A Nice Spring Day!

Today was a perfect spring day. We enjoyed temps around 60. I forced the kids to feed the ducks. At least the ducks enjoyed it. Then we went down to Hertiage Landing, and the girls played ROCK STAR, and we made them perform like they were the main act. It was pretty fun. As Hailie said today, "I love life." 

I don't normally do this but...

..this really touching. I got this in my email today, and never forward crap. So, instead of forwarding, I thought I'd post it. :)

Even if you are not a football fan or not a Colts' fan, please read this from their coach especially after loosing his son last year. This is worth taking the time to read.

Dungy Makes Super Bowl Stop to Speak at Athletes in Action Breakfast DETROIT, Mich.

They were there for breakfast, and they were there to cheer New York Jets running back Curtis Martin. And it was Martin who received the Athletes in Action Bart Starr Award Saturday morning, but the hundreds who gathered in fourth-floor ballroom at the Marriott Renaissance in Detroit, Mich., on the morning before Super Bowl XL were clearly touched by the featured speaker.
That speaker was Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy. Two hours into the breakfast, emcee Brent Jones introduced Dungy, who was welcomed with a lengthy standing ovation.

Dungy thanked the crowd, shared an anecdote about Martin, then told the crowd he was going to speak for about 15 minutes. "It's great to be here," Dungy told the crowd, then adding with a laugh, "I just wish I wasn't here in this capacity so many times of being just that close to being in the game and just being an invited speaker. "My goal is to have our team here one day and have a couple of tables with all of our guys here. Because we have a special group of young men, a great group of Christian guys. It'd be wonderful to have them here so you could see their hearts and what they're all about. "It hasn't quite happened yet, but we're still hoping one day it will." !

He told them he was going to talk about lessons he had learned from his three sons. The crowd fell silent. Then Dungy spoke. And although this was a breakfast, and although at many such events speakers speak over the clinking of glasses and murmurs from semi-interested listeners, for most of the 15 minutes the room was silent except for Dungy's voice.

He spoke of his middle son, Eric, who he said shares his competitiveness and who is focused on sports "to where it's almost a problem." He spoke of his youngest son, Jordan, who has a rare congenital condition which causes him not to feel pain. "He feels things, but he doesn't get the sensation of pain," Dungy said. The lessons learned from Jordan, Tony Dungy said, are many. "That sounds like it's good at the beginning, but I promise you it's not," Dungy said. "We've learned a lot about pain in the last five years we've had Jordan. We've learned some hurts are really necessary for kids. Pain is necessary for kids to find out the difference between what's good and what's harmful." Jordan, Dungy said, loves cookies. "Cookies are good," Dungy said, "but in Jordan's mind, if they're good on the plate, they're even better in the oven. He will go right in the oven when my wife's not looking, reach in, take the rack out, take the pan out, burn his hands and eat the cookies and burn his tongue and nver feel it. He doesn't know that's bad for him." Jordan, Dungy said, "has no fear of anything, so we constantly have to watch him." The lesson learned, Dungy said, is simple. "You get the question all the time, 'Why does the Lord allow pain in your life? Why do bad things happen to good people? If God is a God of love, why does he allow these hurtful things to happen?''' Dungy said. "We've learned that a lot of times because of that pain, that little temporary pain, you learn what's harmful. You learn to fear the right things. "Pain sometimes lets us know we have a condition that needs to be healed. Pain inside sometimes lets us know that spiritually we're not quite right and we need to be healed and that God will send that healing agent right to the spot. "Sometimes, pain is the only way that will turn us as kids back to the Father."

Finally, he spoke of James. James Dungy, Tony Dungy's oldest son, died three days before Christmas. As he did while delivering James' eulogy in December, Dungy on Saturday spoke of him eloquently and steadily, speaking of lessons learned and of the positives taken from experience. "It was tough, and it was very, very painful, but as painful as it was, there were some good things that came out of it," Dungy said. Dungy spoke at the funeral of regretting not hugging James the last time he saw him, on Thanksgiving of last year. "I met a guy the next day after the funeral," Dungy said. "He said, 'I was there. I heard you talking. I took off work today. I called my son. I told him I was taking him to the movies. We're going to spend some time and go to dinner.' That was a real, real blessing to me."
Dungy said he has gotten many letters since James' death relaying similar messages. "People heard what I said and said, 'Hey, you brought me a little clos! er to my son,' or, 'You brought me a little closer to my daughter,''' Dungy said. "That is a tremendous blessing." Dungy also said some of James' organs were donated through donors programs. "We got a letter back two weeks ago that two people had received his corneas, and now they can see,'' Dungy said. "That's been a tremendous blessing." Dungy also said he received a letter from a girl from the family's church in Tampa. She had known James for many years, Dungy said. She went to the funeral because she knew James. "When I saw what happened at funeral, and your family and the celebration and how it was handled, that was the first time I realized there had to be a God," Dungy said the girl wrote. "I accepted Christ into my life and my life's been different since that day." Added Dungy, "That was an awesome blessing, so all of those things kind of made me realize what God's love is all about." Dungy also said he was asked often how he was able to return to the Colts so quickly aft! er James' death.

