Corrie's Randomness

Fun weekends!

2011-09-20T19:34:00.003-04:00

I am loving the cooler weather. It was sort of muggy today, but still the temps feel so great compared to the 90s+ we had for WEEKS. I am enjoying the coolness to the air in the mornings and evenings for sure.

Back in June, I ordered tickets for Wicked in Atlanta. At the time it seemed SO far away. Now, almost 4 months later, it is here this weekend! I am so excited, and excited to be going with 3 great friends.

In a week and a half, I'll be spending a two night slumber party with my best girls from Western. I saw 3 of the girls at Christmas when they came to my house, but it has been since 2008 since we've seen one of our friends for one of our weekends. I am so very excited to be returning to where we met 10 years ago to have a relaxing, girls weekend together. I always come away feeling so refreshed and restarted when I am with my girls...can't wait!

Gearing up for fall!

2011-08-22T19:58:00.004-04:00

It has been almost a month since I blogged. I am ready for fall. For cooler weather, at least cooler than it has been all summer long. Just a slight chill to the air would be quite nice.

I'm two weeks into being back at work. One week of meetings, one week and one day of kids so far. It's going well. My stamina is back to normal and just "normal start up of school tired". I am thankful to have the recovery pretty much completely behind me. Wednesday will be 13 weeks! I am taking a half day from work tomorrow to go for a check-up. Haven't been back since 6 weeks ago when the mouth splint was removed, so I am eager to see what the surgeon thinks of everything. I got through this summer with the help of my family and many friends. I definitely couldn't have gotten through the summer without this friend... she kept me from getting bored and texted me every day. We went to movies, celebrated dietary restrictions lifting every few weeks with going to eat somewhere, she was just THERE. I am so thankful for her!

Zeke has been scared of storms (and fireworks) since I can remember, since he was a baby puppy. He just trembles and pants, and it's just pitiful. I had heard of a thundershirt before, but at the urging of someone who has used one with her dogs before, I bit the bullet and went to get one. Zeke has worn it the past two nights when we have had thunder/rain and it has worked great! He has trembled a little, and was definitely concerned, but did not pant and wasn't shaking uncontrollably. So far, it is a definite success, and therefore worth every penny!

I am ready for some football. My dad has retired this year, so it is weird with him not coaching, but I still plan to go to the home games at least. I know my mom's parents will be going. Stephen is still videoing and my dad plans to go to most of the games. I can't imagine not going, it's just been a part of my life...all of my life! And I love football, so I am definitely ready to see a game in a couple of weeks.

It's hard to believe September is almost here. I am really looking forward to the final two weekends of September, so the month will either crawl or fly, probably the latter. On one weekend I am going with some friends to see Wicked in Atlanta. We'll go down on Saturday, eat dinner, go to the show, then spend the night. We'll come home sometime on Sunday. The next weekend goes into October, but on that last Friday in September, I will be going to up Cullowhee with my best girls from WCU. We met 10 years ago this month, and we've rented a cabin (a nice one with a hot tub, etc...not a rustic one like 5 years ago) to get together and celebrate 10 years. I can't wait for either of these weekends. Both are going to be a blast!

Progress and toes in the sand!

2011-07-16T14:49:00.003-04:00

Last week I went to the doctor and got my mouth splint out! I was so excited, yet nervous to be rid of it. But everything proved to be as solid as it can be. I went to the orthodontist and got new wires and I am supposed to wear rubber bands pretty much all the time except for eating. The doctor told me I can eat whatever is comfortable to chew, so I am gradually introducing different foods back into my diet. I still can't bite into anything, but I have eaten a hamburger, fried shrimp, and a ham sandwich, all of which are a completely different consistency than pasta, and I think I handled all of them pretty well. Now, I have to start exercising. I don't want to gain what I have been able to lose with the restricted diet. I plan to start my couch to 5K back in the morning at the beach.

I have really enjoyed the past several days. On Wednesday evening, I was able to head down to the beach and stay with a great friend and her husband for a couple of days. It was very relaxing and we had so much fun laughing and talking. I was thinking last night as we were riding around on the golf cart before storing it away, I have been so blessed by friendships that span time and distance, and age difference. I have amazing friends significantly older and younger than me, and some of those are the most special.

I stayed at my friend's beach house until my family got down to the condo we have rented for the week. The weather is great down here right now, and has been the past several days. Since I haven't been able to do much this summer and only have 3 weeks left til school, I am so glad I can have 10 days at the beach, especially the few days I had laughing and talking with one of my best friends.

Happy 4th

2011-07-05T15:20:00.002-04:00

Well, yesterday.

I had the best fourth I've had in a while. I went to the lake with some great friends and spent the day on the water. Now, I can't go under so I couldn't get behind the boat, but I had a great time riding around the lake while we pulled people around. It was great to be in the sun and just hang out with some of my favorite people.

I get my splint out next week. I am so excited, yet nervous too, as this will be a big step towards seeing if everything is solid. I will get the splint out, then go straight to the orthodontist to get a new wires put in. I will be wearing rubber bands to get everything in the exact right place. I will hit the six week mark tomorrow....a month and a half!

4 weeks!

2011-06-23T19:15:00.005-04:00

One month after surgery was yesterday! I started chewing soft food yesterday. I have eaten scrambled eggs with cheese, roast beef dinner (cut up very small) from Cracker Barrel, and chicken parmesan. I was able to blend up the chicken just enough to shred it and then cut up the pasta. I am so glad to be chewing again...it's like riding a bike, really. Now I have to get moving a little now that I have started eating. Moving so I can build strength back...those halls are long and I have a lot of kids waiting on me.

I still have about 4 more weeks to go on the restricted diet and activity restrictions, but I look back over the last month and there are a handful of people I couldn't have done this without (besides my family). They know who they are, and they have been there completely for me (some of them brand new friends), and I appreciate them more than I can ever verbalize. I don't know what I would do without them - their visits, texts, hanging out, just being there. I look back on different times in my life and I see people like them in each valley, and those are the most special friends in my life, the most precious and true. I hope they ALL know I am there for them in the same way. I have been blessed so much in my life by amazing friends....such a gift I do not take for granted.

2 weeks

2011-06-07T11:05:00.003-04:00

Almost 2 weeks out from surgery. 2 weeks tomorrow. I am doing very well...much better than anyone anticipated. I am driving some, eating whatever I can't chew, watching tv, reading. My stamina is absolutely shot. I was doing a pretty strenuous hike a month before surgery and now I can't drive over to my house to get the mail without feeling like I need a nap. At least I'm not needing a nap after I take a bath any more! ha. I know it will take time, but I was getting in pretty good shape before surgery. It will come back, it will just be awhile. I gotta get it back so I can walk up and down the halls at school!

The best thing to come out of this has been the "gift" of not eating. I have lost about 10 pounds in 2 weeks. AND I worked my TAIL off for 2 months prior to surgery to lose 8. I am wearing shorts right now that I haven't worn in several years, AND even though I have been wearing small tshirts (on the tighter side), they are now loose. Now that I've been given this freebie...once I'm able to eat again, I am going to have to make sure I keep it all off. Man, that would be great!

I go to the doctor tomorrow and he will hopefully remove this nose splint that is driving me crazy. The splint itself is fine, it's all the tape. The adhesive is more than beginning to irritate me. I have a splint (plastic plate) in my mouth that is wired to my upper jaw. It will be in at least another month. I can deal with that for sure...speech is getting better. I swallowed today consecutively instead of taking one sip at a time....definite progress of things I take for granted.

A must see....

2011-04-23T20:47:00.001-04:00

Soul Surfer. It's the story of Bethany Hamilton, the Hawaii native who had her arm bitten off by a 14 foot tiger shark at the age of 13. Bethany was back in the water a month later. Her story is so inspiring, and she gives CHRIST the Glory! Go see it - it is a very powerful story!

5K

2011-04-16T18:51:00.002-04:00

Did a 5K today. My body hurts. But that's a good thing. I have been walking a lot, but haven't gotten up to running. I was up to running a solid mile to 1.5m over the summer and into early fall. Then I stopped. BUT I ran a lot of the 3.1 miles today, walked the hills and tried to run other than that. I did it about 44 minutes. I can't remember the exact time. It was raining at first and we all got soaked! It was a lot of fun doing this 5K because majority of the people work in my district, so you knew or recognized a lot of the people you see around. I think my group is going to try to do another 5K in May.

32

2011-04-06T20:19:00.002-04:00

It's hard to believe that I'm 2 years past 30 today! I really do not know where these past two years have gone! They have been wonderful, though.

I was so blessed today at school. My birthday was announced on the school morning show and ALL day kids told me "Happy Birthday, Ms. Corrie!". Gave me hugs, etc. It was a wonderful day, the kids made it so happy! And then there's my awesome friends - they had me coffee and a muffin from Dunkin Donuts. And a present with a card signed by all of them. It was just an overall great day.

BLESSED!

Spring Break is here!

2011-03-25T22:00:00.002-04:00

I am so thankful it is Spring Break! Hoping to get some much needed rest. Never quite recovered post-drama production. I hit the ground running with paperwork I had neglected, then the yearbook, then more paperwork I neglected because of the yearbook. Yearbook is finished, paperwork is caught up! SPRING BREAK IS HERE!

I am thrilled to be able to really have "nothing" to do and be able to rest and relax. However, my mind and heart are full. One of my good friends lost her mother this afternoon. It's been a crazy week for her, and I can't imagine what she's gone through. She has been on my mind so much this week, especially today. Even though you don't know her name, please lift up my friend and her family.

I go to see the surgeon, actually 2, who will be doing my surgery in May. And with that sentence I just realized my surgery is two months away from TODAY. Yikes! I am really ready to just get it over with and start the recovery process. I am really glad that I basically get to finish out the school year and will only use 4 of my sick days.

I'm going to start this spring break off by heading to bed at a decent time. I plan to not set an alarm for the morning!

May 25th, etc

2011-03-10T21:44:00.002-05:00

My surgery is scheduled for May 25th! It got finalized about two weeks ago. It's a couple weeks later than I had hoped due to the doctors' calendar, but I'm glad it is still in May. I had hoped to have it towards the beginning of May so I would have more recovery time. As it stands, I'll have 2-3 weeks less. It should be okay. I just would really like to start school on time in August.

In other news. The drama club play at school went great last week! The kids were amazing, and everything came together perfectly. I have never been more proud to be a part of a faculty - so many people stepped up and helped. When I think about it, even a week later, I am still in awe over how well everything just clicked at the right time.

M.I.A.

2011-03-03T22:40:00.002-05:00

I have been quite MIA from the blogging world. Over past month life has become more and more busy with our school drama production. Today was the dress rehearsal. We've practiced 4-6:30 all week. We're so tired! But we finally feel like the kids are mostly ready! It is so exciting to see it all come together.

My surgery has been scheduled for May 25th. I am glad to have a date and ready to get it over with.

Well, video to finalize - had to make some final changes.

Anchors

2011-01-30T12:06:00.007-05:00

This morning the sermon by my friend Bob Goulart was based around Acts 27:27-44. He did a fabulous job, as always, and God really spoke to me during it. It was perfect as surgery looms in the near future. I know many people around me are dealing with a lot right now - cancer, parents with cancer, sick children, injuries causing pain. I look at those people and have a hard time justifying my fear of my surgery while people around me are dealing with life threatening issues, so I do my best not to think about ME. But I know with my surgery, if it is not done, it will cause problems down the road that could end up in serious, unrepairable issues with my upper jaw. This is a major surgery looming ahead, coming up fast and furiously.

Bob spoke how we are given "anchors" in our lives, just as Paul was given anchors as he sailed towards Rome. Ever since church was over, I have been thinking about these anchors: strength, unity, renewal, reality. I know I am beginning to drop these anchors around me. Right now, the most prominent anchor to me is the one of reality, mainly because I finally spoke with someone in my surgeon's office on Friday to get some dates set up, and because of my braces.

The First Anchor: Strength

I know this is the most important, and that is the anchor of strength from faith in Jesus Christ. I firmly believe there is a plan for everything, and I know there is a plan in this, in me. Sometimes we don't rely on the anchor of strength through faith unless we are facing a trial, because this anchor should be down all the time. Anchored fully in Christ with everything.

The Second Anchor: Unity

The second anchor is unity - the people we have around us - that GOD has placed in our lives. The people we rely on no matter what, especially in trial but in good times as well. I am blessed continually by this anchor - through the laughter and support of my wonderful friends; and the constant of my family. As the last few months/days before surgery draw closer, I am going to need this anchor more and more. In the days after surgery, I am going to need this anchor more than ever.

The Third Anchor: Renewal

This is the anchor I need to continue to work on, as it is the hardest for me. Renewal in God's written Word. I am constantly renewed by music, by the people around me, but I need to be more anchored in God's Word. I have been doing better, but I have a long way to go on this one. This anchor needs to definitely be built up. Please pray for me in that.

