Gratitude

Everytime a major event happens in life, I grow more thankful for everything I have. This extends through so much: God, friends, family, being able to make choices...

Today is a great chance to focus on what I am so thankful to have.

I am thankful for the ability to make choices. That said, I have been feeling this pull to go back into teaching (as a major). I have discussed this with the most important person, and I've got support and backup. My goal in life has always been to help people in my career choice. I know I'll make a great teacher. I'm excited to get back into the field again.

I am thankful for my family and friends. The turnout at the wake tonight was unreal. Everything was beautiful and I am so humbled by those who extend themselves.

I am thankful for Ben, who is an outstanding man and supporting me from Chicago via calls and texts. Don't want to find out where I'd be without him.

And of course, I am thankful to God for giving me all of the above, and everything I have in this world. I am so lucky.

All I ask today is that you all say a prayer for my family tomorrow. It will not be an easy day, but we will make it through.

Vacation

This week I have been on vacation. Ben and I planned a trip to Chicago a few months back, and this is the week we were going. With the death of my grandma, things have changed a little. Ben is leaving on the train today at 3, and I will stay in town for the wake and funeral, then leave on Friday at 3. I have a feeling that timing is going to be good for me; I will be ready to skip town, and have an almost five-hour-long train ride to clear my head. Saturday we are seeing a band called Fundamental Elements. Even though it's a shortened trip, I am looking forward to it.

This morning I have been thinking about how nice it is to have a vacation. I don't think I have taken an entire week off in at least three years... Or, it doesn't feel as if I have. Even under the circumstances, it has been an okay week.

Yesterday was a great day. I didn't set an alarm and got about six loads of laundry done. (Hey, not all of that is mine...) I traded $500 for the keys to my new apartment. When I went to do so, I got to see the work they are putting into the place. Everything is looking really nice. The walls are almost done being painted and the woodwork is also close to being finished. The tile in the bathroom looks really great. I can't really move my things in until next week, but to be honest, even if I could I don't think I would have the time until then anyway.

Ben and I also got to do something yesterday that doesn't happen often at all. We enjoyed a sit-down dinner AND a movie in the same night. Dinner at Blueberry Hill, which is where we met up for the first time outside of Llywelyn's. (On a side note, I would recomment BH's cheddar cheese balls.) As for the movie... where do I begin?

You all understand that I have an extreme liking of really REALLY bad movies. The ones that are so bad they are just too funny. Well Ben, although not as strong as my liking, also doesn't mind said movies. This is great, because I get to talk him into the terrible ones every so often. Last night's debacle? Duets starring Huey Lewis (and not the News). I would recommend the movie because A.) it has Huey, and B.) he sings Joe Cocker's "Feelin' Alright". I would post what Ben's review would be, but I will leave that up to him. (Because I am 100% sure I know what he's going to say.)

My plan for today is equally as great. I am lucky enough to get to spend the morning hours with Ben and then drop him at the train station. After that... I think some of my day will be used to begin packing for Chicago, as with the wake tomorrow and funeral Friday I doubt I will have time after today to do so. Also- I am going to play video games. I mean, I play on sitting on a couch and maybe playing Zelda's Twilight Princess until my eyes hurt. Or heck, maybe even play some online games. But that's all I could come up with to fill my day. After all, I still AM on vacation.

National High Five Day

I doubt I will have time to post this one in the next few days, and I really want everyone to know beforehand.

Thursday is National High Five Day. You should High Five everyone you know! There's a Cards/Cubs game on, so you could watcht that and let loose. Or, if the weather improves (and I believe it is supposed to), you can high five about that. Just find every reasonable excuse to slap hands.

Where do I start?

This morning, about 6am, I woke up to see that I had a new voicemail. You know that bottomless pit that grows in your stomach when you just know something isn't right? Mine was swelling rapidly.

It was my dad telling me that my grandma on my mom's side had passed in the early morning. At first, it didn't hit me. In fact, it took about 8 hours to hit me. And then it hit me hard.

Today, all I ask is that you say a prayer for my family.

Fabulous Weekend

What a weekend it has been already! Everyone came home last night and I was lucky enough to be done with work pretty early. Headed over to the grocery store to get some goodies, and then home where everyone (well... almost everyone... we were missing a couple people) got to come and hang. Then a trip to Llywelyn's to see/meet Ben, which was fun. (Although Tiny Cows were not playing that night, much to the disappointment of Rachel Melton.) Today I was lucky enough to get to attend my dear friend Christy's bridal shower at Helen Fitzgeralds in Sunset Hills. Everything about it was fantastic: fun games, great people, good food...

As for right now, I'm sitting in my living room getting ready to put the finishing touches on Summer Jams, which are looking amazing as is... but will be outstanding with said improvements.

Tomorrow I am blessed enough to be invited to an all-day Muehleisen family Easter. Church in the morning, BLUES game in the afternoon, dinner in the evening. This pretty much means a blog tomorrow is out, but at least you know what I'll be up to.

So, celebrate Christ tomorrow (and everyday as far as I'm concerned) and LET'S GO BLUES!!!!!

Happy Good Friday!!, part II

For those of you who know about my apartment situation:

I just found out I got the apartment I looked at last Saturday. : )

'Tis a GREAT Friday indeed!

Happy Good Friday!!

Today is a super important day.

First of all, I encourage you to celebrate Christ today.
Second of all, if you're my friend and you're in town today/don't have anything to do, I encourage you to come to my house tonight!!!! YAY!!!!!

That's it. Got a super busy, awesomely fun weekend ahead. Enjoy this Great Day!