Merry Christmas

Well, today is Christmas eve, how exciting! all afternoon, my mom has been frantically cleaning the house, not like it was dirty...I made my famous artichoke dip and now my hands will smell like garlic for a while...which is gross...but it will keep the vampires away! :)

Today the family is coming over...margie, granny and me and my mom and then, the rest of the family will be coming over and we shall open a few presents and have some good food and such....THEN...tomorrow morning, we are having brunch...and then...going to my cousins moms sisters house....that shall be good.

Last night was awesome, my mom and her friends went out- so I took a friend, bethany and we went out with my mom to the beach to eat- and then to coldstone creamery for dessert! How fun is that?! :) It was great....

I also got to see my friend Danielle, who has her new baby, Olivia..SO CUTE!! I will post pictures when I get to a computer so I can do just that! This one is real slow....

Fun times...fun times....

florida...babies...beach...

Florida is good- I am trying to post a few pictures of my time here thus far, except my moms computer is real slow- so who knows if I will ever get to complete that process...I am having fun doing lots and seeing lots! Merry Christmas!

Venice

Today was a marvelous day!!! My mom and I got up early and went down to Venice Beach. It was awesome. The sun was coming out most of the day- kinda chilly, but still, wonderful, since no snow was falling. We looked for sharks teeth...shells....put our feet in the water, felt the breeze on my skin. It was awesome. I can't say that enough!!

Then, we went to the downtown area for a little shopping in the cute shops- I bought some stuff and my mom got me a pretty bracelet and I got a necklace for my grandma......then, we came back and stopped in Ellenton cause my mom said the outlet had a shoe store, clarks, that is real good and has big feet shoes, and sure enough, we both got a pair of shoes- and now I have a comfy pair, so I can walk around campus all day long and not get tired!!! :)

PERFETO!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday was a fun day, I metup with my friend Bethany and George, from high school, he is in the Navy now, and we met up for lunch downtown St.Pete- marvelous food and good times catching up! :) We made an appoinment to get our nails (toes and fingers) done on thursday...and last night, my mom and I got REFLEXOLOGY! That was fun, that is just basically a foot rub, but she pushes on different area's and can tell if you are sore or have congestion...stuff like that. I almost fell asleep!!

Then, my mom tried to fake me out and make me eat YAMS. ICK!!! Mom's can be sneaky, but not THAT sneaky!! :)

Oh, tonight we also went to my granny's house and then she needed a lot of things from the grocery store, so we had to do that...and grocery shopping in florida is so different than grocery shopping in Michigan. Florida is just an overcroweded state. it is ridiculous. people EVERYWHERE......

FLORIDA HERE I AM

I am home in florida- it was marvelous to be back - strange to see the left that I don't really have anymore down here! I have stepped back into my childhood and it is just funny to come back and know people but not really know them. I have seen my family already and enjoy life with my mom! :) I do miss the BF - but soon enough I will see him again!

The flight down here was interesting to say the least...i sat next to a 91 year old woman- who had pee'd her pants prior to getting onthe flight. I thought it smelled funny when I first sat down..and then I realized that her pant legs were wet...and the smell was getting worse. THEN the 3 year old girl sitting behind me kept shouting, "someone is using the potty" and that is when I realized that I was smelling old woman urine....so gross. anyways, i helped her and that was nice- but it was very smelly. She later thru conversation was able to verify that yes, indeed she has pee'd her pants upon entry of the airport...so gross. but, she was sweet and after sitting for 1 hour on the tarmack because we exceeded the weight limit....we finally left Detroit....and I finally had air moving the pee filled air around...

:) Last night we went to celebrate my cousins graduation from Grad school- her MBA. That was fun, we had a nice dinner at a pretty fancy shancy rest. and tha twas fun and then finally I was able to come home and relax!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

christmas break

Well, Christmas break is upon me now! Much to do and much to see....florida and coloma! How fun! I haven't blogged in a long time because I have been oh so busy!!! Jamos, my boyfriend, has been finishing his last semester of college on main campus, he has been getting ready to go to Costa Rica and now we are closer than EVER for that! He has been completing his tasks for dental school and we have encountered plenty of issues and problems. The ride has been stressful, but together we have worked hard and made it thru! This morning we were at the infectious disease place, getting SHOTS for him to go to Costa Rica and not die, so that was fun and basically the last thing we needed to do for him besides pack- and that is easy! :) So, I am excited. I look forward to Florida and seeing my friends and their babies and just hanging out!!! I can't wait to hang with my grandma and mom and just be with my family again. I want to read and knit and just get rested before coming back to the snowy north!!

A few prayer requests: Shaun Page, a friend/student at SAU has come down with a form of cancer- so we pray for complete healing of his body. Prayer for Jamos, that he will complete his tasks and that the Lord will just watch over his steps and continue to guide his paths for his future during this transition time.
Prayer for my air and car travel, that I will be safe and that i will just be able to be a blessing to my family.

snowy night

Last night was a full night! I worked out- cleaned the house, did some laundry, the BF finally came over just in time to run outside in the LARGE amounts of snow that fell so we could PLAY together!!! How fun! We made snow angels and ran around and even got thrown in the snow pile- but it turns out that it isn't bad at all to get pushed down in the snow ;)

FUN TIMES!!! I felt like a kid again....it was great!

nice boss!

