We're Engaged!

Our wedding will be Saturday, July 7th, 2007 ~ Save the Date!

A Heads-Up for Women (and Men)...

I received this email as a forward from my grandma. I thought it was worthwhile to share with you all...

This email message is extremely important information and it should beshared with everyone that you know. Know what amount of money you arecarrying. You will see why as you read.

I live in Alexandria, VA, but I often work in Lafayette, LA, staying withfriends when I'm there. As you know from America's Most Wanted TV program,as well as the news media, there is a serial killer in the Lafayette area. I just want to let you know about an "incident" that happened to me a fewweeks ago, and could have been deadly.

At first I didn't go to the police or anyone with it because I didn'trealize how serious this encounter was. But since I work in a jail and Itold a few people about it, it wasn't long before I was paraded intoInternal Affairs to tell them my story.

It was approximately 5:15 a.m. in Opelousas, LA. I had stayed with a friendthere and was on my way to work. I stopped at the Exxon/Blimpie Pie stationto get gas. I got $10 gas and a Diet Coke. I took into the store two $5bills and one $1 bill (just enough to get my stuff).

As I pulled away fromthe store, a man approached my truck from the back side of the store (anunlit area). He was an "approachable-looking" man (clean cut, clean shaven,dressed well, etc.). He walked up to my window and knocked. Since I'm veryparanoid and "always looking for the rapist or killer," I didn't open thewindow. I just asked what he wanted.

He raised a $5 bill to my window andsaid, "You dropped this." Since I knew I had gone into the store with acertain amount of money, I knew I didn't drop it. When I told him it wasn'tmine, he began hitting the window and door, screaming at me to open my door,and insisting that I had dropped the money!

At that point, I just drove away as fast as I could. After talking to theInternal Affairs Department and describing the man I saw, and the way heescalated from calm and polite to angry and volatile....it was determined that I could have possibly encountered the serial killer myself.

Up to this point, it had been unclear as to how he had gained access to hisvictims, since there has been no evidence of forced entry into victim'shomes, cars, etc. And the fact that he has been attacking in the daytime,when women are less likely to have their guard up, means he is pretty BOLD.

So think about it...what gesture is nicer than returning money to someonethat dropped it? How many times would you have opened your window (or door)to get your money and say thank you . because if the person is kind enoughto return something to you, then he can't really be a threat . can he?Please be cautious! This might not have been the serial killer ... butanyone that gets that angry over someone not accepting money from themcan't have honorable intentions. The most important thing to note is thathis reaction was NOT WHAT I EXPECTED! A total surprise! But what mighthave happened if I had opened my door? I shudder to think!

Forward this to everyone you know...maybe they can be as fortunate as I was!

P.S. Ladies, really DO forward this to EVERYONE you know Even if this manwasn't a serial killer, he looked nice, he seemed polite, he was apparentlydoing an act of kindness, but HE WAS NOT A NICE PERSON! Men, send it to all the women in your life. What you do today is importantbecause you are exchanging a day of your life for it. Make it a good one!Please forward to anyone you think might benefit from this story.

Dee

A group of engineers conducted a simple experiment regarding the differences between men and women - they sent a a woman and a man seperately on a simple mission - go to the GAP and buy a pair of jeans. Look what happened...

First Day on the New Job...

Well, I made it! :) I got up at 4:15AM, left Florence by 5:20AM, and arrived safe and sound (and totally freaked out - it was raining and DARK!) at Directv by 6:15AM for my first day of training for my new job. It's now just after 1PM and I am very tired with two hours to go yet, but I'm enjoying myself and am confident that I can do this job and do it exceptionally well. Yeah!!! :)

I have no idea if we're allowed to take pictures of the common areas of the building or not (cameras of any kind are prohibited on the floor because of the data visible there), but if I can get them I will post some pictures in a couple weeks. This is an AWESOME building! I really like it here!

Okay, gotta run back to class before the break's over. Catchya all laters! ;)

Tweet Wisdom

Laugh for the Day...

A passenger in a taxi leaned over to ask the driver a question and tapped him on the shoulder. The driver screamed, lost control of the cab, nearly hit a bus, drove up over the curb, and stopped just inches from a large plate glass window.

For a few moments everything was silent in the cab, and then the still shaking driver said, "I'm sorry, but you scared the daylights out of me." The frightened passenger apologized to the driver and said he didn't realize a mere tap on the shoulder could frighten him so much.

