all things new

American Girl Doll Giveaway

2011-11-09T10:53:00.000-06:00

My friends Eric and Kelsey are in the process of adopting a child from Ethiopia...how EXCITING!!!! They have been raising funds for the past few months to go toward the cost of the adoption, and as part of their final fundraising efforts, they are having a drawing for an American Girl. For more information, visit their website HERE. They also have other ways to donate to their adoption fund if an American Girl doll isn't your thing. For a list of ways to help, click HERE.

Eric and Kelsey are already phenomenal parents to sweet Lila, and I'm so excited for them as they walk in faith throughout this adoption process. If you have questions for them or the giveaway, or simply want to encourage them in their process, you can find their contact information (as well as information about them!) HERE.

It's Not What it Looks Like...

2011-10-25T20:51:00.001-05:00

Thoughts from a Child

2011-10-13T10:57:00.000-05:00

One of my groups of students I work with are made up of 6 very active, very lively first graders. Recently, while working on a writing/coloring activity, they began talking among themselves about being old. One student asked me if you always die when you turn 100. After explaining that age doesn't always determine when you die, one student looked at the other and said "yeah, it's God's choice when you die." To which the other student replied, "yeah, did you know that God is everything?" He proceeded to hold up his crayon and continued "see this crayon? This is God." While it was humorous, it also spoke volumes to me about the innocence of children - their abilities to see God as a crayon, and to know (and maybe understand) that He really IS in all things and everywhere.

Happy Place

2011-09-28T14:48:00.002-05:00

You'll thank me later for THIS.

Never Enough...

2011-09-23T13:00:00.000-05:00

So I look each day at my list of blogging friends, in high hopes that someone has blogged something for me to read. I know that everyone is busy, has their own lives going on, but sometimes, a sister just needs something new to read...

With that said, you are looking at the date of my last post, no doubt. I know, I know, I'm not one to talk, considering my last post was a week ago. The thing is, my life is boring. Everyone else's out there MUST be more intriguing than mine...right?

Bragging Rights

2011-09-15T10:52:00.000-05:00

I definitely have bragging rights on my half baked niece. Dressed in these, she's going to be the cutest gal ever! (Okay, she'll be the cutest regardless of what she's dressed in, but you know...)

A Little Perspective

2011-09-12T13:33:00.000-05:00

I borrowed this from The Lysser, who borrowed it from someone else. Definitely worth the repost.

**
And That's What It's All About
I stole this opinion column from the Minneapolis' StarTribune. I've flown with the author; he looks like Minnesota. He also made me tear up with this:

The radio crackled in my headset as we passed over a tranquil Lake Calhoun. Downtown Minneapolis drifted outside the cockpit window. The landing gear was down.

Everything was as it should be. Outside, the skies were clear and the air was refreshingly less humid than it had been the previous month. I briefly looked down at the passing homes and schools of south Minneapolis.

School was back in session, and bright-yellow buses were busy transporting children, as they would on any other Tuesday morning. But this wasn't any other Tuesday morning. This was Sept. 11, 2001.

As I was completing what would be another uneventful flight, there were four other airplanes whose final destiny would be anything but normal.

That day has forever changed our lives, whether because of enhanced screening at the airport or, heaven forbid, the loss of a friend or family member in the attacks on domestic soil. We all have stories about what we were doing on 9/11.

Most, like mine, aren't anything to write home about, but everyone remembers where they were when American Airlines Flight 11 hit the World Trade Center's North Tower, and what happened afterward is something to write about.

It's what we did after 9/11 that changed America and its people.

Maybe you watched the television with disbelief. Maybe you cried for the loss of fellow Americans. Maybe you called your parents and told them you loved them. Maybe you held your children extra long before they went to bed that night. Maybe you thanked a police officer or firefighter. Maybe you bought a traveling soldier dinner before your flight home.

But what did you do two years afterward? What did you do eight years after 9/11? I don't think people will ever forget that dreadful day, but it has definitely slipped into the back of our memory bank.

For someone like me, an airline pilot who is constantly dealing with airport security and working with federal air marshals, I am reminded of our post-9/11 world on a regular basis.

But for the insurance salesman driving around Kansas or the schoolteacher struggling with a lack of funds, telling your kids you love them one more time before they go to bed or thanking the police officer for what he does after he just wrote you a citation may not be the first thing on your mind.

This past week, just seven days short of the 10-year anniversary of 9/11, I was sitting in Terminal B at Newark's Liberty Airport, waiting for my flight home. I noticed a group of TSA officers wearing honor guard regalia.

With them was a U.S. Army master sergeant. I learned that the master sergeant was escorting a fallen soldier on a final flight home. I didn't ask for the soldier's name, or even if the soldier was male or female. I honestly didn't know what to say.

After the airplane arrived, the honor guard and master sergeant went outside. I stood at the window, along with many other passengers, watching in silence as the honor guard stood at attention while the fallen soldier was loaded on to the airplane.

Through the tears in my eyes, I looked out at the New York City skyline, and it all hit me. Ten years ago, when I was flying over that school, where kids were playing outside -- maybe, just maybe, one of those kids was this soldier who gave everything for our country.

So, when you see a soldier at your regular lunch spot, tell the manager that you'll take care of his or her bill. Call your parents and tell them you love them.

Thank police officers for all that they do. And when you come home from work today, hold your kids for a few extra seconds. As a matter of fact, that was the first thing I did when I got home from that trip. I forgot about the bills, forgot about the oil change the car needed. I held my little daughter in my arms for as long as she'd let me.

After today, we each have one day less. Make the most of it.

* * *

Paul Holte, of Rosemount, is a Boeing 757/767 first officer for a major airline.

