Joe Day

Last night I get a text from my cousin, Megan. She asked if I had seen the article in The Reader's Digest on Pappaw. My Pappaw Joe is in the Dec 2010/Jan 2011 issue.

The main article is titled 'The Spirit of Giving', and his subheading is 'A Brilliant Display'.

I know I've written about Pappaw before, and about his lights. However, I'm doing it again.

As all of you know, my grandfather is battling cancer. In April of 2009 we found out that he had lung cancer. He went through several rounds of chemo and radiation, and was unable to put his lights display up. The community rallied together, and put the lights up for him AND payed his electricity bill while the lights were up. That doesn't sound like a big deal, but it's a huge deal. On December 13 of last year there was a ceremony for him. People from the community came and sang to him. Doug Rump presented a resolution from State Representative Cleo Duncan thanking him for "bringing joy to thousands over the years". AND he got to flip the switch to get the lights going.

It was the day before this that we found out the cancer was terminal. The doctors told him with treatment he had 3 months to a year.

Pappaw is a fighter.

When I was a kid, I thought it was just the coolest thing ever to be able to go out on hill and walk around, looking at the lights. Not everyone gets to do that, so it was like I was a VIP, and that was just mesmerizing to a 5 year old.

My whole life, when I've thought about Christmas, I've thought about Pappaw and his lights. I've never known a Christmas with out them or with out him.

My joy of Christmas comes from this man, and one day my children will know that same joy.

(One of the shops that Pappaw built, that is on display)

 

The article talks about his lights display and how it started, and his battle with lung cancer. I won't tell you anymore than that because I want you to go read it for yourself.

I don't know who Bill McDonald is, but I want to say thank you. On behalf of the Day family, thank you for doing this for my grandfather and for our family. Words can not express our gratitude for the kindness you have shown to our grandfather, father, and husband.

I also want to say thanks to Gary Sledge who wrote the article. Thank you for getting the word out about Pappaw. I would love for this to attract more people to his place to experience the joy that our family has been given.

I love you, Pappaw Joe!

Music of My Heart

Music makes my heart smile.

When I'm having a really crappy day, I like to watch either 1) a dance movie or 2) a musical. They just make me smile.

Watching Glee is like that for me. Once a week, I get to have my heart smile. It just really brings me joy.

I get to watch it with Melissa and sometimes Rebecca. It makes the Glee watching even more awesome when I get to watch it with them.

I get some crap from people about G5.1, but the fact of the matter is that its about more than just rapping. Music is bringing me and Seb closer. It's giving us the opportunity to spend time together. In a year, we will be in different places. I will be in Nashville, and he will be away at college elsewhere. This is about so much more than spitting rhymes.

Music is in my blood. I think I get that from the Day side of the family. Both my Grandma Opal and my Pappaw Joe were musicians. Pappaw has the Johnny Cash sound, and has lived a life similar to that of Johnny's. Grandma and her sisters, and I think her brother, were in a singing group when they were younger. I guess they sang on the radio and had an album. Grandma's music was mostly country. Pappaw's was bluegrass and Johnny. So where my love for hip hop came from, I have no idea.

My uncle has composed several classical pieces. I don't say that to brag on him. It's just fact.

My mother was the lead singer for a band when she was younger. I think it was mostly country. And my father was a DJ for a long time. So....I don't know where the love of hip hop came from.

I'm just saying.....Music is in my blood.

(Picture taken by Darci Roberts)

Little Treasures

Today on the way to class (which we were not told was cancelled till we got there), Sami and I were talking about Mrs. Ramey, who use to teach FACS in the Jr High. I brought up my 8th grade trip to Chicago, and talked about how Mrs. Ramey had fallen asleep in the Shed Aquarium. I'm sure there are several pictures out there floating around because we were all taking pictures of her asleep on the floor.

Thinking about the Chicago trip, made me think about Rachel Jones. Rachel stayed with me the night before the trip, as well as Melanie Lyon. Thing about Melanie was that we got her all jacked up on Mt. Dew that night, which meant none of us got much sleep. Haha.

Rachel and I were on different buses for the ride to and from Chicago because we had to be in alphabetical order, so I was on the bus with the S's. If I'm not mistaken, I sat with Jayme Smith.

Anyway, while in Chicago we ran around together, Rachel and I. We were both exhausted from the night before, so we didn't really do a lot looking around. We basically found benches to nap on in every museum we went in. And we kept singing this song that Megan Jenkins had sang as a solo at the choir concert. I don't remember exactly what the song was. I think it was something like 'Circle of Friends' by Michael W. Smith, but I'm not that is was actually that song. If that makes sense.

I've been thinking alot lately about some of the people I was close to in high school. I don't speak to any of them. That's false actually because I do speak to one, Emily Murphy. She's one of my best friends. All the same, people keep popping into my head. And to be honest, I'm not really sure what to do about that.

It's weird how little things that you remember can lead to remembering bigger things.

Today, I was looking through the Christmas Oriental Trading Company magazine, and came across this candy. They were suckers made of chocolate, which reminded me of this candy making kit that we use to have. Jennifer and I use to make candy when we were kids. So I'm sitting there looking at this, and I say something to Mom and Aunt Shawna about it, wondering if they remembered this stuff too. Mom knew what I was talking about.

Anyway, I kind of put it aside and we ate lunch, and I started talking about a cabinet in the kitchen that needed to be cleaned out. It hadn't been touched since we moved into this house 10 years ago. So after lunch I got in it and cleaned it out. Guess what I found. The molds for our candy making!!!

It's so cool. You can make the candy say different things or have different shapes. There is one of the blue things that have a dinosaur on it, so you can have a sucker with a dinosaur on it! Others say things like Merry Christmas, Happy Thanksgiving, etc. I'm super excited about it!

I also found some Christmas cookie cutters with all of it.

It was like Christmas morning!

It's the little things in life that bring me the most joy.

Stories of A Substitute Take #4

I forget that junior high boys tend to have poor hygiene.

Today I subbed for Hank Wintczak.

Band. Nough said.

I've subbed for band several times, and am finally learning to choose my battles with them. Junior high kids are super loud and super disrespectful.

I sent a kid to the office today. It was one of those things where he kept pushing and pushing me to do it. I usually try to not send those kids because something deeper is going on there. However, he made a rude comment to another student, and I had to give him the boot.

I will admit that this was the least stressful day of subbing for band that I've ever had. I didn't have the high school band. I didn't have to listen to the loud instruments. The 6th grade band was much more respectful then the past 6th grade bands I've had. And I got to have Moyra in class today.

