That was the best thing that happened in my day. Eating those rolls.
Oh, but I have a job interview on Wednesday, so maybe just maybe rolls will not forever be the fodder for my blog.
I dunno though, guys...they are SOOOO GOOD!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Rock and ROLLS!!
There are few better things in this world than the ultimate restaurant experience of Texas Roadhouse. Dangit, I sound so blasted American in that last sentence. (ahem Jeremy) But, well, once you eat one of their rolls with cinnamon butter seeping into it, you just may sound a little more like me.
That was the best thing that happened in my day. Eating those rolls.
Oh, but I have a job interview on Wednesday, so maybe just maybe rolls will not forever be the fodder for my blog.
I dunno though, guys...they are SOOOO GOOD!
That was the best thing that happened in my day. Eating those rolls.
Oh, but I have a job interview on Wednesday, so maybe just maybe rolls will not forever be the fodder for my blog.
I dunno though, guys...they are SOOOO GOOD!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
I propose
I propose that if you are my friend, you should come visit me here. I know most of you have Spring Break. Why not enjoy it in the great Midwest? Only a few of you have experienced it for yourself so far.
I will hang out with you. I will entertain you. Gabe will help.
___ Yes ___ No
Check one. ^
I will hang out with you. I will entertain you. Gabe will help.
___ Yes ___ No
Check one. ^
Saturday, February 23, 2008
All Features Great and Small...
I stumbled across this last night. And, needless to say, I was quite astounded. This guy must have a broken jaw or something! And possibly lips made of saltwater taffy.
My mouth, on the other hand, is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. Pulled teeth, an expander, braces twice, and tooth SHAVING (yes, they SHAVED some of my teeth) are what it took to get my mouth into shape. I also found my first retainer a while back and it is practically no bigger than a quarter!
I wish I could take credit for these little drawings but they are actually just something I discovered on a website. Anyway, this is more like my mouth.
My mouth, on the other hand, is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. Pulled teeth, an expander, braces twice, and tooth SHAVING (yes, they SHAVED some of my teeth) are what it took to get my mouth into shape. I also found my first retainer a while back and it is practically no bigger than a quarter!
I wish I could take credit for these little drawings but they are actually just something I discovered on a website. Anyway, this is more like my mouth.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Seriously...
Do you ever have mornings where you wake up and have to ask yourself questions like this? Mine's actually on the cartilage of my ear, but still.
And also, I never have really gotten into American Idol but this kid is my favorite! They should have a dog trainer idol so I can figure out what to do with my life too. Gabe would win it for us.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Aw, truck
Hello faithful blog readers!
I am, for whatever reason, on a roll lately with posting. I don't know if it will last, and I don't know if it SHOULD last. But nevertheless, I have a story worthy of telling today.
My day began with my mom entering my room at I think about 6:54 am or so. 'Becca, I hate to do this...but will you sing at church today? Tyler is sick and Ashley is staying home with him." I mumbled "Ok...but I won't be there at 7:15." "That's fine," she answered, "just get there as soon as you can."
So, I rushed around getting ready, even skipping my morning bowl of cereal to save time. I also noticed that there was a healthy dose of snow on the ground, more flakes adding to it by the minute. I grumbled a little at that, just because it was going to take me even longer to get to church, especially in my truck that I STILL have never put sandbags in. What a smart girl I am for that, by the way. Anyway, in a record setting 45 minute shower-makeup-dry the hair-layer up-take care of Gabe marathon, I was on my way. There was some slippage along the way, but I managed to make it there by no later than 8, even taking caution to park the truck on as flat of a surface as I could so as not to risk getting stuck. As Jeremy can attest to, even a slope of .00001% could call for needing some pushing of the truck.
Church came and went, and it was time to make a fatal decision: should I try to exit the parking lot via 95th Street, or Wornall? Which way would give me the best chance of a successful departure? I decided to go for the Wornall exit, even though it had a bigger hill. I figured if I could at least make it to the top of the hill, at least there would be no stoplight there to slow my progress. I did make use of the truck's 4-wheel drive, although without weight in the back it seems to be somewhat obsolete. And, it might have taken me about 3 minutes to travel about 20 feet, but the truck and I were on our way. We didn't even stop; just coasted right out into the road.
I arrived safely at home about 20 minutes later, parking in my usual spot on the street. The first thing I did was try to turn the 4-wheel off. It wouldn't turn off. Getting sick of trying, I finally gave up and went inside the house. I was just glad I had been such a successful driver, even on rushed terms like they had been. But was I out of the woods yet? Oh no.
