A Prayer and A Poem

As my mother and I moved the dresser from Grandpa's old closet to mine, we cleaned it out and found some pretty interesting stuff, like many people do when they find themselves in the same situation. But best of all, we discovered a prayer and a poem in his wallet that were kept in the same place, but quite different. Sharon's father will laugh when he reads it. Who wouldn't for goodness sake's, my mother was on the floor doubled over.

A Prayer

Father, while there are times when life seems dull may we also be aware of it's sunlight and song. Grant us the pleasures of recreation, the satisfactions of home, and the treasures of friendship. May we find the beautiful and good in all about us. Supremely may we discover the deep satisfactions of unselfish service. At day's end may the world be a little better lbecause we have lived; in Christ's name. Amen.

A Poem titled "Retirement"

The nookie days are over,

The pilot light is out,

what used to be my sex appeal

Is now just my water spout.

Time was when of it's own accord

From my trousers it would spring,

But now I have a full time job

Just to find the blasted thing.

It used to be embarassing

The way it would behave,

For every single morning

It would stand to watch me shave.

As my old age approaches

It sure gives me the blues,

To see it hand it's little head

And watch me tie my shoes!

I don't know where he got it, why he kept it, but let me tell you, it made my mother laugh and I can only imagine who he showed it to as he talked to a random stranger in a waiting room and such.

"Oh, these are my kids, this is my granddaughter, and take a look at this poem I have..."

Oh grandpa, oh grandpa. For shame, for shame. (And a great deal of humor!)

The Room

It's driving me crazy. I am a designer, I have to be. If not, I'd like a clear nedical explination to why I can obsess and pick over everything in my room when I make an attempt to move it around.

My grandfather's old dresser, which was actually my grandmother's, is now mine. The old way of storing my clothes was through to little dressers that are actually made for kids. They hold about 4 shirts, 3 pairs of pants, 2 socks, and a...well, you get the picture. Yet now that I've moved my room around, it bugs me to no end. Let me explain.

The Christmas decoration are still up. So I can decorate each corner according to what's on the wall and the picture frames and such. The tree is in a different corner (which may have disrupted the cat's nook behind the tree where she snoozes the night away) and the pictures and items on the wall don't coordinate with the furniture. If I had the money (haha, that's a good one) I would go out, get paint, rip out the carpet, get new decor from mom and her Home Interior's selection, and re-do the room.

But I can't.

When the whole thing is settled, I will post a picture. Gosh, it's really bothering me...if the tree came down then where will the hamper go, and I lost picture frame space and...

(Just ignore the rambling....)

You Say Potato, I Say...

Girl Potato and Boy Potato had eyes for each other, and finally they got married, and had a little sweet potato, which they called 'Yam.' Of course, they wanted the best for Yam. When it was time, they told her about the facts of life. They warned her about going out and getting half-baked, so she wouldn't get accidentally mashed, and get a bad name for herself like 'Hot Potato,' and end up with a bunch of Tater Tots. Yam said not to worry, no Spud would get her into the sack and make a rotten potato out of her! But on the other hand she wouldn't stay home and become a Couch Potato either. She would get plenty of exercise so as to be skinny like her Shoestring cousins. When she went off to Europe, Mr. and Mrs. Potato told Yam to watch out for the hard-boiled guys from Ireland . . . And the greasy guys from France called the French Fries . . .And when she went out west, to watch out for the Indians so she wouldn't get scalloped. Yam said she would stay on the straight and narrow and wouldn't associate with those high class Yukon Golds, or the ones from the other side of the tracks who advertise their trade on all the trucks that say, 'Frito Lay.' Mr. and Mrs. Potato sent Yam to Idaho PU. (that's Potato University) so that when she graduated she'd really be in the Chips. But in spite of all they did for her, one-day Yam came home and announced she was going to marry Tom Brokaw. Tom Brokaw! Mr. and Mrs. Potato were very upset. They told Yam she couldn't possibly marry Tom Brokaw because he's just A COMMON TATER !

Go Back To Bed

Honestly, some people need to go back to bed sometimes. I don't know whether the fact that it was Senior Citizen Day (Tuesdays) or the jolly holiday face has been removed and put away like a Chia Pets on store shelfs, but work today was irritating.

I've seen worse days in Shop N' Save, but I'll record this as a start to the downward spiral towards yet another holiday rush of shopping for cutsomers. It wasn't busy, they weren't overly angry, they just seemed to be irritating.

I think that since the big holiday has passes, that being Christmas, everyone has taken off their festive friendly mask and shoved it in the box in the attic only to bring it out for next year. Heaven forbid they leave it on all year round. What a mistake that would be.

Maybe I'm not as jolly. I was more in the "Have a great holiday" mood when finished up an order of groceries last week but today felt different, and I even got enough sleep! Oh well. The day has passed and the customer's are happy.

And then my brain reminds me.

