The Car

About 6 weeks ago we had the unfortunate of getting rear-ended on the highway that leads from Wake Forest to Raleigh.  The whole time we’ve lived here I’ve said it’s a miracle we haven’t gotten on a wreck on that road.  When I traveled it twice a day for my previous job I would see at least a dozen wrecks a week.  It’s too congested, and the state really needs to do something about it.  

Robert was taking me to the doctor, and the city bus in front of us stopped for a pick up.  We had to stop, and the guy behind us wasn’t paying attention (texting and drinking) and didn’t stop in time.  We all pulled over, and what do you know - this was his third wreck in a matter of days.  What do you say, maybe it’s time for him to re-evaluate his driving habits.

So we made the claim against his insurance and they contacted him, except him didn’t respond, so they contacted him again and he didn’t response.  This went on 9 times (phone call and voicemail, email, text, letter).  They finally approved the claim two weeks later.  Then we had to go to the estimator and make an appointment for the repair.  Once we got an appointment we made the rental car reservation.

Monday morning we dropped off the car at Ford at 7:30 - not the Ford near us of course because they don’t do repairs.  We went to the Ford 30 minutes away.  

I had arranged for Enterprise to pick me up from work on my lunch break and take me to the rental location to get a car.  I waited for 45 minutes and nobody ever came.  Robert finally just came and got me.  They didn’t have an cars, only SUVs.  It was fun to drive a Jeep Compass for the week, but I definitely missed the good gas mileage of my Ford Fiesta.  Allstate was supposed to pay for the car insurance on the rental, but when we got there the rep said she hasn’t received paperwork.  I told her to contact Allstate if needed because I had already talked to them and it was approved.

All was well for a few days.  My car was ready on Wednesday, so I decided to pick it up over my lunch break.  I dropped off my car at Enterprise and asked for a ride to Ford.  The driver got lost and admitted to that being her fourth time to get lost going to Ford that day.  I got to Ford and was told that it would be $397.99.  I immediately started sweating and was at a loss for words.  She told me Allstate hadn’t approved the work.  Then she told me Allstate had mailed me a check and that I needed to pay Ford directly.  I told her Allstate hadn’t sent me a check and had never told me they would send a check.  They had said they’d pay the bill to Ford for me.  The worker pretty much just stood there looking at me like “Well…”  She told me I could just pay and try to get Allstate to pay me back.  Sorry, not happening.  So I called Allstate and was on hold for 13 minutes.  I reached a rep and she told me our claim had been denied.  How could this be?  I had spoken to at 3 people who had told me it was approved.  Then she said nevermind, it is approved and we mailed you a check.  No.  So she asked where I was getting the car fixed.  I told her and she said that wasn’t an approved site.  I asked her why a rep and told us to go to this location then.  Then she said to just go somewhere else.  Can’t.  Already got the work done. Ooo...so she talked to the front desk lady at Ford and said they’d mail a check and would send proof of payment immediately via fax.  The front desk lady had to leave for lunch so a guy came to watch the fax machine.  It took 15 minutes for the fax to come in.  It finally came in and I left.  Got to work 20 minutes late.

I thought it was finally over until the Enterprise lady called me back 2 days later and said Allstate didn’t pay for the insurance on the rental so she needed to call my insurance to make me pay for the insurance. NOOOOOOO!!!!  I told her to just call Allstate and figure it out.  She said in her 3 years of working at Enterprise Allstate had NEVER approved payment of rental insurance.  Well, she never called me back.  

Fingers crossed for this whole ordeal finally being over.  And if you’ve ever been in an accident, you have my complete empathy.  This wasn’t even a serious accident with injuries, and it still took 6 weeks to remedy.  However, I do finally have a new bumper.  Here’s hoping nothing like this happens again for a very long time.

Bye Bye, Scoot Scoot

Last Monday morning at 8:30 I got a text from Robert asking me to call him ASAP.  Why did I need to call him?  Because he had gone outside to head to class only to realize his scooter had been stolen.  When catastrophes occur I tend to be sad more than angry.  I went back to my desk feeling rather mopey about the missing moped.  Robert filed a report with the town police and the Seminary security.  Neither one really provoked much hope.  I have a feeling finding missing scooters isn't exactly a hire priority.  Needless to say, Robert missed his class.

