My Weekend of Wackiness

My goodness...I am so glad my weekend is over! Normally, I am thinking the opposite, but this weekend I am SO glad that it's Sunday night! Allow me to hit the highlights of the weekend.

Nursing School Application: Turned In!

On Friday morning, I drug my Mom down to Mt. Carmel with me to turn in my nursing school application. I was really excited I walked in with all this energy and a cheery "Good Morning!" to the lady at the information desk. Sadly, she wasn't as excited about my application as I was. I was looking for "Thank you applicant for all of your hard work and effort in applying to our program! We look forward to you giving us thousands of dollars!" Instead, I was met with "I'll see that they get it." Hmm. Not exciting. So, to make myself feel better, I went to down to school and bought over priced textbooks for this quarter. Nothing like a little retail therapy to cheer a girl up! Sadly, I don't have any shoes that match my anatomy book.

Powell Festival: D-U-N, DONE! [A little shout to you BB fans!]

Oh Powell Festival. You were fun. But you were muddy. The highlight of the weekend would have to be Don and Rachael singing karaoke..."I Got You Babe". It was magical.

Other than that, Powell Festival was a hot, sweaty, muddy, rainy mess. I think the teens had fun, but I would have preferred a dentist appointment, reliving closing on my condo, or perhaps jamming my toe again. I am not a girl who loves the heat...I mean, I love to look outside and say, "Wow. It must be hot out there. I think I'll go to the pool. But first, let me crank up my A/C." I'm NOT the girl that says, "Wow. It must be hot out there. I think I'll go outside and haul stuff for 30912 hours." I was so happy to get home last night and crawl into bed. The only bummer was one last task...

Picnic: D-U-N, DONE!

Oh Zion Picnic. You were very fun. And delicious. But thanks for being over. :o)

Now I am cuddling up on the couch, wondering if it's too early to go to bed.

For the record, it's 8:00pm on the dot.

Instead, I am watching Season 2 of '24' and wondering what the heck happened to Jack and why costume designers think "grieving male widow" always equals ugly flannel shirt. I am also wondering why Kim is nannying for a freakin' nut job.

BUT...most importantly, I am wondering who I could call to carry my upstairs to my bed, because my legs hurt, my feet hurt, and I need about 36 straight hours of sleep. The last time I was this sleep deprived, I think I was in college. I am getting too old for this. :o)

One final tidbit of the Powell Festival. Shawn and Joy were like angels on a mission by coming to our tents and rescuing me for a little while. And it was very courteous of Shawn to ask if we should head directly to the beer tent. Don't you love having friends who know you so well?!? I decline the drink, but we head for Elephant Ears instead.

As we are sharing the deliciously sugary cinimmon treat, I start talking to Joy about my nursing school application. I then had to share with Shawn what I had done and he asks if he can call me "Doctor".

Um, no...I'm going to nursing school.

To which he then asks if he can call me "Gyno".

Um, NO. Nope. Never call me "Gyno."

I'm glad we cleared that up in advance. :o)

Because I stole...

Isn't that a riveting title? I'll be willing to bet that peaked a few of your interests! No, I'm not divulging my criminal past, I'm just being a team player.

Check out Big Mama's blog today...all about summer cooking. I love, love, love to cook, but in the summer all I want to do is nap by the pool. So she's having an easy summer recipe share-a-thon. I copied lots of recipes that sound so yummy, so I thought in the interest of blogging etiquette, I should share one of my own summer favorites.

Pink Lemonade Pie

Mix:

• 1 small can of condensed pink lemonade [if you can't find the small can, just use half of the regular sized can]
• 1 small can of Eagle brand milk
• 1 container of Cool Whip
• Add red food coloring to make it pink!

Pour the delicious mixture into your store purchased pie crust [because I KNOW you aren't making your own!] and freeze. Keep that baby frozen until right before serving. I have tried taking it out of the freezer and putting it in the fridge...gets too runny!

