busy busy

Here are some highlights of this past weekend:

On Saturday around lunch time, my friends Kaitlin & Jaime came to visit. We all needed lunch and Jaime wanted some new shoes to wear to the wedding that evening, so we hit up some stores and found her some shoes. They were cute and cheap from Target, but they didn’t have my size! I would’ve gotten some for sure. Anyway, later that evening, we (plus Brian) rode down to Alabaster for our other friend’s wedding (Renee). It was good! The reception was the best part; it was perfect! It was all very low-key in true Renee fashion. The music was fun, the food was good and arranged in a cool way, the punch was AWESOME, and the decorations were really pretty and simple. It was pretty much like a patio party with live music. Renee was beautiful and so laid back, and she and Jonathan were so cute dancing to the songs together and chit chatting with friends. Their first dance was Ray LaMontagne’s You Are the Best Thing (of course) – so cute! Anyway, we ended up staying until the very end when they left. Afterwards, we drove straight to Edgewood Creamery and ate ice cream outside on the sidewalk!

On Sunday, I had to teach Sunday School, which I think went okay, then Brian brought my friends to church. I really liked the sermon, and it weirdly went perfectly with my SS lesson. After church, we went to enjoy some delicious Mexican (or Peruvian, really, if there is a difference) food with the addition of Andy. Then, my friends had to go. After THAT, Brian and I drove to Dick’s Sporting Goods to buy a new kickball and some bases for our Sunday School kickball game! The game was fun; we had good times hanging out. We are all way too out of shape to run so much (small teams = lots of running), so we took a water break at one point and never went back! The score was tied at that point, so it all worked out.

That kickball game really drained us, but for some reason when we got home, we decided to work in the yard! I was seriously spent by then, but I must have lost my mind and decided to take Choxie for a walk. She was enjoying it so much and walking SO good (not pulling or running ahead), that I wanted to be nice and do what she really wanted, which is to run. Yeah. I ran all the way back home with her! I’m pretty surprised I can even walk today after all that, but nothing hurts that bad so far. I guess it’ll catch up with me by this evening and tomorrow.

After all that madness, we went to Brian’s parents’ house with some Zaxby’s and ate dinner with them.

So, we got a lot done and had fun with old friends, so the weekend was a success! I am really in the mood to start going to the lake now that it’s hot and we’ve had some busy weekends. I have a new wakeboard that I’ve never even used! I can’t wait.

GOOD THING: got lots done this weekend
BAD THING: Monday already!

thursday fun day!

Today is Thursday, which is usually pretty awesome, except the Pattons can’t do TV night! That’s ok, though, because I need to do some stuff around the house. This weekend, at least 2, maybe 3 people are staying with us because our friend Renee is getting married Saturday in Alabaster. I don’t know yet if they’re coming on Friday or waiting until Saturday, but they will be staying with us at least one night. I have to clean a little and get a few snacks and drinks. The good part is that 2 of them were here a few weeks ago, so I have already done the major cleaning/clearing out of space for them.

Yesterday, Jeanne and I took the office recycling downtown and swung by Starbucks on the way back! That is our newly-formed tradition. This time, Sheena was there! We totally surprised her while getting some delicious passion teas. Next time, I’m getting a giant one. Or, it may be time to try them with lemonade instead of water. They are SO good.

The best part is that they’re under $2, so I don’t feel bad for getting one every few weeks.

This week is awesome! My workplace really does a sweet job of celebrating Administrative Professionals Day. We turn it into a whole week! So far, I’ve gotten 2 cards, 2 free lunches, flowers, a cute plant in a coffee mug to also celebrate Earth Day (thanks, Dave!), a cookie, some candy, a candle, some Post-It’s, a fingernail file, and a paperweight. We are also going to The Club for lunch next Wednesday. That usually happens on the actually holiday (or whatever that day is considered), but some people were out of town, so we moved it to next week.

Tuesday was fun because we rode to Tuscaloosa with the Pattons mostly to help Sheena have fun and feel better about her stupid paper. But, since we were there, we went to Mugshots for some dinner, and it was good, of course! There’s no way I can eat a whole burger there without throwing up, but it sure is good until I get to that point. I didn’t remember this from the last time they took us, but those fries are awesome! Next time I go, I might get pasta or the salad that Sheena gets.

Oh – while we were at the library on campus (U of A), we got to people watch, and it was interesting. Everyone seemed the same in some weird way, and we got to witness about every college student stereotype walk through the doors. It was pretty funny to me because I didn’t go to a huge college, and the atmosphere was just totally different where Brian and I went. I also felt a little old sitting there watching these students, but it was a good feeling to know I wasn’t there studying or researching! Booyah! Been there, done that, kids!

Also on Tuesday, Sheena picked me up my new Manchester Orchestra CD! I thought I was going to have to wait on it. It’s super awesome.

So far, there’s only one song that I kind of don’t like, but there are some really awesome ones, too. I can’t decide what my favorite one is, but at the moment, it’s probably Pride or The Only One. I’m leaning towards Pride because of the sweet guitar stuff.