I still have about 23 more hours until 7:00 Sunday night.

Wahoo!
(Oh, can you sense the sarcasm?)

But it's better than McDonalds!

Later!

Ho! Ho! Huh?

Your Christmas is Most Like: A Christmas Story

Loving, fun, and totally crazy. Don't shoot your eye out!

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

I don't think my holiday's are crazy, I leave that up to the relatives. And i take no resemblance to the kid on the front of the picture. I wear contacts now. Haha.

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Ok, so I am going to take the painful death of participating in the quizzy poo. Boom.

Three names you go by:
1. Linds
2. Lindsay K.
3. Tunkey G.

Three screennames you have:
1. Papakika
2. Lpapakika

Three things you like about yourself:
1. My love for God
2. My craziness and creativness
3. The way I see things

Three things you hate/dislike about yourself:
1. I worry way too much
2. I get discouraged about things sometimes
3. I get too into my looks and get wrapped up in that junk at times

Three parts of your heritage:
1. German
2. English
3. Outer space alien, no just kidding. I don't know the other.

Three things that scare you:
1. Sometimes the dark
2. Some relatives
3. Sometimes the future

Three of your everyday essentials:
1. Orange juice
2. Computer
3. Some kind of music and a good laugh

Three things you are wearing right now:
1. Shorts (Yes, it's winter but this house in an inferno!)
2. My bowling shirt I wear with great pride (RamRod!)
3. No socks, no shoes, just a hairband

Three of your favorite bands/artists at the moment:
1. Newsboys
2. John Mayer
3. Norah Jones

Three of your favorite songs at present:
1. Daughters by John Mayer
2. Anything by Garth Brookes
3. I can't think of anything, but believe me, it's not the musik at SNS

Three things you want to try in the next 12 months:
1. Be mayor of Edinboro, jk, umm, do more for God
2. Send more cards
3. Get to know John more

Three things you want in a relationship (love is a given):
1. A Godly lifestyle
2. Trust
3. Playfulness and affection

Two truths and a lie:
1. I like making game boards
2. I used to have a leash as a child
3. I can break dance

Three physical things about the opposite sex (or same) that appeals to you:
1. Hmm...upper body
2. His butt, haha
3. Umm, his eyes?

Three things you just can’t do:
1. Do a cart wheel
2. Give blood
3. Use Citrus mouthwash (I tried it last night at John's and about cried, lol)

Three of your favorite hobbies:
1. John time
2. Friend time
3. Family time (the norms, of course, like Jared and Val visits)

Three things you want to do really badly right now:
1. Make some dough to buy some needed things like virus protection and some rechargable batteries, stationary, maybe a scanner, etc.
2.
3.

Three careers you’re considering:
1. Graphic Designer (duh)
2. Something with Communications
3. Professional Hobo

Three places you want to go on vacation:
1. Europe
2. Florida (Been there, but let's go again!)
3. Hawiaii

Three kids names:
1. Oh my gosh
2. I am too indecisive when it comes to this
3. So sorry, I kinda have to skip this, but I love the name Selene (accent on the e)

Three things you want to do before you die:
1. Well, get married and have fun in my white dress
2. MISSIONS TRIP!
3. Many missions trips!

Three people who have to take this quiz now or die a slow painful death:
1. All bloggers that read my daily nonsense! haha

No one wants to guess at my riddle? Boo that.

Have a great Monday! (I am listening to George Harrison and it's great! I feel like a hippie....not really, I just like it.)

Woot!

After I got home from John's house, I recieved some exciting information. I can't tell because it's somewhat of a secret, but I'll give you a riddle to ponder and you can take some guesses:

"You have to wait for it, but it's not a Christmas present. No pain, no gain is the motto in the end. But bliss for Mr. and Miss is the perfect wish when a bird comes knocking at their door."

What is Lindsay excited about?

Once again, I say...WOOT!

Time!

I haven't blogged in a coon's age. (And to all those who have no idea what that means, it means that it's been awhile.) Work has taken captive my free time and has placed me to a germy scanner at a grocery store to help me recover from the debt the holidays bring about. I have had 3 differnt times where I wanted to blog but I don't have a computer on me. Poo.

But things I were going to blog about were things like the public. Since I'm back in social contact with people and their money transations for grub, I've re-discovered some of the ugly beauties of society and their ways. I also went into Wal-Mart one night an starting thinking about how crazy a place it is. They are so into everything, heck, they even have bins for those who cannot think outside the box and instead go to the shelf and pick something out for someone depending on their gender through boxes that say "Gifts for Him" and "Gifts for Her". Good grief. Ooo, goody, another soap set. I thought you'd never get me one of those...

