Bruises were immanent, death was assumed

This past Thursday we had a trip of 44 duckies. On these duckies were children in the 6th grade. If you calculate right...that means we had 44 6th graders...good job. Imagine, a sea of yellow w/ paddles flying everywhere, and trying to heard these masses off of ALL the rocks, trees, and rapid holes on the river. Yes folks, that was my day. I was assumed it would not be a fun filled day, because I was the sweep. I hate being in the back, you always get stuck w/ the teacher/kid that just CAN'T figure out how to paddle, no matter how many times you tell them they're hold their paddle backwards. Well, the day got even better when we got in the area of "turtle rock." Turtle rock is one of the most dangerous rocks on the Nanty. It looks all cute and shaped like a turtle, but it's undercut, which means the water goes under the rock. Several people have died under this rock, really. They float under it and can't float back out. Well a kid in a duckie gets stuck right ON this rock. So I go over to push him off before he tips over. I get him off, and then the current tips MY boat over and pins it on the rock. While trying to push my boat off and not get sucked under I'm banging around and it was just NOT nice. I finally get my boat un-stuck and get back into it. My left shin looks like a pinllata(sp? spell check just didn't have it!) it has so many colors, and my neck turns to the right...sometimes. So there's my saga...i have to go back to work now. Just thought I'd entertain you w/ my life for a few minutes. Sure sure...enjoy yourself while I'm in pain...thanx alot.

the LDP way....

today was my day off, something I had looked forward to since I found out I would have a full day off. I had it all planned out. We would sleep late, make a full Southern breakfast of eggs, grits, and bacon, biscuts on the side (and throw in a good cup 'o tea for Dave)and then painting and strawberry picking in the afternoon. Sounds glorious huh? Yes, it would have been. But at 10:00 this morning, while the grits were simmering and the biscuts were burning, my wonderful boss Cindy calls. She wants to know if I can guide this afternoon because a huge group is showing up and they're short a few guides (try 5). At first I think, "No, I'm not giving up my wonderful day w/ my husband"...but then the money starts to talk, "You're not getting many hours this week, and last month's start up phone bill still has to be paid!" So, what do I say? Yes, I would love to, I need the hours. I sorrowfully smile and my wonderful husband, who is completely understanding, and says it was a choice he understands, and that there is plenty of time for strawberry picking later. So, we have till 1 pm to spend time together. We ditch the dishes (which are already 3 days old but stacked neatly in a huge, dirty pile...so sorry mom), and go to ACE Hardware to buy some paint. See, we got these old wooden chairs from my grandmother, and the only restraint was that we MUST NOT bring them back. Then we got this funky idea to make them chairs that resembled what our fun side, or what we really liked, would be like. So, we're both painting them bright colors w/ lots of pictures, then adding our favorite magazine cut-outs. Dave's will probably have lots of rock climbing and kyaking involvment, and mine will be a lot of Glamour magazine and hippie stuff (along w/ some kyaking and rock climbing, lol). After the painting, off to work I went, and he came along and rock climbed while I guided some Puerto Ricans and Floridians down the river. It was a mulitguided trip, as my co-worker Stephan would say, because the Puerto Rican man in front of me kept trying to steer the boat, but what can ya do, he's on his vacation and you can only tell him politely once that you can't steer when he is doing that. It was a good afternoon all in all; then we hung out at the Paddler's Pub and watched "Absolutely Fabulous" (a show which you BBC lovers would probably appreciate). So that's my day. Sorry I didn't fill ya in on the last week, since it's been since then since I wrote, but hey, I'm married now, I gotta have a FEW secrets. ~off into the mystery I ride....on my raft~