James died on December 22, and Dungy returned to the team one week later. Dungy said the answer was simple. "People asked me, 'How did you recover so quickly?"'' Dungy said. "I'm not totally recovered. I don't know that I ever will be. It's still very, very painful, but I was able to come back because of something one of my good Christian friends said to me after the funeral. "He said, 'You know James accepted Christ into his heart, so you know he's in heaven, right?' I said, 'Right, ! I know that.' He said, 'So, with all you know about heaven, if you had the power to bring him back now, would you?'

When I thought about it, I said, 'No, I wouldn't. I would not want him back with what I know about heaven.' "That's what helped me through the grieving process. Because of Christ's spirit in me, I had that confidence that James is there, at peace with the Lord, and I have the peace of mind in the midst of something that's very, very painful. "That's my prayer today, that everyone in this room would know the same thing."

A Nice Day

Today was a nice day. The entire family came over to have dinner in honor of my Mom's birthday. We had roast beef, potatos, stuffing, peans, corn, baked beans, rolls, um..seemed like there was something else but I can't remember. I wish I would have thought to take a picture of all of the yummy food.

The food was really an afterthought. The real meat and potatos was the family being together. I love looking around and seeing my family together, laughing, talking about growing up. I only hope that one of my neices, nephews, or my cousins will take the ropes of family get togethers when we are old and can't do it anymore.

Until then, I'm happy to hostess. I promise Mom, I'll have a big house someday and everyone will have a chair and a kitchen big enough where we won't rub butts when we cook :)

Annoyed

I’m annoyed. It’s spring and most people, especially single people think it’s a great time for a new beginning. I am no exception. With the guys I’ve been talking to and seeing I thought there would be a diamond in the rough. I’ve been excited with the prospects. However, the prospects are very disappointing.

I use to be really good at not having unrealistic expectations, then I got really good at having no expectations. Now that I have any kind of expectations, I find myself getting mad. A lot. I expect phone calls, and I expect them to make some time for me. That isn’t happening.

I’m starting to think I’m for sure going to be the little lady with all the cats. That’s very sad.

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Happy Birthday Mom! Thank you for being such an important person in my life. I can't imagine what my life would be like if I didn't have someone so supportive, and someone who is as helpful as you are. I love you. Thank you for every little, tiny thing you've ever done for me, from putting bag balm on my dry feet when I was a kid, to helping me understand my tears. You rock Mom.

As for the pictures. We had an early celebration at the half moony saloony. A good time was had by all. 

THEY DO EXIST!! Here is a picture of baby seagulls, answering the age old question of, Where are the baby seagulls? They are with their Momma's of course!

St. Patties Day

Happy Saint Patricks Day!! You gotta love a day that celebrates the dude who can get rid of snakes in an entire country. No wonder it's a day to get drunk..what better way to celebrate?Yeah, I don't care for snakes too much.

In other news, I've been persuing my other prospects and one has really shown some great potential. We have a lot in common, and a lot of shared interests. I think this could be the start to a great relationship. Then again, he hasn't met the family yet, that could all change then. :)

No news about the job. I'm guessing I didn't get it. I was so sure after the first interview I had it in the bag. I guess God was trying to remind me not to be so over confident. So, the search continues. I just hope that the right job hurries up and becomes available.

Did you know that today was the day I was going to marry Ray R about 5 or so years ago? Hmm...I think I'm glad I'm not celebrating that wedding anniversary.

Out with the old...

I once heard the definition of insanity was doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

I think I’m insane.

For a few years, I’ve had the same type of relationship with the same kind of guy. I thought that by spending time together combined with being loving and patient that someday he’d open his eyes and see what a great catch I am and want to be with me on a more regular basis.

I give, and give, then give some more. I get nothing back in return, not a commitment, not anything that I need, and I don’t think that he has ever been capable of giving me more despite my hopes and my dreams.

So, I think I’m going to continue to pursue my other prospects a little harder than I have been. I’m ready to remove the straight jacket and find out what life and love can be like when you accept it with arms wide open.

