Paybacks and Payforwards

I have great news! I got a car! Isn't that amazing!?! Of course it is. It's a Buick- Skylark, Golden Edition. And for those who don't know jack about cars, that means that it's small, semi-ugly -Oops! I mean, 'not so good-looking'-and very old. One of my co-workers, upon giving him a ride home, commented on my car being "A Granny Car." ....Personally, I think he was right.

One of the many strange features of my car, is that it likes to show me who's boss. Whenever I go to open the door, of course I can't because it's locked. But then, if I wait long enough, it decides to unlocked all the doors. Or as my dad put it, the car is merely saying "I'll let you in when I feel like it." Funny right? I think its pretty annoying actually, especially when I'm racing from campus out into the parking-lot in the freezing cold and I'm already frozen stiff so rummaging through my purse for the keys is out of the question. So I have to try the door, freeze for two whole minutes until it decides to unlock the doors! Sure it's a handy feature when one has forgotten the keys in the car, or is frozen stiff and simply can't move to get the keys; but honestly, its like it wants to be stolen! I call it, (...sometimes anyway) a "Patient Burglar Car." -But lets not go into that. I don't want someone getting the wrong idea...

But anyway, back to the story: Through a lot of driving and phone calls and rounds of Bejeweled I got my car on Friday. On the way home, here "home" not "there" home, Seth was nice enough to buy me gas. 30 + dollars worth. (I am in so much debt! ...Okay, well maybe not up to my eyeballs in debt, but certainly up to my toes!)

Just the other day we were standing around in -And for the sake of not wanting creepy people coming after us in the night or something along those lines I'll just refer to it as "PMW", which is an acronym for "Place Melinda Works." Got it? -and anyway I pulled out my bank envelope that had my pay-back for the gas. I had made it my goal, of course, to repay them. Duh. So as Melinda was finishing up in PMW and Seth was playing "Bejeweled" on his little i-pod touch, I pulled out a pen and scribbled, "Thanks for Gas" and all that. I had meant to just slip it into Melinda's coat pocket, book, or even her purse. So as we were walking out of PMW (-have I ever said where she works?...I don't remember. I probably have. But from now on lets just call it PMW. Okay?) and I was strolling along behind the happy couple as I always do and tried to find the perfect way to slip the envelope to them, unnoticed. -Seth had Melinda's book tucked under his arm, so that one wouldn't work. Erm, her coat? No. That would be weird, as she was wearing it at the moment. Her purse? ...I guessed that that would have to do.

I held the little envelope in my hand and leaned forward slightly. No. It wasn't going to work. The opening in her purse was much too small to simply slip the envelope in unnoticed. But I had to try. I leaned forward again and as I did Melinda, perhaps in a relieved mood about getting out of work, was swinging her purse wildly at her side. Goodness! How hard could this be? So on my third attempt I vowed to myself that I was going to do it this time no matter what! So I ducked down to the purse's level once more and shoved. The envelope went in alright, but I also went forward and nearly pushed Melinda off her feet! ...Well...maybe it wasn't that bad. But I did run into her. Everyone laughed, so that was good. Well, "everyone" as in the three of us, not the entire fill of PMW, to be sure.

Okay, so that was the "Payback" part, now for the "Payforward" Part.

You may be asking yourself now "Well, what's the difference between Payback and Payforward? Are they not the same?" Well I'll tell you: No, they're not the same. In fact they're quite different. You see, paying something back is giving back the same item that was given -in this case that item was money. Now the expression "pay it forward" is used to describe the concept of third party beneficiary in which a creditor who offers the debtor the option of paying the debt forward to a third party instead of paying it back. Say, Seth buys me gas then I pay-it-forward by perhaps buying Melinda gas. See?

Well here's my problem; Seth and Melinda have done so much for me! It amazes me just how much! And I need to "payforward" their acts of kindness with some of my own that in the end will measure up to the same value. ...Have I lost you yet? No? Good. I'll continue...

...they feed me, put a roof over my head, they even acted (and at times still act) as my chauffeur, occasionally they buy me clothes and cheap clearance chairs -I mean, honestly, who can beat a cheap clearance chair!? -And a green one at that?

Unfortunately, my pay-forward is very small compared to what I'm getting in return. I do the dishes. No big deal. It's never hard (-I mean, come on! There's three of us!) But at least it's something. I wish I could do more -and this is where you come in. What else can I do to "measure up" to all that Seth and Melinda have done for me? How can I pay-it-forward?

