can joke about such ugly and stupid actions.
This was not the first time that I have acted ugly, said hurtful or threatening things. Now hold your horses, threats are not a bad thing. God warns... aka threatens us about the consequences of certain actions. It is done out of love. My actions were done out of selfish ambitions and the desire to make things happen faster than they are on course to and to make Frederick feel slightly bad. Sigh.
Here lately on the phone, Fred will tell me, "Goodness, I love you so much." I hear those words, relish those words, soak those words up until I cringe over recent and past actions. I ask him, "Really, even after I (fill in blank)?" I was talking to him Saturday late-afternoon and he said something ridiculously sweet to me, something about me being absolutely beautiful and being in love with me. I laughed and asked him, "Really? Do you love me all of the time? Am I really that beautiful during those Trogdor moments?" And words rolled off of his tongue, "Listen, Jaclyn. After a good conversation or two with you, I have forgotten all about those things. I really don't remember them." "Well, praise the Lord, you don't!" (P.S. - I whole-heartily meant that!) Because I forget a lot of things, but I don't forget the times that he's been ugly. Intentional or oblivious, I don't forget the actions that I found hurtful... ever.
And it got me thinking......
Forgiveness. Does our Father not do the same thing? We confess our sins and repent, and it is totally wiped out of His memory. He sees us as His gorgeous, beautiful, perfect children even after we've ignored Him, talked bad about Him behind his back, done things our way, willfully disobeyed Him. But He still loves us and chooses to forget about the bad times. Just like Frederick forgets my down-in-the-dumps moments.
Unconditional Love. No matter the thought, word, or actions, nothing can sever us from the love of God. Say you choose to wipe out a huge, metropolitan area full of people because you wanted to. That's awful! But God will be ready to forgive and keep on loving you if you are willing to admit your wrongs and obediently choose to stop such things and live for Him. After the few massive break-downs that I have with Fred about Fred, he loves me more now than a year ago... two years ago... almost four years ago. And after the times when he was definitely not pulling his weight in the relationship, I am more in love with him now than the beginning. Unconditional. Love.
Patience. Ugh. I am not fond of that word. I know that Frederick has been patient with me; but only the Lord knows how patient that I have been with Frederick! And ladies and gentlemen, dare I say that was an understatement. But it is the same with the Father. Is He not ridiculously patient with us? Does He not see us screw up and screw up and screw up and screw up some more? In fact, He knows how many more time that we're going to screw up again. He keeps on loving us, guiding us, believing is us, never throwing His bigger-than-the-universe sized hands in the air and saying, "Okay, Jaclyn! I have had enough! You can wing the rest of your time on earth without Me. I am done with you." Patient. "Patience is a virtue." NO! Patience is that of a saint, of a Savoir, is holy. Period.
Potential. Despite those moments when we cave into emotions and let grossness of our hearts spew out for all to see, God still sees what we can be... what we will when He's done with us. I see so much potential in Frederick. I saw it from the get-go, and I have seen a good chunk of it come to fruition over the last year. I prayed and prayed over and about that guy the awful summer of 2010, and I fully believe that this is it. We are really good with each other... except when distance is added into the equation. Blasted miles apart!! We feed off of each other. I am not afraid to call him out on things, and he motivates me to be a better person in so many ways. Going to church is so much easier and enjoyable when we get to go together. We are there to sympathize with each other, encourage each other, love on each other, discuss frustrations, hear about victories and disappointments, share things that we would do so with anyone else, shine new light on situations, encourage each other to pray, to be a person of integrity, to love others, to follow God's will. Wow. Come to think of it, I cannot imagine my life without him. Again, I see so much potential in him and am excited about the future.
