Saturday, February 28, 2009
It's the last day of February...
YAY!!
Lol, so Mom's a bit concerned (as she probably should be) that I'm spending money I should be saving for bills and such, and I'm trying to be frugal, but every now and then I crack.
(Note the new futon and the new movies I've been watching)
So, my question is, how am I going to budget this month?
What can I buy, what can I not buy, what do I NEED vs what do I WANT, etc....
I think a bit of extra prayer is needed in this case...which is kind of funny, cuz now I think on it, I don't believe I've ever prayed about money issues, unless it was along the lines of 'Please don't let them subtract from my account until I get to the bank to deposit.'
But, as Luke Bryan so eloquently put it..."Pray About Everything"...
Country singers are sure smart sometimes. :)
So here's hoping that not only by this time next month am I not broke, but also that I'll have learned a little...how do you say...restraint? and not buy everything I think I need but only actually want, and maybe have enough cash to actually pay my parents for my car insurance...
*winces, embarrassed...
Working an extra shift tonight, so in case I don't get on again, here's to a brand new month...
Cheers.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wrestling with a Futon (And other changes to my room...)
So I bought a futon today. I was kind of tired of my bed being frameless and in the way. That, and I got a very nice check from the cleaners that I wasn't expecting. So instead of waiting until March (only a few days...) I went out to WalMart this morning and bought it, just like that.
And then spent four+ hours trying to put it together.
The instructions say you only need an hour and a half...and maybe that's true. Except for the fact that I put it together wrong the first time. Upside down or backwards or something. So I cursed (sorry!) and took it apart and started all over. Only to realize that I'd mixed up something else. But no, that was the same piece I just fixed and even if I'd done it wrong, it was nothing I couldn't adapt to, so it was STAYING PUT!! More growling and grumbling and hitting my head on the bars as I laid on my back trying to put it together upside down...but it's done!!
VICTORY IS MINE!!!
And here's a picture (from the store, but the one I bought) to give you an idea of how simple it is...and to make you wonder how I could have possibly messed it up. :)

Aren't I amazing sometimes?
Another change, though...
So I've been bored and writing poetry and I decided about a week ago that I wanted to graffiti my wall...that is, I wanted to express myself with blue spray paint and a funky rhyme. Unfortunately, I don't HAVE blue spray paint, so I tried to figure something else out. One friend suggested I could simply use some of my left-over green paint and paint over the pink sponging, so I have a blank space. And then, since I DO have PINK spray paint, I could just use that instead. Fabulous idea, if I do say so myself. However, before I got over my laziness and found the incentive to dig out my green paint, I mentioned my idea to Dad, who, voila!, has blue spray paint.
And so, here we are:

A little blurry, but here's what it says...
"Music rocks me back and forth
Gets me through the day
Keeps me sane each day I work
But why, I couldn't say"
Okay, so not the most brilliant, but it was the least depressing one I could think of, so it works, I think. :)
And those are the changes to my room.
YAY!!!
My Half of the Conversation...
Did Marissa send you the video about the atheist guy?
It's really cool, just music and words
But pretty awesome, I think I like it
I'd like to think I'd stand up, but I don't know...
Pretty powerful thinking...
I'm going to pray for courage...
Cuz there are things I wanna do, places I wanna go, but I always have some excuse
But I wonder, if instead of a real excuse, maybe it's just fear?
YAY PRAYER!!!
lol
I got an email from Mom today
telling me how I should come to Haiti
and I responded how every time I planned something for God, things got in the way...
The devil's work, I think...
So I need double prayer!!
Cuz I really want to do things...
Like YWAM or Haiti or going to the Clarks
But it's not easy...
yes, really
I think I'm glad that most of my remaining books are not romance novels
cuz I think they poison me sometimes
and I need the antidote right now...
I think the hardest thing about going away from here will be finding a strong church and family to learn more about God...
That's about the gist of it before going on to less important things...like the weather...and Hildi...and 'What's up?'...and me being right simply by being Emma...
But anyway, the video I mentioned is about this professor who spends all semester trying to disprove the existence of God and at the end of the semester asks whoever still believes in Jesus to stand up, saying they're a fool if they do, and if God existed he would stop the chalk he dropped from breaking on the floor, and for twenty years no one stands, whether they truly don't believe or whether they're just afraid, but this one kid prays for the courage to stand up, and he does, the professor calls him a fool, but when he drops the chalk, it drops in such a way that it just rolls across the floor once it hits, and the professor, aghast, runs from the class, and then the student preaches about God to the rest of the class, pretty cool, I wish I could put it on here...
But it definitely got me thinking...
And I realized that the only thing keeping me here, the only thing that brought me back home after visiting Jessie, is fear.
If I wasn't so afraid, I'd have left long before.
I'd have gone to Switzerland.
