Too old for this!?

Am I too old to be playing soccer for and hour and a half (non-stop) and then playing basketball directly following that?!

I hope not. But I always seem to get so tired, so sweaty (SO gross!!) and eventually I always end up hurt.

Tonight I took some sweet toe stomps, a hard ball to the face, another hard ball to my bottom, jammed a finger and then rolled my ankle. It was a good night of sports - and sports injuries. I am such a mess, and a night like tonight proves it.

BUT, thanks to good ol' Aleve (or should I take Tylenol pm??? Hmmm...), I will sleep just fine tonight. Seriously, I can't complain. After all, I have two legs - that mostly work and mostly get me where I need to go. I have two feet. Ten toes - that are mostly in tact, except for the big toe nails, which I will be losing very soon (they are seriously SO ugly - see photos - that is NOT nail polish!!).

I can afford good pairs of shoes that absorb most of the weight I've gained -- oops! ;) And I have two knees that have not exploded on me yet. Not to mention, my hips that seem to work fine and my spine that is actually in line every once in a while due to a wonderful chiropractor.

No complaining here. Like I said earlier, if I didn't feel the pain I wouldn't think I was alive. Now if only I could stop being so clutsy... It's really so ridiculous sometimes - especially when I am trying to rush up the stairs and find myself falling UP the stairs, only to find that a perfect (very good looking) stranger is standing at the top... Oh the stories I could tell. :)

So anyone who knows me knows that I am not all that fond of girls and girly-girl things -- YES, I have my girly faults, but I just can't help that I love P&P... Mr. Darcy... ahhhh... and I certainly can't help that I look great in pink!

Anyway, so tonight I sat in a basement with roughly twenty girls watching clips from all the greatest chick flicks (most that I actually approve of - weird). It was a bit surreal, if not overwhelming, to be completely surrounded by all these fabulous women, watching clips from Emma, Bride & Prejudice, 13 Going On Thirty, Never Been Kissed, Love Actually, 10 Things I Hate About You, The Wedding Singer, and others. Oddly, I enjoyed the company. ;) I had a good time. That's not to say that I wasn't 100% ready to leave when it was all said and done - I mean, come on, I can only handle so many screen kisses, so many giggles and so much sing-along with the movie time. Girls.

Here's what I learned -- Love sucks! Kidding. Ha ha.
(It does, but I learned that LONG ago.) tee hee

Really, did I learn anything?? Hmmm...
I'm just happy that I went. In all seriousness, I am consistently surrounded by stellar women. I just hope that maybe one day I will grow up and be one of them. I love being a girl. I am content with who I am. I just want to make a difference for someone someday. I see these girls who are so tough, so beautiful, so accomplished. It makes me wonder why I haven't accomplished much in my *almost* twenty-seven years! What have I been doing with my life?!\ My 10-year reunion is coming up in the spring... I always thought I'd have done something of importance by now. Don't get me wrong, I don't think I'm a failure, I'm just reflecting... to the general public... Probably not the best place for it.

I heard something tonight that makes me think: I know I have received answers to my prayers, but have I ever been the answer to the prayers of someone else?! I hope that I can do that. I hope that the Lord can utilize my gifts (the gifts He has given me) in order to serve others; in order to make a difference.

A toast with lime & water:

"Here's to making a difference!"

Cheers friends! I love you!!

Is it me, or everyone else?!

I prefer to think that I am perfectly normal - with my flat feet and my "one leg longer than the other."

Who said we were supposed to be all symmetric and stuff? Whatever.

In any case, I've decided to conform -- so not like me, I know. BUT "they" (whoever "they" really are) say that by conforming I'll be happier; I'll sleep better and I'll be in less pain. Less pain! Hah! I'll believe that when I feel it. What does that mean anyhow?? I don't know what it means to be in less pain. I don't think that I would feel like I was still alive. If I felt less pain I might think I'd died and gone to heaven... here's hopin'! :)

** Forgot to mention what this whole conformity entails -- I've purchased myself a pair of "Foot Levelers." These are apparently magical devices originally devised by the catholic church as a form of torture during the Spanish Inquisition. The accused were supposedly brought to their knees in humility after being forced to wear the levelers for more than one hour per day. While torturing, they discovered the magical ability to make people walk straight and soon felt that it would be a good illustration for "walking in the straight and narrow way." I'm on the path folks. I'm on my way!** (But I'm still planning on driving the bus - don't you start worrying about that!!)

