Bday pix

This me calling to see who all is coming to dinner. We actually had a really big group, but we forgot to take pictures of that part


After dinner Lee j., Dave, and I hit up Wild Wings and just happened to be there when this band was playing. They were superb!!! We even bought their CD. Really awesome






This is us at the end of the evening. It was around 2 am when we got home, but it was an awesome birthday. Thanks everyone who came! It was great to celebrate with you!

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Happy Birthday Mom!!! You taught me how to read and lose myself in a wonderful book. I'm still making summer reading lists and looking forward to reading my next book. You tried oh so hard to teach me math, but alas Mom, it didn't work, not for the lack of trying on either part though, I promise. You and Dad introduced me to the love of camping. I can never sleep as well at home or anywhere else as I can in a sleeping bag inside a tent on a cool night. You taught me how to dance and I can now be caught dancing around the house on any given day. You taught me how to be independent and strong, to search inside myself for the talents God gave me and be the strongest woman I can be. But most importantly, you taught me how to lean on Christ, and trust Him when things were good or bad. You're an amazing Mom, woman, and friend, I love you dearly Mom!

Sun--Father's day swim party

Ya'll better be thankful for these pictures cause it took me about an hour to get them all uploaded!!! Blogger and Safari were being slow this morning. Enjoy!


"cheese!"

"I can do it by myself thanks"

The non-swimmers and gawkers eating ice cream


"Yay! Daddy's in the pool!"

The "rock-n-lounge" was a pretty big hit for all! Though mom almost got dumped out :)




"pees" have some ice cream?

Sat--rappelling with Daddy

Teaching Amy and Jeremy how to belay



Daddy doing his famous flying rappel



Teaching how to tie a harness



Sending someone off the tower

Father's Day weekend

This last weekend I went home to see my dad before he leaves the country for a bit for a mission trip, and because it was Father's Day. Saturday morning I helped him with a rappelling group. It was so neat to be able to work with him doing that again. I took lots of pictures of him doing what I remember him doing best as a kid--teaching Challenge. I enjoyed our time together immensely. Sunday I went to church with mom and dad and then the family had lunch together at grandmama's house. We ate and swam and had lots of fun. It was nice just to chill with the family. I got the chance to have some great conversations with mom and dad this weekend that I really treasured; it was truly memorable. Hopefully I'll get pictures up here soon, but I worked late today (11 hrs total), and I haven't really had time to spend with Dave since Thursday. G'night all! PIctures to follow!

hair cut

It feels SO much lighter! Wuhoo!

Before


After


But the girl went a little nuts with the blow dryer--so it looks kinda frizzy in the after!

For the Love of The Game

My Settlers of Catan game came in a few days ago and the girls and I got to play last night! It was SO AWESOME! You don't even know, seriously, amazing. And Shannon, I'm brining your game back next weekend, just keep reminding me. If possible I'm going to bring this game with me and we MUST play, but it takes a long time guys, like a few hours. It's kinda like Monopoly in that way, but SOOO much more fun and worth the effort. Maybe I can convince Mom and Dad to play with me, ya think? The girls and I ended up playing two games in a row, one with 5 people and the last one with just 3. We played from 8 until 1:30 am (for both games)! So so fun. I can't even explain really.

Today I'm FINALLY getting my hair cut. I haven't had it cut since NOVEMBER! It's so long that when I pull it up into a high ponytail, it still covers my neck. I can't handle it in the heat--yeesh! We've started leaving the air on pretty much all the time now cause it's so hot by midmorning the house is already too warm. I'm not working until 3 pm today--weird huh? I have training for a couple of hours and then I do an Alpine Tower sampler--which is basically a shorter version of what we do during most days. People can pay less and just come and check out the A.T. for a 2 hours. I think it's a pretty good deal actually. So I'm just chillin' here until it's time for my haircut in an hour and then I'll do some housework until I head to work.

The last of breakfast--for awhile

This morning will probably be the last time Dave and I have breakfast together for awhile. I'm pretty much on the schedule at work for the next 14 days straight. I work this afternoon too, but at least I can go to church first. I'm none too pleased about this work arrangement, but I can't do much about it. I'm not sure what my "rights" are concerning a day off, but I think half days count so that works out for them. I have a half day on Wednesday and Friday, so I guess that counts as one day off this week. I think that's all they have to give me. Fun stuff. I'll be on the ropes course in this scorching heat for the next couple of days and then I get my first water trip of the season--which I'm actually excited about, even if it is a ducky trip (inflatable kayaks).

