One of those days

It's been one of those days...... where you feel like you just don't get anything done. Yet the list of things "to do" grows longer exponentially by the second.

My friend Sarah stayed with me last night before heading back to Manila this morning after her brother's wedding this past weekend. It was so good to hang out with her and I can't wait to have her close again when she moves to Denton this fall to go to grad school.

I took her to the airport this morning and made it to work about 9:00. From that moment on, the day just spiraled out of control. This was our once a month staff meeting day, so I didn't get anything accomplished this morning. Our new tech guy installed my new computer during our meeting and while it seemed to be working, there were several things that weren't connected quite right. Made for a hectic afternoon.

Now, I'm home -- should be working. The list of things to do is about 87 miles long. I hate to gripe, especially in light of so many much more dramatic issues going on in the world, but I just feel like I can't get my head above water long enough to focus on which direction I need to go. And, even thought I just had a great weekend away with no thought about work, I just seem to be drowning.

Found

Well, my cousin Suzie has been found. There's a lot of hard stuff to come for that part of my family, so please keep praying for healing -- for Suzie, her sons Alex & Austin, and my aunt Mary and uncle Freddie.

Thanks!!

Home Again

Well, I'm home. The weekend was a wonderful time of creativity and bonding with some great friends. I really truly love these times away - even with limited sleep.

While it was overcast, misty and cool near Salado, it apparently was pouring rain all weekend here at home. Saw a brief news update that showed around 7.5 inches near my house!! One of my good friends is still stuck on the highway because the exits were closed due to high water on the route they had to take! They've been on the road for 6+ hours! Crazy. While we needed the rain, I wonder if it isn't doing more harm than good now!

Please pray for my family - long story, but I have a cousin that has disappeared. If you want more details, please email me - I just don't feel like I can post it here.

Not so much to say.....

Hello, Mae. Yes, I am still here. Sorry I haven't blogged lately -- sadly, the only excuse is one that I said I wouldn't blog about anymore.

Quick recap - yes, I've been 30 now for all of two weeks. I've been meaning to post some photos, but just haven't had time. I think the celebrations are finally over - although I thoroughly loved the attention and stretching it out for about 3 weeks, I'm ready to move on and just be 30.

This last weekend I celebrated with my friend Katie. She was born two days before me (though some years it is 3 days), in the same hospital in Amarillo, TX. We didn't really know each other then, although our parents did know each other. We were reunited in 5th grade - where we thought we were supposed to be friends, so we tried really hard to be, but were too much alike and in strong competition with each other, so we kinda ended up hating each other. Then, the summer before senior year of high school we were reunited again through ACU's Junior Scholars program. And this time, the friendship stuck. Now, I count her among my best friends -- she's one of the "six" that I have mentioned several times.

Another thing that has been on my mind is an upcoming situation at work. We've hired another girl in the accounting department. She will work along side me, albeit in a completely different capacity, and report to the same VP. I think she will be a great asset to our team, but I'm feeling a little bit threatened. Not exactly sure why, although I think it is because she has very similar qualifications to me and is almost my age. I think it is coming from my insecurities more than any actual threat, but it's been on my mind and definitely stirring up my emotions since I found out that she accepted our offer. So more prayers on that front would be appreciated!!

In other news, I'm headed out for another scrapbook retreat this weekend. Taking the day off work on Friday (yipppeeee!!!!!) and hanging out with about 40 ladies from my church. It will be wonderful.

Ok, I think that's all for now. Stay tuned for breaking news.....

Surprise!!

What a weekend!

Friday, I headed up to my friend Jenny's house in Wylie to hang out with her and my friend Kelly. We were supposed to be spending time being creative/crafty, but I actually brought work to do. Hated to do that, but it was so much better to do it hanging out and visiting with them than doing it at home by myself!

Saturday, I slept in and lounged in bed watching TV until after noon....it was wonderful! Then I got out and ran a few errands. Made it back home in time to freshen up to go meet Heather and Phillip for dinner. Here is the first surprise: my parents came to town for the weekend! They showed up after we had been seated at Rockfish and surprised me!

Then we headed back to Heather and Phillip's house. Now, I knew all along that Jenny (and Jack, her husband) and Kelly were supposed to come over for cake. What I didn't know is that they had been planning an elaborate surprise party! So, we walk in through the garage and there were about 15 people waiting inside the house when we got back from dinner! Mom brought my favorite cake from McKay's bakery in Abilene - with my first grade photo on the front. I got lots more fun presents. It was a great evening!

Then Mom & Daddy came back and spent the night with me (thankfully, my house was pretty clean!) and went to church with me this morning. We had a yummy lunch at Freebirds then they headed back to Abilene.

Now, there's just enough time to finish up a couple of things for work (the audit starts tomorrow) and then veg on the couch and watch the Oscars.

Thank You

Thanks for all your sweet comments, funny e-cards, and emails sent to brighten my birthday. It has been a pretty good day. I am so thankful for all you friends and family!

Great quote

My friend Kelly always puts quotes at the end of her emails - this is the most recent and I want to remember it.

"Always remember to be happy because you never know who is falling in love with your smile." - Anonymous

Birthday Fortune Cookie

So, the FedEx guy delivered this really interesting package to me at work today. It is a Gigantic Fortune Cookie - with a personalized fortune inside. What a fun surprise and blessing from my family. Thank you! I love you all, too!

Here are the pictures - finally!!

Birthday

Happy Birthday to me!!

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Another celebration

I really do love stretching birthday celebrations on and on and on. Especially since my birthday hasn't actually come yet, it's kinda fun having all these parties in my honor!

Tonight was the weekly dinner with Martha and the girls at Casita. It was extra special because it has been a few weeks since we've met (Martha bought a house and has been crazy busy getting it ready to move into and then actually moving). Plus, yesterday was Martha's 65th birthday and tomorrow is my 30th. So, we had two birthday celebrations in one! It was wonderful!!

Now, if I could just quit sneezing and stop coughing, maybe I'd really feel like celebrating on the actual BIG DAY (which is TOMORROW, in case you haven't figured it out yet!)

Friends

I really do have great friends. Sometimes I forget that and I let myself wallow in loneliness and pity parties. Tonight reminded me that I do have really great friends. My friend Allyson volunteered a couple of months ago to "host" my 30th birthday party (only a little early since the BIG DAY isn't until March 1). She asked me what I wanted to do and then did all the fun planning. Turns out that there were about 25 people there to help me celebrate tonight! It was so fun.

We ate dinner at Buster's (yummy mexican food) then headed back to Laura & Allyson's apartment for homemade chocolate cake, ice cream, and games! Rousing games of Scrabble, Mexican Train, Spoons all happening simultaneously made for some craziness, but it really was so much fun.

