Bored yet?

I realize that I am blogging less and less because I now realize that if you don't have anything interesting to say, why would people wanna read it??? So, my imagination is cooling I suppose. The last interesting blog I wrote was Sir Frog...good stuff i thought, but what do i know, i was sick. Well, I guess I'll just blog anyway, hey, if you're bored you're gonna read it anyways right?
It's 12:43 and I'm already hungry again; I ate at 11:25....so sad. I'm on a diet right now to lose a few extra pounds before the wedding. DON'T FREAK OUT, it's a healthy diet. It's the Special K diet....you eat Special K cereal for 2 meals a day for 2 weeks, and you're suppose to lose a jean size. I wanna do it for 4 weeks, but I'm pretty sure I'll be REALLY tired of Special K by then. You can eat whatever you want for the 3rd meal, as long as you don't eat more than your usual portion. Inbetween meals you're suppose to eat veggies and fruit, and munchies like granola (not the chocolate chip kind) and a lil yogurt for snacks. I eat raisins and apples most of the time...and splurge every couple of days w/ a half a peanut butter sandwhich around 3 in the afternoon. I've only been on this diet for...hmmm....5 days...9 more to go! Then I'm still gonna have to be really careful and watch my weight so I don't gain it back before the wedding. Anyways, that's what I've been up to pretty much. You're suppose to drink 8 oz of water every 2 hours too, because that makes you less hungry and helps flush out the bad stuff. Dave and I went hiking at the local state park on Saturday, that was alot of fun, great weather for it, and we saw TONS of deer. And then later that day Dave went to the climbing competition, and I was SO proud of how he placed. He thought he was doing really badly, but you know how he is, never taking credit for anything. I was really proud of him :).

sad, but true

Well, went to see a movie yesterday...called Million Dollar Baby. It's the new film that Clint Eastwood directed, and stared in as usual. It got rave reviews, so I decided to give it a try. The reviews were RIGHT ON. It was a wonderful movie, but it had it's sad parts, I cried a couple of times. t was really well made though, even though it was sometimes hard to watch women boxing (looks REALLY painful). I won't tell you how it goes, cause I think you should see it.
I still want to see Hitch, the new Will Smith movie. If anyone's seen it I'd like to know what you thought of it. It looked pretty funny.
Didn't really have much else to say today. Dave started a blog yesterday. I have it linked here on my page, so go check it out! It's pretty good...but not as good as mine of course...lol.

HELLO from the birthplace of Krispy Kream

HI guys. I'm in Winston Salem today, and yesterday actually...just takin care of my good friend Sheena. She tore some thing in the arch of her foot, I can't remember the name but it actually sounds like an expensive clothing line, lol.
Had my interview w/ NOC on Monday. I think it went really well, although it took us AGES to get there. The weather was horrible that morning, it was raining cats and dogs and some ice too. And of course you know when cats and dogs are together they don't get along, so obviously it wasn't nice. I was a bit nervous in the interview (there were ladybugs all over the ceiling, for those of you that don't know I'm crazy yet, I'm scared of ladybugs). BUT, I managed to ignore them (mostly) and answer any and all questions they had of me and portray how enthused I was about the job.
That night I went to see my cousin Terri for her 21st b-day! Her brother and my cousin Joshua came up for her b-day too. It was great to hang out w/ them...i don't think I ever really have before, just hung out, other than at family gatherings (Thanksgiving/Christmas). It really was a blast, it was SO good to talk to them, and I think Terri likes Dave now...not that she DISliked him before, she just didn't like the idea of me getting married so young. She's a good caring cousin, it's all good.
So, that's my week so far really. Either tomorrow or Friday Dave and I are going climbing at a place in Charlotte called Inner Peaks. It's a REALLY cool climbing gym, but the only one around too, lol.
Well, I'm off to catch up w/ e-mails...i'm e-mailing you back SPICER & Mally! I promise!

