Our Own Chapters

Fancy, New Blog!

2010-11-14T19:42:00.000-08:00

Come visit my new blog-home....

http://alongtheohio.wordpress.com/

Moving along

2010-10-24T18:06:00.000-07:00

And so I've decided to redo this blog thing once again....I'm moving to word-press and rethinking how I want to use this interweb-posting mechanism we call BLOGGING....

I'll keep those who want to know posted when I resurface...until then, take care & peace be with you :)

love love,
jessie

Not Chicago

2010-10-02T20:15:00.000-07:00

This post has nothing to do with Chicago.
I know, I promised Chicago details...but if I tell you, I'll have to kill you...all..and then where would we be? Or...maybe the time has just passed and I got insanely busy with the Meaningful Day Open House EXTRAVAGANZA....which turned out really well =) Thanks to all who helped. Most notably, my amazing husband who rocks at life.

Now...I think you all should take a look here at this book series I've been wrapped up in for the past month. The Hunger Games is the 1st of the trilogy, followed by Catching Fire and Mockingjay. The 1st book introduces you to Katniss, a teenage girl living in a post-apocalyptic society. The government in this new society hosts an annual event called The Hunger Games which is televised throughout the nation and used as a warning to deter any rebellion against the government. The Hunger Games are a brutal and somewhat unfair competition that Katniss finds herself involved in. The book is an easy read and full of action. I won't spoil anything by telling about the other 2 books, but I will say that I loved the first and second, but found the last book a little disappointing...so many other ways I would have ended the story. After speaking with a few friends, it seems other people we dissatisfied with the ending too. However, I think it is still worth reading the books.

Peace :)

Plug

2010-09-12T19:44:00.000-07:00

Oh the things to see in Chicago! I love visiting big cities. More to come - but - let me say just this for tonight...if there is a Renegade Craft Fair anywhere near you...ATTEND. Even if you don't have a spare cent to splurge on origami earrings, knitted goods, journals made from old book covers, magic wallets, or fun prints for the home...go, look, and maybe you'll get some ideas to make something of your own!

http://www.renegadecraft.com/

Makeover 2010

2010-08-21T18:01:00.000-07:00

In the past month: Matthew and I have rearranged our house, stained and added furniture, gone to war with the weeds in our yard, moved his classroom in the newly renovated high school he is teaching at (still FC), and moved Meaningful Day Services (my job) into its very 1st building in Southern Indiana. Classroom set ups for a teacher are grueling enough...add to that working on our own home and assisting with moving, cleaning, painting, and organizing an entire building for a company that has been literally living out of cars, boxes, and home-offices for 3yrs. We used to hold our staff meetings at coffee shops...Now we have a conference room! We barely had the budget for the building itself...and through donations from our client's families to the employees of the city of Jeffersonville to a local Catholic school...we are nearly all furnished. We are also refinancing our home through the bank in exchange for a sweet interest rate.. All I can say is that God is good and faithful and so, so generous. But also...we are so exhausted this month...and I think "exhausted" is kind of an understatement. I have definitely had some angry "WHY can't I be sitting on a beach right now" moments....some "2 Pina Coladas" moments.

It feels like everything in our lives is being renovated right now. Our work spaces are different, my job is different, our home is different, our bills will soon be different...crazy life! But I suppose if we're going to be so busy it is good to be busy with exciting, positive things. I've just been a bit overwhelmed...I think Mattie has been too.

Another positive to report...my Grandma is now able to be in her own home after a LONG battle with hip surgery + infection + more hip surgery + rehab. Yippee!

Maybe Next summer we can take a real vacation...

"Now I’ve got a smile
That goes on for miles
With no inclination to roam

I’ve gotta say
That I think I’ve gotta stay
‘Cause this is feelin’ more and more like home

So bring me two pina coladas
One for each hand
Let’s set sail with Captin Morgan
And never leave dry land"

Puppy-wuppy

2010-08-05T13:38:00.000-07:00

Alright folks! Its cute, sweet, adorable, mischievous puppy-time!

Parker snacking on apples, playing with Lena, & my VICTORY at the bathing him battle....

Retraction...

2010-07-22T15:51:00.000-07:00

I suppose an apology is in order. I spent an entire 20 minutes recounting my frustrations with the weather a few days ago...flipping out about the little lightning bolt things covering our local forecasts...and do you know what!? All my complaining was for nothing...because the clouds parted between the hours of 11am and 2pm on Tuesday (for swimming!). THEN, the rain held off from 9am until well after 2pm for our zoo trip. AND today the chance of rain had completely diminished. I'm also sorry you have had to sort of walk thru this little meltdown with me :)

For the Fun of It.

2010-07-19T18:30:00.000-07:00

This week is what we call "BIG Community Outing Week" at Meaningful Day Services (Southern Indiana) Summer Program. Go ahead, say that 3 times fast. Faster. FASTER. Enough!
So we have these big trips planned for the entire week...trips that I have personally been working on for our 20+ clients since May. And for the 1st time all summer, we are seeing forecasts with little lightning bolts spread from Monday to Thursday. EVERY DAY there is a 30-40% chance of rain AND a possible temperature that reaches much too high into the 100's index. It is like all the forces of nature are conspiring to ruin the fun week I laid out for us. It is making me a bit batty - really. Doesn't mother nature know how hard it was to get these dates mapped out, booked, and priced in a way that fit for our schedules!? Enough!

And the point of that paragraph was to explain that I am now in the process of finishing up rainy day /heat index day plans for our crew this week - which by the way must involve as little of the church's space as possible because they are having VBS all week. So I have found that I'm spending lots of time researching group games that involve racing with cotton balls on spoons and making animal puppets from foam-stuff. And as a last resort, checking PG movie times for the local cinemas. I'm grumpy. I honestly have enjoyed coming up with fun community stuff for our clients this Summer...I just wish the weather would cooperate. Just...a little.

On a completely unrelated note...I bought this kiddie pool for Parker and me. Its not a hammock in Barbados - or a pontoon boat on the lake - or even a backyard oasis...but it is sturdy...holds water...and will double as a bath tub for Parker. Maybe I can tackle him down before he alerts all of our neighbors with his shrieking ("Look, my person is all red-faced and in a bathing suit that doesn't fit right this season!!!").

I think it is time for a good book and sleep.

Take a Seat

2010-07-13T15:17:00.000-07:00

My Dad made this bench for us...
I am especially excited about it for a few reasons. First, my Dad is a random person...and very hard to figure out. It is tough to tell how he thinks of you sometimes (unless he is mad, then you know). BUT if he takes the time to make something for you and drive an entire 15 minutes (highway and all - and that is a biiiig trip for him) to your house to deliver it, then you know he really loves you. And last, its pretty!

Matthew stained it with a this great stuff by Olympic that includes a weather treatment in the stain. I believe the color was called Cedar-Natural. At 1st it looked really orange, but with a 2nd coat and drying time...it turned out lovely!

This new world

2010-07-08T18:04:00.000-07:00

We have met SO MANY new babies since the start of 2010. I'm sure I've mentioned it before, but the boom of births really amazes me. Even more peculiar, all of them have been little girls! Every last one...thank goodness one of my dearest girlfriends, Karah, brought me the news of her 2nd baby boy to be born in October! I was beginning to worry for the future generations of males.
Anyhow...there has been our church friends' twins (Gwen & Grace) born around new year's eve followed by cousin Reagan Joanne, dear friend Elizabeth Grace, my boss's daughter Zoey Grace, and our NIECE, Alyssa Faith!

The photo shown here is of my Uncle Rick and his new granddaughter, Taylor Sue. She is a lovely, long little girl who already prefers being outdoors to inside. I think what hits my heart about Taylor is how her tiny presence has affected our family, like a ripple on lake water. She is my slightly older cousin's 1st child & 1st grandchild to Uncle Rick. Her birth has been a huge highlight in an otherwise rough summer for my grandma (her great-grandma). I also simply adore both her parents...they are down to earth and oh so much fun to hang out with. It will be a great joy to watch these family members grow along with tiny Taylor.

In other news...Summer is chugging along here in the Ohio River Valley. It is hot...HOT...and humid here. Work is...going...its busy and hot sometimes...and full of incredible moments with incredible kids/co-workers. I know there are a lot of *opinions surrounding ABA Therapy, but I have seen amazing accomplishments in kids we work with. I love being involved in helping kids make those accomplishments. It rocks.

Matthew has been working part-time for the reception hall this month. He has also been making gains on our "home projects". The garage has been rearranged, the bushes trimmed up, the bench my Dad made for us is stained a beautiful cedar color...we are pushing forward. Matthew & I also bought our 1st newer, nice car this month. I get to drive it most and I LOVE it. Its funny though, how hard it was to say goodbye to old Ethel...my 94 Toyota Camry. I had her for many years...that car got me thru IU. She will be missed...as much as a car can be missed, I suppose. And now I drive a 2009, green Corolla named Lilo. I love her! Matt thinks I'm silly. I love him too.

Now - I could continue on to tell you the horror stories of our baby boy pup turned adolesent pup...but I think I'll wait for another time. I'll just say this...he ate nearly a full roll of toliet paper today. sigh. Confetti all over the bathroom. Until next time, peace!

Southern Indiana Summer

2010-06-12T16:12:00.001-07:00

Summer seems to have rushed itself upon us here.
My workplace, Meaningful Day Services, has been prepping for our annual Summer program. We run a very structured day camp for our ABA Therapy clients for about 8 weeks of the summer. Our 1st day is THIS Monday. woot! Our director is on maternity leave with her 1st child (so happy for her!) and our lead therapist has been doing all the crazy work to get our staff ready for this coming week & the rest of us have been trying to help out as much as possible...meaning lots of heavy work days + trainings + organizing the church facility we rent. I must admit I am super proud of MDS this year. Our Summer staff is ahhhhmazing :) and all really great to work with. Our company is growing and changing SO much right now & I am enjoying being here for all that goes with that...even the "growing pains" (I like problem solving *sometimes).

Along with all the craziness at my job - the school year ended for Matthew. He graduated from his Master's program this May !!!!!! and is working a part-time catering job for some of our friends who own a reception hall in New Albany. The good part...extra cash!...the bad part...he is gone for 6-10hrs almost every Saturday.

Hmmm...this is sort of a catch all post I guess. It seems like we've been busy since...the 1st weekend in May!? YES...it is true! nuts.
Since that last fast catch up its been...Uncle Bob in town, Memorial weekend + Sarah and Tom and Lena in town. Parker met Lena and loved his doggie cousin. Memorial weekend cookout at my parent's house with Schaffner fam. Major rain = flood = hilarious moments & the chance to splash in the gutters with my 7yr old cousin, Ella! We even sprung Grandma from the rehab joint for the cookout and Uncle Keith was there with his new, working heart valve! Hooray for answered prayers. Jenn comes to town. I made the Oreo Truffles for work party. Work party = great fun tye-dye tshirts, cornhole, and sunshine. Swimming at cousins house. Parker meets his cousin, Sophie dog. My cousin Lisa brings new baby Taylor to see us! yay! Jenn back in town with Evan this time. She met Parker and fell in love, as most people do ;) WEEZER concert at Horseshoe Casino last night. Really great band at a great venue. So much fun. Today was the big fundraiser yard sale for MDS parents raising money for field trips this summer. Tomorrow = huge church picnic at Highland Community Church.

By the way...I tried giving Parker a bath outside this weekend. I thought using the garden hose and being outside where its 90 flipping degrees might be easier. Wellllll it was less clean up but perhaps not worth the public FLOGGING I am sure to get by the animal rights people. We live in a neighborhood...with small lots...one where you can watch your neighbor's flatscreen from your own patio. Parker squirmed and wiggled and twisted himself out of every grip I got on his leash. When I tried holding his body, he would yelp and squeal like a dying piglet. Some of the sounds he made today in our backyard I have NEVER heard from him or any other living thing. All I wanted to do was spray him, lather, and rinse. It took forever and our next door neighbor actually came out to check that he hadn't been left out on his cable and gotten wrapped around something. He could hear Parker's calls of distress from INSIDE HIS HOUSE NEXT DOOR. Oh puppy...why won't you just take a bath !?

After tortuing the puppy, I set up my favorite blue chair in the yard and fell asleep in the sun. Parker, soaked and exhausted... laid down next to me & rolled on the hot patio until he dried off too. It was nice & I finally got some sun. Now I have the whole evening because hubby is working. I have felt like such a hermit lately.
I've been enjoying just getting things done at home and walking Parker and reading books. In fact, I think I'll go do those things now.

xoxo

Easy and Yum

2010-06-04T20:34:00.000-07:00

Oreo Truffles

Get this: 1- 8oz package cream cheese (at room temperature)
1-package Oreo cookies
1-24 oz white chocolate bark

Do this:
Crush cookies in food processor until very fine. Reserve 1/4 cup of the crumbs in another container. Mix the rest by hand with the cream cheese. Form into small balls.
Lay on cookie sheet. Chill for a couple of hours. (they are easier to dip) Melt the chocolate in double boiler pan, and dip balls with a toothpick. Put back on cookie sheet.
While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle each truffle (with finger tips) just a small amount of reserved crumbs on top. This covers up the toothpick hole!
Makes 40-50 truffles, depending on size.

Enjoy :)

Magic Moments

2010-05-31T05:51:00.000-07:00

There are days, or I suppose more like times throughout some days, when I feel as if we live in a movie...a comedy to be exact. And even days when it feels like slapstick comedy. Although they are not all situations involving him, these times have definitely increased since we took Parker into our little family. I have to admit, I kind of love it...even the scary/annoying situations.

