Home Sweet Home

I went to my hometown to see my family this weekend before my brother leaves for Alaska tomorrow.  He has been in town for a visit.  

I drove home on Friday after work.  His friend's family had a cook-out for us.  We enjoyed hot dogs and hamburgers with the trimmings.  We had a great time catching up with everyone.  

Saturday, mom and I got up and went grocery shopping.  When we returned home, we decided we wanted to go bowling.  So we texted Jamey (he was in the bed and we were in the living room) and asked him if he wanted to go.  He said yes and we went to the local alley.  I stink at real bowling.  I should stick with wii bowling.  We bowled three games and I lost all three!  I only broke 100 in our last game.  That night, mom grilled steaks and I made Sandy's famous brownies.  They are so yummy.  

Sunday, I went to visit with dad and granny.  We had a nice visit and ate lunch together.  It stormed during the afternoon, so I waited for the worst to pass.  When it slacked off, about 3:00 p.m., I started toward home.  After a quick trip to the cemetery (in the rain), I travelled on north.  Now I am watching a movie and washing clothes.  

It is so hard for me to leave my family, but extra hard when I'm leaving my brother because I don't know when I will see him again.  I'm already emotional and it just about wrecks me when I leave him.  

I smell a Farkle!

I had so much fun at game night with the ladies.  Ashley hosted us at her brand new home!  She bought a house!  Yippee!  Carrie, Katie Jane, Maggie, and myself attended.  We played the dice game "Farkle".  It was too fun!  We had a blast and I laughed til I cried.  That always happens when we get together.  I can't wait until next time.  

With all the excitement, one might think that I would not have a moment of sadness.  Unfortunately, you would be wrong.  As soon as I dropped Carrie at her house, I had the urge to call Ryan and tell him all about the night.  Then I remembered that I couldn't.  When will that stupid urge go away?  I know I can't do it, but sometimes it just creeps up on me.  Then I feel stupid for even thinking that I wanted to call him.  You would think that I would know by now that I can't call him.  In a week, it will be two months since the accident.  How long will this last?  

I did have a great time tonight, which really helps.  It's hard to not think about Ryan 24/7, but being with friends who love me and know how to make me laugh helps a lot!  

Tomorrow, I head to Brandi's for a little dinner, movie, possibly some swimming.  I can't wait.  Also, I would like to welcome Brandi to the blogging world.  Her brand new blog is in my "Blog Talk" side bar.  Go show her some love...  

Just to answer your possible questions, no, as a matter of fact, I have not been at home alone one night this week.  I have made plans to stay as busy as possible.  Alone time is not good for me right now...

Thanks to Ashley for having us over tonight for a super fun time.  She even cooked us dinner!  Thanks so much!    

I love you, Ryan

So sore!

Just an update: The wii yoga kicked my butt! I am so sore today! I just thought you might want to know that.

No need to wii-schedule

I invited a couple of friends over to play the wii. One of them came, but one had jury duty :( Megan, the one who came, said we might need to "wii-schedule". We thought that was hilarious! We decided to go ahead and play and that we would do it again when Anna could come! Megan and I had a SUPER FUN time! We yelled and laughed and laughed and yelled and laughed! Did I mention yell? Megan had to go home to cook dinner for her husband :( So we ended our day of wii-citement with only a touch of wii-bow.

I continued to play wii after she left. I did all the yoga poses in the wii fit. I had not done all of them yet, so that was a good thing. I still haven't done any of the strength exercises! I just don't feel inclined to do a push up. Maybe one day... Probably not! I wonder how sore I will be tomorrow.

Tomorrow is Game Night with the girls! Yea! I can't wait. We will be playing board games. WooHoo!

I have something to do every night this week. I am definitely keeping busy. I think that is a good thing right now. I always seem to get upset when I am alone and have time to think. This is definitely a stressful time for me.

I am going back to see my brother this weekend. He is flying back to AK on Monday. I hate I haven't seen more of him during this visit.

I love you, Ryan

Thursday Thirteen: 13 dollar Thursday

Sandy and I met for a relaxing afternoon of BFF visiting. I will link you to her page for the recap! Here is the link.

To give or not to give

Those of you who REALLY know me, know that I have a gazillion stickers and NEVER give them away to my students. Well, this afternoon I went under my bed to my special box o' stickers and took two different kinds out to give to my students as prizes this week! (I'll wait until you come around after you fainted.) It's true. I'm going to give some of my stickers to my kids. Crazy, I know. I hope they enjoy them.

Cock-a-doodle doo

I received this in an email today. It is oh so true...

In doing some research about how to build a chicken coop, I found the following statement. I thought it was pretty funny, considering how much I thought it also applied to men.

"If the idea of a having a rooster keeps you from getting hens, don't worry. Hens don't need to have a rooster around to lay eggs. In fact, they appear quite content without a male in their midst, constantly trying to mount them. Most roosters deserve their bad reputations. They crow loudly, not just in the morning, but during all sunny hours. And they are often agressive.

