The Cheese

Spring!

2011-04-25T11:04:00.003-04:00

Oh my goodness, time has flown! The last time I posted it was still Fall, and now Winter has come and gone and Spring is here! Easter was yesterday - such a glorious day, celebrating our Risen Saviour with a Sunrise Service at 7:00 am, breakfast with the church, regular service at 11:00, and our family lunch after. It was a long, but blessed day!

I have a new niece - Dolly Elizabeth Wham, 7 lb. 6oz. 21 in., born April 19 - 3 weeks early, but healthy and oh so precious! She is so teeny - I always forget how small newborns are!

I am super excited about the MLA conference I am attending May 14-18 in Minneapolis, MN. It will be my first ever and I am looking forward to socializing, connecting, and learning! I will be on my own - slightly nervous about the flight (not the flying part, just getting through the airports and such), plus being in a strange city. But, I welcome the experience! I have my hotel booked, I just need my flight...

Mountain time and moving

2010-08-27T11:51:00.005-04:00

We are headed to the mountains this weekend! Matt is finally off on a Saturday, so we are taking Jon and going to Saluda tonight to Sunday. Tubing and fishing are probably on the menu for tomorrow and I just discovered a jazz band will be playing at The Purple Onion tomorrow night, so I can imagine we will take advantage of that! Not that we need an excuse to eat at the The Purple Onion! I want to take a looksie around the shops, as well - gotta do that! I promised Matt I wouldn't buy another china cabinet, though...definitely cannot afford one at this moment! But, I am looking forward to some mountain time, even if all I do is sit on the front porch - after I dust it off, I'm sure. Uncle Monty, Sheldon, and Rachel have been there for 3 weeks, so we will see how the house is holding up... Mom and the aunts took Grandma up for a day this week and I know she thoroughly enjoyed that - she does love going "home"! And it was probably extra-special, considering her stay in NHC and recent health problems - anything to get out and get away to one of her favorite places (Montana being first, I'd imagine...)! On Sunday I want to visit Asheville and have lunch at Barley's - mmmm, such good pizza!

Camille has moved into Clemson! So hard to believe that my baby sister is a freshman in college! I think Mom has held up fairly well - she has grandbabies, now, of course! Camille rushed for a sororiety and got into Zeta - I think she is thrilled! Such fun she will have...

Our roommates are finally moving out within the next weeks. Jon is headed to Florida, to be near his daughter, and Daniel will be just up the road, moving in with a friend. I am so ready to have my house back! Not that having two extra guys and all their stuff isn't fun and all... It will just be nice to have the space to spread out - I'm tired of being crammed into one or two rooms! Matt is all excited about his "man cave" we are turning the back bedroom into - basically, this is where the big couch and entertainment center with all his video game things and whatnot will go...good way to get it all out of the way! The second extra bedroom will stay a bedroom, but I plan to move the majority of my clothes and other things into it - yay, more space! It is all very exciting...

Larryn and Isaac are moving back! YAY!!! They both got jobs with John Deere in Augusta and last weekend they bought a house in Thomson, GA, right outside of Augusta near the plant. It is an old farmhouse with barns and a pond and acreage, and I think they are just really, really happy with how things have turned out - I know we are! Larryn and Mary Ellis will come down toward the end of Sept. and Isaac arrives the following weekend! The movers are to arrive on Sept. 21 to drop everything off, and since Larryn starts work the very next day, Eliza and I and possibly others are going to help her unpack - how fun! I cannot wait to see the house and land and hang with my sweet Mary Ellis, Perrin, and Sawyer - and my sisters, of course : ) Mom will arrive that next day to stay and keep Mary Ellis while Larryn is at work the rest of the week.

Big things happening!

Prayers

2010-07-30T13:32:00.002-04:00

For my grandma, still in the hospital with Congestive Heart Failure. I stayed with her last night. It is hard seeing her like this. It is hard on her being like this.

For my cousin, Make. His descent has hit rock-bottom and I am afraid for his life. I hope he will do what he must to stay alive. I hope Aunt Brenda can be strong.

I have been weepy today, and rightly so. I am ready for 5 o'clock and my husband.

Just a few things...

2010-07-28T14:08:00.002-04:00

I ate myself sick off of Chili's chips and salsa Sunday night.

I found my lipgloss I lost like 3 months ago!

I am very excited about starting my new book, The House at Riverton.

Things I'm Not Ashamed to Admit

2010-06-18T09:44:00.001-04:00

I like mayonnaise. I listen to Christmas music all year round. Sometimes I don't take a shower every day. I read the Harry Potter books all the time. I watch the Harry Potter movies all the time. Sometimes I put on my make-up while I'm driving. There are times when I jam out to Bryan Adams - like this morning on the way to work.

Reviews: Wonderland Tales...

2010-06-15T11:57:00.000-04:00

I finally saw Alice in Wonderland the other night - the new one, not the Disney cartoon because I've seen that a bazillion times. I liked it! It is different, but hello, it's Tim Burton. Of course it will be different! Wonderland is still wacky, but a bit more run-down than we last saw it. The characters are colorful and bizarre, but with noticeably less pep in their step - must be that overbearing Red Queen dragging them down. Alice is sad and cynical, not at all the bright-eyed and inquisitive child she was on her last visit. Heck, she doesn't even remember her last visit! It is a relief to note that her cynicism is not angry - on the contrary, it seems rather passive. She is not at all fazed by her sudden descent down the hole, nor by Wonderland and its oddities...in fact, one begins to question her unremarkable attitude until you remember she thinks it all a dream - unworthy of a reaction, you see, since in her dream she will come to no harm, she will wake up, none of this is real. Until, of course, she realizes she can, she won't, and it is... In the end, all is right (wrong?) and Alice just tells it like it is. I especially like her advice for Aunt Imogene - "There is no prince. You need to talk to someone about your delusions"...well said. Definitely worthy of a purchase at a later date and time...

