Sunday morning blog....

Back by popular demand, it's the blog about nothing and everything!

So, I'm sitting in the living room alone on a Sunday morning. Well, no, check that. The dog has curled up on the couch and is snoozing. So, I'm sitting here in the quiet of Sunday morning, feeling as if I'm alone. Is that better? Hubby is sound asleep b/c he stayed up til goodness knows when watching a movie and wrapping my presents. Of course, I woke up at 4am hearing the paper rustle and I'm like, "Dillon??? What ARE you doing???" Come to find out, he can't watch and wrap at the same time, hence the late hour. Goober.

We rented a couple movies the other day (that's what he was watching), one for me (Monster in Law) and one for him (Fantastic 4). Fantastic 4 was a 2 day rental, so I lived in fear of 12 noon today and took it back at 11. I don't think Dillon ever had a clue I was gone. I also got donuts and pigs in a blanket. It's killing me not to have any (have to wait 30 minutes for one of my medicines kick in). Argh. My only question now is, should I go wake him? Hmmmm.....

I haven't heard anything from my job interview. It's sort of frustrating, yet I also know that God knows better than I do about matters such as this. It's awesome, that peace I have about stuff like that when He's involved (when I let Him be involved...er...acknowledge His involvement). It's all good, no matter what happens. Sometimes, it's easy to avert my eyes from Him, look at the choppy water and freak out. I only have little blips of those instances occuring now, though. I just tell myself to chill and let Him work. So, I'm chillin like a villain. (did I just type that??? OY!) I honestly don't know how unbelievers make it through life w/o having God to lean on or knowing He'll catch them if/when they fall.

OOH!! 5 minutes to donut freedom.....mmmmm...I'm so stinking hungry!!

Well, this blog about nothing and everything sort of is drab compared to my other one. I'll do better next time, I'm sure ;-).

Til then, have a very very Merry CHRISTmas and enjoy time with your family and friends. If anyone reading this finds themselves without friends or family this year (or maybe you are surrounded by them, yet feel alone), there's Someone who wants to be there for you and would give anything to spend time with you. In fact, He already has given up everything. No matter how worthless and unloved you feel, He loves you...CHERISHES you very much. His name is Jesus. No matter what anyone else tries to tell you, He'll never forsake you. He died for Y-O-U. No matter how dirty, no matter how empty you think you are, He's there waiting to fill you up. Just reach out to Him. It's as simple as that :-).

Merry Christmas, my friends.

Blogs away!!!!

I am having a Seinfeld moment. Time for a blog about nothing....and everything.

Stream of consciousness typing, here I come.....................

I mentioned my job interview the other day. The job is looking like it might pan out for me, but it's not really cut and dry as to whether or not I will take it. I am not sure that anything in my life is as black and white as that. Black and white? Yin and Yang? Doesn't that mean that "in a little bad, there's always something good" and vice-versa? Seems like I heard that long ago...when the "surf-style" logos were in (in the 80's). I think our youth minister was warning us about symbols of our culture or something (like the "peace" sign being a broken upside-down cross). Wow. Haven't thought about that in a long time.

What to do, what to do?

Lost in limbo over here....someone throw me a line or something!

Is the room spinning for anyone else, or is it just me?

Wow. Have any of you guys ever done this? Just typed whatever came to mind? I have the idea to just type and not correct typos and stuff, but that bugs me too badly....can't happen. So, this is semi-stream of consciousness typing.

Have I mentioned the tree in my life? I know some of you have read about it on the Ship (and maybe here?? I forget where I type these days). Yeah...I call it my Career Tree or something..."Tree of Life" sounds too blasphemous b/c my tree certainly gives no life. It's like my life IS a tree though...I'm confused. Hang on....ok. I'm ok. I think.

So, you got me. I'm like a trunk (lotsa knots and crevices and stuff where I've let the termites get to me and eat away at my roots). Those spindly things branching off me are, you guessed it, branches. Those are the paths that are out there for me. It's like for each given day, I have a branch to explore. Maybe not even for a day...maybe the branch is thicker like a life path. I dunno...I'm just making this up as I go.

Part of this tree has no leaves. That's the part where bridges have been burned or the insects have choked the life out of the branches b/c I just sort of gave up and let them up there. Maybe there are no leaves b/c I haven't let those branches see sunlight or maybe I didn't dip my roots into any water or nourishment. Perhaps I didn't give them a chance to see what it's like to flower.

Job choices. What's next? Which way do I go? Teaching, helping, mothering, ministering....there's so much going on, yet nothing. No breeze, though I feel as if I'm caught in a tornado.

No doubt my tree is lacking the true foundation of the knowledge of the One who gives life to everything...Who knows everything about my "tree," from the little legs on the insects I let infect it, to which "leaf" has fallen and why. Even though I know I have the ability to tap into His resources, I feel like the little tree on a hill in the middle of a desert.

Did you guys hear a chainsaw???

More End of the Spear Screenings

Feel free to pass this on:

Here are the latest additions of promotional screenings of the movie End of the Spear for church and ministry leaders around the country. Click on the links below for specific information on screenings in your city or you may want to let someone know about a screening in their city.
Dec. 13 – Philadelphia
Jan. 5 - Sacramento, CA
Jan. 5 – Washington D.C. (watch for time and location)
Jan. 5 – San Francisco (watch for time and location)

If you are a pastor, senior staff person, teacher, or community leader, please RSVP for a screening by following the instructions on your city’s invitation. Please include your name, your organization, screening city and show time, number of seats, and either your phone number or email. Seating is limited and your timely response is appreciated.

FAQ:

Can I host a screening in my city?
Our final list of locations for theatrical advanced screenings will be posted in the next Screening Update.
Will the movie release in my city?
End of the Spear will release in major metropolitan areas around the United States. This inspiring motion picture is scheduled to release in approximately 1200 theaters on January 20th. We are currently finalizing the list of theaters that will be showing End of the Spear. Find your nearest participating theater at www.endofthespear.com . For more information about participating theaters, group tickets, or theater rentals, you may contact 1-866-SPEARS-1 or check out the "Group Sales" page on the End of the Spear website.
What can I show to my group?
If you were unable to attend a pre-screening but would still like to get involved with this powerful project, please visit www.daretomakecontact.com. You can order a free “Dare to Make Contact” DVD featuring a 22-minute “Making Of” segment which can be shown in your group meetings. This DVD also includes a special 90-second preview of the film to show in your church or organization.

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This concludes my blog ad for the day. :-)

Had my interview with the medical group yesterday. Also had a weird week of multiple absences from work (allergies...weirdness). It was a crazy week, starting Tuesday. I had to take a 1/2 day for the interview yesterday. Sigh. No sick days left for next semester and only 2 1/2 personal days to get me thru til summer (unless I find another job).

The interview went quite well. I just have to decide if the extra days (right now, I'm working on a "school" schedule) is worth it.

That's all for now. Hope everyone is enjoying the Christmas season.

www.endofthespear.com For resources to help promote this film, go to: www.daretomakecontact.com

Go check this out!!! Call your theater and ask if they'll be showing it (you can also check the site, but I think it would be cool to let them know you're chomping at the bit to see this movie!).

Newsflash!!!

Well, I might have an interview coming up sometime soon....

I have received several calls regarding my resume on Monster.com and most have been from insurance companies needing sales agents. Not my cup o tea.