I'd have gone on at least one tour with the Clarks.
I probably wouldn't have stayed with James as long as I did, if I even would have started dating him...
Amazing how powerful fear can be...
So this is my new thought-process, care of Air1's Verse of the Day (about two weeks ago, but I kept it anyway...):
"Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. " Proverbs 16:3, NLT
Not gonna let fear stand in my way anymore...
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
It's Not About Me...
My friend's problem is NOT about me, even though it might keep him from visiting tonight and he won't explain a thing.
My brother's need for civilian clothes is NOT about me, even though I had to fill up on gas earlier than I planned and get dressed earlier, too, so I could deliver them to him at the Marine headquarters.
My dad's frustrations are NOT about me, even if they bring my mood down and I have to suffer with him.
My sister's being gone and glad to be just by herself is NOT about me, even though it seems she gets bothered by me a lot more than she used to.
My brother's being on-the-air and not able to take my call is NOT about me, even though it still felt like a rejection.
My sister's not calling in who knows how long is NOT about me, even though I miss talking to her...
There are solutions to these and other problems...
I can let my friend know I'm there for him if he needs me and pray that he solves his problem.
I can thank Jay for getting me off my butt and dressed and out into the world, even at the cost of almost thirty dollars in gas, since I needed it anyway.
I can lift my Dad up and not let his moods bring mine down, just by encouraging him.
I can give Ellen a little more space than I have been and be a little more understanding of her needs.
I can give Eric a call later and ask how the radio business is doing.
I can call Jessie myself.
In fact, I think that's what I'll do...
Right after work, though, because I have to run...
"It's Amazing" by Jem
'Patience, now, frustration in the air
And people who don't care
Well it's gonna get you down
And you'll fall
Yes you will hit a wall
Get back up on your feet
And you'll be stronger and smarter...'
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
This morning I woke up to broken glass...
On the other hand, it was three in the morning, so I was still exhausted...
But there you have it, I can't rest and not have nightmares, so take the lesser of two evils, right?
Anyway, I sprinted upstairs, cuz I heard yelling (at three in the morning, I know, it's ridiculous) and Dad's in the kitchen scowling, his voice has gone down by the time I get there and he's just mumbling about how he's fifty-two and has done nothing with his life.
Right there with you, partner.
(At twenty-one, that is.)
But then I took a step back (mental) and started thinking, what has my Dad done?
He's helped bring eight kids into the world.
He's encouraged us in everything we do.
He's always there to help out, even if he grumbles.
While not reaching fame and fortune, his music has certainly touched MY life, and I'm sure it's touched others as well.
And he's helped so many people, paying bills, helping to move, fixing cars, giving a home rent-free, letting people use his studio to advance their own music careers, even just being someone to talk to...
And okay, sure, people take advantage of that sometimes.
But he's still done a lot of good.
He's compassionate, honorable, loyal and intelligent...
And though I might not say it, I'm proud to call him Dad.
So what's this nothing that he's done with his life?
Kinda makes me wonder what's the nothing I've done...
I am humbled...
And still exhausted even if I did get a few more hours of sleep after I swept up the broken glass...
Such is life.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Ice Cream Deprivation
(Though, believe it or not, I forgot I had it until the next day)
But, instead of devouring the entire half-gallon box like I wanted, I served up a small bowl and saved the rest for the next night...and the next night...and the next night...
It kind of kept me going, gave me something to aim for.
Sort of like 'You make it through today and you can have another bowl.'
Now yesterday was a good day. I started off with a curse word, true, but that's only because I was half asleep when Mom told me I had to be in the church nursery in twenty minutes. (At least, I think that's the only reason.) But I had fun in the nursery, three girls, two boys, help from another church member, and it was good. And after church I was smart enough to eat right away, so I couldn't get cranky. Plus, someone was nice enough to make a chocolate cake and tell me I could have some (maybe they should have set a limit, though, since I think I ate half of it). And even when I spilled half the powder of a butterscotch pudding mix, I only laughed because it was funny to get it all over me, and I don't mind sweeping. We had a Star Wars marathon --only the good ones, that is, episodes 4-6, with Han and Leia and Luke-- and I ate cereal for dinner (my favorite, haha). And I finished a good book, rather inspirational, and there are a couple Bible verses to look up. And I even enjoyed an episode of The Partridge Family dad put on when the movies were finished and the girls were off to bed.
Then I decided I'd finish the ice cream, since there was only so much left.
And found that somebody had beat me to it.
Good day turned bad.
And call me crazy, I know you will, but I was almost as upset as when we broke up.
Just over ice cream.
But it really did help, knowing that was in the house...
And somebody had to ruin it for me...
I wish they'd asked me, at least; I'm not that awful that I wouldn't share...