Next, The Thirteenth Tale, a book I have now read twice and can see doing so again. Really excellent. Several words come to mind - gothic, strange, twisted, sad, madness, seclusion, incest...yes, I said it. I think what makes this such a good book is that it really is just a good story... A famous, yet highly reclusive author is finally telling the story of her much-sought-after and much-lied-about childhood. Her biographer is a young antiquarian bookkeeper with a haunted past of her own. And speaking of haunted... The Angelfields live in their beautiful but crumbing estate, practically locking themselves inside its decaying walls for generations while ignoring the world around them. They are a strange family. And pretty twisted - at least, Charlie and Isabelle are. The twins are just victims of inbred mental illness and a severe lack of care. Read this book.

Summahtime...

2010-06-07T12:03:00.000-04:00

...is moving right along! Officialy it does not start for another few weeks, of course, but what does that mean? It's 90 degrees outside and school is out - it's summertime.

Super excited about the beach in 5 weeks - whoop-whoop! Matt and I are both ready to kick up our feet and do nothing! Everyone will be there for this year, including Larryn and Isaac and Ellie - full house, to say the least! I think 17 of us? And that's not including Sallie or Sam, who will probably show up...

Matt and are great. Work is going well for both of us. He is having to work some nights now, which neither of us are thrilled about, but he loves his job and is willing to work when he is needed. Plus, the nights aren't that late, he is usually home by 10:00 - no rolling in at 2:00 or 3:00am, that's for sure! The Mill House is still kicking - the pizza is delish and everyone who eats there seems to agree! Work is going great for me. We just finished tallying up budget for next year, which was a totally new experience for me, so that was interesting. Still getting things in order, but I think that will be an on-going project for some time... Loving being done with school! Now I'm just waiting on that diploma...

Camille graduated from high school last week...I cannot believe the baby is a graduate! Mom did fine, she didn't totally lose it like I thought. Perhaps when Camille actually leaves for Clemson, then she will have the breakdown?? She will be fine, with 4 grandkids not even a mile away... Still, that's hard, having the baby graduated and gone...

MLIS

2010-05-07T09:28:00.000-04:00

Today is Graduation Day! I'm not walking and I'll be at work around 3:00 pm when my college graduates, but it still counts! I'm kind of bummed because I won't get my actual diploma for a few more months - dang. I was ready to frame that baby! And my Lander diploma...where is that thing anyway? I am pretty excited about finishing up, though. I had a job opportunity here at work and so I decided to go ahead and graduate with just my Master's degree, dropping the school media certification for now. I plan to enroll in the Specialist Program and I will have 6 years to complete that degree, if I wish. But...no more school for now! Awesome.

Sam and Sallie graduate from PC this weekend - Silas graduates from Anderson! Congrats to everyone! And Camille graduates from Clinton High in a few weeks - oh my, that's just crazy! The baby...

School

2010-04-30T10:46:00.000-04:00

I almost had a panic attack on Tuesday, when I realized that the assignment I was getting ready to email in was actually supposed to be snail-mailed, postmarked 4/27. I realized this (well, I remembered this, since I've actually known since January) on 4/27 around 4:00 pm. Oops. Both of our post offices, kudos to them, are closed by 4:30 - nice. So, I busted it to the UPS Store where I couldn't get a 4/27 postmark, but I did get a 4/27 meter mark? Whatever that means...

Frankly, I don't really care, because I am DONE WITH SCHOOL!! Whoop-whoop! Graduate career over (for now, until I decide to go back, if I do) - give me that diploma! I am super-excited about having my Master's degree - I will be getting that diploma framed! And my undergraduate, since I never got that done 8 years ago when I graduated. Graduation is one week from today; my official graduation time is 5/7 at 3:00 pm, but I'm not walking (I wasn't paying for a cap and gown!) so I won't be there. I'll be at work at 3:00 pm : ( Still excited, though!

Anyway...celebration!!

Enya makes me happy

2010-04-02T08:53:00.000-04:00

Yes, she does. I still play her Christmas CD.

2010-03-31T10:05:00.000-04:00

"March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb." It is the last day of March - has this come to pass? I'm not seeing any lambs - but, I suppose the weather hasn't been too liony lately. So, does this mean that "April showers will bring May flowers"? Probably - more like "March showers."

My obsession is beginning to haunt my dreams. What obsession? Oh, just NCIS, the best show ever. I do love it. But, I've been having some dreams that border on bad lately, and my lightbulb moment was in figuring out it's probably because of my 3-hour-5-day-a-week NCIS marathons. Like, last night I was in some sort of war game dream, and the other day NCIS was playing war games - creepy. Perhaps I should lay off? Nah... That's like saying lay off Harry Potter or something - not gonna happen.

Well, married life is great. The roommates are not. Yes, I am a newlywed with roommates. Yes, I am not happy about it. Are they leaving soon? Fingers crossed. I get my first big paycheck this Friday and Matt's finally getting paid, so we'll see what our financial future holds. But - they will be leaving as soon as possible. Nothing against them, I want my house back and I want my house for just my husband and me - plus, I need those rooms they're in!

I graduate in May and I am sooooo excited! Looking forward to a degree and no school for a while; not looking forward to paying those loans off. Bummer. I'll be paying up and out and everything in between for the next 50 years.

Another year has come and gone

2009-12-29T11:04:00.000-05:00

Well, almost. Christmas has come and gone : ( It was fun, of course - always - but it is over and now I must wait a whole year for it to come around again (I understand this is how that whole once-a-year type of thing works). : ) But the new year approaches and I can't believe it! 2010. We keep right on moving along. Time really does march on. Isn't it crazy?

