Happy New Year!!

I hope everyone has a Happy New Year and a safe NYE. I'm going to hang out with some friends and play games. I hear we are having carmel apple french toast for breakfast in the morning. Not sure what that is but pretty confident it is not on the diet. So instead of looking back on this year to see what I did I have decided to look forward and see what I'm looking forward to in 2009. So here goes nothing, I'm doing this on the fly, so possibly this could be a short list as I haven't been really thinking much about next year.

• I'm going on a cruise in January with Leslie, I'm thinking warm weather and can't wait. The time with Leslie will also be priceless.
• My new niece is going to join us. We are praying she holds out until February 6.
• I have a lot more vacation days this year so I may go and visit some friends I haven't gone to visit in the past.
• I think that the traveling 4 (Tiff, Ryan, Mike and I) are planning a trip for some time in the summer. Nothing in the works yet, but we will make it happen.
• I planning on a promotion at work (hopefully Farmers is planning on this also)
• With the promotion will come a move, so that means starting over. Kinda scary and fun at the same time.
• As I'm currently watching football, I'm dreaming that KSU will have a better team next year and I will enjoy watching them play.

That's about it for now. I'm going to head to the celebration for the night. Have a Happy New Year.

Merry Christmas (a little early)!!

How I know it has been too long since my last post:

• It has been almost exactly a month since my last post
• I have friends telling me they keep looking and there is no update
• I'm fourth from the bottom on Tiffany's Blog Roll. (this better get me near the top)

This has been one of those weeks. The ones where you look back and you wonder what you accomplished, however you were busy every second of the day at work. The weather has been cold, snowy, thunderstorms, rain and who knows what is to come this weekend. I'm counting down the days to the cruise next month.

I hope you all are ready for Christmas next week. I think I have all my shopping done. I have a little wrapping left to complete. I am at home tonight watching my favorite Christmas movie, The Best Christmas Pagent Ever. If you haven't seen it I highly recommend it. If you can't find a copy I'm willing to lend you mine. This is how I really know that I'm ready for Christmas. I decide to watch this movie. Then I typically watch the Muppet Christmas Carol, which I love also. The music in that movie is some of my fave. I have yet to dig out Amy Grant Tennessee Christmas. Maybe I will do that tomorrow.

So, as you can see I don't have much to update about. Have a Merry Christmas next week. I will be spending most of the holiday time in Liberty with my family.

Thankful Times

In the spirit of the week I will share what I'm thankful for at this time in my life. I like to do this every year. Some will be repeats, some minute and some a little deeper. Enjoy!

• My family - I could go on for days about why they are so good to me. They support me through all the craziness in my life and love me unconditionally. Mom you are always there to listen to me vent or just there to offer advice as needed. Dad you are there to support my decisions and will do anything to make sure the family is happy. Sara how I love our nights of instant messaging. I know to most of the world this seems pretty minor however this is time I love and look forward to when I see you are online. Amy you are open to listen as needed and love us all unconditionally. So my family is much bigger however if I went into it all I would be here for days.
• My friends - This year I have been able to spend time with many of my friends here at home and all over the world. Thanks to Tiffany, Ryan and Mike for being my travel companions. Kearney girls what a great weekend to reunite in our old stomping grounds. I had a great time that weekend. I know these are friends I will have a for a lifetime. To my friends here in KC I love you all dearly, Leslie, Christy, Tara and Jackie, we don't see each other enough, but great times when we do. Linda and the other game girls I look forward to our game nights every week. Fun memories. Again I could go on for days, I love my friends and what you mean to me.
• Chloe - she is here to welcome me when I get home and I love my cat.
• I have a job and work with folks I enjoy.
• Facebook - so not everyone gets it, but I have loved reconnecting with friends from the past and staying in touch with those I see regularly.

I hope you are all Thankful this year.

A Few of my Favorite Things

Tonight I thought I would write about a few of my favorite things. Kinda a combination of the random thoughts and what makes me happy today.