Macaroni & Cheese

Yes, yes, that is actually the title of this posting and that really is what I'm going to write about.
Yummy. Doesn't that make you hungry?!

I, myself, happen to be a Mac 'n' Cheese connoisseur. It just might be the best thing in the world. What makes this delicious treat so delectable to me?! Who really knows, but let me go back to my history of the cheesiest mac on the block...

Let's go back to my fond memories of elementary/middle school when my diet mostly consisted of cold cereal and ice cream with candies mixed in. I'm sure there was the occasional piece of chicken, absolutely some Domino's pizza and, for sure, mashed potatoes (definitely boiled potatoes - but only when my sister made me sit at the table until I finished mine...). But I can remember quite fondly and clearly the day I started liking those scrumptious cheesy noodles. I had always thought it to be so bland and... tasting like a box. Never, for some odd reason never understood by man, had I tried my mothers HOMEMADE tasty creaminess. But one day she drove me to a nearby gas station on a break from soccer practice, I was in major need of pasta, but all they had was this ooey, gooey pasta-like cheesy concoction. Mom said is was "so good," so, for most likely the first time in my life (quite sadly), I listened to my mother, took her advice and allowed her to purchase this suspicious bowl of gooky pasta. She shook some salt and peppa on top and I started, reluctantly, digging in.

My taste buds went W I L D! I couldn't believe the joy that my mouth had found. I was converted.

But this also turned me into a cheesy mac snob. The blue box, you say?! Oh no!! Couldn't be. Must be shredded, creamed to perfection cheese poured into pasta that had never been next to a packet of powdered cheese. It wasn't until college that I had to stoop to the level of eating such tasteless tasty treats. But then a marvelous roommate taught me a trick -- add shredded cheese to the powdered concoction and you can have your ooey, gooey scrumdidillyumtiousness (yes, my friends, it is a word) -- please DO NOT forget the salt and pepper. :)

Then... I had a marvelous roommate who would cook up the cheesiest mac and cheese with me at least once a week - with pigs and a blanket and green beans, of course! And my dear brother-in-law went on a quest a year ago for the perfect mac and cheese. Amazing the things you'll find. And then I worked with a lot of people who understand the necessity for mac and cheese at EVERY meal -- MY kind of people. Now, you've seen how this has evolved... But, I must report a new development in the cheesiest story... maybe EVER...

Last week I officially ate mac and cheese for FOUR dinners in a row - and only TWO of them consisted of warm mac and cheese, but 3 included the wienies!! I love mac and cheese and wienies!! Yummy in my tummy! The final go round had little crunchies on top -- love the crunchies too.

Moral of the story: I love the pasta with the cheese. Love it! Blue box or no blue box. Hot or cold. As long as it is pasta with cheese, with not too many onions, I love it. Ode to the mac and cheese. Now I need to write a poem -- or just get some sleep; it's a toss-up!

(If you enjoyed this story, you can thank Bekah who inspired this!!)

Freedom Isn't Free

No words required, just watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4fe9GlWS8

Looking Back

On all the news stations they were asking if you can remember where you were 7 years ago today. Do you know?! I certainly do. Not only could I never forget where, but I can never forget with whom. The person I see each time I think of this day is no longer on this earth, so it makes it especially poignant. 

I was driving into work this morning and when I drive into my office in DC I pass by the Pentagon. I could not help but get chocked up and weepy when I saw the flags at half mast. I just couldn't stop the tears from flowing as I continued into work. 

All day I have been watching/listening to reports on all the different memorial services. It reminds me of what I did on this day 7 years ago. I was weepy, sobby and I couldn't listen to or watch enough of what was going on. I just didn't know what else I could do; I guess I still don't.

I just hope that in some way that the way I live my life honors those who lost theirs.

"Take my life and let me be

A living prayer, my God to Thee"

There is a reason for everything

Just wanted to throw that out there.

I firmly believe it. I do.

That's What Love Is

To add to my late-night post, I wanted to put my FAVORITE song on here. The lyrics are amazing and it is sung by my favorite singer - David Phelps. Check him out, he's unbelievably talented.

It's the only thing worth life and death.

It's the first moment and the final breath.

It's a broken heart keeping a solemn vow

And a lost soul being found.