The day progressed as normal. I helped a little with cleaning for our grand family dinner (you can ask Annie more about that) and took a short nap. I awoke to hearing piano and flute music drifting upstairs from the main level. At the Parsons' house, this is not such an anomaly - Mom was just working on an accompaniment with a girl from our church. So, I eventually wandered downstairs and killed some time while they finished up playing.
It was right before the student, her flute teacher, and mother left our house that I noticed how CLOSE the flute teacher was parked to my truck. Like, bumper to bumper. 'Don't worry,' Sarah told me, "she is close, but she's not touching your truck.' I believed her, and we watched as the woman got into her Volvo station wagon and pulled forward. As she did this, I noticed that my truck inched forward as well. 'Um, I, um!!!' was I think all I could get out of my mouth. Right before our eyes, we watched as not only the Volvo continued to go forward, but my truck as well. And no, they were not attached!! "GET YOUR KEYS!!" Mom and Sarah screamed at me. I frantically kicked off my slippers, made a mad dash for my car keys, and took off running across the snowy, slushy yard in bare feet, right on the heels of the student's mom. The Volvo driver was clearly reaching a dilemma - keep rolling forward so as not to be rear-ended by a driverless truck, or stop and take the hit so the aforementioned truck did not take itself for a joy ride.
She decided to just start honking her horn. I guess to get our attention? Oh, she had our attention. The student's mom and I reached the scene at about the same time. She very heroically stepped BETWEEN the cars, holding out her hand to stop the truck and i guess the other hand to notify the flute teacher that her job was done. I scrambled into the cab through the passenger side door, hurling myself over the seat to take control. I stepped on the brake, turned the ignition, and threw the truck into reverse. Well, tried to. I mean, it went into reverse fine, or so it seemed. But when I pressed on the gas, the truck just sat there. WHAT IN THE WORLD??? The student's mother stood her ground. I knew it had to have something to do with the 4-wheel drive being stuck, so I began to go crazy with the stupid thing, jerking it in every direction I could to get it to turn off. It made all sorts of wonderful noises, the kind of noises that make a person wince for the sake of their vehicle. The truck FINALLY reversed, but that cursed little icon for 4WD never did turn off.
Ok, Dad eventually got it to. But I swear it wouldn't for me.
I have no graceful way of wrapping this up. Only that I more than ever want a Subaru. And that I am glad the truck did not get far. And that the student's mom is a heroine.
I am, for whatever reason, on a roll lately with posting. I don't know if it will last, and I don't know if it SHOULD last. But nevertheless, I have a story worthy of telling today.
My day began with my mom entering my room at I think about 6:54 am or so. 'Becca, I hate to do this...but will you sing at church today? Tyler is sick and Ashley is staying home with him." I mumbled "Ok...but I won't be there at 7:15." "That's fine," she answered, "just get there as soon as you can."
So, I rushed around getting ready, even skipping my morning bowl of cereal to save time. I also noticed that there was a healthy dose of snow on the ground, more flakes adding to it by the minute. I grumbled a little at that, just because it was going to take me even longer to get to church, especially in my truck that I STILL have never put sandbags in. What a smart girl I am for that, by the way. Anyway, in a record setting 45 minute shower-makeup-dry the hair-layer up-take care of Gabe marathon, I was on my way. There was some slippage along the way, but I managed to make it there by no later than 8, even taking caution to park the truck on as flat of a surface as I could so as not to risk getting stuck. As Jeremy can attest to, even a slope of .00001% could call for needing some pushing of the truck.
Church came and went, and it was time to make a fatal decision: should I try to exit the parking lot via 95th Street, or Wornall? Which way would give me the best chance of a successful departure? I decided to go for the Wornall exit, even though it had a bigger hill. I figured if I could at least make it to the top of the hill, at least there would be no stoplight there to slow my progress. I did make use of the truck's 4-wheel drive, although without weight in the back it seems to be somewhat obsolete. And, it might have taken me about 3 minutes to travel about 20 feet, but the truck and I were on our way. We didn't even stop; just coasted right out into the road.
I arrived safely at home about 20 minutes later, parking in my usual spot on the street. The first thing I did was try to turn the 4-wheel off. It wouldn't turn off. Getting sick of trying, I finally gave up and went inside the house. I was just glad I had been such a successful driver, even on rushed terms like they had been. But was I out of the woods yet? Oh no.
The day progressed as normal. I helped a little with cleaning for our grand family dinner (you can ask Annie more about that) and took a short nap. I awoke to hearing piano and flute music drifting upstairs from the main level. At the Parsons' house, this is not such an anomaly - Mom was just working on an accompaniment with a girl from our church. So, I eventually wandered downstairs and killed some time while they finished up playing.