• Watching football in my PJ's under a warm blanket on a cool night (exactly what I'm doing now)
• Chloe greeting me at the door when I come home (nice to know I have been missed)
• Breakfast on Saturday mornings at Hy-Vee. I go by myself and I just love it. I look through the add and listen to all the old men have deep discussions over coffee.
• McRib at McDonald's. I understand there is possibly nothing natural in the McRib, however I just love it when it is available. I had one for dinner tonight.
• A great deal at Kohl's. Really I love a great deal anywhere however I pretty much only shop at Kohl's so those are the deals I notice. Today I had a 30% off coupon on top of the Early Bird Specials.
• Going to a good movie with an even better friend. I went to see Fireproof today with Leslie. Good movie and great company.
• Opening and listening to a new CD. I really love buying a new Christmas CD every year. I typically hold off until Thanksgiving as I don't typically listen to it prior to Thanksgiving. However, today I purchased Sara Groves Christmas CD. She is one of my favorite singers and now a Christmas one, very exciting.

So after I read back through I realize I did most of those things today. Hence, good day.

Ironic Thought

We have separation of church and state, however we vote in churches.

Good And Not So Exciting

So I initially was going to write about the good things in my life and what I'm not looking forward to in this upcoming week. Then I started to watch Oprah from today and realized what is wrong with my life and my health, I'm not having sex. So that was probably way more information than most of you wanted to know and others of you know I'm being somewhat sarcastic in this statement. However, it has been over a year since I went on a date. So I won't elaborate any more if you feel like you need to watch then I'm sure you can find it on the internet some where.

So what else in my life, I'm really excited that I get to stay in town all week this week and won't be leaving town again until next Monday. At which time I will be going to Tulsa and I'm going to be driving with 3 other co-workers so I won't be all alone. I'm looking forward to the election being over and really nervous that people are going to get complacent and then decide they don't need to stand in line and vote. I did go an vote early so now I'm just looking forward to the outcome. I also want people to continue to be passionate about change on November 5 as they are today and on November 4.

I am going to spend Friday evening in Liberty with Troy and Sara. This will be good as I haven't seen them in over a week at this time and it will be 2 weeks by the time I get there on Friday.

What I'm not looking forward to this week is my crazy week at work. I will be in KC however we are doing interviews almost all day everyday. Luckily I won't be in all of them, but I will still have a crazy week due to all the folks being in the office. I have to go to the dentist on Friday to have a filling replaced. Some of you know that when I was younger I spent a lot of my time at the dentist and many teeth pulled, this doesn't mean that I love to get the work done. I have a great dentist who makes this as good as it can be but it still isn't fun. I'm nervous about what they may find when they get in there as my hygienist told me that what is causing my discomfort could be a cracked tooth but we won't know that until we get in there. So we are starting with replacing the filling, but he could take the current one I have out and then find something worse. That will be new territory for me as the worst I have had done is my wisdom teeth pulled. Okay, that was a lot of explanation for only a filling.

I have also remembered how much I hate it when Daylight Savings Ends. I mean I left work at 445 today and it was already getting dark out. Very frustrating. I mean when am I supposed to do yard work, on the weekends? That is no fun weekends are when I like to relax and see friends, not rake leaves.

On another good note, I got my Taurus started this week. I hadn't driven it since August. So, I bought a jump starter and got the car started. I went and drove literally around the entire city. When I got home I realized that I had forgotten to put my new sticker for 2009 on my license plate and to put my current insurance card in my car. So luckily I didn't have any trouble as I would have been up a creek without a paddle.

If Only...