Being a newlywed is still great : ) I've been a little sick the past week or so, which kind of sucks but I'm getting better. Matt is wonderful and I feel content.

Larryn and Isaac are here until this weekend. All of the siblings and in-laws went out to TW Boons last night for food and drinks - lots of fun! It was a good time.

My birthday is Saturday. The big three-"oh". One of those milestone birthdays, I suppose...I'm ready - there's nothing I can do about it anyway, might as well enjoy it!

Christmas, Christmas time is here...

2009-12-24T10:55:00.001-05:00

It's Christmas Eve! This year has flown, to say the least - I guess it always does : ) This is my favorite time of the year and I feel as though I haven't enjoyed it quite as much as usual. I guess we had a crammed Holiday Season - even more so than usual! I do always manage to enjoy the Season, though, and remember the reason we celebrate, but next year I will definitely be more organized and there will be no wedding to worry about, so maybe I won't feel so hurried! I can't believe Christmas is here and that a New Year will soon begin! Plus, my birthday : ) The big 3-0. Crazy...

The day started out okay

2009-12-14T13:22:00.000-05:00

And then I dropped my phone in my coffee, realized my ID badge was in another vehicle, and now I'm having really bad stomach pains...

But at least we have our china cabinet with dishes in it, now!

Over and done with

2009-12-04T09:47:00.000-05:00

My day is over! I am so sad : ( Everything was wonderful and great and perfect and even though it was cold enough to freeze the end of my nose (and a few other places) I think everyone had a good time! My wedding was so beautiful - short and sweet, but I remember every bit of it and I loved it. The groom and his men looked so handsome, my bridesmaids so beautiful. The reception wasn't a blur, either - I think I talked to almost everyone, but didn't get to say goodbye to hardly anybody. The band and the wine were a hit, as were the soups and sandwiches...Anna fixed me a plate and rather loudly and somewhat forcibly ordered me to sit down and eat (thanks, Anna), so I got to taste the crab bisque...mmmm...and the philly cheesesteak sandwiches...mmmm. Oh, and the ham on sweet potato biscuits - right on. I froze to death in my halter dress, but it was pretty so who cares? Mom gave me a wrap to wear over my shoulders, so that helped some - if I went outside I made a beeline straight for the fire pits....ah, warmth. But finally we changed and I had to take the dress off : ( We got pelted - PELTED, I say! - with birdseed, and I think I know who smacked me in the face with a bucketful of it and they better be glad they're in Iowa : ) So, I'm still finding birdseed all in my car and several other places... We did manage to go out after leaving the reception. I thought I would be able to sneak in unnoticed - no such thing, we got an announcement and some very loud applause, and I know the people in there who didn't know us were like "Who the h*ll are these people?" But, most of my friends came out and we stayed at Sports Break for a while and then we all ended up going to Stokie's to see the Medallions, so it was a fun night. Matt and I got a room at the Fairfield Marriott - very, very nice, even if it was a bit pricey...well, I guess it was Thanksgiving weekend. We did manage to make it to brunch at his parents' house the next morning, so we were able to talk more with his family - most of them I had never met, so it was nice to finally meet all these people I hear about! And then of course we had to stay and watch the Clemson/Carolina game, so we went to Barry and Cecilia's for that - it was great hanging out with them, but that's all I'll say about that game. Then, it was to the mountains and an amazing four days! We bought an antique china cabinet, ate lots and lots of good food and drank lots and lots of good wine, built fires and watched The Office (which we bought on DVD, then had to go buy a DVD player when we realized the one at the cabin was broken), bought some jams and jellies and cheeses, went fishing in the rain (yes, he had me traipsing around that mountain, up and down slippery slopes and through brush and water...it was fun), drove to Asheville and Hendersonville, even got some Christmas shopping done. All in all, it was hard coming back to the real world and our disaster-relief-declared home...but we were ready, ready to get going on our life together - and getting organized.

Wish us luck!

Madness

2009-11-25T10:20:00.000-05:00

I guess it will hit me eventually that I am getting married in 2 days? Hit me like a ton of bricks, right to the side of the face...a firm nudge would do : )

But...major excitement over the next couple of days! Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I am always so thankful for the blessings God has bestowed upon me - family galore, too many friends to count, good food, more possessions than I need, a roof over my head - the list goes on and on! I love this time of year, and even with my chaotic life, I have still managed to enjoy it all. I am so looking forward to tomorrow, because Thanksgiving is one of my favorite Holidays, and not only will I be surrounded by familiar family and friends, but there will be new faces, as well! I am ready to meet all of my new family and for them to meet my family - it's just gonna be one big crazy mess and I love it!

Still a lot to do today and tomorrow. Tanning bed, Walmart (yuck!) for prescriptions (which I almost forgot about!) and groceries, nails perhaps, I need to pack, go home and try on the dress and whatnot, make deviled eggs and the corn, finish packing and cleaning my bathroom...and what I really need is SLEEP!

4 more days 'til Friday!

