Pam's Sunday

Good morning everybody! I have news. Both sad and happy. First, the sad. Bill Stovall, a good friend of ours passed away last night. He's been having lung trouble for over two years now. He's in a much better place. Our prayers go out to his wife and children (all adults) and grandchildren. His sons weren't the best, but I'm sure they loved him.

Good news: I got a new Bible! It's green (my favorite color) and a KJV. It's actually a pocket Bible, but I love it so far. The references aren't as great as in my old Bible, but I'm still enjoying exploring it.

Last night was Gala. Gala is our scholarship benefit variety show for the theater and dance programs. I had fun. I was working the silent auction, but the auction ended about 25 minutes after my shift began, so I shifted responsibilities. Instead of talking up the items, we guarded them and then distributed them upon payment. So I got to take money from patrons. Fun fun! Some of the stuff was SOO awesome! But it was also semi-expensive, so I didn't get anything. I thought of Mom when I saw a turquoise purse and some hand-crafted jewelry. But the jewelry was a bit steep and I didn't see the purse until the bidding was closed. Oh well. It was a good experience. We struck the set right after, so I didn't get home until 11-is. But it was perfectly alright. I went to bed pretty quickly, so it's all gravy.

There are Hummers in Huntsville! Real Army Humvees! Camouflage and everything! I was pumped! They're in a little fenced-in area down the road. You know, you could hop the fence, hot-wire a humvee, then run through the gates... Hehe. I bet gas-mileage isn't good enough for all of that.

I went to an Assembly of God church this morning with Stacy and Lisa. It was a learning experience. The next Sunday I'm here we're going to do some more church-hopping, but to Baptist this time. We went to Fellowship Baptist Sunday before last. Last weekend was the cow sale.

Well, now it's lunch time and then homework. Jessica wants to go to a movie today, but I don't know if we're still on for that. We'll see. Talk to y'all later! Love and hugs!

Night-time at College

We played football tonight. Lots of fun. We lost, but it was still pretty cool. 4 on 4. 3 girls. I was told that I am a "stud". So...

Every evening there's something going on in the dorm or around campus. We played Trivial Pursuit last night. We play tag on a regular basis. Paper, Rock, Scissors is our favorite pastime after video games. We're even planning a themed Halloween costume set-up. I'm going to be Poison Ivy. DC Comic Villains. Yeah, we're nerds. But I'm content. I've found a whole building full of friends and I love it!

Today was pretty uneventful over all, but Jessalyn came home. She's excited about her guy. He seems really sweet. And rich, so she's happy. Lol. But seriously, she really likes him. And I'm glad she's happy. She still talks up a storm and comes in at all hours, but I'm tolerant and can handle it. No problem.

I still have some reading to do for English then I'm off to bed, so I'll talk to y'all later! Love and hugs.

Weekend of the Spatula

Hey everybody!!! Yesterday (Saturday, Sept. 3rd) my family and I went to a cow sale in Lockhart, Texas. Lots of fun, old friends, new pals, and good food. What's really funny is that on Thursday I got a fortune from a cookie that read "You will meet old friends soon." And I did! Hehe. But back to the weekend.

We left here (Sam Houston State U) at about 4 PM on Friday. We got to Lockhart at about 7 PM that same day. We had to stop at Wal-Mart in Brenham to get socks, but other than that it was a straight shot. We arrived in the middle of the heifer sale. This is the first year we had a sale of the sort, so it was interesting. I went around and said hi to the people sitting on the outskirts and my parents, since I hadn't seen them in almost two weeks. I then went to the back to see my two friends. Makayla is 13, about 4' 10", and about as big around as a number 2 pencil. She's a sweetheart, and LOVES animals. She and I love to ride horses and play with the goats and talk about cows and girl stuff. Then I spoke to Mikey. He's 15, and taller than I am. About 5' 8" or so. I love to talk to him. He knows all sorts of stuff about world news and has valid points and opinions, but loves video games and guns about as much as me. Very cool. We talked for a few minutes then I went in and ate some great fajitas and cookies. After the sale, we went around and said hi to everyone we hadn't already seen. Most of the people who participate know us very well, so there weren't very many introductions. I did meet Gayle and Theo, as well as Craig that night. We went to the motel and chilled for a while before falling asleep at about midnight. Well, I went to sleep at midnight. Derek and Brandy went to sleep at about 2. They had been watching a movie.

Saturday morning we woke up and got ready at about 7:30. I went to Mom and Dad's room to talk to Mom for a while before Derek and Brandy woke up. (To clarify, Derek had his won bed and Brandy and I shared the second bed in our room. Mom and Dad were by themselves.) Dad was already gone, but returned before too long to change. We were all up and ready by then, so we all went over to the sale barn, which is only a hop, skip, and a jump away. Actually, it's across the air strip.

After saying good morning to all of our friends, Makayla and I started riding horses. She rides Blue, her 22-year-old horse. I rode Star, a recent addition to the family. We had a lot of fun putting them through their paces in the big empty field next door to the sale barn. That was actually the first time I've ever ridden a horse at a gallop and felt fully in control for more than two seconds.

The sale began at about 12:30, half an hour later than planned. The food was late. But it was good, that's for sure. We started the sale with several donated items that went to the sale fund. We don't charge for food and we don't charge a commission, so we have to make money however we can. Our cows came up. The first sold for $1,300. The second sold for $900 (my brother's cow). My cow sold for $1,200. The fourth and fifth cows sold for $1,200 and $900. Overall, some would say it wasn't a bad day, but we were expecting SO much more. There was a note in the comments and the "auctioneer's assistant" explained that it was for our college funds, but I guess it wasn't a big deal. Gayle and Theo bought my cow. She'll have a good home.

After the sale I met Jared from Minnesota. He was pretty cool. We talked about the differences in our climates and the "joys" of the cow business. I then went to find Makayla. We rode horses again. It started to rain, so we took off for shelter, then decided it didn't really matter. We were both hot and sweaty anyway, and the rain felt wonderful. It did start pouring for as few minutes, so we sound a shed and dismounted. After chilling for a few minutes before the rain quit, we remounted. As I did, my pants stretched at just the right place... and they split. Right down the front. Terrible feeling. So Makayla rode over to Derek and got the car keys, we rode out to the car, I tossed Makayla my reins, and drove over the the motel to change pants. I had an extra pair, fortunately, so I got back in a few minutes and got back on. This time, I used a little more precaution and got up on the side of the trailer first, then stepped down into the stirrups. We rode from the back of the barn to the front door, at which point my parents informed me it was time to go. So I took Star back to the pen, told Makayla a quick goodbye, and went to the truck. When I realized I wouldn't see her again before we left, I was a little upset, but she knows how to reach me. Yay for email!

We had Chinese food for dinner. Good stuff. Shrimp, egg rolls, fried rice, and fortune cookies. I don't remember what mine said. Sorry guys. We went back to the motel and changed into out swimsuits. We swam for about an hour and a half, doing all sorts of things from racing to dunking to jumping to throwing each other up in the air in cheerleader fashion. Brandy did a full backflip, but she's a cheerleader. I was honestly very impressed with my own back dive. Derek, Dad, and Brandy were all surprised that I actually pulled it off. I wasn't surprised exactly... just incredibly pumped.

We left this morning at about 7:30. About an hour down the road, we stopped for breakfast. McDonalds!!! After another 15 miles, the car started acting up. We were in separate vehicles. Dad took his truck on Thursday to haul the cows. He took 4 home (1 is ours, 3 belong to a friend). So Derek, Brandy, and I followed on Friday in Mom's car. So the radiator's seriously screwed up. They put water in it and left it at a store about 2 miles down from where we stopped. Dad will go get it tomorrow. Lots of fun, I'm sure. I just hope they can get it fixed. So we crammed into the truck (yeah, right, the truck's HUGE) and rode the rest of the way back (another hour and a half) to school. They dropped me off and then continued on their way at about 10:30 this morning.

So, that was my oh-so-exciting weekend. We got some money, but not a whole lot. Prayerfully it'll be enough to get us through school for a while. But we'll see. He hasn't failed us yet, so I don't doubt Him now. Other than that, life is great. I'm going to drop my dance class (Jazz 3, WAAAAAAY too advanced) and hopefully get into a lower level class. Hope everybody had a great week and weekend! Sleep LAAAAAAAAAATE tomorrow! Talk to y'all soon! Love and hugs!

As Promised

Well, news, news, and more news. Heathykins knew this was coming, so I'm so sure he was holding his breath. Lol.

Dad reads my blog. I knew this, but it didn't quite register when I posted. So, big shocker, I IMed him last night to tell him about buying my new computer (which he wasn't too happy about) and he told me this: "I've always told you the truth, so I read your blog. Don't follow your hormones. Follow your heart and let God lead you in any new relationships and whatever you do at school. Focus on classes first." That was actually my paraphrasing, because I can't quote it word for word, but I really almost cried when I read that. I felt so much better!

I talked to him today. Greg, the guy from the previous post. I told him that he could hate me and I would understand, but that I just want to be friends. He said ok and hung up. He called me back a few minutes later and asked me if I was serious about being friends or if it was just a "cop out". I told him that I was serious. So we discussed how we were gonna handle this and talked for a while just like before, and we're cool now. I feel SO much better! Thanks for your advice, guys and gals. So I have a new friend and no relationship. And now I know to be straightforward at the very beginning about where I stand on what I'm looking for in a guy. Right now, that's nothing serious.

So I'm good. Yay! Classes are going great, life is pretty much on track, and, with the exception of our mirror falling off of the door at 4 in the morning, life is just wonderful. I realized last night that I LOVE to draw. I drew a little Chinese village and it was pronounced as "awesome" by our house artist. I drew a dragon that "rocks", also according to the house artist. Jessica is her name, btw. My roommate and I are getting along and my suite-mates and house-mates are so TOTALLY GREAT!!! Anyway, I appreciate thoughts and prayers. Love and hugs!