So, the VP of Enrollment services gave his staff (including myself) a devotional book today in our meeting (that was not at because of other meetings) Anyways, I got a copy and read today- and so far it is just awesome. I have been sitting in on auditions of students for a worship band and hearing how God is moving and working in their life has given me time to reflect upon my own relationship with the Lord. When I was reading thru today's date in the "Teach me to Pray" book by Andrew Murray, there was quite the interesting concept that I hope to act out in my own life as a single, yet dating, christian, 25 year old woman. The title, "alone with God" says it all, but as you can tell, in previous posts, I have discussed how busy I feel my life has been lately and of course, the 1st thing to go out the window- is the time I set aside for the Lord. This text states that "human beings need to be alone with God...We need to be alone with God, to yield ourselves to the presense and power of his holiness. Christ on earth needed it. He could not live the life of a son here in the flesh without at time separating himself entirely from his surroundings and being alone with God....Alone with God, that is the secret of true power in prayer. There is no true holiness, no clothing with the Holy Spririt"

"The time will come when you will be amazed at the thought that one could suggest 5 minutes was enough" HOW TRUE! Sometimes I am like, man, if I could only have 5 minutes that would be great BUT personally, I cannot WAIT for the day I think 5 minutes is not enough.....I struggle to find that now in my life and yet, my heart ACHES for that.

so stinkin busy!!!

Life is sooo busy!!! I can't believe how crazy life has been. I like it- it keeps the brain from thinking too much or stressing out about 1 thing or another- you know what they say about Idle hands...so, life is good, just really busy. I don't really remember being this busy since I have been out of college. And maybe it isnt like, busy..just I have so many things I want to do- and get done and completed and my house is a mess, i have christmas cards to write, scarfs to complete, crafts I need to work on...just so much random stuff- but then, there is the BF going to costa rica and of course, like I have said before, I think abotu that a lot and make sure everything is getting done with that- so I take on his stress...

anyways, we have completed 4 days of wellspring auditions..that is NUTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my mind is sooo not musical and I have no clue half the time what people are talking about...so I am glad that it is over!

ticket to miami

We bought a ticket last night for the BF to fly to Miami and back when he is on his cross cultural! How fun is that?! It was a great accomplishment, now there is just the DAT test and Dental school to apply for REAL soon for him....it kinda stresses me out...but, I know that he will do a GREAT job accomplishing these tasks!

Anyways, we had a date last night, after I stayed to call, he picked me up and we went to the cougar den- where I got a GREAT little sandwich, not in my diet plan, but great anyways....and then we went to his room and hung out. I loved it! :)

Today at work shall be fun, later tonight we are going as an office to a hockey game in Kalamazoo- that shall be a GREAT time...we are taking our interns to thank them for the GREAT job that they do! :) Go K-WINGS!

Here comes Christmas! :)

This is Jamos and I at the office Christmas party on Friday night and then to the right is us later at Hanging of the Greens at SAU- we are holding candles and waiting for the campus to become illuminated by candle light and christmas lights:) FUN and FREEZING! we also got to go on a mule ride around campus...oh what fun...until the thing started to race the other mule riders and we were racing down the campus sidewalk (concreite pathways for Jamey) and everyone on the left side of the wagon got smacked with a tree branch....:)

chester the cheetah! :)

Above is the CRAZY belt that weighed 20 lbs - with a motor and a battery attached to it...that inflated Chester...(that is a horrible picture of me..)

Here is Chester the Cheetah...the 9ft air-inflated costume that Jamos and I wore at SAMS club for 4 hours on Saturday to earn some extra cash flow....

ice rink

well shoot. I just did a nice long blog and i accidently DELETED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ARgH

fake throw up AND a diamond ring

So, this morning, I brought my newly purchased fake puke into the office to fake people out! :) Apparently it looks really real...so, that is good! :) And....Carrie Clayton in the office....is ENGAGED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I could take a picture of her beautiful ring, I would, but I dont have my camera so I can't post it on here!!! BUT IT IS BEAUTIFUL!!!! HOW EXCITING!!!! Last night I went and worked out...came home and made some steamed broc. and a fake chicken patty.....new diet...apparently after my step mom performed a 'body comp' test on me....I have some work to do...so, steamed broc. and working out here I come...ridiculous I know...but, whatever. I know that God made me just the way he wants me...and I will respect this temple!! :)

decorate that tree!

Above is my boyfriend in his 'favorite stretch' .....:) SILLY!!
In mid- tree decorations...we decided to take a break and have a photo shoot! :)

thanksgiving pictures

thanksgiving

Well, thanksgiving has come and gone...good times with the family....:) And yesterday, the day after thanksgiving, I decided to go to town and get some gadgets on sale....talk about nuts! :) It snowed last night....yippee!! :)

happy thanksgiving

it is snowing out!! Lots of snow and I am here @ my dads and having a great time. Jamos left last night for chicago, so it is just me and the family. Always great to get to spend quality time with the little family that I have, although, going to chicago would have been really fun too!! But, maybe next year! my dad and I have talked about getting up tomorrow really early to go and get the digital camera card that is on sale! YIPPEE!! :) We will see!!!! Fun times, and I have much to be thankful for!!!