So I was sitting in McDonald's tonight eating dinner. Yes, I was doing well on my diet and then I had to take a quick unplanned trip to Wichita. I did order a plain grilled chicken sandwich. Okay that isn't what this story is about. While I was sitting there I overhear this older couple arguing about what type of new phone to buy and what room in the house to put it in. It is very obvious that the woman is very stressed and passionate about this topic. She is berating him for even considering this one phone that is so light it felt like trash. "They need a nice looking phone for their kitchen and that would not be silver or black." Seriously, what was he thinking. Then she was saying they need a permanent phone in the bed room for those times they take the cordless one out between the chairs. I couldn't really hear him (not so passionate I guess) but I'm guessing he mentioned that they didn't even need another phone or one in a certain room. She responded with the fact of how many times does she holler at him "Tim is on the phone and he needs to pick up the other line, where does he always go to pick up the phone" This shows you the age of the couple cause my grandparents are the only people that both get on the phone at once when they talk to someone. The she mentions that if they buy one at Wal-Mart and then get it home and decide they don't like it they can return it. Cause if they have their receipt Wal-Mart is required to take everything back. I'm sitting there thinking "If only this was the major stress of my life"

So I hope that your life isn't too stressful.

Heat is a great invention

So it seems in central Kansas winter is approaching quickly. So once again I'm thinking of happy things today. I hope you are able to keep warm and enjoy the changing seasons. Here is what is making me happy today:

• I have a king size bed to sleep in tonight and I did last night also. Even when it is just me it is fun to have a huge bed to move around in at night. I also have room for all the pillows I like to have in bed with me. Which now that I think about it doesn't make sense since I want a big bed to move around in at night. Oh, well it is my happy thought.
• Since I'm in a hotel I have turned on the heat. I have been too cheap to turn it on at home yet. So, not only do I get to sleep in a big bed tonight, but I won't be freezing. Chloe is probably about ready to disown me with a cold house and me never being home.
• The Lion King is tomorrow night. Really enough said with that statement. However to make it better there is dinner at PF Chang's with good friends.
• The cleaning mice (my sister) came and cleaned this past weekend. I also did some picking up of my own. Looking forward to coming home to a clean house tomorrow.
• I'm still having success with the chiropractor (no I'm not just say that cause I know you read this Mike) I was glad to be able to go back today. Not sure what I enjoy more; the fact that I'm getting better or seeing a friend here in Wichita. I think it is a combination of both.
• I get to spend time with Leslie on Friday and go to a fun concert. Also realized that 3 months from today I will be on cruise ship with Leslie and possibly a fruity beverage.

I guess there is a lot to be happy about today in my life. Yeah!!

Something to look forward to

I'm back in a hotel just for a quick visit to Wichita. So it seemed only appropriate that I update my blog while I'm in a hotel. Tonight I have decided that I'm going to let you all know what I'm looking forward to in the next few weeks.

• I have hired someone to come and clean the pit I live in at home (my sister) I know she needs the money and I need the cleaning.
• It is officially fall and I am able to sleep in the crisp cold with my windows open.
• We are playing bells in church on Sunday. We have only rehearsed 3 times and we are ready to play a difficult piece. It is so exciting to be playing with those that really enjoy what we are doing and want to push themselves.
• I'm going to the Lion King next Thursday night. Not only am I looking forward to the show, but also the girls night out and dinner with my friends.
• I'm not staying in a hotel at all next week. At least based on my schedule today.

I'm sure there are plenty of other fun things on my horizon, these are the ones at the top of my mind right now.

I hope all of you have something to look forward to this week.

Something Happy

So I keep coming back to my page and seeing a not so happy post. So I need an update for something happy. Here is what made me happy today:

• My key worked everytime I used it today
• I found out they are sending more help to Wichita so my team will not be so overwhelmed and overworked.
• I got a 25% off at Foot Locker on my fries at McDonalds today.
• I enjoyed some time in Old Town with a friend walking and enjoying the fall.
• The weather was beautiful today.
• Two more days in Wichita and then I ge to be home for 4 days.
• Grey's is on tomorrow and I'm going to watch it with a friend and not all alone in my hotel room.
• My jaw has not hurt all week (thanks Dr. Mike)

That is better. Yes I am on a posting rampage this week.