I do have to say though, that I think kids might be getting weirder and weirder. Maybe its the age difference, but lots of just plan weird went down today.

All the same it was a fairly easy day. Don't get me wrong. I still had to do a lot of yelling, but I still have my voice, so that's promising.

Dream Dream Dream

So I had a frightening dream last night.

I was pregnant.

Apparently I had gone to some frat party and well....Yea know. Haha. Anyway, for some reason I was suppose to be carrying my sister's baby for her. Like a surrogate. However, I had forgotten about the frat party. The baby I was carrying was actually my baby, and not Jennifer's. It was very soap operaish.

I woke up in a cold sweat. Freaked me out. I think I need to cut back on the caffeine or something.

Today, in my Fundamentals of Design class the Professor used one of my pieces as an example of how to do it. That made me feel really good. I got it right! We are actually doing something kind of cool. We are painting with 3 different colors, but trying to make it look like four colors. That's probably not a real great description. All the same its pretty neat.

While staring off into space today, I started thinking about lesson plans. I made lesson plans in my head today for when I am teaching. Then when I woke up out of it, I got really excited. I'm really excited to become a teacher. Craziness.

At church tonight, Gary pointed me out as someone who is the same with everyone. Who I am with one person I am with another. I try to be constant. Trying to be someone different with different people is really exhausting. Trust me. Been there. Done that. It's hard to keep up. It's a lot easier to just be one person with everyone. Those who don't like who I am probably aren't worth having around anyway.

Seb and I worked some more on 'In My Suit' today. We are almost finished with the 2nd verse. It's coming along nicely.

A whole lot of randomness tonight. But then again, that's kind of the point of my blog.

"Sun's Gonna Rise In A Mile. In A Mile I'll Be Feeling Fine"

Sunday was a wonderful day.

It was nice to be able to get away, by myself, for a day.

I went to Evansville Sunday to spend sometime with a friend of mine, Emily. Emily and I roomed together at ISU. Clearly neither of us enjoyed Indiana State. Anyway, I went down to see her and to take engagement pictures for her and Travis. It was kind of rainy out, but we got a lot of really good shots.

AND.....Emily and Travis asked me to be in the wedding as a Bridesmaid. How exciting is that? Let me answer that for ya. It's super exciting!

(Side Note: While down there I was feeling them in on the craziness that has been going down in Mitchell lately. Travis said he knew some people from Mitchell. First name given, Hailey Tuell. So I told him I had just seen Hailey, and the unfortunate circumstances as to why. Travis knew Peter. He and Peter pledged the same fraternity, and had classes together. Peter had introduced Travis to Hailey. I'm just saying that it's bananas. Straight up, craziness this is.)

After time with Emily and Travis I went and had dinner with Ivy. We got to have a nice visit. I missed that kid. I really enjoyed getting to spend time with her.

After my time with Ivy, I headed off to see Jalayna. We got to have a nice visit too.

It was just so wonderful to get to spend time with these four people. It was a wonderful Sunday.

I didn't get home till 1AM, and I was falling asleep in my classes Monday. Which, by the way, I don't suggest doing while you have a paint brush in your hand. However, it was totally worth it.


(Another Side Note: So Friday was the Phi Theta Kappa induction. It was kind of jank, but it made my mommy happy. Anyway, they had us kind of numbered off, and by that I mean there were 3 seats that needed to remain empty for the 3 new officers. So they have us numbered off on who will be in the first row according to the whole 3 empty chairs. I was suppose to be the last normal inductee in the front row. We get out there and it looked like they had numbered wrong so I went a head to the next row, only to look up and notice a gap in the chairs. The two people on either side of it looked confused. So to make a long story short. I sat in the wrong chair at my "smart person" induction. Fail.)

On the way home from class last night I was flipping through the radio channels, and noticed a familiar song on one of the Christian stations. I don't usually listen to the Christian stations because they don't have enough of that "soul" music that I listen to. ;) Anyway, there is a line in the song that says: "I'm going back to the heart of worship and it's all about you. It's all about you, Jesus." Got me thinking.

I've been really stressed lately. I have all this stuff stressing me out like school, trying to find yet another job, learning and executing my new role with SADD, working against dead lines with pictures, dealing with obnoxious people, family affairs, deaths.

I have a hard time handing stuff over and realizing that I am only one person and can not take the world on by myself. I think I'm still in this mind set that I am Super Woman. My focus has gone to all of these things, and my relationship with God has faded into the back ground. I'm on edge alot which I think people are starting to pick up on, and I can see my poor attitude reflected on to other people.

I really need to stop trying to fix everything on my own because I am only one person, and can not handle everything on my own. Sometimes though, guilt sets in and I feel like I have to fix things. I can't keep thinking like that or I will be digging myself an all too familiar hole.

It's time to start baby stepping out of this.

"Baby step through the office. Baby step to the hall. Baby step onto the elevator. AHHHHH!"

'At A Girl

Last night was the first sectional game for Mitchell Volleyball. I went down with Beth, Curt, Abby, Melissa, and Lizzy. The girls played very well. Especially that Burris kid. She had some great digs.

Also shout out to Schlegel who I heard scrape across the floor a couple of times while going after the ball. And to Trev who was a beast last night.

The girls won their first sectional game in 3. They did well, and I know they are all very excited.

Good skill on Saturday, Lady Jackets!!

We picked Abby up on our way to the game last night. She lives out in the middle of no where. Anyway, as we are heading back to the high way we pass this old abandoned house. I freaked out. It was the house where mine and Ashton's trespassing phase started.

One day we decided to just take a drive on the country roads. We just wanted to get lost, and that we did. However, we came across this house. We stopped because there was this old piano sitting on the front porch, and Ashton wanted to take pictures of it. So we got out and took pictures of it, and then walked around the property some. In the back yard there was an old fashioned "dryer". ? It was one of those things that you put a piece of clothing through and crank this thing and it rings all the water out. Whatever those are called. (Wow that sounded super intelligent.) Then we went in the house and looked around, but we didn't stay in there long. The house looked like it could fall over on us at anytime. Anyway, that was the beginning of our trespassing phase.

After the game last night, Rebecca, Jocelyn, Melissa, and Lizzy came to the house and we watched a movie. It was nice to enjoy the excitement of the win with the girls and spend time with them. I needed to be able to experience something happy in such a sad time.

I live for the little moments. The things that seem so small, sometimes, are the things we remember best.

