If I were one of the seven dwarfs right now (and let's face it, I've never been a dwarf), I would be sneezy. I drove over to Fayetteville tonight to run a couple of errands, and I bet I sneezed 200 times on the way home. My nose feels like someone shoved pepper up there. Ugh.
Lola and I had our first fight tonight. I decided to use part of my economic stimulus money to buy some barstools for my kitchen since mine are too short. I found two at Target tonight that I liked, and they were on sale. So I bought them and took them to my car. This was the first time that I missed the TrailBlazer. I tried five different ways to shove both of those stools in there, but they just wouldn't fit. Some dude walked by, on his way to his gas-guzzling Escalade, chuckling under his breath (but not offering to help me), which of course made me angry. Then he opened up the back of his vehicle to show off all of his cargo space and about a gross of golf balls fell out. And rolled all over the parking lot. Cars were swerving, people were cursing him, and I, petty that I am, laughed out loud. Karma, friends.
So I finally had to take one of the barstools back into Target and get a refund since I couldn't fit it in my car. Oh, and I discovered some scratches on it. They could have happened when I was trying to shove it into the trunk, but I don't know for sure.
Guess it's a good thing I live alone. I only have one barstool. But at least my golf balls aren't all over the parking lot. Hee hee.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Where everybody knows your name
God has truly blessed me with amazing friends. And you know you have good friends when months or even years can go by without seeing them and when you finally sit down, it's as if nothing ever changed.
I was lucky enough to have the greatest job of my life right out of college. Granted, I wasn't making a fortune, but I got to travel all the time and work with three fabulous women. Shauna, my boss at the time, was only a couple of years older than me, but I learned so much from her about having high standards and holding people accountable.
Amy, Alisa and I used to travel together, laugh together, and sing Jimmy Buffett songs to the top of our lungs in the car on the way to eating lunch together nearly every day. In the three years that the three of us worked together, we formed a lasting friendship.
It's been eight years since I worked with those three, and although there are three new children since then (none of whom belong to me), so much is the same. I still talk to Alisa three or four times a week, but I don't talk to Shauna that often, and I haven't seen Amy in over two years.
Today we ate lunch at Italian Gardens, one of our old favorite lunch places. We all ordered exactly the same thing as we did eight years ago, and we talked about mostly the same stuff.
Sometimes you do want to go where everybody knows your name. Or at least the people who matter. Those who knew you when, loved you then, and love you now.
Girls... thanks for the fantastic day!
{There you go, Amy... your first shout-out on the 'Drivel.' If we hung out more often, I could talk about you more!}
I was lucky enough to have the greatest job of my life right out of college. Granted, I wasn't making a fortune, but I got to travel all the time and work with three fabulous women. Shauna, my boss at the time, was only a couple of years older than me, but I learned so much from her about having high standards and holding people accountable.
Amy, Alisa and I used to travel together, laugh together, and sing Jimmy Buffett songs to the top of our lungs in the car on the way to eating lunch together nearly every day. In the three years that the three of us worked together, we formed a lasting friendship.
It's been eight years since I worked with those three, and although there are three new children since then (none of whom belong to me), so much is the same. I still talk to Alisa three or four times a week, but I don't talk to Shauna that often, and I haven't seen Amy in over two years.
Today we ate lunch at Italian Gardens, one of our old favorite lunch places. We all ordered exactly the same thing as we did eight years ago, and we talked about mostly the same stuff.
Sometimes you do want to go where everybody knows your name. Or at least the people who matter. Those who knew you when, loved you then, and love you now.
Girls... thanks for the fantastic day!
{There you go, Amy... your first shout-out on the 'Drivel.' If we hung out more often, I could talk about you more!}
Monday, April 28, 2008
Tell me about yourself...
Ugh. There are some days when you wish you hadn't gotten out of bed. Today was one of those days. Oh, sure, I slept in a hotel suite, had breakfast at Starbucks, lunch at Whole Hog Cafe, and dinner at Outback (all paid for on the work credit card), but it was just a day where I was perpetually perturbed. Traffic was bad, I had incessant e-mails making my Blackberry ding, and I just hate doing job interviews.
I really stink at this interviewing thing. I guess it's because I have such a hard time making a commitment to someone. But let's face it, it's a big decision, because these days it's easier to get a divorce than it is to fire someone.
How does Donald Trump do this everyday? I am a SUCH a diva.
Family sidebar: Brad, I got your message.
Memaw, Chance's game is at 6 tomorrow instead of 7:30, so we'll have to do early dinner. Does that work for you?
I really stink at this interviewing thing. I guess it's because I have such a hard time making a commitment to someone. But let's face it, it's a big decision, because these days it's easier to get a divorce than it is to fire someone.
How does Donald Trump do this everyday? I am a SUCH a diva.
Family sidebar: Brad, I got your message.
Memaw, Chance's game is at 6 tomorrow instead of 7:30, so we'll have to do early dinner. Does that work for you?
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Big trip to Little Rock
I'm not quite sure what it is about the drive from Siloam to Little Rock, but I loathe it. I even loaded up my iPod with some new music, thinking it would make the drive go by faster, but I was wrong. Ugh. Three-and-a-half hours in the car with my own company is never fun, even with new music and cinnamon bears along for the ride.
At least I got to see the fam and have dinner at Mi Burrito. Jen finished her last class of med school on Friday, and they sold their house last week, so she has a fun week of packing to look forward to.
I can already tell that keeping up with two blogs is going to be challenging. I've run out of things to say.
At least I got to see the fam and have dinner at Mi Burrito. Jen finished her last class of med school on Friday, and they sold their house last week, so she has a fun week of packing to look forward to.
I can already tell that keeping up with two blogs is going to be challenging. I've run out of things to say.
Balancing act
Life, like an ecosystem, is a delicate balance. Too much of any one thing throws the whole thing off. It's a series of give and take, this and that, and trying to keep all your balls in the air. While riding a unicycle. On roller skates. In the rain.
{Disclaimer: I made a "C" in each of my two science classes in college, so I'm not quite sure about the ecosystem analogy. But I'm sure Jen can correct me if I'm wrong. Or Lon can get out his "Science for dummies" book he reads to prepare to teach Biology.}
Perhaps this is the reason I have a love/hate relationship with traveling for work. I love that we have offices near friends and family. I hate that many of my trips are so tightly scheduled that I feel like the Pope. It would be much easier if I had a personal assistant who could call everyone and make them grateful for 15 minutes of Lori time.
In a few moments I'm leaving for Little Rock. My plan is to have dinner tonight with Lon, Jen, Huey, Dewie and Louie; coffee after that with Joe; a lunch meeting tomorrow for work; dinner tomorrow night with Brent and Dave after a work meeting at 5 p.m.; lunch on Tuesday with Alisa, Shauna and Amy; a Tuesday afternoon visit with Ashley and the twins; stop by the Fort Smith office to check on things; dinner with my grandmother; and Chance's baseball game at 7:30. After that I'll come back home in time to unpack and fall into bed, exhausted. Oh, and somewhere in that time I need to figure out how to get some work done.
Anyone else want a piece of me?
P.S. Dad, lest you feel left out, remember that I'll be seeing you for hours next weekend. Aren't you lucky?
