Eureka!

That would be in Southern California. We are on our way back already...and I have some fun things to catch you up on. Dad and I headed out Thursday morning and made it all the way to Ashland Oregon by 6:30 that evening! Ashland is the home of the Shakespeare Festival- a couple years ago, on a whim, my dad surprised my mom, friend, and I and we ended up going to see A Winter's Tale. We were remembering it on the way down, and somewhere along the way dad decided to stay the night there and see if we could get some last minute tickets again. They were playing "Romeo and Juliet"- tickets were sold out, yet one man was selling two tickets his friends had bailed out on- and they were ours. We wandered back to where we'd parked, and they ended up booking one of the 2 hotel rooms left in their sister hotel across town. That left us enough time to grab a quick dinner before the 8pm show.

The play was in the Elizabethan Theatre, a great outdoor theater designed like the theaters Shakespeare's plays would originally have been performed in. I got a picture of one of the doors- of course! ;)

The next evening we were at Jerry and Sherry's. Dad headed out immediately to meet up with Jerry at Promise Keeper's and Sherry and I rented Miss Potter- which I finally got to finish! Oh my goodness!! What a good movie! Sherry had already seen it, and she knew when to bring me a tissue, literally.

Yesterday I had some fun with Sherry, Dad was at Promise Keepers with Jerry again 'till one. Then after lunch, Sherry called them and we extended them the an offer to take us to a movie- "Becoming Jane." If you are coming into this thinking that it's Pride and Prejudice- it's not. I was a bit more uncomfortable at the beginning. It's nor real bad- there are two quick bear bottoms off in the distance. But besides that, no scenes or anything. And it quickly becomes SO good. I really want to say more, because I feel very strongly about this movie, but I don't want to ruin it for those of you who want to see it...and if I say ANY of what I want to- it will affect how you take in the movie. Gosh- I will say that I was very surprised by how well the main actor and actress did- they completely captured me. Oh, if you did not know, it is the story of Jane Austin...author of Pride and Prejudice and 5 other novels.

This morning, we were ready early and then sat and talked at the breakfast table until 10:30! So, after day of driving on a beautiful route (we headed over to highway 20- beautiful!...which then met up on highway 101 shortly before we stopped.), we are now in Eureka, Ca. We've had dinner and are about ready for bed. Being it's one minute to eleven, and we want to be up and out of here early, I should get to bed. Tomorrow, we will meet up with my mom, Kathering, and Kolleen at Cannon Beach...I'll stay the night and head home for my Buble concert! The rest will stay a few days more.

I hope you are all having a wonderful week....I checked the forecast today, 70's in Seattle through the week. Kim- good to hear you guys got some rain!

I am waiting for dad. ;)

We are about to leave on our trip to Cali. I am really excited! I am also really hungry- and I am hoping we get some breakfast sometime this morning, preferably soon. Dad keeps coming by trying to act like he is waiting for me- but I am all packed, and now am blogging. He is.....in his den, doing something, not sure what. I think my mom threw his pants in the dryer and thats actually what we are waiting for, to be fair.

We will be heading through Redding I believe, and I really want to stop at the Bethel church, but I don't think we'll have time to. We'll see. I don't even know if you can just "stop by" or what we'd do there, but I've been wanting very badly to go.

Okay...time to go!!

As I promised, a few pictures of Elise and Jeff, the couple. :)





Last night, we had our girls night, and it was certainly worth the wait. We rented "A Good Year" (which I STILL don't know how it ends, since I fell asleep at a place a little after the place I fell asleep LAST time I watched the movie), bought some ben & jerry's and Haagendawz, I'd grabbed a Lush mask at my lunch break...and we just hung out and laughed and enjoyed it all. It was pretty fun just hearing elise talk about this whole new world to us single ladies...and we did out best to embaress her while she was on the phone with him. It was certainly fun...thought we know, we will be paid back in full. :)

Today, I am working from home...so now driving while exhausted- in fact I got a few more hours of sleep since I could jut get up and pop up my laptop in my pajamas and messy hair. BEAUTIFUL. lol. I think I should definitely become a writer, then I could do this everyday, lol. I do worry a bit about how much I would accomplish if I had my man at home too...not much, not much :) Yes, it's true, Elise has got us all thinking a bit more about the future I think. I don't want to let myself think about it too much, in regards to a man, because I have a feeling that it will be years for me still. It is a good reminder though that we do need to plan like it could be next year....you never really know. Bianca told me that a few months back, to someone prepare like it could be next year, and at the same time, like it could be 6 more.

