Well, today’s the day folks. Today’s the day I, LEIGH EDDY, get to drive a 14 foot
U-Haul truck to Bryson City, North Carolina. Today’s MOVING DAY! Dave and I are OFFICIALLY moving into our new apartment today. We got ALMOST everything into the u-haul last night, w/ only a slight gash to Dave’s finger (not his ring finger thankfully). We have gotten our furniture for a VERY good deal; an aunt who’s a great bargain hunter found them for us. We have almost everything we need! I’m SO EXCITED! Mostly about driving the u-haul, cause it’s friggin big and I can pretend I’m really in a Hummer (for all of you who don’t know an original Hummer is my dream…umm…vehicle, you can really classify it as a car, black would be preferable, but I’m not apposed to camouflage). Well, we’ll see you guys later! Only 8 MORE SLEEPS TILL THE WEDDING!!!!

first day of the rest of my life

Well, I'm sub-ing at Graystone Day Charter School for the last time. It's bittersweet really, but all I can think of is the sweet right now, lol. Next week Dave and I, w/ the help of my parents and a couple of heavy duty vans, will be moving into our first "house" together. I'm REALLY excited! The first class of the day I was just thinking about where we could put this or that, or saving for getting a TV to go w/ the DVD player we got for a gift (lol), or figuring out how the heck to turn on the light ovet the sink (cause for some reason it got wired wrong and NONE of the switches turn it on!). Then I think, 2 weeks from today I'll be getting married tomorrow...yeah, it sounds weird, but think about it for a minute, it'll click. Or 3 weeks from today my honeymoon will be mostly over! (sad, I don't like that one)...but the list goes on. 4 weeks from tomorrow I'll be learning how to raft guide (extremely scarry, I wouldn't recommend being in my boat for a few weeks). But THEN I think, 5 weeks from now, I'll have been married for a MONTH! Ok, so none of this is really relavant, other than to say: I'm really looking forward to what God is bringing me, and the life that lies ahead. Have a great Easter guys, go to a sunrise service and remember what Christ did for us, and how powerful our God is, HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD!

takin a shower....well not really

Yesterday was the wedding shower, it was REALLY great! There were tons of people here that I hadn't seen in YEARS! We got lots of good stuff for the house, and I had a great time chattin to my girl friends. My sister-n-law made this super cute thing for the center piece. It was a "cake" made out of towels! It had lil fake pearls and flowers draped over it, SO cute. My big sis couldn't come though, and that was really sad, cause I know she really wanted to be there, and I really wanted to share it with her too, especially since she was one of the ones that put it all together. Her whole family was sick, and she had to stay home and take care of them. And another cool thing happened yesterday...i found out that Bruce, Glenda, and Candice are all coming to the wedding!!!! I AM SO EXCITED! And Candice got a new job! She even asked off for the wedding during the negotiations for it, SO SWEET! Dave got to go work w/ my big brother yesterday too (so he wouldn't have to stay around and be surrounded by girlie talk), and they got to know each other a bit better. My brother works in heating and airconditioning and he was just doin some work for some of his relatives, so he asked Dave along to help out! Well anyways...that's all the big news from yesterday.

Oh, the results of my 2 week diet are in! I haven't lost that much weight, but I do need to excercise m0re, those are the results. So i'm going to start running and doing sit-ups, and so on...ugh...but hey, ya gotta do what ya gotta do...I'll only get to go to Hawaii once most likely.

screening the inside, my first "spicer long" blog

I'm sitting here substituting, watching the kids do their in class work, and I think what I wanted and wondered at their age. I remember I just wanted life to be simpler, to figure things out easier, to be liked, to control my temper, to find "the guy" who could love me forever, and for God to just TELL ME what I should do with the rest of my life. Now I look at that list and think, "wow, not much has changed since highschool." I still want life to be simpler, to figure things out easier, to be liked, to control my temper, and for God to tell me what to do w/ my life. The only thing I know is who God wants me to be with...who he wants to help me with the things I struggle with. And then I look back and think, "wow, I really screwed up the majority of the life I lived." I decided to be this person who was tough all the time, who LIKED when people were intimidated or scared of them. My Dad use to always use this illistration with me, because I was always pushing the limits of the rules in our house. He use to say, "Leigh, God has made me your umbrella, to protect you from the things in this world that would only hurt you, but if you choose to step out from under the umbrella, I can't help you any longer." I stepped out, and boy did it rain on me. I got hurt lots, and I would always tell people that I was "fine, that I just have to learn things the hard way." Have you heard that from someone? It's just a bunch of ignorance. They don't have the learn things the hard way, they just don't want to listen to the right way, cause then they would have to admit they were wrong. I've told people for years that I don't regret what I went through in highschool and university--that those bad experiences made me who I am today. Well, part of that is true...but I'm a very scarred person today. God has blessed me so much in this past year and a half. He has brought into my life the most wonderful people, and He guided me to a wonderful Godly man. During University he gave me Sheena, to look out for me, to warn me, and to pick up the pieces when I disregarded her advice, which was so often I cringe. Late last year He gave me back a friendship I thought I'd lost from highshool...Blaire I love you so dearly, and I value your friendship like gold. But now, I look at what is in the past, and I just want to shelter my younger sister from that. I cry for her sometimes, begging God to let her be the Godly women I wish I would have been through those hard highschool years. I also look forward, to what God can do in my life, and hope I will have the faith, and God's hope in me, to push forward, and use my scars and a living example to how God can change someone to drastically. Thank you Spicer, for being my godly friend. Thank you Molly, for noticing me this summer, I looked up to you SO much. Thank you Katy, for being such a good example. Thank you Candice, for keeping me sane and listening to my sorry pitty parties, for being my friend, for dancing on the table with me. Thank you Scott, for paying attention to me on the bike trips, I'll never forget our tumbles and fall together. Thank you Sheena, for always sticking w/ me. Thank you Dave, for loving me when I wasn't lovable. Thank you God, for saving this poor soul.