The driver replied, "No, no, I'm sorry, it's entirely my fault. Today is my first day driving a cab. I've been driving a hearse for the last 25 years."

New Posts on My Other Blogs...

Please note that there are three new posts in my Prayer Blog, and one new post on my poetry blog, Dance of Memories. Here are the links...

Prayer Blog
http://gloriousdreams-prayer.blogspot.com/

Dance of Memories
http://danceofmemories.blogspot.com/

These links are also located to the right of the screen in my Links section...

My Room at Aunt Debbie's House...

For the very first time (and the last, I'm sure) I have my VERY OWN room! And look at the bookshelves - they are built into the wall, and go all the way up to the ceiling!


I finally have somewhere to display my panda obsession - I mean, collection...


And, of course, my music center... I'm going to get a poster of guitar chords to go above my keyboard.

And - go figure - now that I am not in school I have a desk and a laptop computer and tons of space!

My Lord of the Rings shrine's last stand... this will come down for the last time when Nick and I get married - he's not a big fan (crazy man!) Lol! :)

I have a feeling my dolls and stuffed animals are seeing their last sunlight, too. ;)

I'm going to keep the pandas displayed, however - Nick, I love you dearly, but the pandas will stay! :)

Sylvester, the female striped tabby with the required black paint (cudos, Cheri), and a tribute to two of my closest friends in the whole world, Cheri and Selissa... I love you guys!

My grampa Lyman passed away this summer, so I have a dried rose from his funeral, and one of his cowboy neckties that he used to wear all the time. And... there's my family, ferrets and all! :)

My grandmother gave Nick her wedding ring to give to me. The diamond belonged to my great-grandmother.

Jason, Kim, and Asher

Nick and Alena

Engaged
Saturday, October 14th, 2006

I'm ENGAGED!!!

Last night, Saturday, October 14th, 2006, Nick asked me to marry him! :) I cannot express how happy I am - you will have to use your imaginations. ;) I can only say that I am the most blessed woman on earth, and that I pray that God enables me to be as good of a wife as Nick will make a wonderful husband!

We have not yet set a date for our wedding, but we hope to do that this week. I will posting that as soon as I know, so keep a watch! ;)

I will also be posting some pictures soon...

X-treme Mouse Games

Ferret Collage

My family's ferret collection, courtesy of Jessica's artistic genuis ;)

PPP Puppet Team Kickoff Party - AAARRGHHH!!!

Nick was "Legless Harley Jones" at the PPP Puppet Team's kick-off pirate party. Asher was "Pirate Bud, the Ochre."

Asher was a very good sport :)

Brett found a website where you enter your name and the site generates a pirate name for you - we ended up with some really odd names!

"Cannon-Balls Bruno" (Jason) and his son, "Pirate Bud, the Ochre" (Asher).

And me - "Cap'n Avalon Greasepalms."

Our party consisted of pirate naming, singing of pirate songs, three contests centered around pirate vocabulary, drawing blindfolded, and the word "AAAARRGGGHHH!!!" We finished off the night by watching the movie "Muppet Treasure Island" by Jim Henson.

The Cost of Freedom...

(The following story was written by Lori Kimble, a 31 year old teacher and proud military wife. Mrs. Kimble, a California native, currently lives in Alabama.)

I was sitting alone in one of those loud, casual steak houses that you find all over the country. You know the type--a bucket of peanuts on every table, shells littering the floor, and a bunch of perky college kids racing around with longneck beers and sizzling platters.

Taking a sip of my iced tea, I studied the crowd over the rim of my glass. My gaze lingered on a group enjoying their meal. They wore no uniform to identify their branch of service, but they were definitely "military:" clean shaven, cropped haircut, and that "squared away" look that comes with pride.

Smiling sadly, I glanced across my table to the empty seat where my husband usually sat. It had only been a few months since we sat in this very booth, talking about his upcoming deployment to the Middle East. That was when he made me promise to get a sitter for the kids, come back to this restaurant once a month and treat myself to a nice steak. In turn he would treasure the thought of me being here, thinking about him until he returned home

I fingered the little flag pin I constantly wear and wondered where he was at this very moment. Was he safe and warm? Was his cold any better? Were my letters getting through to him? As I pondered these thoughts, high pitched female voices from the next booth broke into my thoughts.

