He's Kind of A Big Deal

In April my Pappaw Joe was diagonised with lung cancer. And due to his illness he was unable to put up his Christmas display. I'm not sure if any of you have ever been to Versailles Indiana during the Holiday season, but around there my Pappaw is a big deal. So since he was unable to put all his lights up this year, the town rallied to help. Over 80 volunteers came to his house to put everything up. AND the town is paying his electric bill during the holiday season.

On Saturday several different choir groups came to his house and sang for him and our family. He was also given a certificate from the state as a thanks for his christmas cheer. I don't really know who Cleo Duncan is, other than her been a state representative, but thank you.

Thank you to the town of Versailles for doing all of this for him. On behalf of the Day Family we are all very thankful and appreciative of you.

Some Things That Make Me Smile:

Random generosity from perfect strangers

My little sisters laugh

Teenagers being thoughtful

Seeing my family all come together

Hearing a Michael Jackson song on the radio

Helen Keller jokes

Random 'I Love You' text from my best friend

I think thats a good list for now. Thanks to all of you who make me smile.

I've Got All My Sisters And Me

Oooooooo......The Holidays. How I love them.

I come from what they call a split family. Basically what that means during the holidays is not one family visit, but 3 family visits. Can't lie though. I love every minute of it.

Let me tell you about my 3 Thanksgivings. We will start with the Slone Family.

Thursday we went out to SMBC (Yes. You should be jealous.) because we have far too many family members to fit into a house. It's hard enough just fitting us all in when it's just the Slone Family, but then on Thanksgiving the Black family (No not like a family made up of African Americans although I do have 3 black cousins but lets not go there.) comes up to celebrate with us. Then we deffiantly can't fit in a house. It was a pretty good visit. I got to spend time with my cousins, which I always love. We don't get much time together now a days due to work and significant others, so anytime we actually have time together I try to take advantage of it.

My Pappaw came up to celebrate Thanksgiving with us. He brought me a couch to put in my room. It looks kinda vintage and I love it. It's uber comfortable.

Friday we had Thanksgiving with the Conn Family. (No. It is not a family made up of convicts. Not entirely anyway.) There were a lot of people there too. I got to chat with my cousin Alisa a little about the biz. AND I got to see my Aunt LD which I only see once every couple of years. So that was nice. I got to chat about school a little with my Aunt Missy. But I think the most important part of that visit was that my Auntie Gladys gave me some good advice. She told me to not go back to school to prove it to other people, but to prove it to myself. Thats something I needed to hear. And she loved me enough to say it to me. I love my Auntie. On the way to and from Louisville, my parents and I listened to a CD that I had burnt. It was fun to listen to them name the songs and the artist as the songs came up. And it was probably exciting to them that they knew the songs.

Saturday was Thanksgiving with the Day Family. I anticipated it being far more awkward then it was. For a couple of reasons but we will just stick with one for the moment. The baby daddy came with us. And well.....My uncle is such a joy (insert sarcasm). I was concerned that he would be his usual 'Jesus loves me better than you' self, however he didn't. (I should probably say this about Darrel. I think he has intentionally tried to better with me. But....well. Thats a story for another time.) Anyway....It wasn't as awkward of a day as I thought it would be. Don't get me wrong. It was plenty awkward, but not as awkward as it could've been. I got some good time with my cousins. I only see them about once a year, so its nice to get time with them. After we had lunch with Grandma Opal, we went to see Pappaw Joe. For those of you who don't know my Pappaw has been battling cancer for a while. He just finished his radiation treatments. He is really weak right now. You could tell that he was sad. My Pappaw is not a weak man. So this has been hard for him. Also he was not able to put up his Christmas lights which he has done every year since before I was born. So I think that makes him sad too. Please pray for my Pappaw and that he will gain his strength back.

Pappaw's Lights

On a lighter note, we did Sister Pictures on Saturday. It was the first time that all 6 of us have ever been in the same room together. So it was really exciting to be able to spend time with all of them. I may have quite possibly turned Destiny into a photographer. I don't call her Mini Me for nothing.

Black Friday. My parents went out on Black Friday. Crazy. They left the house at 3am. They bought themselves a new tv for their bedroom which means I got their old tv. My tv was in fact dying slowly.