2009-11-23T15:24:00.000-05:00

AAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! JK. I am SUPER EXCITED about it all!!! Not counting today, I have 4 days to go until the BIG day! Yowza...that is just plain crazy! Frankly, I'm surprised I even remember what day it is, much less what I have done/have to do. This weekend was spent packing and moving. My honey is the BEST because he moved all my heavy stuff while I packed my life away into boxes. Of course, now his dining room looks like a tornado threw up in it... At least my clothes are unpacked, so I have something to wear this week. His closet is all neat and clean, now, his stuff on one side, mine on the other...and what a job that was! I still don't know where my jewelry is, nor many other things...kind of disconcerting. This week I have to: meet with my wedding planner; try on my dress again with all the fixins (perhaps I should say stuff myself into all the fixins); tan; get the rest of my stuff out of the apt.; clean the apt.; keep unpacking and putting away, cleaning, etc.; make deviled eggs and creamed corn for Thanksgiving; mail in my stuff for my teacher certification; pick up our wedding bands; keep going to work (blah); and I would say "school" but I gave up on that 2 weeks ago - who cares right now? I'll pick it back up next week, when the honeymoon's over : )

Soooo...is it Saturday, the day after the wedding, yet? ; )

Moving right along

2009-10-28T11:36:00.000-04:00

According to my Belk registry, I have 30 days to go, I think? Wedding dress - check. Wedding shoes - check. Bridal portraits - check. Undergarments to stuff myself into - check, check, check. Gifts galore - too many checks to count. Guys' suits - check (well, except for the slight pleated and cuffs vs. flat and straight mishap - at least only 2 need to be exchanged!). Invitations sent - check. Cake - check. Groom's cake - in the works (it's a surprise!). Programs - in the works. Food - in the works. My stress level - in the works...

Anyway...much has been done, much yet to do. What else.......my laptop is ruined - oops. Good thing Meg is letting me use hers, even if it is the size of a portable DVD player. Matt's parents are back from Pittsburgh, very very happy about that : ) His sister had her baby last week, a little girl, Genevieve. Very French - and of course Matt says "She stole my first choice for a girl." What, what??!! I have never heard any mention of a Genevieve before now! Men. I'm about to pay my last month's rent in the apt - well, except for those stupid 4 days we have to pay for in December, since apparently our apartments take a 40 day instead of a 30 day notice? What is that? But still - last month's rent, whoop-whoop!

It's all coming together...and I must thank Mom for that - and all the aunts and hosts and whomever else has helped, b/c where would I be w/out them? Getting married at the court house, that's where.

Much ado about...

2009-10-08T14:14:00.000-04:00

Everything... Wedding, school, work - you know, the usual! Had to get my car's heating/cooling unit fixed last week, and now something else seems to be wrong with it...of course there is...so, must get that taken care of before the old warranty runs out! The man I love left my laptop out in the rain on Sunday - ALL NIGHT LONG, I might add - you know, during all that torrential rain we had that day and night...my discovery of it Monday morning almost gave me a heart attack. Still letting it dry out, we can only hope it's not fried because what the heck am I supposed to do if it is? Buying a new one costs $$$ - and, yes, I realize computers have come down from $1000 to $600, but $600 is still too much for this poor gal! Trying to remember to keep up with my schoolwork, which has suddenly become much harder without a computer of my own...typing up a paper at 7 o'clock at night at the hospital just isn't high on my list of things I enjoy doing. Still wedding planning...leaving it up to Mom, mostly, but I have my duties : ) Right now I'm on the hunt for dark brown suits for my groomsmen and my hubby-to-be...preferrably cheap. Trying to gather the courage to vigorously clean out Matt's house...and begin packing and moving my own things. This past weekend in NC was a respite...I got to see my Ellie girl!!! And Larryn and Isaac and the rest of my fam, too, of course. Mary Ellis is just so beautiful and all she does is smile and laugh! She was completely man-handled the entire weekend and I never heard her cry once...such a good girl! All my nieces and nephews are brilliant...FYI.

Is it December, yet?? : )

What's going on, Microsoft?

2009-08-26T11:03:00.000-04:00

So, to whom do I direct my complaints per Microsoft/Internet Explorer/Hotmail/etc. ? Rather, whom do I complain to and KNOW that what I am saying is getting through? Sigh. I'm afraid there is no one. Okay, here's the deal. Microsoft is a multi-billion dollar corporation - software, technology, internet, programs, whatever - this is what they do - so, why can't they do it RIGHT?!? Hello, Bill Gates, are you out there? Why is it that every time I try to connect to my Hotmail, I get a "cannot connect to Windows Live Hotmail" message? What is up with that? And how come I am always getting "Internet Explorer has encountered an error" messages that ultimately lead to my internet being shut down? What's going on? I mean, is Microsoft so overwhelmed that they cannot produce and/or run their products correctly? I am seriously considering switching to Mozilla Firefox b/c IE has become such a pain. I already have several email accounts so I will stick it out w/Hotmail for right now, but COME ON! What is the deal? It's not like you don't have thousands of people working for you - have you become such a big head that you don't care about your products anymore, you just mass produce and slap an outrageous price tag on it, knowing that people will buy? WTF?

Of course, the problem COULD be that at work, our IE is more than likely outdated b/c it's like a Nazi regime here when it comes to IT, so no dowloading updates, etc. w/out permission and they don't seem to think those sorts of things are important...that could be the issue here...

But still...Microsoft could do OH SO MUCH BETTER! Seriously...

Ellie

2009-08-11T11:31:00.000-04:00

Continue to keep my sweet niece Ellie in your thoughts and prayers. My sister and b-i-l meet with the specialists again today and find our more info on Ellie's condition - I think they get the results from her blood test back, as well, so they will know more about this metabolic disorder. They are still feeling sucker-punched, I think, but Larryn and Isaac are very disciplined and they have great faith that God is in control - little Ellie will be just fine (and so will they)! She'll just be a vegeterian, more than likely... I lament the steak and cheese she will miss out on, but, hey, that stuff isn't all that good for you anyway!

Plus, she has red hair so that just makes her a-okay : )

Big News!