"I don't know what Bush is thinking about. Invading Iraq. You'd think that man would learn from his old man's mistakes. Good lord. What an idiot! I can't believe he is even in office. You do know, he stole the election."

I cut into my steak and tried to ignore them, as they began an endless tirade running down our president. I thought about the last night I spent with my husband, as he prepared to deploy. He had just returned from getting his smallpox and anthrax shots. The image of him standing in our kitchen packing his gas mask still gives me chills.

Once again the women's voices invaded my thoughts. "It is all about oil, you know. Our soldiers will go in and rape and steal all the oil they can in the name of 'freedom'. Hmph! I wonder how many innocent people they'll kill without giving it a thought? It's pure greed, you know."

My chest tightened as I stared at my wedding ring. I could still see how handsome my husband looked in his "mess dress" the day he slipped it on my finger. I wondered what he was wearing now. Probably his desert uniform, affectionately dubbed "coffee stains" with a heavy bulletproof vest over it.

"You know, we should just leave Iraq alone. I don't think they are hiding any weapons. In fact, I bet it's all a big act just to increase the president's popularity. That's all it is, padding the military budget at the expense of our social security and education. And, you know what else? We're just asking for another 9-ll. I can't say when it happens again that we didn't deserve it."

Their words brought to mind the war protesters I had watched gathering outside our base Did no one appreciate the sacrifice of brave men and women, who leave their homes and family to ensure our freedom? Do they even know what "freedom" is? I glanced at the table where the young men were sitting, and saw their courageous faces change. They had stopped eating and looked at each other dejectedly, listening to the women talking.

"Well, I, for one, think it's just deplorable to invade Iraq, and I am certainly sick of our tax dollars going to train professional baby-killers we call a military."

Professional baby-killers? I thought about what a wonderful father my husband is, and of how long it would be before he would see our children again.

That's it! Indignation rose up inside me. Normally reserved, pride in my husband gave me a brassy boldness I never realized I had. Tonight one voice will answer on behalf of our military, and let her pride in our troops be known.

Sliding out of my booth, I walked around to the adjoining booth and placed my hands flat on their table. Lowering myself to eye level with them, smilingly said, "I couldn't help overhearing your conversation. You see, I'm sitting here trying to enjoy my dinner alone. And, do you know why? Because my husband, whom I love with all my heart, is halfway around the world defending your right to say rotten things about him"

"Yes, you have the right to your opinion, and what you think is none of my business. However, what you say in public is something else, and I will not sit by and listen to you ridicule MY country, MY president, MY husband, and all the other fine American men and women who put their lives on the line, just so you can have the "freedom" to complain. Freedom is an expensive commodity, ladies. Don't let your actions cheapen it."

I must have been louder that I meant to be, because the manager came over to inquire if everything was all right. "Yes, thank you," I replied. Then, turning back to the women, I said, "Enjoy the rest of your meal."

As I returned to my booth applause broke out. I was embarrassed for making a scene, and went back to my half eaten steak. The women picked up their check and scurried away.

After finishing my meal, and while waiting for my check, the manager returned with a huge apple cobbler ala mode. "Compliments of those soldiers," he said. He also smiled and said the ladies tried to pay for my dinner, but that another couple had beaten them to it. When I asked who, the manager said they had already left, but that the gentleman was a veteran, and wanted to take care of the wife of "one of our boys."

With a lump in my throat, I gratefully turned to the soldiers and thanked them for the cobbler. Grinning from ear to ear, they came over and surrounded the booth. "We just wanted to thank you, ma'am. You know we can't get into confrontations with civilians, so we appreciate what you did."

As I drove home, for the first time since my husband's deployment, I didn't feel quite so alone. My heart was filled with the warmth of the other diners who stopped by my table, to relate how they, too, were proud of my husband, and would keep him in their prayers. I knew their flags would fly a little higher the next day. Perhaps they would look for more tangible ways to show their pride in our country, and the military who protect her. And maybe, just maybe, the two women who were railing against our country, would pause for a minute to appreciate all the freedom America offers, and the price it pays to maintain its freedom.

As for me, I have learned that one voice CAN make a difference. Maybe the next time protesters gather outside the gates of the base where I live, I will proudly stand on the opposite side with a sign of my own. It will simply say, "Thank You!"

