Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Happy New Year!!!!

I don't know about the rest of you, but I can't wait for 2009 to be here!  I'm looking forward to a new year, a fresh start, and lots of fun!!!

Steve has to work tonight, so Cookie and I are having a girl's night in.  Sex and the City DVDs, a BIG bag of popcorn, and a glass of champagne at midnight...

It doesn't get much better than that!


HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!!!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas to All...

... And to all a good night!!


I hope Santa is good to all of you this year!


Here's to a safe, healthy, and happy 2009!!!

Friday, December 19, 2008

My Quest for Amazing Bubbles...

Has finally.... FINALLY.... come to an end!

Over the past five or six years, I have become quite the bubble bath lover.  After a long, stressful day at work (like today), or the occasional day of feeling like pooh at home... A nice, hot bubble bath is just what the doctor ordered!

The problem?  Well... until now, my bubble baths weren't very.... um.... bubble-y.  I've tried all kinds of soaps, oils, foams,etc., and nothing has been able to produce those big, fluffy, movie star bubbles.  

Until now!!!

My mom told me last week that she had one of my Christmas gifts shipped directly to me here in Ohio.  She said that since it wasn't wrapped, I could just open the box and enjoy whatever was inside.  (I wish she followed this train of thought with all of my Christmas presents, but... no such luck!)  I had put the package in the back of my mind and forgotten all about it... until this evening. 

Today at work was hell.  Plain and simple.  I woke up to a ball of ice (a.k.a. My car), thanks to the freezing rain we got last night, that I somehow had to thaw out and drive to work.  For those of you who haven't been lucky enough to have any experience with freezing rain, let me give you a little insight.  It's like snot.  Thick, FROZEN snot.  It sticks to anything and everything, and it's a major pain in the butt to get off.    Once I actually got to work, I quickly discovered that it might have been a better idea to just let my car remain the ball of ice it was, and hide at home.  The flight count was high, the weather was horrible, and those two things combined make for a pretty stressful day in my line of work.

On my way home from work, all I could think about was eating dinner and going to bed.  That was it.  I didn't want to do ANYTHING!  Until... I saw the UPS slip stuck to my door.  I had a package... WOO HOO!!!

I got the package home, realized it was from my mom, and ripped it open.  Inside were a handful of fabulous LUSH bath products, including shower jelly, a shampoo bar, a bath bomb, and a few bubble bars.  I immediately knew that my plans for the evening would include one more hopeful attempt at a real, bubble-y, bubble bath.  

It was amazing!!

Those bubble bars smell divine, they make your skin feel so good, and they create top-notch bubbles!  For any of you bubble bath lovers out there... I highly recommend the bubble bars.  They are so YUMMY!!

Now... All I need is a bath tub with some jets.  Hmmmmm....???

Maybe Santa can pick one of those up on his way to my house next week!

Thanks for the surprise, Mom!  

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

In My Next Life...

I WANNA BE A ROCKETTE!!!

Last night, Steve and I met up with a couple of our friends to see The Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring The Rockettes.  It was awesome!!  These women are AMAZING!


My mom and I saw this show five or six years ago when they were in the valley, and loved it!  Last night was no different.  I felt like a little kid again!  I don't know if Steve enjoyed it quite as much as I did, but I still think he's glad he went.  After all... it's gorgeous women... with great legs... dancing around... What's not for him to like?!?!

At one point towards the end of the show, there's a nativity scene that includes live animals... cows, sheep, camels, etc.  Well, the last animal across the stage was this really cute little donkey.  Being the animal lover that I am, Steve instantly heard the pitiful "Awww..." that falls out of my mouth anytime we see something furry and cute... be it a dog, a Guinea Pig, a baby elephant... you name it.  He immediately turned to me and said, "No... You cannot have a donkey!  You already have one ass in your life... I really don't think you need another one!"  

Ahhh.... What a guy!

I've already made up my mind... I am going to try my best to catch this show every time it comes to town.  It just gets better and better!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Is It Just Me...???

Or does anyone else feel like the month of December is official "Run Around Like a Chicken With It's Head Cut Off" month?  I absolutely LOVE this time of year, but this month is so busy for me.  I'm starting to wonder how I'm going to get everything done! 

Work, Dr.'s appointments, volunteer work, Christmas parties, gift shopping/wrapping/packing/shipping... It seems like my "To Do" list just keeps getting longer and longer when it should be getting shorter and shorter.  And the days seem to be flying by faster and faster.

I'm trying to just take it one thing at a time and I keep telling myself that I still have plenty of time.  But deep down... my jealousy for this little Monster is growing...


What I wouldn't give to trade places with this little girl for a couple of days... What a life!!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

The Things I'm Thankful For...

Since Thanksgiving (and the busiest travel day of the year) is right around the corner, I thought I'd take a few minutes to jot down a few of the things I'm thankful for this year.  


Here they are in no particular order...

1 -  My Job:  I am beyond thankful to be gainfully employed... Especially in the industry in which I work.  In a time of economic instability and employment insecurity, I am so very lucky to have a stable job, with decent pay, in an industry that I love.  (I am going to have to keep reminding myself of this one as I work through this coming weekend.  Sunday is by far our toughest day of the year, and I gotta admit... I'm a little bit scared!)

2 -  My Health:  Even though I've been given a run for my money lately, I am always well aware that I am a VERY lucky girl when it comes to my health!

3 - My Friends and Family:  Where on this earth would I be without my friends and family?!  I have amazing friends, and a loving and supportive family.  There's not much more a girl can ask for in this department.

4 - My Stevie:  I've said it before and I'll say it again... I am SOOO lucky to have this guy in my life!  I've made a number of mistakes in my life, but he is one thing that I got absolutely, without a doubt, 100% right!

5 - My Monster:  She is my dog... She is my world.  What more can I say?  She ranks right up there with Steve in my book.  (Although she has quite a bit more hair, and doesn't usually smell quite as good as he does!)

6 - My Stuff:  This includes my apartment, my car, my bank account, etc.  My home may not be my dream home, and my wallet may not be as fat as I might like.  However, I have a roof over my head, a warm place to sleep, clean clothes to wear, and food on the table.  I've worked hard for the things I have and I will always, always be thankful for them.

7 - Days Off:  I absolutely treasure my days off work... especially this time of year.  Lately, I've been referring to my days off as "Martha Days".  This is simply because the past few weeks, I've been channeling my inner Martha Stewart.  I've been making Christmas gifts, Christmas cards, Thanksgiving goodies, dog treats (for Christmas), etc.  I love these days because I can stay in my pajamas all day, turn up the Christmas tunes, and let my creative juices flow.  

8 - Mac:  Without him, I wouldn't be in touch with all of you!!

What are you thankful for???


Tuesday, November 25, 2008

There's No Place Like Home...

Are you picturing a little black dog and ruby slippers yet??

Well... I have the little black dog already, but getting those ruby slippers has proven a bit tricky!

Our trip to Arizona was uneventful... and wonderful! Steve and I spent a lot of time hanging out with my parents, eating some fabulous home-cooked food (My mom is like Betty Crocker with a hill-billy twist), and catching up with a couple of long-time friends.