Commitment. That word just does not register for so many these days. No one really gets the reality of its definition. Commitment means a promise, and promises used to be something that you either did not make or did not break. But now, commitment is a superficial word that sugar-coats the worries of now and fizzles out days, months, years down the road. I know of way too many people in which this is the case. As much as we have been away with each other, as hard as it has been in so many ways, as frustrating as it has felt not to have someone dig deep and find ways to make the other feel loved and wanted, with having one working and making money and the other sitting around at home waiting, for all of the big and little things that could have driven us apart, I never felt God's leading for us to go our separate ways. I never entered this relationship with the thought of, "Ehh. I just want to have a little fun. Nothing serious." No. I see dating as a feeling-out for future things. And when we left Mobile, it was an understood but not stated agreement to make things work. And there have been a few times that we could have easily said, "Yep, that's it. Sirenara, sucker." Commitment means being in it for the long haul, even if it is unbearable at times, uncertain at times. Does God not call His followers to the same thing? "Take up your cross, and follow me." And especially in a marriage, does He not expect us to be a visual representation of how He will never leave and always love His bride?
I could keep going and might later, but this is it for now. My load is complete, so back to work I go. Christ is simply amazing. His Father, my Father is amazing. If it were not for His love, how in the world could I love others and others love me? And goodness gracious, how I love that man! Love is an awesome thing. Love really does conquer all. And why wouldn't it when it was love that drove Christ to the cross, that drove His Father to make a way for us out of our yucky despair and utter hopelessness.
_________________________________
We all have our moments, right? Those times when we lose sight of the a goal. Those times that the worst gets the best of us. Those times when we become fed up with things, want to give up, threaten to toss up a white flag and stomp away like a brat. We all have had those moments. If you have not, God bless you... because I know that you have wanted to but somehow much have maintained composure during it. And for the record, I might just be in awe of you... whoever your amazing-self might be.
Using the above but turning my attention to another topic, I find marriage... maybe not just marriage but a committed, loving relationship so intriguing, so attractive, so inspiring, so insightful into how awesome and amazing and loving and compassionate and patient and forgiving the Creator and Savior of the world is. May I explain?
Case Study #1: Distance sucks. Waiting sucks. The word "sucks" sucks at accurately describing how I feel about distance and waiting. In a need for control, a stumble over emotions, frustration, and listening to others' input on your situation... ahem... the worst got the best of me. I became so annoyed with and frustrated with waiting for Fred that I made up in my mind that I wasn't going to put forth any more effort. "I had done my part! It was his turn to buck-up." So for two days, I decided that I didn't have to talk to Fred, that I didn't even want to talk to him. He called; I answered. The words out of my mouth were either negative, whiny, playfully and sarcastically ugly, or I just remained quiet on the phone because I knew that "I had nothing nice to say, so why say anything at all." On the third day, I was over my little, tyrannical surge and opened up. I told Fred how I was feeling, how I was simply done with him, how I was not waiting any longer, and how he had/has all of the control at the relationship at the moment. It's not like I can go purchase a ring and drop to my knee to beg Fred for his undying love for me. No! I'm a female. That is pish-posh. So the only power that I can conjure up was to be the one that either threatened or did put the relationship to an end. Is that not horrible?! He listened. He quietly asked, "Do you realize what that would have meant?" "Yes. It would have meant the end of us. I knew exactly what it meant when I was thinking it." He got very quiet. My eyes were opened to what I had just revealed right after I said it and heard the awful silence that followed.
The next night, I apologized over the phone. (Again, distance sucks! I would have much rather him seen my eyes than simply hear my words.) He admitted that the silence was him stepping back and making sure that he wasn't ignorantly off course. I admitted that I only wanted to hold the ruling scepter for a moment and that I chose an ugly way to do so. He laughed and laughed at me and my confession. And for about a week after that point, he joked about it with me, and the shame of my arrogance can to the surface every time and was disguised by a laugh... although, I really did find it funny and was glad that we can joke about such ugly and stupid actions.
This was not the first time that I have acted ugly, said hurtful or threatening things. Now hold your horses, threats are not a bad thing. God warns... aka threatens us about the consequences of certain actions. It is done out of love. My actions were done out of selfish ambitions and the desire to make things happen faster than they are on course to and to make Frederick feel slightly bad. Sigh.