{Disclaimer: I made a "C" in each of my two science classes in college, so I'm not quite sure about the ecosystem analogy. But I'm sure Jen can correct me if I'm wrong. Or Lon can get out his "Science for dummies" book he reads to prepare to teach Biology.}
Perhaps this is the reason I have a love/hate relationship with traveling for work. I love that we have offices near friends and family. I hate that many of my trips are so tightly scheduled that I feel like the Pope. It would be much easier if I had a personal assistant who could call everyone and make them grateful for 15 minutes of Lori time.
In a few moments I'm leaving for Little Rock. My plan is to have dinner tonight with Lon, Jen, Huey, Dewie and Louie; coffee after that with Joe; a lunch meeting tomorrow for work; dinner tomorrow night with Brent and Dave after a work meeting at 5 p.m.; lunch on Tuesday with Alisa, Shauna and Amy; a Tuesday afternoon visit with Ashley and the twins; stop by the Fort Smith office to check on things; dinner with my grandmother; and Chance's baseball game at 7:30. After that I'll come back home in time to unpack and fall into bed, exhausted. Oh, and somewhere in that time I need to figure out how to get some work done.
Anyone else want a piece of me?
P.S. Dad, lest you feel left out, remember that I'll be seeing you for hours next weekend. Aren't you lucky?
A new adventure
To those of you who've been encouraging me to write a book, thanks for your kindness. I do enjoy writing and I have considered it, so I'm testing the waters a bit. I've started a different blog, Quiet Time for Noisy Women. I'll still update "The Daily Drivel," but more for my normal family and work rants and the new one will be a daily quiet time that you can read if you wish.
I feel so ill equipped to be writing the new blog, but I hope that it blesses you in some way. If it generates enough interest, I may start on that book after all.
I feel so ill equipped to be writing the new blog, but I hope that it blesses you in some way. If it generates enough interest, I may start on that book after all.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
The harvest
A few weeks ago, I spent a small fortune to buy an AeroGarden. I was so excited when it was delivered by UPS, and planted my little seed pods with delightful anticipation of a summer full of homemade spaghetti sauce, caprese salad, and bruschetta. Of the seven pods it the kit, two of them were basil... my favorite herb.
So imagine my dismay when the other five herbs grew beautifully and the paltry basil, the herb supposed to grow the fastest, lagged behind. It's so funny how those seeds were packaged the same way, planted at the same time and in the same conditions, have been watered the same, fed the same, and have the same amount of light. But their growth is so much slower.
I mean, it's not that I don't enjoy dill and thyme, but if I had my preference, I'd much rather have healthy basil than healthy chives.
This morning, during our weekly devo, one of my coworkers was talking about sowing seeds. We never know what God will use in our lives, but we must have faith that He uses it all. Sometimes not the things that we would prefer, but He knows what we need, and sometimes, when we lovingly tend to what we sow, we have a fruitful harvest.
But even when we don't, He can use that too. Obviously God doesn't mean for me to have a lot of basil this summer (unless I visit the farmers' market), but perhaps He wants me to can some pickles or bake some potatoes.
Even when it's not the flavor we want, He always provides the seasoning.
(Yeah, it's cheesy, but it's true!)
So imagine my dismay when the other five herbs grew beautifully and the paltry basil, the herb supposed to grow the fastest, lagged behind. It's so funny how those seeds were packaged the same way, planted at the same time and in the same conditions, have been watered the same, fed the same, and have the same amount of light. But their growth is so much slower.
I mean, it's not that I don't enjoy dill and thyme, but if I had my preference, I'd much rather have healthy basil than healthy chives.
This morning, during our weekly devo, one of my coworkers was talking about sowing seeds. We never know what God will use in our lives, but we must have faith that He uses it all. Sometimes not the things that we would prefer, but He knows what we need, and sometimes, when we lovingly tend to what we sow, we have a fruitful harvest.
But even when we don't, He can use that too. Obviously God doesn't mean for me to have a lot of basil this summer (unless I visit the farmers' market), but perhaps He wants me to can some pickles or bake some potatoes.
Even when it's not the flavor we want, He always provides the seasoning.
(Yeah, it's cheesy, but it's true!)
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
One of those days
When I was working in Fort Smith, one of the students tried to flatter me by saying, "When I grow up, I want to be like you and carry around a planner and go to lots of meetings." Well, the planner has been replaced by a Blackberry, but I still go to lots of meetings.
I've started BCC'ing my dad on my weekly schedule emails to my boss so that he doesn't have to quiz me on where I am and what I'm doing. Last week he said, "Why do you have so many meetings? When do you get your work done?"
Answer: never. Or, more accurately, at night and on the weekends when I finally have time to wade through e-mails that I can't covertly respond to during meetings.
Today I had seven meetings. SEVEN. I don't remember in school anyone telling me that my life would be full of meetings, emails, and mindless drivel.
Kinda like the drivel you're reading now. Oops!
I've started BCC'ing my dad on my weekly schedule emails to my boss so that he doesn't have to quiz me on where I am and what I'm doing. Last week he said, "Why do you have so many meetings? When do you get your work done?"
Answer: never. Or, more accurately, at night and on the weekends when I finally have time to wade through e-mails that I can't covertly respond to during meetings.
Today I had seven meetings. SEVEN. I don't remember in school anyone telling me that my life would be full of meetings, emails, and mindless drivel.
Kinda like the drivel you're reading now. Oops!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Happily ever after?
I confess: I love happy endings. I like romantic movies and romance novels. I want the nice guy to finish first, the mean girl to get what's coming to her, and everyone to live happily ever after.
Unfortunately, life doesn't usually mimic a romantic comedy. People seldom get what they deserve. Bad things happen to good people, good things happen to bad people, and the rest of us get a mixed bag of good stuff and bad stuff.
Thankfully, because we know Christ, we do get our happily ever after. So even when things on Earth are a bit stinky, it brings me joy to think that our time here is but a small part of eternity.
And really, when you think about it that way, how much does most of this stuff really matter? The bigger question is: what am I doing that has eternal consequences? Not nearly enough.
Unfortunately, life doesn't usually mimic a romantic comedy. People seldom get what they deserve. Bad things happen to good people, good things happen to bad people, and the rest of us get a mixed bag of good stuff and bad stuff.
Thankfully, because we know Christ, we do get our happily ever after. So even when things on Earth are a bit stinky, it brings me joy to think that our time here is but a small part of eternity.
And really, when you think about it that way, how much does most of this stuff really matter? The bigger question is: what am I doing that has eternal consequences? Not nearly enough.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Prayer request
Short entry... please pray for me tomorrow. Pray that I'll be compassionate, empathetic, and kind... three adjectives not normally used to describe me.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
8 degrees from Jon Bon Jovi
Ok, those of you who think I'm a spoiled brat, read no further. This post will do nothing to change your mind. Let's just say that my trip to Kansas City was one of the best 36 hours ever... good food, good conversation, and brushes with hotness.
I met Estella in Fayetteville at 10 a.m. on Thursday after my trip to the DMV (seriously, do they ever get in a hurry?). We got to KC around 2:30 and checked into the hotel, then we had a fantastic steak salad with a cilantro lime dressing at the hotel restaurant. After changing clothes, we took a cab down to the Power and Light district to have some dinner and relax before the concert.
