Tree Farm

Here are some photos from our venture to the Christmas tree farm! 
 
 
  

Meet Nick!

Nick is the newest addition to Apt. 1207. He's such a sweet little guy and very low key. He loves to go outside, ride in the car, and SLEEP. Today is his 13th birthday! Come visit anytime. He'd love to meet you!

PIE!

I got my first pie in the face tonight, compliments of Jenna. It was quite disgusting, and I smelled like chocolate all night long. Mmmm, my favorite!!

Tailgate!

Last weekend we headed to Waco again for the Baylor/aTm football game. We had a big tailgate with all our favorite people and had some really yummy food. Although the Bears didn't come away with the win, we all had an awesome time!

Ramona Mae

I just want to show you how adorable my cousins' baby is! We had a blast at her 1st birthday party last month =)

Pumpkins

The question crossed my mind yesterday... why on earth did God make pumpkins? So, I decided to look it up and see what I could learn. Here's some trivia for ya.



A pumpkin is a squash fruit, most commonly orange in colour when ripe. The larger kinds acquire a weight of 40 to 80 lbs. Botanically it is a fruit, referring to a certain plant part which grows from a flower. However it is widely regarded as a vegetable in culinary terms, referring to how it is eaten. Pumpkins are grown today in the US more for decoration than for food.

Pumpkin chunking is a competitive activity in which teams build various mechanical devices designed to throw a pumpkin as far as possible. Catapults, trebuchets, ballistas and air cannons are the most common mechanisms. Some pumpkin chunkers grow special varieties of pumpkin, which are bred and grown under special conditions intended to improve the pumpkin's chances of surviving being thrown.

When ripe, the pumpkin can be boiled, baked and roasted, or made into various kinds of pie, alone or mixed with other fruit; while small and green it may be eaten in the same way as the vegetable marrow.

The pumpkin is related to the zucchini. The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed 1,469 lb (666 kg). Pumpkins are orange because they contain massive amounts of lutein and carotene. These nutrients turn to vitamin A in the body.

Using pumpkins as lanterns at Halloween is based on an ancient Celtic custom brought to America by Irish immigrants. All Hallows Eve on 31 October marked the end of the old Celtic calendar year, and on that night hollowed-out turnips, beets and rutabagas with a candle inside were placed on windowsills and porches to welcome home spirits of deceased ancestors and ward off evil spirits and a restless soul called "Stingy Jack," hence the name "Jack-o'-lantern".

The city of Keene, New Hampshire currently holds the world record for the most lit pumpkins in one location: 28,952. Illinois produces more pumpkins than any other state in the United States; Michigan is a distant second. Pumpkins were among the first foods from the "New World" adopted in Europe, probably due to a European cousin: Lagenaria.

"Pumpkin" is sometimes used as an affectionate term, often referring to one's significant other. For example: "I love you, Pumpkin." The pumpkin is the state fruit of New Hampshire.

Unfortunately for us, October is actually National Pasta Month.

I love the water!

Just as we thought the lake days were over, we got another chance! Last weekend we took the boat down to Waco and skied the Brazos before the Baylor/Army game. NO, I had no idea you could actually do that and it was so much fun!! Then we had a big tailgate in the rain with the whole fam! (I wonder if Jenny knew we were having a family reunion in Waco, because I sure didn't.) Thank goodness for Granddad's motor home... we just hung out and played cards while we waited for the rain to pass over. So glad we weren't all crammed in the suburban, or the pick up for that matter!

Dog Days of Summer

Lindsay and Kurt were nice enough to let Syre come play with me while they went on a trip last week. We had such a good time and now I have a new best friend. Here are some photos from our adventures together!