Here lately on the phone, Fred will tell me, "Goodness, I love you so much." I hear those words, relish those words, soak those words up until I cringe over recent and past actions. I ask him, "Really, even after I (fill in blank)?" I was talking to him Saturday late-afternoon and he said something ridiculously sweet to me, something about me being absolutely beautiful and being in love with me. I laughed and asked him, "Really? Do you love me all of the time? Am I really that beautiful during those Trogdor moments?" And words rolled off of his tongue, "Listen, Jaclyn. After a good conversation or two with you, I have forgotten all about those things. I really don't remember them." "Well, praise the Lord, you don't!" (P.S. - I whole-heartily meant that!) Because I forget a lot of things, but I don't forget the times that he's been ugly. Intentional or oblivious, I don't forget the actions that I found hurtful... ever.
And it got me thinking......
Forgiveness. Does our Father not do the same thing? We confess our sins and repent, and it is totally wiped out of His memory. He sees us as His gorgeous, beautiful, perfect children even after we've ignored Him, talked bad about Him behind his back, done things our way, willfully disobeyed Him. But He still loves us and chooses to forget about the bad times. Just like Frederick forgets my down-in-the-dumps moments.
Unconditional Love. No matter the thought, word, or actions, nothing can sever us from the love of God. Say you choose to wipe out a huge, metropolitan area full of people because you wanted to. That's awful! But God will be ready to forgive and keep on loving you if you are willing to admit your wrongs and obediently choose to stop such things and live for Him. After the few massive break-downs that I have with Fred about Fred, he loves me more now than a year ago... two years ago... almost four years ago. And after the times when he was definitely not pulling his weight in the relationship, I am more in love with him now than the beginning. Unconditional. Love.
Patience. Ugh. I am not fond of that word. I know that Frederick has been patient with me; but only the Lord knows how patient that I have been with Frederick! And ladies and gentlemen, dare I say that was an understatement. But it is the same with the Father. Is He not ridiculously patient with us? Does He not see us screw up and screw up and screw up and screw up some more? In fact, He knows how many more time that we're going to screw up again. He keeps on loving us, guiding us, believing is us, never throwing His bigger-than-the-universe sized hands in the air and saying, "Okay, Jaclyn! I have had enough! You can wing the rest of your time on earth without Me. I am done with you." Patient. "Patience is a virtue." NO! Patience is that of a saint, of a Savoir, is holy. Period.
Potential. Despite those moments when we cave into emotions and let grossness of our hearts spew out for all to see, God still sees what we can be... what we will when He's done with us. I see so much potential in Frederick. I saw it from the get-go, and I have seen a good chunk of it come to fruition over the last year. I prayed and prayed over and about that guy the awful summer of 2010, and I fully believe that this is it. We are really good with each other... except when distance is added into the equation. Blasted miles apart!! We feed off of each other. I am not afraid to call him out on things, and he motivates me to be a better person in so many ways. Going to church is so much easier and enjoyable when we get to go together. We are there to sympathize with each other, encourage each other, love on each other, discuss frustrations, hear about victories and disappointments, share things that we would do so with anyone else, shine new light on situations, encourage each other to pray, to be a person of integrity, to love others, to follow God's will. Wow. Come to think of it, I cannot imagine my life without him. Again, I see so much potential in him and am excited about the future.
Commitment. That word just does not register for so many these days. No one really gets the reality of its definition. Commitment means a promise, and promises used to be something that you either did not make or did not break. But now, commitment is a superficial word that sugar-coats the worries of now and fizzles out days, months, years down the road. I know of way too many people in which this is the case. As much as we have been away with each other, as hard as it has been in so many ways, as frustrating as it has felt not to have someone dig deep and find ways to make the other feel loved and wanted, with having one working and making money and the other sitting around at home waiting, for all of the big and little things that could have driven us apart, I never felt God's leading for us to go our separate ways. I never entered this relationship with the thought of, "Ehh. I just want to have a little fun. Nothing serious." No. I see dating as a feeling-out for future things. And when we left Mobile, it was an understood but not stated agreement to make things work. And there have been a few times that we could have easily said, "Yep, that's it. Sirenara, sucker." Commitment means being in it for the long haul, even if it is unbearable at times, uncertain at times. Does God not call His followers to the same thing? "Take up your cross, and follow me." And especially in a marriage, does He not expect us to be a visual representation of how He will never leave and always love His bride?