sweet

my sweet boyfriend this summer at my family's house up north. :) Sun burned..remember what that feels like? (I don't)

warm thoughts

okay...so, random picture I know...but, I saw it and remembered how warm it was and how pretty the lake looked and how much fun I was having, so I wanted to post a memory. My mom is on her cell phone with my grandma. HAHA. Always talking! :)

So, today when I got to work there was a police car parked out in the parking lot and I freaked out inside...I thought, oh no! The stalker is out of jail and my thoughts just escalated. and I have to say STOP to those thoughts. They are no good. I am trying my best to only think on things that are pure, holy, lovely. I love that word Lovely. It makes me think of beautiful, gentle things. I love it!! :) So, I will think on it!!!! Amen!!!

ode to a good friend

So, I just saw a picture of Jamey and my heart got sad. I miss her. She was a very dear, very wonderful friend and I miss her very much. I love you BEEBS!!

good cereal

I found a GREAT cereal. It is called, TOTAL, YOGURT something or other. It is sOOOO good!! I could have eaten the whole box this morning!! It is sweet and crunchy...yet, has 100% daily vitamins and minerals:) SWEET!!!!

This weekend was crazy busy....lansing, okemos, howell outlets. It was just a crazy shopping day on Saturday and then sunday I taught sunday school for my boss. HOW FUN WAS THAT?!??! It was awesome!! 2nd grade!! They are soo marvelous! :) Then church, grocery store real fast, movie store and then home to eat the left overs from Saturday night....:)

FUN TIMES!! :)

The best antiques

"The best antiques are old friends"

Yes indeed, the best antiques are old friends....It is funny, sometimes I think back to my life in Florida and it feels like I was a completely different person. I mean, not in a bad way, or that I have changed much, but when I moved to Michigan I made ALL new friends, got new clothes and started a different life. The life that I live far from home...with people who have known me not very long at all. I guess,the oldest of friends I have here have known me for...almost 8 years. No wonder I have a hard time remembering what life was like when I lived in Florida. Maybe I just miss being a child...carefree...in my mothers arms. I dont know. I just miss something about that old life. And yet, I know that when I go home for Christmas...it isnt going to be anything like it used to be, so I will feel disappointed. I can change my thought process. I like who I am now. I like the 'adult' person God intended me to be. I enjoy making my own decisions and paying the bills that I need to pay....I don't really know what I am trying to say...just remember your old friends...treasure them and give them a hug today if you see them! :)

last night OR I didn't sit down til 9:00pm

Last night I went to work out- that was fun, not so bad- i am getting better now that I go the amount I am supposed to! :) I have had a lot on my mind lately, so it has been nice to work out my body and my mind while on the machines. It feels good and allows me to not think/dwell on those thoughts afterwards. Very refreshing. Don't worry, it is nothing bad or anything, just the BF and dental school and semester in Costa Rica and financial stuff for him. Anyways, after prayer with him in the car yesterday after work when we were both stressing out about it- I feel peace. Peace is a great thing and I believe in the power of prayer. ANYWAYS, enough about my marvelous boyfriend and all his amazing adventures...

I got home and started to clean, took the bags of garbage out- did like, 2 weeks worth of dishes, laundry, vaccumed, cleaned the bathroom which includes toilets. UGH. I was go go go til I sat down at 9pm to call the BF and my mom, but she wasnt home. I also decided to have a garage sale in my office today- cleaned out my bathroom closet....very exciting. So, I have a LOT of random stuff in my office right now! :)

mamma mitchell

dance

Here is a picture from a few weeks ago when we went to BC for a little dance dance dance lesson...well, we went to watch Jamos' little sister at the thing and here she is right now- dancing it up with some famous MTV dancers....:)

beautiful cello player

Here is my sweet and wonderful boyfriend last night at the strings concert. He plays the cello, as you can see...and the best part is, they get to be dressed up in a TUX! :) It was a fun night with his family, grandma and grandpa Mitchell, Tina and Jim. It was fun. After showing them around campus we went to subway to get some eats and drinks. It was fun. His grandpa is real funny....but, most of all, my boyfriend is just the best!!!!!!

first...

second....

ta-da!

Finally the BF and I get the camera timer just right to be able to throw the leaves in the air. We were out hiking at the park and as you can see, I set up the camera....fun times...we are silly! :)

Havanese Puppies

Okay, so I am addicted to many things in life, diet coke, chocolate, my boyfriends hugs....AND....lastly my new addiction, the havanese breed of dogs. They are ADORABLE!!! I will save my pennies to earn enough to get one of these amazing dogs. They don't shed, they are hypo-allergenic, small and very smart dogs. The only probablem, they are really, EXPENSIVE!!!!

sad. so, my prayer is that I can find the perfect puppy that the Lord wants for my life right now:)

BEST

I have the best boyfriend EVER!!! He just made me a CD!!! And made a cover with all these color pictures of us, and some of the songs have my name in them...awwwww!!! SO SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE IS THE BEST!

production

Last night once again, I felt so productive, I stayed late at work to call, that was good, then I went to work out with my friend rachel, that was good and THEN, I went to town to run some errands, came home and did all the stuff with my food so I could eat it...like, wash the strawberries, etc., Then, I watched some stupid TV and talked to the BF on the phone for a while...THEN...to bed was I. and this morning, I was so comfy, I didn't want to get up!! no no! :) And I thought I was running LATE this morning, but no, I was stinking, 20 minutes early, once again. I swear, i am crazy! :)

trauma

this morning I was having a good time driving to work....enjoying the warmer than usual weather....until I almost was at work....and saw what looked like a black plastic bag flying everywhere...all over the road.....I looked closer...
closer...