Juggling Life with Both Hands

-Juggling [juhg-uh l]- verb (used with object)

(1) to keep(several objects) in continuous motion in the air simultaneously by tossing and catching. (2)to hold, catch, carry, or balance precariously; almost drop and then catch hold again (3) to manage or alternate the requirements of (two or more tasks, responsibilities, etc) so as to handle each adequately

I started school on the Monday and here it is, only the third day, and I'm already getting worn out. (I can only imagine how it's going to be a few weeks from now! You may not even recognize me!) But, I'm getting ahead of myself. First I want to make you feel sorry for me and jumping right in the middle of my schedule doesn't work. So, I'll start from the beginning...

I get up for Seminary, oh-so-early in the morning, and then when thats over we rush out the door and head for the college. There I am dropped off and am inclined to wait patiently (in the library, the campus center, or here in the B.U. Building with the open lab) until my classes start. Now, its not the longest three hours, but it's still pretty long. I spend that time either studying or reading. Mind you, I don't dare get on the computer until after my classes are over -I wouldn't want Time to snip by without my noticing, as always happens whenever I get on.

Well, after my wait is up I go to class, of course, where I sit for hardly more than an hour listening to the Professor give his or her lecture. (Today I enjoyed my Geography lecture very much. But that's probably only because our Professor was riling up the class in a big discussion. It turned out to be rather humerus, I thought. And I was getting so into what everyone was saying that before I knew it he was dismissing us for our next class!) When classes are out, I head down to the Campus Center, where the big sort of "lunch room" is and there I eat my little squished P.B. and J. sandwiches and spoon out my yogurt from a tiny plastic cup that doesn't even have a lid, and then I have to wipe up the jelly that spilled out of my lunch box (-which, by the way, I have to lug around outside of my bag -once the purse and books got in, nothing else would fit!) Then I go and brush my teeth, replace my rubber bands and all that fun stuff.

When lunch is over I usually (-Ha! "Usually" I've only done it for three days!) go down to the library and catch up on my homework and read some more, and sometimes I even get on the internet and type on my blog. Then around late-afternoon or so, Melinda or Seth picks me up and takes me to work. My shifts are usually five hours long, so that's like thirty, or so, hours a week! Work is fine. Nothing new. The only down side is that I can't do my homework there or even read. I've set my schedule up with my job that I'll be closing a lot in the next six or so months. And closing is a hard thing! Very long. Very boring. And yet I always manage to get out at around forty+ minutes after we close. Then either Seth or Melinda (usually it's Seth. Melinda, by that time is already conked out, or "closed for the night" as we put it.) come and get me and take me home. After my shower and the switching of what books go in my bag for tomorrow, I read my scriptures, say my prayers, and go to bed. Now by this time It's already about midnight or so and I'm completely worn out and ready for those ten hours of sleep that every teenager supposedly needs. But guess what! It doesn't work that way. Within the next five hours this whole routine starts over....

.....So...Do you feel sorry for me, yet? No? What do you mean No? Here. I'll tell you what -on top of all this my teeth are constantly causing me brutal pain and making it so that I have to pry my mouth open when the Professors take role-call, or whatever its called. And another thing! -I have to force (and I say "force" because whether they realize it or not, I am "forcing" my cousins to drive me where I need to go. Isn't that horrible!?! I mean, I come all this way to learn to stand on my feet and what do I do? Kick my cousins under the heel! I mean it's sick! Absolutely disgusting! ...Goodness. Aren't I a horrid person?) Anyway, what was I saying....? Oh I remember -I have to force my cousins to drive me Here, drive me There, drive me Everywhere and I hardly have enough money to pay them gas! Now do you feel sorry for me? ...Only "A little"? ...Well, I guess that's enough.

But now, what I'm getting at is that you shouldn't. No you shouldn't. Don't feel, for one second, sorry for me. I'm doing what I need to do, and working hard to get where I need to go. All these things will, as is said "mold" me into being a better person. Do I mind having such a busy schedule? Of course, but that doesn't mean that it isn't worth it. I'd go a lot farther if it meant getting my education and the money to pay for it. Now as for the car situation. I believe my parents just purchased a car for me (They said that if I paid for my braces then they'd buy me a car. Don't worry, I'm not bumming of them now too.) and I plan on paying my cousins back in full + interest on all the gas they wasted on me. But Shh! don't tell them that. They may not agree. At least, they won't tell me they agree, even though deep down inside they want to just squeeze me of every last penny! ;)

So anyhow...what was I getting at...? Oh Shucks! Now I've lost my whole train of thought. Oh well. I guess I'll see you guys later...

