Small Town Montana

Frozen Over

2012-01-11T09:57:00.000-08:00

Because of my stomach issues I have a hard time with many foods, chief among them protein. I never thought I'd find a protein bar that I actually liked, but yesterday the hot spot froze over and I found one! Special K makes a line of protein bars and one of them tickles my fancy. I won't say I love it, but I will say that the chocolate peanut butter flavored one is definitely easy on the palette. It's a bit dry so it requires a healthy dose of water, but the taste doesn't make me want to spit it out! This is progress in my quest to put some weight back on!

Is This Half Way?

2011-12-07T00:09:00.000-08:00

8 months ago Josh and I went on our first date. 8 months from now we'll be married. :)

Thanksgiving Weekend In Pictures

2011-11-29T16:52:00.000-08:00

These uploaded all out of order. Oops!

Bride-icus Don't-care-icus

2011-11-16T00:08:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I posted. Something like 2 months? Oops! But there's a reason, I promise. I'm just a leetle bit busy! And no, it's not because I'm busy planning the wedding. In fact, I'm in a perpetual state of ignoring the wedding.

I knew I wouldn't be a bridezilla. At least I hoped I wouldn't be. I'm just not the sort to get worked up over stuff and when you add in my Zoloft prescription...yeah, I really don't care. I figured I'd look at the wedding like I do most other things; I have my preferences, but if it doesn't work out EXACTLY the way I want, no biggie.

Turns out, I'm not like that at all. Turns out I just don't care. Take tonight for example. I looked at the calendar this morning and realized that if we want to get our save the date cards out before Christmas, we better get cracking. It's only 5 weeks away! So I made a list of things that needed to happen in order for that the happen. I was all set to work on getting this done tonight. I txted Josh and warned him that this evening we would be working on wedding "stuff" and to just be prepared when he got home. I totally blame him for what happened next.

Josh came home with a pizza and oatmeal fudge stripe cookies and the next thing I knew we'd watched 4 episodes of the Vampire Diaries, I'd talked to my sister on the phone, we'd eaten most of the pizza and half the box of cookies and I just didn't give a darn about finishing that to-do list because I was curled up on the couch with Josh and going to get the lap top just didn't seem like any fun.

On the other hand, I've been having nightmares about wardrobe malfunctions on our wedding day, usually involving my hair.

Engagement Pictures

2011-09-09T16:30:00.001-07:00

Here's a preview. Thank you Kathy Weirda!

Anxiety

2011-08-31T16:26:00.000-07:00

So my excellent, highly esteemed doctor wasn't able to find anything physically wrong with me when I went in for tests last week. He attributed it to stress and told me to triple my meds. It seemed to be working as I was able to start eating again after a couple of days. I know that stress does weird things to your body and lately I've been under a ton of it, both physical and mental. The thing is, I'm not sure upping my meds was the right thing to do.

I was doing much better aside from still not being able to sleep. This is usually a sign of mental stress. My brain just won't shut down! When this happens I usually have to drug myself to get a good nights sleep, then I wake up groggy and my performance at work suffers because of it. I try not to go this route unless I absolutely have to.

Then yesterday came. My friend Lee asked me if I would like to participate in making a Christmas album. Anyone who's known me for 3 seconds knows that music is my life and this is right up my alley. I told him I'd pray about it, talk it over with Josh and get back to him by Friday. Then my mind immediately started spinning, going over how many hours it would take me to write the arrangement for my assigned song, how long to learn my parts on the other songs I'm assigned to work on, etc. Next thing I know it's Wednesday, I'm throwing up again and I can't sleep. I'm right back at square one and I haven't even said yes to the project yet!

I went through something like this about 8 years ago. At the time my GP wanted to put me on something for anxiety. I told him no and chose to burn off the stress by working out. This led to extreme weight loss and eventually a full blown Crohn's flair that almost killed me. It was five full years of h-e-double-hockey-sticks. Three years after it was all over I've still only put on about half of the weight my doctor wants me to. Oh the beauty of my disease! Needless to say I can't afford to go down that road again.

This is all to say that I think it's time I took Dr. M up on that prescription.

Whew!

2011-08-25T15:37:00.000-07:00

This last weekend we tackled the dreaded "Wedding Checklist."* Things we checked off:

Caterer - Stan and Marty "Mrs. Clause" Veltkamp
Flowers - Costco, although now Mom's trying to change this one up and I'm having second thoughts about the "collection" we chose. I think they'll clash with the girls' dresses and my sash.
Engagement Photos - Sept. 8 with Kathy Weirda
Save the Date Cards
Invitations - they're picked out, now just waiting for enough Michael's coupons to buy them...
The Commons contract - it just showed up in my in-box courtesy of Korrie

We're making progress!

*Dreaded because every time I'd bring up doing anything wedding related Josh would look at me a little bit pissy and say, "I thought this wasn't going to take over our lives!" Guess what Sweetheart, some things have to be discussed. It doesn't all just magically happen!

Wedding Update

2011-08-15T16:44:00.000-07:00

The dress is bought, the suits picked out and the church is reserved. That's all the further we've (I've?) gotten. I feel like it's so far away that I don't really need to worry about the rest of it yet. Of course this is going to come back and bite me in the hiny, I'm sure. Procrastination always does!

We've changed the reception from my parents back yard to The Commons. Based on the number of people that will likely be attending, parking and bathrooms were going to be an issue. I think this will simplify things though as we only have to decorate one venue now. Also, we met in The Commons auditorium so it's sort of fitting.

Now, the next thing on my sort of in the back of my head list is finding a photographer. Any suggestions?

Mark Your Calendars!

2011-07-27T15:08:00.001-07:00

The date is set! On July 6, 2012 I will become Mrs. Heinemann! Plans are slowly coming together, but that's OK. We have 11 1/2 months. I have a feeling it's going to go way too fast!

We now deviate from our regularly scheduled programing to bring you this special announcement...

2011-07-13T20:34:00.000-07:00

I had a post all ready to go featuring a couple of clothing pieces that I'm super excited about. However something kind of special happened so forgive me, you're going to have to wait!

HOW IT HAPPENED

Sunday afternoon Josh and I were hanging out at his house. We always spend Sundays together. It's one of our favorite times of the week. After the sun went behind the clouds and ruined our plans for laying outside we went inside and promptly fell asleep. When I woke up Josh was laying beside me and we curled up together and started talking. He started asking me questions like am I sure that I'm OK moving away from my friends and family so that he can continue his research? Am I really OK with the fact that he's a bit of a work-a-holic? Do I really trust that he will always make the decision that he believes is best for us? He asked me questions like this for a couple of hours. When he was finally questioned out he turned to me and asked, "So will you marry me?" After all the other questions I didn't realize that he was proposing. I'm not exactly sure what I said other than that it was in the affirmative. Then he asked me if I was sure. I said, "Of course I'm sure."

"Then you should wear this."

It wasn't until he handed me the ring that I realized he was proposing! I'm so blond sometimes!

So now answers to the three most frequently asked questions.

1. Have you set a date? No, we haven't. Many of our married friends have told us that they wish they had taken more time to enjoy just being engaged before they dove head first into planning the wedding. We've decided to take their advice. We'll set a date sometime next month. It'll happen next summer, beyond that, that's all we've got. We have however spent a great deal of time talking about what's going to happen AFTER the wedding, ie: where we're going to live, plans to pay off the remainder of both of our debt before Josh graduates, whether or not to buy Josh a better vehicle or make due with the Jeep, etc. I think we're both more excited about what happens after the DJ's paid and the last person's left the dance floor.