That said, some people like having roosters. They like that a rooster will warn the flock about hawks and foxes. They like their big, brassy personalities. And roosters are often very handsome birds. Just keep in mind that having a rooster is a choice, not a necessity."

I'm so tired!

After work, I met Ryan's parents, Charlin, and Olivia for lunch at Jim 'N Nicks! Yummy! I had a "pig in the potato patch". I ate a small part and left the big part for dinner. I was stuffed. We then decided to go shopping at the mall. We walked around a while and couldn't find anything for us. We were so sad. I had a wonderful time visiting with everyone. Ryan's family is amazing. I am so fortunate that I have gotten to know them. I just wish it had been under better circumstances.

After I left the fam, I went grocery shopping :( I hate going grocery shopping. Of course, I got in the line that was operated by an incompetent associate! He had no clue what he was doing. At one point there were THREE associates over to help the run on the register. Then when it was finally my turn, they all disappear! Finally, one came back to check me out. I was so relieved to get out of that store.

Tomorrow, a friend is coming over for dinner and possibly a movie. I bought "Fool's Gold" today because it was the movie Ryan and I saw on our first date. It is also where his nickname, "Big Bunny", came from. I mentioned that I would be the only person who sobbed through a comedy and she suggested that we watch it together. I agree.

Thursday, I am meeting Sandy after work! I haven't seen her in so long! We are going to have so much fun. WooHoo!

I am singing in a wedding on Saturday night. The rehearsal is Friday night. I am so busy this week!

In-laws (?)

Tomorrow I am meeting Ryan's family for lunch after I get off work. Ryan's parents have a couple of family members visiting and they are driving to meet me for a little visit. We haven't decided where we are eating, but I'm sure it will be nice to see everyone, regardless of the venue.

A couple of weeks ago, my neighbor asked me how I was feeling. You know, I don't know how to feel. It wasn't a break up so I'm not bitter or upset with him. She asked if I felt like a widow. We weren't married, so I don't consider myself a widow. I don't even know how a widow would feel. It's very strange. I don't know how I feel. I'm very sad and mad at the situation. I'm not mad at anyone, just the situation. I just go from day to day and do what I have to do ~ work, eat, breathe. I go out with friends occasionally, but I'm not joyous and fun like usual. I'm just in a weird place. I can't explain it.

I started teaching summer camp today. I could get used to teaching a half day. It was very nice to come home and have time to get stuff done. I chose to take a nap instead of being productive, another nice thing about having half a day off. I probably won't get anything done tomorrow either. In fact, this week is pretty busy. Oh well, I don't have any urgent matters to attend to.

UPDATE: Sonic commercial

This is the video of the Sonic commercial.  It is so funny.  Just imagine me and Sandy...

Congratulations, 2000th visitor!

Today, my blog hit 2000 visitors.  The lucky person was from Holiday, FL.  The search words were, "sonic commercial two women".  Sandy, they are searching for us...  I wanted to have the video on my blog but I couldn't find it online.  So, I'm sure this person did not find what they were looking for.  So sorry.  

Anyway, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!

Happy Daddy's Day!

I hope all the daddy's have a great day.  I am currently spending the day with my dad, brother, and granny.  We are being lazy and watching t.v.  I am driving home sometime this afternoon.  

Tomorrow I start my summer teaching job.  I think I am going to start with a cute fishing lesson.  The students get to "fish" for rhythms.  I have cute die cut fish with rhythms printed on them and a magnet on the back.  The kids get to use the Tigger rod and reel to fish.  It is truly amazing how many kids have never been fishing.  I guess "down south," it is a daily occurrence.  But just a little over 200 miles north, kids just don't fish.  Oh well.  They will tomorrow.  I am also planning to do a few movement activities with them.  

Well, I guess I will go for now.  Have a great Sunday. 

Sonic Commercial

I saw a new Sonic commercial this week.  I immediately thought that Sandy and I should have had that job!  We totally would do an awesome commercial for Sonic.  It was two women ordering shakes and one asks the other, "you want fries with that shake?"  HeeHee!  It is soooo funny.  I hope you get to see this commercial.  I just wish that you would see me and Sandy instead of the two actresses.  Oh well, maybe one day.  

Here, Kitty, Kitty...

