abby's originals

7 Falls Hike - Bear Canyon

2009-12-02T15:30:00.000-08:00

Today's hiking adventure was great! Headed up Bear Canyon to experience 7 Falls view. The creek beds were all dry - foreshadowing perhaps for no falls at the end? - However, the day was perfect, no wind and sunny with temps in the mid 60's later. Hikers beware as there were lots of rocks and then they became huge boulders to traverse. It was all well worth it though. 7 miles in about 4 hours...I really enjoyed the hot tub later to unwind!

Old dried cacti - "Weeping arms"

Seven Falls did not have much "falling" as it was too dry but pools of water were below and I saw a mouse scurry to get a drink.

Jim and Jim enjoyed a quick bite after hiking almost 2 hours into our adventure.

All the markingson this cliffside cactus indicate wounds from falling rocks. These are 400 pound cacti that can really withstand a boulder beating.

Helvetia Mining Hike

2009-11-30T12:48:00.000-08:00

It turned out to be a blustery day for a hike but well worth the chilly air. We headed up the Santa Rita mountains to a former mining area with lots of rocky trails and animals. Glancing up the mountainside, I spotted 2 deer who then spotted me too!

Cows were also out grazing in the free range.

Beautiful views in Santa Rita mountains

Amazing turquoise shades in rocks

Entrance to a mining cave

Colorful rocks were throughout this area

This is the remains of the corner of the hotel that used to house the miners.

After hiking through the chill, we took another cross route to see the "smelter." This is an area the miners would come to burn off the valuable minerals. As you can see from my pics, the rock is black, black, black and flakes at the smallest touch. A

Grasses

Mining cave entrance at smelter

Straightest monkey cactus seen yet!

Smelter rock designs

Base of smelter area

Posing at the base of the smelter

Remains of cooking/kitchen area of mining operation

Old stove

Grass on smelter rock backdrop

Dry bed

Tree growing through metal bucket

Old car

You know you are in Green Valley if...(part 2)

2009-11-29T17:22:00.000-08:00

Some of you might recall an entertaining blog I wrote about Green Valley on a former trip. Because Green Valley's population is 55+, it makes for an interesting experience.

Take, for example, our latest trip to Walgreens and seeing the end of a brick wall obliterated. Now, it very well could be the trucker smacked it while attempting to get in the docking area, but given it's Green Valley, it's also highly likely the sweet, little old lady down the road obliterated in her run for scripts.

My latest addition to the list of ways to know you are in Green Valley comes courtesy of today's indoor swimming experience. A lady floating leisurely in the pool volunteered she observed a gentleman come out of the restroom without anything but his birthday suit one time at another pool. Upon realizing his error (and nakedness) he declared, "Oops!" and returned to attire himself before swimming.

ONLY IN GREEN VALLEY!!!

Copper Mines and scenic shots

2009-11-28T17:26:00.000-08:00

Copper mines outside Green Valley

Purple prickly pear cacti indicate a high level of distress - mostly due to lack of moisture - but they are very beautiful.

Ode to the Bug and Shooting Practice

2009-11-28T11:51:00.000-08:00

Today after a run to the White Elephant, Jim and I headed out for a little golf ball shooting with the 22. The day was lovely and I didn't do too poorly with my shooting coach nearby. My big bonus for the day was the dilapidated VW bug nearby so enjoy my pics!

Parker Canyon Hike 11.27.09

2009-11-27T14:39:00.000-08:00

We traveled about 2 hours til just north of the Mexican border to an winding, hidden lake. 3 hours later, we returned tired but having enjoyed breathtaking views, wildlife, and perfect weather. Nothing black about this Friday :)

Thanksgiving AZ Adventures Day 1 - Desert Museum outside Tucson

2009-11-26T15:45:00.000-08:00

Prairie Dog

Wolf

Bear

Deer

Mountain Lion

Fairy Duster

Amazing rocks - makes you want to be a miner in AZ!

Desert Turtoise

Bishop's cactus

Parrot - They're being illegally introduced to the U.S.

Periguin Falcon

Harris Hawk

Century Plant

Raccoon

Elf Owl

Frogs

Snake

Javelinas

Harris Hawk

Great Horned Owl

Barn Owl

Screech Owl

Time to Celebrate

2009-10-10T07:38:00.001-07:00

As of today....I am student loan free!!! Praise God!!! Thank Him for the blessing of attending seminary (a wonderful time of healing and education during one of the darkest periods of my life) and granting me a job since then with opportunities to advance while striving to be a light in black places. Opportunities to gain licensure and own a home with 2 roommies for company. Opportunities to grow in a local church and develop relationships across the community.

Praise God for His abundance in unexpected ways!!!!!

Over the River....

2009-10-10T07:29:00.000-07:00

and through the woods....to Deon's house I went!!! Last weekend that is! I had not yet ventured back to IL for some time and it was definitely overdue to see Deon in her new home, spend a weekend girl chatting, and just relax. (We are former roommies if you recall...Deon was gracious enough to take me in while I waited for my house closing about 2 years ago). Well Deon planned a fun weekend - dinner with Jane, movie, hang out, and fashion show. Yes, that's right! I did type fashion show!! It was one of those things where I simply had to say "Deon just tell me what to wear" since all you all who know her know she's in another league compared to me in attire.

So the rainy weekend, turned out to be great. The fashion show was quite the artistic experience. It was a first time fundraiser put on by a local salon. They models came out and had movements to some pretty groovy tunes but....the great surprise was a troupe of about 6 dancers who would dance between the models and do other songs between sets. They were contemporary and excellent in skills - like they were just plucked from the screen of "so you think you can dance".

Sunday we headed to her church for a sermon on The Vine and then lunch at a local restaurant.

Writing it out seems to oversimplify the fun and fellowship...but then again ....you probably had to be there to get that! =)

Looking forward to planning another trip soon....

Del Coronado

2009-09-20T11:07:00.000-07:00

San Diego June 2009

2009-09-20T10:46:00.000-07:00

Shades of Fall

2009-09-20T10:39:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Eric for planning a great hike to Shades State Park.

La Fiesta de Jonell

2009-09-20T10:32:00.001-07:00

Jonell got one of the Drive Smart, Kids Dart signs we've been joking about that are posted around the neighborhood. I don't think they apply to our housing edition as the kids don't dart here. They simply stand and stare at you as you try to get around the roads. What ever happened to the days of moving when cars drive by?

Please welcome....our newest roommie at the Rockin Refuge complete with mexican attire.

Thanks to everyone for coming to Jonell's bday. It was a blast! Complete with pinata, games, and food. A fun time was had by all! Happy bday J!

After Church Visitor

2009-09-20T10:25:00.000-07:00

I was returning home several weeks ago and received a call from middle bro whispering that a hawk was on my front porch. After dashing upstairs and grabbing my camera, I caught a quick snapshot of him as he was joyously tossing a small bird up in the air before slamming it to it's demise on the ground. I then took a dash out the side door to attempt an outdoor peek, but the cautious critter left his lunch and settled into my tree before taken off down the subdivision. I have to agree with his taste though - of all the porches in the neighborhood, mine is a nice one to enjoy!

Poverty 101 Part 2

2009-09-13T10:38:00.000-07:00

Just to round out a few other points on poverty....

The mental model of poverty, middle class, and wealth have some interesting differences. For example, an individual in poverty typically hinges life around relationship. Sub-dynamics include entertainment, agency time, cars, family & friends, crime and safety, food, housing, illness, and job/money. Compare this to the middle class model which is hubbed on achievement. We use networking in relating to others, negotiating power, and have a strong sense of identity in career. Sub-factors are children, vacations, hobbies, education, family/friends, clubs, retirement, housing/assets, prevention, and careers. And this verssu the mental model or wealth where the central focus is connections (it's all in who you know and decisions are made to enhance who you know). Sub-factors are private clubs, travel, oversight of personal property, charitable activities, media/political links, advisers, boards of directors, lawyers/accountants, vacations, event sponsorship and attendance.

In addition, poverty has driving forces of survival which is accomplished through relationships. The middle class focuses on work while the wealthy are mostly driven by social connections and finances.

Looking for ways to make deposits into others? Seek to understand the other, keep promises, show kindness, clarify expectations, be loyal, apologize, and remain open to feedback.

Automotive Anxieties Awash

2009-09-04T19:49:00.000-07:00

Do you know that feeling people have...the one where you debate in your mind if a problem really is a problem? I feel that way about cars. Like starting it up and thinking..."Is that a new noise or old noise? Does it always have a bit of a sluggish start like that? Has there always been a bit of roughness to the idle?" And no help is found in my sitting there contemplating such feelings because I have zero knowledge as to the answers to these and most other car questions.
So then I debate with myself....take it in...don't take it in....what day to take it in....do I even want to know if I do take it in?
Well, such is where I found myself this week. A sluggish start and even worse if it sat overnight. Then a colleague informed me my back lights were out - which is a whole other dilemma since I can't very well push the brake down and see the brake lights! I did manage to remedy this problem with a heavy paint can pushing on the brake as I tried to determine exactly which bulbs had burnt out. I later had neighbor and roommate assistance in the assessing process.
Wednesday night I turned my sebring over to capable hands and left to await the call....Oh the call, please be a less than $200 call! Well, bonus! It was less than $200 - actually less than 100. It was merely a blown cell in my battery. So new battery = piece of mind and no more sluggish starts. Apparently I have a 75 month warranty on the battery too. That sounds good to me!
As for my bulb dilemma, I perused over to the new AutoZone on 350 and hesitantly told the man behind the counter I needed bulbs replaced. He deftly looked up the kinds, determined he must view the bulbs to determine correct ones, whipped out his socket wrench set, dismantled my rear lights and figured out exactly the burnt bulbs. $15 later my brake lights were aglow with absolutely no help from me!!! (smile) And I learned how to replace them should I not find such a helpful Automotive guru in the future. Plus I learned bulb grease is recommended to sustain the life of said bulbs.
Thank you Lord for providing kind souls who can fix problems you know I can't!!!!

Poverty 101

2009-09-03T07:40:00.000-07:00

Over a week ago, the agency I work for hosted a colleague of the famous Ruby Payne, who is the expert on poverty. It was such a good training I looked down to realize time was slipping away but I wanted so much more. Lest those of you reading think this topic of poverty only affects those of use working in social work or teaching in a school downtown, let me reassure you poverty is all over our community and nation. You are around it every time you step into the walls of your church, attend a local event, or visit the grocery store. And the thing is....it is a different life than what most of you reading this can even fathom. So my writing today is to share a bit of what I've come to experience about poverty and perhaps it will increase your awareness, empathy, and engagement with others who are different than you. Perhaps it will mean Chistlikeness in new ways!!!

Poverty should be thought of in layers. It affects an individual within a family within a community.

Poverty is defined as the extent to which one does without resources. These could be emotional, social, or concrete resources.

Generational (2 or more) and situational (last 3-5 years) poverty are very different. Generational poverty will often have grief and loss deeply embedded, an overall acceptance of poverty as a way of life, and will not have hope without significant support. Situational poverty is more likely to be confronted by motivated individuals. Causes of situational poverty range from disability, domestic violence, divorve, death, deployment, discrimination, debt, dementia, disaster, drugs, and so much more.

If more than 42% of an organization consists of people affected by poverty the organization is greatly affected. Think about this for churches who are striving to reach out to communities.