The Fourth Anchor: Reality

I said earlier, this anchor is dropping, and the anchor of reality is definitely bringing this ship to a screeching hault. I have been in braces for going on 9 months. Major changes are taking place in my mouth - teeth moving together, bite alignment is basically gone. I am finding it hard to say some words, and as a speech-language pathologist, this is a big deal. A definite reality is, at some point during all this, I may not be able to verbally communicate, and that reality is hard to grasp. I had surgery in 2005, but haven't had anything close to what I am going to have since 1998 and 2001 - that is a LONG time ago. Medical advances have greatly improved - heck they are about to grow bone in my FACE....but the reality of this kind of surgery is starting to freak me out. If you're around me a lot, and I seem down, this is probably why, the reality. I haven't had a surgery of this magnitude in almost 10 years. I dread anything to do with my hip. I dread being put to sleep, and I dread (and rejoice) waking out of the anesthesia. At this point, the previous 3 anchors must be completely dropped.

And in all of this I find there is purpose. What purpose? I have no clue. I have always thought the cleft lip/palate led me to be a speech-language pathologist. Someone asked me one time how do I have the attitude about all of my surgeries that I have. One word: God. Second word: Purpose. There is purpose in this, and beyond this - the Glory of Jesus Christ.

Back when I was finishing graduate school, The Purpose Driven Life was really popular. A friend of mine cross stitched a poem by Russell Kelfer that is in one of the opening chapters of the book.

You are who you are for a reason.

You're part of an intricate plan.

You're a precious and perfect unique design,

Called God's special woman or man.

You look like you look for a reason

Our God made no mistake.

He knit you together within the womb,

You're just want he wanted to make.

No, that trauma you faced was not easy,

And God wept that it hurt you so;

But it was allowed to shape your heart

So that into his likeness you'd grow.

You are who you are for a reason,

You've been formed by the Master's rod.

You are who you are, beloved,

Because there is a God.

SkiBoone

2011-01-17T14:41:00.002-05:00

Ski Boone was great! We had two great days of skiing. The 9 of us on the trip pretty much stuck together both days on the slopes and that was a lot of fun. The conditions as far as the slopes were excellent - I have never skied in snow like that, as usually it is quite icy. The slopes really got crowded, especially after lunch, but we got some great runs in before the crowds got too heavy. Worship was really good at night - Rush of Fools led the music and they were fantastic.

Back to work tomorrow after missing 5 days last week. There is a lot to do and make up from being out so much.

Snow Days

2011-01-11T17:35:00.002-05:00

More like a Snow Daze at this point.

It was beautiful on Monday, but it froze over night and now it's just a mess. It is still fun to walk in though, but Zeke doesn't think so. He loved it when it was white and fluffy, but now he's afraid he will fall. Luckily, he has gotten a little better every time I've taken him out.

We're out for day 3 tomorrow. Starting to get a little cabin fever. I love being off work, that's not the issue, it's not being able to really get out and do whatever. I stayed with my parents since they have a fireplace in case power was lost. Power was not lost, thus far, and I'm glad I came over because I would have probably run out of food. At least here, I can get out of the house and out on the road if I had to. With the hills around my house, it would not have been very likely.

So we're now making up 3 days, at least. We'll go on a delay Thursday and Friday, at best. I'm going skiing with the youth this weekend, and I am hoping we'll make it up there. I have been excited about skiing, especially with the recent snow falls, but getting up there could be tricky. There is a lot of time til Friday though.

For now, I will start on book #2 and wash the clothes I brought (3 days worth) with me. And hope the sun is out tomorrow!

2011

2011-01-02T22:11:00.002-05:00

It's hard to believe it's 2011! Feels like not too long ago it was 2001 and I was finishing up college and starting graduate school. This year will mark several decade anniversaries - 10 years out of college, 10 years since Nicaragua, 10 years since grad school beginning, 10 years since 9/11.

It will also bring surgery. I dread that more than I can even say here, but I am ready for it to be over. Hopefully it will work great and the stabilization of my jaw will be successful. It would be great to bite into things, but honestly it has been so long, I don't know if I'd remember how! :) I am dreading recovery and the whole process of healing, but I know it all works to the glory of God - no matter what.

Even though I dread 2011 from the surgical standpoint, I look forward to many other great times to be had - and I know they will be plentiful. I started 2011 off with my best friend, Mitzi, and her extended family as I have done the past couple of years. Last year, we had a power outage right at midnight, but the other times we have played Wii until the wee hours of the morning. So as tired as I was the next day, it was a lot of fun.

So here's to 2011 and all it will bring. There's something about seeing the year ahead and being both eager and anxious about the unknown to come.

Because I knew you, I have changed for good...

2010-12-31T09:14:00.006-05:00

Robin, Faith, Stephanie, me

The WCU girls. There are 5 of us. One is missing this time. We try to get together for a couple of nights at least once a year - at the coast, mountains or somewhere in between. We got together in the summer, but decided to do something at Christmas as well this year. So they came to my house. I remember vividly meeting Robin, Stephanie, and Rachel in our grad dorm. There was pretty much an instant connection, and I look back and I know God put us together. Robin and Stephanie were in school psych and Rachel in business, but living across from each other, we became fast friends. We couldn't study together as we did with our classmates, but we ate dinner together whenever possible and played together when we needed a break (even if it was just a long trip to Walmart). We met Faith through Robin and Steph since she was in their department. Our trips started as some got married, but they have continued as a way to reconnect, although we pick up right where we left off. I always feel recharged and ready to face the world after being with them - the sisters God did not give me by blood, but gave me through amazing friendship. This coming August, it will be 10 years since we met and we're returning to Cullowhee where our lifelong friendship began. I am already looking forward to that trip.

Robin, me, Steph

I just realized we were standing in the same order in this picture taken Spring 2003.

Waiting game...

2010-12-27T20:46:00.003-05:00

Well, looks like I'll at least get to enjoy the rest of my break by carrying on with my plans. I went back to the urologist today. He did an xray, and the kidney stone still sits in the same place it did on 12/17, despite the several prolonged bouts of pain I have had. At least it is not constant. He can't go get it at this point with the little "basket" because it could push it back in to my kidney. He said this would be like bobbing for apples. Great. So he said since I am not in major pain, and the pain I have seems to be controlled with pain med, then he wants me to wait it out and see if it will move at all. I go back in two weeks. At that point, he said he can use a stint to get it moving, but for now, he would recommend to wait and see what happens. Of course, if pain gets unbearable, he wants me back earlier than that. So we'll just see what happens between now and January 10th. Hopefully it will come out on its own, but this little booger is STUBBORN, evidently.

Still there...

2010-12-23T17:08:00.002-05:00

The kidney stone is still there. I didn't have any pain from Sunday-Wednesday night. At youth, it started and I left to get home to my pain medicine. I caught it in time and didn't get sick (thank God!). I had a urologist appointment today and if it hasn't left me by 1pm on Monday, they will talk about doing surgery to get it. It would probably be by scope, but they would put me under. My grad school friends are coming on Wednesday for two nights, so that along with many other reasons, really makes me want to get this out of me before Monday!!!

OUCH

2010-12-19T22:24:00.002-05:00

I took an ER visit on Thursday. My good friend Kelly took me and kept me calm. I really thought I was having an appendix rupture due to the severe pain on my right side. It ended up being a kidney stone. I had pain before from surgeries, but never pain like this. It is excruciating. I would actually rather have bone taken from my hip for a bone graft than have another kidney stone. If you know me, you know that's saying something.

I made it through Friday at work, and through dress rehearsal for our praise band concert. Saturday morning I woke up about 3:30 and never went back to sleep. I was in such pain, I ended up calling my parents after I got sick about an hour later. At 6, I had them come get me. They called the on-call doctor who told them to bring me in for a pain shot, or go to the hospital. I opted for the shot route first. It knocked me out. I miraculously made it through the concert. I have not had much pain today, but the stone is still in there some where. I am really hoping it makes it way out soon. I hate not knowing when the pain is going to happen.

I don't know what I'd do without them...

2010-12-11T23:05:00.003-05:00

My best buddies. Instead of getting something for each other for Christmas, we decided to just go hang out together. The best gift of all is time, right? We went to eat downtown and went to see the trees at 3 locations downtown. It was such a fun night - so much laughter, despite the freezing cold. I am so thankful for them, and more than blessed to work with them every day. I love these girls dearly.

X

2010-12-05T13:20:00.003-05:00

The Rebels did it! They brought home the State Championship to Duncan! Number 10 and the 7th in 9 years!

This team was completely counted out. The big name stars gone to college. National ranking gone, heck, not even in the top 10 in SC at the beginning of the year. Started the year 2-2 and then they grew up. It was an amazing ride over 15 weeks - what a difference that amount of time can make!

Congratulations to the awesome job by the coaching staff this year! What a season!

Now 9.5 days of school til Christmas Break!

A guilt free day off

2010-11-18T16:34:00.002-05:00

Usually when I take a personal day, or even a sick day, I feel guilty, like I'm cutting class or something.

Last night my brother and I went to the Dave Matthews Band show in North Charleston. It was an awesome show! He played several of my favorite songs by DMB. I talked Stephen into spending the night - he was wanting to drive back. I took the day before I talked him into staying, knowing that I would need to sleep even if we drove all night.

We got home about 9:30 this morning. He dropped me off and went to work. I took a nap, cleaned the house, picked up Zeke, gave him a bath, and then switched my closets. I dread that chore seasonally, but it's done now!

A great guilt-free day off!

Homecoming

2010-10-25T21:35:00.005-04:00

"It's good to be back after so many years. And all of the laughter and all of the tears, come rushing to meet me as I open the door...." -David LaMotte

The opening words of the song, "Homecoming" by David LaMotte, ran through my mind as I walked into the Winthrop Wesley Foundation on Sunday afternoon. The rest of the words of the song speak to a run down house where no one now lives - he is returning to where his grandparents lived. But the first few lines, I totally identify with.

Homecoming is a few weeks away, and I plan to go up to Winthrop for the first time for actual homecoming. There is going to be a Wesley/WNW alumni brunch, and I am going for that. I went up this past weekend for the CROP Walk. This year the hunger walk was in memory of Father David Valtierra, who passed away in May after a 2 year battle with cancer. I haven't been in Wesley since 2006, when Risher, another campus minister, passed away from cancer as well, so it has been 4 years.

This was my home away from home. It's where I met the people from Winthrop that I call part of my family. It's the home of such spiritual growth - a monumental spiritual marker in my life. I grew so much in my faith journey within those walls. My friend Narcie, who I experienced Wesley/WNW with from those college days, is now the campus minister. She has done a great facelift - the furniture is arranged in a homey way, along with inviting colors in the entrance way. But it still smells the same, feels the same. The essence is the same. I was only there for a few minutes, but I could hear the laughter. I could hear Risher's booming voice. I could see Katie and I cooking in the kitchen on Sunday afternoons, interpretive nursery rhymes, and music. I could see the study breakers and Father David doing river dance. I could hear Communion, and feel the water from the palm branches from DC. I could feel the emotions we shared. It's where I learned how important community is - it is where I learned that I thrive on it, and have to have it.

I can't imagine my life without those 4 years. I can't wait to go back in a few more weeks. I walked away from that afternoon feeling stronger and more ready to take on the world than I have in a while, I guess going back to an important place does that to you.

Tillman

York County CROP Hunger Walk 2010

Enough for all

In Memory of Fr. David Valtierra

Wesley. Risher's window.

Narcie, Susannah (and Sus's girls), and me

SCarowinds

2010-10-23T11:47:00.004-04:00

Last night my friend Kelly, two of her kids, and their cousin and I went to SCarowinds. We had all been to Carowinds, but never to the Halloween version. We decided to go a couple of weeks ago when Kelly talked me into going to a haunted house with them in Greenville. I don't normally do scary. But the haunted house was fun, and anything with Kelly is hilarious. We had a BLAST last night - rode most of the roller coasters. Did a few of the mazes. And laughed like crazy. We're definitely going back next year. And boy, does October beat the June heat!

Here are some Scarowinds pictures.

Scary Faces.

Taylor, Jackson, and Trey - I think the red eyes add to their scary-ness.

Kelly and me. We have worked together the past 6 years. One of my favorite people.

10

2010-09-29T21:38:00.002-04:00

My friend Rhonda posted this on her blog, and I haven't done one in a while.

1. Growing up, what was one favorite item that you had to have with you at all times?

A cloth diaper - you know the kind you fastened with pins. I called it "dye-dee" (diaper). I would rub my face in it when I was sleepy.

2. Being an adult, what is one favorite item that you have to have with you at all times, and what happens if you do not have it with you? Do you lose your sanity or just go back home to get it?