Prayer Request

My cousin, Michael, was diagnosed with leukemia 3 weeks ago, shortly after his high school graduation. Please pray for him as he is undergoing a continuous cycle of treatment for the next six months or so. He had planned to attend Wake Forest University in the fall, but for now those plans are on hold. He is also in need of blood and platelets. The best way for him to get it is for people to donate in his name at the MD Anderson Blood Bank in Houston. He gets credit for any blood type; unfortunately there is a shortage of o+ right now, so if you have any connections in the Houston area let me know! His mom has started a blog on his progress, but I just wanted to let you know about the diagnosis and treatment and ask for your prayers for Michael and his family. Thanks! Stephen, Jenny, Ben, me, Michael, Juliet

Pondering

The human body is absolutely amazing. So often I find myself thinking just about hearing and how incredible it is… there is just no fathomable way that it should work as well as it does. Really if you think about any part of the body, it is just beyond belief that it works the way that it does. There is no conceivable way that all the parts should be able to function effortlessly (for most of us) and in perfect harmony. It is a miracle that any of us are even living, breathing, moving, hearing, seeing, thinking...WOW! And while medical advances have come so far that we are able to replace parts of the body with prostheses and such, we can never do as good a job as the Creator does. What we can give never works as well as the way He designed it and almost never lasts a lifetime. He is just so incredible, and the work of His hands is beautiful. He does all things well.

Life

One day during my devotional time, this thought came to my mind: “Don’t let life happen to you. Let life happen through you.”

The first phrase described me to a T, for I tended to see life as something coming at me. I felt like a worn-out dartboard. I was using all my energies to shield myself from the darts of life’s trials.

But the second phrase, “Let life happen through you,” presented a different approach. Instead of dodging life’s fiery darts, I was to let God’s life and love be channeled through me, blessing me on its way to blessing others.

I chose that day to become God’s pipeline instead of life’s dartboard. Then I could begin living more effectively for Him.

Some days I revert to being a dartboard, but I soon run out of the love and power to bless others. Then through confession, faith, and obedience, I reconnect myself to my heavenly supply center and resume pipeline living.

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul mentioned the many troubles he was facing. Yet he was determined to be a channel of blessing by allowing God to work through him.

What about you? Are you a dartboard or a pipeline? It’s a challenge and a choice for every believer.
—Joanie Yoder

I love lightning!

I'm sitting on my bed working on a research project and watching the lightning out my window. It's super cool because it lights up the whole sky and it reflects off of the buildings across the street, too. I love thunderstorms... we just don't get enough of them here in Dallas. I wish it would even rain here every once in a while because I enjoy rainy days, except that Dallas drivers tend to go 20 below in such circumstances. I think I actually like doing research, even though it seems to be a 4-letter word and we're practically programmed to hate it (NOT saying that I particularly agree with this teacher's intentions... but I do kind of like learning about meningitis and hearing loss). I'm just hoping the electricity doesn't go out because I can't see myself doing this by candle light. Too many papers all over the place! I think tomorrow is going to be a day of productivity - at least I'm hoping so. I would like to see dad and the fam but having finals right around the corner on top of these projects is not favorable for sitting around enjoying a Sunday afternoon in the backyard. I have been lucky enough to see my dad two days in a row this week, which is extra special because he travels a lot. I missed talking to my fiance (Shawn-face) today because of silly project and trying to book a flight to Chicago in August. It's hard to talk to camp friends since they have about a 2 hr window each week. I wish I could be out there, driving boats and tractors and watching thunderstorms from the front porch of the infirmary. I think I'm handling being away rather well... but I am looking forward to a visit as soon as I get through finals and stuff. Wow I thought I hated this blog thing, but it's amazing how appealing it is when I'm supposed to be working. I guess I've given my brain a sufficient breather now and I better get back up on it. I hope the lightning continues. It's kind of mesmerizing.

Callier smells.

Callier (the place I go to school) has some of the grossest smells. I do not understand. Gross! Lori and I are still in the midst of moving in. All of our stuff is piled up all over our new apt. I think it will be fun once we get settled in. It's just hard to get things done and try to pass classes at the same time. Next week we have finals already. Summer school goes fast. Then we start a new class. I'm hoping it will allow me to be more lazy than my current classes... we'll see. If not, maybe I'll quit school and go work at camp. Now that sounds like fun!