Hidden rules are a large part of poverty. This refers to the unspoken cues and habits of a group. We all live with hidden rules - these come out of our environmnet. So for example, you may recognize a hidden rule at your workplace to be not to be late, not to take personal calls during work hours, not to express anger toward your boss. For someone who is not accustomed to this type of work environment, they can easily break these hidden rules over and over again resulting in termination because they are unaware this is a difference between their way of relating to the world and workplace expectations.

Think about this 59% of those in poverty spend more than 50% of their income on shelter alone. Housing is the engine that drives the chaos of poverty.

1/3 of the USA is the working poor. It is the tyranny of the moment.

When one bad thing happens to an individual in poverty, it means 4-5 bad things happen. For example, a person is driving with a blown out light on their vehicle. They get ticketed. They cannot pay the ticket therefore they continue driving. Some time later, they are stopped again and this time they have compounded fees from the first ticket plus another ticket. Their car is seized. They can no longer get to work. They lose their job. They lose their housing because no way to pay for their job. Therefore, their family must move which means their children must go to another school, live in another neighborhood, probably go live with a relative with 4 kids already in a 2-3 bedroom apartment. This family then gets evicted for violating the rules of HUD (which subsidizing their housing) so now 2 families are displaced. The local shelters are full and their is no place to go so they stay with someone they met through a job one time. This person deals drugs unbeknownst to the family. When the person is out one day, the police arrest her for her failure to pay her tickets and appear in court. Of course she got no notice of her court hearing since she no longer resided at a residence. What does the single mother do? Leave her children with the drug dealing household, call up one of the kid's fathers who used to beat her, or call Department of Child Services to come and take them since she's incarcerated? What a decision to face!

Poverty erodes good choices. The choices are between bad and bad.

So, where can you take this part one of poverty information from here? Recognize people in poverty are problem solvers and there are multiple causes to poverty including individual behaviors (choices), human and social capital (community's resources), exploitation (oppression), and political/economic structures.

Local Wonders Still to Uncover

2009-08-30T16:53:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know most of you locals in Lafayette will think this silly of me...having lived here 3 years and never experienced the local Farmers' Market downtown on a lazy Saturday morning, but it's true! I had yet to do it until last Saturday when Melinda and I meandered the streets. Up to this point, the local Farmers' market was simply an image in my mind prompted every time I parked for court in the 2 hour spots marked unusable during market hours in the weekday afternoons.
Saturday's experience has now prompted a love for the local market and I plan to make it an ongoing ritual when the schedule allows. In case you've yet to try it, let me paint a word picture for what you can anticipate. First, I recommend a slightly crisp early morning venture for the tone will greatly complement the even crisper tunes of flutes wafting through the morning hum of shoppers as they play rousing reditions of The Entertainer and other songs from eras long gone. Secondly, you can anticipate a mixture of floral arrays, breads, handcrafted jewelry and bags, honeys, maple syrups, fruits and vegetables. Not only do the prices and smells suggest a better pick than stores can offer, but the vendors eagerly share the tips for best preparation such as "Never boil the red corn. You must microwave or bake it." Who knew!
And of course, there's the allure of glancing through the crowd for recognizeable faces in disguise. Okay so maybe not intentional disguise but I was lucky enough to spot one of our local judges in baseball cap, sunglasses, and workout attire. Hardly recognizeable and a far throw from the long black robe.
The whole day reminded me I have yet to truly know and appreciate all that Lafayette holds, and for this, I am grateful because it means more local adventures are sure to be in my future! Thanks Lafayette!!!

Quote of Contemplation

2009-08-30T16:47:00.000-07:00

"In case your thinking, 'But I can't memorize Scripture! I've tried, and it just won't work for me,' I was recently in a friend's home whose pet parrot sang "The Star Spangled Banner" in its entirety for me! As I stood there, amazed at what I was hearing, I thought, 'Well, if a parrot can learn "The Star Spangled Banner," we human beings can all learn to memorize Scripture!' Think of the time it took for a bird to learn the melody and tune of such as complicated song! Surely you can learn a verse or two from God's Word! If you do, your filled heart will be a source of encouragement to many!"
- Elizabeth George

The Return

2009-08-30T16:43:00.000-07:00

I've decided to take back up blogging. I've missed it and the ideas to type have continued to accumulate in the recesses of my brain...so pardon the barrage of spill over as I attempt to reenter the realm of blogland.

Elephant Head Hike

2008-12-06T16:02:00.000-08:00

Scottsdale + Elk Crossing

2008-12-05T06:53:00.000-08:00

Leaving Sitgreaves National Forest, we discovered an Elk Crossing experimental zone. Apparently, lights come on and alert drivers when elk are near.

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

2008-12-04T08:30:00.000-08:00

Mogollon Rim of The White Mountains

2008-12-04T08:11:00.000-08:00

Mistletoe in pines

Tarantula on pathway in woods

Bison Ranch

2008-12-04T08:07:00.001-08:00

The Painted Desert

2008-12-04T07:26:00.000-08:00

Petrified logs were scattered all throughout the badlands area. We took a hike called Long Logs and viewed an adobe home that had been rebuilt in part.

A petrified log is on top a huge cliff. It used to extend out over the hillside, but fell off several years ago.

Ravens, a cousin to the Midwestern crow, are much larger than expected.

Ancient tribes carved symbols into what is now termed Newspaper Rock.

Driving through the desert, we spotted a golden eagle majestically perched upon a hillside.

Painted Desert Inn

2008-12-04T07:19:00.000-08:00

Petrified Forest

2008-12-03T18:43:00.000-08:00

Approaching the Petrified Forest

In the distance, the San Francisco mountain peaks could be seen. These mountains are north of Phoenix.

The Petrified Forest offered a great museum showing fossils and petrified wood from around the USA. Clearly, the AZ petrified wood is the most colorful. Unfortunately about 1 ton of petrified wood is stolen from the park a month. Pictures from previous decades reveal mounds of wood all across the desert.

Salt River Canyon Wilderness

2008-12-03T18:32:00.000-08:00

Coronado National Forest

2008-12-03T18:02:00.001-08:00

We discovered another rare crested saguaro.

We traveled past several extremely large mining places as we headed north to the Painted Desert.

We traveled through a tunnel in the mountainside.

Arizona Day #2

2008-11-29T16:25:00.000-08:00

Bottlebrush

Figs on palm

Roadrunner

Copper mines

Crested Saguaro

Saguaro that fell recently

Sunsets and more

2008-11-29T15:56:00.001-08:00

Pearce Cemetary + The Thing

2008-11-29T15:39:00.000-08:00

After the festival, we walked over to the old cemetary to hear tales of men long ago. Jim Olsen has lived in the area for 40 years and actually know quite a bit about the individuals marked. The rock with lots of holes was used by miners to test their drilling tools.

Headstones were marked by all kinds of interesting shapes including pipes and old hitches for crosses.

This headstone marked Adam Wade Kidd "murdered." Unfortunately for this poor soul, his wife convinced him to pick up a hitchhiker who turned out to be his wife's lover. They had conspired against him and killed him. The wife's lover ran off and was never punished for the crime.

While I checked for each of you, I only found one Careerian with long lost, heroic relatives from Pearce, Arizona. Markus, who exactly were these Schafer's and what did he do in WWII?

Billboards across AZ promoted a site called "The Thing." I, being the sucker that I am, paid my $1 to peruse the museum with The Thing. I followed the yellow footprints....saw artifacts from around the world....and left wondering what was The Thing? I think it was some unlabeled artifact that looked like a mummified Chinese man.

Pearce, AZ

2008-11-29T15:05:00.000-08:00

Pearce is an old ghostown formerly populated by people who came to mine for gold, silver, and other precious minerals. History goes that a young man found a rock and thought it was heavy so he took it to a friend who found gold inside.
Pearce was having their annual festival with music, goods, and historical items galore.

This is the old Commonwealth mine. If you make it to the top, there's box to leave your name. It eventually caved in killing many and ending an era.

This building is the interior of the church's old rectory complete with 1970's decor.

Jim and Evelyn showed us an old church they purchased to preserve as a historical site. Jim plans to fix it up and turn it into a resale clothing shop for a battered women's shelter.

Sue was prepared for Sweet Evangelism. She's packaging cookies with tracks to pass out at the Pearce festival.

Arizona Day #1

2008-11-28T17:44:00.001-08:00

Sunrise in Green Valley was beautiful...Low lying clouds enveloping the mountains as the sun was rising.

It's that time of year...let the sunshine appear....

2008-11-25T15:32:00.001-08:00

So while the rest of you may be listening to Christmas music blaring over speakers in overcrowded malls while you are stuffed with turkey and....well...clearly...stuffing, I'll be singing a different tune. Instead of "It's that time of year" followed by all kinds of Christmasy musings, I'll be singing "Let the sunshine appear!" For some reason, this fall has been extra fallish. Too few days of clear blue sky and not enough sparkling rays to illuminate the shades of brown. I'm ready to escape the drab Indiana fields for warm, sunny Arizona! Now mind you, I've yet to be in AZ for Thanksgiving. I've done AZ in Feb, April, and Christmas. Plus this trip will be extra special since we're traveling up to northern Arizona and I may get my first peek at the Grand Canyon! WoooHooo!!!! So think of me on Thanksgiving day while you enjoy your stuffing. I'll be flying from Indy to Dallas to Tucson complete with Faith sermons and Third Day for good company. Ahhhh....Vacation! No court, no staff to manage, no crisis calls!!! Just me and my hiking shoes! You'll have to stay tuned as I hope to update the blog with pics from my adventures with the AZ parents.
In other news, let my tell you about my preparations for AZ travel. As all of you are aware, I am of the white variety. Yes, and by white, I mean could be mistaken for albino easily at times. I travel complete with water babies 60+ and cover to avoid the tomato paste effect after being in sun all of 15 minutes. Well, this year, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I decided to prepare for the trip to enjoy the outdoors all the more without fear of sunburn. I signed myself up for a tanning package at a reputable place in town and experienced my first ever tanning time. I have to say, it was quite the experience. I got the "cyclone" which basically means you stand in a glowing room for 9 minutes while swirling air keeps you cool and you feel as if in the midst of a ....well...cyclone. Actually it feels quite wonderful....I think part of the wonderful was knowing that for 9 minutes I couldn't hear my phone ring and could enjoy 9 minutes of uninterrupted blissful warmth.
So first session went well. They set me for 6 minutes. No burn. I returned a few days later and agreed they could up me to 7 minutes. Ummm....not so good. Turns out 6 minutes to 7 minutes is huge in distinguishing between a little less than white results and tomato paste results. Lance got to see my blazing burn. Basically I learned tanning means I can burn before then trip or not tanning means I can burn on the trip. My bad! Totally thought I could create an option "c" but clearly I was wrong!
As the weeks have continued, I am pleased to say I have secured several other tomato paste days but now yield a somewhat glowing tan. Compared to the rest of the world, I am still of the whitest variety but there is some satisfaction I am less white than 3 weeks ago. Only time will tell if my plan will mean no burning while on vacation or not.
Well...I'm now done checking one more "never done it before" off my list....Tanning...check....mental note: tanning in Abby world still = burning to gain desired results.

