*edit* Michael requested that I remove this post for privacy reasons, just in case someone from the lab happened to run across it. Can't say that I blame him...wasn't thinking anyone that he worked with would read it, but you never know. Sorry if you missed it...it was vague and boring anyway. :)
*burns incense* okay, letting go of that frustration. It doesn't really concern me but it gets me going when I see Michael so upset. Blah! So glad tomorrow is Labor Day and we can enjoy a quiet day at home together, just hanging out. Maybe we'll go see a movie or something.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
:(
I just found out my dentist in Raleigh, Dr. Mike Williams, has been diagnosed with acute leukemia. This really sucks. He has been my dentist for over 13 years, ever since I transitioned from pediatric dentistry. He is more than "just" a dentist to our family. He plays with my dad in the praise band at their church and gave a lot of support to us when my mom was sick. Professionally, he is just awesome. I have some screwed up teeth and he has always been great with offering solutions for me. For the past year, rather than try to find a dentist here, I have flown home to Raleigh and coordinated dentists appointments when I knew I would be home.
All I know is that he'll be in the hospital next week for a month-long stay. Please, please keep him and his family in your prayers. I am just praying that the treatment works, and that he can find comfort and strength in the coming months ahead knowing how much he is loved by his family, friends, and God. Cancer can really go to hell.
All I know is that he'll be in the hospital next week for a month-long stay. Please, please keep him and his family in your prayers. I am just praying that the treatment works, and that he can find comfort and strength in the coming months ahead knowing how much he is loved by his family, friends, and God. Cancer can really go to hell.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Good day.
Heaven in a cup. My beloved pumpkin spice latte is back! I don't really care that it's still 90 degrees outside. Pumpkin spice latte=fall. The nice barista at the sbux inside Dillon's even upgraded me from a tall to a venti for free! What a great start to my morning!
After I dropped Michael off for class/work I ran to Target to get a couple of household items we needed before starting my work day. Browsed the nail polish and found a couple of cute "fall" shades. I am not 100% sold on this one because it's such a different color for me. It's called "Tauped". What do you think? I think I like it but not sure if I love it. I also have a dark purple I think will be pretty.
Work's been pretty busy, lots of calls and a webinar today. Got lots of good info about where to search for meaningful interaction between potential clients and our company through social media sites. I hope in the future I can convince my boss to start utilizing youtube more to reach out to people. I learned today that it is the #3 ranked search engine. I really, really love my job!
I just got home not too long ago from a late lunch with Michael's aunt (so my aunt in law, I guess?) Love her, she is a blast to hang out with. We went to Zen Zero-it was my first time and so good! I had pad thai with shrimp and a thai iced tea. Mmm. We talked so long that she got a parking ticket, despite me putting in enough money at the meter for an hour and a half. Whoops. I think it was worth it, though. I am so excited for her because she just got a new job as a digital account executive at the World Company after several months of searching. I hope she loves it-I'm excited she'll be in Lawrence so I can meet her downtown for lunch!
Speaking of new jobs, I think God has been extra busy answering prayers today...my brother in law got a job too! He left his old position in Raleigh in July when he and my sister moved to Boone so she could start grad school. So far it is part time in a manager role at a grocery store (same chain he worked at in Raleigh) but I'm sure when they see what an asset he is that they will move him up to full time.
It is looking dark and scary outside...I think I will go take Penny out before the sky decides to open up.
just keep reading
Have you ever been sucked into a book so deeply that the next time you happen to look up, you can't believe what time it is? This is how I am still awake at 1:30 am. The book is called Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman. It is a nonfiction story of Kerman's year spent in a Connecticut prison after she was convicted of drug trafficking. The story itself of how she fell into that world, moved on, her past caught up with her, and then actually being in prison is fascinating. I guess on some level it's voyeuristic to me since that's so far removed from what I am that I can't help but just take it all in. So far I'm about half way through and I know I need to go to sleep, but I keep thinking, just one more page.
Thanks for all the comments on my last post. I didn't start out writing it with the intention to be mushy, it just happened as I started thinking more and more about how the past few months have changed me. I'm very blessed to have so many new friends!
Ok for real, I am putting the book down and going.to.bed. I heard a rumor that Starbucks now has their pumpkin spice lattes out, so I offered to drop Michael off on west campus in the morning so that I could swing by a Starbucks on the way home. Oh please, please let it be true!
Thanks for all the comments on my last post. I didn't start out writing it with the intention to be mushy, it just happened as I started thinking more and more about how the past few months have changed me. I'm very blessed to have so many new friends!
Ok for real, I am putting the book down and going.to.bed. I heard a rumor that Starbucks now has their pumpkin spice lattes out, so I offered to drop Michael off on west campus in the morning so that I could swing by a Starbucks on the way home. Oh please, please let it be true!