2. Which wedding magazines have I checked out? Umm...none! Nor do I plan to! I flipped through one, I can't remember which, while I was waiting for my ring to be sized and you know what? I don't need to look at $6000 dresses. I'm not willing to spend anywhere near that much. I don't need to look at designer flowers and cakes. I'm doing my own flowers and my sister is going to do our cake. I already know what I want my flowers to look like and my sister is far and away more talented than any bakery here in Bozeman. She could seriously be on Cake Boss. Finally, I don't need to look at engagement rings. I already have one that Josh had made especially for me and it's PERFECT! Likewise, I will not be spending money on a "Commemorative" Wedding Planning Book. *Shudder*

3. What kind of diet/fitness regimen will I be going on to fit into the dress? The fact that anyone would ask me this sort of blows my mind and yet I've been asked more than once. I'm not. Period.

So that's my big news!

Setting the Record Straight

2011-07-10T03:53:00.000-07:00

There's a rumor going around town that I stole from Pepsi while I was working there. This rumor is not true. I've lied, I've hurt people I care about, I've self destructed is some pretty horrible ways and I've done a lot of things that I'm not proud of, but stealing is not one of them. I don't know who started this rumor, but it's absolutely untrue.

Well hello there, Blog! How've you been?

2011-07-05T19:23:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, I'm falling down on the job. Sorry. I've been super busy, but not with anything important. Went camping for the first time this summer with Josh and his family. Sold merch for Charlie Hall. Hit up Norris Hot Springs and the first Music on Main for the season.

Speaking of Music on Main, you know you're getting old when you can't wait to get out of there and home to bed when the shows over. Even after stopping at the lab to check on an experiment, Josh and I were home by 9:00.

Finished the Engaged classes. Had our first meeting with our Mentor Couple. Gearing up to play at church this weekend. Yeah, that's about it.

Like I said, super busy, nothing note worthy.

Dark Days

2011-06-19T06:44:00.000-07:00

I had to put my sweet boy down yesterday. After not fully recovering from first bought of pneumonia and two more weeks of it this time around, he was just too weak to fight anymore. Daddy buried him in the garden by the raspberries.

Le Sigh

2011-06-09T10:53:00.000-07:00

Manfluff is sick. Again. Poor little guy doesn't want to get off the couch. This is an improvement from not wanting to leave the closet. Things are looking up!

So while the furboy is not feeling well, I'm going to share something that makes me feel well...the feather skirt from my birthday! Finally! Please overlook the marshmallow legs...

One and a Half Days

2011-05-19T11:29:00.000-07:00

Holy cow, the last two weeks have gone fast! I have a day and a half left here at the job that murders my soul. Part of me is excited, part of me is scared to death and part of me knows that it'll be just fine, the Lord will put me in the right place at the right time to meet and talk to the women that he wants me to encourage and pamper. That last one is already starting to happen. I seem to all of a sudden have a plethora of lost sheep bumping into my life. Perhaps He's trying to tell me something? Now if only he'd give me the words!

Sidelined

2011-05-12T12:16:00.000-07:00

I have a new (old) outfit of the day to post...but I've been a bit sidelined with this horrible chest cold. I'm aiming to have it up on Sunday????

It's the outfit from my birthday party. Feathered skirt!!! It didn't photograph very well, but I'm putting it up anyway, because really, if my legs weren't marshmallow white as Josh calls them, I wouldn't be living in MT.

Let the Countdown Begin!

2011-05-09T15:38:00.000-07:00

Guess who's only got 11 days left at her job! This chick, that's who! I've decided to take the plunge and do Mary Kay full time. It's a little scary, but I have an awesome support system and amazing customers so I know I can do it. The way Josh put it, "When you get home, drop your purse at the door and rush into my arms with tears rolling down your face, it's time for something new."

I couldn't agree more.

Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, oh my goodness!

2011-05-04T11:56:00.000-07:00

Things on the job front have pretty much met the breaking point. Thankfully I have an amazingly supportive boyfriend who looked at me last night when I was litterally leaning on him and crying who said, "Do what you need to do. I've got your back and we'll figure it out. We're in this together!" I'm not sure on the exact details yet, but I've got a plan!

The first step of this plan is to get rid of the snowblindness that my date book is currently giving me. I have an awesome hostess promotion in the works that will hopefully help me with that. Pink Coach clutch, anyone? How about a black leather Douney and Bourk hand bag? If I've got your attention, send me your contact info and I'll tell you how you can win one or both!

We now interupt our regularly scheduled programming...

2011-05-03T09:19:00.001-07:00

...for me to hop up on my soap box.

Since news of Osama bin Laden's death was made public on Sunday evening I've been, as I'm sure you have been, barraged with varying reactions. Some of these reactions have been deeply disturbing to me. On the one hand, bin Laden was a terrible excuse for a human being, teaching hatred and intolerance to thousands around the Arab world and even right here on American soil. His voice and influence needed to be silenced. The way his death is being widely celebrated seems wrong to me though. On the news you see images of people dancing and carrying on in the streets. Let's remember back to 10 years ago in the days and weeks following the Towers falling. Weren't they celebrating the same way over in Northern Africa? Weren't we offended that they would so openly rejoice in the loss of so many American lives? Here we are a decade later reacting the same way to the death of one of their leaders. America is a Christian nation. How can we possibly justify the celebratory reaction against what Jesus taught us? Our religion is about love. Love our neighbors. Love our enemies as ourselves. Love, love, love.

There is no doubt in my mind that God is not overjoyed by bin Laden's death. His heart for each of us is to bring us home to him. He covets each and every one of us, terrorist war lords included. Read the parable of the prodigal son. God is mourning Osama bin Laden's lost soul just as much as he's mourning the loss of your Aunt Edna who led a good life but never gave her life to Him. This Old Covenant eye for an eye reaction that I see everywhere I look just doesn't seem to me to be what Jesus taught us. Did Osama bin Laden need to die? Yes he absolutely did. Do we need to celebrate by dancing in the streets? No. That makes us no better than the terrorists he led.

Outfit of the Week: Easter/Wedding Edition

2011-04-30T13:14:00.001-07:00

Stressful week over, I finally had some time to take some shots of the Easter outfit. I'm also wearing it to a wedding this afternoon so that was convenient!

Dress: Target

Cardigan: Target

Heals: Ross

Bag: Michi Classic.

Texted Conversations

2011-04-29T15:09:00.000-07:00

Me: Logibear was originally going to be bred to this little beauty. Her name's Ginger. How adorable would their babies have been?

Josh: Umm...pretty cute? ;)

Me: Adorable!

Me: Of course if that had happened I wouldn't have Logibear.

Josh: I like how you're hypothetically breeding your neutered cat in your imagination.

Josh: I love your crazy ass.

Logan's First Crisis

2011-04-27T09:03:00.000-07:00

My picture taking got sidetracked this weekend. Logan came down with a nasty case of pneumonia and had to go to the ER Monday. Do you know how expensive the kitty ER is? Crazy! Then I had to bring him to work with me yesterday. Today he's home and hopefully recovering. Poor fuzzy butt!

I'll be reprising the Easter outfit Saturday night for a wedding so hopefully I can get Josh to snap a shot or two then.

Speaking of Josh, he's defending his thesis paper tomorrow afternoon at 3:30. Big, big prayers for him to dazzle the committee with his brilliance!

Reason Why

2011-04-22T00:24:00.000-07:00

This is Josh. He's the reason I can't wipe the stupid grin off my face.

Hotness

2011-04-21T10:41:00.001-07:00

Logan makes the perfect backdrop for these shoes doesn't he? I picked them up a while ago at Famous Footwear during an off season sale and haven't had the chance to wear them yet. I think the best part of them is the brand; Naughty Monkey!

Funny That

2011-04-14T12:26:00.000-07:00

Just when I thought my life was pretty good and I couldn't imagine it getting any better...it did. God is so generous with his blessings! That's all I've really got for now. Happy, happy and more happy!

Dang it, being responsible!

2011-04-06T09:29:00.000-07:00

I canceled my trip home for the end of this month. Instead I took the money and paid off another credit card. That's two in 6 weeks. Look at me go! That's also 2 trips canceled in 6 weeks. Boo! Consider this fair warning that as soon as I am completely debt free I'm taking $1000, flying to Vegas and blowing the whole thing on a pair of Louboutins.