OH MY GOSH!! It was a baby squirrel that had been hit and was injured and flinging its body everywhere!!! It was SO SAD!!!! I didnt know what to do for the little guy. OH man, boy does that break my heart when I see something like that. I love animals.

Last night, I worked out with my workout buddy!!! AWESOME. Let me tell you....talking while working out makes the time pass MUCH FASTER!!! It is amazing!!!! So, that was great, and then, came home, knitted a little, had a slimfast shake...had a nice 2 hours at home before it was time to fall asleep. I stayed late to call last night and I am doing that again tonight. That is the hardest part of my job. Not the actual calling students, but the staying AFTER work to do it. It is hard. HARD.

pool!

My hot boyfriend and I playing pool a while ago! :)

photo booth! :)

I have the sweetest boyfriend in the world! We have always wanted to get our pictures taken in a photo booth and last night we had the opportunity! I had a college fair in B.C so I dropped him off at the mall and he read his book in barnes and nobles and looked oh so 'dentist schoolish' and then we went out in the mall right before closing and got our pictures taken. That was my gift of the evening! :) how fun! :) He is AWESOME!!!

SICK-O

That is me. I am not feeling up to par! I have this strange cough....mucus everywhere....sneezing....I stayed home from work yesterday....that was okay. I stayed on the couch and in bed all day long, which was kind of boring, but I can't be sick today cause we have senior expedition tonight and then auction is tomorrow...just so much! :)

So, anyways, I have the best boyfriend cause last night he came over and cooked dinner for me (since all I had eaten yesterday was some popcorn) and brought me through lozengers and a movie. What a trooper!!! He is so sweet!!!! And then he went and brought me a slushie from Walmart cause it would feel good on my throat...and indeed, it felt good on my throat! :)

fun day in the park

Jamos and I at the park on saturday being silly with the fall leaves..

halloween

Today is Halloween, for those of you who want to know! :) I think I am sick. My head is kinda spinny today and my throat hurts...i have a strange cough....Hope it isnt bird flu.....

This weekend was another fast one. Went and saw the movie, 'flightplan' that was real good- I had a body shop party and 20 people were in my little apartment! I also went to a halloween party- that was fun and THEN aww..i went to the pet store and looked at their animals!!!! Now, don't get me wrong, I hate the fact that these little animals live in a little jail cell in the store, but it was so fun to kinda play with them thru the glass. I played with a cute little puppy and everytime I rubbed my hands together he got SO excited!! It was awesome- too bad he was like, 750 bucks.

I went to a baby shower yesterday and that was fun. I learned that in order to have a baby you need a lot of random things. Like, bottle dryers and special bags to throw the diapers in...I wonder what it would be like to just not get anything new while having a baby and use what you already have around the house...probably like they did in the old days...

Anywhoot. life is fine. I did also learn this weekend that people have different ways to handle stress/anger/communication. I am trying to work on myself, cause I do know that I am not perfect. I don't handle things the way i should all the time...so, i am working on that. I am just a broken pot- trying to be a good woman! That is my goal. To Love the Lord. To be pure and to be the woman God intended me to be!

sugar cookie tragedy

Last night, after weeks of preparation and recipe finding, it was time to use the cookie cutters with leaves and pumpkins....
I bought some sugar cookie rolls of dough....we rolled it out with my new rolling pin I bought JUST for this reason. We happily punched out the pumpkins and leaves ...only to realize, they were completly stuck to the wax paper. And we couldn't even lift any part of the dough without it just falling APART!!!!

So, we balled it all up and made some regular cookies, only to burn them cause they were so thin. THEN, after doing all the research and getting recipes from people about FROSTING for the sugar cookies, I opted for the JIFFY mix at the last moment. All was well, til we made the COLORS. Note to self, DO NOT BUY THE FALL COLOR BOX OF FOOD COLORING!

We had orange, perfect, we had burgundy...not so perfect..and then, when trying to make the color "SPICED CIDER" it ended up looking more like...something you don't really want to think about while eating a cookie, let alone eating anything!

So, the cookie making was a slight tragedy, but it was fun, and i think I got the food coloring out of the carpet! :)

PURRRr

My cute boyfriend and Alice, my Amah's cat. :) They had fun together, especially after I bought her some fresh catnip!!!

me and uncle don

A photo from this weekend!! :)

WORKING OUT IS FUN...

That is what I keep telling myself...working out is fun! :) It actually isn't THAT bad...I don't know, I just do NOT like it that much. I have nothing much else to say...so, i am gonna end it here!

wednesday morning

Last night was a full night. I worked out, ran all the errands I needed to run, talked to my aunt margie since I havent talked to her in ages and was able to just relax. It was marvelous. And of course, then, I go and do something silly, like ...have you ever tried to bring up a subject cause it is on your heart, but you arent so sure what it is...or how to explain it to another person. i hate it when I do that. I am always so fast to talk and get things cleared up, that i usually make things WORSE cause I make the other person confused and that isnt my intent at all.

