O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

Last night I drove home expecting a quiet evening with my husband. When I arrived, he had prepared a gourmet meal of hamburger helper for dinner. We grabbed our food and went to sit in the living room to eat as we always do, since our kitchen table is in a constant state of disarray. After watching the 5 o'clock news, I turned and asked Jared what he wanted to do that evening. He casually relpied that he didn't know. We cleared all the dishes and just as I was about to start folding the 3 baskets of laundry that had piled up, Jared bounded up the stairs announcing that he had to go change into long pants and said we were going to have a little shopping adventure! I clapped my hands in sheer pleasure and ran to get my coat on.

We drove to Forest Lake, and headed for Menards. I had no clue what he needed to get, but I followed him in. He led me to the Christmas village section and let me pick out some little pine trees to add to my village! I was really excited! Then, we walked through the Christmas lights section and we picked out some lights to hang in our bay window... even more excited! With treasures in hand, and in the midst of a conversation, Jared spotted a row of tree skirts which he knew I had been pining after. He casually stopped and let me look at them. After gently caressing the one I loved the most, I turned to keep walking. But Jared stood there and smiled and told me to pick one out! I could hardly believe it! Before, he told me that we would have to wait until after Christmas and buy one on sale. Together we chose a beautiful crimson velvet tree skirt with tiny gold sequins. Hugging my new treasure tight to my chest, I headed to the front of the store and turned to the checkouts. But Jared guided me the other way, through the sliding doors, to the outside section. He stopped in front of the Christmas trees! Beaming, he told me to pick one! This is when I lost it and just buried my face in his chest, crying. We both grew up with real trees and missed having them, but the past few years we simply couldn't afford a real tree and bought a cheap 5 foot fake one. I simply couldn't believe we were getting a real tree this year! I love the smell of pine! After about 20 minutes of carefully inspecting several trees, which was diffilcult since all of them were already tied up and bound so tight we couldnt tell what they would look like anyways, we picked one and proudly brought it back through the store and into a checkout lane. (Funny sight, really!)
We got home, untied the tree and shook it out, and it looks beautiful! It is really full and perfectly shaped! We picked a good one!
Tonight we get to put it up...

My Fast Morning Commute

This morning I am feeling refreshed and happy. I am no longer feeling like a single mom. The 11-year-old, and the puppy(equivalent to a baby) are safe at home with their real parents... (Now I know why my mom is tired so often)

The other reason that I feel so refreshed this morning is because I got an extra hour of sleep-- just not on purpose. I am supposed to be to work at 7:30. I woke up this morning, warm and comfortable, and the first thought that popped into my head was "Wow! I feel rested! I am surprised my alarm hasn't gone off yet! This is wonderful!" Then, just as I rolled over to snuggle back to sleep, I decided I wanted to know how much longer I had. So I leaned over the edge of my bed to look at the clock (on the floor). My brain did not comprehend what it saw at first... then it clicked-- it was 7:20!!! My heart started beating wildly as I literally FLEW out of bed. I hastily grabbed a bra, and the first pair of jeans I found. I ran downstairs with items in hand, while dialing Cara frantically to tell her of my peril. She was, of course, cool and collected and told me to just slow down and not worry about it. I hung up, threw the phone on the table, and ripped off my shirt in the middle of the kitchen. (Let me remind you that I was not thinking clearly at this point, since there are windows surrounding me on every side. The huge sliding glass door in front of me, the kitchen sink window to my left, and the large bay window directly to my rear. Let's just hope all the neighbors were not late for work this morning and had already left!)
After throwing on the remainder of my clothes, I ran back up to my closet, realizing I had not grabbed socks or a sweatshirt. Standing in my closet, I had a short brain lapse at to what time is was, and stood there trying to decided which sweatshirt would look best with my outfit... going back and forth, perusing each choice... Then it hit me: "You idiot! Just grab a sweatshirt and GET GOING!!!!" So I did.

So let me tell you how I look: No make-up. Hair unbrushed hanging limply behind my ears. Bright pink T-shirt. Navy "Mesaba Airlines" zip-up sweatshirt. Blue jeans. Gray socks with sky-blue fowers on them. White tennis shoes.

Not a pretty sight.

Single Mom Syndrome

I think I am going to come back to the "glimpse" thing later. I am not feeling all that thoughtful today.