In addition to the tales of Shop n' Save and Wally world, I wanted to blog about my nutty family. No, not ma and pa and greasy big brother, I mean the aunts and uncles that I saw over break and their "behavior". When some left, I wanted to hold onto their legs and make them stay here long *cough* sharon*cough*. Some of them are terrific and I wish I had more time with them. Other didn't find their way to the door quick enough. Instead, they decided to ask dumb questions, scare the other relatives, anger some of them, do their damage, and leave. Weird. My mother has said for years that she needs to write these things down so she can look back at the foolishness. It's rather amusing and a good conversation piece. When I told my roomie about two of the incidients, I think I blew her mind, almost as if a "weird" relative was someone who makes fruitcakes for dessert and knits you a sweater. No, some of my relatives rather give you soap made of chicken fat as a gift.

I'm not kidding, haha. Odd, eh?

Yeah, I know that the relative who did that does have some kind of access to this page but she doesn't know I am a blogger. Besides, she lives hours away. I'm safe.

...but seriously....chicken fat?

OH well. The holiday was great. Presents were fun, giving presents were funner, and having Mom at Christmas Eve service was funnest. (I know I just violated the english lauguage three times in one sentence, but I thought I'd take a change. Hopefully Mr. English won't notice. If he gets angry, I could sway him with a gift...

...of chicken fat.)

Oh my, I need to stop! It's too late and I need a nap. Yea for sleep! I hope everyone had a super duper holiday! May God Bless your holiday! (Yes, even all my relatives I wish the best for)

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

AND TO ALL A GOODNIGHT!

Some Holiday Cheer

This is a quiz-type deal I found on Melonie's blog. I always love a good survey.
Who do you have the most difficulty shopping for and why?

My father, seriously, he really doesn't tell you what he wants, just gets things and is content. I never know what to get him. I find my mother the easiest, I find stuff for her everywhere.


Do you have a favorite Christmas Cookie? What is it?

Cherry Cheesecakes

Real or artificial tree?

Artificial- it saved my parent's marriage


Do you celebrate Christmas? If not do you have a special holiday and what is it?

Yes, I do. Great time of the year

Do you put lights on the outside of your house?

I used to have lights on a tree outide my window, but they were old and were eveuntally scrapped. My other always does the front of the house. As for my dorm room, the place rocks. We even have a shrub to play the role as a tree.

Have you ever watched Chevy Chase in "Christmas Vacation"? If so do you yearn to have a house with more lights than his in the movie?

The movie is a family tradition actually. We know all the parts to it, inside and out. But i don't have a yearning for more lights. Maybe it's the wizzing eletric bill or him taking a tumble off the roof that changes my mind.

A Change of the Seasons

I’ve now realized how much I am going to hate getting older. Today on the way to the funeral I began to reminisce back to the days of childhood and how simple things were. Even when my other grandfather died, I felt no remorse or thoughtfulness. I was just confused, saw my cousins, and time went on. Things are different this time around.

I’ve almost finished out the whole week with four people dying all at once; I’ve realized I want to be six again. I went and stood in the lines, one of them an hour long wait in line, and realized how hard this adult thing may be. This time around at a funeral, as an 18 year old, I’m not playing around in the back room and looking at the funny looking couches and sofas. I’m helping my mother, my relatives, standing in lines, greeting people, and wandering around aimlessly at times with nothing to do but mingle.

It’s been nice to see my relatives home, well, some of them, haha. It will be a treat to finally meet Sharon. There is excitement yet busyness all over the house. The fridge is stocked with enough food to feed an army, quite unbelievable. It’s amazing to see people love so much. I thank them again and again.

Tonight is when it hit me, I guess one could say. After the viewing hours were over, the place had cleared out and there are 3 rooms connected to each other that lead up to the front. It was just Grandpa and I. As my mother and aunt figured out the flowers and their designated homes for after the service tomorrow, I walked up and I thought about how much Grandpa loved me. I never really thought about it too much, and I began to cry. he treasured my visits, my marker drawings, my twiddling on the piano. I slowly placed my hand on his, looked at his face, and whispered the words softly to him “I love you.”

On the way home I looked up at the stars and I began to miss him. At times I had this anger living inside of me because of the hardship it was to the family, especially my mother. But now I look back and wouldn’t have it any other way. I now longer have a gradnfather.I even began to regret things and wondered if I could have done anything more in my busy life of growing up in those teenage years. It’s strange to make the corner to my room because I pass his old room; now it not longer has a bed but just a small sofa chair with a cat that misses him dearly. It’s an empty room.

In a way, this is the best. He can see his beautiful wife and his beloved son; he can look at all his children from heaven now all at once, something that rarely happens when you have ten children.

It will be an adjustment for my mother. It all seems like blur right now because everything is just passing along like time doesn’t exists. But when my brother and I head back to our Universities, I’m sure mother will be checking in due to force of habit. She gave her life up to take care of him. She laid down her friends and her hobbies to stop and do one of the Lord’s commandments that she truly took to heart: Honor thy father and mother.