To those who fought for our Nation: Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know. GOD BLESS AMERICA! Please pray for God's protection of our troops and HIS wisdom for their commanders. Pass this on to as many as you think will respond.

"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior."

When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our ground, air and navy personnel in every area of the middle east. There is nothing attached.... This can be very powerful.... Just send this to all the people in your address book. Do not stop this prayer chain, please.... Of all the gifts you could give to anyone in the US Military, be it Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines or National Guard, Prayer is the very best one.....Amen!

~God Bless America~

NOTICE: New Email Address

Please note that I have changed my email address.

I will continue to check my old address for the next two weeks so that if any of you do not get an email from my new address, or if you lose it, you can still connect with me and get the correct contact information! :)

My OLD email address...

purkyskitten@hotmail.com

Please email me at this address right away if you wish to receive my new email address! If you have not previously emailed with me, or if I do not know you yet (who knows who reads these things! :P ), please tell me who you are and why you want my email address in the body of your email. Thank you!

I hope that I will hear from you soon! :) This blog will remain the same, don't worry ;)

"Tiger Babe" Tattoo ~ Designed by RJ

Blonde Joke...

A blonde enters a store that sells curtains. She tells the salesman, "I would like to buy a pair of pink curtains." The salesman assures her that they have a large selection of pink curtains. He shows her several patterns, but the blonde seems to have a hard time choosing. Finally she selects a lovely pink floral print. The salesman then asks what size curtains she needs. The blonde promptly replies, "Fifteen inches." "Fifteen inches?" asked the salesman. "That sounds very small - what room are they for?" The blonde tells him that they aren't for a room, but they are for her computer monitor. The surprised salesman replies, "But miss, computers do not need curtains!" The blonde says, "Hellllooooooooo! I've got Windoooooows!"

Poor Mousey! :(

This poor mouse... Aunt Debbie found him sitting next to our shoes by the front door. She thought he was dead, so she was going to pick him up with a napkin and toss him in the trash, but he moved his head - not dead after all! :( Poor thing...he ate some De-Con that she'd set out under the TV stand.

We picked him up in a shoe and dumped him outside where he died. :(

ATTENTION:

Please note that there is a new and important post on my Prayer Blog...

"A Sensitive and Complicated Issue..."

http://gloriousdreams-prayer.blogspot.com/

Photo Shoot...

My First Car!

Aunt Debbie and Uncle Larry agreed to let me use their extra car - an '81 Volvo - while I am living with them! :) Yeah!!!

Now I just have to insure it...

...get my driver's lisence...

...lisence the car...

...and then re-learn how to drive since I haven't done it since I was 17 years old!

Piece of cake ;)

A Graceful Moment in History...

So... I smashed my finger in a garbage can at work - you know, the big wooden ones with the swinging push flap? - and while I didn't break it, I crushed the muscle and tendon and a bunch of nerves. OUCH!!! :(

So anyway, this is actually the second splint that I've had on my dratted finger - the first one had to come off on Sunday because it was stuck to my finger and hurt like fury! :(

I was supposed to get it off yesterday, but instead I get it off on Thursday and wasn't allowed to work yesterday or today. EEK!!!

So my paychecks (last and this future one) are pretty small. Oh well, live and learn, eh? ;)

Apology...

Sorry about the very disgruntled tone of yesterday's post - I was having a bad day and foolishly decided to update while grumpy. I will clarify that post later this afternoon, when I get home from work. Hopefully, today will go better for me :)

Medical Humor :)

EMBARRASSING MEDICAL EXAMS

A man came into the ER and yelled, "My wife's going to have her baby in thecab!" I grabbed my stuff, rushed out to the cab, lifted the lady's dress, and began to take offher underwear. Suddenly I noticed that there were several cabs - and I was in the wrong one.
- Submitted by Dr. Mark MacDonald, San Antonio, TX.