Monday, August 30, 2010
EastLake
Yesterday was a pretty awesome day. I spent a couple of hours at EastLake 101, an info session for prospective members. At the end of the session I decided to become a member! This is my first time ever officially being a member of a church. I didn't grow up attending church, and actually didn't really have any faith in God until around my freshman year in college. Even though I made a decision at that time to believe in everything Jesus did for us, not much happened after that other than me occasionally reading the bible. Looking back, I guess I didn't know where to start, since I'd never been before, and it was hard to make that first step. I was also happy with the way my life was going on Sundays, with winter guard practices, brunches, hanging out with friends...I was too "busy" for church. It was only when my parents found a Lutheran church in Raleigh in 2006 that I thought maybe, at some point, I should look into this. I went with them a few times, basically whenever I was home, and liked their pastors a lot, but there were some things about their service that didn't completely mesh with my style. But I saw the effect that gaining a church family had on my mom and dad...they were happier, their relationship with God grew exponentially, and it gave them an outlet of resources beyond just having a place to go to serve God. When mom got sick, the church community was there for her until the very end, and still continue to be there for my dad. Words cannot describe how important and amazing that is.
When we moved to Lawrence, I'd hoped that I would find something similar. We churched shopped infrequently, just whenever the mood hit. Found a couple of places that were full of good people, but again the fit didn't seem quite right. We gave up until May, when I happened to see an ad for a new church on Facebook. What caught my eye immediately was "no weird stuff" advertised on EastLake's website. How people communicate with God is a completely individual decision, but I have to admit I am not comfortable with hand raising, judgment, boring (to me) hymns, pomp and circumstance, shouting pastors, speaking in tongues...it's just not me. I was fighting an inner battle of years of being wary of "crazy" Christians and my desire to get to know God. After a couple of services I was hooked. The songs are awesome-no boring hymns, but loud Christian rock where I can sing without worrying someone will hear me. ;) The sermons are even better. Matt is funny, personable, and the topics teach me something every single week and help me take practical steps so I can grow in my faith.
After a couple of times going to EastLake I decided to jump into a growth group. It's like a small group they do 3 times a year, doesn't have to be study related though. Some are just hanging out and having a beer, playing basketball...there's something for everyone. I felt a tug to join a particular group that was studying an Anne Lamott book since she was one of my mom's favorite authors-I'd actually downloaded a book on an ereader that we were going to read together before she passed away. I didn't know why God was telling me to do this particular group, but I just decided to listen. I'm so glad I did. Although the book had some really poignant, funny, memorable passages that helped me really think about some things, what this group gave me was that they helped me deal with my mom's death and talk about it openly. Before EastLake I didn't really have anyone in Lawrence I could talk about it with. My dad and sister are in NC, and we talk on the phone all the time, but sometimes you just need face to face interaction. They might not know it, but they helped me realize something I'd been too scared to admit: that because losing my mom hurt so much, I doubted whether I even wanted to have children because what if someday this happens to me? How could I put my children through the pain I'm feeling? But they asked me if somehow, if my mom would have known in advance what was going to happen to her, if she would have decided not to have children, what did I think she would do? I answered immediately that she would have still had us, because we loved each other so, so much and had so many wonderful happy years together. And I can't put my life on hold because of the possibility of something bad happening. Mom would have wanted me to live each day without regret, fully enjoying my time with my family. And that gives me peace about starting my own family when the time is right. I know not all women are lucky enough to have a mother like I had, and I took that for granted sometimes. But now I can look back on SO many good memories, and even though the grief is still there, I can smile, too.
This is verging on rambling now, but anyway...I'm excited to see what's in store next. Because I do have a church family now...and as much as they help me, I hope I can return the favor.
When we moved to Lawrence, I'd hoped that I would find something similar. We churched shopped infrequently, just whenever the mood hit. Found a couple of places that were full of good people, but again the fit didn't seem quite right. We gave up until May, when I happened to see an ad for a new church on Facebook. What caught my eye immediately was "no weird stuff" advertised on EastLake's website. How people communicate with God is a completely individual decision, but I have to admit I am not comfortable with hand raising, judgment, boring (to me) hymns, pomp and circumstance, shouting pastors, speaking in tongues...it's just not me. I was fighting an inner battle of years of being wary of "crazy" Christians and my desire to get to know God. After a couple of services I was hooked. The songs are awesome-no boring hymns, but loud Christian rock where I can sing without worrying someone will hear me. ;) The sermons are even better. Matt is funny, personable, and the topics teach me something every single week and help me take practical steps so I can grow in my faith.