Even the cat is trying to deal with the changing of seasons. He’s sleeping in my room, which he never does, and is looking for some extra love now and days. He sits in the empty room and looks around, wondering who is going to vigourously pet him. But Jake has nothing to worry about, that cat is as strong as Grandpa was, he will cope. And besides, that cat deserves to be Tiger if he has a next life. He was a close companion. A brave one at that.

I got home and took of the borrowed shoes from my cousin to give my aching feet a rest. I changed out of my clothes that carry the scent of funeral home and look over at my Christmas tree. I think about plugging in the twinkle light but it just doesn’t seem fitting. I now understand why Christmas can be the most difficult time of the year for people. It just doesn’t feel like a jolly time for them.

Grandpa’s passing seems so surreal, but all in all, it’s human and life goes on, but his memory remains. I can’t count the timeless stories that have been recalled tonight about my grandfather and all the memories of his hobbies, life, and just plain silliness. It’s good to see that we are not grieving as if the death was unfortunate, but in a way, a blessing to him. He now gets to do what he loves instead of confined to the house. That’s what make things best out of all of it. It was his time.

I, too, remember.

My Tribute Blog

I don’t know where to start but I guess moving my fingers on the keyboard is a start.

I will probably never forget where I was when it happened, or at least, when I was told. Last night I had a nice conversation with my Aunt about my favorite Christmas decorations as I decorated my tree. I hadn’t had the time before two weekends ago when I was home, so I was finishing up the trim and happy to see my favorite little reminders swinging and dangling to and fro one the weak little limbs of the fake 4” eastern fir Christmas tree. My Aunt left the room to see my mother and I continued in the holiday merriment. That’s when my mother entered the room and caused me to do a double take. She told me Grandpa died.

It’s still unbelievable to think that he actually left because; with a little bit of humor here, he has pulled some good ones on us. The man was a super trooper when it came to illnesses. I don’t know what he had in him, but it should be studied for some scientific understanding. Whether it was hospital visits, cancer, broken and fractured bones, illness, and other ailments, he came bouncing back like nobody’s business with a snap of the fingers. Yet this was his time to go, the Lord called his name. It’s strange to think that we can leave the house now and only have the pets at home and no one there to watch him or hear the TV on in the room playing the 5 o’clock news at a level you can sometimes hear at the other side of the house. We’ve all gotten so accustomed to them.

Like my cousin Sharon, I have many memories of Grandpa too; some are the same! He would follow you, hanging on to you car jabbering away and making the farewell as long as he could. He’s always rant about my accomplishments in school whether it be a simple marching band parade or a band concert he attended. He loved peanut butter, pudding, and ice cream. Even those three words bring back many memories. I remember the pipe organ in his house that I was always a little fearful of knowing that the chance of a mouse coming out of now where and a squirrel landing on my head was a very real possibility. As he aged and his health condition started to go downward, I would prepare meals for him and spend some time twiddling on the piano named “Sally” as he ate his meal- with a side of a graham cracker and peanut butter, of course. He really loved visits and hated to seem them go.

Things became harder as he aged, but my mother was always there. She is a real hero- even when she was down and out with illness of her own or stress, she still got up to get him breakfast, do the laundry, and everything else that was required to keep the house in order and give him the best care anyone could ever ask for. It changed so many things in my family when he moved in with us three years ago, but now looking back on it, I’ve learned a lot, and I’ve learned a lot about my mother and her amazing determination and dedication.

Due to the Alzheimer’s disease, it became harder to speak with the guy who wouldn’t let you get a word in. But looking back at those days as a child and seeing him grow old in a loving home and with a full life, I wouldn’t want to see him go any other way, and he’d agree with me. A home would have been no place for him in the long run- he had the best here on Coffee Hollow Road with his trusty companion- Jake the cat.

It’ll be a hard holiday, for the week is filled with nothing but funeral home visits. My former Sunday school teacher and a saint who has inspired me in the church have both passed away this week on Monday. After the first viewing tonight, I somewhat dread the thought of having another tomorrow and then another Friday and a funeral Saturday.

But in the end, I cannot be pessimistic towards the holidays and put a frown across my face- I can only smile because they haven’t left us- they’ve gone on to a better place. Jim and Betty can live without pain and Grandpa and talk it up with Kathryn. I know he’ll be talking.

It’s amazing to look at see how wondrous our God is and how he offered His Son this holiday so that we may live with Him forever. Praise God for his love. There is nothing sad to cry for, because they’re up in heaven praising God.

They’re all having a ball up in heaven.

And the snow went..."phooph".

Oh yea! Look at the snow! Isn't it fun? I like this place to take pictures because I pass it all the time and the fact that the bike is still there. Go figure. 

Peanut Pop Art

Yea for pop art! See what boredom over the weekend can do to you? I made one similar for John with more "manly" colors. Nothing like the Peanuts gang in acrylic! 