Self Worth

Okay so after missing about three of my oh-so-important Orthodontics appointments I thought, Hey, maybe I really should go this time. So the decision was made right then and there that I was going to ACTUALLY GO to my next appointment. Little did I know that it would be much harder than I had originally anticipated.

So first, I called my dad and arranged to meet him halfway. By halfway, I mean of course that we (Seth, Melinda, and myself) meet my dad somewhere between His-House and Our-house. Duh. So after the three of us got off work we went back home and hung out for about an hour. When that was over I called my dad and we (both of us, or I should say, all four of us, with both of our cars, all two of the cars anyway...I don't know. It really isn't that confusing. Anyway-) began or long journey to meet in the middle.

During the long, and boring, and dark, and long, and boring, and dark drive we had to find means of entertainment. Of course, for how can one survive when one is not being entertained right? So Seth pulled out his ipod-touch and we played a round of Mancala. It was fun and all, very short, easy win, easy lose. The ipod pretty much did everything for you, all you had to do was poke the slot and it emptied it for you. Anyway, when that was over Seth let me play a few rounds by myself (meaning me vs the computer I wasn't about to play against myself). Well, that was even faster, and a much easier win. ..Did you catch that I didn't say "easier lose"? Want to know why I didn't say that? Of course you do. It wasn't an easy lose, because one CANNOT lose. It was funny actually. At first I was really trying to win and I was so pleased with myself and getting a big head, but then after about the fifth win I got curious. What would happen if I played at random? -If I didn't try? So I did, I played the worst moves I could through the entire game and guess what?! I still didn't lose!

Well that was a drag. But surprisingly still fun. I like it when my mind exceeds that of something so technical. I feel so accomplished, but I can tell you know that it doesn't happen very often. After that game we hit the drive-thru at Wendy's and then stopped for gas and what not. (What does that term mean anyway "what not"? hmmm... I'll have to look it up. Hey! maybe I can even blog about it later!)

We arrived "In the Middle" at around eight-ish, eight-thirty, take your pick. And then after talking a bit and standing out in the freezing cold we split and went our separate ways. But of course this time I went with my dad and Seth and Melinda were short one passenger. But thats okay. For the ride home me and my dad talked and he told me some bad news, (but thats...another blog), and then some good (or, I think he did, maybe not). Anyway after driving for what seemed to be forever (Did it seem like forever to you Melinda? I thought so, but maybe it was the weight of my bad news what made it feel so stinkin' long) we stopped by my Grandparents house and got a few things taken care of and then we went home and yada, yada, the rest is really boring and it's been a while so, I don't really remember anyway. But who cares?....

Okay, so the drive. At one-thirty-ish me and my grandma started for Arkansas and on the way we stopped at ----name withheld--- (He's the guy that's working on my broken Malibu. He's old. Soon to be retired. Not the best choice if you want your car done fast, but still, he's cheap.) Anyway, he gave me the painstaking new that my car would not be done by the deadline of tonight and he pretty much just said "Fat Chance", mind you he did it in a nicer, caring way than how I just said. Still he could have bolted it into my head with a hammer and it still would have produced the same result. I was crushed. Boy let me tell ya, the ride up to Arkansas was not a fun one. It was worse on the way back because I couldn't talk, but I'm getting ahead of myself...

Okay, so the appointment. It really was no surprise that it took all of twenty minutes. I got there about ten minutes before my scheduled time, so they just shoved me through the door, tightened and renewed my bands, and then gave me something to wear called Rubber Bands.

-Rubber-Band: noun; a narrow, circular or oblong band of rubber, used for holding things together, as papers or a box and its lid. Also, tiny little rubber things that seal your mouth completely shut -they hurt immensely and should never be worn unless instructed. They are very small and often times colored, but don't let that discourage you, if you should swallow or lose them don't fret, just call and your dentist should send you more.-

Anyway, we drove for like two and a half hours for a twenty minute appointment. Crazy hu? I sure thought so. I mean it's like buying a book on Amazon and having it be sixty cents but the shipping and handling is like five dollars. I mean what's up with that?

So now, on our way home I had the opportunity to simply sit and listen as my Grandma pulled off a one-on-one conversation. -Remember how I said that I couldn't talk on the way home? Yeah, that's why. I blame the rubber bands 99.9%. (The other 1% is because of my personal issue of not having my car. You gotta understand I was really depressed about that! I think I had a right to be at least 1% mute because of it. I mean, right?)

