More Potter

So, as MOST of you know, the LAST Harry Potter book came out yesterday--Saturday 21st (got that wrong on my last blog). And no, I am NOT reading it yet. I'm grinding at the bit to do so, but I haven't made it out to Walmart yet and I know I'm going to have to go Tuesday anyway and--sigh--don't want to waste gas. So, I'm trying VERY VERY hard not to sigh loads and whine too much before then. Though every dream I've had recently has been about Harry Potter or his friends. I'm just afraid SOMEBODY'S going to tell me what happens before I read it! So far I've been extremely careful as to what I look at on the internet and magazines. Anything with even a picture of the books I've stayed away from, and I told my friends that if they told me what happens our friendship is OVER!!! Which, of course, is very understandable giving the dire circumstances (this being the VERY LAST~sniff sniff~ Harry Potter book of the series).

--But, I'm holding out---I'll be ok folks, don't worry about me too much, I'm very strong :')

Tuesday something ELSE very exciting is happening (though not quite as exciting as the Harry Potter book I am going to buy that day--of course). Dave and I are closing on our house! We will be purchasing the duplex we live in a continuing to rent out the other side while we live in the side we're in now. I'm SO exciting about FINALLY getting to do some redecorating (yes we really are quite alike Shannon). We've already been talking about paint colors, a new water heater, reroofing, and possibly cutting down a tree in the front drive. Plus we're possibly going to be adding some counter space! VERY EXCITING!

Oh--and Dave made me a picknick talbe the other day!!! It was supposed to be ready for my birthday but just didn't get all the pieces together by then. We've already eaten on it twice! (post pictures soon).

Also on Tuesday I'll be going in to pay for my tuition at school for this next semester and find out the starting date and all that. AND---drumroll please---I'll finally be getting the art for my second tattoo drawn up that day. This is the tattoo I've wanted for almost 8 years now, of a pheonix. I really can't wait to see what they do with the art. I won't be getting it done on Tuesday, they'll just be getting some pictures I've had drawn up and others I've taken from here or there and combining them and tweaking them a bit to made them exactly how I want them.

Anyway-that's enough excitement for one blog I think. Will keep you posted on how everything goes! Peace!

Dude....SWEET

THE NEW HARRY POTTER MOVIE IS TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY AWESOME!!!! If you like Harry Potter at all you will love this movie. And don't forget:

HARRY POTTER BOOK 7 COMES OUT JULY 23RD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MOVIES MOVIES MOVIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well guys, strap yourself in for a good movie review session. I went to see three movies this weekend. Yeah, I know, that's a litte excessive, but, I LOVE movies--I mean, I have a PASSION for film here. So, here's a little info on the movies I saw.

1) Live Free or Die Hard--one action packed movie!!!! Definately worth seeing if you liked the previous movies, or if you just wanna see a kick-ass action film. All I gotta say is "yippe kiyaa..." you know what comes next ;)

2) Transformers--I grew up with my brother's toys from this cartoon. I never knew the backstory though. And to tell you the truth, I was VERY sceptical of this film, I it blew me away. I wasn't sure they could pull off making the Transformers look real, or even good, but CGI was AMAZING! The action was GREAT, and Shia Lebouf played his part with flourish. A go-see movie that's very kid friendly--action between robots and a little language, but other than that it's clean (no sex at all).

3) License to Wedd--skip this film until it comes out on DVD--it's really not that funny, sorry to say. Definately not a best choice for Robin Williams who's usually pretty hilarious. Mandy Moore is obviously not a comedian. John Krasinski (from The Office) is the ONLY redeeming quality about this film and really is the only funny thing about it.


More movie news:!!!!

Harry Potter 5 comes out WEDNESDAY at 12:01 am (i will be seeing it at this time)! Heck YEAH!!! SO STINKIN EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

that's all for now.

Half a day for the 4th

I convinced a guide to take my place on the river today folks. So, I have HALF a day off on the 4th of July!!! YAY!! I must say, it is much needed. I was getting pretty down and weary of endless work. Especially, when I realized it was already July 4th and I go back to school in a month and half!!! Very sad. I need to do some more exciting things with my summer for sure! More movies. More weekend vacations. More hanging at the pub with friends. All these things need to happen for me to complete my summer on a good note. Well, I'm outta here. I'm going to take a nap on my half day off...WUHOO! HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY EVERYONE!!!!

Fun pic of me in fountain at the Biltmore--aren't I cute??? lol

up to...

