What's Shakin', Bacon?

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Ok, this post isn't really about bacon. It's more like a "what's up" post, but hey, the bacon is dancing. No turning back now.  

Last Friday, the young adults' group I'm a part of threw a Thanksmas Party. We combined Thanksgiving and Christmas into one big yummy food, ugly sweaters, fun games, twinkle lights, and uproarious laughter-filled gathering! It was so much fun...and I didn't take one single picture. I think the only thing that was recorded was the Ugly Sweater Runway Show, and I don't even know who has that blackmail material recording. 

After the party ended {at 11:30!!}, I unwound by reading about pregnancy. Yes, this is true. I'm in the midst of two different books right now, which makes both books feel longer. In order to quiet my Type-A-ness that yells "in progress!" at me, I have finished two book reviews for BAI's assignment. Hopefully I'll remember to post those before Christmas... I know you'll be on the edge of your seat till then.

Speaking of the edge, we are almost to the end of 2014! I'm starting a post to review 2014's goals, and I'm excited to remember all that this year brought. 

Thanks for shakin' the bacon with me. Happy Week Before Christmas!

P.S. If you need something to brighten your day, or just want a good excuse to look at Lee Pace, check out this beautiful and hilarious post. You won't regret it, I promise. 

31 Days of Writing: Day Eighteen "Jaw Dropper"

"My jaw dropped to the floor. I couldn't believe..."


...that my mom lied to me.

She told me that my old friend Louisa wanted to get together at Skate King, the roller-blade place in town. What Mom didn't tell me was that ALL my friends from school were gathered there to surprise me for my birthday.

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Unsuspectingly, I had walked into Skate King, keeping my eyes open for Lou. No sign of her, but then "SURPRISE!!" erupted in front of me. My friends had come to celebrate, and my mom had kept it a secret.

As my friends and I made laps around the skating rink, I kept pondering all the lies my mother had told me. When I reached the end of the rink where she stood, I asked her, "So what about not having a party this year?"

"I lied," was her satisfied response.

Another lap. Another question.

"What about your dinner party tonight?"

"I lied."

I skated another lap or two.

"So when you said..."

"All lies." My mom grinned.

I guess this was the best deception a girl could wish for her golden birthday.

{This story is loosely based on a sister's experience. Many creative licenses were taken, though.}

**linking up with Victoria. Check out her wonderful story today!**

What a Weekend!

Does it seem like Monday is Recover-From-The-Weekend Day? I need it! Thank God for Mondays.

Let's recap this weekend, because it was super fun! :)

First of all, Sister P and I watched Warm Bodies. Oh my gracious. This has just become one of my favorites! I think it hits this generation's sense of humor right on, and it's a sweet story. I might have to do a post dedicated to this film, or at least its soundtrack. :)

Secondly, I got another babysitting job! I had an interview with the lady Saturday morning, and now I'm scheduled for Friday night :) Her kids are cute, which is always a plus.

Thirdly, I went over the mountains to visit my friend Dahlia, whom you've met before. It was her birthday last month and her older brother's birthday this month, so they had a combined party! It was so fun! She has lots of extended family, many of whom joined the celebration. It was so good to meet the people that I've heard about!
I got to spend the night, which made Saturday really relaxing {since I didn't have to drive home the same day} and meant that Dahlia and I stayed up WAY too late!! Haha, when will we learn that we are too old to do that?!

Fourthly, graduation party! My house sister during MC's graduated from high school, which is simply craaaazy and awesome! Mom and I picked up Sister E and headed to the party, and it was super fun. Got to catch up with some friends and talk nerdy with Ashley...we are united in our love for British shows :)

Fifthly, we watched Warm Bodies again. We had to let E see it! :) So funny.

And now it's Tuesday and I'm celebrating by renewing my First Aid certification! Woot. Totes being sarcastic with the woot part, btdubs. In case you didn't pick that up. Or in case renewing your First Aid skills is super high on your list of fun things to do.

Anyways, hope your weekend was grand, folks!

That Antsy Stage

It’s the antsy time. You know, the time before a transition, and all your anticipation and nerves and frustrations and adrenaline are still stuck inside you with no where to go but to bed?

Because I’m in this stage, I feel like I’m wasting my life away. I know, it’s an exaggeration {you don’t get voted Most Dramatic in h.s. for nothing!}, but that’s what I’m tempted to think on lazy Sundays with travelling plans on Tuesday. There’s nothing to do right now- too soon to pack, too snowy to go out, wrong time zone to call friends or family- and so I feel stuck. It’s the awkward waiting period that lasts a few days and then goes away; it’s a time of transition, and so I’m antsy.

As previously mentioned, my bestie and I are planning on getting a place together. I’m meeting with the realtor next week to discuss stuff, and the ball is really getting rolling! I know God has a great place for us, and I’m so excited to move into this next stage.

Along with the anticipation and happiness of going home and finding a new home with the bestie, there is the sadness that comes, too. The reality of Grandpa’s passing will definitely sink in once I’m home, and I know I will really feel the loss as Grandma moves into my parents’ home and I see her frequently but Grandpa no more on earth.