2009-07-13T12:08:00.001-04:00

First off - I am a new auntie again!! Larryn had her baby this morning at 9:55. Mary Ellis Thompson, 9lb., 21 1/4 in. - what a big girl! AND she has red hair! Love it! It was a long night for Lar and she struggled to have Mary Ellis naturally and all by herself, buuuut...it wasn't meant to be and she had a c section this a.m. The docs were a little worried about Lar, her blood pressure had gone up and they were and still are worried about preeclampsia, so they are keeping an eye on her... All the best to my new niece out in Iowa! And her parents, of course : ) And good driving to Dad, Becca, Jay, and Livie and William as they head out today... And a good flight to Mom whenever she heads back...

Second - Matt and I are ENGAGED! He proposed to me last Tuesday, 7/8. What a surprise! The ring is beautiful and I am so happy! : ) No date set, yet...

Feeling Beachy!

2009-06-16T13:19:00.001-04:00

The beach was wonderful! I still can't believe it's over and I'm home : ( We missed Larryn and Isaac, but were full to bursting even without their added numbers - we will have to rent a mansion next year! What with the addition of 2 little ones and all : ) I think we all missed Holden, but enjoyed Surfside...not too busy, which we like, but still lots to do - hey, it's Myrtle Beach! Plenty of sun, sand, and water. We really enjoyed having a pool, b/c some days you just don't want to do the beach. The little ones definitely loved the pool - Livie jumped right in with those swimmies (and probably would have even without them). Perrin started walking - shaky, but getting there. William jabbered the entire time - who knows what he's saying? It's cute, whatever it is! Sallie and Matt came with us, of course, and on Tuesday Sam showed up! Mom and Dad decided to return Upstate for a funeral and they brought him back with them. So, there were 15 of us, I believe? Three being under the age of 2...a bit hectic, at times, but we're used to that! So, all I can say is...when are we going back????

Suppertime - kind of crazy at times

Mom and Dad

The "big kids" got to go out while Nana & Papa babysat!

All the boys (minus Sam) by the pool - we need sun!

Willie hanging out

Matt, William, and Me

Coaxing Livie into her swimmies

She's a great swimmer!

Livie and Becca - we loved the pool

Perrin and Eliza headed to the beach

Cutesie-pie loved the beach!

Camille and Sallie, our bathing beauties

Nana and Perrin

Matt and Livie playing - they dug up a crab!

Sweet girl - not so into the beach, especially the ocean

William waking up from an ocean-side nap

Perrin and Camille taking a break in the air-conditioning!

The theatre, the theatre, what happened to the theatre?

2009-05-25T11:30:00.001-04:00

We went to the movies last weekend. One man tripped coming up the stairs and almost face-planted in the theatre. We tried not to laugh but couldn't help giggling quietly as soon as his back was to us. Another couple brought their 3 year-old, who didn't seem too keen on watching the movie or being quiet. What did he care of Captain James T. Kirk and the Enterprise? The family who sat behind us huffed and puffed their way to the top - I thought I might have to call the paramedics, but they managed to gulp down their popcorn and sodas so I'm assuming they were okay. At least no one sat directly behind or in front of us. I hate it when people do that, especially when 3/4 of the seats are empty. Teenagers at the theatre are a given. Teens "hang out" at the movies like it's the mall or an arcade - I guess they find interesting things to do, like standing against the lobby wall slurping their drinks and watching other movie-goers. Or standing in bunches outside, smoking cigarettes and swearing because they think it's cool. One couple was having a row as we walked in - well, she was standing with her arms crossed while he was gesturing into her ear going "What the **** did I do this time?" Ahhh...young love. One thing most teens do NOT do at the movies is actually shut up and watch the movie they have convinced their parents to drop them off to see. Very annoying for those of us who are paying out our wazoo to do just that. I used to get embarrassed when my mother or father would say something to people displaying their stupidity in public places - now I embarrass my boyfriend by doing the same. I am appalled on a daily basis by the utter rudeness of people and sometimes I just have to say something. I feel these people should be grateful I don't smack the **** out of them.

School's out for summer!

2009-05-12T12:48:00.001-04:00

Relief...I thought this semester would never end. And while I appreciate all I have learned, I also appreciate it ending. I thought for sure I bombed my final, but I did WAY better than expected..."A's" in both classes! That brings my GPA to a 3.83...pretty impressive for someone only taking 2 classes a semester : ) Now I get to look forward to Anna's wedding (!) and leaving directly after for the BEACH!!! Very, very excited about that...and this time, I get to stay for the entire week! Matt and I are both going, which makes it that much better...

Photo Story Project

2009-04-19T19:24:00.000-04:00

Here is my Photo Story project* created for the collaboration assignment. I collaborated on a health unit for K-5 - Healthy Habits for Teeth and Body.

I did not include credits in the Photo Story, so I am including credits here (in order of when the images appear in the video):

1. http://betterkidcare.psu.edu/AngelUnits/OneHour/Eating/ChildFoodPyramidSm.gif

2. http://healthyfoodguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/healthy_food_guides1.jpg

3. http://www.impactlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/exercise1.jpg

4. http://www.nacdnet.org/education/clipart/BrushingTeeth.jpg

5. http://www.sbceo.org/~impact2/TeachnetArchives/tnetarchive/jessica/Books/poster.jpg

6. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3200/2480199202_3def2116b0.jpg?v=1210406041

7. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zsHHFKZalNg/SIqf_iwOu3I/AAAAAAAAAPQ/f8iNuCS7cQ8/%20s320/Rishi%2BBike%2Blow.jpg

8. http://youngestofone.typepad.com/main/files/teeth.jpg

* This is only an example and not an actual project.

On the horizon...