Some positive things from the week:
-Though the circumstance was negative, getting to see Emma and catch up with her was a positive.
-I woke up Tuesday morning to a wall post on my facebook from Destiny.
-I got to watch Glee with Melissa and Rebecca
-Evie got a lot accomplished this week with SADD.
-I have Evie's year book picture options finished.
-Seb and I got to work on a new song, 'In My Suit'. Beat by DC.
-My father sent me the money to pay for Phi Theta Kappa.
-Though I am the 'slow kid' in class, my professor tries to make me feel good about it.
-My mom recorded Grey's and Private Practice for me.
-My dad put gas in my car this week.
-Mitchell won their first sectional game.
-Curt and Beth told me they were proud of me.

Exciting things for this weekend:
-I will be inducted into Phi Theta Kappa tonight.
-I get to see Aaron & Christopher tonight.
-I get to spend time with Sophia tomorrow night.
-Sunday I get to take pictures for Emily & Travis.
-I get to see Ivy and Jalayna Sunday.


Even in dark times, there is light. We just have to open our eyes and see it.

Four too many

I've had this twitch in my left eye for a couple of weeks. A literal twitch.

Saturday I got a text from one of my teens asking if I had heard about Peter Grider.

I knew then that something bad had happened because you don't typically get asked that when it's happy news.

Peter committed suicide last Tuesday, and was found Saturday hanging in his home.

Two memories have been playing in my head over the past couple of days. The first is from sophomore year of high school. It was our first girls night. It was me, Emily Murphy, Calin Young, Emma Parker, and Ashley Wilkinson. We had gone cosmic bowling that night. We won first place in the hokie pokie, I thank you. That night on our way back to Ashley's we decided to that we were going to go to Peter's house and sneak in. Emma and Peter were dating. So we pull up with our headlights turned off, and parked half way down the drive way. We walked the rest of the way up and snuck into the basement. Toby had a bunch of boys over. So us girls sneaking  into Peter's house was one memory I thought about.

The second memory was from the day that Peter and I had our picture taken for the year book. We were the 2006 Class Clowns. We took several different pictures. The one that we had chose to use was a picture were Peter was standing in his boxers and I was pointing and laughing. Needless to say that did not make it into the year book.

I have so many things running through my head right now. 1) Toby. He was my first thought Saturday when I found out. 2) I've been thinking alot about Ashton the past couple of weeks. Alot. 3) This makes friend and classmate number four that our senior class has lost. 4) That could've been any of us.

The funeral was tonight. Saw lots of classmates and old friends. But ya know, what a crappy way for us to have a class reunion?

This is the 4th death in the past two weeks in this community, and the 3rd suicide in this community in the past two weeks.

I am confused. I am frustrated. I am sad. I am just so so so confused. And so very angry.

These kids are killing themselves. Literally. Why?

People keeping trying to make themselves feel better about all of this. And people talk about the things we need to do as a community. Like building a student center. I'm not concerned about a building. I'm concerned about these kids. I'm concerned about my friends. Not a stupid building.

I mean, How many more times must this place be brought to its knees, before people open their eyes and look beyond their own lives?

(shakes head)

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

Yesterday was the big day.

We celebrated Melissa's birthday yesterday, and what better way then to go see The Broadway Musical: Mary Poppins.

It was fabulous.

They had very creative set designs, and very smooth transitions. The techie inside me was freaken out. I mean for real. It was mind blowing.

My favorite scene was "Step In Time". And my favorite scene design was the back drop for the bank. It was crazy and creative. I was very impressed. Plus we got to see Mary Poppins fly, and Bert dance on the ceiling. I mean come on!

It was a wonderful day.

I got to spend the day with Melissa, Rebecca, and Maddie.

I made a ridiculously awesome road trip cd, so there were plenty of laughs not to mention singing on the trip up with the girls.

It was just good.

It was especially wonderful to spend time with Melissa and Rebecca. Especially since they will be leaving for school in the fall.

I know I've already said it 5 times, but it was just a really awesome day!

Happy 18th Birthday, Melissa!

Deafening Silence

One of my students committed suicide in the wee hours of the morning.

I found out this morning while I was at the school doing SADD sign ups. One of the teachers pulled me aside to let me know what was going on. 

My first thought was, "That was that goofy kid I had in Advanced Psych yesterday."

My second thought was about all of the students who would soon be finding out about it.

I spent most of my day thinking about the 3 students that my senior class lost before we graduated. Angel Finn who died in a car accident on April 7, 2004. It was a Wednesday. Maggie Compton who died in a car accident May 27, 2005. It was a Friday. Tim Egan who died January 12, 2006. It was a Thursday.

I remember all of those days very vividly. I could give you details about those days.

I thought a lot about Tim Egan today.

Here's how that day went: I went through my normal routine. Woke up at 7:45, threw some clothes on, brushed my teeth, and went to school. After school I had a job babysitting the Hamilton kids. When their father got home, I went home. I walked in the door and checked my messages on the machine. There was one from Tolliver saying that I needed to call him back. So I did.....He told me Tim had been found hanging in his home. It was his little sister that found him. That night an old friend called me to check on me. She knew the next day would be rough. She knew since I was the SADD president that I would be in the Library the next day, and she knew that I would need to be strong for my fellow classmates.

There was this deafening silence that reign through out the seniors that day at school. No one really talked. We were all just so numb. He was the 3rd classmate we had lost in a 3 year period. And the way he died......it still haunts me.

I will never forget any of those days. No matter how hard I try. They will forever be burned into my memory.

Days of Disappointment

Do you ever have those days where you look around and just have to ask yourself, Why?

Just why?

I had a student tell me today that an adult in her life told her that she would probably spend the rest of her life working at McDonald's. (shakes head)

What kind of adult tells a 17 year old, kid that?

Ridiculous.

I recently had a concerned teacher approach me about all the fights that are happening in the high school. We had a good little chat about it, and about the possibility of SADD doing something to address it.

I've been thinking about that a lot today.

We all wonder why these kids have so little respect for themselves and others, but isn't that what we are showing them? Adults who are telling them that they are never going to amount to anything. That they are going to spend the rest of their lives in the fast food industry. If you were a teenager being told all of that, wouldn't you be angry? Wouldn't you have little self worth?

These kids, whether people realize it or not, listen to what we say to them as adults. If they are being told over and over that they probably will not succeed, then they stop trying. They stop trying to improve themselves. They settle for where they are. They act out because, well, what does it matter if you're just working hard enough to get that job at McDonald's?