Thanks Allyson for the planning -- and thanks to everyone else who came to help me celebrate (and gave me fun gifts!!!).

Thunder and Lightening

I was woken up several times last night by bright flashes of lightening and HUGE claps of thunder! I love it!!!! It started raining about noon yesterday and rained off and on all afternoon and night. We really needed the rain so I'm glad of it. Although, I'm happy that it is projected to have stopped raining by this evening. It's my party and I don't want it to rain!

Vacation Day

Today has been great - I took a vacation day and spent the day shopping with my friend Kelly! She came over and spent the night last night, then bright and early this morning we hit the SampleHouse bi-annual warehouse sale. This store has lots of fun housewares and paper goods (the website really doesn't do it justice). Everything at the warehouse sale is 75% off. After shopping for about an hour, while dodging tons of people, we had to stand in line for almost an hour to check out! But, it was really fun and we both got a lot of good deals. We saw several folks from church and ended up being able to eat lunch at BreadWinners with Darla and Chrystal.

After lunch, Kelly and I shopped a few other fun stores and then headed home. Now, I've got a rainy evening to relax and get stuff done around the house. Tomorrow night is the big 3-0 birthday bash with all my friends (although the big day isn't until next Wednesday).

Before I get started, I think I might take a little nap.....

Still working.....

Okay - so I'm starting to feel like a whiny-baby with my work-work-work talk. Really there is more to my life. Or is there? I think that I am beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel. But it will still be a little while before that light overwhelms the dark craziness that is my life.

I managed to leave today with enough time to run home, put on my jeans, and scarf down a pb&j sandwich before I headed to church for worship team rehearsal. Much more comfortable. I think I'm really a jeans & t-shirt girl at heart. One day, maybe, that can be my daily "uniform."

Came home from church, worked some more. Wait - slap on the hand - no more blogging about work!!

Now I'm off to watch a little TV before I head to bed. Up early in the morning - lots to accomplish tomorrow - still trying to final close December, now trying to close January, staff/board meetings next week, starting to work on February, getting ready for auditors, training new staff, etc, etc, etc.

At least I know that I won't be working this weekend -- at least not until Sunday night. I'm headed to A-town for Sing Song and other ACU festivities.

a DAY

Man......it's been a DAY. I'm pooped.

My new staff accountant started today. I really think she's going to be a good fit with our group. I'm so glad to have some help -- but I think it will still be a while before things settle down. She's got a lot of learning to do before I can really unleash her.

I left work about 6:45 in time to make a quick run to Target then head to Dinner Club. Got home about 9:00 and worked a little bit more. Now, I'm off to bed.

Karen had this fun link on her blog today -- make a WordCloud here. Here's mine:

Retreat Talk

Ok - this is long, but bear with it. This is what I shared at our church ladies' retreat this weekend.
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I was introduced by my good friend Kelly. This is what she said:

I probably met Jenni in the Clifton's kitchen in the fall of 1999. We graduated from church acquaintances to real friends soon after when, on a whim (and because I didn't know anyone who liked Christian rock music), I asked her if she wanted to go to a Superchic[k] concert. From that time on, we've been good friends and I've learned that:

• she has a sense of adventure and is willing to try new, fun eating, shopping and music experiences
• she makes the best chunky monkey bread and is gifted in many other domestic arts as well
• she is extremely organized that uses that gift to bless others
• she has the spiritual gift of hospitality
• her taste in jewelry is really great and she looks fabulous in things I couldn't pull off
• as a friend she is loyal and patient
• and finally, for as long as I've known her, she has been persistently seeking after God through times of confidence and doubt, obvious blessings and guidance and times when God feels farther away, and through it all, she doesn't give up!

What a sweet tribute - thanks Kelly!!!
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I was nervous when Holly first asked me to speak this weekend. Earlier this week when I heard that I was going to be the FIRST one up here to speak, that nervousness turned into the beginnings of panic. But my mother reminded me that I always wanted to be first and way ahead of everyone else...so, I guess it is fitting. Here goes.....

I was born into a Christian home. My mom was raised church of Christ and my dad was raised Methodist, so, from the beginning, I was in church every time the doors were opened. We lived in Amarillo until I was 8, then in Denver, CO for a couple of years before moving to Abilene when I was in fifth grade. Lynn Anderson was still preaching at Highland (before he came to Preston Road) and I remember sitting on the front row through my middle school years taking notes during his sermons. I was baptized at age 12 after a camp experience the summer after sixth grade. Looking back, I realize that I was pretty much a goody-two-shoes all through high school, and even probably some into college. I did all the youth group activities, looked down my nose at those in my classes at school that were out partying, graduated top of my class from high school, then went off to Abilene Christian University.

While I was at ACU, I was involved in a lot - class officer, Sing Song, Welcome Week committees, you name it, I was there. It was during my time in college that I really started to think about making my faith my own. Not my parents’ faith – but mine. I did test some of the boundaries that ACU set – but never did stray too far from the rules. Because I’m pretty much a rules follower. I remember the first Sunday that I missed church because I slept in (because I was out waaayyyy too late the night before, and frankly, had too much to drink). Waves of pure church of Christ guilt washed over me all day long.

I came away from my college experience with many good friends – but there are six of us that are still close enough to really work at spending time together each year. Sarah, one of the six, I would consider to be my “best friend” – we met and became friends in high school, the summer between junior and senior year, while doing ACU’s Junior Scholars program. At semester of our sophomore year of college we became roommates and lived together throughout the rest of our time at ACU. The six of us girls were split between two houses through our Junior and Senior years, and although I didn’t know a couple of the girls really well while we were still in college, we have gotten much closer since graduation, even while living scattered across the world. Those girls have pushed and challenged me, traveled with me, sung with me, cried with me, prayed for me, given me advice and in general supported me through pretty much everything in the past few years. I learned a lot about how to be a friend – how to pray – how to develop those deep, lasting bonds that come through sharing our struggles. Those girls have taught me more than they probably even know about how to live my life for Christ.

I left college thinking that I had it pretty much all figured out. I was a strong, independent career woman. I could move to the big city alone, and make it just fine. I knew what I wanted and worked pretty hard to get there. But deep in the back of my mind, there was something missing. A piece of the puzzle that hadn’t yet clicked into place. I have struggled with making my faith really my own – with making it an integral part of my everyday life – and with being fully confident in God and in my relationship with Him. I’ve struggled, in part I think, because there are still deep seated goals and ambitions in my life that are yet unsatisfied. And somehow, in the warped back of my mind and in the deep recesses of my heart, that means that God isn’t who He says He is.