ARGH!!! Why!!!

Oh well, at least I have understanding, God fearing people in my life. :) I am so blessed!!!

ladies

Lovely Ladies....here it is, from left to right,Me, Aunt Margie, MOM, Granny. This was a few years ago after we went to see the ROCKETS when I was home in Florida for Christmas. These poor ladies have been so stressed out with the hurricanes and stuff. Pray for them, their health and that the Lord will fill their spirit with peace and joy. :)

rocks and cows

Out west...standing on a rock by some cows:) Ahhh the joy I find in the strangest things:)

Random

So, this summer, when I went to Colorado for work, I stopped by this garden full of all sorts of flowers and plants. I liked it and i was just looking thru my pictures and wanted to remember the feeling of the sun and the beauty of the flowers.

Italy

Back in the day, when I traveled to Italy for a month, someone took this picture of me while on the Gondola ride. I think back and can't believe I was there, learning and experiencing ITALY!! GEESH!! I wish I could go back and take in more and just become Italian or something!!! Those were the good ole days. Now it is just work work work!!!

weekend blur

This weekend was such a blur! I went home to my dads and to Jamos' family. It was fun, but really action packed. Lots of stuff going on all the time! Friday, I ate pizza with my dad, which is funny cause I ate pizza the night before for dinner and that morning for BREAKFAST and had it again for dinner. I like pizza, but not THAT much!!

Today is going to be a busy day, but I can handle it! :)

strange

so, I did 2 presentations to high school students today about preparing for college. The 1st one went great- that was when everything was working....THEN I encountered trouble with the VCR and DVD player- and so it went down hill from there during the 2nd one. I had a good time with the students, they asked a lot of questions, but still. I just hope they learned something! :) Or at least listened!!!
STRESS!!!!

beautiful morning

On my way to work, i noticed the sky looking a little purple, well, by the time I pulled into Spring Arbor....the sky was GLORIOUS with pink and purples and orange! How amazing to see the sunrise on a crisp 37 degree morning and once again be reminded of how GOOD GOD IS!!!!!

June and the giant pumpkin

mom and the large pumpkin of Jackson :)

soccer?

Okay, i am not sure why this was downloaded 2 times, but it is just such a cute picture...hmm...maybe that is why, i just can't get enough of this guy and this little girl! :) Enjoying a soccer game at homecoming, Uncle Jamos and Chloe Girl.

puppy love!

I am thinking I might just got a dog! 1, I would like it for security reasons living where I do and dealing with this idiotic stalker person, 2, I think it is time in my life when I adopt a little guy who could bring me lots of joy and stress relief! :) The dog I am looking at adopting is named, O-Kee-Do-Kee and he is just the cutest little guy you could ever imagine!!!!

Anyways, last night, I stayed at work and called and then ate dinner really fast at subway and THEN, went with friend and co-worker, andrea, to the middle school band concert. My favorite part was when they let the parents on stage (1parent per student) and the student had 5 minutes to teach the parent their instrument, and then the parents had to play HOT CROSS BUNS!!!! :) It was pretty funny!! :) I watched this huge bald guy try to play the FLUTE!!!! :) That was my favorite!!!!!

I got home around 9, called the mom, the boyfriend and then went to bed :)

GAP

Here is me and Jamos on a sunday afternoon...having a little photo shoot on the deck. He is so cute. :)

Mom and Daughter on a fall day

Here is me and my mammaduck! She is so nice and fun to be around. :)

Here is Jamos, me and my friend Kim and her husband Chris at homecoming. They came up with Chloe and it was a quick, but fun time.

crazy at the lake!

here is a picture of my mom and I up at the lake....we are being really silly- don't ask what she is gonna do- cause I have no idea! hahaha.

weekend

My mom was up this weekend, got in Thursday night and on Friday morning we drove up to her cottage and raked and got it all ready for winter! It was fun! I loved working hard outside and feeling like I was accomplishing things AND helping my mom out!!! :)

We ended up driving HOME that night (almost 3 hours each way) and that was tiring, but saturday morning we got up early and went to Brooklyn for their fall festival and to shop in the little downtown, the only thing we ended up buying was some pumpkin spice coffee...

THEN, my friend Kim called as we were just getting to brooklyn to tell us she was coming for homecoming...that was good! But, we had to hurry around so we could be home in time for them to come- and I had to run in and clean the house real fast....i am still looking for where we hid most of the stuff! :) We went to a few homecoming festivities with Kim, Chris and Chloe, my mom and Jamos. It was fun, saw a few people at the soccer game, gave a tour of campus to them and then we came home to make a lasanga dinner for my mom and Jamos. It was fun. :)

Sunday included church and a trip to the mall, where we sat in a BUNCH of cars that were displayed in the mall! :) Then, it was time for a good lunch, of my famous chicken dish (okay, so I have only made it 1 other time...) And then, the time came for my mamaduck to leave. :( I hate that!! It made my heart sad so, jamos took me on a walk around town. That was fun casue it was so pretty outside! :) Then we spent some time talking to my sweet little old lady neighbor, Ginny. She is great! :) Fun weekend!!!!

crazy pic of mom and me

Here is my mom! She was in town not too long ago, and she is coming back into town tonight! I am way excited and can't wait to see her! :)She is fun.