Hey Adults, it starts with us. All it takes is some faith in these kids. Some encouraging words. Showing them that they can achieve something and be successful. It's starts with our attitude towards them.

Shame to the person who tells a child that they can not achieve their goals. Shame on you.

"My hands are small I know, but they're not yours. They are my own. I am never broken. We are never broken." --Jewel

What? What? What are you doing?

Today was a busy day.

I spent most of my day trying to get caught up on some projects for typography. Drag.

While sitting in the computer room, my phone began to ring. It was Beth Parsley, and when Beth Parsley calls it plays 'Snap Yo Fingers' by Lil Jon. The black girl sitting at the computer behind me started laughing. No joke.

Then I spent about an hour finishing up Seb's pictures. I'm almost done with them. There is just one minor issue I need to consult my photography guide about. Guide? Person? Person.

Then I had an advising appointment at 3:30 to discuss what needs to happen about classes, and graduation, and Lipscomb, and whether its worth me staying here an extra semester. I'm not sure it really helped. He seemed confused as to why I was under his advisement. So that was really promising.

At 4:30 I had the call out meeting for Phi Theta Kappa; which is this international honor society for 2 year colleges. Apparently I am intelligent. Shock.

Lot's of scholarship opportunity if I do it, so it would be in my best interest to do it.

I still haven't decided for sure if I will go a head and leave in the fall for Lipscomb or if I will go a head and finish my degree at Ivy Tech. I'm leaning towards finishing the degree because I think having it will help me in the long run. It's just the whole idea of being in Mitchell another 4 months that is a real bumber.

After all my meetings were over I met an old friend for dinner. It was nice catching up, and she is now home from school so that means someone to hang with. So I'm pretty happy about that.

AND what made my day so fantastic?????

I am now the Mitchell High School SADD advisor for the 2010-2011 school year! I am super pumped!

SADD was very important to me in high school, and I'm looking forward to being able to work with these teens to get them fired up and passionate about it too.

Random: The Sassy Gay Friend videos have been playing in my head today.

Evacuation Necessary

I had a dream this morning that I was showing someone different building materials. One was brick, one was plastic, one was concrete, and the other rubber. For some reason the rubber stunk really bad. I couldn't figure out why. Like it bothered me bad enough that I had to wake up. Normally that's when the nasty stench would go away. Right? No!

A stupid skunk got under our house, and sprayed its nasty everywhere. Now everything in the house is all nasty smelling. You can even smell it outside as you are walking up to the house. It's that bad.

This morning, I went to church not realizing that I brought the nasty with me till half way through the service. Then I made Seb smell my clothes. He was not appreciative of that. Then my aunt said something about the skunk smell at lunch today.

Yea. It is that bad.

I've decided that it is necessary for me to evacuate the house this evening. I don't want to be the smelly kid in class tomorrow. I don't think my classmates or my professors would be appreciative of that.

I'm packing a bag and getting up outta here.

Stupid Skunk

Stories of A Substitute Take #3

Yesterday I subbed for Jessica Morgan. She teaches freshman biology.

This years freshman were in the 4th grade when I was a senior.

Several of the kids that I had in my 4th class when I was student teacher, were in my class yesterday. I had told them back then that by the time they were freshman, I would be the new Gerald Tolliver. I would be teaching at Mitchell High School and they would be my students all over again. ......

So....part of that kind of happened. I am a sub at Mitchell High School. I am just not a legit teacher there.

I chose to take a different path for a while. One day I will be a teacher. Probably not at Mitchell High School, but I will be teaching theater some where.

It was exciting to get to see my students that I had back then. I had one kid in the hall way do a double take; Like he thought he might know me but wasn't sure. Then I had one girl run up and give me a hug. I think she was kind of excited to see me.

I'm looking forward to this year with the students at MHS.

The Monday Blues

Mondays are my longest days.

I have 3 classes on Mondays.

The first being Fundamentals of Design. I think I have a love hate relationship with this class. I'm not exactly good at drawing. Not my forte. I think my professor can see the fear in my eyes when she is explaining what we are suppose to do. Luckily, she has been really helpful so that makes me like the class a little better, and makes me want to work harder. I'm learning new things in there too which makes me like a little more.

My second class is the Sociology of Relationships and Families. This is my favorite class. I really like the subject and I feel like I'm learning a lot in there. The professor is very up beat and involves us in the lesson. Most classes you don't want to ask questions or comment in, but this class is not like that. It's interesting to get all the different views from my classmates. Yesterday, we talked about race and ethnicity and did a little activity that was designed to make us uncomfortable and laugh. And we all know how much I love a good stereo type and to make people uncomfortable. We got a paper with different ethnic groups on it and we had to write out 5 stereo types of those groups. When you hear all the stereo types you realize how stupid stereo typing is. Then we watched an episode of 30 Days which is by the same guy who did the documentary about McDonald's. In this episode a christian man from West Virgina went to live with a Muslim family for 30 days. It was really interesting. There are a lot of things about that religion that I didn't know. People of this faith really do get a bad wrap because of September 11.

My third class, and my least favorite, is typography. I have no idea what is going on in that class. None. The guy who is teaching, is an older man who has never taught before. He talks and talks and never gets to a point. And we ask questions to try and understand what he wants, and get even more confused. I know he is trying so I'm trying to give the class the benefit of the doubt. I had high hopes for this class because a friend really liked typography when she took, and then I get there and am very disappointed. Hopefully it will get better. I guess that just means that I am going to have to work extra hard in this class so that he at least knows I'm making an effort even if I have no idea what I'm doing. (shrugs)

The best part of my Monday.....CallieAnn text me to say she was coming up Friday. So pumped!

One-Eyed Margaret

Today I took a trip to Holton, Indiana. It was the Day Family Reunion.

I found out about it last night. Win.

I was the youngest person there today. Literally.

I got to see Pappaw and talk to him a little, and he showed me off to some of his family. He likes to brag about the grand kids. Makes me feel good to hear it. Of course he likes to spin stories a little. Like today he told someone I was running for the Senate. He's a tricky one.

I also got to have a good chat with my Aunt Sandy. I always enjoy the time I get with her.

And of course, as custom at a Day Family Reunion, no one leaves empty handed. Thus, I now own a red, one-eyed, Christmas goose. I named her Margaret. She road shot gun on the way home so I made sure to buckle her seat belt. Safety first. (shakes head)

After the reunion I drove into the big town of Versailles to visit Grandma Opal. We got to have a good chat. It was nice to be able to spend the day with my grandparents and my aunt, and my goose. ;)

Artsy Fartsy

Today I went to the 4th St Art Festival, in Bloomington. I enjoyed the art and the company with me.