-isms

2008-11-04T17:10:00.002-08:00

Apparently I have some -isms. You know, those things that make you, you but you tell yourself maybe you don't have. The roommie can totally identify who I'm talking to on the phone by my phone answering -isms of "Hey girl!" She reported I answer said way to several girlfriends and she accurately predicted who I spoke with tonight so I think she may be on to something.
Does anyone else have any -isms about myself or others they'd like to share? I find this topic quite fascinating.

Dr. Candidate Celebrity Status

2008-11-04T17:08:00.001-08:00

Kudos to my roommie for her BIG accomplishment on Monday! She conquered the 1.5 hour grilling by major professors at Purdue to pass the Masters kick out point. She's now an official Doctoral Candidate for Chemistry.
WooHoo!

I've been goosed!

2008-11-04T16:57:00.001-08:00

Friday was the Careerian Costume party at the Rockin Refuge. Jonelly was so excited she carved her rendition of "Pumpkin Pie," which you need to look at closely and think scientifically to get. I was excited to have some porch decorations to promote the festivities.

Needless to say, the party was alot of fun and several people I had not seen in a long while dropped by (Yeah!). At some point in the evening, I was passing out candy and realized I had a new porch decoration in the form of a goose. When questioning those around me, no one seemed to know where or how the goose landed at my homestead. I think the goose needs a name to really capture the spirit of Octoberdom, so I've christened her Greta.

I also decided that Greta may be cute but she really isn't Rockin Refuge mascot material so I predict Greta will fly away to another home in the future. I did finally hunt down that Greta left many other statuesque animal friends to land at my home. My mom had the funniest comment which she left in a note for me which read, "I think the goose needs a sign reading, 'I'm just glad I'm not a turkey.'" Ha Ha! Good one Mom!

Construction Update

2008-10-24T19:57:00.001-07:00

Just to keep all of you far away friends in the loop, the rockin refuge has been getting some changes. It's not finished yet, but artwork is underway for phase 2 of the decorating process.

Infinite Intersections

2008-10-23T16:10:00.000-07:00

Last night at FCI, we were discussing the infinite character qualities of God. I love a great visualization to help you wrap your finite brain around the infinity of God and this is perhaps the best I've heard all year. So imagine expanding lines running horizontal intersected by vertical lines. Each line represents an attribute of God (i.e. grace, mercy, justice, holiness, omnipotence, omnipresence). At each intersection of lines, think about how God can simultaneously embody both attributes that we often struggle to reconcile (such as justice/grace or holiness/mercy). And imagine that these intersections continue to expand because God is infinite and eternal. WOW!!! Amazing!!!

Fall at Wea Creek

2008-10-14T14:49:00.001-07:00

Friends in High Places

2008-10-13T13:17:00.000-07:00

Can I just begin by stating that I have had my driver's license for over 12 years now and have yet to be pulled over by the police? Ummm...well...that was what I could've declared prior to Saturday at about 5:30 p.m. when I indeed recieved my first official stopping by the local blue and white.

Let my clarify that in my defense I was quite preoccupied. My mom was following me and I was hoping she did not miss her route to attend Lance's Fall Rumble. Being somewhat unfamiliar with the West Lafayette rules of the road, I apparently failed to observe the 30 mph posted sign. Also, I am driving my new car which just begs to go a little faster than you probably should in it.

So as I'm cruising up to the Feast with pumpkin bread and german potatoe salad as my passenger, I see the flashing lights behind and think, "Oh great!"
Well, low and behold, as I lean out to look at who will be writing me up I see a familiar face. It's Dan! That's right, Dan is Eric's (middle bros) former roommate and also my former roommate's husband.

He approaches and I say, "Hey Dan....You going to give me a ticket?"
He said, "No...but I wondered why somebody was smiling when I was coming up here."
He went on to clarify I was not just a little over the speed limit and asked about my whereabouts for the evening. We catched on and I was able to congratulate them on the upcoming arrival of their first baby before cruising on.

My new-found revelations from this incident include....
1. Who knew I was in the know with somebody who could keep me out of trouble? I actually have friends in high places. What a blessing!
2. Drive slower in West Lafayette and I won't need another blessing.

Misty

2008-10-09T13:33:00.000-07:00

My favorite part of living at the new home and having a new drive to work is by far the best benefit to the end of summer and beginning of fall. Recently, I've made some very early morning trips to work (It's amazing what you can accomplish before 9 am with no one around!) and discovered a surprising gift. As I leave my driveway, nothing is spectacular. A small sunrise off behind me as I back out the alley. However, as I make it past 350 to Poland Hill with radio on, I anticipate the break of the tree line. Surely, it will come! And it does... A haze with colored fractures shooting through over barren fields sandwiched between forested groves protecting the mist from quick evaporation. Ahhhh....So beautiful! So soft! So lingering of the night's presence before day takes over.
Seriously though, if you want an early morning inspiration, just cruise out that way. It's worth it! You'll feel like you are in a postcard with a psalm at the end. :)

Evacuation

2008-10-07T18:19:00.000-07:00

I went to training today in Indy. Frankly, it was less than helpful. Other than learning compared to other programs we're doing great and listening to everybody complain about the changes for 2009-2011 service contracts with the state, I really was left wondering if it was worth it. I'm hopeful tomorrow will offer solutions to my running list of supervisor questions I willingly slapped on a piece of large, poster paper and gave to the trainers.
But, by far, the highlight occurred around 3 p.m. Sitting in a room with 20 other professionals trained in crisis intervention, we had our own mini crisis event! Right at the downtown Government Center of Indianapolis to boot! We're sitting and discussing the importance of 24/7 availability when.....BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! over a speaker system.
Trainer 1 questions: "What is that?"
Trainer 2, laughing: "It's a bomb!"
pause....more....BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
Finally a voice, too automated to be the voice of God, declares, "There is a serious danger present on your floor of the building. Please proceed immediately to the nearest stairway and evacuate the building."
This message continues to be repeated as we and several other hundred people file past the Indiana State Police and metal detectors.
After 10 minutes or so, we were all shuffled back into the building.
No word on what the evacuation was for only reports it had been occurring frequently.
As we filed out, I told my colleagues, "Well, I guess I know what my next blog is about."

Same Spot?

2008-10-07T18:16:00.000-07:00

Does anyone else wear out holes in the same spot on jeans?
And, do you wonder why they always appear in the same location on your jeans?
I mean, what is that about?

Out with the Old...

2008-10-04T11:53:00.000-07:00

I was so excited Thursday morning. It was to be a crisp fall day and I was rummaging through the closet to revive an outfit nested away from last winter. I found my black and white plaid pants that are just a bit too long. No problemo! A shoe with a heel would remedy this dilemma and the fall dressing festivities could continue. What did my little eye spy but a substantially heeled, black patent leather pair having be unused since last winter too! Yippie! I discarded thoughts on having to deshoe everytime I would go through the metal detectors because I really wanted to break out the patent leather. They would provide just the right amount of extra confidence to withstand my 11+ hour day.
Well, I arrived at work, set up tasks for the intern, and began 3 supervisions. During the second supervision, I looked down to realize my patent leather shoes were...cracking.
"Bummer," I thought, "Another keeper that has wore it's way to the discard pile." Out loud to my coworker I lamented, "Oh no, my shoe is cracking! I suppose it's only right. I have had them since 7th or 8th grade. There over 15 years old."
"15 years old? Wow, that's something." I thought. "I'm going to miss them."
Throughout the day, I continued to look down to see the cracks converging and the leather starting to peel away from the sides of the toe.
"Please hold up," I thought, "I do not have time today to go home to get new shoes. It's a good thing isn't not raining or my feet would be wet with these holes emerging."
While with my 6-7 year olds, I shared my shoe problems to which they promptly solved my problem reporting, "Go buy new ones."
I replied, "But I like these just the way they are."
6-7 yo's: "So buy new ones just like it."
Me: "I can't there over 15 years old."
They still didn't get the concept of I can't replace them.
By the time I finally left the office, whole sections of the toe area were missing chucks of leather which fell off in scattered clumps on the carpet.
As of today, the shoes are in the trash. No need to try to make them last. They have done well...may they rest in peace.
And, note to self,
1. check shoes before leaving the house for cracks.
2. discard shoes prior to age 15.

Too Old to be Alive?

2008-10-02T17:19:00.000-07:00

Have I mentioned how fun it is to be co-facilitator for a kids' group? (Actually I refer to myself as Laura, my coworker's, wingman) Well, it is. Since I don't have my own families at work anymore I miss some of the funny kid moments, but Thursday night is the night to make up for it. Here's part of tonight's conversation...the debate was about age.

7 yo female: "25!!! If I was 25, I'd be dead!!!"

All other 6-7 yo's: Laughter before debating and challenging each other to over 100.

Clearly, I should be grateful I've made it past 25. Now, it's just one foot in the grave from here on out!

Quote of the Day (courtesy of self)

2008-09-30T17:58:00.000-07:00

After a somewhat grueling 2 and a half hour ordeal of going over an assessment with some people who were none to happy to take my take on them, I finally got a glimmer of hope when the man replied, "Well, you're kindda growing on me."
To which I probably responded with a less than therapeutic reply by quipping, "Growing...kindda like a fungus, huh?"
Both laughed...tension somewhat relieved until the woman started complaining about something else and crying.
Oh well, just another day in fungusland =)

Log List

2008-09-29T17:57:00.000-07:00

Per request, here's the log list for sinful thought patterns taken from Wayne Mack.

Constant pessimism and negativism
Envy
A critical, condemnatory, accusatory, judgmental attitude
Bitterness
Resentment
Impulsiveness
Vain Regrets (looking to the past in such a way that it keeps you from living biblically, responsibly, productively in the present)
Brooding
Fretting
Jumping to hasty and unfounded conclusions
Daydreaming (because they are primarily self focused)
Self-pity
Wicked, immoral imaginations
Thinking others are talking about me behind my back
Assuming others are out to trap me
Watching for the mistakes of others
Being glad when others fail
Not listening to both sides of the story
Focusing on another's bad qualities
Assuming others are wrong
Exaggerating my problems or successes
Exaggerating my faults and mistakes of others
Wishing I was someone else or that I was someplace else
Not seeing any sense in trying to chage or improve
Thinking about how others don't appreciate me
Thinking about how others have abused or mistreated me
Thinking about how much better off others are

Spider Saga

2008-09-29T17:16:00.000-07:00

Lest you stare at the green bowl in wonder any longer, let me clarify how said green bowl appeared in my living room on Saturday. Well, I was ironing some curtains (which by the way, does anyone know why some things really are so difficult to iron?) as I now have an office again to hang them in, and I opened my bedroom door to head downstairs.
Echoing from Jonell's room was a resounding, stop you in your tracks tone, querying, "Are you going downstairs?"
Thinking to myself, "Ummm...I feel like I should answer no as it sounds like I'll be committing to something I don't want to commit too."
But reminding myself, "Can't say no because then I'd have one more item to add to the growing log I'm keeping."
I finally responded, cautiously with, "Yeeeeessss..."
Jonell, racing from her room at rocket speed, "Okay. Good. I need to show you something."
We arrived downstairs to stare at my green container resting.
Abby: "What is that? Is there something under there?"
Jonell, insuring she was at least 5 feet away at all times, exclaimed, "A cricket!"
Abby: "Okay. And you used my bowl?"
Jonell: "It had a lip. I could get it down into the carpet."
Abby, laughing, "You have now contaminated my bowl."
I proceeded into the pantry.
Jonell asking, "What are you going to do? Kill it? I thought it'd get in the carpet."
I returned with lid to said green bowl.
Jonell, "Are you going to let it out? It's going to get out! It's in the middle of the bowl."
Abby, lifting bowl and sliding lid underneath: "No. it's on the edge."
Abby, managing to successfully slide lid under cricket, picked up bowl and headed to front door.
Jonell opened door.
Jonell, screaming and jumping up on chair, "It's on the floor. It's in the corner!!!"
Abby, dripping lid from bowl and assuming cricket was dropped, then realized another critter in the form of a spider had emerged to lodge himself in the corner.
Abby resumed Operation Free Cricket by putting him back on the lid and out the front door.
Abby then undertook Mission: Spider Elimination and was initially unsuccessful in getting spider out of the corner spot. Green lid to the rescue! Green lid's tiny lip did not successfully complete mission.
Abby proceeded to secure tiny twig and convince spider to hop on. He also landed out the door.
Note: Background noise was roommate still on chair with high-pitched vocals.
Jonell, getting down after little foot dance, "I think there's another one over here." Pointing to lions, "Is it dead?"
Abby, "I don't know."
Abby, putting green lid and bowl in dishwasher, "Well, this is getting washed! I'm not eating off this until it's sanitized. Notice you didn't use your bowl."
Abby, returning to pantry to vacuum up dead spider remains in curled heap.
And so, the Spider saga ends....at least for a day. There's alot of those little suckers this year!