Rewind to the late 1960’s - my parents met in high school and dated throughout the end of high school and long-distance during college (Daddy stayed at home and went to UTA while Mom went to ACC), getting married the summer after they graduated from college. Daddy worked for the government in Amarillo and Denver, then took a job at ACU that prompted our move to Abilene when I was 10, while Mom always stayed home with us. I’m pretty sure she worked at least part-time in the early days of their marriage, but as soon as I was born, she was “just” a mom and didn’t work outside our home.

One of the things I remember from growing up was that Mom had a Kindergarten-12th grade school memento book for me and my sister. She would put pictures from the first and last day of each year of school and all the pertinent stats from our school year, plus there were blanks to fill in as to what our favorite things were and what we wanted to be when we grew up.

No matter what else I ever wanted to be, whether it was a teacher, an astronaut, or the president, from the earliest time I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be my mom. To fall in love and get married. To have a family. To stay home with my children. To cook, clean, sew, organize and be a “chief home executive.”

I’ve had people over the years deride that dream, wondering why I would “waste” the accounting talents that I’ve been blessed with to “just” be a mom. They tell me that I’ll change my mind -- when faced with the opportunity to quit work and stay home, I’ll choose my career. I tell them over and over that it isn’t going to happen. My goal is to be a wife and a stay-at-home mom. That’s what I think I’m really wired for. What I believe that God has gifted me to be.

But. Here I am – a month shy of 30 years old and still single (when mom was my age, I was 5½ ). I have a great job that I enjoy and where I am having success. I have great friends that I do things with and that are very important to my life. I have a wonderful church family that has encouraged me to grow and stretch my talents and has provided me with mentors and Dallas “moms” and “dads”. But, I have no husband and no children - yet. Hopefully someday - soon? Sometimes, I do wonder (and this wondering does get louder in my head as I get older)…….God, do you hear me when I pray? You do know that I’m supposed to be a wife and mom, right? I not supposed to do this career thing. I’m supposed to be staying home with my babies. So, why am I still single….with no prospects?

Stephen Curtis Chapman has a song on his “Declaration” album titled: God is God. Many of you may be familiar with it. The chorus of that song is what I have to remind myself of over and over again. Especially when I start to wonder why my life isn’t going the way I planned it (because I’m pretty good at planning things, and my life is no exception) The chorus goes like this:

God is God and I am not
I can only see a part of the picture He’s painting
God is God and I am man
So I’ll never understand it all, for only God is God

I have to remind myself of that often. God has a plan for my life. Even when I don’t see what He’s painting. When I have no idea as to what the next scene is supposed to show. In Jeremiah 29:11, the prophet tells me that God has a plan for me, a plan to prosper me and not to harm me, a plan to give me hope and a future. So, I remember the lyrics of that chorus – God is God. I am not. I’m not supposed to be. I don’t know what His plans are for my life. I don’t know if I will ever fall in love and get married. If I will ever get to experience the joy of being a mom. I just know that His plan will all work out in His timing, in His way – if I will just trust Him. If I will just seek after Him. If I will let Him be in control. If I will live according to His plan as He reveals it to me.

I have a little prayer on the cabinet in my bathroom: “Father, thank you for giving us what we need, when we need it. Forgive me for borrowing tomorrow’s trouble; teach me the comfort of trust.”

I don’t know about you, but I need that reminder. That God is God. He is in control of everything. He knows what is best for me. He knows what is best for my life. I just need to learn to follow Him. To trust Him. To wait for Him.

Now before you start thinking that I’ve got it all together – that I have figured it all out. Stop. Look at the tears running down my face. Hear the crack in my voice. I don’t know what I’m doing – and most of the time what I do is wrong anyway. And it drives me crazy. I try to control my life. I try to take the reins. And I screw it up all the time. Because, guess what? I’m not GOD. Neither are you.

Believe me, I am speaking to myself as much as I am to you – it is time to let go of the control that I think I have over my life and give God the reins. I’m still hoping and praying (and praying and hoping) that somehow His plan will line up with at least some of my plans for my life. That He will want for me to be a wife and mom. And that, in His perfect time, that prayer will be answered. But for now, I’m learning to trust Him anyway. Every day, I’m learning to follow Him anyway. To not base my happiness or contentment on the answer to that one prayer – but to enjoy the journey.

Life won’t magically be perfect when or if I get married or have children. I know that. I have enough friends that are in that stage of life and remind me often of that fact. I know that there will still be struggles daily to live for Christ. To surrender to His control. To let Him lead my life. But what I’m beginning to figure out is that if I let go of the illusion that I am in control and let God be God, then my life will be so much better for it.

Why Computers Crash

The original source for this is unknown to me, but I got it from my granddaddy this morning and thought it was good Friday humor! (and it certainly sounds like something written by Dr. Seuss, although I don't know for certain that he wrote it)

Why Computers Crash
By Dr. Seuss

If a packet hits a pocket on a socket on a port, and the bus is interrupted at a very last resort, and the access of the memory makes your floppy disk abort, then the socket packet pocket has an error to report.

If your cursor finds a menu item followed by a dash, and the double-clicking icon puts your window in the trash, and your data is corrupted cause the index doesn't hash, then your situation's hopeless and your system's gonna crash!

If the label on the cable on the table at your house, says the network is connected to the button on your mouse, but your packets want to tunnel to another protocol, that's repeatedly rejected by the printer down the hall.

And your screen is all distorted by the side effects of gauss, so your icons in the window are as wavy as a souse; then you may as well reboot and go out with a bang, 'cuz sure as I'm a poet, the sucker's gonna hang.

When the copy on your floppy's getting sloppy in the disk, and the macro code instructions is causing unnecessary risk, then you'll have to flash the memory and you'll want to RAM your ROM, and then quickly turn off the computer and be sure to tell your Mom!

Fog

It is really disconcerting to look out your office windows from 28 stories up and not be able to see anything but white fog.

Did you ever wonder......

.......if you started digging, where you would end up?

According to this website: Dig to the Other Side, I'd end up in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Interesting.....

thanks Daddy, for the diversion!

Singing & Retreat

Remember a few weeks ago I posted about a quandry about whether to rejoin the worship ministry and sing on the praise team? I had lunch last week with our worship minister and decided that yes, this is something that I need to be doing right now. I guess I was a bit aprehensive because I don't think my voice is that good. I have never sung in choir or had any confidence in my untrained voice. I can read music (because I played the piano a little growing up and was in orchestra), but if you play a note on the piano, I'd never be able to tell you what note you played. I can hear if something doesn't fit or is "wrong" but I have a hard time sometimes hearing how what is written is "right." But, I get a lot of compliments on my voice and was specifically targeted to rejoin the praise team - and after visiting a rehearsal and realizing how much I do miss singing regularly, I said yes. This Wednesday will be my first regular rehearsal and I'm excited.