Yeah.

2011-03-23T11:47:00.000-07:00

See the white stuff that's covering the back yard? It's keeping me from wearing these:

Sigh.

3rd Time's a Charm?

2011-03-20T16:11:00.000-07:00

I've had something pretty heavy on my mind the last couple of days. I don't really want to say anything though because I almost feel like it would jinx something that could be really good. Fantastic even. So instead I'll use a shopping analogy.

You know how when you go shopping, you may try on 50 different outfits, but you usually end up buying the very first one? That's where I'm at.

Ringing in Another Year

2011-03-05T10:12:00.001-08:00

I know my birthday's not for another 11 days, but I'm going to be celebrating a little early. My parents informed me this morning that they're taking me to see the Punch Brothers on Monday! I'm so excited I'm bouncing up and down in my chair as I type this!

Holy Donkey's Bat Man!

2011-02-24T12:23:00.000-08:00

It's cold out there!

For the first time in my Mary Kay career I am THIS ----> <----CLOSE to being a Star Consultant! This is huge for me. But...I have a little bit to go still. Where I'm going with this is if you're thinking about placing an order, doing so before Monday would really help me out! I'm thinking about doing some sort of prize drawing for all of you lovely people who help me reach my goal. I'd say ladies, but Daddy placed an order last night and I'm pretty sure ladies does not apply to him.

In case you didn't know we have a full line of MK Men's skin care as well as Velocity for younger and/or acne prone skin. I'd be happy to help you find the correct products for all the skin wearing people in your life!

Prayer's are a Flyin'

2011-02-21T07:53:00.000-08:00

I have my second interview with a Christian Non-Profit today. For quite a while I've been feelign a tug on my heart that I need to be working in some sort of ministry field and I'm praying that this is the place the Lord is wanting me to go. I covet your prayers!

1 Packs a Punch

2011-02-01T18:12:00.000-08:00

I'm a person of habit. So much so that you can set a clock by my getting ready routine in the morning.

5:00: Alarm goes off. Hit snooze.

5:05: Alarm goes off again. Hit snooze again.

5:10: Alarm goes off yet again. Hit snooze yet again. Tell 2 to shut up.

5:15: Alarm goes off a fourth time. Hit snooze for the final time and tell 3 to quit howling.

5:20: Alarm goes off. Unhook 1 from my hair so I can get up.

5:25: Feed 3 his Fancy Feast.

This is where the story deviated this morning. About 30 seconds after I fed 3 and turned my back I heard a WHOMP WHOMP WHOMP coming from the direction of the food dish. I turned around just in time to see 1 hit 3 in the head three times and then swipe his food. It's a good thing he's passive because he weighs more than twice what she does and he could do her some SERIOUS damage, all caps.

I guess I can see who wears the pants in this feline herd and it's not the male!

UPDATE: This morning 1 made another play for 3's food but this time he didn't back down. In order to keep the peace and avoid 1's untimely end I gave 1 her own can. Hopefully 2 won't catch on to this!

All Mary Kay All The Time

2011-01-10T13:00:00.000-08:00

I took the last week off with the express intention to be ALL MARY KAY ALL THE TIME. It didn't work out quite the way I planned. None of my 8 classes held. Only 2 of the 5 facials held and I didn't get any new team members. But you know what? I'm not giving up! We plan, God laughs.

But this morning things started looking up. I had a fantastic facial and my wonderful customer decided to start he daughter on guitar lessons and booked a Skin Care Class for next month.

I can do this! I will do this!

Whew! What a Whirlwind!

2010-12-29T21:12:00.001-08:00

Sorry, no pictures from Christmas weekend. I was too busy to take any!

All three services were AMAZING. This was by far the coolest set of services I've ever been involved in and I've done A LOT of special church services. The last service on Christmas Eve culminated in my friend Daniel proposing to his girlfriend. There wasn't a dry eye in the entire auditorium. Awesome!

This week I'm back at the little job that's starting to suck my soul trying my darndest to get year end completed before...I GO ON VACATION! I'm digging the all caps tonight. Deal.

Next week is all Mary Kay all the time. If you'd like to volunteer your face to try out some new products, let me know! You'll get a special discount off your order!

Last but not least, I've decided to open myself up to the possibility of a new job. I know where I want to work, I'm just not sure how to go about it. Much prayer needed! Good thing He never gets tired of hearing from us!

It's Almost Here!!!

2010-12-23T07:02:00.000-08:00

After hours and hours and hours of rehearsals we're as ready as we're going to get! Christmas at the Commons starts this evening and I for one am super excited. Tickets for tonight are sold out but you can still get tickets for 4 pm and 6 pm tomorrow! This will be by far the best Christmas production I've ever been a part of so don't miss it!

www.Journeyweb.net or www.ChristmasattheCommons.com for tickets.

Where in I talk about doing stupid stuff on cold meds

2010-12-22T06:34:00.000-08:00

Monday morning. Where to start? It looked something like this:

Wake up.
Blow nose.
Put contacts in.
Blow nose again.
Dayquil!
Medicine head.
Drive to work anyway.
Make new table tents for Mexican restaurant.
Hand cut new table tents for Mexican restaurant.
Cut tip off left thumb with Xacto knife.
Run from office holding left hand above head.
Wrap thumb in papertowels and duct tape.
Re-print table tents to replace ones bled on.
Finish hand cutting table tents.
Woozy drive home.
Superglue end of thumb.
Pass out on couch.
"Is that a cat or a cotton ball?"

Whew!

2010-12-12T20:28:00.000-08:00

I'm going to have to take a new mast head picture tomorrow. I am now completely moved into my parents basement. They've been so generous, painting my old room, Daddy giving up his bathroom, Mom now having to put a door on her studio so the furkids can't get in. Not to mention all the money those supplies cost and their time to help move my furniture. I'm so very grateful!

How Time Flies

2010-12-11T08:54:00.000-08:00

I've had Logan for just over a month now and this is what I've learned so far:

1. If it can be batted around, thrown up in the air, or flipped over it is a toy.
2. Christina Agulera's voice makes him howl and not in a good way.
3. The litter box must now be cleaned twice a day because Little Man is a POOPING MACHINE!
4. He is really rather docile. Suki and Rory swat at him, but he never swats back. Which is probably a good thing considering how much bigger he is than them.
5. Every time I get out of the shower I find him in the sink.
6. Logan is not shy about stealing your food.
7. Freeze dried chicken is it's own food group.
8. I have no idea if he knows his name or not. He is always right there under my feet so I never have to call him.
9. Racing Rory after the laser pointer is his favorite thing to do.
10. His plastic wand with the feathers taped to the end is his favorite toy.

Eating Crow

2010-12-08T10:55:00.000-08:00

Last night I did something I'm really not proud of. I took out my frustration with Joe and his persistent incivility on his daughter. I said something horrible on this here little blog that I never should have. I've apologized to Joe and now I want to apologize to you, my readers. You don't need to bare witness to my vindictive tendencies and I'm sincerely sorry that I let my own hurt feelings spill over onto this sight.

Yay!

2010-12-08T05:42:00.000-08:00

Guess who's on target for her first Mary Kay Career Car!

Seasons of Change

2010-12-04T14:13:00.001-08:00

I've been hearing and seeing a lot lately about embracing the season of your life that you're in. They talk about it all the time on KLOVE. It was a new concept to me when Joe first mentioned it back in July. At that point in time I was in a blissfully happy season. I'd met Joe who I thought was "The One." We'd formed our own little family unit and life was good. In fact I'd call that season exactly that, Life is Good.

Exactly 3 months later that season ended. Joe left. Two days later I found out that Rory has cancer. Now 6 weeks further in and I'm having to move out of my apartment and into my parent's basement. I think it's safe to call this season Loss.