So anyway, I dropped my Grandma off at her house and then drove next door to my parents. I pulled into the driveway and turned off the car. I sat there for a long while, just thinking -or not thinking (has you're mind ever been so full that you felt as if you could no longer think? -Wait. That doesn't really make sense. But it happens I guess. At least, it did to me.) Anyway, to cut a long boring story short -my sister Jessica came and sat next to be in the car. We passed a few hushed words and then she told me that our other sister, Mariah, needed to be picked up from the school. (She had stayed after and now needed a ride home.) After permission of course, Jessica and I drove to Home-City and went to the school to retrive my sister. (And Jessica is shoe-less this whole time, so just keep that in mind, it makes the story a little bit humerous.)

Anyway, we (or I should say "I", Jessica wasn't about to go running the parking lot with nothing but socks to cover her feet!) looked everywhere for Mariah and couldn't find her, so I went to the Elementry and asked a teacher where she might be. Yada, yada, I called my parents and they told me that they'd already picked her up, yada, yada. So yeah. Jessica and I just went home and had a fun little chat. Well actually, it wasn't that fun. I was so dredfully tired and driving the Buick wasn't any fun because its such a massive car!

That evening around seven-ish, my dad drove me to the Half-way marker again and I acted as the torch being passed from one athlete to the other. Oh! Actually-! We changed the meeting place to a small town called Horton. (You know, like the elephant?) Well, come to think of it, I'm not even sure it was a town. But it was funny -right in the middle of nowhere. We just pulled to the side of the road in what looked like a want-to-be paved ditch or something. Oh, but the view was amazing! I've never seen so many stars! I would have enjoyed it more, however, were I wearing some heavier coat. By-Golly it was freezing! But then it wasn't too much fun, either. I was tired. My dad was tired. And I'm sure that both Seth and Melinda were tired as well. Not to mention the cars themselves being tired. But it was all good. Everything worked out just as planned.

Right now I am sure you are wondering something along the lines of "Okay, so why did she write out this long and boring post?" The reason I wrote this perticular post was to ask a question, or simply, I suppose, to state a thought: Why? Why did so many people go through all that trouble for one person? All that trouble so that one little girl's mouth could hurt for the next two weeks. All that trouble for one little girl. I mean it's weird that it should work that way. Weird to think that just one person could be worth so much. I personally thought that I was among the farthest things from "worth it". But it happened. And it needed to happen.

To think that in so many instances we realize our worth and simply push it away. It is amazing to me that far too often, even after we've been told our worth countelss times, we can still chose not to belive. That we can still diminish ourselves in such a way that we become, in others eyes, of seemingly less worth. A famous American Poet once said "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what liest within us." ...My prayer for you today, is simply that you believe it. Always remember that "You are Worth it!"

"Painting the Bed Frame Black"

I had the privilege a few days ago, actually I think it was on the 28th of December, but anyway. I got to watch Seth and Melinda spray-paint their bed. Sounds fun right? Well, it was up to a certain point. The smell wasn't very pleasant, and neither were the painted footprints on the kitchen floor. But I enjoyed it. I liked watching them and taking pictures as they worked.

They took apart their bed and then reassembled it inside the garage. They outlined the floor with plastic before they started painting to be sure. It didn't take long for the smell of paint to leak into the house. Luckily the kitchen soaked up most of it, the rest of the house remained smell-free.

Sure it was cold, and sure they had to use four whole cans to paint the entire frame, but that didn't matter. It was fun. Besides, they had been waiting for a long time to get this done. One of those end-of-year-resolutions I guess ;). Anyway, after the painting was complete we went back inside and played a game of "Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader". Of that, I humbly admit that I wasn't. I got stumped on some question about Greek Column Types or something of that sort; Ionic, Doric, and Corinthian. (FYI, they used Doric Columns to build the Parthenon. In case you were wondering.) And I can tell you right now -I never learned that in 5th grade. Anyway, I think Melinda won.

When that was over we went back outside to sand the bed to give it that rustic sort of look. Well, they sanded, I just stood back and took pictures. It didn't take long until the bed was sanded. And when that was all over we brought the bed back inside and went about the day as usual. But there was one conversation that I wanted to keep, I'll let you guys read it-

Melinda was on her laptop in the livingroom downstairs while Seth was upstairs playing on his massive computer. "Here," Seth hollered, "I got something for ya!"

By the tone in his voice we knew it wasn't something really tangible. I'm not sure how, we just knew. So we didn't go running upstairs to get what he had for us....if that makes any sense...

"Pick your nose," he said.

I held back a laugh as Melinda's face scrunched in utter confusion. Nonetheless she obediently touched her finger to her nose.