On another note, this weekend is our ladies' retreat. I was asked to be one of 10 women from within our congregation that are sharing at the retreat. The theme of the retreat is "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Faith" - basically that we each have a faith story to tell of how others have impacted us, how things in our lives have shaped our faith and how we in turn have impacted others. And I found out today that I will be FIRST on the agenda to speak on Friday night. While this is somewhat comforting in that I will be able to fully enjoy the rest of the weekend without writhing in anticipation, it makes me somewhat nervous to be the first! The talk is written and I've read through it enough that I'm fairly confident I can make it through. But, I'm starting to get nervous now. So, any prayers that you would offer up this week would be greatly appreciated. And I'll post the text of my talk at the end of the weekend.

RAIN!!!

Sometime in the night, it started raining here......and it is still raining!!! I awoke to the gentle sound of a steadily falling rain. The soaking kind. Which is so much what we need right now. I only hope it really helps.

I've got virtually no plans for today. I just woke up (after 12 hours of sleep) and am planning to lounge and watch movies and read for most of the day. Then tonight, I'm headed to Studio Movie Grill to eat and see Glory Road in celebration of a friend's birthday. Like my friend Allyson mentioned in her comment of yesterday - three movies, three nights in a row makes it sound like I have no life! This is more movies than I've seen in a really long time. But it's fun. I miss going to the movies.

I really like the quote in the box on my sidebar today -- I'm gonna post it here also for posterity: If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun. Katharine Hepburn

Happy Saturday blogfriends!!

Friday Rambling

I saw End of the Spear last night. It is amazing. I would highly recommend it.

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One of my coworkers brought some dominoes up to the office. Over the past couple of weeks during our lunch hour, I've been learning to play 42. My parents tried to teach me and my sister on our vacation a couple of years ago, but it just didn't stick. While it is a lot like spades, the bidding is different and I just couldn't get my mind around it. But, now, after playing almost every day for several weeks, I think I'm starting to get the hang of it. It definitely provides a better diversion during lunch than reading the newspaper and has been a lot of fun.

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I finally saw Walk the Line today. I've been wanting to see it since it came out, but it just was never convenient. We tried to see it over Christmas in Tennessee, but it had already left the theater in my grandma's town. So, I saw a late matinee today (since I've been working so much, I took off a little early today). I really loved it. Great movie. I'm learning to love the music of Johnny Cash.

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I have a little bit of work to do this weekend, but not much. Thankfully, things are almost back to normal.

A Neighbor

I wrote the following shortly after moving to the big city about 6.5 years ago. Things are getting better at work, but are still crazy and probably will be until the audit starts and my new accountant gets started. So, for now, this is what you get.

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This evening I met one of my neighbors - his name was Bruce. How, you ask, did I meet him? Well, he answered my call for help.

"Help?!" you ask.

Yes, help. You see, I was locked out of my apartment - and I was on my balcony.

Yes, you read right, I was stranded on my balcony - on the second floor.

Both my key lock and deadbolt were secured on my front door and the security bar was down on my sliding glass balcony door.

STOP LAUGHING.

It really wasn't funny. Okay, maybe it became funny. But only after I realized that I wouldn't be yelling fruitlessly all night long.

Let me begin at the beginning.

I returned home about 5 pm from my weekend excursion to Abilene. As is my custom, after unloading my car, I locked the regular key lock and the deadbolt lock on my front door. Then I went about the business of unpacking, relaxing, etc. One of my purchases this last weekend was a tarp to protect my bicycle (which is parked on my balcony). I went out about 7:15 pm this evening to cover my bicycle. Little did I realize that my security bar would fall shut behind me after I closed the door.

So here I am, alone, barefoot, locked out of my apartment on my balcony.

What to do, I ask myself. After a moment of sheer panic, I yelled a bit.

Of course, in Dallas, no one answers to a yell for help. At least, people inside their apartments don't. After several yells - I admit they weren't ear-piercing - I was beginning to be in a total panic. Then I prayed - please God send someone to help me. That is when I saw a white Ford Explorer pulling into the parking lot that is at the west end of my building. I yelled and waved and a really nice guy came over. I explained my situation to Bruce and he went to his apartment and got his telephone. He then phoned the 24 hour on-call maintenance people. Then he went back to his apartment.

Bruce returned about 10 minutes later to check on me, but there had been no response from the maintenance people or the security patrol. After my assurances that I was okay, he returned to his apartment. Finally, one of the security guards showed up below my balcony and told me that the maintenance guy was on his way. He would have to kick in my door to get it open. The security guy asked me if both locks were locked, and when I told them they were, he left to get a key to unlock my door. Bruce returned again to check on me at this point, and seeing no one, assumed that there had been no response yet. I told him that there had been, gave him an update, and thanked him kindly for his help.

Of course, getting a key to unlock my door solved only half the problem. Remember, the deadbolt was locked too!

So, the maintenance guy finally shows up (he really didn't have to kick in my door), and he pried the door open with a crowbar and a hammer and replaced my deadbolt. All in all, it only took about an hour to get me back inside (the security guy said another lady was stuck for about 4 hours - in the middle of the night!) and the only damage is a cracked door jamb which the maintenance people will be back to fix tomorrow. Of course, from now on I will be much more careful when I go out onto my balcony. But hey, at least I found a creative way to meet one of my neighbors!

Weekend

Well, it has been a good, restful, yet rather productive weekend.

Friday night I came home from work - and worked some more, reviewing accounts payable vouchers. It's a pretty easy task - one that can be done while watching TV. Great feeling to check that off the list. Plus I made a pot of chicken noodle soup.

Saturday - for the first time in quite a while - I slept until I woke up, which was almost 11:00! It felt so good to wake up and be ready to face the day, rather than having to drag myself out of bed. I did some laundry, worked for a couple of hours, straightened a bit around the house, then went to my friend Kelly's house. She periodically invites people over for "soup and singing" - it was so much fun! We ate soup (my chicken noodle and her tortilla) - thankfully the weather cooperated and it was cool enough to want to eat soup! Then we sang for a couple of hours - the old songs that we don't sing so much any more.

Today it was RAINING!!!!! We haven't had rain in soooo long and it was soooo needed. We really need it to rain for a couple of weeks straight - which isn't going to happen - but the rain today was wonderful. After church I ran a couple of errands, then came home and ate lunch, read the paper and TOOK A NAP! I haven't had a Sunday nap in more weeks than I can remember. Got up about 5:30, worked on clearing off my desk - working on finances, shredding documents from 1999, moving all my 2005 records to the filing cabinet and generally getting myself reorganized. It feels so good to feel like I have a handle on my life again!