One good thing, though, I was upset enough that I couldn't even focus on a new book, so I fell asleep before midnight.
Small wonders...
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Valentine's Weekend Plus (A Few Days Late!)
Surprise, it's Friday the 13th!
So this morning I woke up, not quite feeling well, but determined to go to work, as there are bills to be paid in the next week, and I NEED THE MONEY!
So I got dressed, had all my things together, and decided to have breakfast before work.
Then I pour on the milk...
And before I even am able to take a bite, I run to the bathroom.
It was the scent that got to me.
So I call in, to both jobs, and spend the day feeling not so great, but, being adult (am I really now?) I'm not complaining, not crying, just dealing with it.
And I called Mom, who's still in California, and it occurred to me as I was speaking with her that today would have been our sixth anniversary...Mom joked that was the reason I got sick, at the thought of him...but a depressing thought nonetheless.
Even though I was sick, though, one of my friends, Alex, called and asked me to a movie, and then, after getting my hopes up, I had to plead with him to at least visit me, since that's what you do when your friends are sick, you visit and try to make their day a little better, right? So he did, and we watched a movie at home (a children's movie, during which he mumbled the whole time about it not having any sex in it, and I hit him a couple of times...), and then he left because he had a few large papers due Monday, and I was alone again.
Funny, but no one else was home at this point, except for Hildi, so if I never said anything, no one would know I had a guy over. Not that it matters since it's a non-dating relationship, but I still think Dad might have been concerned...
Anyway, the rest of the day, I've been in pain and sick and it's just no fun...
Though at least I have time to read a new novel, which is surprisingly funny so far, considering it's about Pride & Prejudice...
But I'm hungry for the first time, and I'm craving fruit so I think I'm going to see if I can keep an orange or an apple down...
Happy V-Day!!
Today has been pretty good...
It surprises me, as I'm not a big fan of Valentine's, what with yesterday being a half-anniversary and in three days, it's a whole anniversary...
Why do I fall for guys at weird times?
August and February are not good start dates at all...
Anyway, so I worked at the cleaners this morning, from seven to four, standing the whole time, except on my lunch break, instead of eating lunch, I fell asleep in this really comfy office chair...best time...
Actually, no, the best time came when my friend Patrick came to pick me up for our 'date.'
Not a real one, understand, we just didn't want to be alone on Valentine's.
So we went and saw "Last Chance Harvey" which we both feel we've seen before, though we haven't really, so there must be something about the story-line, but the only other movie I can think of is an old Carey Grant movie, and that's not his style, so he prolly hasn't seen it...
But, no, the movie wasn't the best time, although it was good, funny, if it took awhile to get into.
No, the best time was on the way to it, when Patrick let me drive his truck. It's a stick-shift. And I did AWESOME!!! Okay, so he only let me drive halfway before he made me pull into a gas station, but it honestly made my day...
And then he bought me a chocolate frosty afterward.
Chocolate ice cream is the way to my heart, haha...
Afterward, we came back home and watched this movie called "Crank" but we didn't really watch, or I didn't, at least, because after the full shift I pulled...
(Plus, I almost forgot, JAY IS HOME!!! He came home late last night, and I stayed up for that, and it's awesome, I think I have pictures somewhere...)
Well, anyway, I was really tired, so I practically fell asleep on top of him...
But it was still a pretty good v-day, better than I'd expected, and really, what more can I ask for?
Sunday's Stats
Today, Jay actually went to church with us.
Apparently he got into the habit in boot camp and he likes it.
(YAY!!!)
And he was in his dress blues and everyone kept coming up to him, thanking him for serving, asking what his plans were now that boot camp's over, etc, etc, etc...
The rest of us dressed up, too, but he obviously took the prize.
I don't mind...
Today is my day off...
I have nothing to do but clean...
So I will...
I need to clear off my piano...
And I think I might have to shop for a few things, but that's up and down...
Monday Monday Appears Again...
Bank this morning.
(Over one hundred deposited, and I wonder where I've been keeping it??)
And then two jobs, one after the other...
I'm pretty good at it, but I'm finding it's less and less stimulating as I go on.
Not that I don't enjoy it while I'm there, no...
It's just that it's been slow lately, so there's nothing to stimulate my brain.
But I'm good at what I do, and that's pretty cool, nothing to complain about there.
I really do love Mondays...
I just feel bored right now...
But MJ and I are reading a book together (that is, I read out loud while she listens) and it's getting pretty good, really funny, and I can't remember laughing this much ever...
What time is it?
Last I checked...
Saturday, Midnight.
Wonder what's happening?
Happy Un-Anniversary Tuesday!!
So today, if Bryant and I had stuck together, we'd be celebrating three years...
That's pretty amazing...
Though not as much as the fact that I'm still stuck on that date...
Anyone know where I can get my brain erased?