quick post of education central

HI guys! I'm at Graystone substituting for a couple of days, THE SICKNESS spread around the teachers, so now they need me! all in my master plan to create money for myself of course....lol. I'm on my lunch break and just thought of my faithful readers; my family, and a sprinkling of friends that read this when their totally board...lol.
Well I finally kicked the THE SICKNESS back to where it belongs (w/ the frogs...HAHA!!!! SIR FROG!). I'm now well and thriving w/ full use of both my nostrils...ah oxygen, good stuff. I'm getting ready for my interview next week, and trying to tie up the ends of those wedding plans that keep on running away from me. Darn strings...always runnin....jeez. Only a few more to do, and we're ready. Of course the most important being finding house and secure job, but that's not the point, that's in God's hands, and He hasn't decided to make those definate yet.
Well, hope you all had a lovely Valentines day, or you at least didn't drown in a pool of chocolate and bad TV all day. I feel like I'm outta touch w/ everyone, so please post so I can see how you're doing! LOVE YOU!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Well, yes, today is the day of loathing for many people, but, I'm going to make you hate me all and say, it isn't for me. When I woke up this morning there was a giant card sitting outside my door, Dave had been working on things in secret all day yesterday. Beside it were lil wooden flowers that he had glued together. Inside the card he had even written a POEM! Yes, it was VERY sweet.
I left him a trail of Snoopy, kids Valentines, w/ a Little Debbies oatmeal cream pie beside each one, leading to a funny poem I had written for him. I was funny to see him trying to pick up all the pies, he kept dropping them and then laughing at himself, it was SO cute.

After we ate cereal together, he told me he had an activity planned for us, and to go to my room till I was told to come out (I told him that didn't sound like much fun, but he insisted). When he told me I could come out there were cooking ingredients trailing to the kitchen. There was 4 different kinds of food coloring, salt, flower, baking soda, veg. oil, a wooden spoon, and a pot! Do you know what that all adds up to???? PLAY-DOH!!! Yes, we made play-doh! Ever since our first date, when he listed that as something we could do that day, I've been wanting to make play-d0h, but we never got around to it! Well, I decided to make the play-doh red, since it IS Valentines day, so we did....then we played w/ it....and of course we had to lick it to see if it tastes the same as the storebought stuff. It doesn't by the way, it's MUCH saltier....lol. It was fun. And tonight we're gonna make our own creations of coffee (mine w/ chocolate and whip cream probably) and play cards, and just enjoy spending time w/ each other. So, yeah, my Valentine was great, and I love him SO much!

welcome to THE SICKNESS...a sad story dedicated to Sir Frog

After having a cold the majority of the time I was in Ireland, and finally conquering it, I have sucummed to the mighty SICKNESS again. It took on 4 days to attack me this time...and it came on much stronger. I now have a heavy cold. It likes to prey on me mostly at night and in the early mornings. Afternoons I sneak away from it and pretend to be a normal person once again, but I am just lying to myself, I know I am defeated by this mighty force, my bedroom wreaks of it's presence. White tissues lie in the corners as a reminder of the night. When the sun comes up it steals away my voice, and leaves a frog's in return. I don't even know this frog, I'm not sure I'm comfortable w/ this arrangement, and does the frog like having my voice? I doubt that very seriously.... the other frogs probably laugh at it, poor thing, they won't even let their tadpoles play w/ the Sir frog (he IS young frog you know, just past tadpole by a few years). Sometimes the "goo" goes away from my nostrils, and for that split second, I CAN BREATH!!! Oh how it torments me though, because then it just switches to the other nostril, teasing me w/ the brief inflow of oxygen to both sides of my head. AAAAAAAAAAAH! I must difuse "the goo" from my head once again...it must be done. My nose begs for me just to sniff, but I cannot give it that brief novelty. Away I go, maybe water from the shower will clear my head of this nightmare and welcome the afternoon of lies....we shall see. You shall get your voice back for the afternoon Sir Frog, but who knows for how long we shall fend away "THE SICKNESS"

the next day of the rest of our lives....