Two Thumbs Up...Way Up

2008-09-26T18:28:00.001-07:00

I attended Fireproof, the little movie produced by a church with big heart who is also famous from Facing the Giants and Flywheel. Having not seen either of the two previous films, I had no idea what I was in for. It was Goooood! No...GREAT!!!
I had never been to see a film more than once in a theater and I would totally go again.

It was poignant, interesting, dramatic, funny, and serious. The story was well-written and did I mention funny? We were laughing throughout the film! Yes, Christians laughing. I know we broke the stereotype sitting over at Eastside 9.

Some of my favorite parts were....
"You're my brother from another mother."
The bathroom boogie (you'll know what I'm talking about when you see it)
Wrath of God in a bottle
"Is it too late to ask you to grow old with me?" (Followed by a 70+ yo gentleman laughing in the audience while looking at his wife)
2 Third Day songs
A great song about Waiting on God and serving Him in the meantime
"Mr. Randolph." "Caleb"
Smashing of the garbage can
Supergluing the salt and pepper shakers
"Loving a wife is like a rose. You can tend to it and it blooms or leave it alone and it will wilt." "Where'd you learn that from?" "A counselor"
"mmmmhmmmm" (by nurses in hospital)
The hose stretcher

Themes of value included...
Marriage...a covenant not a contract
Love...not a feeling but action
Fighting for a wife despite outside attacks
Forgiveness...displayed multiple times
Saving a life regardless of who it is
Sacrifice
Getting rid of the idols (pornography, $, possessions)

Please go see this film and if you need a seat filler, invite me along. :)

Hard Homework (and I'm not even in grad school anymore)

2008-09-25T13:25:00.000-07:00

Amy Baker was the guest speaker in yesterday's FCI class that I am taking and the theme of the night was "It will be hard work." And she did not fail to send us away with a hard homework assignment amidst promises of certain fruitful blessings if diligently completed. The topic was "Controlling your Thinking." So the assignment is to log all your sinful thoughts, specifically pertaining to a list of typical pits we human creatures fall into.
Having arrived home from the coffe house, I began my log after catching myself complaining about the thought of writing all my thoughts down. I then responded to a question from Jonell with, "I would advise you this way, but I do not want one more thing to add to my list so here's what my answer is." Before curling up in bed, I had already accumulated 13 items on my list. Arghhhh! I haven't been so relieved to go to sleep in quite some time.
However, I am extremely grateful that today was filled with work to keep me busy on pleasing thoughts hopefully putting others first more often than not. I've decided though that I can't wait to see what patterns my sinful thoughts fall into. Perhaps I will glean an insight into something I was unaware of to assist me in letting the Lord change my thinking.
While I am quite excited to analyze this rapidly compiling data, I am also quite mortified at the extent of this list. I am seriously debating firing up the grill again and torching it once the two weeks are up so no one will ever see it...regardless of the HOA policies.
Some days heaven could not come soon enough. Good thing God grants us grace in the meantime.
If anyone else decides to do this hard homework too, let's talk! It's be exciting to share how God uses this.

Order in the Court

2008-09-24T12:14:00.000-07:00

FYI...Juvenile Court now offers night court! I hope to never ever see any of your partaking in this latest commodity of the court system. Now, I'm sure many families appreciate having a hearing after their work hours (for me, it simply means my work hours on Tuesday just got longer).
So as I say yesterday amidst of fairly positive hearing, let me tell you just why the title to this blog is so aptly named. I'm sitting with my colleague in the jury box, our usual domain. We successfully navigated the pre-hearing tension between separate parents, DCS, and attorneys. The client was sitting quietly which is no small feat given they can say the darndest things which never goes over well with the judge. DCS recommended Homebuilders stay in place as things have gone very well with reunification occuring early. Judge Graham was just settling into her best "I'm proud of you" speech and encouraging the client to ask for help prior to relapse next time.
And then, floating through the air, comes the cheery tune in the form of a whistle. Thinking it was a passerby janitor in the hallway, I attempted to dimiss the high-pitched notes and comment on what the case still needed to be stable. However, the cheery tune continued. The baliff looked toward the hallway between the court chambers and inner office rooms, I glanced around the courtroom, but nothing appeared to be the source of the whistling wonder that continued.
After a few minutes of this intermittent song, Judge Graham stopped, looked puzzled at myself and the baliff and asked, "What is that?"
Well, do you just tell the judge, "Whistling, you honor?" It seemed absurd to respond with the obvious. Thankfully, the baliff did not have these qualms and shrugging his shoulders reported, "Whistling."
I thought surely he will go explore this mysterious whistling and silent the apparently overly cheerly janitor that must be lurking in the next room, but no. He did not move.
Judge Graham looked around still with the puzzled expression and said, "Whistling?"
DCS jumped in and said, "It's a cell phone ring your honor. I only know because I have a coworker that has the same annoying ringtone."
Judge, "Oh" and then she carried on as if there was no tune that the rest of us had to concentrate on tuning out.
Now, mind you, this ringtone coninued and it began to border on the absurd. Absurdedly humorous that is. How in the world do you not laugh at the thought of sitting in a CHINS hearing with whistling in the middle of it? I'll tell you how. You seriously yell inside your head at yourself to STOP THINKING ABOUT IT. Then you focus on clenching your teeth really, really tight to try and eliminate the smile that threatens to give way to laughter. Then you remind yourself that you are the program coordinator and you CANNOT be put in contempt of court of laughing during a legal proceeding especially while training new staff. You will NEVER LIVE IT DOWN.
Thankfully, this court hearing was wrapping up. A lady from the office walked in and smiled as she went around the jury box to one of the back rooms to apparently silence the ringing phone.
I walked over to DCS at the close of the hearing and she reported that her coworker's ring is the exact same and that's the only way she would've known what it was. She also told me she has threatened to smash the phone of said coworker as apparently the whistling ringtone is a pet peeve of hers.
Smiling freely now since decorum was no longer required, I retorted, "Thanks for the heads up on the violence over at your building. I'll be sure to steer clear. Also, I love knowing how I can drive you crazy if you ever send a bad referral my way."
And thus, another episode of Tuesday night court was concluded.

Arizona Here I Come

2008-09-22T18:02:00.000-07:00

This year's Arizona trip is going to be sooooo great I can hardly wait! While the rest of America is shoveling turkey and dressing into their mouths before watching football, I'll be flying my way to sunny, warm Arizona for 11 days of work-free bliss. And this year, we're road tripping in AZ!!! WooHoo! We're going north to visit the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest. I hope to blog the trip like last year's so each of you can enjoy the beauty from afar. I've posted some anticipated shots to wet your appetite.

Sizzling Smell in the Air

2008-09-22T17:37:00.000-07:00

I admit I am a bit of a thrify person. I could not bring myself to pay extra to have yard waste carted off this year; yet, I had a growing mound of branches and clippings from all summer. I grew up in the country and country folk...well, we burn it. I probably violated numerous Crossing codes today, but I no longer have my mound of burnables. I cleverly decided what good is a grill if you can't grill up more than a little chicken once in awhile? Jonell arrived home to find me flaming between the pine trees. The neighborhood biker gang, and by "biker gang" I mean slew of kids on bikes, went speeding down the alley screaming, "The grill is on fire! The grill is on fire!" I was sure somebody was about to come over and put my brilliant plan on hold, but I was able to finish. I should share that I did discover you can accidently burn away patches of your lawn in the process so be careful if you try my silliness yourself. I also saw the neighbor's house appears to have been finished and they've got it listed again. Any takers? You could enjoy a pyromaniac for a neighbor?

Anybody for a FL roadtrip?

2008-09-21T16:00:00.001-07:00

It's in the works...roadtrip to Pensacola area of Florida from Jan 1st to somewhere around the 6th. Tentatively staying with Amy so main expense is gas. I hope to do some beach hiking in surrounding areas.
Fellow roadtrippers welcome. Let's chat soon and make some plans =)

Character Contemplations

2008-09-21T15:30:00.001-07:00

Have I mentioned how much I love the FCI options? It's quite the dilemma to choose. It's like picking between chocolate and ice cream...both deliciously yummy. Well, I decided on the ultimate girly option (hoping to counter workplace pressures to become "more" that female). Now, mind you, week one was a fascinating time of observation. Following brief introduction, several women noted this was their second, third, or perhaps more repetitive times for taking the class.
Puzzlement was surely plastered on my face at this fact. Why are all these women taking the same class again and again? I brushed it off thinking they must not have done the homework (and there is some serious homework to be done) and clearly were deliquent in their duties to absorb it all the first time around.
Now it's been three weeks...I will atest that I may very well end up in the take it once, twice, and three times group...easily. Ummmm...I may have discovered an area that I never knew I was ignorant to...or at least the extent of ignorance compounded by complete ineptitude in the area of womanly qualities.
But, do not fear eager reader...God is forevermore the unchangeable, fortitude that can mold us clay blobs into something, well, anything other than presumptive clay blobs. So... take heart!
I just thought...other clay blobs like myself may be interested in considering some concepts put forth...Therefore consider this a teaser/promotional for Women of Character. (Did I mention it is fabulously convicting and encouraging all in one?)

"If my goal is God's glory, I will glory in His design."

"Submission is the fruit of character."

"My security is in Christ, not me; therefore, I don't have to be afraid to face sin."

"My job is to help you handle the sin in your life, not pretend it's not there."

"Do I only love people who do lovely things?"

"When we live with a focus on self, we are settling for less...way less."

"Humility is not thinking highly or badly about self. It is simply thinking less of self."

"My needs are met by God...so how can I help you?"

Fall is coming...