It was right before the student, her flute teacher, and mother left our house that I noticed how CLOSE the flute teacher was parked to my truck. Like, bumper to bumper. 'Don't worry,' Sarah told me, "she is close, but she's not touching your truck.' I believed her, and we watched as the woman got into her Volvo station wagon and pulled forward. As she did this, I noticed that my truck inched forward as well. 'Um, I, um!!!' was I think all I could get out of my mouth. Right before our eyes, we watched as not only the Volvo continued to go forward, but my truck as well. And no, they were not attached!! "GET YOUR KEYS!!" Mom and Sarah screamed at me. I frantically kicked off my slippers, made a mad dash for my car keys, and took off running across the snowy, slushy yard in bare feet, right on the heels of the student's mom. The Volvo driver was clearly reaching a dilemma - keep rolling forward so as not to be rear-ended by a driverless truck, or stop and take the hit so the aforementioned truck did not take itself for a joy ride.
She decided to just start honking her horn. I guess to get our attention? Oh, she had our attention. The student's mom and I reached the scene at about the same time. She very heroically stepped BETWEEN the cars, holding out her hand to stop the truck and i guess the other hand to notify the flute teacher that her job was done. I scrambled into the cab through the passenger side door, hurling myself over the seat to take control. I stepped on the brake, turned the ignition, and threw the truck into reverse. Well, tried to. I mean, it went into reverse fine, or so it seemed. But when I pressed on the gas, the truck just sat there. WHAT IN THE WORLD??? The student's mother stood her ground. I knew it had to have something to do with the 4-wheel drive being stuck, so I began to go crazy with the stupid thing, jerking it in every direction I could to get it to turn off. It made all sorts of wonderful noises, the kind of noises that make a person wince for the sake of their vehicle. The truck FINALLY reversed, but that cursed little icon for 4WD never did turn off.
Ok, Dad eventually got it to. But I swear it wouldn't for me.
I have no graceful way of wrapping this up. Only that I more than ever want a Subaru. And that I am glad the truck did not get far. And that the student's mom is a heroine.
Friday, February 15, 2008
A New Delight
Hummus. Or Hommus, as it is spelled on the container. I ate it four times yesterday.
On sandwiches, on Triscuits, on carrots, and especially on Pita Chips!! But we have to save the rest for Sunday.
It's that good. I had to write about it.
On sandwiches, on Triscuits, on carrots, and especially on Pita Chips!! But we have to save the rest for Sunday.
It's that good. I had to write about it.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Uno - Best in Show. Gabe - Best in the WORLD!
Some of you probably watched or heard about Uno the Beagle winning Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club show last night. Not only is he the first hound in many years to earn that honor; he also is the first Beagle ever to win best in show at this particular event. Perfectly marked and full of tenacity, Uno certainly carved out a place for himself in the ring and spectator's hearts. And while I was thrilled to watch him beat out the other more 'typical' winning breeds, it got me thinking about my own Gabe. (in all honesty, it does not take much for me to get thinking about dogs; especially Gabe.)
He started out as just a little unwanted mutt out of central Missouri, ready to bring some havoc to my life.
I don't know when he was born, who his parents were, or who dumped him at a shelter. I adopted him not knowing if he would weigh 40 pounds or 80 pounds fully grown. He does not have papers, and I did not spend the price of a new car to make him mine. His life is so starkly different from that of Uno or any of the other purebred show dogs out there. But, all those differences aside, Gabe has certainly established himself in his own way. He has grown into a good friend, a best friend, and the perfect demo dog for me.
Today, I had my first chance to kind of 'show off' Gabe as a demo dog. Dad invited us to come help him with the lesson he frequently does for the Colonial preschoolers. It was a perfect opportunity to practice being in front of people without needing to worry too much about a flawless performance. Preschoolers are generally easy to impress, after all.
I went into it not entirely sure what I wanted to show them, or what they would like to see, or what I should even say. But the great thing about Gabers is that he takes matters into his own hands. He adds character and goofiness to everything he does. Even if we couldn't show them probably half of what he learned how to do at school, it was fun even for me to take a little inventory of Gabe's tricks and commands. For an eleven month old dog, he really has come a very long way. There are definitely still wrinkles to be ironed out, but it brought me a lot of joy to come to the realization that my time as a trainer has really just about arrived.
It is so easy to get discouraged and overwhelmed with how I am exactly going to carve out a path for myself as a trainer in the next few months and years. Student loans payments are creeping up, begging me to wonder if I will ever be able to support myself financially. But, Gabe is a great reminder that I CAN train dogs professionally, and we went through bootcamp together to be able to say that. I'm still not 100% confident at all times. There are way more unknowns than I would like to think about. But I'm certain that God gave me no dog other than Gabe to be a crucial instrument in this entire process, as well as my faithful companion. So while I wrestle with uncertainty and fear and feeling insecure on many days, Gabe is a constant reminder of His faithfulness. And that the best things really can come in the funniest packages.