The Truth

Ok, here I am, spilling my guts. Honest. And I need advice. Quick. There's this guy. We met and hit it off last Monday and saw each other the next day and the next, etc., and then again today. And yeah, we kissed, but nothing else. But I don't know what to do about this. I don't feel comfortable with the relationship. I can talk to him about anything, more so than any other guy, but I don't feel like we should be anything more than friends. He's supportive and sweet and friendly and a theatre major, like me. But he's mixed. And he's kinda chunky. And his voice is higher than mine. Shouldn't I be blind to any flaws in an ideal relationship? My gut instinct is to say "no" to the whole situation and run. I'm not comfortable and I'm not at peace. But I don't want to lose something so great that is his infatuation with me. I feel accepted and beautiful with him. But I don't know if I want to be seen with him. I know that sounds terrible, but I'm trying to be as straight-forward as possible. Mixed, for those of you who need clarification, means that one parent is white and the other is black. In this case, his mom is Irish-Indian and his dad is 3/4 black and 1/4 Mexican. With my own personal standards and views, I don't honestly feel comfortable as his "attachment". For whatever reason. I'm not racist by any means, but racial mixing... I really don't know what to do. I'm confused, overwhelmed, and very uneasy about everything right now. I'm SOOO not ready for this. So, help? Advice? Tips, ideas, suggestions, or previous experiences? I'm lost and I don't know where else to turn. I know, sob story of the month, but I'm lost. I'm almost in tears. I told him I want to take the weekend off and he SAID he was cool with it, but he's a guy. So that prolly means he's not cool with it. 'Nough said. I'm not ready for this, I'm not read for any commitment outside of classes and friends and sleep. I'm going to bed now after some thought and prayer. This weekend will be my time to just be. I haven't "been" since I got here. Man, this is so screwed up. What now?

Distracted...

Hey all! How's it goin' in the world of the normal? My life is pretty peachy right now. Acting I is going to be so much fun! English is really awesome because we get to have group discussions. Science is dominantly geology for the semester. Yay, right? I'm gonna have to take serious notes for the science class. But that's ok. I don't have to buy a lab manual after all, so that's cool. I still need 6 novels for English, but I'll order those online. I have the first one I need, so I'm pretty much all set for now. Don't know about history, but that'll fix itself tomorrow.

Being a theater major is a lot more complicated than I thought it would be. I have to audition for every production and deliver a monologue. Which I don't have. And I have to sign up for crew and hope I get the place I want. I didn't know it was going to b so involved and it's a little frustrating. I have meetings and auditions today and tomorrow. Fun fun. Might stay out late tonight cuz my first class isn't until 11 tomorrow. I guess I'll hang out with Greg, if he ever calls. Or maybe Lisa or Heather or April... Or maybe even DJ. Well, I'm slightly distracted and preoccupied, so excuse the shortness. Later all! Love and hugs.

COLLEGE!

Hey all! Word from tha COLLEGE GIRL!!! Hehe. I stayed up really late last night, had a fairly productive morning this morning, and plan on havaing some fun later tonight. Gonna maybe go back to my cousin's apartment and chill with her and her buds. Met my suitemates and housemates. All very cool, lemme tell ya. April, Colorado, Heather LA (Louisiana, not Los Angeles), and all of the crazy, eccentric, smart guys down the hall. Then there are the guys from the apartments accross campus, my friends from school, and so many more random people worth meeting... I don't know where I'm gonna find the time to meet all of these people! I'm so excited! I'm so glad to FINALLY be at college! Yay! Whoo, deep breath. I'm gonna order my own computer soon, but I think I'll wait until after I get the money from my cow. After the cow sale. Anywho, I'm super excited, all unpacked, and so happy! So, I'll talk to y'all later. Love and hugs to all!

Today's Anthem

Breakaway
Intro (2x)
Da da da n da da
Da da da n da da
Da da da n da da da da da
Da da da n da da
Da da da n da da
Da da da n da da da da da
Grew up in a small town And when the rain would fall down
I'd just stare out my window
Dreaming of what could be And if I'd end up happy
I would pray
Trying hard to reach out But when I tried to speak out
Felt like no one could hear me
Wanted to belong here But something felt so wrong here
So I'd pray, I could break away
CHORUS
I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly.
I'll do what it takes till I touch the sky.
Make a wish, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away.
Out of the darkness and into the sun.
But I won't forget all the ones that I love
I'll take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away
(repeat intro once)
Wanna feel the warm breeze
Sleep under a palm tree
Feel the rush of the ocean
Get onboard a fast train
Travel on a jet plane
Far away
And break away
(REPEAT CHORUS)
Bridge:
Buildings with a hundred floors,
Swinging 'round revolving doors
Maybe I don't know where they'll take me
But I gotta keep movin on, movin on,
Fly away,
Break away
I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly.
Though it's not easy to tell you goodbye
Take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away.
Out of the darkness & into the sun
But I won't forget the place I come from
I gotta take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away.

D-Day

Today is the day! We're moving in! I'm SOO pumped! But I'm riding over there with Mom and I'm afraid she's gonna spaz on me about being careful and making right choices and all that jazz. I don't think I could handle her crying all of the way. Connie, her co-worker said yesterday that I need to be nice to her, that she's taking this really hard. And she is. Harder than she took my brother moving to college. What am I gonna do? Pray for me, that I'll have patience and strength and the courage to tell her how things are and not be rude or impolite. I'm worried just thinking about it...

College update

Hey all. My address, for those of you interested in reaching me via snail-mail, is:
Pam the Spatula
Box 44860 SHSU
Huntsville, TX 77341

I heard from my roommate. She seems pretty cool, very friendly. She's a junior, dance major, and in the honors program, like me. We're in the honors dorm, so that's kind of a given. She's bringing the TV, VCR, and DVD player, and I'm bringing the phone, fridge, radio, and shower cleaner. We'll pick out curtains when we both get there so we agree on colors, etc. I'm soo pumped!!! 3 days left!

Good One

You gotta love their humor.

In case you can't read it, the little black box says "DOING THE WORK OF"

This SHOULD be on the front cover of Time, Newsweek, etc. But it won't be. The flags are France, Germany, and Russia -- in case you didn't know.

I got this in an email and just HAD to share. Love and hugs!

Freedom

I've decided that I'm not really shallow but rather that there are things in my life I've learned not to dwell on if I want to be happy. Or at least appear happy to all who look at me and my behavior. But I really think about serious things of consequence quite often. Like how Mom is freaking out because I'm moving away to college. And Dad is really having some trouble with the cow stuff. And Derek has to decide what he wants to do with his life before he really knows what he wants. And Brandy is having a tough time facing college and allowing herself to have the love she deserves from Derek. Somehow I don't feel as shallow when I examine my thoughts, only my posts.

I'm sitting here watching the baby (18 months now, he's fine, btw, just allergic to penicillin) play with puzzle pieces in a bag. He's shaking them up and down with the happiest look on his face; he loves the fact that he's making all of that noise. Somehow it's more relaxing watching just him than watching his older brother, too. I guess 5 just isn't the calmest age.

I'm beginning to get really excited about college. And my poor stomach is feeling the effects. I'm absolutely pumped at the chance to get to really be myself to the utmost. In high school I was always restricted by what might get back to Mom and Dad or what image I was conveying in light of Derek's friend circle and popularity. I wasn't worried about being part of a particular group but rather being part of every group. I was and am confident in my ability to float from group to group and be welcome in each one. I was never proved wrong. But now, as I turn this page in my life I see the endless possibilities.

No longer am I to be bound by the worry of prejudices and judgment. I am dedicated to my own cause. I won't change or back down just because someone says so. And changing will be from personal growth, hopefully spherical in nature. I know I sound a little like a spoiled child, but I am in fact a growing young woman desiring the freedom meted out by our great country and demanded by my own soul. But don't worry; it's not in me to be completely and totally selfish.

The "real" me is a very silly, super-outgoing, sometimes loud, sometimes quiet little soul that very few have glimpsed so far. My orientation buddies have seen it, but only I know just how bizarre I can be. Fortunately, it's never so extreme that I can't laugh about any reactions that I would've presented in retrospect.

An interesting thought: if we wouldn't have been brought up to expect those rights and freedoms granted us by our constitution, would any of us be the brilliant minds to come up with the ideas and to demand allowance for them?

Here's an interesting and rather off the wall observation. Carl, the assistant band director either has a serious blushing problem, I embarrass him, or he likes me/thinks I'm pretty. I'm not brazen enough to ask outright, but I can't help but wonder. He doesn't do it with everybody. He did when he first started working here, but not anymore. Just around me. Sorry, that was just a random stream of consciousness.

I don't know when I've ever been this excited, except maybe when I started Kindergarten. But I already knew most of what they could teach me. College is like the information highway and school as just the on-ramp. Eventually I'll exit onto the feeder* of my profession and enter the residential district to raise a family. But I'll always have access to the things I've learned and things yet to be discovered.

I recently stated that God has given me direction, and while that's true, it's not what I always thought it would be. It's more like watching doors close and turning another direction rather than force the door. It's like a process of elimination. At least I'm at peace.

The burdens of my life somehow seem lifted, leaving me incredibly free and high-spirited. It's been a really long post and I hope it made you laugh at least once. And thank y'all for reading, though I can't quite figure out why y'all hang around. :D

*Feeder: the road that runs parallel to an interstate or major highway and immediately exits onto city streets.

Yaupon Trees

Do y'all remember a while back advising me to go out and just sit in the woods and calm my soul? Well, I did, in a way. I went out in search of a yaupon tree to make a bow out of. (Not a very useful venture.) I found a pretty little straight tree and cut it down with an axe I had borrowed from Dad's shed and proceeded to measure, trim, and “peel” it. I don't know how much experience y'all have with yaupon, but if you don't get all of the saturated wood off of the tree it turns this nice greenish-brown color. But it carves right off, just another layer of wood. Well, inside this little tree there were veins. I don't know what else to call them, and that's what they looked like. They're a rich brown color to contrast the pale cream color of the freshly carved wood. They start in various places and grow smaller as they proceed up the tree. But new veins start periodically just as big as the lower ones. I realized this after working on the first two layers for about 45 minutes. So I set to exposing these veins. I found two main ones and followed them up the tree. It was a painstaking process to carve out just enough to expose the richest color without removing the entire vein in each place. I actually went through too far in several spots and there are little half-centimeter gaps in the path. But it was very rewarding work. I set it in the rafters to dry and might go out and find a bigger one to work on next Saturday. I’m really glad I had that chance. It’s very cool to find hidden treasures in nature. Just thought that was worth mentioning. Love and hugs. Toodles y’all.

