A Necessary Repetition

It's been a while... but life has been rough. (the understatement of the month). Yesterday I had a Stasi moment. to clarify, I have this sister, whom I love. She sometimes has moments where she stops functioning. Where life just gets too overwhelming. And all bodily functions shut down. I was sitting in a field talking to my mother the other day (I have the world's best mom by the way). So I'm in the field, just crying and having a breakdown and my mom is trying to calm me down and I realized that this is what it's like for Stasi when I am talking to her. It's all stuff she knows, all stuff I know. It's all stuff she's told herself, stuff I've told myself. But it's still stuff she needs to hear, I need to hear. Life is sometimes like that. A series of repetition that is necessary. So one more time: just for repetitions sake: I love you mom! thanks a million for being there for me! and thanks to Stasi, and Ami and Matt and Pastor Dave. You're all great!
**I'm doing better now**

just for you

Just to update you all, don't get to used to the idea of Mandi with a peirced nose, she had to take it out. Apparently she is allergic to Surgical steel and she broke out in hives yesterday pretty badly. She's on the upswing now but sad about the nose peircing. That's all the time I have. more later

Unproductive

Hey all, this is abi, feeling kind of unproductive. ok not just feeling but being.
I don't have classes on Tues. or Thur. most times I will work both jobs on these days, but today I am only working at JCCY (without sarah!! AHH) And that means that I have sooo much more time to get caught up on work so that later when pple want to hang out I will be able to. BUT I have not been doing work, I have been reading Harry Potter (I'm almost done) and talking to Mandi and dancing around the room and I still haven't showered and I still haven't gotten dressed. But I have to do that soon cause Mandi and I are going to have her nose peirced, YEAH! we have been planning it for a bit and now we are going to do it. fun. I'm not getting any extra holes in me though so don't worry mom.
today on the way to breakfast (yeah I've been doing nothing that long), we were wondering if you could gage your nose peircing? like a spare nostril, what do you think? and if it rained would you drown or would you have to get a gage with a plug? We thought it was interesting, maybe we'll ask when we go to get her nose peirced (we decided she shouldn't gage it though, because we are wise)
Alright well that's really it. Classes are going ok, too much reading for my likeing but I get to see family this weekend hopefully..... love you all!

Simply Life as Usual

I'm back at school... can't remeber if I said that already, prolly. So last night there was a hurricane here in Nyack. (or the outskirts of a hurricane, I'm not a uber-weatherwoman yet) I was in Queens and had to get back and as we were driving toward the tapan-zee we saw a tree blocking the road comming off the Tappan-Zee (I'm not sure if there are two "p's" or not) So Jimmy was stuck in Nyack for a couple hours till they cleared the tree... that wasn't a very exciting story if you didn't see the HUGE tree blocking all the lanes of traffic. (you'll get over it I bet) So life here is good. (other than the hurricane) How is life for you?

update

So today I started classes: no classes this semester on any days starting with a "T"! so tomorrow I'm off to do stuff I need to get done for my two independent studies.
*small happy dance*
Just got out of my first class as a Sr. the prof is ok, not the most interesting and only because he makes a LOT of connections. which usually I would find interesting however he connects everything too much until you can't see the connections anymore just a web of messy connections. I think though that once he's only talking about one book instead of 8 it will improve and bost being an interesting class. I also enjoyed his tirade on being on time for class after he himself was 10 min. late to class... I love Nyack!
The next class is Children's Literature, Wed. are literature days with Modern Novel and Children's literature. It should be fun and interesting!
I have yet to look at books, to price them or order them or anything, but I figure most of them I can get from the local libraries, which is good cause I'm 'a poor college student'.
On that 'poor' note, I do have two jobs this semester, one at good old picture people, although I am not a manager this year and will not be working as many hours as in past years. I will again be working at the after school program, JCCY (Jewish Community Center for Youth) I just learned what it stands for! yeah me!
that's the update on me... what's going on with you?

Bedlum

An amendum for those of you who also read Miss Brenda's blog on Bedlum.
while doing some further research on the word and it's origin and meaning. I found that bedlum is also a term or name used to describe a cross dressing DJ. Since my name was associated with the post saying that bedlum is a wondering hoodlum, I wanted those of you who are in search of truth to have a resource where you can find the answers.

My Favorite Havener

So yesterday Alex and I went minigolfing (there should be hyphen there huh?) It was a ton of fun. Last summer we spent so much time together but this summer I have missed not seeing him as much, what with me being at work and him being with the sitter. I realized how hard it's going to be to leave home to go back to school. (not that the thought could disuade me from going) I'll miss him... no offence to the other wonderful Haveners but I believe Alex has won the spot of "My Favorite Havener" of the week...