He started out as just a little unwanted mutt out of central Missouri, ready to bring some havoc to my life.
I don't know when he was born, who his parents were, or who dumped him at a shelter. I adopted him not knowing if he would weigh 40 pounds or 80 pounds fully grown. He does not have papers, and I did not spend the price of a new car to make him mine. His life is so starkly different from that of Uno or any of the other purebred show dogs out there. But, all those differences aside, Gabe has certainly established himself in his own way. He has grown into a good friend, a best friend, and the perfect demo dog for me.
Today, I had my first chance to kind of 'show off' Gabe as a demo dog. Dad invited us to come help him with the lesson he frequently does for the Colonial preschoolers. It was a perfect opportunity to practice being in front of people without needing to worry too much about a flawless performance. Preschoolers are generally easy to impress, after all.
I went into it not entirely sure what I wanted to show them, or what they would like to see, or what I should even say. But the great thing about Gabers is that he takes matters into his own hands. He adds character and goofiness to everything he does. Even if we couldn't show them probably half of what he learned how to do at school, it was fun even for me to take a little inventory of Gabe's tricks and commands. For an eleven month old dog, he really has come a very long way. There are definitely still wrinkles to be ironed out, but it brought me a lot of joy to come to the realization that my time as a trainer has really just about arrived.
It is so easy to get discouraged and overwhelmed with how I am exactly going to carve out a path for myself as a trainer in the next few months and years. Student loans payments are creeping up, begging me to wonder if I will ever be able to support myself financially. But, Gabe is a great reminder that I CAN train dogs professionally, and we went through bootcamp together to be able to say that. I'm still not 100% confident at all times. There are way more unknowns than I would like to think about. But I'm certain that God gave me no dog other than Gabe to be a crucial instrument in this entire process, as well as my faithful companion. So while I wrestle with uncertainty and fear and feeling insecure on many days, Gabe is a constant reminder of His faithfulness. And that the best things really can come in the funniest packages.
Monday, February 4, 2008
It is really pretty surreal to be post-college now. And post-dog training school too. I figure there must be lots of other people in my shoes right now, trying to figure out what to do next and how to function as not a student for the first time in what felt like at times a million years.
The thing is, people my age either seem to be still in school, or married/having a baby. I'm not saying this for a pity party, but how come there are so few people at the same point in life as me? Or, if they do exist, where are they? It would be neat to find them...
I'm determined to make this work. I'm determined not to crumble and give up. I just hope I don't run into a lot of closed doors in this new chapter, because it is so easy to get discouraged lately, and confusion is always clouding my thoughts. I never, ever would have pictured myself in this place even six months ago. How does life just grab hold of us and toss us around without so much as a warning? I didn't go looking for trouble. I would even venture to say that I try to stay away from trouble, mostly. Trouble got me anyway. I worry sometimes about how I will come out on the other side of things. But I guess all we can really do when things feel like this is to put another foot out in front of the other.
There are some good things about life in the past few days, however.
-Family. Especially Micah and the Leej! They are some of the best happiness-bringers ever to walk this earth.
-No. More. School. For real this time.
-Sleeping in til 8. When was the last time that happened?
-Playing my guitar. I picked it up a bunch today!
-The dogs. Every last hair on all 4 of them.
-LOST was amazing.
Sometimes I wonder why I keep this blog. On a scale of 1-10, how choppy and random is it anyway?
The thing is, people my age either seem to be still in school, or married/having a baby. I'm not saying this for a pity party, but how come there are so few people at the same point in life as me? Or, if they do exist, where are they? It would be neat to find them...
I'm determined to make this work. I'm determined not to crumble and give up. I just hope I don't run into a lot of closed doors in this new chapter, because it is so easy to get discouraged lately, and confusion is always clouding my thoughts. I never, ever would have pictured myself in this place even six months ago. How does life just grab hold of us and toss us around without so much as a warning? I didn't go looking for trouble. I would even venture to say that I try to stay away from trouble, mostly. Trouble got me anyway. I worry sometimes about how I will come out on the other side of things. But I guess all we can really do when things feel like this is to put another foot out in front of the other.
There are some good things about life in the past few days, however.
-Family. Especially Micah and the Leej! They are some of the best happiness-bringers ever to walk this earth.
-No. More. School. For real this time.
-Sleeping in til 8. When was the last time that happened?
-Playing my guitar. I picked it up a bunch today!
-The dogs. Every last hair on all 4 of them.
-LOST was amazing.
Sometimes I wonder why I keep this blog. On a scale of 1-10, how choppy and random is it anyway?
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