Conversations with a Four Year Old

"...and it breaks my heaa-ar-ar-ar-ar-ar-ar-ar-ar-ar-ar-ar-eart." My ringtone is currently set on Regina Spector singing "Fidelity". When we were shopping the other day Riley heard the song and immediately it became her new favorite. I let her hold my phone so she could keep replaying the song, and she quickly caught on and sang along with Regina.

A while later, as we were walking around Target (after we looked through the cards, of course) Riley found a card making kit that she "needed". I think it was a legitimate desire. She held tightly on to the big box as we looked around for "mommy" to "tell her if" Riley could have it. She was quiet for a few minutes (which is abnormal for Ry) until she shared her thoughts...

"do you think we could make a card for, um-what's her name? Regina?"


"Yes. I think we could do that. What will we say?"

"Can I tell her I love her?"

"Why don't we tell her we love her song, because we don't really know her."

"Yeah. Regina Spec--what?"

"Spector."

"I love her song."


I so enjoy life with a four year old.

"The one where Manda moves to the new town home"

I always loved the way the Friend's episodes were titled: "The one where Joey gets a duck". Sometimes I title scenes in life. Like this one--"The one where Manda moves to the new town home!" I do so enjoy change. This won't be anything major (I'm moving 3/4 of a mile from my parent's house), but it's definitely going to be different. I'm going to be living with my sister, brother-in-law, and my niece in our new town home on the golf course. Eeeee! I'm so excited! If my friends lived here, we'd have a house warming party so we could pray over each room...then you all could lavish us with home decor gifts, and we'd end the night with a crazy fun dance. Maybe our next reunion should be here, so we can fill the new house with great memories. I've played so many of them in my head already. -like the one where we stay up all night watching the whole 5 video Pride and Prejudice series in our basement (on the 62" plasma screen Nick bought so the Wii would be more life-like). . . and the one where we sit on the roof in the Colorado summer watching the sun set, and talking about the goodness of God. . . and then the one where Jane takes the pregnancy test and gathers the family in our living room to tell us we're going to have a baby! . .I am so thankful for this new home. God's timing has been absolutely perfect. He is so good! Yes, and amen.

Peace, love, and...skulls?

Yesterday I went Christmas shopping with my sister and neice.(Jane and Riley).We seriously shopped until we dropped. I didn't end up buying very many Christmas presents. Come to think of it, I didn't buy any. Oh dear. I bought my 13 year old sister her birthday present. I have fun shopping for her. She's into the florescent 80's colors. Jane and I are trying to manipulate her style to carefully draw her away from the idea that skulls and peace signs go together. The junior high style is so weird. I have to be careful with my comments though. Thirteen is a very sensitive age. Last year I made the mistake of laughing at some girl's big skater shoes with bright laces-turns out Sarah had the same ones. Whoops! She held a grudge for a few months. That was before I moved home, so I didn't feel the reprocussion of my taunting.

.

They're so cute. :-)

Greetings!

I am a huge fan of greeting cards. I can spend entirely too much time in the Hallmark store just browsing cards for all occasions. I normally only walk away with one, and it's often one that I don't know I need until I see it. I love the moment when I know I "just have to get it" for whoever I decide would love to get it in the mail. I mean, really...who doesn't love getting a card in the mail?? My friend, Lindsee, loves Hallmark's Fresh Ink cards, so now I'm a fan. And then, there's Papyrus. Ahhh...Papyrus. In my opinion, no one does a better job creating an experience for the recipient than the Papyrus card company. The cards are pricey, but worth the cost. Before viewing the card, you have to break the golden, embossed seal that is marked with the signature humming bird. Then, the cards are lavishly decorated with beautiful prints. Even the simple cards are beautiful.

I think dictation is the "sinker" in the "hook, line, and sinker" trio (and "Fresh Ink" wins there). The front print is the hook (or the bait). The "line" is a subjective feature-the moment when the viewer decides if it's worth opening. So, if they make it this far, and the dictation inside just doesn't cut it, the whole process looses momentum. This is the point when  the viewer will flip the card over to check the price. If it's too high, the fish is off the hook. If it's reasonable, maybe they'll buy even if they don't love every aspect of the card.