I myself went to Walmart Friday on a mission. They had $2 movies, and anyone who knows me knows how I feel about a good movie deal. I bought 7 movies for $20. 5 were $2 movies: The Phantom of the Opera, Miss Congeniality, Wedding Crashers, I Am Legend, and The Lake House. And I bought 2 $5 movies: He's Just Not That Into You, and Yes Man.

So I got a couch, a tv, and some new movies all in one weekend. Can't complain.

Overall it was a good weekend. An exhasuting weekend, but a good one. I got some good time with all my sisters, and with some cousins. I would deffiantly say it was a good Thanksgiving.

Readers! Be thinking about the people in your life who have really made a difference in your life this year. Be praying for those people, and try and do something for them. Let them know that they are appreciated.

Gonna Be A Girl Fight

I attempted to break up a fight at school today.

Reinforcement had to come in though because I am in fact a whimp and was having trouble controling my giggles.

Two girls were fightening over a boy. STUPID. It was intense, and awkward, and made me giggle.

I don't do awkward well. Don't get me wrong. I love creating awkwardness for other people, but I don't care much for it when I am involved.

Tonight I got to have dinner with Lydia Anderson. It was her graduation present. Only 6 months late, but better late then never. We then preceeded to meet up with the Gray Children for coffee.

I love caffiene. I drank ridiculous amounts of it on a daily basis. I don't sleep. Probably due to the caffiene, but then I need the caffiene to go me through the day because I in fact don't sleep. It's a ficious cycle.

I signed up for classes yesterday......I am for real ready to be done with all of this. Be done with this place. My life is ridiculous right now. I need a time out. I just want to find a corner and stand in it for a little while.

Welp....I'm making chex mix, and my caffiene induced headache is telling me to stop looking at things that involve light. Sooo......Goodnight.

Waking Up To Paper Cranes

I have no sense of belonging.

I'm in a place where I don't feel like I belong.

A place where I don't feel like I'm wanted.

Logic tells me that is untrue. But I feel differently, and my brain tends to take an idea and run with it. I am never alone. I don't even remember the last time I was completely alone. But even though I'm surrounded by so many people I feel alone.

Two things have been playing in mind for the past week or so. Things that where said to me from different people. The first being from a girl in the youth group. While we where at winterfest, Jeff did this whole emotional ceremonial washing of the feet thing and told the kids that they could wash their youth workers feet. I had a few people who offered to do that for me. But one girl stuck out. We were at dinner, and she pulled out her hand sanitizer and said, "I won't wash your feet, but I will wash your hands." When that popped into my head this week I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Now, the second being from the mother of a kid from the youth group. She sent me an encouragement card, and in it she said that I was being a good example for very watch full eyes. The 'very watch full eyes' part is what keeps playing in my head.

I just feel like I am not being a good example. I let myself get stressed really easily. Over little things. And I also let the way other people treat me or talk to me affect my mood. And lately, I just don't feel like anyone wants to be around me. I feel like a complete failure.

See what I mean. I let my mind run away with things until I feel like crap. I don't really know what to do about it.

The past couple weekends I have spent some time in Nashville, Tennessee. The more time I spend there the more I love it. I'm in the process of deciding whether to go to Lipscomb or not. I'm currently 43% sure that is where I should be. I'm in the process of making a list of the good things and the bad things about it. I need to be positive that is where I am suppose to be before I do anything about it. Right now I just plan on making more trips to Nashville to spend sometime around campus to get a better feel for the place. Don't worry. I'm going to look into other schools too. I'm not sure where I am suppose to be.

I don't know where I belong. (See the vicious cycle.)

Running with the shadows of the night

I've been running.

It's weird. I mean really intensely weird. I don't run. Not unless I am being chased, and even then its iffy.

I've been really stressed out lately. Mostly due to money issues, and partly to that whole 'whats my purpose?' thing. I go through that everyone once in awhile. Feeling completely useless. My heart tells me I'm not, but my head likes to think I am. And well....money is always an issue with me. I'm hoping that one day money won't be an issue for me or my children. One day.