My Own Waiter Rant

2011-09-02T14:07:00.000-05:00

If you can't or won't read a menu, please don't go out to eat. And if you do anyway, please don't complain when the food comes out AS IT SHOULD, because it's not "how you like it." Read the menu, buddy. If you have certain things you don't like, double check with the server to make sure what you ordered doesn't have those things. And when it comes out with them because you didn't take the time to READ THE MENU, don't blame me. I'm not a mind reader.

The Waiter and the Spoon

2011-08-23T12:55:00.000-05:00

Taken off Waiter Rant, from a post in 2004. Apparently, someone sent him the story, so I have no problems re-copying it!
************
A timeless lesson on how consultants can make a difference for an organization...

Last week, we took some friends out to a new restaurant, and noticed that the waiter who took our order carried a spoon in his shirt pocket. It seemed a little strange. When the busboy brought our water and utensils, I noticed he also had a spoon in his shirt pocket. Then I looked around saw that all the staff had spoons in their pockets.

When the waiter came back to serve our soup I asked, "Why the spoon?"

"Well," he explained, "the restaurants' owners hired Andersen Consulting to revamp all our processes. After several months of analysis, they concluded that the spoon was the most frequently dropped utensil. It represents a drop frequency of approximately 3 spoons per table per hour. If our personnel are better prepared, we can reduce the number of trips back to the kitchen and save 15 man-hours per shift."

As luck would have it, I dropped my spoon and he was able to replace it with his spare.

"I'll get another spoon next time I go to the kitchen instead of making an extra trip to get it right now."

I was impressed. I also noticed that there was a string hanging out of the waiter's fly. Looking around, I noticed that all the waiters had the same string hanging from their flies. So before he walked off, I asked the waiter, "Excuse me, but can you tell me why you have that string right there?"

"Oh, certainly!" Then he lowered his voice. "Not everyone is so observant."

That consulting firm I mentioned also found out that we can save time in the rest-room. By tying this string to the tip of 'you know what', we can pull it out without touching it and eliminate the need to wash our hands, shortening the time spent in the rest-room by 76.39 percent."

"After you get it out, how do you put it back?"

"Well," he whispered, "I don't know about the others, but I use the spoon."

New Year, New Attempts

2011-08-22T13:24:00.001-05:00

So we're off to another school year. My friend and fellow co-worker has re-inspired my feeble attempts at blogging with her new, freshly minted blog post. You can read it here.

Over the summer, I served full time at a local restaurant. And became addicted to a little thing called Waiter Rant. I might even use my posts here to do my own waiter rant. I, however, may not be as nice as The Waiter. Here's one for starters:

If you allow your teenage children to dine at sit down restaurants by themselves...for the love of everyone, teach them how to act. And how to tip. I came extremely close this weekend to asking a group of seven high school girls if they grew up in the zoo, because no one around them enjoyed being there. Yelling, screaming, and playing games at the table is NOT appropriate. Neither is leaving a $1 tip on a $27 tab. Thankfully, my managers have noticed these ladies before, and have noticed the trend of them playing the system to get free/discounted food. No more, girls. Taco Bell is just down the street.

Hideout Needed

2011-05-12T13:28:00.000-05:00

On my first trip to Ethiopia, we stayed at a little resort on Lake Langano. This resort was located at the very end of what seemed like a VERY long dirt road. In reality, the road was probably only 4 or 5 miles, but when you are traveling at 30-35 mph because of road conditions, it seems much longer. Anyway - the road dead-ends at this little resort. When you get out of the car and look ahead of you, you see nothing but the lake. When you turn and look behind you, you see nothing but rocky ridges that are big enough to almost call mountains. To either side are the most beautiful flowers and incredible trees. I'd like to be back there right now.

The view going down the dirt road to the resort

Sunset over the lake

Current State of my Hometown

2011-04-26T15:30:00.002-05:00

Trouble on the Horizon

2011-04-22T14:22:00.001-05:00

My students are showing me they are well versed in poker-speak. My concern levels are rising.

A big booooo

2011-04-20T10:56:00.003-05:00

Life - or should I say weather - should have a giant DISLIKE button. Because I'd push it today. It's April 20. Spring should be well underway. And I'm wearing long johns under my pants.

Not cool weather, not cool. (Technically, I suppose it is, but you get my point.

Intimidation Factor

2011-04-15T12:59:00.002-05:00

So I work with a person who is very interesting to say the least. And I don't mean that in a positive way. I'm pretty sure they must have been home-schooled (sorry for anyone that offends) because the social awkwardness is off the charts. Anyway - I've recently come to realize that this person is afraid of me. I consider myself to be a fairly mild mannered, friendly person. I just happened to say what I think, without sugar coating my irritation of others at times. Okay, all the time. Anyway, one said occasion with this particular person happened a while back, and since then, said person won't enter a room if I'm in it. Or will press their body against the wall if I happen to walk down the same hallway. It's kind of ridiculous, I know. Insert social awkwardness here.

Twenty Eighth Time Is a Charm?

2011-04-14T11:52:00.002-05:00

I used to be so faithful at blogging....then I stopped. Then I realized I wanted to start writing again....then I stopped. You can see where I'm going with this, right? Well, I'm starting back up again. We'll see how long it lasts - I think my last run at the blogging world lasted for....one post. I've started following a random blog written by a flight attendant around my age, and it has inspired me to give blogging another shot. A glorious life in the skies, I have not. Awesome students who never leave me bored by their wittiness and antics, I have in abounds. Thirty eight witty and antic filled students, to be exact. With only a month and a half left of school though, my attempts may be short lived yet again.