I would love to have my own greeting card company. That's my latest developing dream. I'm having a hard time knowing how to start this endeavor. I've been researching non-profits that I could eventually partner with so that a percentage of the proceeds could go to a good cause. Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions? Connections?

Lean Muscle Eats Fat...

I started P90X this week, and though right now it's kicking my butt, after a few more weeks I hope to hold some fitness authority. It's funny how a tough workout brings out my aggressive side. I feel like yelling at Tony Horton for making me beat my body for 58 minutes (with only a few 30 second "breaks"). Even during the breaks he makes me keep moving (it's called "ballistic stretching"). I'm blaming this all on him, but I really do love it...and I hate it too. I'm sore today, and it feels great! The endorphins are definately a motivating factor. So, that's the latest. I'll be finished with my 90 days on March 7th. I'll let you know how it goes.

Something Old, Something New...

Who: Valerie and the rest of the Goulson family, Emma, and me.
Where: Willmar, Minnesota.
Why?: It's our ANNUAL "THANKSGIVING REUNION"!!

What a wonderful trip this has been thus far...it is so good to see the town that Val lives in (she grew up in a town not too far from here). Yesterday was Emma's birthday, and what a birthday it was! We enjoyed every moment. We even did something that we've never done before...

Join us as we explore "Weddings on First".

This was only a glimpse of one stop along our week of adventure. The week was filled with Christmas decorating, a ladies shopping retreat to the Mall of America, dinner and a movie with the guys (Josh and Bryan), more laughter than I've had in months, great vanilla chai from Lulu Bean's, family game night with the Goulson's...okay, I could go on, but you get the picture. It was a blast!

My Visit to Keystone.

I drove up to Keystone, Colorado yesterday to visit some friends. What a beautiful drive! Oh my goodness. I kept thinking, i live here. This is awesome! I felt like I was in a different world up there in the Rockies. Here's some photos captured by my handy dandy cell.

It was really bright out. Look---my car (Alexis) made it all the way up the mountain! Adda Girl. As all the SUV's passed us, I had to remind her that though she is my little luxry car, she's totally competent to climb to Keystone.

I stopped in a town called Georgetown. It's a quaint colonial town where miners and their familes used to live. It's been preserved for 200 years.

MB Hasz told me about this restaurant! It's called EuroGrill. I can't wait to go have dinner here. Good wine, good European food, good location...all I need is good company, and I'll be set!

A little winery in the Mountains. Cheese and wine tastings every evening. lovely.

Sex Slavery in Cambodia

Red and Yellow, Black and White

I'm watching "The Kite Runner" right now. Oh God...It's planting a deep sorrow in my heart. This is such a moving story. Moving. When people say that, what they mean is, "it moved my emotions". I hope, though, that all the times I am moved in my spirit, I would seek to know what my active response should be. Watching foreign films moves me. Something in me shifts, and I can't get the images out of my mind.

I am living a life that is unimaginable to some children. Children who know no different than a life of violence and war. Or those who were sold into slavery before they had a chance to learn how to read. I feel that the Lord has strategically placed my heart in differernt countries as I've read stories, watched news reports and foreign films, and even as I simply look at a map (which I can do for hours).

I've gotta get married soon so I can start adopting children. That's my active answer for now.

Ecuador.

Cambodia.

Southeast Asia.

Samoa.

Pakistan.

It's funny, but all my life I've been asked the question, "What are you?" many times and in many different variations. During one of my high school summers I went to cheer camp. While we were there one of the black girls came up to me and said, "So, we were wondering...are you black or are you white? You aint got a black nose, but your skin's black."

I think that maybe I can pass as many different ethnicities for a very specific reason.

The Great Pursuit (job searching that is)

I haven't posted for the past month and a half because I was busy being indoctrinated in all things coffee. I am now officially a Starbucks Barista/Shift Supervisor. When I arrived in Colorado, I applied for many different jobs to no avail. :-\ It was a frustrating pursuit. I figured I would move to Colorado, get settled in, and a week later land the perfect career-ish job that would catapult me forward to my future in journalism.
After a month of job-hunting, I was restless. So (naturally) I started looking at plane tickets to Europe. My mom talked me out of this hasty and irrational adventure. Instead, I accepted my Grandma's invitation to visit her in California. That was a good break in my ineffective job searching.