Choxie finally jumped completely onto the bed in the guest bedroom for the first time this morning. She learns all her bad new tricks in the mornings while I’m getting ready for work! It was honestly really funny to see her standing up on the bed wagging her tail so hard because she was excited to be up there.

NOTE: I just called Brian to tell him about the dog, and he was like ohhh I think I might have caused that. He said he grabbed her away from a pair of my pants this morning, and to remove her from them, he said he sat her up on the bed for like 2 seconds max before grabbing her back off there, so she must have realized it was fun up there in those 2 seconds. 

Jeanne and I spied on the little kids playing on the playground this morning for a few minutes, and it was so funny. There’s one little girl out there that was chasing several boys around. When she got to them, she would either stand there and hug them, get right up in their face (like touching close) and smile really big, or kiss their face. Watch out! We also watched Jeanne’s little boy, Baker, try to walk up the slide several times to no avail. All these kids are like 1.5 or 2 years old, so they’re all wobbly and stuff. It’s pretty funny. David’s little girl Madelyn spotted us up in the window! She started pointing to us, so we waved at her, but she wouldn’t wave back. Then, Tim’s little girl, Elizabeth, spotted us and pointed, too. Their teacher was trying to get them to wave back at us, but they all just stood there and waved at her instead haha.

You know what is annoying? I think it’s really annoying when people talk to themselves all the time or hum – especially when they do it near me at work when I’m trying to concentrate.

GOOD THING: tomorrow is Friday!
BAD THING: I keep procrastinating and not writing an article I’m supposed to do.

grossest boobs ever

Don’t worry, they’re clothed. They’re just super weird. See for yourself:

http://www.bsideblog.com/2009/04/regarding-kelly-bensimons-magn.php

 

GOOD THING: got flowers and a card at work today and free lunch tomorrow!
BAD THING: I’m too lazy to do things I want to do around the house!

addition

It has been brought to my attention that I left a few things off my previous posts’ list of birthday gifts. After that correction, I realized I’d left off more than that! SOOooooooooooo, here is an update!

For my birthday, I also got 2 super sweet awesome throw pillows for the couch(es). I knew I liked them when I first opened the gift, but after I got home and put them where I wanted them, I realized they’re perfect as they can be! Also, I got some yumz Choxie chocolate truffle squares! On top of that, Brian brought home flowers for me, and I got 3 sweet and funny cards at work! Hopefully, that is everything, but who knows? Surely not me, apparently.

Last night was TV night, and it was awesome as always – maybe even awesomer.

Sunday is the Taste of Trinity fundraiser! I hope I get some good food!

I have to find out what this itchy stuff on my arms is, so I’m going to go ask some co-workers now. Fun, right?

GOOD THING: Friday!
BAD THING: weird itchy spots all over the insides of my arms

metro methodism

Today, I will be enjoying another installment of Metro Methodism! I hope it’s awesome. I’ll update about it later probably. After that will be TV night with the Pattons at our house! Thursdays are awesome in general, but this one will be super sweet.

Pandora has been really awesome for me. I listen to it at work, and I already have a huge list of bands/singers that I want to check out further. Most of them are people I haven’t heard of before! Score.

Also, I found out about this website recently: www.zennioptical.com. It’s a really cheap place to get prescription glasses and sunglasses – starting at $8! The most expensive I’ve noticed was around $30, I think. I am too picky with frames to order glasses from them (meaning most frames are super unflattering on me – my face just isn’t that compatable with most frames, unfortunately). I am, however, considering ordering some prescription sunglasses since hardly anyone would even see them on me, and I wouldn’t use them very often. It’s mostly just when I’m driving on days I wear my glasses = hardly ever. Anyway, if you need some glasses or even just a backup pair, check out the site!

Oh! My birthday was Monday! I got some new clothes, a new lunch bag, a new Bible, and new storage bench/ottoman kind of like this and some money! It was awesome. I also went to Moe’s BBQ to celebrate!

It’s past time to eat lunch. I’ll write more later!

GOOD THING: leaving work in about an hour
BAD THING: missing the first part of TV night

birthday

Today is my birthday! It’s been good so far. I had an awesome lunch and laughed with good work friends! I only have 3 more hours of work left. Oh! I just found out someone is buying my lunch for me since it’s my birthday! YAY!

This weekend was awesome! We went shopping, to the lake with Choxie, hung with the Pattons & JT, and celebrated Easter!

The lake was fun. I actually got to sleep until 10:30 Saturday morning, and I haven’t done that since sometime in February!

I got some cute new clothes for my birthday. Toot! I’m trying to figure out what else I would like to have with more birthday money, but it’s hard to think of stuff.

Sheena got a job! And she got to eat lots of candy this weekend! Easter miracles abound.

GOOD THING: new clothes!
BAD THING: the weather!

sorry in advance

…for writing about Choxie again. I promise I’ll mention more than her. BUT…First of all, I would like to say that I am proud of our puppy! She lost her first tiny baby tooth today!!! It’s been super loose for a few days, but it finally snapped out this afternoon. Also, I feel like she is pretty smart because she knows so many tricks already! She learns every one I try in like a day. We went a couple of weeks without teaching anything new, but she does have a few tricks up her sleeves. She can: sit, lay, stay, shake, get in her crate, go to her bed, roll over, wait/take it, and we just started tonight on teaching her to take a bow! Her roll over trick is so cute. She does it just to try and score a treat without us telling her to! I laughed so hard I almost cried last night because it was the first time it really clicked in her head, and she kept doing it as fast as she could over and over for a treat!