Smells and Labels

Scent is the strongest sense tied to memory. So, here are my faves: babies; fresh-cut grass; horses; guys (except for one or two I've met); men's cologne; vanilla; cape jasmine; gardenia; spearmint; lemon; roses; hot dogs; pickles; fresh tomatoes; rain; dirt; new cars; summer – heat, sweat, sunscreen, floaties, riding in the boat in the lake with the spray hitting my face, homemade ice cream, new flip-flops, watermelon, new bathing suits, sand, the ocean, food on the grill; crayons; sunflower seeds; clean clothes fresh out of the dryer; pizza; kool-aid. I'm all out of smells. Anybody got any more?

I have this awesome costume planned for the Ren Fest this year. But I need some help with the name. I'm going to be Dragonfly (sorry Porkchop), but I don't know if I’m going to be an elf or a nymph. I could just be Dragonfly of the woods, but that's kinda lame. Here's what I'm thinking. A two-sided cape, one side brown, like dirt or trees, and one side green, like grass and leaves, etc. A tank top for the base and mesh or sheer fabric in earth tones in layers on the top, with the bottom edges cut like leaves. A skirt about mid-thigh would be the base for the bottom, with the same layered cover as the top and brown leggings under the skirt. Brown or green boots or black ballet flats, a dragonfly necklace and ring to match, possibly earrings, (silver with a green stone, leather string on the necklace), a brown leather belt with a soft, pliable drawstring bag and leather wrist-bands will accentuate the outfit. A wooden bow, arrows with suction cups on the ends (so I can shoot people), a boot dagger, and possibly a sword will eventually complete the look. So, now that you have an idea, back to the dilemma. A nymph, by definition, is a lesser goddess, portrayed as a beautiful girl, inhabiting fountains, trees, rivers, and mountains. An elf, by definition, is a little creature of folklore with magic power, often mischievous or malicious, but sometimes kind and helpful. Pixie, imp, sprite, fairy, dryad, goblin, leprechaun, brownie, demon, gremlin, hobgoblin, troll, and gnome are all names that the thesaurus lists as antonyms. Help, anyone?

Just to help you decide, here are a few more definitions. Pixie: a small, mischievous elf or fairy; imp: a little or young devil a mischievous sprite; sprite: a fairy, and elf; fairy: a small supernatural being, capable of intervening in human affairs, usually in order to help; dryad: a nymph living in a tree; goblin: a mischievous, ugly spirit; leprechaun: a small mischievous male sprite; brownie: a good-natured goblin supposed to do helpful chores at night; demon: an evil spirit or devil; gremlin: an imaginary mischievous little gnome-like creature blamed especially by airmen for mishaps; hobgoblin: a mischievous male sprite; troll: one of the supernatural beings, formerly thought of as giants, but later as dwarfs, inhabiting caves, hills, etc.; gnome: a member of a race of small misshapen imaginary beings, originally guardians of the earth's subterranean treasures a goblin or dwarf. I think that knocks out leprechaun and hobgoblin, and I really think demon, too. I'm not going to be evil. Aight, it's up to my wonderful devoted audience to decide my fate. :p So, comment away!

Good One

You probably missed it in the rush of news last week (?), but there was actually a report that someone in Pakistan had published an ad in a newspaper offering a reward to anyone who killed an American ... any American.

So an Australian dentist wrote the following to let everyone know what an American is so they would know when they found one. (Good one, mate!)

An American may be English, French, Italian, Irish, German, Spanish, Polish, Russian, or Greek.

An American may be Canadian, Mexican, African, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Australian, Iranian, Arab, Pakistani, or even Afghan.

An American may also be a Cherokee, Osage, Blackfoot, Navaho, Apache, Seminole or one of the many other tribes known as Native Americans.

An American is Christian, or he could be Jewish, or Buddhist, or Muslim.

In fact, there are more Muslims in America than in Afghanistan. The only difference is that in America they are free to worship as each of them chooses.

An American is also free to believe in no religion. For that he will answer only to God, not to the government, or to armed thugs claiming to speak for the government and for God.

An American lives in the most prosperous land in the history of the world.
The root of that prosperity can be found in the Declaration of Independence, which recognizes the right of each person to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

An American is generous. Americans have helped out just about every other nation in the world in their time of need.

When the Soviet army overran Afghanistan 20 years ago, Americans came with arms and supplies to enable the people to win back their country!

As of the morning of September 11, Americans had given more than any other nation to the poor in Afghanistan.

Americans welcome the best products, the best books, the best music, the best food, and the best athletes. But they also welcome the least of these.

The national symbol of America, The Statue of Liberty, welcomes your tired and your poor, the wretched refuse of your teeming shores, the homeless, tempest tossed. These in fact are the people who built America.

Some of them were working in the Twin Towers the morning of September 11, 2001 earning a better life for their families. I've been told that the World Trade Center victims were from at least 30 other countries, cultures, and first languages, including those that aided and abetted the terrorists.

So you can try to kill an American if you must.

Hitler tried.

So did Tojo, Stalin, Mao Tse-Tung, and every bloodthirsty tyrant in the history of the world.

But, in doing so you would just be killing yourself. Because Americans are not a particular people from a particular place. They are the embodiment of the human spirit of freedom. Everyone who holds to that spirit, everywhere, is an American.

Australian author unknown.

News and Stuff

Hey all. A few new developments. My big bro is talking about joining the Coast Guard. Don't know where he got the idea, except that he's always wanted to fly. I think it's pretty cool, and Mom likes it a whole lot better than if he was to join another branch where deployment to the sandbox would be guaranteed. Hey, she's his mom, and he's her only son.

Other than that, my schedule is completely wacky this week. I babysat yesterday and Monday, (but yesterday was more like a fun day with an 8-year-old) I'm off today, and I have to work tomorrow and Friday. Tomorrow I don't have to be there until 2 pm. Friday is regular time. Go figure. We were going to go watch "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", but the matinee didn't start until 1, wouldn't have been over until 3, and then we wouldn't have made it home in time for her to go to karate class. Long day. Went and dropped a car full of stuff off at Goodwill, went to Wal-Mart, went to McDonald's, went to the high school to visit a few teachers I’ll miss when I'm off at college, saw my old counselor, then went down to the middle school to drop my charge off with her mom. Now, mind you, these things were in two different towns, about a 30 minute drive apart with a stop at my house, which is right in the middle, on the way back. We stopped at my house and watched "Chicken Run" and ate pizza and candy from Wal-Mart.

Then I went to Mema's for a visit and to see a dress she had ordered but didn't like. She wanted to know if I wanted it before she sent it back. It was too short for my taste and a little unflattering, but it was a cute dress in a very pretty green. I was almost sorry to let it go, but I knew I would never wear it. A friend of mine saw my car and brought her baby by to see me and visit. The baby as SOO cute! He's 7 months old and only weighs about 20 lbs. He drools like a leaky faucet, but he's still precious.

As I sit here typing this, (I typed this a day before I actually posted it, so I'm typing in future tense) my brother and father are wrestling on the floor. Very interesting. Derek is bright red and Dad is calmly overpowering him by sheer mass. This is what we do in the boondocks. Wrestle while trying to dodge dogs and chairs and breakable things after Mom goes to bed. Anybody know where I'm coming from on this one?

All of my childhood Derek and I have wrestled with Dad and each other and his friends. In fact, about half of his friends are still a little scared of me because I never hesitated to haul off and punch 'em when they deserved it. That makes for a rather difficult situation to change. No boyfriends from that particular group of his buddies. But the memories are rather priceless. Hangin out with his buddies was always more fun than hanging out by myself. In fact, I often found that I preferred doing stuff with them over stuff with girls my age. Most of the guys were only a year older than me, so the age difference wasn't a barrier. Derek didn't exactly welcome my presence, but playing guy games like Fort and War and Hunters and all of the other nameless creations of our imaginations was the highlight of my summers.

I never really lived up to my tomboy potential unless I was spurred by the presence of a boy/guy/man who is interested in gross guy things like frogs and bugs or a really girly-girl who found such things absolutely disgusting. I don't do the bug thing when I'm alone or with my best friends, and I had never in my life picked up a frog on my own until about a month ago at my uncle's house. Heh. I'm kinda weird. I know. My best friends are an interesting combination of fear and courage, wisdom and stupidity, and girlishness and tom-boyishness. But that's why we get along so well. I guess my friendships are, as everything else acquired of my own volition, eclectic.

If you haven't figured it out yet, I tend to have sudden bursts of self-discovery and I just happen to share them here. So bear with me and feel free to comment and suggest as always. Love and hugs! (Is that better Heathykins?)

The Results of our Prayers

Thank you all so very much for your prayers. Heath, I almost cried when I read your comment and saw your site. Thank you. That means a lot. More than you know. Chad, God healed her, but not in the way we were hoping. She'll never hurt again, and she's in a better place. Her life never would have been normal again after all of the trials her body suffered. Tammy passed away officially on Thursday, the 28th. They decided it was for the best. The boys took it differently: her oldest punched the wall; her youngest broke down. Her visitation was today and the funeral is tomorrow. Chad and Casey, her two sons are doing as well as can be expected. They weren't crying when I went and saw them, but you can tell they're really hurting. I'll go to the services tomorrow, but what can you say to them? We had a Sunday School class sleepover Friday night and that was the burden I shared with the group. They're still on my heart. That sleepover was an awesome experience. But keep praying for the boys. I'm still concerned that they'll let this ruin everything, change their dreams, and that they'll give up on life. I know it can't be easy to move on with life when it feels like there's nothing left to live for. But with God, all things are possible. So thank you all again for your prayers. I want to share a blessing that I only recently realized. I've been really busy this summer, more so than ever before, almost to the point of exhaustion. But I've had this little nagging thought for some time telling me it's time to find "the one" for me. I'm programmed to love with everything I have, and not having someone to call my own is beginning to bother me more than ever before. But my busyness, my super-active summer, and all of the babies I take care of are God's gifts. I'm too busy to be lonely! I cried when I realized what He's done for me. Now I'm not worried. I'm still learning, but I think I'm ready to let go. Just wanted to let y'all know that He's still working! I'm off, so toodles for now. Love to all. More than you could possibly know. Thank you all again for your love and support!