2008-09-21T15:19:00.000-07:00

I've been enjoying the cooler weather (not the new allergens floating in the air but there must be a rub to the cooler bliss) driving around town. It's somewhat bittersweet to imagine the end of summer, but fall compensates for the loss of warmer, longer days. The corn is at it's peak in height. The mist has been enveloping the fields in early morning. Ahhh....lovely. And then today, I saw it! The true sign that fall is just around the corner. Wiggly. Wooley. Yes...indeed. A wooley worm writhing it's way as quickly as possible across the hot asphalt. They remind me of the Atari version of salmon run (did anybody else play that as a kid?) just trying against all odds to reach the otherside of the road while dodging scurrying vehicles. They say the color and multitude of wooley worms predicts the type of winter we will have. To me, it's the sure sign that leaves will soon fall, bonfires will abound, and winterizing should be considered.
So, race on little wooley ones! We welcome you...
p.s. I'll try my best to dodge you on the roadways!

Timeless Anne-isms

2008-08-30T15:27:00.000-07:00

I'll be rewinding time, at least in my mind, as of late while indulging in the Anne series. There is something innately girly in this delightful series and I am enjoying the escape from the many pressures as I sneak under the fluffy white covers to scan Anne's next quoteable and adventure. The beauty of the Anne series is you forget all the sub-story lines and experience them afresh after letting the books rest quietly on your shelves for 2 years. I am included some of my favorite Anne-isms. Be forwarned...Those of the less than female persuasion may be bewildered by the girly sayings below.

"I'm crying," said Anne in a tone of bewilderment. "I can't think why. I'm glad as glad can be. I'm so happy. But can you tell me why I'm crying?"

"Most of the trouble in life comes from misunderstanding. I think," said Anne.
"The little things in life, sweet and excellent in their place, must not be the things lived for; the highest must be sought and followed; the life of heaven must be begun here on earth."

"I think," said Anne softly, "that 'land where dreams come true' is the blue haze yonder, over that little valley."

"Echo is a beautiful nymph, Davy, living far away in the woods, and laughing at the world from among the hills."
"Is that all true Anne? Or is it a whopper?" demanded Davy staring.

"I was at Isaac Wright's funeral at White Sands last week. The husband of the corpse felt real sorry. Mrs. Lynde says Mrs. Wright's grandfather stole a sheep but Marilla says we mustn't speak ill of the dead. Why mustent we, Anne? I want to know. It's pretty safe ain't it?"

"We stood there and talked while Elizabeth sipped her milk daintily and she told me all about Tomorrow. The Woman had told her that Tomorrow never comes, but Elizabeth knos better. It will come sometime. Some beautiful morning she will just wake up and find it is Tomorrow. Not Today but Tomorrow. And then things will happen...wonderful things."

"She had what Rebecca Dew calls 'a delicate air,' and gave me the impression of a child who was more or less undernourished...not in body, but in soul. More of a moonbeam than a sunbeam."

Inquiring Minds Want To Know

2008-08-30T15:18:00.000-07:00

Tuesday will mark my first solo feat of screening potential interventionists to join our small but growing team. I am still quite amazed that we have no system of set questions by which to stack up one contestant against the next. Feeling the pressure to do a good job, especially since I'll primarily be the one to manage any new staff fiascos, I implore your brilliance, past experiences, and thoughtful input on these questions of the day,
"What questions should one ask in an interview?"
"Is there a philosophical approach one should have when interviewing?"
And for humor's sake,
"What are the worse interview questions you have ever been asked?"
Thank you friends for your much anticipated participation. =)

Wanted: Female Roommate..Dead or Alive...Preferably Alive as We Enjoy Conversations and Laughter Here.

2008-08-23T18:29:00.000-07:00

Rockin Refuge females not desperately seeking but patiently perusing potential place-fillers for vacant four-walled, carpeted space to be formerly occupied by lil bro after Labor Day. Landlord to offer clean, Christian environment with some non-negotiable standards including Biblical lifestyle and low rent with occasionally yummy free food choices when frige is full. Interested applicants welcome to view homested and discuss specifics by contacting abby.

My own Third Day Concert

2008-08-17T12:31:00.000-07:00

Well, Friday is the day that 3rd day will be in Indy but I, unfortunately, won't be there. I'll be hosting a going away party for a colleague at my home. So, I've decided to share with all of you what I'll be missing at their concert by making my own blog concert. Hope you rock out to the tunes and love the soulful worship!

BORN AGAIN

GIVE LOVE

LET ME LOVE YOU

WHO I AM

SLOW DOWN (with a former American Idol contestant)

BEHIND THE MUSIC

Welcome to Blogland!

2008-08-16T16:16:00.000-07:00

My AZ parents are now posting via their own blog. To check it out, click on my AZ parents link under Friends on my homepage.

Mmmmm....yum, yum in our tum, tum :0

2008-08-16T16:06:00.000-07:00

Melinda has been talking to me for several weeks about finding a time to relive one of our favorite pastimes...the horseshoe. Lest you think we are equestrian afficionados, I will reassure you we are not. We are talking about the Springfield Illinois creation known as a horseshoe sandwich.

Dana and Jeannie also got to experience their first horseshoe and agreed the dish is quite amazing. Perhaps we should host a horseshoe party so all can enjoy. It does not disappoint. Mmmmmmm...
If you happen to want to try making one yourself, here's my tips...
1. Toast a piece of texas toast and place it on the center of the plate.
2. Cook and place a hamburger directly on top the toast.
3. Cover the hamburger in cheese sauce.
* To make your own cheese sauce, melt 4 T butter, blend 2 1/2 c milk with 2 T cornstarch + salt + pepper + 2 t worchershire sauce + chilli pepper and cook until thick and bubbly before adding 2 c shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
4. Put hot steak fries on top of hamburger.
5. Cover in cheese sauce.
6. Ketchup on the side.

"It was a Baboon Heart!" insert laughter here

2008-08-13T18:37:00.001-07:00

Jonelly and I are watching Olympics, enjoying some sofa time, and catching up on the day. Commercials come on for several items (I'm a die-hard commercial muter so no sounds were audible). We see the promo for a new series on NBC with Christian Slater as a guy that has 2 totally different lives and the following conversation ensues...

abby: "That looks interesting. I like Christian Slater as an actor. There's something mysterious about him."
jonelly: "Yeah..I like him too. Guess what my favorite movie is with Christian Slater in it."
abby, thinking what's the only Christian Slater movie I can think of, laughing: "Untamed Heart!"
jonelly, looking surprised at my quick and quippy reply,: "YEAH (like duh tone)!!!...
(something or other here....hard to say since we were laughing hard)
jonelly: "It was a great movie...hockey game and it was a baboon heart!"
abby: " yeah....the baboon heart!!!"
jonelly: (pause) How did you know that was my favorite movie with him?"
abby: "What other Christian Slater movies are there?"
jonelly: "I don't know."
abby: "Me either! Wasn't there a flood movie he was in (thinking...Jars of Clay had their Flood song in a Christian Slater movie but what was the name of that film?)

How ridiculous are we to both like him as an actor and we can't even tell you two movies he's in!

Super Tips for Homeowners

2008-08-09T15:49:00.000-07:00

So...let me share another weekend of interesting items from the homefront.
About a month ago, I began contemplating how to remove my shower knobs to clean them. One evening at 11 pm, I attacked it with vigor. I tried twisting, pulling, and unscrewing but to no avail. They have continued to glare at me with mocking water residue just below the clear surface yet unreachable to even the smallest of brushes. I debated marching into Lowe's and finding a somewhat respectible clerk to explain my seemingly ridiculous problem but was pretty relunctant to say the knobs had won and subsequently I was deficient in knob removal IQ.
To my delightment, the water residue underneath the clearly mocking surface pushed off a portion of the top of the knob. Initially, I thought, "Oh great! One more thing to replace and I'm pretty sure shower knobs are not under $20." But no!!!! This predicament proved to be my saving grace. I grabbed a nearby pair of scissors, wedging them under the corner, and popped that face cover section of the knob off to discover....a secretly hiddent screw that allows for easy removal of the knob!
Armed with a baggy of white vinegar, cheap and able to dissolve almost any residue, I plucked that knob off and dropped it in to wait. Several minutes later with the help of a sponge and old toothbrush, I put back on my sparkling clear, residue-free knobs. The roommate and bros were amazed as I recounted my feat for Sat. afternoon fodder.
I also learned that simple staples due to trick to keep blinds that are slightly too long from continuing to drag on the floor.
And....perhaps even better...I found the power of joy! Yes, as the Scripture reads, my joy really was complete (well almost). A week ago, a bottle of weed killer leaked onto my garage floor. This would have not been any big deal as the garage floor has tire marks and a few oil drips except that the weed killer was florescent pink! Arghhh. Having had much success with the white vinegar all over the kitchen and bathroom fixtures, I thought I'd give it a try. No such luck. Still pink. And them I thought about the yellowy goodness lurking behind closed doors...JOY! So with a little elbow grease, broom in hand, I mixed my joy and water to bubble away the pinkness into the crevices in the garage. Maybe I'll get really lucky and the joy will also kill the any colonies below too. Needless to say, I was quite joyful about all the cheap but effective solutions to homeowner problems today. Now if I can just exchange the screen door rollers I bought that are the wrong size tomorrow....my joy will overflow into Sunday =)

Tidbit of the Week

2008-08-05T17:19:00.000-07:00

I have spent several hours of the past week listing approximately 200 books on half.com in attempts to simplify, simplify, simplify. This was a worthy effort sparked by recent reportings from a colleague that the LMHC (that's Licensed Mental Health Counselor) exam was "easy sneezy" in her words. Having my anxiety lessened, I decided to part with by two-sided, hard and softbacked friends from the good 'ol days of seminary. To my delight, I have sold approximately 22 books in 3 days totaling over $200 (just the amount to repair my exhaust pipe that decided to hang listlessly as of yesterday). Marching my trophies into the post office today, I was greeted by a talkative fellow who seemed genuinely interested in helping me mail out my texts to their new homes. I had one text going to a mysterious APO address. Well, mysterious to me no longer! I learned that APO is military and this particular buyer is a medical military staff in Europe. I agreed to ship first class as I learned media mail will probably sit for weeks before sorting and retrieval. I also learned that FPO designate other branches of the military. In the words of a fabulous game...Who Knew?!

Notorius for all the Wrong Things

2008-08-05T17:00:00.001-07:00

Has anybody else ever asked you the question, "SO if you could be famous or rich but not both, which would you pick?" I remember that question being posed of me in high school during scholarship interviews. Well, I may not have really wanted either but apparently I am famous enough to have my name scratched for the world to see at The Counseling Center. Lest you fear this latest fortune is going straight to my ego and crushing my feeble attempts to foster humility, let me clarify. My name, followed by a ubiquitous term starting in "b" closely associated with 4 other alphabetical characters, is inked onto the customer parking only sign tied to the fencing in The Counseling Center parking lot. I was informed of this latest graffiti and my notorious status to warrant said graffiti Friday afternoon promptly following my walk in on domestic violence, resulting containment of a suicidal individual having recently ingested items not to be confused with vitamins, and subsequently my encounters with a less than friendly as indicated by lack of handshake upon request(due to apparent germaphobia) police officer followed closely by a slue of paramedic staff and the Executive Director questioning me as to the barrage of Lafayette's finest at our offices. As you can gather, I was having one of the most peaceful Fridays yet training new staff on assessments and our apparently budding relationship with law enforcement and medical staff in the community. So when my colleague gave me a pitiful look and asked if I was aware of my standings on the parking sign, I could only laugh and reply to the negative but convey my humble and honorary acceptance as this was my first time to be mentioned in vandalism in Lafayette to my knowledge. My colleague also informed me she attempted to right the wrong by scrawling an addendum to the epitaph by adding "Not" to the plaasant label bestowed upon yours truly. Having guessed promptly who the culprit was, seeing I had informed some unfortunates of their demise from the program, I called my supervisor to share my status amongst Lafayette's elite. I was informed that cleanup had been requested of the janitorial and maintenance staff, who now prioritizes projects daily to ensure immediate ones are attended to first, but as to date, the sign including my name stills stands in all its glory...furthest to the right in The Counseling Center parking lot. I suppose, you, friends and family, are welcome to mosey on over and take a peek for yourself. Who knows when these fair fortunes will come my way again!

