Everyday America

We went to see a concert the other night here in Battle Creek - Sugarland was the main event, with Little Big Town and Jake Owens opening. If you haven't heard of them, they are all country bands. :) Sugarland put on an amazing show - a lot of energy, wonderful set, wonderful songs.

One of Sugarland's songs that I have heard sooooo many times on the radio, got me thinking for the first time "Everyday America." Jennifer Nettles (Sugarland) said "How many of you think I have a pretty cool life?" .....here's the lyrics to the chorus:

Oh, whoa, everybody's dreaming big
Oh, whoa, but everybody's just getting by
That's how it goes in everyday America
A little town and a great big life

It's a song about people..... people that didn't have everything or just didn't have everything go their way - nevertheless, they kept dreaming.... it's a song about everyday America.

I found it suiting in light of the recent events (Omaha Shootings at Von Maur) and the not-so-recent events - seems like every 10 months or less someone does something that we never could have fathomed here in America.

Here is a list of people that have problems (of some sort) in America: celebrities, president's, athletes, nobel peace prize winners, husbands, wives, moms, dads, kids, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, etc.... you get the picture .... EVERBODY'S JUST GETTING BY at some point in their journey.

Stop the shooting madness, being famous in Hell won't get you too far.

Tagged to be Random

My friend Heather has tagged me to post 8 RANDOM things about myself. We'll see what I can come up with:

1. I hate money - holding it that is.... bills or coins it doesn't matter. It is icky. Probably because I'm a slight germ-phobe. Plus it makes your hand smell - especially the coins.

2. When I brush my teeth if I don't brush my tongue and gag a little bit from the toothpaste, I don't feel like I've really done a thorough job of brushing.

3. I really want to find time to take guitar lessons - my dad got be a guitar a few years ago, and I still can't play a single song, but I pretend to sometimes. :)

4. If I could have one arcade game in my house, it would be "Dance Revolution" and I would play it everyday.

5. I passed the written & physical exam to be a Firefighter.

6. I once served as a juror on a murder trial.

7. If I could pick any career in the world, I would be a real-life Charlie's Angel.

8. I really love to sing karaoke.....even though it is often off-key. After all, if it sounded perfect than I wouldn't be singing karaoke.

Happy Birthday to my Mom!!

Today is my mom's birthday.... she was born in '51, so you can do the math!! She is still as beautiful as ever, and has been mistaken for my older sister at times.

My birthday was last weekend - and so when her birthday comes a week later I wonder if I was her best birthday gift back in 1978. I'm thinking - yes, and I mean that in a completely unpretentious way. Just interesting to think about....Children change your lives forever, at least that is what I've heard. (We only have a dog, although he thinks he is our main reason for living)

...I'm so thankful for the one that God did send, to be my mother - to be my friend. :)

Oh The Weather Outside is Frightful....

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow....

Well, we had our first snow of the season today!! It is a bittery, cold & windy day here in Michigan. And, now it is it time to start singing, shopping, and celebrating the holidays that are on their way. I love Thanksgiving, I love Christmas - and I love all of the food. :)

Our neighbors have long thin sticks all along their yards bordering the road.... apparently the snow plows have a tendency to plow over the grass, or worse the sprinkler heads.

Snickers has never been so delighted for the last 5 months... he absolutely loves the winter weather...and he will be joyous when the snow arrives....must be nice to have a winter coat permanently attached throughout the winter.

We were delightful for the time change and the extra hour of sleep. Monday morning on the news the traffic report listed numerous deer/vehicle collisions. Dave mentioned that the deer must have forgotten to set their clocks back!! Woops!! The deer here are quite friendly, and do not seem to mind human presence.... I hope the coyote feel differently. I awoke a couple of weeks ago to coyote howling - they seemed to be right behind our house!

Well - that is all for now.......... watch out for "Jack Frost nipping at your nose..."

Proceed At Your Own Risk

I was on my work travels a couple of days ago when my Garmin GPS unit directed me to take a right turn.... I looked at the yucky, unpaved road - and noticed a sign posted: "High Muck Area, Proceed At Your Own Risk." I decided not to proceed. I found it interesting though, I feel like I proceed at my own risk every morning when I pull out of my garage. You never know when you leave for the morning what your day is going to entail, what problems you might encounter, or when you will happen into a "risky" situation.

