It's getting to be time for me to buy some new bras.
I can tell because my current bras are giving me some not so subtle hints that they are worn out. The bra I'm currently wearing lost one of the hooks (it's got 5 more, so it'll stay in place). Also, I had to use some pliers to rearrange one of the hooks on this same bra this morning.
It's time for new bras.
But first, I have to talk to Ace about it. We need to decide how many to buy and where to get them from. I know that for now I'll be sticking with plainer bras instead of going for the really pretty ones (at my bra size, there is a noticeable price difference). I don't really need my bras to look pretty right now, I just need them to do their job.
But, it's time to get me some new bras.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
The Differences Between Oklahoma and Missouri
Or Learn to Drive Already!
So, Ace and I have been in our new state a little over 48 hours at this point. And we've noticed some big differences already.
1. People seem to be more concerned with getting where they are going than with letting people in. This is more annoying than it seems.
2. The same phenomenon occurs with shopping carts here. Forget letting other people in, out, or around the aisle, take up space and get in the way.
3. You can buy wine here at the Wal-Mart and Sam's Club. I don't remember ever seeing wine in either store in OK or Arkansas. It's different.
4. Oddly, the hardest parts about starting over is going and buying things you left behind. It's weird to spend money on new stuff when you know you had this exact same thing in the past, but didn't keep it because you could buy it again (okay, not really a difference between OK and MO, but it stays because this is my post).
5. The highways tend to be more winding than straight, but not as winding as Arkansas. Missouri seemed to decide to cut through some of the mountains/hills, but not all of them.
6. There were more cars than we expected at the Barnes & Noble this morning. That doesn't mean we don't think people read, we just weren't expecting a mostly full parking lot.
7. We've seen layouts for stores that are unlike any we've ever seen before. It'll take some getting used to before we don't make 2 or 3 trips across the store each time we go to buy stuff because we forgot something located on the other side of the store.
So, yeah. Things are different right now. We're still adjusting. But for now, it all seems different and strange.
So, Ace and I have been in our new state a little over 48 hours at this point. And we've noticed some big differences already.
1. People seem to be more concerned with getting where they are going than with letting people in. This is more annoying than it seems.
2. The same phenomenon occurs with shopping carts here. Forget letting other people in, out, or around the aisle, take up space and get in the way.
3. You can buy wine here at the Wal-Mart and Sam's Club. I don't remember ever seeing wine in either store in OK or Arkansas. It's different.
4. Oddly, the hardest parts about starting over is going and buying things you left behind. It's weird to spend money on new stuff when you know you had this exact same thing in the past, but didn't keep it because you could buy it again (okay, not really a difference between OK and MO, but it stays because this is my post).
5. The highways tend to be more winding than straight, but not as winding as Arkansas. Missouri seemed to decide to cut through some of the mountains/hills, but not all of them.
6. There were more cars than we expected at the Barnes & Noble this morning. That doesn't mean we don't think people read, we just weren't expecting a mostly full parking lot.
7. We've seen layouts for stores that are unlike any we've ever seen before. It'll take some getting used to before we don't make 2 or 3 trips across the store each time we go to buy stuff because we forgot something located on the other side of the store.
So, yeah. Things are different right now. We're still adjusting. But for now, it all seems different and strange.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Organized Chaos
Instead of everything looking like organized chaos yesterday, when we were packing things up, it looks like organized chaos today, when we need to unpack things and settle where things will live.
We have laundry we need to do. We have lots of stuff to unpack. We need to rearrange stuff all over the room.
But we are finally starting all over again. We're trying something new. We're living in a new city.
And at some point, it'll stop feeling like a vacation or a trip and start feeling like a new life.
Well, I need to eat so we can get a mailing address and do our laundry.
Later.
We have laundry we need to do. We have lots of stuff to unpack. We need to rearrange stuff all over the room.
But we are finally starting all over again. We're trying something new. We're living in a new city.
And at some point, it'll stop feeling like a vacation or a trip and start feeling like a new life.
Well, I need to eat so we can get a mailing address and do our laundry.
Later.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Moving Day Part 2
So, today is moving day again. This time there is less chaos, but there also isn't much packed already. In fact, we need to pack up all our clothes, our laptops, and all the stuff we normally need (combs, alarm clock, deodorant). Nicely, it shouldn't take that long to pack us up. Not that we're in a big hurry right now (we've got until at least 1 pm before we should head out).
We've got a few things to go through from our stuff to store too. We've got paperwork we'll probably need and I'd like to find a few books for me to read (if I can get myself off the computer).
Now I've got to go. I need to get dressed so that I can start laundry so that we can get out of here.
Later.
We've got a few things to go through from our stuff to store too. We've got paperwork we'll probably need and I'd like to find a few books for me to read (if I can get myself off the computer).
Now I've got to go. I need to get dressed so that I can start laundry so that we can get out of here.