Did I explain how Parker brought me to the ground a few weeks ago? He was blasting past me, doing crazy-laps on his line in the yard. He jetted back and forth like he was weaving an enormous tapestry with his red, 30ft. yard cable. He managed to completely wrap my legs (honestly before I could even react) and when the line got too short....he hit the invisible wall and yanked my legs from under me. My neighbor had a great laugh watching this all unfold from his patio home behind us. It was so funny, I could not even be mad at Parker...I just laid back in the grass and let him lick my face.

Anyhow...there have been tiny moments in between then and now...moments full of frustration with a puppy who digs, barks, and has been sort of going backwards in his bathroom habits as of late. I wonder if God's sole purpose for puppies being adorable is so that people will put up with all this crap? Because he is definitely a full member of our family now...for better or worse.

This morning...for example...I was pumped about the chocolate filled pastry Matt brought me from Panera on Friday. I had saved it for a nice morning at home..and this was that perfect morning. I heated it up so the chocolate would be perfectly melted inside & I poured a glass of milk. As I was digging in to my little treat...the dryer buzzed...meh. I went into the hall and dumped the whites onto the couch. I noticed Parker's rear end was extra wiggly - he was thumping his tail against the wall from behind the futon. I sat in my chair at the kitchen table to find my plate EMPTY. I suddenly realized what his wiggliness was all about. I called his name and turned to see his head sticking out from the side of the futon with my delicious breakfast in his little puppy mouth. I tried to slowly approach him, but he new what was up & disappeared behind our big, wooden frame futon, tail thumping the wall even more wildly. I started to panick that he was going to ingest all that chocolate and began calling him until he came out, pastry still in his mouth...he was playing a game...and I was making it fun in my frustration. I finally got the hair and drool covered treat from his mouth...I dumped it into the trash and moved on with my life. SIGH. I grabbed another breakfast from the pantry and turned to see him sniffing at the trash can (he does this a lot). Moments later...more wild rear-end wagging....and somehow he had gotten the pastry from the trash. I chased, he ran, and finally I got it back from him...I buried that dumb chocolate pastry deep down in the trash...and hopefully that is the last I will see of it. Of course, the day is still young.

Happy Memorial Day...don't forget to thank your USA troops. No matter what your political views...they are out there every day, every year, working for you.

I wonder to what degree do I do this...

2010-05-22T08:35:00.000-07:00

"People who simply ride the roller coaster of emotional experience are cheating themselves out of a deeper and richer Christian faith by neglecting the intellectual side of that faith. They know little of the riches of deep understanding of Christian truth, of the confidence inspired by the discovery that one's faith is logical and fits the facts of experience, of the stability brought to one's life by the conviction that one's faith is objectively true." William Lane Craig

When so much is going down.

2010-05-14T07:43:00.000-07:00

The past couple weeks have been insane...so I'm giving you guys the fast forward version. It is in order as best I can write it...
>>
big work project started /big work project underway
Granny finds out she has a fractured hip :(
New cousin, Taylor Sue, is born!
Grandma hip surgery, rehab, bed pans, PT, bed pans, something wrong...
Uncle Keith has chest pain, admit to hospital, aunt Roberta stressed, family togetherness
Keith surgery, pig valve, sign language, B-E-E-R, recovery...going home today!
Huge church meetings, Pastor Ryan resigns...lots of changes coming.
Mom to ER for random infection...home & back to work same day (praise Jesus).
Hubby busy working on papers & work stuff. *Hubby completes his Master's in Edu. !!!
Fastest mini-home decor makeover in history.
pulling weeds, cuts on hands, trimming bushes...cleaning..more cleaning...giving dog a shower...
Christina & Jake bring Elizabeth Grace Irvin into the world!
In-laws come to town, Party, BBQ, friends, seeing baby Jamey!
Mother's Day <3
food food food...gained 5lbs? possibly. Walking Parker.
Lots of Avett Brothers, Old Crow, & Band of Horses.
Graduation ceremony :)
Grandma 2nd surgery, infection, MRSA...in rehab at JHSMH in Louisville.
Behavior Support Plan trainings at work. Training new staff (whole month of May for me!)
Client cancels = long afternoon nap.
Dentist, Doctor, Vet, pay bills...phone calls out the yingyang. Parker learns to dig holes.
Qudoba +much needed Amy Catt-time.
Emails, emails, 1st phase of big work project = done.
Boss in labor.... is officially on maternity leave as of today. We're about to sink or swim.
Sister-in-law scheduled c-section for today :) I'm getting a new niece!
Grandma to new rehab place for recovery period before 3rd surgery in 6-8wks.
Aunt Sandy in town. Uncle Bob here next week?
Dog training class sign-up, cleaning, tv, facebook, sleep, crazy dreams
Thank God for Caesar's love of cuddling + my husband being a superhero.
now = weekend -stop-

Peace.

Follow Up - Moose loses some weight.

2010-05-01T19:41:00.000-07:00

The wild kingdom under our roof.

2010-04-29T18:39:00.000-07:00

Observations
When cats develop a new, strange behavior...at least in our home...it typically involves something like an obsession with knocking willow tree figurines off of every surface possible or sitting in bathtubs and popping out from behind the shower curtain to scare anyone who dares to use the toilet (Luna). Caesar goes nuts over specific spots where he MUST sleep. If there is anything in his way, he will use his entire body weight to inch it over & off of "his spot" and will (as a last resort) sleep on top of objects blocking his way. The key here is that these behaviors are....not super disruptive to everyday life. They do build up from time to time and annoy me, but they aren't anything I have to jump on immediately.
Now...Parker.
So when puppies develop new behaviors....in my short 2 week experience...they tend to involve much more disruptive things...like HOWLING when either Matthew or I leave the room and he can't follow because he is either on the leash or in his crate. I realize this is typical for a puppy who has been abandoned/neglected before....but this isn't even when he is left alone in a room. Parker seems to feel that I, Matt, and he should be all 3 together every waking moment. If one of us disappears from sight it is like HIS FAMILY IS BEING RIPPED APART FOREVER. And he makes his anguish known to everyone in the neighborhood. Other fun puppy stuff = attempting to eat cell phones, our ADT Security system sign, the plastic bottoms on our outdoor solar lights, and rugs.... while refusing his chewy toys. Darn dog...he is too cute for his own good. I know this because when he attempts (thankfully without success YET) to chew/eat these things, my 1st thought is "Oh puppy! That could hurt you!" instead of "There goes another $$$ down the drain." I wonder if that is what the hubby is thinking? ;)

Another thing I've noticed...agility. This week Caesar and Luna started back up with their laps around the living room. They stopped for awhile being overly cautious of where Parker was...but they are back to playing, chasing each other over top of the couch and around the kitchen table and back down the hall. They fly thru the house probably 20 times a day or more and nothing changes except the occasional throw pillow or blanket ruffled. When Parker makes his rounds through the living room, kitchen, hallway...it is quite different. It's like watching a hippo on rollerblades. Or perhaps a race horse on some serious drugs. His paws fail him when he hits the kitchen and foyer floors. He slams on the breaks and slides head-first into the barstools, chairs, front door...his water dish. He never seems to remember to heed the non-carpeted areas...ever. And even if he did, he would still have those corners...which he takes too fast and often bumps into.

Among our circle of friends...there has always been the whole cat/dog debate. Most of our friends have always been dog-lovers who fierecely protect their view that dogs are better pets than cats. I don't know that I can agree...but I also don't disagree. Caesar and Luna definitely gave us more independence. Their being in our home rarely made house-cleaning any harder or more involved. They are relatively easy, clever, and very loveable pets. They have never chewed up our cell phones. That being said...Parker has kept me more active in the past two weeks than I have been since...college? Yea, I think so. Also, Parker is always...ALWAYS estatic to see us. Much as I love my cats....it does something to my heart when I see Parker's tail thumping, wagging so hard that his whole backend sways with it.

I suppose some people aren't totally cat people or totally dog people. I love them both for very different reasons. And I can't say which one is the better type of pet...give me a few more years with Parker and maybe I can come up with a verdict.

Proof

2010-04-24T21:58:00.000-07:00

"I have set my rainbow in the clouds,
and it will be the sign of the covenant
between me and the earth."

Do you ever feel as if you are stuck in slow motion while the rest of the world chugs along at normal speed (or faster)? I have felt that way this week. I know there were 5 days somewhere between Monday and Friday...but I am not exactly sure what I did with them. When I have weeks like this, it is so easy for me to get "down". I've thrown some hella big pity parties on weeks similar to this one. I worked my tale off each day, had the new puppy to deal with, and then my Grandma ends up having hip surgery unexpectedly. To put the cherry on top, I got a killer sinus infection Thursday and it has lasted through the weekend...which is all rain, of course. But that is NOT where I was going with this....

I was out driving today in the midst of a truly lovely thunderstorm. The sky was dark to my right while the sun colored all of the left side of the world with orange. It had rained hard and fast just minutes earlier and the roads were semi-flooded. It had not been a fun drive around town to say the least for it. I was all set to take my exit when I noticed cars slowing and switching lanes...my exit ramp = flooded. I just wanted to get home. Grrrrr...so I drove up and took a small detour around. As I rounded my alternate exit & the radio graciously played a song that perfectly fit the moment...I noticed a rainbow...a BIG one...bright and perfectly arched from end to end. It was beautiful. Parker was sitting next to me in the passenger seat, and as we hit the ramp, he inched over just enough to get his head and front paws onto my leg. So sweet. I tried my best to keep eyes on the water-covered roads. It was just a brilliant moment. A brilliant moment that took my pissed off state of mind and turned it to thankfulness. Gushy, embarassing thankfulness for everything from childhood to the present.

And there are people walking around on this planet claiming there is no God. They obviously have never really seen a rainbow.

A New Frontier

2010-04-18T17:35:00.000-07:00

Matthew and I are learning this week just how much a puppy resembles a human baby. We have been told this bit of wisdom before, but living it is so totally different from acknowledging it to be true. Parker may not be tiny, but he is SUCH a puppy...all 12-14weeks and 19lbs of him. He eats dirt clods, clumps of mowed grass, dried worms from the sidewalks, ROCKS, and anything else he can get his mouth around. This weekend he bit 2 buds off of my Grandma's flowers. She wasn't mad...but she wasn't thrilled either. I have to watch him closely even in a fenced yard because of this bad habit. We are working on the "Leave it" command & he is making slow but sure progress.
Next to his obession with putting foreign objects in his mouth...Parker is also incredibly clumsy. I suppose it is due to his breed (Springer Spaniel mix)....but he has these 4 lovely, long black/brown speckled legs. My aunt made the observation this weekend that he is "all legs" and she is correct.
When he walks and tries to sniff at the same time, he will often trip over cracks in the pavement...one big paw will get stubbed and suddenly his body curls as his hind legs continue walking right over the rest of him. When he plays in the house, his long legs will slide out from under him on the kitchen floor. He looks great when he is running around the yard, until he tries to stop - he is not graceful at all. He actually made MY DAD laugh today when his front paws slid out from under him on the deck and his head hit the wood. Making the Louie chuckle is no small feat & may in fact be the only reason he isn't holding a grudge for me bringing a dog to his dog-free backyard.
Another definite comparison between puppies and babies...PEOPLE ARE SUCKERS FOR EM. Hehe. I mean it though...people love puppies. We have met and spoken with more of our neighbors in the past 4 days than we have the nearly 2yrs we have been here. It is great.
He gets us out walking so much more than we'd ever go without him. We walk in the morning, right after work, and right before bedtime. Any friends we make in this hood, I will have to forever credit to a dog.

I would say about 90% of our time was devoted to Parker, Luna, and Caesar this weekend. We are still getting them acquainted with each other. Parker and Caesar are making the most progress...until the moments when Parker decided to bark at or chase Caesar. Luckily, for the cats, Parker is kept leashed in the house still. We want him in full view until he is fully housebroken.

All 3 animals got baths this week. Would you believe that the cats did better than our dog!? And allegedly he is a breed that "loves water". Caesar sat patiently under the faucet in the kitchen sink as I lather and rinsed him....Luna struggled, but not like she was being drowned...just like she was annoyed with me. Then....Parker...whined and cried...lept for the ledge of the tub & tried to all but climb over me to get out of the water.

We are also using crate training and I have to say it is fantastic for puppies! *one huuuuge thing that separates dogs from human babies ;) You should never crate train a baby! We call the crate Parker's "room" and he gladly goes into it most of the time. He already seems to see it as his safe haven/sleeping place. My cousin advised us to pick one command for the crate & to always make it positive...it is totally working. We began saying "Parker, to your room" 4 days ago & he now pretty much gets it :) The crate also helps with housetraining since the last thing a dog wants is to be trapped in a small space with his own poop/pee. We take him right out whenever he's been in the crate & its working well.

Its been a relaxing weekend & I am hoping for a nice, smooth week. In fact I am praying for one. I could really use an uneventful, boring week....sounds dull...but I'm trying so hard to keep a routine for the puppy...and I am TERRIBLE about routines. Maybe Parker will be a help in establising that along with our new walking pattern. Who knows? All I know is that he is awesome and I am so happy that we adopted him.

#1 Dog

2010-04-15T04:59:00.000-07:00

That is right, friends, we adopted a puppy. Matthew and I have been talking about it for 2yrs now, and talking more seriously about getting one this coming summer. However, Parker just couldn't wait for summer. I was shopping at Michael's last weekend & there he was...he had been freshly dumped (that same day) to the Southern Indiana Rescue League which was set up outside of PetSmart for the day. I didn't even really think, I just saw him and fell in love. He was sitting quietly amongst the other barking, jumping, slobbering puppies and dogs. He was shy at 1st but then his tail began thumping and he climbed into my lap.