I would like to make a big shout out to Erin...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

~~~~~~~

Erin, I am very sorry that you have to go to prison on your special day, but at least it is a Friday, and we are going to party hearty tonight!!!!

~~~~~~~

So, my little sister, Anna, and her hyper Beagle puppy have been staying with Jared and I this week while my parents take a much needed vacation to Florida. The only reason I am still sane is because I know how much my parents deserve this time away. I have sort of felt like a single mom this week (because Jared has been working and we haven't seen eachother for more than a few minutes all week). I have been taking care of an eleven-year-old (including helping her with her schoolwork) , 2 cats, a dog, a puppy (equivalent to a baby), nannying an actual baby, and making it to nightly commitments every evening this week. Let me tell you... I know that single moms have it MUCH harder than I do, but I know why they are always exhausted!

~~~~~~~

So in conclusion:

ERIN! THANK YOU FOR HAVING A BIRTHDAY, BECAUSE I AM READY TO PARTAY!!!

(oh wait... Anna will be there too...)

The "More" Glimpse

I have been feeling lately that there is so much more to life than what I have been experiencing; more than what I have allowed myself to notice and live out. Every once in awhile I get a glimpse of the "more" that eludes me. One instance of this was the night before I left for the quilting retreat. I was laying in bed trying to fall asleep, at about 11:00pm. Suddenly I remembered that my sewing machine was still in Jared's car. So I got out of my warm haven and trudged downstairs slightly agitated. I walked out the front door in my sweats and tank top and was immediatly greeted by the vast, overwhelming, astounding night sky. It stretched before me like a deep, black sea with a million brilliantly shining twinkly lights. It was beautiful and stopped me in my tracks. I stood there for a moment and just let it engulf me. My thoughts wandered to the realization that I never stop just to look at the sky. I never stop to notice much of God's creation. I keep myself busy and distracted, because when you actually stop to notice, it's humbling. And that is hard. I have a lot of pride. And I like to avoid "heart work" whenever I can, because vulnerability is scary. But it also opened my eyes and I caught that "glimpse" of a world that I live in, but know so little about. How sad it would be to die and never learn of all the wonders God has created for my pleasure. Seeing amazing sights like that always strikes my heart with a holy fear too. Just the sky alone is so enormous. Think how much bigger God is! That terrifies me and makes me feel incredibly safe at the same time. I treat my relationship with the Lord so casually, like He is my buddy. Well, true, He calls me "friend," but He is so much bigger than a "buddy." He loves me and takes better care of me than anyone, no matter how many times I push Him away, ignore Him, or just plain forget about Him. That is an amazing gift to have a Friend that consistantly loves you no matter what. And takes care of you better than you ever could.
And that is only the beginning of these glimpses.
To be continued...

Quilting

I am sure that everyone is posting about the quilting retreat, but I suppose I need to as well, since I am so proud of my beautiful creation. I had a fabulous time at my very first quilting retreat, but I also found out that it is HARD WORK to make a quilt. You know how when our husbands are out in the garage working on the car, and you go down to get an estimate of how much longer it will take, and they say "About 1/2 hour." And then 5 hours later they start cleaning up... Well, that is kinda how I feel about quilting. I thought it would go so fast and that I would run out of projects to do, since I was going to be there for 3 days and I was doing and "easy" pattern! Well, short version: it took a lot longer than I thought it would. But in my defense, I did do everything the "correct" way as measured by the quilting world, which means more time. So anyways, I had a great time and am extremely proud of the outcome of my quilt! Here it is for all of you to admire...

Brother Andrew

My brother, Andy, got engaged!! Here is his beautiful new fiance, Shannon. This engagement has put me through the entire gambet of emotions. I am overwhelmingly happy and excited for them, because I love them both SO MUCH. But I am also heartbroken, because they will more than likely settle on the east coast, in New York or somewhere fancy like that. You see, Andy is an artist, (Masters in Sculpture) and Shannon has a dream to incorporate dance as a form of therapy, dubbed "Dance Therapy." Both of their passions in life will not lead them to the boring, unartistic mid-west. The sort of jobs they seek are found on the juicy, exciting, artistic, east coast. In addition to their jobs leading them in that direction, Shannon also grew up in New Jersey and her whole family is firmly planted there.