Here's to trying!

Sweet Mackenzie

2010-11-03T18:03:00.001-05:00

My 3 year old niece recently had the following conversation with her mom:

Mom: Mac, I love you.

Mackenzie: I love chocolate.

This child is always good for a laugh!!

lets try again

2010-10-29T10:06:00.003-05:00

So I took an extended break from blogging. Again. Maybe this time around, I'll be more consistent. Maybe not. We shall see, I suppose!

If any KC folk actually read this and have some time on their hands, I'm in need of mentors to hang out with some awesome KCK kids at my school!

feeling numb

2010-04-12T17:00:00.001-05:00

life sucks right now.

a few tips

2010-03-31T22:57:00.004-05:00

If you go out to eat at a sit down restaurant, for the love of everything sacred, don't sit and eat and drink with your friends and let your kids sit in the next booth and do whatever they want. It's really annoying.

And while we're on the subject - if you go to this same type of restaurant and plan to sit and hang out for awhile - the polite thing to do is tip your server as though you are eating. You're taking up space that someone else would eat and tip from.

My list of pet peeves has grown since working at a restaurant. :-)

for anna

2010-03-30T21:34:00.002-05:00

I'm officially calling off the blog break. Not that I feel I have a whole heck of a lot to write about, but my friend Anna today reminded me that blog posts aren't meant to change the world, and even the best of bloggers often spend hours writing the "perfect" blog post. Perfect I'm not, but we'll see how it goes from here :-)

taking a break

2009-12-09T21:11:00.002-06:00

okay friends - I'm taking a break from blogging for awhile. Not that it will be much different than it is now, but still. Enjoy the blogs from my friends off to the right side!

people DO exist!

2009-12-03T20:01:00.001-06:00

My aunt just sent me this website...you can FINALLY get ahold of a human, rather than automated machines. Major kudos to whoever created this site!

http://www.gethuman.com

gotta love Coach Nutt

2009-11-28T18:12:00.003-06:00

favorite line from The Blind Side:

"There are lions, bears, and tigers, but there is only ONE Razorback!"

dang straight there is!!! woooooo pig soooooooie!!!

I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

2009-11-15T14:36:00.001-06:00

Okay, so the video itself isn't the point here....you HAVE to listen to this song. It's absolutely hilarious, sung by an 11 year old Gayla Peevey in 1953. It might be my new favorite Christmas song - listen and enjoy!

giraffe manor

2009-11-12T20:00:00.005-06:00

I was reading with my 4th grade girls today about giraffes. In the article, a place called Giraffe Manor was mentioned. We were curious, and decided to google it. It's an ultra-cool place that I'd really like to visit someday. Check it out ::

yes, virgina, I suck at blogging

2009-11-09T17:18:00.004-06:00

Yes, I've failed at blogging lately. I just went back down to Arkansas for my college homecoming, so what better way to update a blog than with pictures? Everyone loves pictures, right?

loving this band

2009-10-14T21:36:00.001-05:00

love the words to this song...and her passionate expression of love for her Creator.

being redeemed

2009-09-16T23:16:00.001-05:00

I've been reading in Isaiah the past few nights, and have been struck with how many times God is referred to as our redeemer - more so, how incredible that thought is. In the dictionary, the word redeem is defined as "to buy back," or "to release from blame or debt." When I think of its meaning, I think of it as collecting something of worth. Any of these definitions describe exactly what God desires with us - to buy us back from the life of sin we were born into, releasing us from the debts we owed to him (by sending Jesus to the cross)....hence, collecting something of worth....us. He cannot NOT be redeemer...and we cannot NOT be redeemed. Redeeming us -any single one of us, regardless of our past, regardless of what we have done - is His very nature - it is who He is.

***
But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
² When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
³ For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom;
I gave Ethiopia^a]">[a] and Seba in your place.
⁴ Others were given in exchange for you.
I traded their lives for yours
because you are precious to me.
You are honored, and I love you.

--Isaiah 43:1-4

craziness

2009-09-05T09:31:00.002-05:00

I realize it's been awhile since I last blogged. I feel like it's been awhile since I've done anything other than work. However, life is slowly returning to its usual groove, and awesomeness is on the horizon. Like tonight. Irish Festival & Crystal. What more do you need?! Hopefully tomorrow, I'll have some super sweet photos to post!

question

2009-08-19T19:13:00.002-05:00

So I just got back from California. And on 3 of my 4 flights (no direct connections for me!), people around me had their cell phones on (and using them) well after the doors were closed - one guy answered his phone as we were barreling down the runway for take off. I've always thought (maybe naively) that cell phones interfered with FAA signals. Is this true? Are people putting others' lives in danger when they don't abide by this one simple rule? Am I over analyzing things? I love to fly, but this has become a major pet peeve!

almost time

2009-08-05T21:53:00.002-05:00

a week and a half until she gets married.

a week and a half until I see these faces.

San Francisco can't come fast enough.

JK Wedding Entrance Dance

2009-07-23T11:07:00.001-05:00

best wedding video ever. forget sentimental crap.

on the solar eclipse....

2009-07-22T01:14:00.000-05:00

"You can't find words to adequately describe it," Charles Fulco, a middle-school astronomy teacher from New York, told CNN. "You become addicted. You need to see the next one. You count the days and years until you do. Nothing else compares to it."

not quite what I would say, but to each his own, right?!