You pray for faith when it's hard to believe.

You choose to stay when it's easy to leave

And when hope is gone you're the one who keeps holding on.

That's what love is

When you give until there's nothing left

And it makes you give your very best.

That's what love is.

It can make you laugh and make you cry.

It can let you down and lift you up so high.

When you find the only reason left to live

That's what love is.

It's the dream you give up for someone else.

It's being strong when you're weak yourself.

Though it tears you up you trust again.

Hatred loses and forgiveness wins.

You turn your cheek when you want to fight.

Sell all you have and lay down your life 

And when hope is gone you're the one who keeps holding on.

It's reaching out and holding on so someone else will know.

Love is in the not letting go.

The Power of Anne Frank (a.k.a. The Power of Love)

Alright, so Anne Frank got me thinking...

Let me back up: This weekend I watch the newest version (go Disney!) of the Diary of Anne Frank. I had two thoughts while watching it:

1. I always forget how sad this story is... she is just one of MILLIONS of Jews who lost their lives; her family is just one of thousands that was destroyed and torn apart... This was a BIG deal -- it still is a big deal!
2. Children to should how to speak to adults. (This one I may address later.)

But then, as my mind works, on my drive home from a visit with the kiddos, I thought about the amazing power of love. Think on this: stories upon stories unfold every day on how love can sustain lives. I honestly and truly think it is a divine gift; the ability to love and the ability to be loved. I started to get weepy as I sat in my car alone, just thinking about all those that I have loved in my lifetime. I cannot count the number of people who, at different times in my life, I have been unable to live without. One whom I thought I could never live without is my grandpa, or Pa, as I called him. When I found out he was most likely going to die of cancer my heart fell out of its place. When he finally was released from his pains and his burdens, I was numb. BUT, as time would have it, my heart is filled by his presence, by his memory and by my longing to be with him again someday -- I have no doubt it will be.

Now, as I was all weepy, I got to thinking about the ones I couldn't live without in this very moment:

Mom & Dad; Charlotte & Ryan; Valorie, DJ & Ammon; Amber, Mikey, Samantha, Houston & Caleb; Boi, Elizabeth & Cooper; LoLo; Lani; Amy; BooBoo; Roonnate. 

These are my life and deaths. *These are those who would make my heart fall if I found out something was going to happen or something had happened -- I  feel as though I would be pretty near death, as Anne when she felt she had lost everyone she loved. But I find a lot of... ah, what's the word??... I find myself recognizing that I could make it, because unless the Bubonic Plague comes or everyone decides to come visit me all at the same time and jump on a plane destined for the mountain sides (doom, big boom!), chances are I'd find someone who could help me make it through; help me find the strength to move on and live - live until I was able to be with them again.

LESSON LEARNED: Please schedule a visit so you're not all on the same plane. Thank you!

*Don't feel left out if you're not on the list. I'm sorry, these are just the names that flashed through my brain at the time. There are MANY, MANY friends whom I would certainly weep over if I lost them -- you are one of them, I am sure!!

XOXO

It's Official

I guess I am now a real blogger. Do bloggers sit around and worry about their blog?! Maybe blogging is a bad idea for someone with OCD like I have... I feel compelled to write. I feel like I must always have something to say (which, quite frankly, I always do). :)

I've been with my sister, brother-in-law and niece and two nephews since yesterday evening. I love this place. It's like a home away from home... well, sort of. It's like having a roommate times 5. I'm doing laundry, washing dishes, cleaning up after I just finished cleaning up... It's non-stop. But I must say, this is a lot more... fulfilling... then cleaning up and taking care of roommates. Dear, dear roommates.

Doesn't matter how much I love and appreciate them (which, by the way, I totally do!), I always love and appreciate my own space a little more. Speaking of space, so you have GOT to see my new room. I proudly call it CJ's Love Suite; that's because it's totally sweet. (I should post some pictures...) It's huge! And it's mine. My own. I have a ginormous closet, an over-sized bathroom (with two sinks - one for washing my face and hands, the other for brushing my teeth -- you see the OCD?!) AND a love seat. Glorious. And there's room to spare; plenty of room for yoga - I tried that one out the first night!!

So, maybe you can tell that I am a little happy about it. I plan to have a little "pool" party in my room soon - yes! there is a jacuzzi tub!! Come on over for your own private tour, chill with me and watch a flik, take a nice bath, or just lounge in my oh-so-spacious closet. Heaven - or pretty close to it. If it were actually heaven, there would be...