Well, the other day I had a message on our answering machine from someone who works for a medical group. I finally got in touch with him today and they are wanting to set up an interview. I asked him what the position was (lol...he never told me and I guess he thought I was dumb b/c my resume clearly is geared for the position) and he said Physical Therapist Assistant.

More details to follow.

Wow!! Christmas is coming!!

As I opened my inbox this afternoon, a shocking realization dawned on me. Thankgsiving is NEXT WEEK!!! Before you know it, we'll be dragging decorations out of the closet, and piling all sorts of paraphernalia on our poor leftover turkeys. (No, I don't mean husbands when I say that, either! Hahahaha!) Wow. Time flies...

Thus brings me to the reason for this speedy update: a wonderful Christmas concert that just might be heading to your neck of the woods. Steven Curtis Chapman and MercyMe will be teaming up (for the very first time!) to bring the joy of Christmas "to a heart near you." Reflecting on the true Meaning of CHRISTmas, the guys combine to minister us in word and song and "Rock around the Christmas tree" with all those who are brave enough to venture out into the "winter wonderland."

For more information, check out http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/ and be sure to click on "tour." There's also a pretty cool e-card to be found (and sent to your friends and family) at: http://www.buzzplant.com/thechristmastour/ecard1/

Bloggerific...

Nope. Not feeling it today, but I figured I'd post an update fearing that Slicer is on the prowl.....

So, for those of you who don't know me but post spam-filled comments on my blog, I had a birthday this past weekend. I am now a proud member of the "thirty-somethings." Joy. No longer am I the big 3-0. I'm now 9 years away from the big 4-0, though. :p Nine years is a long time and it's also frighteningly short, especially if you're somewhat of a ragamuffin like me.

On the job front, there have been no dynamic flashes of light nor booming commands from God as to what to do. Why must He always use that still small voice with me? Maybe I should borrow one of my students' hearing aids :p. :-)

Seriously, though....I feel like I'm exploding inside....or caught in some sort of cyclone. I have so many directions I "could" go in, but have no idea which way is up. I definitely don't want to do the wrong thing......... I am so afraid of making the wrong move that I'm paralyzed in one sense, and chomping at the bit in another. I'm getting frantic and frozen with fright all in the same instance. How is that possible? I can't wade thru all the mire that's in my head. I feel like I'm near the breaking point.

Any counselors out there? Have fun :-)

Have a great week, guys.

(All is not gloomy and glum in my world, contrary to this entry.)

Monday, Monday..

Well, how's everyone's week starting off? I hope to a roarin good start!

How's the weather been? I'm in some sort of weird biosphere or something. Is it springtime or fall???? I mean, the thermometer has been charting our temps in the mid to high 80's lately, so I just wanted to check. Whassup with that? However, I will say it's made for some nice days. It's just weird to be in November and still able to wear shorts and sandals. I'm not complaining, though. I prefer these temps to those that chill ya right to the bone. I mean, a nice night where it's cool enough to sip hot cocoa and sit before a crackling fire would be good...but I don't want blizzardy weather or anything.

We're doing well. The ripple effects of Kyle's life just keep rollin on out there. It's been good to read about other's memories of him (and hear some of Dillon's). I hate that I missed out on knowing him. And to think, we've passed thru Waco at least 4 times now. I wish we would have looked him up at least one of those times. Carpe diem, guys.

Not much else going on. We tried to take in a restful weekend w/ no travels to the inlaws. It pretty much worked. I should have taken the opportunity to straighten up the house, though. I know it's going to be a harder task to tackle during the week (I'm so tired when I get home).

Speaking of being tired....I think I'm crashing and burning guys. Things are getting to me more and more. I'm really starting to consider leaving this job...if not by the end of Christmas break...then at least by the end of the school year. Part of me wonders if I'm just in the "It's getting too hard...I can't....so I give up" mentality. I'm good at beating myself up and over-analyzing things. I do feel the need to spread my wings a little and this job really doesn't do it for me. The thing is, I still feel stuck. Where to go next?

I've posted a resume on Monster.com. It's for a Physical Therapy Aide. I feel that if I ever want to pursue that route, I gotta start "over" and work myself into it. The reason being is, though I've had a lot of the classes that are required to obtain an Assistant's License, I don't have everything I need. I sort of want to go that route before I take the plunge and apply for a Master's in PT. I'm not even exactly sure I want to do this, but it's an option b/c of my educational background (Bachelor's of Science in Exercise Science/Wellness, etc).

I took one of those career questionnaires. It said I'm more apt to be a writer/journalist! That's just it. There are too many choices...to many things I might like to do, but don't know how to go about doing it (and get paid). I feel like my life is slipping away and time's running out.

AAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!! Lifeline, anyone???

I've been in a perpetual state of confusion since my latter years of high school. I guess you can see how I've come about feeling as if I've been sucked into a vacuum.

Thanks for reading. Comments appreciated. Prayer even moreso appreciated. :-)

Tragedy...

No words could do justice....but a recent post by Shaun Groves in his blog is pretty doggone powerful: http://www.readshlog.blogspot.com/

My husband was one of those young men who looked up to Kyle in their youth group and on the soccer field.

You're Home, Kyle. Rest in peace.

:-(

That's all I have to say.

Auburn lost (grrrr....they almost deserved to lose....).

The Bills lost.

Manchester United tied Tottenham.

Texas' allergy/sinus season has blossomed in the Durham household.

And.....

Drumroll please.....

IT'S MONDAY!!!!

Hahaha.. Let the good times roll!!!

But, praise the Lord, the sun is shining, the air is brisk and the dream I had about oversleeping last night was just a dream!

Have a great week, everyone!!

WHEW!!

Auburn won, but the first half had me on the brink of depression!!!!

We had a great time!! The motel we stayed at was an hour from Fayetteville. I was worried, b/c I had never heard of Alma, Arkansas and, well...some parts of that area are a little bit....country. I wasn't sure what we were getting into, but it was a very nice place in an awesome location.

I was so pumped for this weekend....I knew it would be like being amongst long lost family. It didn't disappoint!

Well, Friday night, I had to go to the front desk. As I was going down the steps, three folks were coming up, obviously Auburn fans. Come to find out, two of them drove up from Auburn and one lady was from Jacksonville! When I came back in, I met her grandson (I guess) b/c when I asked where he came in from, he said Auburn, but he was FROM Jacksonville. When I said I was a JSU grad, it blew him away. "Who would have thought that being 18 hours from Jacksonville, I'd run into someone who went to school there!" It was cool. :-)

It just kept on happening like that all around the hotel, at the mall, and when we got to the game on Saturday. Everywhere we saw orange and blue, there were exchanges of "War Eagle," and "Go Tigers!" We chatted with an older woman who was an Auburn alum and was there with her mom. Mom was from Gadsden, the daughter from Boaz, and her cousin knew my father. Not only that, but I played softball with one of their family friends who was the daughter of their best friend who also was my coach! Confused? It had the chance of becoming an amazing weekend when I found out my niece was with her dad (biological..it takes a real man to be a father) and that they were flying to the game. Not that I was certain he'd let her see me, but I tried calling his cell phone, anyway. We even scanned the crowd filing in, every chance we got. At the half, I was dejected (not just b/c of the score). There hadn't been any calls on my cell. Well, I called my sister back in Alabama and she told me Hannah ended up not going. Ha. Relief, yet I was a bit bummed. Oh well! We won, so it wasn't a total bummer ;-).