I know that I'm one of the lucky ones. This economy has hit everyone hard. I'm fortunate to have such generous parents. I'm fortunate to still have a job. I'm fortunate that while my credit is shot and I have mountains of debt with only my health to show for it, I haven't had anything repossessed or my wages, such that they are, garnished. I still have and will continue to have a roof over my head. There's still kibble in the food dish and cat litter in the litter pan. I'm getting tired of Top Raman and oatmeal, but that will change when I move back to my parents. There's a light at the end of the tunnel.

Hopefully that will be my next season. Light.

Cutting the (Satellite) Cord

2010-12-02T11:30:00.001-08:00

I just canceled my satellite service, a move precipitated by the screen going out on my cell phone mid contract...2 days after the warranty expired on said phone, leaving me with virtually no phone and no option for a new one that costs less than a couple hundred dollars. A couple hundred dollars that I don't have. That and the fact that I've watched movies in the last month, but not watched actual live TV. I see my book consumption going up drastically.

If you're trying to get a hold of me, may I suggest carrier pigeon? In all seriousness, I can receive calls, I just can't make them because I can't see what I'm dialing. It would also stand to reason then that I can't see that you called so leave a message. I can still check messages from a land line. I also can't send or receive txts. This is going to send my Mary Kay business through the roof!

***UPDATE***

Still no Satellite, but my rabbit ears look awesome hooked up to my HDTV! My phone on the other hand is being fixed as we speak. I should be up and running in just a few minutes! Thank you CPR!

YAY!

2010-11-30T13:03:00.000-08:00

As of tonight I will be a SENIOR CONSULTANT!!!

Holy Really, Batman?

2010-11-29T06:51:00.000-08:00

See this one? I love him to pieces. He's the most loving, cuddly ball of fluff ever. Every time I see him he just makes me smile. This weekend however he was about to give me a nervous break down.

Saturday I got home from work to find that he had knocked over the kitchen garbage can, eaten a discarded wrapper from a stick of butter and then proceeded to puke in every single room in my house. One of my greatest fears with all 3 of my cats is intestinal blockages. Don't ask me why. It's just something that I've always worried about, so while I laughed and joked about it when my friends afterwards and was completely grossed out about having to clean up cat puke, inside I was glad that his little tummy decided to say, "Nope! That's not going through!"

Solution to 16 lb. cat tipping over 13 gallon garbage can: 30 lb. bag of sand in the bottom. Try knocking that one over, Little Man!

Now if only the hijinks had stopped there. But they didn't.

I've never been so glad for snow in my life than I was last night. I got home around 7:30 from doing laundry at my parents house. As I walked into the house with my first basket of clothes Logan darted in between my feet and outside into the street! Mostly white cat, mostly white snow, oh and did I mention it was snowing and visibility was crap? I live on a very busy street. This is my second worst nightmare when it comes to my cats. Fortunately he jumped back up on the sidewalk and then ran around the corner of the building. I tracked him through the snow and found him about 3 minutes and one heart attack later.

I really hope this isn't an indication of how the rest of his life is going to go.

Hmmmm

2010-11-26T06:38:00.000-08:00

Nothing boosts your self esteem like browzing the interwebs and coming across a picture of a Victoria's Secret model wearing a bikini in her down time that you too own...and seeing her look WAY better in it than you could ever hope too.

Back to the gym I go! Thank you so much, Miranda Kerr.

What a day!

2010-11-24T08:47:00.000-08:00

One of my longest and dearest friends, Andrea, had her little boy this morning AND I got my first Mary Kay team memeber! Could today get any better?

Thank you very much, iTunes

2010-11-23T11:37:00.000-08:00

So last night I accidentally threw away my cash card when I threw out my CVS bag. Oops! I didn't realize it until I went to put cash in Zippy so I wrote a check, filled her up and went home to each lunch and call the bank.

I called the bank and got the most rude woman ever on the phone. She informed me that my account was overdrawn and until it's fixed they won't order me a new card and then she hung up on me. I wanted to ask her how much I was overdrawn, what charges were going through, etc. because I hadn't used my card any where other than CVS all weekend.

Fast forward 20 minutes and I'm back at work. I log onto my bank account and sure enough, I'm overdrawn almost $70 and the check I wrote to the gas station hasn't even hit the bank yet. Yikes! I tab over to the transactions page and right there at the top of the list is a charge for $150 from iTunes. I'll admit I use iTunes occasionally, but NEVER $150 worth at a time. Also, the last time I downloaded anything was before I left on vacation which was over 3 weeks ago and that charge has already gone through.

Now I'm looking for a phone number for iTunes to find out what the heck they're charging me for. Anyone have a phone number?

Grammar Hogan of Quail Ridge

2010-11-19T06:48:00.001-08:00

AKA: Logan. Almost sounds like a Royal Title doesn't it?

This is where I found him when I got out of the shower last night. At the time he needed a bath. Do you think he knew?
This was when we were watching Phantom of the Opera the other night. Every time Gerrard Buttler started singing his ears would go back and he'd wallow further into the blankets. Me thinks he doest not like Mr. Buttler's pipes.

I took this one the day after I got him. We were at the "Other House" in Prineville.

Where in I talk about my second* favorite subject**.

2010-11-17T12:42:00.000-08:00

CLOTHES!!! I love clothes! And shoes. Oh, shoes! And purses! Although I haven't bought a purse in quite a while. Well, since last March when I bought my cute white Hobo bag from Coach while I was on vacation. But I digress.

Last year I made my first trip to Vegas, from here on out known as Meca. The Forum Shoppes were everything I hoped they would be and more. I'm not sure how but I made it out of there with only 2 dresses from Calvin Klein, the afore mentioned Coach bag and a new pair of Oakleys. Miracle!

Just today I realized that my favorite fashion blogger http://www.thechloeconspiracy.com/ is in Denver! As in Colorado! As in not very far from here! Denver is now on my Must List for places to shop.

*Very far second only behind music.

**Yes Mom, I know my closet is way over stuffed, but I really do like that shirt. Hint, hint!

Oops...

2010-11-12T08:19:00.001-08:00

So I had this piece prepared for my 100th post, a list of 100 things about me, but I totally spaced my 100th post and really, who wants to know that much about me? So I'm just going to do a top 10. Feel free to stop reading now.

1. I've fallen in love exactly 3 times in my life.
2. I've had my heart broken exactly 3 times.
3. I have irrational fears of birds and fish.
4. While I love cats, I really don't want cat "stuff." No socks, no shirts, no signs hanging in my house. I have one cat magnet on my fridge. Even that almost seems like a bit much.
5. If I could spend every birthday at Disney Land I would. It's hard to freak out over turning a year older when you're riding the Maliboomer.
6. As Marlo so eloquently stated I love shoes, purses and lipgloss.
7. No matter how long I live in Bozeman, Bend will always be home.
8. Even though I have an irrational fear of fish, I still like to watch them swim.
9. If I could quit my job and teach music full time I would.
10. I'm looking forward to my car being paid off in July. This will be the first vehicle that I've ever paid off. Ever. My savings account is looking forward to it!

Whew!

2010-11-08T15:01:00.000-08:00

This trip has been a whirlwind! I'm headed back to MT tomorrow morning with a few fewer dollars in my bank account, one more cat in tow than previously expected and a whole lot of fond memories. Now I can't wait to come back! Loft! White House/Black Market! Grandma's home cooking! Laughing and shopping with Shelly! I forgot how much fun this place can be!

My camera's not working, but there are a bunch of pics from my phone on Facebook under mobile uploads if you want to check them out.

Quick Rant

2010-11-04T11:43:00.000-07:00

Dear Customer:

It is not my responsibility to reconcile your records to ours when you get 6 months behind on your bill and are "too busy" to figure it out. I'm sorry we had to cut you off, but you've been warned for the last 4 months that this was going to happen. I make you signs. I am not your accountant.

Sincerely,
Your Disgruntled
Point of Purchase Advertiser

6 of One, Half Dozen of the Other

2010-11-03T13:03:00.000-07:00

So the latest rumor out of Hollywood is that Billy Ray Cirus's wife Tish cheated on him with Brett Michaels. I really don't care if this is true or not, but it does beg the question; is Brett Michaels a step up from Billy Ray or is this more of a lateral move?