Happier scoot scoot days

Throughout the week we were blessed with great friends who let us borrow their cars so Robert could get to work and school.  I secretly imagined myself driving home and seeing someone driving the scooter.  I'd make a u-turn and follow them while calling 911.  Then I'd get out and tackle the person and hold them down until the police arrived and we got the scooter returned safe and sound.  Still waiting on that scene to occur.

The scooter getting stolen has been especially frustrating since we had it locked up in the parking lot.  We had asked that Robert be able to keep the scooter on our porch, but we were told that isn't allowed.  It turns out dozens of cars in our complex were broken into on Sunday night.  I'm going to be honest, when I say that I don't feel too badly for people when things are stolen from an UNLOCKED car.  You're pretty much asking for it.  I also think it's bologna to say that maybe somebody else just needed it more than us.  I can't really think of somebody else who could need it more than a poor graduate student who doesn't own a car and uses the scooter to get to school, church, and work.  And finally, I think it's ridiculous that a university doesn't have security cameras in the year 2014.  Don't even get me started on that one.  I will win the argument every time.  Trust me.

Since this happened on a Sunday night we weren't able to go car shopping on Saturday as Robert and I have conflicting schedules all week.  I'm busy all day.  He's busy all evening.  Perfect.  So we headed out on Saturday morning.  We had done extensive research.  We're working with a limited budget because, well, who has a stash of "just in case my scooter gets stolen and I need to buy a car at a moment's notice" fund?  Craigslist, Auto Trader, Car Max, car lots.  Can I just tell you how frustrating it was to hear the rep at Car Max say the following?  "We don't have cars in your budget because we only sell the finest cars, but that sounds like the perfect  amount for a down payment."  No, thank you.  I know he's probably required to say that, but come on!  We're trying to get debt free, people!

So Robert had found a super super dorky car on Craigslist.  Here's a picture of the car:

I thought it looked ridiculous, but Robert was hooked on the possibility of driving a conversation piece.  We went to the owner's house on Saturday.  The pictures on Craigslist had obviously been taken a long time ago.  The car was super dirty on the outside.  The inside had random wires dangling around.  And here's the kicker - it didn't even have a battery in it.  I'm not a car expert, but I hear it's pretty difficult to take a car out for a test drive when it doesn't have a battery.  That car got a big X and got scratched off of the list.

Next up - a car lot.  We found a steal of a deal for a Ford Escort.  The website made it seem like it was a once it a lifetime deal.  We got there and of course there was a catch - it has been flooded and had a salvage title.  Plus, they charge a dealer's fee of $600 on top of list price.  Uh...no, thank you.

We were left to our last choice.  Our music minister had given Robert the name of a friend who is into cars.  The man is totally adorable.  He retired many years ago and decided to build his own auto shop behind his house.  We ventured out there.  It was about a 45 minute drive.  I was really afraid it wasn't going to be worth our time, but then we stumbled upon this gem on the way there:

We made a pit stop for a photo op and then continued on our way.  The man, Nelson, is awesome!  He started out showing us a car that ended up being over budget, and I got majorly bummed, but then he showed us another one.  It was perfect!  Nelson buys cars that are a bit beat up on the outside but solid inside, tinkers around to fix them up, and then sells them for what he paid without making a profit just because he enjoys it and likes to help people in need.  He said, "I like to keep your money in your pocket and out of Obama's."  Works for us!  He wasn't quite finished with it yet so we couldn't test drive it, but we got to check it out inside and out and we were able to turn it on.  It sounded great!  Nelson said he'd finish up on Monday so we could come back on Tuesday to do a test drive and make a final decision.

Robert and I left talking about how we could see God all over this thing.  Here we were about to buy a car that was way nicer than we ever imagined we could afford.  If Robert hadn't joined the band a year ago then he wouldn't have known Michael and we wouldn't have heard of Nelson.  What if we hadn't joined Faith two years ago?  If either of the first two cars would have worked out we would have missed out on this great opportunity.  The list could go on and on.