The Final Showdown

Thanks to my smart schedule planning, my 2D final critique was at 11:30, unlike the plans of my roommate who had a math final at 8:00 AM this morning. I even set my alarm to make sure she got up. Fortunately for me, I went back to bed. But before I went back, I was awoken to look out and see the handiwork of nature. Yes, it dumped. And frankly, I think it's fun. But I would have to brave the cold and windy elements on my way to Hamilton for a final showdown.

I arrived to the building and when I got to the room, I saw other's were waiting. This is typical of our professor, who is never organized or has a time-management plan. But I didn't mind for I received some extra time to put up my projects from the entire year on the wall with pins. (They were hard to push it, or am I just a wimp?)

Then the critique began and he started asking me odd questions about saturation and colors. I began to give him looks behind his back. Come on now, it's the end of the year, please make sense for one. To my wishful thinking, he got off the subject and even happened to compliment my work. But his one comment was the kicker.

"I would think about improving how much you speak up in class and our class critiques."

...Excuse moi? Je ne parle pas beaucoup? Pah!

And out of my quick wit, which rarely kick in to do defensive work for me, I replied:

"I'm not afraid of speaking informs of people."

But really, I felt like saying "Well, when we have critiques you talk nonsense for 2 hours straight that causes half of the students to fall asleep and if you want me to talk more during class, that's too bad. Like I'm going to participate in conversations amongst the students about sex, drugs, and their superficial opinions on American issues."

Ouch.

I'm too nice to say something so repulsive like that and so open-minded, so I would probably sugarcoat the whole thing. It just shocked me that he thought I had some fear of speaking in front of people! Maybe there is nothing to say, I wonder if he thought that. But the class is done with and I am passing with something like B+ or and A-, not bad considering I took that year off of art and had to get back into the rhythm of things in addition to the changes that have happened, you know, those small ones, like going to college, meeting new people, thinking about your future everyday, you know, those small ones, you do that stuff all the time, right?

Eh, maybe not.

But on the bright side...it snowed!

My Wuvor & I

This fun drawing wasn't done by me but my a kid named Mike who majors in Animation and did this at Homecoming earlier in the year. He drew the picture from the Christmas Eve photo. I'll post another when it comes Christmas eve again! Looking through my blogs, I saw I didn't post this drawing, so I thought I would!

Isn't that the truth, I grew up in Armstrong County

LOOK OUT! ïòð

Lindsay K. is a radioactive squirrel!!

Username:

From Go-Quiz.com

The Paintbrush

Since I have some time to kill over the weekend, I have decided to pick up the paintbrush and pull out some creativity that isn't required for a grade on the back. So I decided Thursday night to paint something for John. Then I painted some other things. And then it was 3:00 in the morning. Then it was bedtime, for class is at 2:00PM. After class, I again picked up the brush to paint something similar to the one I made for John. What has gotten into me?

Maybe it's the fumes I smell from the acrylics that I sometimes enjoy. (I am not a druggie, please, spare me that speech.) But I highly doubt (haha, pun) that it's the aroma of paint. Maybe it's boredom or just for fun. Yet it makes me feel...Different.

Should I take those art classes that are required for a graphic design degree? If you don't know, I am doing a specialized major where I am studying communication and graphic design, which is helpful for the business place. When I came into school, I had take a year off from art because my old art teacher moved away. Yet the year before that, I took an independent art study and had class at the same time. I like it, because I got to be artistic.

Things changed when I came here to start school. I now realized I might have to be artzy up against all these talented individuals that could kick my butt when it came to canvas and carving. I immediately freaked. I was out of touch with my art side and all of a sudden I was under attack by paints and pencils.

I spoke with my advisor and then decided to take the route of the specialized major, which I still enjoy. Before deciding my major, communications was in the back of my mind, I enjoy it, but I didn't want to make a living out of it. I wanted to play with fonts. Now I get to do both.

But am I at a disadvantage? I've learned a lot from my art history course (a great professor too), and a little from my Two Dementional professor. If I cut out all the other classes like Painting I or Drawing I or , is it going to hurt me in my career because I won't be as artistically well-rounded as my other co-workers? I know this is a lot of thinking ahead for a freshman in college who has practically just turned 18. My roommate kicks my butt when it comes to art. I don't even know the difference between my pencils and how to use paints. I grew up in a small town, I can't help it, I guess. Yet with a specialized major, I will have the best of both worlds...

What do you think? Gimme so feedback.

As for me, I will probably paint again over the weekend. Maybe I will take it up as a hobby, but will I need it later?

Hmm...

Oh, by the way, anyone who wants to teach me to sew, go for it. I'd love to learn how so I can make cool stuff. If I were Amish, I'd probably be dead if I had to sew my clothes and make my food from a garden and not a can.

(Oh, and don't worry, I will post pictures later of the project, but John has to get his first!)