I could keep going and might later, but this is it for now. My load is complete, so back to work I go. Christ is simply amazing. His Father, my Father is amazing. If it were not for His love, how in the world could I love others and others love me? And goodness gracious, how I love that man! Love is an awesome thing. Love really does conquer all. And why wouldn't it when it was love that drove Christ to the cross, that drove His Father to make a way for us out of our yucky despair and utter hopelessness.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Daddy Weekend
My dad drove down to south Mississippi Friday morning to hang out in Picayune this weekend... Friday through Monday morning. So far it has been food, football, more food, and touring the town(s).
The Picayune Fall Street Fair is this weekend. We got out and walked down the street to check things out. Lots of crafty things, the opportunity to purchase funnel cakes, and antique cars were there.
Then it was off to Slidell. A quick trip to Hobby Lobby and Walmart was in order. Little did Daddy know that he was going to experience modern American culture.
Starbucks!
Double chocolate chip frappuccino...
Picayune's seafood -- Docside's shrimp poorboy. Mmmm.
And now, the LSU-Alabama game.
Two-ish Months Later
Frederick left Keesler AFB on August 16. I left for Panama City, Florida the next day. And we both said our good-byes and drove off in opposite directions on August 20. But praise the Lord, I have a handsome man that purchased a few plane tickets for me October 26-30. It was very much looked forward to, very worth the trip to the east, and as anticipated it was very short but sweet.
There was bonding with Miliani, aka Mili the "kit-ten." There was a lot of Fringe: Season Four. There was a trip to Columbia, lunch at Red Bowl (Asian cuisine), the 28th OWS's Fall Festival at Shaw AFB, hanging out with two other LTs in downtown Sumter, Steelers football with one of the other LTs, church at First Baptist Church of Sumter, cooking dinner together, two doses of pancakes (mmm), running, cleaning and tidying things up while Fred was at work Monday, Monday Blues, multiple trips to Walmart, baking chocolate chip pumpkin muffins and chocolate chip cookies, laughing, hugs, and just enjoying each other's presence.
Festive picture taking after church
Nappy sweetness
Monday afternoon photo session
Monday Blues
Enjoying the camera's attention....
Potentially the last picture taken with Fred's 2005 Ford Mustang
My favorite :)
Tuesday morning's pancake breakfast while watching squeezing in a few more episodes of Fringe
My "Reeses" pancakes, peanut butter and chocolate chip pancakes.
The next scheduled meeting: sometime around the first of the year. :(
.... another two months.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Song of the Morning
I heard this on the way to work this morning and fell in love with the folksy sound and chorus....
My Normal Question
Between facebook and blogging, there has been a fair amount of content about people thinking that I am much younger than I really am. If this gets old, my apologies. I find it so funny. Sometimes, it becomes annoying just for the reason that I view it as a lack of respect for my age. But in the other hand, I find it hilarious and maybe... in a "20 years down the road" kind of way... flattering.
Late yesterday afternoon, I ventured out of the office to visit the ladies room. As I walked about of the office door, a younger black man was walking by. We both smiled, and he said something. I responded, "Good. And how are you?" He laughed (which clued me in that he said "Hello" instead of "How are you?" and that my response was invalid. Thank goodness for kind folks that roll with my inability to communicate.) and responded, "Fine. How are you?"
As we walked through the first secure door, he said, "Can I ask you a question?"
Wondering what was about to come out of his mouth, I simply said, "Sure."
"May I ask how old you are?"
(laughs) "May I ask you how old you think I am?"
He very cautiously says, "Twenteeeee-two."
(laughs) "Well, that's much better than I usually get. Twenty-five, almost 26."
"Oh wow. I thought you were 18."
You know, I jokingly wonder if people if people around Stennis Space Center, people here in NAVO look at me and think, "She's too young to be in this building!" Or better yet, "Kid genius!" ( I highly doubt the latter one...) But this was an example of how my wonderings are sometimes true, that people look at me, know that I have to be at least 18 to hold a job here, but question if I am younger or older than I look.
But back to the funny side of things, I told Fred about it last night. He laughed so hard when I made the statement about people looking at me and questioning if I am kid. My response, "Dude, if you married me, do you know that in 20 years that it would look like you were married to a 20 year old women! And all of those men would be looking at you wondering how you pulled that off...." Tis true. Well, it is almost true, but he has a baby-ish face as well.