We ended up at a great Italian restaurant where we had tapas (small plates) and cocktails, then we walked across the street to the Sprint Center.
I was so worried that I'd forget my tickets that I was a bit obsessive about it. I checked my wallet repeatedly to make sure they were there and then decided to transfer them to my back pocket. About 30 seconds later, we heard some guy yelling "Ma'am... MA'AM." We ignored him at first, then finally turned around to have him say, "You dropped your tickets." Oh. my. goodness. How mad would I have been if I had lost the tickets? Especially when you read what happened next...
We finally got into the arena after being wanded like criminals and got to our seats. On row 23. Seriously, I've never been that close to a stage at a rock concert in my life.
Here's 'Stella and me just before the concert.
Daughtry took the stage about five minutes before eight. They were just as loud as they were on Tuesday, but I enjoyed it. They did a lot of stuff off of their album, including "Over You," "Feels Like Tonight" (the Idol Gives Back acoustic version), "It's Not Over" and, of course, "Home," but they didn't do one of my favorites, "Used To."
After a 20 minute break, Bon Jovi hit the stage just before 9 p.m.
I'm not quite sure why Richie likes to look like a pimp, but he really likes purple.
After two concerts of being miles away from the stage, it was a little concerning to be 22 people away from Jon Bon Jovi. At this point, I still can't believe how close we are.
Set list:
LOST HIGHWAY
BORN TO BE MY BABY
BAD NAME
Then Jon shed his leather jacket... wowza
RAISE YOUR HANDS
OLDER (*didn't play in OKC)
SLEEP WHEN I'M DEAD w/ Gimme Some Lovin' & Land Of 1000 Dances
BLOOD MONEY*
BLAZE OF GLORY w/ Daughtry (After the first verse, Chris joined Bon Jovi on stage.)
WHOLE LOT OF LEAVIN'
TILL WE AIN'T STRANGERS ANYMORE*
IN THESE ARMS*
SATURDAY NIGHT*
WE GOT IT GOIN' ON
IT'S MY LIFE
BAD MEDICINE w/ Shout
I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU - RICHIE VOX
Ok, I knew from Tuesday night that when Richie does "I'll Be There for You," (which I coupled skated to in the fifth grade at Skate Reation), Jon was changing and heading out into the crowd to sing a couple of songs. I looked at the seating chart before we left to figure out if it would be on our side, so I knew he probably wouldn't be far from us. When I looked over during "Bad Medicine" and saw they'd constructed the platform on our row I almost had a heart attack. OMG! I'm freaking out at this point. I tell the chick to my right that he's going to be right there and she looks at me disbelieving. Yeah, who's crazy now?
(YOU WANT TO) MAKE A MEMORY
Confession time... I love the song "Bed of Roses." I have dreams about Jon singing it to me. It has that great line, "Tonight, I won't be alone, but you know that don't mean I'm not lonely." Bad grammar aside, that's a pretty impressive lyric. So he's singing it right there, looking into the eyes of those of us near enough to see him, and during the bridge part, he leans down and we brush fingers. *Sigh.* I touched him! During "Bed of Roses!" And he looked at ET and me and smiled. I can die happy now. Look how close he was!
BED OF ROSES
WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T GO HOME
HAVE A NICE DAY
KEEP THE FAITH
LIVIN' ON A PRAYER
Man, watching them do "Prayer" with 19,000 people standing and screaming the lyrics is quite an experience.
At this point they'd been singing for 2 hours and 15 minutes. Non-stop. And Jon never stopped moving and dancing and hopping around. No wonder his abs are amazing.
For the encore, Jon and Richie changed clothes again. Richie into something else purple, and Jon into what I can only think is a woman's shirt. Oh, well. If anyone can pull it off, it's him.
ENCORE:
I LOVE THIS TOWN
One of the coolest things about a Bon Jovi concert is the entire arena screaming, "I've seen a million face, and I've ROCKED 'EM ALL!" during "Wanted."
WANTED
After the concert, we were standing in front of the "Kansas City Star" building trying to catch a cab, and people kept stealing our taxi, when two ladies arrived at one about the same time we did. One of them said, "I don't suppose you're going to the Embassy Suites are you?" We were. And then, even weirder, they were from Bentonville. The mom's going to call me so that her son can finish his degree. Isn't it a small world?
Yesterday morning we woke up about 9 a.m., ate breakfast at the hotel, then headed to the Country Club Plaza to shop. We went to Williams Sonoma for some kitchen stuff and MAC for makeup, then had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. We had an unbelievable tuna carpaccio followed by pasta. I was so full that I had to bring my cheesecake home and eat it along the way.
We got back to Fayetteville about 8 last night, so since we were still kinda full from lunch and cheesecake, stopped at Shogun for sushi. After a trip to Barnes and Noble (can you tell we didn't want the trip to end?), I dropped off 'Stella and headed back to Siloam.
My back is killing me after standing up for three-and-a-half hours and dancing on Thursday night. There's some ibuprofen and a nap in my future.
I can't believe how much fun we had. I can't believe our seats were so close. I mostly can't believe that Jon actually sang "Bed of Roses" to me. Granted, we only connected for about three seconds, but still...
Oh, and Lola got 33 mpg. Not too shabby.
I met Estella in Fayetteville at 10 a.m. on Thursday after my trip to the DMV (seriously, do they ever get in a hurry?). We got to KC around 2:30 and checked into the hotel, then we had a fantastic steak salad with a cilantro lime dressing at the hotel restaurant. After changing clothes, we took a cab down to the Power and Light district to have some dinner and relax before the concert.
We ended up at a great Italian restaurant where we had tapas (small plates) and cocktails, then we walked across the street to the Sprint Center.
I was so worried that I'd forget my tickets that I was a bit obsessive about it. I checked my wallet repeatedly to make sure they were there and then decided to transfer them to my back pocket. About 30 seconds later, we heard some guy yelling "Ma'am... MA'AM." We ignored him at first, then finally turned around to have him say, "You dropped your tickets." Oh. my. goodness. How mad would I have been if I had lost the tickets? Especially when you read what happened next...
We finally got into the arena after being wanded like criminals and got to our seats. On row 23. Seriously, I've never been that close to a stage at a rock concert in my life.
Here's 'Stella and me just before the concert.
Daughtry took the stage about five minutes before eight. They were just as loud as they were on Tuesday, but I enjoyed it. They did a lot of stuff off of their album, including "Over You," "Feels Like Tonight" (the Idol Gives Back acoustic version), "It's Not Over" and, of course, "Home," but they didn't do one of my favorites, "Used To."
After a 20 minute break, Bon Jovi hit the stage just before 9 p.m.
I'm not quite sure why Richie likes to look like a pimp, but he really likes purple.
After two concerts of being miles away from the stage, it was a little concerning to be 22 people away from Jon Bon Jovi. At this point, I still can't believe how close we are.
Set list:
LOST HIGHWAY
BORN TO BE MY BABY
BAD NAME
Then Jon shed his leather jacket... wowza
RAISE YOUR HANDS
OLDER (*didn't play in OKC)
SLEEP WHEN I'M DEAD w/ Gimme Some Lovin' & Land Of 1000 Dances
BLOOD MONEY*
BLAZE OF GLORY w/ Daughtry (After the first verse, Chris joined Bon Jovi on stage.)
