I hate running games

However, I am willing to play this version of tag. In no particular order...

5 things I plan to do before I die

• Marry the man of my dreams, if you meet him, let him know I'm here.
• Enjoy the job of my dreams, not sure what that is yet...
• Drive the Weinermobile or Hershey's Kissmobile, that might be the job of my dreams.
• Live in Sterling again.
• Take my whole family on a FABO VACA of our own.
• go ice fishing
• Finish this dadgum thesis (I know, I know, this is really 7, who cares, it's my list and I can make it as long as I want)

5 things I can do

• scrapbook like a madwoman
• buy a bargain for no good reason besides it's a good deal
• sing for the joy of singing
• find the joy in the treasures all around me (without being nauseating to others)
• YMCA

5 things I cannot do

• pass up a bargain (I'm getting better!)
• be a nurse
• marry someone I do not love or is not a Christian
• drive Nascar (or watch it very long for that matter)
• ever give up on those that I love

5 things that attract me to the opposite sex

• humor and laughter
• joy in the silly and small things
• sincerity and genuineness (is that a word?)
• love of his family (but not in a weird way)
• brain
• musical ability is always a bonus

5 things I say most often

• those listening to me should probably answer this one
• ya'll
• fabulous
• random thought...

5 celebrity crushes

• ummm, I don't have TV or go to the movies and my thesis research doesn't have a lot of pictures.
• Keith Urban
• Joe Nichols -- he's a cutie with a freakin' awesome voice, love it low!
• Jimmy Wayne -- LOVE "Baby, Baby Stay"
• and always and forever, the man with one of the sexiest tractors around -- Kenny Chesney
• I notice a theme of country music, let me just say "YEEHAW!"

I know...too many

I have used more ellipses today than I probably have in my whole life. Odd observance.

I realize this is overload for one day, but as mentioned previously, I don't like my job and I'm bored at work. I've saved these photos and want to load them up before I forget so that then I can delete them, blah, blah, blah.

More from the Cabin, yea!

First -- I built that fire.

Second -- Lynnae & I almost broke that teeter-totter. I don't think it was made for big people.

Third -- How awesome and fun and cute is this picture of Lisa! I just love it, I might even stick it in a frame. Fun!

Now, don't you wish you could have been there?

fun at work

I don't like my job but the people I work with make it (mostly) worthwhile. I think that is often the case for folks. I am a big photo person so I thought I'd add a few fun shots from work, along with a work wedding (1 of 8 this year). It was amazing by the way.

fun fotos

I tried to edit a previous post to add photos and couldn't figure it out, so for kicks and giggles here are the photos anyhow...
This is the Friar and Sarah-Ruby, both whom I get to go and see THIS WEEKEND!~ I can hardly wait! OK, Rubes made me take her photo off even though I thought it was terribly cute. But you know, a girl's wish is a sister's command.

Welcome, Wyatt!

One of my classmate, Julie, just had an incredibly handsome baby boy, Wyatt. He was 9-10 weeks early, but is doing amazingly well. He's love and adored by all who see him. This is a mini-class reunion as Lisa & I went to visit the new family at the hospital a couple of weeks ago. We're trying to encourage one another to finish our theses, but it's getting tougher now with a baby in the photo. Wait, that's Julie's excuse, what's ours, Lisa?

Cabin in the woods

I went up North a few weeks ago and have had the film developed, much faster than some of my friends, I might add. Anyway, I thought I'd share. We were at Sleeping Fawn, for which you will find a link under lodging, near Park Rapids MN. Had a glorious time and I can hardly wait to return next summer.
These photos here are all at Itasca State Park. The first is at the marker commemorating the home of the headwaters of the Mississippi River. The second is some big dead tree on the path that we thought was cool (the tree that is, not the path). The third is me standing by the Mississippi River. For someone who grew up knowing the Mississippi River in St. Louis as it floods and rages by in a dark, muddy swirl, this was unbelievably small and clear. So fun! The fourth is me climbing under a fallen tree on my way back to the car after viewing MN's largest Red Pine.