Anyway, back to the whole running thing. Sometimes I just feel the need to run. Like all this built up frustration needs an outlet. So it was either run or go off on everyone around me. And I didn't want to do that. That wouldn't be fair to anyone around me. So....I ran. I run now. Thats what I do. Run.

Fall Retreat was this weekend. My step-sister, Kayla, came. I think she had a good time. She seemed excited when she was telling her mom about the weekend. I'm not sure if she got anything from it spiritually, but it was an opportunity for her to spend time with me. She seemed to really like Melissa and Addy. She liked all the girls, but those two she was really excited about telling her mother about. I'm glad that she was there.

I also got a chance to spend sometime with some new girls. Addy and Jocelyn. I really enjoy these girls. I'm looking forward to getting to know them better. I really enjoyed getting to watch all the girls spend time with one another. You can see the bonds that are forming with them. I'm really excited about that, and excited to see what's going to happen in the next few months.

(Random: Ran into the scary clown from the festival tonight, only he was in his human wear.)

I have a lot of thoughts in my head right now, but they will have to wait. Till next time readers.

She works hard for the money

Monday I subbed for Kent Ramey. Which meant freshman boys PE. It was an intensely bad day. I had to have Mr. Vandeventer come down 4th period because those boys were so out of control. I've never done that before. Never sent anyone to him. It was that intensely bad.

I then went to work where all my lovely people came to get smoothies. I'm good for business. I made a lot of smoothies, and one really big mess. I did clean up after myself though. Work has been good the past couple times I've been there. I've stayed busy. I like it when I stay busy. Plus Em came just to see me. I love her for many reasons.

I went on a college visit to Lipscomb University today. (I know. We jumped a day or two. Stick with me.) It went well. The school is worth considering. I went to a theater tech class, where I learned about tools and what they get used for. And I sat in on a media history class with Rebecca, where we learned about P.T. Barnums. The man was fascinating. You should research him. I think I am going to, and then I'll probably blog about it.

I've had a ridiculous amount of caffeine today. I've been up for over 20 hours. I. Need. Sleep.

She works hard for the money, so you better treat her right.

How do you say 'white trash' in sign language?

Today I was at work, minding my own business when a clown walks in. His name was Axel. Clowns freak me out a little. In all seriousness. I remand as calm as possible. Didn't make any sudden movements. He was there because he was with people who were there for the sign language class. He chose not to participate. He did show me how to say 'white trash' in sign language. I didn't exactly ask him too, but it was funny that he knew how to. The phrase I know how to say in sign language is 'your mom is easy'.

I didn't learn what that boys actual name was, but he was a sophomore at Orleans High School. We chatted for a little while. It was a little awkward because he was in fact dressed like a clown. However, he was every bit of 15. He was an interesting

A little girl came over to check on the smoothie shop. She tried to tell me that she was waiting for her mom to get out of sign language class so that she might buy her a smoothie. I couldn't really understand what she was saying. She had trouble speaking and I had trouble hearing. But the conversation ended with her signing something to me. Which I had no idea what she said, but I'm guessing that she was quit possibly deaf. Either that or she thought I was.

We had a group of bikers come in today also. Bikers are always interesting. They are blunt and to the point. They don't mess around. They know what they want and they tell you what they want. Bikers a little intimidating. These bikers were nice though. Which was good because they hit me at once, so they had to practice patients with me while I made their smoothies.

I had several people come in today. My Moomee and dad brought my mammaw into see me. They hadn't been in the smoothie shop before. Then the Parsley's came into see me. I like the Parsleys. CallieAnn came into see me too.

It was a good day. Exhausting day, but good. I mainly ran on lots of caffeine. However, it is 9:12, and I am in bed ready to go to sleep. I. Am. Sleepy. Goodnight, Readers!

Own It

Lately I have been getting some negative comments left on my blog, which is all fine and good. You should feel free to be able to leave whatever you are thinking. I'm writing about whatever I am thinking, therefore you should be able to leave comments about whatever you are thinking. However, if you so chose to leave a comment on my blog, own it. Don't leave a negative comment and just be anonymous. Leaving an anonymous comment is admitting you don't have the intellecutual capacity to defend yourself. If you were able to defend your position you would put your name by it. Own it. 