This Thursday we were able to pick up the car, and it couldn't be better.  We are so thankful for God's provision.  We had planned to buy a car after Robert graduates, but for some reason God saw fit to speed up the process, and now once Robert graduates we don't have to think about buying a new car.

Driving away from Nelson's Auto Shop

We're a two car family again!

Now Robert just has to teach me how to drive a manual.  Sounds like the topic of a future blog post. :)

Being an Adult

Being an adult definitely has its perks: No bedtime, picking what you eat, having a car, making money at a real job, etc.  But then there are lame parts of being an adult.

1. Going to the dentist - Basically every single time I go to the dentist the hygienist says something like, "Wow!  You're teeth are wonderful.  You must have had braces (no).  Do you bleach your teeth (I did before the wedding but not on a regular basis).  You're gums are so healthy (why thank you).  You must brush and floss every day (yes)."  The dentist comes in and says the same thing but adds, "You have five million cavities."  How on earth does this happen?  Is it like lice where people say you get it from having a super clean head/hair?  You get cavities from having super awesome teeth?  How can I have an awesome mouth but have cavities?  I went to the dentist last Friday.  I had made the appointment for 8am.  I got to work at 7:57 - super proud of myself for getting to work early.  I sat down, turned on my computer, and oh my goodness I have to be at the dentist in three minutes.  Of course the dentist was 20 minutes back in the direction where I came from.  I was late.  As my punishment they made me wait 90 minutes before seeing the dentist.  I had a coupon for a free exam and x-rays.  I didn't even think about that not including a cleaning until I was charged $97.  Seriously?  What kind of nonsense is that?  So I have two cavities.  How much will that cost?  $300.  Of course I don't have dental insurance because I'm not a permanent employee yet.  Good grief.  I think I'll wait to get those filled until my teeth fall out.  Also, I have a bone spur in my mouth.  What the crud?  I had noticed a hurty hard thing on my gum above my top canine on the right side.  I asked about.  So I've always known I had an overbite.  Apparently something that comes along with that is having my bottom teeth hit my top teeth really hard each time I chomp down.  Over 22 years of doing this has caused a fracture in my bone.  To repair itself it created a scar on the bone which is now trying to shoot through my gum.  I could get it taken care of - cut open, shave off the bump, stitch it up.  But if two fillings equals $300 I can only imagine how much a minor surgery costs.  We'll be waiting for that as well.
2. Car recalls - I got a letter in the mail last week saying there was a recall on my car.  Apparently the passenger side airbag doesn't go off unless there is somebody in the driver's seat.  I called Ford to set up an appointment.  They don't do recalls on Saturdays (GRR).  I said that's fine but I would need a courtesy car to get to work.  They don't have those.  What on earth?  But I could ride a school bus that leaves each day at 8:15.  I have to be at work at 8:00.  My job is 45 minutes away from Ford by car.  I can only imagine how long it would take by school bus when you have to stop to drop off other people.  I told her that simply would not work.  "Uhh...hang on...Okay.  How about Saturday at 8:00?"  Boom!  Fixed.
3. Car taxes.  Nuff said.

Ridin' Solo

It's been another busy summer week.  Last Saturday Robert, Grant, Kelsey, and I went to Pomme de Terre lake.  Super fun!  We grilled hotdogs, swam in the lake, and hit up 3 G's for some frozen custard once we got back into town.  Later that evening my parents came home from El Salvador.  It was great to hear their stories.  They finished the foundation and got about two rows of blocks laid for the walls.  They also met some wonderful people.  About three hours later my brother came home.  It was a bit strange for me to go from being queen of the house to sharing it with three other bodies.  I think we've all adjusted now though.
For fourth of July we kept up the Grabowski tradition of eating dinner at Memaw and Pepaw's house, shooting off fireworks, and then going to the town firework show.  It was good to see people and catch up for a bit, but it was also semi overwhelming to see so many people I know all at once.  You can only say, "Hey!  How's it going?" so many times before it gets old.  After the show we went swimming and called it a night.
I got a facial Tuesday. :)
After Robert finished work on Tuesday we drove to his house, ate dinner, went swimming, caught up with his friends, and spent the night.  Robert woke up early on Wednesday to get his 21 year old license.  He also got his mom's old car (2006 Toyota Camry) which is a nice upgrade from his 1999 Ford Ranger.  Here are some pictures to accompany the process.