Had a birthday party on Saturday night. We had a blast. Went to Asheville Pizza and Brewing company and had a great time. They have THE best pizza and the MOST AMAZING rasberry beer. Some of my work friends came and a few people from Bryson as well. Then we stayed and watched a movie there (they do $2 movies on the weekends). Watched "Hot Fuzz." It was funny, I'll admit that, but it was REALLY gory, I was really suprised at all the gore. It was a good time though, very much appreciated.

I feel like I've been working forever. I thought to myself the other day--"I've only been working 5 days....but MOST people only work 5 days in row, I need a day OFF!" But, I don't get a day off till Saturday, so then I'll have worked 10 days in a row w/0 a day off. Oh Well, so goes summer work when you work in the tourist industry. I'm still enjoying it, but I'm DOG tired at the end of the day.

I'm working on the 4th of course, I mean, you can't exactly get off that day when it's gonna be a HUGE rafting day. Plus my department has several groups in this week. But, I'm only working till 5:30 that day, so it won't be too bad. I can celebrate afterwards.

Well, I'm outta here. I gotta plan some stuff for work tomorrow. Peace!

Good birthday so far!

I'm having a good birthday so far. Just sitting in a coffee shop seeing what everyone is up to and using my amazon gift card Helen got me (thanks Helen!). Just thought I would post a picture from the Builtmoore (sp?) Estate from last weekend, I love this pic of B and I. Well, I gotta get to work. My bday party isn't till Saturday, so I gotta work till then :). Thanks for all the birthday wishes (I loved the voicemails Mom and Dad, VERY CUTE!) Love you all!

~L~

memories

Home again at the parents'. Grandfather not doing so well. Just really waiting on him now. Wondering if he's going to get better, but knowing this is probably not. It's difficult. Hard to see him like this. He was always such a strong man, always working in the garden or playing golf or going to Vagas. Please pray for our family during this time.

Relaxin in the sun

Went home for Father's Day weekend and have been spending some quality time with my Mom and Dad. It's been really nice. Sunday the whole family got together at my grandparent's house and all the great-grandkids swam in the pool and played together. It was fun to see them all together. Then Monday Mom and I went shopping and to a movie. We saw The Waitress (I fully recommend it to any woman, it was REALLY good) and had some great conversation on the way home from the mall. Monday evening the kids came back over to the pool (right across the street from my parent's house) and we all hung out again. But the best part about yesterday was my amazing conversation with my older brother. We always joked and talked together when we were around each other, but I have never felt like we've had a real, serious conversation about what's real in our lives. It was a little scary, but I couldn't believe we were even FINALLY talking about some things that had been on my heart for YEARS! Shaun, if you're reading this, you have no idea what that conversation meant to me, thank you so much. I love you Bro! :)
This morning (Tues) I went to breakfast with my Dad and that was great too. We always have good conversation. He's an amazing listener. Now I'm about to go get my haircut at the beautician that did my hair since I was little!
Anyway-just thought I would tell you about my weekend. I had a great trip to see my family, less stressful than usual amazingly, and some great times.

See ya!

Fun times at camp

Had an amazing week last week at Camp Westminister. Met some amazing people and had some good laughs. We worked hard to set up the camp for the wedding but it was all worth it. For the bachlorette party we went to a place where we could dance and had an absolute BLAST! GREAT times that night. The wedding was beautiful and the day was perfect. It was great to meet all the people that had such a huge impact on Dave's life and finally put faces to the stories. Here's a few pictures from the wedding, enjoy!

beautiful wedding, wonderful week.

Hi from MI

Sup guys? Just thought I'd give you a shout-out from Michigan. We're up here for the week for Adam D's wedding (he was in mine and Dave's wedding if you were there, the blond one, not his cousin), and having a blast! I was quite anxious, in the worrying sense, to meet Dave's friends. So we got here around 9 on Monday night (after leaving at 7:30 am from BC) and I met LOADS of his camp girls. I have YET to meet a guy friend except for Adam who works here, except for the honorable Bill Gourley (maintenance man and go-to guy here at Camp Westminister) who is Dave's ultimate idol and who he wants to be when he "grows up."

The girls I met are great though, I'm thoroughly enjoying getting to know them. We went out to eat all together last night to a place called Traverse City. Had an amazing meal at a brewery there and then went browsing in a book store and then to coffee. Great night.

