What I've been up to....

So the summer is half over. I look back and wonder what I have been up to and then looked through photos and realized. So here you have it.

I went to New Orleans with the Youth Group from church. It was so amazing to see the damage that still exists from Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath 5 years ago. We painted this house for an amazing woman Terri. The group we worked with is called Beacon of Hope. It is a great organization that provides labor to homeowners in the area to help them get work completed that they can't do on their own. The homeowner provides all the supplies and we came and did the work. We also started clearing some lots in the Lower 9th Ward. The grass was about 6 feet tall.

This was the last dinner I had with some former roommates before Tara and Josh moved to
South Dakota. We will also be losing Christy and Aaron to Texas here soon.

Then I went with mom to STL to visit Sara, Eric and the kiddos. We also went to the Lady Antebellum and Tim McGraw Concert. Fun times were had by all.

Some of the Kearney Girls and I had a fun evening at Starlight seeing Little House on the Prairie.

A couple of weekends ago my very good friend got married. It was a great weekend to celebrate Leslie and Michael.

My mom and I just returned from a week in Naples, FL. This was a true vacation. We spent the morning at the beach and the afternoon shopping or just relaxing. We also got to catch up with some old friends that I haven't seen in 18 years. Great times were had by all.

When I win the lottery this is my home I have picked out to move to in Naples. Feel free to come and visit anytime.

Here we are after a few beverages. Jill and mom went to high school together. Then the family lived up the street from us when we were young. Jennifer and I kept in touch over the years even after they moved to Colorado. Now they all live in Florida and I may join them any day now. The life there is so relaxed.

Here are mom and me on our first day there on a boat ride with Jill and her husband Larry. We stopped at Snook's Inn for a beverage in the middle of the trip. What a great life.

I hope you all have had a great summer also.

Observations and Updates

So every month I tell myself, "I will be a better blogger this month." Then every month I let myself down. Well, if this is the worst thing I do, then I'm okay with that. However, I know that is not the case.

These past couple of weeks have been pretty crazy at work. Not sure what is making them crazy, but nothing seems to go exactly right. Which means for long days and short nights. I am proud of the fact that I refuse to work from home. Before I left today I was talking to one of my co-workers and how I needed to get home so I could mow the grass. He told me to just go home and get it done. I said I have too much to do at work to leave. He suggested I just leave and work from home later. It felt really good to just say I don't work from home. I'm really proud of this. I actually leave my work computer in my car, so I don't even get tempted. I don't understand how people with families actually work from home. I mean it is just me and Chloe, but I need that separation.

I have been trying to remember my random thoughts and observations as I'm out and about as that is when they most often happen. So here is what I remember and can make from the notes I have made while driving. I went into McDonald's one day and saw on the door that they have "free wi-fi," there was a warning that the wi-fi will only work on computers that are equipped with wireless internet. Pretty sad we have to give this warning.

On the radio the other day there was an ad for 24 Hour Fitness. Then at the end it said "not all locations are open 24 hours" My question - how can it be a 24 Hour Fitness then?

I have a few other notes, but I can't tell you what they mean.

A couple of weekends ago I took a road trip with Ryan, Tiffany and Hudson to Wichita. It was a great weekend to spend with them and to celebrate Mike and Liz's marriage. I remembered that I did enjoy Wichita. I would not have hated moving there. It would be more fun to move there with friends though. I also learned that just cause a hotel has a pool doesn't mean they have a hot tub. It was a great time to spend with other friends from college, some of which I haven't seen since college.

I will be leaving on Saturday to go with the youth group to New Orleans. This will not be like any other trip I have been on with the youth group. The first major difference is that I haven't been spending every week with them for the past 2 years. So, it will be and adjustment for me and the kids for me to just jump in as a leader again. I will need to earn their respect again and work on my patience. The other major change is that we will be staying in a Hilton. We got a great deal on the place. We normally stay on the floor of a church basement. Please pray for the kids and the leaders as we go on this trip. We will be continuing the Hurricane Katrina clean-up in the 9th Ward. Really sad that we are still doing this work 5 years later.

Before I leave for the trip I will be going to see Sex and the City 2 with the ladies. I'm so excited for a night out with the ladies and to see the movie. I need to rewatch the first one before we go to the show on Friday.