Retreat Pics

2008-07-31T17:32:00.001-07:00

Reunion Reflections

2008-07-31T17:26:00.000-07:00

Me, Mel, Frank, and Mo...ummm..that's our high school nicknames...our goal was to have men's names made up of our real names =)

the few, the brave, and ones who came

our ambush to see Chuck who was babysitting the cutest niece and nephew

In case you were wondering, between Jacksonville and Springfield is an all important landmark.

Happy 4th!

2008-07-05T05:57:00.000-07:00

Child with sparkler

Ground Show

Mal with the nephews, Deon, Jonell

Quote of the Day

2008-07-01T16:24:00.000-07:00

Says 12 yo to mom and other passengers in the car as driving by LPD today:
"Hey...look at that police escalator"
Mom to 12 yo:
"Huh?"
12 yo: "Look at the red police escalator"
Mom to 12 yo: "You mean the red escalade?"
Mom and me: GRIN!

News Flash

2008-06-27T14:27:00.000-07:00

FYI...Lil bro has his license. Just to clarify, that's a DRIVER'S license so when you think you see a blonde-headed teen rapping down the roadway, it is probably lil bro.
CONGRATULATIONS LANCE!

p.s. Lil bro and middle bro are both gone to IL this weekend. What is a "sisbo" to do? (In case you're wondering, "sisbo" is the term coined by lil bro to delineate me) That's right...hang out with the roommie who is going to shop for polos per the new job's dress code. Now, that's emotional support I can provide with a smile!

Quoteable....

2008-06-23T17:25:00.000-07:00

Okay so it's after 8 over here....
After hearing someone say, "The eyes are the windows to the soul."
Jonell asks, "Isn't it to the stomach?"
Me, "No it's the stomach to the heart."
(laughter)
Me, "Or you take a scalpel and get to both that way!"
(more laughter and funny looks from lil bro and Jonell)

Ahhh....did you just say that?

2008-06-23T16:52:00.000-07:00

VBS has kept me very busy as of late. This is small part to my commitment to help with the smalls and in large part to Lance's knack for volunteering himself and subsequently myself for huge projects like decorations. So basically my world has been about dinosaurs and more dinosaurs for several weeks.....and then, it arrived! VBS smalls. I have to say, by the end of the week, I realized that the "black birds," the Mr. Boyer appointed name for the black handkerchief sporting 3 year olds, were one of the best groups around. We were blessed with 2 very, very special children who had 1:1 aides and a smattering of other quoteable tots. Here's a few of my favs to remember it by....
1. After being told the story-teller's name is Whitney, little blonde boy crinkles up his nose and declares, "Weeeendy? Isn't that the name of a restaurant?" (Giggles before clarification) "No. Her name is Whitttttney. Very close sounding to Weeeenndy though."
2. Upon telling the children we will be reading a story with every letter of the alphabet and asking them to tell us when we get to their first name's letter.....One over-eager sweetheart continued to declare "That's my letter" for every letter in his first name for the next 3 days when we read the same story. He even declared, "That's the last letter of my name" each and every night.
3. Regarding the same story we read 4 days in a row....Little blonde tot says during snack, "Are we going to read the alphabet story again? I reeeeeeaaaaallllly hope we get to read something else."
4. Sitting in story time 3 of the 5 nights....little black-haired cutie shared his many body functions. Clearly of the male persuasion and sharing it with others even at age 3 :)
5. During craft time, little blonde tot begins singing loudly "Blessed be the name of the Lord" and continued on until he perfectly completed the chorus.
6. The trying child of the week on her way down the hallway, I catch her digging up a nostril and quickly correct her and remind her this is "Yucky!" Glancing back at the sound of watching adults giggling, I see her shove it in her mouth!!! Arghhhh..a lost cause.
7. Waiting for 5 minutes to pass before it's time to go to the jumpy-jump, the favorite time of the evening.... "Is it time to go yet?" "No...5 more minutes"....5 SECONDS later..."Is it time to go yet?".....And simply repeat this over, over, and over again until you wish 5 minutes were 5 seconds.
8. After 2 nights of the sweetest little boy being unable to handle the magnitude of children for the closing section of the night and me having to escort him out to calm him down, I told his mom. The following night, I asked him about being able to stay in the closing. He tells me, "My mom says I can have a surprise if I go. There's a soccer ball in the car for my surprise." Low and behold, he made it both nights even enduring Father Abraham's repetitive intensity.
9. An endless amount of "Can I sit with you?" "Can I be the leader?" "Can I hold your hand?"...ahhhh...VBS has come to a close.

Zoo-mania

2008-06-07T14:26:00.000-07:00

Status Update on Goals for "All Things Great in 2008"

2008-05-31T16:06:00.000-07:00

Having been awaked by the bird commune early this Saturday morning, I opted to get a head start on the day and leisurely organize some places that periodically need attention. I made several startling finds during my rummaging. For some reason, an abundance of writing utensils managed to make it upstairs when I usually need them downstairs. I also discovered a cd I was on the hunt for to add to the mp3 player. I ended up deciding that the white socks would now have their own drawer so as not to crush the colored ones when I go rooting around in the wee hours of the work week. Several bottles of lotions with a teeny amount in the bottom I continue to try to get out met their demise in the designated garbage bag. Approximately 6 business cards scattered about, which was great because I just gave out my last one a week ago. And perhaps the most delightful find was my list of Goals for 2008. Now, some of these goals are quite personal so I won't be sharing them with you in detail but as I read down the items I realized that I had already accomplished many of them. "Wow!" I thought to myself. "I can't believe I've been doing all these." For example, here are a few I've done (and I'm sure many of you were with me when I did more than a few).
1. Vacation in AZ (check...completed February. Hope to return in November.)
2. Go to TobyMac Concert (Double check!...quite the event in March.)
3. Visit the art museum in Indy (check...completed January in celebration for my bday.)
4. Build shelves downstairs (postponed due to the arrive of Jonelly's furniture).
5. Take more photos (double check...courtesy of the camera from Christmas.)
6. Do more 1:1 and small groups with people (check...definitely continued to catch up with people I enjoy or want to get to know so I can enjoy.)
7. Teach Lance to drive (in process...to be completed by July 1st. He recently conquested highway travel. yeah!)
8. Say "no" more often (check...definitely turned down things to slow down more.)
9. Garden (double check...recently planted flowers, trimmed plants, and edging of yard is in process.)
10. Take self to doctor as needed (check...as much as I don't like to do it, i have been going.)
11. Read for leisure (check...two books completed and a couple more in process.)
12. Hiking (double check...ongoing fun times.)
13. Laugh more (double check...not that I didn't do this last year....but you can always improve.)
14. ......and the rest are personal/spiritual goals that are all in process but not completed as yet.

So I know many of you have goals for the Great 08 too. I hope you are also doing well on yours. If yours match any of mine, we can get together and work on them together :) Keep on Keeping On!

Farewell Kiddos!

2008-05-27T16:55:00.000-07:00

Well...it's sad (but somewhat relieving) thought that WNKoF has come to a close. Some of my memorable kiddo moments can be reread in previous blog postings. On our final night, the kiddos surely did not dissapoint with a lack of quoteables. We had a picnic indoors and the kiddos brought their favorite stuffed animals to talk about. As we went around the circle, some kiddos thought it humorous to make up silly names on the spot such as "jello" since were were eating some later. Another little tot went up to talk about his bear that he brought. He promptly described it's features and noted it was a bear. When asked about the bear's names, he looked at it cooly before quipping, "Uhhh...Bear," with a "like duh" lint to his voice. Another moment was when the teacher said to hold their animal tight and declare, "I love you." One loveable kiddos said, "Mine says 'I love you too'." I'm really looking forward to a few weeks off and catching up with them again for VBS. If you're wondering where to serve, may I recommend VBS smalls where all the fascinating, little people can be found.
=) Happy growing in Christ kiddos!

Running with the Turkeys

2008-05-27T16:17:00.000-07:00

Hiking at Turkey Run on Memorial day was a great experience. We enjoyed only slight sprinkles and most tourists weren't on the longer trails. Managing to hike over 4 hours, it was a worthy excursion. Can't wait to go again!!

Saw some critters at the nature center.

Large tree uprooted

Skipping rocks on the river. Boehm was definitely the best.

Birds had made their nests up on the sides of the bridge

Covered bridge...remember no running allowed on the bridge!

Beautiful deep blue male indigo bunting in the forest

Canoers on the river

floral in the forest

The day hikers, not to be confused with thru-hikers, as Jeremiah reminded us. He actually made sure we all had hiking names. He, of course, was Shepherd. Lance was Sweet Action courtesy of his attire that day. Jen was LJ taken from her Lafayette Jeff pull-over. I was A&W, referencing my initials. Boehm was Shutter as he can be found toting his trusty camera. Eric was Sage Meerkat formerly appointed from his time at Ridgecrest, NC.

So at one point, we were all in the icebox and we heard a low moaning sound. Eric called us back to look into a crevice where he indicated a fox was. Telling me to see the ears, I continued to peer in but to no avail. I flashed a camera shot in there and here's what I recorded. Looks like rocks to me so I think Eric's new trail name should aptly be FoxTrot in honor of his Fox hunting.

Low lying purple flowers clustered all across parts of the forest

Lance found a tulip bloom on the ground

Lance also discovered a toad. When we were over at the bridge, another toad was discovered. I told someone to take a look and two of the park rangers informed us it was a poisonious barrel toad. I replied that I thought most poisonious frogs and toads had bright colors. They were disappointed I did not fall for their prank and said I'd be surprised how few people know that little bit of info. Apparently my award from 8th grade deeming me the class "Nature Nut" still applies.

Best News of the Week...

2008-05-23T17:47:00.000-07:00

Another Bourne is on the way! Jonelly just read it FOR REAL. Double YEAHHHH!
"We thought it was over. But NO! Universal Pictures quietly let it be known that Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass are planning a fourth Bourne movie. Hope it's not too late to let poor Jason live happily ever after."
What a wonderful end to a long week....I'll definitely be in theaters to watch this upcoming film.

Two Thumbs Up...Way Up!