well it's been total planning period the last couple of days. Making lists of all that still needs to be done before THE DAY and trying to get some done. We went to the photographer place today and decided on photo packages, and had our second pre-marital counseling, which went very well. I also have an official interview w/ NOC on the 21st of February. Which could complicate the trip up to NY for ice climbing, since we were suppose to leave that day. BUT, as I found out thru the Medeba grape vine, the LDP this year may not end up going because of someone not being able to leave the country, and other complications. BUT, I'm really excited about the NOC interview, and nervous. I know that I have a really good chance of getting it, but it doesn't pay all that well, and it's not SO close to home. It's an AWESOME job that I would be doing up there, but I'm still praying fervantly and searching which way I should go w/ this. Because if I do take the job, I need to find a house up there ASAP. Their first group comes in on the 13th of March, and they're making the final decision about the job on the 26th of Feb. But anyways, please PLEASE pray for God to show Dave and I which direction we should be heading...if we should stay closer to friends and family, or head towards Asheville. Well that's all for now! Just hangin around here doing some more sub. teaching, and planning the wedding. Gonna go play some board games w/ my family now...BOARD GAMES RULE!!! I like Settlers, props to Steve M. (Monopoly is still my fav. though)

yes i DID make it back alive!

Hello all! I know I haven't blogged in a week, and you're all probably worried sick, ok well not really, but I'm back anyway, just in case you cared. I'm sitting in my favorite hometown T-shirt from our big park fest day, and a worn out pair of black pants. I think they mostly got worn out when I wore them in the snow at Medeba last year, but that just makes them even better. I JUST sent the last of the wedding invites to all over the USA, and one to New Zealand. It feels good.
Well, the flight back went great! I know, amazing considering how awful the one over there was, but good things DO happen to me sometimes. I think I like flying during the day MUCH better than at night. I just watched movies and read magazines and journalled the whole time.

Dave and I have officially been dating a year (as of last Friday), which is still sorta weird considering we're getting married in exactly 2 months. But people get married in shorter time, so I'm not worried about it. I keep reminding him Valentines in coming NEXT WEEK. Boys, let me give you some advice, if you have a g/f, DO NOT forget Valentines. It doesn't have to cost money, it just has to have some care involved. Spend some time planning a picknick, or if it's too cold, do one INSIDE! Anything, just do SOMETHING special. It's next Monday by the way.

Well, I think we're off for a walk. Dave get's bored easily when left alone, and I've been on the computer for at least a half an hour, lol. We've finished the stuff we wanted to accomplish this morning, now we need some beautiful NC fresh air! I just hope it's this gorgeous on the wedding day! It's '65 right now!

So long, farewell, it's time to say a dew...more like a rain....HAHA

This is my last post from Ireland for a long time I believe. I will be leaving for the airport in 45 minutes, and yes, I'm nervous. I really dislike flying, I'm actually a lil scared of it, yup, Leigh is scared of flying. However, I'm going to be a brave girl, and fly all the way home on my own. I think I WILL drug myself w/ Dramamine on the long flight from London to Washington DC though...sleep is better than fear...well I think so anyways, but you have fun w/ bein scared.
The trip here has been fantastic. The scenery has been stunning. The friends I've met were wonderful and funny. The family was welcoming. Now I must go back home, and finish planning the next couple of years of my life...sounds a bit stressful...hmmm...maybe I'll hire out that position, anyone up for the job? I'd rather not sell fish for the next 2 years though, or be a garbage girl, although if I just have to drive the cool truck that's ok. No desk jobs either, unless my job is to tap dance on the desk all day, or make castles out of only desks, tricky, but it could be done.
So long all! If I live to blog again I'll talk to you soon. If not, thanks for being faithful readers and bringing a smile and a bit a laughter to every day....wow, that's a bit morbid. Think of puppies now, no not puppies in blenders Spicer, just cute lil puppies. Maybe I can convince Dave to get a puppy now, doubtful....but it's worth a try!
TOODALOOOOOOO!

grainy pic of Steve's pink climbin pants!!!! OH YEAH!!! 

And the gift goes on....