Without question, cell phone. Sad. But I am attached. If I leave it at my house, I feel like I have left a part of my arm or something. I am fine to not have it on me all day, or leave it in my car, turn it off in movies and church, retreats, etc. But it is not far out of reach.

3. Where is your favorite place to be to just hide away from everything and breathe for a moment?

My house. I am on the go constantly, and sometimes I like to just come home and sit on my couch where it is quiet and I don't have to talk to any one. Being a speech-language pathologist (and a "teacher") I talk all day long to someone.

4. What is your favorite thing about your partner? (If you don’t have a partner, then someone who is very close and will always be in your life.)

I'm not married nor do I have a boyfriend, so I'll go with my best friend. She's always there - we laugh over everything and anything. And we can talk about anything.

5. What is your favorite thing about your job? (If you don’t have a job, then what is your favorite thing that you do during your day?)

That I get to help children learn to communicate. It is so rewarding when they get the sound or skill we've been working on forever. It is amazing when they are finished with their services and they are completely different in the way they express themselves. I can't imagine doing anything else.

6. What is your favorite lesson that your parents taught you growing up? Looking back, is it something that you want to use to teach your children when they reach that age?

Honesty. Faith. Love others.

7. What is your favorite song, that will always bring a smile to your face and make you think of something happy?

Wide Open Spaces. Dixie Chicks.

8. What is your favorite thing about being an American? (If you are not American, what are you proud of in regards to your country?)

Free to worship.

9. What is your favorite meal that reminds you of being a child?

Fried chicken and rice and gravy.

10. Name 3 things that other people would say are their favorite thing about you.
hate this one.

I am a good organizer. I am a good planner. Being able to laugh at whatever.

Cool...

2010-09-28T18:14:00.002-04:00

I am loving the cooler weather this week. It feels so good outside - it gets a little hot in the sun if moving around a lot (took Zeke on a walk earlier when I got home from work) but at least car duty is bearable now. I hope fall is here to stay and we can have a couple of cooler days before it gets cold. Last year it was hot, then FREEZING in no time at all.

I am still loving my Droid2. It has been a great phone so far. I was skeptical about paying the extra fee for the data, but so far I have used it to look something up, facebook, or twitter every day since I've had it. I love the ease of getting text messages, and LOVE how I can set MP3s as ringtones. It's great not to have to pay for ringtones and have what I want. I need to load some more more music and do some more presets. Right now I have a song for a general ring and then a certain ring for a handful of friends.

I have Bunco tonight. It's always a later night, but it's fun and only once a month. It is a good mindless evening.

Loving my new phone!

2010-09-18T10:32:00.003-04:00

I entered the "smartphone" era last week when I got my Verizon upgrade to a Droid2. I LOVE it. It is just so....smart! It interacts with so many things I use daily in my life - email, facebook, tv, newspaper, music, photos, media. I am still on a learning curve with it, for sure. But so far, so good.

Finally on the up swing... I think.

2010-09-15T21:49:00.003-04:00

It's been a long week. Is tomorrow only Thursday? I have been sick for a week - sinus infection. Got medicine last Thursday, got to the doctor on Tuesday and got a steroid. Started taking it this morning and I feel like it is making me better. I can't definitely breathe better, which is always a good thing. Also last night, I also slept in my bed for the first time since Friday night. I couldn't lay down or I would start coughing. I got some prescription cough medicine at the doctor and it allowed me to get a good night's sleep. I have been waking up constantly or not being able to fall asleep until 1am from the coughing and not being able to breathe.

Anyway - looking forward to the weekend. Plan to rest some more and clean up my house.

3 weeks in...

2010-09-01T22:00:00.002-04:00

Well, almost. Two more days and we have been in school three full weeks. Finally starting to feel like my schedule has settled a bit. I have a full caseload, so I have very little "settling" time, which has me feel like a crazy person for the past 3 weeks. If you know me, then you know when I am around my kiddos at school, I am usually in high gear. So far this year, that has been every minute of the work day, except for lunch (well...even then too). High gear is starting to wear me thin, and I am starting to need a recharge. Thankful for a 3 day weekend coming up! Youth trip to Pisgah is Sunday and the weather should be great (upper 70s!). Maybe on Monday I can get some MUCH needed rest!

9 years

2010-08-22T12:22:00.005-04:00

It blows my mind that nine years ago this weekend, I started grad school. It doesn't seem like that long ago, but it was 2001. I was able to go to WCU yesterday, just briefly. But it was great going back. And I get to go back to WU next week. It's always great to go back to two of the places which had an integral part in shaping who I am, professionally, spiritually, and individually.

And we're back....

2010-08-10T17:29:00.002-04:00

Summer is over. It went by OH SO FAST, but it was a really great one.

Started back at work today. It was hard to get up, but once I was up, I was good to go. I am always nervous about the first day. Don't know why - I've already been to school at least once the previous week, and seen a lot of people during that time. Always happens though. Even down to texting the best friend and asking what she is planning to wear the next day. seriously.

But it was a great first day back. I love my school family. Couldn't ask for a better one!

Your Love Is Extravagant

2010-07-29T21:17:00.004-04:00

I haven't had the words to even begin to describe the mission trip. It was incredible. After getting together with most everyone on the team at youth last night, I feel like I have processed a little further.

I started to think about the path that led us to Montana. Back after we decided to go to Montana and had the dates nailed down, I went to a surgeon in Charlotte. For about three weeks, I thought I was going to have surgery this summer, which meant Montana would not be a possibility. Braces made everything take longer, so the summer was open again. Thinking back today, I really feel like I was supposed to go to Montana. We have always said with youth stuff, that whoever is supposed to go on any given trip, will go. It's a God thing.

I really believe me being able to go to Montana was one of those times. I doubt I will be able to do whatever the youth does next summer, but again, that is in God's hands and I will just have to listen to what He decides.

When I think of Montana - which has been constantly this week - I think of several words. Incredible. Amazing. Breathtaking. Awesome. Vast. Beautiful. When I took Zeke out tonight as I was leaving my parents' house, the sky reminded me of Montana. It is no where as big, or as vast, but the color was just right. When I saw the sky tonight, I knew I was ready to write some of my thoughts down here.

I do not think we could have had a better trip. There were 20 of us. Fifteen youth and five adults. Despite first flights, fears of not making it to the airport in time and all of those normal travel anxieties, all of it went smoothly. Over all, we got along well - as well as 20 people could living in close quarters for 11 days.

The day before we headed out to Montana, we were told that VBS had not been successful thus far this summer, that we could try, but they had not had success. We went out there with determination that we had been praying about it and felt we were supposed to be doing VBS out there. So on Monday we work on construction in the morning, and after lunch went to where we would do VBS. We had 25 kids. On Tuesday, we finished the roof, and we had 35 kids. On Wednesday we finished the siding and had another 30 something kids at VBS. Thursday we finished up odds and ends and we all got to go to VBS. All of the youth were divided into different days in teaching VBS. They all did fantastic, were so flexible, and really reached those kids. As always those kids reached us too.

Team Effort always does a good job with Worship every evening, and this year was no different. The last night for closing worship has meant so much to our group the past several years. One of my most memorable moments of the trip was at worship. We all laid down something (represented by a piece of scaffolding/pipe) and picked up a piece of red cloth to remind us of being a new creation in Christ. When the music started up, we were all up standing, each row was linked hands or arms. The song was Your Love Is Extravagant. When our girls sitting on the front row hit the descant in the song, all of us chaperones looked at each other. That was a God moment for me. The entire camp joined together in a big circle at that point and we sang and prayed together. We broke up in our church groups, one of the TE staff gave us a guitar since they knew we liked do sing together. We sang Grace Like Rain and ended up laughing by the end. What a wonderful way to end worship.

Probably the closest to God I felt during the trip was our hike on Friday. At first we did not think we would get to go on it because of the fog. But it cleared, and we went on this wonderful, crazy, strenuous 6 mile hike. I got behind in the snow during the first mile and half and was alone most of the way down to the lake. In the parts that were snowy, you looked at your feet most of the time so you could step the right way. I would forget where I was, look up, and the view would take away my breath again. There were times where I felt so satisfied with what was around me, that I almost sat down and waited for the group to come back up. But another part of me, wanted to be down at the water with them, so I kept going, praying for a lot of the hike for God to give me strength. It's not that the hike was overly hard - I did Big Bradley this year with little trouble, but I think it was the snow/ice that through me for a loop. I was so glad I made it down for the water. They were waiting on me to get there before they went in the water. All of the guys and two of the girls took a very quick dip in the water. After they changed, we were able to take a group shot, which is my favorite from the trip. They stayed and played down by the lake shore for a while longer, and I started my trek up, knowing it would take me a while. I stopped every few minutes (climbing 780 ft in elevation over 1.5miles) to catch my breath. I was always rejuvenated enough to continue on. By the time I got up to the lookout, where we were meeting, about half the group had passed me and the rest were somewhere behind. The last mile and a half was back into the snow fields - what I considered to be the most difficult and treacherous part of the hike. Had there been no snow, it would have been a breeze.

I learned a lot about myself during that 4-5 hours. I learned that no matter how much I am concentrating on what is directly in front of me, God is all around me. I knew that before, but on that hike I fully realized it in a new way. When I look to myself too much, I get tired and worn out, and all I have to do is look up and look around me to be in awe of what God has created.

Also, over the 11 days of the trip, I learned how to pray in a different way. To pray with more faith and conviction for every thing more than just words. To feel it deep inside me. My friend Amy taught me that over the course of the week.

I miss Montana. I miss the wonderful weather, those children, the Rockies, and being with the youth every day. I missed my bed and my shower and my friends while I was gone, but I miss that Big Sky Country now that I am back. I see it in my mind, especially when the sky looks as it did tonight. I cannot wait to one day see more of this beautiful country of ours.

Patrick, Dennis, Stephen Kiff, Stephen Kennette, Josh, Brittany, Anna, Bailey, Amy, Leanna, James, Savannah, Thomas, Danielle, Andy, Brent, Alex, Jocelyn, Corrie, Ross

Your Love Is Extravagant (minus the the descant in the chorus - can't find a version with it)

Absoloutely.amazing.trip.

2010-07-26T13:03:00.001-04:00

Back from the youth mission trip. It was wonderful. So much to say and many pictures to share of Glacier, but right now I'm exhausted. Red-eye out of Portland last night. Got home about 11 EST this morning. Ready for a good shower and possibly a nap. Going to try to stay awake and go to bed a little earlier tonight. Hopefully that will catch me up on the hours we lost on the way home.

Another one of those posts....

2010-07-13T21:10:00.003-04:00

I have written about my work community more than once, but I am going to have to write about it again. It has been reshaped over past three years, and there have been highs and lows throughout that time. I have written about some of them on this blog (which I don't know if anyone out there reads or not, but hey, it's an outlet for me to write). School year before last was a year of transition, and this past year was still a year of transition in many ways.

For my entire career I have been so fortunate to have blessed with great faculties and schools. I have met great friends in all of the buildings I have worked over the past SEVEN (gasp!) school years.

In talking to various friends who work elsewhere, I have come to realize how blessed and how fortunate I have been in the faculties I have been a part of. In each instance I have been able to find that community I so crave, that we all crave, whether we know it or not. I am so fortunate to be a part of a faculty now that actually wants to hang out together during the summer. Last year and this year, a bunch of us have gotten together for dinner and fun. We went last night to eat and went bowling. We had a blast. I am so lucky to not only have a job in this time and place, but to have a family to be a part of at my job. I can't sing the praises of my friends/coworkers enough - I am so happy where I am and I can't imagine anything different at this point, though in getting to where I am meant leaving many dear friends and kids over the past year, I know I am where I am supposed to be.

Anthems of my life

2010-07-13T20:33:00.003-04:00

I have always loved music. I really got into Praise and Worship music and Christian Contemporary music when I started playing guitar. I liked it before, but playing guitar added a whole new dimension and was my drive to play in the first place. I have been playing guitar for almost 8 years now. My best friend from college, Amy, taught me my first chords after she had been playing for about a year or so. I am so thankful we had nothing to do one afternoon when we were visiting for a weekend and I asked her to teach me some chords.

But anyway. Back to the music.

If I look back on my on life, I can tell you numerous songs that have meant different things to me over at least the past 15 years.

I love my iPod. I am a maker of the old mixed tapes and cds, so the playlist feature is right up my alley. I have one called "I Need To Worship" and it is the most played on my iPod. I drive to it, get ready to it, clean to it. I can't get enough of it. It is constantly being updated and now has about 6 hours worth of songs on it. I do listen to other music and other playlists, but no matter what, I keep coming back to that one. It gets me through whatever - pulls me out of a rotten mood, calms me, and helps ground me. It usually leads me to prayer in one way or another.

I think in all season of life, we have anthems that strike us at one moment or another. Here are some of my anthems. Excuse the random YouTube recordings. I will explain what each song means the best I can put into words.