The wedding is scheduled for mid-May somewhere in New York, or New Jersey. I have been given the honor of being a bridesmaid in the wedding, which I am very excited about! And, cool tidbit, since Andy and Shannon are such an artsy couple, she presented me with this idea last night: each of the bridesmaids get to choose their own dress, as long as it is black. That is the only parameter. She explained the common frustration that she has been in so many weddings where the bridesmaid dress didn't look good on her, and she would never be able to use it again. So she wants us each to buy our own black dresses, as long as we feel beautiful in them, and they are re-usable! She is excited about the idea of each person representing their own unique style, and each dress varying according to that style. She thinks it will be visually aesthetic as well. We will see how it turns out. It will either look really cool, unique and beautiful, or it will totally look chaotic and sloppy. Let's all hope for the former!

Well, here is to my brother and his beautiful bride!!

Holiday Festiveness

Erin graciously pointed out that I have not posted in a week. It's not like I have any great excuse, other than I simply forget I have such a loyal reading audience. :)
Since today IS Halloween, I suppose I can relate a few thoughts on the event...

Jared and I have been getting very festive in our new home, as the holiday season draws near. We are both "holiday lovers" and have started to "get festive" in any way we can. The only thing is, that we have not confined our "festiveness" to one holiday at a time...Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas...what's the difference really? I am afraid that if someone walked into our house they may be confused on which holiday we are trying to celebrate.

We started all the festivities by getting pumpkins in September. (That should set the tone for the whole post...) Jared picked out a HUGE daddy pumpkin for himself and a slightly smaller mama pumkpin for me. And now, after a big night of carving last night, our big mama and daddy pumpkins are joined by an adorable little kitten pumpkin! We have planned several new recipes to try this year for our annual tradition of making flavored pumpkin seeds. We also have been very excited to get lots of little trick-or-treaters, and yesterday went and bought a HUGE bag of candy that contains 102 pieces! (I am pretty sure there are only about 90 at this point...)

Then, only a week later (now the first week of October) we moved right along to Thanksgiving. I bought some very harvest-y salt and pepper shakers that are in the shape of multi-colored corn cobs. They have been brightening up our kitchen table ever since! Also, in the spirit of fall, I constantly have three candles burning: Harvest, Autmumn Wreath, and Mulled Apple Cider. My house always smells DELICIOUS!

And finally, of course, we couldn't forget Christmas! We have just begun our preparations to celebrate this holiday by purchasing a 2-gallon jug of apple cidar, that we have already mulled (with lots of delicious spices) on many occasions! And, to our pure delight, Egg Nog hit the local Wal-Mart a few days ago, and there was no way we could pass that one up! We have been planning all the details of our Christmas letter, and trying to decide on the perfect picture to include. Maybe next week we will put up the tree...

The Food We Eat

You know how if you think too long or hard about almost anything, it starts to seem really weird? Well, this week I have been thinking a lot about the food I eat. Jared and I had a discussion that went something like this:

N: "Isn't it strange the combinations people have come up with? Think about something as simple as mashed potatos even... taking a vegitable out of the ground, putting it in water and then mashing it until its smooth, then adding some cow milk fat that has been stirred for hours until it hardened, then taking some mineral build-up from the ocean, and presto! You have mashed potatos with butter and salt."
J: "Actually, they get salt from mines."
N: "They do? I thought it all came from oceans... Do they really get it from mines? Are the mines in places that there used to be water?"
J: "Well, yeah."
N: "Oh, so it does all come from water."
J: "Well, yeah, all minerals that build up come from water."
N: "Well, that's what I thought. But anyways, aren't the food combinations weird?"
J: "Yeah, they are!"

Just think about your favorite dish and the origins of each of the ingredients. The combinations start to seem really strange, and you realize that would never have thought of putting those things together but you are very thankful that someone did!

THANK YOU TO ALL!

I know that almost everyone that actually reads my blog (sorry Kristi), was at my birthday party last night. I just want to take a moment to tell you all how amazed and blown away I am at everyone's generosity. I had the best birthday party this year that I have ever had. You all made my day more special than I could ever have imagined!