The Idiot at the front desk

I know I mentioned this in the random thoughts yesterday. However, this guy deserves and entire entry. So here is my interaction with him tonight. First, this is for you Martha, his name is Jymmie, yes his parents spelled his name a jacked up way. I came home (yes I just called the hotel my home) and came up to my room. The key would not work. I went back down to the desk and he is not even there. Then he came in from outside carrying in his dinner I guess, i don't know. I tell him my key doesn't work and I look at his shirt and he has some sort of crap on it. He fixes my key and I move on with my life. Then I have to go back out to my car to get my Diet Dr. Pepper. As I'm walking out he is talking on his bluetooth talking at the top of his lungs. Not sure who he was talking too, but it was so inappropriate. I came back to my room and once again the key would not work. Back downstairs I go. He again is MIA. I stand there making noise at the desk. He the reappears and is eating the dinner he brought in earlier. I tell him my key is not working again. He proceeds to tell me I must be doing something to demagnetize it. Um let me just say this, it was in my butt pocket all day and then sat on the table in the room, neither of which are magnetic. He decided he would make small talk and asked if I was going to watch the debates. I was like probably. He said he thought he needed to since it was the last one. I may be incorrect, but I think there are two more. The here is the straw that broke it all, he says, who do you plan to vote for? Not that I'm ashamed of my political views, but I don't even discuss this with some people I like let alone crazy guys that work at the front desk of the Sleep Inn next to Wild West World. Okay that is my venting of the night. Thanks.

Rainbows

I'm back in my hotel room in Wichita. It has been raining most of the day. Sometimes it was pouring others just a sprinkle. On my way back to the hotel after dinner I look over to my right and see a rainbow. How beautiful!!! Then as I exit the highway I see the other side of the rainbow. As I looked closer I could see the end on each side and could see the full arch. It was so beautiful. I wish I would have had my camera with me, however I'm sure it wouldn't have done it justice.

Random thoughts today:

• What in the world are all the people doing in the hallway of the hotel running up and down yelling at each other? I mean it is a Monday night, not like I'm staying here over the weekend.
• Why does Sam's Club have everything is extremely large sizes and bulk except a rubber trash can? I went to buy one for the office and the only large one they had was stainless steel and cost $50, pretty sure they would not be happy at the office if I spent that much on a trash can.
• Is Cloris Leachman going to be totally obnoxious on DWTS tonight? Don't people know that you call and vote for who you want to stay not leave. I don't vote however I may just so she will leave.
• Is it too much to ask to have a semi-intelligent guy work the front desk at the hotel?
• I hope my chiropractor doesn't totally hate me since I had to wear heels all day on Saturday and have been hauling big boxes. I don't even know the last time I wore heels or the next time I will.
• Speaking of heels, is it too much to ask for comfortable, cute heels to wear. I mean I guess I won't be too particular and just ask for ones that don't rub blisters on my heels.
• I hope my DVR doesn't fill up this week while I'm out of town and records everything important.

I guess that is all for now. I hope you enjoyed and have a great week.

Is it really fall?

After I did the Random Thoughts post I decided that was fun and would continue with that concept as my life is pretty uneventful. First I will update you on my thoughts from earlier in the week. I still don't know why Dancing with the Stars had to be 3 days long and I'm over Cloris (however you spell her name) Leachman. She is not as funny as she thinks she is and is rather obnoxious. I rented and watched Sex and the City The Movie today. Just as good as I remembered. I have purchased already cut fruit for dinner tonight. The cleaning mice still haven't stopped by.

New random thoughts:

• I'm not sure why I have been getting horrendous headaches this past week. I believe they are partially sinus and partially tension. However the ones that bother me most are the ones that start in my jaw and shoot in every direction of my head. This is my jaw that pops every time i open it. Kinda scary.
• I'm so excited for true fall weather. This 80 degree stuff I'm done with. I'm hoping the cold front will hit Wichita first as I'm heading there on Monday.
• I know that KState is playing no one big today, but it would be fun for the game to be on TV as I enjoy watching my Cats play.
• Last night I had to go back to the office to receive 8 cars that were being delivered to us. It was rather interesting to watch them drive them all off the trailer and into the parking lot. It is a true science. They said they have been driving around and delivering cars for 3 months. I thought it was going to be bad to be gone for 3 weeks.
• I have officially decided the random thoughts emails are fun since I sit at home alone and Chloe doesn't appreciate them and possibly you all will. If you don't then I guess you don't have to read the blog. Ha Ha.
• Grey's Anatomy was good, but did not live up the anticipation of a two hour season premier then after it is over we find out it is not going to be back for 2 weeks. Are you kidding? Very annoying.