This song is one that carries me from my Wesley Foundation days. It was a favorite of my campus minister and it was used a lot in our worship services. I was honored to be able to play it, along with my friend Brooke, at the CROP Walk after Risher passed away in 2006. The CROP Walk was dedicated to his memory since he started it some 26 years prior.

This a song I've found recently - within the past year - but I so identify with the words. I am 31. Single. I look back on my life often. I would love to be married and have a family, but right now I have to rest in the assurance that I am exactly where I am meant to be. This song means many different themes to me, but that is one of them that goes through my head at times when I listen to it.

This is one song that brings so much emotion to the surface - the entire Glory Revealed I album is fantastic. Over the years, it has become a youth group anthem of sorts. It is usually played when we have a praise night. We sang it in an almost dark lobby on our mission trip after one of our group meetings - I see that in my head now. We will get the opportunity to sing it at the church we are worshipping at on Sunday as we make our way from Portland to Browning.

This song has popped on the radio more than in one instance when I have been going through something tough - work related, health related for me or a friend, or just a tough situation where something has really been on my mind. Strange how songs come up like that sometimes. Throughout the past several years with my surgery related/dental stuff, it has been a song I turn to and it reminds me "if that's what it takes to praise you, Jesus, bring the rain". Also one of my favorite songs to play with the praise band.

One of my most recent favs. It has popped up in the last 3-4 months as well when I have needed it most (I really feel like that is a God thing).

Another song that I just haven't been able to get enough of recently. They cycle, but this is a song I just love. I first heard it around the time a good friend from work and her son had a really bad wreck. It was a miracle they survived, a miracle their injuries weren't worse, and a miracle to the testament of Christ in their lives to the community surrounding them. It is so true - when everything falls apart, HIS arms hold us together.

Well that's enough of Corrie's top song list for now. What are your anthems?

One Week!

2010-07-09T17:00:00.002-04:00

When you plan something since the fall, it feels like a LONG time away. For the past two years, our mission trips (2009 & 2010), and one previously in 2007, have been like that. We have started planning in September, and starting in January we have met monthly to plan and coordinate everything. This year we have taken on going all the way across the country - in some ways it would be easier to go abroad. We will fly into Portland, Oregon, then drive 12 hours over the next two days to Browning, Montana. We will be working on the Blackfeet Reservation near Glacier National Park. I cannot wait to see the country as I have never seen it before, and most importantly, I cannot wait to see how God is going to use the 20 of us during this trip. As with everything, the 20 of us are going on this trip for a reason. I know HE has mighty plans for us - after all, He is a MIGHTY GOD. I have prayed since the beginning for us to keep an open mind and for God to lead our group into this - HE has! I have also prayed for the people we are going to come in contact with on our journey there and back, and especially for the children we will be working with through Vacation Bible School. I ask for your prayers too, as we travel and do what we're supposed to do, and to give us the words and actions to interact with those whom we come into contact. May God lead us, guide us, and change us. Montana here we come!

Playing!

2010-07-06T20:51:00.004-04:00

On a part of my July trek, I stopped to see Amy after I went to Emerald Isle. Amy was my roommate at Winthrop my senior year. She and I became the best of friends her freshmen year at Winthrop when I was a junior. Her little girl Lydia is so cute!

Smiley Baby!

My niece and Goddaughter Lydia

Western Girls.... Best in the World

2010-07-06T20:05:00.003-04:00

Great weekend with my great friends!

Stephanie and me

Steph and Robin

me, Faith, and Steph waiting for a ferry to go out to Bear Island to the beach on Sunday.

Robin's beautiful baby boy Brandon

The girls - me, Steph, Robin, Faith (minus Rachel who couldn't make it).

My heart will come back to these mountains and I'll remember you...

2010-07-04T08:58:00.005-04:00

Song For You. Great song by David LaMotte.

Except we're at the beach. Love my grad school girls. None of them were in my program, but we clicked from the start. We were all sent to Western, not just to learn, but to meet each other. We know that.

Robin's cousin has a condo near Emerald Isle and let Robin and her husband and baby boy come for a week. They invited us down for the weekend. We haven't been able to spend more than a lunch together in two years, all of us together (minus one who couldn't make the trip), so it is great to be able to spend two nights together - talking, laughing, playing at the beach. Mike (Robin's husband) is a great sport. They dated while we were in grad school so we all know him - he's been cooking for us.

We are just best of friends, we are lifetime friends, we've said before. There for each other no matter how busy life gets or how many times we have to play phone tag. Any time we get together, we pick up right where we left off. For the past 9 years since we met fall 2001. I don't know what I would do without them.

Down to a month!

2010-06-19T08:04:00.003-04:00

27 days until the big Youth Mission trip to Montana! The Mission Team has been preparing since January - two more meetings and we'll be ready to go! It feels like January was forever ago, but it's finally almost here. Can't wait for this adventure to serve God and see our beautiful country!

Still addicted

2010-06-09T11:56:00.003-04:00

I love a good story about friendship. I guess that is why I have become obsessed (I guess that is the right word) with Wicked since I saw it a week ago. It is a great friend story. I have seen about everything Wicked the past week online. From documentaries to watching the full (bootleg) video on google. I have listened to the soundtrack a gazillion times by now. I didn't think I could love a play as much as Phantom. They are totally different - but totally great.

I miss my friends I see every day at work. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love summer. I love having nothing to do for a change and getting to do whatever, whenever. But I miss my friends. I go through this every year. I guess it is just social withdrawals. When you're used to seeing your best friends for 190 days and then all of a sudden you're out of that environment, it's just a shock to the system.

I get to see my friend Rosemary and her family today! I am so excited! It will have been a month tomorrow since their horrible wreck. She had surgery last week to reset her wrist and collar bone that weren't healing properly. My mom and I (we both work with her at different schools) are taking them food this afternoon.

Well, the cake is about to come out of the oven, so I must go tend to that. I have been doing well exercising for the past week. But I would love a piece of this chocolate chip pound cake!!!

More prayers please!

2010-06-05T10:34:00.002-04:00

I have been putting a lot of prayer requests on here lately, but what good is it, if I can't do that.

One of my good friends from college, and her family, are in definite need of some prayers.

Narcie has been diagnosed with a "low grade" tumor in her brain. Found when she randomly had a seizure while asleep. She undergoes some more tests and surgery this coming week. She and her husband have two little kids.

Narcie's Blog

Thanks!

WICKED

2010-06-03T00:59:00.002-04:00

Saw Wicked tonight. It was AWESOME!
I didn't think I would ever see a musical I liked as much as Phantom but this definitely is right up there. WOW.
This my favorite song from it - this is clips from the original Broadway performers.

IT'S HERE!

2010-05-31T22:25:00.002-04:00

Summer is HERE!

All day, I have been thinking it was Saturday or Sunday, but NOPE...it's SUMMER!

Long weekend spent at the beach to kick it off!

LOVE reading on the beach!

1

2010-05-27T20:46:00.001-04:00

One.Day.Left.

I think those are all the words I have. I'm tired. More than ready for a break.

We had our faculty celebration today, and had Water Wars. It was a lot of fun. I don't know if running around with water guns made me tired, or if the week is just catching up with me.

Got braces on Tuesday after my bridge teeth across the front were removed on Monday. I think I blocked out the whole "getting the braces on" the first time around. I finally went and bought some orajel and numbed things up pretty good.

One.more.day.

PRAISE!

2010-05-26T22:18:00.003-04:00

Praise be to GOD for the MIRACLES I have witnessed in the past two weeks.

The first being that Rosemary and Rhett survived their crash.

The second being seeing a picture of Rhett at his mom's bedside 8 days later, giving her a kiss.

The third being - Rose came home on Monday and Rhett came home today!

PRAISE GOD! Long road still to go as far as recovery, but they are HOME!

Prayers Please!

2010-05-15T22:27:00.002-04:00

Please pray for my friend work, Rosemary, and her son, Rhett. They were in a bad accident Thursday afternoon. Rosemary is on the mend - Rhett is still in Neuro ICU.

I have been thinking about them constantly. So many people are praying! Please send a prayer up for them!

Thanks!

Down to a Dozen!

2010-05-12T15:53:00.003-04:00

Down to 12 days. Yep, that's all that stands between ME and SUMMER!

YAHOOOOO!

I have 2 days of PASS testing done with one more to go!

YAY!

I have had one of my four upcoming dentist appointments - had my teeth cleaned yesterday. Next week is spacers, and the week after is the BIG week with Atlanta one day and braces the next.

I can't wait to be out for the summer and very much look forward to not doing any speech stuff this year. It didn't work out for me to do therapy like I did last summer, so I just decided to take the summer off from it. I have done speech therapy all year round since I started graduate school in 2001! Including grad school, I have done speech therapy every summer since 2002. I'm just going to take a break.

After Friday we'll get to count the days on 2 hands ~ and two of those days are half days! Looking forward to a great weekend beach retreat with the youth - we leave Friday right after school!

And so it begins....

2010-04-29T21:31:00.003-04:00

I finally got squared away with my beginning the dental work required for my jaw surgery next summer. I got the go ahead to make the appointments after talking to one of my doctors on Wednesday. I go May 24th for the dental bridge modification, and then I will get braces the next morning. I have to go get spacers the week prior to prep the bottom teeth.

I sent an email to my parents once I got the appointments set up yesterday, and my dad wrote back "And so it begins...".

And so it does begin in 3 weeks. Almost a year of prep, then surgery, then recovery, then starting over basically with the dental work after a period of the braces staying on.

And so it begins... I will get through it all - there is a reason for everything. I have to look to God to give me strength - he's already placed me with a wonderful community around me to help me through.

Laughing til it hurts

2010-04-18T19:11:00.002-04:00

I just spent the weekend at the beach with 3 good friends. It was so nice to get away together - something we'd never done before. We had great weather and GREAT laughs. My face hurts from laughing so much together. What a blessing good friends and laughter are!

Thirtysomething

2010-04-06T21:21:00.002-04:00

I remember the show, but never watched it. I was too young. Now I think I would probably like it. Because I'm now "thirtysomething".

31 to be exact. It's more weird than being 3 decades because now I'm INTO the decade!

I had a great day at work, even though before hand I was disgruntled that the calendar continues to shift and we don't have our traditional "first full week of April" spring break any more. At my school they announce a random age for us adults when the morning show announces our birthday. I was 63 today... according to them. I asked my assistant principal, since she taught me in 8th grade and if I'm 63 (or 31), how old does that make her?! :) The kids were great today - telling me happy birthday and getting hugs all day. The best part of the day was going in to the classroom this afternoon two of my friends teach and they had made cupcakes for me to share with their class! They sang their special Happy Birthday song (not the normal one...they sang that to me first thing this morning when I went to get some kids for speech), and then we all had a chocolate cupcake. I really appreciated that and it made my day!

Went out to eat with the family tonight at Outback. It was YUM-O. Of course I have been REALLY good the past two weeks and have been watching my calorie intake. I probably ate all those calories just tonight - really it wasn't that bad - but I was so full that I felt like I was that bad!

Thirtysomething isn't so bad after all - at least so far!

Holy Saturday Hike

2010-04-03T15:35:00.002-04:00

For the past several years, I have gone with the youth on a Holy Saturday (that would be the Saturday before Easter) hike. We go to Big Bradley Falls just out from Saluda. It is a pretty strenuous hike as far as I am concerned - not your typical 'let's walk to the waterfall and over a few rocks' type hike. It is pretty dangerous in some spots. People have died and/or come close.

I always try to get a picture of each of the youth hiking down or up the rope. You'd think this part to be the most dangerous, but really it's not. It is straight down and you definitely have to watch your step, but there are other parts that are probably more dangerous. I tossed down my bag before going down so one of the youth got this picture of me coming down - thought it was a pretty good action shot.

Anyway. I love going on this hike, especially right before Easter. There is something about it - maybe it is the difficulty or the fact that one wrong step and you're gone - that just makes me feel cleansed at the end. I definitely felt more in shape this year up until the very end - my running over the past couple of weeks is paying off in some way!

It's hard to believe it's the end of Lent and Easter is here. It has been a busy Lent - more busy than I would have preferred it to be, but that was the way it went this year. March is gone, April is well on it's way. I'll be 31 in 3 days (gasp). Maybe that is part of loving this hike - that I can prove I can still do something like this close to my birthday as I get older.

We have 8 more Mondays of school - 8 full weeks. August feels like such a long time ago, yet this school year has flown by. Overall it's been a great year so far, and I hope the last 40 days will close the school year out great!

Spring Break!

2010-03-27T20:40:00.001-04:00

WOOHOO!

Spring Break!

Man, it was needed...desperately!

I just hope it goes by as slowly as the past two weeks have!

Here's to doing basically nothing for 9 days!

What a great show!