Free Entertainment

2010-10-30T09:04:00.000-07:00

Since I'll be bringing home a new little boy kitty in a little over a week I've been trying to spend as much time as possible cuddling with my girls. Last night I spent the whole night curled up with Suki sleeping on my chest while I watched TV.

When it was bedtime I picked Suki up and set her on the other end of the couch so I could go wash my face and get ready for bed. Of course she followed me into the bathroom. Just as I turned on the water Suki jumped up on the counter, slid and landed in the sink. I laughed so hard I cried.

I have a feeling that as soon as I bring Logan home all of Hadies is going to come crashing down on my head. I better enjoy the fun while it lasts!

Stepping Away

2010-10-27T13:16:00.000-07:00

I start the new members class at Journey tonight. Even though Joe and I are no longer together, I still feel like I belong at Journey far more than I ever really did at BCRC. For one, I was the only singleton at BCRC. For two, I was never going to be treated as an adult there, only Frank and Linda's daughter. For three, Solid Ground was really starting to wear on me. It was feeling less and less like a blessing and more and more like an obligation. In 10 years I got to sit and enjoy only one Christmas service. Don't get me wrong, I love to play, but when it starts to feel like a chore it's time to leave.

So now I'm starting over at Journey. It's a much larger church and will be a bit more difficult to cultivate my place at but I'm looking forward to it.

Only in Bozeman

2010-10-20T11:27:00.001-07:00

I was driving down Mendenhall on my way home for lunch today, just driving along minding my own business when out of the corner of my eye I see this guy on the sidewalk. He was standing aobut 30 feet away. He makes eye contact...and then lifts his shirt, shows me his beer gut and then puts his shirt back down, turns and walks away. Wow.

Today I feel...

2010-10-19T13:04:00.000-07:00

...like a high school drama teacher. My outfit has no shape and it makes me feel like Mrs. Sullivan. Although Janene says I look like Dirrty Tink. As in Dirrty Tinkerbell. Maybe if I had pompoms on my toes?

That is all. Carry on.

Just a thought...

2010-10-07T14:23:00.000-07:00

When you repeatedly tell your employees that the company can't afford to give them a raise, it's never a good idea to show up to work with a brand spanking new 40K "company" vehicle.

I'm just sayin'.

Changes

2010-09-29T14:10:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I decided it was time to find out why my fingers were going numb in both hands. I'd been dealing with it since April and the progression from just occasionally in my pinkie fingers to now constantly in my pinkie and ring fingers and occasionally in my middle fingers had me a little irked. Enter chiropractor extraordinaire Dr. Lundgren. Within minutes he had figured out that my C8 nerve is being crushed. Good news: It's not permanent. Bad news: I can't play my instruments for the next 3 months to a year while I do physical therapy. Sucker fish!

That same day I went to see my regular doctor because I've been having horrible pains in my hips and knees as well as my right wrist. After checking out my mobility he decided that I most likely had rheumatoid arthritis. Apparently it goes hand in hand with Crohn's disease. After some blood tests it was determined that I don't in fact have RA and the joint pain is just a side effect of my Crohn's. I'm starting on an anti inflammatory tomorrow as well as pain meds for the days I have a hard time walking. Whoopee!

None of this health stuff is really new for me, I'm mean I'm a hospital's favorite kind of patient: You won't kill me, but you'll sure have fun charging me for it while you try! The issue with my back though has had a pretty major impact on my life.

Since Joe and I started dating I've been going to church with him at Journey on Saturday nights and BCRC on Sundays. This was because we wanted to attend church together and we both had commitments at our respective churches on Sunday morning. After much discussion and prayer we decided that I would make a slow transition from BCRC and Solid Ground to Journey. Well, the back injury sort of sped things up a bit. Since I can no longer play with Solid Ground we decided that I would make my departure now rather than at the end of the calendar year as we had originally planned. Sadly, that night when Solid Ground practiced I had intended to tell everyone I was leaving at the end of the year, instead I told them that the following Sunday would be my last. Tears were shed, prayers were said, but in the end it's a huge burden off my shoulders.

This last Sunday morning Joe and I attended church together for the first time at a regular Sunday service. For the first time in months I didn't feel torn as I headed out the door to church. I'm going to miss BCRC, but Journey is definitely my new home.

Chalk that one up as Epic Fail

2010-09-21T14:16:00.000-07:00

I'm a pretty good cook. I say this because my mom's a great cook and when I recreate her recipes they usually end up spot on. With this in mind I decided on Sunday night that I was going to make one of my favorite meals for Joe and the kids...Chicken and Dumplings.

I can usually churn out a pot of Chicken and Dumplings in about an hour, it's good and hearty, the gravy is thick and full of veggies, the dumplings are light and fluffy and the chicken is juicy and delicious. Sunday would've been just like that if only I'd remembered to bring the recipe with me. Oops! I tried to recreate the spices from memory. Judging from how it smelled simmering on the stove I thought I had them right. SO TOTALLY DID NOT HAVE THEM RIGHT!

The gravy didn't develop; it was a water, yucky mess. The dumplings didn't steam properly and ended up being thick lumps of goo on the inside and a soggy mess on the outside. The veggies were the only part that turned out right. Wouldn't you know it, the kids wouldn't eat them. They ended up whining their way away from the table only to have ice cream an hour later. Ice cream for supper - I'm totally kicking hiner at this step mom thing!

Tonight I'm going to try to redeem myself. I'm making turkey loaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing and green bean casserole. Hopefully it all works out!

Hands and Feet

2010-09-15T05:45:00.000-07:00

Joe and I went out to my parents house last night for dinner and a little card playing. Our family plays this card game call Hand and Foot. We've been playing it since before time began and we've devoloped a few family rivalries. Fore example: When we play, it doesn't matter who wins so long as Mummsie looses. We also joke that Daddy has a calus on his hiner because Mom's kicked it so many times.

So last night the men folk decided that they wanted to take on the women folk. Big mistake boys! WE KILLED THEM! Going into the final round we only needed another 800 points to win, they needed another 4500. Mom and I stuck them both with their feet, both of which contained red 3s. We didn't even both counting up the cards.

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!

Wonderful Weekend

2010-08-30T09:16:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was our last weekend day without the kids until next summer so Joe and I decided to take advantage. After I was done playing at BCRC and he was done teaching Sunday School at Journey we had lunch, hopped in the car and headed to the booming metropolis of West Yellowstone. Whoo boy! I forgot to get the camera our while we were in West, but I remembered on the way back through the Madison Valley. Check out my facebook page for more pics!

Album Cover!

2010-08-26T11:34:00.000-07:00

Thank you to the oh so talented Chris Warden!

Where in I talk about white water and head colds.

2010-08-16T12:34:00.000-07:00

After the bout with pneumonia not even two weeks ago, I have somehow managed to get Joe's head cold that he caught from his daughter. I say somehow managed, knowing full well how it happened and yet not willing to admit that when it comes to Joe, I'm not willing to be a germaphobe.

So what's the best thing to do when you're getting over a nasty cold? Go white water rafting of course! I am now the proud owner of not only an earache, but also some nasty black and blue bruises on my hiner from getting bounced around on the raft. Despite the fact that I shivered the whole way down, I had a blast and can't wait until next summer to do it again!

CD Update

2010-08-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

I know I said it would be finished and out by June 15th, but the new CD is still in production. We've been having problems with musicians going out of town, then I got pneumonia (in July! How does that happen?) and now my voice is still trashed. My doctor says it'll be a couple more weeks before I'm back to normal vocally. Great! Fabulous! Let's just drag this little project out a bit longer, shall we?

Enter Joe and his kids and their cold...which they're trying really hard to pass on to me. But I'm not getting sick! No sir, I'm not!

I'm just going to keep telling myself that. Maybe myself will listen.