I called hub to come and see this amazing little dog. Matt was painting at his friend, Blake's, new house. He didn't have much time as it was 30min. until closing for the rescue league and so he came to see Parker in his ratty paint clothes and a broken flip flop that had given out that morning. It is a wonder they even let us inquire about a dog ;) The pup got hub's approval and we discussed it over the weekend...filed an application on Monday. The pup was neutered and microchipped on Tuesday and that night we met a lady at PetSmart to bring him home.
Talking about the quick chain of events...Matt and I both decided that his graduating from any school program must = we take in a new pet. It was about 5? years ago at Matthew's college GRADUATION party that we discovered our 1st cat, Cringer, hissing and spatting at us from under a bush. And now here we preparing for his Master's program GRADUATION party with this scrappy little Springer Spaniel Mix joining our family.

And now here we are...adjusting. Photos and more to come!
By the way...Caesar and Luna have been doing better than I ever imagined with a dog in the house. I'll explain how we are getting this result later.

When you Spend all Weekend NOT being Responsible for Shaping Young Minds.

2010-04-05T19:32:00.000-07:00

Matt and I were sitting at the table, each buried in a bit of paperwork we neglected allll Easter weekend. We were chatting about our days at work....
Turns out, on this particular Monday I managed to accidentally ask my 13yr old client (who has Autism) "Why are you pissed?" while my better-half unintentionally gave "the bird" to a student while signaling "just 1 minute" and writing on the board as he taught high school.

Yep.

I'm not sure how to explain our little slips. Apparently we both got too used to being around adults and not being responsible for 2.5 days. You, friends and family, you all know how crass and offensive we REGULARLY are, of course. LOOK OUT FOLKS, we are dangerously uncensored.
My client turned to me immediately picking up on the shame that washed over me as the p-word slipped from my mouth....and said "what is pissed?" To which I replied "errr...it means 'mad'. I was asking why you got mad. It is not a word we say, ok? I should have said 'mad' instead." And thankfully he was content with that.

Tomorrow...the goal is to go from PG13 to PG.

THIS is how.

2010-03-28T17:59:00.000-07:00

3/20 We drove up thru Indiana to Crown Point, IN to celebrate at a baby shower for our dear old college friends, Christina & Jake (yep, we hooked em up so we could all hang out together). MuahahaMuahahaha. But they are expecting their 1st baby and we wouldn't have missed it for the world - even - even when we were coming from 70 degree sunshine to 40 degrees + ice falling from the sky unpon arrival. 3/21 We drove back down through the state to Southern IN so I could work Monday and Tuesday. Lucky me. By the way -- I am positively FASCINATED with the wind mills along 65 in Indiana.
3/23 After work, hubby & I hit the road, taking the long way from Louisville to South Carolina because a rockslide from OCTOBER 2009 is still being cleaned up. Nutzo.

Turns out though, we like taking the longer route.
HOW can this be!? You ask...well, we saw lots of entertaining things along the way. Included in this list is the city of Chattanooga, TN which I definitely want to pass thru again sometime. I also enjoyed the markers along the road which pointed obviously to which states we were in. Here are some examples of how we pinpointed our location along the road:

Kentucky
Hills & Horses (well, duh.)
Dinosaur World !!!!!!!!!!!
Jim Beam & Bourbon Trail signs.
A billboard proclaiming HELL IS REAL just across from the Adult Depot.

Tennessee
Jack Daniel's Distillery Signs
Fireworks + Deli
Hee Haw Fireworks, Big Daddy's Fireworks, TN/Alabama Fireworks, Big Zack's, Big Steve's, Sad Sam's, and Battle Creek Fireworks/Chevron Station. (*Who EVER thought that combining the sell of explosives and gasoline would be a good idea?)
Bar-B-Cutie's
Pappy's bbq, Sugar's bbq, Smokey's bbq, etc.
Nashville :)
Appalachian Foothills

Georgia
Atlanta (eh...)
11 Cops on highway patrol per 80miles of highway...we actually counted 11 police cars either pulling people over or clocking speeds within about an hour.

South Carolina
Red dirt
Pretty trees along highways
Signs for Greenville
Tiger paws begin appearing on more and more (and more) vehicles along the way.
Clemson University

3/27 We had waffles (Matt's Dad makes a fantastic waffle) and drove home with a quick stop outside of Nashville for lunch with step-bro Randy. All in all, a really good mini vacation. OH and the Indiana State markers (for us coming up from the South) would be the river...the Kennedy Bridge signaling that within 20 minutes we would be turning off the engine and opening our big blue front door to see our loyal cats awaiting our return. It totally happened that way too....Caesar rushed to our feet like a faithful old dog (even tho he is actually a rather large cat).

So there it is.

2010-03-14T14:41:00.000-07:00

Over the past ohhh saaayyy 6 months or so...heck, even further back than that...I have received some questions about my job/career. This makes sense and I apologize for not really ever addressing them. You see, its hard to explain what you're up to when you really don't know what you are up to. I spent a couple years trying to decide where and what I wanted to be and I have "worn a lot of hats" as they say...

I worked as a medical secrectary in an outpatient surgical center for 2 years. The nurses, my fellow clerks, and support staff were amazing people who were extremely hard for me to part with . The nature of the surgery biz, many patients, + the doctors and their god-complexes made it much easier to leave. Somewhere in those 2yrs, I came in contact with the Louisville FEAT group. I began working on weekends for them in the SIBSHOPS program. Sibshops is bascially a workshop for children who have a sibling with developmental disabilities. These workshops give the kids a chance to share their feelings and spend time with peers who might be going through similar things that they are.
After about a year of doing Sibshops, I was hired to work for Dreams with Wings of Louisville. Another fantastic organization I would reccomend checking out or helping out! I worked at their summer camp for teens with Autism and stayed on as a Direct Support Staff for the fall. In my 2 years there I also worked as a job coach for Supported Employement. In my time at Dreams, I was also hired by a different company to provide ABA therapy for a family in Southern Indiana.

A few twists a couple personal references and I came to find out that Meaningful Day Services of Indianapolis, IN had a new ABA Therapy department branching out to the Southern IN area. And after a long transition period from Dreams (it was SO hard to leave my clients & coworkers there) HERE I AM :) I am a full-time ABA Therapist for Meaningful Day Services.
Now...even with the background that may not mean a lot to you guys. So here is the gist of it, along with some links if you are really jazzed about knowing this stuff.

A typical week for me looks like this:
Anywhere between 8am and noon I either pick up a client from school or meet them at the Ymca. The local Y's have been allowing my company to rent space from them until we can buy our own office for therapy. From the moment we meet up until the end of our session I use ABA techniques along with sensory intergration and any other GOOFY SILLY WACKY ways possible to keep the kid interacting with me, communicating verbally, and learning. We also keep data on all programs. For some kids, its more like a specialized academic program and for others it is truly behavior intervention and life-skills 101. Most days I see 2-4 children and am typically done by 6pm. Sometimes the hours are choppy...and there is drive time involved. Lots on some weeks, less others. Sometimes we shake it up and take the kids for Community Outings or group them for play/social dates. A Community Outing can be anything from goin to lunch at McDonald's to bowling or the park. There are good days...like I can't believe I am getting paid to play in the park on a perfect spring day days...and there are days when I come home with scratches & a head full of frazzled hair that's been pulled at all day. The thing I love most: there is always the possibility of something great happening.

http://www.meaningfuldays.com/aba_about.html

http://www.featoflouisville.org/

Lawyers

2010-03-12T18:53:00.000-08:00

These are 2 of my ABA Therapy clients :) They are both extremely intelligent little ladies with strong personalities and master manipulation skills. SERIOUSLY, 10min. alone with the one in pink & you'll be doing her homework and emptying your wallet to buy World's Finest Chocolate bars for school fundraisers.
We have recently been working on social skills with them & throughout the process they have become fast friends. I had both girls this afternoon and well...pompom hat girl was coming straight from "Wacky day" at school (hence the outfit) + pink-punkster with her b-ball cap all sideways = a Kodak moment.

Borden, IN

2010-02-21T19:13:00.000-08:00

Well...we took the plunge this weekend!
Matthew & I, along with some great friends, family, & 200 other volunteers....ran full speed into Deam Lake on Saturday morning. We helped to raise over 48,000 dollars for Special Olympics programming! Our team alone (The Chillie Willies) raised 2500 dollars.
There was 3 inches of ice on the lake...the dive team had to clear an area for us to plunge in! It wasn't too cool outside, but the water was around 32 degrees. Matt, Aimee, and I sported Double Dare contestant outfits. The others on our team wore Willie Nelson bandannas and braids :) There were lots of fun costumes from other groups too. The polar plunge is definitely one of the most fun fundraisers I've ever been apart of. This was my 2nd year and Matt's 1st year. Hopefully we can do it again next Feburary.

WHY do we volunteer to jump in a lake in the dead of winter to raise money for the Special Olympics? Great question!
I can tell you from 1st hand experience that Special Olympis is an organization that directly benifits people with disabilities. Special Olympics improves the quality of life for many of the kids I work with and many of the adults I have worked with. Special Olympics provides opportunities for families to have social support and interaction with other local families who are living with similar disabilities. Special Olympics games have given confidence to kids who might not have attempted or been able to do school sports teams. This organization is all about building people up & providing community. If you're looking for a good way to give back in your community...Special Olympics is something to check out!

It goes on...

2010-02-10T07:26:00.000-08:00

Today is snow day #2 for us here on the Southern boarder of Indiana. We accumulated something like 6inches of snow yesterday. Today the temp has dropped & the wind picked up, whirling and twirling cold white drifts into the roads over, and over...and over again. It is lovely!
I like snow....more than like...I love snow. I love the way it looks and smells. I love how it crunches under my feet. I love how crisp and cold it is. The only thing about it here in our part of the country is that snow usually = total shut down. Schools are closed & those of us (me) who work with school age kiddos usually end up losing hours. Time off is, of course, not torture or anything ;) but it does tighten finances for Mattie & I.

But life goes on...and I do enjoy these lazy days at home with my husband + cats.
We shovel the driveway together, we have big breakfasts and talk about the future. He plays guitar and we make up lyrics together. Sometimes I waste hours on this laptop. He grades papers and I look up quotes on the internet. We play wii and avoid doing the p90X workout for the day. For some reason, a snow day declares null & void to not only work but ALL non-lazy activities. We listen to music and spend actual time brushing the cats. I try to clean the house better than my usual weekend sweep through. He reads...and reads some more. Some days (like today) we will travel out & find that the roads really weren't all that bad after all.

Hope you are all safe and warm today!

"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous
than absolutely boring." — Marilyn Monroe

"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears the beat of a different drummer. Let him step to the music that he hears, however measured far away."
-Henry David Thoreau

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense. -Emerson

"The transforming process of the Spirit is experienced by the individual Christian as freedom. This does not mean that effort, pain and hard discipline are not involved, but that primarily and ultimately the development of Christ-like character is liberating. Growing in love, joy, peace, self-control makes you feel like you are becoming yourself" -Tim Keller

FNL

2010-01-22T21:23:00.000-08:00

I can't sleep. This is almost never a problem for me...typically I fall asleep early and hardly wake until the sun is up - even when i toss and turn - I rarely find myself up and about the house after midnight. Sometimes I hate late hours b/c I guess I feel I should be getting rest for the following day. Some nights...like tonight...I enjoy the quiet.
There is a...relaxing? peaceful? simple? feeling to this time of night. Matt is sleeping & Caesar is curled up beside me. Luna has burrowed under a blanket. I can see the dim nightlights glowing from some neighbors' houses. Other houses seem to have tv's glowing thru the blinds. Nick at Nite is airing episodes of shows I have seen a hundred times but will definitely still watch. I feel no guilt for the basket of clean laundry that needs folding. After all....its much too late to fold towels. I have no reason to believe my cell will ring with any type of business call. Its kind of like everything is on pause. And tonight, it feels more calming than eerie.

So...what is new. Well...Matthew put in motion sensor lights all around the outside of our home this weekend. He installed them himself! They are nickel finish and I loooove them - they look so nice & they will save us on the electric bill, of course. We also looked at some new stuff for our bathroom & we're thinking of re-doing it this spring. Not painting or anything...just new shower curtain and rugs.

Big work meeting this morning...I got some...news. The building we thought we'd be able to operate out of for the next year - well - it just isn't going to pan out. Meaningful Day Services is brand new to Southern, IN. We are a small company and we are growing, but we have not grown enough yet to support a lease. This makes our jobs as ABA therapists a bit more difficult. As I've said before...it is hard to keep our kids focused in certain environments. We are just hoping the local YMCAs will continue to be gracious and let us rent space a while longer. It has been the best place aside from a building of our own.
Matt's job is also a little wild right now. Spring coming = IEPs and parent meetings for him. This time of the school year is always super busy. BUT at the end of this school year we will be celebrating his graduation from IUS with a Masters Degree in Secondary Ed!!! He did it after just a few years and taught full time throughout. I'm so proud of him! He works so hard.

OH! and the cats...our CRAZY cats... managed to break the kitty door we put in especially for them. grrr...So when we clean the litter box, we open the big garage door & lock their flap so they can not run out. There are these little plastic things that make it possible to lock it. Well, the other day Matt did the litter box but forgot to unlock the flap that night. The next morning, I opened the door to the garage and walked in to feed them...they followed me so I did not notice the flap was still locked. I pulled the door shut & left for work. I suppose they got angry about being locked in the garage b/c they muscled through the locked flap, snapping off the plastic lock in the process. jerks! They had their food, water, litter....but NO...they are so spoiled about being in the house that they could not wait for me to get home and let the flap open. siiiigh.