WHOLE LOT OF LEAVIN'
TILL WE AIN'T STRANGERS ANYMORE*
IN THESE ARMS*
SATURDAY NIGHT*
WE GOT IT GOIN' ON
IT'S MY LIFE
BAD MEDICINE w/ Shout
I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU - RICHIE VOX
Ok, I knew from Tuesday night that when Richie does "I'll Be There for You," (which I coupled skated to in the fifth grade at Skate Reation), Jon was changing and heading out into the crowd to sing a couple of songs. I looked at the seating chart before we left to figure out if it would be on our side, so I knew he probably wouldn't be far from us. When I looked over during "Bad Medicine" and saw they'd constructed the platform on our row I almost had a heart attack. OMG! I'm freaking out at this point. I tell the chick to my right that he's going to be right there and she looks at me disbelieving. Yeah, who's crazy now?
(YOU WANT TO) MAKE A MEMORY
Confession time... I love the song "Bed of Roses." I have dreams about Jon singing it to me. It has that great line, "Tonight, I won't be alone, but you know that don't mean I'm not lonely." Bad grammar aside, that's a pretty impressive lyric. So he's singing it right there, looking into the eyes of those of us near enough to see him, and during the bridge part, he leans down and we brush fingers. *Sigh.* I touched him! During "Bed of Roses!" And he looked at ET and me and smiled. I can die happy now. Look how close he was!
BED OF ROSES
WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T GO HOME
HAVE A NICE DAY
KEEP THE FAITH
LIVIN' ON A PRAYER
Man, watching them do "Prayer" with 19,000 people standing and screaming the lyrics is quite an experience.
At this point they'd been singing for 2 hours and 15 minutes. Non-stop. And Jon never stopped moving and dancing and hopping around. No wonder his abs are amazing.
For the encore, Jon and Richie changed clothes again. Richie into something else purple, and Jon into what I can only think is a woman's shirt. Oh, well. If anyone can pull it off, it's him.
ENCORE:
I LOVE THIS TOWN
One of the coolest things about a Bon Jovi concert is the entire arena screaming, "I've seen a million face, and I've ROCKED 'EM ALL!" during "Wanted."
WANTED
After the concert, we were standing in front of the "Kansas City Star" building trying to catch a cab, and people kept stealing our taxi, when two ladies arrived at one about the same time we did. One of them said, "I don't suppose you're going to the Embassy Suites are you?" We were. And then, even weirder, they were from Bentonville. The mom's going to call me so that her son can finish his degree. Isn't it a small world?
Yesterday morning we woke up about 9 a.m., ate breakfast at the hotel, then headed to the Country Club Plaza to shop. We went to Williams Sonoma for some kitchen stuff and MAC for makeup, then had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. We had an unbelievable tuna carpaccio followed by pasta. I was so full that I had to bring my cheesecake home and eat it along the way.
We got back to Fayetteville about 8 last night, so since we were still kinda full from lunch and cheesecake, stopped at Shogun for sushi. After a trip to Barnes and Noble (can you tell we didn't want the trip to end?), I dropped off 'Stella and headed back to Siloam.
My back is killing me after standing up for three-and-a-half hours and dancing on Thursday night. There's some ibuprofen and a nap in my future.
I can't believe how much fun we had. I can't believe our seats were so close. I mostly can't believe that Jon actually sang "Bed of Roses" to me. Granted, we only connected for about three seconds, but still...
Oh, and Lola got 33 mpg. Not too shabby.
Friday, April 18, 2008
I'll never wash my hand again
I have no Internet, so I'm updating on my iPhone. That's how dedicated I am to the drivel. I just had to share that I. TOUCHED. JON. BON. JOVI. While he sang "Bed of Roses." Pics tomorrow!!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Concert recap
I feel old. At the concert last night, I couldn't believe how loud Daughtry was. They were really awesome and it's hard to believe that three years ago he was working in the auto service department at Sears. Now he's got 30,000 people singing his songs every night. During the middle of the Bon Jovi show, he came out and sang "Blaze of Glory" with them and it was fabulous!
We were, unfortunately, sitting in the dull section, with people around us sitting for the majority of both shows. Not standing during "Livin' on a Prayer" is almost as wrong as not saluting the flag (i.e., Obama). One of the goober guys in front of us told his date that he wasn't into it because he preferred soft rock. I wanted to say, "Um, why would you be at Daughtry and Bon Jovi? Michael Bolton is next week."
Hopefully the boys had fun. Taylor decided after the show that he had to have two different t-shirts that were $40 each; he, of course, had no money. So I told him that I'd buy them for him, but that would be his birthday present. He said, "No, Mom will pay you back." That little weasel always figures out a way to get what he wants and he's never out any cash.
Right now I'm doing laundry and repacking for tomorrow night. I'm really tired but can't wait to go to the concert. Tomorrow night we're on the 23rd row on the floor. I hope some of Jon's sweat will land on me.
Estella and I are meeting in the Corridor around 10 in the morning, then we're off to Kansas City for the concert, great food, and lots of shopping. We're staying at the Plaza, and I"m so excited.
Two more days of vacation, then it's back to the old grind.
I got to see my good friend Katie last night at the concert. Her coworker (who's also named Katie) is seeing Bon Jovi three times in a week. It's good to know that someone's even weirder than me.
We were, unfortunately, sitting in the dull section, with people around us sitting for the majority of both shows. Not standing during "Livin' on a Prayer" is almost as wrong as not saluting the flag (i.e., Obama). One of the goober guys in front of us told his date that he wasn't into it because he preferred soft rock. I wanted to say, "Um, why would you be at Daughtry and Bon Jovi? Michael Bolton is next week."
Hopefully the boys had fun. Taylor decided after the show that he had to have two different t-shirts that were $40 each; he, of course, had no money. So I told him that I'd buy them for him, but that would be his birthday present. He said, "No, Mom will pay you back." That little weasel always figures out a way to get what he wants and he's never out any cash.
Right now I'm doing laundry and repacking for tomorrow night. I'm really tired but can't wait to go to the concert. Tomorrow night we're on the 23rd row on the floor. I hope some of Jon's sweat will land on me.
Estella and I are meeting in the Corridor around 10 in the morning, then we're off to Kansas City for the concert, great food, and lots of shopping. We're staying at the Plaza, and I"m so excited.
Two more days of vacation, then it's back to the old grind.
I got to see my good friend Katie last night at the concert. Her coworker (who's also named Katie) is seeing Bon Jovi three times in a week. It's good to know that someone's even weirder than me.
Too much to handle
Mother Theresa allegedly said "I know God won't give me anything I can't handle; I just wish He didn't trust me so much." That's been my mantra as of late. Be careful what you wish for.
Yeah, I've been feeling overwhelmed and stressed lately. I spent my "vacation" day today answering e-mails and returning phone calls and working at an event. So I was feeling sorry for myself driving home tonight.