(sigh) Cheers to... to the younguns.
Late yesterday afternoon, I ventured out of the office to visit the ladies room. As I walked about of the office door, a younger black man was walking by. We both smiled, and he said something. I responded, "Good. And how are you?" He laughed (which clued me in that he said "Hello" instead of "How are you?" and that my response was invalid. Thank goodness for kind folks that roll with my inability to communicate.) and responded, "Fine. How are you?"
As we walked through the first secure door, he said, "Can I ask you a question?"
Wondering what was about to come out of his mouth, I simply said, "Sure."
"May I ask how old you are?"
(laughs) "May I ask you how old you think I am?"
He very cautiously says, "Twenteeeee-two."
(laughs) "Well, that's much better than I usually get. Twenty-five, almost 26."
"Oh wow. I thought you were 18."
You know, I jokingly wonder if people if people around Stennis Space Center, people here in NAVO look at me and think, "She's too young to be in this building!" Or better yet, "Kid genius!" ( I highly doubt the latter one...) But this was an example of how my wonderings are sometimes true, that people look at me, know that I have to be at least 18 to hold a job here, but question if I am younger or older than I look.
But back to the funny side of things, I told Fred about it last night. He laughed so hard when I made the statement about people looking at me and questioning if I am kid. My response, "Dude, if you married me, do you know that in 20 years that it would look like you were married to a 20 year old women! And all of those men would be looking at you wondering how you pulled that off...." Tis true. Well, it is almost true, but he has a baby-ish face as well.
(sigh) Cheers to... to the younguns.
Monday, October 29, 2012
A Fun, Little Past-time
Fred's cat, Miliani... Mili, for short. One of my arch enemies. One of the sweetest cats... when she wants to be, which with me is a rare thing. A whiner. A conniving, mischievous kitten. Mili. We have history. Fred found her in a bird-like cage inside of a pet store about two years ago. His heart broke for her, and he asked me to take her. Loving that guy something fierce, I compromised and agreed to take care of her until Frederick could take her for himself.
This is the first time that I have been at Fred's place in South Carolina when she is here. And honestly, I have been impressed. She hasn't been "that bad." But what a fun, little past-time she has been. Fred told me about two weeks prior to my flight that he wanted to walk Mili outside! I found her a pirate hat; and Friday, we found her a santa hat. His wittle kitty must be festive at all times.
Note: No felines were harmed in the making of this short film. We took her back inside instantly once I stopped recording. Apparently, the great outdoors is way too much for Mili to handle. Alas, Fred is determined to try it again.
This is the first time that I have been at Fred's place in South Carolina when she is here. And honestly, I have been impressed. She hasn't been "that bad." But what a fun, little past-time she has been. Fred told me about two weeks prior to my flight that he wanted to walk Mili outside! I found her a pirate hat; and Friday, we found her a santa hat. His wittle kitty must be festive at all times.
Santa-Kitten
Kitten Walk
Cats -- cheap entertainment, lap warmers, a means to release inner aggravation.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Weather-Talk Business
October 19, 2012
So yesterday, right? I got to the school around 0750, and Kristy came out and walked me in. I was introduced to her principal and co-workers as "our meteorologist expert." .... uh-huh and yeah-right. Then to her classroom we went. I sat around with little kids staring at me for nearly 20 minutes before my time slot to speak (0820). I felt like all I was doing was spitting out words at warp-speed. But their little eyes remained attentive, and many hands went up with some cool questions.
Planning on briefly mentioning that buoys give us important weather data, Mrs. Kristi stopped me and asked me to explain how they work. :) The kids loved it! Dear NDBC, I do miss you. It was fun being able to fully explain how buoys worked, what kind of buoys they were and what their purpose was and where they were located, and etc. etc.
The best part was when we got to my severe weather slides: severe thunderstorms and tornadoes and hurricanes. They gawked and drooled over the massive hail stone that I included on power point presentation. Explaining how hail worked was cool. :)
Knowing that kids love to get involved and be involved with what they are learning, I had crumpled up five pieces of paper and stuff them in my purse in case I needed something that would use up a few minutes of time. I ended up using them right from the get-go to explain how a radar works. Very cool!
