It's over! Wait is it just starting?

I will recap the entire event tomorrow...Complete with laughter and comments made during the vows...who knew you could actually square dance to Right Said Fred...I'm too sexy?
The coffee run, non stop talk of how much the cake was loved, unexpected guests, new siblings and so many other interesting tidbits will so be coming.

The big day is tomorrow!

So here it is 9:30 the night before the wedding of Beau and Mom. I am just sitting down after helping decorate the reception/hoe-down venue, delivering the cakes to the hall (after picking them up) and trying to calm the nerves of a nervous Mother who is afraid no one will show up.

The decorations are very basic and I am very thankful for that since it was just the three of us setting up. Mums, tableclothes, confetti and the like. Oh and the cowboys boot posters in the hallway leading to the actual room.
I am sure that it will be a very busy day but I'll try to update everyone on the event tomorrow.

Y'all come back now yah hear!

From under the rug crawls....

Every family has secrets. Mine has more than a few skeletons in the closets. With the upcoming wedding on Saturday we are adding new family members with new skeletons.

The "old" family is still busy trying to make our skeletons dance without trying to figure out where to hide the new bones.

I only know of a few skeletons of the new siblings...wow that still sounds weird.

The dilemma is that they are unaware of a few of our big skeletons. We have been forbidden ...Yes that is the correct word for it....FORBIDDEN to reveal any of these skeletons. Even though not saying anything puts my sister and I on high alert for the entire event to make sure no new skeletons are created.

I wish I could be more clear but....making that skeleton dance would be unwise on this venue at this time.

Odd ketchup labels

So as I was cleaning out the fridge I came across a Funny looking ketchup label. I noticed something odd about fixing Burgers at warp speed. In doing a little research I noticed that there are several different types of labels. The odd thing is that they were mostly made in 2003.

Meaning the ketchup is really old in my fridge.

Upon going to the official website I discovered that you can make your own label for a small fee. Of course it takes 4-6 weeks to actually get your special bottle of ketchup.

Who knows this might be the newest redneck marriage proposal!

Could you imagine the cookout that your sweety hands you your burger to find a ring/ pitted olive inside as he pops the question by handing you the bottle?

I believe I would run screaming from the yard yelling NO at the top of my lungs.

This weekend

Upon thinking of the upcoming wedding this weekend... It is all western themed and I am hoping it doesn't turn into the redneck hoopla of weddings past. Parts of the new family are missing teeth and well... tact.

Mom came in a whirlwind today. Asking about cakes, hostess responsibilies, delivery times of somethings etc etc etc.

Whew...she's almost through this week.

Serves you right

When you are sticking yourself where you do not belong you can expect consequences. When someone tries to make someone fit into a certain category that is much like putting a square peg in a round hole.

Over the years I have changed more than anyone can really fathom. No one really knew the old me as I was very selective in what I said. Sure I was around people but they only knew bits and pieces. No one knew the entire story of one4jc.

When I run into people from years ago they do not believe the changes I have made. They think it is an act, a con or gimmick of some kind. It takes time for people from years ago to get to know the different me. It is a matter of me walking the walk and being the new me. Over time they will see that it is genuine.

IF (and that is not really even a possibility) I ever tried to go back to the old me it simply would not work. I have been exposed to a better way of life and I can't go back.

But that's OK because I wouldn't want to go back.

The Fall Harvest Party

Sorry I haven't been posting much but I have been busy soliciting door prize donations for my Church's upcoming Harvest Party. Well that and the missions trip and oh yes the little wedding coming up next Saturday. Any local business owners what to offer up anything? My email is in the profile link...

Greg Long

So I won tickets from a local station last week to see Greg Long in concert. I am excited to have a night out with a friend listening to Christian Music. The location of the concert only holds about 1500 people and we have "Artist Circle" tickets which means we will not be up in the rafters. We should be down front. Yeah!

On an even more positive note I am down to the last $60.00 I need by next weekend. Then the only other money I need is for my meals while traveling and money for a souvenir while in the land o' Jamaica... The excitement is definitely building!

Cookies and seizures

It was an interesting day at work as we had a child taken away in an ambulance due to a naptime seizure. This actually shook me up a bit. I didn't realize just HOW attached I am to these children. Yes I know I love them....Yes I care for them everyday...I know all that but to see that child gurgling and shaking on that cot...my heart broke. I held it together during the event. Helped move the remaining kids to a different room...relayed information...moved things out of the way and tried to stay in the room so if he did awaken maybe a familiar face would help to calm him. I tried to help calm the teacher in the room as well...I can't imagine if I had been the one sitting in the room...She did a great job.

He will be OK. But saying an extra prayer might not hurt right now...
So for some strange reason last week I volunteered to bake 2 dozen cookies to be served at a community outreach and work day this weekend.