Last night when we got to Sawatdees I was a little pooped out from being around the extended family all day, so I wasn't feeling extremely energetic and social. But the moment everyone walked in the door, you all calmed my nerves and made me feel so loved and special.

As everyones knows, I don't do too well in the spotlight... I can't handle everyone's attention all at once, but I just love each and every one of you so much and you all made me feel so at ease and comfortable. Thank you for all the love you have showered on me, for driving to Mpls to celebrate with me, and for all the BEAUTIFUL gifts! I honestly love every single present I got last night. You guys have MUCH better taste than my extended relatives!

So THANK YOU to everyone who showed so much care for me, and made my birthday the best GOLDEN birthday I could have wished for!

How Many Are There???

Have you ever wondered how many people in the world have the same name you do? Here is your chance to find out!
I thought this was interesting, but I am somewhat skeptical about the accuracy of these statistics. But in any case, it is just a fun little thing to do!

How Many of Me Are There?

The "Golden" Year

October is such a wonderful month...mainly because I was born in it! I made my debut on earth on October 23, 1983 in Glennallen, Alaska. For those math wizards out there, you have probably already figured out that this year is my golden brithday. Which, actually, could be somewhat of a disapointment to me. Funny as it is, my golden birthday is something I have looked forward to since I was a little girl. I have thought about it and how wonderful and magical it would be, just as I drempt of my wedding. But now that the year is actually here, and the event only days away, somehow that magic is lost on me. I am not a princess with storehouses of gold to swim thru (Like in DuckTales, my childhood inspiration of what a "golden" birthday should be!)

But, really, as I look at my life, I couldn't be happier. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful home, wonderful friends, a fabulous job, health, 2 cars, 3 pets, the laptop I am writing this on.... the list goes on. So, no, I am not at all disapointed. I wouldn't change a thing.

This birthday truly will be "golden." I am going to spend it with family and friends, all gathering to honor me and celebrate the fact that I am alive. That is something so dear and special to me that I can hardly describe it. That is worth far more than any amount of gold.

Thriftiness at the Thrift Store

You come to realize that you have reached a certain level of "stingy" when you plan your trips to the thrift store only on the days when they are having a 50% off special. I have arrived. And I am just fine with that. I love thrift store shopping. I love finding the treasures among the rubble. It is sort of like a treasure hunt-- an adventure. And I have never once come out without finding some sort of treasure. So, it is all worth it... especially at 50% off!

At our thrift store, everything is 50% off on all holidays. So, I always plan my trips accordingly. Yesterday, being Columbus Day, was my first trip to the thrift store this entire summer. I was very excited and ready to start digging. After 2 hours of wandering the aisles I was very pleased with my findings:

2 new Old Navy shirts for Jared $1.50 each
1 NWA uniform shirt for Jared $1.25
1 long-sleeved stylish flannel shirt for Jared $1.75
1 pair of perfectly fitting Express jeans for me $3.00
1 pair Banana Republic black pin-striped slacks for me $5.00
1 pair gray (with blue pin-stripes) slacks for me $1.75
1 vintage Coach brown leather purse (in very good condition) $30.00


See?


TREASURES.

Russia's Best

Did you guys see this? It was featured on Yahoo a few days ago...WOW! I have listened to this guy twice since then. It is a guy singing in a Russian (American Idol type) compitition, and he hits an incredibly high note-- amazingly high. I am afraid he has his nuts in a rubber band or something!
So anyways, immediatly after finding this video, I had to call Jared to the computer and we watched it in amazement together (Well, I watched in amazement. Jared got that "weirded-out" look on his face, the same one that would appear if a gay guy was trying to hit on him-- you know that look?) But then after the song was done, we both looked at eachother and then burst into song, each trying to hit the note this Russian just hit. We stood in our kitchen taking turns screeching at the top of our lungs trying to hit that note in any way possible. We didn't care if it sounded good or bad, we just wanted to find the note. Well Jared couldn't make it even close, but it was really hilarious to listen to him try. He tried and tried to hit the highest note possible and I stood in front of him laughing and laughing. Then I would try, and he would laugh. It was a really fun, strangely bonding experience for us!
But finally in all of my femininity, I made my way up the musical scale and hit the note! It was at the very tippy top of my limit and was much more of a scream-type sound the beautiful music, but that is beside the point girls! It is definately in the range of sound that, if forced for more than about 2 seconds, your voice immediatly goes hoarse and your throat hurts.
