The wedding party with some additions...now that's a good looking group of girls. (Lisa, Becky, Stacey, Carrie, Stacy, Christine, Stephanie) 

Me and the Bride-To-Be...Carrie, about to go have some fun!! 

Things That Bother Becky

I've been known to complain about little things that aren't worth even bringing up. But right now I have a few things on my mind that are bothering me:

1. I hate it when people dilute the liquid soap to save money. I just went to wash my hands and it felt like all I did was put water on my hands. Why would anyone think that putting water in soap is going to make it last longer? It just makes it runny and not make any bubbles.

2. Single ply toilet paper. You just have to use more and so it doesn't last any longer. You use less at a time if you buy the good stuff. This is one thing that I dont' skimp out on. I'll buy the god stuff.

3. When people going to the teller at the bank and use the line that has the ATM. Goodness, save that line for the people that just want to get a couple of bucks out instead of making them wait the 20 minutes it takes you to deposit a check....Drives me crazy when I'm in a rush.

4. Blinker's. They're there for a reason.

5. Now I'm not really one to drive ridiculously fast, but I do like going the speed limit, so if the speed limit is 65 and you want to drive 55...please do not drive in the left hand lane. LEFT LANE FOR PASSING ONLY. Come on people, read the sign.

6. Don't say you're going to call someone if you're not going to call. Just don't say anything. I'd rather have someone say, "Well, it was good seeing you. See ya later." Then "Hey, I'll definitely call you." and then not call. I don't want to expect a phone call thats not coming.

7. If you open a drawer or a cabinet, shut it when you're finished.

I'm sure there's more but I don't want to be so negative about everything.

So Much, So Fast

Goodness it's been a while. Summer is always just so busy when it comes to working with youth in a church. But it's wonderful and it's keeping me busy. No complaints about sitting around and having nothing to do...although that would be nice every now and then because I am so exhausted right now.

I took a group of 10 Middle Schooler to Arlington for 3 nights to do some mission work up there. It was awesome! We had such a great time and everyone got along very well. Not to say that the boys didn't act like 14 year old boys, but still...it was a great time. Tiring, but great.
We did work at "Mission Arlington". Our daily duties were: sorting through the donations that people drop off, separating clothes, putting clothes on hangers to put in their "store", driving an un-airconditioned truck to pick up donations, sorting boxes of cleaner, organizing a food pantry and going to old apartment complexes to play with kids and to Bible Studies with them. We were constantly busy.

Lauren even came to spend an evening with us...well, with me! Which is always good times. We had yet another good bye moment which, again, was pretty difficult. It's pretty real now because she's already left and won't be for a couple months until I get to see her again. Luckily the summer will keep me occupied, but that won't be the case when there's nothing to do around here.

Then we got to spend a day at Six Flags to reward our selves for all the hard work we did. It was a great time. Go to ride lots of rides!!

Then I head to San Antonio almost as soon as we got back into town. Carrie's Bachelorette party was this weekend so we had a great girls night out! Dinner and Margarita's at Cha-Cha's then dancing the night away at Cowboy's Dance Hall. I haven't gotten to do that kind of dancing in so long, I had such a great time!! Plus I got to hang out with some old friends which is always good!! And I got to hang out with Cory and Andy. Andy and I had a great little talk about what's going on in his life. Which was interesting because we never really have serious conversations anymore.

Travis showed up at Cowboys that night too! That's always fun. I like seeing him. Good things happened, we had nice little chat.

Now I'm back in Georgetown in the "real" world getting ready for my next adventure!

Sinking In

I've never been one to make girl friends very easily. My excuse is that I grew up with three brothers and so I'm just more comfortable around boys than I am girls (except boys I like). So having a girl friend is a big deal for me. I mean, I have girl friends that I grew up with and when to high school with and went to college with...but after college is when I really found a girl that I was comfortable with talking about personal life: the future, boys, jobs...just life in general. I didn't feel judged, I never felt embarrassed, I didn't feel looked down on and I always felt like I meant something. Yes, this goes out to you Lauren.

Today I was sitting at my desk is when it really really really sunk in that she was leaving. I kept telling myself that she was moving...but now, right now...it's sinking in. Four years she'll be away. Maybe even longer if she likes it there that much. FOUR YEARS!!! That's a long time. I've lost touch which plenty of people in the last four years. I don't really forsee that happening with Lauren, but it's scary to think. We might be really good about keeping in touch for the first year...but then what...what if we start to slack. I shouldn't be thinking so negative because if this friendship is as AWESOME as I think it is...then we'll stay in contact for always!!

But if I don't see her this week while I'm in Arlington on a youth event...I'm not going to see her for months. Which is rough because we have been pretty good about meeting up once a week for dinner or coffee. I'm definitely going to miss that...She was for sure one of my stress releasers. Now who am I going to talk to about all the things going on in my life? Yes, I will still talk to her... but sometimes it's just better in person.

She was also the one that I got to take trips with...we've been plenty of places: Miami, Key West, Arlington, Nashville, Winston-Salem, Charlotte...never a dull moment when we're together.

Anyways...I just wanted everyone to know that Lauren is such an amazing person. And I am going to miss her dearly. But now worries, we'll see each other soon enough in her new surroundings.

Lauren, I am very proud of what you are doing and wish nothing but the best for you in your new life. This is what you should be and need to be doing. You will make so many more lives full with what you do.

I LOVE YOU GIRL!!!

Home Sweet Home

What a great weekend, packed full of family, friends, and business.
I love taking trips down south. I left work early on Thursday to go to San Antonio and I met up with my brother Andy to have some dinner together. Which was nice because we don't usually get to hang out together. He brought a girl along, so it wasn't just us two, but it was still nice all the same. His lady friend seemed like a good girl, not real talkative, but I wasn't either because we didn't know each other. Anyways...then I met up with my oldest brother Cory and we hung out at his place for a while before meeting up with some friends.

Now these friends are great people, I was very excited/nervous to get to spend my Thursday night with them. I've had a crush on this one guy that was with us since High School. Every time I see him I just get all flushed and my stomach turns over and my legs get weak. It's ridiculous. But I just can't help it. It happens every time and even after seeing him a few times it still happens. Anyways. It was great, we went out to The Falls and listened to some music and had a few drinks. It was pleasant. We decided that since Friday I had nothing to all day and that I would be sitting in Cory apartment all by myself that he would come over and we would hang out all day.