Then I got to thinking about all of the people in my life who have so much more to be stressed about. People like Ashley, who's sleeping about 90 minutes at a time with the new twins. Or Jen, who's frantically trying to keep her house spotless to sell, take care of four boys ('cause let's face it, Lon's still a boy) and move nine hours away from home. Or Shannon, who works a full-time job AND a part-time job while being a stay-at-home mom and taking care of an ill husband. Or my friend Susan, who's leaving her job to allow her husband to pursue his dream.
Ladies, obviously God trusts you more than He trusts me. I hope all of you know how much I admire you and how much I'm praying for you as you face your challenges. He won't give us more than we can handle, but sometimes He stretches us further than we think we can stand. That's when He's carrying us forward.
Yeah, I've been feeling overwhelmed and stressed lately. I spent my "vacation" day today answering e-mails and returning phone calls and working at an event. So I was feeling sorry for myself driving home tonight.
Then I got to thinking about all of the people in my life who have so much more to be stressed about. People like Ashley, who's sleeping about 90 minutes at a time with the new twins. Or Jen, who's frantically trying to keep her house spotless to sell, take care of four boys ('cause let's face it, Lon's still a boy) and move nine hours away from home. Or Shannon, who works a full-time job AND a part-time job while being a stay-at-home mom and taking care of an ill husband. Or my friend Susan, who's leaving her job to allow her husband to pursue his dream.
Ladies, obviously God trusts you more than He trusts me. I hope all of you know how much I admire you and how much I'm praying for you as you face your challenges. He won't give us more than we can handle, but sometimes He stretches us further than we think we can stand. That's when He's carrying us forward.
Lost Highway
Bon Jovi was awesome! Daughtry was awesome! The whole concert was amazing (although very loud). Can't wait for Thursday!
Click here to see all the pics.
Monday, April 14, 2008
My biggest regret
First of all, let me say thanks to you who liked this morning's post. I cannot take the credit; I don't know why I become burdened with things and feel the need to write about it. It sometimes just happens that way. But if God is using my humble little blog to encourage you, I'm pleased that He's giving me the words.
I must admit that I'm ashamed that I've been a Christian for two-thirds of my life and I still have so much to learn.
By this point in my life, I should be able to quote a lot of Scripture from memory; I can't. I should immediately think to pray when I feel stressed; I often don't. I should know that God is always in control instead of asking for His help after I've messed it up on my own.
Most of all, I'm saddened by all of the many days of my life--even after I professed Him as my Lord and Savior--that I've wasted not spending time with Him, getting to know Him more intimately, thanking Him for the blessings in my life, and lifting up others in prayer.
My life is filled with much regret, but that's the thing that I regret most. Thankfully His mercies are new everyday, and we have the chance to start afresh.
I must admit that I'm ashamed that I've been a Christian for two-thirds of my life and I still have so much to learn.
By this point in my life, I should be able to quote a lot of Scripture from memory; I can't. I should immediately think to pray when I feel stressed; I often don't. I should know that God is always in control instead of asking for His help after I've messed it up on my own.
Most of all, I'm saddened by all of the many days of my life--even after I professed Him as my Lord and Savior--that I've wasted not spending time with Him, getting to know Him more intimately, thanking Him for the blessings in my life, and lifting up others in prayer.
My life is filled with much regret, but that's the thing that I regret most. Thankfully His mercies are new everyday, and we have the chance to start afresh.
'Take this cup from me'
Sometimes, when I have something difficult to do, I begin to ask God to give me an out. Then I start feeling guilty for questioning Him. He is God, after all. Who am I to doubt His will?
But then I remember that His Son--the incomparable, perfect Christ--asked for a reprieve as well. In the Garden of Gethsemene prior to His death on the cross, Jesus implored the Father, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup from me." But the more important lesson is what He said next, "Nevertheless, not my will, but Yours be done."
Paraphrased: "I don't wanna, but if you want me to, I will." See, in my opinion, God doesn't mind our asking why, but He does mind our disobedience. We can ask for clarification, but we should be willing, just as Jesus was, to be beaten and broken for Him.
Last night, on Desperate Housewives, Bree was embarrassed that Lynette raised her hand during a church service, and said, "Church is a place for answers, not questions." Her pastor corrected her, saying, "Church is a place for questions."
God said that we have not because we ask not. That doesn't mean we will always have because we ask. But we can come to Him in humbleness and obedience and ask for another way. When there is no other way, and when it gets hard to do His will, He freely gives mercy and grace.
But then I remember that His Son--the incomparable, perfect Christ--asked for a reprieve as well. In the Garden of Gethsemene prior to His death on the cross, Jesus implored the Father, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup from me." But the more important lesson is what He said next, "Nevertheless, not my will, but Yours be done."
Paraphrased: "I don't wanna, but if you want me to, I will." See, in my opinion, God doesn't mind our asking why, but He does mind our disobedience. We can ask for clarification, but we should be willing, just as Jesus was, to be beaten and broken for Him.
Last night, on Desperate Housewives, Bree was embarrassed that Lynette raised her hand during a church service, and said, "Church is a place for answers, not questions." Her pastor corrected her, saying, "Church is a place for questions."
God said that we have not because we ask not. That doesn't mean we will always have because we ask. But we can come to Him in humbleness and obedience and ask for another way. When there is no other way, and when it gets hard to do His will, He freely gives mercy and grace.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Underwater
For those of you who continue to think that I live an easy life, I submit to you the following: I have worked seven days in a row. Yes, I am taking four days off next week after a mere 10 weeks on the job, but I have to work tomorrow to clear off my desk and all day Monday, so considering I worked last Sunday and today, it's not really four days off. Feel sorry for me yet?
Today I left my house at 12:30 and headed to Fayetteville to pick up my coworker, Chris, so that we could go to Branson to attend graduation for the Kanakuk Institute. The Institute is for students who recently received a bachelor's degree. They spend nine months in intensive Bible study to train as ministry paraprofessionals and, if they choose, they can concurrently receive a master's degree in ministry on our campus. Hence the reason we were there.
What I never realized until today was just how very impressive these young people are, how passionate about the Word of God and their mission to advance the cause of Christ. It was very humbling.
In his speech to the graduates, the President of the Institute quoted someone who said (and I'm totally paraphrasing here), "My greatest fear is that I will work too hard on things that do not have eternal consequences." We are not all called to be ministers or missionaries or musicians, but we are all called to serve God, and to further the Kingdom.
After graduation we went to Branson Landing to eat dinner, and several of the restaurants were closed because the lake level is so high that the parking lots and seating areas are under water, and evidently many of the restaurants don't have propane. We finally found a Mexican restaurant open, but they had a limited menu.
I got home at 10 p.m., so that's a nine-and-a-half hour day. I did get dinner, but there was no shopping. It ain't easy being me.
Today I left my house at 12:30 and headed to Fayetteville to pick up my coworker, Chris, so that we could go to Branson to attend graduation for the Kanakuk Institute. The Institute is for students who recently received a bachelor's degree. They spend nine months in intensive Bible study to train as ministry paraprofessionals and, if they choose, they can concurrently receive a master's degree in ministry on our campus. Hence the reason we were there.
What I never realized until today was just how very impressive these young people are, how passionate about the Word of God and their mission to advance the cause of Christ. It was very humbling.