I had warned Steve time and time again about Round Valley being a small town, but I don't think my big city guy quite understood what I was talking about. The first day we were there, Steve and I took a drive to just do some looking around. We drove through South Fork and then took a tour through Greer. After our drive, I took Steve to Java Blues for lunch, and saw 5 or 6 people that I knew (i.e. Our waitress was Megan Hamblin). It seemed like every time the door opened, someone I knew from years ago would appear. I thought it was funny. I think Steve was a little bit scared.

We spent a couple of days doing some geocaching with my parents, and my dad also took Steve and I out trap shooting a few times. Most of the time it was freezing cold (thanks to that good 'ol Round Valley wind), but we still had a blast!

After four years, it was nice to be able to spend some time relaxing with my family and friends. It was good to sit and chat with my parents, fun to hang out with Dustin, Greg, BJ, and Ramone, and a blast to finally get to meet Braden and Mollie (BJ's little girl).

While I love Ohio and am really glad that I live here... There really is no place like home!

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Long Time, No Blog...

I know, I know...


I'll have more on my Arizona trip posted later this week. For now this is all you get!


This one is from Dustin... I tag anyone and everyone who wants to play!



High School Tag

1. Did you date someone from your school? I dated a few someones from my school... Not too particularly proud of any of them, thank you!

2. What kind of car did you drive? A Geo Tracker. It kinda looked like a pregnant roller skate, but man did I love that car!

3. What was your most embarrassing moment? I honestly have no idea... (And I'm not asking for any suggestions, Dust!)

4.Were you a party animal? I don't think many of my friends even knew what "partying" was back then. Aside from the occasional visit from the local police, we were pretty good kids!

5. Were you considered a flirt? Nope. I'm no good at it.

6. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? I was in choir for a couple of years... Got to wear some really ugly dresses, too!

7. Were you a nerd? I'm sure I was at times!

8. Were you on any varsity teams? I was on the Varsity Spiritline... Good times!

9. Did you get suspended or expelled? Nope.

10. Can you still sing the fight song? I think so... "Fiiiiiiight boys and never give in, HEY!....."... Yep! *Thanks, Dust!*

11. Who were your favorite teachers? I really liked Mrs. Rawlins. I hated Spanish (except for on Fridays because we got to play "Loteria!"), but she was fun!

12. Where did you sit during lunch? Just about anywhere there was food!

13. What was your school mascot? An Elk

14. Did you go to Homecoming? Yep. A couple of them!

15. If you could go back would you? BWAAAAHAHAHAHA!!!! No no no no no.....

16. What do you remember most about graduation? Shane Rhoton and I were squirting people with water guns from the back row, and Jesse Slade snuck up behind us and hissed, "You two need to start acting like ADULTS!!". Pfffffffffffttt!!!!

17. Where did you go for your Senior Trip? California! It was a blast, too! Who knew you could fit 25 18-year olds in a hotel hot tub?!?!

18. Were you in any clubs? Yeah... There were a few. SADD, NHS... And it's funny that Dustin mentioned being the treasurer for the Spanish club. I was the Secretary and we had NO CLUE what the heck we were supposed to be doing.

19. Have you gained weight since High School? A little bit. I still work out regularly, but my Stevie keeps me well fed!

20. Who was your Prom date? I went to my Junior Prom with Brett Hamblin. It was probably the best date I ever went on in high school. We had a blast!! Senior Prom, I went with Lee Hamblin. Not quite as much fun, that one.

21. Did you go to your 10 year class reunion? Nope. Too much going on here at home! Maybe I'll catch the 20 year one.

22. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself? Forget about the boys, work harder on school, and stop trying to fit the mold!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Meeting Mr. Wonderful...

While Steve and I were in Arizona, we were lucky enough to meet up with my best friend Dustin and her husband Greg for dinner at Molly Butler's and an evening of spotlighting.  It was so good to see them, and it also gave us the opportunity to meet Braden for the first time!  


He is such a handsome little guy, and it was really fun to spend a few hours getting to know him.  I wish we lived closer to each other... I can't wait to see him again!

Thanks Dust, for driving up the mountain to see us and for re-arranging your schedules to spend time with us.  You're a wonderful friend and I appreciate all that you do!!

And thanks to Greg as well for showing Steve his first elk... He had a great time!

Monday, November 3, 2008

And We're Off!!!

Tomorrow morning at 10:20am, Steve and I are hopping on a plane to Arizona... I can't wait!!

I hope to have lots of pictures and stories to share when we come home!

See you in a week... WOO HOO!!!!!!!!

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Finally!!!

I finally have my printer hooked up to Mac and was able to get our pumpkin carving pictures uploaded.  

We had SO much fun this year... Enjoy!

Any Happy Birthday, Mom!!

I hope you have a FUN birthday!

Monday, October 20, 2008

A Mother's Love...

True story....

In August of 2002, I made a pretty big decision. A decision that would change my career path, and ultimately my personal life, in a major way. I decided that I wanted to be an Aircraft Dispatcher.

Did I know what an Aircraft Dispatcher actually did? Not exactly. Did I have any idea how difficult Dispatch school was going to be? Absolutely not (If I had, there's no way I would have gone)! But, I was a pretty determined 23 year old and there was a class starting in October, so I took a leave of absence from my job at America West Airlines and off I went... on what my mom would call an "adventure". Boy, was it!

The drive from Arizona to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida was a lot of fun. My mom went with me and we had a blast... well... at least most of the time we did. There was that really, really, REALLY long drive through the state of Texas (They really should split that state up... 800 miles is just too dang far to drive and still be in the same state!). And then there was the afternoon where we were completely stopped, on a shaking bridge, between two 18-wheelers, in rush hour traffic, in Baton Rouge (Absolutely terrifying!). But then there was our fabulous overnight stay in the French Quarter of New Orleans (I even got some beads!). And we also got to stop off in Orlando for a quick visit with some great family friends. All-in-all, it was a great trip!

Dispatch school itself was six weeks of hell. There's really no other way to put it. It's truly one of the most challenging things I have ever done in my life. I was one of five Americans in the entire class of 26 (only 16 of us made it through), and it was non-stop cramming. My instructor likened the experience to attempting to drink from a fire hose, and that's exactly what it felt like! I met some amazingly intelligent people though, from all over the world, and today I wouldn't trade the experience or the friendships I made for anything.

After surviving the six week course, earning my license, and throwing my manuals into my instructor's swimming pool in a celebratory fashion, It was back to Arizona for me. My mom flew back to Florida from Arizona to make the 3-day trek back across the country with me. By that time, I was SO ready to be back home, and I wasn't really in the mood for many tourist stops along the way. However, my mom and I did make it a point to stop off in Pensacola to check out the "white sand" beaches we had been hearing so much about. We spent the better part of an afternoon/evening just hanging out in Pensacola. It was beautiful. The beaches were gorgeous, the shops were fun, and the seafood was to die for. We had such a good time!

As we were leaving Pensacola, to get back on the road, I grabbed a small plastic bucket (tacky souvenir from Sloppy Joe's bar in Ft. Lauderdale) and filled it with some of the sugary white sand from the beach. I'm very much a souvenir person and this is just one more thing that just HAD to make the trip home with me.

Now... You might be asking yourself, "Kasey... What on earth were you going to do with a bucket of sand?"

Well.... Absolutely, positively NOTHING!

That bucket of sand made it's way into my parent's garage, and remained there for the next six years. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Well...