Well, I do need to keep working.

I'm falling asleep. I have been running early, to late, and it is catching up with me I am really struggling to stay awake, and that's after a venti mocha (though I am rather sure kris only made it a double, rather than the usual triple a venti calls for).


I am leaving with my dad Thursday for California, so I'd like to stay and get some hours in today, but I am pretty sure I'll end up leaving within a couple hours, max. Maybe after nap, I'll work from home. I was up late last night because Riss and I rented a movie, but then I decided to clean the bathroom, and we finished our laundry first...plus other things....so we didn't finish the movie until midnight...and I was up by 4:30. I know, it's not terrible, but after camp and then two nights of little sleep- I am ready for a nap.

I just thought of my SLT paper I need to write here soon too! I need to have that done by the end of August I believe- hmm, that's like a week away. Interesting.

Well, hopefully I'll be in for a nap today- and then a girl night :) Morgan, Riss, Elise and I have been looking forward to a "girls night" together for months now- and tonight looks like our only possible chance (since Morgan has youth group tomorrow night, I leave Thursday, and Riss flies home the day before I get back :( !!)

Love you- pray I stay awake! Apparently I will be staying at work till 2, because I need to be at a meeting this afternoon. Oh well, I do need the hours.

Kati

My Best Friend is Courting!!!

I can't quite believe it-- Elise and Jeff announced their courtship yesterday..about 1 minute after graduating from Externs! I've known for a few days now- and for months that it was likely coming, but no one thought it would be so quick. Jeff told us yesterday he had asked his parents back at Spring Break if he could start pursuing it then! crazy. I am VERY excited for the two of them!!

I'll add some pictures later tonight, or tomorrow.

PS- Our senior class voted Elise most likely to be married first- looks like, odds are in her favor. ;)

Today is going to be a wonderful day! Morgan and I picked up Riss at the airport last night, after her and I daring the mall, forging the parking garage, searching "Internation Blvd." (a name we decided was far too prestigious for the real road we experienced!)...all searching for a Starbucks, open Tullys, Big Foot Java...ANY OPEN ESPRESSO STAND! You see, we'd planned to hit the Starbucks in the Lodge at BellSquare after a little necessary shopping (for real- it was necessary!)...but we were running a little late. We knew Riss would understand, so we were STILL gonna go- but somehow we discovered we were wandering the wrong parking garage. We thought we were across the mall from our car, but it layed beneath us. So, after a good deal of laughter, we decided to hit a coffee stand/shop/drive-thru (ANYTHING!) along the way. Nope... Then, Riss's plane was still not landed, so we decided to search until she called to say she'd landed. We drove up and down International Blvd...we saw ONE eventually. It was closed. After all our searching and toil, we had become qiute ravenous, so we pulled into a McDonalds, which was a story in and of itself. Riss called- she had landed! We headedover, and she was surprised to see Morgan (for, it was, a surprise). After big hugs and smiles and laughs, and some creative manuevers, we were on the road.

We stopped at Morg's for a bit, then, at home it took a little while to get to bed (and a LOT of self-discipline to not talk to Riss, much.) All in all, I was asleep roughly at 1...and up at 4:15 to get ready for work. I dropped Kris off on the way, and then I grabbed us breakfast at Jack in the Box (breakfast croisant!), while she made me a mocha at her stand. Not a bad way to start the morning...the croisant and coffee helped with that "up-to-early, not-enough-sleep nausious feeling." Now I am in the office, and hopefully no one else will be in the office for at least another hour, so my music is on at my desk....and it's a good morning. I will have to leave pretty early today, I still have to pack!

I cannot wait- I hope I never stop getting this excited for Family Camp. I was looking for pictures to put up in my cubicle, and in my photo box, I pulled out a picture of my mom and dad, me in my mom's arms.
They are in the motor home, I believe the Hales' based on stories I've heard. The back said, "Family Camp 1987" That's the year I was born! I have another picture up in a double frame in my room...the left side is Elise and I in a play-pin..we are sitting facing each other and like holding hands, kinda hugging. The back of that one says "Family Camp 1987" too- I was only 8 months, and Elise was about 14 months. The other picture to it's right, is of Elise and I camping on our senior trip....pretty cool.

