Saturday, February 25, 2012

Leap Year

Another good week.  I had the honor of hanging with two high schoolers for six days while their parents took a much-needed vacation to Mexico for their 25th wedding anniversary.  We had a great time!  They live about 15 miles out of town, and strangely, I enjoyed the drive back and forth.  They have two super cute dogs - Lucy and Hazel.  Lucy stays indoors, and Hazel stays outdoors.  Lucy is a cuddler, and she's so soft!  The week consisted of pretty much the same routine every day - Make sure the kids make it to school on time, head in to town to do my own stuff til after school, make dinner for the kids, hang, do homework, chat.  It was very relaxing.  And the fact that I was sleeping on a Queen sized memory foam bed didn't hurt.

Robert lead music at The Encounter on Sunday.  I always enjoy listening to his beautiful voice and guitar, and I am very thankful that we can serve and worship the same God together.

Robert has been going to the chiropractor for about a week and a half now.  It stinks that it's a 45 minute drive each way, but it seems to be paying off.  He goes every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.  The treatments will last two months.  Each time he gets an adjustment and spends 15 minutes with four electrodes on while he lays on a "roller bed" that's basically like an industrial shiatsu massager.  Initially his spine was totally messed up.  He had a herniated disc (a.k.a. bulging disc) and a slipped disc.  His vertebrae didn't have much space in them which was causing lots of pressure.  Around his third or fourth lumbar his makes about a 45 degree angle shooting left and goes straight from there.  This was causing lots of pain in his back, left hip, and left knee.  Additionally, his left toes were numb due to a pinched nerve.  Every two months he gets spinal decompression which is supposed to create more space between his vertebrae.  He lays down, and they put a belt around his waste.  The belts has a hook on it, a rope clips onto it.  This rope is hooked up to a machine that pulls and creates tension.  Robert gets 55 pounds of tension.  It goes up and down - 15 pounds, 30 pounds, 55 pounds, 30 pounds, 15 pounds, etc. - for 15 minutes.  He loves it!  Maybe it will make him taller than me.

I started working as a paid nursery worker at church again.  I worked there last year from January-June, but I stopped when I started grad school.  This semester is significantly slower, so I've decided to pick it up again.  Each week I'll work on Wednesday mornings for two and a half hours so a group of moms can have a Bible study.  The rest of my schedule will vary each week.  I'm hoping for about 10 hours a week.

When I bought Robert's certificate for his initial chiropractic adjustment it came with a coupon for a free 60 minute massage from Sozo Salon and Spa.  He got the adjustment.  I got the massage.  I went in yesterday afternoon, and it was great!  She actually massaged me for about 70 minutes, and I even fell asleep for a few minutes during it.

After my massage I stayed in Springfield to wait for my family to come down for dinner.  While I killed time I took Robert's trumpet to Springfield Music.  Robert told me to sell it for anything more than $50.  I got $75!  So great to get rid of it and earn some extra cash!  Also, Robert has been having a lot of success with Craigslist lately and is set to make two different sales Monday when he goes to Springfield for his adjustment.  We still have a guitar stand and prom dress for sale.  Holler if you're interested!