2009-03-12T13:36:00.000-04:00

It's that time of year. Winter's leaving, Spring's arriving, school is dragging, sick season is here...and the economy is falling ever faster. It's easy to ignore the bad times when you haven't been hit by them, but it is becoming increasingly harder as more and more people discover what others already know - this is affecting us all. Our hospital announced yesterday it is downsizing and suddenly many of us face futures that are not so secure. I am not afraid to admit that I am worried; however, I am not worrying. I have school to worry over : ) - I don't need work, either! You know, what's done is done and what will be will be, and I can only hope and pray. It is in God's hands, He knows what is best, He is in control, and my job now is to show up for work on time, do my best while I'm here, and keep my fingers crossed!

Love to you all in these hard times that seem to only be getting harder...
We will make it...

Cutesies...

2009-03-12T13:31:00.001-04:00

I knew Livie would be cute on the trip (and at all other times). She loves watching Barney (I know, I know - Barney is STILL around), but what she enjoys watching are the song and dance routines. Apparently there is one song, "This Old Man" - y'all know the one, "This old man, he played one..." - that the Barney kids perform with the help of a huge mat-like keyboard laid out on the floor. They dance up and down the keyboard, acting like they are playing the song with their feet. So, if you are ever around Liv and want her to perform, all you have to do is start singing "This old man, he played one..." and she will, on cue, start hopping around 'cause she's acting like she's playing that keyboard! TOO cute, I must say...you gotta see her do it, it's way better than reading about it...

Saluda, here we come!

2009-02-19T15:13:00.000-05:00

We are headed to the mountains! Time to smoosh in like sardines...for real. I love the mountain house, but we're running out of space! Matt said "No thanks" to the invite, citing the obvious as his reason - no room! He doesn't relish sleeping on a cot and/or in the middle of the floor...I don't blame him. I guess we're just used to it? Pack 'em in, that's what we do best! It will be fun times, though...the girls are headed to Asheville and the Biltmore House tomorrow and the boys are looking for some skiing fun...Dad says he will stay behind and work on the basement, b/c - you guessed it - we need MORE SPACE! The Biltmore House will be wonderful, I adore going there and it's been almost 2 years since my last visit = ( Plus, I get to spend all this quality time with the little ones...wouldn't pass that up for a million! I'm sure I will have something hysterical to post about Livie...she's always doing something funny! And Perrin...his army crawl rocks, he can get around faster than I can! William's still a sleeper...but a cute one!

TaTa, for now...

STEELERS ARE SUPER BOWL CHAMPS!

2009-02-10T16:09:00.000-05:00

Sooooo, I'm a little late in posting it, but this was the BEST Super Bowl I've ever seen, and my Steelers came out on top! The Steelers are the only team to win the Super Bowl 6 times... My crush on Big Ben continues...

Awesome...

Steelers win! Steelers win!

2009-01-19T13:17:00.000-05:00

My Steelers beat out the Baltimore Ravens 21-14 to win the AFC Championship!

Super Bowl XLIII, here we come!!!

New Year's and Birthday...

2009-01-14T10:53:00.000-05:00

Okay, so the Holidays are over, but I just can't let them go! I have to write a few lines about New Year's and my birthday - woo-hoo! Matt and I celebrated the New Year by trucking it to Mountville and Becca and Jay's house. He had to work on New Year's Day, so we didn't want to go out and whoop it up 'til 4 in the morning. We had supper with Becca and Jay and Eliza and Brandon - steaks...mmmm. All the little cuties were there, of course, and while I love seeing my sisters and b-i-l, the niece and nephews just make my day : ) Matt's, too. We didn't actually ring in the New Year out in Mountville, by the time 12 o'clock hit Mollie and Matt were back in Greenwood. I was on the couch at midnight - I'm such a partier. So, my New Year's Eve was so rockin' - and I liked it that way.

My birthday was fun. The big two-nine. Yeah - 30, here I come. I'm not too worried, though...I mean, what am I supposed to do, turn back the wheel of time? Come on. Anyway, we were all at the Big House that night, having a little party, not really for my birthday, just on my birthday. I still got lots of birthday wishes, though, which is always nice. Makes you feel special : ) Gray and Seth stopped by - good to see you guys! Gray is due this summer, I think, close to when Larryn is due. We played "Apples to Apples," which is totally fun, but of course Mollie got to feeling icky-bad and we had to leave way too early - big stinker. I hear some folks stayed for quite awhile! The next morning was my "real" birthday party...brunch at Mom and Dad's before Larryn and Isaac headed out. : ( I got some pretty neat stuff - my family is good at the giving of gifts. I love everything I got - the camera case rocks b/c I was getting worried about my new digital camera banging around inside my purse; the MP3 player is very cool, I'm always plugging in and listening to some music; and all the new earrings are so beautiful! I have to mention the two books I got - love them! I love having new books to add to my collection. These are The Thirteenth Tale, by Diane Setterfield, and Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follett. The Thirteenth Tale is one of my favorites and I knew I just had to have it for my own, and Pillars of the Earth is actually an Oprah pick (not that I care what Okra says) that I have been dying to read - it's a pretty hefty tome, too. AND Mom and Dad gave me $$ for a gym membership! This is my year to get in shape...for real. I can't face the 30's like this...so, if my dr. will ever fax that approval form they sent to him like last week, then I can actually start working out at Wellness Works...and he needs to hurry up, I'm losing my momentum, here...still excited and determined, but you know what I mean...

I have pictures for both New Year's Eve and my birthday, but those will have to wait until I am at home on my laptop and can upload them...

Toodles!

The Meltdowns...

2008-12-30T12:30:00.001-05:00

We've all had them...we've all seen them. Let's face it, when you've got kids around, there are going to be happy times - and there are going to be the I'm-tired-and-I-don't-know-what-else-to-do-so-I'm-gonna-cry times. In most cases comfort is all that is needed - a pacifier, a bottle, a kitty-cat, a cracker, a nap...