single...what's that? lol

Well, since it's been going around like a plague, I decided to put MY views on the "to be single or not to be single" issue. I agree w/ all of Dee's reason for having a boyfriend, they are ALL right, especially number 6...boy is that EVER a good reason, especially if you're going to a REALLY STRICT Christian university...it's like a curse if you're not engaged by the end of your freshmen year (clearly I was an outcast, lol). However there are the extra things, the ones THAT MATTER, that are also good reason to have a special someone.

1. They let your cry on their shoulder when they have no clue why you're crying (and sometimes they don't even try to fix it! that's a good thing, for the clueless boys that are reading this, unless you WANT them to fix it, then it's a VERY bad thing, but it's your job to figure that one out...sucka!)
2. They learn to love your family, regardless of the quirks or weird, stressful habits they may have (which is a lot in my family, especially the busy, stress stuff, CONSTANT, you're so awesome Dave).
3. They do stuff they may not like to do, alot! (say like, shopping, or in Dave's case, being lazy and sitting on the couch and doing nothing, it's hard for antsi people like Dave).
4. They will pretend to LIKE chic flix (and maybe they do, just a lil, inside, and you'll even see them get misty eyed from time to time).
5. They love you no matter what you look like...when you wake up and have weird, frizzy, HUGE hair (referring to myself), and they LIKE you, even PREFER you w/ no make-up on, and they love that old t-shirt that you won't wear out in public cause it's got a hole in it, and those baggy jeans that make you look prepubescent (sp?)...because no matter what, they're gonna stand by your side, and try to protect you, and fight your battles, and be your biggest fan....even on "the days" a month a wake up yelling for no reason and wanting to hate the world....on those days they think you're cute.

That is why I love my significant other. Because he's SO significant. He was my best friend when I thought my world was crashing from my last failed relationship, when I was battling sickness in the "November" issue of LDP, when I needed someone to tell about the kid in my group at Medeba that wouldn't listen to a thing I said and kept running away, or eating snow all day but never doing anything else....and then...he became more. But it never would have been that way had he not been my friend, the one I wanted to tell EVERYTHING to,..and I still do.

I GOT THE JOB!!!...is that good?

I officially have a job at Nantahala Outdoor Center now. I start the 17th of April, or sooner if we find a house REALLY quick, lol. I'm still a bit shocked, I talked myself into doubting I'd get the job, so now I don't know what to do! But, since most of the wedding plans are done, there's really not so much to plan or worry about, well, other than finding a house and continuing to work on Dave's visa (which is coming along well, thanks for asking!). Dave has just gotten his physical for the visa (shots and all) and we're moving forward a bit more now since I do have a job in line. So, thank you for all the prayers that have been dedicated to our visa struggles, they are SOOOO much appreciated, and please continue praying with us.
As for the wedding plans, we have the wedding bands, Dave's getting fitted for his wedding attire, I'm losing weight for mine :), and we're deciding on music for the wedding and reception. We're also still involved in pre-marital counseling, which is going REALLY well. We had a session today, and it was really great just to sit down w/ a young married couple and talk about things they have already been through, and things we will go through.
I just got side tracked talking to my mom and now I don't know what I was gonna blog about that was so exciting, oh well, maybe i'll remember later. I do have a new reader though! That's exciting! HI ADAM! (It's Dave's cousin, his soon to be best man too!) I guess this is a good place to get some spying done on future family, lol. Hope you don't see anything TOO upsetting.
Jeez...i've had Usher in my head all day...hold on i'm getting kissed by my gorgeous fiance...anyway, i've been dancing around the kitchen all day to his music...even in the car...you have to admit he is one beautiful man.
On that note...sweet dreams everyone!!!

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