Later.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Great News
Today, Ace and I made a trip to Tulsa. When we got there, we picked up our mail, and we found out that the check we were waiting on were there (we knew it should be there, so it wasn't too surprising).
Tomorrow, we move again, but we're moving less stuff with us this time. Mostly, we're moving clothes, laptops, and the things we actually need (like an alarm clock and our CDs), but not all the books we've got (most are staying here at my dad's until we get to a bigger place).
We also found some stuff that I can do from home and hopefully make enough for me to support us, while Ace works outside the home for extra money for things like Christmas gifts & educational goals.
It should be an interesting month, since we've already changed our original plans greatly to these plans. We're just waiting to see if these plans are the ones to pan out.
But we're looking forward to seeing how it all goes.
Tomorrow, we move again, but we're moving less stuff with us this time. Mostly, we're moving clothes, laptops, and the things we actually need (like an alarm clock and our CDs), but not all the books we've got (most are staying here at my dad's until we get to a bigger place).
We also found some stuff that I can do from home and hopefully make enough for me to support us, while Ace works outside the home for extra money for things like Christmas gifts & educational goals.
It should be an interesting month, since we've already changed our original plans greatly to these plans. We're just waiting to see if these plans are the ones to pan out.
But we're looking forward to seeing how it all goes.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
It's a Small Town After All
Ace and I are currently, temporarily (a few more days at this point) living with my dad and step-mom. Today, they left the house to go do something (we didn't ask what, we're trying to let them live as normal a life as we can).
A while after that, we decided we needed a change of scenery, so we got out of the house. Ace and I decided to go to Barnes & Noble to walk around and look at books.
While we were there, guess who we ran into.
Come on, guess.
Yep. We found my dad and step-mom at the Barnes & Noble. This area is kind of small, so there were decent odds that we'd see them while we were out, but it was kind of surprising that we picked the place they were at.
Later.
A while after that, we decided we needed a change of scenery, so we got out of the house. Ace and I decided to go to Barnes & Noble to walk around and look at books.
While we were there, guess who we ran into.
Come on, guess.
Yep. We found my dad and step-mom at the Barnes & Noble. This area is kind of small, so there were decent odds that we'd see them while we were out, but it was kind of surprising that we picked the place they were at.
Later.
Monday, November 2, 2009
The Hilarity of Spam
MA's Note: This is the exact e-mail I got (I copied and pasted) yesterday. I left off the header stuff (e-mail addresses), but this was obviously not from the FBI. There was never any name listed in the e-mail and I just noticed that I was BCCed for some reason.
Anti-Terrorist and Monetary Crimes Division
Fbi Headquarters In Washington, D.C.
Federal Bureau Of Investigation
J. Edgar Hoover Building
935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20535-0001 Website: www.fbi.gov
ATTENTION
This is an official advice from the fbi foreign Remittance / telegraphic
dept.,it has come to our notice that the C.B.N Bank Nigeria district has
released 10,500,000.00 US dollars into bank of America in your name as the
beneficiary, by inheritance means. The C.B.N Bank Nigeria knowing fully well that they do not have Enough facilities to effect this payment from the united kingdom to your account, used what we know as a secret diplomatic transit payment (s.t.d.p) to pay this fund through wire transfer, they used this means to complete the payment.
They are still, waiting for confirmation from you on the already Transferred funds which were made in direct transfer so that they can do final crediting to your account.
Secret diplomatic payments are not made unless the funds are related to
terrorist activities why must your payment be made in secret transfer, if your transaction is legitimate, if you are not a terrorist, then why did you not receive the money directly into your account; this is a pure coded, means of payment? Records which we have had with this method of payment in the past Has always been related to terrorist acts, we do not want you to get into trouble as soon as these funds reflect in your account in the U.S.A, so it is our duty as a world wide commission to correct this little problem before this fund will be credited into your personal account. Due to the increased difficulty and unnecessary security by the American authorities when funds come from outside of Europe, and the Middle East, the f.b.i bank commission for Europe has stopped the transfer on its way to deliver payment of $10,500,000.00 to debit your reserve account and pay you through a secured diplomatic transit account (s.d.t.a). We govern
funds immediately we receive this legal documents.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
We have decided to contact you directly to acquire the proper Verifications and proof from you to show that you are the rightful person to receive this
fund,because of the amount involve, we want to make sure is a clean and legal money you are about to receive. Be informed that the fund are now in United State in your name, but right now we have ask the bank not to release the fund to anybody that comes to them, unless we ask them to do so, because we have to carry out our investigations first before releasing the fund to you. Note that the fund is in the BANK OF AMERICA right now, but we have ask them not to credit the fund to you yet, because we need a solid proof and Verifications from you before releasing the funds. So to this regards you are to re-assure and proof to us that what you are about to receive is a clean money by sending to us FBI Identification Record and also Diplomatic Immunity Seal Of Transfer(DIST) to satisfy to us that the money your about to receive is legitimate and real money.