After a couple of times going to EastLake I decided to jump into a growth group. It's like a small group they do 3 times a year, doesn't have to be study related though. Some are just hanging out and having a beer, playing basketball...there's something for everyone. I felt a tug to join a particular group that was studying an Anne Lamott book since she was one of my mom's favorite authors-I'd actually downloaded a book on an ereader that we were going to read together before she passed away. I didn't know why God was telling me to do this particular group, but I just decided to listen. I'm so glad I did. Although the book had some really poignant, funny, memorable passages that helped me really think about some things, what this group gave me was that they helped me deal with my mom's death and talk about it openly. Before EastLake I didn't really have anyone in Lawrence I could talk about it with. My dad and sister are in NC, and we talk on the phone all the time, but sometimes you just need face to face interaction. They might not know it, but they helped me realize something I'd been too scared to admit: that because losing my mom hurt so much, I doubted whether I even wanted to have children because what if someday this happens to me? How could I put my children through the pain I'm feeling? But they asked me if somehow, if my mom would have known in advance what was going to happen to her, if she would have decided not to have children, what did I think she would do? I answered immediately that she would have still had us, because we loved each other so, so much and had so many wonderful happy years together. And I can't put my life on hold because of the possibility of something bad happening. Mom would have wanted me to live each day without regret, fully enjoying my time with my family. And that gives me peace about starting my own family when the time is right. I know not all women are lucky enough to have a mother like I had, and I took that for granted sometimes. But now I can look back on SO many good memories, and even though the grief is still there, I can smile, too.
This is verging on rambling now, but anyway...I'm excited to see what's in store next. Because I do have a church family now...and as much as they help me, I hope I can return the favor.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Update
Update: They were double chocolate cookies with peanut butter filling. AKA: Peanut butter cup cookies. GOOD GOD I LOVE MY HUBBY!!
I would like to partake in your pecan pie
I'm watching Suze Orman-she's about to do the "Can I afford It?" section. I love this show, partly because I'm so curious about the things other people save up (or not, in some cases, but want to buy anyway). Michael is in the kitchen making cookies. What kind? I'm not sure, because he won't tell me! The suspense is killing me. I have a feeling they'll be some kind of oat based cookie, though. Penny is eating her dinner. The way she does this is by picking up a mouthful of food, then dropping it onto the living room rug (which has just been freshly vacuumed-arrrrgh!). She then eats all of the kibble except for the freeze dried carrots, which we've figured out she doesn't like. Picky girl! I guess I could avoid picking up carrot pieces every night by switching her food, but she seems to like all the other parts, and quality dog food is really important to us. So I guess I'm stuck for the time being. :P
This has been a great, relaxing weekend so far. Friday I had a completely girlie night-haven't had that in a while! Michael didn't end up going to his lab event because he had a migraine, poor guy. I picked him up from campus with some tylenol and a pepsi in the seat for him, and he went to bed as soon as we got home. So I got to spend my Friday watching When Harry Met Sally (I'll have what she's having!), painting my nails a really pretty shade of pale pink, eating a deliciously greasy hamburger and fries from 5 Guys, and playing with my new set of hair rollers I got from Target. Erm...I need to practice. But I did get the layers in front of my face to curl pretty nicely. Michael woke up around 11 feeling much better so we snuggled on the couch watching Ocean's Thirteen.
Today I slept in, cleaned the house, bought a couple of new jackets/sweaters for fall from Old Navy, played outside with Penny, and watched Contact with Michael. Gotta love Netflix instant streaming! After dinner we put up all of our fall decorations. I know it's probably too early but I can't help it...it's my favorite season. Just so much going on to be happy about...cooler weather, leaves changing, football games, cinnamon/apple/pumpkin candles and foods, Starbucks pumpkin spice lattes, sweaters, my dad's birthday, my brother in law's birthday, Michael's birthday, MY birthday (Oct & Nov are busy for us!), Thanksgiving...I could go on, but I won't. :)
Tomorrow will be pretty busy and exciting, but more about that tomorrow. ;)
This has been a great, relaxing weekend so far. Friday I had a completely girlie night-haven't had that in a while! Michael didn't end up going to his lab event because he had a migraine, poor guy. I picked him up from campus with some tylenol and a pepsi in the seat for him, and he went to bed as soon as we got home. So I got to spend my Friday watching When Harry Met Sally (I'll have what she's having!), painting my nails a really pretty shade of pale pink, eating a deliciously greasy hamburger and fries from 5 Guys, and playing with my new set of hair rollers I got from Target. Erm...I need to practice. But I did get the layers in front of my face to curl pretty nicely. Michael woke up around 11 feeling much better so we snuggled on the couch watching Ocean's Thirteen.
Today I slept in, cleaned the house, bought a couple of new jackets/sweaters for fall from Old Navy, played outside with Penny, and watched Contact with Michael. Gotta love Netflix instant streaming! After dinner we put up all of our fall decorations. I know it's probably too early but I can't help it...it's my favorite season. Just so much going on to be happy about...cooler weather, leaves changing, football games, cinnamon/apple/pumpkin candles and foods, Starbucks pumpkin spice lattes, sweaters, my dad's birthday, my brother in law's birthday, Michael's birthday, MY birthday (Oct & Nov are busy for us!), Thanksgiving...I could go on, but I won't. :)
Tomorrow will be pretty busy and exciting, but more about that tomorrow. ;)
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