I have an appreciation for art. I'm not the best artist, but I'd like to think I'm kinda artsy fartsy.

Art that I really appreciate:
Photography-I am a photographer so it interest me to see the work of other photographers; especially those who have been at it for a while. I like to look at more advanced photographers work to inspire and challenge myself.
Theater- (Sigh). The art of acting. I love theater. I love acting. You get to step outside of yourself for a little while and be something different. Stepping out of your reality into something different, while at the same time trying to make it real to someone else. That sounds so stupid, but it makes sense in my head.
Music- I have a huge appreciation for music. I think it is just amazing how someone can take lyrics and beats and conform them into this masterpiece. My favorite song is "I'll Be Missing You" by Puff Daddy, Faith Evans, and 112. I was 10 years old when I first heard that song and it really amazed me how someone could take what they were feeling and put it into a song like that. I know most of you are shocked. You thought I would pick a Michael Jackson song as my favorite song ever. Tricky tricky.
Dance- Dancing might be the most fascinating to me. The way a person can manipulate their body to the beat of a song is just really fascinating. In general I prefer hip-hop. I mean I like all sorts of dance, but there is just something about hip-hop that I love.


I also enjoy paintings, functional pottery, sculptures, and architecture.

Art I don't enjoy is jewelry. I'm not real big on jewelry. It's not my thing. The only piece of jewelry I plan on wearing on a regular basis will be my wedding ring.

I went into Lowe's with my sister today and looked around. As weird as it sounds I love going in these places and picking out bathroom tiles and paint colors and appliances and kitchen stuff and etc. I find enjoyment out of it because one day I will be a real adult with a big girl place of my own that I will get to design. Weird, but there it is.

Fun Fact: I'm a sucker for a good string instrument.

Old Stuff

So back in the day when I attended ISU, I took a creative writing class. This is something I came across today. The assignment was to write a poem using the alphabet to start each line. I forgot I still had it.

My Alphabets
Anger builds inside me
Bursting to get out
Controlling my emotions.

Danger flashes in my eyes
Everyone senses my warning
Fleeing the scene.

Guilt spreads through my soul
Hovering over me
Ignoring my cries for help.

Juggling my emotions
Kicking and screaming
Laughing in my face.

My lungs burn from screaming
Normality has left me
Opening my scars to the world.

Pretending not to care
Quickly I run to hide
Remembering my past.

Sulking about my future
Terrified of what is to come
Unable to cope.

Wondering why it all started
Visualizing my past
X-raying my memory.

You were why it started, and
Zipping the bag closed, you end it.


It's interesting and disturbing to look back on this. I was still in a real funk when I wrote that. It's disturbing to read this and to see that pain that I was feeling then. However, its interesting to read this and see how far I've come in the past 3 years.

At the time it felt like I would never escape that, but I did. My sister told me something wise once. She said to never let anybody bring me down; that no one has enough power to do that unless I let them.

I eventually got out of that funk. God's been good to me even through the funks I've gone through. He always sees me though it. God is good.

Remember Me?

So I basically disappeared for awhile. Sorry to my 5 readers.

The past couple months have been crazy. Between finishing my biology class strong, two weeks of camp in a row, a wedding, senior pictures, G5.1 stuff, job hunting, and school starting back up. It's been crazy.

So at church today Allen showed this video about this guy who was in the 1992 Olympics. He was favored to win this race, but pulled a hamstring shortly into the race. And then his father came and helped him finish the race.

I couldn't watch it. I think its common knowledge that I have daddy issues. So anything mushy like that with a dad and his child gets me every time.

While I was trying to ignore the video I had one of those random memories from my past pop into my head. When I was 8 years old my dad took me, my sister, and my cousin Shelby to Colorado with him and his now ex-wife, to visit her family. I remember that one of the "cousins" had this go cart and they let me drive it. They put the helmet on my head, but didn't strap it down or the seat belt. I was driving around the neighbor hood which was on the side of a mountain. Remember it's Colorado. Lots of mountainous, rocky areas. Anyway, I came around a corner too fast, and ran straight into a rock wall. I flew out of the go cart, the helmet flew off my head, and I ran my head into the wall. It took a minute for all of it to hit me. But the first thing I remember is seeing my father run towards me really fast, and I had no idea why. It's probably the fastest I've ever seen him run.  Clearly I was fine. I don't really remember much else from that. I think I probably had a wicked headache after that. But all I remember is my dad running toward me. .........

Tonight in our LIFE group we talked about encouragement, and took turns going around the room saying who the most encouraging people were in our lives, and then went through and said encouraging things to everyone in the group. I had a few encouraging people, though I think the most encouraging person in my life at the moment is probably Jean Sowders. Getting into graphic design/ photography was from her influence. I have always found photography interesting, and I think from being around her working while I spent time with her girls, kind of rubbed off on me. She has been very helpful with my classes and was basically a life savior with my last semester with all the work from my graphic design classes. She is just a really good christian influence in my life who encourages me to keep pushing forward.

Sometimes a little piece of encouragement can go a long way. I lose sight of why I'm doing what I'm doing sometimes when things get difficult, but I have people, like Jean, who encourage me to keep pushing forward and remind me why I'm doing it. I have a really good LIFE group with some really wonderful people who are very good about showing encouragement to one another. Tonight was a good reminder of what I'm doing here and why I'm doing it.

Readers....Be encouraging to someone around you this week. And remember to always keep pushing forward.

Failures

I've been thinking alot lately about what my purpose is here. Do I even have one?

Facts are facts: I came home 2 years ago for 1 reason. To get my act together. I had spent the last 2 years of my college career fumbling in the dark, trying to become someone I'm not sure I was meant to be.

I've failed at almost everything I've attempted. I've been thinking alot about that this week too. I've never stuck with anything in my life. When things get hard, I run away. I think I come by that naturally though. But when does the cycle end? I can't just put that on other people. At some point I have to break out of that cycle.

I quit my job this week. I job a really liked. With co-workers I really liked. With customers I came to grow accustomed to and like.

....There are some Christians who give the rest of us a bad name.

The number 1 thing God asked of us was to love others. I lose sight of that alot because I get so frustrated with people. But even in my frustration, I'm suppose to be loving. It's hard.