PRAYERS NEEDED

Ok, seriously urgent prayer request. A lady we know had a massive stroke due to the rupture of an aneurism. Some guys found her and woke her oldest son (20) up and he called 911. The men left and thought nothing more about it. Until they life-flighted her to the nearest intensive care unit. In Beaumont. She flat-lined twice on the way there and is currently on a respirator. She has been deemed brain-dead. Her youngest son is my age – we graduated together. He was in Missouri when it happened. Her husband was in California. He is on his way home. Her son caught a ride with one of the richest men in our area on his private helicopter, sent especially to get him and bring him home to his mom and brother. Their father will be the decision-maker when he arrives. So pray for a miracle. Or for some relief for the boys from this devastating blow. But pray that they don't become bitter from this, no matter what happens. Tammy, the lady to whom this happened is a local, raised in the area and a good friend of many of the school staff and students. Her sons both had lots of friends. So this will be a hard blow to take. Please, pray. Pray hard.

Just a Thought

What if the reason can't set my mind on anything slid or definite for my future is that something monumental is going to happen to change all of my plans? Like a tragic accident or finding a husband with whom I wouldn't have to work and help maintain the household. Or getting "discovered" before I finish college. Or the Rapture. Or dying. I've always found myself disturbingly morbid, so it's not a new thought. I'm not suicidal. I like myself too much for that. But wouldn't that be a great reason behind my shallow, indecisive thoughts? God doesn't want me to bother with thinking about the future because something amazingly unexpected is going to happen and leave me on a whole new world (Aladdinish, I know). Or not.

Oompa Loompas are cool. So are Sunday afternoon naps, new CDs, family and get-togethers, shrimp gumbo, and late graduation gifts. But missing people isn't. I'm gonna count and see how many times I miss various people throughout my daily life and report back. Aight, toodles y'all.

Baby News

Hey all. Quick update. The baby is better as far as his hives go, but he has a possible secondary infection from the lack of "good" bacteria after the first round of antibiotics. He had a little bit of fever today, and his hives popped up a tiny bit, but he recovered from both very quickly. Thank you all for your prayers! Love and hugs.

Prayers and Jokes

'Nother prayer request, y'all. The baby of the two boys I babysit during the week had a severe allergic reaction to something Wednesday night. They don't know if it's eggs, peanut butter, tomatoes, or the antibiotic he's been taking, but he's breaking out in hives and isn't very comfortable right now. He's taking a steroid and benadryl to control the reaction. And today, he fell off of my lap (I was sitting in a chair) while reaching for a crayon that was too far away and hit his head on the linoleum floor. Nice goose egg and a pretty bruise. Poor baby. He cried for a while after that one. He's fine now, but it scared me a little. Just pray that they find what he's reacting to and that it's not something that will change the whole household's lifestyle.

On to other things. Astroworld was a blast! Had so much fun playing in the rain! And we get to go back because we got rain checks. Yay! Saw this at Mark's website and thought you might enjoy.

At a small terminal in the Texas Panhandle, three strangers are awaiting their shuttle flight. One is a Native American passing through from Oklahoma.

Another, a local ranch hand on his way to Ft. Worth for a stock show. The third passenger is an Arab student, newly arrived at the Texas oil patch from the Middle East.

To pass the time they strike up a conversation on recent events, and the discussion drifts to their diverse cultures. Soon the Westerners learn that the Arab is a devout Muslim. The conversation falls into an uneasy lull.

The cowpoke leans back in his chair, crosses his boots on a magazine table, tips his big sweat-stained hat forward over his face. The wind outside blows tumbleweeds and the old windsock flaps, but no plane comes.

Finally, the Native American clears his throat and softly, he speaks: 'Once my people were many, Now we are few.'The Muslim raises an eyebrow and leans forward, 'Once my people were few,' he sneers, 'and now we are many. Why do you suppose that is?'
.......

The Texan shifts the toothpick to one side of his mouth and from the darkness beneath his Stetson says, 'That's 'cause we ain't played Cowboys and Muslims yet.'

Yay for Texas!!!

Blast from the Past

Hey all. Thought I'd share a few interesting tidbits from my past. I was digging through my keepsakes the other day and came upon this piece of paper with the following words (as actually written, spelling and all): "Pam I am sheriff pam. I kech robbers. I get off at noon. I go back at done. Remember I am sheriff pam and I will areste you." Cute, huh? It was very humbling to realize that I was such a terrible speller when I was little. But I was about 4 when I typed that on a typewriter at Granny's. I looked at it and knew that y'all would love to read it, so there it is. My job description for some random play-time imaginary setting.

I also found a few quotes and poems. I'll post the poems later, but the quotes are really good, so they're going up now.

'Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your own nonsense." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

"God did what we wouldn't dare dream. He did what we couldn't imagine. He became a man so we could trust Him. He became a sacrifice so we could know Him. And He defeated death so we could follow Him." ~ Max Lucado

Other than that, not much is going on in my life. I had a craft spurt last night. Mom gave me some new, clean, small paint cans and I covered them with cloth and paint and buttons. Very cute. I might post some pictures if anybody's interested. They took me all of about 5 minutes each after I manipulated the cloth to do what I wanted. The first one is covered with a red bandana print and then various colored buttons – mostly red, white and blue. The second one is covered in denim from an old pair of jeans. I was going to put a back pocket on it, but the can was too short for the pocket, so I put a front pocket on it. The back side is covered with plain denim (from the leg) and then painted on. I wrote PAM and drew a cute little flower. The lids are covered the same, respectively, and I wrote PAM on the denim lid as well. I'm thinking about giving the red can to my roommate when school starts.

We're going to Astroworld Thursday! I have a dentist appointment tomorrow and I have to drop stuff off at the auction barn this morning, and then go boot shopping. I desperately need some cowboy boots. I haven't had a pair in over a year and I really need some to complete the western look for cow sales and such. Well, I'm off to take a shower and go do my chores for today. Love to all! Hugs and kisses to everybody that needs 'em! Oh, btw, Jared is doing better, but he still needs our prayers. And everyone be sure to comfort Heathykins on the loss of his four toofs. And Coleman brothers – all of y'all are awesome! I'm really glad y'all are part of my daily blogging experience! Of course all of my other visitors are awesome, too, especially Porkchop, who got me set up in the first place, but I had this crazy dream about the Coleman brothers flying down to Texas last night, and I thought at least props were in order for people who stay in my subconcious long enough to produce a dream. Lol. Aight, later!

Prayers needed

Our big buddy Jared is injured. Keep him in your prayers. I know God will heal him, and we're already thankful that the damage wasn't worse. It could've been. It doesn't seem like it, but His time, His will, His way.

Injuries:
3 busted ribs
deflated lung
concussion
fractured pelvis
possible back injury
temporary memory loss

Serious prayers needed here. Special love and hugs of support to Chad and Heath, younger brothers of Jared. Guys, we're praying hard!

Dream Big

Rather appropriate, I thought. By Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband.

Dream Big

When you cry be sure to dry your eyes,
‘Cause better days are sure to come.
And when you smile be sure to smile wide,
And don't let them know that they have won.
And when you walk, walk with pride,
And don't show the hurt inside,
Because the pain will soon be gone.

Chorus:
And when you dream, dream big, as big as the ocean blue.
‘Cause when you dream it might come true.
When you dream, dream big.

And when you laugh be sure to laugh out loud,
‘Cause it will carry all your cares away.
And when you see, see the beauty
All around and in yourself, and it will help you feel okay.
And when you pray, pray for strength
To help to carry on when the troubles come your way.

Chorus

When you cry be sure to dry your eyes,
‘Cause better days are sure to come.
And when you smile be sure to smile wide, and
Don’t let them know that they have won.
And when you laugh be sure to laugh out loud,
It will carry all your cares away.
And when you see, see the beauty al
lAround and in yourself, and it will help you feel okay.
And when you pray, pray for strength to
Help to carry on when the troubles come your way.

Chorus 2x

The weekend!

Ok, this will be a little short and full of little things. Orientation was really cool. The sessions were boring, but I made 4 friends who have since emailed me. Awesomeness. Went to the lake on Friday. Had a blast! After I resigned myself to being hopelessly without a "designated companion". Everyone else my age or older had a significant other and I felt my lack of one on several occasions. But it was fun after I got over that particular struggle. We went wakeboarding, wakeskating, swimming, fishing, and just riding. We cooked out on the pit every day, played late-nite poker and dominoes, and slept all over. Anywhere we could, actually. I had this awesome blow-up mattress under a futon pad that was amazingly comfy. Along with rhythmic snores, thunder and lightening, and rain, we had some pretty good nights of sleep. Lightning struck the biggest pine tree in the back yard at about 5:15 Sunday morning. And the boat sank. That was interesting. We had a really huge storm blow up on us in about 5 minutes, and that was really cool. White capping everywhere, and we were in a cove! But over all, a very successfully fun weekend. And I'm currently content with being single. Each day changes things a little, but I'm still working toward the ultimate goal of trusting in the Lord and His time in everything, including guys and college and life in general. My time's up, so I'm off. Love to everybody!

Survey thingy

I STOLE THIS FROM JESSICA...............(she told me to!!!)
THREE NAMES YOU GO BY
1. Pam
2. Spatula
3. Pamela
THREE SCREEN NAMES YOU HAVE HAD:
1. Eaglepam
2. pampam05
3. spatula
THREE PHYSICAL THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
1. Hair
2. Eyes
3. Feet
THREE PHYSICAL THINGS YOU DON'T LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
1. Butt
2. Thighs
3. Paleness
THREE PARTS OF YOUR HERITAGE:
1. Irish
2. Indian
3. Scottish
THREE THINGS THAT SCARE YOU:
1. Roaches
2. Being in love alone
3. Never finding that "one" to make my life something special
THREE OF YOUR EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS:
1. Contacts
2. Getting on the internet
3. blue jeans
THREE THINGS YOU ARE WEARING RIGHT NOW:
1. Green shirt
2. Tommy jeans (brand-spankin new)
3. flip-flops
THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE BANDS OR MUSICAL ARTISTS:
1. SheDaisy
2. Trapt
3. Pat Green
THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE SONGS:
1. "Come Home Soon" SheDaisy
2. "Don't Wanna Close My Eyes" Aerosmith
3. "Unchained Melody" LeAnn Rimes
THREE THINGS YOU WANT IN A RELATIONSHIP:
1. Love
2. Humor
3. Trust
TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE (in no particular order):
1. We own 30+ registered Texas Longhorns
2. My favorite color is black
3. I want four children, two boys, two girls
THREE PHYSICAL THINGS ABOUT THE PREFERRED SEX THAT APPEAL TO YOU(in order):
1. Overall looks
2. Eyes
3. Body/Smile (depending on the guy)
THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE HOBBIES(also in order):
1. Surfing the web
2. Reading
3. Listening to music
THREE THINGS YOU WANT REALLY BADLY RIGHT NOW:
1. A hott guy to come up t me and kiss me
2. A bed to sleep in cuz my back hurts
3. To got to college for real
CAREERS YOU'RE CONSIDERING/YOU'VE CONSIDERED:
1. Film Director
2. Teacher
3. Nurse
THREE PLACES YOU WANT TO GO ON VACATION:
1. Hawaii
2. Scotland
3. Ireland
THREE KIDS' NAMES YOU LIKE:
1. Jack Anthony
2. Margaret Elizabeth
3. Audrey Grace
(4. Charles Richard)
THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE:
1. Go skydiving
2. Own a motorcycle
3. Marry the man I love (when I find him or when God reveals him to me if I know him already)THREE WAYS THAT YOU ARE STEREOTYPICALLY A GIRL/BOY:
1. I like guys
2. I like to shop
3. I wear makeup
THREE CELEB CRUSHES:
1. Orlando Bloom
2. Chad Michael Murray
3. Elijah Woods
THREE PEOPLE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE STEAL THIS FROM ME:
1. Porkchop
2. Heathykins
3. Mark (a.k.a. -[Medic]-)

Small update

Ok, just a quick post to keep everyone informed, I have orientation tomorrow. Fun fun! Hopefully I will get all of the stuff I need to do taken care of. More when I get home. Love to all!