So he came over late the next morning and we ended up watching about 3 movies together: Super Troopers, Van Wilder, and Pirates of the Carribean. We did a little flirting and what not...but that was it. Nothing really happened.
I'm just not confidant enough in myself to do anything so I just waited for him to do or say something, but nothing. Kind of made me a little sad. Oh well. Then we all went out again that night, Me, my three brothers and him. It was nice. And as we were parting ways again that night it was just one of those "well it was good to see you, I'm glad we got to hang out" type endings. Made me a little sad.

Then my Grandmother turned 80 on Saturday. There was a big Shin-Dig at Grady's bar-b-que. All of the family and some of my grandmother's friends were there. It was a big To Do. Then I had to come back home. That was a hard drive back home, it really makes me sad that I have to come back to such an empty feeling after being surrounded by family and friends that I love. Then I get home and I just sit around...stinks.

So Sunday after church I decided that I would just go home again for the night to be with people. I think I really needed that. I had a great conversation with my parents and just some nice relax time. Which is good because the summer is going to be pretty wild.

On my drive back to Georgetown, I decided to call this guy...of course, he didn't answer. Which kind of stinks because I hate calling people and I really hate leaving messages. So that's that...I guess I just wait around and see if he gets the urge to call me and see what I'm up to.
I just don't want to get annoying and call when I should be calling. I don't want him to think I'm some obsessive girl. I'm not, I promise...just a little "crush struck".

Angels and Airwaves

I was a little sad the day Blink 821 decided to go their seperate ways when it comes to music because I've always been a fan of theirs. Not like Daniel, who owns practically every album, single and re-make that Blink every did. But a fan still the same.

So I have been waiting patiently for the new Angels and Airwaves CD to come out. It dropped yesterday, and yes I went to Best Buy to buy it (along with the purchase of a car charger and the new Snow Patrol CD).
I must say I made some good buys! Both Cd's are just great. I'm really excited that Tom DeLong started a new group. The music and words are just great. I can't get enough of it. Lucky me that I can sit and listen to this while I'm at work!!

I also called my brother's yesterday. We're going to have a fun filled weekend of hanging out. I don't get to just "hang out" and chill with my brother's anymore, so this will be good. It's really going to be good if Hot boys are around!
Anyways, I'm just excited to get out of Georgetown for a while. A little mini-vacation before my hectic summer begins and I don't get any rest what-so-ever!

"Oh I need you now,
the earth fell fast asleep.
This room is safe and sound,
will you lay here with me and feel it?
I think I like today,
I think it's good,
It's something I can't get my head around."
-Angels and Airwaves

Times Change

The end of May just keeps getting closer and closer. I'm getting a little scared about that. Lot's of activities coming up, friends moving away, and just not a lot of time for myself.
I went to Elicia's baptism on Sunday. Well, I didn't really get to see any of it because I had certain responsibilities at my church that morning. But I got there as church was letting out and so I got to say my hello's and give my gifts. That was the last time I am going to see them for a while because the leave for Colorado tomorrow morning. Sad, I know.

Well I started thinking on my drive back to Georgetown...now I know this is going to sound ridiculous when I write it because I already know I'm over reacting. But their are just certain emotions that I get and I think that maybe getting them out will make me feel better.

Becca's college roommate was chosen to be on of the God parent's, along with Steve's sister. Now don't get me wrong I'm am excited for both of them to get that privilege. But then I started thinking, Becca's roommate got to be her maid of honor and now she get's to be the God Mother. I felt a little left out because I've been friends with her longer and have felt that we were really close. I know, that's a selfish feeling.

But then it got me thinking back to weddings. All my friends seem to either have a sister or a "closer" best friend than myself. Courtney had her sister, Carrie has her twin, Stacy has Carrie, Becca had Jessica. Now these girls have all been very close to me...but do I think more of them than they do of me? I don't think so. But when you sit around by yourself as long as I do it all starts to make sense. I want to be as much a friend to them as I feel they are to me. And I think I do a pretty good job of that...

Also, I just found out that my brother has been hanging out with this guy that I used to have a huge crush on in high school. So that got me thinking...my brother is my way in! I'll have to find a reason to just drop in and hang out with all of those guy so that everyone can see how wonderful I am...We'll just see what the weekend holds!!

Breathe It In

I love having a clean car...It just makes driving that much better. Lately my after work activity was going home, putting on my swim suit and sitting by the pool for a while. But when I got home yesterday the pool was infested with children and other people laying out...I don't like laying out when there's people there. Plus, I saw that all the chairs were taken. So I took it upon myself to work on my VUE.

I changed clothes and got to work. First I vacuumed what I could, my little hand held dirt devil isn't that great. But I got all the big stuff out. Then I dusted and polished the dashboard, steering wheel, arm rest, cup holders...I even got some toothpicks and dug the gross stuff that falls under my window button. It was such a great feeling. I even cleaned all the door and window frames where the car wash doesn't reach. Ahhh...it was magical. I got pretty gross and my hands were almost black when I was finished. But was definitely worth.

As I got in my car to drive to Austin to meet up with Lauren I just had a smile on my face because my car was beautiful. So if someone wants to ride in my car you must dust your feet and not spill anything!!!

Again, I was excited to get back into my car to go back home. Did you know that there's traffic at 10:30 at night on I35. RIDICULOUS!!! It took me 50 minutes to make a 25 minute drive back home. I was a little irritated. First the 3 lanes of I35 turned into 2 lanes....and then the 2 lanes turned into 1 lane!!! It was awful. But I got to talk to one of my brother's for a while which was nice. Did a little catch up with each other.

I also found out that he was hanging out with this guy that was just head over heels for in High School, so I was a little jealous about that...but I guess that will just give me some sort of excuse to go hang out with him sometime!!!

Check the Peep Hole before you step outside

It happened again this Sunday...I got another creepy letter from the creepy guy. This one wasn't as off the wall as the last one was...but I do "cry" alot in the letter and then eventually die. Not really something that I want to hear...but whatev.

I was handed the letter around some ladies in the kitchen on Sunday so I shared it with them and a few dads that were around. Thier first response was to get a restraining order immediately. Hearing that from a lawyer kind of freaked me out.