Anyways, watch the video, if nothing else, it is amusing.

What's in a Name...

I thought this was amusing and wanted to share the joy with you. I included my answers for your entertainment!

1. NASCAR NAME: (father's middle name, mother's middle name)
Darell Gene

2. YOUR RADIO STATION- (W last letter in first, middle and last name)
WIEE

3. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet and first street name)
Smokey Victory

4. YOUR MOVIE STAR NAME: (g-father/g-mother on your mothers side, your favorite candy)
Betty Dove

5. YOUR "FLY GIRL" NAME: (first initial of first name, first 2 or 3 letters of your middle name) Nros

6. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite month, favorite animal)
October Kitten

7. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
Rose Glennallen

8. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name, first 2 letters of mom's maiden name.)
Nounaba

Try it for yourself! The results can be really funny!

I love the FALL

I love the fall... when the air is cool and crisp and it bites at your nose. I love it when the leaves change colors and show off to all creation their astounding beauty. I love going on walks on fall evenings and wearing my favorite pair of jeans and my comfiest sweatshirt. I love coming home after your walk, with pink cheeks from the cool autumn air. I love the late fall when the leaves fall to the ground and crunch underfoot-- that sound brings back so many memories. I love picking out a best pumpkin to carve and set on the step. I love trying new recipes for baked pumpkin seeds. I love getting fall scented candles, and smelling the sweet fragrance of spiced pumpkin and apple cider. I love searching for the most beautiful leaves, in perfect shape with no worm holes or tears and vibrant in color, to press in a book and preserve. (When I was young, my mom would take us outside during the fall and help us collect several beautifully colored leaves. Then we would go home and press them in the series of encyclopedias she had and eventually, when they were dry enough, we would iron them between two pieces of wax paper and make bookmarks for my grandparents. That is a memory I love and want to share with my children some day.)

I LOVE THE FALL!!!

New Postage Stamp

I just received this in an email:

"MUSLIM CHRISTMAS STAMP How ironic is this??!! They don't even believe in Christ and they're getting their own Christmas stamp-- but don't dream of posting the Ten Commandments on federal property?!!

REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of PanAm Flight 103!
REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993!
REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the Marine barracks in Lebanon!
REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the military barracks in Saudi Arabia!
REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the American Embassies in Africa!
REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the USS COLE!
REMEMBER the MUSLIM attack on 9/11/2001!
REMEMBER all the AMERICAN lives that were lost in those vicious MUSLIM attacks!

Now the United States Postal Service REMEMBERS and HONORS the EID MUSLIM holiday season with a commemorative first class holiday postage stamp. REMEMBER to adamantly and vocally BOYCOTT this stamp when purchasing your stamps at the post office. To use this stamp would be a slap in the face to all those AMERICANS who died at the hands of those whom this stamp honors."


You could choose to look at this a few different ways...
1) America is just plain dumb enough to celebrate and honor their attackers (who hate us by the way)
2) The American people are so ignorant that no one will know what the stamp represents ("Oh! That's a pretty design! Let's get that for our Christmas cards this year!")
3) America has suddenly transformed into a radically Christianized country and we are merely "loving our enemies as ourselves."

What do you think? Any other ways to look at this?

What the hell???

There are times in life that are just too overwhelming and you are not completely sure you can get through it. But at the same time, you ponder "What if I can't get through it? How does that play out? If I can't get through it, what exactly does that mean?" After searching the options of "not getting through it" most of the time people just flea to their bedroom and fall into as deep a sleep as possible, for as long as possible. You live in a whole new world when you are asleep. All the unsolvable problems following you around go away for awhile. When you are asleep, you are free to laugh, free to love, free to kiss, free to eat as much junk food as you want. You can attain the beauty you can never attain in the waking world (or sometimes your're just naked-- those are scary dreams!). Sometimes you are a hero. Sometimes you are pregnant. Whatever your desires, you can acheive them while asleep.
But sleep is temporary. When you awake, you are met by the unsolvable, overwhelming world you left only moments before. So this option of sleep is not a healer, merely some temporary pain relief-- like tylenol.