So, here are the Meltdown Moments of Christmas 2008, courtesy of Perrin and Livie... : (

Not quite a meltdown, it's just naptime

Unhappy

Starting to melt...

Definite breakdown...

But only for a moment

More unhappiness has begun...

And is now full-blown

But have no fear, all is well, now...being tired and hungry will do that to you, you know...delirium sets in, and come on, when you can't talk, what else is there to do but pitch a fit? : )

Trees, presents, and food

2008-12-29T14:29:00.000-05:00

What else is Christmas about? Besides Jesus, of course : )

So, here we are at the trough...mmmmmm, look at all that good food...

And here are all the pretty trees and all the pretty gifts...

And here is the giving, the waiting, and the opening of the presents...well, some of them...

Christmas 2008

2008-12-29T13:33:00.000-05:00

So, I cannot believe that Christmas has already come and gone! Eeeek! I love the Holidays and am always sad to see them go...but, take heart, for there is still the New Year to celebrate! And then...my birthday!! More and more and more fun, fun, fun...I hope : ) I do have a few pictures to post from our recent Christmastime festivities. Oh, and there is another niece/nephew on the way!! My sister and brother-in-law in Iowa announced Christmas morning that she is due in July!! Yay!! Bring on the kiddies...

And just in case you don't fully realize what all Christmas with my family entails, here is a brief synopsis...Christmas morning - "Santa" gifts at Mom and Dad's, then breakfast...lunch at the Big House with Dad's side of the family, gifts...this year Matt and I headed to his parents' house between lunch and supper...supper at the Big House with Mom's side of the family, gifts and Christmas play. I take off the day after because I need a full day to recover, but this year we also did family Christmas the night of the 26th, so more gifts and food and fun...whew!

Mom, a.k.a "Nana Claus," cooking and cleaning on Christmas morning
My newly-pregnant sister, Larryn, and our new nephew, William

I got to wake up my cute-as-a-button nephew, Perrin, that morning

Funny Livie doing "Ho-Ho-Ho"

Baby William doing what he does best
Mollie and her sweet baby Cade

Camille and Larryn at "The Big House" for lunch

Cousins Amelia and Keryn

Matt's brother-in-law, Jeff, and nephew, Max

My cousin, Silas, was Santa Claus...in highwater pants

My cousin, Silas; my brother, Eli; my cousin, Sam

Mom and Dad and Perrin

My sister, Becca, and my niece, Livie - who absolutely loves kitty-cats

Mollie and Matt and Isaac's "thumbs-up"

Eli, Camille with William, Becca, and Jay

Sleepytime...

"Christmas, Christmas...

2008-12-08T13:33:00.001-05:00

time is here!" Yay!! I love the Christmas Season...lights, decorations, cold weather, snow (hey, I can dream!), presents, Christmas trees, Christmas music...it's all good! And now that I'm done with school and can actually enjoy the Season, it's even better! Our apartment is all decorated for the Holidays, looking cute and cozy. The invitations for parties have begun to roll in...the Big House is decorated fit for a king and ready for the Christmas Day festivities. Talked with my sister in Iowa last night...they will be coming in Christmas Eve and it will be wonderful to see them. My other sister is quite ready to have her baby, and little William should be here in a few weeks! All-in-all, it's been rather exciting and it will only be getting better...

Matt and I went to an oyster roast this past weekend. I've never had oysters before. They were okay, I at least tried several and with homemade cocktail sauce anything is good : ) I mostly nibbled at all the other good food, though...and drank my wine, of course. It was a good time, standing outside around the heaters and fire pit, talking and talking and talking...lots of fun! Thanks to the Schultzes for the invite, it was a blast! And Happy Birthday to Meg!

Oh Tannebaum...

2008-11-30T14:39:00.000-05:00

Just sitting here, commenting on 5 books on my LibraryThing page, thinking about the Web 2.0 tool I'm going to blog about for class, listening to Vince Guaraldi's "Charlie Brown Christmas." It's the best. Anyway...Thanksgiving was great - too much food, it was a little hot in the kitchen, what with all the food and trying to set everything up and that wood stove blazing like there's no tomorrow. But always so wonderful to see everyone.

So, guess the Holidays are officially here!

Check engine...

2008-11-25T15:43:00.001-05:00

Ahhh...we all need a break from the daily grind every now and then, and I guess it was time for mine!

So, my "check engine" light came on last night...this has never happened in my Trailblazer before so I was just a little worried, not knowing what, if anything, was wrong. Those sensors can be kind of tricky, sometimes, you know. Anyway, Mom and Dad drive to Greenwood last night to make the switch, giving me Mom's Tahoe (nice...drives a lot smoother than mine, but I love my 'Blazer). So, I'm at work today and Dad calls..."Hey, Mollie...how's it going...want to know what's wrong with your car? Are you sitting down, ready for this?" I am completely freaking out at this point, wondering what in the world is wrong, and more importantly, how in the heck am I going to pay for it? He goes "Well, they checked your engine and it has a crack in it, there's stuff leaking out everywhere and it looks like it'll be about $4000 to fix it."

Cue the H-E-A-R-T A-T-T-A-C-K...

Then I remembered that I have an exteneded warranty- TG - and so I'm like "Well, wouldn't that be covered under my warranty?" "I'm not sure...maaayyyybee...we'll have to see..." Then..."Just kidding! Want to know what was really wrong?" Um, yes, now that I can't breath, yes I do... Apparently a good number of "check engine" light mishaps occur if a gas cap is off - which mine was. We both felt like idiots! Had a good laugh at that. We hadn't even thought to check that...and who knew the gas cap was connected to a sensor, anyway? Well, Dad did...and now I do...