Ray brought down a bunch of Robert's stuff last weekend.  He's moving to Alabama at the beginning of April, so we agreed that it would make more sense for him to bring everything to Bolivar now instead of having him take it to Alabama and then bring it back to Bolivar in May.  I was concerned about where on earth we'd put everything at first.  Robert doesn't have a ton of stuff, but it's not exactly like I have a ton of space of a washer, dryer, and several boxes.  We are so very thankful that Serina gifted us with a washer and dryer.  When she moved to D.C. she moved into an apartment that came with a washer and dryer, so she didn't need the set from her house any longer.  They're only about six years old, so they're very nice.  Anyway, I was thinking, "Am I supposed to just sit these in my bedroom for two months?"  Then it came to me - Jim hasn't had a washer or dryer since he moved into his house in August.  He has hookups and a specific spot allotted for this items.  Bingo!  Jim will be housing the washer and dryer for the next three months, and in return he gets to use them for free for three months.  Win-win!  When Jim moved out in August my parents allowed me to turn it into the wedding room.  Basically, for the last six months it has been my place to work on wedding crafts, store presents, and keep the wedding party's clothing.  That makes the wedding room an excellent place to store Robert's boxes until we move.  After Ray left we went through the boxes, and we were able to pitch quite a bit of it.  Unlike me, Robert does not enjoy organizing, sorting, and purging unwanted items like I do.  He had stuff ranging from grad school through high school - random rocks, tons of papers, sticks, pictures, and so much more.  He kept the special things - the last note he got from his Mamaw, little league pictures, and the like.

This week we sent out our wedding invitations, and the hostesses for our shower sent out our shower invitations.  We're so pumped!  We don't know who, but people have started buying items off of our registry!  This week someone bought (but we haven't received them yet) our flatware, hostess set of flatware, iced tea spoons, a table cloth, cloth napkins, napkin rings, a coffee pot, and an iron.  We get super excited each time we check the registry and see that the number of items purchased has increased and the number of items remaining has decreased.  We're not excited in a "We're greedy and want MORE!" kind of way.  We're excited in a "With each item we picture our new life together.  It's exciting to get the items we registered for six months ago.  We're adults with out own things.  We are so thankful for our wonderful friends that give freely!" kind of way.

My mom bought her mother of the bride dress last weekend.  The dress looks great, and she's stunning!  Also, on Monday I'll be going to Norman's to pick up my bridesmaids' dresses.  Eek!

Wasted Time

I poem I wrote after a heartbreak. 

Wasted Time
I shake when you are near.
I have nightmares about seeing you, causing me to live in constant fear.
You’ve probably forgotten all about me by now.
I guess I’ll get over you one day, but for now I’m not sure how.
When I think of you I breathe in your sweet, warm smell.
I’m trapped in these memories of pure hell.
I know I read into things much more than I should
But I’d really appreciate an apology or at least an explanation if you could.
You might not have realized that I thought taking me to coffee, sitting by me at church, and texting me were not-so-subtle hints.
Don’t worry, after you called me a bad person the message was sent.
I’m not sure why I’ve allowed you to have control of my mind for so long.
I dream of your presence, but I know that if we ever get together it will be wrong.
But I still dream of the day that you knock on my door, tell me I’m beautiful, and sing me a rhyme.
I’ll treat you the same way you’ve treated me and not give you any of my oh so precious time.




I made it!

Here's something I wrote on 6/26/11 but never got around to actually posting:
I made it through my first summer school session.  Let's take a moment to soak it in....ahhhh!  So nice!  I ended up with a straight up A for social media which is pretty sweet.  I took my introduction to graduate studied in communication (really long name) final on Thursday.  Some people aren't taking it til tomorrow, so I haven't found out my grade yet.  I studied more for that test than I have for any other test before.  I start two online classes on Tuesday, but don't let the word "start" lead you astray as it did me.  I actually have assignments due in both classes on Tuesday.  So I spent a decent chunk of the weekend doing my assignments.  I am finished with two classes and have nine to go.  That doesn't sound so bad, does it?