I'm very blessed to only be 20-years-old and already have friendships 20-years-long! And, a lot of others, close to as long! I can still remember what Elise gave me for one of my 4th or 5th birthday- it was a perfume, and I thought it was the coolest gift ever- I remember her and I "using it" on her front porch. I don't know if I've told Elise that memory in recent years (?).

Goodness, I need a hair-tie desperately! I let my hair just air-dry this morning, and it has become an image of the early 90's...this cut exaggerates my hairs automatice tendency to dry as a big..I don't even know what to call it.

Have I told you lately that I love you? I do.

Kati.. Kate.. Katydid.. Little One.. Lyndsey.. KK.. Pollux.. Kat.. Katers.. Shane.. Stink (can anyone guess that's from a big sister?).. Ubi-Boobi[Liss].. Kati Lady.. Katrina Hope.

Sometimes I think I am so much further than I am.
I've run and run, then turn to see so little ground.
Thought I was a giant, but more a little lamb.
I'm fierce and strong; how do words make me unsound?

This new life is plagued by choices before I was born,
Though all made new, some things grow through,
The weeds all pulled, free from snare and thorn
Yet sprouts, a plant, I swear I knew.

And wonder weather to undo...or if this be a flower, true?

Let waters pour, again uproot, anything be that not of You.

Today I am choosing to look at,
Good Things:

*Larissa arrives tonight!
*Morgan's hair is..shoot, can't say it yet, most haven't seen :)
*Elise came home last night!
*Family Camp is tomorrow!
*I've had so much dance practice that I am sore, and accordingly have been getting some exercise!
*A bunch of people I love take the time to actually read what I write, even when it's silly and sprinkled with type-errors ;)
*Morgan has a blog!
*The sun is out and today should reach the mid-80s!
*Just got my paycheck in the mail today!
*I am about to go get a jamba! (peanut butter mood with extra banana!)
*I have amazing family and friends!
*I actually get to see my family at camp!
*I get to take a road trip with my dad!!!!
*The nerd festivities are tomorrow at 8pm!
*Life is good- and God is in a GOOD MOOD!

This is my 100th post, and I feel it appropriate that such a celebratory post should be heralding the return of ELISE AURELIA SANDSTROM!

Elise comes home this evening - and I am so incredibly excited!

She's going to be awfully upset with me though when she realized I have dance practice tonight and can't be there when she gets home- like she told me I "better be!"

Last night I had a fun time with Morgan- I am sooo excited for Elise to be coming home, and Riss to be visiting, and for family camp! And for extern graduation!!! This has been a really challenging year with having so many of my closest girl friends scattered- its been great because it's brought new frienships and allowed them to grow strong this year too- but one friend can never really replace another. I can't quite explain how happy my heart is to be receiving back some of my cloest friends, which I'd given Him completely. He gives and takes away- and then sometimes, He gives back, plus He gives more :) I think that's the moral of my story!

I don't believe I have ever felt so lonely as I have much of this past year - but somehow, looking back now, I don't believe I have ever been so rich in friendships as I have become. I can see a connection to what P. Norm was saying yesterday about God preparing us in the wilderness and desert seasons for His glory...I think in a similar way, He prepares us in the lonely wildnerness, desert seasons where we feel very set apart and sometimes fogotten (not by Him, but by our friends), for the richness of relationship. In the desert we draw close to Him, we deepen our passion and learn to rely first and only on Him, desperate to draw water from Him. Also, re discover the value of frienship. Then, at a moment, He begins to scatter friendships in our lives, like seeds sprouting up in every direction...and the ground thats been toiled in, watered, and tended grows frienships seemingly without toil or trouble.

At least, that appears very true to me. I am so grateful for all my friends- and that absolutely includes my family!

I should be getting to bed very soon...tonight it just one of those nights when you are full of such "good feelings" that you don't quite want to fall asleep, you'd rather just stay awake and 'feel good.' You know? lol. Maybe I am just even more sentimental and strange than you all thought.