You are to forward the documents to us immediately if you have it in your
possession, if you don’t have it let us know so that we will direct and inform you where to obtain the document and send to us so that we will ask the bank holding the funds, the Bank Of America to go ahead Crediting your account immediately. These Documents are to be issued to you from the World Local Bank that Authorized the transfer, so get back to us immediately if you don’t have the document so that we will inform you the particular place to obtain the document in United Kingdom (U.K), because we have come to realize that the fund was Authorized by (H.S.B.C) Bank in London.
An FBI Identification Record and Diplomatic Immunity Seal Of Transfer (DIST) often referred to as a Criminal History Record or Rap Sheet, is a listing of certain information taken from fingerprint submissions retained by the FBI in connection with arrests and, in some instances, federal employment, naturalization, or military service. These Condition Is Valid until 10th day of Novenmber.2009 after we shall take actions on Canceling the payment and then charge you for illegally moving funds out of Nigeria. Guarantee: funds will be released on confirmation of the document.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Final
Instruction;
1. Credit payment instruction: irrevocable credit guarantee.
2. Beneficiary has full power when validation is cleared.
3. Beneficiaries bank in U.S.A., can only release funds.
4. Upon confirmation from the world bank / united nations.
5. Bearers must clear bank protocol and validation request.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: We have asked for the above documents to make available the most complete and up-to date records possible for the enhancement of public safety, welfare and security of Society while recognizing the importance of individual privacy rights. If you fail to provide the Documents to us, we will charge you with the FBI and take our proper action against you for not proofing to us the legitimate of the fund you are about to receive. The United States Department of Justice Order 556-73 establishes rules and regulations for the subject of an FBI Identification Record to obtain a copy of his or her own Record for review.
The FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division processes these requests to check illegal activities in U.S.A. An individual may request a copy of his or her own FBI Identification Record for personal review or to challenge information on the Record. Other reasons an individual may request a copy of his or her own Identification Record may
include international adoption or to satisfy a requirement to live or work in a foreign country or receive funds from another country, i.e. Diplomatic Immunity Seal of Transfer, letter of good conduct, criminal history Background, etc.)
THANKS FOR YOUR CO-OPERATION.
ROBERT MUELLER
WASHINGTON DC
Anti-Terrorist and Monetary Crimes Division
Fbi Headquarters In Washington, D.C.
Federal Bureau Of Investigation
J. Edgar Hoover Building
935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20535-0001 Website: www.fbi.gov
Now to start off, does it sound like our writer speaks English as a first language? Since the e-mail's address ended with .de, I doubt he or she does. Also, they misspelled November and didn't catch it.
Second, the random capitalization is hilarious, isn't it? All rules of grammar seem to have left the building when they wrote this e-mail.
Third, FBI should always be capitalized. And the FBI only has authority in the USA. I don't know who would be coming after me if I was supposedly getting money from Nigeria, but I doubt the FBI would be the only ones involved. (Also, why would they be asking me to send them info they have access to? And why warn me they are looking at me if I am doing something wrong?)
The last thing I want to nit pick right this moment is that the name signed near the bottom of the e-mail is the name of the director of the FBI. Why would he take time out of his busy life to send me an e-mail (from a foreign country)? And why send it on a Sunday?
In short, none of this e-mail makes any sense. Why would someone fall for this? And what info were the spammers hoping for? They don't really tell me where to send anything (unless they really wanted me to send stuff to the FBI, which doesn't make any sense).
Anti-Terrorist and Monetary Crimes Division
Fbi Headquarters In Washington, D.C.
Federal Bureau Of Investigation
J. Edgar Hoover Building
935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20535-0001 Website: www.fbi.gov
ATTENTION
This is an official advice from the fbi foreign Remittance / telegraphic
dept.,it has come to our notice that the C.B.N Bank Nigeria district has
released 10,500,000.00 US dollars into bank of America in your name as the
beneficiary, by inheritance means. The C.B.N Bank Nigeria knowing fully well that they do not have Enough facilities to effect this payment from the united kingdom to your account, used what we know as a secret diplomatic transit payment (s.t.d.p) to pay this fund through wire transfer, they used this means to complete the payment.
They are still, waiting for confirmation from you on the already Transferred funds which were made in direct transfer so that they can do final crediting to your account.