Seth's voice rang out down the stairs once more. "Now look at your finger." He paused before adding, "It should be black."

"What!?" Melinda hollered back, even more confused. Soon enough her curiosity got the better of her and she had to actually -more or less- "pick" her nose. (Sorry Melinda, I don't mean to embarrass you :P) When she held out her finger again she just laughed. It was indeed black.

We came to the conclusion that all of the inhaling of the spray paint caused it to be so. It was really funny, I thought. Especially how Seth went about telling us. So yeah, thats how my day went. The 28th. But that's all. Enjoy the pictures!

It's a Buggy Bug World

Now, I'm not sure that "Buggy" really covers the description of the world, or life at that. "Tough", or "Expensive" seem to be better choices, in my opinion. I realize of course that it won't always be like that. Soon it will be "Short", "Full", and it may even get "Despairing".

Lately I had been having trouble with my life. (-Don't I always?) Anyway, first of all, my school bill was two thousand dollars over what I could afford, which happened to be the entire bill. Second, the bill is actually due today -and I still don't have the money. Third, I have an Orthodontics appointment coming up that is a near three and a half hours away and I have no car. And Fourth-....well, I'll think of a fourth later.

So yeah. Only a couple of days ago I was really stressed and racking my brain about everything! Boy was I in a frenzy! I was puzzling everything together as best I could, which I'm terrible at by the way. Puzzles were never my thing. But life just seemed to be getting worse! My boss started pressing us to get our Food Handlers Permit ASAP, and there were things I needed to get done, information to be got. Argh! I hated it!

Night after night I prayed, pleaded for help. And Night after night things remained the same. There were times when I could have used the extra half hour for sleep instead of reading my scriptures and saying my prayers. I admit I was greatly tempted. But I didn't stop. I did what I was suppose to. And two days ago, I got my long awaited answer....

Sitting in the break room of Kohls, I made a few phone calls. My first was to the school in which I simply asked if they'd change my status to "In District". I was afraid that they wouldn't for I when I applied wasn't a resident. Honestly, I almost didn't bother with it. But they were very willing to work with me and straightway they got it changed. "Your bill should be a lot less," the lady reassured, putting a big stress on the word "lot". I was so relieved. Now my bill was almost half of what it originally was. There goes one problem!

Then -in that same hour I called my brother and asked to borrow his truck for my appointment. I was afraid that it was too late, that he already had it booked, but that was not so. He immediately said I could, so long as he had a ride into work later that day. Yippi! Another check off my list of "Troubles".

Yesterday, One of my coworkers gave me a ride to Independence so that we could get our Food Handlers Permit and just after that my cousin, Seth, drove me down to the college and we stood in line for the Financial Aid. "Do you really have fourteen siblings?" The Aid asked truly shocked. I only nodded. "I don't mean to pry," he said. "But thats a lot!" Yeah, I thought, I know.

I felt almost giddy when he told me that I qualified for the Pell Grant. He pointed out that the grant would cover my entire bill! Then at the Cashiers desk I filed for the Payment Plan they had: Pay 50% now and then 50% the next month. Seth whipped out his bank card and let the cashier pull out over $500. -For me, it was a big deal that Seth was doing this. I realize, of course, that once I return the tax papers to the Financial-Aid Office, Seth would be fully reimbursed. But still, I was exorbitantly grateful!

Ironically this morning in Seminary we talked about the first commandment: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me". Sister Furnell had us watch a short video about not letting things take the place of God in our lives. I realized then that in a small degree I had obeyed this commandment. I may have missed a few hours of sleep and not all of my time was devoted to my "stressing" routine, but I was blessed for it. I know it may seem like I'm giving a talk or something, but this is just something that I wanted to remember. Something that mattered in my life.

I feel so much better today. I can finally breath because I know, more assuredly, that I am being watched over. I hope that you can see it someday too- God's hand in your life.

Pay it Forward

This morning on the news there was a news report that caught my attention.

In a coffee shop there was a lady who was just so full of the Christmas Spirit(you know how that is- always willing to give) -Anyway, she paid for her drink as well as for the person behind her. The reporter said it was like wildfire, spreading down the line. Soon everyone was paying for another person's drink. I think it started a near five in the morning and here the reporter was, standing by the shop, about eleven o'clock-lunch time, and people were still at it.

It amazes me how good you can make someone feel if you simply try. I know these drinks were like three bucks (not to mention, full of disgusting coffee-) but still, it was enough to make people realize how wonderful it is to serve.