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Love is in the Air

Robert and I had a absolutely splendid Valentine's Day together.  I was rather bummed out due to the fact that I had class on VD.  How is it that every cool thing the past 8 months has fallen on a night that I had class?  It was unavoidable in June since there was a 6 out of 7 chance that a holiday or special day would fall on a school night i.e. Robert's birthday.  Then in the fall there was less of a chance (3 out of 7), but it still happened i.e. my birthday.  Now with just a 1 out of 7 chance it's still happening i.e. Valentine's day and still to come - our two year anniversary.  Aww well.  It turned out great!  Robert made me breakfast - chocolate chip pancakes, cheesy eggs, bacon, and orange juice.  Yum! He also brought beautiful flowers and a heartfelt card.  Later in the day I got a letter from Drury stating that I'm all set to graduate in May!  Robert and I left for Springfield right after his class.  We spoiled ourselves by using a 20% off coupons and two $25 gift cards to Bed Bath and Beyond to buy a 17 piece Pyrex set off of our registry.  Did I mention we got all of our dishes last week?  8 place settings, 1 platter, 2 serving bowls, and 2 vegetable bowls!!!  While I was in class Robert went to the chiropractor.  More on that later.
It's official!

Notice the details in the bouquet.  Also, that Valentine is from my favorite two year old.

Gorgeous!   
 After class we went to Avanzare.  I had been there for Valentine's Day a few years ago and loved it.  I went with my parents and another married couple.  Talk about the 5th wheel!  It was great to go back with my Valentine.  I ordered the same thing I had gotten the other time because I remembered loving it.  It didn't let me down.
Yum!

Robert loved his dish as well.




Jim has so graciously offered his house for Robert's man shower. hehe  Here's the invitation that inspired the invitation I made.  It's going to be a "shower," but to make it less girly we're titling it "Burgers, brats, and basketball."  They'll have the "shower" during the NCAA Final Four so they can have dinner and watch a game or two.  This will be a chance for Robert to get the tools so he can be a handyman. 
Lastly, Bolivar High School had an alumni basketball game last weekend.  It was graduates of even years vs. graduates of odd years.  Jim and I both graduated in even years (2004 and 2008).  The even year time won.  Duh!  Jim was a stud and scored multiple times and even got a dunk!

Monday, February 6, 2012

The Countdown Continues

  1. August 22 - Drury starts, 4 days til... DONE
  2. August 26 - Mom's birthday, 8 days til...DONE
  3. September 3 - Bethany gets married, 2 days til... JUST 4 MORE DAYS
  4. September 5 - Dad's birthday AND Labor Day, 3 days til...
  5. September 8 - My birthday, 34 days til...
  6. October 12 - Organizational Communication ends, 2 days til...
  7. October 14-23 - Fall break, 1 day til...
  8. October 24 - Organizational Change starts, 6 days til...
  9. October 30 - Saints game in St. Louis, 1 day til...
  10. October 31 - Halloween, 22 days til...
  11. November 22-26 - Alabama for Thanksgiving break, 18 days til...
  12. December 14 - Organizational Change ends, 1 day til...
  13. December 15 - Public Relations ends, 3 days til...
  14. December 18-December 23 - Pennsylvania trip, 2 days til...
  15. December 25 - Christmas, 8 days til...
  16. January 2- Winter project begins, 15 days til...
  17. January 17 - Spring semester starts, 10 days til...
  18. January 27- Winter project ends, 49 days til...
  19. March 16-26 - Spring break, 11 days til...
  20. April 6 - Good Friday off, 1 day til...
  21. April 7 - Jim's birthday, 1 day til...
  22. April 8 - Easter, 29 days til...
  23. May 7-12 - Finals, 3 days til...
  24. May 10 - Graduation rehearsal, 1 day til...
  25. May 11 - School ends, 1 day til...
  26. May 12 - My graduation, 7 days til...
  27. May 19 - Robert's graduation, 1 day til...
  28. May 20 - Our wedding! 
     
    I just checked off two more events from the countdown: Winter project ends and Spring semester starts.  I can't believe how fast things are going by!