The day after I got back from Cali, I applied at the Starbucks down the street. I got the job and started working there three days later. After a month of studying the Starbucks mission, memorizing the "Green Apron Behaviors", and coffee and tea tasting, I was caffiene buzzed and ready to run a shift. Okay, that's my life in a very tiny nutshell. So...go visit your local Starbucks- where we're not in the coffee business serving people, we're in the people business serving coffee. *wink*

Heart Throbs

Grandma and I just finished watching "Pretty Woman". You know, the one with Julia Roberts and Richard Gere?...no, not "Runaway Bride". This is the one about the billionaire who falls in love with the prostitute. As I was watching, I couldn't help but think of Jesus. I know, probably not what you may have thought of if you've seen it. But as I watched, my heart hurt. I sit here, in my Aunts office area fighting tears- swallowing hard and deep because I realize something wonderful. But it is so beautiful that its contrast [all things of this world] look like deadly blades dripping with human blood and flesh. I was bought at the most expensive rate known to all beings. I was dead in my trespasses and sin, and Jesus, the most pure and perfect son of the Most High God, rescued me. I am deeply loved by Love Himself. There is nothing stronger or greater than that. . . and friends, to understand this, you must see what is unseen and seek to know what is unknown.

Selah.
 

Ephesians 6:12

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Little Old Lady from Pasadena

Hello dear followers...
(isn't it funny that you're called that-hey, it's your choice. ;-))
I am currently in Pasadena, California visiting my grandma (thus the Beach Boys' tune title) and my Aunt Janie. I'd been throwing the idea around for a couple days, so on Friday night I booked my flight to leave Saturday morning. I do love the thrill of last minute get-aways!
I'll keep you posted as the week progresses.

Feline Festivities

Rarely do I have an "ordinary" day. My first two weeks in Denver have been filled with socializing and exploration...oh, and the occasional interview. I've met most people in the church, and set up coffee dates. I've interviewed with a couple for a nanny position. I've seen the city--and i LOVE it! I've stayed up late exhausting all options on the surrounding city's web sites (to make sure I don't miss any of the festivals and events). I've reviewed the Commerce City city counsel meeting agenda, which is on Tuesday evening (I know-who does that, right?). I've sipped coffee and watched through a window as the busy city rushed past me. I've started reading Ted Dekker's book, Blessed Child--it keeps me up at night because I can't stop reading. I've been to a Rockies game on Faith Day with my church (Mercy Me played afterwards). I've been to a movie with my parents-Julie and Julia. I've been to a "FACE" concert at Flat Iron Mall's Summer Concert series. Mmm, and I've smelled the fragrances of the Botanical Gardens.

Today I went to a Cat Show. Yes, that's right, a cat show...hosted by the Cat Fanciers Association. My sister opened her own "cattery" (that's really what they're called). She breeds long-haired Persian cats. It's quite the hobby-a profession for some. At the cat show, Jane and I walked up and down the aisles looking at the most outrageous and unique felines. There are some crazy kitties out there, and they sell at $2,500 a puff...or for the hairless Sphinx, a skin wrinkle. Even though I was chuckling inside, I behaved myself the whole time. I was thinking of how Radhika would have responded if she had been with me. OK-I guess I did laugh out loud a few times with those thoughts. I should get a W.W.R.S bracelet. Too far? okay. I just remembered the time we were at the high tea. The ladies at our table were talking about all the High Teas they attended, and their etiquette lessons as children. Radhika joined in on the conversation bringing comedic relief..."We ate with our hands in my home." hahahha...

Oh yes...the cat show...well, I really can't make fun of the whole scene--i mean, i did...but comparing it to being on the swim team kind of justifies the breeders lifestyle. My friends thought it was so bizarre that I signed up to a summer of waking up at 6:30 AM to jump in a cold pool and physically exert myself in ways most people would never desire before 9:00 AM. And then give my weekends to camping (literally in a tent) and eating baby food (quick carbs) while waiting to hear my event number. Oh, and I won't go in to detail about the minimal attire. So, I can appreciate the cattery lifestyle.

I'm Amanda Harrington, reporting from Commerce City, Colorado...where the sun shines most of the time, and bordom is only an option for bad attitude 12 year olds who choose it (no, I'm not thinking of any specific sister of mine.;)) Good night!

School Days in CO

How precious!

