Short. Over. Short again.

Okay. So, I got this letter from my mortgage company yesterday. I always get one this time of year when they tell me what my new payment will be for the next year. Taxes and insurance being what they are, my payments fluctuate ridiculously. About two years ago, they informed me that I was $2000 in the whole. Huh? How did that happen? I had to break that up over the next year and end up paying out the nose for my house. Completely insane. Then last year, I got my letter from them adjusting my payment almost $200 less than it was the year before and they also enclosed a check for $700 due to an escrow overage. Excuse me? What the...? I gladly took the check and put it in savings, but still couldn't figure out exactly how all of that happened. This year, I'm short again. Imagine the drama that unfolded in my house yesterday when I opened the envelope. However, it's only a couple hundred short this time, but that's just insane. You would think that we would be able to get this stuff all figured out at some point. Work with me, people!!

Don't get me wrong, owning a home is a lot of fun. You can paint your walls hot pink if you want (and I would wonder about you if you did) and not have to ask a landlord. You can do just about whatever it is that you want to your house, which really is a heck of a lot of fun. But at the same time, it's a hassle when you have to deal with the likes of a mortgage company.

Sometimes, I just wish I could call them up, reach through the phone and thump them. That would make me feel better, I think.

Blessings to you all

Hey! Sorry for my hiatus last week. I just ran out of things to say...believe it? I didn't think so. Actually, I was away from my computer for a couple of days to go on a Walk to Emmaus. If you don't know what that is...shoot me an email. I'll fill you in.

Guys, all I can say about this is...wow. No, that's not it. It's more like WWWOOOWWW!!!! Super Rad!!! I have never felt more loved by my Heavenly Father or more filled with His Spirit. It was an amazing weekend. And everyone that had a part in it deserves my undying gratitude. Such an awe-inspiring time. I really just don't have the words, so I'll stop. My only hope is that you'll see Jesus shine through me a bit brighter from here on out. God is so good!!

Love and hugs!!

Chick Flicks and Rock & Roll

So last night, I had to endure a chick flick. I always hang out with some friends on Monday evenings. We'll just call them D and K. The past few weeks, D and I chose some very strange movies to watch...if you've read my previous posts, you know what I'm talking about. Apparently, K doesn't enjoy the same taste in movies as D and I do. Honestly, I don't know why. We have superb taste. So, last night as a sort of punishment, she decided that we would watch a chick flick. Blegh. I am so not a fan. But, I watched How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days with as much grace as I could muster. It really was cute though. I'll admit that. I did laugh quite a bit, although it was the supporting actors that made me laugh the most.

However, D came home toward the end of the chick flick and declared that we would watch School of Rock as well to sort of balance the evening out. I laughed so hard that I even snorted a time or two.

I got home late, but it was worth it. I truly enjoy my Mondays. Good friends rock!

Friends...food...and FUDGE!!!

My weekend was a hoot! A few of my friends came up from out of town to visit for a few days. As soon as they got here, we high-tailed it to dinner. I was starving!! We ate. We laughed. We caught up on foreign and current affairs...always important issues that should be discussed during every meal. After dinner, we lounged and caught a flick. Saturday morning, we did some shopping (!) and then grabbed some lunch. You know, I always thought the freaks came out at night. Not true...they were all at lunch with us the other day. It was odd. More movies were watched and some games were played.

Then they left me. I stood at the door. I watched them drive away. A small tear escaped my eye and slid down my cheek. (Oscar nomination inserted here).

But then two of my other friends came over and we had a girl night. It involved chick flicks, popcorn, nail polish and lots of chocolaty-fudgey goodness!!!

I hope that your weekends contained as much love and laughter as mine did.

It's an 80s revolution...Totally

Okay. I bought a CD the other day that is called something like Millennium 80's New Wave Party...or something like that. The name of the CD is not that important. You only need to know that this is the coolest compilation of 80s music ever to grace the planet earth. I had it playing in my car the other day and one of my younger friends picked up the case and began reading the song titles. So, she was fully aware of the fact that these songs were from a few decades ago. The song that was playing ended and the next one started. She suddenly set the case down, gasped, said, and I quote "I know this song! It's an old one!" I started laughing. Hard. She couldn't really understand what was so funny. Then as I regained some breath, I explained that all of the songs were old...hence the 80s theme of the CD. She set her jaw and just told me to shut up. That just made the hysterics worse. I giggled about it all night. Too funny.