So yesterday I spent my lunch break at the Police Station. I sat with the same officer that had arrested this guy before and she's also the same one that spoke with me the last time I turned the letter in to a detective. Anyways...she was very nice and is just frustrated with this guy. Me Too! Well her advice on the restraining order is that the cops have spoken to him before but that didn't do anything and that if he was handed these paper that just might be the thing to "set him off". OK, I don't want to set him off...he's already crazy. But still...I don't see him staying away just because a piece of paper tells him to.

We've told his family about this and they've talked to him about...he just doesn't listen. So now I'm just on my guard. I check my peep-hole before I walk outside and I'm not at the church alone and...you know all the commen sense stuff to stay safe.

I showed my neighbor the letter and he said if it was his daughter he would go knock on this guy's door and tell him to leave me alone or he'll do some damage....
So he said if he needed too, he'll go give this guy a piece of him mind if he doesn't leave me alone. At least I'm being protected.

Some men from the church are supposed to sit down with him this Sunday and set him straight...hopefully that will work and I won't have to worry about this guy anymore.

UnEasy

So there's this guy...I can't remember if I've written about him before...I'm sure I have. Anyways...he makes me very uncomfortable. Just that way he acts and the way he shows up at different things.
He wrote a very random letter to me and put in on my windsheild one day. It was a little creapy, so I turned it into the police. Turns out he had written another girl a creapy letter and she also turned it into the police. Anyways...

Now he's calling me. He called me about 4 times this weekend. I didn't answer any of them because I knew it was him. Well he asked weird things when he calls. One of his calls was just to see if he got the message that he left a couple weeks ago....
Then he called to get a book back that he put on my desk.
Then he called to see if I wanted to hit golf balls with him.
Then he called to see if I wanted to go to a movie with him.
Then he called to say he gave me the wrong phone number to call.

Anyways...he just really bothers me. I know all I really need to do is tell him not to call me anymore. But I really don't want to talk to him.
Then during Sunday School on Sunday mornings he's always waiting for me in the same spot and then flags me down to see if I got all his messages. Ahhhh. "Sure, I got your messages"...no stop calling me.

I know there's something wrong with him and that I shouldn't judge or anything...but it's hard not to because I just get very uncomfortable around him.

Like I've Said Before

I don't know what's gotten into me...I think I've read about 8 books in the past month...I never realized how much I like to read...but I've found this one lady who I really like. Sarah Mlynowski...she's good. Good for my age. I wouldn't recommend her to my mom or anything because I would most likely be embarrassed if she read what I was reading. Anyways...

In this last book I read of hers titled "Milkrun" she brought up the point that every pot has a lid. I was just shocked. My grandmother is the only person that I have ever heard use that expression. I've said it to a couple friends and we joked about writing a book and calling it "Finding your Lid."

It was just great to see that other people use that expression. Kind of just made my day.




Life has been overwhelmingly positive lately and I just love it. I don't know if I'm just seeing a new outlook on life or what. But things are just going very well for me right now. I'm finally up for review at work and was told I would get a certain% pay increase upon my formal evaluation...that's awesome. Makes me feel wanted...that I'm doing something right and that they want me here.

And some old friends are coming into Austin, so that will be good to see some familiar faces. I guess he's really not an old friend...but we used to hang out. I'm not getting into detail for fear of sounding ridiculous. But that will be nice.

So, my brother and I have been trying to plan a summer trip together. First we planned on going to Vegas, but that turned into way too much money. So we decided on San Diego...yup that was expensive too. Stupid high gas prices are making our trips harder to do. I was really excited about this...it was going to me and my brothers. But so far it looks like not much is going to happen.
If someone has any suggestions as too a cheap place to go to would be...let me know.

Sabrina, Pyle, Me and Josh at TLU's graduation...December 2005 

I love it...

I love running into people on myspace. It's such a neat invention. I got an email from this guy that I worked with in Pennsylvania. I hadn't really seen him in like 3 years and then BAM...there he was. Anyways...I just get a kick out of all the old friends I run in to. It puts a smile on my face...

I also found this picture on a friends myspace. How fun is that...I would have never found it if I hadn't been roaming around!!

Anyways...it's just the little things in life that make me happy!

Old School

Another trip home...another great time.

One of my best friends from High School, Carrie, is getting married on July 1st and she had a wedding shower on Sunday afternoon. It was so great to see all those girls again that I went to school with. Just reminiscing about our times in high school and sharing what we're doing with our lives now. I see those girls every now and then, but it's very rare. We had so much fun together for those couple of years!!
I got another compliment saying that I looked like Sheryl Crow. That is one of my most favortite compliments because I seriously just adore that lady. Maybe I should start curling my hair more often. But that just put a smile on my face!!

I was supposed to meet up with my friend Wes afterwards, but apparently he had plans that he wasn't aware of and had to back out. Which I guess is fine, I was tired and was glad I got to sit around with my parents. But it would had been nice to get out and do something. Wes and I dated a couple times in college, but it wasn't really that big of a deal...so now whenever we see each other we just flirt a lot. So it's probably better that we didn't hang out.

Then I got to have lunch with my friend Courtney on Monday on my way back to Georgetown. We were roommates in College and we rarely get to see each other either. So it was just great to see so many people that I don't get to see often. Courtney tries to convince me every time I see her to move closer to San Antonio. It always crosses my mind every now and then because it would be so great to get to see those guy more often. Then I would be closer to my family. Plus, I know once the summer is over it's going to hit my like a brick wall that my friends aren't around anymore. I guess I'll just see what the future holds.

I also stopped and picked up my new upgraded phone. I spent way too much money, but -by golly- I was going to get a cool phone. Now...starting next month, I'll have internet, and text messaging, Sirius music and all other sorts of Neato stuff. Anyways...exciting stuff going on!!

Secrets don't make Friends...But Friends make Secrets

Last night as I was sitting in stupid traffic on I35 at 10:00 p.m. it kind of hit me...What am I going to do when Lauren's gone? She has definitely been a support system for me up here. I feel very close to her and you know what...we've really only be friends for about 2 years or so.

Anyways...we had our usually Wednesday evening meeting last night. And to be honest...it was definitely one of my favorites. I look back at our other Starbuck's conversations...they were all great...but this one was just really good. We really shared a lot about ourselves and our lives and it was just nice to have someone to do that with.