2010-03-21T20:47:00.003-04:00

Somehow it all comes together in the end. I have seen that several times with drama performances and this year was no different. It's always amazing to see what the kids can do, but this time was absolutely incredible. It took a lot of manpower in the massive undertaking of doing the show off of our campus, but it was well worth it in the end. So many people were so in awe by the show - none more than I after I watched it from the front by DVD.

A family member of one of the other drama coaches was awesome running our sound, media, and helping with a little of everything. At one point he said to his aunt, "I don't know how you do it." She said "How I do what?". He said "How do 3 creative, talented women with a strong personalities, plus a bunch of other women do all of this without getting in each other's way?". She said she wouldn't have it any other way. I wouldn't either. Being able to do what we did is a definite testimony to the strength of our friendships and the camaraderie of our school environment.

What a blessing to have been a part of it!

9 days til break!

2010-03-15T21:42:00.004-04:00

I am definitely going to need a break after the next few days - and I'll get one, but just don't know how "restful" it will be. After the next few crazy days with the play, I will head on a retreat with the youth! Then it will be FIVE more work days til spring break. I'm pretty tired at this point with practice three days this week. We had to call an extra practice - just need one more to get it together before dress rehearsal and SHOW TIME! But that makes this week even more crazy, but it WILL all come together in the end. It always has and it will this time too!

Still on standby with the braces, etc. Talked to my Atlanta doctor today and all of the drs have been in contact in the past week. They need to talk some more before I'm given the next step - which is probably going to Atlanta to have the bridge sectioned. I was told I may have some gaps in the front until things move but the doctor today said he thought that was unnecessary to leave it that way while things were moving. So we'll see. Either way it will be ok. I just keep telling myself that. It is a constant "Give it to God." I need to retreat away this weekend - it will be good to refocus.

My Buddies

2010-03-09T20:10:00.002-05:00

Me with some of my buddies. My partners in crime. Whatever you want to call them. We were messing with costumes for drama and ended up trying on some of the wigs. Show day is almost one week away... three more rehearsals. We can do it and we'll make it! whew. It WILL all come together... it always does. And then it will be one week to spring break!

Special Weekend

2010-02-28T21:49:00.004-05:00

This weekend I went to Wilmington. I left Friday after work and I will head back tomorrow. I came for Lydia's Christening. Lydia is the daughter of my best friend from college. Amy and I were roommates my senior year. We have been best friends for a decade now and I was thrilled when Amy and her husband asked me to be Lydia's Godmother. What an honor and special blessing! I was glad to get to come to her Christening and to see where Amy and Emile live in Wilmington since I have not been able to make it to their house since they moved here. Lydia is SO cute. She is almost 3 months old and is starting to really smile and "talk". I think she's enjoyed having her "staff" (i.e. - aunt, uncle, parents, grandparents, me) tend to her every whim the past couple of days. I can't wait to come back and visit again and see her! Thank you, Ames, for including me on this special weekend and giving me something so special in being Lydia's Godmother. I have loved watching you be a mommy the past several days!

Update on Surgery

2010-02-07T13:07:00.002-05:00

This past week I went to two more consultations and found out more information regarding my upcoming surgery. On Wednesday, I went to the orthodontist in Spartanburg. Dr. Smiley (no kidding...) said it would take 6-12 months to move my teeth to have the correct bite prior to surgery. He doesn't feel like he could move things with braces in the next 4 months - assuming I'd be able to be prepped for braces by the end of February.

I went back to the oral surgeon, Dr. Spagnoli, on Friday in Denver, NC. More xrays and pictures were taken and Dr. Spagnoli did some computer manipulation of the planes of my face, and compared this to the "norm" population. All of this engineering will be vital to correcting the spongy bone in my upper jaw. A lot of this movement will take place with the orthodontics, and due to all that has to be moved, it will be more like a year before everything is ready (June 2011) and hopefully surgery will be scheduled for then. I had just about gotten used to the idea of having major surgery this summer, and to have it moved further out causes both relief and anxiety. Thinking for the past two weeks that surgery would be this summer and coming to terms with that, has caused me to really reflect on how God uses things like this to bring me closer to Him. I am thankful for those two weeks and look forward to what will be revealed to me in the coming year as I go through surgery prep. In waiting I see a blessing in being able to do a mission trip with the youth at my church that I didn't think I would be able to participate, so I am very excited about opportunity to be able to go with them.

So in the next couple of weeks, my front bridge work will be prepped in Atlanta for braces, and then I will go get braces put on in Spartanburg. The doctors will conference in the next week or so and come up with a plan to make all of this happen, hopefully in a timely manner. I will go back to the oral surgeon after the braces have been on for 3 months to see how things are progressing.

A song by a Christian band - MercyMe - has been a favorite of mine since I first heard it. It has popped up unexpectedly numerous times over the past couple of weeks. When I hear it, I am reminded that nothing is without purpose in this life - everything is to bring Him glory. "Bring me joy, bring me peace, bring the chance to be free, bring me anything that brings You glory. And I know there'll be days when life brings me pain, but if that's what it takes to praise You, Jesus, bring the rain."

Asking for your prayers

2010-01-24T12:55:00.003-05:00

Email I sent to my school faculty. It's just easier to repost.

I wanted all of you to know what will be going on with me over the next few months. It is much easier for me to write an email than explain it over and over. Hopefully this will not be too confusing. It's lengthy but it describes what will be taking place as I know it right now.

On Friday, I went for a consultation with an oral surgeon near Charlotte. Due to my cleft lip and palate surgeries I had in the late 90s to further repair my mouth with bone grafts, I got an infection. This occurred in 1998 and it was fought off and on until 2001 when it was finally beaten. Since then my upper jaw bone has not been stable (I can’t feel it move though) and mobility has increased over the past few years, and it has caused issues with my dental work across the front of my mouth. Since I don't feel the mobility, I didn't know things had deteriorated, and thankfully, my dentist in Greenville saw the issue in August before it got too bad, and things were corrected. Even corrected, it started the ball rolling in a totally different direction, and has opened doors for things I never imagined possible.

My dentist in Atlanta sent me to this doctor he knew about. Dr. Spagnoli specializes in maxillary surgery, and he spent an hour and 45 minutes with my parents and me on Friday (and my dentist from Atlanta came to NC for the appointment as well). Dr. Spagnoli was very nice and very knowledgeable about his field of expertise. He is up with cutting edge technology and procedures to even grow parts of faces back together after accidents and cancer. I was thinking I might get a little bone morphogenic protein (BMP2) placed above my teeth and be done with it and good to go. After the consult Friday, we found it will be much more involved. My upper jaw is VERY mobile, to the point where it can be seen from the standpoint of inside my nose.

Correcting this issue with my upper jaw, also known as the maxilla and alveolar ridge, will require a major procedure. This summer, Dr. Spagnoli will go in and move things around from a dental standpoint, and fill in the gaps above my jaw to solidify things. It will take place in Charlotte. He will use a mixture of hybrid bone - partially BMP2 and partially bone from my hip. On February 5, I will go back to Dr. Spagnoli and he will take more x-rays and he will be able to move things around on the computer and we will be able to see a computer projection of things. I will start the prep for surgery in the coming weeks with completely getting braces again (never thought I’d have to do braces again!). The braces will put my teeth exactly where they need them to be prior to surgery, and the braces will be used during surgery to keep things together. Thankfully, instead of going to Atlanta as I had to do in high school for my braces, I will be able to do this in Spartanburg.

I am very apprehensive going into all of this, but there is no question or even second thought about if this needs to be done or not. If it is not done, things could get worse and one day I could end up with a collapsed jaw. Fixing things now is the proactive approach, which is always better than the reactive one, especially in this case. It was stressed the younger I do this, the better, so to wait is out of the question. Each of the 3 previous bone grafts I have gone through before have been difficult, and have each had their own set of recovery issues. The hip graft shouldn’t be as bad as it has in the past due to they way they do it now, or so I’ve been told. There will be swelling and I will be on a restricted diet for around 8 weeks. I am not looking forward to the recovery process, but as with the others the end result was worth it, though it means to go through much to get there. At any rate, Dr. Spagnoli is confident he can make my jaw solid and in one piece as it is supposed to be. I am excited as well, but upset as I see summer plans change in a matter of a couple of hours. It's one of those times where I know what to expect because I have been there, but at the same time, I'm freaked out because I know what to expect!

In all of this, I am so thankful to have the doctors I do, with the skills they have been given, and the technology that is now available. As always, I stand by my faith and know there is a plan for me, and in all of this, greater than I can see or even begin to comprehend. Even though the idea of doing all of this is scary, God has given me an amazing family and awesome friends that have seen me through times before, and I know this time will be no different in that regard.

A big thank you for the support I know you will all give me in the coming weeks and months as this all begins. Thank you in advance for your support and caring! I would appreciate your prayers in the coming months. I’ll keep you posted as I know more.

So Excited!

2010-01-15T17:57:00.002-05:00

I am so excited!!! I have wanted to return to Nicaragua on a mission trip since I went with my campus ministry during March 2001. I think I am pretty definite on returning to the country in June on a mission trip! I got the word today that the trip is a GO! I am thrilled and can't wait to go back and serve in this way.

Good-bye Y2K decade...

2010-01-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

2010.

The start of a new decade.

I remember the start of the previous decade like it was yesterday. I spent it in a hotel room in California with family and a few family friends. We celebrated at 9pm Pacific time with the NYC ball drop. We were in LA when the band was in the Rose Parade. Y2K was on everyone's minds - all over the news. We weren't even sure if we'd fly back home on time due to all of the "feared" electronic melt down as the clock rolled over.

We live in a different world from 10 years ago. 10 years ago was pre-9/11. Pre-war in Iraq/Afganistan/Pakistan. Pre economic decline. Pre-H1N1 fears.

It 1999, I was 20, still in college, had barely begun to think about graduate school. I had yet to play a chord on a guitar. I had worked at church for two summers, and would have 3 more to go. I was loving being a part of my campus ministry - my understanding of my faith was growing by leaps and bounds (and still continues to) I had yet to go to Nicaragua, I had been to Haiti and London, and my love of traveling and seeing new places had just really started.

Now, 10 years later, I am in my 7th school year. I have been playing guitar for 7.5 years. There is the youth, the praise band - such big parts of my life that weren't on the horizon yet.

In my 3 decades of life, it is so weird to look back over where I've been, to get a sense of where I may go. Of course in the first decade of my life, I was a 'baby'. The second decade was 6th-grade through most of college. But this last decade was my 20s. Of course I have been 30 for 9 months now, I'm closer to 31. But now the decade of my 20s is no more. Gone.

Hands down though, it is the best decade yet, for sure. I look back over the past 10 years, and see so much joy - from moments with family and friends both. I see college graduation, starting Western, grad school graduation, great kids I've worked with, great schools I have been a part of - all part of the tapestry God has woven that has become my life. I see friends whom I have met along the way - people I barely knew or didn't know at the end of 1999 - friends who have become like family. Friends which I cannot imagine not having as a part of my life now, such joy from friendships I could not have dreamed of. I see so much laughter, so much support from these people that 10 years ago, did not exist for me. It is so strange to think of them as not there, when now they feel like were there all along. I guess we were awaiting each other in the wings, so to speak.

I look to the next decade, to my 30s. When I think of all the special people and moments in my life, I am in awe of them, and wonder, can the decade starting 2010 be better than 2000? I know there will be sadness, but I know there will also be much to live for and to be a part of. I can't wait to see what unfolds, and hope the best is yet to come.

Don't know how long I'm going to have You for, but I'll be watching as You change the world...

2009-12-20T14:39:00.002-05:00

The concert was great! The best of the 3 years. I am so thankful God has allowed us all to come together as the praise band. It is an honor and a joy to be able to worship with this group every week at practice and at church on Sundays. I am still in awe at what God can do through us as a group - more than we can ever do alone. What a blessing to be a part of it. To God be the Glory, Honor, and Praise!

TWO weeks!

2009-12-18T14:47:00.002-05:00

TWO WEEK BREAK! Hooray!!! I got out a little early since I chose to work through lunch instead of going out. So now I'm home in my warm house, and I'm going to celebrate the beginning of break by taking a nap! The weather is cold and nasty!

Big concert tomorrow night for the praise band! We've been practicing since September and it's finally here. We decorated until about 10:30 last night to get the gym ready after our practice. Practice tonight! Of course it is a mix of weather outside, but supposed to be sunny and 40s by tomorrow afternoon. Can't wait for the Christmas worship concert!!!!

My couch and my warm blanket are calling my name!

ugh.

2009-12-11T12:02:00.003-05:00

The stomach virus has struck. I got sick yesterday afternoon. Thinking it could be food poisoning since I hadn't been around any other sick people, I tried to stay to play guitar for my 2nd graders in the Christmas program. I got sick again and went home. I stayed out today. Slept 12 hours last night. Woke up feeling human again. Been doing the gatorade thing and I just started trying some saltines. Hopefully, it is over.