Letters

I have spent the last 7 weeks writing letters to various people. Some are for encouragement. Others are thank you's or I love you's. I've had one real hard week, which were letters to my parents and my sister. Those were kind of a mixture of everything, and were emotionally exhausting. But I know that it needed to be done, and God was faithful through out that week.

I have one week left of letters. These will be my hardest. They are the apology letters. No one likes to admit that they have made mistakes. No one. And if you say that you do, you are a lier. Its one thing to be willing to admit it, another to enjoy doing it. Anyway, as I much as I hate admitting my faults, I know that I need to do it. It's my way of making peace with the past. I can't change their views or feelings of me, but I can change my views and feelings. And it's time to make peace.

A few months ago, my best friend decided that we could no longer be best friends. His reason for it was that I think homosexuality is a sin and he is gay. So he said that there was a part of him that I disagreed with and he couldn't be around people like that. (sigh)....I'm not as upset as I should be. Don't get me wrong. I am upset. I mean we had been friends for so long. But it was a long time coming. We weren't good to or for each other.

I've been beating myself up over some things he said though. He said that he feared for the girls I lead. He feared that they would end up thinking like me. And I have let that eat at me for a month. It has made me second guess what I am doing. I hate it. Because I know that I am exactly where I am suppose to be, doing exactly what I am suppose to be doing. I know that I am a failure at alot of things, but these girls are not one of those. God placed me here to do his work, and that is what I will do.

Readers tonight I would like you to think about the relationships in your life. Be intentional with the people around you. Its ok to make mistakes, as long as you admit that you do make mistakes and you try to do better. Just think about who you are to people. Who you seem to be, be really.

To Save A Life

I recently was giving the opportunity to preview a movie called, To Save A Life. It's coming to theatres in Janruary of 2010.

I really enjoyed this movie. It deals with some pretty serious issues, which is good. I think alot of people don't like to talk about the hard stuff with teens. I could go on about that forever though so lets not go there at the moment.

The movie follows the spiritual journey of a boy named Jake. This movie would be a good tool for youth ministeries.

My only beef with the movie is that I think it tried to cover too many issues, which mae it a little long. However, that doesn't not take away from it any.

All you leaders! Do a little research on this movie and make plans to take your kids to see it. The website for the movie is: http://www.tosavealifemovie.com/.

Just Call Me Mr. Wittaker

Well Readers let me tell you about my Saturday. I woke up at an early 8am. Thats early for me. Especially when you don't sleep at night. But lets not go there. I got up and got ready for work, and then went to work. I had not been looking forward to it at all. We were having an author come in to do a book signing and childrens reading. And since I was the only one who would be there making smoothies I knew this would probably be bad news for me. However it actually went really well. I didnt get over whelmed. Sold a lot of smoothies which was good, and I didn't freak out.

The author we had was a woman by the name of Wanda Brunstetter. She rights amish books and some childrens books. Clearly I had no idea who she was. But I got to meet her. Shake her hand, and she hugged me. She was a very sweet older woman, and her husband was with her and he got a couple smoothies from me. Wanda brought a puppet with her. It is then that I realized that I really love puppets. For real.

I went through my normal retuin for a saturday while opening. You know made coffee, did some cleaning, and what not. Then my boss showed up so I helped her with setting up for the event. Then Keith, the other boss, came walking up with a buggy. I real amish buggy. Guess who got to clean it. That would be right. Me. He actually had given it one bath, but the inside needed to be cleaned because people were getting pictures taken in it. So I found that humorous.

I spent the next few hours making smoothies with a smile. I had a mother and daughter come in and they were really friendly. They were from Bloomington. I suggested that they try the 'Bannana Nut Blast'. They really enjoyed that. They talked to me and were really nice. They even let my boss know that I was doing a good job. Which is really nice, because he isn't exactly encouraging. So other people telling him that I was doing a good job helps. So thanks to them!

Later in the day Gary and Jimmy came in to meet about some camp stuff. Jimmy ordered a Java Jolt. Which I was happy about because that meant more caffiene for me. See when there is a little bit left in the blender and not enough to give out as a sample, I get to try it. I had a LOT of caffiene yesterday. A LOT. Gary ordered an iced coffee. I didn't get to try any of that. It was nice of them to meet there and buy dranks from me. Helps put money in my pay check.