I’m excited to start working for my parents, but I’m also nervous scared apprehensive about the whole process. Things will be different, because I’ll be doing a different job, I won’t be living at home {once we get a place, of course}, and I now have 6 months of experience that I didn’t have in June. But it’s still an unknown, and that means it’s an omnipresent thought in my mind.

Also, when I go home, I’m going to be volunteering for a crisis pregnancy center! I’m very excited to start serving!!! During training, the lady in charge of the education program {they go into schools and talk about abstinence and things like that} said that she would love for me to be a part of their program because I’m single. Guess being single is cool still! ;) I’m really looking forward to getting back to working with kids; I do miss my after-school groupies.

And on a lighter note, the bestie has been doing what she does best and sharing the passion for all things BBC and Sherlock, and now several of our friends are “on the bandwagon” {and by bandwagon I mean totally and completely obsessed}, and when Season Three comes out, we are planning a dress-up party for each episode! There are only 3 episodes; don’t think we’re totally crazy {we are, but not for that reason!}.It will be especially fabulous because these parties will be at our own homes, which is totally crazy because omg when did we get so old, but at the same time, it does feel kind of fun to think of hosting a themed party with friends at my house. Boom. I just grew a long white beard.

Thanks for listening, friends.

Terrific (and sleep-deprived) Tuesday

Today I attended my first ever real-life legit business meeting. It was awesome! And long….and maybe a tad bit boring, but I’m pretty sure it wouldn't have been a legit business meeting without being at least slightly boring, so there. It was legit.

It was more interesting than boring, so that’s a plus. The downside was, the meeting started at 8am, so I got up to ride into work with my parents. They leave the house at 6:25am. Goodbye, summer break!

But it was totally worth it, and I’m glad I went and got to attend the meeting and learn a bunch of stuff. Yay real life! :)

Tonight my BFF and her brother had a graduation party and it was 1940s-50s themed = so much fun! We all wore cute clothes and did our hair, and ate M&Ms that were invented in the 50s! Not made in the 50s, thanks, just invented. Haha, almost gotcha, didn't I?

All in all, today was fabulous. Thank you, Tuesday, for being kind. And thank you, Wednesday, for letting me sleep in a little in the morning.

Goodnight all!

Blog Party Time!!!!

What day is it? Jan 31st! Blog party- woohoo!

A couple weeks ago I got an email from this lovely lady named Ashley. We sent a few emails back and forth, we checked out each other’s blogs, and we basically got to know one another and encourage each other in continuing to pursue all that God has for us. It was really fun, and I hope we continue it.

Yesterday, I went to the CPO (that’s College Post Office) and opened my little locker-like-box (it feels like a locker to me because each box has a combination to spin, and it takes me back to high school each time). There, inside my little box, was… a piece of cardboard. Boring! But on the cardboard was the word “package” and I thought to myself, what joy! A package! So I headed over to the window where we pick up packages, and the nice man asked me “What’s your number?” and I told him, and he went off to the world of boxes and all things mail-ish, and then came back with a pretty little box. “Have a nice day!” he told me, and I assured him that I would. :)

I didn't get to open the package immediately, because class time called, but that evening, I took a plastic knife and opened the package. And I’ll let the pictures do some talking now.

This was inside!


A lovely note from Ashley- so sweet!


it’s a fun little eraser shaped like a cupcake- how cute is that!


Um, Ashley MADE these earrings… did I have the best blogging partner? Yes, yes I did!


HOW CUTE IS THAT!?!?!?!?!?!? It’s a little pouch! There’s a button on the back side and a loop at the top {you can’t see it} that closes it. I love it a lot.


Finally, I told Ashley that I love to write notes, and so she sent me some note cards! If you happen to receive a note from me in the near future, thank Ashley! She inspired me with these notes. :)

Thanks, Ashley!!! And thank you Casey for hosting this blog party! Now, dear readers, go read about other partiers!

Ponderings

Yesterday was a party celebrating my grandpa's 90th birthday. His birthday is tomorrow, but Saturdays are just better for parties, you know?

My grandpa has Alzheimer's. He gets confused, and forgets conversations and other things. It was a lovely party yesterday, and a lot of friends and relatives came to celebrate. 2 of Grandpa's nephews surprised him and came from across the country! I was glad all these people could come and celebrate, but in a way, it almost felt like a goodbye, and I'm not sure how to process that. It wasn't officially "farewell," of course, because he's still alive! But with his mind going before his body, I know that the Grandpa I grew up with is leaving me.

I'm glad all the family and friends could come and see him, and I'm really glad that he recognized and remembered everyone! There was just a sense, or a sense of a sense, of goodbyes being said. I'm sure that could be said of ANY 90th birthday party, especially with so many far-away relatives, but it felt different this time. Maybe it's because I live close to my grandpa, and because my dad is his son and there's the responsibility that comes with that. I don't know.

All I know is that it's hard to mourn someone when they're still here...yet at the same time, not. I don't know how to explain it, but I hope that you will pray for my family, especially my grandma and my dad, as they are the primary caregivers for my grandpa. Thank you.