Secret diplomatic payments are not made unless the funds are related to
terrorist activities why must your payment be made in secret transfer, if your transaction is legitimate, if you are not a terrorist, then why did you not receive the money directly into your account; this is a pure coded, means of payment? Records which we have had with this method of payment in the past Has always been related to terrorist acts, we do not want you to get into trouble as soon as these funds reflect in your account in the U.S.A, so it is our duty as a world wide commission to correct this little problem before this fund will be credited into your personal account. Due to the increased difficulty and unnecessary security by the American authorities when funds come from outside of Europe, and the Middle East, the f.b.i bank commission for Europe has stopped the transfer on its way to deliver payment of $10,500,000.00 to debit your reserve account and pay you through a secured diplomatic transit account (s.d.t.a). We govern
funds immediately we receive this legal documents.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
We have decided to contact you directly to acquire the proper Verifications and proof from you to show that you are the rightful person to receive this
fund,because of the amount involve, we want to make sure is a clean and legal money you are about to receive. Be informed that the fund are now in United State in your name, but right now we have ask the bank not to release the fund to anybody that comes to them, unless we ask them to do so, because we have to carry out our investigations first before releasing the fund to you. Note that the fund is in the BANK OF AMERICA right now, but we have ask them not to credit the fund to you yet, because we need a solid proof and Verifications from you before releasing the funds. So to this regards you are to re-assure and proof to us that what you are about to receive is a clean money by sending to us FBI Identification Record and also Diplomatic Immunity Seal Of Transfer(DIST) to satisfy to us that the money your about to receive is legitimate and real money.
You are to forward the documents to us immediately if you have it in your
possession, if you don’t have it let us know so that we will direct and inform you where to obtain the document and send to us so that we will ask the bank holding the funds, the Bank Of America to go ahead Crediting your account immediately. These Documents are to be issued to you from the World Local Bank that Authorized the transfer, so get back to us immediately if you don’t have the document so that we will inform you the particular place to obtain the document in United Kingdom (U.K), because we have come to realize that the fund was Authorized by (H.S.B.C) Bank in London.
An FBI Identification Record and Diplomatic Immunity Seal Of Transfer (DIST) often referred to as a Criminal History Record or Rap Sheet, is a listing of certain information taken from fingerprint submissions retained by the FBI in connection with arrests and, in some instances, federal employment, naturalization, or military service. These Condition Is Valid until 10th day of Novenmber.2009 after we shall take actions on Canceling the payment and then charge you for illegally moving funds out of Nigeria. Guarantee: funds will be released on confirmation of the document.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Final
Instruction;
1. Credit payment instruction: irrevocable credit guarantee.
2. Beneficiary has full power when validation is cleared.
3. Beneficiaries bank in U.S.A., can only release funds.
4. Upon confirmation from the world bank / united nations.
5. Bearers must clear bank protocol and validation request.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: We have asked for the above documents to make available the most complete and up-to date records possible for the enhancement of public safety, welfare and security of Society while recognizing the importance of individual privacy rights. If you fail to provide the Documents to us, we will charge you with the FBI and take our proper action against you for not proofing to us the legitimate of the fund you are about to receive. The United States Department of Justice Order 556-73 establishes rules and regulations for the subject of an FBI Identification Record to obtain a copy of his or her own Record for review.
The FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division processes these requests to check illegal activities in U.S.A. An individual may request a copy of his or her own FBI Identification Record for personal review or to challenge information on the Record. Other reasons an individual may request a copy of his or her own Identification Record may
include international adoption or to satisfy a requirement to live or work in a foreign country or receive funds from another country, i.e. Diplomatic Immunity Seal of Transfer, letter of good conduct, criminal history Background, etc.)
THANKS FOR YOUR CO-OPERATION.
ROBERT MUELLER
WASHINGTON DC
Anti-Terrorist and Monetary Crimes Division
Fbi Headquarters In Washington, D.C.
Federal Bureau Of Investigation
J. Edgar Hoover Building
935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20535-0001 Website: www.fbi.gov
Now to start off, does it sound like our writer speaks English as a first language? Since the e-mail's address ended with .de, I doubt he or she does. Also, they misspelled November and didn't catch it.
Second, the random capitalization is hilarious, isn't it? All rules of grammar seem to have left the building when they wrote this e-mail.
Third, FBI should always be capitalized. And the FBI only has authority in the USA. I don't know who would be coming after me if I was supposedly getting money from Nigeria, but I doubt the FBI would be the only ones involved. (Also, why would they be asking me to send them info they have access to? And why warn me they are looking at me if I am doing something wrong?)
The last thing I want to nit pick right this moment is that the name signed near the bottom of the e-mail is the name of the director of the FBI. Why would he take time out of his busy life to send me an e-mail (from a foreign country)? And why send it on a Sunday?
In short, none of this e-mail makes any sense. Why would someone fall for this? And what info were the spammers hoping for? They don't really tell me where to send anything (unless they really wanted me to send stuff to the FBI, which doesn't make any sense).
Sunday, November 1, 2009
NaBloPoMo
The first two years I remember seeing anything about NaBloPoMo, I was impressed with the people who were doing it. Then, last year, I decided to try posting every day for a month myself. To my surprise, and delight, I found myself posting and being relatively content with my posts.
This year, I struggled slightly in my decision to do NaBloPoMo again. It's a nice thing to do to challenge yourself and see if you can find things to write about, but I wasn't sure I was in the right frame of mind for NaBloPoMo this year. Then, I asked Ace what I should do.