2008-05-22T15:49:00.000-07:00

FYI...this is your movie moment from yours truly...While away at the B & B wedding, we took advantage of the opportunity to view the latest installment of C.S. Lewis' series at an old theatre in small town USA. Prince Caspian definitely did not disappoint! Packed with action and following the storyline closely, it was a great experience and I would recommend it to you all in a hearbeat.
On a more serious note...there is a convicting moment in the film where Susan turns to Peter, as he's working feverishly to accomplish a task, and says, "Who are you doing this for?" Wow! What a great reminder to remember that it's not what we're doing but WHO we are doing it for. If we lose the focus, our efforts are in vain.
May you all enjoy the cinematic event sometimes soon!

Praise!

2008-05-22T15:34:00.000-07:00

I know some of you have been praying for quite some time that my mom's condo would sell. Several months ago, she finally had a buyer that agreed to buy only if she could sell her home. Unfortunately, she has not been able to sell so my mom has continued to wait. Few people have gone through for showings...but then...a lady went through and said it was between my mom's condo and another newer one in the neighborhood. After listing out the benefits and more waiting, my mom finally heard back today that the lady is taking her place and paying more than the original buyer would have. Praises, praises, praises. Such good timing too since school has just finished and she will have plenty of time to get things settled. Thank you all for praying...God has been very gracious and faithful to provide!
How has He blessed you this week?

Chiastic Prayer

2008-05-19T19:04:00.000-07:00

“O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands,

let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against you.

We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

“Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations,

but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’

“They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand.

O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”

Nehemiah 1:5-11

Gage & Katherine's Wedding

2008-05-18T16:57:00.000-07:00

Recent Random Thoughts and Funny Somethings....

2008-05-13T15:41:00.000-07:00

As you might have gathered from the title of this blog, I couldn't find a good way to categorize this posting so it shall be an official hodge-podge of 411 to you reader. In no particular order....
1. The coworkers and I enjoyed a great day of critical thinking training. I am always delighted to walk in and see Stephanie, Texas' resident HB (HB= Homebuilders) guru, leadning the group and knowing I will learn some very helpful things to apply to my job. We had an interesting discussion about how our values sometimes clash with family's values, ways to address cognitive distortions, and what typically makes for a good critical thinker. It was really all about "Thinking about Thinking." Along with the good training, I enjoyed catching up with collegues since we typically work solo in homes we don't get 1:1 time very often to just catch up. Perhaps the quote of the day was my fellow coworker while we were comparing and discussing workplace dress codes. She said, "You could be naked and fit in great there." Hilarious! She was referencing a social service location in Lafayette. NOTE: Apparently you need to be aware of what's lerking in Lafayette and be thankful that people come to your workplace dressed.
2. So the power was out at the Rockin Refuge for several hours on Sunday. I am always reminded that as much as I think I'm not technologically reliant, I clearly must be since I walked around the house for 20 minutes debating what I could possibly do with the rest of my evening. Jonell and I opted for a game but then I took a phone call and she fell asleep. Left to my own devices, I ended up photo logging my closet favs with a flashlight. (It's surprisingly dark in there). Hence, the long blog as we watched Survivors be informed they weren't surviving anymore.
3. Wasn't P.V'S sermon good on Sunday? I've actually be thinking alot about his sermon from several weeks ago on God's ability to exhibit compatiblism lately. Anybody else been thinking about that? It really blows your mind...but that's what great about the Lord. He's mind-blowing!
4. Apparently, Jonell caught the neighbor kids setting up a brigade with the stones I put at the end of my drive to compensate for the neighbors running over my sprinkler head and creating ruts off the edges. How am I going to stop that one? Any ideas?
5. Funny story from my supervisor today...she was at home going to get the mail and saw a snake making his way at her yard. Given that she's extremely fearful of snakes, she promptly hopped in her van and proceded to run over the snake over and over and over again. She later informed me she's leaving him to bake in the sun. I believe there's some well-done snake meat for the taking in Capilano for any of you outbackers with a strong palette.
6. Have any of you noticed how the people you are around really help you notice things about yourself to work on? I was sitting in a group today with 4 other women I'd never met before and was reminded how challenging it is to work in our field, do a good job, and retain a softer side at times. What I mean is, here are several other Christian ladies that have worked 8+ years in social work and it's so easy to lose that God-given femininity while dealing with some really tough people and problems.
I wondered, "Do they take this in-charge attitude home to their families each night? Do I? How am I really presenting myself in the workplace? Am I allowing workplace expectations and situations to shape me over following God's design and character development?" Hmmmmm....food for thought....

Parting is such sweet sorrow...

2008-05-11T17:30:00.001-07:00

During my busy weekend of church landscaping and paperwork, I needed a welcome break so I decided to clean out my closet and swap out winter and summer clothes. It's one of my favorite things about spring. Okay, well it is a little bittersweet as I say good-bye to my softest of sweaters and pack them under the bed for several months. But, the great moment is pulling out the tote and remembering my summer t-shirts. Yeah!
I managed to be ruthless in my deliberation of items to go out the door permanently (the benefit is the added space and extra hangers) but it is so very hard to part with some that have a significant memory to them. I seriously wonder if I will actually wear them until rags. (Some might already be there by other's standards.)Does anyone else have this problem? It somewhat confuses me that I struggle with this because I am generally annoyed at having to dress myself. (My mother assures me this dates back to infancy so perhaps I truly have been a rebellious sinner since birth.)
Anyways, maybe I've been in a particularly nostalgic mood lately or something but I thought I'd share some of my closet favs and the reasons why with you dear reader :) Please respond if you relate to my parting dilemmas or also suffer from closet bonding issues.

This is the oldest shirt I still sometimes wear. It was given to me by my first youth group right after I moved to a new town and went on a mission trip with 12+ other people I'd only met the week before. It was a running joke that I was "Abby-No-Gail" since my given name is only Abby. Plus they all got their names air-brushed on the back. What a great momento....

So this shirt was given to me back in the day when I was helping out with the youth at church. I believe I got it the weekend of a lock-in. Wow! Lock-ins are way harder once you are over age 20.

This "lovely" or should I say ragged and splattered T was from a play I was in during high school. We actually performed at Autumn on the Boulevard so we needed some type of outfit to look cohesive. Ironically, we were doing a play about a play; hence, the Romeo and Juliet stage crew motif.

These are my ladybug socks. My very special ladybug socks because they have not just any ladybugs but flying ladybugs. I do believe a good pair of ladybug socks to me is like a good cup of coffee to all you caffeine partakers and can make a bad day enjoyable by merely looking at your happy toes.

This holy rag is my memory shirt that I got from Goodwill to commemorate my senior skip day to Chicago with gal pals in high school. I still can't believe my mom let me do this but it was one of the best days senior year. We went to Planet Hollywood, shopping on Michigan Avenue and listened to music the whole way up and back.

I remember when the roommate first saw this shirt. She was like "What are you doing with a shirt that has a centrifuge?" I explained that I am not a Chemistry grad student like herself who actually knows what a centrifuge device is but rather a lucky chaperone to have attended Centrifuge camp one summer with a bunch of students from church.

Oh yes, the shirt I happily wore today. This is my high road hoodie that I earned after spending 18 days in the wilderness of the U.P. with 9 other girls and only terrain maps from the 1940's. One of the best times of my whole life...

Wow! I can't believe this sweatshirt has held up for so long. I probably created 90% of my undergraduate art projects in this shirt. It's been through many a firing, muddin, and painting session as evidenced by the tattered edges.

This jacket was the last thing my grandfather gave me before he died. We only rooted for one football team in my family...the Cowboys and this jacket says it all.

And, of course, my seminary hoodie! Oh yeah! Good friends, good profs, good learning, and the degree that lead me to Lafayette.

But perhaps the most obvious to all that know me well...."The Boys" attire from back in the day. DC Talk style. What you may not know is that I never bought this shirt at the concert but found it not even 2 weeks later at Goodwill. What a great concert tour. I couldn't convince anyone to take me to the Free At Last concert so Jesus Freak was extra special :)

And now this long blog is officially over and someone is getting voted off on Survivor (and the world goes on). Hope you had a good laugh at my clothing partings....

True Reflections

2008-05-08T15:18:00.000-07:00

So you know how some parts of the Bible you read and think to yourself, "Self, where do I really see this being lived out? Who out there actually gets this?"
Well, in honor of my AZ parents upcoming anniversary, I'd like to say a big "THANK YOU" to them both for being a true reflection of a Biblically, loving couple. Somewhere between being patient and kind, between rejoicing in the truth and never failing, between hoping and not being self-seeking, many, many, many marriages fall awfully short of the Scripture's model. I know many of you reading this can relate to the joy it is to be around godly people really striving to seek to please the Lord in all that they do especially through their marriages and families. And to all of you who allow us single folk to hang around and observe your wonderful role modeling, THANK YOU. IT'S REALLY A BLESSING!
Some of my fondest AZ memories are of watching Jim and Sue praying with and for each other, seeing them enjoy meals together, and listening to them share how they are thankful for the other person regularly.
Hard to believe that Jim and Sue are getting ready to celebrate 20 years of marriage. What a wonderful testimony to see them continuing to grow and appreciate each other. What a wonderful testimony to know that God was gracious enough to sit Jim in a church pew next to Sue. What a wonderful testimony to hear of a man willing to marry a woman with a past and assure her that it's no longer who she is in Christ. What a wonderful testimony to see God bless a widower with a loving wife. What a wonderful testimony that they are so willing to parent and love on others as if we were their own kids.
If the Lord be willing, may you celebrate another 20 years of marriage.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
Since I can't sit by you and laugh over a musical Hallmark card together, I'm providing a link to a song in celebration of your beautiful love.
(FYI...I know this will take some of you out of your musical comfort zone, but that's not always a bad thing right? Trust me...you might like it.)
Just click the link below and the song Love will come up automatically.
http://www.djmaj.com/boogiroot.html

And the reunion saga continues...

2008-05-05T19:07:00.001-07:00

Remember my previous blog about the reunion coming up because I am officially beyond old and qualify as a 10 year post high school individual? Well, the invites officially came out this week complete with a list of people starred by an asterisk noting they could not be found. As I glanced at the names, I realized that most of these individuals couldn't be found even when we were still in high school. Why should we be shocked to learn they are still off the map?
Anyways, back to the real point. I thought, "Self, why don't you look up all the old emails for your friends and try sending out to them? Perhaps some of them have the same email addresses." Low and behold...they actually went through! How funny is it that out of 5 emails only 1 kicked back. Weird! 6 of us kept the same email. Maybe we really were more alike than I remembered.
So that latest update is at least 2 other friends will go and I cannot wait to catch up with them. We've begun an email chain. Don't worry friends...I'll keep you in the loop. I'm sure more enjoyment will be forthcoming as nostalgia sets in.