The trip home was uneventful, though Oklahoma roads leave lots to be desired. The scenery was beautiful, especially driving into Fayetteville from our hotel. I loved seeing the pretty fall colors as the leaves were changing. We're talking about going back for maybe a long weekend. There is an awesome lake surrounded by mountains and trees that we'd love to get out to.

War Eagle!! (Did you know that somewhere near Fayetteville there's an arts and crafts festival and mill named War Eagle? Hehehehe. I find that ironic ;-))

This coming weekend is going to be a real test for the team. Going down to Death Valley is going to be tough. I HATE it when we play LSU, much less at their house. Ick.

Pickle the Pigs!!!

Well, it's that time of the year. We get to join a bunch of crazy Auburn fans and watch grown men chant "Wooo pig! Soooie!" while wiggling their fingers over their heads like cheerleaders.

What a strange world we live in. :-p

This Saturday, Auburn plays their first road game against Arkansas in Fayetteville. Dillon and I are driving up there tomorrow and plan to come back on Sunday. While I'm not that excited about seeing Auburn anywhere but on their home field, I can't wait to see if the leaves are changing colors in the Ozark mountains. When we went 2 years ago, it was majestic!!! Of course, the best part of the weekend is when our Tigers stomp the Razorbacks. Ah, if only it could be said with such confidence. Games like these always make me nervous. :-) Especially road games!!!! When we were in San Antonio and watched the Bills fall apart vs New Orleans, we were in the minority. We were heckled all the way out to the parking lot as the final minutes of the game ticked off. Yeesh. I hate that! Even if my team was on top, I'd heckle no one, sans my friends (who would know it's all in good fun). I wish they wouldn't sell alcohol at sporting events.

Well, that's about it. I had a much more interesting update to the vacation, but I already told most of my readers about it via email. For those of you who missed out on that lovely story, some yahoo(s) dropped what we think was a water balloon off an overpass and hit our car as we were going about 65 mph down the interstate. It shattered our windshield, mostly on the passenger (my) side. Praise God it wasn't anything solid, b/c it would have come all the way through. As it was, it bent in. When God gave man the idea for reinforced glass, He knew what He was doing!!!! We were close to my in-laws, so they came out and swapped cars with us and took ours to the shop on Friday. We were still about 2 hours away from Dallas, so I didn't want to even attempt to drive ours back. Yikes.

Other than that, our vacation was excellent!!!!!! (albeit humid) The Riverwalk was amazing and I found Tim Tams near the Alamo!! Hehehehehe... There happened to be a shop called "About Australia" there. I spotted it first and drug Dillon across the street. When he realized what was going on, he went straight to the food aisle and found them. Yay! I also got Alamo Crackers. Hehehehe....San Antonio's answer to the ever-loved Animal Cracker. :-)

Well, have a great weekend you guys. War Eagle!

Vacation, all I've ever wanted...

*hoping to attack someone with that earworm...maybe....*

In just 5 days, Dillon and I will be on VACATION!!!! Woo hooooooo!!!!!

We're going to San Antonio. I have never been and I look forward to the often talked about Riverwalk.

We're actually leaving late Friday to take our "son" to his "grandparents'" house and then we'll leave from there on Saturday. We "plan" on going to Fiesta Texas, SA's Six Flags (making use of our season passes). Sunday, Dillon gets to watch his favorite NFL team (it just so happens they'll be playing in San Antonio, b/c of Katrina) play the Saints. (By the way, his team is the Buffalo Bills). Monday will be filled with sight-seeing, like going to the Alamo, among other things. Tuesday will probably be more of the same and then on our way out on Wednesday, we're going to cruise over to Austin so Dillon can show me around town. He lived there for about 2 years.

Anyway, I can't wait! I know this week is going to go by uber slow.

Oh, and I am feeling a lot better; however, I think my sinuses are going berserk. They realize it's fall and should not be 100 degrees out. I just wish TEXAS would realize that!!!! I have the worst headache this morning. Ugh!

Have a great week, guys.

By the way...

There's something I've been meaning to post lately, and I keep forgetting.

For those of you who've been on the SCC boards and read the post about how there is a resumed hub-bub over NCAA mascots (and others), I was thinking about something.

What about Miami's college team???? Won't their mascot offend those affected by Rita, Katrina, and all those storms who came before them? (said a bit teasingly) How ironic that the Hurricanes are based in Florida, by the way....

Another thing that popped into my mind (just after Katrina hit). You know how so many want God taken out of all things "public?" Some still say He doesn't exist. Well, have you ever read the fine print on some insurance policies? "Acts of God" are not covered in certain claims. Hmm....interesting. He doesn't exist, and isn't wanted in the public sector, yet He can "act."

Thanks!

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the thoughts/posts/prayers for my job "situation." :-) There haven't been any definite changes, but I've been at home the past couple of days with some sort of virus. In the words of my ever-thorough doctor, it's a "funky" virus. (Close your eyes, John...or don't let Vino see...it's Western Medicine at its best!)

Anyway, he's trying to determine if it's a side effect of the Tricor I'd been taking (for cholesterol), though I've been on that for over a month. It just hit me Tuesday after school. I went to phys therapy that morning (8am), went to work, had some pain in my right arm (just the "usual" interpreting kind I've been feeling), got home around 5 and then felt icky the rest of the night. I had body aches like you wouldn't believe and felt nauseated. No appetite. I called in sick for Wednesday.

That's when I saw the doctor. They monitored my pulse and said that since it was a little erratic, that was a sign something was going on and that the aches were not "phantom" (Or a result of all the exercises I did the morning I went to PT.. which I knew, having been atlhetic all of my life). Anyway, he put me on a steroid pack and tested me for the flu (came up negative), ordered some bloodwork (b/c of the Tricor, they need to monitor my CK levels and make sure the liver is ok), said I have tendonitis in my arm (did I mention the horrendous crick in my right shoulder??? Shoot me now) and told me to stay home!!! (Even if I wasn't sick, he wanted me to rest my arm and shoulder) You guys should have seen me loping around Wal-Mart yesterday, waiting on my prescriptions. I'm sure I scared people. Dillon made so much fun of me when he got home, b/c I walked with my head tilted to the left (It hurt to move to the right). I almost dropped something at Wal-Mart and nearly fell over :-p.

So, no work today. I feel a lot better, sans the fluid I feel in my left ear. I wonder if it's allergy/sinus problems? My throat is fine. Only my head hurts and I've managed to live off of some curly fries from Arby's today (I thought I'd be hungry after my fast for the bloodwork this morning, but no).

Sigh. Another boring blog day.

If you think about it, please pray for Dillon. He's wanting to get started on learning a new programming language that they took classes for last spring. Nothing has come of it, despite several promises. He's frustrated.

Thanks.

I promise a more exciting blog entry sometime soon...maybe....I dunno...;-)

Job-ish update (Job as in work....)

not Job as in the Bible. I don't have it THAT bad ;-).

By the way, please pray for our favorite Aussie, Carmel. She's had a rough patch lately and spent a fun (ha) day in the hospital recently. Get well soon, Snickers!!!

Ok, the bell just rang. Let's see how fast I can type in 6 minutes....

I've been having some issues with my neck, shoulders and both hands. I went to physical therapy yesterday (initial consultation). As far as my hands go, I may have early onset Carpal Tunnel. :-/ Not good for the job I have. My therapist recommended I work part-time (that isn't an option). Anyway....perhaps this is a gentle nudge to get out of the profession. I don't know.