I explained how the paper balls were the radar's energy pulse that it sends out. As I threw them all at once at 1-3 kids, I asked them to catch whatever they could and throw it back to me... all the while, explaining that not all of the energy pulses are returned to the radar but how the radar interprets what was returned... like how far away the object(s) are and how many objects there are -- More paper balls, more "little rain drops"; less paper balls, a light shower or not as many "little rain drops". There was laughter, especially as all three kids would throw their paper balls back at me at once and watch me catch none of them. :) But it totally got the point across, in very simple and fun terms, mind you.
You see, there were 87ish 5th graders that are split into three classes that rotate around to three different teachers. So the next crew came in at 0920. I think they were my favorite. There was this sweet girl in the front, a little boy that felt the need to story tell quite a bit, and other inquisitive little persons spread out around the room. By the time the last group came in, I was kind of ready for it all to be over with... giving the same spill three times. But the last group had a couple of really smart kids in it, as well as one girl that was completely zonked out the entire time. Not going to lie, it made me feel like the most boring person in the world for a total of 10 minutes.
One of the most important things, in my opinion, was to make sure that the kids knew the differences between a Watch and a Warning and that warnings are not to be taken lightly. I asked the kids what the difference was between the two, and most of the knew. When I asked what a warning meant, there were quite a few of them that responded, "It means it's time to freak out!!!" Haha! Made me laugh. From the post "A Book of Thanks," that portion of the presentation apparently struck fear into the hearts of a few. Oops! Hilarious, but oops! Overall, I think most of them knew where to go in case there ever was a warning issued for their area.
I got to include a small snippet from home...
The kids asked a couple of cool questions. One kid asked how lightning formed. I semi-stumbled with the answer, since it's not a well researched topic. But I tried to give him a very, very brief and super simple explanation why in the two minutes that I had to explain it. One kid asked about heat lightning, and I was able to do the "Gina Wade" and tell him that there was no such thing. This astonished the teacher and her aid, and they were like, "I never knew that!" after the kids left the classroom. The tornado questions and severe thunderstorm questions were my favorite. Oh, and the ones about the clouds.
It was such a fun experience. And having those little guys walk out and look at you with big eyes and big smiles, wanting to speak but too shy to do so, was well worth it. I'm glad that I had the opportunity to do so. And I'm grateful that for the need to ask God to get me through the morning. Because at the time I woke up, the first thought on my mind was, "I don't want to do this. Nerves! I'm going to finish up early and look stupid. Lord, help me get through this morning." Just like always, He did so. Thank you, Lord!
Just In Time
Can I just say that I am excited about this cold front that is about to make its way through the South?
I will be leaving tomorrow morning for Sumter, South Carolina... just in time for the temperatures to drop 10+ degrees! Typically, I'm not a fan of the "cold," but I'm ready for it this year. Check out the forecasted highs and lows.
I will be leaving tomorrow morning for Sumter, South Carolina... just in time for the temperatures to drop 10+ degrees! Typically, I'm not a fan of the "cold," but I'm ready for it this year. Check out the forecasted highs and lows.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
What do I title this post?
This morning, there are a few friends on my heart and mind. It sucks to see people that you love going through hard times or find themselves in positions where they are not supposed to be and/or want to be. It just sucks.
Friends that are having trouble finding a job. Friends that are not content with where they are at the moment. Friends, having made a commitment before God to be one, one flesh, for the rest of their lives, now re-thinking things and wondering if that wasn't God's plan to begin with.
Side Note: The "paragraph" above is nothing but fragments, and this annoys me to no end.
Pray for them. No names will be listed, but pray for them.
This morning, there are a few friends on my heart and mind. It sucks to see people that you love going through hard times or find themselves in positions where they are not supposed to be and/or want to be. It just sucks.
Friends that are having trouble finding a job. Friends that are not content with where they are at the moment. Friends, having made a commitment before God to be one, one flesh, for the rest of their lives, now re-thinking things and wondering if that wasn't God's plan to begin with.
Side Note: The "paragraph" above is nothing but fragments, and this annoys me to no end.