The Second Interview

Later the same day of my first interview, they called to set up my second interview for the next day. This was a formality type interview. You know the kind, application, release to do a background check all that boring stuff.

I really have no clue if I'm going to get the job or not. He said that I was in the running and I should hear something in about a week.

I still want this job, and am still praying that I get it.

Just an FYI also, I've had a great few days with my out of town guest. Damn it all.

The Interview

I got up this morning, full of smiles and sunshine. Being very excited about my interview. I prayed all moring for the right things to say, and for them to see all of my qualifications and to see that I'd be an asset to their company.

I get ready, get very cute and professional looking (thanks again Bunny Jo) walk out the door with about 3 minutes to spare and promptly fall down the steps face first into the mud. I scraped up my hands, and my legs. Thankfully, the clothes were ok except for a spot on my pants that mostly brushed off. I had just enough time to go in the house to wash off my hands and get back out the door.

I walk into the place where my interview is, and was told to take a look around while they prepare for my interview. After 10 minutes or so, they are ready for me.

I had the best interview of my life. They seemed very impressed with my resume and cover letter, and both the manger and dist. manger seemed very pleased with the answers. We talked alot about benefits and the celluar business, then they asked me for a 2nd interview.
I was the first interview of the day, and hopefully, I set the bar pretty high for the other people who want to the job.

So now here I sit with an ice pack on my bruised swollen leg. But I've got a big smile on my face.

Keep saying those prayers and boiling those newt eyes, if it'd get me the job, I'd be willing to eat them.

A quickie

I've got an interview tomorrow at noon to sell cell phones. I'd be good at this.
Cross your fingers, boil eyes of newt, or say a prayer that I get it.

New Soup

I made a great new soup last night and I wanted to share it with ya'll. It's a Cheeseburger Mushroom soup. Here is the receipe.

1/2 to a pound of ground beef
1 onion diced
2 carrots diced
2 celery stalks diced
2 cloves of garlic minced
8 ozs of mushrooms, sliced (if you don't like mushrooms, omit them.)

3-4 cups of chicken or beef broth
2-3 potatoes peeled and diced
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp dried basil
salt and pepper to taste.

2 tablespoons of butter
1\4 cup of flour
1 1/2 cup of mile

8 ounces of American Cheese.

Brown the hamburger, drain the excess fat. Add onions, and cook until soft. Add the rest of the veggies including the garlic. Cook about 15 mins. Add the broth, potatoes, and seasoning. Cook about 20 minutes or so until the potatoes are cooked.

Make a white sauce. Melt the butter and slowly add the flour. Then wisk in the milk and turn up the heat until thickened. Add to the soup mixture. Stir in cheese until melted.
You can also add sour cream at this point if you'd like.

This is one of those soups that you could just eat and eat..mmm..it's so good.

In other news. Today is a pretty day. It feels like spring. It makes me want to clean my room, and my car, and the house. Well, that could be because I'm expecting company maybe :)
I also got a rejection letter from a job I applied for. Here is the kicker, I applied for so many jobs, I have no idea what one this was for. Oh well. Are you saying those prayers? I need them.

Eagle Eye

Happy Sunday :)
Today so far has been interesting. I went out for brunch with Mom and Fritz. On the way back, I happened to look on the ice at Mona Lake and saw a BIG bird. After a second glance, I realized that it was a bald eagle. We stopped and got a better look, and there were 5 total that we could see. In addition, there were 5 or 6 other birds that were eagle like that we were unable to identify. They really are a pretty bird, and it's quite amazing watching them soar.The other thing that has been interesting is I spent my morning sending out my resumes. I'm really hoping that this is the week I get a call for an interview, and a job offer. Keep you fingers crossed, and say some prayers (if you're the praying type) I could certainly use them. I need to find something that is going to pay some bills, and get me independent again.

The Date

It was fun, I got to know him a bit better, we talked for a very long time. He is a very nice guy, and a lot of fun. We'll see where things go.

Jamie's bad day

I had a bad day today. I was going to the casino today, on the way up there, my car just stopped. My cell phone couldn't get network, so we had to walk to find a phone, and a tow truck. We take it to a place that came highly recommended. My timing chain broke which results in a bunch of more expensive repairs. So my car sits about 2 hours away from home, waiting for parts with an almost $700 bill.
I'm really glad though that I've got the money to cover it now. The only very scary thing is, that they could fix it and find out that the engine is no good so that just means that I might be out the money and a car.
Keep your fingers crossed for me.