Love146 - The History

2009-07-17T12:18:00.001-05:00

ugh

2009-07-15T23:06:00.002-05:00

dear life,

I know I complained when you bored me a bit. However, you can stop all this nonsense and let's get back to being boring again. Deal? Deal.

sincerely,

me

2009-07-06T15:05:00.002-05:00

I have been reminded lately of the words from a poet I have begun to love - the words he penned to a fellow writer, the words that my heart has been wrapped around for the past few years. Since my postings have become few and far between, I thought I'd share what I've been reading of late!

***
Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer.

--Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet

finally...I am explained!

2009-06-28T21:29:00.004-05:00

About a year ago, my sister became interested in the whole idea of birth order - why we are the way we are, according to the lineage in which we were born. I didn't give it much thought, until my neighbor recently came over to hang a curtain rod for me. When it was up, he asked me where I was in the birth order line up. When I told him I was the youngest, he replied "oh good. You aren't a first born perfectionist." It was his statement that got me interested in this whole birth order thing. I went to the library, checked out a book, and came home to read about "why I am the way I am." I went into it thinking that this was just some way to try to explain away all the reasons we act like we do, but as I started the book, I realized there was something to it: it described my sister and I perfectly, as though the author had done his case study on us. It's really interesting - for a very brief overview of birth order, you can click here. If you want more in depth, hit up the local library for a couple of solid books. I am currently reading Birth Order & You, by Dr. Ronald Richardson. My sister has read The Birth Order Book: Why You Are the Way You Are by Dr. Kevin Leman. Both are great reads - what are you waiting for?!

ps: you can take a look at the website and figure out what my birth order is...see how well you know me!

sickly sweet

2009-06-21T23:49:00.002-05:00

My best friend made this. Yes, MADE it. Every part of it. Even the basket and tissue paper. It's ridiculously amazing, I know. She's just good like that.

to sleep or not to sleep...

2009-06-20T01:42:00.003-05:00

I'm officially taking advice on how to fall asleep before 2am. Morning comes far too quickly otherwise.

2009-06-17T14:47:00.001-05:00

I'm not really sure what this is advertising (found it on the johnson county library website), but it's hilariously awesome.

lovin the girls

2009-06-13T20:47:00.004-05:00

spent the weekend with these girls. loved every second. can't wait to do it again. soon, please.

dear Tigist

2009-06-10T11:42:00.004-05:00

What a sweet, sweet woman. Tigist is now sitting at the feet of her Father, joining with all of heaven in worship. Social worker in Zeway, Ethiopia, (shown here with Wondimu, one of the students she worked with) Tigist was killed in a car accident a few days ago. She will be greatly missed by both those in Zeway, and by those here in Kansas City that knew and loved her.

Tigist, me, Tatek

one funny guy

2009-06-07T16:12:00.003-05:00

If you know me well, you know about my love for music by Ari Hest. I was on his website a few minutes ago, checking to see if he was going to be in or around KC this summer (only to be bummed out that he was in Lawrence not long ago). Anyway - I clicked on his blog site, to see what was going on, and came across the following in an archived entry. It's an email between Ari and his drummer, Doug. It's a bit on the long side, but hilariously worth it. Read on...

**

Ari Hest wrote:

Hey, good news, looks like I’ll be able to do a two week(ish) tour with you guys in March if you’re up for it, from approx march 13 (joe’s pub) to march 29 (probably nashville). as soon as dates are confirmed I will let you know and also will figure out budget.

Ari

Doug Yowell wrote:

Great Ari,

Below is my personal rider along with hotel, sheet, pillow, lighting and fitness requirements. My manager and agent will contact you to discuss my multiple endorsements and vigorous drum clinic schedule which will coincide with the tour. My personal assistant will be laying this out in the weeks to come and implement it from my private tour bus. We will work closely with you and your staff to try and keep all schedule conflicts to a minimum. As you’ll see in my contract, page 34 sect II-b, you will need to sign off on giving way to my schedule first before continuing with said “Ari Hest Tour”. You and your staff will be invited to all wine tasting pre-show and will be given a 20% friends and family discount to the Betty Ford clinic upon completing this lengthy tour.

Is this cool or are you going to be a dick about it ?

i guess what i’m trying to say is… ah… yes… i’m excited and i will put this in my calendar… sir… thank you…

Doug Yowell’s Personal Rider

(rider… I hardly know her)

Hotel Requirements:

Hotel room should be neat and clean.

All alarm clocks should have the alarm disabled.

Lighting should be set to “romantic”.

Sheets must be 800 thread count

Pillow comfort Level must be “Natural Bossom”

A “Do Not Disturb” card should be available at all times in whatever language needed.

A downtown area phone book shall be provided (in case I can’t reach something in the closet or kitchen cabinets)

Bathroom must be de-pubed before entering.

Baby wipes.. not toilet paper.. I have a sensitive anus and I will show anyone who doesn’t believe me.

Hand Lotion shall be placed on night stand ( in case my hands get dry…. while watching a movie)

Shower Head must be facing center in the tub so as not to wash the entire bathroom when turning on the faucet.

A staff member will be required to call my wife to assure her that I am alone.

Windows must be able to open or a glass cutter must be provided.

Wake up call must include Kenny G. or Yanni to ensure douche pimples and skin rash to wake up.

2 hotel room keys will always be necessary. One should be left with me and the other at the local Hooters.

Food Requirements:

Edamame warm with sea salt.. not table salt

Vegetarian platter ( no meat… chicken is meat.. no chicken) Meat will be thrown about the green room should it appear on the Veggie platter.

8 oz jar of mayonnaise horseradish. This isn’t easy to find but that’s your job.

Butter Nut Squash soup.. from Whole Foods…if Whole Foods doesn’t exist in the state we’re in it shall be trucked, or flown in.. no exceptions.