My mom was e-mailing me yesterday telling me how she was cleaning up at home to prepare for Steve and I. She was going through drawers, cleaning off counters, organizing shelves, etc. At one point in our conversation, she briefly mentioned that she had just tossed out my 6-year old tacky plastic bucket that was filled with sugary white sand from Pensacola. I felt a little twinge.

I responded to my mom by telling her that it would have been nice if there was a small bottle or jar lying around that she could put just a little bit of the sand in so I could keep it. She then responded by asking me if I wanted her to go get some of the sand OUT OF THE DUMPSTER for me. I responded with "Only if you want to.", which we all know meant "YES!!!".

At that point, I realized once again that my mom just had to love me. Why??? Because only a truly loving mom would offer to go dumpster diving to retrieve a little bit of 6-year old dirt for her kid that hasn't even been in the same state as said dirt for four years.

Yep... That's my mom.

And needless to say... I have a sandwich baggie of sugary white sand from Pensacola, Florida sitting on a counter in Eagar, Arizona with my name on it!

Thanks mom... You're my hero!

Sunday, October 19, 2008

HA HA HA!!

Totally random post, but I simply can't help it!


The picture below showed up in an e-mail from our friend Chas yesterday morning, and I think it's hilarious! I had to share.


Every time I look at it I just bust out laughing.


Steve thinks I'm weird, but I'm hoping some of you will get a kick out of it... Especially you Fergie fans!


AAAAHH HA HA HA HA!!!


Wednesday, October 15, 2008

This Little Piggy...

... Is hatin' life right about now!

Since I have no human children, my furry 4-legged kid gets to be the one I dress up every year for Halloween.  Yes, I put a costume on my dog... Judge all you want. Last year she was a lady bug, and the year before that she was a butterfly.  She absolutely hates it... And I know it.  She reminds me of her hatred every year as I am cramming her growling little body into some ridiculous miniature get-up. 

She's a really good sport though, and the torture typically only lasts long enough for me to grab my camera and get a few pictures.  I think she's learned that it's best to just humor me.

Last week, I was at the pet store to get Cookie some dog food and I saw this really cool dinosaur costume.  I thought, "This will be something different for Halloween... Not quite so girly".  So I bought it and brought it home.  However, my little girl suffers from the same body type that many of us do.  She's.... um... "well padded", and she's got short little legs.  The costume simply didn't fit, so I returned it. 

Today I was at Easton Town Center, where they have this great little dog store called Moochie & Co, which carries just about everything that any spoiled rotten dog could ever possibly need or want.  So I stopped in to see what they had left for Halloween costumes.  They had a skunk, a lobster, a frog, a dinosaur, a tiger, a bee, a giraffe.... They had EVERYTHING!  But, the only costume they had in the Monster's size was this....


That's right... My gorgeous little girl gets to be a pig this year!  I don't think she's all that thrilled about it, and it's probably not the greatest choice for her self esteem.  But after a little bit of therapy (snuggle time with Steve), I'm sure she'll be fine.

Besides... This face makes anything look cute!!


I love Halloween!!


P.S.  I know this post was supposed to have pictures of our pumpkin carving in it, but I'm having some trouble getting those pics onto my computer (I used my old camera that has not been connected to Mac yet).  Steve is going to hook me up and I should have them up in a few days!

Friday, October 10, 2008

A Day at the Pumpkin Patch!

I had an extra floating holiday that I needed to use up before the holiday rush, so I took Monday off work and Steve and I went to Circle S Farms, about 30 minutes south of here, to pick ourselves a few pumpkins. 

It was such a perfect day for pumpkin picking too!  The weather was gorgeous... high 60s, sun shining... and we were just about the only ones there.  We had free donuts and apple cider, and we even got our own little private hay ride out to the pumpkin patch.  It was a blast!

Here are a few pictures...



Steve with his pick



My pick of the patch (which was bigger than Steve's)!



Steve singing "She thinks my tractor's sexy...."
Love that guy!


Sunday is carving day... I'm looking forward to it!!

Saturday, October 4, 2008

My Adventurous In-10-tions...

I know that most of us (myself included) have a list of things we'd like to do before we die... a.k.a a "Bucket List". I'd post mine here, but it's quite long and it's everchanging as I get older. Never-the-less, it still exists... just for me... and I hope to accomplish at least a few of the things on it while I have the chance.

In addition to my "Bucket List", I have a long list of places I'd like to travel to while I'm still here. Dustin and I kindof started this list together when we lived in Tucson. We sat down one night and tried to think of all the places we wanted to go. I think #1 on our list at the time was Hershey, PA! Not surprising... what 19 year old girl wouldn't love a trip to the hometown of Hershey Kisses???

My traveling list is also plenty long (I do want to make a stop in all 50 states, eventually), but I've put together a "short list" of the top 10 places I want to go. As of now, I want to visit (in no particular order)...

1 - Alaska: If I had the chance to go on a cruise... This is where I would go. It looks so beautiful!

I realize I'd probably be the youngest person on the boat, but so be it. I respect my elders!

2 - Northern, CA: From San Francisco all the way up to the Redwoods in Humboldt County. I'm all for a day on the beach in the southern part of California, but as a logger's daughter, I'm all about the trees!

I have an incurable fascination for BIG trees... It's in my blood.

3 - Boston, Mass.: From the Freedom Trail to the fabulous seafood to whale watching (something that's on my Bucket List)... How could I go wrong with a trip to Beantown?


And as someone who can't stand the New York Yankees, I'd love to catch a Boston Red Sox game!

4 - Venice, Italy: My mom has been to Venice... I've seen the pictures... what more can I say?

I really want to know how they built this city on water!

5 - Paris, France: Although I've heard that the people aren't the nicest, I'd still LOVE to see Paris. I like to take a stroll along the Seine... Take a tour of the Louvre...


And what girl wouldn't want to see this! (Sigh....)

6 - Missoula, MT: Dustin is probably going to laugh at this one, but I can't help it. Ever since seeing "A River Runs Through It" years ago, I have wanted to visit Missoula, MT and learn to fly fish.


I think a pair of rubber waders would suit me well!

7 - Turtle Island, Fiji: Forget Hawaii! This would be my private island getaway of choice if I came across a small fortune any time in the near future.


Plus, it's named after turtles... Count me in!

8 - Aspen, CO: My brother and I drove through the area with my mom once as kids, and I still remember how gorgeous it was. I'd love to check out the local shops and maybe spend a day on the slopes.

Again... I think the trees are calling to me!

9 - Ireland: Castles... I want to see some castles!! Maybe a round of golf and a trip to an Irish pub...


Oh yeah... Did I meantion there were CASTLES?!?!

10 - Niagara Falls: There's a casino... a Butterfly Conservatory... The Skylon Tower...
And I'd do just about anything for a helicopter tour!



There you have it... My short list of Adventurous In-10-tions! Let the packing (and lottery winning) begin!!

Monday, September 29, 2008

Getting to Know Me...

... Again!

I know these lists find their way into our inboxes a little too often, but this one had some new/different questions on it, so I thought I'd post it.

I TAG ALL OF YOU!!!  (Insert evil laugh here)

1 - Is it easier to forgive or forget?  Probably forgive... I think most people have a harder time forgetting.

2 - Would you date a co-worker?  3 years ago, I would have responded with, "No way!  Don't dip your pen in the company ink!"  But Steve and I do work for the same company (different departments), so I can't really say that anymore.

3 - All expenses paid... Where would you go on vacation?  I'd love to go to Italy.