My dad said to me not to long ago, "Still waters run deep. You aren't very still, but you certainly run deep." I think thats probably pretty true if you are considering that my mind is ALWAYS going- sometimes I wish it would just stop...but it moves along very quickly- and usually my train of thoughts makes little sense to others. Kim and Jason can testify- a couple times we were in the car and I would make some comment out of no where it seemed and Jason made the mistake of asking where it came from- and so, I rehearsed my thoughts out loud for them and they both ended up laughing and somewhat astonished.

You might already have realized that by reading my "stream of consciousness" style of blogging. I used to really not like that I thought so differently...like in MCs when I would say something and I wouldn't have a bunch of "Amens" "Yeah, exactly!" type responses...it would just be quiet sometimes. It bothered me, until a couple of my classmates encouraged me that it was a good thing that I'd bring things in a way they hadn't thought about- and Anna (who was my intern) would build me up, speaking to me about how God spoke to me differently, as a good thing. I don't know if that came out right or not. My point is just, I have been through a process of being very frustrated that people don't immediately agree with everything I say- to realizing I'd rather say something that not everyone agrees with immediately, because perhaps that is actually what is worth saying rather than saying things exactly how others see things already. We need each other, and the unique ways God reveals things to us, I'm no servant to those I love if I tell them things as they see them themself. Though I still get frustrated at times (probably due to my failure to communicate clearly more than anything!), I love that God speaks to us through one another...and I'm okay if I don't get to speak the lines that get the big amens...perhaps I'll get a few thoughtful expressions and thats great too. Hmm, that's just a bit of a process I've been in the past couple years. I'm really happy with whatever He wants to speak through me, as long as He is still speaking through me...I guess I might want to be a bit more selective than that because I really would rather not be speaking the types of things some of His prophets did! yikes!


So, the good feelings. I just think God is wonderful for making us relational beings, for wanting "vast sons and daughters" and therefore giving us brothers and sisters. Friends are such treasures. I love new friends, but it's the old ones that always puzzle me a bit- the fact that they stick around even after they discover how quarky and obnoxious you really are ;)

Ty and I were playing cards tonight, waiting for Rob to get home and he put it as "coming full circle." We have built in so many other relationships these past couple years- and hung out hardly at all as "the neighborhood," but tonight we were listening to Michael Buble and were so excited to soon have Elise back- once again, with old friends.

Today at CCK201, I think all three pastors who shared mentioned how great it was to have old friends...or those who you have stuck together with for long enough to really build trust. There was so much talk today about relationships, it was great. It actually had me a bit sad though, thats okay though. I was somewhat sad, because I've been realizing some friendships which have and are changing- people who I WANT so badly to be close with, but Gods just not really in it. I think its definitely part of growing up and learning to follow Him as He leads- which means change - which means not getting to pick your own friends, even based on who you would naturally like and get along with...and sometimes quite the opposite. ;)

Then again, there are always those who have stayed there at your side- sometimes silently and from a bit more of a distance, but you find they never leave. I know these friendships in particular aren't easy- they are the ones who will fight with me, who will say no to me and tell me I'm wrong, or sometimes that they just don't like my answer. They are the ones who've I've shared awkward silent car rides with- and also comfortable silence with. They are treasures- they are iron. They can't be fooled.

There are those too who I am so surprised by God- that He thought to place things in our hearts that would link at first meeting. There are several girls who I feel connected too without any of my own doing- its sovereign. I've got my writing pal ;) who I've known for some time, but so often I read her letters and I am stunned by how close her heart can be to mine and her pure vulnerability. I have my bus buddy, who I just couldn't stop staring at on the bus and when we ended up talking, found out we share passions, opinions, ideas, and convictions, not to mention a major. Then, my North Dakota friend- who I have amazingly got reconnected to after many years- and immediately felt my heart knit to! There's "old friends" who have become "new friends" thanks to second chances- I wouldn't have wanted to miss out on Lizzie for anything! :) Any there are so many more - I know I don't always feel this way- more often than not I feel "socially retarded" and lonely, but I am doing my best to secure my friendships and when I am alone- to enjoy those times too because I know it's God calling me out.

