friends

I Miss Her Already. :(

/ friends, ivy

Ivy is now on her way back home to Florida. Let me tell you, this has been one of the quickest and most fun weeks of my life. She’s wonderful. The perfect houseguest. She did dishes, even made her bed. WOW. She’s so great.

Sunday, we went to the All Church service as planned. It was neat; outside in Germain Amphitheatre. The service was nice. Afterwards, we went to BW3 to get some wings. Since Ivy is vegetarian, she only had a Diet Coke. After that, we went to Chris’s grandfather’s for a family reunion thingy. That was interesting. My most memorable moment there was the lemon cake. MAN was that yummy. I do love lemon so. Mmmmm. Ivy and I ate a lot of that, then brought some home as well. Sunday evening, we hung out at Chad and Christy’s and made apple bread.

Monday, we were lazy most of the day. I went to the chiropractor and then we went to the grocery store. After that, we cooked yummy stuff! As Newsies played in the background, we made pizza calzones (homemade dough) and spaghetti. That was such a yummable dinner. For dessert we had glazed lemon rounds. Talk about delicious!!! Ivy was nice enough to leave the recipe for me! 🙂 Of course, I can get it off of her website at any time… Heh.

Tuesday, we did some shopping at both Easton and Polaris Fashion Place. Ivy fell in love with this kitchen gadgety store, and then we just hopped around from place to place looking at things. We went to Gameworks where Ivy played DDR, and we also got our picture taken in one of the sticker machines. (Apparently, these machines are not as cool as the ones in Japan). I’ll have to scan them for you.

After shopping, I had a small meeting at church with Garth and Mike regarding our small group. Then it was off to the mall for dinner, then to Garth’s to bake a yummmy 7up cake! Garth seemed VERY pleased that we were not only using his kitchen, but using it to make sweet delectables! After the small group meeting, which went well I think, we watched Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Jim Carrey was amazing in that movie, and I LOVE Kate Winslet. Always have. 🙂 I didn’t enjoy the movie as much as I could have because all of a sudden, I was in REAL pain. My lower left back, the kidney area, was killing me. The pain just kept growing and growing and there was nothing I could do to calm down. The drive home was a haze. I remember Ivy talking about a song she thought she knew, and she wondered if she’d be a good driver. I remember taking my bra off because I didn’t want anything to be restricting to me and causing more pain. We got home and SOMEHOW I managed to sleep for a few hours. But then I had to get up and pee, and that’s when the pain came back FULL FORCE. The thought of waiting 6 more hours until the doctor’s office opened sounded like torture, and it erased my hesistation of going to the ER due to their ridiculous $100 copay. I got dressed and needed help because I was hurting so badly, then I went to alert Ivy. She was already up for some reason, so I told her what was going on and gave her Chris’s cell phone number so she could call him if Aidan woke up. She gave me a hug and told me to feel better. Then, off to the ER Chris and I went. We got there about 4am. I got checked in, tested. I had a CT Scan which was neat. The doctor (Craig) was nice, and said that I had a 3mm kidney stone. Yikes. 🙁 Then I had an IV that filled me with fluids and NICE pain meds. I was pretty happy after that, albeit exhausted. I slept most of yesterday which SUCKED because it was Ivy’s last day here. But she got a lot of writing done with does not suck. And I feel better which absolutely does not suck.

We got to the station a bit after 11 this morning. We shared some french fries and lemonade, and then it was time for her to go. 🙁 She got approached and questioned about her pentacle, and the lady kept saying “It’s not from GOD!” Ivy said “It’s MY interpretation.” Go, Ivy! We shared a few big hugs, then she really had to go. I was sad. I loved having her here. She’s fun and laid back and loves to cook and bake, which makes my tummy very happy! 🙂 We’re definitely going to miss having her around. *sigh*

So, the best thing is to start planning next year’s visit! 🙂 I’m not sure if I’ll go there or if she’ll come here again, but I know one thing for sure. I can’t go another five years without seeing one of my best friends ever again. Amen.

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Happy Stuff!