Showers of Blessings indeed

So the summer is nearing its end. It's been full of suprises both expected and unexpected, good and bad. But there's nothing really to complain about. Jimmy was here this past weekend. He went to the family reunion. It wasn't the most sucessful showing I'm sure, but we left with out being run out or cursed at. (I guess the family has more class than that) Really it wasn't bad. I liked being able to see him! A lot. We had some great talks and some time together before I go back to school and we only have limited time to see eachother.
Lately God has been doing some awesome things in the way of showing me great things that I should have known for a long time but have conveniently forgotten... Like that he loves me and that I need to recognize that in my everyday life. That He wants to be a big part of my everyday life, not just Sunday mornings and select days throughout the week when I feel spiritual. It's been encouraging. Thank the Lord for parents, writer, pastors and church family who in their own ways reflect the love that the Lord desires to shower upon me!

All Creatures of Our God and King

This morning as you can see, I awoke at an earlier time than usual. I made some coffee and then sat outside for a bit (just a couple min but still). The mornings are beautiful, unmarked, they remind me that every day is new with no mistakes in it yet. If you are anything like me, your day is full of mistakes by the end. But in the morning you don't have to think about that. You can just focus on the wonderful creation of God. (and the frew brewed coffee isn't bad either)

Ho Humm

Life's been pretty ho-humm lately. Just chillin with the Fam. Alex and I spent some quality time together after P.D. had surgery on his neck/back on Fri. That was good cause I miss that little guy. Last summer I spent SOO much time with him... like every waking moment. but this summer miss brenda saw fit to hire a sitter 3 or so days a week, cutting into my time with the little guy! We are going to go minigolfing soon, prolly next week. We'll see. Other than that I realized today that this summer I've been kinda a recluse. Not that I don't have the opportunity to hang out with my friends (what few are in the area this summer) Just that lately I haven't been in the mood to be with anyone, friend or foe. It's strange... I'm missing them though.. I need to make an effort to see them all b-4 they go back. HO-HUMM

Presb.

So this summer I am working at a presb USA church. They really aren't I guess if you think about it hard. Presb. I mean. really they spend more time offending others in their presbetary and making fun of them that they really aren't part of it... at least not in spirit. Which makes me think about why they are in it at all.. but that's not for me to debate.
Tonight they had the Beaver/Butler Presb. mtg here. It was quite an ordeal, and the air conditioning broke and it was sooo disgusting in the worship center.. gross, I got sick just from walking in the room... But that's all over now.
They have a book of order which is a book of rules and proceedures... that was strange, you learn something new everyday!
I liked it though it bought me an extra day off this week... or half day depending on when I take it. :)

Vacation

Vacation, vacation, lovely vacation... I did a tour of the East coast. Starting with Nyack and ending who knows where. I got to Nyack, had coffee and a thunderstorm with Jimmy and then went to bed. Had lunch the next morning with Jenny (who's working up there this summer) and then left for Delta! (with directions that sounded like: get on the thruway, go for two hours then get off, find 26, there are roads in between there but we don't really know them, then you'll pass dollar general and eckard and then the Salvation Army camp on the right we are about 2 min past that...) (Thanks to Anders and Mandi who's directions actually did get me there)
OMG if I could live up there I would. I got there and attended the Haven Talent Show... which this year features many talents including but not limited to; juggling, karate, many dance solos, cowboy and indians (in which a camper 'shot' counselors with his finger and they all fell down), a dramatization of Bible stories (one in which Daniel saved Joseph from the lions den) and my favorite Joyce who 'acted like a tree'! (one arm up and the other out to the side, it was delightful)
I spent two nights there with Mandi... in the most adorable little cabin imaginable. it had these shutters... wow, I want shutters like those in my dream home, they were soooo neat.
Haven was an experiance that I'll not forget for many moons to come, from being told to 'be good' to the many high fives and ending with the whistles from Esteban's campers... I had soo much fun...
Plus the best part of all I got to see my Mandi.

Oh to be on vacation forever!

Mandi made me fall in love with this song: plus it's called "Bannana Pancakes"... could you not love it? I don't think so:

You hardly even notice When i try to show you
thisSong is meant to keep you From doin what your supposed to
Wakin up too early Maybe we could sleep in
Makin banana pancakes
Pretend like its the weekend now
We could pretend that all the time
Cant you see that its just rainin
There aint no need to go outside
Lady lady love me
Cuz i love to lay here lazy
We could close the curtains
Pretend like theres no work outside
We could pretend that all the time
Cant you see that its just rainin
There aint no need to go outside

