Ah, such a great day! Such a great weekend! I'm so loving holiday weekends without plans!!!

Yesterday and today I got to sleep in and then enjoy yummy coffee with the last of my chocolate mint creamer.

I'm making use of my 5 disc dvd player with excellent cd's. I always listen to music in the car (well, 98% of the time) but rarely at home. I may have to change that.

Yesterday's set was all guys:

• James Taylor
• Frank Sinatra
• Damien Rice
• Josh Groban
• another Josh Groban

So today I went with all ladies:

• I Hope You Dance single (I'm blanking on who sings this)
• Bette Midler (go ahead and laugh)
• Norah Jones
• Joss Stone
• A fun mix my friend Tammy made before I left for Japan with stuff like Wilson Phillips (rock on!)

I've got all my blinds up and all my windows open. The sun is out; there's a light breeze. It's gorgeous!!

I'm doing laundry, washing dishes, baking cookies, putting new sheets on the bed, getting things done. I'm normally not real good with keeping up on cleaning at home. But I LOVE to be able to see the results of my efforts.

Yesterday I put together that secretary's desk from Target ALL BY MYSELF. You probably have no clue how big of a deal this was for me. I am learning to take care of myself and figure out things on my own. Anytime I take my car in to get the oil changed I am proud of myself. It's definitely a gradual thing. I still can't taking Lulu in for a carwash. But I'm working on it.

I got in a couple great walks today. I saw family this afternoon for a bit and will again tomorrow for a cookout. I'm excited about that. I also plan on finishing my library book My Legendary Girlfriend since it's due today!

Last night I went to 5:30 church (I'm gonna be honest; it was strange) and ran into J-La - what a nice surprise! So we ended up hanging out after the service, going to Super Target and the mall, enjoying a nice dinner in the food court mixed in with great conversations. And then I got to see her new house and visit with her roomies, who I also know.

So many blessings. I love being able to appreciate simple things like walking, drinking coffee, curtains blowing in the breeze, watching neighbor kids riding bikes, being with friends and family...

So blessed am I.

Two weeks from now my dear friend Ginny will be married to Jay. I leave for Wisconsin in a week and a half. Much to do beforehand. Hopefully the alterations on the bridesmaid dress will turn out alright the first time around. . .

I got news last week that my dear friend Judy in California got engaged. She's planning an August 31 wedding.

3 months...

A couple days later came the news that Asian Charlie is also engaged. August 16 for his wedding.

3 months...

Andy likes to think he started the 3 month trend, since his engagement was also 3 months. Whatever...

I could end this blog right here, but instead I'm going to continue and be honest and say that it's been hard for me to see these relationships moving forward, when mine is over.

I remember conversations with Ginny at the start of both our relationships. Both so new, so exciting, so much potential.

Judy and I could have talked for hours about past relationship woes. Then when we both had our guys, I remember sharing in that excitement of new relationships.

I did the same with Charlie. He was passing thru Indiana last summer, and we had this late night conversation in my living room about our brand new relationships. He was so excited. So was I.

I guess I just feel a little left behind. We were all on the same path - Ginny, Judy, Charlie, me. . . The three of them are still on that path progressing forward. But somehow I got left behind. It's like I fell down, but they all kept going.

I guess now I'm getting up, dusting the dirt off, and trying to find a new path. My own path. Unsure of where I'm going, but trusting the One who has laid it out for me.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

May I be reminded of this daily.

sleeping in
hot coffee
fresh flowers
open windows
fresh air
cinnamon rolls
frank sinatra
photo albums
lazy day
holiday weekend
house work
folding laundry
phone calls
happy smiles
lasting memories
dad's birthday
tomorrow's goals

So, the other night my brother found for me Degrassi Junior High on dvd at the library. It was in the Children's Section, which means it was FREE (as opposed to the whopping price of a quarter a day).

For those of you who aren't familiar with Degrassi, it was a show on PBS out of Canada about a group of junior high students (duh) and the struggles they face. Anything you would imagine out of a late 80's junior high show - drugs, sex, divorce, teen pregnancy, abortion, alcohol, child abuse, bullies, parents, death, eating disorders, shoplifting, etc. - they covered.

I really don't know why I was such a fan, but that's beside the point. It's a flashback to my past, so it's cool for that reason alone.

Watching so many episodes in a row, I see similarities throughout the show and it's making me think. . .

When I was in junior high did I refer to guys as "sexy"? It's rarely an adjective I even use now to describe a guy.

Another thing - they keep using the term "broom head" to describe people in a negative way. Like, I've heard it a dozen times in 8 episodes! Is that really the worst cut or the worst thing to be described as? REALLY? A broom head?!?

I HATE seeing these guys who are so shy and passive that the girls have to ask them out!

Do junior high boys really comb their hair in the bathroom?...

Maybe this is why I say "sOrry" instead of "sArry"... ;)

Wow, could these kids' jeans GET any tighter?!?

Why were there so many students who had nicknames that everyone actually used instead of their real names?? Snake, Wheels, Spike. . .

Do we have any other former Degrassi viewers out there? Did you have a favorite character or a favorite episode? Why do I have a feeling that I'm on my own for this one?. . .

Here's some more photos from our day in Angola. If you need a 2nd reason to go to downtown Angola, after the Bent Fork, plan on going to the Coachlight Coffee House to hang out for awhile. It's such a fabulous atmosphere I could spend hours and hours there!

I put lots of time and energy into this slideshow so you can just sit back and watch without having to expend any energy on clicking the mouse or scrolling down.

Consider it my gift to you. You're welcome. Now you can reciprocate by leaving a comment.

No, I’m not talking about my hair. Just random things from the last couple few days that have made me happy…

A nice relaxing evening with Jen and Andy, walking downtown, watching “P.S. I Love You” (for $.25), crying, and drinking strawberry pineapple daiquiris.

Lunch with Jerry & Alicia

Discovering they changed the traffic light at Angela and 31 to a left turn on green arrow or yield on green! Woo hoo!

A phone conversation with Jerry in which he sang all he wanted to say (this was my request of course).

Another adventure with Renee, this one taking us across the state line!

Discovering the upstairs cantina at Haci with J-La.

Finding Degrassi Junior High on dvd

Hearing football legend and minister DC Curry speak, wow!

Individual sugar-free pudding cups with amazing flavors

People getting my sarcastic, dry sense of humor

Walks, lots of walks

Getting to leave work early Friday!

Sometimes I don't believe the things I do for my boss. . .

He told me a few weeks ago that he'd like to save the shreddings from our new paper shredder to take home. Something about a hamster bed or something for his kids. Ok.

So I stopped the cleaning ladies from emptying it out and then reminded him about it this morning since it had been pretty full for awhile.

A bit later he comes back into my office, gives me a trash bag, and says "You can empty it in here when you get a chance."

What? Since when is providing a bed for your hamster in my job description!?!