Friday, February 3, 2012

The Final Chapter

I'm well into my last semester of graduate school.  It's still pretty hard to believe.  The other day I mentioned speech I had given on the Apple cult.  I told Robert I gave the speech last spring, and he didn't believe me at first.  He thought it was just last semester.  It's crazy to think of how much has happened since this time last year.  Let's take a look back:
  • Graduated college
  • Started graduate school
  • I finished my first semester of grad school
  • I got a new car
  • Robert spent two and a half weeks in Africa
  • Robert go a new car
  • I finished my second semester of grad school
  • We got engaged
  • Robert started his senior year of college
  • Robert and I went to Alabama
  • I finished my third semester of graduate school
  • Robert and I went to Pennsylvania
  • Robert and I started our last semester at SBU and Drury
I know most of those milestones have to do with school which isn't super fun, but it's still very exciting.  Obviously the most exciting part was getting engaged.  I can't believe we've been engaged for nearly six months.

Let's look forward a bit.  Here's what's happening in the next four months:
  • I'll graduate from Drury
  • Robert will graduate from SBU
  • We'll get married
  • We'll move to North Carolina
  • I'll find a full-time job.  Robert will find a part-time job
  • Robert will start graduate school
  • Then I'll take the world's longest nap
Thinking about everything that will be happening in the next few months can certainly feel overwhelming at times.  I don't know if it's the right approach or not, but I try not to think about it much.  Well, mostly I don't think about having to find a job.  Don't get me wrong, I'm looking for jobs, but I'm really trying not to freak out about it.  I've come to terms with the fact that we might not have jobs when we move, and that's okay.  We have enough saved up to last a few months, and God always has and always will provide.

On January 19 we took Chad and Natalie out to dinner at El Rodeo to say good bye to them.  Chad and Natalie are our old married friends.  Chad and Robert met their freshman year of college.  Chad and Natalie got married in June and lived just down the street from me.  They moved to Colorado, and I know they'll do great things, but we miss them dearly. 

I'm taking three classes this semester.
  1. Ethics and corporate communication - Online, 16 weeks.  Basically each week I do the reading assignment, view a PowerPoint, answer questions Dr. Gilstrap has posted on Blackboard, comment on other people's answers, find a blog post that deals with an issue we've read about that week, comment on the blogpost, take a screenshot of my comment, and post it to Blackboard.  The big project for the class is a research paper.  As part of it I have to turn in an annotated bibliography before spring break.  I had to do one of these for introduction to graduate studies in June.  I have to find 25 sources, cite them in APA, and right an abstract for each article.  After spring break I'll use those sources to right a research paper.  I'm supposed to take a case and explain why I think it is ethical or unethical by apply it to a certain ethics theory.  My plan is discuss disclosure as it relates to interpersonal communication ethics in a relationship in which one of the partners is HIV positive. 
  2. Advanced organizational research - 16 weeks, seated in person.  This class is my capstone.  We have a reading assignment each week, go in for a lecture, and then actually do the thing we've just learned about.  So my project is organizational identification in a university setting.  I'll be interviewing 15+ marketing and public relations communication professionals at colleges and universities in Missouri.  I'll be looking to find how they identify with the organization and how they foster identification for others.  I'll record the interviews, transcribe them, look for themes, and type up a formal paper.  The goal is to get it published in an academic journal, but Dr. Gilstrap has informed up this is very difficult to do.  We'll see.
  3. Leadership and management - Second half of the semester, 8 weeks, online and seated in person.  I don't know much about this class yet since it starts after spring break.  I do know that it's taught by Dr. Gilstrap (all three classes are with him).  I also know that when we meet it's from 5:20-9:00.  Usually classes meet from 5:20-8:00.
We bought the stamps for our wedding invitations.  We're doing postcards because a. it's cheaper to mail them and b. for those of you who tend to not open mail immediately (you know who you are), you can read the invite without having to open an envelop.  We knew that postcard stamps were going up at the end of January so we waited to buy them so we wouldn't have to add on penny stamps.  We went in last week and said we'd like 145 postcard stamps.  I asked if there were cute ones like flowers or hearts.  The postmistress said there's only one type of postcard stamps.  I figured that was okay because I remembered the previous postcard stamp being a white bird with a blue background.  Semi-neutral.  She came back with Hawaiian t-shirt stamps that say "Aloha" on them.  Seriously?  First of all, we aren't going to Hawaii on our honeymoon, but I guarantee that's what several people will automatically assume.  Second, if you're only going to give America one option why not go with something a little bit more low key?  I asked if we could go to another post office or come back in a few weeks to get something different.  She said no.  It's like that at every post office, and the picture isn't changing until the price goes up again.  What are the odds?  Thankfully, I've been able to mostly just think of it as ridiculous and humorous.