Life is hard and unfair

I know a man who is dying a slow and awful death. It was supposed to be quick and now it is not. It is a miracle that he is alive, but it is not really life. This is an incredibly painful ordeal for the family and those caring for him. Unimaginable, really.

It puts things into perspective on how my whole thesis ordeal, while a pain in the butt, isn't all that. I did have two really progressive nights with my research, if I can keep this up, it will be a huge blessing. But even if I don't, I am not living the horror that I have witnessed the last 2 days.

Please pray for that family and those caregivers who are all questioning and hurting.

Weekend fun

I'm so excited! Some friends and I are heading to downtown Minneapolis to see Cirque! It's actually my third time in as many years. First in Chicago with FABO VACA where we saw VAREKAI and then in Vegas at the Bellagio to see O, again with FABO VACA and now here to see Corteo, yippee! If you've never seen Cirque, I highly recommend it. Have you seen anything they've done? What?

2 more...

OK, so that no one gets unhappy at being excluded...

Sha-nae-nae: This is my sister's roomie and BFF and I appreciate her being there when I cannot. She's pretty darned funny as well, although, I the prude, think she has way to much wicked fun. :) She's bright and entertaining and has a beautiful bedroom (is it weird to say that?) and a huge tolerance for the beasts, Josie & Gabster. Have you also noticed a trend in surrounding myself with bright individuals? Not sure what that means...

Robin: This is my sister's BFF from way back when. She's spent way too much time at our house growing up and knows far too much for my comfort level. She has one of my dream jobs, working with alumni at her alma mater (although I would want to work at mine, not hers) and knows the joys and sorrows of L-town. Did I mention that she's both bright and funny?

Introducing...

Taking a cue from one of my friends, here's a little rundown of who's who listed in my blog buddies.

Sarah-Ruby: One of my dear sisters (haven't convinced the other one to join the club yet) who is living in D-town, Denver. Our parents never intended for her to be named Ruby, but after one too many folks leaving off the 'h' she called me in frustration wanting to change her name to Ruby (where this came from I have no idea). The name stuck. She is a riot! She's bright, freakin' hilarious, musical (just auditioned for American Idol) and one hot chica! You've got to read about AI and the entry about dead people and all of the comments attached. Too good!

The Friar: Dear friend from college, we were 'reunited' after not seeing each other for 8-9 years this past summer. What a hoot! Have you noticed that I like to surround myself with funny people? It makes life so much richer. Anyway, Clint is a pastor out in Colorado Springs and has something to say about most things. He's an intellect, a sage and brave soul, living out his life in Jerry Springer-land. Did I mention that it is all his fault that I even have a blog in the first place?

Bubba: Same as the Friar, only this is a devotional blog for him.

Laura: Well, let's see. BFF since 1st grade. We've seen the good, the bad and the ugly of each other and love each other still. I miss her dearly since she's down south in TX and I'm stuck in the Frozen Tundra of MN. She has a heart of gold, is smart (even without her degree, heeheehee) and also, a freakin' riot! She is never at a loss of what to say, she just keeps busy enough that she doesn't blog very often at all which is a huge bummer.

Jedi & School-mate Shawna: These are one and the same with the latter being a more theological site. She is a joy and I loved having her perspective throughout grad school. She and I share a joy for Jesus and tea. She's had a wild year and with the completion of her thesis at hand it will only be wilder, stop in and see what she has to say.

Free Tea

Have I mentioned that you can get some free tea samples simply by sending an email to these folks requesting the samples? I don't have mine yet, but I'll let you know if they are any good, and really, do we care as long as they are free?!

Email: tea2gather@yahoo.com

New blogger mates

Please note that I have added a few new blog buddies. Take some time to take a peek.

By the way, received some free tea for adding Adagio Tea to my blog (great deal, by the way) and made a pot of citron green for my co-workers at lunch. It's a nice light flavor a bit different than normal green tea due to the citrus. Probably tasty iced, if you like that sort of thing. I'm a hot tea drinker all the way.

Anyway, blog away my friends!