Sudden Urges

You know sometimes I get the sudden urge to run around naked.
But then I just drink some Windex. . .


It keeps me from streaking.

(I did NOT say that)

ZIPLOC OMELETS

This works great !!! Good when you're alone or when all your family is together. Best feature is that no one has to wait for their special omelet !!! Have guests write their name on a quart-size Ziploc freezer bag with permanent marker.

- Crack 2 eggs (large or extra-large) into the quart size Ziploc bag (not more than 2) shake
to combine them.

- Put out a variety of ingredients such as: cheeses, ham, onion, green
pepper, tomato, hash browns, salsa, etc.

- Each guest adds prepared ingredients of choice to their bag and shake.

- Make sure to get the air out of the bag and zip it up.

- Place the bags into rolling, boiling water for exactly 13 minutes. You
can usually cook 6-8 omelets in a large pot. For more, make another pot
of boiling water.

- Open the bags and the omelet will roll out easily. Be prepared for
everyone to be amazed.

- Nice to serve with fresh fruit and coffee cake; everyone gets involved
in the process and a great conversation piece.


Imagine having these ready the night before, and putting the bag in
boiling water while you get ready. And in 13 minutes, you have a nice
omlette for a quick breakfast!!!

Top 10

Top ten things I've learned (or relearned) in school this week:

1. Grad school is hard.
2. Lab coats are very fashionable AND keep you warm inside cold buildings.
3. Old people love referring to the brain as a hard drive that needs to be defragged.
4. I cannot sit still for 2 hours, let alone 4.
5. I am fascinated by genetics.
6. Night classes in the summertime are most intrusive and quite unsettling.
7. I'm ready to be a grown up and have a real job. (I'm sure this is only true until it actually happens.)
8. The way the human body works is absolutely astonishing. (I think I learn this every day.)
9. I love pharmacology.
10. I hate Callier Richardson.

Back to School

I get to go to school today! I am so excited that my life is returning to "normal". Two weeks off was long enough! I can't wait till the day I get to go to work every day and not have homework and take vacation when I want to instead of when they tell me to. OH man.

Summer

So I think I'm ready to make my blog disappear. That's my thought for the day... so if it disappears soon maybe you won't be surprised. Anyway, my summer "break" is quickly drawing to a close. I'm so ready to go back to school now. It was nice to have some time to run errands and get some things done, but I feel like I have no purpose at all in my life when I don't have school or work. At least I got to spend one week at camp and a lot of time with friends while I was off. Those were the highlights of my break... besides all the shopping I did for my new dwelling place. I'm realizing how much stuff around our apartment belongs to the roommate, all of which will disappear when I'm on my own! Yikes. Hooray for Saturday. Boo for wedding parties.

Mom

So I just got off the phone with my mom. She's at the elementary school picking up Little Brother and his compadres. My poor mother, still sitting in the carpool line after 18 years. I don't know how they do it! I think my parents are supposed to be empty nesters now, moving out to the country and living the high life, or at least able to attend the 50s Sunday school class at church. But not my parents... they still have a kiddo for 7 more years! Unbelievable. (And there is no kids church during the time the 50s SS class meets. Funny how that works. I guess they're probably the only ones who would need it.) This is my week off and I'm supposed to be getting things done. I don't think I'm very good at it. I can't remember the last time I had any time at all off between school and camp and vice versa. I guess I need to just get in my car and get going, or start picking up the mess that lives in my apartment. Hm...

New Pics

Here are some pictures of the fish room... still in progress, but coming right along!



Igor the happy shark. He wasn't supposed to be smiling, but that's how he turned out!

Painting Photos!

Here are some pics of the project I've been working on the past few days...






1 room down, 1 to go!

April 25th

Today is Lindsey's birthday. I miss her. I think someday we need to live in the same town so we can be friends again. Not that we aren't friends now, but it would be more fun if we actually got to hang out! Actually, I would love it if all my friends could live in the same city, but then we wouldn't have any reasons to take road trips, now would we?

Today I have a new imaginary friend. Her name is Daphne, and she's my live-in maid. We get along really great! I bet my roommate will like her, too!