Work is still going to be busy and slightly crazy for the next few weeks, but I finally finished that icky project this weekend. We hired a girl on Friday to work for me and she starts on Feb 13. I'm looking forward to learning how to be a manager. I feel like I've worked for some pretty good ones, so I have good experiences to model, but I'm also a perfectionist, I'm gonna have to work on not letting that get in the way! Please say a prayer for me if you think about it! My new staff accountant is a Christian (no, I didn't ask her that -- she came into the interview talking boldly about her faith and how blessed she felt to be there!), so hopefully that will pave a somewhat easier road in our relationship by having a common foundation.

Anyway - I'm enjoying a low-key end to my weekend - hope you all had a good weekend too!

Work, work, work (revisited)

Well, I'm starting to get dug out from under the piles of year-end projects. Should hopefully get enough done tomorrow that I won't have to work {much} this weekend. My friends tease me because most of the year my work schedule is pretty light and very routine. This crazy year-end-close / audit time certainly makes up for it - I've probably worked at least 60-70 hours a week for the past couple of weeks.

I finished up my talk for our ladies' retreat coming up the first weekend of Feb. I may tweak it a bit here and there as I read it and practice over the next few weeks. I'll probably post it here, but since several of my church friends read this blog, I'll wait until after the retreat.

Well, I'm done working for the night -- off to bed!

Finished!

Yes, it is very late (after midnight) and yes, I am finally on my way to bed. After working on this yucky project for about 5 hours Friday night, about 5 hours Saturday evening, and about 9 hours today, it is finally complete! Spreadsheet balanced, entries posted, DONE.

Now, this was just 3 of the 7 months worth of data that needs to be analyzed and posted. BUT, this was the recreation of the analysis spreadsheet part of the project, so the other 4 months will go much, much quicker.

Off to bed for a little sleep before another busy week.

Work, work, work

Well, after a busy, busy week, it's now a busy weekend. I'm so looking forward to a weekend (hopefully soon?!?) where I can sleep in and just do nothing - or at least whatever I want to do rather than what I need to do for work.

Last night was our monthly Craft & Hobby night at church -- usually I pack up all my stuff and go be creative. Last night I packed up my laptop and papers from work and sat and worked until about midnight. I would have worked all evening anyway, so it was nice to be able to hang out with good friends and pass the time a little easier.

This morning I am up to go donate platelets at the annual donation marathon. Then back to sit and work the rest of the day. Yech. But, it needs to get done. And it will get done. And things will get better - and it will be soon. Thankfully.

Another item for the agenda this weekend is firming up my 'talk' for our ladies' retreat. The cochairs have asked several ladies from the church to speak - the theme this year is "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Faith" so it really is about sharing our faith story. I've got 15 minutes and need to get a script finalized by Wed. So, any thoughts or prayers you could send my way would be appreciated. This is the first time I've done anything like this, so I'm kinda nervous.

Gotta run -- happy weekend blog-friends!!

Dilemma

So, I got an email from our worship minister Bret today......asking if I might be interested in joining the worship team.

A few years ago, when Murray was still our worship minister, I did sing. And I loved it.....for a while. Then I got burned out - a lot because I was in charge of a million things at the same time - and haven't sung on a mic for the past couple of years.

So, I'm wondering if I want to sing again. I kinda want to. I kinda don't. Not asking you to make the decision for me - just putting out there what I'm pondering today.

Saturday

Yes, I am feeling better - thank you all so much for asking. No, I'm still not back to 100%, but definitely much much better than earlier in the week.

Work is really ramping up right now -- trying to get all the little (and big) projects done and loose ends tied up to close 2005. A pretty normal day for me is 8:00-4:30. Because of one really big project (that yes, I procrastinated somewhat) I'm planning to work 7:00-6:00 every day until everything is done. Probably will be the whole month. I also need to train myself to not get distracted with email (and blogs!). I'm so ready to get this project done, that I brought it home this weekend and am about to plop myself on my couch, turn on the DVD player and work all day. Yuck - but I will feel sooooo much better when I can check it off my list.

On another note, I had dinner with my good friend Martha last night - after touring her new house! It is such a cute house, in a nice little neighborhood that I'd love to live in. BUT, it is really far out of my price range. She's doing some remodeling before she moves in, so it is rather chaotic, but I know it will turn out great! Which has got me thinking (again) about becoming a home owner. I've pretty much made up my mind that I'm going to do it -- it is the best financial decision and I know I'll be happy I did, once it is done. But, it will still be a few months before I can really focus on that.

So, now - off to the couch to work!

Quiet

I'm busy fighting off sickness, while trying to work more than usual to get all the year-end projects done. So, please forgive if things are quieter than usual in this corner of blogworld for a few days....

Definitely my momma's daughter

I am my momma's daughter -- I've proven to myself again today that I can't sit still and watch TV or a movie. Must be doing something else at the same time....folding laundry, skimming magazines.....

But being my momma's daughter isn't really such a bad thing. She's a pretty good momma.... :-)

All cleaned up

Well, Christmas 2005 is finally all cleaned up and packed back away for another year. Finally. I love decorating for the holiday, but I hate the actually getting it all out and putting it all away. But, now it's done.

I need to finish putting the normal things back in their place, but for the most part that is done also.

Now, what to do for the rest of my little vacation??

Home Again.....

Whew. Home again and ready to get back into my routine!! Here's a recap of the last couple of weeks:

Monday, Dec 19: my annual Open House where my apartment was full with friends.

Mon-Wed: Craziness at work trying to get things wrapped up for most all of the accounting department to be out this week.

Thursday, Dec 22: up before the crack of dawn to be in the car headed to Tennessee by 7:00 am. My parents and I drove in their Odyssey and my sister and bro-in-law drove in their Pilot. We drove, and drove, and drove.......talking back and forth between the vehicles via walkie-talkie and even playing Trivial Pursuit between the cars. Such fun!!

Thursday evening: dinner in Memphis with the old youth minister from my parent's church in Abilene. Then back to the motel to do Christmas with our immediate family. Pretty good haul for 5 adults!!