In times such as these, I always find myself asking, not in an accusing way, but merely curiously, "Why would God let this happen to us today?" Then I go through all the reasons why we did not deserve such troubles. Today these same thought poured through my head as I sat by the side of 694 in my newly repaired, but now dead, car. My diligent husband, and his friend, spent hours and weeks fixing this car for me. We lived like paupers for weeks and weeks, unable to even buy bread, milk or butter because the car repairs were so costly. And now, only my second day driving my brand new car, it died along the highway. My amazing husband came to rescue me. As for the car... I'd like to drive it off a cliff and laugh as I watch is fall.
But today as I sat in my dead car, a new thought came to me.
"When is the last time you actually RELIED on God?" I tend, as most people, to get things done myself. When I hit a titanium wall (screw bricks, I can push my way through those, I am stubborn) it is only then that I realize I have a Friend willing to help me even in the small stuff and usually I only "use" him to get me through the big stuff. I am such a loser. If I treated any of you that way, would you want to be my friend? Well, I wouldn't be yours if you did that to me.

I know that God did not make my car die. He knew it would happen, but he also knew it would be a great chance for me to turn to Him for help, rather then just get mad, overwhelmed and go to bed. (Which is where I am now.)
So I will work on it. I cannot say that I am so good that I had this revelation and then took action. I am still human, and it is extremely difficult to submit and to let go. I am trying to trust God with all my heart, but I know I am a work in progress. So if any of you have a moment today, say a little prayer for me.

Saga of my DMV Visit

In recent news...
Yesterday I went to obtain my new driver's license. I remembered that it was the big day yesterday (because the DMV testing area is only open on Wednesdays during very limited hours) on my way to work. The thought suddenly struck me that I would be getting a new picture taken-- one that I would be stuck with for the next several years. I quickly checked my outfit to make sure it was worthy of being on my license. Not so much. I was wearing a hot pink t-shirt, which I am positive I would look back on and realize how much fashion sense I lacked "in my younger years." So I decided I would wear my fashionable jean-jacket, with a faux white fleece collar, which I just happened to have with me.

After getting to work, I spent several minutes in front of the mirror pulling at my hair trying to decide up? or down? up? or down? (I literally put it up, studied it, then put it down, studied it, and so on.) Finally I achieved a satisfactory look, though it was not what I would have chosen if I had been thinking ahead. But nonetheless, satisfactory.

I waited all morning, and through lunchtime, until finally the big moment arrived when I could pack up the babe in the car, and head to the DMV (as they are only open from 12:30-3:45). The drive was a pleasant one, characterized by several quick glances into the mirror to make sure my face had not developed a scar or uncontrollable acne in the past fifteen minutes.
But I arrived in the same condition I left in, much to my relief. I happily walked into the building and got in line to take my knowledge test. After waiting a few minutes, I noticed a sign outside the door that proclaimed I needed another "primary source of identification in addition to my out-of-state license." Oh no! I paniced. Wait! I have my social security card. No problem. I will just wait in line, and surely she will take that. Calm down.

My turn came, and I presented her with my old license, and said in a challenging tone,
"I just saw that sign that says I need another form of ID. Will you take a social security card?" There was a message in my voice that just dared her to defy me. But she just chewed casually on her gum, and without skipping a beat, she said "Birth certificate or marriage license."
My eyes grew big and I quickly shot back "Can't I use my social security card?"
"Nope. Birth certificate or marriage license."

Well, since I don't normally carry these documents with me everywhere I go, I gave her one of those "dagger-in-my-eye" looks and turned around to storm out the door. I prepared myself so carefully for this moment. I drove all the way here for this. And most of all, I WAS EXCITED, and now she ruined it!
As I was turning to leave, she explained in a very calm voice that I could still take my knowledge test, but that I would have to bring back the correct documents before they would release my license to me.

This is the point where I felt like a fool. I was making such a big deal and being so mean (even more so in my mind) toward this lady, and the whole time she was not, in fact, planning to ruin my fun. I sheepishly took the test she handed to me and sat down.

Don't worry. I passed. But now I have to wait until next Wednesday, between 12:30-3:45 to go back and get my new license. This time I will be prepared for my picture.