Hope you enjoyed

Random Thoughts

So nothing has changed in the stability of my life. I'm home this week. I will be in Wichita during the week next week. We are opening our new office there. I'm excited about that as I will now have a place to work there when in town rather than my hotel room. I have decided that since I don't have much stability in my life I will play in the advanced handbell group at church for at least one stable thing in my life. I will know where I will be at least one time during the week.

So here are some random thoughts I have been having today:

• I love Dancing with the Stars, however is it necessary to have 3 nights of the show in one week. I am excited that my gay boyfriend Lance Bass is on the show. As most of you know NSync was my secret love back in the day and Lance was my favorite.
• I am deciding if I need to go and buy Sex and the City the movie tonight or can I wait until the weekend. It is a necessary purchase and I know I need to watch it again soon.
• Is it wrong to buy already cut up and prepared fruit for a dinner this weekend or do I need to prepare it all myself?
• I'm wondering what day the magical cleaning mice will come to my house as they haven't been her in quite some time and my house is a disaster.
• Why does health insurance have to be so rediculously expensive? I guess that is another reason I need to get healthy so I possibly won't have to be on the medications and not have to go the doctor regularly. Then I can have a high deductible plan that is cheaper.
• Do I really want to spend my savings to paint my house when it doesn't appear that I will be moving until early next year?
• I'm happy that if I do get sent to Texas on the last rotation I won't have to work over the Thanksgiving weekend. I would be able to come home or at least go and see some family in Texas for the holiday.
• I think it is funny that if I mow my grass my next door neighbors mow theirs the next day. However, if they mow theirs first I could care less and possibly wait at least another week before I mow mine. Ha Ha.

Okay, that is some random thoughts. Hope you have enjoyed.

Will it ever settle down?

So here I am sitting on my couch, watching K-State Football, and enjoying the fall weather. I am glad to be at home considering the circumstances. No news to anyone out there that the weather around the country has been kinda out of whack. When the weather is bad we get killed at work. Hurricane season is one of our least favorite. We are going to be working claims from Ike for many months. We already have signed up for shifts to go to Texas to work claims all the way through Dec 2. To make it more fun, here at home (Kansas and Missouri) we got pounded with rain last week which hasn't helped our claim volume. We are basically treading water (literally). I have signed up to go to Texas one of the later shifts so I can be here for a close friends wedding and to see The Lion King.

As far as my life outside of work, I'm not really sure what that is these days. We did find out last week that my older sister is going to have a girl in February. They have decided to name her McKenna Marie. I have been also spending time with some good friends playing games at least once or twice a week. It has been so much fun and a great break from reality. We do this for a few hours and laugh a lot and enjoy each others company.

I finally went to the grocery store today to buy some food since I know I'm going to be here for a bit (knock on wood). It felt so nice to eat a home cooked meal. I didn't realize how much I was missing that until after I was done eating. I already have my meals planned for the next week. Yeah!!!

This past Saturday I went to get a manicure and pedicure with a good friend. I have started to over come my fear of pedicures. Yes, I don't typically like to have them done as I know my feet aren't in the best shape. I have a fear they are going to make fun of my feet. However, I'm learning that this could be a luxury I could get used to. I have decided to cut some costs in other places in my life to possibly enjoy some luxuries in life.

Chloe is back living at home with me. She was up visiting mom and dad while I was traveling. It makes it so nice to know she will be here to greet me when I get home at night from a long day. I don't know that having the windows open is great for her as she has been sneezing all night.

That is all the excitement (or not so much) in my life for now.

Don't be shocked

Yes I'm posting two times in one night. I hope you don't fall out of your chair.

Here are some photos from the weekend in Port Ludlow.