Bolivar has a new doughnut shop - Sunrise Sugar Shack.  Delicious!  I went there with my former suitemate Laura, and it was great!  I got a sausage roll and a sour cream doughnut.  Since then, Robert brought me a red velvet cake doughnut, and it was great as well!  I would definitely recommend it.

I finished my winter project for school on Tuesday.  I can't remember if I told you about it or not, but it was a project for the accelerated program over January.  We didn't get any credit hours for it which is lame, but the bright side is that meant I didn't get charged for it either.  We did a organizational culture analysis/communication audit for a non-profit in Springfield.  My main part was conducting four interviews - CEO and three directors.  We also sent out an online survey to all of the employees.  Tuesday we present in front of the CEO, directors, and two Drury professors.  It went so well, and it feels great to be finished with that!

I went to Dr. Leo again on Tuesday.  I had called Friday, and the secretary said I wouldn't have to do lab work.  So what happens when I get there Tuesday?  The lab lady came in to take my blood.  I told her I wasn't supposed to get blood work down.  She told me differently.  I wouldn't have cared, but I have such a difficult time with blood work.  Apparently I'm a mess because the lab workers always say stuff like, "You have really deep veins," "Let me get some warm blankets to try to get your blood pumping," "Are you nervous?"  Well, I wasn't nervous until you pushed the needle in and out ten times.  So it only took this lady two different tries.  On the first try she pushed the needle in and out for ten minutes and didn't get anything.  She moved down a couple of inches and got blood after five minutes.  For some of you this would be a nightmare.  For me it was a miracle.  I thought I was actually supposed to see Dr. Leo but I got the physician's assistant.  She is totally fine, but I don't like thinking I'm going to see the doctor, and then not actually seeing him.  Side note:  I pay a $30 co-pay for regular doctor's visit and a $45 co-pay for specialists.  That means a $45 co-pay for Dr. Leo, but if I'm seeing someone who isn't even a doctor shouldn't my co-pay be less than $30?  Ugh.  Anyway, she said my white blood cell count has gone up which is great, but it still isn't in the "normal range."  Thankfully, it's only a tenth of a point less than the lowest part of the "normal range."  There's something else that's a little off.  I can't remember if it's my lymphocytes or monocytes, but that's nothing new.  When I first started getting frequent blood work ten components were either too high or too low, so this is definitely an improvement.  The PA told me this should be a good indicator that my iron levels are up.  Yay!  It takes a couple of days for the iron results so she just called me yesterday.  My iron counts are lower than before.  For women, normal is 65-165.  In November my count was 32.  Now it's 26.  I don't understand.  I'm upset because she got my hopes up.  I'm upset because I'm taking my medicine and trying to eat more iron-rich food.  I'm upset because the six weeks of IV treatments didn't last for long at all.  I'm upset because I have been feeling awful for the past few days so I know the test result isn't just a fluke.  I wish it was, but I've been light-headed, tired, dizzy, and out of it for about three days. 

On a much happier note I have my wedding dress fitting tomorrow.  Mom was the only one that came shopping with me back in August.  At first I thought I didn't want anyone else to see my dress until the big day, but I've decided that it would be a really cool bonding experience to have my mom, dad, and brother come with me tomorrow.  I'm so pumped!  Also, Monday afternoon my mom and I are meeting with my 18 co-hostess (!!!) to plan the details for our March 10th wedding shower.  Holla!

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