I think that is all I have for now. I hope this finds you all doing well and enjoying the beginning of summer.

Randomness

First an update on my life. Nothing exciting so that will be short. I have been supervising at work for a few weeks and it is going great. I have a great team and really enjoy them. Things are starting to slow down at work and we are seeing the end to working on Saturdays. I don't work every Saturday, but just the thought that we have some that are coming in is daunting. We are hoping that come May there will be no more Saturdays.

I have agreed to go on one of the youth mission trips this summer. It has been a few years since I have spent any long period of time with the kids so I hope I still have the patience for them. We are going to New Orleans and work in the 9th Ward doing Katrina Relief work. I'm excited to go to New Orleans and to continue the efforts of Katrina relief work. We took a trip to Alabama the spring after the hurricane and it is so amazing to think we are still doing work 5 years later. We will be down there the week of Memorial Day.

I had a little scare at my house last Sunday night. Shortly after 10 pm someone started pounding, not knocking, but pounding on my door. Then they started ringing my doorbell. If you know me at all you know I was already in bed at this time. I looked out my window and no one was in the driveway. I freaked out and called my mom. I'm not sure what I thought she was going to do from 30 miles away. So then I saw the person walk away and it was my neighbor. So I thought maybe I forgot to close my garage door. I went and checked and that was what was going on. Made me feel good my neighbor was so concerned and wanted to tell me. However, if he would have just knocked nicely I probably wouldn't have freaked out so much.

Some random thoughts for you...

• I'm currently sitting in Panera and there is a whole crew of older folks having coffee after church. I hear this woman who is probably 70 (could be a bit younger) say "I went to the Michael Jackson concert" This will be us years from now I know. Only it will be me saying "I went to the N'Sync Concert"
• I always think it is funny that when you come into Panera and order and you have you computer over one shoulder, newspaper in one hand and they ask "Is that for here or to go?" Would I have hauled all this crap in here if I was just going to take it back out to my car?
• Another quote from the crew "I love my family. They are devout Catholics, but none of them go to church."

That is about it. Have a good one (or month) until my next update.

Random Thoughts from my Saturday - For you Entertainment

Well, once again I went out shopping this Saturday morning. Here are some of the people and things I encountered for your enjoyment.

• I was at Kohl's and they were having "early bird" specials that were ending at 1 o'clock. So these two women, who based on their carts had been there since they opened at 6 AM. Were freaking out cause it was now 1 and they weren't done shopping. They were cutting in line to ask the cashiers if the sales stay in the computers after 1. I'm like seriously if you really needed the sales that you were wanting you should have gotten in line a long time ago.
• I then went to Hallmark. As you all know most Hallmark stores are small and you can hear anything anyone is doing or saying across the store. Well, for Easter they have the rabbit stuffed animals that sing or talk or laugh or something totally obnoxious. Some wonderful Johnson County mother brought her elementary school age boys into the store. these rabbits are right when you walk in the door just asking to be played with by the kids. So the mom starts shopping and then kids begin and continue playing with the rabbits. I was about to hurt the kids. Then the mother begins to scream at the kids across the store to stop. I had to quit shopping and leave before there was an altercation with me and the kids.
• Then I meander over to Target. The place was so busy there wasn't a cart to be had. I didn't really need anything, but was looking for some possible bday gifts. So I was wandering around and just got some great people watching done. My fave was when this little girl was skipping down the aisle and asked her dad why he wasn't walking like her. He was not amused and just said he wouldn't do it.
• Oh my, I almost forgot the most entertaining part of my day. I went to Taco Bell for lunch. I go in to order and was standing there about a minute and finally this girl comes out from the office and asks if I have been helped. I tell her no and she takes my order. Then when I order the enchirito she tells me they are out of red sauce. I'm like, you are Taco Bell and red sauce goes on everything, how are you out of the stuff? She then tells me that is why she is in the back room trying to get another store to give some to her, but they are all selfish with their red sauce. Who knew it was such a hot commodity? So then after I change my order and I'm waiting for my food I see this random guy just having some really random conversation with a couple of women. I then notice after they all get their food the random guy sits next to another random woman and her teenage son and continues to talk their ear off while they are all eating. Needless to say, I find a table as far away from them as possible so the random guy won't decide to talk to me. While I'm eating I hear a guy come in and start asking about a certain burrito and the chic that was trying to find the red sauce is trying to explain to him how amazing this burrito is and what a great deal it is.