Dreams

Ok, FYI for the general populace, I'm seriously going to check into a theater major. No more business. Unless I can't do the theater program and honors at the same time. If I can't, I'll stick with business for now. But I have to adjust my schedule and rearrange a couple of things. No Economics, mainly. As corny as it sounds, I was watching "Cinderella Story" and heard the line, "Don't let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game." So I decided to go after my dream. Film director. Sorry to disappoint you Choody Boop, but I'll try not to succumb to Hollyweird society if I make it that far. Love to all. Heathykins, only a month and a little bit left!

News, Lots and lots of news!

Okay, this is gonna be one heck of a post. First off, scholarship, then Josh, then last night, then today. Are you ready? Are you sure? Ok, let's go.

Scholarship: I've decided that while I was waiting for God to work things out, He did, but I just didn't see it! Duh! Ok, if I would've gotten the scholarship, I would've been limited to a degree in the business field. Now, without the scholarship, I can be anything I want to be! No restrictions, no limitations, no end to the possibilities! I can pursue film, or primary education, or medicine, or chemistry, or ANYTHING I want! It's awesome! My first year is paid, so now all I have to do is explore my options! Easy as pie, sort of, but I'm a little scared. I really don't like to float and leave things undecided, but I'm willing to let God lead, as long as He gives me OBVIOUS answers. Key word. Did you see it? Heh.

Josh: His parents are old family friends and I met him a couple of years ago. His first words to me were, "Great way to break stuff." Nice? Funny, to say the least. He's cute and sweet (which you'll see more of later). He graduated with my cousin and was ranked something like 17 out of 500 or so. So not too dumb, right? Well, he's funny, smart, cute, nice, and wakeboards, which is a doorway in a way since my brother and cousin both do that, but he lives an hour away and will be close to 2 hours away when college starts. So it's a thought. So I reiterate that I'm shallow and very immature since I have about 6 crushes at a time, but anybody can be Prince Charming, right? Lol.

Last night: Uncle Tony, Mom, Derek (my brother), Brandy (his gf), Anthony (my cousin), Lauren (Anthony's gf), Tammy (Uncle Tony's fiancee), and Ashley (Tammy's daughter) went to dinner last night. Uncle Tony paid, despite our protests. Josh showed up right after we ordered, but he had already eaten at Jack-in-the-Box. After supper, we went to Crockett St. to go "clubbin" and I went to my first club ever! And had a great time! I didn't drink and I didn't dance, but I watched all of the people drinking and dancing, and laughed the whole time! I was standing against the wall just watching and Josh walked over to check on me. He said that I didn't look like I was having a good time. And then he offered to make an effort to get Derek and Brandy (who hasn't turned 18 yet, not til Monday) inside so I'd feel more comfortable. I really appreciated his thoughtfulness and willingness to make sure I was happy. I went and stood by him and Anthony and kept watching people, just talking and laughing and making fun of this girl who had toilet paper stuck to her shoe after she came out of the bathroom... No, I'm not kidding. It was classic! TBS funny, lemme tell ya. So we left the strip (Derek, Brandy, and me) at about 11 PM. We got home and took showers. Brandy took hers first, then I got in. When I finally got finished in the bathroom, I walked out and heard voices. Josh's voice. Anthony had come home and Josh decided to spend the night with all of us at Uncle Tony's. They'd left Lauren at Crockett St., but that's a whole 'nother story, which I don't know the entirety of, so you're gonna have to just use some imagination and figure out how she got separated from the group, got lost, and rolled her ankle stepping off a curb badly enough to have to have Anthony leave his house at 2 in the morning and go pick her up off the sidewalk after some kind stranger called him after she fell... Josh ended up going to somebody else's house to a party about 30 minutes after he got there, so I don't know where he ended up sleeping, but he had to work today from 7 to 5, and missed today's events.

Today: Today was the Southeast Texas Wakeboarding competition in Rose City (right beside Beaumont). Derek competed in the amateur division. Anthony was in the intermediate/advanced division. Don't know the results. We left at 5 PM before the awards and live band got started, and before Josh got there, but it was an over-all ok day. I got sunburned, but I'll be aight. Might blister. We'll see. The whole comp ended up getting rained out right after we left, but there was only about half of a division left to run and half of the people were already gone. Dad met us at Uncle Tony's this morning and went out there with us, and he got involved in some strange business. Some guy under the canopy next to us named Bradley (his name was tatted across his back) stole a wakeboard. We all saw him and Dad reported him to the vendors and Don, the guy who owns the lake. So they knew who he was, knew how to contact him, and he'll be punished. They got Dad's name and number in case they needed a testimony or any more help. So that was the excitement of the day, I guess.

Well, I've got that off my chest, so I'll let y'all go! Love and hugs to all! But don't squeeze too tight! I'm a little warm... Heheh.

Scholarship

I didn't get it. I'm upset, and I cried, but I know God will work something out. I just wish He would've worked THAT something out.

Tears and Hope

Hey all. First, I want to share this great story found by Mark (a.k.a. -[Medic]-). I really cried when I read it, but it was definitely worth the read. He was also kind enough to link to me on his blog several times to stories or certain posts. He's a pretty cool guy, so stop by and see him.

For all of you keeping track of my health status, I feel TONS better. My throat is still a tad bit sore, but my back is perfectly aight. This last day of teas and cider will probably cure me once and for all. So thanks for your prayers.

Should hear something about the scholarship today or tomorrow, so if you hear a scream in whatever state you happen to be in, don't worry, it's just me. Hehe. But if I don't get it, you won't hear me cry. But there's quite a bit riding on this scholarship. Like a car, a computer, and of course, my college education. Oh, I'll go, but it'll be a little bit harder to procure funding. I'll let you know as soon as I find out. Love to all!

Disease

I'm sick. Ill. In severe pain. Because, not only do I have some bug that affects my tonsils and ears, but I also strained muscles in my back. From picking up my little ones from VBS, I would imagine. Not something that usually happens. I'm a very sturdy girl, so it's not like I can't handle it, but I think I was twisted wrong or bent too far over a time or two and I'm feeling the effects of it now. It was far worse yesterday. Heat helps bunches. But my throat hurts when I swallow. That's why I'm on the computer when I'm supposed to be at church. Go figure. Should know something about the interview in the next couple of days. Had a fever yesterday, 100.9 degrees at it's highest. Stayed in bed all afternoon, then felt better, so I got up. When I woke up this morning I was back to square 3, as opposed to square 6 at the end of yesterday. But I'm going back to bed now. Later.

>>> Update: Ok, today I'm a lot better in that my back isn't bothering me much, just a little stiff, but that should stretch out by about noon. My throat, unfortunately, is still sore, and my ears are still floating, so I'm taking it easy for the time being. 'Bout to go pop some pills and take a shower, then it's back to drinking tea and gargling with salt water (Mom's idea, haven't tried it yet). Just lettin' y'all know!

Interview...

Hey all. Y'all remember the interview I mentioned earlier? Well, it was yesterday. I was relaxed, cool, and confident. Well, mostly. I got nervous the night before but calmed back down after I talked to a couple of counselors about it, then I got nervous right when I went in the room. But after I started talking I calmed back down. The counselor I went up there with went in and "pitched" us to the committee after our interviews (there were three of us). He said that they were "awed" by me, that I was poised, mature, and very impressive. My rank and involvement and scholarships from High School got me extra gold stars. So things look fair. I won't know anything for sure until after Monday when they mail the results, but I'm hopeful, and we're still praying. And I got into the Honors dorm!!! That's kind of hard to do if you don't apply super early, but I got in. I don't know my room number yet, or who my roommate is, but that's ok. God will handle that, too. So, just wanted to keep everybody posted. Thanks for your prayers and thoughts! Love to all!

Cheers!

I thought this was good stuff. Got in an email this morning.

A mother writes:

My son serves in the military. He is still stateside right now. He called me yesterday to let me know how warm and welcoming people were to him, and his troops, everywhere he goes, telling me how people shake their hands, and thank them for being willing to serve, and fight, for not only our own freedoms but so that others may have them also.

But he also told me about an incident in the grocery store he stopped at yesterday, on his way home from the base. He said that ahead of several people in front of him stood a woman dressed in a burkha.

He said when she got to the cashier she loudly remarked about the U.S. flag lapel pin the cashier wore on her smock.

The cashier reached up and touched the pin, and said proudly, "Yes, I always wear it and I probably always will."

The woman in the burkha then asked the cashier when she was going to stop bombing her countrymen, explaining that she was Iraqi.

A gentleman standing behind my son stepped forward, putting his arm around my son's shoulders, and nodding towards my son, said in a calm and gentle voice to the Iraqi woman:

"Lady, hundreds of thousands of men and women like this young man have fought and died so that YOU could stand here, in MY country and accuse a check-out cashier of bombing YOUR countrymen. It is my belief that had you been this outspoken in YOUR own country, we wouldn't need to be there today. But, hey, if you have now learned how to speak out so loudly and clearly, I'll gladly buy you a ticket and pay your way back to Iraq so you can straighten out the mess in YOUR country that you are obviously here in MY country to avoid."