High as a kite...but not on Hokah

Well, today I FINALLY got to do the famed NOC ropes course. I have been helping run groups through, but I actually got officially trained today. So, I conquered the ropes course...although I have to say, the swing at the end still took my heartbeat up a couple of notches. I had to count to three and then just close my eyes and go...scary stuff, but cool I could still get the rush. I also scalded my shoulders and neck, so now I'm a redneck...it only took 21 and 3/4 years, but it finally happened (my younger brother has been waiting for this day).
So, for all of you who like me are nieve and don't know what Hokah is, I shall tell you (because I didn't know till, oh...Sunday afternoon). But I must tell you the story that preceedes it first, it's only fair. So we walk into this shop in Asheville, a very cool shop I must say, and just start browsing. I immediately started looking at the really cool throw pillows (the housewife in me is kickin in). Then I noticed the "drug" parafanellia (sp?)...or at least that's what it LOOKED like. There were these MASSIVE water bongs. However (or at least this is what my obviously very 'in the know' husband tells me) they would not actually work on pot. Hokah (you get to find out now...excited???) is an instrament in which you smoke very wet (sometimes flavoured) tobacco. This store actually had tons of different flavors, including: grape, apple, margarita, taquilla...etc etc. The guy even said he could mix the flavours so you could get an Apple Margarita! So downstairs from this shop was the actual Hokah bar. And there ya have it folks, now ya know. There was also some cool mullet shampoo that I thought Shawn Pyle would love to have had, and a cool mullet care kit...I still may send it up to him, but he would have LOVED to see it...here's to you Shawn, one who is always infinately fascinated w/ mullets.
tomorrow I clean life jackets in the morning because the dam on the river is still not fixed...fun stuff. sianara! I know that's misspelled, give me a break, I was homeschooled! lol WARNING!: the previous joke is only to be replicated by homeschoolers. If otherwised stated by another party, aforementioned homeschooler will turn into mad, defensive, homeschool monster and claw eyes out.

a beautiful walk in the park.....

well, we didn't get to go in the duckies on Saturday...cause the dam was broken! Yup, when we got to NOC all ready to go, we looked at the water...and well...there wasn't much to look at. There were lots of lil kids floatin in the non-existant rapids. Even Wesser Falls (the grade 5 rapid) looked pretty dinky. But, we waded in the river and skipped rocks, and Dave found me a VW Matchbox bus, so it was all good. Then we went up to Cherakee and walked around too, good stuff. Then that night we went to Dave's photo shop where he volunteers and he took pix of us in old-timey clothes. It was so fun! It reminded me of playing dress-up w/ B as a kid. Good stuff.
Yesterday we dropped Bethany off to mom and dad, and then spent the rest of the day just walkin around Asheville. We saw some of the most incredible art work and really cool shops. We ate lunch in a park, and Dave fought off the dirty pigeons for me very valiantly. Then we walked into a privately owned, non-chain related bookstore of a pretty good size (amazing hey? it wasn't a Barnes & Nobles!!!) and bought a magnetic poetry set! We've both wanted one for quite some time, so it was neat that we finally bought one. Then we found a coffee shop called "Old Europe" and had some deliteful coffee and the MOST enticely delicious keylime pie I've EVER tasted. We drank our coffee and played w/ our magnetic poetry set on the silver tray that where our delicasies sat. It was wonderful. Then I got a really cool silk hat! And we met a traveling artist on the curb (we gave him our change, and he gaves us some poetry!). It was a great day, I'll let Dave tell ya about the guy that stopped us in the street to tell us about his dead mother and a really amazing church and that he likes to party...OH and the Hokah bar...but that's his story to tell :). beautiful day.

sis is here!

Bethany and family finally arrived yesterday around 3:30. Mom did a quick scope of the place and we got advice from the Everettes on TV antennas and they were off to the Wild's for the weekend. So, now it's just B, Dave, and I, left to our own devices.
Last night Dave cooked spaghetti and B and I prepared the salad and extras, then we were off to see Monster-N-Law at the movies. Yes, that IS the one w/ Jennifer Lopez in it, and no, I'm NOT a huge fan of hers. BUT, B was the guest, so we let her pick...and boy are we glad! Cause it was HILARIOUS! Yes folks, J Lo picked a good script this time (maybe it has something to do w/ her NOT putting one of her fiance's/ husbands in the film, but who knows...I pitty Mark Anthony..ahem..her husband, jeez you people are NOT up on your movies stars are ya now). So, if you're looking for a funny, NON chick-flick comedy, go see it! Dave and I both loved it!
So in about an hour we're off to take some duckies down the river! Neither Dave nor B have gone on duckies before, so I'm excited...I just hope the ducky's don't get too tired, that always sorta sux...lol...I'm hilarious. I'll keep yas posted!! Toodles!

Good times...