I don't bake.

I have never made cookies... well that were edible anyway.

So I trotted off to the grocery store and picked up the "Roll o' Cookie dough" required. I managed to do it! I baked cookies! OK not from scratch but hey I ate one and it was good...no nausea, vomiting or other ill effects.

Another first in my life. They seem to be racking up here lately :o)

Favorite Quotes part 2

Friendship... is not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything.
Muhammad Ali

A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word, 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.
C. S. Lewis

It's the friends you can call up at 4 a.m. that matter.
Marlene Dietrich

The friend is the man who knows all about you, and still likes you.
Elbert Hubbard

Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.
C. S. Lewis

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.
Albert Schweitzer

Eros will have naked bodies; Friendship naked personalities.
C. S. Lewis

As your faith is strengthened you will find that there is no longer the need to have a sense of control, that things will flow as they will, and that you will flow with them, to your great delight and benefit.
Emmanuel Teney

Irrational fears

Bats. I am afraid of bats. I had never really had any contact with Bats until Big Red and I started remodeling our house for those few months before we gave up and moved in...but that is a whole different story.

Big Red found a bat in the house...put it in a birdcage and brought it back to our apartment. Up until this time I had been indifferent towards bats. I didn't really have an opinion one way or the other. Until I saw one up close.

Very Close.

He brought it into the bathroom as I was getting out of the shower and held the cage a foot or so away from me as he "unveiled" his surprise. I came unglued because of the teeth, hair and ewwwness of it. Once I informed him that bats do in fact carry LICE I managed to squash any hopes he had of keeping it as a pet.

Fast forward several months.....Big Red is working at a home health care patient's home while I was working on the computer upstairs in the "new" house.

One4jc: Hmmm what was that sound?............................................. Turns around quickly to check for the cats or maybe a dog in the room......... hmmmm no animals?

While facing the computer I am hit in the back of the head by a FLYING BAT! AHHHHHHH!


I spin around to see it flying around the room. I run screaming from the room slamming the door behind me to keep it contained. I grab a cordless phone and beeline for my shoes in the living room downstairs. One shoe on and I look up to see.....ANOTHER BAT flying around the ceiling fan! You have got to be kidding!

One shoe on, phone in hand wearing boxer shorts and an old T-shirt but being braless as it is well into the nighttime hours. I called Big Red and gave him the play by play but louder and faster and with more screaming involved. His response? I'll be home in a while. OH NO you don't....I'm not going into that house until the BAT is DEAD! Argument ensues about what will happen to the BAT....One4jc wins because he is told he has 15 minutes to get home before I call animal control to have them removed from the house.

When he pulls up 1 hour later I am still standing outside as the animal control guy is inside our house catching bats.

The kicker is that animal control guy takes them downtown to the bat houses located on top of the buildings...less than 1/2 a mile away from my house.

This was not the last time we had bats in the house as I was dive bombed by bats in the basement while trying to do laundry, had them fly right past my head in the kitchen and other instances before Big Red finally found the hole where they were coming in and sealed it...tight.

So what are you afraid of?

Suicidal squirrels or a new way to play chicken?

So on my scooter adventures this weekend I have come across a very odd trend this weekend. I am undecided as to what has caused so many squirrels to take their own lives.

It is almost impossible to go down a street in Fort Wayne right now without seeing a roadkill squirrel! On numerous occasions this weekend one of them has run out into the road....stopped and stared me down in the road to see if I will stop the scooter or car.

Do we need to find a little pet psychologist to counsel our little furry friends away from the perils of the roadways?

Are they in full out rebellion and playing a new form of the game chicken?

I understand that the fall season means that the squirrels will be running around and hiding the acorns for later in the year when ole man winter comes BUT....

Any thoughts on this?

Vrooommm!

The sun is shining. It is in the 70's today and it is nearing the end of scooter season. So I am off to ride Tinkerbell until the wheels fall off.

Wait I think that already happened earlier this summer!

Anyway I'll be back soon...

A friend

Main Entry: 1friend Pronunciation: 'frend Function: noun Etymology: Middle English frend, from Old English frEond; akin to Old High German friunt friend, Old English frEon to love, frEo free 1 a : one attached to another by affection or esteem b : ACQUAINTANCE 2 a : one that is not hostile b : one that is of the same nation, party, or group 3 : one that favors or promotes something (as a charity) 4 : a favored companion 5 capitalized : a member of a Christian sect that stresses Inner Light, rejects sacraments and an ordained ministry, and opposes war -- called also Quaker - be friends with : to have a friendship or friendly relationship with

I will miss my friend....Yes I will still be friends with her it is just that our friendship will take a different path...different phases of our lives...changes are coming but we will preserve.