Life is exciting! Ashley shared something Lou Engle said a couple weeks ago. He said, "God doesn't create you and give you a dream. He creates a dream and surrounds your body around it." I loved that tonight when I read it- and obviously she did too (that's why she shared it with me!) I am surprised sometimes by how deeply I am shook by something I see or hear- I'll weep and not fully grasp why. I'll grieve about things I did not know before, broke my heart. There are passions deep inside of me, that I can sense I am only beginning to realize...there are dreams that my whole being seems to be anticipating the release of, though I have no idea now what they will amount to. Sometimes words escape my pen, that I didn't know were in me...and sometimes tears from my eyes.

I love that life is never only what we expect it to be, nor are people, or relationships, or ourselves....as long as we learn to let them be more.

I think often, and pray often (though not nearly enough), how we allow people to change and grow- moreover, how we encourage them to. I HATE feeling stuck by people in the same person as they've known me to be...and I don't want to do it to others. I want to be someone who reminds people of who they are, who prophetically pulls out of people who they are...reminding them of their heritage, encouraging them in their present, and holding them to their future.

Alright, I am becoming far too pensive...I need to get to bed.

Last few thoughts to share: I love the people God has given me, and given me to...all of them, my family, friends, church family... I love God's words. I love Him, and His care-full ways! He's really good to me!

Goodnight.

Sitting here at work...time really does pass slowly at my office. Today is our company bbq- so I only have another 2 hours. THANK GOODNESS.

Here is a new So You Think You Can Dance video (it's from last week)...
SYTYCD- Neil and Lacey

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15 minutes 'til it's time for me to head to the airport. And though my excitement is growing to see mom, dad, Kris, the girls (katherine and kolleen), and all my friends, I have this borderline anxiety that I am holding at bay. It's not because of the flying- I have gotten pretty used to that. It's from leaving. Strange, I honestly thought I'd be ready to go leave when it came to it, but I'm not. Kim and I have said goodbye about 4 times now, and I still was tempted to go meet her for coffee "one last time."

Okay, time to go....see you all at home....love you.

Kim- I love you!

WELL. After a long day of airport lines, security checks, baggage claim, etc...I am back, in TENNESSEE. Yes, my flight was delayed an hour and a half which would put me missing my layover flight in Salt Lake City- the last flight out of there tonight.
And Delta didn't have any more hotel rooms there to put people up in, so they reworked it for me to stay here another night and fly out tomorrow. The man who talked with me was very nice and he even has me flying home 1st class for over half of it. He also gave me vouchers for the airport...which was sweet.

Yet, it was an entertaining afternoon...and I feel too drained to go through it all again by sharing it here. Most everything that COULD have gone wrong, DID go wrong...so I am here, with ONE of my bags, no not the bag with my toothbrush, clean underwear, socks, and changes of clothes. Its the bag full primarily of heavy books, my cowboy boots and other random things I don't need tonight, but that sufficiently make the bag rather painful to carry- also the strap broke off it when I first got to the airport today- yes, this is the bag they brought back to me....when I really didn't care for them to give me either, but they chose to anyways....

I grabbed a handful of quarters before throwing my backpack in Kim's car (you see i waited for about an hour for my bags...the bags I didn't even want to collect...the bags that 1/2 of came in the end)... So yeah, I was thirsty so I grabbed a handful of quarters, $1.27 to be exact....pops at the machine turned out to be $1.50. Less than a quarter short! And worse yet, Kim had to go pull out of the waiting area and she'd told me to call her when my bags came- yeah, I'd left my cell in my backpack, now in the backseat of her car. yeah.

Gosh...funny stuff. Turned out, I had missed my connection flight from the moment I even checked in at the airport- the machine said my flight had been delayed from 5:30 to 6:05pm...when I'd asked a Delta lady if I would miss my connecting flight she said she'd go check- and 15 minutes later, as they repeatedly called my name at the baggage check-in, she still hadn't come back. I'd assumed I must not be missing it....oh, if only I'd known. I could have taken care of it all right then and been back at the keiths by like 5pm. Now, its 8, my shoulder aches from holding my backpack and carryon for hours in various lines throughout the afternoon- waiting to check-in my bags, security checks, the line at the burrito place, the line to change my ticket (longest line EVER!), then my line to REcollect my baggage. yeah, quite a day! And, I had to call both of my managers at my jobs and tell them I wouldn't be at work tomorrow after all.