W-E-E-K-E-N-D

Yes, this is the what happened the last time we all got together- pumpkin pie, pepsi (that I don't drink), and crazy words. I predict this event to occur in the future since I am spending the weekend up here, but we may try another board game. Scrabble can sometimes be too challenging for us college students.

Under The Sea

I'm Ariel!
Take What Disney Princess are You? today!

Good Grief

I'm Charlie Brown!
Take What Peanuts Character Are You?

You're the wishy-washy, worry-wart of the gang. You spend your times fretting, or losing...or something...
You're different, and not very popular, but in spite of all that, everybody thinks your great overall.
Don't worry about being different, because that's what makes you wonderful. You might not know it, but you're the leader of the gang.

I've Been Financially Mugged

Today was going pretty well. It still is,don't get me wrong. I just feel, well, the title says it all.

I've been finacially mugged.

Today was the first day of the book-buy back the bookstore offers at the end of the semester. Heck, do I need that psychology book? Nah, throw it in the bookbag! I collected my books, packed them in the bookbag, and headed off to the UC for the exchange.

In the beginning, I spent around $200.00 whopping dollars for books that I really didn't use. For instance, my English professor required 3 books that cost me over $20.00 a piece, close to $40.00, were rarely used and I cold have easily saved myself over $100.00 bucks by just telling her "I forgot mine, I'll look over at Suzie's book."

In the end, I got around $60.00 back. Hmm, I know I didn't pass my high school math classes with flying colors but I know that there is some kind of significant difference between the two price tags. I brought my old receipt in case it was needed for the academic transaction but instead I used it to stare at in disbelief as the clerk told me a book I paid forty dollars for I was now getting for around five.

What did I ever do to the education system that requires them to flog me finacially? They punched, kicked, and gave a good kung fu show leaving me in a saddened state of delusions.

Those who have gone through the educational system in college, university, etc, have already experienced this kind of "rip off" and are reminiscing to those days or relating to the pain and lending me a band-aid. My Mac card bleeds and gives a depressed breath as more of it's life is taken away from it; it's elixir is running out.

Thank goodness for Shop 'n Save and their employment benefits- well, the only benefit being the green stuff they give for me scanning people's assorted grub and occasionally packing it in bags for them to take home to the kiddies to devour. I will most definitely be working over vacation and summer vacation. I am considering moving into the produce department at the store because of the better pay they offer but I run into some dilemmas where for one, I don't even know if they have an opening and two, the hours may be too many. Sure, I want the money, but I want my summer too.

Well, I'm off to do something academic. I'm going to wait to buy my books for next semester in case I don't have to buy the book. I wish I would have done that this time around. What do you think?

Have a great day! I'm finding the icy hot. Being mugged isn't an everyday thing! :)

My Evening In Boroville

Finals weeks has turned out to be a great advantage to me as a freshaman in my first year of college. As the cookie crumbled, I soon picked the pieces of dough away and saw that all my finals would be wrapped up by 4:30 on Tuesday, unlike many others who have a week long study-fest of papers and tests. Since I'm here for the weekend, I figured I'd have a lot to work on.

On the contrary.

So I am left to sit back a little bit and enjoy the smooth sailing of my first offical sememster in college. Every now and then I say to my roomie "Wow, I'm in college" and she replies by saying "Oh, no, not this again" since i do dwell to talk about the topic every now and then. I really can't believe it. I still feel like I am in this state between high school and college. Maybe it's the fact I have finally gotten used to this system of classes and teaching styles and projects. Maybe I am just mental or frustrated that my roomie brought up a Sega Genesis and it won't work. I am itching to play Sonic the Hedgehog.

Due to this abundance of time, and no Sega, I took up an offer presented by my new friend Megan to attend a Creation vs. Evolution study at 8:30 last night. Seeing that the bowling team is finished up for the year and there was no bible study for Thursday night, I decided to hop along.

I met Megan in the lobby downstairs and we walked to her car and chatted about this and that. Then we drove over to a friend of her boyfriend's house to where the study was going to be gathered. As we drove along, I noticed I had never been in that section of town. It turns out to be the quiet, little boro of Edinboro, with the trees and mailboxes of a picturesque movie setting. When we arrived at the house, the mother was waiting at the door to greet us. Apparently, the friend communtes to school because he grew up in the town, so we were meeting at his family headquarters.

We walked in the cute little home that smelled like dinner had just wrapped up. The dog, Bailey, we more than welcoming. This golden retrivier was the focus of both Megan and I's attention as we waited to figure out the plans of the night. It appeared that we were the only attenders with the exception of Megan's boyfriend who was heading up the event. So we would then move to his house to view the video about Creation vs. Evoultion, which was quite good by the way. The speaker on the tape had a lot of information in his head about the issue. I forget his name, but it was good. He talked quite fast had his jokes were on the lame side, but other than that, pretty interesting.