So Mother's Day weekend at home was great. I really enjoyed seeing the family, and I think my mom was actually pretty surprised!!! Cool deal.
Now I'm back at work waiting for dinner time to roll around so I can go host my group...well...Stephan's group, but we switched, so whatever. I was out on the ropes course all day today, and BUDDY was it hot. I was melting! Just thought I'd tell ya that Buddy. Buddy's not use to warm weather, he lives in Alaska, I just like making him jealous....HA HA SUCKA!!! Anyways, tomorrow I'm back on the river w/ a corporate group. We're doin something really cool too! It's called a "team building raft trip." There are 4 parts to the Nanty that they will guide...they get to decide who in the group will guide. The leaders and I aren't in the boats, we're in lil duckies along side of them. At certain points on the river they get to choose whether or not to do different challenges, like guiding blindfolded, hitting rocks and spinning, or catching eddies. I think it'll be cool!
Most importantly tomorrow, MY LIL SIS IS COMING TO SEE OUR NEW PLACE AND STAY THE WEEKEND! I'm really excited to spend some time w/ Bethany, I really miss not seein her all the time. I'm gonna take her on a duckie trip on Saturday too! WUHOO! Well, I better not make this blog much longer...so i just wanted to tell you guys that our wedding pictures should be up on www.1photofactory.com pretty soon! So check 'em out! LOVE YAS!

Happy Mother's Day

Don't forget people! Tomorrow is MOTHER'S DAY. And if you did forget, send flowers and a nice card...ASAP! And if it's really bad, send a gift certificate for a massage or manicure...that should definitely help. I'm back at my parents house this weekend. I surprised my mom by showing up at my nephews b-day party today and am staying for the mother's day dinner tomorrow night! Anyways, I just wanted to blog quickly....but I had this thing on my mind that I read from "a mommy's blog" (the link on my page to a random mom's blog). She was talking about unlikely angels coinciding w/ past relationships. A few years ago I had been through some tough relationships that ended up making me feel pretty worthless when all was said and done. Then, I started dating one of my friends that I had known for a lil over a year. He was the first non-Christian I ever dated officially, and he was the nicest guy I had yet to date at that time. He treated me with respect, he protected me, let me cry when I needed to, we hung out with his parents (who I actually really loved--and they loved me too...of course!). We just hung out, and talked LOTS about everything in our every day lives, and things we wanted to do, and what we really believed in (sometimes spiritual sometimes not). It was a short relationship, it lasted for that summer. Actually, the end was decided before we started dating. Weird huh? We just decided we would date for the summer because he was going to college, and I was going away too. I came out of that summer w/ a lot more courage and respect for myself than I went into it. He was and is still a wonderful person whom I admire very much for his strong, moral character, but I couldn't share my faith w/ him. That summer my faith was very weak, I really didn't care about it much. But the funny thing w/ God is, once we give ourselves to Him, He's not just gonna give us up just because we're walking away from Him. He's going to pull us steadily back towards Him, and keep reminding us that "hey, I love you, and you belong to Me." Well, what I wanted to say here is that that guy was sorta like my unlikely angel. He made me believe in good guys again. He made me believe in good friends again. And even though he wasn't a Christian, he helped push me back to my faith. To you summer boyfriend, I will forever remember you, and continue to pray for you.

Ants!!! ¬not the movie¬

statement: I hate ants
truer statement: i hate ants in my kitchen, crawling all over my sink!!!
We have ants. I have squished many an ant in the past week. I have drowned, salted, and poisoned ants this week....and yet....we still have ants. I need some heavy duty ant killers people...suggestions?
So, I'm feeling better, if any of you were wondering, your sleepless nights are over.
The LDP chilli night went wonderfully, thanx to my mom for supplying the recipe. The LDP loved it! They scraped the crock-pot clean! And of course we supplied them w/ lots of corn bread, and...sshhhh, don't tell Spicer....ice cream for dessert! We had a blast hangin out and swapin horror stories of a 10 month Medeba journey...:)...lol. Then most of them piled into our living room and watched "Bourne Identity", while Emily tried to explain to Michael where they were going the next day. She kept asking him, "so do you know where it is now?" And he would say "no, somewhere around Asheville." Ah Michael, still as clueless as ever. So, it was fun anyways.
And that's my news folks. If you are wondering why you haven't seen any wedding pix yet, it is because...well...NEITHER HAVE WE! Whenever we can get back to my parents area and finally look at them, then I'll tell ya a site you can look at them on.
Now I must go back to my slaughter of the ants....~BATTLE CRY~ AAAAAAAHHHH