It's all alright though- because tonight, I get to have Bluebell Ice Cream one more time- Kim's in the kitchen cooking dinner, and Jason is home...one more night at the Keiths' was certainly worth it. :)

Yes, in fact these pictures have nothing to do with what I am writing about, but they are some of our fun pictures from yesterday and the night before that I wanted to share them.


Toni will be home safe and sound in a few hours...and I am about to go play some scrabble, eat some yummy dinner and later Jason and I will probably watch Slingblade, and have rootbeer floats with BLUEBELL :) Perhaps in the morning I can get him to make me one last French Press...he hasn't said no yet. Gosh, it's hard enough leaving once...tomorrow is going to be very difficult.

Love you all!

I MISSED A DAY!

So, what have we been up to, you ask? Toni arrived Friday afternoon and we have been having a wonderful time. Friday night we went to Ted Montana's for some delicious Buffalo burgers, and of course, sweet tea.
Then, we went home and after Jason got home from work we all hung out. We stayed up late and slept in on Saturday. Then Kim made crepes (with a yummy whipped cream cheese filling) --Jason made French Press-- Rosie and I ate!

We spent the afternoon around the apartment and then that evening we went to the Williamson County Fair!! After touring the blue ribbon produce ;) we enjoyed the real talent of the night-- Elvis Night! These guys were impressive- they had won awards and competitions- Elvis impersonation competitions, haha! This was our favorite guy, he really had it down, and he even looked like Elvis in his early movie days (my favorite!). It's funny, Kim and I were just a little while ago playing a "game" seeing who would run out of elvis movie titles first- Blue Hawaii, Follow That Dream, Fun in Acapulco, Clam Bake, GI Blues, Kid Gallahad, Kissin' Cousins, Girls Girls Girls, Harem Scarum, It Happened At The Worlds Fair, Love Me Tender...

Then, we indulged with the staple fair food- corn on the cob for Kim and I! Jason and Rosie found some real tasty burgers! We wandered and soaked in the redneck environment. There was this clown in the dunk tank who sat up there, smoking his cigarette and taking low blows at everyone walking by- litterally, he said to one kid who was throwing at him, "Let me guess, mom wanted a little girl, dad wanted a boy, out you popped and they were both happy." He was mean...and let me tell you, it wouldn't have passed in Seattle, fair or no fair. lol. Everyone sending their little kids over to be harrassed, securing life-long insecurities. ;)

We went on some rides- I faced a few rides I'd always been a little too chicken for, and found out I loved them! The first was the 'ring of fire' type ride, which actually was a bit disappointing because our turn was shorter than the others we'd been watching, hmm. Then, we went on the "Seattle Wheel"...did you know, that Pharis (no clue how to spell this!) Wheel, had been introduced at the Seattle World's Fair? Yeah, there's a whole story to it and how they brought back the concept and built a couple more of them- it seemed like the little description was saying that THIS one was actually one of the few in its exact image. Mom, Dad, does this one look like it??? I thought that was pretty cool! It was faster than they usually are, and it went fairly high-- both were unwelcomed surprises to Kim, who spent the ride buried in Jason's shoulder. Also, the way you sat in a row facing out, rather than in a little circle, or cage, did leave you a bit more uneasy....but it was very pretty!

After a little dessert, we left the fair and headed to Opry Mills to catch a midnight showing of Bourne Ultimatum--- sooooo good! Unfortunately, Jason's food had begun to make a few complaints during our last ride (which had actually begun to pull my food up to...right to the throat-- hate that feeling! It was really fast and hung you upside down for a while too, it was my favorite, because Rosie and I were a little small for the shoulder strap things, so every time around as we went upside down, our butts would lift about 2-3 inches off the seat, giving us this airless feeling as we flew around!) So yeah, Jason got motion sickness...and the movie really made it worse with all its crazy filming, and Kim was soo tired she was struggling to stay awake. But despite all that, we all LOVED the movie- it was sooo great- you have got to see it (if you haven't already!)