Oh, we'll save that for another time... When I can be sure who's reading this. :) Okay, back to the laundry (kidding, I've already done all that)... I love this place!! (No, seriously, I do! I've got pictures to prove it... Well, at least I would if my camera hadn't died...)

Top this!

So... I may or may not have schooled all the boys that I work with... tee hee. It was grand! My boss has this motto "work hard, play hard." Everyone works hard, so we plan a "play hard" activity once a month or so. This month I planned an outing to Dave & Buster's. Oh! Eat your heart out!! We broke up into four teams of three and had ourselves a nice little competition. Oh, if LoLo, MarMar and Jake could only see me now... I kicked MAJOR trash shooting hoops, and of course, on skee ball. There was just no competition. I may or may not have scored a 32 on the hoops, with the closest behind that being 22... Oh, I love it when a plan comes together. The guys were all giving me such crap about how they were bringing their "A" game and I better be on top of mine. Geez. I love healthy competition -- especially when I win!! :)

Then to top it off, I not only got free food afterwards, but then I got to go play soccer with my team in Chantilly and bball with the girls in Springfield.

Oh this tough life I lead. Don't hate.

Don't make me regret it

I hope they chose wisely:

www.twilightthemovie.com

I just don't want to be disappointed. I loved the books and I fear I will hate the movie. I don't like her... I'm not a fan of him... Could they have chosen better? Can't we just make the one with Jacob in it already?! Tee hee. Jacob...  MOST importantly, is this going to feel like it did when I read the books?? 

What a nerd. Who cares? Just watch the movie CJ! Boo.

OH wait, and while we're on that topic... was anyone else a little disappointed by Breaking Dawn?! Geez, it took me long enough to read it, I was hoping for... oh I guess I won't say it, just in case you haven't read it. I AM NOT A SPOILER... Renesmee.

The pain, the pain...

So I've discovered something new about pain: It's real.

How have I discovered this?? You'd think my lifetime of injury after really cool injury would have taught me about pain -- scrubbing a burn with a metal brush, for instance; rubbing really hard on a really disgusting (but really cool) bruise; cleaning fun stuff out of a road burn; migraine after stinkin' migraine... Enough examples?! (Yeah, well you didn't have to deal with them!)

I've discovered a new pain. It's a brain pain. That's the only way I can describe it. It's having a trillion thoughts come into my head and about say, 2 come out. Pain. Agonizing pain. Am I too young for this?! Am I too young to be losing my mind, my thoughts, my... ah, whatever it is?! I can't even remember if I'm supposed to remember remembering...

Now there's a thought for you. Not that I have made any sense at all. See, the brain pain. Give me a break, it's 11:00 and I am beyond tired.

(Thanks Love Face for letting me stay the night. You're the best.) XOXO

If you really must know

Alright, alright. Everyone wants to know why I decided to blog. Must I really have a reason?! What if it's just something I felt like doing?? Believe me, I am pretty arbitrary like that; I don't need a reason to do anything. So truth be told, I just felt like it. Period.

So here I am... blogging... The real question is: Why are you reading this??

I have a couple solutions:

1. You are way beyond bored.

2. You figure that if you read this you will never actually have to hear my voice again -- and that's a very good thing.

3. You just can't stand what ever distance is between us and feel that this will help us to find that "lovin' feeling, woah, that lovin' feelin..."

4. You just can't get enough of my endless stories and all the ridiculous situations I continually find myself in.

Simply put, whichever it is, I hope this solves your problem. It just may solve mine... Oh wait, that's an entirely different blog for an entirely different lifetime (because it would take about a lifetime to describe and another lifetime - or two - to figure out). As it is, I should have been in bed approximately 54 minutes ago. So much for New Years Resolutions that I make on the 1st of September. I'm  a mess, I tell you.

I really could go on...  

(Oh, and i just can't get enough of... so if you have a problem with... you might not want to return to this blog... or maybe...)

...       ...       ...      ...

Here I am

Everyone else is blogging, so why can't I?!

I guess I should actually come up with something to say... 

You'd think that someone who never shuts up or always has a story to tell would have something to write on a blog.

I'll work on that and get back to you. I'll try to be witty and charming and as un-boring as possible.