4 - On the way to the electric chair, what would your last meal be?  SHRIMP!... and LOTS of it!!

5 - Water parks... love 'em or hate 'em?  HATE THEM!!

6 - Would you rather have one great friend or 10 pals?  One great friend.

7 - Is toilet paper hung over the roll or under?  Over!

8 - Friends with benefits?  Um... No.  At 16, maybe, but at nearly 30 I just don't think it's possible.

9 - Would you rather take pictures or be in them?  I'd rather take them.

10 - What color looks best on you?  Whatever color is clean!

11 - If you could play any sport professionally, what would it be?  Beach volleyball!  But only if it came with the guarantee of having legs like Carrie Walsh.  (Hey... If I'm a pro, I can have a few demands.)

12 - Ever kissed a random person and then walked away?  Nope.

13 - Ever break-up with someone and then regret it?  Not really.  

14 - Are you a jealous person?  Not usually... But I might be if you hit on my man!

15 - Would you ever have plastic surgery?  I don't think so.

16 - When do you want to get married?  What?... You want a specific date??

17 - Next concert/show you're attending?  We just saw Jeff Dunham on Thursday night, and Ilene and I are going to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular in December.  I can't wait!

18 - What is your occupation?  I am an Aircraft Dispatcher.

19 - What's your sign?  Aries.  I'm a rebel like that!

20 - Are you a beach, country, or city person?  Definitely a country person.  Give me some dirt to play in and I'm a happy girl!

21 - If you could own a non-traditional pet, what would it be?  A baby elephant.  (Yes... I know it would eventually grow into a non-baby elephant)

22 - Favorite summer drink?  A frozen margarita!

23 - Can you change a car tire?  I have a AAA membership... does that count?

24 - Favorite cologne/perfume?  Just about anything Chanel.

25 - Would you sing karaoke in front of a group of co-workers?  Um... probably if there were a few margaritas involved.

26 - Can you drive a stick?  Yes.  (Thanks, Dad!)

27 - Have you ever sat and hoped for a phone call?  Who hasn't??

28 - Have you ever skipped school and spent the day at the beach?  Skipped school?  Yes.  Spent the day at the beach?  Yes.  Not simultaneously.

29 - In what store would you choose to max out your credit card?  Probably either Macy's or Vicky's Secret.

30 - What's on your Christmas list this year?  I really want one of those remote car starter thingies.  It sure would make the early winter mornings here in Ohio a little less painful!

31 - Would you sky dive?  Not only no... but hell no!

32 - What's your favorite rainy day activity?  Probably snuggling up on the couch with my furry kid and a good book.  

33 - How many kids do you want to have?  At this point... Not really sure I want any.  That may change in the future.

34 - How do you feel about tanning booths?  I allow myself to get too much sun as it is.  My dad would kick my perfectly tanned butt if I got into a tanning booth.

35 - Do you squeeze toothpaste from the middle or end of the tube?  Seriously??  It's toothpaste... Who cares!!


See.... Don't you feel like you know me just a little bit better???

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Guess Who...

... Is a closet Celine Dion Fan???

I'll tell you in a minute, but first you have to read a little back story...

The company that Steve and I work for flies the rich and the famous all over the world.  Most days we don't have time to research who is on each plane, therefor, we don't really care.  We just do our jobs and go home.

Part of the perk of flying the rich and the famous around is that they often take tours of our building and or/ donate things to the employees (i.e. autographed items, game tickets, concert tickets, etc.).  There is usually something every week or two that you can enter your name into a drawing to win.   

I usually forget to even look at what is available to win, but my Steve... That boy enters every single drawing that is posted!  He keeps hoping to snag some Ohio State football tickets, but so far, no luck!  

This past week, there were 10 pairs of tickets in the company suite to see Celine Dion in concert.  Now, if I had been paying attention... I might have entered my name for the drawing.  I'm not a huge Celine Dion fan or anything, but I do like some of her songs and wouldn't mind going to see her show for free.  Steve on the other hand is not a fan of hers in any way, shape, or form... Or so I thought!

As it turns out, Steve won a pair of tickets!  When I saw his name posted, I called to tease him about it... He couldn't believe he'd actually won.  We had a good laugh about it and then hung up.

Shortly after that announcement was posted, we got the following picture in an e-mail from our good friend/co-worker Chas with the caption "Guess who's a closet Celine Dion fan??"

"Steve Jones rushes stage at Ceasar's Palace, Las Vegas"

That's right... That tall skinny, bald dude in the middle of the stage, staring lovingly at Celine, is my Stevie!!

As it turns out, Chas is not just our friend and co-worker... He is also a master of Photo Shop.  He took a picture of Steve from our Washington D.C. trip and somehow added him into the Celine Dion picture.  I about died laughing!  Steve, although he did laugh, didn't think it was quite as funny.

What Chas seems to forget from time to time is that Steve is the King of Photo Shop!  He has made some of the most hilarious pictures.  Steve responded to the picture by reminding Chas that he should never ever start a war that he WILL NOT win!  The next few days at work should be a lot of fun... I can only imagine what these two are going to come up with!

And No... Steve and I won't be going to the concert.  He is simply not interested, and I am already attending a "Girl's Night" at my friend's house.  Steve gave the tickets to his mom and she is thrilled!

Better luck next time, babe!

Monday, September 15, 2008

Step 1: Admitting There's a Problem...

Alright... I admit it!


I have a problem.


I swore it would never happen...


I promised myself I would know when to quit...


I didn't think I'd lose control so quickly...


I never ever saw it coming...


Until today.


This afternoon, I realized........



I AM ADDICTED TO MAC!!!!! 



I am having an absolute BLAST with my new friend Mac...  He is AMAZING!!

I discovered a little program called "Photo Booth" today after work, and I don't think I've stopped laughing since!  Seriously.  I'm talking full out "I think I might pee my pants" belly laughing!!  The tears are rolling...

Cookie keeps looking at me as though I've sprouted an extra head... and I simply DO. NOT. CARE.  I am having a ball!!

It's SO ADDICTING!!



Do you think there's a 12-step program for girls like me???

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Technical Foul....

Sorry guys... No real blog update this week.

My good friend Dell bit the dust this week (for the third time... stupid, stupid viruses... grrrrrr), and after Steve's many unsuccessful attempts to revive her... I had to just let her go. It was a sad, sad day at my house. We've been SO close the past few years.... chatting, e-mailing, surfing, blogging... I'm not sure what I'm going to do without her.


The good news is that my new friend Mac is on his way to my house as I type this... WOO HOO!!! I can't wait! I look forward to spending many late nights with him. I hear he's AMAZING!

I hope to be up and running sometime next week... I'll post an update as soon as I can!

I hope everyone is having a great September!

Sunday, September 7, 2008

We are Women...

Hear us ROAR!!

... And... Watch us VOTE!!

I received the following e-mail and felt that it would be a good one to share. Please pass it along!


The Right to Vote...

This is the story of our Grandmothers and Great-grandmothers, as they lived only 90 years ago. Remember, it was not until 1920 that women were granted the right to go to the polls and vote.

The women were innocent and defenseless, but they were jailed nonetheless for picketing the White House, carrying signs asking for the vote. And by the end of the night, they were barely
alive. Forty prison guards wielding clubs and their warden's blessing went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of 'obstructing sidewalk traffic.'