Yesterday....we.....went to church, then went to the Loveless Cafe, saw Alan Jackson's house, scratch that, Estate! Then we dropped Jason off at work and us girls went looking for some little place Kim had heard of that has these delicious popsicle type things, but amidst our search, we were interupted with some great news- Jason had been sent home!! So, we turned around. At home, we went to the pool for a while, then that night Kim made her delicious choc. chip cookies, and we watched Sweet Home Alabama...well, we all STARTED it, but when I woke up on the couch, Jason was sitting on the floor, actually, rolling on the floor laughing hysterically, Kim was crashed out on a chair, and Rosie was gone. She's already gone to bed.

This morning, Rosie woke me up and we had Lucky Charms and then went to the pool for an hour- when we got back, Kim and Jason were up and we've been 'getting rady' and hanging out for the last few hours...trying to decide what to do today. Kim was given the day off to spend with us- which I am SOOO happy about!

We have decided to go to Opry Mills again and go to the magnificent hotel, then perhaps to The Aquariam for an early dinner, and then when Jason heads to work- us girls are going shopping. It's a great day so far!

The Poll is Closed.

I almost forgot, today's the unveiling of my favorite (living) author. I say living, because I LOVE George macDonald, and Shakespeare.

But truth be told, this really is no "unveiling" because obviously everyone already knew (again). I was the only one to vote against Nicholas Sparks.

I have been sooo excited for today, so that I could blog about his new book coming out! I had just checked his site, seriously a couple weeks ago and there was nothing new- they were still displaying his 'new' book from last fall, Dear John. Yep- read that one...last Thanksgiving!!

Then, Kim pulled up his site and I was standing right there--- lo and behold- a new book- out this September!! For those of you who don't know, Nicholas Sparks wrote the novels (by the same names) that inspired Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, and The Notebook. Plus, he has written a number of other great books which I expect to some day see as films! I read his autobiography, he wrote with his brother, and I loved it-- that's talent to write a captivating biography! Plus, I loved seeing where many of his stories poured out of his personal life...that's inspiring to me as a hopeful writer. Your stories don't have to just poof out of some magical land, they mirror the characters and adventures you witness. There's a quote I absolutely love, which I am sure I will butcher, but it said that a great novel should remind us of our own life...or something like that. I'll add it later- I have it written in a book.

Here's a little info from his site:
did you know. . .
He is a black-belt in Tae Kwon Do?
He still holds a track and field record at the University of Notre Dame?
After selling The Notebook, the first thing he bought was a new wedding ring for his wife?
Nicholas Sparks and J.K. Rowling (of Harry Potter fame) are the only contemporary authors to have a novel spend more than a year on both the New York Times hardcover and paperback best-seller lists?
In a poll of Entertainment Weekly readers, he was selected as the favorite author?
He is a major contributor to the Creative Writing Program at the University of Notre Dame?

Not only does he have a new book coming out, but there's another movie in progress based on his book, Nights in Rodanthe.

Anywho, I know you all really don't care much for my random facts about my favorite country artist, or my favorite author...so I'll end this one early. If you do pick up one of his books- I'd recommend The Wedding...it follows The Notebook, but they aren't really too dependant on one another. His autobiography is entitled, Three Weeks With My Brother, and follows their travels together around the world over three weeks- as well as their family history.

It is worth mentioning a couple other authors I'd trust to recommend (and they are a bit safer than Nicholas Sparks), such as Ted Dekker (only read Blessed Child- but it was great!), and Francine Rivers. I'm reading The Memory Keeper's Daughter right now (I can't remember the author's name)- and its getting pretty good- I'll let you know what I think at the end.

Love you guys! I am home in less than a week- can you believe that?

Toni is on her way here!

I am very excited for this weekend. I only have 5 days left, but I decided yesterday to look at it as like a whole trip left! Most trips you take are about 5-7 days...right? Well, Kim and I are going straight from work this afternoon to pick up Toni at the airport...and then the fun kicks off. We have so much to do!

And about last night. I don't mean to spoil this for anyone- but, I cannot believe they sent Sara home! I mean, I can, but I am not happy about it. I told Kim that they could be sending her home, because she didn't have the best night on Wednesday...Kim couldn't believe it, even when they said it. She was judging mostly by the fact that Lauren ALWAYS ends up in the bottom 3 (or now 2), and Sara doesn't.