He told me to do it, so I am.
And not just because he told me to, I did truly want to do NaBloPoMo this year, I just needed someone to push me a little so that I would go do it. Which is why I'm glad I've got Ace. He pushes me when I need him to and pulls me away when my willpower seems to be fading. And I do the same for him, which makes our marriage great. We help each other be strong.
Yeah... I think that last paragraph got a little away from me there.
So, here I am, trying again to do a post a day for 30 days. Let the good times roll.
This year, I struggled slightly in my decision to do NaBloPoMo again. It's a nice thing to do to challenge yourself and see if you can find things to write about, but I wasn't sure I was in the right frame of mind for NaBloPoMo this year. Then, I asked Ace what I should do.
He told me to do it, so I am.
And not just because he told me to, I did truly want to do NaBloPoMo this year, I just needed someone to push me a little so that I would go do it. Which is why I'm glad I've got Ace. He pushes me when I need him to and pulls me away when my willpower seems to be fading. And I do the same for him, which makes our marriage great. We help each other be strong.
Yeah... I think that last paragraph got a little away from me there.
So, here I am, trying again to do a post a day for 30 days. Let the good times roll.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
We Have GPS
One of the few things (other than free tv service) that Ace liked about working at DirecTV was that he could get some free stuff.
The latest free thing we got is a new GPS. We're hoping that we'll have better luck with TomTom this time (it tried to send us the wrong way last time we tried using one). Even if it's not perfect, it's still a free GPS, so we aren't complaining, at least not right now.
Nicely, it got here before we would even possibly be moving to Springfield, so we now have something to assist us in finding our way around our soon-to-be new hometown. It's always a good thing to be able to find our way around, so we're happy (provided it installs the new updated maps this time).
So, we are ready for our new lives to start, mostly, but we have to wait at least a little bit longer (2 nights, we believe) before we can move. But, we're looking forward to it.
The latest free thing we got is a new GPS. We're hoping that we'll have better luck with TomTom this time (it tried to send us the wrong way last time we tried using one). Even if it's not perfect, it's still a free GPS, so we aren't complaining, at least not right now.
Nicely, it got here before we would even possibly be moving to Springfield, so we now have something to assist us in finding our way around our soon-to-be new hometown. It's always a good thing to be able to find our way around, so we're happy (provided it installs the new updated maps this time).
So, we are ready for our new lives to start, mostly, but we have to wait at least a little bit longer (2 nights, we believe) before we can move. But, we're looking forward to it.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
A Time To...
1TO EVERYTHING there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven:
2A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted,
3A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build up,
4A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6A time to get and a time to lose, a time to keep and a time to cast away,
7A time to rend and a time to sew, a time to keep silence and a time to speak,
8A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (AMP)
This has always been one of my favorite parts of the Old Testament. It's a good reminder for the bad times to endure them, as they won't last. It's a good reminder for the good times to cherish them, as they won't last forever either.
Lately, life has felt like a time to lose and a time to cast away. On one hand, it's a strong reminder that everything Ace and I didn't bring with us is just a thing, we can get it (or something similar) again. On the other hand, it's hard to sort through 6 years worth of stuff and decide what isn't vital.
But, it has brought about a new hope for a future without some parts of the past weighing us down. We're freer now from some bad memories. We can move forward in our lives instead of glancing back in an effort to make sure we never forget. We won't ever truly forget the past, but now we can make a fresh start of life. We're going to be moving to a new city and a new state. We'll be learning things together. It's a chance to grow.
I'm still partially mourning the loss of the old and familiar life, even as I'm looking forward to starting the new. It's odd, to feel some sorrow mixed in with my hope. But, looking at how my life has been this past year, maybe it's time for all these changes. Maybe these particular changes, the ones I was dreading, are the ones I need the most.
It's becoming an interesting ride lately.
2A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted,
3A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build up,
4A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6A time to get and a time to lose, a time to keep and a time to cast away,
7A time to rend and a time to sew, a time to keep silence and a time to speak,
8A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (AMP)
This has always been one of my favorite parts of the Old Testament. It's a good reminder for the bad times to endure them, as they won't last. It's a good reminder for the good times to cherish them, as they won't last forever either.
Lately, life has felt like a time to lose and a time to cast away. On one hand, it's a strong reminder that everything Ace and I didn't bring with us is just a thing, we can get it (or something similar) again. On the other hand, it's hard to sort through 6 years worth of stuff and decide what isn't vital.
But, it has brought about a new hope for a future without some parts of the past weighing us down. We're freer now from some bad memories. We can move forward in our lives instead of glancing back in an effort to make sure we never forget. We won't ever truly forget the past, but now we can make a fresh start of life. We're going to be moving to a new city and a new state. We'll be learning things together. It's a chance to grow.