Carrot juice made fresh in front of me, then bottled in Odwalla bottle and sealed… no funny business

Vitamin Supplement B-12 to ensure proper tempos during show.

These foods have been evaluated and approved by my nutritionist who will also be joining us and sending his own rider. These foods have been designed to keep my overall mood from becoming cantankerous and otherwise unpleasant.

Equipment:

My drums shall be set up nightly to perfection. (Toys R Us will be sending a floor plan similar to their “in-store” display)

12’ high drum riser shall be required to keep me chest level with said artist, “ Ari Hest”.

A Cooking Mirror shall be placed over the drums to allow my fan base to get a bird’s eye view of my massive skills.

Artist shall introduce me after every song in a new and unique way, somehow crediting me for making these songs even remotely listenable.

A spotlight shall be placed over me during any and all solo performances of the artist (that does not include the band) to highlight my reaction to the artist’s song, lyrics and performance which will undoubtedly change nightly, but should not be influenced my reaction (even if the audience begins laughing)

All tempos shall be subject to change without notice before/ during each song without protest. Any attempt to put the responsibility on me will result in your own embarrassment.

All after show meet and greet will be accompanied by me with first right of refusal of any and all hot chics. Whatever is left over will be doled out to the remaining band and crew.

The End

YES!!!!

2009-06-05T16:21:00.003-05:00

One more incredibly strange thing to add to my list of idiosyncrasies, I can't WAIT for this show to premiere tomorrow night!! I don't necessarily agree with what Captain Watson or his team does aboard the S.S. Steve Irwin, but it makes for an awesome show! Check out the clip below to see a little from the new season of Whale Wars on Animal Planet!

good food, great fun. let's hope.

2009-06-05T12:37:00.003-05:00

How lucky am I to get to work at one of my favorite restaurants?! I've always been greatly against working in the food service industry, but in the past few years (and many trips later), I've been thinking that it would be great to work at a place I love to eat at so much. So, I'm giving it a go. Today, I officially start at Cactus Grill (sister to Jose Peppers, soon to be Jose Peppers). I've got a week or so of training before I can become an official server, but after that happens....come see me (great tips would also be appreciated)!

strange thrills

2009-05-30T17:27:00.005-05:00

For the past few weeks, I've been reading a book called The Union Station Massacre: The Original Sin of J. Edgar Hoover's FBI. It gives great insight into the 1933 massacre that happened at Union Station in Kansas City. Several times, the author has mentioned of a permanent marking from a stray bullet that hit the building during the shooting. And me being me, I've had a great interest in finding it. I drove down to Union Station this morning (amid all the Rockfest goers, no less), and within minutes had found the marking (it helps that they have a plaque right next to it). I admit that it's strange, but it was incredible to touch the marking, to know that it owned so much history in our town. The book is highly recommended, and of course, checking out the site is, too!

Click here for the FBI recount of the massacre.

true feelings

2009-05-26T21:50:00.002-05:00

School is out in less than 48 hours. And it's about 47 hours not soon enough.

My patience has worn thin, as well as anything else positive I have earlier felt for my kids.

I. Am. Ready. For. Summer. NOW!!!!!!

2009-05-23T23:27:00.003-05:00

this is worth checking out. immediately.

aww!

2009-05-21T19:56:00.001-05:00

Me and my sweet Mama! I look stoned, but she is cute as ever!

revisiting

2009-05-18T21:41:00.002-05:00

"It takes a personal encounter with injustice to engage in the fight against it. And if you so isolate yourself that you never have a personal encounter with injustice, then that in itself is a deep injustice." - Rob Morris, president of love146

2009-05-17T20:30:00.002-05:00

Current thoughts:

-is 8:30 too early for bed?

-my bed has never looked better (as opposed to the lopsided bed in the lodge this weekend).

-tomorrow is going to be a loooong day (5th grade graduation!)

-I miss the family I've spent the last 3 days with.

- is 8:30 too early for bed?

Sni-a-Bar Road, take one

2009-05-14T22:29:00.004-05:00

I can always be guaranteed a great time as long as I'm with these girls.

The weather was perfect for a baseball game....and the sunset/clouds didn't let us down, either!

huh.

2009-05-11T22:41:00.002-05:00

Apparently, my love for all things organized crime has found its way into my phone. Tonight, as I was texting a friend, this became evident. I was texting the line "I want to be God-honoring in this..." and predictive text finished the sentence off with this:

I want to be God-honoring in this killing.

geez. perhaps my leisure books need to not lay next to my phone anymore.

another grandma story

2009-05-07T22:51:00.005-05:00

Tonight, I was on the phone with my mom about an upcoming family trip. As we were getting off, she told me that she needed to tell me something else. Unprepared for what came next, I said okay. The rest of the conversation went as follows:

"Dad and I went to Grandma's tonight to see if she needed anything from the store. She said that she was out of ice cream. When I asked her if she needed anything else, she mentioned that she was also out of cookies. And pork rinds."

And if that weren't enough, the story continues on:

"When we got back to Grandma's, Dad asked her if she wanted any ice cream before he put it away. She said she did, so I started scooping it out for her. When I had three scoops in the bowl, I told her to tell me when it was enough. She said she would. When I got to four scoops, she said she thought that would be enough."

So this is where I get my love of ice cream for any meal, and my occasional taste (and craving) for pork rinds. Isn't this what Grandma's are for?!