Personally I have been dealing with this "thing" for about a year now. I keep it to myself mostly out of embarrassment or stupidity or whatever. It was just so nice to actually just say it to someone. It doesn't make it go away...but just having that person listen to you and to have someone other than myself know that I have these thoughts, makes it a little comforting. Plus just being able to speak them is a bit of therapy.

I'm really going to miss our Starbuck's talks. Sadness...
It's funny to think what life is going to be like in about 5 years. To look back and think...Remember when we used to meet up at Starbucks and talk about what I life would be like now...It's going to be interesting.

I've really gotten into commercials lately. Mostly because you can't really get away from them, it's like 10 minutes of a TV show to 20 minutes of commercials. Anyways...some of them really draw me it. I guess mostly because I'm a girl and when one about a wedding comes on I'm very drawn to it. There was one about the Men's Warehouse, you know what I'm talking about. And it was saying how everyone's attention is on the flower's and the Bride and no one really looks at anything else. But while everyone is looking at the Bride...she's looking at you. How true...so you want to look your best.
I hope I'm like that...not looking around to make sure the flowers look right or that all my friends are there or whatever...I want to just be looking at whoever is standing at the front of the church waiting for me...

Ahhh....


"there has to be something
there has to be someone out there
there has to be an answer
a prescription a prayer."
-Custom

Child Birth...who knew?

I've learned that Child birth is nothing like what the movies make it out to be:
-Lady goes in pregnant
-Lady gets an epidural
-Lady pops out a Baby
-Lady and Baby go home

I have learned so much from one of my best friends about how this "miracle" really works. It's more like hours of pain and uncomfortableness. AND it's very disgusting, so I'm not really going to talk about it. But it almost in a way...makes me NOT want to have to go through all that pain and grossness.
Did you know that the baby can start peaking out...and then get sucked right back in? That would just piss me off. And if the epidural doesn't work...that's just awful.
It takes months for your body to get back to normal...and it's apparently a very uncomfortable time for the 6 weeks after the baby is out. Then you have to start worrying about how your going to lose all the weight you gained. I had no idea. The list just goes on with all the stuff that happens.

Now there are plenty of babies in my family but no one really goes into all the gross details about what really went on. Quite frankly...it's nuts. I saw a picture of a Placenta...now that's a gross body part. I realize that that is what the baby is living off of...but please...keep it covered.

I could go on and on about all the stuff that I learned...but seriously...no one wants to hear it. You have to experience it and actually get a child out of it to appreciate it. Right now...to me...it's just ridiculous.

Although, I heard from Becca's mother that "I'm a natural". I guess I just know the right way to handle a little baby because I've been through it 4 times with my cousins having children. I don't feel awkward to pick up and hold a baby. Diapers are another story...I'll take them while they're clean, thank you. I'm just ready to spoil the crap out of the precious baby and see her as much as I can because they'll leaving on May 25 for Colorado. Now that's quick.

So the openings for new girl friends for Becky is beginning. There's too many girls leaving me at the start of Summer and I'm going to need some replacements. Remember you need to be in the Austin area to apply because long distance just isn't going to cut it...OK....Great. I'll get applications out as soon as I put something together.

I just have to Brag a little more

I'm so happy to see her!! 

What a sweet girl!! 

I just can't seem to get enough of her 

Her Mamma loves her too!! 

Little sleepy head 

I Love her SOOO much already!! 

New Life

As promised...
Here's a little sneak peak of the beautiful Elicia Cox...She's gonna be a heart breaker isn't she...

I also put up some other fun pictures to check out!!

Aunty Becky says her first Hello!! 

Yup...That's one beautiful Baby Girl!! 

Daddy's calming touch 

Don't cry Elicia...Daddy's here. 

Daddy holding baby's foot...what a difference. 

All over the Place

Goodness it's just been one thing after the other here. . .

Got to go home for a couple nights before Easter to spend some time with the family. All 6 of us where there for lunch this past Saturday...that doesn't really happen seeing as our work schedule is all over the place. But I'm glad everything worked out. Had some delicious ribs and quality time together as a family. I miss that. We usually only do that at holidays...we used to do that EVERY DAY for dinner when we were all at home.

For some reason we really got into playing dominoes this weekend. We never play dominoes, but my mom bought a set and we all just really enjoyed it. Friday after church my parents and I stayed up until after midnight playing. My parents usually don't stay up past 10:30, so it was a big deal.

Easter Sunday was great. I had never been out on Easter Sunday because we're always doing Family stuff, but Lauren and I tried to do some entertaining stuff...but all the parking lots were empty. I guess I'm glad they were, because they should be respectful of the Holiday. Anyways...

I had yesterday off and it was very productive. I bought new tires for my VUE, did a little shopping to treat myself...New shoes. I LOVE shoes, and I haven't really bought "good" shoes in a while, so I spend the $50 on them and I'm wearing them today...they're too cute. Then I went to the movies. I saw "The Benchwarmers". It was a pretty good movie, not really what I expected so I'm glad I only paid $2.75 to see it.

I got a phone call yesterday from a gentleman named Ryan. Now Ryan is a teacher at one of my girls schools and was given my name and number by this girls mother. Everyone thinks that it is their place to fix me up with whoever comes into their path. Anyways...we talked for a while. He sounds nice enough...but sometimes that's just a little scary to be put in this type of situation. I have no idea what he looks like or anything!!! I guess we'll do dinner or coffee sometime. We'll see how this goes...

Lastly...I'm an AUNT!!! I guess not Technically an "aunt" because it wasn't my brother's who had a baby, but close enough. One of my best friends, Becca had a beautiful baby girl last night. Seriously, I already love her so much. There were a little complications, so when I went to see her I couldn't hold her because of fevers and tests and what nots, but I'll hopefully go back later tonight and hold her.
Now I hate to say this, but there are some ugly babies out there. But this one...oh man, this one is perfect. She's just a pretty baby. She has all her fingers and toes and eyes and elbows. I hate that I don't have a digital camera because I want to show you all how gorgeous she is. But you'll just have to put on your patient pants until I can get them developed. I guess that will be my next investment...a Digital Camera.

Love Monkey

I've gotten into this new thing called reading. And as much as I used to say I hate reading, I kind of like it now. I've read a few books this month alone, I just go through them like it's no big deal. Anyways...my old boss Sam-E was reading this book called, "Love Monkey" by Kyle Smith. It's a book written for guys from a guys perspective.