I'm still partially mourning the loss of the old and familiar life, even as I'm looking forward to starting the new. It's odd, to feel some sorrow mixed in with my hope. But, looking at how my life has been this past year, maybe it's time for all these changes. Maybe these particular changes, the ones I was dreading, are the ones I need the most.
It's becoming an interesting ride lately.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Fluidity
Ace and I have been having to react to new and seemingly ever-changing situations lately.
We found out that we had some savings that we forgot about, so we're moving again as soon as we have access to the money. We're heading up to Springfield, MO. We've found somewhere to live (it'll not be a ton of space, but it'll be private), and we found out it will be cheaper than originally quoted.
With our savings, we'll have a chance to look for work up there without having to impose on my dad and step-mom any longer than we have to. The only minorly bad thing is that we need new cell phones, as we have no service with our current phones. But we'll get that sorted out soon.
Guess it's a good thing we're happy with things changing right now, huh?
We found out that we had some savings that we forgot about, so we're moving again as soon as we have access to the money. We're heading up to Springfield, MO. We've found somewhere to live (it'll not be a ton of space, but it'll be private), and we found out it will be cheaper than originally quoted.
With our savings, we'll have a chance to look for work up there without having to impose on my dad and step-mom any longer than we have to. The only minorly bad thing is that we need new cell phones, as we have no service with our current phones. But we'll get that sorted out soon.
Guess it's a good thing we're happy with things changing right now, huh?
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Happy Birthday To Me
Today is my birthday. 29 years ago, my mother gave birth to me. I feel like I should have more to say about that, but I really don't.
Instead, I'm taking a page out of Jenna's book (or a tradition from her family) and posting what I've learned this last year.
1. While it's embarrassing for a little while, you get over the embarrassment of having gone through a foreclosure. And you get over leaving the better part of a houseful of furniture, because it's just stuff.
2. My marriage is strong. It doesn't always feel that way, but that's usually because we are focusing on the small differences. When we're dealing with anything big, those differences can come in handy.
3. My family rocks. My dad is currently letting us live with him (we aren't sure how long that's going to last). My sister came up to help us move (even though we didn't end up needing her help that much). My dad has also offered to store some of our stuff until we are ready for it again.
4. Sometimes someone else's pain cuts just as deeply as our own does. We can mourn for their loss as if it were ours. It can make us long to be able to comfort someone, even though there isn't really much we can say or do. It can give the past some merit, even if it doesn't feel like enough.
5. Often change, even painful and surprisingly drastic change, is a good thing. Sometimes when things seem the hardest, you find that you're happy to see the changes happening. And while you may get nostalgic for what was, you're happy that things changed.
6. No two people, even when they go through the same experience, feel the exact same way. You can sympathize more, but it's not the same.
7. My sister is fun to talk to, even when she's talking about people I don't know. She's a great person and I'm glad I got to spend a lot of time with her Friday and Saturday. Also, we both describe movies the same way (We jump around in the movie, trying to tell everything we think is important. I'm sure it's annoying.).
8. Sometimes situations are more fluid than they seem. Things can change quickly. It's amazing how quickly you can adjust to change. It's also amazing how quickly you can figure out what is really important and what isn't.
Today is my birthday. This past year has been one of the roughest of my life. But, I survived it and am able to meet new challenges.
But first, I'm going to celebrate. Because it is my birthday.
Instead, I'm taking a page out of Jenna's book (or a tradition from her family) and posting what I've learned this last year.
1. While it's embarrassing for a little while, you get over the embarrassment of having gone through a foreclosure. And you get over leaving the better part of a houseful of furniture, because it's just stuff.
2. My marriage is strong. It doesn't always feel that way, but that's usually because we are focusing on the small differences. When we're dealing with anything big, those differences can come in handy.
3. My family rocks. My dad is currently letting us live with him (we aren't sure how long that's going to last). My sister came up to help us move (even though we didn't end up needing her help that much). My dad has also offered to store some of our stuff until we are ready for it again.
4. Sometimes someone else's pain cuts just as deeply as our own does. We can mourn for their loss as if it were ours. It can make us long to be able to comfort someone, even though there isn't really much we can say or do. It can give the past some merit, even if it doesn't feel like enough.
5. Often change, even painful and surprisingly drastic change, is a good thing. Sometimes when things seem the hardest, you find that you're happy to see the changes happening. And while you may get nostalgic for what was, you're happy that things changed.
6. No two people, even when they go through the same experience, feel the exact same way. You can sympathize more, but it's not the same.
7. My sister is fun to talk to, even when she's talking about people I don't know. She's a great person and I'm glad I got to spend a lot of time with her Friday and Saturday. Also, we both describe movies the same way (We jump around in the movie, trying to tell everything we think is important. I'm sure it's annoying.).
8. Sometimes situations are more fluid than they seem. Things can change quickly. It's amazing how quickly you can adjust to change. It's also amazing how quickly you can figure out what is really important and what isn't.