A signal from above

So Mom, my sister and I perused some wedding cake photos and she placed the order for the upcoming nuptials. It still just sounds so odd to me...my Mom's wedding. I knew she might find someone after my Dad passed away but it just all seems surreal.

I don't know about you but in my area we don't see too many hot air balloons just floating over the city. As I was out scooting around tonight I looked up to see a hot air balloon just floating silently above me only about 400 feet in the air and less than a quarter of a mile away from me. I was meant to see this balloon because it was so close.

My Dad loved hot air balloons. I can't even count the number of times we were dragged out of bed before the crack of dawn to go watch the start of a hot air balloon race. It is breath taking to watch as dozens of balloons are laid out on the ground and slowly filled with air to lift off the ground one by one. If we saw one on the way home from somewhere as a child and we weren't in a hurry my Dad would "chase" it. Many times we would find the chase vehicle and he knew it was about to land so we would start on our way home.

Somehow I think on the day of picking out the wedding cake and my unsettled feeling about all this it is quite ironic that I see a balloon for the first time in years.

I know my Dad would want the wedding to happen. He would want her to be happy. I really am at peace with all this stuff now.

I still think it sounds odd that I'm going to be getting step siblings at my age...But that's ok.

Hmmmm That was a bust!

Well no one confessed, admitted to being the one or owned up to helping me reach the 10,000th visitor to my little corner of the web. There was going to be confetti, streamers and an all out party BUT NOOOOOOOO!

Maybe if I feel like it I will throw a somewhat muted celebration tomorrow to at least acknowledge the event.

The countdown continues...

Although I am not against meeting my Maker I kind of hope it doesn't happen to me in a foreign country.

So the closer the time gets my excitement level goes up as well. Less than 2 months! I can't believe I am leaving in less than 2 months!

I am in awe at how God has worked through this whole preparation process. There is no doubt in my mind that I am supposed to be going on this trip. I started out needing $1300.00 to cover the cost of the trip. The final installment is due on October 1st and I only need about $100. I have had friends, family, internet friends, complete strangers and others donate to this trip completely anonymously. After that I just need a little spending money to pick up one souvenir to remember the trip. Not like I think I will forget it but I just want a little trinket or maybe a necklace so that I remember it vividly. I guess I am just sentimental like that.

So if anyone feels that last minute nudge to help send me on this Missions trip just email me and let me know...

5 Years later

Shanksville, Pennsylvania ~ Flight 93

The Pentagon

The World Trade Center before the plane crashed into the towers.

The World Trade Center after the terrorist attack and the beginning sign of the unity that was created that no one could have predicted.

So everyone knows what happened on 9-11-01. The attacks. The lives lost. The political fallouts. The unity that was displayed by the flags flying every where one looked.

I find many discussions lately centering around the "Where were you when..." question.

I was at work at a childcare center located across the street from our local Federal Court House. Which was located one block from one of the biggest financial centers in the state of Indiana. I had gone to work before the planes had gone missing and crashed. They came around to the rooms and told us that 2 planes had crashed into the WTC and we needed to be "on alert" because of the company down the street. Then the pentagon...be "on high alert" because of the federal building beside us and oh by the way there are several planes missing...here is our new evacation plan so that we can get as far away from those 2 buildings ASAP and keep the children safe. They gave us extra supplies for our fire drill bags and suddenly they were Evacuation bags.

Since the stock market had closed down and the country was in chaos parents started coming early and we shut down. When I went home that day I noticed huge lines at the gas stations. I saw on TV that the plane had crashed in PA.

I sat glued to the television watching in horror and realizing that the world as we knew it was changed forever. I wasn't a Christian when this happened. I had only been married a month and Big Red was talking about going and helping with the clean up. Uh.....NO! Well I won that arguement.

I remember watching the bottom of the TV screen at all of the local churches that were opening their doors to the public for prayer and the hours they would be unlocked. I didn't go but the seed was planted in my brain that this was a direction I could turn to in a time of crisis.

So where were you? How were you changed?

10,000 already?

By the way I see by the site counter that I am approaching 10,000 visitors. If that happens to be you leave a comment so I know....There MIGHT be something special in it for you....

Dumb dumb dumb

Dumb warnings I have located and a few that might come in handy...

Blockbuster Rental DVD
Be kind - rewind.

European Camera
This camera will only work when film is inside.

Various Computers
Keyboard not detected. Press F1 to continue

Matches
Caution: Contents may catch fire.

Christmas Lights
Warning: For indoor or outdoor use only.

Air Conditioner
Caution: Avoid dropping air conditioners out of windows.

RCA Television Remote Control
Not Dishwasher Safe

Child-Sized Superman Costume
Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly.