They beat Lucy Burn, chained her hands to the cell bars above her head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping for air. They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate, Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack. Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging, beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the women.

Thus unfolded the 'Night of Terror' on Nov. 15, 1917, when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson 's White House for the right to vote.

For weeks, the women's only water came from an open pail. Their food--all of it colorless slop--was infested with worms. When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a chair, forced a tube Down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited. She was tortured like this for weeks until word was smuggled out to the press.

So, refresh my memory. Some women won't vote this year because--why, exactly? We have carpool duties? We have to get to work? Our vote doesn't matter? It's raining?

Last week, I went to a sparsely attended screening of HBO's new movie 'Iron Jawed Angels.' It is a graphic depiction of the battle these women waged so that I could pull the curtain at the polling booth and have my say. I am ashamed to say I needed the reminder.

All these years later, voter registration is still my passion. But the actual act of voting had become less personal for me, more rote. Frankly, voting often felt more like an obligation than a privilege. Sometimes it was inconvenient.

My friend Wendy, who is my age and studied women's history, saw the HBO movie, too. When she stopped by my desk to talk about it, she looked angry. She was--with herself. 'One thought kept coming back to me as I watched that movie,' she said. 'What would those women think of the way I use--or don't use--my right to vote? All of us take it for granted now, not just younger women, but those of us who did seek to learn.' The right to vote, she said, had become valuable to her 'all over again.'

HBO released the movie on video and DVD. I wish all history, social studies and government teachers would include the movie in their curriculum I want it shown on Bunco night, too, and anywhere else women gather. I realize this isn't our usual idea of socializing, but we are not voting in the numbers that we should be, and I think a little shock therapy is in order.

It is jarring to watch Woodrow Wilson and his cronies try to persuade a psychiatrist to declare Alice Paul insane so that she could be permanently institutionalized. And it is inspiring to watch the doctor refuse. Alice Paul was strong, he said, and brave. That didn't make her crazy.

The doctor admonished the men: 'Courage in women is often mistaken for insanity.'

Please, if you are so inclined, pass this on to all the women you know.

We need to get out and vote and use this right that was fought so hard for by these very courageous women. Whether you vote Democratic, Republican or Independant - remember to vote.

History is being made.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Monster Kisses...

As most of you know... I love my dog.

I mean, I reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally love my dog!

Cookie is like a child to me. A furry child... with four legs... and a speech impediment. But, whatever.

I know that she loves me in return, too. She runs to me when she's scared, she watches me like a hawk when I'm sick, and she loves to snuggle with me at night. It's kind of a two way street!

However... The love this little girl has for Steve is on a completely different level. I've posted before about the twisted little relationship the two of them have. It's a special bond... almost like a secret language or a special code. It's something that only the two of them fully understand. It's been like that since day one, and I'm pretty sure it'll always be that way.

Every time Steve comes through my front door, Cookie greets him with kisses. At that point, Steve usually drops whateve he has in his hands, he flops down on the floor, and he allows Cookie her own little "make-out" session. She licks his nose, his face, his ears, his neck, and his head... And Steve just lets her. I think it's a little disturbing, but the two of them seem to enjoy it. I truly believe that the Monster lives just for these moments.

The other day, I was sitting in my back room surfing for airline tickets online. Steve came in and laid on the floor, and Cookie followed right behind him. A few minuteslater, the kisses started....



I grabbed my camera and started shooting... This is one of the better ones I got. I love how you can see her tongue just licking away. Such concentration in those little eyes.

Cookie would kiss on Steve all day long if she could...

Such a smart little girl!

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Saving Thanksgiving...

One gently used cell phone at a time!!

I know what you’re thinking right now… Really, I do! You’re wondering how much time I’ve been spending with my super cool margarita machine!

Trust me. The above statement will all make sense in just a few minutes.

A little back story…

About a year and a half ago, the department I work in decided that we wanted to start giving a little bit back to our community. After doing some research and taking a vote, we chose to contact our local Ronald McDonald House (http://www.colrmhc.org/) to see what we could do to help them out. Every 2-3 months since, we have made a delivery to the House of donated items such as baked goods, cleaning supplies, bathroom tissue, toys/books for the kids, etc. It’s been a lot of fun and it's nice to know we’re helping… even if it’s just a little bit.

Last October, we decided to do a “treat” delivery to the House. This delivery included TONS of baked goodies, candy, trick-or-treat bags, coloring books, and crayons. The volunteers at the House were so excited to see us! While we were there putting away the donated items, Pete (the volunteer coordinator for the House) came to us with quite a situation on his hands. He told us that due to some financial difficulty, the vendor that normally provides the House with their Thanksgiving turkeys was not going to be able to donate. He was pretty stressed and asked if there was anything we could do to help. I told him to give us a couple of days and I’d see what we could do.

As it turns out, we had been collecting gently used cell phones at work, and were planning to send them in to a company by the name of PaceButler (http://www.pacebutler.com/) for cash. We were planning on using any money we received from the cell phones towards supplies for the House for Christmas. Instead, we just sped our plans up a bit and were able to provide 20 turkeys for the Thanksgiving dinner which fed 44 families and a few volunteers!

This year, we are hoping to be able to do the same thing again! The only catch this year is that the Ronald McDonald House has moved to a brand new, much larger facility which now houses 86 families!! That’s more than double what they had last year.

This is where you come in!

If you, or someone you know, have a gently used cell phone laying around that you would like to get rid of… Please let me know! We are collecting the phones through October 14th, and will ship them to PaceButler on October 15th. It’s going to take quite a few phones to feed 86 families, so the more we’re able to send in, the better!

If you’re interested, please leave me a comment with your e-mail address and I will provide you with a mailing address to which you can send your phone.

**Every penny we receive from PaceButler will go directly toward the Ronald McDonald House.**

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

In The Words of Ozzy Osbourne...

Mama... I'm coming home!!

That's right. After nearly for years... I am going to finally make a trip home to good ol' Eagar, AZ!

The last time I was at my parents' house was December of 2004. I had just had surgery in Indianapolis, and wasn't allowed to return to work for about six weeks. So, I flew to Arizona and spent some time with my family. Since then, a combination of the distance and my work schedule has made getting home nearly impossible. My parents and I have done our best to split the difference and meet at the family farm in Kansas whenever we get the chance.

Well... Steve and I will be heading to the great southwest in early November for some time with my family and friends. I'm really looking forward to it! It should be fun showing Steve around Round Valley... I don't think he quite comprehends just how "small town" this girl really is. I figure if he sticks around after this, I've pretty much got him hooked!

We're not sure yet whether we'll be flying into Phoenix or Albuquerque yet as that will depend on the price of the tickets. But, we're planning on flying out on either the 4th or 5th of November and returning home to Ohio around the 11th or 12th. That should give us a little bit of time to do some sight seeing and to relax with family and friends.

I'm really looking forward to the trip and hope to be able to run into a few of you while I'm there!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

My Newfound Fear...

I think most of us... even the big, burly, men in our lives... have our own personal list of things we are afraid of. Some people are afraid of snakes, some are afraid of needles, and some are afraid of flying. I myself am not at all a fan of heights, the smell of a dentist office makes me weak in the knees, and I start sweating and want to throw up at the sight of a spider crawling up the wall. No... I've never fallen from anything high, I've never had an awful experience at the dentist, and I've never been bitten and/or almost killed by a poisonous spider.