At the beginning of my shift I placed a stethoscope on an elderly and slightlydeaf female patient's anterior chest wall. "Big breaths," I instructed. "Yes, they used tobe," replied the patient.
- Submitted by Dr. Richard Byrnes, Seattle, WA

One day I had to be the bearer of bad news when I told a wife that her husbandhad died of a massive myocardial infarct. Not more than five minutes later, I heard herreporting to the rest of the family that he had died of a "massive internal fart."
- Submitted by Dr. Susan Steinberg

During a patient's two week follow-up appointment with his cardiologist, heinformed me, his doctor, that he was having trouble with one of his medications. "Whichone?" I asked. "The patch, the nurse told me to put on a new one every six hours and now I'mrunning out of places to put it!" I had him quickly undress and discovered what I hoped I wouldn't see. Yes, the man had over fifty patches on his body! Now, the instructions include removalof the old patch before applying a new one.
- Submitted by Dr. Rebecca St. Clair, Norfolk, VA

While acquainting myself with a new elderly patient, I asked, "How long have youbeen bedridden?" After a look of complete confusion she answered, "Why, not forabout twenty years -- when my husband was alive."
- Submitted by Dr. Steven Swanson, Corvallis, OR

I was caring for a woman and asked, "So how's your breakfast this morning?" "It's very good, except for the Kentucky Jelly. I can't seem to get used to the taste" thepatient replied. I then asked to see the jelly and the woman produced a foil packetlabeled "KY Jelly."
- Submitted by Dr. Leonard Kransdorf, Detroit, MI

A nurse was on duty in the Emergency Room when a young woman with purple hairstyled into a punk rocker Mohawk, sporting a variety of tattoos, and wearing strangeclothing, entered. It was quickly determined that the patient had acute appendicitis, soshe was scheduled for immediate surgery. When she was completely disrobed on the operating table, the staffnoticed that her pubic hair had been dyed green, and above it there was a tattoo that read,"Keep off the grass." Once the surgery was completed, the surgeon wrote a short note on thepatient's dressing, which said, "Sorry, had to mow the lawn."
- Submitted by RN no name

AND FINALLY!!!................

As a new, young MD doing his residency in OB, I was quite embarrassed whenperforming female pelvic exams. To cover my embarrassment I had unconsciously formed ahabit of whistling softly. The middle-aged lady upon whom I was performing this examsuddenly burst out laughing thus further embarrassing me. I looked up from my work and sheepishly said, "I'm sorry. Was I tickling you?" She replied, "No doctor, but the song you were whistlingwas, "I wish I was an Oscar Meyer Wiener".

~ I know, some of these are a bit crass...but they are so funny! :P I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did.

Submitted to me via email by a friend

Bored Spitless :(

Well, here I am, pecking away at the keyboard, one-handed because of my stupid finger injury. I worked today - that was interesting. I managed, through the combination os slowed reflexes due to medication, and lowered coordination due to injury, to dump boiling beef and broth on my arm while trying to make a sandwhich. Ouch :( Thankfully, it wasn't a bad burn, but it did hurt. Drat.

I am extremely bored.

I don't have anything interesting to share with you, whoever my readers are, if I have any. I have my first appointment with the attorney to start putting together the case on Monday afternoon. Nick's working, so I'll be going alone.

Anyway, I have no pictures to post abd I'm in a pretty obnoxious mood today (probably due to the fact that I keep getting hurt over and over again) so I guess I will sign off now before I drag any of you into the depths of bordom and grouchiness with me ( or scare you off of my blog).

WOW!!! A Record!

well, all, i smashed my finger in a trash can today! the reason this qualifies as a record is because this is my first injury in over a year and a half! yippy! now if it would just stop hurting... :(

it's not broken, but the muscle and tendon are crushed so its going to take a while to heal. please pray i can do my job without too much discomfort. its in a splint for the next week.

Note:

Please note that there are new posts in my Prayer Blog (link located to the right in the links section of this blog). Thank you! :)

More Tigers...

A Zits Moment...

Just a Quick Update...

I just finished my first week of work at my new job at the local Subway restaurant. This has got to be one of the easiest jobs I have ever had in my life - to the extent that most of the time I feel like I'm being paid to stand around and work slowly. But that's okay because I have done nothing but hurry these last few years and now I am being forced to slow down and relax. I'm discovering that relaxing is not as easy as it sounds, and I hope that the strain of doing nothing eases because right now it's almost more stressful to not have much to do than it was to have too much to do! It's funny in an odd and mostly irritating way... ;)

Anywho, I don't really have much to say today, but I figured I ought to say something rather than simply continuing to post weird stuff I find lying around my inbox (see last post). Now that I have a job I'm planning to get my film from the last year developed so I'll be able to post some pictures after this next paycheck - yeah! :) Hopefully you will find them interesting!