This is the house we stayed in. It is for sale and can be yours for a mere $895,000

This was my bedroom. It was set up as a little girls "princess" room. I know when all of you think of me the first word to come to mind is princess. However all the colors were light blues and yellows. I loved it. As you can see there were window on the wall going out to the hallway that also has a wall of windows. Hence I was up with the sun, but didn't mind as the view was unbelievable looking out on the water.

Thanks to Captain Bry we got a picture of all of us on the sailboat. The time was so relaxing.

I just really like this picture of looking up the sails. This is where I sat for part of the excursion and this was the view straight up to the sky.

What day is it?

First of all, Tiffany am I at the top? I have certainly fallen behind in the updates lately. I can't say I haven't had my computer with me as I have it with me most of the time. However, I have been traveling so much that I don't even know what end is up. I have been going to to Wichita and it is in the plan to go there again on Sunday and be there for two weeks. However, with the impending hurricane I may be deployed to Texas. The final word will come later in the week as the storm gets closer. If I do go there is no word on how long I will be there. Could be there for up to 12 weeks.

I also spent this past weekend on vacation (pictures to be uploaded later as the camera is in the car). It was one of the most relaxing vacations I have had. I spend the weekend helping celebrate Tiffany's birthday in Port Ludlow outside of Seattle. We rented this 5000 square foot home with a view of the Pugent Sound. We only planned to go sailing, other than that we did nothing but relax and have fun. We played games, read, lauged, had some fruity beverages and laughed some more.

I am currently home and missing Chloe as she is staying with my parents. I am going to go up and get her tomorrow. I have one of my former youth kids that is going to come by and play with her while I'm gone.

I will upload photos soon, I promise.

Additional Photos from KGR

All of us in The Palace. This was a fun place to shop in college and still fun even after the changes.

Eeka and Josie hanging in our old stomping grounds. This is really where we decided if we were going to go to class that day or sit with each other and eat fan loaves and do the crossword puzzle. Yes, mom, class won out more often than not.

Eeka and Mendy entertaining us with their piano playing. Great fun!!

Kearney Girls Reunion

I'm currently in Manhattan reuniting with college friends. Here we are standing outside of the house 6 of us lived together. Michelle even went to the door to ask if we could see the house. They let us come in the front door and reminisce. There are many more details on Erika's blog.

Excited and Exhausted Looking Forward

So as I look forward towards my next few weeks I have in my plans a few travels I have been looking foward to for quite sometime and also so that are just part of work. I am so excited to spend time in Manhattan with most of the Kearney Girls clan. This will be a great time to reminece, catch up, laugh, and probably cry as we typically do. We have a scavenger hunt planned to relive our college days that I think we are all pumped to do together. No fears Tiffany we will document for you to enjoy in spirit.

Then I will leave in a little over 2 weeks to go to Seattle to celebrate Tiffany's bday. We have a cabin rented in the mountains and will enjoy mountains and water. This will be my second vacation with the Classens and Mike this year. Fun times will be had by all.

I will be in Wichita for a week as well as be possibly in Chicago for a few days. So basically, I'm here in KC this week and then Labor Day weekend. Other than that I'm gone until September 12.

I'm currently watching the taping of the Women's Semifinal Soccer Game. The are up and hopefully will remain this way to play in the gold medal match. I'm glad there isn't as much going on in the Olympics this week as I was losing sleep staying up so late watching them. In case you didn't already know, Michael Phelps is amazing!!!

I LOVE THE OLYMPICS!!

I have been looking forward to the Olympics all summer. And this year they are not failing to impress. I'm sitting here watching the medal ceremony for Michael Phelps 3rd gold medal of the games. (I'm sorry if that was a spoiler for you Tiffany I understand they are showing the evening footage on tape delay for you all on the west coast). I think it is so touching that even after he wins by such a large margin he is so touched. I have been enjoying beach volleyball, which has not been a favorite in the past.

I'm excited to get home to my DVR when I can rewind and watch the amazing parts over and over again. I can also yell as loud as I want at the TV and know the only one that will think I'm crazy is Chloe.

I'm nervous for the gymnastics. I'm just not sure how it is all going to come out. I have confidence if both teams do their best we can have silver.