On the other hand, she’s farted on me lots today, and that is not impressive. Or maybe it is.

I had Circle tonight, and it was great! I won’t go into much detail, but we had 3 guest speakers telling us about the Kairos Prison Ministry International. It was really, really informative and inspiring. I really think I’m going to add Kairos to my mental list of programs/ministries to make a point to work with.  I just said ‘really’ a lot. Sorry.

This weekend is Easter! We will fortunately get to spend it here in the ‘Ham. I love being with my family on holidays, but honestly, there aren’t many holidays important enough to me to care if I’m there or not. Basically, Christmas is it, and Thanksgiving makes it on that list sometimes…just depends on how homesick I am and how much I want that super yumz food because I don’t get it here in town if I stay for  Thanksgiving. Anyway….we’ll be in town, and so will Brian’s sister! My birthday is the day after Easter, so those two combined must be enough to get her to drive over here.

Also, we bought tickets today to see Manchester Orchestra! Totes toots.

That is all for now. I would rather go to bed that keep dreaming up stuff to blab to you about! Maybe if you would comment on my page, I’d blog more! hint hint

GOOD THING: met some awesome ladies tonight
BAD THING: lunch this week has been sucky so far compared to what I’d hoped. I might actually take my lunch tomorrow.

juice it up

Remember when I told you about how Tropicana is doing this thing where you can enter in a code off each product and save some rainforest?

Well, I obviously find it hard to remember to do that, but I finally entered 2 codes today. Guess what else? I won a $25 gift card to REI! I thought it was a joke or just telling me that I was eligible/entered in a drawing for one just because I entered a code, but when I entered my second code, it posted a different message. It said something about being sorry I didn’t win this time, but that it is possible to win gifts, and if you win, redeem it then, or your prize is forfeited. Then, it reminded me that I’d won a gift card! All I had to do was give them my address and phone number, and they’re mailing it to me! That is awesome.

Brian and I went to Georgia to visit my parents this weekend, and it was great! The top leaf (no idea what this map is fo) is where my parents live.

It had been 4 months since we’d been, which is terribly too long. We’ve never went more than 2 months before, and that is not usual, either. I try to go around every 6 weeks (roughly, I don’t schedule it). We’ve had issues with different ones of us being sick and having to be home for different things like teaching Sunday School and other things, so it just didn’t work out this time. I will not let it get that bad again! We took the puppy, and she was great! My parents loved her! She had tons of fun playing and exploring there. She killed her first giant stuffed bear, snooped around where we had to remove a dead and destroyed deer from my parents’ ditch, became territorial in their yard and and ran off several really large dogs, started jumping off really high things, and learned to roll over. Awesome weekend!

On the way, we saw a midget biker leaning up against his Harley at the gas station! He was decked out in biker gear and looked too cool for school. I can’t decide if that image was my favorite or if it was when he got in the back of his friend’s trike before riding off.

Julie just brought me a brownie! It tasted like the ones Brian makes! Yum.

Today (and every day this week), I get to go to the Holy Week service and lunch afterwards downstairs! Holy Week is awesome.

My birthday is one week from today!!! I still get excited about my birthday.

Time for work!

GOOD THING: This week should go by quickly!
BAD THING: cold and rainy stinks

awesome dog

Check this story out:

Dog overboard found four months later

SYDNEY (AFP) – A pet dog that fell overboard in rough seas off Australia has been reunited with its owners after surviving alone on an island for four months, reports said.

Sophie Tucker, apparently named after a late US entertainer, fell overboard as Jan Griffith and her family sailed through choppy waters off the northeast Queensland coast in November.

The dog was believed to have drowned and Griffith said the family was devastated.

But out of sight of the family, Sophie Tucker was swimming doggedly and finally made it to St Bees Island, five nautical miles away, and began the sort of life popularised by the TV reality show “Survivor.”

She was returned to her family last week when Griffith contacted rangers who had captured a dog that had been living off feral goats on the largely uninhabited island, in the faint hope it might be their long-lost pet.

When the Griffiths met the rangers’ boat bringing the dog to the mainland they found that it was indeed Sophie Tucker on board.

“We called the dog and she started whimpering and banging the cage and they let her out and she just about flattened us,” Griffith told the national AAP news agency.

“She wriggled around like a mad thing.”

Griffith said that when the dog was first spotted on the island she had been in poor condition.

“And then all of a sudden she started to look good and it was when the rangers had found baby goat carcasses so she’d started eating baby goats,” she said.

Sophie Tucker, a member of the Australian cattle dog breed, had been quick to readjust to the comforts of home, complete with airconditioning, Griffiths said.

“She surprised us all. She was a house dog and look what she’s done, she’s swum over five nautical miles, she’s managed to live off the land all on her own,” Griffiths said.

“We wish she could talk, we truly do.”