As for the rest of me, I will be going 2x a week to get treatment and do exercises to build up my shoulder muscles. I'm sort of excited about this b/c I've had trouble with muscle spasms for a long time.

Anyway, I'd better go. In the "general job" prayers you do for me, please add that about my hands and also that my therapist and I can get our schedules coordinated. Right now, it's iffy. The nature of my job doesn't allow for many substitutes. I'm just a bit frustrated and wonder if God is giving me an "out" in order to pursue something else.

I just found out we've been authorized to hire 2 more interpreters who are qualified. I just hope they turn up!! We make (almost) half of what starting teachers make. It depends on your level of certification.

I'm having a hard time today. I emailed my boss about all this. I hope it was the right thing to do.

Well, thanks again!

Amy

DirecTV ESPN GamePlan....BOOOOOO!!!!

Or should I say, "Boo hoo."

We missed the Auburn game in more ways than one this weekend. Dillon decided that since he gets the NFL Sunday Ticket (He likes the Bills and we're kinda not in the part of the country where their fans are running rampant), he'd get me the ESPN college football package. The bad thing about the college deal is, I'm not guaranteed to see my team play each weekend like you are with the NFL deal. Anyway....

We went to Tyler b/c Saturday was Dillon's birthday. No biggie. We checked and double-checked to make sure we had the right time and channel for both our games this weekend. DirecTV showed the Auburn game to be aired 11:30 CST on channel 778. Whew. Good. Set the recorder for 4 hours, and go on our merry way.

What did we come home to? An hour and 19 minutes (?) of Michigan State vs. Hawaii. What? Actually, Dillon came home to it. I had to go to a baby shower with the female in-laws. When I got home (It wasn't exactly the most fun day I've ever had), Dillon was oh-so-kind to tell me we didn't get the game and, "I'm not kidding." (Because sometimes he DOES kid me about stuff like that).

We called DirecTV. Basically, there are no guarantees. The game was aired on 779 and "We should have checked to see that it was on another channel." Ok, WE WEREN'T HOME! "So, just because your site, the DirecTV guide, and everyone in America says the game is to air at this time on this channel, it may or may not?" "Yes." Someone (whoever gave them the feed) decided that 779 was where they wanted to send the signal. Nice of them to tell us.

I feel jilted. It's bad enough that, if I were in Alabama, I could have seen this game WITHOUT having cable television! It came on one of our local affiliates (JP Sports). How sad is that? We pay $.... to see a team at least every other Saturday...only never to actually see them?

What did DirecTV have to offer? "We'll give you $10 off your sports package for 6 months if you agree to one more year of service." Are you kidding me? IF we agree? How bout you give me the discount in order to encourage me to re-up with you guys? It makes sense to me. Goodness, I would have settled for $20 bucks off this month's bill, period.

Now, I'm afraid to go out of town on a Saturday. Isn't that sad? :-p Anyone, by chance, record the game? LOL.

Sigh. I'm bummed. I know there are bigger things in the world, though.

*Did you remember the victims and heroes of 9/11 today?*

If you're reading, would you say a prayer?

I'm having job woes again. Not that I don't have a job...but because I feel I'm stuck in a holding pattern.

Most of you who know me probably understand my situation, so I won't make this a 5 paragraph dealio. My heart is somewhat heavy and I am starting to feel overwhelmed.

Most who get into the field I'm in (I'm assuming), don't do so for the money. However, I have it on good authority that there ARE folks out there who are being compensated VERY fairly for their work....and....we're not. To be honest, it's not that much about the money as it is I'm still trying to figure out who God wants me to be. However, as I'm scoping out the path, I feel an injustice is occurring. Plus, if I'm going to get paid a minimal wage (compared to the "standard"), I'm starting to realize I might as well do something that I like to do instead of something I feel obligated to do "just because I know the language."

Please don't assume that I think I'm "all that" or anything. I'm SOOO not!!! In fact, that's one of the reasons I'm thinking of getting out of the biz. It's one thing to hear a Psychology lecture and bring it to a level where I can understand it....but to translate it into another language for someone else to??? Ugh. Sensory overload. It can be a bit depressing when things get complicated and I get bogged down trying to figure out how to sign it where it makes sense.

There I go, straying from my promise not to make this long. What paragraph is this anyway??? Oy!

:-(

They lost.

Auburn lost.

I know there are sadder things to write about....like the horrible conditions in New Orleans and how many lives were displaced or snuffed out by Katrina. I really need to take a break from all that. I thought watching my favorite team on Saturday would lift my spirits.

No.

As I had said before, we missed seeing it in live action b/c we attended a FC Dallas soccer match (which FC Dallas LOST...sigh). We got in late and Dillon really wanted me to watch the game (in-laws present). It was nearing 1am when halftime rolled around. I was so frustrated by then that I was ready to go to bed, fearful that if I watched any more, I wouldn't sleep or would have nightmares.

My faithfully nuts husband convinced me to hang in there and we started the 2nd half. My father-in-law and sister-in-law were troopers. Needless to say, I didn't have a really easy time of going to sleep because not only was the game bad, but the officiating was HORRIBLE!!! I wanted to throw a shoe at the TV. They were very inconsistent. How funny that the replay buzzers they wore (so that the officials in the booth could buzz them if a play was under review) wouldn't work. (We had SEC refs in the box and the opposing team's confrence supplied the ones on the field)

I don't care what anyone says. Brandon Cox played well, minus the 3 interceptions that were officially his fault (the other, his arm was hit as he threw). He hung in there and took some hits (ARGH>>>that should have been unneccessary roughness!!!!) and played all right for his first game as a full-fledged starter. I like him. I hope this doesn't shake him too much.

What about Obamanu and Aromashadu??? Were they awesome, or what???

I'm glad our defense picked up, else GT would have slaughtered us.

I'm bummed, even today.

I know. It's just a game. But I'm sad. Plus, everytime Auburn takes the field and I don't have my mom to cheer with (That lady was a football fanatic!!! All us Gilchrist women are, though) and brood with.....it's hard. My hubby is a great football buddy, though!

Ok, so, sorry this has pretty much isolated at least 95 percent of you (Slicer, I guess you are worth about 5%? I'm not good with statistics!! LOL).

Hope you all are having a nice Labor Day weekend (at least my U.S. mates).

Hey, a bright spot! The US beat Mexico and qualfied for the 2006 World Cup!! Woo-hoo!!!

Just thought I'd end it with that.

Slicer, feel free to hop on the bandwagon and vent with me. I don't think anyone else is reading at this point!!! ;-)

Not much to report...

But hey, Manchester United won their match over the weekend (2-0) with Ruud and Rooney scoring for the Red Devils and, what's this? Our keeper, Edwin Van der Sar, had an assist?? Hehe...Rock on!!!

Auburn takes on Georgia Tech Saturday. Unfortunately, I won't catch the game in live action b/c we'll be at the FC Dallas soccer match. Slicer, if you're reading this, I may be avoiding your comments just like I do Sylvia's when we catch a Man Utd game later than it originally aired. It's going to KILL me to miss the game!! I really prefer watching them live, for some reason. I dunno why. It's not like I can change the outcome or anything!!

This week is trudging by. I almost added "very slowly," but that would have been a little redundant (can you tell I interpret English classes??). I can't wait until Friday. Then again, Dillon's folks come up early Saturday so that just means I have to do a lot of house cleaning between now and then. YUCK!!!