In other news...BOTH Matthew and I are plunging in the Borden Polar Bear Plunge! We are raising money to benefit Special Olympics of Indiana.....if you can PLEASE donate on our websites!!! We would really appreciate it :) and the money goes to a great program that does a ton of good things for people in our area!

http://www.firstgiving.com/matthewtownsend

http://www.firstgiving.com/jessicatownsend

Feliz Año Nuevo

2010-01-05T06:11:00.000-08:00

2010. That number still seems so...unreal. I remember thinking we'd have hover crafts for cars & robot maids (yes, like the jetsons) by now. Its funny how some parts of the world can change so, so much while other things stay pretty much the same. Although...I am pretty pumped about my new steam-mop!
This was the 4th gathering of our New Year's Eve crew. When graduating from IU scattered our friends across the globe back in 2006 - We had a big gathering for New Year's Eve in Chicago with Sarah, Tom, & a whole group of friends. It was such a good time of reconnecting that we have continued to meet up ever since. The location & some of the people change from year to year...but it is always a refreshing way to begin a new year.
So - we spent 3 days in beautiful Brown County, Indiana in a cabin. We had a foosball table, a hot tub, a fire place, lots of food, wine & high life. We had some of the best mafia games ever played, Pizza Express breadsticks, and loads of laughs.

And now its time to start 2010. As you probably guessed...I'm listing my resolutions.

1. Be more disciplined in my faith. Pray more. Study more. In general, I want to allow Jesus to be a bigger part of my everyday.
2. Cook! I want to try new recipies this year. Put my cookbooks to use & add some variety to our meals.
3. Complete P90X with Matthew (we started it yesterday & my arms feel like they might fall off already!).
4. Reorganize my closets & kitchen cabinets.
5. Simplify everything from my schedule to our home decor.

Peace & Love
Jess

A little more spirit

2009-12-18T20:17:00.000-08:00

Tonight Matthew & I made buckeye candies & wrapped nearly all of the gifts! I feel a bit less...INSANE....about the upcoming holiday now. God cut me some breaks Thursday and Friday of this week - breaks that were much needed & fully appreciated. I feel blessed.
I was able to go to the Nutcracker Ballet at Louisville Center for the Arts fo frizzle (for free) b/c my buddy Katie got tickets by some lucky chain of events & invited 3 friends for a ladies night. It was good to hang out & such a nice Christmastime thing to go to. The ballet was followed Thursday night by some quality time with a very long-time friend/mentor/honorary big sister of sorts...one of my twin friends, Stacy, & her 2 beautiful boys. We had Tumbleweed & went to her house for white wine. The boys spent like 2hrs trying to guess at what the wrapped gifts under the tree were. Haha.
This weekend I do have to work 1 day...but most of my time will be spent visiting with uncle Bob and cousin Robert. They are here all the way from Colorado Springs :) and I absolutely love it when they are here. 1) the family gets together & we see people we rarely see 2) the Colorado peeps are really great to talk with & fun to be around.

On top of the other remedies to my sour mood...my company has gotten an office!!! This is a BIG DEAL people. Huge. We have been working toward this goal since before last summer. Pretty much its been in our hopes since I was 1st training at Meaningful Day Services. We will soon have a facility located in New Albany, IN to run our ABA Therapy program & other exciting things to come as we grow :) Its such a great feeling to see things looking up at work!

Ok...so before I was complaining too much...and now I am gushing. I'm tired...the afternoon I was supposed to spend shopping with my mum turned out to be a 2hr mini marathon thru the mall followed by the scariest hour I've spent on the highway in a long time! My mom likes to multitask while driving...we'll put it that way. But I'm alive, like they say in the Kenny Chesney/Dave Matthews song.

Happy Christmas, friends!

Isaiah 7:14

2009-12-13T17:33:00.000-08:00

Happy Christmas, friends =)
As I predicted before, time has been flying by in these past 2 months. Since our last post...Hew & I have been working (too much) and traveling around Indiana. We went to Peru, IN the weekend after thanksgiving, a wedding in Indianapolis Dec. 5th, and back to Peru for a Christmas party this weekend. We have finally gotten some shopping done & our tree is up. We bought a real tree this year - our office smells of pine & our 2 cats are curious about the new addition to that room. We decided to have our tree in the office so we can close the door & keep them out of it while we're away.
There is so much on my mind these days...and no motivation or energy to share it. Oh, except I should share that I accidentally ordered too few cards this year & so many people won't get one from us. Sorry! I'll do better next year. I hate to admit it, but apathy has taken over. I'm tired...I feel like I can't catch my breath from all the running around I'm doing. So...yeah. I hope to find my Christmas joy or whatever again soon.

It gets hard in all the holiday hoopla to remember that joy is really what its all about...right? I mean....the birth of the savior of the human race happened. Its Christmas...whether a majority of the world wants to admit it or not...the joy of the birth of Christ is what its all about. So, I will get back into it at some point...I hope that you guys do too. And if you don't get into the Jesus stuff...maybe this Dec. 25th will prompt you to soul search...to truth search. Who knows?

Peace to you all.

Give Thanks

2009-11-15T17:29:00.000-08:00

: Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life- well, valuable, but small. And sometimes I wonder- do I do it because I like it? Or because I haven't been brave? So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book when, shouldn't it be the other way around?; -You've Got Mail

As I anticipate that the next couple of weeks will fly by...and I will lose track of all things "online"... I decided to update now in regards to Thanksgiving. It will be here and gone before we can take a deep breath and say grace.
I have given my notice at Dreams with Wings. As of 2010 (well, with the exception of transitioning time) I will be a full-time employee for Meaningful Day Services. I'm excited and a lil nervous too. I haven't been full-time at one company for over a year. I hope that I will feel more grounded, stable...less scatter-brained. It will be nice to acquire benefits like sick time or personal days as well. Its hard to get those straight when you're part-time at 2 places. I'll also be going back to school soon...I'll keep you posted on that.

So...we have MUCH to be thankful for this year...here are just a few things we have felt blessed with in 2009:

- Amazing families who care for us & are understanding in so many ways. We have the best people in our family trees. We are very lucky.
- Friends near and far who we are SO blessed to have in our lives. You all mean so much to us.
- Our health. I think people our age take that for granted at times.
- Highland Community Church & Matt being able to serve there.
- Our pastor Ryan and his family.
- Luna & Caesar. Yes, I'm thankful for our cats. But they really are such great company.
- Our jobs...working for things we both are passionate about & enjoy.
- Financial provision...God has taken care of us and provided us with income/wisdom with $.
- BABIES =) In this year we have watched a few friends become parents & have received news of some very important pregnancies...We will be uncle + aunt to Phil & Jeni's little one !!! We will have 2 new cousins in 2010 !!! my boss will be having her 1st child, and our dear friends will be expecting a baby in May also! Its going to be so cool sharing this time with them all. Seeing our friends and family bring new little people into the world.
- All the little tiny joys in life. Playing wii together, nightly walks, ice cream, hugs, scarves, comfortable pajamas, photos, memories, down blankets, good music, I know Matthew is thankful for his Taylor guitar! Good books, funny movies, Our favorite TV shows, and scented candles.
- Love, God's grace, Jesus Christ. Wisdom and truth.
- Hope and possibility for the future.
- Nature. this earth and all its beauty.

There it is...I'm sure I've forgotten lots. I'm not ungrateful, just tired & ready to get off this computer. Which reminds me...I am thankful for my laptop I got this summer! It has made my work-life so much easier.

I hope you all have a great holiday - don't forget to give thanks for all you have.

Peace

When it feels like everything is meaningless...

2009-11-08T16:19:00.000-08:00

God Is With Us
words by jeremy quillo. music by jeremy quillo & dustin neeley

The glory of God has come to the earth,
The glory of God in our Savior’s birth,
Join with the angels to sing and proclaim

Glory to His name
Emmanuel, Emmanuel, God is with us

Emmanuel, Emmanuel, God is with us now.
Eternity’s likeness has come into time,

A light in the darkness, now hope is alive,

Down from the heavens on this holy night,

Our God in a manger, our God as a child.
Emmanuel, Emmanuel, God is with us

Emmanuel, Emmanuel, God is with us now.

Oh, let us bring Him more than our silver and gold…

2009-10-21T11:21:00.000-07:00

So this isn't a photo of the actual event - but - the Belle (a beloved historical steamboat used as a tourist attraction here in Louisville) crashed into a barge. In our part of the Ohio, we see a great many barges sailing up & down the river. Every great once in awhile, the barges will bump into one of our bridges...causing massive traffic delays. You see...they have to close the bridge that was hit & check it over so it doesn't COME CRASHING DOWN AROUND US. yikes. Guess that is almost worth sitting on an alternate highway for an extra hour to drive like 17 miles. I think this is the 1st time I've heard of a run-in with another boat though. The paper stated a gust of wind as the reason for the Belle floating into the barge. I wonder if the 300 passengers had any qualms with their captain allowing the boat close enough that a "gust of wind" could shove it into a barge? The wheel was cracked & 8 or so people injured...nothing too major + no traffic problems. whew!

Matthew spoke at the teaching conference a couple weekends ago. He, of course, did wonderfully & was praised by his peers on his Where's Waldo Lesson. I wish I could've been there to see his animated speaking voice in front of like 200 other teachers with similar senses of humor! I'm sure he had them in stitches. That same weekend we also got to spend some time with Sarah, Tom, Jenn, & that side of the family :) . We did the harvest homecoming thing & spent Saturday night making calzones / hanging out with our little cuz, Ella. We had a really fun night with everyone! I really love my cousins....we are blessed.

Last weekend we got a chance to host 2 of our very favorite people & a couple new ones too. Our friend, Heather, came thru town to attend a conference in New Albany. She & her pals are studying Environmental Science. They were learning about clean water for developing countries. Their conference sounded REALLY interesting! Matt & I got to talk with Heather in the evenings after work & after her conference hours. It was so nice having her here! AND we've had Kel in town for over a week off and on. She is a great house guest. We absolutely love her :) and chatting with her about her adventures being a nanny in New York City. Catching up sessions. sigh. Again, we are blessed. And I am blessed to have a husband who is totally happy to share our home.

Work has been ...still nuts...but increasingly better. I have been told I'm coming off as "over stressed" by friends. I guess that makes sense but all should know that it is slowly becoming a better situation. I'm getting the hang of some things, delegating more, and taking my tasks one at a time. I'm going to have a full but constant schedule for Nov. which promises to be even a step more stable than Oct. By the new year, I think I will feel less scattered and more focused.
Matt is even caught up right now on grading and school work of all kinds. Sweet! This means we get to have an awesome weekend pumpkin carving at a party & then hosting a little dinner party of our own! Fun.

Peace, friends!

For the prayer lists...some things going on at church lately. Nothing I care to elaborate on...but I think Matt & I both need some sort of assurance that we are still in a healthy, growing, Jesus-like community.

Wow

2009-10-17T18:05:00.000-07:00

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

Where do people find the time for this sort of thing? I think I'm going to take the whole day tomorrow and just try random stuff to see if I can do it....then I'll post my own video. muhahaha.

October

2009-10-04T10:30:00.000-07:00

The month of September was surprisingly chaotic for Matthew & I. October is looking a bit more in check, but still there is much to do!
Matthew's work-load has evened out now that he is about half way thru this 1st semester. He has some good kids this year & his enthusiasm is thru the roof :) He came home last week to tell me he had told the entire tale of "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" dressed in a helmet, green suit, & using a character voice. I'm not sure his students know what to make of him sometimes...goofy goofy guy. The thing is, they will not soon forget that day in class OR the story he taught.
My professional life has felt like a mess lately. I must admit I lost heart a little throughout last month. I don't do well when I'm not on a schedule. I sleep poorly, I get sick easily b/c my body is all screwed up. I need some kind of consistency to stay sane. Long story short - it is getting better. I have the next 3wks scheduled all the same. It feels great. MDS has also been given the green light to look for a facility in Southern IN...which will make my life easier in so many ways. No more living out of my car, driving 50miles a day or whatever.

This weekend has been really nice. Matt & I spent Friday working on our house + setting up for a small attempt at a yardsale Sat. morning. We didn't sell much...but we had fun just sitting outisde talking to each other. We borrowed my Dad's truck that day also & picked up our new to us patio set. We are so thankful to have family & friends who help us meet our needs. Thanks to Lynn for thinking of us when she wanted to get rid of her patio furnitire!

Last night, we attended our friends, Sara & Nick's wedding. It was at Yew Dell Gardens in Crestwood, Ky. Their wedding was like being in a movie. The guest entered the gardens thru a big red barn darned in white Christmas lights. We walked a garden path thru trees & flowers to a clearing lined with trees. The guests sat in white folding chairs & the ceremony took place simply before us there on a grassy hill. Afterwards, we followed a trail to an area with a small castle-like building. There was a band playing - a bass, steel guitar, banjo, etc - folky music in the grass. There were tables tied with green ribbon to stand at & the crew passed out Ball jars of spiced rum in cider. SO delicious. After some time, we were guided to a big white tent where there was dinner & later dancing. Sara looked beautiful, of course :), and it really was just perfect for them. As for the guest list...so many old friends all together for the evening. It was a lot of fun.

And here we are at Sunday. I've taken the whole morning to get things in order for the week. Matthew is working on a story line for our murder mystery dinner party! We are thinking this should be a fun way to get people together around halloween. I hope it all works out!
I also need to get to the store at some point. I want to try Sarah's recipie for potato soup either today or tomorrow! The weather here in Southern IN has been PERFECT in my opinion. Sunny, with big white fluffy clouds & a chill to the air that only fall can produce. I love this time of year. I love that we can have our windows open and be comfortable all day long. I find so much joy in the colors on the trees. Even the smell of the pumpkin spice candles that I HAVE to use in October make me happier than most other homey things. :)

Ok...time to get back to life.