Valentine's. Day.

Valentine's Day! Let's give it a hand everyone!! We're about to witness something very exciting folks. Now watch. Here it comes. Wait for it...Wait for it. This it is...this is the moment when the heart of every single person in the world is ripped out of their chest and stomped on! Hooray!!! In all seriousness though. I don't like Valentine's Day. At. All. However, this year, we had a missions banquet Tuesday night at the church to support the Cocina del Amor. There was dinner, dancing, a silent auction...all in all, it was a pretty nice evening. But, I was still very aware of my single factor, but how can you not be on Singleness Awareness Day?

But I stand firm that someday my Prince will come. I've already got one in the Kingdom of Heaven, but I look forward to experiencing a little piece of that Heaven here on earth.

Peace!!

Party on Wayne! Party on Garth!

If you hadn't already noticed from this post and the last one, I have this sudden compulsion to watch very stupid movies. And the interesting thing is that both of these movies have starred Mike Myers. Very interesting indeed. Notice a trend here? But seriously, Wayne's World is a cult classic and must be viewed by all audiences everywhere. Now, for those of you who haven't seen it yet, go out and rent it! You know who you are.

Not only have I been watching stupid things lately, I've been doing stupid things as well. What stupid thing have I done recently? Well, I'll tell you. I walked 15 miles on Saturday in the cold and wind. I'm still in training for a 26 mile hike next month, but truly...walking 15 miles in the wind is stupid. I kept having to have my friend remind me why we were doing this. And her reminders, while fabulous, still didn't make me feel any better until I was laying on my couch and whimpering about the pain. The excrutiating, maddening pain!!

I hope your weekend was a memorable one.

Woman. Whoa-Man! Whoooooaaaaaa-MAN!!!

If you don't have any familiarity with the movie So I Married an Axe Murderer, then you don't have any clue as to what that title means. But if you have seen the movie, then you're rolling on the floor laughing begging for it to stop so that you can take that much needed breath. Okay, that's really not the funniest part of the movie (the Scottish father really steals the show), but the Woman-Woman-Woman poems are hysterical.

Why am I talking about this movie? Well, I'll tell you. I watched it last night. Yep, that's it. Nothing philosophical. I just watched it last night.

A friend of mine came over and we watched movies and ate pizza. After we discovered who the axe murderer was, we popped in some action from the boys whose life goal it is to incarcerate supernatural ecto-plasmic beings. My friend had never seen this particular flick, so we simply had to partake in the total cheese that it is. She laughed. I laughed. We laughed.

New Life

Last night was an amazing night for me...

First, I found out that some super friends of mine are having a boy. They are due in May and we have been waiting patiently to find out whether to buy pink or blue. We now know for sure and I just can't wait until that new little life joins us and grows up to be an awesome, fabulous man of God. New Life!! It's very exciting!!

Second, I have issues. I found this out last night. Most of you are probably nodding your heads in agreement already. And just let me say...ha ha...you're very funny. Rest assured, I am dealing with and working through all of this new information. And when the Lord and I are through sorting it all out, I will have a new life in Him and with Him. I know that it's going to be a little difficult and I'll probably want to sit and pout from time to time. Or be too scared to move around the next bend in the road. But, I will do it. I may have to grit my teeth, squeeze my eyes shut and crawl, but I will make it through. I will have a New Life!

It was a Day of Celebration

Yesterday, I celebrated. Yesterday, the champagne flowed like water. Yesterday, all things wrong were made right. Yesterday was truly an awesome day.