I just dropped Sarah and Mitch off at school where they were greeted by a cute little 4th grade "car park" (he didn't park the car, he just opened the door for the kids to get out). Mitchel is the neighbor boy that we take to school. He and Sarah go to--huh...now that I think of it, I don't know what the school is called--anyway, he comes over around 7:50. Mom bought a little devotional to do everyday with him and Sarah. I was the substitute this morning because mom had to go to training for substitutes and teacher's aids. She's hopping right in as soon as she can with subbing. School just started so it should be a while before the teachers need her.

Sarah likes school so far. She got the teacher that she wanted. He's Greek, and right out of college. She and her friends have a crush on "Mr. V". Oh dear.

I'm getting used to all the streets around here. I like to drive around (somewhat aimlessly) to get my bearings. I know how to get to Target, Wal*mart, Northfield Mall, Sarah's school, church...the basics. Jane and I explored Denver for a bit the other night. I'm going to look up the "hot spots" and check 'em out today. First things first though.

To do today:

• finish my resume-our real estate agent said she would get it to the right people. :) It really is who you know. I really like Marlene.
• Buy plastic storage totes- I need to organize all my belongings. I don't really want to move in to my parent's house because I'll be moving into Jane and Nick's place as soon as the deal closes. Bad news though-it looks like it is going to be longer than I anticipated to close this "short sale". I'm learning the in's and out's of real estate. I better move in. No need to be a guest in my own house.
• work out at Snap Fitness- I've gotta get a regular workout routine in order. Mmm...I like routines. I like the idea of an 8:00-5:00 job in this season. Consistency will be nice. I can plan my days, and leave room for spontaneity.
• Get Colorado license plates for my car-I named her Alexis. I really wanted a Lexus, but my Dad convinced me that my income is not worthy of such luxury. I settled for Toyota's "luxury vehicle", the Avalon. Her name is Alexis, because she is my Lexus in this season. Oh, and because I'm a fan of Alexis Bladel (Gilmore Girls).
  

Okay, time to get on with my day. I'm sure more things will make their way on to my "to do" list as I go...like "explore the 16th street mall", and "get a pedicure with mom". -Livin' in the fast lane here in CO. ;-)

love love to all...I miss you dear friends (meaning Val and Sarah because they're the only ones who read this).

PS I had my first golf lesson last night. There are so many technicalities to swinging a club! I have a whole new respect for golfers.

Amanda: The Forest Guard

You know those people who are avid fiction readers? The fantasy world type. The ones who normally seem misplaced in most social environments? Those people who join geeky social networks called, "keeper of the elfin land" and "guardian of the galaxy"?

Ok. ok...here's my confession. I've officially become a member of [drum role please] The Forest Guard. Yes. That's right. I receive weekly newsletters from the author of the Circle Trilogy books, and updates on newly released novels. I'm hooked!
Would you like to join me?
http://www.teddekker.com/readgreen/

Wedding bells and sunsets

I'm in South Dakota this week for my friend's wedding. It has been wonderful to be with old friends. Almost everyone from my high school class was at the wedding. Okay, now before I let you marvel at how tight knit our class is, and how monumental Rachel's wedding was, I must mention that my graduating class had a grand total of ten people in it. Four of the ten have spouses, now that Rachel has become "Mrs. Schuur". When we were seniors, the five girls "buried" a time capsule. By bury, I mean in the closet. We chose this option instead of the more commonly used method of burrying the memories in the ground (I know, I know...not quite as romantic as packing dirt over the box, but our slumber party was over so a quick burial was necessary). Ha! Now that I think of it, that was the morning after our "homework burning" bonfire. We collected all of the assignments we'd completed over the four years of high school (Rachel, being the over-achiever she is, had saved all her Jr. High work as well). Wow. What a celebratory ritual! So, we are supposed to uncover the time capsule after 5 years. That will be next year. I can't wait to get my N'Sync CD back... ;-)
I'm staying with good family friends this week. It's been such a treat to stay with the Hofer's. I've been studying Texas Government in the living room most of the day. I watched the sun set over the South Dakota corn fields as Tony Bennet sang love songs to me. It was lovely. Rebekah and I went on a bike ride and then spent the last four hours talking. That conversation is actually what stirred me to write. Funny thing is--my full heart didn't spill on to this post. I guess these heart thougts are for the pages of my journal. For now anyway.