So often I find myself going through the motions. I let myself get so busy with the things of this world that I forget to love.

My actions do not always reflect those of someone who is loved. Sometimes I have trouble showing others that I am loved because sometimes I don't feel it. Though, I know that is Satan working through people and circumstances to make me feel that way.

I know that I am a loved child of God. And because I am loved, I should show love to other people. Even people who push my buttons.

I think I have grown alot in the past two years. I still have alot of growing to do, but all the same I have grown. I am working hard in my classes. I have set a goal for myself, and am working hard to achieve it. I've never really had goals before so it's kind of new and exciting and scary.

So....The point, as stated above, of being in Mitchell has been to clean my act up. And secondly, since I am here I might as well make myself useful. That is why I have invested time in the people here. I could've come home and achieved cleaning my act up with out involving myself with others. However, I think that my path right now would look different if I hadn't chosen to invest in the people here.

So....the point of this post.....Let your actions reflect those of someone who has been shown love. "Do everything in love." 1 Corinthians 16:14

Pressure

I have alot of pressure on me right now. I'm starting to feel it.

I have a summary due by tomorrow that needs to be finished. I have a video due by Friday, that I just got the stuff for tonight. I have research and an outline for the camp video that I have to get done this week. Homework that is due Friday morning. Photo shoot with the lil cuz tomorrow. Food pantry run in the morning. All while working everyday this week.

And that is just this week.

There are not enough hours in my day....so.....I'm pulling an all nighter to try and get as much done as I can.

I feel kind of like a bum because I haven't done much around the house to help my parents out. Though, I've not really had much time for anything.

I guess I need to get to it.

The King of Pop

Today marks the one year anniversary of the death of Michael Jackson.

The Thriller video is what made me want to go into the entertainment business in the first place.

The man was a genius when it came to music and dance. That is evident when you listen to his music or watch him dance. And if that isn't enough for you......The fact that he still holds the record for the highest selling album of all time should be.

You don't have to like it, but you do have to respect it.

Today to honor MJ I listened to the 'Bad' album several times(It's the only cassette I own of his. That's right. I'm rocking a cassette player in my car.Be jealous.), and I am currently watching 'This Is It', which is a documentary showing footage from his final concert rehearsals. If you haven't seen it, it's worth watching. Especially if you are a techie, or love the art of dancing. The tech stuff he had planned was insane. And of course the dancing was fabulous. Check it out if you get a chance.

As for me, I will continue to remember Michael through his music.

I'm Gon Be Who I Be

Oooooo Jill Scott.

It's possible that I've listened to the same song 20 times today.

'Hate On Me' by Jill Scott. Downloaded it today.

It was on Glee last season. I have become addicted to this show.

Life is just one giant musical. I love it.

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about me, and about who other people want me to be. See everyone wants to try and fit me into this picture. This picture of who or what they want me to be. Everyone has an opinion on my life. The clothes I should wear. How I should do my hair. Who my friends should be. Who I should be dating. Where I should go to school. What my future career should be.

I do not, nor do I ever want to fit into the pictures everyone seems to have of me. You can't put me in a box. I am who I am.

I've finally learned that I don't have to find my selfworth in other people. I love who I am right now. That doesn't mean that there isn't room for improvement, but right now, I'm loving the journey I'm on.

In the words of Gavin Degraw, "I don't want to be anything other than what I've been trying to be lately."

People don't have to like, but they do have to deal with it.

"I'm Gon Be Who I Be.....Hate on me Hater. Now or Later. Cause I'm gonna do Me."

Answered Prayers

Praise be to God.

My cousin just let me know that my Pappaw's cancer is shrinking. He is in remission.

Such a big weight has been lifted.

God is good!

I needed to hear that.

Please keep Pappaw and the family in your prayers.

O man...You have no idea. No idea how thankful I am right now.

Time? What time?

I completely dominated my first semester back in school. All A's what? 4.0 what? I worked really hard, and I'm proud of myself just for that fact.

Life is crazy right now. It's really good, it's just crazy busy. I know what I'm doing every day through December. Ridiculous.

My little cousin graduated from high school last week. He was Validvictorian of his class. I'm really proud of him. He is a great kid. He'll be leaving for school in the fall. We are all leaving. Chris and Aaron will be leaving in August for USI. Elyssa is getting married in July, and Jennifer is engaged. Then next year I'll be leaving for Lipscomb, and Seb will be leaving for school. It's weird to think that this is the age we are all at now. So weird.

I've decided that I'm going to start journaling again. I have way too much that goes on in my head, and it keeps me awake at night. I'm hoping that by writing things out I'll be able to get rid of some of the junk in my head. Plus I've been having some jacked up dreams. So I need to empty my mind before bed.

I also probably need to cut back on the caffiene because that is probably affecting my sleep. But let's not talk about that. ;)

On the schedule for this week: Engagement Pics, a Senior Video, and Chaperoneing Rivervale.

Time to get to it.

"Nothing Dumber Than People"

One of my teens brought to my attention about a week ago that there were comments being made about her on the Times Mail website. Sparked my attention so I went to check it out.

All I can really say is that people are ridiculous.

It turned from discussing a real issue to bashing one another, teenagers, and a couple of coaches.

Let me tell you.....We've got some real high class people around this place.

But you know what guys? You're right..... How dare the Mitchell School Board higher a young person with potential. Man that really ticks me off too. I hate seeing people with potential be given a chance.

Move on people. Doesn't matter how it happened. It is what it is. Let's not punish the coach or the teens. Let's go out there and support our Lady Jackets.

Stories of A Substitute Take #2

There is a reason I am not on the list to sub in the junior high.

Junior High Band. Enough said.

I sent one kid to the office for telling another kid to go f*** himself. That was my first class.

I received several pictures from one class. This one I have yet to really figure it out. It looks like I am pinching that kids nose. I don't know.

My 8th period kids were probably the best behaved and the most entertaining.

Let me tell you the conversation I had with one student. Random Kid: "What's your name?"  Me: "Slone"  Random Kid: "Oh. That's a strange name."  Me: "Uuuuhhhh...Yea. I guess it is."

AND apparantly I had Napoleon Dynamite in class today. I couldn't figure out if that was how he always acted or if he was just doing it to be funny, but either way it made me laugh.

I woke up at 4am wide awake. I am real tired.

Possums

Once upon a time.....