Beef, it's what's for dinner

It brings ya back to the old days...the old days of working w/ LOGS of ground beef at Medeba, and even longer back, at camp Merriwood for me. Yesterday we bought a 10 lb log of beef. See, tomorrow Dave and I are cooking chilli for 15 people. That chilli needs 4 lbs of beef, and we wanted 1 for last night's dinner. So, when we got to the store, and saw that buying 10 lbs of beef would be the cheapest way to do it, we jumped right into the mass of blood. Sounds delicious when I put it THAT way huh? lol Well, the LDP won't be reading this till AFTER they eat it, so at least they'll have THEIR appitite.
We bought a TV last night. Yep folks, we now own a 20' tv...although we don't actually get tv channels. We watched Boune Supremacy on our brand new tv. Let me tell ya, it's nice to curl up on your couch w/ your hubby after a long day at work, and just watch a movie and eat Hamburger Helper (psst...that's what we were eating).
Today I took my first sick day at work. We went to a flee market yesterday and I starte sneezing in the masses. I THOUGHT it was just allergies, but when it lasted all night (incurring no sleep for me) and on into today, Dave decided I was sick. I didn't decide that until everything started spinning and my head floted off to some amusement park somewhere (dangit, why didn't it take ME with it!!! I mean, come ON, it needs legs to get on SOME rides!!!). So, hopefully I will be fine tomorrow. Ok, let me refrase that. I HAVE to be fine tomorrow, I have no choice but to work. I have a group, and there's no one to take over for me. So tomorrow, no more whining, I must suck it up and be a big girl...and go to work. So long guys...I have to go to the potty.

Scotty too hottie

Tonight Scotty too hottie is staying at OUR house! Can ya believe it!!! He came ALL the way from CANADA just to stay with US!!! Ok, not really. He came all the way from Canada to paddle rivers with the 2005 LDP, and they just happened to be in town. So N E WAYZ, he's stayin here. We just had a nice dinner at Pizza Hut, and now him and Dave are chillin on our "porch". I use that term lightly cause, well, it's hard to explain. If ya ever see it you'll know.
So I had my training on the Alpine Tower on Sunday, and guess what??? It SNOWED all morning!!! I'm tellin ya, the weather down here has been weirdly VERY COLD lately, but hey, that's what fleece is for right? Did my second raft trip today, NOT with girl scouts. But I gotta tell ya, just because ya got healthy adults in your boat, doesn't mean they paddle better than the girlscouts, cause they didn't. Somehow we managed to get stuck on a rock on river left before going over the last rapid of the river (which just HAPPENS to be the biggest), and we went down BACKWARDS. Well, it was fine and all, there's a first time for everything right? It was fun anyways. That's all for now folks. Gotta get to bed! I'M A WORKIN GIRL YA KNOW!
Thanks for all the comments by the way. They've all been SUPER sweet and encouraging. I love you all so much!

from the place where marriage is....

Before I say anything else...HAPPY BIRTHDAY B!!! My lil sister, Bethany, turned Sweet 16 today!!! I'm sorry I wasn't able to be there B, but I love you with all my heart babes, and I'll have you up to see our place soon!!!!

So, I have now been married one week and one day…weird huh...but it's GREAT! I love being able to come home to him every day, and having someone sleeping beside me. Married life is good. I know it won't be easy, but at leaste we'll have each other to lean on to get through the tough spots. ANYWAYZZZ.... Dave and I are moved in to our new house in Bryson City….w/ a few boxes here and there and MANY “thank you” cards to write. By the way, if you are one of those people that haven’t received your “thank you” card from us for your wonderful wedding presents, it’s coming, promise, just give it a week or 2.
Well, since the day we got back from our honeymoon, which was last Sunday, I’ve been working constantly and Dave’s been playing the “housewife” for the week; cleaning and arranging various things. I think I’ve said “Dave where is ____,” or “Dave, where did you put my ____” at least 30 times in the past several days. But, work is great! I’ve met some really awesome people and I did my VERY FIRST trip guiding a raft down the Nantahala today! It was cold and rainy, and I had a girl scout group who didn’t paddle much, but it was still fun . Tomorrow I train on the ropes course, and then I’ll get to start working there. Yesterday Dave and I paddled a kyak again for the first time since LAST Spring, it was a lil shaky, but it came back to us surprisingly fast. We also watched the movie “Deliverance” at the Paddler’s Pub at NOC (open every night from 5-10). The guy who started NOC, Payson, was actually a stunt double in the movie, and was the person who recommended filming the movie at the Chatooga river, a couple of hours away from NOC. So, that’s why we watched it. Well anyways, I’ve been exhausted at the end of every day, so I’m heading to BED!!! I hope to hear from you all comment wise! I’ll try to return to my e-mailing schedule soon!