Blessings and Adventures

Hey all, since I have had requests for an update.. let's see, what is there to say?
Boys: I was hanging out with Jeremy this summer however we had it out and we are no longer talking, (other than one random text the other day). I am talking to Jimmy again (just friends, save the speaches). I am still talking to Dustin (again just friends). So I have a lot of friends, who people would like to make out to be more but they aren't. So if you have any guys that you'd like to throw my way... (my Gram is on the look-out, it makes me feel a bit of a loser) :(
School: I am nearing the end and can see the light (I'm running toward it full speed!) Just one more semester of classes and then student teaching.. and I'm done! thanks goodness since I'm fed up with the school at the moment. (Isn't it a federal offence to hold someones mail for 3 months and then say you sent it?) If you could make my mail (including two paychecks) appear that would be fabulous! O and I finally have a room to sleep in (another miracle worked by Nyack after 4 phone calls to 3 different people) Oye
Family: Alex went to sleep away camp this summer (I missed him like crazy!) Ami is working a TON and is getting along fine with me. Thank goodness she goes away soon, cause maybe we'll make it the whole summer. Dad's having surgery and Mom is losing weight like a mad woman. We went to the drive in last night and we say half of Pirates II. Yes I said half, we wittnessed the transformer at the drive-in blow up.. it was pretty neat, except I don't know how the movie ends... :(
Friends: well I don't hear much from them lately (boo hiss) but I think they are all doing fine. I'm headed to Nyack this coming week. and then up to Rome to see Mandi! YEAH DELTA! (I'm gonna meet everyone, even Judy)
Work: I'm not really working (I won't brag so you won't hate me) My job is GREAT!

so there you have it folks, when you put it all on paper, it looks so miniscule... really my life is full of blessings and adventures...

One liners

So Rob is here (ami's 'boyfriend') well I guess he is her boyfriend (sin quotation marks) He's fun. She decided to keep him around.
We flew kites yesterday.. tons of fun! a seagull and a falcon.. what an unlikely pair.
I am not prepared for teaching preschool today.
I come to NY in about a week! YEAH!



"I gave her my heart and she gave me a pen"

Triumphant!

Kidzcamp has come to a triumphant close (that's my new 'magic' word for the day) (Mrs O would be sooo proud)! It was fabulous... all the kids and the great and the leaders were wonderful and the experiance, as always was one of a kind. This made it all worth the 16 hr/day work week, the 'too-many-to-count' trips to Starbucks, the gruelling headaches, uncooperative projectors, 'too-many-to-count' jobs to be done (all at once), and the rain that threatened to banish me inside all week (I was leading games). Kids came to know Christ in a deeper way and the leaders (including myself) were reinforced with the simple truths that Jesus is our Helper, Leader, Friend, Savior and Life. Sometimes we make Jesus too complicated in 'Big people church' that we forget that really he's just our friend and Savior. Well Dixi is calling my name so I best go.... Love ya all (today is a GREAT DAY!!) the first in a long time.

Dance on!

This morning at 4am I woke up fully clothed and I was surrounded by sponges cut into the shape of fish... this was not a dream... My life is weird but "I like to move it, move it"!! dance on my friends

A Tribute To Matt

I would like to send big hugs to Matt who is the only person who actually reads this thing! I am so lucky to have you as a friend. Your qwarks keep me guessing what's next but you are solid as a rock and dependable as a friend... so thanks for being there for me all this time! and thanks for reading my mundane thoughts.

How Many Sombreros can you Fit in a Box?

I love my job! I have the same job this summer that I raved about last summer... I still love it. I get to solve puzzles like "How many Sombreros can you fit in a box?" and "What color are Chipmunks lips?" as well as "How do you think the elders will feel about a hole in the ceiling?" and "How does a credit card get $20 over the limit? (who knew that could happen?)" If you think you have solved any of these puzzles let me know... I do in fact have the answer to how many sombreros you can fit into a box as well as how much it will cost you to send said box to Navada!

Father's Day

To all the fathers out there... Happy Father's day! My own father couldn't make it to his own celebration which was fine with Ami and I because we didn't have a celebration planned anyway. We just got back from buying his card... unfortunatly if you buy your father's day card at 6pm ON Father's day there is no discount... maybe on the day after, we have yet to check that one out. The card is cute but we found also that Walmart doesn't carry any truely sentimental cards (the ones that make 'grown men' cry). maybe that's just cause they were all bought up??
So we are making a cake for my dad (he wanted an ipod but we figured cake was just as good) and the box (of course it's a box) calls for unsalted butter... check you fridge.. you don't have any. So ami just got home and I must go and make this cake..... again Happy Father's day.

Grand Day

In true workaholic style I have not updated in FOREVER... and I'm updating from work. But I am having fun too. on Wed. I went down to connellsville and hung out with Jeremy Keefer (2 F's?? oh well) Not to be confused with Johnathan Keefer who I hung out with a couple weeks ago. I know I know, how DO I keep them all straight? I'm not sure. But really I am haveing a blast I spent last night chillin wiht Anne's boys. They are a riot.. yeah for huge penis' on the driveway when the mother comes home!! :) don't ask. Life is interesting but good. Thanks for all the prayers (if you have ever prayed for me)!! have a Grand day