Yesterday was pretty fun. Dave and I slept in and then he made me waffles with strawberries. Then we hung around the house for awhile and took a really long nap. For lunch we went to Na-Bers Drive-In. Really good! They're like our local Whataburger Shannon! They even had Cherry Lemon Mt. Dew. No, it's no Sundrop, but it's still good! Afterwards we headed to the river to do a short kayaking run. Then I talked Dave into walking up the creek with our boats as opposed to walking on the road with our boats back to the house. The river intersects with the creek behind our house about 1/4 of a mile down. So we walked up it--it felt so good as hot as it was yesterday. Then we got home and let the puppy out and all played in the water. We decided to have a cook-out with our neighbors who live on the other side of duplex. We did cabobs with whatever you wanted on them. A great day actually! We were going to go see a local band play last night, but then ended up heading to bed. Though I did stay up until about midnight just reading. Ah, summer livin'.

Just for fun

So, one night in Teaching composition class this past semester, a student was teaching and the rest of the class was supposed to act like whatever age she would be teaching the lesson to. We were high school freshmen. She then gave us an assignment to write a poem that rhymed in a few minutes. I conjured up some teenage angst and this is what I came up with. Hope it makes you smile :).

I see you sitting there.
You with your big mouth and your big hair
We're alike you and I,
yet you won't talk to me, you pass me by.
When no one's around you say hello
you're nice then, but I know
it's just for a time, just a go.
when they're around you just blow!

~~Leigh

Red River Gorge climbing pix

The camping spot

Katy, me, Bill (another of Dave's old camp friends), and Dave at the top of a climb--I FINALLY made it!






Katy-Dave's camp friend from Camp Westminister


Rufus-everyone's climbing buddy



The move right before I bit it--good stuff

Yes, it's a month away--i know

Ok, so I'm thinking a bit ahead here, but I thought I'd put up my birthday wish list a little early. These are pictures of women's slim nylon wallets, that don't take up your entire purse and still fit a checkbook, and the Settler's game extension packs. I am just excited about these two things immensely. The game is so awesome--Dave is buying me the base set for my birthday, but the extension packs allow you to play with more people. I'm telling you guys, you NEED to play this game. When I get it, next time I'm home, we need to play together. Of course, all the sisters and brothers can play TOGETHER if one you guys picks up an extension pack for me ~hint hint~ lol.

So we're heading out for Kentucky in a few hours and I really need a nap. See you guys! Have a great weekend!

Summer workin'

I'm back at NOC full-time for the summer now. It's nice actually. I always enjoy being back, at least at the beginning of the summer. We have several new staff, but for once, the average age is higher (over 19) and there's much more ropes experience in the group. It makes my life a lot easier at work for sure. Although, I'm still one of two people that is trained to run the giant swing off the ropes course, which means when we have a ropes course scheduled I get to stay up there all day in the very hot sun.

Two days ago we had a staff day at a private, small waterpark-ish place. NOC bought it a few years ago; it's called Horn's Creek and is located out past the Ocoee river. It had a water slide, lazy river, and wave pool. However, the wave pool and lazy river were connected, so when they turned on the wave pool the river became not-so-lazy. Odd, but fun. Then we had a big BBQ chicken dinner. It was a lot of fun.

Yesterday was an all day Alpine Tower for us. Afterwards we decided to all head to Asheville for dinner at the Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company--best pizza ever! We picked up Dave on the way and we all had a good time. That place has the best pizzas and nacho's I've ever had, seriously. Plus you can watch $2 movies there, so it's really unbeatable.

Today I'm off, and doing some house cleaning. I haven't unpacked fully from the beach yet and I still need to put away all my school texts and things that I keep out during the semester. Plus, I need to re-pack for our climbing trip this weekend. We're leaving tomorrow night after I get off work and heading to the Red River Gorge in Kentucky until Sunday night. We're meeting some of Dave's friends from Camp Westminister in MI there too! Hopefully it'll be nice weather and there'll be something I have the skills to climbing (it's been awhile folks).

Well, that's about it! I'm gonna get to cleaning and then I promised Sleepy a walk. Talk to you later!

The. Cutest. Thing. EVER.

Fishy Fishy Beach week 08'

We decided to call it Fishy Fishy beach week because we always go to Fishy Fishy restaurant in Southport. We went there tonight for dessert and coffee and took lots of fun pictures. Here's just a sampling. Tomorrow we're heading to Wilmington to see the sights, and I'm gonna visit with Jake and Heather, yay! I think we're going to do some Geocaching tomorrow here too! It seems there are a whole butt load of them here! Uber fun.

From Left to Right: Me, Lorin, Beth, Catherine, Erin

Mame's bday party

HEATHER---CALL ME!