To all the WHS high school graduates...Remember when.....
Allison was taking karate and I used to joke with her about her "zone of terror."
Charlotte said she was going to be a music biz major.
Timmer used to tell stories about Roy burning his hair off his legs in Ol' Whitey.
Sarah and I sat next to each other on the first day of Freshman year in Roy's Bio I class and later learned our grandparents lived just up the street from each other.
Melissa would tell my little brother Lance to "Run Forrest Run" and he'd take off like a maniac racing around the yard.
Tornadoes went through during spring finals and we had to sit in the hallways.
We took finals in sweltering heat because the building was built for air conditioning with tiny window and they never put in the air.
We could talk about anything and everything at lunch time (it was my favorite time).
Senora would talk about Julio :)
Mr. Belmer would "preach" geometry.
Everyone was fighting the day after a dance (one of several reasons I passed on that experience)
Ben tried to ask everyone of us out and we all said "No".
The school was remodeled.
We took Mr. Gutwein's stuff outside, turned the chairs backwards, and Lisa took his credit card. :O
The giant pig head from Lord of the Flies.
The plays!!!! Seven Brides for Dracula and the flying bat. What about the dingo?
Physics was Phun.
We rewrote Shakespearean stuff into that funny play. Wow, was that hilarious.
Journalism was chill out time and no one wanted the camera.
Allison could be found each day with her kiwi and plastic knife.
Charlotte got that terrible sunburn after falling asleep outside.
Melissa could put her tuner to rotate every 30 seconds and she could sing with every radio song.
Mrs. Patterson did a cartwheel down the hallway to prove Mr. Shouse wrong.
Mr. Stier's daughter died.
We went to Europe. Wow! Too many memories there including meeting that group from Rochester, eating gyros in London, watching As You Like It at The Globe, going through the Alps, throwing snow atop Mt. Pilatis, buying Swiss chocolate, watching teh US v Germany soccer game with Germans, getting lost in the Louvre until we figured out the 1st floor is not really the 1st floor, etc, etc.....

Anybody have any other great high school memories to share?

All Things Great in 2008 Continues...

2008-05-05T18:08:00.000-07:00

Lest you all forget this year's theme, above is the quick reminder. To carry on the theme, I will be attending the Third Day concert in Indy on 8.22.08. In case you haven't attended a Third Day concert before, let me assure you it's like one of the best rockin' worship experiences around. There aren't details on the website yet, but I thought I'd throw it out there to see who all was interested.
Rockin' Road Trippers Wanted.

Relentless Pursuer

2008-05-04T18:39:00.000-07:00

I don't know how many of you have been surfing the Christian radio waves recently, but there's a new song out about how we just can't get away from God. I was reminded of that very point today. Today my lil bro joined FBC. I think about where he was a year ago...running away from life's hurts and not even speaking to me. But today, it's a new day. He lives with me, gives me a hug every night, reads his Bible, and looks for opportunities to serve. I know it not because of me or anyone else frankly. It's only by God's relentless pursuing of his heart and God's abundance of grace that lil bro is living in peace, facing life head-on, and standing before several hundred people to give testimony of God's work in his life now. And to all that...I have to say...AMEN! Aren't you so thankful that God keeps pursuing each of us...further up and deeper in? Drawing out our rough edges until He can soften them. Drawing out our sinful thoughts until we change them. Drawing out our wayward hearts until we submit them wholly. I, for one, would never get it right on my own and just wouldn't make it without the great Pursuer or that Hound of Heaven that George recently reminded us of. Thank heaven that heaven is always on my heels even when I wish He wasn't. Thank heaven that heaven has a grace-centered plan for each of us. Thank heaven that heaven cares more for the people that I love the most than I ever could imagine.
And, thank you friend for being a friend. Thank you for being a part of the body. Let us enjoy another week full of gratitude about God's pursuit and look for opportunities to point others to Him.
One final note, Love you bro. So glad to see you standing on the Rock.

It's all a bloomin'

2008-05-04T11:46:00.001-07:00

FYI...Lil bro took his SAT this Saturday which meant I was up and facing Saturday morning at 7:25 am with bright eyes and a few hours of sleep. I decided to attempt to make the most of my early morning and headed to Lowe's for all my home improvement needs. Note to reader: Not very many people shop Lowe's prior to 8 am. Enjoying the opportunity to shop leisurely by my lonesome, I found pansies on clearance. Being that clearance is one of my most favoritest words, I cleaned house on the pansies from Lowe's, got my remaining blocks to finish the edges of my driveway and located new rollers for the screen door.
Continuing my productive Saturday trend, I managed to plant half the pansies and begin my quest to conquer all things weed-like by 10 am. I'm happy to say by the end of the day, I managed to mow, completely deweed the yard (the old fashioned way via knifing them out by hand, block out the edges of the drive, and plant a plethora of flowering pansies.
Today I have a lovely yard, sore hands, and one more thing off the checklist.
PS...isn't the tree beautiful this year?

Almost forgot the best one...

2008-05-02T17:37:00.000-07:00

Most Entertaining Moment of the Week....
Watching a DCS worker get "wet" while holding a dog during a meeting. bummer!

Entertaining moments of the week...

2008-05-01T15:03:00.000-07:00

1. Jonell and I discussed boycotting Idol if David Cook is voted off prior to winning the whole shindig.
2. Walking into a home and seeing an unmounted deer head watching the tv with sunglasses on and a headband.
3. Crisis intervention for tearful preteen and future PETA member at the sight of an unmounted deer head in her living room.
4. Being told I obviously wasn't planning on having children anytime soon owning the vehicle that I do since it's a tight fit with 3 carseats across the backseat.
5. Having my car die in traffic while trying to get Lance to school.
6. Finding out the whole 1st floor of The Counseling Center was flooded after a wall of water broke through.
7. Hunting down an office space after displaced 1st floor colleagues sought refuge on the 3rd floor.
8. Inadvertently seeing a few minutes of the film Knocked Up....Don't ever, ever, ever see what I walked in on!!!!
9. Finding out 2 more friends are expectant baby mommas :)
10. Learning one friend has decided to refer to her baby as "chic" (pronounced cheek) until they learn if it's a chico or chica.
11. Having a friend educate you on the latest in "flirting" techniques from an online article (who knew?) including the "arm touch" move. I, of course, asked what exactly does the "arm touch" imply and asked if we needed to make an accountability contract immediately :)
12. Having same friend tell you that there was a reciprocal "arm touch" and "leaning" by said interest on a different occasion.
13. Lil bro stating he was actually thinking about picking up his room before I mentioned it. (ha,ha, ha......i'm still rolling on that one)
14. Conducting interviews....people are hilarious and say the darndest things!
15. Having your boss describe an individual as a quiet, unassertive individual and then meeting the most verbal and assertive person you've encountered in the past 6 months.
16. Asking the boss if she was pranking you by telling you the person wasn't assertive, learning she wasn't, and puzzling about what type of assertiveness training did this guy go through?
17. Being told I was just "too professional."
18. Deciding to name the stuffed Taco Bell mascot dog at the rockin' refuge "Hellsinki."

Homeowner Tip # 537

2008-04-28T17:53:00.000-07:00

I'm beginning to wonder when the learning curve levels off for being a Homeowner. At this rate, not anytime soon for me. My latest saga has been courtesy of the smoke detectors. Yes, I am as confused a you. I never think about those little buggers on the wall and I believe that's the way it's supposed to be...a home of peace and quiet unless there is an actual FIRE! In which case, I'd be more than delighted to hear blaring alarms at any hour of the night.
And FYI...I own a model home with interconnected alarms running through the house's AC wiring. So if one alarm is not happy, they are all not happy, which means I'm not happy, and consequently lil bro and Jonelly are also not happy. Ever since moving in, those cantankerous little buggers seem to go off at the slightest whiff of a barbecue a block away or the gentlest of breezes that floats in or any apparent excuse to keep me on my toes regarding fire safety. I have changed the batteries at least a few times since moving in and was greatly disturbed to be jolted from my Saturday night slumber by resounding chirps less than a week after switching the batteries again.
I sought my godly council on Sunday morning from Kim (also a neighborhood homeowner) and Jonathan, who Erin reported had resolved their chirping woes. Kim had not experienced middle of the night jolting and Jonathan said he had to replace all of his. Arghhh!
So after church, I was determined to get to the bottom of their chirping once and for all. I made it my mission to disable them. Having read the instruction booklet, I armed myself with a flat head and wedged those buggers off the wall. While on the phone to the service guy, they began to chirp again in unison!!!! Much to my chagrin, those buggers were not yet dead. Having retreated to the garage...yes, that's right! Run out of my own home by electronics... I returned to help Lance in removing each and every battery from their inners. And, low and behold, they chirped again!!! Lance assured me it was their dying breath but I was doubtful. Thankfully he was right.
Anyways I learned that my units dated 2003 should last 10 years...hmmmm....then what's the problem....service guy's best guess was wiring in the network was faulty and there was no way to easily figure out which one was the problem. HA! I finally know the problem and I can fix this...you buggers are done for. No more networking with each other to chirp in unison. I'll replace you with plain, battery alarms that resound for legitimate reasons only like a real FIRE!I even indulged in two special alarms with lights for the hallways. So....I believe the rockin refuge is back to normal. We're armed, We're ready, and We're finally back to sleeping in peace. I'm hoping to, once again, forget all about my smoke detectors in the very near future.

Melinda's Garage Sale Treasure

2008-04-28T17:49:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know you are all thinking....what?! She is not an advertisement for a weight-loss product. Nor is she striving to put on a few pounds. However, she does happen to help people get back to dressing themselves and needed a pair of pants to go over her own as a practice device at work.

Congratulations Pete and Wendy!

2008-04-28T17:34:00.000-07:00

The Inside Scoop

2008-04-18T18:34:00.000-07:00

So I haven't been one for leisure reading since grad school (I'm sure you fellow grad schoolers can gues why) but finally picked up a book I got at a garage sale last year (go figure). My 10 cent bargain turned out to be a good find. Titled "The Insider," it's a Christian fiction book written by a former White House staffer discussing the innerworkings of Washington. Filled with some twists and turns it wasn't the best I've ever read, but I liked it enough to throw it in my work bag everyday to grab a page when I could. Anyways...if anyone is wanting an entertaining leisure read for these beautiful sunny days, you are more than welcome to borrow it and enjoy! Happy reading....

Graduation Polling

2008-04-18T18:11:00.001-07:00

"Earthquakin' like a wake up bomb"

2008-04-18T11:55:00.000-07:00

For those of you that doubt, Tobymac really does have a line for almost any occasion. Including the above quote which more than adequately conveys the early morning wake up call by motion. Really who needs a radio alarm clock with your bed shaking? I personally thought at first it was an earthquake as I shot up out of bed but then told myself, "You need to settle down and stop working on so many crisis cases. It makes you assume the worst." My next thought was, "Oh dear, perhaps someone has broken into my house and is shaking the bed." Quickly followed by, "Is Lance playing some funny kindda joke by trying to shake me awake?" To which I looked around to see no one so I promptly assumed my fan under my bed, which I use to drown out early morning garbage truck sounds, was on the blitz and dying. I reached down to turn it down and it seemed to correlate with a lessening of the shaking so I attempted to return to a calm sleep. No such luck though. I heard the "ding" of a text message and thought, "Who in the world would text me at this hour?" Well be assured faithful blog reader, it was Eikenbizzle giving me the 411 on the 5.2 on the scale. "Hmmm," I thought to myself, " I really should stuck with assuming it was an earthquake." Promptly texting several others, I gathered several had not even heard it and others were shaken up just like me to where it was obvious something was going on. It really has been entertaining today to hear everyone's take on the earthquake and it's aftershocks. Funny side note, I called my mom to talk about the quakin' wakin' and she said she was going back to bed to sleep in late as it was Saturday. I said I was going to work b/c it was Friday. "Oh," she replied. "Is it really Friday? Thanks for telling me. I guess I'll get ready for work too." FYI...everybody...today was Friday. Hope you all made it to work. Tomorrow is Saturday. Enjoy sleeping in. I'll be garage saleing the town first thing.