Oh - one more thing: my aunt and uncle are going to allow me the use of their yellow Volvo while I live with them, since I can't afford to buy a car. I'm hoping that out of my next paycheck I can afford to lisence it and get my permit, then the next paycheck I should be able to insure it so I can start driving. Yeah!! :)

"Who Brought the Cat??"

Isn't this funny??

Asher again....

Another New Blog...

I decided to create a new blog devoted solely to my poetry and song lyrics. I hope you will follow the link found below and to the right in the links section of this blog and check it out! :) And don't forget to leave your comments! ;)

I got a job!

Check out my Prayer Requests blog (link located on sidepanel) to read about my new, much prayed for, job! Those of you who live near me, you'll have to come by sometime and say hi! :)

LEAVING THINGS IN GODS HANDS ~ By Emmet Fox

Make Your Life Worthwhile

People sometimes speakof leaving a problem in God's hands. Of course this is an excellent thing to do, and especially where it seems that there is nothing else that can be done about it.

You should be careful, however, that you know the true meaning of this phrase. To leave a thing in God's hands does not mean simply to hand it over to God, and then forget all about it; o, what is worse, to permit ourselves to think negatively about it from time to time.

It means that every time the subject comes to mind you must affirm that God is solving the problem in His own good way, and that all will be well. If you follow this policy the demonstration will come sooner or later.

The way to treat a bulb is to put it in the ground ina suitable place, where it will hav the right kind of soil and enough moisture, and, later on when it is ready, plenty of sunshine too. That is working in harmony with the laws of nature.

To throw it into a drawer and forget about it is a different thing altogether. That is not leaving it to nature, but the contrary. The first policy is creative, the other is not.

So it is with your problems. Leaving them in God's hands is a living, creative spiritual activity.

"Be still, and know that I am God." *

*Psalm 46:10.

Different way of looking at it ey?

New Blog...

Check out my new prayer blog! Newly created, I hope to turn this blog into an oppertunity for ministry and support. I've included the link below, but it is also located on the right in the side bar under the "Links" section...

http://www.gloriousdreams-prayer.blogspot.com/

I hope to hear your opinions on this new site! God bless you and keep you all...

Job Hunting...

I applied at the local Subway resteraunt last week and hope to hear from them tomorrow (the manager said that's when they'd be calling the applicants). It'd be the ideal job for me right now - Monday through Friday, 10AM to 4PM, and only just under 2 miles from my house! I could ride my bike, walk, and in extreme weather, Aunt Debbie says they wouldn't mind helping me out since it's so close.

I'm really praying that I get this job!

Wisdom from Ozzy...

"Are You Ever Troubled?"

by

Oswald Chambers

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you..." (John 14:27).

There are times in our lives when our peace is based simply on our own ignorance. But when we are awakened to the realities of life, true inner peace is impossible unless it is received from Jesus. When our Lord speaks peace, He creates peace, because the words that He speaks are always "spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63). Have I ever received what Jesus speaks? "...My peace I give to you..." - a peace that comes from looking into His face and fully understanding and receiving His quiet contentment.

Are you severely troubled right now? Are you afraid and confused by the waves and the turbulence God sovereignly allows to enter your life? Have you left no stone of your faith unturned, yet still not found any well of peace, joy, or comfort? Does your life seem completely barren to you? Then look up and receive the quiet contentment of the Lord Jesus. Reflecting His peace is proof that you are right with God, because you are exhibiting the freedom to turn your mind to Him. If you are not right with God, you can never turn your mind anywhere but on yourself. Allowing anything to hide the face of Jesus Christ from you either causes you to become troubled or gives you a false sense of security.

With regard to the problem that is pressing in on you right now, are you "looking unto Jesus" (Hebrews 12:2) and receiving peace from Him? If so, He will be a gracious blessing of peace exhibited in and through you. But if you only try to worry your way out of the problem, you destroy His effectiveness in you, and you deserve whatever you get. We become troubled because we have not been taking Him into account. When a person confers with Jesus Christ, the confusion stops, because there is no confusion in Him. Lay everything out before Him, and when you are faced with difficulty, bereavemetn, and sorrow, listen to Him say, "Let not your heart be troubled..." (John 14:27).

Holding "Baby"

I finally got to hold baby Asher!