I have been waking up in the wee hours in the morning to support the Women's Soccer team. Luckily the mornings I have to work they play at 6:30. This past Saturday it was at 4:00 am. That was early, but worth the time. I then went back to sleep and slept until 10:30, I don't know the last time I slept in that late.

I think that is all my excitement for now.

Returned from Vacation

I had a great time with the family in California. We did a lot of relaxing and catching up. I met some new family members and enjoyed the time I had with those I see regularly. It was a great time in my life to spend this time with those I love. I will attach a few photos to see the fun we had together.
A look out out on the water from Balboa Island, little did we know we were going to take a ferry to the other side of the island and not the main land. Opps!!
This is the location we finally decided to stop walking in circles and call a taxi to take us to the beach. That was the best $15 we spent all weekend. (FYI: That little blue condo is on the market for $1.3 million if you would like to purchase)
Troy loved the beach and the ocean. If we would have let him he would have run straight out to the middle of the ocean.

Cutest Blonde I know

I know most of you that read this also read Troy's blog, but this is for the few that don't. I am excited to see him this weekend and it will be while we are all in California. He is getting so big and is like a little person. I think he is ready for another baby in the family. Hopefully he thinks so also. I need to also brag that his outfit for his 18 month pics was entirely from his Aunt Laura.

A Night for Laura

I am still convincing myself that it is Friday. I'm not really sure why I don't believe it, but I don't. I came to Manhattan today for work as they needed someone to come here to handle 3 claims. Seems like a long drive for just a days work, but I was willing to come to one of my fave places in Kansas.

As I was leaving my first claim this morning my customer wanted to give me a hug. As many of you know I'm not really the hugging type and this was some lady who I had known for all of 45 minutes and I will probably never see or speak with her again. I had a mini freak out moment. I gave her a half hug as she came in for the full hug. Can we say personal space, mine is rather large.

Then I had some time before my last two inspections so I got some time to go and see Erika and family. It was so good to see you for even a short time. Thanks again for sharing your electricity with me. (I may have forgotten to put the safety covers back in the outlets, this is the sign of Laura not having children).

I got to my last 2 claims and the roofs were very steep and high. I was so exhausted and hot that I decided on a whim that I was going to find a hotel and just have a night for me away from home. So I'm having a night for myself. I went to Dillon's and got some Chinese, ice cream, coke and a People Magazine. All the things necessary for a night to relax. I got back to the hotel and ate dinner.

After dinner I thought I should go swimming early (I had brought my suit just in case I decided to stay in a hotel) to avoid lots of folks. So I went down and I got the entire pool and spa to myself. It was so relaxing. Now it is not even 7:00 and I'm in my PJ's relaxing in the hotel. Who knows I may go to sleep before 9. Pretty sad for a Friday night and I'm really excited about it.

I have been thinking I need to change the title of the blog. It is kinda boring. So we will see what I come up with, if anything.

Procrastination

As I sit here on my newly vacuumed living room floor I'm procrastinating finishing the cleaning that needs to be done in my house. Really I need to enter the room with the closed door. All of us have at least a closet that we just throw items in and then never enter as we aren't sure if we will come out alive. Well, my closet has grown into an entire room. The majority of the stuff in there is boxed and was put there over a year ago when I put my house on the market. It is obvious that I need a lot of the items in there on a regular basis. My goal is to get it all organized in the next couple of days as we are having a garage sale at church next weekend. Speaking of those of you in KC feel free to stop by Prairie Baptist Church (75th and Roe) on Saturday. They are going to have the sale inside so it will be a cool sale. Therefore, instead of entering the room I have decided to update the blog. I thought you all may appreciate this more.

To prepare for the move I have have also decided to get caught up on all my doctor appts as I don't want to have to find a new one right away. I went to the eye doctor today. apparently I have become even more blind and will be getting new glasses soon. This will give me a new look for my new start. I don't think I can cut my hair anymore. I mean I could, but I would not like it at all, I need to be able to pull it up in a pony tail.