There is no reason for them. They are simply my fears. And yesterday, I added a new one to the list.

I have an extreme fear of unusually long objects being stuck up my nose!

I had another post op appointment witn my ENT surgeon at 2:20pm. When he did my sinus surgery, he cleaned A LOT of infected gunk out of my head. However, there was still more in there that would need to drain, so he place a sponge in my sinus cavity that was supposed to absorb the rest of the gunk, break down, and eventually fall out on its own. At my first post op appointment, he gave me a sinus rinse bottle that has really helped to keep my nose cleaned out and to rinse out any loose pieces of the sponge. It's not a great thought... I know.

Well yesterday, my super nice surgeon man comes in and tells me that he wants to look up my nose to see how things are going. No problem... I've done this a few times before... piece of cake. He shoots this numbing spray up my nose, leaves me for about 10 minutes, and then comes back. He takes this really long light (looks like a long pencil, only really skinny), sticks it up my nose, and goes to looking. No big deal... a little weird feeling, but I'm good!

Then he tells me that he wants to try to get the rest of the sponge out, but he wants to put more of the numbing stuff up there to make me more comfortable. Ok... Cool. I'm all in favor of the numbing stuff! He takes a small cotton ball soaked in this stuff and uses a really long pair of tweezers to stick it somewhere up my nose. He tells me to lay my head back and he'll be back in a few minutes.

So as I'm sitting there with a cotton ball stuffed up my nose, this numbing crap is starting to run down the back of my throat, making it numb as well. It feels almost like it's closing up, but I can still breathe fine. It's a little unnerving, but I let it go.

Dr. L comes back and is ready to get down to business... little dorky headlamp strapped on and everything. So I lean back and close my eyes... And dang it to heck, I should've kept them CLOSED!! I quickly opened them right as he was stuffing this really long metal object up my nose... And this thing just kept going farther and farther and farther in. Then, I hear this sickening sucking noise (very similar to the dentist) and felt a really weird pressure somewhere in my head. Dr. L was very nice and kept saying "I'm sorry... I'm sorry... Are you ok?" I assured him that I was fine, but I did not like it AT ALL.

I did my best to stay calm, but after about the 3rd time he stuffed that thing up my nose... I HAD HAD ENOUGH!! I had tears running down my face (not at all from pain), I was sweating like you wouldn't believe and I was breathing like I had just run a marathon. I told him I was done! Dr. L said that was fine. He gave me a few minutes to calm down and then handed me my paperwork.... With a note at the bottome to schedule another appointment for next week. I HAVE TO GO BACK!!

I got up to leave and left puddles of sweat in the chair where my legs and back were. I walked out of the waiting room with my shorts and shirt clinging to the back of me and my flip-flops making "farty" noises because my feet were all sweaty. It was awful!

I came home, had a pain pill, made myself an apple juice slushy in my super cool margarita machine, and hit the couch. That appointment was the only thing I did all day... and it was exhausting!!

I'm already dreading next week...

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Just Checking In...

*** Disclaimer: I am still on some pretty hefty pain meds, so there is a good chance that some portions of this post (big or small) may not make complete sense. Please bare with me!***

From what I understand and remember... My surgery was a success! WOO HOO!!!

I had an amazing pre-op nurse who was probably the nicest person I have ever met in my entire life. I was a little nervous going in, but she talked and joked with me the whole time she was getting me ready, and she really helped calm my nerves. She was awesome! She called me "party girl" the whole time because apparently after the initial round of medication she gave me, I started to tell her all about my super cool margarita machine and about how Steve can do the "sprinkler"! (She tried to get him to demonstrate, but was unsuccessful.)

Steve also went back with me and he really helped as well. He rubbed my feet the whole time I was laying there on that table and he kept me laughing. I don't know if what we were talking about was really all that funny, but it sure did seem like it at the time! I'm so glad he was able to take the day off to go with me.

I remember absolutely nothgin from the surgery itself... which is probably a good thing. My surgeon told Steve that even he was impressed at all the gunk that was crammed in my head. He also did some chiseling and cutting back in there to open things up, so I'm really glad that I wasn't really "around" to experience that part of it.

I do remember waking up after surgery though... And that was not fun. My throat was on fire (I'm assuming from the breathing tube they had in during surgery), and the right side of my face was killing me! All I could say was "Ow!... Ow!", and then I started crying. My sweet little nurse came over and immediately gave me some pain medication which really helped. I really liked that lady!

After a couple more hours in recovery, making sure that I could walk around a bit and that I wasn't going to toss my cookies... I was allowed to go home. I was SO happy! I don't even remember the ride home because I think I was out cold once my butt hit the car seat.

I have to say... Over the past few days, I have had two of the most amazing helpers a girl could ever ask for! Steve had to work on Wednesday, so it was just Cookie and I here alone. That little dog did not leave my side for one second! If I got up to go to the bathroom, she went with me (and she hates the bathroom because it brings back bathtime memories). If I went into the kitchen, she went with me (another room she doesn't particularly care for because of the cold tile floor). As I've posted so many times before... This little girl KNOWS when something is not right. She knows when I don't feel well, and she's always *thisclose* to me when it happens. I love her!

My other helper, Steve, has also been pretty amazing this week. He got my prescriptions after surgery. He stayed with me to make sure that I took them and that I was ok. He has gotten so many meals for me this week (including a box of cheese crackers and some icecream sandwiches that I was craving) that I can't even count. He's made all kinds of (non-alcoholic) slushy concoctions in my margarita maker for me. He hasn't once made a crack about my wild, frizzy, unkempt hair (Dust, you know what I'm talking about). He's just been amazing! I don't think I'll ever know what I did to deserve such a good man in my life... but I love this one and I'm NOT letting him go!

Ok... I feel like I have rambled on enough for one day. I don't know how much of this will make sense and I don't really care. It's about time for some tortilla soup for lunch and another pain pill. Then, Cookie and I have a hot date with the couch.

I'm off work until next Friday, so I think we're just going to hang out, watch the olympics, read, maybe do a little scrapbooking, and probably take a few walks. That sounds like a really good week to me!

I hope you all have a nice, relaxing week as well... I'll keep you posted!!

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Just a quick update...

It's done... it's over... and I survived!

I'm in a little bit of pain today, so I'm not going to post much. Just thought I'd let you know that things went well.

I'll update again in a day or two.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Saying "Sayonara" to Snot!!

(Terrible title... I know. Just roll with it!)

Tomorrow, at 1:00pm... I am going under the knife. Well... it's actually and endoscope... but you get the idea.

Tomorrow... I am having sinus surgery.

When I had my original surgery a few years ago, my neurosurgeon told me that sinus issues could occur afterwards. I did really well for a couple of years... but the past two have been a little rough. It seems like every few months, I end up dealing with a sinus/ear infection. I go to the doctor... take the antibiotics... and it goes away. Then it rears it's ugly head again!

I finally went to see an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor in May to see if he could help me. He dug around in my ears, shoved a long probe thingy up my nose (that was fun), did a series of allergy tests, and couldn't come up with anything. Then he sent me for a CAT scan and found out what was going on.

It turns out I have some scar tissue from my original surgery that is blocking my sinuses and not allowing them to drain. So, all the gunk that's in them has no way to get out. So instead, it sits there and my sinuses repeatedly become inflamed and infected. It's not been fun.