Well I hope that entertained you all for the day. I'm now getting ready to head to a greek restaurant for dinner for a friends bday. Always fun to go there, stuff your face and see the skinny belly dancers.

Cheese

I just didn't really think of all my random thoughts the one about cheese would create so much entertainment. Well no worries, I no longer have to worry about cooking without cheese. There is one good reason I didn't spill any big news about the boy I was spending time with as it was very early. We have decided to move on our separate ways. We are really just in totally different places in our lives and the whole cheese thing you know.

So that is your 3rd update in a week from me.

Per Request

So I had a request for some random thoughts. I typically build up random thoughts and toss them all on the blog after I have many of them. Since I have not been thinking of them this could be interesting. I'm currently sitting in the office on a very snowy Saturday (aka the first day of spring). I'm literally watching the clock until I can leave.

• As mentioned before...why in the world has winter not left. I'm so ready for warm weather and to quit having the heat on in my house.
• So I'm not a big bball fan, but I can so easily get caught up in March Madness and seeing the underdog pull out a win. I don't fill out a bracket or anything of the sort. I just watch the scores and see who is winning.
• I listen to my IPOD most of the day in one ear. Since I listen to it about 6 hours a day I have to change out the songs every few weeks. So currently I have some blasts from the past. I have quite a bit of Jennifer Knapp which makes me think of our great days in the Kearney House and miss my girls.
• I sit near the spanish team here at work and there is a guy that is standing up and yelling at someone on the phone in spanish right now. Pretty annoying. Mendy where are you when I need you. Hence the reason I sit here with my IPOD in my ear.
• Were down to only 45 more minutes here in the office.
• I just don't totally understand how someone could not like cheese. Doesn't cheese make everything better?
• I think I have said this before, but why could I lay in bed all morning on a work day, but when the weekend comes I'm bright eyed and bushy tailed at 7 am. So annoying. Now I need a nap. (40 minutes to nap time)

Okay that is all I can pull out for now. That was not my best attempt. I will continue to think and provide more at a later date.

About time for updates

Well I though it I should finally update you all on my life. I really don't have a lot to complain about. I got a promotion at work. I will start supervising effective April 1. This is the same position I held prior to going to the field to climb on roofs. I'm really excited to start superivising again. I really love being in this position and helping those on my team develop to bigger and better things.

It has been some time since I have seen many of you. Since October I have decided to get serious about my health. I have lost 25 lbs since then. I still have a long way to go, but I'm seeing progress.

I'm looking forward to some travels and weddings coming up this spring and summer. I'm going to take a weekend vaca in Wichita with the Classen's for Mike's wedding. I haven't been back in Wichita since I was traveling there all the time for work. I'm looking forward to the time with the Classen's and excited for Mike and Liz.

In July my close friend Leslie is getting married. I'm so happy for her and Michael also. They will be getting married here in KC.

Then right after that my mom and I will be traveling to Naples, FL for a long weekend of rest and relaxation. This is my Christmas and Bday present to her. I'm hoping to see some family friends while we are there that we haven't seen since I was a Freshman in high school.

This weekend has been a fun weekend spending time with many friends. My friend Katie has been in town the past couple of weekends from Goodland, KS. I love spending time with her, she helps keep me focused and understands a lot of what I struggle with in life.

Today I'm excited to have lunch with some of my former roommates from after college. We don't see each other enough and really need to cactch up. There is a lot of change in each of our lives.

I will be walking in the March of Dimes walk on May 1. For those of you that don't know March of Dimes raises money for premature babies and research. This cause is very close to my heart as both Troy and McKenna were premature and in the NICU when they were born. I'm trying to raise $400. If you would like to donate, any small amount would be appreciated, you can click on the box on the right of my blog.

I have also been spending time with an old friend from high school. (this friend happens to be a boy). Not too many details for you all now, just a teaser. We are really enjoying each others company and have fun together. I excited about the potential of the relationship. I will update more as it develops or undevelops.

How about ending on that note. Sorry to do that to all of you. You can beg all you want, but that is all you are getting for now.

I love and miss all of you that I don't see often.