My father always said that the way to love someone is to serve them. And he's right. ...So girls, if you find a cute guy all you have to do is pitch in a couple of dollars of service and maybe it'll work out. But no, really, life is beautiful. It is what we make it. If you want to be a miser the world will mise with you. And if you want to be a giver guess what? -the world will give back. Mind you, it may not always be in the way we expect, but there will be effects, both good and bad.

Anyway, I didn't mean to steer away from my original subject- back to what I was going to say. I know it may sound funny or child-ish, but I'd like to challenge all who read this to notice when someone does something for you (whether big or small) and pay if forward. (Yeah, like the movie.) Okay, now, I realize that most of you are probably regretting you ever read this post, but really it doesn't have to be big, just do it. You'll feel good about it. Step out of your box and do something for someone else. Whether it's jumping in front of someone to open a door, or carrying boxes for an elderly woman, or just saying hi to someone who looks miserable. -Just do something. Anything.

Then, for my sake -I'm so bored- please comment on what you did. Let me know how you felt when you did it. And please, I realize that doing something for your family is the easiest way to go, but just try acting outside of all that. Serve a stranger. You may find out that they weren't very strange to begin with.

Just try. Please. And, of course, Good Luck!

Forgotten Superheroes

Yesterday at work was so boring. I believe it was due to the fact that our "SUB-WAY" lights were burnt out. At first it was just "WAY" that was out, but since the workers came yesterday to fix it, all of it went out. So, yeah, nobody really thought we were open. It was very boring.

There were three workers; Me, Mackenzie, and Brandon. Brandon is a college student of twenty-one years (but he really only looks fifteen) and Mackenzie is just sixteen. Anyway, aside from the boringness of it all, Brandon and Mackenzie were acting really goofy. I admit at first I found it fun, but then after a short time, it became just a little too much.

Near the end of my shift Brandon decided (actually I think he was dared) to put on the Subway-Man suit that we keep in the back. (Its of a smiling sandwich, of course, only he's got a long red cape in the back.) When he put it on he went out into the lobby and started sweeping, or mopping, or whatever. It was hilarious watching him try and mop when he could barely see in front of him! There was one point when he started mopping a rug, thinking that it was the floor. Yeah, it was pretty funny.

For the longest time I've wanted to dress in the Subway-Man, take a picture, and post it. But I haven't really got around to it. Except Yesterday. Mackenzie happened to bring a camera with her. I didn't dress up in the suit, but I did have her get a picture of me and Sandwich-Brandon. We had our thumbs up and everything! It was really funny! Mackenzie could hardly hold the camera still because she was laughing so much!

Anyway, after work I walked a few blocks away to "Chili's" where Melinda, and her friend Sarah, were eating their dinner. It took me a while to find them, but I won't go into the details. They were just finishing up with their appetizer when I came in and scooted in next to Melinda on the booth.

They got their food a little while after I arrived, all the while we chatted about random things. Oh, boys and such, lol. I only had water. Lots of it. Our waiter just kept coming around and pouring me glass after glass and I kept drinking it, glass after glass.

"Are you a camel?" Melinda asked me as I sipped the last of my third glass (rather rudely, making way too much noise). I had to stop drinking when my sixth glass was about half empty. Boy, was I full! And fool. I really should have know better than to drink so much water all at once! Oh, well. I'm still alive.

But yeah, sorry this post is so boring. I really have nothing else to blog about. Nothing much else has happened...yet.

But who knows. Today could very well be better. Or worse.

P.S. I'll be sure and post the pictures when I get them. No worries there!

Of Good "Scents" and Car Chases

"I'll take you home," Sister Furnell said looking at me from across the room.

"Well-," I answered, "Kara was going to take me."

Sister Furnell just tipped her hand. "Oh, Kara's going to be late as it is. No, I'll just take you home."

Late? I glanced over at Kara who was sitting at the table eating her Seminary breakfast. She was normally very good about keeping up with time, and thus far she didn't seem worried that she'd be at all late. No, we weren't going to be late. But then...I looked back at my Seminary teacher and thought only one thing. "Cheryl Lynn must be up to something." But of what- I had no idea.

I obligingly passed the news on to Kara, that she was going to be "late" if she took me home and I told her that Cheryl-Sister Furnell that is- had offered to take me home. She never does that. Whenever the need arises I'm always the one asking the question. No. Something was definitely up.

I helped Nicole Young, another girl in our Seminary, carry out a couple of boxes of donuts to her car. I placed them in the back seat of the car, bid her and her sister goodbye and escaped back into the warmth of the house. There I found that Cheryl was holding up a copy of the book she had "present-ed" to us earlier this morning.