Today is my birthday. This past year has been one of the roughest of my life. But, I survived it and am able to meet new challenges.
But first, I'm going to celebrate. Because it is my birthday.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Moving Day
Today, Ace and I move. We're working on finishing up our packing and waiting for the assistance of my sister and her boyfriend.
We're moving in with my dad for right now. We aren't sure exactly what the next few weeks will bring, but we do have a plan in place for the future.
So, I should probably get back to working on that.
Later.
We're moving in with my dad for right now. We aren't sure exactly what the next few weeks will bring, but we do have a plan in place for the future.
So, I should probably get back to working on that.
Later.
Friday, October 16, 2009
A Break In Packing
I am taking a break in the craziness that is packing and trying to figure out what is important to go visit my dad with my siblings for today and tomorrow. Ace is so cool, as he is fine with this.
And now I have to look something up for him before I forget and am gone.
TTFN!
And now I have to look something up for him before I forget and am gone.
TTFN!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Change in the Wind
Well, the big change that I knew was coming, but was ignoring refuses to be ignored anymore.
Ace and I are moving. Within the week. And we aren't sure where we are moving right now.
And I'm sitting here, possibly a little shock, trying not to think about it. My life isn't really in my control right now.
It doesn't help that my dad recently got in an accident on his motorcycle. He'll be fine, will have a couple of scars probably.
But right now, I think I've had 1 too many things happen lately. I don't know how I feel. I don't know what I think. I just know that everything seems to be changing, and I'm not the one choosing these changes.
So, I'm focusing on breathing and will start packing up books here soon. After all, if I'm moving, I'd like to take as many of my friends as possible with me when I move.
Ace and I are moving. Within the week. And we aren't sure where we are moving right now.
And I'm sitting here, possibly a little shock, trying not to think about it. My life isn't really in my control right now.
It doesn't help that my dad recently got in an accident on his motorcycle. He'll be fine, will have a couple of scars probably.
But right now, I think I've had 1 too many things happen lately. I don't know how I feel. I don't know what I think. I just know that everything seems to be changing, and I'm not the one choosing these changes.
So, I'm focusing on breathing and will start packing up books here soon. After all, if I'm moving, I'd like to take as many of my friends as possible with me when I move.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Walking in Love
Lately, Ace and I have started focusing more on spending time in the Bible and spending time listening to teaching from the Bible. And it's helping us both a lot, I think.
I know that it's feeding our faith. And it reminds me of when we were first married. We spent so much time with God and each other. I never realized before now that I had missed that.
As I've looked back over my life (over the broad-strokes, I'm not messing with looking at the details right now), on the good times and the bad, I've found that for every event that seemed like it should or could shake my faith in God, it's instead brought me closer to Him.
When my parents divorced, I was going to a church that really didn't know how to react to that or how to support me emotionally through that time. When my mom got remarried, we changed churches, which was awkward for me because I really didn't know anyone there. Through all of this, my faith in God just got stronger. And even when things have happened that have shaken my faith in humanity's ability to be good, my faith in God hasn't wavered. It's constant.
While my faith has remained steadfast, my attitude and my habits have changed over the years. My knowledge of the Bible has grown and my beliefs on the smaller issues, things that I see as minor details now, have changed as I've gained knowledge. And while Ace has helped with that, I'd like to think that I would have adjusted my beliefs to what I saw in the Bible had I been growing on my own.
I'm still trying to find a way to fully walk in God's agape love. I know that I'm not perfect, most days I feel like perfect is a long way away, but I'm trying. I'm also trying to figure out how walking in love with my mother works (I guess it's easier when I'm not dealing with her, but it feels more awkward).
So, while my faith is stronger than ever, I'm feeling like my attitude and my habits still need work. Maybe all this time with God will help.
Later!
I know that it's feeding our faith. And it reminds me of when we were first married. We spent so much time with God and each other. I never realized before now that I had missed that.
As I've looked back over my life (over the broad-strokes, I'm not messing with looking at the details right now), on the good times and the bad, I've found that for every event that seemed like it should or could shake my faith in God, it's instead brought me closer to Him.
When my parents divorced, I was going to a church that really didn't know how to react to that or how to support me emotionally through that time. When my mom got remarried, we changed churches, which was awkward for me because I really didn't know anyone there. Through all of this, my faith in God just got stronger. And even when things have happened that have shaken my faith in humanity's ability to be good, my faith in God hasn't wavered. It's constant.
While my faith has remained steadfast, my attitude and my habits have changed over the years. My knowledge of the Bible has grown and my beliefs on the smaller issues, things that I see as minor details now, have changed as I've gained knowledge. And while Ace has helped with that, I'd like to think that I would have adjusted my beliefs to what I saw in the Bible had I been growing on my own.
I'm still trying to find a way to fully walk in God's agape love. I know that I'm not perfect, most days I feel like perfect is a long way away, but I'm trying. I'm also trying to figure out how walking in love with my mother works (I guess it's easier when I'm not dealing with her, but it feels more awkward).