In his speech to the graduates, the President of the Institute quoted someone who said (and I'm totally paraphrasing here), "My greatest fear is that I will work too hard on things that do not have eternal consequences." We are not all called to be ministers or missionaries or musicians, but we are all called to serve God, and to further the Kingdom.
After graduation we went to Branson Landing to eat dinner, and several of the restaurants were closed because the lake level is so high that the parking lots and seating areas are under water, and evidently many of the restaurants don't have propane. We finally found a Mexican restaurant open, but they had a limited menu.
I got home at 10 p.m., so that's a nine-and-a-half hour day. I did get dinner, but there was no shopping. It ain't easy being me.
Friday, April 11, 2008
We gotta hold on to what we got
Their hair is shorter, but they still ROCK! Four more days.... woo-hoo!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
I heart Jim Halpert
So today, after my Rogers meeting, I headed up to Pinnacle Promenade (as I often do) for a bit of shopping and I couldn't take the smell, so I had to do takeout from PF Chang's. When I got home and pulled out my rice, here's what it said. And it made me laugh so hard... not sure why.
My pal Alisa called me yesterday to confirm my hunch that I have a cheeseball life. Yes, I shop a lot. And yes, I eat a lot. But when Banana Republic is having a sale and I'm craving kung pao shrimp, what's a girl gonna do?
The good news is that "The Office" is back on, and I do love me some Jim Halpert. But I am sad that Aussie's gone and the Colonel managed to to evade the bottom three on "Idol."
So after my Chinese food, I opened my fortune cookie, and this is what it said: "The love of your life will appear in front of you unexpectedly!" I hope that's true, but perhaps it was referring to my seeing Jon Bon Jovi TWICE next week.
My pal Alisa called me yesterday to confirm my hunch that I have a cheeseball life. Yes, I shop a lot. And yes, I eat a lot. But when Banana Republic is having a sale and I'm craving kung pao shrimp, what's a girl gonna do?
The good news is that "The Office" is back on, and I do love me some Jim Halpert. But I am sad that Aussie's gone and the Colonel managed to to evade the bottom three on "Idol."
So after my Chinese food, I opened my fortune cookie, and this is what it said: "The love of your life will appear in front of you unexpectedly!" I hope that's true, but perhaps it was referring to my seeing Jon Bon Jovi TWICE next week.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Excess
It's been a day of too much sitting, too much shopping, and way too much eating. Lindsay and I started at 8 a.m. and had three marketing workshops today, plus we did a job interview over lunch and went to Conway to shop.
Lunch was a the Capriccio Grill at the Peabody and it was one of the best meals EVER. Here's a pic of my lunch, the salmon and greens special.
It was truly a feast for the eyes and the palate. I'm surprised I managed to ask a few interview questions in between falling in love with my lunch.
After our last session, we headed north to my former hometown and the world's best TJ Maxx (sidenote: Lindsay's husband says she's no longer allowed to hang out with me lest she catch my shopping addiction). We also went to Wilkinson's to shoe shop and had dinner at my favorite place, Michelangelo's. I was quite full after the fried zucchini, bread, and shrimp pasta, but we each ordered a piece of my favorite desert ever, tiramasu. Joe was going to meet us, but he got stuck at work, so we missed him. :(
Then we headed back to NLR to stop by the office and shop at Stein Mart.
It was a great day, but I'm pooped. Just one meeting tomorrow before we do more shopping (sale at the Gap!) at the mall and Fresh Market.
Lunch was a the Capriccio Grill at the Peabody and it was one of the best meals EVER. Here's a pic of my lunch, the salmon and greens special.
It was truly a feast for the eyes and the palate. I'm surprised I managed to ask a few interview questions in between falling in love with my lunch.
After our last session, we headed north to my former hometown and the world's best TJ Maxx (sidenote: Lindsay's husband says she's no longer allowed to hang out with me lest she catch my shopping addiction). We also went to Wilkinson's to shoe shop and had dinner at my favorite place, Michelangelo's. I was quite full after the fried zucchini, bread, and shrimp pasta, but we each ordered a piece of my favorite desert ever, tiramasu. Joe was going to meet us, but he got stuck at work, so we missed him. :(
Then we headed back to NLR to stop by the office and shop at Stein Mart.
It was a great day, but I'm pooped. Just one meeting tomorrow before we do more shopping (sale at the Gap!) at the mall and Fresh Market.
In left field
For the first time on "The Daily Drivel," we're featuring a guest writer. My dad sent me the following e-mail this morning:
After much off-season talk at local post office and service station, Hope W made her much-anticipated debut with the Midland t-ball team last night. Leading off the second inning, she laid down a perfect bunt and with her great speed, beat the throw from the 3rd baseman. After the next batter took a couple of pitches, Hope used her God-given quickness and speed to swipe second base barely beating a strong throw from the Mansfield catcher. Then, jocking back and forth, she managed to get into the mind of the pitcher, causing him to balk her to 3rd base. After the next two batters grounded out, the inning appeared to be over with Hope being stranded at 3rd. But wait, on the first pitch to the next batter, she broke for home. With a bang bang play at the plate, she managed to slid under the tag of the catcher. With sheer determination and talent, she had given the Midland team a lead of 1-0.
Another highlight of the game came in the home half of the 4th inning. With Hope playing left field, the Mansfield batter hit a long high drive which appeared to being going out and knotting the score at 1-1. But wait, playing a short left field, Hope raced back to the fence and using her 38 inch leaping ability, jumped and made an outstanding catch just as the ball was sailing over the fence. As Hope jogged back to the dugout, her teammates slapped her on the back with the overflow crowd giving her a standing ovation.
It is the opinion of this writer that we will only see Hope's exploits for this one year. With many pro scouts on hand last night, I'm sure she will be offered multi-million dollar contract. As I look ahead, we should enjoy this season as we watch a person with so much physical talent.
Those of you who've seen my precious niece in action know how amazing it is that she managed to run to base without tripping over her feet. She's not the most graceful of athletes. But if talking becomes a sport, she's a gold medal winner!
After much off-season talk at local post office and service station, Hope W made her much-anticipated debut with the Midland t-ball team last night. Leading off the second inning, she laid down a perfect bunt and with her great speed, beat the throw from the 3rd baseman. After the next batter took a couple of pitches, Hope used her God-given quickness and speed to swipe second base barely beating a strong throw from the Mansfield catcher. Then, jocking back and forth, she managed to get into the mind of the pitcher, causing him to balk her to 3rd base. After the next two batters grounded out, the inning appeared to be over with Hope being stranded at 3rd. But wait, on the first pitch to the next batter, she broke for home. With a bang bang play at the plate, she managed to slid under the tag of the catcher. With sheer determination and talent, she had given the Midland team a lead of 1-0.
Another highlight of the game came in the home half of the 4th inning. With Hope playing left field, the Mansfield batter hit a long high drive which appeared to being going out and knotting the score at 1-1. But wait, playing a short left field, Hope raced back to the fence and using her 38 inch leaping ability, jumped and made an outstanding catch just as the ball was sailing over the fence. As Hope jogged back to the dugout, her teammates slapped her on the back with the overflow crowd giving her a standing ovation.