/ friends, ivy, positivity

Ivy is updating her journal, so I thought I’d update mine as well. 🙂 I’ve had a busy two days. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to tend to the 24 emails waiting for me. I have so much stuff to do. Meep. I’m thankful Ivy is a writer as well and can understand my need to get on the computer and just write sometimes. 🙂

Friday morning, the alarm went off. I’d stayed up late the night before, so I was a little bit tired. But I hopped out of bed and got Chris up. We got Aidan and headed to get Ivy! First, we had to get gas. Boring! But we got to the station at 7:40 on the dot, but we didn’t get inside until 7:45 or so because of parking and stuff. So, I walked in and there she was! She was so little and cute, her hair in braids and a big smile on her face. We hugged for a long time, then just started talking and stuff. We got her bags and came home, and showed her around the house. And then we ate breakfast at Bob Evans. Back here, we played on the computer(s) and talked, then we took naps. That was great. I slept for about 3 hours. Ivy slept for 7! She was tired. Then she had dinner and we spent the rest of the evening/night hanging out in the loft talking and playing on the computers.

I had stupid dreams while I slept. Both of them involved a Kelly. The first one involved itskels. She was baking all kinds of yummy goodies and refused to let me eat any! It was torture. She kept saying she needed to sell them in a bake sale or something. The 2nd one involved Kelly P. I dreamed we went to the circus together. But it was a wacked out circus. The seats were like roller coaster seats, and the acts had Olympic gymnasts and stuff. Then, when I woke up, I found out Kelly P had gone to Cedar Point. How weird is that?

Saturday, we went to Amish country with Josh and Kelly D. That was so much fun. I’d never been to this town before. It was full of shops and restaurants. There is so much we saw and so much more we didn’t see! So many cute things to buy. And the Amish people with their horses and buggies. Those horses were awesome. They walked with their heads high and with nice, high steps. And they were pretty.

Saturday night, we went to a party at Chad and Christy’s. That was cool. Food, talking, relaxing, watching “The Empire Strikes Back” and playing that DARN Scrabble computer game. I hate Maven. I really do. Ivy got to meet several of my friends from church which was cool. A lot of people I didn’t expect at the party were there. It was a nice gathering. Some people were outside by the campfire and they smelled like smoke when they came back inside. The smell reminded me of the Crimson Sunrise Retreat I went to in April.

I already have pictures to put up. I have a TON to put up, actually. I’ll try to do some tomorrow. WOOHOO!!

Sunday, the plans to go the the all church service, then a family reunion. Then maybe grocery store, then the production of baked goods. Oh yes. Oh yummy.

Okay then. Night! 🙂

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Lotsa Stuff

/ friends, recap

Allergies. They’re SO not fun. I’m tired and sniffly. And sneezy too. Bah.

Well, I guess I have kind of a long update to give you. Bottom line is that I’d gone after what I thought would be a dream job–well, at least the closest to my dream job I can get at Nationwide, but certain factors trumped that. I felt betrayed and upset and plain old STUPID. So, Chris took my resume, revamped it, and I’m going to go from there. I’ll remain a secretary while working on my writing at night in the meantime, but I know now that nothing I do will please them. My skillset is NOT for the administrative assistant position. I used to say “I’m better than this.” That’s the wrong attitude to have. Now, I say “My skills are better suited for something else.” It’s up to me to find that something else.

Naturally, I turned to retail therapy to cheer myself up. Meep.

Friday, Kelly P and I went to Morone’s Italian Villa for dinner. I LOVE that place and I’d wanted to take her there for months now. No one else’s sauce can touch theirs. It was a very pleasant dinner and evening. Good food, good conversation, GREAT company. I <3 Kelly P. She’s one of those people who I can be around for hours and hours and never tire of her.

Saturday, Jennifer (dewdropdew aka lamplamp) came over and we hung out. We went to lunch with Chad and Christy to Nazareth’s, a Middle Eastern place. For the first time, I had good hummus. WOW, it was yummy, with the bread. Mmmm. I had chicken over rice. It had all the spices. Very interesting flavors, let me tell you. Once upon a time, I refused to try new foods. And Lord knows I get into my ruts with meals. But now, I relish trying new things, at least once.