Aunt Debbie and I stopped at Kim and Jason's the other day to drop something off, and I got to hold my newest cousin. :) I was so happy! I got to hold a very upset Asher last Saturday at one of Aunt Debbie's Creative Memories crops - Kim was trying to pack up her stuff and baby wanted food! I was proud of myself - I stayed perfectly calm with a crying baby in my arms. I know, kind of silly to be proud of that, but you don't understand - crying used to stress me out, so being calm was a real victory for me! Lol :) Laugh all you want, I was proud of myself.

Back in Montana

I arrived in Missoula on Wednesday after a 20 1/2 hour bus ride - Oy! The trip was loooooooooong, but uneventful and I actually arrived a few minutes early :) Nick met me at the bus with the most beautiful bouquet of red roses (14 of them!) and then drove me over to Aunt Debbie's house.

I forgot to take the picture before

hanging them to dry...

...so I ended up with Rose Bats :)

Aunt Debbie and Nick and I had lunch with Grama on Thursday at Applebee's. Grama was in a good mood and seemed to be handling things very well (see below). I had this weird spicy chicken wrap for lunch - it was good, but very messy and very spicy!

Grampa Carpenter's funeral was on Friday. I'll be posting about that later with a couple pictures.

On Saturday Aunt Debbie had a crop at the church and I got about five pages done - the last few weeks in Montana before I moved out to OR, as well as the car trip there. I also managed to get all my photos and other scrapping stuff organized, so now I just have to get them into my book! Actually, I need to get pages to put into the album that I still have to get. Oh, and I'll need stickers soon, and photo tape. And I need to buy the album Aunt Debbie has on hold for me, as well as pages (etc) for it. *Sigh* I just need to get a job and be patient until I can afford all this stuff! :(

I hope to start working for Kensington around the 1st of September. I'm calling them in the morning.

Gypsy?

Isn't this gorgeous?? I really like it :) Aunt Debbie suggested that I dress as a gypsy for the Harvest Banquet at the church... I doubt I'll be able to do anything elaborate, but I like the gypsy idea. Maybe I'll do that next year so I can come up with a costume :)

I like this one as well - the long velvet thing is called a Ghawazzee Coat and it goes over the traditional gypsy/belly dancer outfit.

Maybe I'll make my costume! :) That would be fun...

My plans have finally taken on some reality: I get on a Greyhound bus in Eugene on Tuesday afternoon and arrive in Missoula the next day at noon. I'm heading out there a couple weeks early, but things worked out and I'm glad that I'm finally going!

I'm going to miss the family, and I'm hoping that I'll be able to visit at least yearly. I'm doing "girl's nights" with my sisters this weekend (Hannah's turn tonight), and Mom and I have been spending time together as we have been able; I helped her scour the new house Monday and Tuesday, though that wasn't exactly fun "mother daughter" time. At least I got to be useful and I did have Mom all to myself for hours on end - very nice! :)

I can't start working in Montana until Kelli moves out here on the 2nd, so the next couple weeks are going to be enforced vaction. That's alright though - I'll hang out with Cheri and Manda and of course Nick. :) He starts classes on the 28th, though, and will be really busy with work and school. It's fine though because I'll see him regularly and that's what matters. :)

It may be a while before I post here again; I'm going to be busy finishing getting ready to move, then I'm sure I'll be running all over, despite my lack of finances. I'll post once I'm safely out at my aunts. ;)

My Avatar

"I Want to Spend My Lifetime Loving You" by Marc Anthony

Moon so bright, night so fine
Keep your heart here with mine
Life’s a dream we are dreaming

Race the moon, catch the wind
Ride the night to the end
Seize the day, stand up for the light

I want to spend my lifetime loving you
If that is all in life I ever do

Heroes rise, heroes fall
Rise again, win it all
In your heart, can’t you feel the glory?

Through our joy, through our pain
We can move worlds again
Take my hand, dance the dance with me

I want to spend my lifetime loving you
If that is all in life I ever do
I will want nothing else to see me through
If I can spend my lifetime loving you

Though we know we will never come again
Where there is love, life begins
Over and over again

Save the night, save the day
Save the love, come what may
Love is worth everything we pay

I want to spend my lifetime loving you
If that is all in life I ever do
I will want nothing else to see me through
If I can spend my lifetime loving you


~ For Nick

"October" by Evanescence

I can't run anymore,
I fall before you,
Here I am,
I have nothing left,
Though I've tried to forget,
You're all that I am,
Take me home,
I'm through fighting it,
Broken,
Lifeless,
I give up,
You're my only strength,
Without you,
I can't go on,
Anymore,
Ever again.