Around the Office

2010-08-06T07:27:00.000-07:00

To Janine it's a breakfast sausage and an orange juice. To me it's a hot dog and an energy drink.

Janene: I am now completely convinced that I should do some work today.

Janene: You know, you don't look ugly enough to meet the ex-wife today.*

Me: Hands are not meant to be smashed!

Me: Some of our employees need tracking beacons.
Janene: Yes they do! And I volunteer to install them!

Ooh yes, Royce has teh key fo shizzle!

Me: The whole reason I exist is to serve Roxanne.
Janene: I think someone needs another Rockstar.

* The meeting of the ex-wife went as well as can be expected. For this I am extremely greatful!

Holy WOW! (Not to be confused with Sham WOW!)

2010-07-20T11:51:00.000-07:00

It's been a whirlwind 10 days! I met a wonderful Christian man whom I can easily see myself spending the rest of my life with. He's met my parents and really likes them, a feeling that I think is mutual. I've spent a good chunk of time with his kids over the last 4 days and they're amazing. Every night when he tucks his 4 year old into bed she gives me a hug and makes sure I'm coming over again the next day. Makes me melt! I can't wait to see where this is heading! Other than Wisconsin the first week of January to meet his family because I already took the time off for that.

Follow Through

2010-07-10T10:05:00.001-07:00

Really. I mean it this time.

2010-07-08T13:19:00.000-07:00

I have a ton of pictures from all the hiking and road trips I've taken thus far this summer and I fully intend to post them. I just have to remember to take my laptop to the shop to make this happen. Fingers crossed for Saturday?

In the mean time I'm sitting here at my desk, feeling a nice breeze and listening to the birds sing outside my office window. If you have to be inside at a computer, it really doesn't get any better than this!

I lied. The warehouse manager just brought me an Almond Joy. It just got better!

Also, I stole a picture off my sister's blog of all the kids and made it my desktop background. Seriously good day!

Finn

2010-07-01T05:38:00.000-07:00

Dearest Finn;

Since your lovely Mama hasn't sent me the picture of me holding you from the other night (hint, hint) I'm going to caption this letter to you with one that I stole off her blog.

Darling boy, I have been praying for you since before you were even conceived and will continue to pray for you every day for the rest of my life. God hand picked you to come into this family because he knew that we were just the right ones to love you and that you are just the right one for us to love. I can't wait to watch you grow up, play with you, watch you accomplish everything you set out to do and become the God fearing man that I'm sure Evan and Kurt will raise you to be. We all love you to pieces!

Now I'm going to give you the 8 best words of advice anyone's ever given me:

Live Big - Do everything with gusto.

Laugh Often - Laughter is always the best medicine.

Love Everyone - Sometimes it's hard, but find a way to show love to everyone you meet. It's what God wants us to do as Christians, and it makes the world a better place.

Forgive Always - Again, it's not only what God wants us to do, but life is much easier when you're not holding a grudge.

I love you, little man!

Aunt Lindsey

Weekend Adventures

2010-06-24T13:45:00.000-07:00

I have a 4 day weekend this weekend and I intend to document the whole thing in pictures. Imagine, new pictures on the blog! I haven't even posted the pictures from my vacation yet! Anyway, stay tuned Monday to see what I'm up to.

Housekeeping

2010-06-09T08:18:00.000-07:00

The concert was a success! I have no idea how many people were there, but we raised over half of the money we need! Thank you Bozeman Church!

My uber creative web guy, Colt, is working on LindseyJamesMusic.com AS WE SPEAK! I'm so excited to finally get the site up! You'll be able to see up coming shows for both myself and Solid Ground, news on the new CD and download tracks from my last CD, "Long Road Home," from the site. I'll also be posting photos from shows there.

I feel like I'm forgetting something. Oh well. Post more later?

2010-06-03T11:30:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, June 4th. 7 pm. Bozeman CRC, corner of 5th and Villard in Bozeman. Be there!

The Headshots are Coming!

2010-05-13T13:30:00.000-07:00

I just got word from my fabulous photographer that the first round of headshots are almost complete! Whoop!

Be There or Be Despondant

2010-05-10T15:14:00.001-07:00

Mark your collective callendars! The Lindsey James Trio is playing Friday, June 4th at 7 p.m. at Bozeman Christian Reform Church! This is an all ages show so feel free to bring the kids! Daddy and Carl are kicking around the idea of serving ice cream afterwards in the basement.

See you there!

Quatro De Mayo

2010-05-04T10:25:00.000-07:00

Mr. Distraction made a suprise appearance in Bozeman last night and he came with the fantastic idea to celebrate Cinco De Mayo Eve. I didn't partake, but I did watch TV with him. I didn't even know Carson Daly has his own show on late late late night tv. What rock have I been living under?

When Ev and I were kids we'd keep one eye out for Mom or Dad coming home and the other on Carson Daly and Total Request Live. We particularly liked the spring break shows. As soon as a parental unit was spotted in the driveway we'd quickly change the chanel to something like Rosie O'Donell or Nickelodeon. We were oh so sneaky! Sadly that's as sneaky as we ever tried to get.

And that brings me to my final piece of news for the day: My nasty downstairs neighbor moved out yesterday! Yay!

Gary Allan and My Band(s)

2010-04-30T09:17:00.000-07:00

I went to the Gary Allan concert last night. Fan-freaking-tastic! I knew every word to every song and I sang myself horse. Hopefully it gives me deep sexy voice this weekend and not thin reedy voice because...

I have two gigs this weekend. One Saturday night at Music Villa - 7:30. The other Sunday morning at church.

I play in two bands. One's Country, the other's Christian. I love them both for different reasons, but I have to admit that I love the Country one more. Not because of the people because I love all the people I play with. It's more because that's where my musical heart is. I was born to play Country music. To steal a line from Jack Ingram, my name's Lindsey James and I play COUNTRY music!

So it is written, so it shall be.

Shooting Myself in the Foot

2010-04-27T10:46:00.001-07:00

We had harassment training at work this morning. The emphasis was on sexual harassment, but it really covered all kinds of harassment. Towards the end of the training there was a slide outlining harassment that just creates a hostile work environment and I'll be danged if my old boss at the job that sucked my soul didn't do ABSOLUTELY EVERY SINGLE ONE to me before I left. I never even occured to me that what she was doing qualified as harassment. I just knew that I hated working there and it was making me seriously ill.

Lesson learned!

Vacation Wrap Up

2010-04-21T09:46:00.000-07:00

Let's just leave the rest of the trip as this: I rode, I walked, I slept, I walked some more, I took pictures, I drove, I flew.

In much more exciting news, the 6 week relationship expiration date seems to have passed away. Mr. Distraction and I have been dating for 2 months. I know that seems like a small thing, but for me it's huge. I get bored easily.

It's spring time here in Montana so get out and soak up the sun!

03/15/10 Vacation Day 3 - 03/16/10 Vacation Day 4

2010-04-08T10:24:00.000-07:00

Day 3 can be summed up thusly: I shopped. I ate. I shopped some more. I ate some more. I watched 2012. I went to bed.

Day 4 is where things got interesting. We woke up at 5:30 and were on the road to Disneyland by 6:00. Because of SoCal traffic we didn't get there until 1 in the afternoon. We get to the park and find out that the 3 day park pass that I received as a gift wasn't valid. But it took the little guy in the funny uniform at the park over an hour to tell us that. When all was said and done we didn't get into the park until 3:00. Victoria and I were determined not to let it get us down though!

The first ride we rode was the MaliBoomer in California Adventure. SO MUCH FUN!!! It's definitely in my top 5 of park rides. Possibly top 3. We also rode Screaming California which is the best roller coaster I've ever been on. I rode it 5 times in all during the trip. At this point we rode the Grizzly Mountain water ride that I can't remember the name of. We were soaked and sweaty and sticky so we decided to go back to the room, shower, put some clean clothes on and then grab some dinner.