Tea time

Have I mentioned that I am a tea drinker? Not a tea snob, but I do enjoy a good cup a tea. I have added a link to a really fun tea place as well. If you are interested, let me know and I can email you a $5 off coupon. Just add your email to your post, if I don't already have it. I can hardly wait to get my order in. yea!

Fun places to Stay

When I travel, I typically stay with family in friends. However, I have decided to add some special links to places where I, or someone in my family, has stayed. This is sort of spurred on by my immense dislike for the aforementioned Sterling Inn. Hedricks Exotic Animal Farm & B&B is fun but they don't have a website, so alas, they lose out here.

The place in Park Rapids, Sleeping Fawn Resort, has been mentioned before and is a great getaway!

The place near Abilene KS, is owned by some friends of mine. I have never had the pleasure of staying there myself, but hope to sooner rather than later.

Liberal is my hometown and ya have to give props to the homies, right? Anyway, I have also not really ever stayed here, but have been inside when we booked the delux suite for my folk's anniversary several years ago.

Any suggestions that should be added? What fun places have you stayed?

time

When did our lives become so crazy that I actually have to schedule time to call my dear friends? Thurs is TX, CO folks are up in the air. TX is on our 3rd try in the last week. Good grief!

words

Isn't it funny what we think the words really are to songs, only to find out years later how wrong we really were? What words have you 'missung?'

Jimmy

OK, randomly Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville just came up in conversation. My dear friend and study buddy thought that the words were, "lookin' for my jigger and saw." What does that mean? Why would you be looking for a saw on an island?

So, anyway, for those of you who need to know what all of the real words are because you only sing it when you yourself are in Margaritaville, here ya go. Courtesy of Jimmy's website.

Nibblin' on sponge cake,watchin' the sun bake;
All of those tourists covered with oil.
Strummin' my six string
on my front porch swing.
Smell those shrimp--They're beginnin' to boil.
Wasted away again in Margaritaville,
Searchin' for my lost shaker of salt.
Some people claim that there's a woman to blame,
But I know it's nobody's fault.
Don't know the reason,
Stayed here all season
With nothing to show but this brand new tattoo.
But it's a real beauty,
A Mexican cutie,
how it got hereI haven't a clue.
Wasted away again in Margaritaville,
Searchin' for my lost shaker of salt.
Some people claim that there's a woman to blame,
Now I think,-- hell it could be my fault.
I blew out my flip flop, Stepped on a pop top;
Cut my heel, had to cruise on back home.
But there's booze in the blender,
And soon it will render
That frozen concoction that helps me hang on.
Wasted away again in Margaritaville
Searchin' for my lost shaker of salt.
Some people claim that there's a woman to blame,
But I know, it's my own damn fault.
Yes, and some people claim that there's a woman to blame,
And I know it's my own damn fault

ATTN: SPAMMERS!

Listen here, ya freaks! Now I have to go and have everyone go through that crazy "type what you see" thing so that you freaks stay away. Don't make stupid remarks so that it looks like you have actually read my blog. You haven't. Knock it off!

Let's see how many of you remark to this one before I get that thing set up so that you cannot. Then I'll really know that you aren't reading my blog. Again...YA FREAKS!

lodging

FOR: Sleeping Fawn Resort -- Park Rapids MN

AGAINST: Sterling Inn -- Sterling KS

FOR: Hedricks Exotic Animal Farm -- Nickerson KS

AGAINST: Sterling Inn -- Sterling KS

FOR: Your car in a ditch in a blizzard of sand -- Anywhere

AGAINST: Sterling Inn -- Sterling KS

But I'm not bitter or anything.

"you could dance to it"

Right now I'm preparing to work on my thesis. My friend is trying to get help with her Gateway and the hold music is not the best. She said, "I can't tell if it's French or Spanish, but it's a Bob Dylan wannabe." It's now on speaker phone and I have no idea who it is but it is in English that even I can understand. Thesis work will drive anyone mad.

I really don't have much to say here, just felt like it was time to add something. While not as entertaining as ...

ooooh, now they've told us who is singing this next song, Norah Jones and Charlie Hunter? I have no idea who Charlie is seeing as how I mostly listen to country and Christian music. I would like to offer up that I do know who Norah is though and she's quite good. I ramble... I know, shocking...