Oh yes!! We get a long weekend!! I need to make Dr's appts.....gosh, September (as in the month...not the Canadian!) surely snuck up on me!

New Orleans...does anyone else feel as helpless as I do? So sad....one of the history teachers said that the land is in such bad shape that it probably will all be ocean in 50 years. Wow....

Ok, so this is random. Well, I feel random today!!!!

Dillon's birthday is coming up. I'd tell you what I've gotten him, but there's a small chance he might meander his way over here to read my blog (it would be the first time, that's for sure!). I got a few of his presents like a week ago and it's killing me!!! (September 10 is the big day)

What else?? Hmm.. I had to email my dad a diagram so he could figure out how to get to his phone book on the cell phone. :-p It's my old phone b/c his messed up just before he came out to visit. Verizon let us activate my "old" one for $15 (his was too expensive to fix and we got it thru Radio Shack and they wouldn't honor the warranty). Anyway, I showed him everything (and gave him the book). Poor guy...he called the other night to tell me he can't figure out how to "get my numbers off there." (for at least a month, now!) Fortunately, we'd voice programmed mine in there so he didn't have a problem calling me! Anyway, I was trying to remember what my phone looked like and describe the steps to him but it was futile. He needs something with neon letters/pictures! So, I went online and found someone selling the same phone on ebay, opened the picture in Paint, and went to work. Oy.

I am sitting here waiting on a call regarding one of Dillon's presents....the wait is driving me crazy!!!

Well, I'll go and use some of this nervous energy elsewhere b/c if I don't, I'll write forever and ever about NOTHING!! Just call me Seinfeld.

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar Eagle!

Well, folks, my favorite (sporting) time of the season is upon us.

Manchester United has started their season off with a bang (2-0) and my Auburn Tigers will face their first opponent on September 3rd!

I've already seen a couple of my former favorite players in the Big Time (NFL) take a stab it the pros. Carlos Rogers needs to step up his conditioning routine. Ronnie Brown didn't play (I hope he's not holding out like Carlos did...and, if he is, I hope he's staying in shape!). Carnell "Cadillac" Williams had a few carries for 12 yards, certainly not the kind of numbers he had in a game at Auburn. But, this is their first season and some will probably see limited playing time. Still, I can't wait to see what unfolds this year (Jason Campbell also did not play...he's 3rd on the depth chart at Washington, so there ya go).

Yay! Fall! The changing of leaves and the cheering of fans enjoying "football" worldwide!! Yay!!!

SCC celebrates Christmas with a new album AND book!!

(Taken from an article at www.stevencurtischapman.com)


Steven Curtis Chapman Spreads Holiday Cheer With New CD, Book. All I Really Want For Christmas CD To Release September 27th

All I Really Want For Christmas CD To Release September 27th; Tommy Nelson Shares Second Installment Of Shaoey & Dot Series With A Christmas MiracleNashville, TN (August, 2005) –

Platinum-selling singer/songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman is ready to spread the holiday cheer this season with his Christmas CD, All I Really Want For Christmas, releasing September 27th on Sparrow Records. In addition, bookshelves will be stocked this fall with Shaoey And Dot: A Christmas Miracle (Tommy Nelson Publishing), the second installment of the “Shaoey And Dot” picture book series penned by Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth.

With more than one million of his Christmas titles sold to date, Chapman’s All I Really Want For Christmas is his 15th studio project in his 19-year career with Sparrow Records. This collection of 12 original and traditional holiday favorites includes new Chapman originals, such as “The Night Before Christmas,” “The Miracle of Christmas,” “All I Really Want,” as well a new version of the timeless hymn “Angels From The Realm of Glory.” Also included are Chapman’s renditions, previously recorded for his 2003 Hallmark release, Christmas Is All In The Heart, of “Silver Bells,” “Go Tell It On The Mountain,” and “Home For Christmas.” Ed Cash produces the new songs while Brown Bannister produced the songs from Christmas Is All In The Heart.

Rounding out the holiday project are a couple special appearances, one from country superstar Vince Gill who shares his voice on a new version of “Christmas Is All In The Heart.” Another special guest is Chapman’s first adopted daughter, Shaohannah Hope. Shaoey starts the CD off with her touching narration of “The Christmas Story” taken from the Book of Luke. She closes out the project, joined by her dad, singing her rendition of “We Wish You A Merry Christmas,” a special hidden track at the end of the CD. Shaohannah, now age 6, also appears with her dad on the CD cover.

All I Really Want For Christmas’ first single, the endearing “All I Really Want,” promises to be a song we’ll want to hear for years to come. The song focuses on a topic dear to Chapman’s heart – adoption. “All I Really Want” shares the story of a little boy’s one item wish list to Santa, asking not for toys at Christmastime but for a family. Chapman sings:

“All I really want for Christmas is someone to tuck me in, a shoulder to cry on if I lose and shoulders to ride on if I win / There’s so much I could ask for but there’s one thing I really need / All I really want for Christmas is a family.”

To promote the single, Chapman will be filming a music video in Los Angeles at the end of the month. The video will be directed by Brandon Dickerson who is based out of San Francisco. Dickerson will also be filming Chapman in another music video for Chapman’s song, “Remembering You,” the first radio single from Songs Inspired By The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

J. David Huffman, COO, Creative Trust, comments, “With All I Really Want for Christmas, Steven is giving what everybody wants for Christmas – a warm, emotive experience about all the joys of the holiday season for all ages.”"Steven has once again delivered a pristine offering of songs for this new Christmas album,” says Peter York, President, EMI CMG Label Group. “He has captured the emotion, wonder and miracle of Christmas and invites the listener to enter in." Chapman will do a nationwide tour this holiday season promoting All I Really Want For Christmas with friends MercyMe. Together they will appear in 21 markets beginning the day after Thanksgiving in Greenville, SC and ending December 20th in Indianapolis, IN.

Shaoey And Dot: A Christmas Miracle will be released by publisher Tommy Nelson this November, in time for National Adoption Awareness Month and the Christmas season. This story is a wonderful reminder of the miraculous love that makes every Christmas a special one while sharing with its readers the many joys of adoption.

“Shaoey and Dot are a charming duo in fun-to-read, rhyming stories with big, big messages,” said Vice President and Associate Publisher Dee Ann Grand. “Like the kid in all of us, Shaoey and Dot give and receive all the joy and fun of the giving season, but in the end, they learn the true, real miracle of Christmas.” The Shaoey and Dot series, named after the Chapman’s first adopted daughter, Shaohannah (Shaoey) Hope, was launched with the Chapman’s first picture book, Bug Meets Bundle, in November 2004. Filled with delightfully whimsical illustrations from Mary Beth’s brother, Jim Chapman, the Shaoey and Dot picture book series truly is a family affair. Jim Chapman also illustrated A Christmas Miracle.