So, I'm at the beach just chillin here in the sun with some of my girl friends. The weather is SO nice. We laid out on the beach and took walks most of the day today. Though at least three of us are addicted to playing the board game Settlers. If you don't know what this game is, you must find out and play it. It is TOTALLY engrossing and SO SO SO much fun...plus very addictive so be careful. Wednesday we're thinking of heading to Wilmington to do some shopping and sightseeing. I think we're going to take the ferry. I'm HOPING to catch up with my friends Heather and Jake, IF I CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH THEM (hint hint guys-check ur e-mail and facebook) for a visit. Last night Beth cooked BBQ pizza for dinner and Catherine made chocolate cake (mmm!). Tonight Erin is making breakfast for dinner, w/ pancakes, bacon, sausage, eggs, and hashbrowns (woot woot!). Tomorrow night I'm making spaghetti (yes, carrots too Landon, I promise it's good!), salad, and garlic bread. We are having a lot of fun so far. I haven't gone to bed before 2 am yet, and I doubt tonight will be any different because Settlers is gonna have to be gotten ON! SUCH a good game. People, my birthday is coming up! I would like the Settler's came with the cities and Knights extension pack as well :). Alright, dinner is smellin' nice, so I'm out! Peace and sunshine to you all!

still ugh

I started taking the meds last night. Before I went to bed I took my antibiotics, two tylenol, and two decongestants. And I still didn't sleep. My throat was raw and I couldn't stop blowing my nose or coughing. I finally got a few hours of sleep this morning once I finally found a throat lozenge that didn't make me gag. My nose is less stuffed up this morning, but my ears still feel like they're going to blow. I REALLY hope taking the meds all day today helps me feel better for the trip to Mame's tomorrow. Oh man. I wish I could sleep, but laying down just sucks. And I still gotta pack for the beach.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

MY HEAD HURTS SO BADLY! My ears feel like they are going to explode with the pressure. I am literally sitting here with my mouth agape, because no air is passing through my nose. My teeth ache. The thing I look forward to every few minutes is my ears sometimes popping when I swallow--feels great. I am seriously considering taking pain pill to deal with this right now. I can't even blow my nose--nothing comes out. I hurt.

Random recent photos

Don't I look like an amazing boater?! Too bad I accidentally ended up backwards in the rapid (that's why I'm smiling)



The one of the sticker says "I voted", but backwards :)

YAY! Green Snot!

So, happily my exams are over. I finished writing a three page poem/story in rhymed iambic pentameter last night--seriously hard stuff. But now I'm done. And now I'm pretty sure I have a sinus infection. I kept hoping it was just a cold, and I even tried the salt water in the nose thing (which my nose was so stuffed up I couldn't even get it UP there). I made a doctors appointment for 2:15 today. I REALLY don't want them to put me on antibiotics though because I'm going to the beach next week and I know taking meds and being in the sun is not good. Ugh. Anyone have any home cures for a sinus infection??? I'll try pretty much anything. Uck, and my throat hurts too. Ignorance is not bliss my friends. I probably could have nipped this in the bud had I gone to the doctor LAST week. So, now it's a beautiful sunny day, I have no more exams or homework, and all I feel like doing is sleeping. But I can't sleep cause my nose is so stuffed up. And my armpits and bikini line hurt :(. I waxed last night. I've never tried doing my armpits before and they are quite a bit more painful than the bikini line. For some reason that part isn't too bad for me. I really wish I could sleep like the dog does. He's just laying in front of the window oblivious to the world. Ugh.

Exams

Today starts exam week for me. I am already in the library at Western; have been since 8. My first exam isn't till 12, but I have a study session starting at 9. This weekend has been kind of hectic for studying, so I haven't really accomplished much. The gray water from out house has been slowly (well, now slowly, at first quickly) leaking into the back yard. We're on city sewer, but somewhere between our house and the road there's a backup. Hopefully someone is snaking it today, and PLEASE pray there is not a break in it somewhere. Also, the Honda is in the shop cause it needed a new right axle. These both happened this weekend. Good stuff. PLUS, the after-prom, which I forgot I volunteered for, was Saturday night from 10-5 (yes, a.m.). Even though it was a blast I'm still exhausted. My eyes have got some serious baggage; if I was on the computer w/ the camera I would take of picture of them for you. Again, it's been a long time since I have blogged, but hopefully that will come to an end with my exams. This weekend we'll be making the trip home for Mame's 80th birthday party and for Gmama's mother's day lunch. I'm excited to see the family. On Sunday evening I'll be heading off for my girl's week at the beach, which I am SO ready for--I seriously need some "girls only" time. Then it's back to work for the summer. Well, that's pretty much all I got. I need to get a caffeine drip going if I'm gonna stay awake for the rest of the day. Love you guys! I've been enjoying reading everyone else's blog!

P.S.

PRIMARIES ARE TOMORROW!!! DON'T FORGET TO VOTE! THIS VOTE IS NOT ONLY FOR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES BUT ALSO FOR LOCAL THINGS LIKE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND SOME REPRESENTATIVES!!! IT AFFECTS YOU!!!!!! SO VOTE!