Park Rangers

So we went camping this weekend in my sweet home town. We got all the gear packed up in the back of our tiny Ford and headed off for a weekend of campfires and s'mores! We met some good friends of ours, Abby and Ben, and set up our temporary homestead.

If any of you have even been camping, you know that the rangers, well, don't have anything to do but sneak up on people and scare the living daylights out of as many as possible. I really wouldn't be surprised if they make a game out of it and go back to their post, pick up their dry-erase marker, and tally how many "scares" they just acheived.
Here is our story...

We got to the campsite at about 8pm, and quickly got everything in place. While I was blowing up our air mattress, we realized that Ben had grabbed the wrong mattress for Abby and him. As we unfolded it, we found a twin size air mattress that had holes in it. (Not too useful, folks.) We stoked up a blazing fire and had a delicious meal of potatoes and steak. Abby and I settled down into our camp chairs to enjoy the warmth of the fire, while Ben and Jared drove home to retrieve a bigger air mattress. Well obviously Abby and I got to talking and laughing and catching up. After we had covered all the basics, like who is dating who, and who dumped who, and who likes who, and who looks good in that outfit or this haircut, we moved on to more insightful topics. It went like this...(edited for length purpose, the conversation lasted at least 5 minutes)

Naomi: "I think it is so weird when women refer to their period as being 'on the rags.'"
Abby: "I know! Some of the women at my church say that all the time, but that is because they actually use rags. All I can think of is a big white diaper with clothespins!
Naomi: "Ugh! Can you imagine wearing a diaper? That would be so awful and bulky!"
Abby: "No wonder they all wear jumpers! A diaper wouldn't fit under normal clothing!"
Naomi: "[laughter] I can't believe they wear a whole diaper!"
[Enter fat, bearded park Ranger.]
After throwing out that last comment in an excited voice, I turned my head slightly and saw, mid-laugh, that a park ranger was standing about 5 feet away, with a junior ranger cowering behind him. Now I will tell you the laughter died pretty fast. It was at this point that he decided to click on his flashlight to "warn" us of his approach. Good plan there Stan. We have absolutely now clue how long he and his cowering junior ranger (who actually looked like he belonged on a California beach with his spiky brown hair and dark tan skin-- very out of place) had been standing there. In any case, I am pretty sure they learned a little more about how women use rags.
After they left, Abby and I tried to figure out how they were so stealthy in their approach and how long, in fact, they had been standing there listening to our less then kosher conversation!

I think they just wanted to learn about the technique of rag wearing, because they really didn't have much to say once we noticed their presence. They informed us that is was now quiet hours. I can honestly say that we were being so quiet that you would have to be standing 5 feet away to hear what we were saying. Maybe they just wanted to take the opportunity to check out some cute girls, because as they turned to leave, the fat ranger turned and asked,
"Is it just you two girls here tonight?"
Abby quickly and emphatically replied "No! Our husbands are coming back any minute!"
At that ranger mumbled "Oh" and they turned and walked away into the darkness.

Blasted park rangers. Go eat a doughnut.

Hobbies

Well no birds this morning-- I think I was awake before even the early birds. I will have to put away my harmonica for now, the only instrument I have with which to frighten away my feathered enemies.
(Just so you all don't mistake me for a loser, like Taylor Hicks, I don't really have a harmonica.)

On to new things...
I have recently regained my interest in jewelry-making. This is a hobby I started last spring, and really enjoyed it. But once we started getting serious about moving, the jewelry hobby had to be put on hold, because it is a semi-expensive hobby. But yesterday I pulled out the paper-bag full of beads and string, and got to work. It is a really fun hobby that lets all of your creative juices run wild, and you can really turn out a beautiful piece of work with very little effort. Hopefully I will be able to expand upon my collection as time goes on, and money becomes more abundant!

As long as I am talking about hobbies, I will take a moment to express how excited I am to be going on a quilting retreat this fall! I already have a pattern for my quilt, thanks to Erin! I find myself perusing the fabric section every time we stop at Wal-Mart. I am afraid I haven't got an eye yet for what king of fabric will look good in the grand scheme of a quilt. I have always had trouble picturing anything with my "mind's eye." Speaking of which, do you believe that is a male/female thing? I have heard that men think better in pictures, and women think better in words. Is that true? Could that possibly explain my lack of ability to picture how something will look before actually seeing it that way?