It was nice to have a week of not having to drive to and from Springfield.  For the rest of the month my two classes are totally online.  I'll wrap things up by going in for face-to-face class three days in a row the first week of August.
Robert and I watched the first four parts of "Africa" a National Geographic special to get pumped up for his trip.
On Friday we went to Incredible Pizza with our family friend Carl.  Robert's dad was heading back home from Alabama and got to stop by to join us for dinner.
Robert and I had to say goodbye on Saturday.  I've known for months that this day would come, but as it grew closer it made me increasingly sad.  It's so tough because I can't beg him to stay.  After all, he's going on a mission trip to share God's love with others.  Can't blame him for wanting to join in on this cool adventure.  The trip is July 10-23, but they left Bolivar on the 9th, spent the night in KC, and drove to the airport today.  They get back super late on the 23rd so they'll spend the night in KC and drove home on the 24 which means he's officially gone July 9-24.  That's 15 days, about twice as long as we've ever been apart.  I'm trying not to be a pansy, but it seems like FOREVER.  I have some school work and babysitting to do which will occupy some of my time, but mostly it's just more fun to do things together.  We might just be studying, but at least we're doing it together.  We might just be eating dinner and watching the Cards play, but it's so much more fun to do it together instead of alone.
Oh and my one and only task from Robert while he was gone was to feed his fish every day and water his flowers every other day.  I went in for day one this morning.  The fish was dead.  I'm a bad girlfriend.

The old "mouse in my AC" bit gets me every single time

What prompted this title?  Let's get right into it.  Tuesday afternoon I turned on my AC and it was very loud and stinky.  I didn't have time to mess with it so I drove around with the windows rolled down which is a pain in the butt because I have manual windows.  Anyway, later that afternoon Robert dropped me off to get a pedicure and took my car to see if Pepaw could fix it.  Robert went back to SBU in Pepaw's car with the idea that Pepaw would pick me up after my pedi.  I didn't know any of this til I was done and didn't see my car out front. Well, my phone was dead.  I couldn't call anybody to ask what was going on.  I had to walk back to my dorm.  Never fun but especially after a pedi, come on!  So I plugged in my phone and called everyone I could think of: Mom's cell phone (didn't answer twice), the house phone (busy three times), Memaw and Pepaw's house (didn't answer three times), Robert was at work but I texted him, and Dad was out of town so I didn't even bother him.  Finally after an hour my mom called me back.  She didn't know what was going on, but she drove over to my grandparents' house, found my car, got my key (it was in my unlocked car!!!), and drove it to me.  The AC hadn't gotten fixed yet.  Yesterday I took it back to Pepaw.  He fixed it!  There was a dead mouse in the AC drum, and every time the fan turned it whacked the mouse against the drum.  That's also why the AC smelled like road kill - I'd had a dead mouse under the hood for at least three days.  Finally, that's why there had been a TON of flies on my car all week.  Gross!!!
On a happier note, my facial and pedicure were very nice.  I'd had a facial before but never a real pedi.  I got "Modern Girl" paint for my toes.
I was supposed to give a speech in advanced public speaking yesterday at 11:00.  I didn't go to chapel, but it ran way late.  It's supposed to go from 10:00-10:50 but didn't get out til 11:35.  By the time Dr. Bailey made it to Jester it was 11:40, 10 minutes before class ended.  Generally, I would have left by 11:15, but I just knew that if I left he'd come in two seconds later and give me an F for my speech.  I waited for 40 minutes only to have him cancel the last 10 minutes of class.  What the heck?  So now I have to wait til Monday.
I have an appointment with Dr. Leo (my oncologist/hematologist) today at 3:15.  Prayers are appreciated!  He's going to do some more blood work.  If the counts are getting better then Yay!  I'll keep taking the iron that makes me nauseous but doesn't make me throw up.  If things haven't gotten better, he's interested in an Iron IV.  I'd have to go in every few days for a couple of months and get hooked up to an IV to make me Iron Woman.  It shouldn't make me nauseous this way, and my body would be able to absorb and use more of it.  Of course I'm hoping I don't have to do this because it will be kinda painful, expensive, and time consuming, but if it's what needs to be done in order to make me feel back to normal for the first time in 14 months then bring it on!