"Oh, who left their copy?" She asked the tiny book in her hands. Once she flipped open to the front cover she found the name. "Melyssa Young," she read aloud. "Oh, well. I'll just give it to her on Sunday." But when she set the book back down on the counter I snatched it up and bolted for the door. The girls had just left and I was sure I could run them down!

Their little red car had just pulled out of the parking lot. I wasn't too late! Nicole, who was driving, shifted the car into Drive and started down the way. I managed to leap down the stairs and fly down the drive just in time. There were, I'm happy to say, a few moments when I got to match my speed to that of the car. Running up beside it and then running it down. Sadly it was only for a few seconds. Nicole just looked at me through the tinted window and slowed the car to a stop.

"What is it?" She asked smiling through the rolling down window.

I took in a few sharp breaths and held the book out for her to see.

"I already have my copy," she answered, her smile growing just a tad bigger probably at the thought that I had just gone through all that work to return something that was never lost to begin with.

"No," I panted holding the book closer to the window, toward it's owner in the next seat. "It's Melyssa's-"

"My book-!" Mylessa said reaching over and taking it from my cold hands. "I almost forgot it!"

I said my goodbyes once more and returned to the house.

Boy that was fun! I think I might actually enjoy running, when, that is, it's for a good cause. Anyway, Sister Cheryl Furnell walked me out to the garage and climbed into the drivers side. And as I walked around the car I noticed a small rectangular box, wrapped with Christmas paper, sitting in my seat.

I knew it, I thought opening the door. She was up to something.

Cheryl scooped up the gift so that I could sit down and then she held it out for me. "This is for you," she said just before rolling the car out of its place.

I took the small gift and turned it over in my hands. I asked if I should wait 'til Christmas or if I could open it then. "Oh no, you can open it now," she answered a little anxiously. So I did.


Once the paper was fully off, I found in my hands a small pink box. The color and the sleek texture of it made it obvious that it was perfume. And scrawled in a beautiful font, just in the middle, were the words "Bella Belara."

Bella. Of course. This was a gift for and from a Twilight fan. I do love Cheryl Lynn!

We talked for the rest of the ride home. She even took the long route so that we could get as much said as possible. The conversation went a little differently today. She began by asking me the personal question: Do you date? I answered by saying that I'd only ever been on two, but that I wasn't completely against it. Turns out that she had a particular boy in mind for me. She described him and the conversation they had to lead him into the idea of dating. I don't want to bore you with the details, so I won't. She was just curious. "I'm not a matchmaker or anything, I was just wondering." The boy in mind, actually showed up today in Seminary (It's not that he doesn't go, he just doesn't go to this particular one. Today, as the other students put it, he was acting as "Spy" for the neighboring Seminary.) Anyway, if anything other happens I'll be sure to let you know.

Five days until Christmas Can you believe it! I can't really. I'm not sure the reality has hit me yet. But that tends to happen with me. I don't really see something coming until it's already arrived. One of my many flaws I guess, ;) Enjoy your break from life! I'd wish you Happy Holidays, or a Merry Christmas, but I think I'll do that later. Well, Bye!

P.S. The perfume smells wonderful!

Of Chocolate Muffins and Smoke Detectors

Today for breakfast Melinda decided that she wanted chocolate muffins. So she found a recipe on the internet and we started making them! ...Well, actually, she made them, I just read the directions. Anyway, the fun thing about this was that we had to use the oven. What's so funny about using an oven? Well, I'll tell you. When I first arrived here one of the things Melinda warned me about was the Smoke Detectors. "They go off at the tiniest hint of smoke," she noted. "They are very sensitive."

It's been about two months now (Holy Jersey Cow! Thats quite a while!) and I haven't heard them go off once! I admit, I began to wonder if the Claybrooks really had been telling the truth. (Haha, just kidding) They mentioned that if the oven was ever used, or if the toaster was ever used, then the Smoke Detectors would go off. (Let's just say, my Toast and Jelly days were finally over, just because I'm too afraid to use the toaster)

Then the other thing about the Smoke Detectors: They are all linked. If one of them goes off then they all go off. It's like when a baby cries during the Sunday meeting. When one starts, they all start. And before you know it the entire congregation is crying. Even the ones that aren't children. -Or like when you yawn. If a person sees you or hears you or even thinks about yawning, they unavoidably, without fail yawn too. How bizarre is that!?

So, the chocolate muffins were made and divided up into their own little hole, then placed in the oven to cook. After about ten minutes or so Melinda asked me, very serious, I might add, if I was ready. I had to ask why.