Beans and Ice

Iced coffee that is. It's my favorite drink these days. I've had great times in coffee shops. Today Sarah and I spent hours at Cafe Tazza. I was, of course, working on Texas Government. Sarah was working on a project for her core. We decided that we like spending our alone time together. We didn't say much while we sat next to each other, but every now and then, one of us would make a noise or gesture that would hint at the different worlds we were in. Sarah watched a beautiful ballet dance, and her amusement drew my attention towards her screen. My "interesting's" and "Ooo's" were normally followed by some crazy fact about the size of Texas or the diversity in Texas' culture. Did you know that Texarkana is closer to Chicago than to El Paso??? Yeah, me neither! Sarah and I decided we need to know what type of coffee blends we prefer in order to be connoisseurs of the beautiful bean.



The CA men have arranged a fun filled night. I'm excited about it. The text sent out read, "Westin and I are planning something tonight. Meet in the horseshoe at 9:30. Bring a flashlight, something to sit on (blanket), camera, cars, and a spoon. Wear something you can run around in and be comfy." I love adventures!

Cultural Politics

I'm learning about the importance of knowing specific cultural tendencies to better understand politics. I'm taking Texas Government to finish up my AA before transfering to ???, so I have the pleasure of learning everything I've never wanted to know about the Lone Star State's political system. :-)

Do you know the primary function of government? To preserve order. That's great! I'm more and more thankful for the system we have set up in America. Secondly, it provides public goods. This includes military forces, sports arenas, roads, post offices, law inforcement...and lastly, the government protects the individual's rights (apparently this one is somewhat controversial).

Ok, i'll stop boring you with politics...

Felicia and I are sitting here at Java Jams Cafe. She just applied for college and rewarded herself with an "Ulitimate Berry Smoothie".

I need to finish this class in three weeks. I need the grace of God! As long as I continue to enjoy it, I'll be just fine. It has much more to do with perspective than the actual course load.

On another note-I'm eager to start working full time in Colorado. I'm looking in to a Dental Assistant job. I would really love that position. I would get to talk to people all day...calming little, crying children, easing the anxiety of the 13 yr. old during their braces consultation, preparing tools for the dentist, taking X-rays...how great, right? :-)

When in Spain...

On Friday night my "sorority" and I went to Cafe Madrid in Dallas to celebrate the festival of the running of the bulls. This is an event that takes place in Pamplona, Spain every year. Thousands of runners flood the small streets of Pamplona to carry on an age old tradition. Bulls are released, and the crowd takes off to escape the possible gorging that occurs every year. This weekend a man was attacked and killed by one of the bulls. It is the first time this has happened since 1995, and Spain is considering ending their notorious tradition after this horrible slaughter. Ok...sorry, I didn't mean to give you the news report.

Back to the Lambda Beta Psi weekend...Cafe Madrid-what a wonderful cultural experience! We shared 14 different "tapas" (Spanish appetizers) which included rotary quail, and Chorizo (a mixture of spicy meats in a sausage role). My heart comes alive with experiences like that! I love culture and the way it provokes thoughts of the global vision! I am so eager to live in Spain, and to learn from the people. Some day I'd like to dream in another language. I think that's when I'll know I'm fully immersed.

First things first though...Valerie, Kaytalyn, and I are going to live in Belize next summer. I am thrilled about this. It's said that knowledge leads to intimacy. As I travel to other cultures, the Lord's heart is revealed for the world and all its people. The more I know, the deeper in love with Christ I fall.

Wildflowers

My Core Advisors are like wildflowers. They are delicate and beautiful, colorful and alive, graceful and flowing with lovely fragrances. They bloom where they are planted, and they are planted, not by human hands, but by the winds of their creator.

"See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these." Matthew 6:28-29

The Right Mind

I learn much about myself as I work this job, and take on numerous tasks day to day. There are some people on earth who are naturally gifted in mathamatics-numbers, equations, and the like. Those who enjoy sitting down and crunching information by going from point A to point B. These activities use the left side of the brain. I am in another category; the english/literature/creative category. I realize that I do things differently than my lefty friends. I grit my teeth and tackle the "mathy" projects, but I delight in the creative activities. Ok...I'm being vague. Here's how it is...I'm working on housing for next year's intern class, and it is a monster to me because of all the factors that go in to this equation. I'm also creating the Dorm Director Manual for the ladies. Katie came up with the wonderful idea of writing it in a journal format: "what we wish we would have known". I realize I'd much rather work on the latter. It fuels me to write, but it is draining to solve complicated equations.
I prefer to live in my right mind.