Mac and Cheese

So, my Amah has an AMAZING dish of homemade mac and cheese and I just love it so much I wanted to post a picture of her on here as we were about to eat it for dinner. It was complete with the little bits of hotdogs:) PERFECTO!!!

Hillsdale County Fair

Here is Andrea, Me, and Jamos at the Hillsdale county fair! We had a good time! :)

sweet boyfriend and a sweet ride!

this is my boyfriend and his car....not really but we saw this fine looking car at the dog show when we were at the fall festival a few weeks ago....Jamos looks real good next to it! I see it in his future! :)

5:45

is what time I fell asleep yesterday! I was just sitting there, watching oprah, and shut my eyes, didnt wake up til 12 am and then just enough to walk to my room and get into bed!! I am ridiculous!!! But, obviously I needed the rest, so I should be good to go this weekend!! :) My mom is flying into town tonight and we are going up to Houghton Lake to shut down her cottage and then back on Saturday in time to catch some homecoming festivities AND spend time with my boyfriend. We got some pumpkins to carve/paint and I am planning on cooking some good eats...so, all in all, i am thinking this weekend will be AWESOME! :)

last college fair

Last night was my last college fair of this fall travel season. It was out at the community college- very good fair, which is a good thing!! :)

My body is pretty tired, 2 fairs in a row, equals like, 2, 12-13 hour days in a row, which is WAY more time working than being at home with my feet up!! So, they were like, throbbing this morning!!

Anyways, I got to see my friend Caitlin and her prego self! She is so cute!!!

Today I am going to force myself to go workout....havent done that ALL month....except, I forgot my SHOES so I have to run home after work and get those, which is good so I dont have to take the school car to the workout place....

I am thinking as I type, so bear with me! :)

Amazing suirise

This morning, i was driving to work and looked to the east and saw an amazing sunrise. It was beautiful!!! The clouds were so fluffy and the sky was orangey. Gosh, amazing.

The weather is so cool outside- I am enjoying it so much!! It actually feels like FALL!!!! :) The BF got me a cute pumpkin for my desk!! It is so fun. :) So, now my office is in full fall swing! :)

pizza party

pizza party
Originally uploaded by Em10.

This was a fun travel week in Berrien County...I was able to see my dad and I stayed with my grandma.

Chloe girl

Chloe girl
Originally uploaded by Em10.

Here is my friend Kim's baby- Chloe.

fall festival

fall festival
Originally uploaded by Em10.

Here is the BF and I last weekend at the FALL festival at the park! :)

coloma public library

I am sitting in the coloma public library- brand new- downtown coloma....kinda fun! I was just checking my email and now I decided since I have an hour til my next visit and I already went to 2 schools and 2 feeder churches this morning, i would take a little break! :)

This week has been good! I have been in Berrien County checking out some schools and meeing so many fabulous people! It is real fun when you are able to actually know people and hang out with them cuase you already have a connection. IYC was GREAT for me meeting these coloma and watervliet kids. We have a FM church there and I talked to the youth pastor this morning about doing a pizza bash or something. COOL GUY!

I have given out lots of shirts and bracelets! I figure, hey, this is the place I need to concentraite since I on ly have Jackson county as my other area! I have to 'own my territory' as the bosses say!! :)

It is REAL hot outside!!! I can't hardly believe it! I have been staying for FREE (sau should love that) at my grandma's house all week. That has been interesting, she is a hard headed woman....but, it is nice to sleep in a bed that is famliar. My dad and step mom leave tomorrow for their adventure of the RIM TO RIM hike of the grand canyon. They have been training for 9 months to do this intense hike...I hope it goes well for them.

That is all....off to another school for a lunch visit and then down south for a COLLEGE FAIR!! Yippee!! :)

world's craziest week OR curves hasn't seen me in 2 weeks

Man, this week has been CRAZY. College fair at Ferris State on Monday night, Jackson on Tuesday, Toledo onWednesday, Detroit on Thursday. Moving so many tables to move and chair to set up and food to put out....roads to travel, people to meet, people to help and stress get rid off.

The fairs were good, but I am back in town, sleeping in my own bed and this morning I had a court date....about the guy who violated the PPO- It was so scary!!!!!
I had to testify and it was junk, but i have an amazing support group of people who I work with, date and my dad and step mom even came. that was amazing in itself.

Weekend is over

The weekend is over- and I am kinda tired! We had a fun weekend though, Friday night, we watched the movie "Monster in Law" that was good....My sweet boyfriend made some homemade ice cream....with topping (he made) and we grilled out on the grill. Always a tasty treat:)

Saturday woke up and cleaned a lot, which stinks cause when I clean, it just seems like nothing has moved....then it was off to Detroit for the Tigers game. What a fun time! :) It was SAU day at the park and it was fun. It was fun driving there and eating candy and getting stuck in a traffic jam ( I will post pictures soon) and it was fun being at the game and watching the TIGERS WIN agains the mariners...(seattle).