Anyway, while not as entertaining as Sarah-Ruby's most recent adventures with American Idol, I'll come up with something.

This weekend a couple of friends and I are going up north to a cabin on a lake. Two of us were there in the bug-infested month of June, but I'm looking forward to the cooler weather and fall foilage. I can hardly wait! The scenery, of all kinds, will be well worth the trip.

Oh, by the way, having a good hair day, too bad you aren't all here to enjoy it!

Thus end the ramblin's of my mind...

...for the moment...

argh

OK, so the previous post didn't make me feel better, so I procrastinate further to say that I would not really rather eat my own leg rather than anything probably. I am prone to exaggeration and hyperbole, as my dear friends will tell you. ARGH! Really, going to read now. ARGH!

school sucks

I would rather eat my own leg than have to finish this thesis.

My Hairdressing Queen!

This is the infamous Tammy. Hooray for a good haircut. I've already posted my ode to my hairdresser, so let the photo suffice. Great hair, huh.

FABO VACA WEDDING #2

My friends and I took our first FABO VACA to Colorado in 2002 with 6 of us in one Durango (including far too many scrapbooking supplies). The next year 4 of us, 3 originals and 1 addition, headed out on the train to Chicago to be followed by a different group of 4, 3 originals and same addition, the next year for FABO VEGA VACA. This year we opted out of the traditional FABO VACA for a few reasons, namely two VACA weddings. While no one from within the VACA circle married one another (well, Nate & Idella are already married so that doesn't count), the rest of the clan made it a priority to be in attendance at each wedding. First there was Joe 1 & Chrissy in KC the end of April. Debbie & Joe 3, I mean, Andy, were married last weekend at her folks house outside of Sterling. Only Nate couldn't be there as he was finishing up some military training. We all toasted him though with a nice champagne (he would prefer gin & tonics, but you go with what ya got).

This photo includes all the Joes (well, Joe 1, Joe 2 and Joe 3, I mean Andy) and maybe baby Joey? What do you think Nate & Idella. I like it, it has a nice ring to it.

Kansas

While I thought a tornado might take me back to MN, my trip to KS was wonderful and without any twisters.

I'm a hugger as you can see. This is my Dad and I outside the creepiest, most horrible hell-hole around -- the Sterling Inn. NEVER STAY THERE! You are better off in the trunk of your car. Really.

I sped back home to Kansas for a friend's wedding. That's Debbie and I at the Salon Out Back. She was having her nails done the day before the wedding while I was getting my hairs cut and sexified. It was so good to see her, it's been since Christmas.

The final shot is of my Gran. The folks, Gran and I stayed at the NIGHTMARISH Hole and they all snore to beat the band. yikes! This was taken prior to the snoring (when I was still happy). They all drove up Friday night to see me. We hung out until the next afternoon when they all headed back out to the SW corner of KS and home, while I transitioned to my friends and the pending nuptiuals.

Dorothy was right, "There is no place like home."

SPAM

I hate SPAM. I really enjoyed the SPAM museum in Austin, MN (what a hoot! why do you need to wear a hard hat to make SPAM?), but I do not care for how the ol' garlic SPAM tastes (an international flavor sold in the States only at the museum. Love garlic, hate SPAM.

I also don't care for internet spammers. I do not want your unsolicited email or blog comments. I do not know you, you are rude in your invasion of my life. I do not want to buy anything that you have to sell, sell anything you want to buy or look at any of your horrific porn. Back off and find something better to do with your time.

I love...

God
my family -- mom, dad, sarah-ruby, ang, gran, grandad, et.al.
SC
my friends
the fair
food on a stick
traveling
sleep
movies
laughing until it hurts
crying until there are no more tears
riding with the top down (not my top, the car top)
scrapbooking

Among other things and not particularly in order are the above things that I love (or at least feel very strongly about). When I get to combine more than one, imagine the joy. May you all be able to find a deep sense of joy this weekend among things you feel positivley strong about.

NOTE: 'thesis writing' is not listed above. I feel strongly about it, it's just not a strong positive feeling.