Another Week Passes

Another eventful week. :)  Robert started getting the ball rolling for his summer job.  Did I mention this before?  He'll be working at the church 30 hours a week doing janitorial projects (cleaning the carpet, painting, mowing), living in the dorm as the summer RA (this will only include two weeks of work because that's the only time his dorm will have campers, but the rest of the time he gets to live there and eat for free), and about 10 hours a week at the school cafeteria.  Hopefully he'll be doing some yard work for neighbors.  If you need any yard work done or have random projects let us know!
I'll be babysitting and taking classes this summer.  I'll be babysitting Cooper and Miles for my dear friend Carey three days a week.  Getting to hang with their family is such a treat!  I'll continue to watch them three days a week during the fall semester.  And in the fall I'll be babysitting for some SBU professors three days a week.  They have a very precious 14 month old little boy who will be fun to be around too.
Robert schedule his wisdom teeth extraction time this week.  Eek!  It'll be at the beginning of June that way he can get all healed up before he goes to South Africa.  He's going on a mission trip with our school and will be gone July 10-23.  He still needs about $1000.  I'm not sure if anyone actually reads this, but if you're able to donate and would like more information just write a comment or send me a message.
Bummer news: Wednesday the Ford dealer called which got me totally excited.  He said that Ford orders are really backed up, and my car won't be here til the first week of July.  It's a bummer because it was supposed to be here within three weeks from now.  The biggest deal is that I'll be driving to Springfield (60-70 miles round trip) to go to school six days a week for the month of June.  That's about 1500 miles ish.  It would be awesome to have my car then because it'll get 40-48 mpg while my current car gets 22 mpg.  Boo!
Also, it's been a total debacle with my Drury email stuff this week.  As I suspected might be the case I'm already out of the loop since the other nine people in my cohort already go to Drury.  I'm the only one without a Drury email, and the professor has been sending up important emails apparently.  Sweet.
I'm the RA on call this weekend so I'm working in the dorm office for seven hours.  Then I get to babysit my dear friend Elise's little sister Christi.  Should be fun!  Robert and I are leading music at the Encounter tomorrow at church.  You should come!

4 Day Week

I'm nearly done with school for the week.  It's my last little break before graduation.  For the three day weekend Robert and I are going to visit his family in KC.  We're pumped!  I haven't been there since Thanksgiving, and Robert hasn't been there since Christmas.  It should be quite the shin-dig: Robert's parents, his sister, sister's boyfriend, maternal grandma and grandpa, aunt/uncle/two cousins, second cousin/wife/triplets, and us.  Special plans for the weekend include: going to the farmers' market (which is nothing like the one here.  It's more like a farmers' extravaganza), going on a hike, swimming, playing games, eating some delicious food, and maybe even studying a bit.  We're leaving today right after I take an American Public Address test and Robert takes a Hebrew test.  What's with professors giving tests right before a break?

This has been another big week: presentation on Tuesday, research paper on Wednesday, and test on Thursday.  I'm looking forward to next week and it's less busy schedule.

I did room checks for the girls' on my hall on Monday.  I took the new RA who will be taking my place with me on the checks.  I know she'll do a great job.  It's weird thinking about not being in the dorm, but I can wholeheartedly say that I am pumped to live in a house again.  It's been nice while it's lasted, but I'm ready to move on.  And isn't that great?  That God allows certain things to happen and let's changes occur so we're ready for the next step?