Life is like that, though, isn't it? You can live very cautiously and never take any risks, and you might make it though safely, untarnished.... but what fun would you have had? What adventures did you miss? And what wisdom could you have possibly acquired to pass on to others if you only sailed through life without ever taking a chance or opting for the adventure? This is from a greeting card that was shared with us from Dave's uncle, he is in final stages of cancer and received this card early on in his diagnosis - it was inspiring to him:

"LIFE IS NOT A JOURNEY TO THE GRAVE WITH THE INTENTION OF ARRIVING SAFELY IN AN UNBLEMISHED AND WELL-PRESERVED BODY; BUT RATHER TO SKID IN BROADSIDE, THOROUGHLY USED UP, BRUISED AND BROKEN, TOTALLY WORN OUT, AND LOUDLY PROCLAIMING: "WOW....WHAT A RIDE!!"

And, if you do or do not have your faith in God - don't go thinking anyone slides in to heaven unblemished, unbruised, or without sin along the way - but when you get there, and you say, "Wow, What a Ride!!" You might just hear "I knew you'd make it!"

When you've lost love, lost your desire, lost your hope------keep proceeding at your own risk-----there is more love, more desire, and more hope just past the muck. Here's to everyone who tramples through the muck, and comes out better on the other side.

Happy 1st Birthday to Snickers!!

Well - today is Snicker's first birthday....although we didn't meet him for several weeks later - I think Dec 9th, to be exact. That was the day we picked him out, and put a little blue ribbon around his neck - we went back 2 weeks later to pick up our cuddly and fuzzy little blue boy!

We took him home and he walked around the kitchen, frightened to be more than a few feet away from us.... and whimpering for the companionship of his brothers. It was a long winter - but really fun winter potty training him, and watching him investigate everything for the very first time.

We couldn't ask for a better dog... he has been great. Although, I'm sure I would say that about any dog of mine. He is certainly a part of our family and we try to take him everywhere we go... the only exception is when we have to fly somewhere. :)

So, today is his birthday... he doesn't know, of course - it's just any other day to him!! I was going to get him a gift from PetCo, but.... he already has so many toys and treats. Instead I took him for a nice long walk, and gave him a heaping 2cups for dinner. :) I think he'll settle in after I'm done here with a nice, tasty chew treat.

Well - that's all for tonight. We are supposed to be getting some bad weather in a bit, but so far nothing.... we'll see if the weather guys come through tonight!

I'm Just Resting My Eyes

I fell asleep last night while watching television..... Dave asked, "Are you sleeping?!?" To which I responded, "No, I'm just resting my eyes, but I can't remember what just happened [on the show]."

I would like to credit my Grandma with teaching me the "I'm just resting my eyes" line. I can remember being at my grandparents house and finding my grandma on the couch, apparently sleeping. I would ask, "Grandma, are you sleeping?" She would respond, as above, "No, I'm just resting my eyes." I'm still not sure to this day, but I think she probably was just resting her eyes. Whereas, I was really sleeping. And, I typically am really sleeping when someone asks me this question.

I would like to credit my friend, Mindy, with the fibbing about sleeping part. I frequently fall asleep during movies, I have even done it approximately 5 times a the movie theatre. This, I believe is irritating [note: especially if someone else paid $8 for your movie] - and I can see why.... you think you are watching a movie with a friend, you laugh at a funny part (alone) - only to discover that your friend has fallen asleep on you!!! It's just not fun anymore. SO - I will give Mindy the credit [she would make me wake up] for my neverending fibbing about not really being asleep, but just "resting my eyes." I have even gotten so good at it, that sometimes I can wake up when I hear someone else laughing, and I pretend to laugh as if I actually heard the joke. Once I hit REM though, it is all over.

I would like to credit my mom's genes with the actual reason for the falling asleep part. [And quite possibly my dad, too... he can often be found snoozing during Sunday football games] But, alas - if it is between 8:30-9:00pm and you are watching tv with my mom, she is most likely snoozing. My brothers and I learned very early that you can ask mom almost anything while she is sleeping, and she will always say yes, and not remember what she told you the next day. She would say, "Did I tell you that while I was sleeping?" Very Funny.

Dave doesn't care if I snooze while we are watching tv, so maybe someday I will admit that I am actually sleeping, instead of my usual "I'm just resting my eyes."