I came home after working at Arby's and hanging out with the Best Friend. When I got home I went to get some yogurt from the fridge. It was dark in the house because it was late and my parents were in bed. So I didn't turn any lights on, I just used the fridge light. I turned around after getting my yogurt from the fridge and opening it. When I turned around to head towards the trash can there was a small furry creature standing starring at me. It was a possum.

I starred at him for a few seconds to make sure I wasn't seeing things. Then I said, "You realize I can see you right?" (Yes. I did talk to the possum.) It just stood there starring at me with its beady little eyes darting back and forth.

I then preceeded to go and wake up my dad so that he could get the possum.. So he got out of bed and got it.

A few hours later....

There is a knock on my bedroom door. My dad had found another possum under their bed. Possum #2.

A couple days later....

I was doing the dishes, and went to get a dish towel from the drawer. (I always throw a towel over my shoulder when I do dishes or cook. I think I get that from my daddy.) So I open up the drawer, and pull out a dish towel. And under that dish towel was ANOTHER possum. Possum #3. It hissed at me, and showed its teeth. After I yelped like a little girl and slammed the drawer closed, I laughed for a good 5 minutes.

My dad found 4 more possums outside the house that week before he caught the Mama possum. Grand total of 8 possums.

I ran across a picture of one of the possums today, thats why I chose to tell you this story.

Finals

What a week.

Semester is over. Just waiting on final grades now. I worked hard this semester so no matter what my final grades are, I'm proud of myself. I've never really put a whole lot of effort into my education until this semester. So even though it was Ivy Tech, I still made an effort to maintain good grades.

I only had one professor that I'm not sure if I liked him or not. I liked the rest all right. And the professor I didn't think I liked in the beginning of the semester I turned out liking. Learned a lot in that class. One of those hands on classes, so it wasn't like I had to sit through a lecture and try and pay attention. I got to learn by doing. So I liked that. Learned I don't really care too much about Adobe Illustrator, but I really like photoshop. Indesign was meh....I don't actually plan on going into graphic design though anyway. However, its a good thing to minor in when you are majoring in Theater.

I'm not even sure if I have stated this as a forsure thing on here yet, but after I finish up at Ivy Tech, I will be transferring into Lipscomb University. My major will be theater education, and the graphic design certificate that I'll have from Ivy Tech will transfer in as a minor.

Went to Nashville a few weeks ago to meet with people about all of that. Found out I get more scholarship money than I realized. So I was pretty pumped about that. I think maybe I've already said that.

But yea...Lipscomb. It was time to make a plan instead of hoping that something would just fall in my lap. I'm actively working on a plan. It's weird. Being an adult is weird. But I guess a good weird. 

Change is good.

Dear Anonymous

Dear Anonymous (iub2807),

The reason that your comments are not being posted is because I do not allow anonymous comments. I'm all about negative comments, as long as you are willing to own up to it. But you, my friend, are a spinless coward. You are the kind of person that hits someone in the back of the head and then runs away like a little girl. It is a little ironic that you are making reference to me staying in my 'safe little bubble' when it is you who is hiding. When you decide you would like to stop being a coward and have a real discussion about the blog, then I would love to post your comments. Until then, your comments will not be posted.

Slone

I am an Italian...Listen to my accent

I probably have the most amazing best friend ever. She called to check on me twice this week. It's been a slightly rough week.

The other night at work I started thinking about my high school psychology class. I have psychology on the mind because I have a test on Monday and an "extra credit" paper due on Monday. So there isn't room for much of anything else in there until after my test Monday. Anyway....My sophomore year of high school I took psychology, and we had a student teacher for a little while. His name was Jason Hoynackie (Spelling on that is defiantly wrong). We called him Hoynak. He was a real awkward fello. Very little hair on his head and lots and lots of hair on his arms. When he would walk to the projector he would have this little strut that we all liked to imitate so well. Miss Debbie had told him when he started that he could chose any lesson from the book that he wanted to cover as long as we hadn't already gone over it. He chose the chapter over stress. All of his examples were about his car radio being stolen out of his car, or going on vacation with his girl friend. The day of the test roles around, and Hoynak didn't show up to give the test. Come to find out, he found that teaching was too stressful and couldn't handle the pressure. Ironic? I think so.

I have a lot to accomplish in the next few days. I have a test to study for. A paper to write. A test to finish. A presentation to get ready. A tutorial to finish. A critic of my wicked awesome final project for the class with Given. Some subbing to do. Some smoothie making to do. And a birthday to celebrate.

Destiny is turning 7 on Sunday. It's so weird. The time has gone by so fast, and she is growing up so fast. 7 years. It's so weird. She asked me for a Fashion Barbie and Silly String for her birthday. So guess what she got. A fashion barbie and silly string. The kid has me wrapped around her finger.

I probably shouldn't have kids. I'm kind of a push over. 

Ps...Sleep and I are not getting along. Not good. I need sleep. I can not think clearly or speak coherently.

Tuesday night I spoke with an Italian accent for a couple of hours. And continue to do so. I'm just saying, I need some sleep.

Expectations, procrastinations, and awkward situations

I've felt alot of emotions over the past few months. Some excitement and a lot of exhaustion. Anger, sadness, pride.

Most days I either feel really worthless or really useful. Not a whole lot of middle ground.

Believe it or not my selfworth is pretty low.

I'm really hard on myself though. So I realize that the way I see things aren't always true. Thats cause Satan likes to try and trip me up. He is tricky like that.

Despite the fact that I am a huge procrastinator, I'm doing really well in my classes. I've had to work my butt off and work harder than I ever have before, but I am doing well. I know I have at least one reader who thinks Ivy Tech is a joke, but it is school and you still have to work to get good grades.

I was in Nashville last weekend for a 'Random Dissappearance'. While I was there, I met with some different people at Lipscomb. It went really well. I found out that I will be able to get more scholarships than I thought so I was pretty pumped about that. Plus I got to spend the weekend with CallieAnn and Nikki. Plus I got to spend time with JB and Liz, who might be two of the funniest people I know.

Sometimes I feel guilty for wanting more than this town. Sometimes that is my own doing and sometimes its the doing of the people around me. I get mixed comments on me attending Lipscomb. Some peopl are questionable about it because I've never finished anything I started, and it would be an expensive mistake. Some people just don't want me to leave. Some don't want me at Lipscomb. While others think its a great idea, and that I'm doing the right thing. Not only with going to Lipscomb, but with finishing at Ivy Tech. I'm taking the steps I need to be taking,  and I'm putting the time into it.