This intrigued me. Mostly because Sam-E said I probably wouldn't like it. So, I got online and bought it, cheap.

I just finished it. It's about a guy's dating life in New York. It weird to see how guys think compared to how I think. He goes through girls like it's no big deal, but he really only Truly wants to be with one of them...and of course she has a terrible boy friend that she's not going to leave for this guy that would treat her like a queen...Yes, girls are like that.

Anyways...one of the quotes that stuck out to me was: Do I really want to know what I'm missing? This guy really did want to know what he's missing. And I'm thinking to myself...No, because once you have it...you're always going to want it. Of course he was talking about sex, I'm just thinking of the companionship and the love between two people. (but I'm a girl and I think differently from guys).

Now, I'm always one to lend my advice to anyone that is seeking...but I rarely EVER listen to myself. Of course I would want to know what I'm missing. Just to experience for a split second and have that moment of happiness than a lifetime of just settling. Know what I mean? But then..it's always the same thing...you go back to that moment in time. You want that same experience over and over again and compare anything that comes close to it as not being that same.
Nothing is ever going to compare and then you're always going to be miserable. But as a girl, I don't listen to myself...Whatev.

Another thing on my mind that just kind of hit me...I totally want a baby. Now I'm not being stupid or anything, but I've be around a few toddler's and I'm thinking, Oh my Gosh, I can't wait to have one of these. Of course I won't even think about seriously having a child until after being married for a while...but still.

Then I'm thinking, what kind of mother am I going to be? Of course I want my child to be independant and self sure and all that wonderful stuff...but I just know that I'm going to want to do everything for my child so that they have a perfect life. I guess we'll just see when the time comes.
Then I was thinking...Lauren could totally marry my when I get married. But I think I would like her to do something else at my wedding....I guess that's if I ever meet someone that makes me not want to be so darn independant.

Oh yea another thing that I got upset about...I mean, not depressed or anything. I went to an auction on Friday night and decided to bid on this ONE good item: Dinner for six at the Fire Station prepared by the Fire Men!!! How Awesome would that have been?!! Dinner with Hot fire men!!! But I lost... I wasn't willing to give them enough money. Oh well...
But it was a great idea, I thought.

This just made me smile!!! 

Seriously, I don't mind

Right away when people meet me and learn what I do for a living they label me, and it's just something that I have to accept. Which is not a problem. But the one thing that just drives me crazy is how people change the way they act around me because I work in a church. Come On...I'm not a perfect person so don't act like I am and don't act like you have to be perfect around me to.

First off: DON'T APOLOGIZE if you say a cuss word. Seriously, I don't mind. I've heard them before, I've said them before, and I'll probably say them again. So don't act like you can't talk around me the way you talk around your friends. IT'S OK!!

Second: I DRINK Frosty cold ones, so don't act like you shouldn't drink around me, or ask me if it's OK if you drink in front of me. OK, so I'm not a big drinker anyways, but I do enjoy a dacquiri or a beer every now and then. Jesus drank, so it's really no big deal.

Third: I work on Sunday's. I realize that Saturday night's are the big party night, so don't think I'm being rude because I don't stay out late on a Saturday night. It's hard to get up early and function appropriately when you've been out on a Saturday night.

Fourth: I like my job and what I do. So when you find out what my career is PLEASE do not say..."Oh, that's neat." "Good for you." "Oh, you're a 'good' girl." "Wow, that's awesome." Even if you "don't mean it that way" it still sounds like you're mocking me and it makes me want to slap you across the face. (don't think I won't if you bug me enough).

So just some advice to everyone out there...just because someone works for a church, it doesn't make them any different from you. OK. We're still humans who like to have fun and be taken seriously. We can get crazy sometimes too. Working at a church doesn't change who we are, we just chose to work for God instead of in the corporate world.

Manic Monday

A little bit of how my day went:

*I have a bad back...and I know I have a bad back. My mom had scholiosis and so I know that I don't have the best spine. Plus the x-rays that were taken of my back show that it didn't develop with the right curves and I have a shoulder that's lower than the other.....Anyways. I grew up with back pains and I've kind of just learned to live with it and not complain. I've been to the doctor and I've gotten pain pills, but they don't really do much for me anymore. But...my bed is just driving me crazy. Every position I lay in hurts. I try building a fort to support my back, but nothing works. By about 2:00 a.m. my back wakes me up and I can't get comfortable and I'm just miserable for the rest of the night. Which sucks, because then my back hurts and I'm tired.
Well I took Monday off because I've been working alot and I wanted some time to rest. Just my luck, my back woke me up EARLY in the morning and I couldn't get back to sleep. Stink, my day off and I got up early. So that's just me complaining.

* When I get out of the shower I let my hair air dry for a while and then decide my head is cold, so I go to blow dry it. After a couple minutes of blowing, I go to turn off the dryer to brush my hair and it wouldn't turn off. Weird I Thought. Well then the little motor blew up and I'm holding a small fire in my hand. I didn't know what to do. I was scared to go for the plug to un-plug it because I was scared I would get electrocuted. So I'm just standing there in my bathroom holding a blow dryer that has a fire in it. Finally the fire goes out and I unplug it and I lay it on the floor to cool off. But now there's smoke everywhere and it smells like burning. So I turn the fan on and let it blow...somewhere. So I got to buy a new blow dryer yesterday. I got an ION...it's supposed to make your hair shiny. I think it worked a little, but the weather is so gross today that it didn't last.

*I decided I wanted to spend the day at the mall because I still have some Christmas money and I really wanted to buy some cute new outfits. I was in the mall for over an hour and couldn't find anything that I liked. Which I was a little upset about. I just wanted some cute new tops or something, but I walked out of there with nothing.
Although I did talk to the Sprint guy about getting a new phone and renewing my contract. I decided on which on I want. It's pretty awesome. It's a Samsung which is apparently one of the best phones out there. I made him give me a sellers speech about it and why I should get it. I didn't buy it because I'm waiting to get my $150 discount that comes on May 1st. I realize that I don't need a $300 phone...but really, it'll only be $150 when I buy it....I'm such a sucker. Whatever. But he sold me on it....