Yesterday morning, after hitting the snooze several times, I finally got in the shower.  I had just gotten in and wet my hair, when I heard  a female scream and something fall in my living room.  Now I do not live with another female, so I was a tad bit frightened.  I turned off the water and my dog was barking like crazy.  He does not normally bark unless there is someone in his area.  So I wrapped a towel around myself and went into the living room.  The wooden dowel that goes between the sliding glass door and wall had fallen on the floor, so I understood the noise.  I didn't know how that happened but then Winston jumped out of the doggie door, so I walked toward the door to see what was outside.  Just then, I saw a CAT  in my house!!!!!!  He had come in through the doggie door.  The stupid cat started climbing my curtains.  He almost got killed then, but he fell before I got to him.  He was growling like a dog and making sounds like a human.  It was not a cat sound.  I tried to distract him and get him out the front door, but he was not taking his eyes off Winston who was still outside but going crazy scratching at the door.  I closed the bedroom and bathroom doors and opened the front door, hoping the cat would see freedom and run away.  No such luck...  Winston decided to take the situation in his paws and came back inside.  The cat's back went straight up and they were staring at each other.  I closed the front door because Winston is an escape artist.  I called Winston but he wouldn't come to me, so I grabbed him by the collar and pulled him into the other room.  While I had Winston, the cat ran under a table.  I tried to poke him to get him out from under the table.  He just laid there.  So I moved the table and squirted him with water.  He still didn't move!  I got two towels and walked slowly to the cat and wrapped them around him and took him outside.  He was very squirmy.  I put him on the garbage can and he jumped on the fence.  He looked back into my yard, so I tapped him on the butt.  He jumped down and walked behind my fence where he looked like he might come back in.  To this, I yelled, "If you come back in my yard, I'm letting Winston use you as a chew toy."  I guess he didn't like that idea because he ran away!  What a crazy morning.  Now, just imagine me doing all of this in a towel...

Well, I hope you had a great day!

Only three more days of Orff and then I get to see my bro.  He should be home sometime tonight :)

So strange

I went to visit with Ryan's parents this weekend.  As I drove the 45 minutes to see them, I felt very sad that I used to make that drive to see Ryan.  I lost it when I got off the exit.  It was horrible knowing that I would not be able to see him.  I was meeting his mom at the mall, and I made it there first.  I sat in my car reading a book about grief that a friend brought me.  I looked over my shoulder a few times to make sure his mom was not there yet.  I looked up and saw the Panera Bread that we ate at after church on Sundays.  I started crying again.  Being in that town without him is so hard.  I know some days will be better than others, but this whole thing just sucks.  

I had a great visit with his parents.  They are always wonderful to me.  I will forever be thankful of the way they have treated me through this.  I'm not sure most parents would involve a girlfriend the way they have.  I never want to intrude and they have included me in everything from the very beginning.  They even drove to my house to tell me the news of the crash.  I know that was hard on them and that they had other things to do and other people to tell.  But they cared enough to track me down to tell me in person.  I love them very much and I hate that we got so close only after Ryan's death.  

This week is the last week of my Level III training course!  I have so much to do this week and can't wait for Friday.  

My brother flies in on Tuesday to my hometown.  I am going to visit this weekend.  I am so excited about seeing him.  It has been FOREVER!  We were not expecting him until November, and I am happy to see him early!  

Side note:  I read on my friend's blog (Ashley) that a friend of hers had a date this weekend.  That has me wondering if her friend might be my friend.  If so, I might have some hurt feelings if I'm not told about this certain date from this certain mutual friend.  HINT, HINT!!!!!  With that said, I hope this person had a wonderful date, whoever they are!

Orff Level III

I am taking a two week course right now.  It is the Orff Schulwerk Level III training course.  It is two weeks of playing and writing music, movement, playing recorder, teaching, and HOMEWORK.  I need sleep...  I have not been to bed before midnight this week.  I definitely need to go to bed tonight.  

Right now, I am watching "Alvin and the Chipmunks."  It is cute so far.  I am getting a little sleepy though.  

That's all I have to blog about.  I have no life other than Orff right now... 

Welcome BCHS Class of 1998

Me, Beth

Molly, Beth, me

Beth ~ "Most Changed Since High School"

Me ~ "Classmate Most Surprised to See"

Welcome Class of 1998

Class of 1998

Last night, I went to my 10 year high school reunion.  I had a nice time.  Ryan was supposed to go with me, so last night was bittersweet.  I have noticed that a lot of things recently have been so.  I guess that will continue to happen.  That was the last of things that we had made definite plans to do.  From now on, it will be things that we just talked about...

Anyway, I saw many old friends.  Not everyone attended, but there was a good crowd.  We had it at a restaurant on the patio.  There was a band, food, beer, wine, and for me water :)  They also had ballots for us to vote for the "Most Changed Since High School ~ Male and Female", "Least Changed Since High School ~ Male and Female", and "Person You Are Most Surprised To See".  My best friend, Beth, won "Most Changed".  She looked great last night.  I will post pictures when I get a chance.  I won "Most Surprised To See".  I can only assume this is because people didn't think I would come without Ryan.  I know full well that Ryan would have sent someone to kick my butt if I did not go and that person would have been Beth :)  I looked at it this way, Ryan was very outgoing and packed so much in his 28 years.  I felt that he would want me to do the same.  I am glad to report, I made it through the questions about why I'm not married and when I plan on doing it.  A couple of times, I just said "I don't know."  Other times, when people just kept pressing, I told them what happened so they would just stop asking me.  

Overall, a fun time was had by all.  Looking forward to 20 years...

I love you, Ryan