Everyone within hearing distance cheered!

Tattoo

Oh, a special aside for Chad and Heathykins (yes, it WILL stick!). If you want a tattoo, take a look at this one. Pretty sweet, huh? Yeah... right.

Monday

Watched "The Last Samurai" last night. Sad. Good, but sad. Got an email from Ryan. Finally. Today's' the first day of VBS! I'm so excited!!! Oh, and Heathykins, I didn't miss the "Matrix" reference, but I didn't actually catch it until I saw the movie a couple of days later and recognized a line as one of your comments. :P I never can remember the really cool lines! And you get to jump out of planes FOR A LIVING!!! *sulks in corner like a two-year-old, then suddenly turns around, and, with a huge sheepishly cheesey grin, goes skipping off, singing the Numa Numa song*

Big Red Button

Ok, this was SOO FUNNY! We laughed and laughed and laughed... and we blew up the world... Mwa hahahahaha... Ok, you try! You can do it! Come on, PRESS THE BUTTON! See you on the other side...

Hmm, Random Pam

Hey all! Got my hair cut today! Yay! And my eyebrows waxed. Yeah, a little painful, but it's ok. It was worth it. My eyebrows look good and my hair is SOO CUTE! Just ask Porkchop! Hehe. We figured out how to do links today. Ate lunch at McDonald's. Had chicken nuggets. Mmmm mmmm, good. Ba dat bat ba baaa, I'm lovin' it. Heh, that took a while. Aight, well, nothing much else is going on... except that Dad put my internet time limit back on. He's a pain, but he'll take it off if I take care of all of my chores. Yeah, sure, no problem. As if I don't already! But I'm okay, I promise. Porkchop is sitting beside me talking about her crazy life and goofy family while we "watch" her little cousin. Who's dad is HOTT but is like 33. And looks like Colin Farrell. But moving on... I seriously saw the Orlando Bloom similarities in Justin the other day. It's all in God's hands now. The girls at the office said my hair was "sexy" and looked really grown up. Yay! Wow, this post is really random. Sorry. But it's going up anyway! Mwa hahahaha... Maw Hawaii... (Courtesy of the spell checker). Yeah... Toodles.

Dear Josh: Letter to a Soldier

A poem by Pam, the Spatula

Ok, this one started out as a few lines written down off the top of my head, and I started thinking about Josh and how much he means to me and the conversation we had last night and came up with this. He's an old friend who's moved on to bigger things. It's kind of long, but let me know what you think!

Have you ever noticed that God
Sends you the person you need to get you through each day?
To show you that, when everything goes wrong
It'll all eventually be okay?

That certain someone to reassure
To make you see that all is not lost.
A friend, a companion, a comrade in arms,
Someone to calm you when you don't dare count the cost.

Each day is an experience in trust
And I must renew my faith
For He has plans mightier than me
And I must put Him in first place.

He gives me friends to get me through,
To talk to, to read about, to write.
Instant messages from each blessed gift
Let me know I can't make it without His light.

Because, you see, Josh was online last night.
He’s in the Army, far away, been gone too long,
Only in Seattle, but that’s not close to Texas.
He's my friend, we share views, and he's strong.

We had a discussion about left vs. right
How they're taken for granted and he doesn't understand
The way people flaunt their freedom
Not stopping to think just how they got this free land.

People like him, who are brave, strong, and dedicated
Make me each day prouder to be an American.
He's living "every person's dream, getting shot at"
To keep me free. He's becoming a man.

He says he can't wait to grow up
That he's still so immature,
But, dear Josh, you'll get your chance.
Then you'll grow up too fast to measure.

When you leave around Christmas
And go to the sandbox, to that not so little conflict
You'll understand even more clearly the reality of your duties, and
Your life; the sacrifices might make you sick.

I'm so proud of you and your amazing accomplishments.
I miss you sleeping in the back of the band hall.
And I know responsibility will catch up even faster
As you grow up, go away, and get homesick but just can't call.

You'll go away then come home, but the cute, sweet, and awesome
Josh we all know and love will
Be buried under a new layer, a mask of
Experience, death, observations, and honed skills.

You are a soldier, the bravest of the brave.
Not one of those "fags who are scared of bullets,"
But a true man, willing to fight, and to die
For your country, your friends, and even those you don't get.

You serve, and you described it as your job,
But it's more than a job, it's a calling.
You know why you fight, and you know
That through it all, there will be no rest, no stalling.

Yes, there are those who take you for granted,
Who don't understand why you chose to fight
And one day, quite possibly to die
For the freedom you know is right.

But I promise you now, dear friend
That we will never forget that the choices
You've made to live and serve for us
Will last forever as we lift up our voices.

You gave me encouragement when it should've been
The other way around, you needed it more.
But never will I forget or let lay the words
That opened in my mind a door.

You said I'd be fine and I know you have faith
That all that you said would be true.
So I'll try my best for you every day
And make something of myself, that I could compare to you.

You're a hero already, just because you live
A life that few have the courage to attempt.
I love you for that and for being a friend. For talking
And understanding me, your "little sister", a nymph.

So thank you, Josh, for serving,
For earning the right for those of us who
Live that freedom and each day pray
For our dear brave soldiers like you.

Bittersweet Commencement

I gradjee-ated! Yay! The ceremony was great, and I pulled my speech off without a hitch, so that was cool. Then we had some family over for a little party, then bed and an almost late morning. It doesn't feel any different than being in High School. It just feels like I'll go back to school next week. It doesn't even feel like summer break! Go figure. Went to the lake yesterday. Fun fun. Today was our church homecoming. The singing group that was there had a cute guy in it, 19 yrs old, and my wonderful *rolls eyes* preacher decides to ask from the stage if I had met him. By this time I had shaken his hand about three times, so he turned around and shook my had another time, then again, while I informed them that it was time number 4, then 5. Funny, but really embarrassing. Needless to say, he didn't actually speak to me about anything. What a way to ruin any chances with a guy. But if God has plans there's nothing I can do to stop them, so we'll see. He's going to college about an hour away from where I'll be. So there's always that chance... This lack of anybody real here is starting to hurt worse and worse. I feel like life is taking off and I'm stuck in last place. But I'm not even moving! I know, Porkchop's mom told me not to rush things, but can't there be somebody to make the waiting a little easier?

GOOD NEWS!!!

Sorry, but I HAVE to shout this from the rooftops! I got an interview!!! For the Smith-Hutson scholarship! At 2 pm on June 9th (yes, I know it's VBS, but I'll just leave at about 11 that day and it'll be fine)! And if I get it, I won't EVER HAVE TO PAY A DIME FOR COLLEGE!!! It's 44,000 SMACKAROOS! Whoa!!!

Ok, I'm better now. Not really, but I'm a tad bit calmer. Hope y'all's day went as good as mine! My speech (the revised and non-posted edition) was approved and is 6 minutes and 22 seconds long, but it's full of good stuff. I had a WONDERFUL last few days, and after tomorrow I'll be looking forward to VBS and my interview and the beach and sleeping late and no work and cooking and cleaning... Yay! Toodles! Love to all!

Drum roll please...

What you've all been waiting for... Pictures! Yay! Finally!

These are three of five senior pics. The rest can be seen at my photobucket acct. http://photobucket.com/albums/y59/pampam05/

College Day and Fun

I took my college day on Thursday! It was so fun! I got my schedule, and I don't have any classes before 9:30 and after 3:50 any day of the week. That's tons of free time to study and hang out and have a real life! Yay!

Monday: 9:30-10:50 – Economics, 11:00-11:50 – English, 12:00-12:50 – Integrated Science
Tuesday: 9:30-10:50 – Business Calculus, 12:30-1:50 – History
Wednesday: 9:30-10:50 – Economics, 11:00-11:50 – English, 12:00-12:50 – Integrated Science
Thursday: 9:30-10:50 – Business Calculus, 12:30-1:50 – History, 2:00-3:50 – Geology Lab
Friday: 11:00-11:50 – English, 12:00-12:50 – Integrated Science

The English is Western Lit; Integrated Science is a mixture of Chemistry, Physics, and Geology; and Business Calculus is mostly the stuff we've already studied in Calculus this year. I'm so excited!

I was never more thankful for a Wal-Mart card than Thursday. I had a half of a tank left and was really worried that I wouldn't have enough $$ to get home after driving back from H-ville. So I had just happened to pick up my card with $25 on it before I left home, and lo and behold, the Wal-Mart there had a pump! And I paid $1.879 per gallon! It was regular $1.909, a steal in itself. I was suddenly extremely glad that I would be attending school there. And Taco Bell is always awesome for lunch. Under $5! My kind of meal! I've always maintained that I would be a really cheap date since I love places like McDonalds and Burger King and enjoy hanging out and doing simple yet fun things. Cards, dominoes, swinging, singing, laughing, talking, people-watching…

Yep, I’m all about having a good time, whether it costs 50 cents or 50 dollars. But can low-maintenance girls really know that they're low maintenance? Or do only high-maintenance girls think they're low maintenance? Any answer to that particular question? Or does anybody know?

But back to my point. I had a blast on my college day, and the next day at Mountasia was awesome, too! We rode the go-karts and bumper boats, played putt-putt, and played UNLIMITED ARCADE GAMES!!! Racing cars, shooting aliens and zombies, air hockey, DDR, Star Wars racing, snowboarding, and the list goes on and on. It was very much worth missing a day of school for that! And now we only have 4 days left! Actually only 3 and ½ days since Thursday is less than half a day. Monday is a full day, Tuesday and Wednesday we get out at 1:15, and Thursday we get out at 10:00. We have practice at that time for graduation, then the actual ceremony at 8:00 on Friday. It's almost over!