"Because," she said handing me a checkered hand towel with an earnest look, "I'm going to open up the oven and the Smoke Alarm is going to go off."

I took the hand towel slowly from her grasp and remained in the hallway, just under the small white sensor pressed against the ceiling, while she disappeared into the kitchen.

"Okay!" she hollered. "I'm opening the oven!"

Quick as a flash Melinda opened the oven and quick as a flash she yanked the muffins from the depths of the oven. (She did it so fast, in fact, that on the last round, more than half the muffins fell to the ground. It was really rather funny. I laugh just thinking about it! Of course, they're were only three muffins in the pan to begin with, but hey, it was still more than half)

I remained under the detector watching as Melinda worked. So far the alarm hadn't gone off and I was beginning to wonder if it ever would. I guess I wasn't too surprised when it finally did. (Beep! Beep! Beep!) I was a little busy laughing at folly's to fan the smoke away. Melinda came round bopped me lightly on the head with another towel and started whipping away the smoke from around the abhorrent sphere.

Although I had plenty of good laughs at this small act, I was a little disappointed that I had not been entreated to the full effect. The alarm only went off twice. The other detectors in the house hadn't had a chance to go off yet. Oh well. I'd like to say simply, "better luck next time" but somehow that doesn't seem to fit right. Oh well.

When we were each done eating our muffins (which turned out rather well, if I do say so myself) we decided on a couple of things. The house, for one, is a boy. The car, however, is a girl. The car is a girl simply because she has her days of when she feels like starting or not. Plus, it just looks like a girl. Then the house is a boy because, as Melinda put it, "It makes weird noises." And it does. Really. Whenever I find myself home alone, the house makes the strangest of sounds. There are times I even think that I'm not alone, because it makes so much noise. We also decided that the smoke detectors alone aren't really a he or a she. They're just an "it".

So yeah. That's how my day went. Interesting hu? ....yeah, you're right. It was actually very boring....Oh well. That's life!

I guess the lesson to be learned here is that the unpredictabilities of life are indeed very unpredictable. Strange things can happen and quite often do. …-Oh, and another lesson is that you should always have a towel handy when cooking muffins. You wouldn’t want to disturb the neighbors or give yourself a heart attack.

White Compass

On Friday at 10-ish, Melinda drove me to the Metropolitan Community College up in Longview. I was going to take my Compass Placement Test and see what classes I need to go too. Thankfully, for my ACT results, I only had to take the Math section. Everyone takes the Math. Doesn't matter how good your ACT score was, you still take the test. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Of course, it would have been much harder had I been given the College Algebra and Trigonometry portion, but thankfully they realized that I was too stupid for that and only gave me the Pre-Algebra, and Algebra.

It took me about a half an hour to finish and that was actually taking my time. The lady at the front really emphasized the "Take Your Time!" thing, but I finished early. Which was good I had other things to do. ....Sort of. I had work later in the evening. Like four hours from then....whatever.

When I was done with the test (and I took it on the computer by the way) I had to wait out in the hallway while my results were processed. I wasn't out in the hall for very long, but I liked getting a first look at the school I would soon be attending. I always like to know what I'm getting into before actually getting into it. Then, shortly after, the lady called me into the office and sat me down to discuss my results. She was very pleased with my score and said that I was right where I needed to be. I was so relieved to hear her say that. I always tend to get very nervous when I have to do anything, especially when I know it may have a lasting effect on my life. Sure it was just a little old test, but it meant a lot to me. I don't know. I guess I'm weird that way.

Okay so that was the "Compass" part, now for the "White" part.


Yes, its snowy up here. Or down, depending on where you are. My family informed me today that there is actually NO snow there, just a smidgen of ice. Well as my little sister says "Like five inch icicles hanging from the roof!" And to think I was worried about driving all the way to Arkansas in this weather, come to find that there is no weather! Or well, no snow anyway.

Just yesterday, Seth took me to the bank so that I could deposit my last couple of checks (I'm terrible at remembering. Last month I was going through my things and I found a check from Dairy Queen that I hadn't cashed yet, so I was like "Hey cool a hundred dollars!" I love it when that happens!) Anyway, as I was getting out of the car I put my leg out and then, as I always do, I shifted my weight to that one leg and then the ice happened! Before I knew it I was sitting on the rim of the car, or that gap between the seat and the door, or whatever you call it. The thing you hop over when you get into the car. So half of me was in the car and the other was out of it. It was actually kind of funny, but my bum was cold. So, that wasn't very fun.

Well, see ya later.