Well....

2009-12-08T20:26:00.001-05:00

You can't win them all. Byrnes lost their game on Saturday, becoming the state championships runner-up. Dorman played a great game and we had too many mistakes that proved to be very costly. Hats off to Dorman for playing a hard fought game and coming out on top!

7.5 days left until Christmas Break. We can make it! I am really looking forward to my faculty Christmas party tomorrow after school. It should be fun!

Back Again For X!

2009-11-28T09:10:00.002-05:00

The Rebels won their state semifinal game for the right to go back to the State Championship. They beat Spartanburg, who surprisingly won their first two playoff games after finishing the regular season 3-8. The game was close in the first 1.5 quarters, then Byrnes started playing and won the game 51-16. The State game will be a rematch with Dorman - who we beat by a touchdown earlier in the season, and we split games last year to go on to State. I know they are hungry for a rematch, but hopefully we can play 4 quarters. As with St. Thomas earlier this season, it proved the only team that can really beat Byrnes, is Byrnes.

Prayers

2009-11-10T21:28:00.002-05:00

Some prayer requests:

1 - My friend's baby Olivia. She was supposed to come home this week from NICU in Atlanta, where she went to have some eye surgery. But now she has pneumonia. Please pray for her to get well soon so she can meet her big sister and be home with her family for the first time!

2 - My friend's son Ryan. He broke his leg last week at daycare, which was thankfully ruled as accident. It will be a long month with an 20 month old in leg casts!

3 - Junior High Youth Retreat this weekend. Open minds, open hearts. Safe travel, fun time.

And the saga continues.....

2009-10-26T22:00:00.002-04:00

At a regular dentist visit in Greenville (I go every two months to have my teeth cleaned), the dentist saw some things he didn’t like going on with my bridge work back in August. He told me he wanted me to go to the prosthodontist that created the bridge work in Atlanta as soon as I could. I went the next week, and the dentist at home was right - a seal had broken on the bridge on an anchor tooth. We don’t know when it happened, but just glad it was caught before things went really bad! I went again in September expecting a quick fix, but came away thinking that the prosthodontist (Dr. Sims) would replace the bridge to remake the seal. I went today, and again, it is different than I thought. He went ahead and fixed the issues with my right eye tooth, and I go back mid-November for him to do the other side, just as a precautionary measure to repair the margins between the crowns and gum line.

When I went to Atlanta in September, the prosthodontist told me about a great thing called bone morphogenic protein (BMP). It sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but they inject this liquid material and bone grows! They have regrown complete jaws, faces, and even noses due to accidents or cancer! He talking about this as an option for me in 5 to 10 years, the new bridge would get me by until then.

Today, he said the movement was too great for a crown/bridge system to ever splint the gap and stop movement, and he really wanted me to go to Charlotte sooner than later and talk with the guru of this BMP. Dr. Sims said the bone grafts I had in 1996, 1998, and 2001 served their purposes, but the bone is very spongy compared to what it should be, causing the mobility of my upper jaw. The bone grafts were the best that could be done at the time, but now bone grafts are going more by the wayside as the BMP comes to the forefront. So we are trying to get an appointment with this Dr. in Charlotte sometime in December. Hopefully, Dr. Sims will get to go with us, as he would prefer - we just have to get all the schedules to match up. I don’t know when this procedure will take place, and depending on what this new doctor says, we may back up and punt and finish the new bridge as had been planned. If we go ahead with the BMP - I shouldn’t miss a beat other than being out for a few days, if done during the school year. It will probably take 5-6 months to grow in - I would have front teeth the entire time, but it would be a temporary for cosmetics, and nothing would be permanent until full healed. I would be on soft food for awhile, as I have done several other times.

I am super excited about the possibilities the BMP would offer (such as implants across the front and little to no bridge!), but scared at the same time for the risk it will be as far as the infections I have had in the past - though I have been infection free up there since 2001! All that will be considered going into this by the doctors. When I started this process in 1996, I never dreamed it would take this long (I have been “finished” several times now), but the possible outcome is greater than anything I could have imagined. I ask for your prayers as all of this is figured out.

The below link is an article I wrote as a part of a grad school assignment in 2003 - I have had other things done since then. Dental worked finished up Spring 2005, had some more surgery (nose related) in December, 2005. But the rest is there.

http://www.cleftadvocate.org/ff0103Corrie.html

Blog Slacker

2009-10-23T16:56:00.004-04:00

I have been such a blog slacker. It is close to a month since I last wrote. Not much going on other than staying busy with work and church happenings. Did a shower for Amy, a roommate at Winthrop, last Saturday. Here's the picture from that. Looking forward to taking some pictures for some friends over the next couple of weekends! :)

Inch By Inch

2009-10-03T18:51:00.002-04:00

I haven't written on here in about 3 weeks. It's been that busy. I am laying on the couch feeling lousy. I just felt run down all week and by Thursday I felt like I had been hit by a truck. Came home after class Thursday night and crashed. Didn't go to praise band, and felt really bad about that, but I could barely think straight in class. Left Friday morning for Florida for the Byrnes game. The boys did really well and stuck with St. Thomas. Our own mistakes cost us big, but STA was a GOOD team and total props to them. BHS has nothing to be ashamed of - they played a close game and losing to the supposed #1 high school team in the nation by only 8 points (we scored a touchdown in the last 3 seconds of the game and they didn't let us kick since the clock was out). Our boys showed a LOT of heart.

I am supposed to be at my friend Keenan's 30th birthday party right now. I feel really bad about not being there, but I called her as I got back into town to let her know I just felt awful. I am pretty sure it is a sinus infection. No fever, just feel bad and congested. Hoping some meds and some rest will do the trick.

For the Rebels....

I'm here

2009-09-16T22:35:00.002-04:00

I'm here, just crazy. I can't believe Labor Day was LAST week. Seems like longer ago.

I have been really busy at work. Makes for crazy days and crazy nights. Just rewrote all the language goals for the district in prep for a meeting on Friday. I should be in bed. But now my mind is reeling from rewriting!

Starting tomorrow, it only gets crazier. I start an autism class on Thursdays from 4-7, which I will be leaving a little early each week to try to make as much of praise band as I can to practice Christmas music. I really needed to take this class this semester, and timing would no better in the future so I decided to go ahead and do it since I really need the brush up right now. The class goes until December So full day at work, class, then praise band. Then I think I will sleep. And sleep and sleep. I am excited about the class. It is the first real class I have taken since graduate school 6 years ago, so I am kind of dreading it as well! I've liked doing just workshops and conferences the past few years!

I realized this week that one of my best friends from grad school and I have not talked since the beginning of July. We usually talk at least every 2-3 weeks. And now we're majorily playing phone tag. I'm talking we're missing each other EVERY day! She is super busy with her two babies after school and is due with her third in the next few weeks. Our emails at work won't go through to each other for some reason. I hope we can catch up soon! I really miss her!

Well time for sleep. I am going to read for a bit before bed since my mind is so full with language goals!

going on 3 weeks already?!?!?

2009-09-01T22:19:00.002-04:00

I can't believe we're now in our third week of school! I can't believe it has been over a week since I've written. Been doing well - just tired from being so busy at work. Loving what I am doing this year - so much less stressed, but have a very full plate. Love it though!

Last weekend, I went to a Beth Moore simulcast. It was AWESOME! I didn't get to stay for quite the entire thing, but got to be at most of it. It was amazing, and I definitely walked away changed and hope the impact is forever!

Had a workshop after school today. I'm going to be taking an autism class this fall with the lady who did the workshop and I am looking forward to the class. I am going to learn (and relearn/be reminded) so much! After the workshop, one of my best buddies and I went to eat supper. We talked for 3 hours! We work together every day but rarely have time, even after school, for more than a conversation about kids or whatever. It was so nice to be able to sit and talk ~ about anything, everything, and nothing. Sometimes you just need that.

I am looking forward to a long weekend coming up. Hope I can get caught up on some rest.

Great but tiring week!

2009-08-23T17:03:00.002-04:00

The first week back with the kids was great! It wore me out though! I was so tired every day and so hungry at lunch and supper. I'm glad to be in a routine again though and I am excited to start my schedule on Monday. Several days this past week, I had an overwhelming feeling of "I LOVE MY JOB!". If I felt that way last week, I am excited about this week when I have "my" kids again.

I ran three days this week. I did .5 each time, but walked parts of it. I am going to go again tonight after youth. I ran the entire .5 for the first time yesterday! I know I'll have to come up with an alternative work out once it gets cold, but I really do like running once I get going.

First week down!

2009-08-15T08:38:00.003-04:00

First week is over! Can't believe it is time for kids to come on Monday! It was a busy, but good week. We went to a speaker as a county this year, versus our usual district only meeting. The speaker was AWESOME! He said some great things - great reminders, really - and I hope people were listening. If everyone there could put what he said into practice, so many kids could be reached!

It has been a week of change for me. A different school, full time. At least I was there part time last year and knew what I would be getting into. It is wonderful. I am so happy! I miss my friends at the other school, but I love where I am. And I know I am exactly where I am meant to be.

Back to it!

2009-08-10T22:03:00.003-04:00

Well. Back to the grind today! I always say that I am thankful for summer just so I can do everything I normally do and not have to work! Fun summer, but it was busy!

Today was the first inservice day back. I'm completely at one school this year, and it was so nice to sit in meetings today and not have to worry about what I am missing at the other place, or thinking about what I need to do here while I'm there, and v/v. Taking being split into two people doing a job 110% at two separate places (that adds up to 220% for one whole person by the way...) to being in one place alone will make life less stressful for me this year! I miss my friends (and kids) at the other school dearly, but I am thankful to not have to travel and already feel less stress and it is day one!

Besides the fact that summer is now over, I enjoyed being back today seeing all of my friends where I am now full time. It was so much fun catching up and getting to see everyone.

On the other hand 189 days to go. haha.

Visit to Atlanta and other randoms

2009-08-04T20:45:00.003-04:00

I had to go to Atlanta today. To me, Atlanta is synonymous with doctors. I went to the local dentist last week, as I do ever other month, to have my teeth cleaned. He found a spot of decay above the crown on a live anchor tooth of my bridge. He wanted me to go to Atlanta ASAP. I called as soon as I left the office and got an appointment set up for today. Good news is everything else is fine except for the spot of decay that is on the margin of the crown right at the gum line. We got it fast, that's the other good thing - it wasn't there two months ago. Because of an emergency and a full afternoon, he couldn't do a filling of sorts today. I will have an hour and a half long appointment in September, right after Labor Day, to get it fixed. They painted a fluoride type varnish on the base of the bridge to stop any further problems with this for now, and recommended I do this nail polish like substance every time I have my teeth cleaned.

It was explained to me this problem I am having is nothing that I have done nor is it from anything I did not do. My mouth, the way it is, is just a hotbed for things like this. The gum tissue around crowns is finicky anyway, and mine is even more so since it is part of the cleft. So in other words, this was probably destined to occur at some point. He think this is probably the beginning of issues with the bridge and hopefully replacement can be avoided for at least another 5 or so years. Bridge work is typically good for about 10 years anyway before it has to be replaced or updated in some way. Excellent news for me is the medical advances which have taken place over the past 4 or so years since I finished up the bridge in 2005. There are many different ways they do things now, including a bone morphogenic protein, which wasn't approved for use in the US 5 years ago, that could be used to fill in missing bone in my dental arch! WOW! It is quite expensive, I'm sure, but an option to look into and discuss when the time comes. The prosthodontist also told us about how these days implants can be done with temporary crowns in ONE DAY! It is done through a surgery and everything, including the bone protein can be done all at once now. This fact amazed me more than anything else ~ ONE DAY.... I only have one implant, but I had temporary bridges and crowns several different times over a period of 3 or 4 years. Now you leave the office and it's done! Amazing!

Also really neat was their xrays are digital. They take them with a traditional looking xray machine hooked on the wall, but the film has a cord which is connected to the computer. The xray of my tooth popped right up on the computer screen behind me.

In other news, I have now bought 2 cell phone covers in the past month. My zebra case busted just before I went to the beach. I took it off to wipe the phone clean (sorry...ocd there), and noticed the next day the face plate was cracked on the front. I got a new one while at the beach. Then the other day, I had the phone open on speaker and had Zeke's leash in my hand. He jerked and I dropped the phone. It hit the concrete and the brackets holding the new green case on broke, but didn't realize how much at the time. Over the course of the last week, the entire front of the case faceplate has been falling off. Annoying. So I went to the mall tonight to find me something else. I looked on ebay but decided I'd rather feel what I was getting this time (versus the zebra case, etc). So I got a blue and green and silver zebra-ish design. Love it! I also went ahead and just got the 2/$25 and got another green case. Maybe that will keep me from breaking it. If this one does break, at least I will have a spare and having to keep buying covers.