I just really want to be away from this place. Most days I feel alone. I don't really have any friends that around. I just don't fit here. I'm sure thats just Satan getting in my head again. But thats what I feel like most days. A miss fit.

Anyway.....bummer of a post. But there are good things happening right now. Things to look forward to. Goals to push towards. I just have to keep pushing.

Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming.

Just Call Me Rain Man

So....I know dates. I'm freakishly good at remembering dates. God gave some people the gift of song or athletic ability, I have the gift of memory. I just do.

May 2, 2003 was a friday. Decemember 25, 1996 was a Wednesday. April 7, 2004 was a Wednesday. (Things like that.)

My parents having started calling me Rain Man.

Sunday we spent the day in Louisville with the Conns. And no I don't mean the kind of cons that like live in prision or something. It was a good day. We went to church at Okalona, which was...the usual. Then we headed to Aunt Missy's where we had to wait for Mamaw to get there so we could change out of our Church clothes. It's tradition. It was a good visit with family.

Monday I got an 'A' on my psychology test. Not only that but I got the highest grade in the class. So I was pretty pumped about that. I studied for like 3 days straight so I was real excited. I called my parents to tell them how smart their baby was. Haha.

It's been a good week. Wonderful weather, subbing, working, getting out of class early, and spend time with some awesome people.

Thank you, God, for this wonderful week I am having.

Cussing Chickens

When I was like three or four I went to stay with my Aunt Sandy. She lived on a farm. And there were chickens.

When I would go and visit, I would always go into the chicken coop.

One day while I was in there, I apparantly did something to make the chickens mad. They chased me out of the chicken coop.

As the story has been retold to me I ran to my aunt and said, "Aunt Sanny, that schikem said a cuss word at me."

Now I don't actually remember what that schickem said to me that day. But I do know that I hate birds. Especially chickens.

Everytime my mother goes on a cruise she brings me back a chicken.

I'm not sure I will ever live down the story of that stupid cussing schikem.

(Good story right? Hahahahaha)

Stories Of A Substitute

It's days like today that are the reason why I have decided to go into teaching.

There was a certain something in the air today at school. Subbing today was very pleasant. I'm at a point now where I have built up relationships with some of the students, and where most of them know me pretty well. Well enough that we can joke with one another, but respectful enough that work gets done. Today was a good day of subbing.

Tonight was the teachers vs. students basketball game. Go Teachers! They won by the way.

I do a lot of observing, of students and teachers and their relationships with each other. A lot of the teachers I had when I was in high school (which was not that long ago) have retired, and a new younger group of educators have come in. Most of the teachers seem to mesh well together. They get along and enjoy being around each other. Which is very important to have in the work place. 

I have to say I'm impressed with the newer generation of teacher's at Mitchell High School.

It is for sure interesting to see all of this unfold. I'm loving it. 

So thank you God, for this awesome day that I had. It was much appreciated. 

Haircuts and Creepsters

My wonderful best friend cut my hair today. (Which looks amazing if I do say so myself.)

She found more grey hair today, and showed Jennifer.

It's legit. I'm turning grey.

On the way to school tonight I looked out the window to find some creepster old man, on his phone, staring at me. So.....I deered him. He just nodded his head at me, and I told Chris to speed up. Creepster.

Tonight I learned about Thomas Edison. I either forgot or didn't know that he invented motion pictures. Who knew?! Of course his films were silent because he was in fact deaf. Though if he had thought to use one of his earlier inventions, the phonograph, he would've had sound. Silly Edison.

When motion pictures with sound did come out, he said that they ruined the acting. You know, because in silent films you had to over act. Didn't have to over act when you had dialogue.

As I was standing in the parking lot waiting for Chris, I saw a giant rat. Like a for real rat. We tried to chase it down and get a picture, but the picture I got was far less impressive then the rat itself. It was the size of a raccon, but was most defiantly a rat. It was crazy.

I'm going to watch tonights Grey's Anatonmy and Private Practice now.

Procrastination+ADD=Fail

I am half way through my first semester back in school. Weird.

It seems to be going fairly well though. Sometimes I have a heavy week. Like this week. I'm preparing for two test, working on some sketches, and finishing up some projects. It's a lot for a procrastinator like myself.

I've spent the last 3 days attempting to clean and study, but failed. Instead I've been learning dances such as 'the stanky leg', 'the jerk', 'the running man/moonwalk', and how to 'walk it out'.

I think in order for me to get any thing done I have to be in a room with out windows or anything because the smallest thing distracts me. ADD. Yay!!!

I found another grey hair yesterday, but it was from my eye brow.

You know what is just awesome? Waking up to the song 'Let It Whip' by Dazz Band. You can't be angry and listen to that song. You just can't. It makes me giggle every time I listen to it. I mean really listening to any disco music in the morning makes it difficult to wake up angry.

A.D.D and Me Take 2

Last Thursday I got rid of the last of my "man" clothes. I am a girl. It's time to start dressing like one.

Anyway....

I spent the weekend in Gatlinburg, TN for a youth ralley called Winterfest. It was my 10th consective Winterfest. I have to say that every year it becomes less and less spiritually influencing. It's become really showy. Which maybe it was when I was younger too, I just didn't notice. ? I don't know. I find it hard to pay attention to, so to keep myself awake this year I brought a mini slinky to play with during the sessions. That seemed to do the trick.

Winterfest has changed for me. Instead of it being all about the lessons, music, and entertainment; it's more about the time I have with the people around me. I had 4 girls in my room this year. Two of which I had never met, and the other two of which I don't get a lot of time with. And I have to say I really enjoyed my time with these girls. They are all kind of in different places right now, and it was interesting to get their take on the sessions and the time that they were spending with one another and others.

The ride there and back was also very enjoyable. I was in a vehicle with Curt and Beth which automatically makes it a good time, and then you have Becky and Ashley who were in my room and enjoyable. Then you have Jocelyn and Addy which is always very interesting. I always enjoy the time I have with the two of them.

Basically, I guess what I'm trying to say is that the trip for me is no longer about the youth ralley, but about the people I am there with. This year was an opportunity to spend time with some teens that I don't normally spend time with. I'm glad I got a chance to do that.

I have to add this: I actually had a one on one conversation with Jeff Walling. And by conversation I mean, he was coming down the stairs of the Microtel right behind me so I held the door open for him and said, "Mornin' Jeff". To which he replyed, "Mornin". That was it.  Hahaha.....

Best line the entire weekend came from the illusionist. He said, "That went over like a pregnant high jumper." I will be using that.