Bowl Fresh
Safe to use around pets and children, although it is not recommended that either be permitted to drink from toilet.

And finally this one might come in handy in just about 2 months.....

*********Various Parts of Jamaica
In Jamaica, they call Speed Bumps "Sleeping Policemen", so in some parts of the island, there are signs that read, "Warning! Sleeping Policemen Ahead".

the upcoming nuptials

So I have picked out a few shirts to wear with the denim skirt to the upcoming "Western Themed" wedding of my Mom and Beau. The wedding itself is informal but the reception is an all out Square Dance!

Yea....like I remember how to do that....

I figure the best I can do is try to look the part as is expected by my Mom...

Oh this shirt brings back memories. You must remember to run fast after the actual tipping.

Now maybe this would be a little more fitting to my personality. And she would be thrilled that it a PINK shirt...you know girlie and all...

I don't know about the horses love me part but mention to anyone that I'm getting divorced because of Adultery and they assume (my Dad had a phrase about that....) that I am a She-Ra Man Hater Club founder.

One of these beauties with the skirt and black boots I will borrow from my sister and I will be all set for the shin dig, hoe down, hootinanny or whatever we will be calling this event.

I hope you have realized by now that I am joking... Oh but the fun I would have if I acually did this! The family pictures would be something to look at wouldn't they!!!

Moral depravity

Just when I think that we as a society can't get any worse or sink any lower I come across this article. The first report was this one but I don't recommend the article for reading if you get "fired up" easily.
Let me rant a little here...
* Did the family members of the 11 year old not know where she was?
* Where are the parents of these 20+ boys?
* Since when did we as a society begin to teach our children that it is ok to "prostitute" your younger friends?
* It seems to me that maybe some of these participants should be charged as adults. And the 40 year old??? Don't even get me started...drawn and quartered comes to mind!
* Did this girl know she was HIV+?
* What is going on in this girl's head that she wanted to "began to choose who she wanted to perform oral sex on."????

The understatement of the year is.....
"When you have people working in concert and no one in the group is showing conscience, that's a real problem." Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett

This is what I believe they call the mob mentality. If you live in Milwaukee you had better watch out because this seems to be running rampant.

It seems unlikely that many (if any at all) will become infected with the HIV virus. If they do become infected it scares me to think that this many people with a record of sexual assault could be free in the future to commit more crimes of this nature.

Well I have only scatched the surface of the feelings and thoughts I have on this subject but I need to let myself "breathe" again.

Any thoughts you wish to share?

Choices...choices choices

I have a few decisions to make. Not ones that anyone can help me with. Personal choices that will have a lasting impact on me and others. I have a few days to think about a direction to take.

Choices have a way of impacting other areas of my life. If all the puzzle pieces don't fit together then my completed picture could fall apart. But is it my idea of what the picture should look like or am I really seeking after God's face and striving toward His picture?

Are my dreams the same as His dreams for me?

Now I'm ready for a Kenny concert...

Not that I'm making any generalizations about country music fans but one has to admit there where a fair amount of Hillbillies at the concert...

Your Hillbilly Name Is...

Lil' Daisy Western

Hillbilly Name Generator

Nuns, Tractors and tiki bars

And interesting time was had by all....So I was able to hear a few of my "favorite songs". They included "Fast forward" and "She thinks my Tractor's Sexy". I'll just post a few highlights for now as I am one of those people who should NOT go to bed at 3:00AM if you want me to be able to think...

1. Drunk people in large groups (25,000+) are VERY entertaining. Most of the people were drunk in the parking lot before they entered the arena. Well what do expect when the cheapest drink is a rum concoction that was $7.50 for a solo cup full.

2. I have a friend who sees me as "churchy" and stated to me dozens of times that, "I just made Jesus cry!" Seems that those nuns have done a number on her head.... :o)

3. This same friend apologized for trying to corrupt me...which I'm still not quite sure how she corrupted me.

4. Some of these Kenny Chesney fans are more like fanatics/obsessive idol worshippers. Not any one in the group I was in but some of the people I saw.....wow!

5. Only an idiot would throw a half chewed Gummy Bear out their car window at another vehicle traveling at 70 miles an hour.

6. A cell phone call in the middle of a concert so my sister could hear her favorite song...priceless!

Kenny Chesney-

Oh my! What have I gotten myself into by agreeing to attend this concert tomorrow in Indy! I am sure I will survive but....

Oh to bottle the conversations...

I have had a few lively conversations with my sister as she is immobile, bored and drugged to kill the pain. I would love to record the conversations and play them back later but alas I might not have the chance again if I broke the sisterly bond of confidentiality.

So know that I am laughing that belly laugh that only true amusement can bring to me! I will be posting tomorrow but not sure when as I must go be Florence Nightingale and tend to the sick and needy.