My only hope,
(All the times I've tried)
My only peace,
(To walk away from you)
My only joy,
My only strength,
(I fall into your abounding grace)
My only power,
My only life,
(And love is where I am)
My only love.

I can't run anymore,
I give myself to you,
I'm sorry,
I'm sorry,
In all my bitterness,
I ignored,
All that's real and true,
All I need is you,
When night falls on me,
I'll not close my eyes,
I'm too alive,
And you're too strong,
I can't lie anymore,
I fall down before you,
I'm sorry,
I'm sorry.

My only hope,
(All the times I've tried)
My only peace,
(To walk away from you)
My only joy,
My only strength,
(I fall into your abounding grace)
My only power,
My only life,
(And love is where I am)
My only love.

Constantly ignoring,
The pain consuming me,
But this time it's cut too deep,
I'll never stray again.

My only hope,
(All the times I've tried)
My only peace,
(To walk away from you)
My only joy,
My only strength,
(I fall into your abounding grace)
My only power,
My only life,
(And love is where I am)
My only love,
My only hope,
(All the times I've tried)
My only peace,
(To walk away from you)
My only joy,
My only strength,
(I fall into your abounding grace)
My only power,
My only life,
(And love is where I am)
My only love.

Hiring?

The Resume of Jesus Christ

Address: Ephesians 1:20
Phone: Romans 10:13
Website: The Bible. Keywords: Christ, Lord, Savior and Jesus
______________________________________________________

Objective

My name is Jesus -The Christ. Many call me Lord! I've sent you my resume because I'm seeking the top management position in your heart. Please consider my accomplishments as set forth in my resume.
______________________________________________________

Qualifications

• I founded the earth and established the heavens, (See Proverbs 3:19)
• I formed man from the dust of the ground, (See Genesis 2:7)
• I breathed into man the breath of life, (See Genesis 2:7)
• I redeemed man from the curse of the law, (See Galatians 3:13)
• The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant comes upon your life through me, (See Galatians 3:14)


Occupational Background

• I've only had one employer, (See Luke 2:49).
• I've never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful or disrespectful.
• My employer has nothing but rave reviews for me, (See Matthew 3:15-17)

Skills Work Experiences

• Some of my skills and work experiences include: empowering the poor to be poor no more, healing the brokenhearted, setting the captives free, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at liberty them that are bruised, (See Luke 4:18).
• I am a Wonderful Counselor, (See Isaiah 9:6). People who listen to me shall dwell safely and shall not fear evil, (See Proverbs 1:33).
• Most importantly, I have the authority, ability and power to cleanse you of your sins, (See I John 1:7-9)

Educational Background

• I encompass the entire breadth and length of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, (See Proverbs 2:6).
• In me are hid all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, (See Colossians 2:3).
• My Word is so powerful; it has been described as being a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path, (See Psalms 119:105).
• I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart, (See Psalms 44:21).

Major Accomplishments

• I was an active participant in the greatest Summit Meeting of all times, (See Genesis 1:26).
• I laid down my life so that you may live, (See II Corinthians 5:15).
• I defeated the archenemy of God and mankind and made a show of them openly, (See Colossians 2:15).
• I've miraculously fed the poor, healed the sick and raised the dead!
• There are many more major accomplishments, too many to mention here. You can read them on my website, which is located at: www dot - the BIBLE. You don't need an Internet connection or computer to access my website.

References

• Believers and followers worldwide will testify to my divine healing, salvation, deliverance, miracles, restoration and supernatural guidance

In Summation

Now that you've read my resume, I'm confident that I'm the only candidate uniquely qualified to fill this vital position in your heart. In summation, I will properly direct your paths, (See Proverbs 3:5-6), and lead you into everlasting life, (See John 6:47). When can I start? Time is of the essence, (See Hebrews 3:15).

RJ's Artwork

This is my brother RJ's representation of himself.
 


This is Zink. I am writing a little ditty on my Finale music program for his theme song.



A panther tatoo - he's designing me one with a tiger! :)



This one was a joint effort between RJ and Jessica