All I Really Want For Christmas Track Listing (not final order):

Narration of The Christmas Story
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
All I Really Want
Angels from the Realms of Glory
The Night Before Christmas
The Miracle Of Christmas
Christmas is all in the Heart
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Go Tell It On The MountainSilver Bells
Winter Wonderland
I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

Steven Curtis Chapman was honored with a Grammy Award this year for the 5th time, has an American Music Award as well as two certified Platinum and seven Gold albums, nine million total albums sold and 43 No. 1 radio hits, among numerous other honors. He is the most-awarded recording artist in the history of the Gospel Music Association with 49 Dove Awards spanning his 19-year recording career. His current recording, All Things New, is his 14th project with Sparrow Records as well as the title of his most successful tour to date, which hit 70+ cities nationwide. He also appears on the upcoming release Songs Inspired By The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe soundtrack releasing this fall and also has the first single going to radio, “Remembering You.” Chapman has performed at the White House and has appeared on such outlets as CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, Hallmark Channel and E!. He has also taken on the role of producer and record label founder, helping to launch the career of Casting Crowns. A passionate advocate for adoption, Chapman and his family have established Shaohannah’s Hope, a foundation providing information and financial grants to families who desire to adopt. For more information please visit http://www.shaohannahshope.org/ and www.StevenCurtisChapman.com.

Tommy Nelson, the kids division of Thomas Nelson Inc., creates and distributes products designed to expand children’s imaginations and nurture their faith. Named one of the top fifteen children’s publishing companies in North America by Publishers Weekly, Tommy Nelson publishes best-selling authors and brands like Max Lucado, Frank Peretti, the International Children’s Bible®, and Hermie and Friends™.

How did I get so old????

Cholesterol.

That word held no meaning to me til about 4 months ago when I found out I have hypothyroidism. Thanks to a wellness screening at our school, we (my doctor and I) were notified that I had abnormal levels of both the thyroid stimulating hormone and triglycerides. Joyous. The bad news was, I had to take a pill for my thyroid. The good news was it might help level off my triglycerides. Only time would tell.

Well, boys and girls. I feel pretty old and out of shape because today, I received my little blue card in the mail. That card held the news that my triglycerides are really stubborn and do not like Synthroid (Well, more likely, they don't like my choice of food....then again, with them being so high, they probably DO like my choice of food and have little parties each time I open my mouth!). Oh well. It's too bad the Synthroid and my cholesterol didn't like playing together b/c now I have to take yet another medication.

The moral of the story? One, go ahead and get a checkup. If I hadn't gone to that free screening at work, I wouldn't have found out about my thyroid. One in 10 women are diagnosed with thyroid problems. They can lead to serious complications (try death) if left undetected. The same goes with junk that clogs up your arteries. It's kinda important to have blood flowing unrestricted thru your body.

Oh yeah...and eat your fruits and veggies. However, you've seen all those commercials with the healthy folks working out and eating right and still have high cholesterol. Sometimes, it's just genetics that deal you the icky high cholesterol card. Even if you're thinking you're healthy, get your blood checked. You never know.

It's past my bedtime...

(Anyone with advice on dealing with CHO, let me know, k?)

P.S. IT'S OFFICIALLY FRIDAY!! YAAAAAAAAY!!!

Bloggerific!

I promise I tried to update you all last night. It's just that when I finally got around to doing so, the site was down for maintenance.

Well, we're closing in on the end of the first week of school here in good ol Plano, USA. It's not been too bad. There's been some adjustment among the 11th graders who just moved up from their high schools (we have 3 feeder 9th-10th grade schools and 3 Senior High (11th-12th)) as well as the teachers/interpreters. We're just used to block scheduling and the district went to 7 period days this year. What that means is, instead of having a set of 4 classes every other day (1st-4th on MWF and 5th-8th TTH or however the days work out), we have 7 classes M-F. The good thing is the classes are only 50 minutes now as opposed to A day classes being one hour and B day an hour and a half. Only having 50 minutes can be bad, too. Well, at least from an interpreting standpoint. It seems the teachers haven't been able to cram all they need into their 50 minute periods....efficiently. Sure, they get it all in, but our fingers are on fire!! LOL. Ouch. I need a massage.....

Nap time has been a necessity for me (and Dillon) in the afternoons. I just need to learn to nap more wisely. I can't just lay down and do one of those sissy "power naps" for 15 minutes. It takes me that long to get comfy!!!! I practically go comatose once the Sandman finds me. That's not so good when bedtime rolls around and I'm wired from my 2 hr siesta! I have, however, cut out much of the caffeine I used to intake. If I DO have any, it will be around breakfast or lunchtime. Nothing after 5. That could be why I'm dead at quitting time! ;-). More water is in my diet now, too. Yay!

Well, that's it. Nothing exciting yet. I'm so happy that tomorrow is Friday!!!!

I, I will survive...

Howdy.

Day 2 is over and I'm already tiring of technical "teacher speak." :-p We kicked the day off with convocation at 7:30. Everyone in the disrict donned their school's colors and shuttled, carpooled or drove to Prestonwood Baptist Church (aka the "Baptidome") for our little "kick off" to the school year. Last year, it was held in the afternoon and, in my opinion, that's a much better time to get folks in the mood for kicking off (instead of kicking AT) something ;-). Actually, everyone was pretty with it (don't ask about how they were doing this afternoon...lol...can you say "glassy eyed??"). Me and 5 other colleagues had the...umm...privilege of interpreting the event. We have 3 Deaf on staff and since each sat with their respective schools, 2 of us were assigned to each. Gotta love teaming. I tell ya...I wouldn't have made it thru 2 hours of presentations, cheers, songs, and playful "educational" banter w/o being able to trade off with someone. Of course, when you "team," you are still on the clock in case the person you're working with needs a sign fed to them now and again (Emily will know what I'm talking about).

Since I got up at 5:30AM and I am a professed night owl, I managed to forget my glasses. It wasn't too bad and I got the chance to "swing (across town!)" home and grab them after it was over with. It's good I did b/c Giggs had found the dryer lint bucket in the laundry room and also got hold of a napkin to shred. Sometimes I wonder why we even bought a cross-cut shredder. We should just let the dog do it!!!

The rest of the day was more teacher meetings/workshops and interpreting them. Our shining monent was when the principal of the school we are working at (for the week...for me, anyway) stood and acknowleged what a great job we (interpreters) were doing and asked everyone to thank us (with applause). One of my coworkers said that in the 7 yrs she's been working at this school, that was the first time someone thanked the interpreters. It meant a lot. We were fried by the end of the day!!! "Administration" "Legislation" "Reformation" "Proliferation" Oh man...shoot me now!! LOL

On a side note, have y'all used Terra Server or Google Earth yet? Yikes!! You can zoom in to see your house!!!! (It's on the news....sorry for the diversion) Dillon's had it on his computer for a while. While it's neat to "visit" other places, it's kind of weird. I'm just glad it's not a live feed!!!! YIKES!

Melancholy Amy...

Well, boys and girls, school's almost here. Say it with me now, "EEEEWWWWW!!!" Soon, chants of "5 more minutes, Mom...pleeeease!!" and cries of "The dog ate my homework" will resound over this great nation. I shall be thinking and pleading the former when my alarm goes off tomorrow morning.

Work for my district begins tomorrow. The summer has flown by. Absolutely sprouted wings and took flight like a rocket. I find myself wanting to freeze the moment. Perhaps it's b/c of too much TiVo, but the desire to pause time has almost overtaken me.

Did I use my time wisely this summer? No. I don't think I did. Did I make the most of every moment? Some days, but not many. Am I regretful? Of course. Now I find myself wishing I had more time..

Isn't that always the case? Well, except for when you're in the dentist's chair (even then, there's regret like, "Why didn't I floss (more)?" or "Man..I should never have eaten all that candy growing up!"). Ah, and when you're in school, there's nothing you want more than a break from it all! For some reason, 2 months isn't enough. Give us an inch and we'll take a mile.