I was a bit surprised that Neil was in the bottom two, especially after the Mia Michaels dance that everyone cried in! But then, Danny is amazing and I bet he has a big 'ol following voting for him. And Pasha- well, let's just say he's the favorite of pretty much every woman in the office here--- and that sparks another note. So You Think You Can Dance is very big here- like they gather and discuss it in the coffee area, in the breakroom at lunch, and around Kim's cubicle- it is VERY big! I'm curious if it's a big deal all around here, or just in this office. Based on the stories and murmurs I have heard- I believe the devotion stretches through Tennessee. :)

Well...that's about all for right now. I haven't been feeling well for about a week now, which is kinda difficult since I am across the country from my doctor- so, please pray I feel better. Toni has been feeling sick too- so please pray for her to be better too-- strange huh, we actually have like the same thing...it hit at the same time, and we haven't been around each other for 4 weeks! Well, please pray we feel better and we can have an awesome time here!!

Love you.

Through the Pane

Inside the house, we're safe.
The weather tumbles, fights, and fumbles,
But we must not feel it in this place.
Life crumbles, bites, and we stumble,
But we must not show it on our face.

It's easiest when left inside,
There's no struggle to explain it all.
You say it's best if just denied,
You'd really best contain this fall.
But still- the tide swells deep and wide.

Your blurry view stares through the pane,
The clouds roll dark and the figures fight.
Flowers, sunshine, memories marred by the rain.
There's no one daring outdoors tonight.
And hidden stars say the future steers the same.

For curious or desperate, you can't quite tell,
Nor dare you to decide, for if you wait,
You might not follow this intrinsic bell.
So, with one stride, you unlatch the only gate,
Run outside, and scream and yell!

The rain falls, soft and warm.
The trees rage, but their roots are deep and strong.
Life isn't what you had seen to be the storm.
Hope is here, only hidden by the pane for so long.
Now, the dawn begins to fight and form.

"Here's the girls..."



Lacey
Her brother, Benji won last year.
She's incredible, and there's a good chance she'll win.
I like her.










Lauren
She helped one of the choreographers on the show last season so Kim swears she has an advantage. I like her, I think.










Sabra
She is amazing- she only started dancing when she was 16! And she floats- she is one of my favorites and I think she has a chance at winning.










Sara
The B-Girl
I love her! She's a favorite!






"And here's the guys..."




Danny
Incredible dancer, but FAR from my favorite person.










Dominic
Jason's favorite.
He'll probably go home tomorrow night.










Neil
Great dancer.
Me and Morgan have crushes on him. ;)










Pasha.
He's Russian and he's a goof. He's also pretty good. He's probably Kim's favorite guy.




And here is the guy they sent home last week...when Dominic definitely should have been voted out. He was my top favorite!





Kameron
Every girl he got partnered with, became the star of the night. That's pretty much why he got sent home, not because he wasn't good- he just always got out-shined. I think that's the mark of a good guy dancer though isn't it? I don't know- he just was my favorite "person" on the show, if not my favorite dancer. But now, he is no more. He will however be on the tour, since he made it to the top 10.

Those days of Kim harrasing me for not blogging enough are long gone I believe. I posted 20 blogs in July, granted I had only posted 19 the entire previous months of 2007. ;) But still, 20 to 7...kind of a brutal beating. (hehehehe).

Well, don't worry ya'all, I'll soon be back in school, and my blogging pace will slow down considerably.

But for now, I am still running hard. ;) And hopefully, you will all continue to miss me enough that you'll actually put up with reading my 4 paragraph sections about learning Italian, and long drives in the country (Morgan!), and yes, George Strait. If I come home and coincidentally you are all "busy" I'll know my bloggings to blame.

Do you all know what tonight is? Wednesday night means performance/voting night for SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE!? Oh, yes, soooo excited, though Jason has to work tonight, so once again Kim and I will be missing our announcer. Last week was amazing! Everyone of the performances (except the Viennese Waltz) were incredible! Here's a clip of one of my favorites from last week, with Sarah (the "B-Girl") and Neil (Mine and Morgan's crush). It was an awesome disco! (make sure you scroll to the bottom to pause the other music before you watch it- otherwise, you'll hear both!)