Health report:  This new iron medicine (Bifera) is definitely better than the previous supplements.  The new negative occurrence though is that I've started dry-heaving. TMI, I know.  Here's the deal.  I take acid reflux medicine (Omeprazole), and it has to be taken in the morning one hour before I eat.  Well, with taking iron supplements it helps a ton to have a full stomach because otherwise you could horribly nauseous.  I take the iron in between breakfast and lunch and then in between lunch and dinner.  That way my stomach isn't totally empty so I don't get sick but it isn't totally full so I can absorb as much Iron as possible.  In the morning my stomach is empty.  I haven't taken the Bifera for the day, but obviously the iron supplements have built up in my system, so I feel sick.  I'm very thankful that it's not nearly as bad as the first supplements, but we're still trying to work out some kinks.

I sent out my graduation announcements last week!!!!  The process might have forever converted me to DIY.  Here's the breakdown.  Ordering through the school was something ridiculous like $25 for for 20.  Don't remember exactly, but something like that.  I designed my own, had them printed on cardstock, the office store cut them for me, I bought stamps, and addressed them.  Cost of the actually announcements: $2.36, plus like $12 for postcard stamps.  So the whole thing was about $15 for 50 announcements.  For announcements and stamps through the school it would have been $75-100.  Hello!  Side note, 30 days til I graduate!

I'm getting more antsy every day as I wait for my new car.  It's been 3 1/2 weeks since I ordered it.  The maximum amount of time it should take is 8 weeks.  So I have 4 1/2 weeks or less left.  Let's gaze at it for a moment, shall we?

It's magenta and shiny and pretty :)

The inside of my car will look like this except it's an automatic not manual so the shifter will look slightly different.

Ahh!  Ok time to cram before the test.  Happy Easter!

Big Week

This was a pretty big week for me.  The first week back after a break is always interesting.

Monday: I got the paperwork to fill out for graduation.  It was pretty exciting to see that I'll be graduating cum laude.  It's really cool to see that I'll my hard work has paid off.  I also met with Dr. Leo.  I am so very thankful God has given me such an amazing doctor.  He is very knowledgeable and does an excellent job of relaying the information to me.  He said my ultrasound looked perfect.  My blood counts are still low.  He switched my iron supplement to Bifera which is supposed to be easier on my stomach.  The main bummer is that although it's still OTC it costs $20 instead of $3.  It's totally worth it though to not feel sick.  We hired the new RA to replace me.  It's a weird feeling.  It seems like I just became an RA.  I think Bekah will do a great job.  It's hard to balance investing in the girls for the last month and a half of school and starting to let go.

Tuesday: I ordered my new car!!!  I have been very thankful for my Pontiac Sunfire.  It's served me well for the past five years.  We've had some good memories together.  It was my very first car.  It has never broken down or gotten a flat tire.  However, it's time to upgrade a bit.  I ordered a 2011 Ford Fiesta.  It should be here in 3-7 weeks.  It's cool to think that I'll be the first owner.  Although my Sunfire was kept up pretty well, I think the previous owner was a smoker.  What was my clue?  A couple of burn marks on the ceiling and chair.  The dealer said I've chosen a pretty "basic" version of the Fiesta.  It's interesting to see how "basic" has changed over the past ten years when my Sunfire was made.  My Sunfire is "basic" - manual windows, manual locks, manual mirrors, no keyless entry, etc.  My "basic" Fiesta will have automatic windows, automatic locks, keyless entry, MP3 hookup, CD player, etc.  I'm most excited about the locks and windows.  It's the little things, baby!

Wednesday: I worked in the church nursery in the morning and evening.  I'm guaranteed a good laugh every single time I work.  Three year old boy: "I use plastic spoons to bench press, but sometimes Mommy cooks with them."  Obviously, what he's doing is normal, and she's the weird-o.  On Wednesday nights my family always eats dinner with my grandparents (Memaw and Pepaw).  Memaw is quite the cook!

Thursday: I meet with Carey every Thursday morning.  Our time together is such a breath of fresh air.  She's an excellent example of a loving and Godly wife, mother, and friend.