Details

Okay, scholarship summary/rundown. The Lions Club awarded me $1000. The school awarded me the Golden Eagle Scholarship, which was $200. The Rotary Club awarded me $500. I was awarded the Temple-Inland Scholarship of $1000. I was awarded the Cy Alexander Memorial Scholarship for $500. And the final and most impressive scholarship was the Charles Wesley "Chuck" Fortenberry Memorial Scholarship for $740. It wasn't the amount, but rather the justification in the awarding of this scholarship. Chuck was an Army Path Finder, Ranger, Air Borne Infantryman and Lite Fighter before he was accepted into Officer's Training and Flight School. As a Warrant Officer he had been flying the AH-64 Apache helicopter for 10 years. Chuck died in combat, defending an ammunition convoy and the lives of 29 men on the ground. Chuck’s strong desire to excel, provide leadership, love for his country and courage greater than most of us have ever had, makes him our hero for this memorial scholarship. The committee decided that I exhibited the characteristics of Excellence, Leadership, Citizenship, and Courage. This made us all cry. I don't seriously think I deserve such an award, but I humbly accept it. That makes my total $3940. With tuition paid and additional scholarships from the University, I shouldn't have to pay anything the entire first year. Prayerfully, I'll receive the $44,000 scholarship from the University.

Money money money money...

Total: $3940 I think. For tonight. More from the college. We calculated it, but I don't remember the exact numbers. I'll give specifics later. I'm tired, so g'night all!

Just for Jim

Ok, here it is Jim, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Actually, it was yesterday, but that doesn't really matter, does it? Schlitterbahn was fun! I got a sunburn on my legs and arms and face, but it's not incredibly bad. There was a fight across the street over the weekend, but I wasn't here to see it. Oh well. Honors Ceremony tonight. I'll find out about scholarships and stuff, so I'll update with all that info tonight or tomorrow. Well, that concludes today's official Spatula post. Hop everybody had a good 'un! Love to all! *hugs*

King Arthur and the Witch

Young King Arthur was ambushed and imprisoned by the monarch of a neighboring kingdom. The monarch could have killed him but was moved by Arthur's youth and ideals. So, the monarch offered him his freedom, as long as he could answer a very difficult question. Arthur would have a year to figure out the answer and, if after a year, he still had no answer, he would be put to death. The question?....What do women really want? Such a question would perplex even the most knowledgeable man, and to young Arthur, it seemed an impossible query. But, since it was better than death, he accepted the monarch's proposition to have an answer by year's end.

He returned to his kingdom and began to poll everyone: the princess, the priests, the wise men and even the court jester. He spoke with everyone, but no one could give him a satisfactory answer. Many people advised him to consult the old witch, for only she would have the answer. But the price would be high; as the witch was famous throughout the kingdom for the exorbitant prices she charged.

The last day of the year arrived and Arthur had no choice but to talk to the witch. She agreed to answer the question, but he would have to agree to her price first. The old witch wanted to marry Sir Lancelot, the most noble of the Knights of the Round Table and Arthur's closest friend!

Young Arthur was horrified. She was hunchbacked and hideous, had only one tooth, smelled like sewage, made obscene noises, etc. He had never encountered such a repugnant creature in all his life. He refused to force his friend to marry her and endure such a terrible burden; but Lancelot, learning of the proposal, spoke with Arthur. He said nothing was too big of a sacrifice compared to Arthur's life and the preservation of the Round Table.

Hence, a wedding was proclaimed and the witch answered Arthur's question thus: What a woman really wants, she answered....is to be in charge of her own life.

Everyone in the kingdom instantly knew that the witch had uttered a great truth and that Arthur's life would be spared. And so it was, the neighboring monarch granted Arthur his freedom and Lancelot and the witch had a wonderful wedding. The honeymoon hour approached and Lancelot, steeling himself for a horrific experience, entered the bedroom. But, what a sight awaited him. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen lay before him on the bed. The astounded Lancelot asked what had happened. The beauty replied that since he had been so kind to her when she appeared as a witch, she would henceforth, be her horrible deformed self only half the time and the beautiful maiden the other half. Which would he prefer? Beautiful during the day....or night? Lancelot pondered the predicament. During the day, a beautiful woman to show off to his friends, but at night, in the privacy of his castle, an old witch? Or, would he prefer having a hideous witch during the day, but by night, a beautiful woman for him to enjoy wondrous intimate moments? What would YOU do? What Lancelot chose is below. BUT....make YOUR choice before you scroll down below. OKAY?

Noble Lancelot said that he would allow HER to make the choice herself. Upon hearing this, she announced that she would be beautiful all the time because he had respected her enough to let her be in charge of her own life. Now....what is the moral to this story?
The moral is.....
If you don't let a woman have her own way....
Things are going to get ugly!

I got this in an email and thought it was pretty funny, but could be a rather controversial topic. Should women be allowed to "have their way" not matter what? Or are there limitations? What if a woman doesn't want to be in charge? I don't really want to spend my whole life making every decision for my family. But I do want to have a say in things. Thoughts? This is up for discussion, if rather limited to my small audience.

Results

Bubba's o-tay. He got 5 stitches in his eyebrow and an x-ray for his nose. Heh. It's not broken. He's probably really sore today, but I didn't see him this morning. He's going to have a nice black eye, too. Brandy, his gf, didn't know until she called the house. I told her what happened and she was a little concerned, but was ok with it. If you can be okay with things like that... He could've died. I don't like to think about it because it scares me. I really don't know if I could handle that. But God knows that. I guess He has some big plans for both of us. He's spared our lives many a time. The wreck in 2002, flat tires, the big truck seriously messing up, and lots of wake boarding wipe-outs... And that's just Derek. Well, we'll have to wait and see what's in store! Toodles!

Bubba's Wreck

Ok, new post, just happened, hot off the presses! Derek comes in with a shirt up against his face a few minutes ago. He orders me to silence with a look and shows me what he’s hiding. Dad was with him and has already seen it. He has a huge gash in his head, right above his eyebrow! 4-wheeler flipped going around a curve as he was trying to catch up with Dad. We have two, btw. Or we HAD two. The old one, the one that flipped, has no brakes anyway, and now has a seriously torqued front end. Dad might be able to fix it, or we may just drive it like it is… I don’t know. But he was a little bloody, to say the least. Mom and Dad took him to the hospital. They’re en route right now, and I just HAD to get this in! They’re not going to get stitches, but just glue him up. He’ll be fine. His nose was a little bloody, too, but it stopped. I think he just hit the ground a little too hard. I got a gash similar to that last year playing football. And just the other day he mentioned that he used to want a “dashing scar” on his face… Little ironies? Well, God definitely has a sense of humor! I’ll give a full report of the extent of his injuries tomorrow. Love y’all!

Jewels

It’s so amazing to go through old journals and find little jewels. My eighth grade English teacher left this comment when asked if she had a boyfriend.

“The good Lord has not seen fit to send me a “man.” Why must I be pitied? If I have a full life – a life of quality, helping others, then why pity? Pity those who do nothing, who simply exist.

I am lucky. I know my purpose in life. There are a lot of people who are older than I am and still haven’t figured out what to do with their lives.”

Mom set up two chairs in the hallway to keep the puppies off of the carpet. All of my 5’4” had to resort to an almost hurdle-like jump to get over the chairs. It was pretty funny, actually. Talk about an inconvenience. But still…

This guy I met at the mall called me. And then called again. And then again. And he’s going to email me pretty soon. I’m a little apprehensive about even beginning a friendship with him. His past is a little overwhelming. Nothing I’ve never heard, but at this point I’m not sure if it’s something I can deal with right now.

Well, I guess I'll be going. Love y'all!

Funny Stuff

This had me rollin! I found it a long time ago and thought I'd share it...

101 Things to do in Wal-Mart

1. Take shopping carts for the express purpose of filling them and stranding them at strategic locations.

2. Ride those little electronic cars at the front of the store.

3. Set all the alarm clocks to go off at ten minute intervals throughout the day.

4. Start playing Football; see how many people you can get to join in.

5. Run up to an employee (preferably a male) while squeezing your legs together and practically yell at him "I need some tampons!!" [only if you're female, naturally]

6. Try on bras in the sewing/fabric department. [any gender]

7. Try on bras over top of your clothes.

8. Make a trail of orange juice on the ground, leading to the restrooms. [buy the oj please!]

9. While walking around the store, sing in your loudest voice possible "Sex and Candy" by Marcy Playground.

10. Walk up to an employee and tell him in an official tone, "I think we've got a Code 3 in Housewares," and see what happens.

11. Tune all the radios to a polka station; then turn them all off and turn the volumes to "10".

12. Play with the automatic doors.

13. Walk up to complete strangers and say, "Hi! I haven't seen you in so long!..." etc. See if they play along to avoid embarrassment.

14. While walking through the clothing department, ask yourself loud enough for all to hear, "Who BUYS this [stuff], anyway?"

15. Repeat #14 in the jewelry department.

16. Try putting different pairs of women's panties on your head and walk around the store casually. [works best if you are male]

17. Leave small sacrifices or gifts in the hands of the mannequins.

18. Play soccer with a group of friends, using the entire store as your playing field.

19. As the cashier runs your purchases over the scanner, look mesmerized and say, "Wow. Magic!"

20. Put M&M's on layaway.

21. Move "Caution: Wet Floor" signs to carpeted areas.

22. Set up a tent in the camping department; tell others you'll only invite them in if they bring pillows from Bed and Bath.

23. Contaminate the entire auto department by sampling all the spray air fresheners.

24. Nonchalantly "test" the brushes and combs in Cosmetics.

25. Drape a blanket around your shoulders and run around saying, "...I'm Batman. Come, Robin--to the Batcave!"

26. TP as much of the store as possible.

27. Randomly throw things over into neighboring aisles.

28. Play with the calculators so that they all spell "hello" upside down.

29. When someone asks if you need help, begin to cry and ask, "Why won't you people just leave me alone?"

30. When two or three people are walking ahead of you, run between them, yelling, "Red Rover!"

31. Look right into the security camera, and use it as a mirror while you pick your nose.

32. Take up an entire aisle in Toys by setting up a full scale battlefield with G.I. Joes vs. the X-
Men.

33. Take bets on the battle described above.

34. Set up another battlefield with G.I. Joes vs. G.I. Janes. (Red lipstick might give an interesting effect!!!)

35. While handling guns in the hunting department, suddenly ask the clerk if he knows where the anti-depressants are. Act as spastic as possible.

36. While no one's watching quickly switch the men's and women's signs on the doors of the rest room.

37. Dart around suspiciously while humming the theme from "Mission: Impossible." [actually done this one, very funny]

38. Attempt to fit into very large gym bags.

40. Attempt to fit others into very large gym bags.

41. Fill your cart with boxes of condoms, and watch everyone's jaws drop when you attempt to buy them.

42. Set up a "Valet Parking" sign in front of the store.

43. Two words: "Marco Polo."

44. Leave Cheerios in Lawn and Garden, pillows in the pet food aisle, etc.

45. "Re-alphabetize" the CD's in Electronics.