Tonight was strange for me. My old school (where I have been for the past four years, but my mom has worked there for 20 something so I feel like I have been there a lot longer) had their "pre-school starting" dinner tonight. I really didn't think it would bother me, but when the time came tonight, it bothered me. It just felt weird. I was at my parents house between getting back from Atl and going to find the phone cover, and my mom left to go. Maybe if I hadn't been there when she left it wouldn't have phased me quite so bad. Just strange to not be a part of it. I am completely happy at the new school - just a little bit of bittersweet-ness going on. I'm meeting a good friend from the old school tomorrow for lunch, and then she's going to come down to my new school to see it since she hasn't been down there yet, so that will be good.

Ok. this stream of consciousness is quite long enough.

Lead Me To The Cross

2009-08-02T22:52:00.001-04:00

Love this song!

Give me words to speak

2009-07-30T21:24:00.002-04:00

The mission trip was great. Awesome. Wonderful. I don't know if I have the words to adequately describe it. The VBS we did went very well - everyone was super flexible when we needed to be, and everyone did whatever they needed to make it work. The youth were AMAZING with the kids - I was SO proud of them. They took a big challenge from Kelly to pray with the families as they walked the kids home on the last day - and they did it.

The kids we served were precious. They had beautiful smiles, and one had the cutest giggle you've ever heard. We loved loving on them. We went to teach them about Christ, and we did, but in turn we learned from them as well.

My favorite moments:

* the ride down - radio loud, entire van singing.

* the worship services Team Effort does - they are great!

* Wed night worship - one of the boys brought their guitar after their room was already locked. When worship was over and it was group time, we sang Restore To Me in the dark. It was an awesome moment. I felt the Holy Spirit there with us.

* Watching the youth really connecting with the kids, and seeing some of the boys really pouring themselves into the kids. wow.

Youth Mission Trip!

2009-07-19T17:22:00.002-04:00

hey! We're here in Florida! Already settled into the rooms. The girls are in one building and the guys are in a building across a courtyard. Most of the girls are bunking up 3-4. Jocelyn, Kelly, and I are sharing a room.. We're bunked in here willing the room to cool off! :) We have a stand alone air conditioner so we pulled rank for this room. :) We made really good time - 10 hours. Only stopped twice so that was amazing! Hanging out until we go to dinner.

Jesus bring the rain?

2009-07-11T15:55:00.003-04:00

I had posted that this week would be a fun week. I have had fun - many fun activities have been going on. Out with some of my friends on Monday night, tubing, rock climbing, IKEA, lunch with a friend. But my goodness, Monday was a long time ago!

Despite the fun moments it has been a trying week. One of the youth burned, a child dying, my grandfather in the hospital (he's doing okay just more as a precaution I guess than anything). The funeral for the chid is tomorrow.

My reading today came from 1 Peter again. The time is come that judgement must begin at the house of God. 1 Peter 4:17. I also read the verses surrounding it. I really like 1 Peter 4:16. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. I thank God for my faith. It's in weeks like this one that faith moments are pushed to the front burner instead of the back. It has been reviving for me, so for this I must be thankful.

Jesus bring the rain? Bring me joy, bring me peace. Bring the chance to be free, bring me anything that brings You glory. And I know there'll be days when life brings me pain, but if that's what it takes to praise you... Jesus bring the rain.

We are hurting, but trust in YOU

2009-07-09T15:57:00.003-04:00

I have been so sad all day today. A dear, sweet, precious little girl that I knew was killed yesterday. Senselessly. Brutally. It is hard to even begin to grasp understanding at why this would happen to anyone, especially a child. She was only 8 years old. Going into 3rd grade. Happy. Loved. Friendly. Wonderful smile. I just don't understand it. I firmly believe God has a plan for everything, and it all goes together for Glory. Somewhere, sometime, someone will see why this happened. As much as I do not want to think that, my faith brings me back to it time and time again.

I spoke with a friend today from my church. She and her family knew a couple of the people who were killed last week in a neighboring community they are from - these people killed also brutally and senselessly. I have prayed for her family and the families of the people she knew. I have prayed for that community that is hurting. But I called her today to tell her until last night, I did not understand what she was going through. I sympathized. I prayed for them. But I didn't understand. Not until it hit home. Not until it affected people I love. Not until something like it affected me. How many times in life is this the case?

Today, after running some errands after lunch with a friend, I stopped by a Christian book store where I wasted some time before picking up Zeke from the groomer. I decided to look for a new devotional type book with a journal since I had finished one and a journal type book seems to be the kind I do the best with. Something that is dated is even better for me organizationally. Well, I started to pick out different ones and was reading the entry for July 9. I had decided I'd pick the one that spoke to me the most for today.

The entry was:

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. 1 Peter 4:12.

The paragraph before the journal lines says:

From On the Highroad of Surrender:

Through much tribulation I am bringing My chosen to perfection. Be not amazed when challenges present themselves. I am building your fortitude, and the day will come when you will be grateful for every lesson learned in the school of affliction.

My prayer is that everyone who knew this child will be comforted in knowing she is in the arms of Jesus and her Heavenly Father. My prayer is for her friends, who are too young to even have to begin to grasp this tragedy. My prayer is for the parents of these children who have an amazing opportunity and burden for helping their children through their grief. My prayer is for her family who are suffering so greatly. My prayer is for my school community that we will get through this as we have so many other things, as we can only do together.

Precious Lord, You alone are in control. Help us learn from you in our time of hurt and our time of mourning. Your grace alone is sufficient to cover the wounds which are widely opened, and Your grace alone gives us strength to fortify us for the times ahead.

Amen.

Time keeps moving on....

2009-07-07T14:56:00.002-04:00

My watch is fixed. I hope. I got a new battery almost 3 weeks ago on a year old watch. It kept stopping from time to time over the past 3 weeks. I took it back on Sunday when I could not get it to restart. The place that had changed the battery took it out and the battery was fine. The second hand was getting stuck on the minute hand. So I left it and when I came back Monday, the minute hand was very loose. Frustrating! So I went back today and it is right - after they adjusted the band to back where it had been.

It is crazy that it is already July 7. 5.5 weeks left of summer!

This has been a fun week. Last night I went out with a bunch of my friends from work (from the split school of last year where I will now be full time). We had such a good time! We went to eat, and then we went and played pool and darts up the street. We definitely want to do it again before school starts. Someone put it - we have to continue to build our family bonds. Oh the places WE'LL go...TOGETHER.

This afternoon it is rock climbing with the youth. Wednesday it is tubing with some friends and all of the kiddos, Thursday it lunch with my friend Lisa, and Friday is possibly shopping with a friend. A week of fun, but time to relax too.

Happy July!

2009-07-01T10:37:00.002-04:00

It was a strange week last week with all the celebrity deaths in the news. And then there was the lovely Governor of SC. I'm really tired of hearing about his affair and all. He seems to be telling all now - I imagine he would be grateful for the news being off of him at the end of last week with the deaths of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett, but no.... he keeps popping up on national news because he keeps revealing all of the details. I really applaud his wife - she seems to be like a strong, no nonsense type of lady. After his lack of support of public education and all of this, I would love for him to go away.

I am keeping Lily this week for Kelly and Andy while they are on vacation. Lily is so sweet, but it has been interesting having two dogs in the house. :) We've walked every day - mostly in the evening, but since it was cooler this mornng so we went for a little walk. Zeke and Lily are completely wiped out and sleeping on the floor and chair, respectively.

I was devastated to hear Sunday night that one of my favorite teachers had passed away after complications with cancer. Brenda Story was my English teacher my senior year at Byrnes. She was hard and you definitely had to work your tail of in her class, but she was one of my favorites. She was so caring with her students and had a great sense of humor. When I'd come home from Winthrop, I would go by and see a few of my favorite teachers from time to time and she was always one I'd go see and chat with for a bit. Her funeral is tomorrow and I plan to be there. I wish I had known she was sick so I could have at least sent her a card or something if a visit was not possible.

It has been great taking it easy this week! I saw my 4 kids for therapy on Monday and Tuesday, and then bummed around both afternoons. I am about to get ready and go get some things from the grocery store to make dessert. Stephen and I have the youth supper tonight.

I am excited about Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince coming out on July 15! I am watching the other 5 movies and then going to reread the 6th book. I read all of the books a couple of years ago before the 7th book release. I could probably finish them all again before July 15, but right now I'm not planning to reread them all. If I am in the mood to reread after I watch the movies, then I may read them all.

Well, better get moving towards getting ready and going to the store. Happy July! Can't believe it is here already and 2009 is half over!

The Going has STOPPED

2009-06-27T09:54:00.002-04:00

Well at least for two and a half weeks!

I don't think I've gotten to really "stop" since school got out. I totally moved out of one school and completely unpacked in the other the first few days of summer. Then I had jury duty - which was a week out of control. Then I left for Mexico. Mexico was great - relaxing, fun, beautiful. But traveling can wear you down. So then I get back from Mexico, work Monday, do laundry, and leave on Wednesday. Went to see my friend Robin and meet her 3 month old son - my "nephew" Brandon. He is precious and it was so good to see my friend. It has been a year since we've been able to spend time together. But it was almost a 5 hour drive - so that was exhausting. So now I am home. I need to clean my cluttered house (from unpacking and leaving again). I have a mountain of clothes to iron. But I just don't want to do it. I will have to tomorrow or this evening because it is really getting on my nerves. But for now, I'm going to watch tv for a bit, take a quick shower and go buy some more sunscreen. Then I'm going to go over to the grandparents to the pool. They opened their pool later in May than they normally do and with the end of school and then jury duty, I haven't been in it yet. So I am going to find me a book and lay out and swim.

I will be working on Mondays for 4 hours in the morning, and an hour on Tuesday mornings, but for the next two weeks and a half weeks, I will sleep in my bed! Then craziness will hit again - going to the beach for a few days with the family, then the next day I will leave with the youth on our mission trip to Tampa. Then it will be home for two weeks before school begins again. Summer is flying!

Mexico

2009-06-23T22:41:00.002-04:00

We had a great trip to mexico last week!

We spent every day at the house for the most part except for Tuesday, when we went to see some Mayan ruins. The trip was amazing - the house, the food, the water. All of it. Especially the food. I have always LOVED Mexican food so to be in Mexico for a week and eat the real thing most every meal was wonderful! Here are some pictures from the trip.

Home Sweet Home

2009-06-20T23:41:00.001-04:00

Home from Mexico! Had an AWESOME trip! Exhausted now - traveled for about 13 hours today. sheesh.

No one got sick, never felt unsafe. Will post pictures and details over the next few days.

Happiness Is....

2009-06-12T23:43:00.004-04:00

I had a great lunch today with two of my most favorite friends. We sat and talked for about two hours. It was so good to see them - I've missed them this past week.

I met up with two of my movie girls tonight and their kids and we went to see Night at the Museum 2. I never saw the first one, but had heard this 2nd one was good, so when we decided to get together and do something, we knew the kids would prob all like the movie. It was really good. I would like to rent the first one and watch it now. At the beginning of the movie, Ben Stiller's character asks one of the museum mannequins "what is happiness to you?" The sun comes up and the guy freezes, and he doesn't meet up with him again until almost the end. Ben Stiller's character says he found what happiness is - in a rough quote:

"Happiness is loving what you do every day and doing it with people you love."

It made me think of how blessed I have been the past 6 years where I work, especially for the past 4 years. I am SO SO SO SO blessed to love what I do AND to work with people I love. It doesn't get any better than that. I went to the movie with two of those people I work with. We went back to my friend Kelly's house and ate dinner. My friend Jackie said at one point as we were waiting on parts of dinner to be ready - I didn't come for the food, I came to see the two of you. We ate with the kids and then they started a rowdy game of clue, and the three of us went out on Kelly's front porch and sat and talked for a long time. Both of my outings today were exactly what I needed, just as God brought these very special people into my life at just as I needed them. Funny how HE knows exactly what we need at just the right time. How amazing is His love for us to provide exactly what we need!

Now I have to finish up my bits of packing left to do (just odds and ends that need to go in the suitcase) and I need to get to bed. Have a great week!

Please raise your right hand....

2009-06-11T22:00:00.002-04:00

It's been a long jury duty kind of week. "Great" way to kick off the summer. Of course I'd much rather have gotten it over with than going the week after I get back from Mexico. At least they gave me a choice since it was the week of. Whew. I thought the coast was clear today - had to report at 9 and hadn't been chosen yet. Well, you'd know it... I was chosen for the last trial of the week. And everyone else was dismissed. We were there until close to 4. At least it is done and over with!