Friday: I got to have lunch with my dear friend Tarah.  Tarah and I have been friends since we were in diapers.  It's a bummer that we don't get to hang out quite as much now, but every time we get together it's great.  Conversation comes so easily with her.  I gave a speech in advanced public speaking.  It didn't go as well as I had expected.  It's different when you don't prepare for a test, presentation, or paper and then do poorly.  But when you prepare and study your butt off you should be rewarded properly.

Saturday: I was the RA on call this weekend so I worked 1:00-5:00.  It was open dorm so I got to go over to Robert's room.  We watched Superstar.  Hilarious!  Then we played a game called trains.  Robert dominated.  I guess guys never get too old to play with trains.

Sunday: We all got to eat lunch with my parents.  Delicious!  Then Robert and I walked around the neighborhood.  It's 80 degrees today, people!  Now I'm working in the dorm office from 2:00-5:00.  I got employee of the month at work last week and was rewarded with a $15 giftcard to Subway.  I think tonight will be a perfect night for a free dinner date with my man.

This week looks like it should be pretty chill.  No tests, papers, or presentations.  Just lots of work and babysitting. 

I've been reading a book called One Thousand Gifts.  It's a great challenge.  The author spent several months writing down 1000 gifts and blessings.  What a great way to show our gratitude.  I think there's something to be said for actually stopping to write down gifts.  It makes it seem more real.  I want a heart that continually seeks an attitude of gratitude.

48 days til graduation.

I've Seen Better Days

Oh man.  It's been a whirlwind of a week.  Recap:

- Went to KC with Robert on Monday.  Crazy trip.  Didn't get back home til 2am.  Plus side: Got to see my dear friend Jen for a bit.

- My car broke down.  Pretty much everything that could have gone wrong happened.  I put it in reverse and it went kaplunk, put it in drive and it revved up a bunch, the check oil light came on, the check battery light came on, and the power steering went out.  Of course when my dad came to look at it it worked fine for him.  Does that sort of thing ever happen to anybody else?  We had a friend look at it.  Apparently the carborator (spelling?) was totally clogged.  Scary!  He fixed it. :)

- I had mono last spring.  With that it's totally normal to have low white blood cell counts, low platelet counts, high monocytes, and high lymphocytes for about six months.  So every few months I've gone in to have my blood re-tested.  It's been nearly a year now.  I got the results to my most recent test two days ago.  Everything is still out of whack.  Very discouraging.  My doctor is finally being proactive and has referred me to an oncologist and hematologist (cancer and blood doctor), but it's really scary.  If something is wrong I want to nip it in the bud.  So I guess the oncologist (Dr. Leo) is going to look over my records and then set up an appointment with me.  It could be something like: "No worries.  You're white blood cell counts are always low.  Happens to the best of us."  Or, as my primary care physician mentioned, it could be something like: "You have leukemia or lymphoma.  Wish we would have done something about it when we realized your counts were off 12 months ago!"

- I skipped all my classes on Tuesday.  I like to think of it as a mental health day.  Think my absences will be excused?

- I work in the church nursery on Wednesday mornings during a Mom's Bible study.  I have older 2's and younger 3's in my room.  Quote of the day: While playing with Play-Dough one of the kids stuck a blob on his finger and shouted, "Finger puppets!!!" Presh.

- I helped buy a new microwave for the dorm.  One of the fun parts of being an RA. ;)  In case you were wondering, it's not a good idea to microwave a cookie with a sheet of computer paper and a metal fork in there in as well.  Shocking.

- I sponsor a girl named Happiness through World Vision.  She lives in Zimbabwe, and I've been sponsoring her for a year and a half.  I wrote her the other day.  I'm so thankful for the opportunity to bless and be blessed by her.

- Sad story: On December 15 I ordered two tickets to a Yellowcard concert in KC on April 5.  Robert's favorite band of all time is Yellowcard.  When we first started dating he mentioned he wished he could have gone to one of their concerts before they broke up.  Well, this month they're releasing a new CD and going on tour.  March 13 is our 1 year anniversary.  So I got us tickets 3 months ago (4 months before the concert) to celebrate.  Guess what.  Robert has a choir concert the same night and will fail choir if he skips us.  What else? There are no refunds.  See ya later, 70 bucks!