Then Friday, we headed to my cousin Teresa's house for the whole family Christmas lunch. Our five, plus: Teresa & Todd, Jason and Kelsey; Randy & Tracy, Noah and Ross; Aunt Geneva; Uncle Freddie; Grandma. Lots of yummy food and gifts exchanged between Teresa's clan and the rest of us. Teresa is a pretty avid photographer, so she is good about making sure we always take pictures. Here's the first photo of our new family with bro-in-law Phillip:



We headed down to Tullahoma for the rest of our visit. Spent the weekend with family, hanging out, eating more, watching movies, etc. After a midnight service on Christmas Eve, we got up early for the traditional Christmas morning breakfast cooked by my cousin Randy -- eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuts and gravy, hashbrowns......all soooo very yummy! He does a great job! Then off to church and back to Aunt Neva's for beef tenderloin, baked potatoes and cheesecake for Christmas lunch.

Heather had to work this week, so she and Phillip got up early on Monday and headed home. I headed down to a very fun yummy Mexican food lunch with Mae (met her beautiful daughter Hadlee!!), Donna and Terri at Rosie's in Huntsville, AL. It was so much fun!! Thanks girls!

We headed back to Texas on Wednesday. Made it back to my place about noon on Thursday. While we were gone, the apartment fairies had been busy. Putting in new mini blinds, a new fridge, new kitchen floor, new stove, and cleaning the carpet.






So, now, I'm home. Doing laundry. Putting everything back in order. Starting to pack away Christmas. Planning on a quiet New Year's Eve with my good friend Kelly. And looking forward to three more days before going back to work!!

Forty-three

Yes, you read the title right......forty-three (43) is how many people were in my apartment tonight for the big Christmas open house! I beat last year's total by 13!!! And there were several folks that are regulars that weren't here this year.

Y'all it is so much work, but it is sooooo much more fun than work! I love it!

Now that the dishwasher is humming away, I'm off to bed. G'night.

It's almost here......

This weekend is spent in final preparation for my:

I'm making the last food item right now - sausage balls. Still need to prepare the concentrate for my punch and then clean, straighten, set the table, etc.

Timer's beeping, break time's over....back to work!

Christmas Q&A

Stole this off of Malia's blog....

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Wraps

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? I grew up with colored on both -- now I have white on my garland/tree in my apartment.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Would if I had access, a good place to hang it, and any hopes of it working!!

5. When do you put your decorations up? Ideally, the weekend after Thanksgiving, but the past couple of years it has been the weekend before Thanksgiving.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Sausage balls.....although they can be made any time of year, typically we got them at Christmas time and for as long as the leftovers lasted!!

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Taking candy off our candy bell each night before bed .... counting down the days until Santa!!

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? The truth about Santa? Well, I guess that depends on how you interpret the question. If you mean when did I learn that a fat man in a red suit does not really ride a sleigh and come down my chimney and leave presents, I honestly have no idea when that happened for me. It just did and I accepted it and moved on. We never discussed the fact that Santa is a fairy tale....matter of fact, we all still pretend that Santa really still exists!

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Not officially -- but our Christmas has never been about the date on the calendar, but on how our family schedule works out and when we are able to be together. So, if Christmas falls on Christmas Eve, then yes!

10. What kind of cookies does Santa get set out for him? Whatever is made -- cookies, candies, etc.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it! Definitely don't get enough of it down here in Texas!

12. Can you ice skate? Not really.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? No, there's a new favorite every year!

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Spending quality time with family.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? There are far too many to mention.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? My favorite Christmas tradition these days is the annual party that I throw. I love hosting people in my home and it is a way to get a wide variety of people here at once!

17. What tops your tree? A bow - growing up it was a crystal angel that my mom made.

18. Which do you prefer Giving or Receiving? Both.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Carol? this moment? Frosty the Snowman.

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? Yuck.

Wireless

I've finally gone wireless -- well at least some of the time. My laptop from work has a wireless card (thanks to a great tech guy who got me lots of cool stuff when he bought it!!). So today, my personal "Geek on Call" (my daddy) went and bought me a wireless router and set up a little wireless network here in my apartment.

I probably could have installed and set it up by myself, but I think it would have caused me major frustration and probably many many phone calls.

So, now, I can sit on my couch and work, email, blog etc while I watch TV! Ain't technology grand?!

Cold

Well, it has been truly cold and icky this week -- at least the past two days. Yesterday the high was somewhere in the upper 20s I think, with off and on sleet/freezing rain. Made for some fun frozen streets this morning!! Most of the schools closed, but our offices were open. I think by about 10:00 everyone had trickled in that was gonna make it. {of course, we had a few whiny babies that didn't want to come into work, so they said they couldn't make it even though they live closer to the office than me -- my commute is 5 miles or less} Bright sunshine helped melt away some ice patches, but it was still below freezing all day. I think it is going to hit a record low tonight, somewhere around 17 degrees.

I think we've finally put a bow on the Home Tour and have called it done. We had a wrap-up, brain dump session yesterday with lots of thoughts and opinions for things to do {or not do} for next year. Personally, I almost think that it is time to come up with a new fundraiser. I'm not sure this is fun any more. And shouldn't we be able to enjoy ourselves while raising money for a great organization? I've got a big plastic tub of checkout supplies ready to go to Home Tour storage (aka the Exec Dir's garage). Will take it over this weekend, then I'm washing my hands of it all.

I'm starting to get things moving for my open house on Monday the 19th. I'll post a pic of the invite closer to time. Got some of the groceries purchased last night - before dark - so that *if* we had a "snow day" today, I could be productive. Made salsa last night. Made banana bread last Monday. Made peppermint bark tonight.

Now, off to wrap the rest of my parent's Christmas presents. They are coming out this weekend and I don't want them to figure anything out!! Now, if Mom wants to help me wrap Heather & Phillip's, that would be a whole nother story!


p.s. ala Donna the little squiggly brackets will mean sarcasm here in this little spot of cyberspace {bet you didn't know I had it in me, huh?!}

Shorthand

My family has been trading emails today talking about our upcoming long weekend together. Included in the discussion of our plans have been some of our family shortcut abbreviations.

My new brother in law hasn't quite caught on to all of them, so he sent a message to us all asking what F&M (Freddie & Mary - my aunt & uncle) and M&D (Mom & Daddy) were. We've been playing fun emails back and forth all afternoon teasing him.

I've always used my own shorthand abbreviations - and my stint in public accounting taught me many, many more. Plus, my mom and her mom actually read and write shorthand (the official, old-school business language). I've always wanted to be able to read it - to have my own "secret" language - but also to be able to read mom's notes on who gets what for Christmas!!

Catching Up

Well, the Home Tour was once again a HUGE success. Final numbers aren't in yet, but I would guess that it will surpass our goal of $30,000.

My whole body hurts from standing, hauling, twisting, climbing, etc to help get everything organized. And that was just on Saturday.

Sunday, we had a non-stop mad rush of people checking out from the Holiday Shoppe for well over three hours.

I'm off today, counting money, reorganizing the checkout stuff to be stored until next year, and in general catching my breath before the crazy busy spiral to the end of the year.