One year later

2009-09-20T14:43:00.000-07:00

Matthew & I celebrated our birthdays this month. I turned 26 last Sunday...he turned 26 today. We've both had really good b-day weekends...but I am hoping that our 26th year does not continue at such a rushed pace. Things have been a little wild the past 2 weeks or so...I feel a bit scatter-brained. I am a very schedule oriented person & my schedule is not stable at all right now. Loads of long stories short - I'm a bit grouchy lately.
Today is a good day though...its Sunday :) The sermon at church was especially intriguing, Matt & I were able to spend time with family, there was ice cream cake after lunch, and we have the whole evening to relax before tomorrow.

If I weren't a God fearing woman.

2009-09-09T09:19:00.000-07:00

Matthew & I finally decided what to use our large amounts of gift cards at Home Depot for. We receive these g.c.'s from our insurance company whenever Matthew puts enough mileage on his pedometer. My, I am thankful for the perks of my husband's job.
So we go to Home Depot to purchase a new storm door for the front of our house. We know the exact door we want, we know the measurements, we know the color...we are thinking it should be a fairly easy task to order it. WRONG.
7:15pm. We enter the window/door area and see that the one and only person working there (Janice) is occupied with another customer. We wait. After about 20minutes, Matthew walks around to find another orange vested person...this woman misunderstands what he is asking for and goes to get some guy to "lift a door for us". We send the guy away b/c the door we want is not in-stock...which Matthew had already said once. This took like, 10min. Its been half an hour and Janice...who we are told is the only person who "knows how" to order a door...is finishing up w/ the other customer.
7:45ish pm. Janice walks away, assuring us that she won't be but a minute. 8pm or so...Janice returns to find us waiting with another employee, a very unprofessional woman who wanted her walkie talkie back or something. Not a single apology for our wait...Janice decides to "train" the unprofessional lady on "how to order somethin' on the computer". Unprofessional lady takes like 15min. to type in our basic information. She can't seem to operate a mouse...all the while, Janice is instructing her...except Janice isn't great with the whole process herself. The two of them order the wrong door 1st...then we have to start over. Unprofessional lady finally says "well, you dun lost me. I'm lost." and goes back to whatever post she had abandoned to create problems for us. Janice takes over.
8:30pm Apparently we needed to explicitly request that we wanted to pick up our own door, and that we wanted someone to come out and install it. I suppose it is not policy at Home Depot to ask such questions before answering them for the customer. Either that, or some employees...Janice, for example...don't know how to request an install without charging us $107. She tinkers with the screen a few minutes...and calls Craig in. At this point, it looks quite like Matthew is going to scream at her...but he restrains himself in hopes that Craig won't be a fucking moron. WRONG.
9pm....Janice & Craig manage to work out our order. We take our paperwork to the registers to pay and there is not a single open register that is not self-check out...which we can't do with our particular order. So we approach customer service and some dude helps us check out.
9:10pm We leave...annoyed & contemplating how much jail time a couple would get for burning down a damn Home Depot.
I can say that without a doubt we will probably never buy anything from that store that we aren't able to walk-in, pick out on our own, and check out on our own. And, although I did text message a friend with threats about it, I really don't blame Janice for alllll of the annoyances. It is the company that hires people who don't know shit about homes, improvement, computer systems, etc. Its not their fault that they weren't trained on the most basic of tasks...like ordering a storm door. So to Janice and her orange vested friends...I'm sorry I thought about verbally assulting you loudly & calling you names. To Home Depot the company, I hate you. I am just praying we get the correct product in some reasonable amount of time.

The End.

I've lost count

2009-09-02T17:34:00.001-07:00

It may seem a bit early, but fall is definitely coming to Southern IN. The weather is cooler, breezy-er, and even some leaves are falling (especially at my Grandma's house). The stores, of course, are shoving this season into full swing with pumpkins, happy harvest signs, candied apples, and mums everywhere you go. Irritating as I find it when corporate America jumps the gun like that, I must say that I really do not mind this time. I love Autumn. I love the smells and the weather, and the food and the home decor, even general feel of it. I love adding the Big Ten back to our cable plan in preparation for the college football & bball seasons! ....and Autumn were to arrive early & stay a month longer this year, I welcome it!

Random: a rather large SQUIRREL found its way into my car this week. I left my client's apartment after helping her put away groceries. I nearly got into my driver's seat when I heard this noise, looked back & saw it scurrying around my backseat. I screamed *just a little...and then waited with my door open until he came out. Weird things happen to me.

This week has been slow for work. I should probably be more upset, but how can I complain when I've had such nice days to be off? I spent much of the day Tuesday cleaning & potting the huge mums I got on sale. I have even been able to wash the floor mats in from my car! I feel rested this week for a change. I finished The Half Blood Prince & have moved on to the very last of the Harry Potter series. Oops...except I need to read book 5 b/c I skipped it. Errr...no yelling please. I really don't care to hear what a crime I've committed here from all of you super fans. I definitely need to scrape for more work hours from now on. But, I really didn't mind this week.

Jenn comes to town this weekend. I can NOT wait! I miss her. Also, in just a couple weeks, Matthew is taking me to Chicago to see Sarah & go to this festival for my Birthday :) Ok, enough typing for tonight.

a dream is a wish your heart makes

2009-08-29T18:49:00.000-07:00

So this was posted on an old college acquaintance's facebook. I just had to swipe and post it myself. I'm pretty sure this is one decision the man could make that would be fool-proof, 100% satisfactory with anyone who's opinion on tv is worth anything ;)

btw...my laptop...the one we bought less that 4 months ago...is experiencing technical difficulties. I am ANGRY about this. Maybe the prez could work on that for me as well? WHY why why, universe, can I not get at least one year without my computer crashing???

Ok...off to finish my book & then sleep early tonight.
Happy Birthday to my daddy tomorrow :)

peace

78

2009-08-21T18:10:00.000-07:00

Fantastic weather today!
It was barely 80 degrees & with a bit of wind that made it perfect for rolling down the car windows & riding with my arm stretched out into the air. I haven't driven with the windows down much at all this summer. Its been too humid, hot, or rainy...but today, I could cruise in freedom! I noticed that when I ride with my arm out in the wind...people will sometimes think I'm waving to them. I got several "wave-backs" along the road today.

Tomorrow is the fundraiser breakfast for one of our therapy clients. A lot of us from MDS are going out to support the Miller family. We adore their daughter & really want to see her have the $ for therapies she needs to improve her quality of life! That sounds cheezy, but its 100% true.
After the pancake bfast, I'm working with one of the most delightful kids ever for about 3hrs, then Matthew & I are headed to Indy for the evening. We're going to dinner with some of his fam for Cara's 21st Bday. I am excited to get outta town a little & to visit!

Its just a little past 9pm. I am in SUCH a mood to clean the house, re-organize, and re-arrange. I think I might drive Mattie insane if I try starting that just now. Especially when I am getting him up at the asscrack of dawn to go 30min away to have pancakes with me. muahahaha. I've had a bug to work on our place lately...problem is...I want to change up so many things...where to start? Also, its not like we have just loads of cash to spend on new things to replace things we already have that work fine. Thankfully, I am equally as compulsive about being frugal as I am about decor. Much of the time, anyway ;)

Okay...I believe I saved enough ww points to allow myself a little ice cream tonight!

peace

Weekending

2009-08-15T19:37:00.000-07:00

This has been, by far, one of the most relaxing weekends Matthew & I have had in a very long time. We ended our day on Friday by picking up dinner & eating it poolside at my uncle's. We swam until the sun set over the lake & then went home to watch a movie.

Today I slept in a little before picking up my cousin, Kim, and going to the Jeffersonville farmer's market. The market didn't have too much going on. The Bluegrass band they advertised turned out to be 2 guys on a bench just pickin away together on banjos. It was actually really good music, but nowhere to sit and listen. We each bought a cup of some great lemonade from this adorable little girl (with her own little stand and everything!) for 25 cents. I also got some Indiana honey. We ended our morning with breakfast & coffee at this great little cafe in downtown Jeff. Adrianne's. I looove this place for three reasons 1) you can sit outside 2) prices are fantastic 3) the food is really good.

I did have to work a 1/2 day today...but our community outing was to the Muhammad Ali center in Louisville...which was awesome. This was my 1st time visiting the Ali center & definitely is going on my list of places visitors should see when they come to town. After work, we grilled out for the 1st time this summer! We finally bought a propane tank for the grill my Dad gave us about a year ago! We had a couple friends over, ate good food, and played a couple games. Good times.
Its early still and I think I'm going to read some more of The Half Blood Prince before sleeping. Tomorrow we are going to church, lunch, and then cooking out at the Drake's for Aaron's b-day at dinnertime. Fun! This kind of weekend was definitely lllloooong ovedue for Matthew & I :) I feel very blessed and ready for a busy week.

Luna and Caesar are inching in on me....this means they want me to put down the laptop & pay attention. haha. I planted them catnip and cat grass this week. It is really helping to keep them out of my other 2 plants. Also, I placed the catnip on a stand nearest our trash can & its strong scent is a great improvement to that corner of the kitchen.

must be going now....peace!

wiggity whack

2009-08-08T11:31:00.001-07:00

I almost forgot...Tuesday this week, I actually got FLOODED into work. I literally was not allowed to leave per order of the city of Jeffersonville, due to the excess of rainwater that day. I had to cancel my Louisville DWW clients for the evening & go straight home from the MDS office (in downtown Jeff). It felt like a million years going from point A to point B b/c so many streets were still closed when I headed home.

The top photo is from the church steps. MDS rents office/work space from them. The one on the bottom is of the office building/church across the street. Eeerrr...across the canal for that day, anyway. This guy was floating around in a big tin tub. My coworkers & I were watching as people waded out into the road. NASTY. The water looked like something you could get cholera or typhoid from. But leave it to the people of Southern IN to decide for themselves & in they go. I suppose if they die from it, it is sort of like natural selection. The stupider members of the species get killed off by making stupid choices. I bet they could make a kickass reality show with that concept. I'd probably give it half and hour a week...if they can get janice dickinson, or paris hilton, or someone like that.

Matthew is pretty peeved with me at the moment. I am supposed to be cleaning out my drawers in our filing cabinet. I'm so totally unmotivated right now. I just want to research mineral make-up (yep Sarah, I'm thinking about making the switch too!) and read harry potter. I guess I should have at it though...peace friends.

this world we live in

2009-08-07T17:46:00.000-07:00

We got a call one evening this week...one of my older cousins lost her grandma from the opposite side of her family. Matthew and I went over to watch her 2 boys for a bit. Its hard enough to lose a loved one, but I can only imagine what it must be like to explain that loss to your 5yr old...or your 12yr old who has Autism. How hard that must be.
I remember when Nenaw passed away. Matthew & I were watching the boys b/c my cousins had to go to this big conf. on Autism in Bloomington. Shane, their 12yr old, was taking it hard. I heard some commotion in the basement, so I walked downstairs. He was sitting there with tears streaming from his eyes...repeating phrases like "i want nenaw's cheese pizza" and "go to nenaw's house." I sat down next to him, cried with him, & squeezed his hand (something he likes a lot). That night gave me a small glimpse of what it must feel like to go thru that with one's own child...it might have been even more heartbreaking processing the loss with him than it was to process it on my own. Sometimes I think we underestimate how much people like Shane pick up on...how much the world around them matters...how much the people in their lives matter. We think that way b/c they don't always show it like we expect. But the people he loves are very important to him.
That memory sprang to life this week b/c of everything. Please keep Shannon & her family in your prayers this week as they go thru the loss of Doll, her grandma.

Alright...I have got to go finish the laundry & pay some attnetion to Caesar. He is practically on my lap. I expect he will be on my keyboard within the next couple minutes.
Tomorrow = autism awareness fair in New Albany, hanging out with Granny, and working around the house!

In a single day...

2009-07-30T19:10:00.000-07:00

Matthew & I went to bed entirely too late last night...this morning by body was BEGGING me to stay under the covers, call in sick, whatever it took to not get up. I did it anyway tho....proceeded to shower & burn a blister into my forehead w/ the curling iron that it took me a couple seconds too long to register was insanely hot against my skin. I went to work with an achy stomach, burning head, and no coffee in my system.
It rained off and on ALL day. Outside, it was incredibly humid. I took my therapy client to bowling & had to stand in the rain assembling & disassembling her wheelchair both ways. Today was also the 1st weigh-in day for our group of weight-watcher gals at work...Which is obviously not the most fun part of my day! Then, I ended up needing to stay a couple hours late to finish up a project b/c we are leaving town for the big Polka/Irvin wedding tomorrow :) and I had to turn it in. During this time, I had a really encouraging & really great conversation with my boss. When we walked outside, I went to start my car and.....it was completely DEAD b/c I had left my lights on from like 1pm until 6pm. Boo. In the POURING RAIN, Matthew comes w/ borrowed jumper cables & I am home about 7:30pm before its all over. It is still raining pretty heavily as I type even now.

My new favorite thing to do online...

2009-07-27T14:36:00.000-07:00

http://www.scrapblog.com/mjtownsend

I just love 30 Rock

2009-07-23T17:39:00.000-07:00

Jenna: If the president is so serious about the war on terror, why doesn't he hunt down and capture Barack Obama before he strikes again? Vote Osama in 2008!