It is the opinion of this writer that we will only see Hope's exploits for this one year. With many pro scouts on hand last night, I'm sure she will be offered multi-million dollar contract. As I look ahead, we should enjoy this season as we watch a person with so much physical talent.
Those of you who've seen my precious niece in action know how amazing it is that she managed to run to base without tripping over her feet. She's not the most graceful of athletes. But if talking becomes a sport, she's a gold medal winner!
Monday, April 7, 2008
George Clooney and the Ducks
My friend Lindsay (who should be sainted, by the way) and I just got back from taking Huey, Dewie and Louie to the movies. We saw "Leatherheads," which was a decent flick (George Clooney and John Krasinski in tight pants... who's complaining?), but there wasn't enough football to keep the boys' attention for long.
Before leaving the hotel we caught the famous "duck walk" at the Peabody. Those ducks have more fans than most people.
Now I'm hanging out, watching OT of the national championship game and thinking I should be sleeping.
By the way... Peabody beds are NOT as great as promised, and definitely not worth $189 a night. But at least I can think about McDreamy tonight.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
From Siloam to Little Rock in 8.5 hours
Lindsay and I are finally in Little Rock, a mere eight-and-a-half hours after we left Siloam. We took a little detour through Fort Smith to see Ashley and the twins. They are so beautiful! I got to spend time holding and bonding with both of them today. I'm sure they already think their Aunt Lori is pretty cool.
Larry took this pic after they brought Emma and Parker home on Friday. Isn't it just cool?
Both of the babies are just so good. Emma let me hold her for awhile, but ultimately just wanted some time to herself in the crib (I guess she's not used to "alone" time). Parker is just the sweetest and will let you hold him for hours.
We finally left the Fort around 5:30 and headed east. We stopped in Altus and ate dinner at the Wienkeller. Lindsay was quite impressed with our waitress' leiderhausen and clogs.
We're finally at the Peabody, where there are ducks everywhere. These are supposedly the best beds in Little Rock, and for $189 a night, they should be.
Tomorrow night we're hanging with Huey, Dewie and Louie. Just like old times.
Larry took this pic after they brought Emma and Parker home on Friday. Isn't it just cool?
Both of the babies are just so good. Emma let me hold her for awhile, but ultimately just wanted some time to herself in the crib (I guess she's not used to "alone" time). Parker is just the sweetest and will let you hold him for hours.
We finally left the Fort around 5:30 and headed east. We stopped in Altus and ate dinner at the Wienkeller. Lindsay was quite impressed with our waitress' leiderhausen and clogs.
We're finally at the Peabody, where there are ducks everywhere. These are supposedly the best beds in Little Rock, and for $189 a night, they should be.
Tomorrow night we're hanging with Huey, Dewie and Louie. Just like old times.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Death and taxes
Spring is a beautiful season. I love it when the trees leaf, flowers bloom, and it starts to stay daylight longer. Spring also means the onslaught of allergies and the need for the lawn to be mowed.
I've been sick all day with a runny nose, sore throat, and severe headache. But at least I got caught up on my DVR. And the better news is that my taxes are done, and I'm getting a refund from state and federal. Not a huge refund, mind you (I know someone who's getting a $10K refund... really), but I'm always happy if I don't have to pay.
Tomorrow one of my coworkers and I are headed to Little Rock for a conference. We're staying at the Peabody which evidently has the state's most comfortable beds. And we're stopping in the Fort tomorrow to see Ashley and the twins. I'm so excited!
I've been sick all day with a runny nose, sore throat, and severe headache. But at least I got caught up on my DVR. And the better news is that my taxes are done, and I'm getting a refund from state and federal. Not a huge refund, mind you (I know someone who's getting a $10K refund... really), but I'm always happy if I don't have to pay.
Tomorrow one of my coworkers and I are headed to Little Rock for a conference. We're staying at the Peabody which evidently has the state's most comfortable beds. And we're stopping in the Fort tomorrow to see Ashley and the twins. I'm so excited!
Friday, April 4, 2008
The road to here
Yesterday I met my friend Matt for lunch in Springdale. I've known him for years; he was a student worker in our office at Tech when he was a freshman, and he was always one of my favorites. After college he married Angela, who was working for my former boss Dr. R, and now they have three beautiful children. But I digress.
After Matt and Angela got married, he moved to Siloam to work on a ministry degree, which led to a job, which led to everyone at JBU thinking he was the greatest thing since sliced bread.
So when I interviewed for my current job and told my new boss, who happens to be Matt's former boss, that I knew Matt, the job was mine.
Granted, I had the skills and experience they were looking for and also had the endorsement of two other well-respected folks on campus (thank you, Susan and Ashley), but this was definitely a who-you-know situation. And I blame Matt for it, as I told him yesterday.
I've thought a lot lately about the road that led me here. I've always been an "everything happens for a reason" kinda gal, so I do try to take the bad times for what they are, an opportunity to learn and grow. But it's truly astounding to me how God used all of the time in my life, even the time when I was furtherest from His will, to prepare me for this job. I met Matt at Tech, I met Ashley and Susan at UAFS, and Dr R left Conway, so here I am. In an amazing place with a great job and an opportunity to continue my spiritual journey by integrating my faith in my work.
It's no secret that the Apostle Paul is my spiritual hero, and he was the poster child of God using someone's questionable past for His glory.
He does truly use ALL things--even the things that we shouldn't do--for His good. That doesn't mean that He condones the sin or living out of His will, but He can take all of the screw-ups, willful disobedience, and times of sinfulness and make something good out of it. He is sovereign, and He is in control.
After Matt and Angela got married, he moved to Siloam to work on a ministry degree, which led to a job, which led to everyone at JBU thinking he was the greatest thing since sliced bread.
So when I interviewed for my current job and told my new boss, who happens to be Matt's former boss, that I knew Matt, the job was mine.
Granted, I had the skills and experience they were looking for and also had the endorsement of two other well-respected folks on campus (thank you, Susan and Ashley), but this was definitely a who-you-know situation. And I blame Matt for it, as I told him yesterday.
I've thought a lot lately about the road that led me here. I've always been an "everything happens for a reason" kinda gal, so I do try to take the bad times for what they are, an opportunity to learn and grow. But it's truly astounding to me how God used all of the time in my life, even the time when I was furtherest from His will, to prepare me for this job. I met Matt at Tech, I met Ashley and Susan at UAFS, and Dr R left Conway, so here I am. In an amazing place with a great job and an opportunity to continue my spiritual journey by integrating my faith in my work.
It's no secret that the Apostle Paul is my spiritual hero, and he was the poster child of God using someone's questionable past for His glory.
He does truly use ALL things--even the things that we shouldn't do--for His good. That doesn't mean that He condones the sin or living out of His will, but He can take all of the screw-ups, willful disobedience, and times of sinfulness and make something good out of it. He is sovereign, and He is in control.
Bored meeting
So I've been stressed out all week trying to get ready for the board meeting today. I've never met these folks, and I'm expected to summarize our department's challenges and plans in a mere 5 minutes. My boss e-mailed me yesterday to ask for some slides for the PowerPoint presentation, so I got to work early today to run some enrollment reports so I'd be knowledgeable, then I worked for an hour on two slides that would concisely overview my presentation.