Pray for them. No names will be listed, but pray for them.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
A Book of Thanks
I started a blog post on Friday on the experience that I had talking to Picayune's Southside Upper Elementary about the weather, but... it started to take on novel-like characteristics. So my busy-bodied self decided that I needed to go out and take care of a few errands. No worries. I will finish and post it soon.
But this morning in Sunday school, the lady that invited me to speak (Kristi) handed me a book that her 5th grade made full of thank you notes. Here are the high lights.....
But this morning in Sunday school, the lady that invited me to speak (Kristi) handed me a book that her 5th grade made full of thank you notes. Here are the high lights.....
Friday, October 19, 2012
Gypsy Visit
Uncle Scott and Aunt Laurie stopped by Picayune Monday afternoon. Because they were in Louisiana due to a doctor's visit and Uncle Scott had a few vacation days to burn, they decided to swing by, spin the night, and drive down to the coast Tuesday morning. They arrived at the apartment around 5pm, and we all hung out for about 1.5 hours... just talking and listening to Uncle Scott play a guitar that I borrowed from Jessica/Ryan. They took me out for dinner. We came back and talked a little more, and then I headed to bed.
"We're just gypsies... traveling all over the place." -- Uncle Scott Tisdale
It was a short and sweet visit but an enjoyable one. Ooooh, I would love to have someone play the guitar for me every work day when I get home from work.
"We're just gypsies... traveling all over the place." -- Uncle Scott Tisdale
It was a short and sweet visit but an enjoyable one. Ooooh, I would love to have someone play the guitar for me every work day when I get home from work.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Poopiness
25. I'm 25, people... okay, I'm leaning towards the 26 side these past few weeks.
My body is achy today. My left toes are feeling achy-weird. The middle finger on my left hand has gone to randomly aching, and my very lower-right gut has been having odd pains all day. My eyes are refusing to focus on the screen since after lunch.
I'm 25, not 55. Me no likey. Me no likey at all. This, my friends, does not bode well for my future outlook.
Oh, and my feet stink. But that has nothing to do with "old age." [ Hey, I can still smell! :) ] That just means that I need to do a little wipe-me-down action to my shoes. TMI? .... pretty much. Woopsie.
Besides that, today has been nothing short of a play day. I was working on having a mid-review on my "been working on this piece of nappy coordinates for an eternity" chart. Farmers maket + lunch = out 1.5 hours. Talking just beside my cubicle ~ 1 hour. Blogging ~ 10 minutes. Eeesh. Look who gets to put in "extra" time on Thursday. That's right. Tis muah. This girl. Me.
Poopy. Today has been poopy on many different levels.
But tomorrow, tomorrow will be hard-core focus and work. Music will be in my ears, and I will ignore the little world around me. Cheers to distractions. All the more, cheers to extra time put in this week. Hey, "cheers."
My body is achy today. My left toes are feeling achy-weird. The middle finger on my left hand has gone to randomly aching, and my very lower-right gut has been having odd pains all day. My eyes are refusing to focus on the screen since after lunch.
I'm 25, not 55. Me no likey. Me no likey at all. This, my friends, does not bode well for my future outlook.
Oh, and my feet stink. But that has nothing to do with "old age." [ Hey, I can still smell! :) ] That just means that I need to do a little wipe-me-down action to my shoes. TMI? .... pretty much. Woopsie.
Besides that, today has been nothing short of a play day. I was working on having a mid-review on my "been working on this piece of nappy coordinates for an eternity" chart. Farmers maket + lunch = out 1.5 hours. Talking just beside my cubicle ~ 1 hour. Blogging ~ 10 minutes. Eeesh. Look who gets to put in "extra" time on Thursday. That's right. Tis muah. This girl. Me.
Poopy. Today has been poopy on many different levels.
But tomorrow, tomorrow will be hard-core focus and work. Music will be in my ears, and I will ignore the little world around me. Cheers to distractions. All the more, cheers to extra time put in this week. Hey, "cheers."
Five Times Plus
Love this song!! I have already listened to it approximately five times already and feel certain that it will be played another... eh, 10 times today.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Afternoon Walk at Home
The neighbor's dog, Bendi
I love black-eyed susans!
Massive ant bed
Hints of fall
Golden rod
Mighty Huntress
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