(My grandma turned 90 this year and doesn't get around as easily as she used to. My parents do her grocery shopping and dinner cooking for her)

the best kind of field trip

2009-05-07T19:53:00.000-05:00

Investigator for Hire

2009-05-04T00:38:00.005-05:00

My new favorite moment of the week:

Mark (my non-related little brother) was sitting beside me at church tonight, when all of a sudden, I see his foot start poking at my purse. Then, his foot is IN my purse. I watch to see what he's doing, all the while trying to laugh very silently because a)it's in the middle of the talk, and b)I didn't want to stop him. I was curious as to what he was doing. He continues to stick his foot into my purse, until he's now using his foot to open it wider to see what was inside of it (a different friend had given me a dvd earlier, and I had stuck it in my bag). Finally, I couldn't help myself. I poked him, and asked him what he was doing. He looked at me as if he had done nothing out of the ordinary, and said "hey, what movie is that?"

Qualifications...or Not

2009-05-02T21:01:00.003-05:00

on a requirements list for a job I saw posted today:

"Ability to use scissors in a safe and efficient manner."

TOMS Shoes

2009-04-30T22:31:00.001-05:00

there's no place like home

2009-04-27T22:47:00.002-05:00

I have a friend. She has parents. I've met them. Several times. These parents also live out near an area where tornadoes blew through a few days ago. I sent her a text tonight, asking if they were okay. To which she replied back:

"Yeah, actually, they called and said it was pretty crazy. They saw a few munchkins and what appeared to be a yellow brick road."

The whole Kansas/Wizard of Oz jokes never get old, friends. Especially when they are well played, such as this. Nice job, Katie!

internet security woes

2009-04-27T19:53:00.002-05:00

Last week, my computer stopped saving passwords, and began making me log in for everything important. This is obviously the most safe option, but I find it really annoying. However, the most frustrating thing I've found is this: I can open blogger without logging in, however, I can't post comments on anyone else's blog. I'm not sure what the heck is going on, so if anyone reading this can help out....please let me know!

sounds of joy

2009-04-26T23:05:00.003-05:00

The rain outside. My dog snoring beside me. These two sounds can make any bad day better, and any quiet night more peaceful.

You Know It's Late...

2009-04-21T20:16:00.002-05:00

...when you are uploading a picture, and the website says "fetching photo" - to which you reply "why, thanks!"

It's Cake-Tastic!

2009-04-20T20:29:00.002-05:00

If you haven't yet seen it, check out Ace of Cakes on Food Network. If there were ever a full day marathon, I'm pretty sure I'd call in sick to stay home and watch. (for awesome cake photos, visit Charm City Cakes)

I'm not gonna lie....I kind of have a crush on Duff.

death and coffee

2009-04-18T22:32:00.004-05:00

Last night, I dreamed that I was held at gunpoint in Broadway Cafe.

I have to stop watching The Sopranos before I go to bed.

the sun has shone!

2009-04-16T19:25:00.003-05:00

I ran into some old friends tonight at Chic-fil-a, and reminded me of how great a random run-in is. We sat and talked about college days (we went to school together in Arkansas), and about how we are having a mini alumni get together tomorrow night with some professors who will be in town.

And we ate outside.

That alone is worth a blog entry. Kansas City has finally had two nice days in a row!!! Jesus has truly heard my prayers!

CEO on the Rise

2009-04-15T18:53:00.003-05:00

Most of the kids in our school are currently working on Student Treasury books - books where they write the stories, and a company prints and binds the books for each student. I was working with a kindergarten class yesterday to try and finish the books before the deadline. I was helping little Adrianna with her sentence, having her tell me exactly what she wanted to write about her picture. Her sentence was exactly as it is above. I didn't change any part of what she told me.

She's gonna be the next Chic-fil-a CEO.

Here's an up-close (and readable) of her sentence:

Jasmina's Story

2009-04-06T19:49:00.004-05:00

I ran across an article today about a six year old beauty named Jasmina. She has a rare and aggressive form of leukemia. The future of her life is dependent on someone's bone marrow to match with her own. Jasmina's story gripped my heart, and I found myself online at One for Jasmina, a website dedicated to sharing her story, which led me to DKMS, a website that is dedicated to raising awareness for the need of bone marrow donations. The thought struck me that this is something so simple, something that could potentially be life changing for someone who is facing the end of their life. Not to mention a beautiful gift to be able to present to their family. I'm doing research on the procedure that would be done, if I decided to donate, and though I haven't committed 100% to becoming a bone marrow donor, I can tell you that it's close to all I've thought about since reading the article, and seeing her beautiful face. Check out her website, and talk about it with those around you. Though we may not donate, we could at least raise awareness on her behalf.

quoteable quotes

2009-04-04T19:49:00.001-05:00

"happiness is possible even if you're 33 and have a bottom the size of two bowling balls." - Bridget Jones Diary

meet becky, the green sand

2009-03-31T20:42:00.003-05:00

So apparently I've been all about photo/video entries lately. Just tonight, I've fallen in love with Landon Pigg, a musician out of Nashville with an out-of-this-world voice. As I was looking at his facebook fan page, I came across this photo. And it intrigued me. I've often wondered why we call things what we do - who came up with the name, and why can't I decide that to me, it's something else? Maybe I'm the only person whose ever had that idea (well, obviously not), and maybe it makes me a dork. I'm okay with both of those. It's just a really interesting concept to think about...

Coca Cola

2009-03-25T21:29:00.003-05:00

the best commercial yet!!

the beauty of spring!