I worried, I prayed, I wore my best suit and PANTYHOSE for the first time in a year. I got to the meeting early and shook hands. My boss introduced me and I got up to start my presentation one minute late, which meant I was down to four minutes. I rushed through my material, feeling pretty good about how articulate I was being, when I looked across the conference table and realized two of the board members were asleep. Literally. That's how riveting I was. Oh, well. At least I got through it.
To celebrate, Amanda met me in Tontitown at Mary Maestri's for some yummy Italian food. Tomorrow I'm packing and cleaning and getting ready to leave for Little Rock.
I worried, I prayed, I wore my best suit and PANTYHOSE for the first time in a year. I got to the meeting early and shook hands. My boss introduced me and I got up to start my presentation one minute late, which meant I was down to four minutes. I rushed through my material, feeling pretty good about how articulate I was being, when I looked across the conference table and realized two of the board members were asleep. Literally. That's how riveting I was. Oh, well. At least I got through it.
To celebrate, Amanda met me in Tontitown at Mary Maestri's for some yummy Italian food. Tomorrow I'm packing and cleaning and getting ready to leave for Little Rock.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Top flight
Congrats to my boy Sonny Weems who won the slam dunk contest on ESPN tonight. They're replaying it several times this weekend... he's amazing! Taylor's pretty amazing too.
Apple doesn't fall far from the tree
I've been accused of turning into my mother. Every time I drop food on my clothes and am then "wearing my lunch," my cousin Lonnie says, "You are your mother's child." Most of the time I take that as a compliment. She was joyful and most people genuinely liked her. She did have a few habits I don't want to inherit, however, such as her pack-rat tendencies.
Yesterday I moved my winter clothes into the guest bedroom and my sandals to the front of the shoe rack, and threw away six pair of shoes with scuffed toes, broken heels, or that I hadn't worn in more than a year. My mom not only kept butter bowls, but legend has it that she once burned her foot by taking a shoe out of the fire that my grandfather was using to burn some old stuff.
So, even though I sometimes spill food on my clothes, I would like to point out that Lonnie has Donna-like tendencies as well. Evidently today he went through Jen's garage sale pile and pulled out all of the items he couldn't bear to lose. I'm sure it was holey t-shirts from high school and other junk he felt the need to keep, just in case. I wonder if he saves butter bowls too.
One of the things I DID get from my mom, however, is a penchant for telling the same story over and over. So if you've heard the butter bowl thing before, I apologize.
Yesterday I moved my winter clothes into the guest bedroom and my sandals to the front of the shoe rack, and threw away six pair of shoes with scuffed toes, broken heels, or that I hadn't worn in more than a year. My mom not only kept butter bowls, but legend has it that she once burned her foot by taking a shoe out of the fire that my grandfather was using to burn some old stuff.
So, even though I sometimes spill food on my clothes, I would like to point out that Lonnie has Donna-like tendencies as well. Evidently today he went through Jen's garage sale pile and pulled out all of the items he couldn't bear to lose. I'm sure it was holey t-shirts from high school and other junk he felt the need to keep, just in case. I wonder if he saves butter bowls too.
One of the things I DID get from my mom, however, is a penchant for telling the same story over and over. So if you've heard the butter bowl thing before, I apologize.
Tell me your problems
I'm pretty sure I'm still a brat. Right now I'm sitting in Bentonville at the BBV Chamber Expo. One of my coworkers who's been here most of the day had class tonight, so I volunteered to cover 'til 7 p.m. And it just so happens that the Taste of NWA is tonight and it's three bucks for a plate to sample food from all over NWA. What a deal. It's not like I have a life or anything.
The interesting thing about any kind of trade show to me is that people feel like they have to say something when they walk by your booth. So I've gotten a lot of "My cousin's neighbor's daughter's boyfriend goes there" to "You guys have a beautiful campus" to my favorite of the day so far, "Can you teach me how to read?" Yeah, he wasn't kidding. And the answer is no.
Even more disturbing than the reading question was the 45-minute conversation I had with a young lady who told me about her husband's drug addiction and how he stole his grandmother's liquid hydrocodone and replaced it with water. Um, I'm not sure why people think I need to hear their personal problems. Especially about a stranger who went to prison because her husband wrote hot checks. I know I'm trapped here, but I don't know how that applies to my job. Not only am I not qualified to do adult education, I am in no way a counselor.
I was just walking around grazing, and some dude told me that his mom was married to a guy named John Brown and she divorced him for a guy named... wait for it... John Brown. Wow.
The interesting thing about any kind of trade show to me is that people feel like they have to say something when they walk by your booth. So I've gotten a lot of "My cousin's neighbor's daughter's boyfriend goes there" to "You guys have a beautiful campus" to my favorite of the day so far, "Can you teach me how to read?" Yeah, he wasn't kidding. And the answer is no.
Even more disturbing than the reading question was the 45-minute conversation I had with a young lady who told me about her husband's drug addiction and how he stole his grandmother's liquid hydrocodone and replaced it with water. Um, I'm not sure why people think I need to hear their personal problems. Especially about a stranger who went to prison because her husband wrote hot checks. I know I'm trapped here, but I don't know how that applies to my job. Not only am I not qualified to do adult education, I am in no way a counselor.
I was just walking around grazing, and some dude told me that his mom was married to a guy named John Brown and she divorced him for a guy named... wait for it... John Brown. Wow.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Something fun
Got a few minutes to do a personality test? I'm not superstitious, but this is kinda fun.
Here's your sign
My brother texted me this a.m. to report that, on his way to work this morning, he was traveling through a construction zone on 540 in the Fort (which he says is the definition of INFINITY), and there was a flashing warning sign reading, BUCKEL UP.
Wow. And we wonder why Arkansas gets a bad name.
Wow. And we wonder why Arkansas gets a bad name.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Double the fun!
Here's the first public photos of Parker and Emma. Aren't they beautiful?
Emma seems to be the calm one.
Parker and I had quite the conversation. Here he is listening raptly to my wisdom.
Ashley took me back to the NICU to see the kids, and I was just so overwhelmed with emotion that I couldn't stop crying. Really. Me, Miss Devoid of Sentiment, was weeping like a child, which made Ashley cry, which made the nurses start crying.
On a much less happy note, I had my annual eye doctor appointment today, where I found out that, not only were my contacts not strong enough (hence the two-month headache), but I have the beginnings of macular degeneration. I got the speech about getting older, watching my diet, taking vitamins, and exercising for a healthy heart, which evidently prolongs the onset of the disease. Man, it stinks to get old.
Happy April Fools, everyone.
Emma seems to be the calm one.
Parker and I had quite the conversation. Here he is listening raptly to my wisdom.
Ashley took me back to the NICU to see the kids, and I was just so overwhelmed with emotion that I couldn't stop crying. Really. Me, Miss Devoid of Sentiment, was weeping like a child, which made Ashley cry, which made the nurses start crying.
On a much less happy note, I had my annual eye doctor appointment today, where I found out that, not only were my contacts not strong enough (hence the two-month headache), but I have the beginnings of macular degeneration. I got the speech about getting older, watching my diet, taking vitamins, and exercising for a healthy heart, which evidently prolongs the onset of the disease. Man, it stinks to get old.
Happy April Fools, everyone.
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