*I also decided that I should do a bit of cleaning, while I had some time. I should have done more, but I got a little lazy. Really I just through out some dried out roses. I had a friend in college that would dry out bouquets of roses she got and then put them out as dead arrangements. It looked really neat in her place...but she was a little "darker" of a person than I am. Plus I kept them because they were from Matt from Detroit and I just liked the reminder of the sweetness of them. I usually don't just get flower's sent to me randomly, and so I liked that little reminder when I looked at them. But they started taking up room in the kitchen and would leave gross stuff on the table, so I just threw them out. I'm sure that will lighten up the mood in the kitchen.

*The rest of the day was spent watching a movie. But dinner at the neighbor's...Bratwurst, potatoes, sauerkraut, and beer. It was new to me, but I enjoyed it!!

A Love so Sweet

So I know I'm one of the biggest nerds in the world, but I just love the movie "A Walk to Remember." It's just a good story, not something that you could really see happening in real life, but still...
Now for those of you that know me...I'm a crier. It's just in my blood for some reason. So as I'm sitting there watching the movie on my couch, I'm just crying constantly it seems. But that's just me, I cry at every little thing; when I'm happy, when I'm sad, when I'm frustrated, overwhelmed, worried, bored...you get the idea.

But I'm thinking about their "love" that they have for each other. It's basically all based on faith. It has to be because what's-his-face is the rebel-bad-boy that causes all sorts of trouble and she's the goody-two-shoes preachers-daughter. Who would have ever thought that they would get together?
She saw something in him that was good and he just thought she was a frumpy loser...but eventually fell for her. She was a little more persistant than I would have ever been if someone like him treated me the way that he treated her...but that's not the point.

He listened to her and helped her accomplish her lists of things she wanted to do before she died and she believed in him and pushed him to do all the things that he was capable of doing.

Sweet Sweet. Me personally, that's how I picture the guy that sweeps me off my feet. He's the bad boy that switches to this unbelievable person all because of me. I've shared that with a couple people already. That I want that guy with the edge, but in all seriousness is unnaturally sweet and patient.

In the movie he is considered her "miracle". The one that makes her life worth living and makes her illness barable. She has faith in him when everyone thinks he is going to be a failure his whole life.
Of course there's the happy ending (even though she dies)...they love each other, get married, spend the summer together before she leaves...

Aaauuuu, it's sappy, but sooo good. A mini-fairytale...

If only I could find my little "miracle" that has so much faith in me that it overflows in everything we do. Someone who, as Sensefield says, "loves me for me."

Funk

Do you ever feel like the world is just out to get you sometimes. I'm sure everyone has these feelings. But right now...I'm about to kick some but.

I had great weekend plans (well, I guess pre-weekend plans) for my mom to come up for a couple nights to hang out. I'm so busy here, that I really don't have much time to go home. Plus, they were watching Peanut for me while I was gone in Colorado and she was going to bring her back to me. Well, too many people were taking off the day she was asking for, so it ends up she can't come up. I'm sad Peanut won't get back here, but I'm even more sad that my mom and I won't get our girls weekend. We haven't done that in a while and I was really looking forward to that.

Because of my "working" all last week in Colorado, I was planning on leaving the office every day at about 2:00 or so, so far I've stayed til 4:30, 3:34, 7:00 and today when I finally leave, I have to come back here for a concert to finish up some responsibilities and then to lock up. Which, I guess I don't mind doing...but that means I had to cancel some previous commitments.

That and I'm pissed at my cell phone bill always being ridiculously expensive and I can't even make phone calls when I go out of state. Do you realize that I've been to four different states this month and I had to keep my cell phone off for all those times so I didn't have to pay the extra fee. It's nonsense.

But Tuesday was a good day. Some friends from high school came into Austin and we hung out. Carrie is getting married in July so we've been keeping in touch pretty good because, of course, I'm in yet another wedding of a friend. I'm not complaining, I Love her a lot...it's just a little reality check that most of my good friends are either married or in a significant relationship and I can't even find time to sit on my couch let alone meet someone. I should complain. Life is good right now. I don't need a boy to make me happy...although I'm sure it wouldn't hurt.

Anyways...we went to eat at the Olive Garden. Now, I'm not a big fan of Italian food, but that's where they wanted to go, so I obliged. Plus, I love their salad. I think I had about 3 1/2 helpings of it. Plus I finished most of my chicken alfredo, plus we each got some pretty delicious (big) frozen beverages. Needless to say...I was stuffed and I slept like a baby that night.

So life has it's good moments and it's frustrating moments.

My younger brother Daniel is taking is first big trip by himself this weekend and I'm so excited for him. He's going to Michigan to visit a friend of his. They met online and she flew down a couple years ago to go to his senior Prom. She's a really awesome girl, so I'm a little jealous that he get to go visit a friend. Plus, I would love to go to Michigan. Ever since I saw Lake Michigan last fall I really want to go back and see it again. It was gorgeous. But I've already taken my trips for now, I should take a little break before I head out on another journey.

I need to save my money because I want to go to Vegas for my birthday, plus I need to plan a trip back to South Carolina sometime this fall to visit my AWESOME friend LAUREN!!!

Enough Enough...there will be more to come.

"All of my Life I've Been Poppin' my Collar"

I'm just going to sum up the week in a few words because I have tons to do.

Drive to Kerville:
A&M vs. UT
"All of my life I've been Poppin' my collar, Poppin' Poppin' my Collar"
Dancing
CAMEL!!!!!!!!!
Jack in the Box

Kerrville:
Unload the Dully van to load up the charter bus
We each get our own seat
Worship with water placed all over us




Bus ride to Colorado:
Ice Age
Smelly bathroom
Waking up in a Wal-Mart Parking lot...at least there's mountains around it
getting stuck in the snow and having to put on snow chains
stepping off the bus into a good foot of snow!!

Monarch:
First time on a lift and I didn't fall!!
Missed my ski lesson so I basically fell the whole way down my first green. (I think I was up for a good 12 seconds and one time)
Getting a lesson in the afternoon and then kicking butt at skiing
Getting lost and going down a Blue by myself. (I only fell 3 times)

Missing one of my boys and then taking him to the ER in town by Ambulance.
Beautful snow
Negative 6 degrees...COLD!!
HOT ski guys
Hook
Mashed Potatoes

Ride back:
Buffalo!!!!!
Hedgehogs????

Favorite new joke: "What's the hardest part of being a snowboarder?"
"Telling your parents you're gay"

That's funny, ha!!!
Anyways...I'll tell stories later...