Because it was my birthday we went to a nicer Mexican restaurant and had margaritas with dinner. Then we went into Disneyland.

Of course the first place we went was Indiana Jones. Indiana Jones has been my favorite ride since it opened. It will continue to be my favorite ride. I giggle like a school girl all the way through. I just love it!!! We then went and watched Captain Eio. It was every bit as bad as I remembered. And yet I loved it just as much as I did the last time I saw it when I was 5 years old. We rode a few more rides in Tomorrow Land and then decided to squeeze in Space Mountain.

By the time we got back to the scooter it was completely dead. This things weighs about 80 lbs and we're in the very back corner of the park. We could not possibly be any further from the hotel. It's 12:30 am. We have to push the scooter. The two of us trying to wrangle this thing up and down hills, across the town square, through the Greater California Hotel, I'm sure it was quite hilarious. Or at least it was to us! We were laughing so hard we had tears streaming down our faces.

We finally collapsed into bed, completely exhausted around 1:00 am.

Lance called to tell me happy birthday at 3:45 am.

And a good time was had by all.

03/14/10 - Vacation Day Dos

2010-03-29T11:23:00.001-07:00

OK, so where were we? Ah yes, Cedar City Utah. May I just say that after day 1 I was loathing Utah, but after the views on I-15 going into St. George I was completely converted! I wish I had thought to pull off and take pictures of all the red sandstone because it was truly breathtaking.

After getting up at 9, showering, re-packing and hitting the road around 10:30 we were off for the final leg of our trip into Las Vegas. We got to Vegas around 1:00 and immediately Uncle Dale started making Paninis. We scarfed down lunch and hit the strip for the real reason for this trip...SHOPPING!!! Victoria and I went directly to The Forrum Shops at Ceasar's Palace. Between Coach (new purse that's more like a brief case), Calvin Klein (two new dresses) and MAC (eye liner that is nothing like anything we have at MK) my checking account was ready to cry UNCLE!!!

We finished shopping around 7:00 and headed back to get Uncle Dale and Loretta so we could go to dinner at The Prime Rib Loft. That was hands down the best prime rib I've ever had, and living in Montana, I've had some prime rib! We walked around The Orleans and took pictures of the giant alligators playing intruments in the Casino entryway.

We then made our way down to Freemont Street to watch the light show on the cealing. There was a wedding party that was casino hopping down there in Old Town. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my life! Those bridesmaids were getting down!

When the light show was over we went back to the house and crawled into bed around 1:00 am, stuffed to the gills and still laughing over the street dancing. Good times.

03/13/10 Vacation Day 1

2010-03-23T10:48:00.000-07:00

After only three hours of sleep I woke up at the crack of dawn, threw the last of my crap in a bag and headed over to my Aunt Victoria's to embark on a 7 day experiment in crazy making. Because so many things went wrong we're going to tackle this one day at a time.

We'd only been on the road for about an hour and a half before we hit snow, just before Island Park, ID. It was only spitting so I didn't think too much of it. When we got to Salt Lake City and only had 10 feet of visibility I still didn't really think too much of it. Oh, but around some little town that started with an "F" I sure did! We had to pull over to scrape the windshield wipers. When we got to the next town we had to chip three inches of ice off the front of the car. This was only the begining.

About 10 miles before Cedar City we and the other 1 million cars on the freeway had to stop. Not one, not two, but FOUR semis had jack knifed on the interstate. In three hours we only moved 20 feet. The first hour was kind of fun. We ate apples, havarti and smoked turkey. We people watched. The mouth breather in the PT Cruiser in front of us kept getting out of his car and pacing around out in the snow. It was all sort of comical. Around hour 2 we both had to go to the bathroom. By the time hour 3 rolled around we were despirate.

Finally we made it to Cedar City and since we'd been on the road for 14 1/2 hours we decided to call it a day and start again on Sunday. We found a fantastic hotel, showered, ate and then turned in for the night.

The One Where I Babble About Skittish Boys

2010-03-09T20:59:00.001-08:00

So HG drove over 2 hours to suprise me last Friday. Sweet gesture, no? Except he didn't get to town until 11 Friday night and had to head back the next day. But other than the poor execution, I give him props.

But here's the thing. He lives two hours away for the time being. I have a very demanding day job and two home businesses that require my attention on a dayly basis. I communicate primarily via email and txt message. His project is so far out in the woods he doesn't have internet or cell access, making him inaccessable.

He told my friend that introduced us seven years ago that I move too fast.

Move. Too. Fast.

I can see saying that when you're trying to follow me around the office and I'm supposed to be training you. My day job is more of a marathon length sprint, not so much a jog in the park.

I can see saying that when you're trying to shop with me. I'm a turbo shopper.

I can see that if you'r in my band and we're learning a new song. I catch on quick and you better keep up.

But dating? I barely have time to clean my house. If I see you twice a week we're doing good. Once a week is far more the norm.

Not to mention that his friends were around the entire time we were together. I'm not so much a PDA person.

Is that moving too fast? Really?

Completely Unhinged

2010-03-01T20:20:00.000-08:00

I went to one of my best friends' house warming party Friday night. A girl that I'll call Danielle crashed the party and then went downtown with us. We ended up playing shuffleboard at our usual haunt, and I was teamed up with Danielle. After we won our first game we ended up playing against these two guys, one of which I've known for years - and had a crush on for just as long.

After playing three games, winning 2 BY A LOT, and flirting through all three, Hot Guy (here after refered to as HG) and I exchanged numbers. The guys left and we girls went and found a table. That's when Danielle began her fast decent into crazytown.

She insisted on sitting next to me. I thought it was weird but didn't think anything of it until she leaned over and said, "You know he's my ex right? And it is killing me seeing him! Especially flirting with one of my good friends!" I had only met her about two hours before this! I don't know her, I certainly don't know if I want to be her friend.

The next day HG txted and asked if I wanted to come hang out with him and one of his friends. I didn't have anything going on so I went and met him. After a few minutes of small talk HG asked me how I knew Danielle. I told him that I had only met her the night before. And why do you ask? Turns out she had called him that morning and warned him away from me! She freaking marked her territory!

Or tried to. We had a real date Sunday night.

RIP Dolce

2010-02-25T11:30:00.001-08:00

My Betta Dolce died yesterday. Just like my sister has an irrational fear of birds, I too have an irrational fear - of fish. I know, it's stupid. But isn't that why it's an irrational fear?

Anyway, I had just cleaned the fish bowl a few days ago so there was still about 2 gallons of water in it. Obviously I couldn't dump all of that water down the toilet, but also, Dolce couldn't be normal when he died. He sunk to the bottom. So...I thought I'd just dump most of the water down the bathroom sink and then when most of the water was gone I'd dump the fish in the toilet.

So I'm standing in the bathroom pouring the excess water down the sink when I feel the familiar feeling of kitty claws crawling up the back of my leg. While I was distracted by the claws was when Dolce decided to slide out of the fish bowl and into the sink.

Now remember what I said about irrational fears?

I was so creeped out from seeing a dead fish sucked into the drain that I had to run out into the living room. I was shaking and tearing up and I finally had to just go sit on the couch.

To re-cap: dead fish in the bathroom sink and I'm too freaked out to even get off the couch.

This is where I make my second big mistake: I start txting my friends to see if any of them would be willing to come over and pluck the dead fish out of my sink. The only response I got was laughing. Lots and lots of laughing.

Finally my friend Mary Lou said she would rescue me from the, "Ninja Fish." That's what Jake called it. He thought that would make me not feel so stupid.

So there's my Wednesday night story. Don't I feel stupid.

Here's Something...

2010-02-24T17:20:00.000-08:00

Any of you who know about my health problems will understand why I find this alarming: I've been so busy the last couple of weeks that I've been eating fast food and haven't had time to work out. Yet I've lost 4 pounds. My clothes are loose. I haven't had any stomach cramps or any other Crohn's symptoms, but it still makes me nervous.

Off to make cookies!