Helloo friends, I am back from my trip into the beyond, also known as Scottland. Had a great time! I met so many people, but we really had a blast. I didn't see too much stuff, but that wasn't the point of the trip. The point was to meet Dave's friends and enjoy spending time w/ them, which I did. The first night we spent in Glasglow seeing Steve & Amy. Then we went to Graham's flat (Dave's old University flat where he lived w/ Graham and another Dave, both of which are still there). We stayed at Graham's for 4 nights--had dinner w/ his long time girlfriend, played micromachines on the playstation (fun game!), and saw the Edinburgh castle. During that time we also met up w/ Dave's old climbing partner Fiona. She works in the Tiso in Glasglow and is lots of fun. Then on Monday we went to Sarena's flat and Dave made us dinner, then we went to the pub and just talked till closing time. On Tuesday we had a lazy day and then went to the movies w/ Sarena to see Closer (very odd, weird movie, really wouldn't recommend it) and then went to a coffee house/resturant to meet Graham & Mel and Dave T. for dinner. It was good; had a traditional Scottish day meal of haggis & turnip (GOOD STUFF, but don't ask what's in it, I didn't, so I dunno either). Wednesday we came back here, I really like the ferry, it's SUPER nice, nothing like the ferries in NC. It had a movie area, resturants, a pub, and a gift shop. We watched Shrek 2 on the way back, cause Dave hadn't seen it yet. Well that's pretty much it! For those of you that are wondering, the visa thing is still going about the same, we're gonna work more on it when we get back NEXT WEEK!!! See ya then!

i'm all alone, there's no one here beSIDE ME....

yes well, I was just thinking of Donkey singing in Shrek, so I thought I'd give you a lil song and dance...too bad you missed it. Dave's gone off hiking in the Mournes w/ one of his guy friends. They're doing one of those 'man days' where they go climb stuff and jump off stuff and are just generally stupid. It snowed here today, it just rained though, so it's mostly melted already. This guy pulled up w/ 2 kayaks on top, a couple of knee boards or something like that in the boot, and climbing gear. I think they were thinking of doing some snow kayaking, among other things. Who knows what goes on in guys heads? well anyways....
I'm going to rent a girlie movie and watch away. I might also read...and maybe check out ebay, although I've already bid on a $2 head lamp today...just to prove to Dave that ebay works. Watch me never get this one, and then he'll be like "SEE IT'S ALL A SCAM, THEY JUST TAKE YOUR MONEY AND RUN AWAY!!!" Just like that, he's very dramatic sometimes, especially when it comes to gear.
Well tomorrow we are leaving for Scottland for 7 days. Yes, that means if I leave tomorrow, which is a Wednesday, I'll be back the NEXT Wednesday, good job. I finally get to meet all of Dave's university friends, the famed Graham and Serina among them. I'm excited! Well, I'm getting hungry. I forgot to eat breakfast cause I was making Dave's lunch, so I think I'll eat lunch early...it's 11:30 already, it's ok. I'm suddenly REALLY craving a cereal we have in the States call Cookie Crisp (lots of lil chocolate chip cookies!!! FOR BREAKFAST!!!) MMMMM...good stuff.

THIS IS TO YOU SPICER

This goes out to Chris Spicer, of whom makes me laugh EVERY day, w/ either his comments on MY blog, or his post on his. Thanks Spice man, you make my day. Also I think you are the weirdest person I know, and definately the most random, but hey, that's what makes you. You also, of course, are the sexiest, red, bloodied, crack handed man at Medeba. So there ya go. I love you Spicey baby.