46. In the auto department, practice your "Madonna" look with various funnels.

47. Hide in the clothing racks and when people browse through, say things like "the fat man
walks alone," and scare them into believing that the clothes are talking to them.

48. While walking around alone, pretend someone is with you and get into a very serious conversation. Exp: The person is breaking up with you and you begin crying "How could you do this to me? I thought you loved me! I knew there was another girl, but I thought I had won. You kissed ME darling." Then act as though you are being beaten and fall onto the ground screaming and having convulsions.

49. When an announcement comes over the loudspeaker, assume the fetal position and scream, "No, no! It's those voices again!"

50. Go to an empty checkout stand and try to check people out. [this works well in the self-check section]

51. Drag a lounge chair on display over to the magazines and relax. If the store has a food court, buy a soft drink; explain that you don't get out much, and ask if they can put a little umbrella in it.

52. Get a stuffed animal and go to the front of the store and begin stroking it lovingly, saying "Good girl, good bessie."

53. Go over to the shoe department and try on every pair of shoes, not putting one pair back. Take the paper from the boxes and throw it in various aisles.

54. When someone steps away from their cart to look at something,quickly make off with it without saying a word.

55. Follow people through the aisles, always staying about five feet away. Continue to do this until they leave the department.

56. Ask other customers if they have any Grey Poupon.

57. Test the fishing rods and see what you can "catch" from the other aisles.

58. In the makeup department, spray yourself with every perfume there is, then walk up to a boy who is with another girl and start flirting with him in that annoying, ditzy way. "Hi!!!! (giggle) What's your sign?(giggle)." When the boy shows no interest, start hitting on the girl the exact same way. "Hi!!!! (giggle) What's your sign? (giggle)."

59. Hold indoor shopping cart races.

60. Re-dress the mannequins as you see fit. [since when does wal-mart have mannequins?]

61. When there are people behind you, walk REALLY SLOW, especially thin narrow aisles.

62. Relax in the patio furniture until you get kicked out.

63. Challenge other customers to duels with tubes of gift wrap.

64. Pay off layaways fifty cents at a time.

65. Say things like, "Would you be so kind as to direct me to your Twinkies?"

66. Make up nonsense products and ask newly hired employees if there are any in stock, i.e., "Do you have any Shnerples here?"

67. Ride a display bicycle through the store; claim you're taking it for a "test drive."

68. Leave cryptic messages on the typewriters.

69. Get boxes of Condoms and randomly put them in peoples carts when they don't realize it.

70. Get an empty book, and say it's a guest book. Get people to sign.

71. Play a game of indoor freeze tag.

72. Drive around the entrances screaming out the window "the British are coming"

73. Have a team race with your friends- one person sits in the cart, the other pushes.

74. Go to the checkout and buy a bar of candy. Repeat, going to the same cash register, until the clerk notices.

75. Fill your cart up as much as possible, and then try to use the express lane.

76. Use a bullhorn and occasionally say that there is free candy in aisle X (aisle X being the condom aisle).

77. Run into a pyramid of cans, heroically saying "I'm gonna save us from that bomb!"

78. Use a conveyer belt as a treadmill and lose some weight.

79. Grab heavy but not too heavy objects, and see who can throw them the most aisles over.

80. When people aren't looking, put tampons in their carts if they are a guy, or if they are a gal, put in a jock strap.

81. Randomly direct people to the deodorant section.

82. Tell someone that you will sue for false advertising, since they do not sell walls.

83. Take your boyfriend or girlfriend to the food section and have an expensive dinner.

84. Try to push your cart through a checkout without paying. When the clerk tries to stop you, kick in his balls (don't try it on a chick, it wont work), run, but leave the cart. See what happens.

85. If people aren't looking at their cart, steal it.

86. Go to the gun section, saying "Can I buy a gun? I'm tired of that stupid smiley face!"

87. Buy expensive stuff, go home and use white-out and a pen to change the price to something much lower, and the total much higher, then return and demand a refund.

88. See how much stuff you can break before you get caught.

89. Take a leak in the dressing rooms.

90. Repeatedly say "The clowns are not eating me."

91. Use fake checks, but sign them using your neighbors name.

92. Rearrange items as you see fit.

93. Take a full set of guy's clothes and a full set of gal's clothes, then leave them lying somewhere.

94. Put pokemon stuff in a cart that is full of stuff like KoRn and Limp Bizkit CDs

95. Grab condoms and stick them in everyone's face (only the opposite sex).

96. Do #95 but with the same sex (not recommended).

97. Grab stickers that say "radioactive" and put them randomly on food items.

98. Follow someone until they notice.

99. Pull out pins, like that guy form the 7-UP commercial. [somebody please explain this one]

100. Loiter. When asked to leave, tell them you live here.

101. Record [people making monkey/gorilla/farm animal noises] then have it play over and over gain in the middle of a clothes rack.


Ok, most of these are not recommended for your home store, so just do this when out of town. Heath, they may not get the jokes in Korea, especially the MI song. But all of these are mostly a lot of fun. I only condone the harmless stuff and the things that don't actually cost the store $$.

Attention Wal-Mart shoppers...

Ok, I had to steal that from another blog I glanced at. I thought it was pretty funny. So, I'm sitting in Calculus. We just received an announcement that after one more lesson we're officially finished with math! Sweet! And we're basically just killing time in English, too. Don’t is still brimming with hideously boring monologues and movies of absolutely no relevance. Band is still busy, but not after next weekend and the Schlitterbahn trip. Foods will be a breeze, and one final chapter in Physics. So I'm almost done! Slowly... creeping... toward... the ... finish... line... then... only... a... speech... left... and... then... WE'RE FINISHED!!!

Mom's the Word

Happy Mother's Day! To all of the mothers, thank you for being such awesome contributions to your family and household. To all of you non-moms, be sure you call yours and let her know how much you appreciate her. For those of you who can, give her a BIG HUG! Hope y'all have a great day! Love y'all!

Man, I feel Like a Woman

I feel very feminine and attractive right now. Or, as my mother calls it, "chi-chi". I'm wearing my Homecoming dress (black with sequin/bead and fabric flowers) and my "diamond" jewelry, and I love it! Getting dressed up is wonderful! But it's a whole lot better when you have someplace to go... The Mother/Daughter banquet is tonight at church, and one of our ladies wanted to wear her dress from her cruise, so Mom asked me to really dress up so she wouldn't feel like she over-did it (or at least wasn't the only one). So, here I am! Clean, dressed up, hair done, shoes on (:P), and waiting for the meeting to get here! Fun fun! Ok, new requisite for Prince Charming. At least one "fancy" dinner or function every six months, just so I can wear stuff like this! Hehe. Toodles! Love y'all! Oh, btw, a special thanks to all my faithful readers (Heath, Porkchop, Lil Sis, Chad, Zack, Jim). Really makes my day to get comments! But we're all pretty easily amused in the stix...

Slowing Down

Well, is it just me, or is blogging seriously becoming a rather inactive thing? Nobody posts very often anymore... Ok, life update, in case anyone cares. Is it weird to have a crush on a guy, but not really have a crush? I mean, he's sweet and cute, but I know I would never, ever go out with him. In fact, there are a couple of people like that. I think I'm doomed to be a spinster. Ok, I know, seriously an exaggeration. But on to other things.

We did a "stream of consciousness" paper the other day in English (just write the first thing that pops into your head and follow each train of thought on paper, very cool, simply writing thoughts, however random). Mine was about guys. Go figure. That's why I maintain that I am a very shallow person. I think about things other than the opposite sex, I promise, but I guess that topic is my mental escape. Like reading a good book. Just getting away from the stress of daily life. This is mainly due to the fact that I know any relationship is either highly unlikely or downright impossible with anybody who flits across my mind at any point. Poop.

I'm going to Sclitterbahn next weekend. We're leaving at 4:30 AM! But it's a long drive. We'll be home Sunday evening at about 10. We're competing on Saturday and playing in the park on Sunday. Band concert Monday. Honors Ceremony the next Monday. Senior trip to Mountasia (?) the Friday after. The question mark is there because "the Mommas" (the group of black girls who are all mothers and tend to stir up trouble about the dumbest and simplest stuff) are pitching a fit to go to Astroworld, where we only go every year. It's gonna be fun wherever we go! We're missing school, getting free food, and getting $$! Quit complaining. Whatever.

I was recruited for the school yearbook. I did the varsity baseball pages, edited the JV softball page, and will probably end up doing something else by the end of the year. But it's fun, so I don't mind. I love playing on computers.

I really doubt anybody's going to read this, so I guess I'll say toodles and sign off. I finished Frankenstein and am ready for the test tomorrow. But I have a physics test, too. We only get a notecard... Bummer. Bye. Love y'all.

Clueless

Do all parents fight over stupid stuff? I mean, the littlest things set them off! It’s like they TRY to get on each other’s nerves! I mean, wow! Mom just adds fuel to the flame! She knows how he thinks. By now, I know how he thinks. Why do they insist on begin so immature and blind? And then Mom gets upset because she doesn’t feel loved! I wonder why! It’s the same concept as kicking a dog every day then wondering why he bites. It’s common sense! Maybe I’m just a young fool, but the answers seem so clear! Every problem can be avoided, less buttons pushed, less little things messed up and blamed on everyone but the true culprit… Adults. I almost wish I wasn’t one. But I have officially entered that world. I honestly hope and pray that I’m not dumb enough to fight about stupid stuff. But I know I will be. Despite the fact that I’ve never had that experience, it’s something I know will most likely happen. But I’m the freakin valedictorian, for cryin out loud! Shouldn’t I be able to figure it out? Another frustration with the adult world…

Wimmin

Wimmin are dumb! I mean, golly! I'm one, I know, but some women are just plain rock-dumb! We saw this guy lose control of his truck and go off the road. He stops in the ditch and gets out. He's perfectly alright. I stop and let him use my phone along with a couple of guys and some women in a van. The women in the van call the police! I mean, if there was more than one car involved or injuries, I can see that, but just one guy? Now he's going to get a ticket for losing control of his vehicle! Stupid! Even I know better than to call in on something like that! Good grief!!! I can't believe how stupid some people are...