Mia's Story

I've recently found the blog of some folks I knew at ACU. They are over in China right now bringing home their daughter, Mia. Check out the blog if you have a little time (and some spare tears to shed) - it is an amazing, heartwarming story!

Wednesday

So, today is Wednesday. Hump day. The downhill slide to the weekend. Except that this week, the upcoming weekend is going to be far more work than relaxation. Yes, you remembered correctly - the first weekend of December is the New Friends New Life Home Tour. Like last year, I'm responsible for the checkout process at the Holiday Shoppe. Ensuring that our visitors have a smooth and easy checkout process, and that we can evaluate effectively where they spent their money.....yep. That's my job. Hopefully will be a little smoother this year than last. Saturday we'll spend the day getting the Holiday Shoppe set up, then Sunday is the big day. The Home Tour brings in a big chunk of change towards the annual operating budget and the determination of how many women we can help in their venture to straighten out their lives.

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On this Wednesday, I am also wondering several things:

*will I ever figure out what I am "supposed" to do/be?

*will my Prince Charming ever cross paths with me? and is it time to help that along by joining the digital age of dating?

*do I really want to stay in my apartment -- or is it time to "put on my big girl panties" and deal with home ownership?

*are we supposed to "figure it out"? whatever "it" is......

*how can I reconcile the talents that I have related to working and the deep-seated desire that I have to chunk that work out the window and be "just" a mom? am I going to have that choice to make?

*why do I have such a hard time waking up in the mornings? even when I know that I am getting sufficient sleep?

Ok, I'm going to stop there. I have many, many more questions swirling around in my brain, but I think that is enough for today. I don't want to freak anyone out or cause any of my readers undue worry. :-)

Home Again

Well, I'm home again.

Our Thanksgiving was somewhat unconventional - at least by the traditions of my family - but it was a good time to hang out with family.

We all got home Wednesday evening, went out to dinner, etc.

Thursday, my sister and her husband headed out to his sister's house for the day. Since Mom & Daddy's kitchen is still under construction, we went up to University Place (where my grandparents live) to eat lunch with them. There were far fewer choices and the food wasn't quite up to our standards, but it was okay. We went back home after lunch, took naps, watched football, etc.

Friday, we got up and went shopping. But not at the crack of dawn with all the crazy people. Just a leisurely 10:00 am departure. We went to see Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Shopped some more and ate dinner at a new place in town, Red Robin.

Saturday, Heather and I had haircut appointments. After lunch, Heather & Phillip headed back to Mesquite so they'd have some weekend left to clean house and decorate for Christmas. Mom, Daddy & I laid around and watched movies.

Church today, lunch, then I headed home. Construction and serious traffic jams on I-20 caused me to take the scenic route -- took about an hour longer than normal, but at least I was moving the whole time and the roads I took were pretty empty.

Now, I've unpacked and am just relaxing before gearing up for a BUSY week.

Going Home

Packed (well mostly) and ready to head home for the holiday......

Now, if I didn't still have a day of that pesky little thing called work!!

Question

Do you ever feel like you just don't fit? Anywhere? There are days that I just don't feel like I fit.....in my own skin, in my job, in my family, with my friends, in this big city...... I just wonder - what is going on? Am I doing somthing wrong? Why am I feeling so disconnected and disassociated? Why don't I feel like I fit .... here (wherever that is)?

I do.

I did it again....

Yep, I did. Just like last year ...... I decorated for Christmas again before Thanksgiving. Ugh. I hate, Hate, HATE that I have to do that. But, I do so much in this season that I can't get it all done without some serious list-making and time-organizing.

So, yes. I spent all evening Friday, all day yesterday and the better chunk of this afternoon unpacking boxes and scattering decorations all over my little apartment. I do save the outside stuff (door hanger and door mat) until after Thanksgiving, though!!

I'm headed home to my parent's casa for Thanksgiving this week. It will be a little unorthodox this year, since mom still doesn't have a complete kitchen. So, no home-cooked Thanksgiving staples this year! It will be good to be home and hang out as a family though.

Now, I'm off to be a couch potato for the rest of the evening.....

mmmmm........pie

You Are Mud Pie

You're the perfect combo of flavor and depth Those who like you give into their impulses

What Kind of Pie Are You?

20/15

Yep, you read it right -- I'm not just seeing perfect at 20/20 in each eye, I'm seeing 20/15 using both eyes together!!! I just love technology! Thanks for all your prayers for the surgeries and the healing process afterwards. They were definitely answered!!

Learning Chinese

My 93 year old granddaddy often sends email forwards that he gets from who knows where. This one struck me as funny. Enjoy!

Quick Lesson in Chinese (read the translation OUT LOUD for full effect)

English Chinese

That's not right Sum Ting Wong

Are you harboring a fugitive? Hu Yu Hai Ding

See me ASAP Kum Hia Nao

Small Horse Tai Ni Po Ni

Did you go to the beach? Wai Yu So Tan

I think you need a face lift Chin Tu Fat

It's very dark in here Wai So Dim

I thought you were on a diet Wai Yu Mun Ching

This is a tow away zone No Pah King

Our meeting is scheduled for next week Wai Yu Kum Nao

Staying out of sight Lei Ying Lo

He's cleaning his automobile Wa Shing Ka

Your body odor is offensive Yu Stin Ki Pu

WIND!

Well, some norther did blow in today while I was up on the 28th floor working like a banshee. It was a balmy 65 or so this morning when I headed out and at about 5:00 when I left the office the temp had dropped to about 55 and the wind is blowing hard from the north. Brrrr!

I am so ready for it to feel like winter though. Terri has talked about the summer monster and winter monster fighting it out. I think the winter monster may have finally won here in North Texas.

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My eyes are doing great today, in case you are wondering. I actually started getting antsy yesterday just sitting on the couch and watching TV. Even though today was a busy, busy day, it went so much faster because I was being productive! My vision is sharpening up each day and it is wonderful! Just two more nights of sleeping with crazy plastic shields over my eyes. And just a few more days until I can start wearing eye makeup again!!

Home to Rest

So, the doctors told me that I shouldn't plan on working today. One of the short-term effects of the surgery is difficulty focusing when reading. That translates into computer work as well. Unfortunately, I had to go in to work to get the presentation ready for our monthly staff meeting that is tomorrow.

I planned to go in late, get what I had to done, and then come home. I slept until about 7:30 this morning, made it to work about 9:30 and now it is 1:30 and I'm home resting my eyes. I feel good, my eyes feel good (no grittiness, crud, etc), but I get a bad bad headache when I try to focus on close up things. Which means I just HAVE to sit and watch TV!