MDS summer program took our kids to the Louisville zoo today :) It was a really great day for the zoo...not too hot, no rain, & the animals were mostly all out & active. Baby Scotty, the elephant, was out playing & there was a baby giraffe too. The lions were roaring & pacing right in the front of their exhibit. It was neat until the male decided it was nooky time. He mounted a female in front of our little school-age children & hammered her until she flopped onto the ground. Welcome to the jungle, kiddes.
Following the zoo, I had a meeting concerning my adult client. By the time I got home...well, I'm so extremely tired even now! Tomorrow Matthew & I are helping Kim paint her new condo!!! And I have to work on a slide show presentation for MDS for next week. I am excited b/c this means I get to go thru all of our summer photos & arrange them to music. Should be fun.

Sarah & Tom will be here this weekend. yay! And Lena, my dog-niece, is coming also! I am excited to see them & for us all (minus Lena, of course) to go to Sarah & Ben's wedding on Saturday. I know its going to be a great time, b/c lots of my favorite people will be there.
Next weekend will be much the same...only in Fort Wayne for Christina & Jake's wedding! Great people, beautiful couples, etc....loads of DANCING. fun times.

Matthew has only 1 week left of teaching summer school. He gets a week break & then he is back to teaching for the year. It feels like summer was so fast this year. Maybe fall will come at a slower pace. I can only hope.

Peace

Marilyn Monroe

2009-07-18T08:47:00.000-07:00

"I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together."

Instead of doing what we should, lets all go to Dollywood...

2009-07-13T17:34:00.000-07:00

One of the kids in the MDS therapy program was telling me all about her upcoming vacation to Dollywood. In order to keep confidentiality, we will call her Mia...which is Not even close to her name but somehow still kinda fits. She is the most sassy, smartypants little girl I have ever met. I absolutely love working with her b/c she keeps me on my toes. She is very intelligent and proud...you really have to try to outsmart her. Much as they give me headaches, I like the challenging clients.
At this moment, I am watching Secret life of the American teenager...yes, again. I have this crazy fascination with the show. I just....keep.....watching it. I honestly am so irritated with these dumb & extremely unrealistic teenagers that I want to scream. I also just haaaaave to know if Amy and Ben will ever break up. they will. And if the baby belongs to the boyfriend of ex-hub of molly ringwald. I'm nuts.

I had a laundry list of things to write about....but I've sort of lost the ambition to complete it. I've been working out my fall schedule between my 2 jobs & its so much more stressful than it needs to be. I really hate to disappoint people...generic as that sounds...and everyone wants the same time-slots. Apparently my line of work means I can never have an evening free throughout the week. The thing is...I don't mind it most of the time.

Ok...gotta quit rattling on about nothing. Peace, friends.

Necessary

2009-07-01T12:08:00.000-07:00

Today was a great Wednesday. I ended up having all day until 5pm for spending time with Matthew & he was able to shift some things to hang with me. I did some networking for community outings for MDS & caught up on Dreams w/ Wings paperwork this morning. Matt made biscuits & we had a real breakfast sitting at the table and everything! haha. FYI this like, never happens. We also rearranged our bedroom (I've been requesting this favor for a couple months now) b/c well...I get this itch to rearrange every 6 months or so.
Matthew's cellular has been misbehaving. I think our friend Aaron gets a call from him like every hour on the hour. SO we took it into best buy & upgraded/traded both our phones for new ones. I was incredibly nervous that we would spend too much, but God smiled on us & we got sweet deals.

Tomorrow begins independence weekend for us. After I get off work, Christina and Jake (along w/ their little dog Sophie) will be coming in. Friday, my cousin Kim is bringing her cat "Kitty" to live with us for a few weeks while she closes on her condo/moves, etc. So in the next 2 days there will be 3 cats, a dog, and a number of humans in and out of our home. Good times.

Happy 4th of July to all :)

2009-06-27T14:35:00.000-07:00

I think this looks delicious...

Blueberry parfait

Layer yogurt and blueberries in 2 wine glasses.
Top with chopped walnuts.
Sprinkle grated chocolate and diced crystallized ginger, if desired.

Loads going on in my head & for some reason I can not find a way to express it. My life has felt chaotic lately...and as my husband pointed out...every few months I feel this same way. I am so incredibly happy with my jobs, but they are still causing us some craziness at home.
In short, I take on too much...always have. I'm hoping to apply for school in the fall & something is going to have to give. Its not so much that I work too many hours, but that I am stretched across such a wide range of things (jack of all trades ;) that I can't keep on top of each duty for each company/client and so on. Its all the little details...I am having trouble keeping up.
I don't want to be this always too busy, always overloaded person. I can't survive like that in the long run. Sooooo the decision is that I must simplify...streamline...create some consistency in my work. This change will probably occur in the fall so that I can get my applications rolling for a master's program. I'll keep you posted!

Matthew is home from throwing Jake's bachelor party. Sounds like they had fun. I'm jealous I have never been to cedar point! sigh. Tonight we're going to a bday dinner for Karah & tomorrow actually going to make it to church!

Sometime this week...I'd like to begin the framing projects I've had sitting in our spare room for months. We shall see...I also need to re-pot my plants & write a couple letters. I am so behind on life. Seems like all I've done is work on work stuff & then sleep this month! Time to get moving on other things...

Much love to you all.

heat wave

2009-06-22T18:40:00.000-07:00

Summer is definitely in full swing,; 91 degree days with high humidity. The kind of weather that makes me drip sweat all day and jump into muddy lakes just to take the edge off. It really works, by the way...swimming in lakes. Add some good friends to that & its good for the soul too. However cheesy that may sound, it is undeniably true.
Anne & I threw a bachelorette weekend for Christina last Friday-Sunday. We all met in Brown County, IN for dinner & to pick up breadsticks. Most of us are IU alumni, so it was great to just be there...like another hometown or something. I adore Bloomington. Sometimes I feel like I still belong there, other times it seems like I never lived there at all. After dinner, we caravaned to Anne's family cabin near Nashville, IN. We spent 2.5 days w/ a great group of ladies drinking wines, laying out in the sun, swimming, shopping in Nashville, watching cheesy movies, & oooo-awwing over the bride-to-be. I got to spend some MUCH needed time with friends & relax a lil myself. I am not a good enough writer to express what it felt like to have some time with them all. I loved being there, in the cabin, with all of them.
As all great weekends must, the trip ended on Sunday. I was lucky enough to have time for a lunch with yet more old pals before taking off to my home and husband and cats. It was good to be home - to see Louie, my dad, on father's day & to deliever jam that Sarah made to our Grandma. The jam, by the way, is FANTASTIC! It was good to sleep in our bed after a couple days. Its funny how quickly that man being next to you becomes normal & how strange it feels to not have him there when you're apart. This Wednesday- Friday, Matthew will be gone throwing Jake's party (for Jake and Christina's wedding - we are the besties). This means time apart once again....but for good reason. Guys must be guys and all...I kind of like the idea that I can go be with women & recharge and he can go do his thing w/ the guys too....I think everyone needs that once in awhile. Even us old married fogies.
Work will keep me busy this week anyway....Summer program is definitely a challenge. I am learning so much about our kids. I am learning so much about the business of being an ABA Therapist. I am also hot & tired at the end of each full day there! haha. It helps though, to love what you're doing & to enjoy your co-workers too. My DWW adult clients are back from vacation this week....that means getting back on track with our regular routines. My schedule will be back to normal too. Part time at the program, part time at DWW. As you know, I love the variety.
Okay...definitely time for bed. It looks like they are going to re-run the Secret Life of the American Teenager again tonight....I've been watching the show all evening & well....I wish I wasn't but I am hooked on this unrealistic portrayl of selfish, stupid, oversexed kids. Tonight, the Christian girl had sex with her bf after giving this speech that made pretty much no sense as to why God was cool with it. Then they killed her dad off the show. Lol....I guess the moral of the story is teen sex = daddy dies??? Also, if the girl with the baby gets any more whiney.....I might throw something at the tv. You screwed up, so no...darling...you will not get a "normal" teenage experience. get over it. I really have to stop watching that show.....

Sweet dreams, friends.

Twenty-something

2009-06-10T16:57:00.000-07:00

I have gone MIA from the ymca lately...again. ARrrrgggaarrr. I really hate it when I let myself be so inactive. Its the story and battle of my life. blah. I could blame my busy life, work, keeping up with the house, etc...but the truth is I just havent made time to go.

Summer program started at Meaningful Day Services this week. "Its all happening." I really love being an ABA therapist. I love working with kids. I love having a schedule that is consistent each week. I've been overwhelmed a little the past 2 weeks...but now that we're getting things going, I know I will get in the groove & be less stressed. I still also have 2 Dreams with Wings clients and they provide a nice balance for me with the kiddos. I've always loved having variety at work.

Matthew has been reading nonstop since FC got out of school. He's in this class at IUS that requires him to read 50 books before the course ends. Nuts. He's getting thru about a book a day. Nerd! I'm really proud of my hubby.

Other than work/classes...we are putting some solar lights in the yard this week! I'm probably more excited than I should be about this...its fun though. We are also throwing bachelor & bachelorette parties for our dear friends who are marrying EACHOTHER !!! yay...in less than 2 months. We're throwing them early b/c we have to attend like 4 July weddings....and our friends live a few hours north of us. We're honored to be their best man and matron of honor! :)

Loads of other things in the works in my mind...but Matt is on his way home from class & wants me to put a frozen pizza in the oven. Classy, I know!

June coming

2009-05-18T06:25:00.000-07:00

Its almost summer...and I don't think Matthew & I have ever been so ready for a season change. lol. He is soooo ready for school to be out & I am SO ready for summer program to begin at Meaningful Days. Spring has been crazy for us...something about summer promises us a better deal than anytime between March and May.

We've been working in the yard a lot lately...man it is rough! haha...getting your yard in order takes more than I thought it would. I spent like 2 hrs cutting up our overgrown bushes Sunday! Then you have to pick up all the clippings which takes forever! I gotta say though...it looks much better :)

Our next project is to get the attic up and running. I think Matt's going to recruit some help for that soon & try to get it done before summer really heats up. Anybody have any suggestions on attics? We have pull-down stairs to get up there from the garage.

Alright...I better get moving.

OH! and something I have found HILARIOUS lately....the preview for Snakes on a Plane....its been on tv all week....where Samuel L Jackson is like "I am gettin TIRED of all these snakes on this plane." HAHA...i've never seen the movie, but i might have to now.

Tracking progress

2009-05-11T05:24:00.000-07:00

Spent Mothers day weekend running around Southern IN this year. I spent most of Saturday with my mom and grandma. We randomly ran into cousin Christie, her husband & 2 boys at lunch. CRAZY! how that kind of thing happens. We haven't seen them in a long time. I think Granny really enjoyed that.
Sunday, my mom came to church with me & decided very last minute that she wanted to go to Churchill Downs that day with a bunch of families from the neighborhood. The track is CROWDED on this weekend...its almost like going a couple days before Derby. People everywhere. We had a good time though...it was just a little chaotic. Matthew & I won $5 on a $6 bet. haha. We didn't do so hot...and we bought lunch there too so...yeah. I guess the important thing is, my mom got to spend the day how she wanted. This is her 1st year without Nenaw on Mom's day. She definitely need the distractions. I just wanted to see her happy. She deserves that...I wanted her to have fun & not worry about anything.
Now that I look back at it...I kind of needed something to laugh at too. I've been dipping into this funk...this really blank, sad mood lately....and it was nice not to have a chance to go there Saturday or Sunday. Little downtime + laughter + other people always chattering about something = no time to dwell on last year's events.
They say time heals...but for me its like...the more time passes, the more I miss her. Like an old friend who's moved away. I miss our conversations & being able to drop in on her randomly. Anyone was always welcome, if you could catch her at home (which was rare). I miss venting to her about mom...b/c she totally got it. She loved mom fiercely, but she also knew her inside-out & she knew what I struggled with being my mother's daughter. She could always put a situation into perspective...sometimes very bluntly...and it always left me understanding my mom better than ever. I miss walking up to family gatherings and seeing her sitting there laughing or helping out with the kids. I miss babysitting Shane & Nathan with her & hearing her brag about how well Shane could navigate the computer. I miss a lot of things. But this is getting too long.

Summer is beginning. I can't wait! Matthew will finally get a chance to breathe & concentrate on his master's classes. He is SO close to the finish-line. He works so hard. He hasn't had much personal time at all this month or last...he's been swamped & when school lets out...he will finally have some time again :) I also can't wait b/c Summer Program for MDS begins in June! I will have a steady schedule & be doing therapy sessions 20hrs a week alllll summer! Not to mention the people I work with are awesome & it will be fun to see them 3 days/week. The other 2 days will also rock b/c I'll have my 2 DWW clients (adults) who are fun to work with & since its summer we can get out and stuff!

I better get going...its almost time for my work day to being.
Much love

Funny the way it is...