Bandit

Today I’m sort of (illegally) taking the day off… or at least the first half. In college, see, they give you dead days right before finals. The intent, I suppose, is to provide study time, but I believe its more important purpose is simply some time away from the daily grind to enjoy the spring weather and to figure out if you’re still sane before you get hurled into finals week. In grad school, they schedule finals whenever they please without regard to the fact that finals week even exists. Therefore, they totally burn you out before finals week even arrives and you have to create your own dead days in the mean time. Methods for this include: (a) pushing all homework aside for the weekend and pretending you don’t have anything to do, (b) skipping practicum or work, or (c) altogether boycotting various projects deemed worthless. I realize I’m not setting a good example for my sister here, but something else I’ve realized lately is how incredibly demanding grad school is compared to college. Boy do I miss the days of having breaks somewhere between the time you get up and the time you go to bed to just fool around and enjoy the day.
On a happier note, I’m getting really excited about painting the infirmary at camp next week. I think one room is going to be a forest and one room is going to be unda da sea – NOT little mermaid style! :) I’m not sure if I’ll have time to get to both rooms in just a week, but we’ll see. Maybe if I can get my act together after school is officially over this week I will be more prepared. I’ll try to take pictures of the finished product for your viewing enjoyment. Okay, back to reality...

Let it dirt! Let it dirt! Let it dirt!

I am so super tired today! I think I stayed up too late playing at Barnes and Noble last night. For some reason, my grandma self has been staying up til midnight for the last few weeks. It's kind of a revolution in my world. Maybe I have a shot at making it to the midnight movie this weekend after all.

For your tidbit of information about what's going on in the world these days, here is an update from Marianne (in China) that is quite entertaining:

Perhaps you've heard about the sandstorms that have been sweeping through Beijing and much of Northern China lately. For those of you who may be unclear as to exactly what a sandstorm is, picture a very heavy snowstorm, except instead of fluffy white flakes, chunks of dirt are flying at your face and in your mouth. Rather than a fine layer of glittery white coating everything the next morning, we found the ground, leaves on the trees and even the flowers covered with a fine layer of sand. What amazes me is the clean up process. We were shocked to see staff from our school actually mopping-yes, mopping-the concrete play area outside our school. Another teacher set up a fire hose and actually blasted the sand off some of the buildings and trees.

Needless to say, this turn of events did not fill my heart with joy. It did, however, put me in a poetic mood, so here you go-my first attempt at a springtime carol, "Let it Dirt."

Oh the weather outside is frightful
Got no heat, it's not delightful
But we're grateful it doesn't hurt...
Let it dirt! Let it dirt! Let it dirt!

It doesn't show signs of stopping
But why do they keep on mopping?
Don't think about wearing a skirt
Let it dirt! Let it dirt! Let it dirt!

When we finally say goodnight
To our latest and greatest sandstorm
Grab the firehouse and hold it tight
Take aim and clean off the dorm!

Oh, my lungs are slowly dying
Life here is often trying
I think it'd make a great t-shirt
"Let it dirt! Let it dirt! Let it dirt!"

What to say? What to say?

I think my brain is officially pooped out now that I've made it through the bulk of the projects and the toughest of my finals. Day by day, I am slowly whittling down the list on my bathroom mirror of big things to accomplish before the semester ends. Right now there are only 5 big events left. I think that calls for a celebration of some sort. Perhaps that's why I've sort of been taking the evening off. I escaped work earlier to go to a UTD baseball game with Julia. Who knew our school had sports? Who even knew we really go to an actual university that has a physical campus and everything? Tonight I am smiling, because I got to do two of my favorite things since I actually came home at a decent hour: laundry and a shower! I finally got to attack my pile of laundry that's been taunting me, and I took a shower after I got home from work. I really just like to play in the water; for some reason I find it fun. I know, I'm different. Now I think I'm ready to do something productive with my evening. However, the clock is telling me it's just about time for bed. Tomorrow's another day, and I wouldn't want to sleep through it =)