Wow

2010-02-23T19:01:00.000-08:00

How is it that I have a million things going on, more things to do in a day than hours and yet I have absolutely NOTHING to write about?

Valentine's Past

2010-02-13T06:55:00.001-08:00

I had spent weeks trying to think of the best possible Valentine's present for J and finally decided that a diamond and titanium watch was the perfect gift. After all, we'd been together for 5 years. That kind of longevity deserved a diamond watch.

He gave me a 3 year old used Palm Pilot that was covered in Thor Racing stickers and had a cracked case. No thanks. He also answered a phone call during dinner from a woman he'd cheated on me with. Oh hells no! I took the watch back. A few months later I took my heart back. He's now out of work and living in the house he built for us with his new girlfriend. She likes to complain about the comfort height cabinets in the master bathroom and kitchen. I'm tall. She's not. So sad.

It took me three years, but I finally feel like I dodged a bullet.

Feeling Things Out

2010-02-08T11:52:00.001-08:00

I'm the band leader of our Praise Team at our church. No, we don't have a name even though we've been playing together for years, yes, we are working on it. Right now there's a rather large list of things that we need: new recording equipment, an updated keyboard, new drum heads, some of our mics are lacking, etc. We've brainstormed the idea of doing a concert with a free will offering to raise the money and while I think that this will raise enough money to cover SOME of what we need, I'm pretty sure it won't cover ALL of it.

So I've been thinking. I know, my mind is a dark and scary place that should only be explored if you absolutely have to. But! Here me out! I have a modest fan base here in the Gallatin County for my music. Not the music that I make with the rest of the band, but my own music. What if I were to record an album of Gospel standards, pull Rob and Doug in and record as a trio, then sell copies of said album with 100% of the proceeds going back into the Praise Team?

What do you guys think? Would you pay $10 for a live gospel recording?

Poor Zippy!

2010-02-07T11:27:00.001-08:00

Ever since I moved into my appartment four years ago, Super Bowl Weekend has meant bad things happen to my car.

The first year someone had sex on the hood, denting it.

The second year someone was so angry that they pulled the whiper arms off and shoved them through the hood!

The third year it was tagged.

The fourth year it was tagged again.

This year my poor little car was egged. 12 cars in the parking lot and mine was the only one hit. I was obviously targeted.

I love living in a small town with small minded, jealous people.

Estee Would Roller Over in Her Grave!

2010-01-28T18:02:00.000-08:00

When I started selling Mary Kay both my director, Meg, and my recruiter, Heather, told me to just throw out all my old products and completely switch over. I haven't been able to bring myself to throw out all the mega bucks of products that I had. But I've finally found a solution, at least for the old moisturizers...

I'm using them on my feet! I just started putting Lancome Renergie on my feet. Not as great as using our Extra Emollient Night Cream, and 4 times the cost, but still my feet are so soft! And who doesn't want ageless feet?

Bored, bored, bored

2010-01-23T21:51:00.000-08:00

So thanks to some bad news from the doctor on Friday, I am more or less couch bound until Monday at the earliest. Which is leaving me lots of time to catch up on my online tv watching! So far I've watched the 4th season of Heroes, the 2nd season of Dexter and now I've begun watching The Tudors.

I'm also going out of my mind! I'm used to running 100 miles a minute trying to get a million things done in a day. All this sitting around is driving me mad! I can't even work out and I'm a two workout a day person. I feel like I'm 80!

This sucks!!!

Things I Learned This Morning In Church

2010-01-17T16:29:00.000-08:00

1. My mom hates all my old stage clothes to the point that when I mix them with the more conservative pieces I wear to church it makes her cringe.

2. I'm done having my picture professionally taken for the year, provided I don't decide to cut another record, which let's be honest, probably isn't going to happen.

3. One of the old ladies at church has decided to take it upon herself to set me up with a, "good Christian fellow." No good can come from this...

Best Christmas Gift EVER part IV

2009-12-26T19:23:00.000-08:00

When I was 5 years old my parents bought me my first piano. It's a beautiful antique Wurlitzer that sits in my dining room and I'm sure much to the chagrin of my neighbors, gets played often. That was best Christmas gift EVER part I.

When I was 12 years old my parents bought me my first guitar. It was a shiny new "Garth Brooks" edition Washburn with faux cherry wood sides and back and a laminate spruce top. Pretty standard for a learner guitar and it served it's purpose well until it was knocked off the dais at church and met it's untimely demise. RIP best Christmas gift EVER part II.

When I was oh, I'll say 21? My parents bought me my second guitar. It's the beautiful and well used Taylor that I still to this day play on a daily basis. It's traveled the country with me. It's played in many a bar. It's used 2 nights a week to teach guitar lessons and twice a week at church. It's very much become and extension of me. If a day goes by that it doesn't get played it's probably because I'm quite ill. Even though they bought it and gave it to me in June, it was actually a Christmas gift. Best Christmas gift EVER part III.

And now this year. This year! My parents took my not so subtle hinting and bought me the Best Christmas Gift EVER! (Part IV.) A shiny new Gibson Epiphone mandolin. A mandolin! The second I mastered the guitar I decided that the mandolin was going to be my 4th instrument to master. The story of my discovering it under the tree is rather embarrassing so I won't go into the details. Let's just leave it at that my sister thought I was going to launch off the couch and through the roof, Daddy started crying and Mom thought I was rather disturbed. But they bought me a mandolin! A freaking mandolin people! Tears DESERVE to be shed over this!

I'll be playing said mandolin in church tomorrow. It only took me about 10 minutes to get going with it because it's the same fingering as a violin. I can't wait! Now if only I could come up with a name...

Whack-A-Mole and other favorites

2009-12-14T09:16:00.000-08:00

Friday evening I went out to my sister's house (http://westragang.blogspot.com) to watch Julie & Julia and play with the kids. I know I'm almost 30 years old, but I had a ball crouching on the floor and playing a game with each of the kids. Guess Who with Isabel was fun. She accused me of using Ruby to cheat when I won. Like grandpa, like granddaughter. Don't play Monopoly with Daddy!

Ruby and I played Whack-A-Mole. Now I know this game is for 3 year olds, but I thoroughly enjoyed it! Great for blowing off frustrations! Still, I hope Evan was joking when she said she was getting it for me for my birthday.

Dillon, not to be left out, introduced me to the gem that is Feed the Kitty. Not to be confused with Chuck the Chog. Oh to be so little and so easily entertained!

So I had a good time. It almost broke my heart when both the girls told me they don't see enough of me. I think I'm going to have to rectify that!

Cold!

2009-12-08T14:21:00.000-08:00

It's currently 52 degrees in my office. This is how we deal.

Oh the weather outside is frightful

2009-12-07T09:55:00.001-08:00

It's currently -11 with a brisk wind out of the East. My brother-in-law's grandparents have the right idea - Arizona for the winter!

I only have one more Christmas gift to buy! I ordered the kid's today, it should be here sometime next week. Now if only I could get up the gumption to finish decorating...

Ahem

2009-12-02T11:13:00.000-08:00

I turn 30 in exatly 105 days. 30. Years old. I remember my dad's 30th birthday party. It had a little kids theme with pop guns and coloring books. This is precisely what I DON'T want for my 30th birthday. I want to go to Plonk with my girlfriends. I want to nibble at an over priced cheese board while I sip some "elegant" wine. I would like very much for my sister to join us - hint hint, Evan!

That is all. Carry on.

Really Trully

2009-11-29T16:49:00.001-08:00

I'm really trully back to blond! Yay! Never again will I let one of my friends talk me into dying my hair dark!

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving. I'm just tonight starting the process of Christmas decorating. It's going to take a while because I'm trying to clean out my cupboards, book cases, drawers, etc. while I'm at it.

Tomorrow starts another busy week. Hope you have a good one!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-25T10:18:00.001-08:00

Here's hoping everyone has a happy Thanksgiving. Eat lots of turkey and too much pumpkin pie. And then take a nap in the sunny spot.