Yet before we left the house, I had realized something I never taken to thought before. Since Megan and her boyfriend just recently started dating, they still have that "new couple" effect going on, which is cute to watch because I can reminise back to those days. As we waited for him, I felt somewhat uncomfortable in the house, I was almost afraid to even take a seat ot play with the dog too much for fear of causing a disturbance. I realized how much I I felt at home at John's house.

I can walk into his house and not worry about knocking or being quiet about it. (Unless others are sleeping, of course) (His parents work night shifts occasionally or get up early for work.) When his parents are up and his father is in the living room, the dog occasionally barks to maintain the duty of a tough pup or just sits in the living room when I enter through the door. Either way, his Dad yells out a "Go Jesse, bite her leg off!" when Jesse comes forth and wags his tail. I laugh and tell his father I highly doubt that happening, even to a real threat to the house like a burgular.

I know where they keep their silverware and dishes, their peanutbutter and pans, and all the little nooks like the neat bathroom that is connected to the kitchen in a little nook and the attic that I still want to explore because of the childhood propaganda. I can see it all now, being around there is like a second home to me. I've been there when I've been sick with one thing or another. I even recall having a terrible cough that stayed with me for about two months and his mother being a little concerned about how she could hear me with doors closed as I attempted to cough up my liver. I've taken naps there and played games, watched a ton of movies, taken walks in the woods, fished, and I even showered there after a fishing expedition! I've bathed their dog and relaxed in their hot tub. I don't have to worry about sneezing and stirring up some dust, I can sit back and watch a football game. (Which usually turns into a nap.)

I like hanging out around there and with his family. They say they are odd ones, but what family isn't? I probably have a few good stories from my mother's side of the family that would match and raise them. Quite so. Sharon knows what I am talking about.

It's close to being home for awhile. I'll be back at old Shop 'n Save for the holidays to make a few bucks for presents for Ma, Pa, and a few others. John also gives me a double whammy by being born December 30th. (Even though September 30th is way cooler, har har.)

Oh, and by the way, my cell phone works! I'll have to blog about that sometime. It's an odd story, but it's so funny now! The weirdest stuff happens to me.

Well, I need to accomplish a few things in this class for today. (Yes, I'm on an apple again!)

Toodles!

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21

I think I will treasure this picture forever- the first picture of my second father, my former youth pastor, the miracle man- Pastor Paul and I. He was in the brink of death awaiting a liver transplant this past year when at the last mintue God gave him a chance at life again through organ donation. Go out there and sign up to be an organ donor! Become a miracle!

"Encourage each other and give each other strength." 1 Thes. 5:11

Don't you love a winter scene? It's the first snow of the season!

Winter Has Come

Due to the overwhelming amount of sleep I received yesterday from my nap, I got to bed at 2:30AM last night. No worries though, my first and only class of the Friday is at 2:00PM. Poor roomie has class at 8:00, and it's not even a fun one- math.

So I was woken by her after she got up and climbed down from her bunk and looked out the window.

It snowed!

I don't know why I was excited, I usually get thrilled over the first snow of every winter season that passes. Looking outside and seeing the beautiful touch of nature in a cool, white layer is exciting for most young and old alike. I did go out in the snow for I had an appointment this morning at 11:00, and I loved it.

It actually seems like winter now, Christmas in fact. I even wrote on the dry erase board "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..." because truly, it is. What Christmas is complete without some kind of frozen layer of white, crystaly water that drops in flakes from the sky? I even remember back to my childhood where I wanted snow on the ground Christmas morn because it was just weird not having it there. I wonder how the people in Florida deal with this. I'd put fake snow in my yard!

I just thought I'd blog and express my excitement over the snow. I somewhat dreaded it with great fear because of what the roads will get like and all the horror stories that have probably been exaggerated about this place and the weather. Yes, I am aware it's going to be different, but I will live through the winter, every else did.

I will try to blog a picture when I get back home for the weekend for one and all to see the first snowfall of Edinboro, Pennsylvania!

Making Up For Lost Eyelid Time

English class was dreadful today. Why you ask? I needed a nap. Remembering back to the day of my childhood, without enough sleep, waking me up from sleep, and right before I went to sleep, I could at times get a little touch, edgy, and just main grumpy and mean. Fortunately, my family witnessed a funny side of me during those times when I would occasionally be half asleep and say ridiculous things like walking out to the living room, looking down and the dog, and exclaiming “Holy Cow!”

I knew from the minute I woke up this morning I was going to need a pick me up of some sort and I wasn’t going down the dark path a former bowling team member is- no sleep, caffeine pills. My roommate is the Queen of Nap Nap, and I’m not kidding. Seriously, Manna can pass the time through a 3 hour nap at the snap of a finger. Heck, by the time your fingers get close to each other to make the snapping sound, she’ll be out like a light. Maybe she has the spirit of a cat that has reincarnated and has a knack for design- if you believe in that type of Buddiest belief. She says “You tell me when and where and BAM!” Yep, she’s a napper. She claims her boyfriend can pack away the hours with his pillow and blanket better than she can. Wow, if this is a new trend, I am a loser.