I haven't gotten to do much this first week of summer due to the jury duty stint. This week has been crazy and oh SO long!!! I was supposed to see several kids this week and I had to miss one for sure, along with some other stuff going on tonight for them with the storms that came through. I am going to see one tomorrow morning and I will have done all I could do for the week. Being at the mercy of the county court office is not a fun thing. At least I was on the "good guy" side. Since life has been very up in the air this week, I am looking forward to a real summer Friday. I was unpacking boxes last Friday. Tomorrow I am going to sleep in a little, go meet one of my new kids for the summer and fall, and then go meet some good friends for lunch. Then I'm going to run some errands, and then meet two other friends and their kids for a movie and some kind of supper after.

I am mostly packed for my big trip. I got clothes ready while waiting for jury duty call back the other day. I got everything mostly packed tonight so I can play a little tomorrow. I am so excited about the trip! Just about 36 hours from now, I'll be flying out! Camera batteries are charging. Snorkel, mask, and fins are packed. I'm READY to go and get the heck out of dodge (or the country) for 7 days.

A dozen years ago

2009-06-05T22:51:00.003-04:00

12 years ago today, I finished high school. Crazy! Where has the time gone that I have been working 6 years now and I'm 30?

It is officially summer now! Hooray! It was a long week of K4 testing, organizing, tying loose ends, and packing. I got to work about 6:15-6:30 Mon-Wed and worked until it was time to start K4 testing at 8. Then did that all day, and then stayed until 6-7pm each night to get packed up to move. On Wednesday, two of my friends helped me move my boxes. I spent Wednesday wrapping up loose ends where I am leaving, and spent today unpacking and totally settling into where I have spent half the week this year. I didn't think it would all fit, but it did. Also rearranged that room some, and opened it up a little more with moving some furniture around. It is all fixed except for a box of picture frames and books, and a box of puzzles. I left those for the fall since things will have to be moved for floor cleaning.

I am going through withdrawals from the school year. Don't get me wrong...I'm thrilled it is summer and SO thankful for a break, especially after the past two weeks or so. BUT I am missing my friends. I'm so used to talking with them every day - laughing, discussing, solving the world's problems (at least our world) - and it is hard these first couple of days to not be around them. I have never helped open a new school until this year, but I know the way the faculty gelled from Day 1 is a rare thing - so many people from different places coming together. It was a great year of firsts. Our theme for next year is "Oh, the places we'll go!". I can't wait to see where we will go together. I am also feeling sad in leaving where I have spent the past four years. I have so many memories there, even before I began working there. It was a great 720 days of my life. I have dear friends still there and I hope we'll be able to keep in touch. Thank you for the past 4 years ~ you are huge part of who I am today!

Count down to Mexico is on! 7 days!

A picture from Wednesday. We were challenged to a water gun fight. We won.... This a "before" picture... We have our game faces on!

Bittersweet

2009-05-31T21:07:00.003-04:00

This week will be a tough one. I will say "goodbye" to the people who have been like family to me the past 4 years. I am leaving one school and become part of my split school full time. I have mixed feelings about this. I had a great year splitting - it was the best of both worlds. I am THRILLED about the year ahead of me and the new opportunities and challenges that will be upcoming. At the same time, I am so sad to close the door on my work at the other school - my kids and my friends. I know I will keep in contact with my friends - it is just not usually possible to keep in contact with the kids for various reasons. So this week will be a roller coaster of emotions as I (between the craziness that is K4 testing) pack up and say goodbye. I know to some people, they would say it is a just a job, but it's not for me. It is a big part of my life and these people I am with every day are a big part of my life too. If you've never been a place where the people you work with are like family, then it would be hard to understand. I will miss them so much!

a few random things

2009-05-25T10:53:00.003-04:00

7 more wake ups and it is summer!

Hard to believe! Where has this school year gone? This year has been crazy, but it has been so great in so many ways.

Excited about what is coming up! Mexico in June, Youth Mission Trip in July. It will be a busy, but fun summer. I have jury duty the first week out. Not excited about that - and really hoping I don't have to go every day (just for that I'll prob have to go every day).

I have announced on here before that I need to work out. Well that went out the window and I did really bad at it. But the time has come where I have to get my tail in gear. I am resoluting to nothing but water to drink at meals. And I am MAKING myself do some sort of work out - even if it is just walking! I did my elliptical for 30 minutes yesterday and I'm about to get on it again. I've been lazy this morning, but hey, it's a holiday.

Speaking of that. Happy Memorial Day! A big, sincere THANK YOU to all who have given their lives in service to this country!!!!

single digits

2009-05-20T22:30:00.002-04:00

Whew. We're in single digits now! 9 student days until summer. It's been a great year, but fast and crazy! Thank goodness for friends to keep me sane, and a God that I know is in control of the craziness. Now to bed. I am EXHAUSTED!

Shutterbug

2009-05-16T15:26:00.003-04:00

My new toy.
I love my Olympus DSLR. It takes AWESOME pictures, but it is hard to just carry around. I have been wanting a smaller point and shoot camera for awhile. I started looking and doing research a while ago on this to decide what I wanted to get. I got some money for my birthday back in April, so I decided to buy the camera with it. I decided on an Olympus fe-5010. It is 12mp and has a 5x optical zoom. It comes in several colors, but of course I had to get blue. It's small enough to put in my pocket or just carry around in my purse for those times where I really wish I had a camera on me, but didn't because my other one is so big. Now I have one. I went to best buy today and got a small case for it.

When I got this camera from an online retailer, I also got a better camera bag for my DSLR. It is a messenger style, so I can now have both lenses with me at all times instead of having to choose which one to take or putting the extra lens loose in another bag or purse (which is not practical or good for the lens that is unattached.

Youth Adventures

2009-05-10T20:21:00.002-04:00

We had awesome weather for the youth retreat this weekend. The beach was beautiful and I got a little sun. It was NICE to lay out on the beach and not do anything for a couple of hours, especially this time of year. Most of the youth got in the ocean - it was a little cold for me. I did get in the pool to cool off, but it was still a little too chilly for my liking. Another week or two and it would be just right.

The retreat was great! We took more than we have before - 23 with everyone. We piled into the church bus and three cars. I drove the church bus.... boy every trip I take in that thing, I come home thankful for my cruise control. I am also thankful for a car that runs. Yep. We broke down coming home. Several years ago as we were coming home it really acted up and stalled out as we neared the church. The boys (they were 6th graders then, 9th graders now) got out and pushed us off the road. It started up and we got to church. We haven't taken the bus to the beach since - we've been able to get by with cars, but the bus has traveled to West Virginia and Gatlinburg a couple of times since. We had to take the bus this time due to how many we had.

This time it first did it as we started stopping and starting when were nearing the beach. It cut off in the middle of an intersection. I put it in park and restarted it and we made it to the hotel. It didn't give us any more trouble on Saturday. We were fine on the way home until we stopped to eat about 2 hours from home. As soon as I got off the interstate, it cut off at a traffic light. We ate, and got back on the road. During lunch I prayed that we'd just make it home safe, knowing that if it did it on the interstate, it could be really dangerous. As we were coming up 385, we were almost to the 85 exit when the bus started decelerating. I cut on the flashers and I was able to get it to the right shoulder. Jocelyn was behind me and Andy was a little further back because he had to stop for one of the girls to have a potty break. I tried to start it again as we waited for Andy to catch up and it moved a little bit, but felt like it was out of gas. We filled almost all the way up before leaving the beach. By the time we stopped to eat, we were at 1/4 tank. At this point it was showing "E" out of nowhere. I don't know what happened to the gas - if it was really empty something is really wrong with the fuel line, etc. Or it could be the gage not working as a symptom of another problem. Andy got there and I got in his truck and he got in the bus. He tried to get the bus going again, but it got about 50 feet and wouldn't go any more. Stephen was almost home, so he got an extended van of one of the youth's parents and came back to get the rest of the kids. I went on with Andy's truck, the kids who were with him, and the luggage. Jocelyn went on back with two of the girls and a couple of guys who got in the car with her, and Eric and Andy waited on Stephen with 10 of the kids. Since we thought it could be gas, Stephen brought a tank and that didn't help, an the bus didn't start. It will be interesting to see if it starts tomorrow.

It was a great weekend overall and even though the last 2 hours was a little adventurous, I am so thankful we all made it home in a reasonable amount of time. If we had broken down on more towards Columbia, we would have spent the afternoon waiting on rides to get everyone home. I am so thankful the van was accessible, and it all happened like it did. WHEW! We didn't make it home in the bus, but my prayer was answered...that we got home safe!

I have a faulty wand

2009-05-07T22:41:00.002-04:00

My wand doesn't work.

This week at one of my schools, we have celebrated Children's Book Week. Each day has been a different theme. For Friday, it is dress up as your favorite book character day. Since Scarlett O'Hara would be a little difficult, I decided to go with something Harry Potter since I am a fanatic anyway. Pretty funny because my friend Keenan is doing the same thing and we didn't even talk about it until she told me she went to buy a wand and found one at Party City. So tonight, I went to Party City to get one. I didn't open it in the store, so when I got home I opened it up and crumpled up at the bottom of the box was a little handwritten note with the UPC saying it was a defective product. I don't have a screwdriver small enough to get into it and put batteries in, so I can't tell if it is right or not. Guess I will be using it tomorrow and then the next chance I get, the wand will be going back to the wand shop to be exchanged. I have always, secretly deep down, wanted a Harry Potter Wand when I've seen them. Now I have an excuse to have one, and I will get one that will light up and make noises eventually.

Party City was definitely not up to Ollivanders' standards.

Here I am

2009-05-06T21:00:00.003-04:00

Another song for you. This song has become my anthem here recently. I am trying to remember that HE is in control and my story is a part of HIS plan, not my own. I have to give it to him - all the time.

Ikea

2009-05-03T21:47:00.002-04:00

I got back home from Ikea about 7:30 tonight. We really made a day of it. I picked up Mitzi at her church after my early service and we headed to Charlotte. We went to this little mom and pop Italian place and shared a pizza. And then we went to Ikea. If you haven't been before, you must go to the one near you. OMGosh it was CRAZY! A woman must have definitely planned it out - it was so well labeled and so organized it made us want to get organized. The furniture was really nice and CHEAP. Not cheaply made though, really solid furniture for really good prices. It is cheaper because you buy most of the furniture in a kit and put it together. Of course I saw lots of little things here and there that I would love, but didn't buy. We both bought some decorations from school (which was our inspiration in going in the first place because a friend from school had gone). I saw flair on facebook before we went saying "If Costco and Disneyland had a child and Target raised it, it would be Ikea". That is so the truth! I wish I could have had a video of our faces at all of the stuff, and our amazement at how neat and generally inexpensive it was. We're definitely going back. It will be a great place to go buy Christmas presents and things like that. If I had a point and click camera (wasn't going to lug my big camera around), I would have definitely taken pictures of our experience. haha. Also, adding to the experience, of course, was laughing the whole way through the store at one thing or another and having time to talk as much as we wanted. That was really good too.

One of the praise band members sent this quiz late last week. It was really interesting. I am a Sage. Take it and see what you are.

Cars and Clothes

2009-05-02T21:55:00.002-04:00

It's been a productive day around here.

First I was able to sleep until 7:30 before I woke up. Boy I needed it! I needed to "catch up" a little. I laid around a little longer before getting ready to go to the youth car wash. We did pretty good this year - better than we have the past several years. I washed cars in some way, shape, or form for about 4 hours. I am REALLY tired! I also got a little sun, but luckily no sun burn since I had on 15 and it was cloudy for a lot of the day.

When I came home, I started doing laundry. Massive pile since I didn't do it all last weekend. I finally got my closets switched. I had to make myself do it, but it wasn't as bad as I had dreamed it up to be. And now that it is done, it feels good to look in the closet and see the right clothes in there! And I have much more to wear now. For the past several weeks (since it's been warm), I've been wearing just basic seasonal type clothes because of the lack of room I had when I started taking stuff from the front room closet and moving it to my bedroom closet. Since all my warm weather clothes were STUFFED into the other closet, I couldn't find anything readily. Also in the process of switching closets, I made a pile of clothes from both seasons that I haven't worn in forever, doesn't fit, or I don't like. I want to go through my chest of drawers before I take it some place. I know I have some shorts and things in the drawers that I don't wear any more.

I am so looking forward to tomorrow! After I go to church, I'm heading up to Charlotte with one of my best friends to the new Ikea that opened up there. Several people from school have gone up there and come back with some really cute gator decorations, so that is our primary objective to go up, as well as to just go to Ikea since neither of us have ever been. I am definitely looking forward to spending the afternoon shopping and talking!

well....

2009-04-28T18:27:00.002-04:00

I'm supposed to be going to Mexico for a week on June 13. Right now it's not looking too good with the swine flu going on. Travel there is strongly discouraged. We fly into Cancun, where several of the cases in the US spent a week for spring break. I guess we'll take it as it comes and go from there. Even though I will be greatly disappointed if we can't make the trip, and few things scare me about foreign travel, I definitely won't be going if the WHO officials say not to travel.