the wedding....and beyond....from HAWAII!!!

hI GUYS! I'M IN HAWAII...and I took time out of my relaxation to blog to YOU! The wedding was BEAUTIFUL....and I pulled through with only breaking down crying fully once...and only partially during the ceremony. I cracked a lil while trying to say my vows. It did rain a lil, so we had it at the the Depot where our reception was, but it was still gorgeous...I can't wait to get pictures on here! The whole day I was telling myself "treasure this, remember this, GOd please let me remember every moment of this day." Everyone was popping in to see me before the wedding, and they were like, "are you tired of smiling for pictures yet?" I just kept saying, and thinking, "no, these are real smiles, all I think of when they say smile is 'I'm getting ready to get married to Dave!'" The reception was wonderful, our DJ, and my long time friend of the family, Marty, was great. He got everyone involved dancing, and the dances w/ my Father were SOOOO special. I loved every minute of it. Then, after my brother and younger sister decided last minute to trash the car, we left for our honeymoon! We didn't fly out for Hawaii until noon the next day, and the flight went REALLY great, and that's an accomplishment, considering I really don't like flying. Anyways, the weather here is BEAUTIFUL, and VERY hot. Dave and I both got burnt yesterday, but we covering ourselves in ALOE and sunscreen today. Our hotel room is ocean front, and has these huge windows we can open to catch the breeze and watch the surfers. We have so many things we want to do! Sometime this week we're gonna rent Mopeds and go scoot around the island, and today we're going to ride on a huge...well...i don't know what you call it, but it looks like a water trycicle...it has HUGE plastic tires that keep us up. We're also gonna go hiking to see the beautiful mountains a couple of miles away, and the waterfall around there, and maybe get a 2 person kyak and have some fun w/ that. Well, that's it for now! I'll update you guys more when I get home. I just want to send a special note to my parents and my family that were involved in the wedding: Guys, thank you so much for making my day so special. I could feel the love all day, from brunch w/ just the girls, to the father/daughter dance, to the hugs from my brothers....I love you all SOOOO much. Jeez, I'm almost crying now...ok...gotta stop this before Dave gets back from getting breakfast for us. I love you ALLL!!!!

the "end of days," "down to the wire," "cuttin it close".....etc etc

Well folks, the movin in went good! We got everything nice and tidey in our news lil apartment...and I got a brand new orange waterproof jacket (that was a side note but hey, there was a big thing at NOC, so I got a great deal, lol). Anyways, the apartment is ready for when we come back from Hawaii on the 17th.
Other than that, I'M FREAKIN OUT! There are 2, COUNT THEM, 2 MORE SLEEPS till the wedding...TWO! Yes, Dave is staying w/ his groomsmen for the next 2 nights, and I'm here...well, going nuts. I'm not having second thoughts, let's get that out of the way, cause I KNOW you were thinkin of asking....but I am getting nervous....ok so I'm nervous...well really just a small nervous wreck. BUT, I'll be fine. The rehearsal is tomorrow, there's an 80 percent chance of rain tomorrow, and clouds and scattered showers on Friday. So none the less, our outdoor wedding will probably be under a shelter...and not at the exact location where our Plan A was...but Plan B is pretty also, so I'm not sweatin that. OK, so for all of you not coming to the wedding, and just reading this, PLEASE pray that I don't lose it that day and forget his wedding band, or my dress, or the vows we wrote for each other, etc etc etc......I want to be relaxed. Just pray that God would give us BOTH peace and joyfulness that day. Anyways, toodles till later! Don't know when that will be!

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 :).