Serve with strawberries, mint, even a little chocolate syrup drizzled on top! Delish!

Life Just Got a Little Bit Better...

Life was magical today...

• Woke up :o)
• Worked out [not the magical part]
• Lounged by the pool
• Baby shower for Jen and Max
• Sonic beverage
• Cuddling up on the couch with '24'

Speaking of '24'...I was getting a little bored with the episode I was watching [I think it was the 7:00-8:00pm hour]...then suddenly...WHA?!? LOU DIAMOND PHILLIPS!!!!!!!!!!

Woo hoo!

Oh Lou. I have no idea what my fascination with him is, but I think it's rooted in the fact that he's actually sticking with his middle name being "Diamond". Apparently Lou Phillips just isn't good enough! Woah...woah! Dennis Hopper just showed up! Gotta bolt...this is getting good.

A Mid-Summer Rant about New Year's Eve

On the way home from my Mom's house tonight I heard a radio ad for Red, White and Boom. I had seen something on the internet earlier today and started getting panicky about who I was going to watch the fireworks with. Now, those of you who are married cannot relate to this at all. Basically, you ALWAYS have someone to watch the fireworks with! Anyway, I finally said to myself, "this is totally over hyped", and I moved on...until I made the connection. Stuff like this is EXACTLY why I can't stand New Year's Eve. Don't worry...I will elaborate.


DISCLAIMER:
First, let me preface this by saying that the past 2 NYE's I had fun times. [Perhaps a little too much fun, eh Kristen?!?] This rant is in no way a reflection on these parties!! I loved the people that were there, good times. Now, back to the ranting.

I believe I can come up with a Top 10 list of the reasons why I can't stand NYE. Let me count the ways:

1. I once went to a NYE party at a friend's boyfriend's house, where he and his friends spent the evening watching SOUTH PARK. Yes, cartoon children. What's worse, we didn't even get to watch the ball drop!
2. I went to a NYE party where the hostesses had all the lights on, one bag of chips, one jar of salsa, and cheap champagne. One bottle. For 20 people. My friend and I went out on the porch and found a really nice, pricier bottle of champagne that our hosts had HIDDEN so the guests would not find it.
3. I can't tell you the number of NYE's where I have been places that don't have the TV tuned into "New Year's Rockin' Eve" with our good buddy Dick Clark. I mean, who are we kidding? DC is an institution!
4. This past NYE I had to confess to my parents that I was SERIOUSLY hungover and needed a nap and 294 Tylenol.
5. NYE when you don't have a date and everyone else does is just awkward and makes you want to go home, put on your jammies, and go to sleep.
   
6. The hype of NYE is so annoying. It is built up to be the best night ever...we must get dressed up, we must have delicious food, we must, we must, we must...too much hype! It never meets expectations.

Ok, so I only have a Top 6 list. But my point still stands. Red, White, and Boom = too much hype. NYE = too much hype. Both = nights I would rather be in my jammies watching 24.

All I Can Say

So, today I'm having one of those "blah" days. Can anyone relate? There were two times today that I displayed less than desirable behavior, and that always makes me feel icky. Because I'm sensitive and a little edgy tonight, my mind goes to it's favorite place..."Where is TBD? Land". Sadly, this is no theme park...no rides, no candy. Just a humble woman, on her knees, wondering why she's feeling alone and abandoned in the waiting room.

As all of you know, my new favorite blog is Angie Smith's story. I don't know if any of you have taken a moment to listen to the song that plays, but it hits me every time. Her story is so raw, and tonight I'm feeling raw. Anyway, here are the lyrics for the main song on her page.