I could never nap efficiently. Sure, I used to take naps all the time when I was in the 9th grade. I had this terrible habit of going into my room and eating some butter cookies (that I still would love to find again. I bought them through a school fundraiser and they were the buttery bomb of bakery. If you have a recipe, send it to me and I will put you in my will.) Back to the story at hand, I would eat a few butter cookies out of my patriotic tin with a teddy bear on it, crawl into bed, watch television for around 15 minutes and zonk out. No, it’s not the cookies, it was my bus route. Every weekday I rose out of my warm bed to a black sky at 5:30 morning to catch the wretched cheese wagon at 6:10. So when the school had had come to a close, I felt like I went through an extensive beating. Those screaming, ignorant children didn’t help either, but kids are kids, what else can you do?

Today was an exception for the air was cold, the bed was warm, and I had some free time on my hands. I really needed a name because 1) I was tired and haven’t been getting my 8 hours, only about 7ish. Not good news for Lindsay, for I don’t function on less than 6 typically. 2) I was getting cranky. Everything was crawling under my skin. Even the kid who I ignore that is in most my classes and makes moronic comments and asks the dumbest questions was aggravating me to no end. The English class was again about nothing and all I could think about was a nap. Soon it was over and I headed straight for Snoopy.

I tried to get as comfy as I could because I know I do not possess the napping gift of Manna that enables one to nap in any kind of temperature, noise, or comfort situation. I kept my eyes closed and soon I noticed they were harder to open. Then things got hazy. Then things got dark. Then it was 5:40 in the evening, and I got back from class at 3:30

Really, it was great. I woke up actually happy and benevolent despite the crazy dream I had about people I know and a football game and all kinds of fanatical junk. I looked over to see if Manna was still in the room and at first I didn’t see her and feared everyone had gone off to dinner without me. Then I rubbed my eyes and noticed she too was napping. Aww, how sweet- roommate bonding time- group naps.

I doubt I will even get the Manna trick of napping, even is she published a book about it (Which I bet she could with all the practice she gets in the field.Too bad there isn’t a sleeping major.) But today I enjoyed the nap, even though it’s out of the norm. So did Snoopy.

Oh Bother, It Must Be Windsday

I work up this morning peering out the window at the site of a vanilla/yellow sky that looked ominous and surreal. I even checked the time of day to make sure I wasn’t dreaming or woke up at an odd hour of the morning. Little did I know I was going to soon be blown away like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz; instead I was on my way to Hamiltion Hall to see the Wizard of Kip.

After a few steps out the door I noticed how powerful the wind actually was and it’s brute force and strength when it came to pushing people off the sidewalk and stopping them in their tracks as they treaded forward to class. I briefly looked at weather bug to determine my apparel for the first day of December, but I had no idea at the intensity of the wind.

I struggled along and made it to class with a quick pace, for I am practically five minutes from the building. (Lucky me, I know.) Other students were blessed by being close to food and the University Center, but I rather be close to class and in between the food, so then there is a time period of walking to burn off the grub I gobble down. I passed two students who were battling the wind with little resistance due to the large canvas they were carrying. I offered help but they were almost to their destination. Afterwards, it dawned on me that I should have advised them to carry it the opposite direction of the wind so it wasn’t serving as a sail on a ship during a hurricane.

After a boring critique in Wizard Kip’s class, we took a 1 minute break and came out of the little critique room with no windows back to our usual studio to where we all discovered the mass of wet snow flying through the air. Really, I could have gone for a cup of something warm at Doucette, a building less than five minutes away, but I would rather stay dry and hungry than soaked and tired.

The walk back wasn’t so bad because I quickly bolted out the door and had a mission on my mind- warm room. Later I headed out to eat at the dining hall with Robin, which is located about ten minutes away. I decided to quickly jog for some of the trip to make travel time a little shorter. It actually was fun because at times with wind held me in place as my feet were still scurrying yet I was making no forward process.

I don’t mind the wind that much; it makes things a little more interesting. Besides, I cam to Edinboro knowing that I was in for some kind of weather experience, might as well suck it up and enjoy it.

On a bright side, my day was welcomed with an e-mail from my friend Krista and some of it told me about her lovely date with this new guy she is interested in. I was thrilled for her and can’t wait to hear more. Ahh, l’amour. (I will post a pic of the both of us but Hello has taken a vacation and it just won't work for me. It keeps telling me my internet connection isn't working or not meeting the server. Any tips??)

I’m out to Art History now and I see the sunlight has poked its head out of the clouds to take a laugh at the bundled little creatures on the ground. I’d laugh too.