A boy came in around that same time and he was real chatty. He asked me what class I was in, and I informed him that I was 22. He told me I totally didn't look 22, and I told him I don't act 22 either. He had just graduated from BNL. I don't really remember his name. I feel like it was Michael, but Michael is the name of the kid whose job I have now. So I'm not sure thats right. However, he said he was a regular so I really probably need to remember his name.

After the book signing there was an older man and his wife that were talking to Brenda about somethings. Brenda went to go check something for them. And by that I mean that is what she went to do, but got distracted with 8 million other things. She does that often. Makes me smile. Anyway, the old man asked if I had ever heard of The Odyssey. And he preceeded to tell me about this radio program for kids. Which I thought he was making a reference to my child like quality and trying to say I should listen in. I told him that I use to watch those videos when I was a kid. And he said that the whole set up (the smoothie bar) reminded him of that. That I reminded him of Mr. Wittaker. When I gave him a funny look he made sure to tell me that it was a good thing and he meant it as a compliment. (shakes head) Just call me Mr. Wittaker.

A few minutes shy of close an older woman came into the store. She stood there for a minute turning around and looking puzzled. Then a bell dinged indicating someone had come in the door on the other side. She stared at the huge opening leading into the store and said, "Is that a glass window?" I told her no that was the entrance into the book store, and asked if she wanted a smoothie. She said, "No" and then said, "I have no idea where I am right now." Which I thought 'Oh crap'. She said, "Where am I?" To which I replyed, "This is Heaven's Garden." (Which by the way is the name of the store. It is on the door as you enter.) She said, "O. Ok. I need 20s. And I said, "Ok. Would you like a smoothie?" "No. I need 20s." Ok. So I opened my drawer. She handed me a $50 bill so I gave her two 20s and a 10. Then she said, "Can I have something?" And I said, "Sure. Would you like a smoothie?" She said, "What can I get for free?" Keith and I looked at each other, and then looked back at her. Keith told her that she could buy something. To which she replyed, "I thought this was Heaven. Heaven is suppose to be free." Then she stormed out angry, while Keith and I stood there puzzled.

Over all this was a much better Saturday of work. We made enough money to cover the time I worked yesterday, and possibly friday. I only sold two smoothies Friday in the 4 hours I worked. :/ We stayed steady with business all day. I was never bored. Always had something to do. So it made my day go by faster. I did have a lot of caffiene in my system, and was farely hyper when I went home. You know, talking really fast, jumping up and down, running through the house. Your typical 5 year old behavior. Whatev.

Well Readers, I hope enjoyed this weekends addition. It was defiantly an entertaining Saturday. Enjoy the rest of yoru long weekend!

Baby Mama Drama

So I made another attempt to work on the wedding video today. However, I had some major technical difficulties. I'm sure its all fine though. But it is taking me longer to get it done then I planned. I guess I could explain. Some of you readers may not know. I do video and photo production. I own my own company called Sunny Bright Productions. I've been trying for a while to get this off the ground, and finally got some work this summer with a couple weddings and a birthday. SO. If you need a videograher or a photographer let me know.

Some of you are probably wondering how I came up with the name. Well you see. My biological father's last name is Day. Had I been a boy he wanted to name me Sunny Bright. So I told some friends that story in high school and developed the nickname Sunny Bright. So thats where the name came from.

I finished my letters for the week today. I have spent the past 5 weeks writing letters to various people. Mostly to be encouraging, say thanks, or week 8 is apologizes. That will be a hard week. No one likes admitting the things they've done wrong.

I got a message from my friend, David. I call him, Friend. It was good to hear from him. He just moved to Searcy, Arkansas to go to Harding Univeristy. O college. I remember college. I miss him, and I secretly miss college. Shh...Don't tell anybody.

Today I watched Baby Mama. I realized that my boss kinda looks like Tina Fey. Just a little. I mean she might be able to pass as an older sister, or a cousin. It made me smile.

Work went pretty well tonight. Kept myself busy. Only sold 2 smoothies in the 4 hours that I was there. One of those was after close. :/ Tomorrow should be interesting. I'm not really looking forward to it. We have an author coming in and she is going to read to the kids from the summer reading program. We'll see how it goes.