But tomorrow is it! Tomorrow... all that gunk that has been hanging out in my oh-so-lovely sinuses will no longer have a place to call "home". It, along with all of its belongings, is being evicted once and for all!!

I won't say that I'm excited for the surgery... That's not the right word. I'm actually a little nervous about it, and know that the next few days probably won't be all that fun. However, I am SOOO ready to be rid of the pain and pressure. It will also be nice to be able to smell things normally again, and to not feel as though there's a big, fat sumo wrestler standing on my face.

I am off work for the rest of the week (Woo Hoo for paid medical leave!), so as soon as I'm somewhat coherant I'll let you know how it went.

Wish me luck!!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Happy Birthday, Uncle Roland!!!

My big brother... the city slicker - turned - farm boy... turns 31 years old today!

While I was out in Kansas last month, I took him to a Kansas City Royals baseball game as an early birthday present. I don't think either of us had been to that ball park since we were kids... We had a blast!

Love ya, Rollie! I hope you and "the kids" have a great day!!

Sunday, July 27, 2008

There's nothing better...

... Than a good man and a great margarita!!

Last night, Steve's boss had a tiki party at his house and invited us over to enjoy the food, drinks, and time with a few friends. Scott and Angie made all kinds of yummy food, and they had some of the best margaritas there as well!

Now, anyone who knows me knows that I cannot pass up a good margarita... They are my very favorite "adult" beverage. When I mentioned this to Scott , he immediately had to show me his heavy duty "Margaritaville" margarita maker that was probably one of the coolest things I have seen in a long time. All you had to do was pour some margarita mix, dump in some ice, and the machine did the rest. They were SOOO yummy!! I told Steve he could put a margarita machine on my Christmas list this year.

Well... when I got home from work today, this is what I found...

At first I thought, "Ewww... What in the world is that?!?!"... But then I looked over and saw this...

I now have MY VERY OWN super cool margarita maker!!.... WOO HOO!!!

I also have THE BEST BOYFRIEND that was ever invented!!!

Monday, July 21, 2008

No Boys Allowed!!

It is officially "Girls' Week" here in Ohio... I am so excited!!

Steve is in Mississippi for the week with a group of Civil Air Patrol cadets, so the Monster and I are on our own! Don't get me wrong... I'd rather Steve were here. But, if he has to be gone, then we'd might as well make the most of it... right?

I got home from work at about 5:00pm. It was an absolute ZOO in the flight center today. The American Idols came through on a tour (they fly on our planes) and there were about a zillion people there for a company sponsored meet and greet/private concert. It was fun to see how excited all the kids were to see them, but at the end of the day, I was SOOO ready to get out of there! When I got home, I figured that Cookie and I could both use some fresh air, so I scooped her up and we hit the park!

After about an hour at the park, the Monster was wiped out!! It wasn't more than 10 minutes after we got home that I found this...

I think she has reached her "fun" quota for today!

For the first time in a really long time... I have absolutely nothing that I need to do tonight. No errands. No cleaning. No work homework. NOTHING!! Ahhh... That's a good feeling! I plan on having a bubble bath, a glass of wine, and then I'm curling up on my couch with Cookie and the new book I picked up yesterday at Target. It's going to be a good night!

Tomorrow... I'm meeting a couple of my friends for a homemade sushi lunch (I've never had sushi, so that could be interesting), and then we're going to catch "Mama Mia!" at the mall. I can't wait!!

On Wednesday, my friend Jen and I are going to meet up for lunch and get a manicure/pedicure. Her sister works at one of the best spas in town and is giving us a killer deal. Manis/pedis are not typically something that I do for myself, so Wednesday is going to be a real treat!

On Thursday, my friend Malinda and I are going to hit the outlet mall that's about 45 minutes south of Columbus. There are SO many fun stores down there... and we usually find some pretty good deals there!

So that's my itinerary for "Girls' Week"... in a nutshell. It should be a nice, relaxing, FUN week!

I hope you all have a great week as well!

Monday, July 14, 2008

Memories of Me...

I saw this on Dustin's blog... It looked like fun!

Here are the directions...

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

**Keep it clean, Dust!**

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Our 4th of July!

Anyone who knows me knows that I absolutely LOVE the 4th of July! I love the BBQs, the fireworks, that gatherings with friends and family... I just love it! I grew up in a town that celebrated the 4th in a major way, and I think that has just stuck with me through the years.

Here in Ohio, we have what is called "Red, White and Boom". It takes place in downtown Columbus right on the river and It's by far the most AMAZING fireworks display I have ever seen!! Every year, our friend Dave has a big BBQ at his house and then we all caravan downtown to find a seat for the show. This year it rained most of the day, so we weren't sure we were going to get to see the fireworks or not. But at about 8:30pm the rain quit... and we jumped in our cars!

This is what we got to see...

It really is a breathtaking display... I look forward to it ever year!!

I saw the following posted on my friend Jeff's blog, so I thought I would share it here (Hope you don't mind, Jeff!). I think it is a great reminder of what the 4th of July stands for.

I Am the Nation

I was born on July 4, 1776, and the Declaration of Independence is my birth certificate. The bloodlines of the world run in my veins, because I offered freedom to the oppressed. To many things, and many people. I am the nation.

I am 213 million living souls-and the ghost of millions who have lived and died for me.

I am Nathan Hale and Paul Revere. I stood at Lexington and fired the shot heard around the world. I am Washington, Jefferson and Patrick Henry I am John Paul Jones, the Green Mountain Boys and Davy Crockett. I am Lee and Grant and Abe Lincoln.

I remember the Alamo, the Maine and Pearl Harbor. When freedom called I answered and stayed until it was over, over there. I left my heroic dead in Flanders Fields, on the rock of Corregidor, on the bleak slopes of Korea, in the steaming jungle of Vietnam and on the sands of Iraq.

I am the Brooklyn Bridge, the wheat lands of Kansas and the granite hills of Vermont. I am the coalfields of the Virginias and Pennsylvania, the fertile lands of the West, the Golden Gate and the Grand Canyon. I am Independence Hall, the Monitor and the Merrimac.

I am big. I sprawl from the Atlantic to the Pacific - my arms reach out to embrace Alaska and Hawaii - 3 million square miles throbbing with industry. I am more than 5 million farms. I am forest, field, mountain and desert. I am quiet villages-and cities that never sleep.

You can look at me and see Ben Franklin walking down the streets of Philadelphia with his breadloaf under his arm. You can see Betsy Ross with her needle. You can see the lights of Christmas, and hear the strains of "Auld Lang Syne" as the calendar turns.

I am Babe Ruth and the World Series. I am 110,000 schools and colleges, and 330,000 churches where my people worship God as they think best. I am a ballot dropped in a box, the roar of a crowd in a stadium and the voice of a choir in a cathedral. I am an editorial in a newspaper and a letter to a Congressman.

I am Eli Whitney and Stephen Foster. I am Tom Edison, Albert Einstein and Billy Graham. I am Horace Greeley, Will Rogers and the Wright brothers. I am George Washington Carver, Jonas Salk, and Martin Luther King.

I am Longfellow, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Walt Whitman and Thomas Paine.

Yes, I am the nation, and these are the things that I am. I was conceived in freedom and, God willing, in freedom I will spend the rest of my days. May I possess always the integrity, the courage and the strength to keep myself unshackled, to remain a citadel of freedom and a beacon of hope to the world.

This is my wish, my goal, my prayer in this year of 1976-two hundred years after I was born.