At any rate, I apparently needed new tires ASAP, anyway, so Dad fixed me up with 4 of those...nice early Christmas. So, now, when we get all that ice and snow that we're gonna get this year, I'll be good to go : )

And the Insanity Begins...

2008-11-24T10:34:00.000-05:00

Well, technically, I guess I've been insane for some time now...but we'll just pretend it's starting today. This weekend was great...glad it's over though...whew! It was really enjoyable seeing all 92 of my classmates' faces, but kind of chaotic and tiring, as well. I had a great time Booktalking, I love all the books I was presenting, so that made it somewhat easier...and I'll list them here, for you, if you ever want to check them out:

The French Passion, Diane du Pont
So Worthy My Love, Kathleen Woodiwiss
Redeeming Love, Francine Rivers
Daughters of the Summer Storm, Francis Patton Statham
Celia Garth, Gwen Bristow
Outlander, Diana Gabaldon
The Pride of the Peacock, Victoria Holt
Children of the Mist, Aleen Malcolm

Historical romance was my theme, in case you hadn't noticed : ) Anyway...all really good books, if you like that sort of thing...too, I wanted to point out my LibraryThing books that are listed on the right...click on "my library" and you can check out what I have listed there...LibraryThing is great, I would recommend you set up a free account - if you're a book lover, it's wonderful!

But, back to the insanity...most of my assignments are due Dec. 1, so that means I'll be working OT this week to get all last-minute things turned in on time...lots of reading, lots of writing...

And, I wanted to give a shout-out to my Dunkie...I LOVE YOU DUNKIE!! All will be well...

Panic...

2008-11-21T13:38:00.000-05:00

It's starting. I only have 2 more weeks of school, technically 1 week until everything is due...AAAHHHHH! So, to all friends and family who will be seeing me between now and then...sorry. And to my boyfriend...doubly sorry. Right now I am trying to prepare for my onsite tomorrow in Columbia...that'll be one long day. And I always did hate speaking in front of people...yech. But, looking forward to the month or so that will be school-free...it's almost here!

One day at a time...one day at a time...

Update...

2008-11-20T15:21:00.000-05:00

Well, yes, doc, now that you mention it, I haven't been feeling so great lately...

Got some new meds...well, just one, but this one I'll be taking twice a day along with my other once a day...so, that's 3 pills per day - two in the morning, one at night...whew! TG for $4 medications at Wal-Mart...not that I'm putting a plug in for the 'Mart, I'm just saying...

Fingers crossed...

BP, doctors, and cheeseburgers...

2008-11-20T10:07:00.000-05:00

So, today I am dealing with my high blood pressure - again. It's always been a problem. I take meds for it, but obviously not working. At the doctor yesterday they said it was perfect - 110/68 - checked it twice. I didn't believe them. I have never in my life had blood pressure that good - that 68 on the bottom should have been a big ol' fat hint, right then and there. But that's what I wanted it to be, so I left it. Got back to work, went down the hall to Employee Health, got my KIOSK card back up and running, checked my BP again...let's just say it wasn't 110/68. Back down the hall to EH, had it checked at least 6 times there...all bad. So, I have to go back to the doc today...hopefully new meds will be prescribed, b/c I have absolutely no desire to stroke out before I even turn 30. Guess it's time to lay off the McyD's...but just let me say that it is totally unfair that a freaking double cheeseburger costs $1.00 (okay, $1.07 with tax) and a salad is like $5.00? That is so wrong! But I guess all the stuff that goes into a cheeseburger isn't all that high quality, so that would account for the cheapness...but come on, we're paying out the ying-yang for lettuce! At least I don't have to sacrifice my first born for gas, anymore. But let's steer clear of the economy...

My Family

2008-11-19T12:22:00.001-05:00

I come from a rather large family...I think I listed them all in my profile to the right. Here is a picture of some of us - one brother-in-law and the two nephews missing.

And here is my niece this past Spring, eating daffodils...

My boyfriend on his birthday this past February, holding my niece...

And here is my nephew (I should point out that the other nephew isn't here, yet - he'll be arriving in December)...

My brother with his salmon...

And another picture of my boyfriend and me last Christmas...

Aaand...

2008-11-19T10:29:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was way too much cheese. So I'll let that topic rest for a bit. Right now, I'm just trying to get through this semester. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel - it's faint, but it's there. I must admit I started this blog to fulfill a class requirement - terrible of me? Nah. Hopefully, I will be inspired to write all sorts of interesting tidbits...like, did you know my Steelers won their game Sunday with a final of 11-10, a score that has never before been recorded in NFL history? Of course, it was 17-10, but those 7 got taken away...with the later realization that the touchdown should have counted...*shrug*. Gamblers aren't happy, that's for sure. At any rate...

The First Day...

2008-11-18T22:04:00.000-05:00

Oh, yes, "of the rest of my life." Except not really...

My first post as a blogger. I feel I should make it a good one. Ha! But, for starters, let's have a look at me and my boyfriend...awwww. We were at a party. So, back to "The Cheese." Cute, huh? I love cheese - a bit too much, I'm afraid. Well, I'm not really afraid, but you know. I like cheddar at all levels of intensity, swiss, mozzarella, colby, pepper jack, parmesan, havarti, brie, blue cheese, feta, gouda...I'm sure I've left something out. Just don't give it to me "smoked" - meats only, please. I'll take a smoked sausage any day, but no cheese. Yuck. Yuck also to water chestnuts. I tremble. Eating a delectible dish - perhaps a green bean casserole, all creamy and beany and crispy - then crunch!...blech, what is this in my mouth?! Surprise! It's the texture...gives me the willies. As do brussels sprouts. No thank you, not for me. Even with the cheese. Well, what I wouldn't give for a nice hunk 'a havarti right now...but they say deprivation is good for the soul. Wait...what?