Check out some pictures: SKI PICS

"Look at her Pinky"

In High School when my best friend Carrie and I would meet new people one of the first things she would say to them is "look at her pinky."

For those of you who do not know, I burned my hands/arms when I was 5.
The story goes a little like this:
It was some holiday, I'm going to go with Memorial Day, but it could have been Labor day. Anyways, the whole family was out at our house. My brother's and my cousin and my mom decided to go for a walk down the road. I couldn't ride a bike, so I was riding on the back of a bike (the little plastic chairs that attach to it) that my 13 year old cousin was riding. We went down a cul-de-sac to explore and my mother left with my younger brother to go back home.

My two older brother's who were 7 and 9 at the time decided it would be cool to make a fire by rubbing sticks together. "That's going to be awesome", I thought to myself. There were tons of sticks and twigs to do this, so all 4 of us went walking around gathering them.

I found THE PERFECT STICK!! It was sitting on a pile of Coals. Little did I know they were burning coals. I reached for it, and as I reached for it...I fell. Right into the burning coals...I SCREAMED bloody murder. My cousin ran to me and pulled me out, because I obviously didn't realize that I needed to do that. I looked at my hands and they were purple with no skin on them. Gross, I know, I can still picture it. Yucky.

My mother, who was a good distance away, heard my screams and began running to where we were. By that time, my cousin had already put me on the back of the bike to take me back to my house. My mother was running towards us, so she "drove" me the rest of the way home. We put my hands under running water, my skin started to just hang off, so I started to pull it all off...bad idea, and then wrapped them in towels and placed them in a bucket of ice. We got to the Wilson County Memorial Hospital, but my burns were so bad that they couldn't do anything for me and so we journeyed up to San Antonio to Santa Rosa's Children's Hospital.
Well it was bad. I ended up having to stay there for 12 days because of all the infections and what not. Because I peeled most of the skin off of my left hand there wasn't much left to grow. I remember it looking like meat loaf...brown and crusty. There was a time when they thought I would need skin graphs...my mother explained that they would have to take skin off of my "rear end" and put it on my hands. I almost cried. I definitely didn't want doctors to see my bottom.

Anyways...I made some friends with the other sick children. They were obviously sicker than I was, but they were fun to play with. And when my family came to visit me they all had to wear masks and scrubs. They couldn't breathe on my hands.

Anyways, back to high school. Because my whole left hand is basically scare tissue and not skin, I can't straighten my pinky. It's ALWAYS going to be crooked.
But I look at my hand and all I can see is scar after scar and scar. I can see ALL of them and I don't like it. Mostly I'm scared of having to take the picture that most people take on their wedding day. The one of just their hands showing off the rings. Yuck.

<--Well, here is what my hand looks like to the human eye. Yes it just looks like a regular hand. But do you see what I mean when I mark all the scars?
To me, they just jump out and they are pretty gross. Of course, being a girl, I can notice everything.










I bring this up because a couple weeks ago I was showing my scars to a lady that I meet with pretty regularly. We were comparing scars and she kept telling me that she could barely see any of my scars. "WHAT? They're huge and all over." She still couldn't see them.
I can see all them the all the way up to my elbow.

It's weird how some people see something one way and another person can see the complete opposite.

At times I have grown to love my scars because it makes me unique and give me character. But at times I just think they're hideous. OK, so hideous is a strong word, but I definitely do not like them at times. Whatever.
I've just learned to live with them because I know they're not going to change anytime soon.
(<-- What I see)


I guess my whole point to this is, just because you can see something wrong with yourself whether it be mental or physical, you may be the only one who sees it.

Two Girls Take a Trip

We arrive in the beautiful city of Columbia and took a great picture of the two of us outside the state capitol...and what do we see flying high in front of this great establishement....





















The Confederate flag flying high and proud.
We had enough of that. It was time to venture back north and head into the other Carolina...














Well that's nice...the state welcomed us!!
We dropped out awesome Ford Taurus off at the Winstom-Salem airport. It was pretty dead. Good thing Lauren was there to take care of us.




















What a great receptionist she was. Very helpful.
At the airport we read great things on the wall as we awaited the Mayor's arrival. The air was getting fresher and fresher the closer he got. We all had a little nervousness in our stomach. Good thing they have this beverage called RED OAK to help with that.















Red Oak uses only the finest German barley malt, Bavarian hops, and Bavarian yeast.

Enough of that...it was time to have some fun in the Mayor's place while he was out!!














Lauren sat in as the Mayor and thought up some great idea's while in the throne...















I decided it would be more fun if I joined her in the throne for some girl time.
















I then thought it would be good to do some thinking of my own. Mostly I thought about how I was supposed to take a picture without cracking up.














It was then on to a more formal atmosphere...well, sort of.















Uh-Oh...what is this? Not good.















And right next to each other? I don't think that's appropriate.

Well this is just a brief glimpse of what happened while we were on our trip.
All in all it was a great time and lots of fun was had!!

Just a little back in time...

We'll start with our wonderful eve of the New Year...
Trishy, Laurey and Myself...












Um...Yes, we do look very good!!

















Ouch...we're smokin'

No....she wouldn't let me...

Now for Becca's Baby Shower: Isn't she a cute pregnant lady??!!

This is just a glimpse for now...look out later on for some Amazingly awesome pictures of North Carolina!!!

'Tis Time

Yea...It's about time.

Another awesome trip ahead of Lauren and I. North and South Carolina both in one shot!!
Plus getting to hang out with old friends and new friends!! (Kris called last night, maybe we'll get to do dinner with him on Wednesday night...we'll see)

A little road trip to Dallas tonight before a straight flight to good ol' Charlotte! Look out east coast, here we come!!

I'll return to my sweet Texas Saturday!
Don't miss me too much!!

The Clever Juices aren't flowing

What a great weekend. Sometimes being lazy is boring, but sometimes it's not. I just had a super weekend. My weekend's always start on Thursday night since I do not work in Friday's. What's a better way to start than by getting off early? The secretary left early to go to her son's track meet and the Pastor always leaves at 4:30 anyways, and since I'm a little creeped out by the man that always plays golf in the field in front of the church and leaves me creepy gross notes on my windshield, the Pastor didn't want me staying at the church by myself for an hours, so he said for me to leave with him. I didn't argue.