Phase I of the cram-like-crazy-end-of-semester-madness is almost finished! I’ve been so productive this week. By Thursday I will have turned in 4 projects in a week and I’ll be set to start the next bunch of assignments that are leading me into the end of my second semester. What a fine feeling of achievement. The bigger reward was a trip to Waco yesterday with Katie, Mel, Lindz, Lauren, and Sarah. I took the entire day off from homework and played on campus with some of my favorite people! It was so much fun! I was sad I missed Audie, since she couldn’t make it down ‘til today and I had to head back to Dallas and put my productivity cap back on. That is the older, wiser version of the thinking cap, in case you weren’t sure. I like it much better, since productivity typically involves less thinking and more doing… and it’s so much more rewarding to have an actual hard copy of the finished product. Ben called to see if I could take him to Six Flags on Friday, so I looked up season pass prices -- $75. WOW! Good thing I have birthday money and if I just go twice it will be worth it. This semester is finally winding down and I will be so excited when April 26th gets here! I’ll be so relieved and I can’t wait to go play outside at the Nasher! (It only costs $5 – that’s more like it.) Lori’s coming home from Baltimore tomorrow, Matt and Liz are coming on Tuesday, Katie is coming back to Dallas on Thursday, and I might get to go to Six Flags with Ben on Friday. What a fun week for LB! :-D

Graduation, texas goulash, ranger games… and frogs?

I can’t wait for this semester to be over. It’s been just a wee bit stressful. For some strange reason, I find myself eager for summer even though I’ll spend it much like the rest of the year – class, lab, practicum, and teaching clinic – and I’ll have to experience the extreme heat of texas in a way I’m not used to. For some reason, it’s easier to take the heat when hanging out with kids at camp, playing at the lake, and looking forward to weekend trips to walmart and the crockett washateria. It is so different to have to dress up in the 100 degree weather and get in a hot car every time you want to go somewhere. Ick! I must admit my true reason for being ready for the end of this semester. Unlike last year, I’m not counting down til graduation. Well maybe I am… yesterday Holly made me count the days til I graduate and we came up with 1127, give or take a few. Maybe I should let my accountant do the math. You know who you are! :^) No, my real anticipation has more to do with the fact that I’m in Dallas now and I can go to Ranger games whenever it feels right. Now we’re talkin’! I want to get a six flags season pass, too, so I have an excuse to go there whenever I can. I don’t know where I get the idea that I’ll have free time or even weekends this summer, but I think I’ll savor the bliss until reality strikes.
About the goulash, not really sure what that is, but every great once in awhile our cafeteria serves "Texas Goulash" for lunch (that was yesterday) and for some reason it intrigues me. I didn’t get a taste of it, but the maintenance guys say it’s really something. I’ll take their word for now. The frog? Well, just visit the website of the week: http://www.aboutthecake.com/ - after all, it is all about the cake, right?

Tut tut, looks like rain

So I guess I've been sucked in or something. I prefer to say I found a better way to waste time than just read other people's blogs over and over again. Who knows if it will work. This may be the first...and the last. I finished what I really needed to accomplish this morning about half an hour ago. And of course I’ve successfully managed to waste away the time since then by finding trivial things to “get done” so as to put off my more pressing homework assignments that are following me around in my book bag. Dang book bag. I’m trying to make myself feel better by telling myself 30 minutes isn’t too long, but as you can see the minutes just keep passing. Oh well. Funny sight this morning: they’ve been pressure washing the outside of our building this week. It’s the young guy our age who just started and is really friendly with all the pretty girls around here. I guess I shouldn’t be mean and call him friendly – he’s really just a nice guy. Anyway, this morning he was all decked out in his rain gear from head to toe while he was washing what looked like the ground to me. Facility services people seem to have the funniest jobs. Maybe they’ll hire me – it’s something that changes every day. Well, since I still have a good hour and a half to work, maybe I can get some stuff done on this research project. I moved myself to the carrels where I thought I could be more productive. You see how that panned out. They just have too many computers around this place! It’s not my fault!