Melissa came over tonight and we got to spend some time together. Haven't been able to do that in a while. It was nice to be able to spend time with her.

Well, Readers not much going on here tonight. Thanks for reading, and good night.

Let Me Warm That Bench For Ya

Today was a pretty peaceful day. I didn't wake up till one o'clock. yikes. I was up late the night before coughing and didn't take any medication for it till about 2am. So...yea. I got a good nights rest. Kinda.

I then spent the rest of my day watching 'An American Teen' for the second time. It follows the lives of 5 teenagers from Warsaw, Indiana. It's pretty good. I mean obviously or I wouldn't bother to watch it a second time.

One of my girls from the youth group, Katie, came over after school today and we watched 'What About Bob?' and made Tator-tot casserole. It was yummy. I am really enjoying the time I get with this girl. I've seen a lot of growth in her over the past few months.

We went to Rebecca's game where we got to see her play a little bit. Rebecca is very hard working and you can see that as she plays. The kid has heart. She keeps a good atittude on and off the court no matter how much playing time she gets or how she plays. Proud of her for that. During her game, Jake, myself, and Katie sent one worded text to her. It was fun, and it made her smile when she read them.

I thought a lot today about really focusing on where I am now. I actually thought about it during the time when I wasn't focusing on the volleyball game. :/ If I am going to commit to being somewhere or doing something, then I should be all there. That is what I should focus on. I should focus on what is right in front of me. It's kinda like 'baby stepping'. (What About Bob reference. Did you catch it?)

Well Readers that is what is going on with me tonight. Try and think about what is your focusing on in life. And try and be intentional with it. Goodnight!

Thinking...Ugh

I decided today that I over think things. Majorly over think. A friend once told me that, but that just kinda led to more thinking. I'm noticing that I'm trying to look too far a head. Instead of focusing on the now, I'm focusing on the future. Which is better than those 3 years of focusing on the past. Boy that was exhausting. But why do I do that? Why can I not just think about now? Live for now? Not for two years from now? So today I decided that it is time to stop over thinking and to stop trying to live two years from now, but live in the now.
God has a plan for me. He will lay out the ground work for that. He is laying out the ground work for that. I have a purpose in this place, and I am going to focus on that. Focus on the now.

I recently decided that I need to start spending more time with my sisters. It's one thing to say they are really important to me, and another thing to act like they are. My step sister, Kayla, is going to come down and go to Fall Retreat with me. I'm really looking forward to getting to spend time with her away from home. My step sister, Alicia, text me occasionally. I'm pretty sure she use to hate me, but I'm not sure if she does or doesn't. But since I'm being giving this opportunity to talk with her more and be apart of her life more, I'm going to take it. Plus, if I'm being honest. I have sucked at being a good big sister to all of them, and to Destiny. Thats going to change. If I can make time for everyone else then I should be able to make time for them. 

So readers. Pray about a couple things for me. 1) That I will focus on the now, and what God is doing now. and 2) That I will be intentional with my sisters. Intentional in the things I say and do, and that I will start making time for them. Thank you, and good night.

What?

Hello readers!
I am not new to this blogging thing, but am by no means an expert at it. Just a heads up most of what I write will be random. I just type whatever pops in my head. Today I am just going to give you a little insight into what life looks like. I guess. I don't know.
I am currently in the process of planning my future. You know that whole "What do you want to be when you grow up?" thing. It's exhausting. I'm trying to make a kingdom decision, but I have no idea what is best for the kingdom.
Right now I am on track to attend Ivy Tech to get my associates in Gen. Ed. and a certificate for Graphic Design.  What I will do after that? I have no idea. But...I think something bigger might be going on around me then what I can see or grasp, so I am just trying to embrace this unknown.
For the past couple of years I have been really involved with the teens at the MCOC. It has been an intersting, funny, and at times frustrating two years. I'm loving every minute of it! There are big things happening in the hearts of these teens, and for some reason I think God wants me to be a part of it. So thats what I keep telling myself when I get down on myself about life. "Lindsay. There is something bigger going on here. Be patient. Go with it. Embrace the unknown."
So readers. I'm going to go embrace the unknown. I suggest you do the same.