I celebrated by doing some shopping!! I just got some "lounging" clothes from Old Nave to take on my ski trip. And then I loaded up on pain pills and little soaps at Target. I love buying travel size stuff. It's such a waste of money...but I just love little things. Don't judge me. Georgetown has a new shopping center, so I then just went to a 5 other stores just for the heck of it.
Thursday night is Bible Study night and we met at Chili's and got desert while we did our study. That was a nice little treat...but goodness, eating goodies that late at night doesn't really do much for the stomach. I was a little full and it's hard to relax...whatever.

Friday I got up and did some more shopping. I went to Academy because they have their winter stuff on sail. I got a cute little beanie with snow flakes on it, some cheap hiking boots and a bright green polar fleece. Awesome. I then continued south on I 35 to go to Tinseltown. I've been wanting to see BrokeBack Mountain for quite some time and I finally made my way to see it. It was pretty good. I thought it was a little sad, but it was good. Then a little more chill time back at the Casa. All in all, it was a good day.

Saturday was just as good. More sitting around. But then that evening I got to go Ice Skaing. Now I haven't gone since middle school which is about 12 years. But not to sound cocky or anything...but I'm a rock star when it comes to Ice Skating. Seriously, my kiddo's couldn't keep up with me. I had a blast and am totally ready to do that again. Plus, there was another youth group there from Austin...so after some forcefull intervention by some of my youth and one of their mom's, I made myself go and talk to their leader...Trent. Totally cute, so I was super nervous. We skated a couple laps together and stood at the wall a while. It was nice. Nothing drastic, but I have a hard time going up to good looking people. Plus, now I know another Youth Pastor which is always a good thing when you're in this field.

Today's a busy day too. Pastor is taking staff and volunteers to lunch today!! Yeah, free lunch!! Then I have to go to Round Rock to meet with my insurance agent...at least it'll get me out of the office for a while...

Then tomorrow after work...Lauren is picking me up and we're off on a new crazy adventure!!

Spending Money like I'm Mrs. Trump

Golly Geez! March is just going to be the month of spending money, but I've been preparing myself because I'm going to have so much fun. This weekend is my last weekend to shop for everything I need for my upcoming trips. I need a few basic things for my ski trip such as long johns, wooly socks, sweats, and if I can manage...some cheap water-proof hiking boots. Then I should be set. So that's this weekend of spending money...

Then it's off to N/S Carolina which I'll pretty much be spending money every day for that...but it'll be so worth it. At least we're getting free lodging at every place we're staying...
Although maybe I'll give some pineapple butter as a nice host gift. (If anyone know's a place that sells pineapple butter, let me know. I've checked a few places but haven't had any luck).

Then I'll be back for a week before I leave for COLORADO!!! Where I'll spend money on some very worth it ski lessons because I have never even had any type of ski's on my feet. But I am very excited and ready for the challenge.
So by the end of the month be looking for some awesome picture of all my trips.

But back to reality. There is so much on my mind right now that I just want to spill, but I'm not sure who all read's this thing, so I'll just keep it to myself and wait until I can gossip to Lauren. Lot's of girl stuff that needs to be shared.

Georgetown just got a McAlister's I guess a week or so ago and so I had lunch there today. Delicious. Especially the eye candy that walked in a litte while after we sat down. For some reason, just haveing someone "pretty" to look at always makes the meal taste that much better. Weird.

Peace Out for now.

5 more days!!!

Is a Restraining Order in line?

Yesterday was a very exciting/random/creepy day.
As I was walking out the church door's to go home for lunch I got a phone call from Kara asking if I wanted to get some lunch with her and her intern. Of course I want to get lunch with her. So we went to the usual place, Logan's in Round Rock. Always a good choice. She has a former youth that is a waiter there so we sat in his section. And then there was this other waiter that looked very familiar. Turns out he is one of my "friends" on myspace. Weird, huh?! So he came and said hello and we chatted for a while. It was pretty neat. He's pretty cute. Then as we were leaving Kara thought it would be a good idea if I would leave my phone number on the receipt. So she, Not I...I would NEVER do that...wrote it down and was like "I'm going to hand it to him as we leave." Oh my gosh I was getting embarrassed. I told her not to because that's just silly, seriously, who does that? Anyways...our waiter makes this huge announcement, when I say huge, I mean yelling it across a couple of tables and into the kitchen: "Hey ___, I think you're getting a number!" Seriously, it was loud. I was even more embarrassed and so I just walked out, I didn't know what to do because by then most of the people in the restaurant were looking at me. I stood in the little waiting area at the front for Kara...she stayed behind and I still don't know what she did. I couldn't believe that happened....

OK, so then I come back to work. I leave at 5:30 like I usually do and there was a note on my windshield. I immediately knew who it was from. We have this guy that joined our church a couple months ago who has schitzophrenia and really creeps me out. He doesn't work, so he hits golf balls in the field by the church EVERY DAY. Well it was a couple of pages long, a little weird, very crude at some places, and just bizarre. I don't know what to think about it. I don't want to find weird letters on my car when I leave. Yuck. I showed Pastor this morning and he just laughed, which really hurt my feelings because I was really offended about the letter. I guess I'll just save it as evidence for now. In case something happens again. But hopefully nothing will.

So all in all, it's been a weird week.

I went to Austin on Monday and had dinner with my cousin. We went to Manny Hatten's, which was pretty good. We talked about our spring break plans and a bunch of other things. Then he was gracious enough to come with me to David's Bridal. I had a bridesmaid dress that came in and I need to get it altered. So...I did. A size 2 is just too huge on my. It looked like a pink monster sneezed on me. But after all of the pins were in I could tell that is was going to look nice on my. Well, it better be nice because alterations alone are costing me $97.00. Can you believe that?! That's almost the full price of the dress. I can't believe how much money I spend on my friend's weddings. I'm beginning to think that I won't even have a wedding party. It'll just be me and my husband up there in front of everyone. That way they can spend more money on our gifts. Just kidding...I have no plans for this day yet...

OK...count down time. 6 more days!!

Not Sure

I didn't really have a topic to write about today, but I figured it was time to put something up. Life is getting super busy for the month of March coming up. I'll be traveling to 3 different states which I am super excited about because I love to travel. Plus I get to travel with a super awesome girl... (see below)
We've traveled to many places together last year...Miami, Key West, Dallas, Nashville.
We travel well together!!

I just get a little excited when it comes to taking trips.