So, while my faith is stronger than ever, I'm feeling like my attitude and my habits still need work. Maybe all this time with God will help.
Later!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
We Must Be Thinking of Something Good
(Jenna, I blame you for my post title.)
Since Ace and I got our couch from Karen, we've started a few new traditions.
1. Ace is lotioning my feet every night. Which helps make sure we spend at least a little bit of time touching each other everyday, which helps keep us connected. Also, it means my feet won't be dry.
2. We are coming up with 5 things we are grateful for and sharing them with each other. This way, we focus on good things, just like we're told to do in Philippians 4:8. They are usually simple little things, but I think it helps us both concentrate on the good things in life instead of the bad.
It's amazing what all can change in just 3 days.
P.S.: We have a slip-cover on the couch. It's not pretty and doesn't really fit quite right, but the couch is no longer clinging to our skin so we're happy.
Since Ace and I got our couch from Karen, we've started a few new traditions.
1. Ace is lotioning my feet every night. Which helps make sure we spend at least a little bit of time touching each other everyday, which helps keep us connected. Also, it means my feet won't be dry.
2. We are coming up with 5 things we are grateful for and sharing them with each other. This way, we focus on good things, just like we're told to do in Philippians 4:8. They are usually simple little things, but I think it helps us both concentrate on the good things in life instead of the bad.
It's amazing what all can change in just 3 days.
P.S.: We have a slip-cover on the couch. It's not pretty and doesn't really fit quite right, but the couch is no longer clinging to our skin so we're happy.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Good Things
Well, yesterday was a day for good things.
I discovered the toilet I thought had to be baby-sat to stop flushing just needed a minor adjustment (which has now been made), so there is a fully functioning half bath in this house.
Also, while Ace and I were shopping, we decided to get some pillows for the new-to-us couch (for support/something to cuddle/something to nap on/whatever), and are planning on buying some slip covers for both the couch and the love-seat so that at least some of our furniture in the living room will match (the only things that currently match are the massage chair and it's footstool). I'm not sure when we'll get the slip cover for the love-seat, but we are looking at getting the slip cover for the couch very soon.
After several months of feeling like we've just had bad news piling up, it's good to get some good news.
I discovered the toilet I thought had to be baby-sat to stop flushing just needed a minor adjustment (which has now been made), so there is a fully functioning half bath in this house.
Also, while Ace and I were shopping, we decided to get some pillows for the new-to-us couch (for support/something to cuddle/something to nap on/whatever), and are planning on buying some slip covers for both the couch and the love-seat so that at least some of our furniture in the living room will match (the only things that currently match are the massage chair and it's footstool). I'm not sure when we'll get the slip cover for the love-seat, but we are looking at getting the slip cover for the couch very soon.
After several months of feeling like we've just had bad news piling up, it's good to get some good news.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
The Great Re-Arrangement
Yesterday, we got a newer couch. We bought a couch from Karen and her husband shortly before the wedding, and yesterday they delivered it.
Between the time Karen called to let me know they were coming by and the time they got here, I spent a good portion of my time moving furniture around (something Ace scolded me for last night). I moved our love-seat to another wall. I moved my massage chair temporarily into the dining room (it's back in the living room now, I was smart enough to let Ace move it around).
Now, our living room looks a lot smaller, but has a lot more seating than it did before (if someone came by, they could sit on something besides the floor). And today, I have a somewhat sore back from moving furniture. But, overall, both Ace and I are feeling good about how things are arranged and are happy that I'm not feeling as bad as we both thought I would today.
Between the time Karen called to let me know they were coming by and the time they got here, I spent a good portion of my time moving furniture around (something Ace scolded me for last night). I moved our love-seat to another wall. I moved my massage chair temporarily into the dining room (it's back in the living room now, I was smart enough to let Ace move it around).
Now, our living room looks a lot smaller, but has a lot more seating than it did before (if someone came by, they could sit on something besides the floor). And today, I have a somewhat sore back from moving furniture. But, overall, both Ace and I are feeling good about how things are arranged and are happy that I'm not feeling as bad as we both thought I would today.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Time for a Hobby?
Today, I'm thinking that I need to take up a new hobby. I think I need to learn how to knit.
I've always been interested, but I haven't taken the time to do anything about it. Maybe now is the time to do it.
Plus, I want to start being able to say "I knit sweaters, yo" and seeing who knows what I'm talking about, while at the same time not lying about my abilities to knit (right now, I can't knit sweaters, yo).
So, yeah. I think it's time for a hobby.
I've always been interested, but I haven't taken the time to do anything about it. Maybe now is the time to do it.
Plus, I want to start being able to say "I knit sweaters, yo" and seeing who knows what I'm talking about, while at the same time not lying about my abilities to knit (right now, I can't knit sweaters, yo).
So, yeah. I think it's time for a hobby.
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