Anyway, after lunch, Jennifer and I watched Justin Timberlake DVDs, then watched Chris play Tombraider – Angel of Darkness. After Jennifer left, we went to Chad and Christy’s. Chad had grilled steaks and prime rib (MMMMMM!) and we had corn on the cob. Christy made her cheesy cauliflower which I’m sure I would have enjoyed if I’d liked cauliflower. It looked yummy. That was a fun evening, but by then, my allergies were really starting to annoy me. As were cramps. I was happy to get home and get to bed.

Today, I skipped Sunday school again. I hate skipping because there is so much good stuff going on in there. But I really wasn’t feeling well and needed to get the extra rest. Church was awesome as usual. EMILY (yoimemily) WAS THERE!!! So was Bizzy (otaku_witch). They make me smile.

I owe Emily a party. And I have to invite Bizzy and Becky too. We’re going to watch Fargo and eat macaroni and cheese. It’s going to be quality.

During worship, I went into this meditation. I can’t remember the song. But I remember I had this vision of me running and leaving this huge cloud of JUNK behind. I was running towards a light and when I got there, Jesus was there with a huge smile and his arms open. I ran to Him he hugged me and comfort me. Like how when Aidan runs to me with his arms open, I scoop him up and cover him with a million kisses. I completely lost myself in this “daydream” and I felt so at peace and so filled with joy.

When I first started going to Heritage, one of the first teachings was on learning how to pray. I usually feel badly because I don’t always pray that way. Sometimes my prayers are just little whispers. Or meditations. I feel like I don’t do it right sometimes. But God gets the message from me no matter which way I do it. So, I guess I’m doing okay.

After church, I gave Tami her birthday present: A S’mores maker. She loved it. And I socialized for a bit. I have a couple of friends to keep in my mind and heart and prayers this week for sure.

When we got home, Aidan had fallen asleep in the car. Chris took him and they lay in the recliner and napped. Then I napped upstairs. Chris let me sleep for a LONG time. I felt so good that I cleaned the loft and cleaned out my desk drawer. Now, I have only 3984789457893 chores to do instead of 3984789457891. I want to get the house looking fairly good because Friday morning is when…


iVY will be here!!!

But before then, I have lots to do.

Monday – see Vicki
Tuesday – Life Group
Wednesday – shopping with Christy
Thursday – CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN
Friday – iVY!! 🙂

Then, there are the chores:

– laundry (mine and Aidan’s)
– clean master bathroom/water closet
– wash bed clothes in guest room

And the other stuff:

– research Writer’s Market 2005 for potential agents/editors/publishers
– finish synopsis
– make mid-sized synopsis
– chiropractor Mon & Wed morning

I need to make more money. There is so much I want. DVDs galore. Clothes. Jewelry. Purses. WHY must I be so materialistic?? Not only that, but Aidan needs new clothes ASAP. See, his 12 and 18 month clothes finally fit him around the waist. For the most part. He’s so skinny–a lot of his clothes did nothing but fall off for a long time. Unfortuately, he’s pretty tall too. So, he looks like he’s wearing capri pants or something most of the time. NOT CUTE AT ALL. So, I need to head to Wally World and shop for him. Actually, I think that Gap Kids might be my place of choice. I’ve got Chris’s discount card. There is a certain outfit (3rd from the top, and the 4th one too) there that I want. But it’d be about $100 even with the discount. 🙁 I’d look so cute, too. But I need more money, dang it.

I took the S.H.A.P.E. ministry profile test last night. I got some interesting things as my spiritual gifts:
1. martyr
2. faith
3. pastor and hospitality

The one that threw me was pastor. ME, a pastor? I talked a little bit with Joshua about it today. He definitely agreed about the hospitality one. I agreed about the faith one. Martyr I can see, but not as number 1! I mentioned my doubts about the pastor one. He said he could see it. He could totally see it. ME??? Here is the definition of Pastor:

The gift of pastor is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to assume a long-term personal responsibility for the spiritual welfare of a group of believers.

Do you guys see that?

That’s a tall order to fill. But if it’s for God… BRING IT ON! 🙂 Anything for Him.

Okay then. I’m way past my bedtime. Good night. Have a gorgeous week. 🙂

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/ friends

I <3 Chad & Christy. That's all. Good night.

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