To my Kearney Girls I'm so excited that in just a couple of days we planned a weekend for us to get together and a location. This may be a record. I know it will be sad that we all won't be able to be in the same place at the same time. I'm looking forward to seeing Tiffany a short time after I see the rest of the girls so I will fill her in or everything. We could set up a video camera like they do on Real World or Big Brother and have our own Reality TV only it won't be as scandalous and I'm going to guess no one will want to watch it except us.

I guess that is enough procrastination, at least in this form. I will see what else I may be able to find.

One more thing, not pertaining to me or anyone I know personally and possibly none of you care. Abby Wambach (the US Women's star soccer player) broke her leg this week in a game against Brazil. This puts her unavailable for the Olympics. This will make the games more exciting in a new way.

Reality Sets In

I have returned to civilization from the coolness and beauty of the mountains. The first obvious reality I have come to is that the heat and humidity of Kansas has decided to come to join us for the summer. I guess I can't complain too much as it is now July and this is the weather we expect. Today is it raining, which is nice in one way as I wanted to spend the day relaxing and recovering from the week with the youth. However, I need to mow my grass horribly. I guess that will get done tomorrow.

While I was in Colorado I had time to reflect on my life and the changes ahead. Up until this point I have only been thinking about the excitement and the change in my life. I have officially entered the anxious stage. I'm still excited, but the real changes are very apparent after I spent a week with the youth and the leaders.

As most of you know the youth group is a very large part of my life. I have been a part of this group for 6 years. They have made so many impacts on my life I'm not sure that I will truly realize how much I will miss them until I am away from them. These teeangers are more than just your typical group. They are a group that has challenged me in my faith and how I accept and love those I encounter in my life. Yes, they are still teenagers and have their moments, but the good moments way out weigh the low.

Not only have the youth made a huge impact on my life the other leaders are some of my closest friends. I know when I am with them I can always be my true self. They accept me for my good qualities and don't judge me for the not so good. Not that I have many friends that aren't that way, but I spend so much of my life with this group we have bonds and understand each others ins and outs. We are able to have fun together as well as have real conversations and confide in eachother about the real moments in our life.

There are many things that I'm anxious about in the transistion to a new place of my life. As most of you know I'm a planner and like to know how things are going to work out and don't like a lot of changes to the plan. Well, there isn't a lot of details that I have about this move. I don't know how the details of the house and living situation is going to work out. I am not looking forward to finding a new church. I pray I will be able to find something that compares to what I have now, but pretty sure it will be difficult to duplicate. Obviously, I won't be able to replace the friends I have here, but making new ones that are similar is scary. The only time I have totally relocated from everything I know was when I went to college. At that time you are totally placed in a situation where you are forced to make friends. I'm not the most outgoing person so meeting new people is not my forte.

I will finish reflecting now. I'm sure there will be more of these in the future, but I guess that is what blogging about. This is my life for this moment.

VACATION TIME!!!!!!

I'm officially on vacation. I'm so excited to not be in the office and to get some time in the mountains. It has been determined I will be acting supervisor effective August 1 in Wichita. All of the details will be ironed out soon. I will be living in a hotel for a bit. This sounds great at first, but it gets old living in a hotel after a bit. However, I will be sure to stay someplace I can rack up points so I will be able to take a vacation somewhere sometime soon and at least have a free hotel.

I will update again after I return to civilization.

My new jewlery

Here are pictures of my most recent jewlery purchase. The fun part is that they are buttons and that I helped create them. I picked the buttons and a someone else wrapped the wire to make rings from them. (please ignore the ugly coffee table.)

Joining the Cool People

I have officially followed the crowd and joined all the cool people by upgrading my blog. As this is the first post not much to say. I'm relaxing this weekend thinking of all the things that need to be done prior to my "vacation" to Colorado in a week.

So the picture really has nothing to do with anything, but it was a day in the life of Laura. I was in Hutchinson, KS for the day climbing on roofs and went to lunch. Well, while I was there a man must have decided he was hungry and drove his tractor and trailer to McDonald's. This would have been a better story if he drove it though the drive-thru.