All I Can Say--David Crowder Band

Lord I'm tired
So tired from walking
And Lord I'm so alone
And Lord the dark
Is creeping in
Creeping up
To swallow me
I think I'll stop
Rest here a while

And didn't You see me crying?
And didn't You hear me call Your name?
Wasn't it You I gave my heart to?
I wish You'd remember
Where You sat it down

Chorus:
And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give

I didn't notice You were standing here
I didn't know that
That was You holding me
I didn't notice that You were crying too
I didn't know that
That was You washing my feet

Songs like this make me want to take a bath, get in bed, and never get up again. So powerful and raw. Such a frighteningly powerful sentiment tonight. Anyway, I guess raw is good sometimes, right? Being pulled [or thrown, as the case may be] to my knees causes me to continually focus back on the One who has the plans. For now, this song is all I can offer.

Adventures with The Toe

Going about my normal business activities yesterday, I stubbed my toe on my desk chair. This wasn't an ordinary stub that makes you want to cuss, this was one of those toe stubs that makes you want to rattle off every obscenity that you have ever heard, and even a few you make up on the spot. Basically, it hurt bad. It hurt real bad. Luckily, the pain subsided [eventually] and I went about my day.

Until this morning.

I woke up and felt a very odd throbbing in my toe area. I lie there thinking, "how can my toe hurt so bad when I'm in bed?" So, I got up and did the next most logical thing...put weight on it.

OUCH!! It wasn't pretty. I hopped [well, painfully climbed] back into bed and took a second look at my little buddy. He wasn't happy. Swollen, bruised, and little uneven, he was in pain. And he wasn't afraid to tell me.

I took a flamingo shower [on one leg] and waited for Bethany or my Dad to show up. Poor Bethany arrived first and I quickly reported to her my new injury. She said "tape it." I wasn't sure. I was seriously considering a full physical workup by my physician. My Dad arrived later [after I put in a phone call that said "Get here ASAP!"] and he provided my second opinion, "tape it".

I didn't tape it.

But, Bethany did!!! She is such a sweet friend. I felt so bad that my toes were in desperate need of a pedicure. Luckily, she is very forgiving.

So, the rest of the day was pretty uneventful. I spent the afternoon tending to a broken toe as any person would. Running errands, getting in my parent's crawlspace, doing laundry, running up and down the stairs 29 different times, and generally NOT taking care of it.

Flash forward to this evening. The Toe [as I have now named him] is getting tired. The Toe's neighbor is tired of being taped to him. Sadly, The Toe has taken on an independent heartbeat that is now throbbing out of sync with my own.

I need to sit down.

But I had just one quick stop to make before retiring for the evening. I ran into Giant Eagle to get fixings for a salad tomorrow and was met at the door by 3 employees and a police officer. Apparently, in this lovely Ohio weather, Giant Eagle had lost power.

Pardon?

I have NEVER heard of such a thing! I was assured that I could still get my items, but I would not be able to get cold things, as they were wrapped in plastic and on dry ice. Suddenly I launch into panic and my heart starts beating faster...as does The Toe's heartbeat. I felt like I was being deprived the ability to get my lettuce and cheese and Armageddon was approaching. "What? No cold items? What about fruit? What about cheese? What about lettuce?" Um, or I could just pick up the 2 things I need tomorrow afternoon.

Anyway, The Toe and I went inside, got what we could and high-tailed it out of there. Now we are cuddled up on the couch together and he is enjoying an elevated ice bath.

I hope I make a great nurse, because I am a TERRIBLE patient!

Throwback Thursday - Friday Edition

It seems as if I have stumbled upon a gold mine. This project for my Dad has provided more heinous photographs than I could have ever imagined!

Where do I begin? The hair? The shirt? The jeans? Luckily, I was smart enough to provide you all with a little redemption. See...I can make good choices!

Throwback Thursday - Part 2

I am working on this really cool project for my Dad's Father's Day gift. I spent the latter part of my evening NOT doing my laundry, but searching for old photos of me and my Dad. I found so many cute pictures which stirred up all the special memories I have shared with my Dad. Then I ran across THIS photo.