2009-03-22T22:00:00.005-05:00

I've gotten to see this every day out my window. Oh, how I love spring!

the real meaning of easter

2009-03-20T13:37:00.005-05:00

Before leaving Arkansas yesterday, I went to my niece's school and had lunch with her. I was interrogated by little Waverly, who seemed to be quite the inquisitor at the age of 5. Thinking she was just curious about me, I answered her questions, which always seemed to start with "Hey, Becky, guess...." It didn't take long before I got tired of "guessing," and Cristina got tired of whispering the answers in my ear. Waverly turned to Cristina and said "Hey Cristina, ask me some questions." Cristina seemed to like it when the game was in her favor, so she started asking her random questions. One question/answer made me laugh, though. Cristina asked why we celebrated Easter, to which Waverly replied "I don't know. To have Easter?" I'm smiling at this point, because I'm thinking Cristina, being the little church girl she is (not to mention her dad is a youth pastor), is going to whip out some answer about celebrating Jesus at Easter. I laughed when she replied "no, silly. It's to celebrate bunnies."

school blunders

2009-03-11T19:46:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, at the end of the day, I walked into my favorite kindergarten classroom to find that one of the students (not Arturo), had pulled part of the trash can liner off the trash can and was found eating it "because he was hungry."

Perhaps we should reinstate afternoon snacks.

my friend, the ducks

2009-03-08T21:46:00.003-05:00

I discovered these little guys very randomly - in Ethiopia. The girl I was living with had a bag in her office, and every few days, she'd dig into her supply and offer me one. Since then, I have discovered quite an addiction to these ducks, chicks, and bunnies. They are WAY better than regular sweeTarts (probably because they're bigger), and they just help make life all around enjoyable. I'm planning to stock up, so if you'd like to add to my cause, you can find them at Target :-)

bruised pride...and buttocks

2009-03-06T17:00:00.005-06:00

I was in a kindergarten room this morning, helping a little before I started testing again. Enter into the picture Arturo, the cutest 5 year old you'll ever see. Arturo has Kabuki Syndrome, (similar to autism), is incredibly lovable, and I'd take him home with me in a heartbeat. I pull up a chair to work with a group of kids, and no sooner than I pulled it up and went to sit down, Arturo walks up behind me, and pulls the chair out to take to his table - not realizing that I was about to sit in it. Now, I'd love to be able to tell you I knew he took the chair...but alas, I did not. I fell flat on my tail, and was totally stunned as to where the chair went. I turn around (yes, to lay into some kid for taking the chair!), and see him dragging my chair to his table - to do his work. He never realized that I was getting ready to sit in the chair - he just knew he needed something to sit in at his table! I look at the teacher in the classroom, who at this point has a very stunned look on her face (it didn't take long for the stunned look to turn into laughter, though), then turned to look at the kids I was getting ready to work with. You could tell that every one of those kids wanted nothing more than to laugh their heads off, but were afraid of laughing at a teacher. I began laughing at the whole situation, and they did too - much relieved, I'm sure, because a few of them weren't doing a good job of holding it in, anyway! So now, I have an incredibly sore tailbone, and my pride has been bruised - in front of a group of kids who won't soon forget it.

Just another joy of working an an elementary school: kids who remember ABSOLUTELY everything.

you speak what?

2009-03-04T20:52:00.003-06:00

Earlier tonight, I was thinking about how bad of a blogger I am. Until this conversation took place:

(The only thing you need to know is that Susannah's gchat status said "Susannah speaks goat.")

me: kiixxysud

Susannah: huh? what?

me: and I thought you spoke goat

Susannah: i do, that was the translation of what you said in goat.

me: no it wasn't

that was goat for "are you feeling better?"

geez

get your animal languages right

you were thinking of llama

Susannah: uh, no...that would have been"

mahhbahmama

me: whatever

you need to change your status to "I lie a lot."

Susannah: no!

me: fine. I'll pay tribute to you in mine

and I'm TOTALLY blogging the conversation we just had.

cut and paste, baby

Susannah: oh, i don't care.

i'm the one who is fulent in goat.

me: really? you're fulent?

wow. that's tough

you're such a scholar Susannah: yes, i know. i'm kind of a big deal.

me: lol

oh man

I feel as though for one post, I've redeemed myself. Thanks to Susannah.

2009-03-03T22:58:00.002-06:00

I spent the evening with a dear friend. We laughed, we shared life, we ate.

It was a night well spent.

Life of Late

2009-03-02T22:53:00.002-06:00

"The following sentence is an example of which text structure..."

Wait. For a minute, I really did think my entire life revolved around the previous sentence. We are smack in the middle of state assessments at school this week, and I may not ever dance with such joy as when we finish testing on Friday. It's been an incredibly long, incredibly exhausting several weeks, preparing for the tests, stressing out over them, and then actually giving them. However, it makes me incredibly proud of our kids to hear them look at the person beside them and say "you're gonna do great! just try your hardest, and that's good enough!"

I'm so blessed to work in such a place. I love it!

2009-02-26T19:05:00.000-06:00

the most perfect dinner. who cares about healthy?!

2009-02-24T18:46:00.001-06:00

And it's only Tuesday.

Circling Back

2009-02-20T22:18:00.002-06:00

I've been on an incredibly journey the past few months, and I've been listening to a song by Sanctus Real that seems to describe exactly what my heart and mind has been feeling. I keep coming back to this place where I listen to it over and over again, and can't seem to get enough of it. It makes me excited to know that God is truly up to something....

It's time for healing time to move on
It's time to fix what's been broken too long
Time to make right what has been wrong
It's time to find my way to where I belong
There's a wave that's crashing over me
And all I can do is surrender

Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something Heavenly

Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Reevaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow Your will
Or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is You want from me
I give everything I surrender...

Time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out
That I've wanted to say for so many years
Time to release all my held back tears

Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but I believe
You're up to something bigger than me
Larger than life something Heavenly

Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but now I can see
This is something bigger than me
Larger than life something Heavenly
Something Heavenly

My blog has been boring lately....mostly because I haven't had time to sit down and actually make a real post. Someday soon, hopefully it will happen!