I Have Laryngitis

Well - I do not really have laryngitis, I just haven't been able to "Holler" on my blog for over a week!! So, it seems like a good excuse.... but, I guess my fingers would technically have to be broken in order to not be able to blog!

Dave had a wondeful 30th Birthday - and the following weekend we had a great time at the Colts/Broncos game. *I rocked the stadium of his birthday heart!*

After work each day we have been trying to unpack as many boxes as we can handle.... then it is complete exhaustion and time to hit the sack. Slowly but surely the boxes are disappearing.

We have wonderul neighbors - so far we have received a Boston Creme Pie, Apple Pie, and a Cinnamon Roll Ring....and even a bag of specialty treats for Snickers. (P.S. the invisible fence for Snickers is still on hold - to be continued in another blog)

So, I do solemnly swear to do some more blogging soon!! In the meantime - please click on the link below - it is really great. I'm sure all mothers can relate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W95Y8hNQiH8

He Rocked the Stadium of Her Heart

Last weekend we went to a restaurant called Monaco Bay in Kalamazoo. They also have dueling pianos for entertainment while you eat. I LOVE Dueling Pianos! :) For $1 you can request any song under the sun, and the players can almost always play your song - without any music! Towards the end of the night a guy had requested a song by U2 called, "All I Want Is You." His request was that he be allowed to sing it and dedicate it to his girlfriend. I had never heard this song before, but I can say that his rendition was very sweet - perhaps because it was so genuine. At the end of his song, he called her on stage - he got down on one knee, and proposed! She happily accepted.

He rocked the stadium of her heart. Girls like that sort of thing! It is poetic.

Dave's birthday is on Saturday, and he is turning 30!! He does not seem to be too worried about it, though. Snickers and I are leaving early tomorrow morning to head to PA. Dave flew to PA today, as the movers are arriving early AM to begin packing.

I know that he will not be reading this between now and then, so I can tell you that I will do my best on Saturday to rock the stadium of his birthday heart - through football! For his birthday we will be attending the Colts vs. Broncos game next Sunday (30th) in Indianapolis. His favorite team is the Broncos - and his second favorite team is the Colts... Lucky for me they are playing in Indy this year and we can drive there! Saturday night we have reservations at the Circular Dining room at Hershey Hotel. It will be our first time at the Circular Dining room, but we have a gift card that we'd like to use before moving away. It must be very good - I made reservations a week in advance and could only get the 8:45pm slot! Also - guys must wear a jacket, and girls slacks or a dress! It should be fun.

On a football note - I'm back in the football pool this year with my brothers, Randy, Dave, and Roberto (Joey's brother-in-law) - this week I am in first place! I have to enjoy it now - it never seems to last!!

A Four-Leaf Clover

Have you ever found a four-leaf clover? If you are like Dave, you have never even looked. We are currently living in an apartment building in Kalamazoo, MI. It is a very nice apartment community that has many amenities including a dog park! This is perfect for Snickers. There is also a rather large area of grass in between our apartment building and the next one down....this is where we prefer to take Snickers to have a quick romp and relieve some energy.

Yesterday afternoon we took him to the grassy area, and we sprawled out on the grass. Snickers was running around, ears flopping to the wind. I look down, and what do I see? A four-leaf clover (the first one that I have ever found in my entire life)! I carefully pick the clover, and yell to Dave, "look what I found, a four-leaf clover!!" He responds, without excitement, "What does that mean?" Of course, I tell him that it is lucky, and that we are going to have good luck! (Maybe even sell our house this week!) He tells me that he does not believe in such things. Which is okay with me - it is folklore, but I also think it is in good fun - like Santa Claus, and the Easter Bunny.

Anyhow - we have not sold our house in PA, yet. We are heading to PA this weekend to supervise the movers as they pack our things - we will close on a house here in Michigan on Monday!! Yippee!! Our new house is similar in size to our PA house - a little fancier - as we can afford "more" of a house here in Michigan. This house already has an Invisible Fence for Snickers - although I am not sure how I feel about him being shocked!! It will be nice to not have to worry about him running in the street.

Well - that is all for now! So far we are enjoying Michigan, and enjoying our new jobs! I will let you know if anything "lucky" happens to us this week! ~J