Today I have a real busy day. I have a high school visit and then the long journey to Big Rapids for a college fair that I am covering for another rep. It is like a 3 hour trip there and a 3 hour trip BACK!!! And tomorrow morning I am supposed to be at a high school at 8am!!! I am going to be POOPED!!! Then tomorrow night we have another college fair here in SA that we are hosting and then one in toledo and then detroit. FOUR college fairs this week!!! GEESH!!!! CRAZY! :)

So, i am out!

long friDAY

This day has been interesting thus far. Small drama in the office, a great visitor this afternoon- but she was sick and throwing up, so that makes it not SOO good, but good enough. It is BEAUTIFUL outside, which stinks that I am stuck in the basement. It is cooler outside than it is in this basement, which is SO unusal. Usually we are frozen down here. Oh well. My mom called me and said she was eating lunch and saw a mom with her little daughter and she was playing with her and hair and they were just playing together. My mom got sad and called to tell me that she wanted to be playing with me. That was sweet. Sometimes, that is all a girl wants too. To be held by her mom, getting her hair played with. Mom's have the softest hands EVER. And when they talk when you are laying close to them it reminds me of when you are little and they are talking while holding you close to their heart. Sometimes, that is the only thing that makes the world feel okay. Usually I only get mushy like this after I watch the movie "HOPE FLOATS" and the parents get divorced and move the little girl to texas where she lives at grandma's house. The dad comes back to get divorce papers or something silly and the little girl wants to go with her dad. She stands outside the car as he is driving away, leaving her, screaming "TAKE ME WITH YOU DADDY" and there she stands as he drives down the street. Standing with her heart broken. Her dad left. And who comes to the rescue? The mom. The mom watches what has just happen, walks slowly down to scoop up her daughter and take her back inside. It rips my heart each time I even think about it. Mom's are SO amazing. Picking up the pieces when everyone else has left. In a way, mom's are so christlike. They love unconditionally. They do the dirty jobs and never act like they need a reward. Amazing. Mothers are amazing. Take the time today to hug a mom. They deserve it!

State trooper to my rescue

Hi. Yesterday was going along as planned at work, I was working, emailing students, getting ready to go on my 1st high school visit of the season, which makes me a little nervous already...then all of a sudden I look up and see the man, who I have a PPO (personal protection order) against, standing in my doorway of my cubical. Talk about SCARY. I said sternly, "you cannot be here, you need to leave, I am calling the police" and with that he pleaded "no, no no no no no, dont call the police, I just want to talk to you" and I called 911. In like a matter of seconds, both of my bosses (AKA: Hero's) were in my office telling him to leave. He was pretty defiant. At this point, Randy, took the police call and told me to get upstairs, which was perfect. I got upstairs and was shaking like NO OTHER. I have never been that scared in my life in a situation like that. I mean, there are scary times when you are about to eat something you don't like OR you are at Cedar Point and about to ride a scary ride (I don't ride them, so I am just assuming here) But, this was like, REALLY SCARY. Who wants to look up and see a guy dripping wet with a crazy look in their eye, that you have had to go to court about standing in my OFFICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHH.

To make a long story short, my hero's (AKA: Bosses) followed him all over campus. He took them on a wild goose chase, all over campus. Finally, after I talked to the state police, they were able to go and get him. They found him in the dining hall....which is where my boyfriend was happily enjoying a meal before his busy day...and he see's a cop run thru the D.C. After I talked to him and told him we needed to talk (after the day was thru) he said that he thinks he already knows what I am going to say. He has been really good to me thru this entire business. He doesn't get freaked out. He just calms my spirit. Anyways, So, needless to say, they caught him and put him in handcuffs.

I had to be driven by my wonderful friend Beth, to my high school visit cause I was shaking so bad. But, I put my game face on and talked to a fabulous kid who will probably come to SAU!! :) And what better day can I have than that???:)

EXACTLY!!!!

So, for those of you out there that pray, please pray for my situation with this fellow. It is stressful and I don't like feeling scared for my safety. I pray that he doesn't get let go and then come back to the office and try to do something to me or any of my co-workers. I pray he can get some HELP because I believe he has a few screws loose.

I pray for my spirit that it will be protected from this situtation. I don't want to live a scared life, I don't want to think everyone is a creep that I see on the street. Thank you for your prayers.

Diet Dr. Pepper

I am drinking a diet dr. pepper right now...and I don't really like it. It reminds me of summers when I was in high school. Strange. So, anyways, I had a fun night last night! It was one of those productive nights...I made a list of things I wanted to get done and for the most part, I got them done. I organized my cupboards, went to the grocery store, returned the movie we rented, got some stuff together to take to the consignment store, stuff to take to the thrift store....I am trying to de-clutter my house. Then, I decided to do a little knitting! I loved it!!!!! I am almost done with 1 'skein' of thread...only 9 more to go for my blanket. GEESH!! stress, but good times and I enjoy it!! :)

Today we have another day full of meetings!!! Don't know how I feel about freezing to death all day long....but, i guess I will try my hardest to stay WARM!!!! :) Happy hump day to all and to all a good day! :)

tecumseh open house

Last night after a long day of meetings....I got to go to Tecumseh High school for an open house....it was quite interesting.....not a whole lot of people at all...but, it was good for me to help train our new rep. He will do GREAT!!! No doubt about it!