I don't really have a point to make. If you are one of those who reads really hard between the lines, maybe you could glean a little bit of awareness of your lack of time-management skills or something. Or, maybe it spurs you on to grab life by the horns and have a blast. I dunno.

All I know is, I don't want that alarm clock to go off at 6 am tomorrow.

This is worth making a new post for...

I was gonna stick it in the "comments" section of my last post, but hey...this one deserves some time in the limelight ;-).

MY NIECE JUST CLEANED THE LIVINGROOM! Complete with dusting, vacuuming, and a bit of tasteful rearranging. She even attempted to re-alphabetize our DVD collection (it's all out of whack)! I helped her finish that daunting task. Here's the kicker: no one asked her to!

Ok, so family visits aren't all that bad ;-).

Thanks, Kennedy. Need a job?

All in the Family....

Well,

I haven't been able to swing by for any updates b/c I've had my hands full the past few days. Some of my family has come out to the great sweltering state of Texas for a little visit. My father, oldest sister and her 2 kiddos made the 12 hour trek last Thursday. This is the week of her annual Mary Kay dealio in downtown Dallas, so they decided to squeeze in a visit with us as well.

I still have my sanity, and that's saying a lot ;-).

No, seriously. For someone who's 12 hours away from family most of the year, this visit is a sight for the weakened heart (even though the heart has hammered a time or two!). There was a soft place somewhere in there that longed to see someone familiar. It's great that the in-laws are only a couple of hours away, but I can't tell you how good it is to have Dad here. He's got shingles by the way :-(. Poor guy can't travel anywhere without getting sick. I know helping with my niece and nephew (10 and 13) hasn't helped his energy lately, either.

Not much to report. We spent the greater part of Friday shopping with Laura as she purchased some finishing touches for the convention (it started last night), then met my cousins from Ft. Worth for dinner. Saturday, we took Logan to play paintball. Fortunately, it was at a Celebration Station and not some random field out in the middle of nowhere (Did I mention it's blazing hot here???). So, we got to stay indoors while he suffered outside (in a mesh "tent-like" thing) and Kennedy played some games. Sunday, it was more playing as we went to the "grown-ups Chuck E. Cheese," Dave and Busters. That was a lot more fun (and had great food!) than the day before. The in-laws came up to join us and we took the train downtown.

Not sure what we'll do for entertainment today. I fear computer games and playing with the dog is becoming less alluring as time ticks by.......

Literati! Literati! Literati! Li-ter-aaaaa!

Like my lil ditty there?

I think I might be addicted. Thank you, September :-p.

For anyone who's lived under a rock longer than me, Literati is a board game akin to Scrabble (but don't try to use your Scrabble vocabulary....Literati isn't up on all the lingo and your words will get *sniffs* rejected). It's on Yahoo!Games if ever you're interested. You can play with random ppl or you can host a table and invite whomever you know is signed on. (I think that's how it works) The world of technology never ceases to astound me, as I got to play 2 games with my great friend in Sascatchaswan last night/this morning. ;-) Yay!

Not much goin on around here. The fam is coming to visit on Thursday: Dad, oldest sis, her 2 kiddos. They'll be here a week. Laura's got a Mary Kay conference.

In preparation, me and the other fam did yardwork this weekend. Before you go, "Oh blah! What a way to spend a weekend!!!", we did manage to catch a rockin Third Day concert on Saturday night. :-)

Anyway, the yardwork was sort of forced upon us by Mother Nature in that she effortlessly blew our lone tree (in the front yard) over during a storm. In that one tree falling, I got my yard edged, shrubs trimmed, and various weeds pulled. We had a regular chain-gang thing goin. Everyone works, then everyone rests. It was a nice rhythm. It's always nice when there's more than one pair of hands working. I was introduced to the fine (or not so fine) art of trimming shrubbery. I felt like Mr. Myagi or something with my own lil banzai trees....or boxwoods...

The weekend went well, other than the work, and even our dogs got to have a little bonding time. My Schnauzer still hasn't recovered from visiting w/ his cousins (2 Bichons and one Schnauzer pup whom we lovingly call "The Pirhana"). He's done nothing but sleep the past 2 days!!

That's it from here. Nothing profound. I'll need all the brain cells I can muster in dealing with the niece and nephew this weekend.............

Listen to this song to make your heart feel better..

Any Sanctus Real fans out there? "Fight the Tide" is now playing in WinAmp on my computer. Their title track, "You Are Not Alone" is quite catchy.

Isn't it comforting to know we aren't on this journey alone? I know it feels lonely sometimes, but I'm thankful God finds ways to send little rays of sunshine through my melancholy clouds just to remind me that He's here. He's here, my Christian brothers and sisters are here...my cute lil puppy dog is here. I am loved. THAT makes my heart feel better!!! :-D

Does your heart ever NOT want to feel better? Is it anchored in a corner with a sulky pout on its face? I know mine puts itself in a happiness "time out" from time to time. Why is it so stubborn? It's FREE, yet it wants to be mired in sadness/despair. Frustrating, isn't it? Why does our stubborn human nature want us to be unhappy just for spite? That's what it feels like. We close the blinds of our soul to block out God's light. He's trying to flood us with it, but we're so doggone resistant.

Wherever you are, take those pity-party thoughts captive, throw open those blinds and chuck them out the window. Just do it. It will make your heart feel better.

:-)

Technology hostage..

Since it's just me and the crickets (seriously..there are at least a couple plus some harmonious tree frogs outside right now), I thought I'd jot an update while waiting on DirecTV to call back.

While I avoided any store technological today, hubby didn't. We got another TiVo DVR tonight for the bedroom. Its hard drive is actually twice as big as the one we have now (in the living room), so we decided to put our existing one in the BR and install this one in here. Well, we had tons of stuff recording, so we had to wait til midnight. No biggie. I'm a night owl.

Apparently, the DirecTV/TiVo techies are updating their server. They told Dillon it would be about an hour (that was almost 2 hrs ago!). I guess, when you gotta update something, doing so during non-peak hours is good, b/c you figure you won't have many customers needing to connect something. Unfortunately, we are in that minority tonight/today/whatever. He took our number and said they'd call back. No biggie...we'll just play xbox or something. We just called back and they are still updating and don't know how long it will be :-.

Here we are. Sure, we could go to bed and just get the blasted thing hooked up tomorrow but, unlike with exercise, we are TODAY kinda ppl when it comes to technology. ;-)

Oh, and for the record (and to keep up my boring menu offerings) tonight's feast contained:

Chicken jambalaya (pasta) and sweet tea (Dillon added chips and hot sauce (read: salsa) to his dinner). We had lemon cake for dessert.

I won't bore you with breakfast/lunch.

Til later,

Street Team blues...

Anyone who listens to music and has branched out into this cyber world of ours knows that street teams are all the rage among record labels now. They know there are masses of fans out there who are chomping at the bit to see their favorite bands come to town and more fans means more $$.

I love the street team ideal: bringing the message to the masses BY the masses. Totally jive with that. There's nothing I like better than spreading the word about what an impact Steven Curtis Chapman has had on my spiritual walk and life, in general. I love doing that so much, that I signed up for his street team, as well as a couple others whose artists I relate to. The only problem is, sometimes the projects are beyond what I can do as a fan. Well...are beyond what I want to do, that is.