2009-04-27T15:40:00.000-07:00

Lyin’ in the park
On a beautiful day
Sun shine in the grass
And the children play
Siren’s passin’
Fire engine’s red
Someone’s house is burning down
On a day like this

The evening comes and we’re hangin’ out
On the front step
And a car goes by with the windows rolled down
And that war song is playin “why can’t we be friends?”
Someone's screamin’ and cryin’ in the apartment upstairs

Funny the way it is
And if you think about it
Somebody’s goin’ hungry
And someone else is eatin’ out
Funny the way it is
Whether right or wrong
Somebody’s heart is broken
And it becomes your favorite song

The way your mouth feels in a lover’s kiss
Like a pretty bird on a breeze
Or water to a fish
But a bomb blast brings the building crashin’ to the floor
Hear the laughter while the children play war

Funny the way it is
And if you think about it
One kid walks 10 miles to school
While another’s droppin’ out
Funny the way it is
No matter right or wrong
On a soldier’s last breath
His baby’s being born

Standin’ on a bridge
Watch the water passin’ under me
It must have been much harder
When there was no bridge just water
Now the world is small
Remember how it used to be
With mountain, and oceans, and winter’s, and river’s and stars

Watch the sky the jetplanes
So far out of my reach
Is there someone up there lookin’ down on me?
Boy chase a bird
So close but everytime
He never catch her
But he can’t stop trying

Funny the way it is
And if you think about it
One kid walks 10 miles to school
While another’s droppin’ out
Funny the way it is
No matter right or wrong
On a soldier’s last breath
His baby’s being born

Funny the way it is
No matter right or wrong
Somebody’s broken heart
And it becomes your favorite song

Funny the way it is
And if you think about it
One kid walks 10 miles to school
While another’s droppin’ out

Standin’ on a bridge
Watch the water passin’ under me
It must have been much harder
When there was no bridge just water
Now the world is small
Remember how it used to be
With mountain, and oceans, and winter’s, and river’s and stars

------------------------------------------------------------------
Nashville was a really fun city :) We saw a lot of interesting people and places. Definitely want to go back there and take friends. The above lyrics are from a Dave Matthews Band song. I haven't been as big on Dave in recent years...but now and then he comes out with something that reminds me of why i like his music soooo much.

This week is derby week...Saturday is the big run for the roses. yeehaw. We're going to lay low this year, I think. Go to some parties, make a couple dollar bets, etc. Possibly doing a "fake prom" with some friends just to be crazy later that night. not sure if I'm "in" or not yet on that idea. What does one wear to a wacky tacky fake prom?

We got this letter in the mail today for Nenaw. ugh. So painful sometimes...these things like this. I called my mom & read it to her. Its from her friend, Gene in Ky. They worked together years and years ago. Gene caught her up on all the losses of people they knew & then said "Susan, I hope you are doing well. Let me know how you are doing." Yeah. Now my mom has to write Gene a letter explaining that Nenaw passed away last year.
Its all part of what I love and hate about living here in the house she once lived in. Sometimes its nice, like having a huge part of her still in my everyday life thru little things like this. Sometimes its hard to have things like letters from people just pop up, making me wish I could chat with her about Gene & hear her laugh.

Anywho...its beautiful outside & I think its time for me to end this. much love.

And so it seems

2009-04-22T10:19:00.000-07:00

It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.

I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question?

The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.

Romans 7:21-25 from the Message

Spring

2009-04-15T09:29:00.000-07:00

Hope you all had a great Easter. Matthew & I stayed in Southern Indiana and worked quite a bit of the weekend. Sunday, my mom and cousin Kim went with us to church & Matthew played with the worship band. We had lunch at Shannon's with the family & then hung out at my Grandma's house. My cousin Brandon is in town from Florida for a couple weeks on leave from the navy. It was good to see him. Overall, everything was nice but lately my heart has been heavy. I am really missing Nenaw. It seems impossible even now that she passed on. Life is just so different without her.
Matt has been really overloaded with work for his Grad school class, grading for his classes at work, a project for the National Writing project, and his portfolio! On top of that, he got a stomach bug last week. Things should be better from today on for him...the bulk of the work is done now.
I am now working part-time (about 16hrs) at Dreams with Wings, and I am training to be an ABA Therapist through Meaningful Day Services. Meaningful Days is new to southern Indiana and so many people are just really excited about having a therapy program on our side of the river for their children. There really aren't many options for people who don't want to go to Louisville for services or private pay. After shadowing and attending team meetings...I am super excited about working for them!
This weekend is the famous Thunder over Louisville. Mattie & I are going to lay low this year. We've gone to the river & waded through the crowds each year since moving back here from Bloomington...and I think I'd rather catch the air show from my own backyard.
Next weekend we are off to Nashville for the weekend. We're going to see a concert & explore the city.

All things lately

2009-03-18T05:22:00.000-07:00

March has been an INSANE month...
Matthew has been working on IEP's and case conferences all month. There were a couple nights where he came in from school and worked straight through until long after I had fallen asleep. Academic Superbowl has also started having meets (which he helps out with) & he is now doing worship for the youth at our church on wed. nights! Spring break begins Friday this week & hopefully that marks the end of the craziness for him.

My work-life has also been busy. I am in the midst of so many changes (yes, once again). I decided to go part-time at Dreams With Wings in order to take a position with a company in Southern Indiana called Meaningful Day Services. I will be splitting my hours pretty much down the middle, 20ish hours at DWW and 20 at MDS. At Dreams, I will continue to provide community living support for 2 clients & at MDS I will be a Frontline Therapist doing ABA with kids :) I will start the 1st week in April and I am super excited. Also, my supervisor at MDS has mentioned she may be able to give me some advice on Master's programs & becoming fully certified in ABA. I'm hoping this will cut down on the mileage I've been putting on my car by keeping me in Southern IN more of the week!

Mattie & I celebrated our 2nd Wedding Anniversary on the 10th of this month !!! The actual day was too busy for much celebration...but Matt did come home with sunflowers for our table :) That weekend, we went out. Matt arranged for us to have wine & cheese at the Culbertson West (where our reception was) with the owners. We did this last year as well & had our cake topper there. It is so nice going back & being in that beautiful old house and just chatting with our old pals. I really love that he is making it a tradition for us. Afterwards, we went for dinner on the river & then home to watch a movie. It was a great date! The next night, he went out for guys night w/ Nick and Kyle & I went out w/ Amy & Samantha.

We also had visitors this month! Matthew's Mom, step-dad, bro, and sis all came for a weekend. John & Nate helped put in our attic stairs & worked on the garage. Lois, Cara, my mom, and I went shopping! haha. We all had dinner with my parents Saturday night & they got to attend our church with us on Sunday. It was a fun weekend.
Hannah also came to town since we've last updated this...I had not seen my dear friend in 2 long years. She was in Uganda for the Peace Corps. It was good to reconnect & get to know each other again. I hope we can continue to stay in touch as she readjusts to America. She's moved to Cincinnati now which means she will be much closer to us too!
This weekend is our friends, Katie & Matt's, wedding...which is bringing my Sarah & Jenny to town :) and a whole group of old friends. I am excited the weekend!

This time next week....Matthew & I will be leaving for South Carolina to visit his Dad, step-mom, brothers, sisters, niece & new baby nephew! We are both really excited to see them and to be in SC again because it has been so long since we've been able to make a trip there.

By the time we return to IN, it will be pretty much April.
Looking back on it...I have to say that even being busy & all...March was pretty good to us.
take care til next time...

Weekending

2009-02-20T05:46:00.000-08:00

Matthew is out of town this weekend at a writing conference. I really hope he gets some serious work on his book accomplished. I will miss him....its been a busy & long week. I've had a lot on my mind. I am missing some long-gone people in my life.
I am participating in the Polar Plunge tomorrow! Its supposed to be like 34 degrees and snowing...ack! I'll let you know how it goes....if everyone on our team survives ;)

2009-02-10T06:18:00.000-08:00

The snow has melted & life has gotten back into its little rhythms. I miss the scenery, but it is a bit more convenient to get around. Its been warm....60's here and today its raining. The weathermen are saying "not yet" but it feels like Spring is on its way.

Matthew & I have some exciting stuff coming up. He will be going to a writing conference in Indy at the end of Feb. He has an ongoing project that should really benefit from some writing time and inspiration. Its not my place to share what he is working on...but I think its really awesome.

That same weekend...I will be participating in the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Southern Indiana! Its going to be unpleasant, I'm sure...but maybe the temps will stay about freezing this year ;) If anyone can donate...I have a website to raise money for the plunge.... http://www.firstgiving.com/jessicatownsend

Our friend, Hannah, is coming to visit this weekend. She was in Uganda in the Peace Corps for the past 2 years....She was the orchestrator of the backpack purse operation! It has been a very long time...and I absolutely can not wait to see her. She was one of my & Sarah's apartment mates for a year in college. We have kept in touch since she left and its so exciting to know she will be here with us soon!!!

Not much else going on...Matthew & I have been getting more involved in church. We have really fallen in love with Highland Community. I am so thankful God paved a path for us to get here. Matthew is playing for the youth on Wednesday nights....which he LOVES. He loves kids and he loves to worship...he loves to play for people. And I think his enthusiasm works really well with kids in the teenage range. He brings them out of their all too self-aware shells.
We're spending Valentine's day with some other couples from church...we're going to Ramsi's for dinner. We usually aren't much for couples things....but our church has some awesome people in it and we're going to give it a try.

Looks like I should be going....today I will be job coaching & then working with the twins for therapy. I'm so not motivated to get out in the rain! Hope you are all doing great!

love, jess

ice & snow

2009-01-28T15:40:00.000-08:00

Yet Another State of Emergency....

2009-01-28T05:41:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to update you all on our situation here in Southern IN.
Matthew's school has been closed for the past two days...and probably tomorrow too. My work has also been canceled due to the roads being bad. Sadly, I don't get paid for snow days!

Tuesday...we had a nice, powdery snow (maybe 3 inches?). Matthew & I shoveled the driveway & took the cats out to see the snow. We even made it to the grocery. My husband is a very good driver in the snow :)
Tuesday night...our area was hit with an ice storm. We woke this morning to our river birch branches and broken all over the front yard. There is a branch on the roof too. We are thankful though, no damage was done to the house and the tree will most likely be able to survive. It just might look funny. We shall see when all this melts. My parents have lost power in their neighborhood. Lots of people around here have lost power.... but so far, we have ours.
The weather reports are not looking good for the rest of the week. Snow is now falling atop the 1/2 inch of ice coating trees & power lines. The temperatures won't be above freezing for at least a few more days.

So...yeah. We are thankful to be safe at home, still with power. We are also lucky not to have a tree sticking out of the top of our house! We are doing fine. Just wanted to let you all know.

Those of you living in Chicago, Colorado, etc...probably have seen 1000xs this mess. Unfortunately, our area is a big sissy about winter...and we don't do so well! One thing for sure, Louisvillians can NOT drive in the snow.

The plan for today is to get some paperwork/grading done, bake bread, clean-up in the yard, if we can, and just stay in-doors.
I'll post some pictures later :)

Peace.

18

2009-01-17T14:43:00.000-08:00

The year is well on its way...and I have already done a couple of my "not to-do" list items. Old habits die hard, I suppose. It feels like no matter how hard I paddle this month, I just can not stay ahead of the current. Life keeps getting faster, busier, more chaotic. I keep wondering how I ever took and entire month of Saturdays and spent them browsing wal-mart & hanging out at my grandma's house!? And oh how I wish I could go and do that every Saturday again...instead of playing catch up with the house and paperwork and such.
I did get to have a relaxing morning...just at the expense of going to see some of my family. I hate having to make that choice. There should just be enough time...for everything...always. HA. Talking to Sarah really made my day though...we finally got a catch-up call in after a week of phone tag. She caught me up on student teaching & I caught her up on work/the house. I really miss being able to just go out and meet her at a coffee shop...or for that matter, seeing her everyday! Seeing everyone at new year's has made me so nostalgic this month!

I finished the Twilight series this week! I know I know...can you hear the teenage girls swooning at the mere mention of the book? The thing is, it was a really good series. I was engulfed in it for nearly a month....I read each book in about a week, with a break in between for Christmas. And now that I am finished, I can't seem to find a book to peak my interest in quite the same way. I may go for a classic...something I probably should have read long ago. Maybe I will re-read Marley & Me before seeing the movie.

Matthew & our friend Aaron have been out rock climbing alllll day today. I am wondering if they ever plan to return! Hopefully he won't be exhausted....cause I want to rearrange the living room tonight! I am also thinking ice skating would be fun. haha...always scheming.

Enough time spent on here...xoxo to you all. peace, jess.

2008-2009

2008-12-28T14:34:00.000-08:00

another year gone-by...and another celebration with some of our absolute favorite people is in the works. we leave on wednesday & will return friday, from Chicago <3 i just love having people there that we can visit. gives us much motivation to make the drive :) and we have made so many amazing memories visiting there.

so i read this article in a magazine about making a "not to do" list for 2009 instead of a "to-do" or resolution list....i decided to make one of my own.

i will not complicate the simple
i will not do things half-way (faith, love, friendship, work, etc)
i will not give into my fears
i will not be so selfish
i will not overload myself or my husband with commitments
i will not give in to negative attitudes
i will not be entertained by gossip
i will not get down on myself for every little thing

Happy New Year to you all. xoxo.
jessie & matthew

sweet sixteen

2008-12-21T10:54:00.000-08:00

It isn't even 16 degrees where we are right now...blarg! Its literally like below zero.
I used to be much better about this cold weather. I love snow. I love winter. I even like ice when it keeps me indoors for a day off of work ;) ...but the temperature it is, I am just not dealing! Perhaps its just been too warm in southern IN for me to get used to the bitter cold? Oh well...enough complaining.
Its been so great to see our family & to see a little Christmas snow too. At the moment, we are watching Matt's stepdad, John, make a wii person for himself. Its pretty hilarious.

Tomorrow we head home & I have to work 3 days this week...which I am SO unmotivated about. I just really don't wanna!

fifteen

2008-12-17T04:53:00.000-08:00

O holy night
The stars are
brightly shining
It is the night
Of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world
In sin and error pining
'Till He appeared
and the soul felt
its worth

Christmas is just about 1 week away....
We will be traveling to see Matthew's mom & some of the family in Peru, IN & then coming back home to celebrate our 1st Christmas in our new home.
For New Year's eve...we will be spending time with Sarah, Tom, Jen, & some old college friends. This has become an annual thing for us and it is something we look forward to very much :) Its so good being able to take a few days to just be with these friends. We really miss living near these people. This year, our little bash will be in Chicago.