scene from the road 

Need Prayer desperately

Hi guys, I just wanted to put a quick prayer request on here. Dave and I checked up on his visa progress today, and the tracking place on the internet said that I was gonna take 120 to 150 days to process the visa. On the paper we filled out in November, it only said 30. A 120 days is AFTER the wedding, which means that the "fiance visa" would be perfectly useless, and Dave would have to leave the country pretty much a week after the wedding. We aren't sure what to do yet. We are pushing around ideas as to call them and see what's going on, and on the more extreme side, get married by the court just for logistics and go ahead and file for a marriage visa (don't freak mom or family, i just tossed the idea out there, just in case). I really don't wanna be seperated from Dave as soon as we're married, so please pray that it will go through quickly and God will give us the wisdom to know what steps to take next.
On a lighter note, there are a few of the pix from the trip we took this week. If you want to see just a couple of Christmas and the engagement party, click on "my photos" link and then the Ireland photo album to see them. I hopefully will be putting more and more photos in that album, so just keep checking up on it.
That's all I have for now, Dave and I are going to attempt to clean up his room, and then go rock climbing. Dave's dad MAY OR MAY NOT be back before then, and HE has the digital camera, so I may not be able to get the prized pic of Steve's pants for ya.
OH GOSH, I ALMOST FORGOT THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE!!! Dave heard from MARTIN TODAY!!!! HE'S NOT IN THE BOTTOM OF A WELL...OR EVEN LOST!!!! However, he has been away from e-mailing these past few weeks, suprise suprise, and is trying to get things in order. He doesn't have a full on job as of yet, and he got hurt a bit back, torn a tenden in his ankle i think, while biking, and had to CRAWL out to the main road. However, he's better now, and is trying to get back into the hang of getting in touch w/ everyone. Molly I told Dave to e-mail him back and tell him you wanted to get in touch w/ him. Anyways, that's IT!
Love you all, thanks SO much for all the support you all give me.

Grinean of Aleach fort, it's circular 

view from the Grinean of Aleach fort 

Mural of boy throwing gas bomb 

I'm back!

Salooo!!! Well the trip to Donegal, S. Ireland was great; although the weather was blustery, and that's an understatement. The first day (Mon.) we drove to Derry first and just took some pix of the murals there and looked in the shops and into one old cathedral. Then we drove on to see an old fort, the name of which I can't pronounce, but it was really cool. Then we went to Ballybofey where we were staying and just nosed around the hotel (very quaint and antiquey, but still up to date, comfy).
Day 2 (that was Tues, are ya getting the hang of this? guess what day 3 will be!!!) we went to a museum first, since it was a bit wet. I picked it just to be outta the rain, but it turned out to be really neat (I'm starting to LIKE museums!!) and it had a jail underneath it that we got to explore and be finger printed in (although it was sorta spooky down there and I jumped several times). Then the weather cleared up and we took a long drive down past Donegal town and on to Bundoran. Bundoran is a very famous surfers haven, so we decided to check it out (even though it's off season for surfers). The waves from the lookout point were GINORMOUS!!! It was amazing to see, and the wind was so strong it was almost blowing us over (the pix of it are hilarious)! Then we got a really cool hoodie from the local surf shop that has Bundoran on it. Then we raced the sun (it was almost 4:15, and it's completely dark by 5:00) to see a waterfall a half hour away. We got there JUST in time and jumped over the "closed" sign to take pix of the waterfall. On the way back we stopped in this pub called The White Horse which had the best food I've had in a LONG time.
Day 3 (no silly, not Friday, it's Wednesday) we did a bit a of a loop on the way home and saw another really cool waterfall out in the middle of a field (we jumped over the sheep fence and took pix) and some beautiful,some snow covered, mountains. Then we broke into a castle (ok, well, we opened the no entrance gate, the castle doesn't open till Easter, so we drove instead of walking the 4 kms to get to it, OK!!!) and took some great pix of it, the gardens were massive. Then we drove home and did a LIL bit of shopping as we went back through Derry.
So there ya go! That's what i've been doing for the last 3 days. No I didn't go trecking off to find Martin, he can keep his goat and coffee at the bottom of the well, I won't even steal his slinky.

i'm leaving...really..no right now...ok 5 mins

hi guys! Yup, ya thought you were rid of me for 3 days, but no, one more post. We were suppose to leave 30 mins ago, but I ended up e-mailin a friend, then he ended up packing more stuff! HE was the one last night complaining about how much stuff I was bringing for 3 days, and now HE'S packed more than I HAVE! Well, I just updated myself on all my friends blogs so I won't be TOO far behind. It's a BEAUTIFUL, DRY, SUNNY day here, in other words, it's a MIRACLE!!! We're off! I'm suppose to be the navigator, so that means we'll probably get lost. I have NEGATIVE sense of direction folks (no matter how many times my dad tried to teach me how to use a compass or read a map...which way is East again???). HOPEFULLY we'll see ya in 3 days, but at least we can't end up in Tennessee this time (long story, tell ya later), lol Sheena! Toodles!