Take for instance, the "roundup." This is where a street teamer e-mails hordes of his/her friends, imploring them to join "The Force." This is one of the key strategies of those in power, and, as such, they reward their recruiters with great prizes. I don't mind emailing my friends who listen to CCM about things like this. What I don't like is that they have a target number of folks they'd like us to email. Needless to say, I don't have that many folks in my address book. And, if I did, not all listen to CCM, not all are in the age demographic that enjoys all things online, and I venture that some would be put off.

I want to spread the word about his music...not so much ask folks to join the team. If it means merely posting a link or something on a message board here and there, that's cool. But to personally invade someone's inbox is something beyond my comfort zone.

Am I a sissy fan for feeling this way? Comments?

By the way, if anyone reading this IS interested in joining, here are two of the teams I'm involved with: www.groundforcenetwork.com (use the referral code 1891, please) and www.themovement.fan2band.com. Hopefully, those links will work for you. Thanks for enduring that shameless plug.

Have a great rest-of-Sunday!

Whataburger

Well, today's dining didn't quite come off as healthy as last night's. For those who are just dying to know what was on our plates, here goes. Are you ready??

Breakfast: Chic-fil-A biscuits (buy one get one free, compliments of coupons from Celebrate Freedom last weekend). Yay for "Christian" chicken ;-) :-p.

Lunch: leftovers. I had a bratwurst sandwich with some olive spread on it....For those of you going "ewwwww.." the spread is hard to explain, but it's really good. Lotsa different olives chopped up, kinda like what's on a muffaletta (however you spell that). You can go have your very own lil bucket (ha) from SAM's for $6.42, I believe. Yummy stuff that has lasted quite a while (and has a long shelf-life, as long as it's kept refrigerated after opening). I think Dill had hotdogs and some chips and salsa (Texans call it hot sauce).

Dinner: Let me preface this by saying I spent WAY MORE TIME than should be allowed for a wife on a Saturday at electronics stores. Holy bovines! We ended up going to look for a wireless USB adapter for my father-in-law who is onlineshopaphobic (The only place you can find the exact one he needs is online). Well, there are other versions (hence our "hunt"), but that one is the ideal one.

Anyway, we are at one place and find something $20 cheaper than what he paid for it in their hometown (they don't have this particular store there). Well, we went ahead and got it for him, and he plans to return the one he got (He hadn't opened it. I know some of you were holding your breath over that one.). Weeeellll, we go to the next major chain and find something like the "coveted" one, only there was SOME question as to whether or not it would work. There was ONE left...the sales guy told me "Nope. Doesn't work with TiVo." Hmm...it was gonna be $4.99 after rebates. The bargain hunter in me wanted to cling to the box with all I had, but I put it down and we went on our way to the next aisle. There was a more pricey one, but the FIL wasn't at home to make sure it was compatible with his system (Bored yet??). We decided to go on to the NEXT major chain. We got as far as the parking space closest to our car when the phone rang. He wanted the one I had picked up. By this time, we're in the car, on our way out of the lot. I tell Dill to just drop me off and I'd go in and get the other adapter. I get in there and, guess what??? IT'S GONE!! I see the guy who helped us was busy, so I found another guy who checked the other place they had them and said it was the last one. :-S I'm thinking to myself, "Not 5 minutes was I gone, and someone got it?? The sales guy acted like it was useless! Hmmm...I'm gonna ask him what happened." Well, the patient bargain hunter was now looking for some retribution (whether warranted or not!). He finishes up with the folks he's helping and has spotted me. He seems to have conjured up 2 coworkers for moral support. The one on the right says, "Can I help you, ma'am?" I lock eyes with THE ONE in the middle and say, "Yes....that USB adapter. That's the one we need. Have any more?" He paused a sec and said "Hold on." Now, I don't know what happened, but here he appeared with the box in hand! I take the box and go to find Dillon in my sudden rush of victory. He's all bowing down to me and telling his dad that I found it, but now we have to wait and see if it's for sure compatible with their system and/or does THEIR store have it. Hmph. We wait. He calls, is hung up on (I'm sure, accidentally) and then is put on hold for longer than he's willing to wait (I'm sure the first try was what put him off...). We decide to go ahead and get it. If they find one at their place and it works, our plan was to keep the other one for ourselves and use it. (Should I mention that the rebates always come in twos or end up to be not as great as they did before you actually get the item up to the checkout counter and go thru the fiine print?)

After that, we headed to a Christian bookstore where I felt more in my element (it's close to the above mentioned electronics store). Got a good bargain book and the newest Veggie Tales DVD. Oh, and we also saw they now have spiral notebooks and folders with Christian artists on them. How funny, but kind of cool, is that? We actually found one with the Newsboys on it that we purchased for my sister-in-law as sort of a joke.

We decide to head back to the first store and return the first adapter we bought. I stayed in the car and started on the book I had just purchased while Dillon went in and braved the return line. A little later, he came back with this kind of "grin" on his face, though I knew it was more of the "Please don't kill me" kind. His dad had just called and said they found the adapter we'd just purchased at THEIR store. :-o Well, if it works with our system, we're keeping it!!

How does that tie into dinner? At this point, all ideas of"slow, healthy food" are being brutally devoured by my now "psycho" appetite. Whataburger was the closest joint and so there we went (to hubby's delight. He and his father share the Whataburger gene).

On the menu was:

Dillon: A1 Thick and Hearty (or heart-stopping burger) Meal
Me: Whataburger Jr. meal

Boy, now aren't you glad you stopped by to see if I'd written any exciting updates? :-

We're off to watch some soccer. US vs Canada on the Spanish channel. Fun stuff! The only thing I have understood thus far is the logo up next to the score. It's the famous golden arches with the words "Me encanta" next to it. I don't need to tell you what it means, though. Everyone knows Mickey D's is a universal language!

Hasta la pasta,

Amy

Man...

It took me forever to figure out how to do another post!!! I feel like a dork now. :-p

Hey, anyone seen "My Cousin Vinny?" Geez...I shoulda had some v-chips and dip before watching that one. Lotsa language. If you're gonna watch it, go for the made-for-tv version.

Well, good night everyone....

Maiden voyage...

Welp. Here I am. I've avoided the great cross-cultural blogdemic for far too long. Good news for me, b/c I can curb some of the creative boredom I've been feeling. Bad news for you, b/c I'm not that creative!!

*crickets chirp*

Anyone out there watch The 4400? I don't think it would have been on my must-see list had I not married a sci-fi junkie, but it's not that bad (don't tell him I said that). There's an episode playing as I type, which is why this first edition might seem a bit unorganized.

I honestly feel I have nothing worthy to contribute at this moment, except for leaving you with tonight's dinner menu (mainly b/c I'm full and I'm looking for filler for this post!):

Grilled bratwurst accompanied by zucchini, squash, and onions that were grilled in a cozy aluminum foil bag. Oh, and some sweet tea I made with my Iced Tea Maker. It was a wedding gift that I just decided to put into use a couple of days ago. Can you belive that?? It only took me 2 years! Ah, trying to wean myself off of cokes. Yes, that's right. I said "cokes," and I don't mean the kind that wants to make the world sing. Here in the South, any carbonated beverage (that can be bought under the age of 21) is a coke. Doesn't matter if it's Dr. Pepper, Mt. Dew...whatever! It's a COKE!

Have a nice night and thanks for reading!