Um, could someone PLEASE explain to me why I thought it was a good idea to wear a checked table cloth as pants? Anyone? Look how great my Dad looks! He could be in a Polo or Ralph Lauren ad...with his cream sweater and polo shirt. Meanwhile, I am rockin' a denim shirt and crazy pants!

Needless to say, this photo will NOT be making the cut. I will leave it here as a special gift to all of you!

Throwback Thursday...

Need I say more?

Drop Everything and Watch This...

Several weeks ago I found this blog by Angie Smith [thanks Amie!]. She is married to Todd Smith of the group Selah. I had no idea how moved I would be by this family, specifically this woman I have never met. Her writing is so compelling, and their testimony is both heart-breaking and inspiring. If you have the time, you will be so blessed to read her story.

This video chronicles the journey she and her husband have been on enduring the loss of their youngest daughter. I love the concept of this video...we may have a "Plan B" when things don't go our way, but God NEVER has a "Plan B". He has a plan. Unmet expectations, unfulfilled promises, etc. may be our Plan B, but they are all part of God's plan.

Drop what you're doing and be blessed by this awesome family!

Smith Family Story from Matthew Singleton on Vimeo.

This is kind of a big deal...

This is the most beautiful registry I have ever seen!

The excitement I feel over this registry will only be rivaled by my own wedding registry!

Thank you, Lord for your awesome gifts!

Enjoying perks while I wait...

For those dedicated readers out there [all 1 of you, thanks Mom!], you may be thinking that I have completely lost focus of the single life while I wait for TBD. Well, marriage has been the topic of conversation a lot lately, and it has caused me to remember that there are lots of perks to the single life. For those that left the single girl days long ago, allow me to refresh your memory:

1. Sleeping in as late as I want, whenever I want and no one can judge me.
2. Knowing that when I leave one serving of something in the box/bag/fridge, it will be there when I want it.
3. Being totally responsible for monitoring/ignoring my bank account.
4. Going anywhere I want, whenever I want.
5. Popcorn for dinner.
6. Having the bed to myself.
7. Just cleaning up after myself.

Now, please note that I will give all this up in a minute when TBD comes along. And I'm totally fine with that, in fact, I am craving it like I crave popcorn for dinner. It's just good to know that there are a few perks to the life I have right now. God is faithful, and He has been preparing me for the next steps. He has been preparing me to share my home and my life...but for now, I will sleep in the middle of the bed.

Palm Trees and Promises

Yesterday I returned from an incredible trip to Scottsdale, Arizona. In a word, the trip was amazing. In two words, the trip was freakin' amazing. We went to an incredible conference with Patricia King, Joshua Mills, Jason Westerfield, and about 600 other Jesus freaks. God was so kind to us!

Luckily I had just replaced my camera and was taking pictures of my new favorite place all weekend long. I realized that I had several pictures of palm trees. I had first become interested in palm trees after my trip to California. Something about them speaks to me. I don't know if it's my desire to be tall and skinny, or if it's their simple structure that I find so intriguing. But I find myself drawn to them and I end up taking all kinds of pictures of them. I remembered that in 2006 I had done some research on the biblical meaning of palm trees. I dug out my notes and found them to be timely! Here are a few highlights:

• Palm trees satisfied almost every need the ancient Jews needed. They ate plan tree dates; fermented their juice into wine; used the trunk for construction; wove the leaves into baskets, mats, brooms, beds, ropes, etc.
• Deborah led Jerusalem from the shade of a palm tree. [I received a prophetic word several years ago and was prophesied to have a Deborah spirit.]
• Palm branches were thrown at the feet of Jesus as he made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem
• It is a symbol of the prosperity of the righteous
• Used as a symbol of victory

Isn't God amazing! Once again He was reminding me, "Baby girl, I can supply ALL your needs. Everything you need you can find in ME. Just ask Me." I am drawn to this tree as a symbol of my victory over the enemy's attempts to squelch my spirit and steal my promises.

I am claiming this tree for June...my June will bloom!