So far, so good

So, yesterday morning, got up bright and early. Ate a little breakfast, then headed for the surgery center.

Checked me in, lots of deadening drops in the eyes. Take me back to get really ready for surgery.

The surgeon and the doctor that I've been seeing for followup come in and have a discussion about what treatment they were actually going to do! LASIK vs PRK. Benefits and risks with both. I was starting to freak out here a little bit, because I was all set for LASIK and had never even heard the PRK option! It was just a difference of professional opinion and we finally proceeded with the LASIK augmentation as previously discussed. Whew.

Since I had already had LASIK and my eye "caps" were already cut, they just had to perforate the scarline, and then "unzip" it to lift back the cap. Then about 10 seconds on each eye, replace the cap, tape up my eyes and put me down to rest.

Came home, ate a little fruit snack, took a sleeping pill and went off to nap. Roused enough to eat some lunch, then crashed again. Got up about 4:30, went to dinner with my folks and watched some TV until about 9:00. Took another sleeping pill and went back to bed. Woke up about 7:00 this morning.

Breakfast - then back for the day-after check up. Reading 20/20 off the chart!!! Yippeee!!!

So, now I just have to be as careful and exacting with the drops, not rubbing my eyes, etc as I was the first time and we should be home free!!! Thanks so much for all your prayers. I really appreciate it!!

More eye surgery

Saturday, I'll go back to the eye doctor for another LASIK procedure. They call it an "augmentation" - but it is really the same sugery again, with just a smaller amount of nearsightedness to be corrected. Your prayers for the surgery to go smoothly with no complications and that my recovery is as speedy and easy as before would be greatly appreciated.

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The Hays family has posted the video of Baby Ira coming home ..... check it out here if you haven't seen it yet. What a miracle.

Nap Couch

So, this post started coming into my brain as I was waking up from my Sunday afternoon nap....who knows what generated it.

After the two mandatory years of living on campus at college, my friends and I all moved off and got apartments or houses off campus. My junior year, I lived with Sarah and Sara in a duplex affectionately known as "the dupe" (named such by Sarah's brother Jason and his friend Darren). Katie, Dara, Mollie and two other gals lived in a house known as "the Abbey." Senior year, Sara moved over to "the Abbey" and Lacey moved into "the dupe."

The girls at the Abbey had three couches. Now, as most furniture of college students is, these couches were hand-me-downs. From whom, I have no idea - grandparents, older cousins, parents, goodwill, etc. One of the couches was known as the "nap couch" - presumably because it was quite conducive to a good nap.

As I woke from my Sunday afternoon nap on my couch today (after a series of strange dreams in that nap time), I realized that I have a great nap couch.

Pray

Please pray for my friend Allyson. Her mother died earlier this year. Tonight, her grandmother (her mom's mom) died after a long battle with cancer. Please pray for this family.

Dallas Stars

I had the opportunity to use my company's tickets to attend tonight's Dallas Stars hockey game vs. the Chicago Blackhawks. It was such a great game....final score:

Stars 9
Blackhawks 1

I became a hockey/Stars fan in the 1998-99 season during the Stanley Cup playoffs. (That was the year the Stars won, in case you don't keep up with hockey.) Ever since then, I've enjoyed learning about the sport, attending some games, and even watching a few on TV. I've been blessed to go to each game on someone else's tickets, which I must say is the way to go! Why pay for a ticket when you can go for free?!

Now, I'm not a crazy, lunatic fan, and I don't keep up completely with all twists and turns in the season. But I would definitely root for the Stars anytime! Although I can't say that I really missed it last season when the NHL was on hiatus due to player strikes.....which many people would say makes me not a true fan.

Now, off to bed....and to sleep late in the morning!!

I got tagged

I have been tagged by Donna.

The rules:

1. Delve into your blog archive.
2. Find your 23rd post (or closest to).
3. Find the fifth sentence (or closest to).
4. Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with these instructions. Ponder it for meaning, subtext or hidden agendas.
5. Tag five people to do the same.

From September 14, 2004: I've come to the realization recently that one reason that I have been out-of-sorts, floundering, perhaps even a bit depressed is that I am not desperately seeking God.

Ok, well the thing that bothers me about that sentence and that entire post is that I could write almost exactly the same thing today!! You'd think in the space of about 14 months, I would have moved on from those thoughts and feelings. Yet, I still need that reminder to always, always, ALWAYS seek God in all that I do. To give over control to Him. To trust Him to guide my path and to trust that He does have a mangificent plan for my life!

Thanks, Donna, for the reminder nudge.

Eye Doctor update

So, I am back now from my visit to the eye surgery center. It was a frustrating visit, but in the end, I'm all set for my augmentation procedure next Friday.

See, here's the thing - my regular eye doctor was pregnant when I was getting ready to have my LASIK in January. So, she did all my pre-op testing and then referred me to the surgery center, where they performed the surgery and have done all my post-op care. So, when I was in for my six month visit and decided with the surgery doc that my vision could be augmented to get closer to perfect, he told me that I would come back to do the pre-op testing at the surgery center.

That is not normally the case -- normally, I would go back to my regular eye doc and she would refer me back to the surgery center. But since I have unique circumstances that meant I hadn't seen my regular eye doc since before the original procedure, there was some confusion today as to why I was there for my pre-op testing and not at my regular doctor's office.

I was frustrated because I've had to explain this odd situation several times - they never seem to remember it or make any kind of notes on my chart. Which almost caused me to have to figure out how to schedule an appt with my regular eye doc and then another with the surgery center BEFORE I could do the augmentation procedure, which probably would have meant that the appointment I have for next Friday would have had to have been rescheduled.

Thankfully, they were able to call my regular eye doc and get her permission to just go ahead and do the dilation and testing today and I don't have to go see her before the surgery. At least I assume that they spoke with her -- it is what they said they were going to do. In any event, the surgery center doc did the dilation and testing and I'm all set for my surgery next Friday.

Whew. Now I'm off to lay down for a bit -- I have a headache from straining to see since my eyes have been dilated!

Back to the Eye Doctor

You may remember, back in January when I talked about having LASIK. I had a successful surgery, but since my vision was SO VERY BAD to begin with, they didn't get me corrected all the way to 20/20.

While I definitely could live with 20/25 (which is where I am now), I figured that if I paid all this money and they can do a little enhancement procedure, then why not?

So, today I go in for the pre-operative testing, confirming that my eyes are still good candidates for surgery, dialation, etc. Then, next Friday, November 11 (my sister's 27th birthday, by the way), I will go under the knife (okay it's actually a laser) one more time.

Your prayers for a smooth and successful procedure would be greatly appreciated!!