I got back at 9pm and talked to my BF real fast which was a nice little ending to the day. I got home, read the mail and then started knitting a little. I remembered everything Beth taught me last week!! Praise the Lord! :)

Today we have more all day meetings.....should be good! :)

Africa

So, this weekend the BF and I went to WILD AFRICA!! We took a small safari to see zebra's and giraffes(sp)...and then back to Michigan! :) No, we really just went to the Binder Park Zoo on Saturday with about a million little children in strollers. It was fun!! :) then we went to the junky mall in BC and then off to small town marshall to help a friend and ended up going on a double date....Marshall is such a cute town. So fun. We did a little shopping and then went to eat at Schulers (the pub part) and then to get ice cream. It was fun!! :) and once again I was able to see how lucky I am to have the boyfriend that I have. :) We had a good time. And then we went back to our friend Andrea's house and Jamos played with her dog, Sage and it was SOOO FUNNY!!!!!! he was chasing her around the yard and the dog would crash into the bushes....it was SO FUNNY!!!!!!

Yesterday was a busy day of completing all the items on the 'things to do' list....I finished most of it! :) That was really good. So, we were productive.....And watched..."Diary of a mad black woman" and that was really funny...but also slightly a drama...But, good and I didn't even sleep through it!!! :)

fever pitch

Last night was much needed. I got home, took a nice bath, didn't eat dinner cause I didn't feel like eating much- kinda felt gross and my throat hurt. Then, my BF came over to watch the movie, FEVER PITCH with Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon. It was okay. I felt kinda restless....and we had to stop it in the middle so we could watch the O.C- then started it again....I could NOT stay awake for the movie. Ridiculous. I was pretty tired and emotionally worn out since Jamey left the night before. My body needs so much rest....I stress myself out too much.

So, then, I got to go to bed around..10:30 and that was marvelous. I woke up this morning to the blackness outside....it is rainy and GROSS. :(

I am trying to decide if I want to go home to my dads/grandma's cause it is my grandma's 82nd birthday today! I wish my dad was a little more excited and willing to have me come...but, whatever. That is what I am trying to decide....hard decisions...

Jamey is gone.

My friend Jamey is driving down the road now on her way to Washington State. :( So sad.

Last night we all went over to her house and watched her and her dad pack up....it of course consisted of a late night run to Meijer AND walmart looking for some plastic tubs cause she needed to ship more out that didn't fit in her car.....SO, that meant stopping at BURGER KING. I had the new chicken fries? or something like that- they were good- with a buffalo dipping sauce.

Then, back to Jameys to stand in the driveway under the full moon....waiting to say goodbye. That is the WORST. Cause no one wants to do it...So, we said goodbye..and then I dropped the BF off and was crying so I drove back to her house....and wanted to see if she was still outside...AND...SHE WAS so I got out and we stood there more....crying...hugging and crying and then laughing really hard when Jamey walked into the side mirror of the mini-van....

Friends are so valuable. I hate that you remember the value when they are no longer close to you- :(

a living prayer

That is a song by Alison Krauss and Union Station that I really like- but I dont know all the words nor are they listed on the inners of the CD....SO, whatever!!! :)

Guess what?! Last night..was such a good night!! I went to JoAnn Fabrics cause they are moving and having this big sale...I got some knitting materials and....some other little things that I am going to use to make my boyfriends something spectacular while he is gone in COSTA RICA cause he just got accepted to the program!!! :) YIPPEEE!!! So, he gets to be in the wonderful weather all the while, I will be here....knitting in my sweats and freezing to death in the snow. GOSH!!! :)

But, i am really really excited for him. Now, the prayer is he will get this scholarship, called, the gillman scholarship, that will be exactly what he needs as far as funding goes...So, hopefully, prayerfully, he can get that OR something just as good that maybe we don't know about yet!! :)

Anyways, back to last night, so, I then went to my friend/co-worker Beth's house cause she was home with a bad back...and she showed me how to CAST ON for my knitting needle SO EASY!!! And...she taught me a new STITCH!!! Called.....something that I just forgot...and now I just feel so smart!! :) We also picked flowers and tomatoes in her pretty yard. It was a nice summer evening with a girlfriend. They are so smart and wonderful.

Then I went home and met my BF who was reading some of his homework and I cleaned the kitchen...I think I would rather be reading than cleaning the kitchen....BUT, anyways!!! I watched the season premere of Gilmore Girls, not as good as I hoped- didn't keep my attention...worked on my knitting and had some good chats with my BF.

Well, today is the court date for the 'unwanted' person in my life and I have been on the phone all morning with the prosecuting attorney..cause the guy defending me in the trial has yet to contact me and I have tried to touch base wtih him more than a few times. SO, that is really annoying, the court system is SCREWY and...well, that is about it! :) I hope I never have to deal with it again.....I feel like I know way too many people at the court house now....strange to know that many people.....They are nice though!! :)

Today is the last day I will get to see my friend Jamey- cause she leaves tomorrow morning for WASHINGTON and that makes my heart very sad. So, I am going to her house tonight to bug her til she decides to stay here with me! :)
Have a blessed day!!!

working out

okay, so I worked out yesterday after missing my workouts for the past...2 weeks or so....let me tell you. I HATE IT!!! It stinks cause my workout buddy is no longer able to come at the same time as me- so I go and have no one to talk to....which makes me focus more on what i am doing, which makes me sweat. :) I am such a whiner. but, i dont like it.

Jamey had her last day yesterday :( so sad. I will post some pictures from her party on here later!!!

me and Jamey! :)