2009-02-16T21:10:00.001-06:00

don't even stop to think about it. just go buy it. NOW.

amazing

2009-02-10T16:56:00.001-06:00

I'm in love. Absolute love.

Kansas City

70°F

seriously.

2009-02-08T19:27:00.002-06:00

dear men,

if you know you don't stand a chance, why bother trying? You'll only get your hopes up...EVERY TIME YOU ATTEMPT. and please, please, please learn to curb you drunk dialing. We don't like it, regardless what you think.

sincerely,
the really annoyed girl who didn't sleep last night due to such situation.

overheard

2009-02-07T00:19:00.002-06:00

Today, on the bus to Snow Creek with 5th graders:

"Say it, don't spit it. I mean...spray it. Right?"

2009-02-04T21:39:00.000-06:00

I'm completely addicted.

super what?

2009-02-01T20:42:00.002-06:00

in regards to the "was it or was it not a touchdown" touchdown:

dan : was that an interception or a fumble?

me : what's the difference?

gym stories

2009-01-30T21:00:00.003-06:00

dear woman in the sauna with me,

please don't take your clothes off anymore.

sincerely,
the one sitting in the corner who is totally grossed out

first time for everything

2009-01-28T21:36:00.003-06:00

I have a confession to make. And I'd rather not make it, because it goes against everything I know, but I feel as though I must, so listen up. I'm only sayin' it once.

34 degrees is kinda nice. When you are used to zero degrees.

That's all.

They Picked Me Up!

2009-01-27T18:03:00.004-06:00

I love this company. I've rented from them 4 or 5 times in the past few years, and realized today how much I truly appreciate their services. They always make things so easy, and even give you a ride to wherever you're going - FREE! I rented a car from them today, and was promptly picked up from the dealership where I left my car, was brisked to the local office, breezed through the paperwork, and was on my way to work - all within 15 minutes. And if that wasn't enough, when I dropped it off this afternoon, not only did they take me back to the dealership to pick up my car, but the manager himself took me so that I didn't have to wait for the normal driver to get back. Interestingly enough, the driver this morning told me that Enterprise is still owned and operated by the original man who started the company 50 years ago. I'm finding that when the original founder of something is still around, the company stays focused on...gasp...their customers. Imagine that.

And on a side note: If all of that wasn't enough, the manager also told me that one of the Enterprise office leaves all of their cars unlocked through the winter so that homeless people have a somewhat warm, safe place to sleep during the cold weather. Makes me like them all the more.

Reasons for Not Cooking

2009-01-24T17:19:00.002-06:00

Exhibit A, folks:THIS is a plastic bag that once contained frozen chicken. See that little metal piece? That's how I almost blew up the microwave. Leave it to me.

Favorite Moment of the Week...Year...Lifetime?

2009-01-23T11:08:00.001-06:00

Lovin' Me Some Hillsong

2009-01-22T17:30:00.001-06:00

I've been stuck on this song for the last few days. Brooke Fraser is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!

for #146

2009-01-19T20:14:00.004-06:00

for what it's worth

2009-01-18T01:32:00.004-06:00

Many people (and many friends of mine) disagreed with the way I voted in November. I've been called a "bleeding heart liberal," and my faith has been called into question multiple times. All to which I say "I have a right to vote the way I want." On occasion it irritates me, but usually I take people's opinions with a grain of sand. I am my own person, with my own thoughts, who lives my own life - without really caring what people think of me, or think of how I'm choosing to live my life. If you are already offended by what you've read, I suggest you stop now. This Tuesday is a BIG deal to me. Not only politically, but because the dream of Martin Luther King Jr is leaving its mark on our country. I have an incredible passion for MLK Jr, and an even bigger passion to see equality reached for ALL people in our country - regardless of their color, shape, or size. Having lived my entire life in the South, I've witnessed first hand bigotry from ignorant people, and the pain that it caused. The fact that people still act as though racism is okay makes me want to punch them. We live in a modern society that still enslaves its own people. We live in a modern society that still refuses to acknowledge that "all people are created equal." The founders of this very society got it. How did we stray so far away? When did we think it would be okay to oppress people for the sake of "all mankind?" When did it ever do them any good? And why are we still doing it?

On Tuesday, our new president takes office. You will see photos of his kids playing at the White House. And to that, I say this: deal with it. If you have issues with it, you have all freedom to move to elsewhere. I've never been more proud to live in the United States since November, and can't be more excited to see President Obama lead our country. It makes me stop and wonder where we might be if Martin Luther King, Jr had never dreamed.

"I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal." I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." - March on Washington, August 1963

breath of fresh air

2009-01-15T18:16:00.002-06:00

this brings a little bit of spring to the negative temperatures outside!

Forging Elite Fitness...Or So They Say

2009-01-13T17:16:00.012-06:00

I have this friend. He likes to work out. As we were talking a month or so ago about our gym/workout regimes, he mentioned that I needed to check out a certain workout website. I got excited, thinking that it was yet another way I could do some stuff outside of the gym to get back into shape. I checked it out, and began laughing immediately. It is RIDICULOUS. Seriously. And just to show its ridiculousness, check these out (they're straight from the website's daily workout page):

After seeing this last photo, I emailed Scott and told him that there was NO way it was real. And he informed me that it was real...because he had just finished doing it. I added him to my list of "ridiculous things."

*and of course, I mean ridiculous in a good way.

All Good Things

2009-01-11T15:33:00.004-06:00

I just opened a box of my favorite girl scout cookies. Life is bliss.

Stop It!

2009-01-06T21:15:00.002-06:00