Making Community a Priority

The Teen Mania Community I live in makes friendship easy and convenient. I love that aspect of my life here. I know that things will be different when we leave, SO we've decided that our community will reconvene in November for Thanksgiving. The first communal Thanksgiving was at Josh Rasch's home in PA. Last year was in Colorado at my house. This year we are all going to Val's house in Wilmar, Minnesota! This will be our third, annual gathering.

--Ooo! Larissa's song is playing!

"Girl put your record on...play me your favorite song...do da da da...let your hair down..."

I've learned many life enriching skills while working at this ministry. One of them being Mr. Stoner's ability to create epic traditions by simply adding "annual" to an event. At the Honor Academy Staff Retreat back in April he announced we would be participating in the "Annual" kickball tournament. We were all able to revisit the playground in elementary school where we would line up to be chosen by the captains of the kickball teams. After the teams were chosen, we started our incredibly, competitive game of kickball.

When the game was over, the ladies insisted we have our Annual Honor Academy Staff Dance. Dave thought that was fair after we agreed to the boys' game. After dancing to Rascal Flatts and Lecrea, the men left, and this choreography magic evolved...

(Why isn't this video loading?) Well, that was anticlimactic.

Sorry.

May 6th
Ok. So, I’m going to start blogging. I’ve realized that I’m easily persuaded…or maybe easily manipulated? …Whatever the case, Val and Holly made me feel good about myself this morning by telling me to publish my thoughts, so here’s to you two: Amanda Harrington-The Romantic Life. >?>? I’m sure that name will change after a few posts. It’s Val’s birthday today. She’s 23! I like the way she views this year of her life. “23 is a great age because it’s an age when you can do some-what crazy things and it’s not all that crazy anymore. Like moving across the country; it’s on the adventurous side, but, I’m 23-I can do that if I want to.” So true, Val! One simple year changes the world’s outlook on the decisions we make. If I was 19 and flitting around the globe, I would be stupid, but now I’m 22, so it makes me cultured. Interesting how that works. Ha!

Oh, and one more thing… In my profession, it’s completely normal to teach sporadic swim lessons -in my office- for Navy Seal Competitions. I’m glad I know Randy Olsson.

Last night Holly spent the night. I love that we are “grown-ups” and we still have sleep-over’s.

May 20, 2009
I really enjoy morning news. Well, I guess it’s not really “news”, but I like watching “The Morning Show” and “Regis and Kelly”. I like to analyze the host’s facial expressions and body language. I think of how I would talk and move if I were hosting. I like Kelly Ripa’s style.

May 26, 2009
I’m in the office after a Memorial Day weekend in Florida. It’s a three day week that ends with the Celebration LTE. Mmm…Celebration! It’s a whole weekend of “mandatory FUN”! I’ll be a crispy, little, sun-dyed Mexicana after the weekend (which is better than my more Caucasian friends who will be sun DRIED tomatoes after three days at the pool). I’m considering being a part of the Staff Synchronized swimming team. Is it a “team”? Group? Squad? Yes, that’s it! The Staff Synchronized Swim Squad. The alliteration makes us sound like professionals. Maybe I’ll just dub myself the staff cheerleader. I don’t feel like committing. I’d rather be able to be a part of every activity. Cheerleader it is.
My mentor, Mary Beth prayed that I would meet my husband in the next 8 weeks (if he’s here). It’s funny how she slipped that in to the end of her prayer for me. Haha…

May 29, 2009
Val and I have plants that we treat like pets. We tried the pet thing and it just didn’t work out. We owned a Guiney Pig for a week. Its name was Giddy. Well, I guess her name still is Giddy but I’d rather think of her as deceased than feel the weight of abandonment we caused in her furry, little life. She was a just too high strung for us. We’re both pretty laid back when we come in the room after work, so Giddy’s acrobatic feats that flung her pine shavings all over the room were really not that impressive to either of us. She was spastic and “wiggin’ out” was the nature of her character. I don’t blame her for her tendencies though. She has been through a lot in her short existence. She’s gone through the struggles of foster care; living with four different families.
So, now that we’ve rid ourselves of dear Giddy, I’ve reached the resolve to only have plants as pets in this season of life. We take turns giving them water. They’re really low maintenance. They love the sunshine. And we can shop for new pots every month. Meet Milly (Val’s Coffee Plant), and Bella (My Dwarf Palm).