I HOPE YOU ALL HAD A SAFE AND HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!


Friday, June 27, 2008

Tag...

TAG

I...

I am: SOOOO happy to be back in Ohio! 11 hours in a car is rough!!
I think: Um... No I don't.
I know: That I have the most amazing boyfriend in the world!
I want: Steve to come home from Dayton... I haven't seen him for a week!
I have: To un-pack. YUCK!!
I wish: I knew what my future had in store for me... kinda.
I hate: Spiders. I seriously have no idea why they were ever invented!
I miss: Dust-a-roonie! We need to get together again SOON!!!!
I fear: Losing someone that I love.
I feel: Like I've finally figured out who I am.
I hear: Cookie snoring. She's had a long day.
I smell: Rain.
I crave: Diet Coke.
I search: For my remote control...
I wonder: Where I'm going to be in 5 years.
I regret: Some of the not-so-smart decisions I have made.
I love: Steve!
I care: About what people think of me... probably too much.
I always: Have to have lip stuff!
I am not: A very good kickball player.
I believe: That everything happens for a reason.
I dance: At weddings!... A LOT!!!
I sing: In the car all the time!
I dont always: Do what I'm supposed to, when I'm supposed to. I'm the world's greatest procrastinator.
I fight: The tumor that has taken up residence in my brain.
I write: Letters to people that I never send.
I lose: Sun glasses... ALL THE TIME!
I win: Rarely. But I'm a kick-a$$ loser!! :o)
I never: Thought I would be where I am today.
I listen: To any type of music other than rap.
I can usually be found: At work, or hanging out with Steve and the Monster.
I am scared: Of heights. I prefer my feet planted on the ground.
I need: To be better about staying in contact with my friends.
I am happy that: I only have one more day until I see Steve!
I tag: Anyone reading this who wants to play along!

Friday, June 20, 2008

Ahhhh.... (that's a sigh of relief)


Once again... It's time for a road trip to Kansas. And once again... It was also time for me to have bloodwork done. I hate having it done right before I go on vacation... I worry about the results until the Dr.s office calls me... and if the news is less than great, then it can really put a damper on things.

I had been putting off getting it done for a few days... I am SOOO good at talking myself out of things! But on Wednesday, I finally bit the bullet and drove to the hospital. I figured it would be better to know if anything had changed, one way or the other, than to worry about having to come home and still get it all done. I wanted it out of the way!

Donna (Dr. C's nurse) called me on Thursday afternoon to let me know that my prolactin level has dropped to 54.2!! It's still about double where it should be, but my meds are working for now, and I'm not complaining one bit! I can't even tell you what a relief it was to hear that number come out of her mouth... I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Cookie and Steve BOTH got big hugs after that phone call!

Anyways... That's the latest update on me! Cookie and I are off to Kansas this weekend to visit Uncle Roland on the farm... I ABSOLUTELY CANNOT WAIT!!! I'm sure I'll have plenty of pics to post when I get home!

I hope everyone is well. HAPPY SUMMER!!!

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Geocaching!!

Sunday, June 1, 2008

A Perfect Day for Treasure Hunting...

This past Thursday, Steve, Cookie and I spent the day outside in the absolutely GORGEOUS weather treasure hungting. Ok... so technically... it's called "geocaching"... but I like treasure hunting better. We had such a good time... and we had some great finds!!

I had been reading online about geocaching (http://www.geocaching.com/) and since Steve and I both like the outdoors, I thought it was something we might enjoy. It's alot like treasure hunting in that you need a "treasure" map (lat/long coordinates are provided on the website), and you kinda need to know what your looking for. Basically... all you need is a GPS unit, a pair of gloves, some bug spray, and some cheap little trinkets to trade. Once you find the "cache" using your GPS unit, you log the time/date you found it, and also what items you traded.

For example... We set out with a list of 5 caches that we wanted to find. The first one was located about a half mile from my place and was titled "Ball Exchange" ... so we knew we need to take some kind of ball with us to trade. We entered the lat/long coordinates into the GPS, and realized that the cache was located somewhere behind the local library. We parked and the library and followed a paved walkway back into a small wooded park area. Once we got to where our GPS unit told us we needed to be, we started looking around. Steve saw a large tree and figured it had to be somewhere around there. Turs out... He was right! He found the cache down inside the trunk of the tree, and it had been covered by a large piece of tree bark.

I wasn't about to stick my hands down inside that tree... I DON'T DO BUGS!!! (This is where the gloves and bug spray will come in handy.) Steve had no problems with it though. Once we got the medium sized plastic container out and opened it up, we knew exactly what they meant by "Ball Exchange". Inside, we found a pen and small notebook to write in, and a bunch of different balls to choose from. We took out a squishy ball that we thought Cookie might enjoy playing with, and we put our small bouncy ball inside. We wrote down our names, the date and time, and what items were traded. I was SO excited to have our first find!!!

We did this 4 more times that day and only had one cache that we could not find. We looked and looked for that one, but the only thing we came up with were a bazillion mosquitos. We figured we'd just move on and try that particular one again another day. Throughout our day... we found all kinds of little treasures, enjoyed exploring our local parks, and just had an all-around great time!

If any of you are outdoorsy people and this sounds like something you might like to try, check out http://www.geocaching.com/ . You do have to create an account in order to get the coordinates to the caches listed, but it's free. You can enter your zipcode and find pages and pages of caches in your area. I have already looked up Steve's zipcode, my parents' zipcode, and also my brother's zipcode, and I was amazed at the number of these things that are out there! They are all over the world!!

If the weather clears up a bit tomorrow, we're going to head back out to see what we can find... I'M HOOKED!!!

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Jazzercise!!

A few weeks ago, my friend (and fellow dispatcher) Ilene and I were talking about working out and the different things we like to do. I told her that I really wanted to get into an aerobics class somewhere, but that I wasn't sure where to go. She started telling me all about the aerobic classes she had been taking. She was telling me how much fun she was having, all the people she was meeting, and listing to all the great songs they worked out to. I used to LOVE aerobics back in the day, so I was interested and asked her where she attended classes. When she said "Jazzercise"... I about died laughing!

As you all know... Jazzercise has been around for a looooong time. When I hear the word "Jazzercise", I think of little old ladies with poofy 80's hair, wearing spandex, leg-warmers, and those awful headbands... Not my cup of tea at all! I never in a million years though that it was something that someone my age would enjoy doing. Ilene invited me to attend a free class with her in Pickerington, where she lives, to see what the classes were like. So I thought "What the heck!"... and went. Holy cow, was I in for a surprise...

It was SOOOO much fun!! The music is awesome, the people are really friendly, and the workout... well... let's just say my butt muscles were sore for about 3 days! Our instructor was like a drill sargeant and Kelly Rippa all rolled together.... She was awesome! We had so much fun that day, we actually stayed and did back-to-back classes. By the time we left, I was exhausted!

After that class, Ilene gave me a coupon for a month's free membership, so I joined the Jazzercise location where I live last week. I LOVE IT!! I went three days last week, and I'm planning on going 4-5 days a week from here on out. I am not a gym person... and I don't run unless someone is chasing me. This is SO perfect for me! It kindof takes me back to my cheerleading days. Although, let me tell you... My coordination is NOT what it used to be!

So... If any of you are looking for something fun, and energizing to do, check it out! It's a BLAST!!