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas & happy new year!
love,
matthew & jessica

fourteen

2008-12-11T18:09:00.001-08:00

In case anyone didn't know this...The Office is possibly the best show ever in its genre.

"an intervention...it is a surprise party - for people - who have addictions."

"i'm calling it orange-vod-uice-ka."

"they don't give black belts for things that are stupid."

"Okay. Rule five - safety first, i.e. don't burn the building down. Okay? That should be a no brainer."

Jim: Oh today, we saw a junk yard dog attacking the bones of a rotisserie chicken.
Pam: Nature.

Michael: Ok, Wendy. Hot and juicy red head. Give this a try. [Michael dials phone number. Phone rings.]
Wendy's phone operator: Wendy's.
Michael: Hello Wendy, this is Kevin's friend, Michael.
Wendy's phone operator: This isn't Wendy.
Michael: Oh, I'm sorry, could you put her on please?
Wendy's phone operator: Dude, this is a Wendy's restaurant.
Michael: [under breath] Damn it Kevin. OK, umm, could I just have a frosty and a baked potato please?

Happy Thanksgiving...

2008-11-27T17:12:00.000-08:00

There is a lot to say for this holiday...but I'm not going to get into it all. Today was really weird for me with Nenaw not being here. I believe this was actually the 1st Thanksgiving day in my 25 years that I have spent without her. Its also our 1st holiday season w/out Cringer, which brought back lots of memories too. Everything has felt sort of ...surreal lately. I'm not sure how to explain it.

Anyhow...despite the hurt in our lives, there is so much to be thankful for...so here we go:

saving grace (Jesus)
each other <3
our families...from Peru to South Carolina to Colorado, etc.
our friends
music
highland community church & our pastor there
luna & caesar being in our lives
happy memories/photos
our health
our jobs
and so much more...

Happy Thanksgiving...

2008-11-26T19:55:00.000-08:00

and I am missing Nenaw more than ever...

the notebook

2008-11-16T17:36:00.000-08:00

The Notebook movie was on tv tonight. Matthew & I first saw it at the IU student union with a group of friends back when we were in college/dating. Its funny how far away those days seem now. Some of our best memories come from IU :)
The holidays are coming up and all the craziness of planning where to be and when is beginning. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas for all its warm & fuzzy meanings...but the holidays are pretty much exhausting too. Hopefully this year will be timed right so that we aren't run down by the end of December!

Big #Ten

2008-11-09T14:17:00.000-08:00

Its been a little while...we even have a new President since the last time we updated! He sure is being handed a big mess to clean up. I think Obama will do some positive things, however, the media has built him up to such high standards that everyone might not notice those good things. They will be watching only for the huge miracles - not the smaller, practical changes. Matt and I wish him much luck with everything and pray he makes good decisions for our nation.

The past couple weekends, we have taken a little time to relax and do the things people should do on weekends. We spent time with some family, helped out here & there, made it to church, had meals w/ friends, watched a movie...Role Model...very funny! ...spent time cleaning up the house, got a little work done, etc. Work/school has been really busy and tiring for Matthew and I both lately...so its been nice to have a little time. For sanity's sake. I am still having to work a Saturday here and there...but currently, I am training a very nice lady who will be taking weekend hours off my hands !!! And Matthew just has to get thru these 2 tough classes this semester. Then we will stop whining.

This weekend, we signed up for a Y membership with our cousin, Kim. Both Matthew and I have been wanting to get more active/healthy and so.....our journey begins. The cool thing is, they just built a bigger YMCA in new albany and we get access to that one as well :) . We went this weekend and are already in pain. HA! Well, its gotta get better each visit, right?

Its getting cold now but we are enjoying it. Matthew and I love to curl up in blankets with a cup of coffee/tea and read. Luna and Caesar seem to enjoy it too, b/c they can curl up with us...and I have never had two cats more into cuddling with people. They even spoon each other sometimes! Crazy animals.

Hope you are all doing well this week. Love & peace to you.

Nine

2008-10-26T17:44:00.000-07:00

October has brought us jam-packed schedules, much to do around the house, but loads of great memories. We have continued to hang photos on the walls & put up decorations around our new home. We've also had plenty of company coming and going, seeing our home, spending some time here from out of town, etc.
Last weekend, I went to Hammond, IN to spend some time with my friends, Christina & Charis. Christina is getting married August 1st next summer, and Matthew and I are best man/matron of honor for their ceremony. So, we did bridesmaid stuff and hung out all weekend while Matthew stayed home and hung out with the guys.
This weekend, we had the open house (which went well) and Cara, our sister, was here to stay with us for 2 days. It was so good to have her here and to spend time talking/catching up! It was also a good feeling to have some of our family and friends here to support us and see what we have been working on for the past 3 months now.
We also had a big event through my work, the 8th annual dreams with wings jack-o-lantern stroll. Matthew, a fellow counselor from summer camp, and I took 2 teenage guys we had in camp over the summer, which was so FUN also!

Right now, Matthew & I are sitting down to watch The Hulk (thanks, Bri!!!) and relax from our long weekend :) much love to all....Jessie

Harvest Homecoming

2008-10-12T08:10:00.000-07:00

We got a bit accomplished this weekend annnnd managed to have a lot of fun :) Sarah & Jen were here from Chicago. We went to our cousin, Ella's, soccer game & harvest homecoming in New Albany. Sunday, Matthew played guitar for the 1st time at Highland church & then we had people over to carve pumpkins. We also started to hang some stuff on the walls this wkend...

seven

2008-09-30T05:04:00.000-07:00

Hello again :)

No. 1 comment to make....I LOVE that it is autumn now & that I can decorate for it! I love this time of year!

We've been busy the past couple weeks! Matthew had his 25th Birthday on the 20th. I took off work to spend time with him b/c I've been working Saturdays since August. I took them on at 1st to make sure I was getting enough hours at Dreams....but now I'm overloaded with hours and I need a bit of a break - like a real weekend! So I worked Sept. out with a co-worker and as of the end of this month, I will only rarely work Saturdays to help out here and there.

So, we relaxed all that weekend & just spent time being together. As part of Matthew's gift, we bought concert tickets for the Matt Nathanson show in Indy on the 28th. We had lunch and spent the day in the city with his mom, john, and nate - afterwards we went to our friend, jenny's, place and then to the show. It was good to hang out with some of the family & to see jenny. We got home laaaaate and Mattie took the whole day off Monday to re-coup and get some stuff done. I had to work, but not too early or anything.

We still haven't decided what to do about our half of a tree. Does anyone know anything about "treating" a tree to help it grow again? Is it even worth it with a bradford pear tree ?

We will be spending the next couple weeks visiting with out of town family & friends (harvest homecoming is coming up) who will be in and out of town. We will also be getting the house in shape for sort of an open house/family gathering here. Its going to be kind of different b/c of this having been my Nenaw's home before us...I haven't been really feeling the whole biiiig housewarming party thing...its just too, I dunno, strange feeling? Or maybe it feels like it would be too hard for my mom and uncles. Maybe I'm so uncomfortable with the idea b/c it would be too hard for me too? I guess her being gone still feels just so recent. The last time we were all here together...it was to clean out her things. blah. Anyway...So, we are doing the open house more like a "this is what we're doing with the place" for the Smith side of our family. All are welcome, of course, it just won't be like your traditional housewarming party.

Ok...so this is long enough. Once we get some decorating done, I'll post more photos!

Peace, Jess

six - "the wind"

2008-09-16T19:33:00.000-07:00

Sunday began beautifully, with gusty winds and cool air. Matthew and I were enjoying the breezy weather...that is...until the wind turned on us all here in the Louisville area. The news anchors keep calling them "Sunday's storms" or "the storms"...but the truth is it never really stormed at all and it barely even rained. It was cool out, cloudy, and wind ripped through our area - can that be defined as a storm? A wind storm, I guess? ...moving on....
Matthew and I were EXTREMELY well taken care of through all the damaging winds. One of our trees fell squarely between our home and our neighbor's - with no harm done to either house. Our neighbors have been very, very kind. Sunday evening, once the winds had tapered off, our usually quiet neighborhood came to life with some of the older guys out helping each other cut up fallen trees and haul limbs to the curb. Our friend and neighbor, Larry, came along with his son & they helped us clear our yard of our own fallen tree. Our electricity was out from Sunday until Monday afternoon. It was kind of nice, actually. We sat outside together & had a couple beers that evening. We played dice games by candlelight & we decided that we could definitely have survived longer than a night like that. We also found that our water is heated by gas...meaning we had hot showers :) even with no power on.
The next day, Larry came with equipment and helped Matt put some shingles back in place on our roof. He is a good neighbor...we are blessed to have him across the street. God is truly taking care of us...we had almost no damage unlike many others & we had help right away to clean up.

The schools are all still out of service here....it could be next week before they get all the trees cleared. FC doesn't have power yet anyway. Matt has been working on the house and grading all week. My job was only delayed for 1 day. Humana was closed half the day Monday and so the person I job coach did not go in. Today, however, we were back on track! Now, if only all the traffic lights were working! ....it takes forever to get places right now.

Hope you are all doing well where you are!
Love, Jessie

five

2008-09-13T15:56:00.000-07:00

Today i am 25 years old...yesterday, Matthew & I signed some papers....we "closed" on our house. Which, minus the lawyer jargon, means we are now in debt to the sum of some thousands of dollars...but at a very very low and fixed interest rate...with affordable house payments. We both feel blessed, but also overwhelmed.

Peace!

Like everything, it is a process...

2008-09-06T15:42:00.000-07:00

This is my Nenaw's rose bush, still in bloom...I am going to keep it up b/c she loved it so much. We're also going to keep this birdbath b/c we like it.

this is the front & back of the house from the outside...this little ditch runs behind our yard & the little bridge is ours too.

four

2008-09-03T06:21:00.000-07:00

Labor day weekend brought us a home full of visitors...it was nice having our guest-room full from Friday to Monday! Matthew's dad left for Peru, IN on Sunday and Christina & Jake came into town an hour later. We watched the Totoro movie, went out to La Que in Louisville, introduced our friends to the World Market store, and played Wii (they brought it with them) most of the morning on Monday. Later that day, our guests left & we headed to my mom's for a cookout. Madley showed up after dinner & we caught up for a little while. He was telling us about his grandma who is 99 years old and going strong....Crazy! I swear, that tiny little woman is going to outlive us all! ...Brianne came out too & later came back to our house to hang out & see what it looks like now and all that. It was good reconnecting with old friends.

This week is flying by...we haven't gotten much done around the house since Wayne left! But we have both been bombarded with work, so maybe its acceptable ;) We need to work on the yard and organizing the office and living room now...our garage is a mess too, but that will probably get done last b/c it has become storage for stuff we aren't going to use. Ah well, as the song goes "Steady as we Go".

Peace

three

2008-08-29T05:12:00.000-07:00

Three wild kittens & their mother cat have moved into our backyard. I think my Nenaw had been feeding the mother & now they all come around...skinny & wanting food. Matthew isn't crazy about them, but I can't help it...I feed them a little something each day. They seem to be living somewhere along the ditch that runs behind our yard....I suppose they will be our little neighbors for however long they stick around. We are calling them Pip, Claire, Marley, and Black-jack. Jack is the only one that isn't gray and tiger-striped.

This weekend, Matthew's dad is here to help paint our bedroom! He actually took some of his vacation to come see us and help out....really nice. We will finally be done with the painting now.
As soon as we get the furniture in place...I will post some photos online. I am so pleased with the way everything turned out. We had loads of help from family & friends....thank you all for everything!!! I don't think it would have been possible to finish the major stuff without all of our helpers. Now we just have to get organized :)

Hope you all enjoy your long weekend...Matthew & I are off Monday and planning to do some yard and house stuff...and possibly spend some time at the park if we get enough done.

Peace, jessie

two

2008-08-26T04:58:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know...We moved into a house !!! this month.

Jessie's grandmother (Nenaw) lived in this house the last few years of her life. When she passed away, her uncles decided to offer us the opportunity to buy the house from them. It was a hard decision. We wanted to take advantage of the great financial opportunity they were giving us....but there have been memories shared in this house that threatened to haunt us. In the end....we concluded that Nenaw would have been thrilled to know her grandkids were able to live in "her" house. She was just that kind of person. When it came to her family, her doors were open, always. Also, we inherited Caesar (the cat) when she passed. He has been extremely happy since being moved back into his old home.

And so....after much work, many tears, and beginning the process of healing and accepting the situation....here we are.

The house has been a blessing from the beginning. All we needed to do was to paint the walls & buy a fridge. Eventually, we want to redo the patio (its cracking a bit) but for now....we are just feeling so lucky to have a nice home that needs only the repairs we want to do, so far. Trust us, we are very aware of how blessed we are. God has been good to us and has used our amazing families/friends to deliver.

The house has 3 bedrooms (1 we made into an office) and 2 bathrooms. It is sort of an L shape with the garage in the front. The living room & kitchen are open to each other & we have a nice-sized little backyard.

Which means....we want visitors!
All are welcome :) just let us know when you're going to be in the Louisville area and you will always have a place to stay!

one

2008-08-21T15:31:00.000-07:00

Hello, friends!

Loads of things have been happening this year...and so Matthew & I decided to begin a blog to keep up with all of you whom we love so much!.

More to come....later.

Peace, Jessie