June 3rd, 2009
June is upon us. Spring has passed, with its pretty little wildflowers and mild temperatures, and summer’s humidity has arrived. Ick! It’s like a watery quilt that magnifies the UV rays. I’ve decided to wear sunscreen this summer. I keep running in to old women who tell me I’ll be glad I did now, because if I don’t, I’ll be leathery and wrinkly when I’m their age.

It has been an entertaining week! So, you know what I said up there on May 27th about only having plants as pets? Well, on May 29th we inherited nine puppies that Hannah Luce found near their house. She brought them home, and made the family responsible for the babies. Val and I decided to take these adorable burdens from Katie because she was struggling with a solution to find them homes. Val headed up the distribution puppy program, and Nina and I were faithful co-leaders. We sent out an e-mail to all staff to inform them of the “puppy preview” that would be happening at the Luce’s home over lunch. I was decently surprised to have so many interested visitors during the hour. Those who we least expected to bite actually ended up with our pups. Sam Hasz surprised his family with little Jackson, and Randy became a proud father to Lutrell (named after Marcus Lutrell, Author of “The Lone Survivor” Navy Seal Class 29). We took the rest to Wal*Mart and found good homes for all after two evenings of practicing our sales and marketing skills (we delegated to some lovely MA’s on the 2nd night). Mmmhmmm…The Romantic’s Mundane.

I hope life will never be “ordinary, boring, humdrum”. I enjoy making an event out of every opportunity! So do the people I live life with, so there really is never a dull moment.

We met some lovely (and interesting) people in the Wal*Mart parking lot. I enjoyed that aspect the most. I love living life with my friends. Nina, Val…I only wish Holly would have been a part of this escapade (she was at a wedding).

June 9, 2009

Sometimes I feel like I’m in a well scripted movie...or an adventurous book. Like all the details are building up to the climax in the plot. Every day has some sort of a climax. Today? Oh, I’d say it happened around 9:00 this morning during something called “The Race”. We used the interns as our guinea pigs to test a new marketing/promotional idea for our mobilization department. I facilitated as group “G” skittered from point A-Z in their allotted 90 minutes. They had no warning to prepare them for our little experiment. I think it was a nice way to start the day…no substitute for a skinny latte, but then, who wants to read a blog about a skinny latte? ;-)

This is actually a cappuccino, not a latte. I took this picture in a café in Barcelona, Spain back in February.

June 15, 2009

I just ate an ant in my cereal. Actually, it was probably more like 8 of the little curious Georges. I saw one or two crawling around before I poured the Special K with Almonds in to my Starbucks cup (we have a bunch left over from a party, and it makes clean up easy!) I decided to take the risk-I was really hungry. I took the first two bites fearlessly…then I started examining each spoonful. As I did, I felt spiteful emotions begin to surface. Ten seconds passed before I realized my eyes were squinted and my eyebrows were bent in a scowl. How dare they ruin my cereal! I started to talk to myself (in my head).

Just eat it.

No, that’s gross.

The little animals were just alive.

So…you eat sushi. That’s kind of the same thing.

No. Not the same thing.

Whatever…just don’t think about it.

Go! Just eat your cereal.

I chewed my cereal feeling like I was teaching the ants a lesson. I feel sick now. I thought about it too much and started giving the little guys personalities. I--ate--them. That’s gross. They were just alive! Ok…moving on.

June 19, 2009

I’m reading Ted Dekker’s Circle Series. I’m half way through the second book, and it’s changed the way I view my life. More than that though, I see the gospel with a new, deeper understanding. I feel it. My heart is mushy. The love of God has been squeezing it in to a different mold. I know more. I see more. I feel more. I love more. All of this makes me responsible for more. Ha! It’s funny, but I find myself journaling about the characters in these books as if they are a part of my life. That’s my personality, I guess. The pieces of my life are woven together. Work…school…play…friendships…romance…all of it is filled with the same life breath from my creator. It’s all a part of the divine strategy.