Okay, so it wasn't that fabulous, but it was a good day. Yesterday was the 6 year anniversary of my independence day. That's right people...6 years of freedom! But that's not necessarily the focus of my joy. I celebrate the road that the Lord and I have traveled together since then. There have been a lot of deviations from the path, but I always found my way back to Him. There were a lot of times where I just sat down in the middle of the road, stuck my bottom lip out for a big old pout-fest when things didn't look like they were going my way. And there were several times where I would find myself rooted in one place, scared to find out what was around the next bend in the road. But He was always there, always patient, always kind and more importantly, always loving me, encouraging me and guiding me. So we continue to walk together and we continue to grow closer to one another every day. I'm excited to be on this journey with Him...constantly in His loving gaze and surrounded by His loving arms. I can't imagine a better way to spend my life.

Who was that Masked Man?

The Legend of Zorro: $15
Dinner from Wendy's $6
Hanging out with friends watching a great movie and eating a burger: Priceless

Last night, we watched The Legend of Zorro. I laughed. I giggled. I guffawed. I chuckled. There was never a moment in that movie that I wasn't thoroughly entertained. Tornado was probably my favorite character. He added comedic relief with superb timing. If I had to choose a two-legged favorite, it would probably be the Priest. He rocked! He was feisty...even a bit scrappy.

Before movie night ensued, I partook of a guitar lesson. I started learning The World I Know by Collective Soul. It's harder than it sounds and my fingers stinkin' hurt this morning!! But it was fun and I'm excited about learning it.

But of course, far outweighing the lesson or the movie, spending time with my friends was the best part of my day.

No Worries...I'm Back

Sorry for my absence at the end of last week. I just really had nothing to talk about. Honest and for true. *Pause for audible gasp* However, the weekend has left me with a plethora of topics for us to converse about today. I worked a lock-in for 5th and 6th graders for about 45 minutes Saturday morning at 3am. I don't remember squealing that much when I was that age. It was interesting. When I got there, they were playing Sardines, which looked like a lot of fun, but only if you are the size of a 5th or 6th grader.

A scoche later that morning, I walked roughly 7 miles training for my marathon hike in March. It was a good, brisk walk. My friend and I chatted and had a good time.

Saturday evening, my niece had a birthday party to celebrate 6 glorious years as my niece. But, imagine, if you will, what this party was like. Water park. Lots of small children. 100% humidity. It was out of control. But she had a fabulous time as did all of her friends. Made me wish I was a little kid again. She had lots of fun. She got lots of cool gifts. And we all got to appreciate the joy that was bestowed upon us 6 years ago when she came into our lives.

Super Bowl Sunday!! I had a most phenomenal time at the Super Bowl party last night. I actually cheered for the Steelers. I know, I know. I'm sure you're all throwing your hands up in the air in confusion and disgust since I griped about them a few posts ago. But before you give up on me and chalk me up as insane, listen to my reasons. I was happy that Big Ben was able to prove himself as a quarterback and that his rookie season last year was not just a fluke. And if my Broncos couldn't represent the AFC at the Super Bowl, well I'm just glad that the team that did represent my conference won. And I think it's pretty neat that they made history this year by winning. As I said before, you may recall, no #6 seed team has ever gone to the Super Bowl...and they won it! I will confess that there were some bad calls. Seattle should have gotten that touchdown that was called back. I'm not so sure that Big Ben crossed the plane with the football on that particular touchdown. But, it was a hard fought, well matched football game. And I'm always up for a little football!!

I hope that your weekend left you with a plethora of things to talk about as well.

Take off, eh...

Ah yes. Strange Brew. It is the finest piece of cinematic magic ever put together. Okay, I almost made it through that statement without laughing. In all reality, it is probably one of the most ridiculous movies I have ever seen...thus making it hysterical in my book. I sat down to watch this amazing film with a couple of friends. Two of us had seen it before, so when a funny part was happening, we would laugh the appropriate length and then glance toward the one who hadn't seen it to make sure some laughter had bubbled to the surface. Every now and then, she chuckled. But it was more in that I-Can't-Believe-I'm-Actually-Watching-This-Movie chuckle. But she made it through with a smile on her face without so much as a complaint.

If you have never seen this movie, you simply must see it at least once. So, the next time you hear me say "Jelly donut coming" or "The Force has stopped you, you knob" or even the possible mention of a "soaker", you'll know what I'm talking about.