Today is another clean-up/get the camp ready for the wedding day and I'm helping Dave with "his" precious sailboats. Not that I know loads about sailboats, although my Dad did teach me a thing or two. I'm hoping to get some "lay-out" time in some this week, maybe today, as it's supposed to be the warmest day all week.

well, I'm outta here, the boats are calling us! Love ya!

p.s. will post pictures soon!

apologies

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile guys, I've (gulp) become addicted to Facebook. I know I said I'd never have a site there, but I do now, and I check it every waking minute I can! I hate and I love it at the same time, what can i Do???

So, to update you on the OTHER things I've been doing--last weekend Dave and I were home for Bethany's highschool graduation. I can't believe she's old enough to graduate!!! It was nice though, and I got to see loads of people I hadn't seen in years there. We also got to see a soccere game of Bethany and David's. The ref. was the WORSTE I'd ever seen, but both of them made some BEAUTIFUL goals so I was happy to see them play. We also got to take my oldest nephew to see Spiderman 3 with us, that was really fun. It's nice now that he's old enough to do stuff with us, athough I'm sure we're seriously boring to him.

Sunday, on our way home (a little detour), Dave and I went climbing at Stone Mtn, NC. Had a blast! The hardest climb I've done since LDP! It was 4 pitches and tooks us about 3 1/2 hours. Good stuff though, but we were throughly worn out by the time we got down. Definately want to get back into doing that more often, though I need new climbing shoes quite badly, those killed my feet.

I've started work full time at NOC for the summer. Hosted my first group there this week and it went well. I was with the same group last year so I remembered the teachers, (it was a middleschool) that always helps. Things went pretty smoothly, a few minor bumps but I worked most of them out. Ah the joys of being the "go to" person for every little thing.

Other than work I've been spending loads of time with a girlfriend of mine from church and her kids. We've been taking walks and watching the kids play in their little pool quite a bit, fun stuff.

I may be going to a women's conference this weekend while Dave is in his Swift Water Rescue class, but haven't decided yet. It's free and I love the girls that are going, so it could be fun. Though I'm not much of a conference person I'd love the hang-out time I'd get with the girls.

That's pretty much it! Summer's kicking off and I'm really excited to be back at work. I love being back on the river and the ropes courses. Well, I'm outta here to try and grab some things for dinner later. Love you guys!

pictures of us climbing at Stone Mtn, NC

Conclusion

So the beach was absolutely amazing...exactly the relaxing trip I was hoping for. The women that came with me were so much fun, I don't think I have laughed that much in a LONG time. We took some great pictures too. The last night we went putt-putting and had a blast. I feel like I left here with a few aquaintences and came back with five best friends--I know that's cliche' but it's true. I really do feel amazingly close to these women now and I feel so blessed to have them as friends. Love you guys!!!

This has been around for ages, but I just found it SOOO hilarious

more beach pix

This was from dinner last night--cute eh?
heading to Myrtle Beach for the evening--so will post more later!

Girls' beach trip 07--more pix later!

YAY! It's not raining, the fridge is not leaking, and I'm not burnt!

So, I am currently at Oak Island, NC enjoying a girls beach trip. It was suppose to storm all week, but so far, with the exception of a few showers and some strong wind here and there. We finally got on the beach today and took a REALLY long walk (we walked to the pier to the LEFT for the Eddy's who know what I'm talking about). I don't know how far it was, but after we got done we all gritted our teeth and got into the water (freezing!!!). It was so much fun!

Yesterday, "Dr-Fix-It" (seriously, that was the companies name--I about DIED when they answered the phone that way!!!) came and fixed the slowly defrosting fridge. That was fun, let me tell ya. But, it's all done and we can now refridgerate our food in the fridge and not in the freezer (the freezer was about as cold as the fridge SHOULD have been).

Also, I am NOT burnt folks! Every time I've walked outside I've put LOADS of sunscreen on--45 SPF for my face and chest, 30 for my back and neck, and 15 for my stomach and legs. So, I've gotten a LITTLE color, but not a recognizable amount (by anyone but me anyway).

So far we're having a blast. We've played games every night and stayed up an laughed till we cried until past midnight Tonight we're going to play Putt-putt and tomorrow is our one night out to dinner! We also went the the thrift shop on the island yesterday and found some really great stuff!

Well, gotta go! I'll post pics for you to see after this post! Love ya!

Very cute pic of my lil sis and my Daddy

P.S. B you're growing up so fast! You look SO sophisticated with those glasses, I REALLY like them on you, totally cool :)