Anyway, so today, I really wanted to get off work early (both jobs again) because the bank closes at eight and since work gets off at seven, well, I'd like to go over there, deposit my tips for the day (they're getting better, by the way), and then run through my friend Mike's aisle and maybe buy some gum just so I can talk to him.
That's pretty much the only time I see him.
And since I was gone awhile, it's BEEN awhile.
But it got busy, I had to stay and sweep and mop and make sure everything looks just right...
So I got off at five to and instead simply went next-door to Angeno's to eat the Tuesday Night Special...
SPAGHETTI!!!
Which is all good fun, but still, I was slightly disappointed...
So my friend Patrick was moving a bunch of Mazda 3s (or something like that?) today.
Apparently not a cool car.
I could have told you that just by the fact it's a Mazda.
But, even being a Chevy fan as I am, I'm aware that every now and then the other companies make pretty awesome cars.
Not so this one.
At least according to Patrick.
Which is good enough for me...
Sometimes I wish we could talk about things other than cars, though...
What a Wacky Wednesday
So this morning, about three am-ish, I woke up screaming.
Not from a dream, though I faintly recall weirdness there.
No, it's because I had the biggest ear-ache I've ever had.
And I tried to ignore it at first, because I thought it was part of the dream, but it kept growing and growing and so I had to wake up, and I couldn't help but scream.
Just once, actually, and then I reverted to crying.
But I noticed almost immediately that my thoughts turned to HIM.
As if I can't have pain without him being there.
And I thought to myself, no wonder, you've never had any pain since the breakup that wasn't without him being there.
(In my thoughts, I mean.)
But once I got there, I couldn't go back.
That is, I couldn't disassociate him from the pain.
Which made it worse, actually.
Added to that, I couldn't find any ibuprofen or tylenol and so I had to wake up Mom.
She didn't complain, and she took my apology very nicely, but I still felt bad.
But she gave me some pills --advil, actually-- and some oiled cotton for my ear and sent me back to bed with a hug and a kiss, and I went back to sleep feeling much better.
And then I woke up all freaked out.
Allow me to revert to past occurrences.
I have freaky dreams.
Weird dreams.
Funky dreams.
Strange dreams.
Pointless dreams.
The list goes on...
And, since the breakup (or even before, if I'm completely honest --think PURPLE wedding dress), all these dreams have had something to do with James.
~can't hit me for saying his name Jess, cuz I'm not at your house!~
But I never tell people that, I simply say I had a nightmare, because I'm not supposed to be thinking about him, so that's the only classification I can give it.
This morning, though, I had a REAL nightmare.
With James in it.
I won't go into too much detail here, but what it comes down to is, I was about to die, and James didn't care enough to save me.
Needless to say, I wasn't happy when I woke up.
But thank God for friends who call at random times, because less than a minute after I woke up, my girlfriend Shonda called and ranted about what's going on in her life, so I was distracted from mine.
But anyway, my point is, up til now, life was seeming to go better.
I started off bad on Friday, but it was better, and I wasn't trying as hard to smile, and I was doing okay, if I was maybe a little bored...
Now I'm back to square one.
Damnit.
Today is Thursday
Back to present day.
Hope you didn't fall asleep while reading all that.
I'm off to a friend's today, watching movies, cooking, whatever, but before I go, I've got a little newsflash that I don't think my Mom has told you...
Katey is officially home-schooled, as of today.
And I get to help.
:)
Rock on, huh?
Love to you all...
(And I'll try to keep it one day at a time from now on)
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Is this pre-mature?
Mac n Cheese Pizza
Purple has made the list...
(Though I gotta admit, my new shoes absolutely kick ass)
So, I went to church tonight (or last night, I suppose) for our 'Faithweaver Friends' night --for those who don't know, I'm leader of Circle 5, which has SIX kids, though only five showed tonight, ranging from first grade to sixth, and it's been almost two months...exactly...since I saw them.
Oh, ouch.
Today is the two-month anniversary of our breakup.
Well, okay, maybe not.
It's the fifth, I keep forgetting it's morning, technically...
Back to what I was saying...
So I went to church, and the kids were happy to see me, I hugged the girls --the boys just smiled, but kept their distance-- and we had a lot of fun, and I had Swedish Fish for the VERY FIRST TIME during snacktime...who knew that something sounding so strange could taste so good? Though the whole getting stuck to my teeth thing was kind of annoying, but candy is candy is candy so I don't mind (I've been cutting back on that, and it's annoying not having sugar, I think I'm going through withdrawal...and maybe that explains my mood!)
But, well, so it was awesome, and all and I loved seeing people again, and I focused really hard and I only lost track once (I think) and I was so happy...
And then I texted a friend who was maybe coming over, but he's been working too hard and he needs sleep, so we decided for another time...
And I'm all for sleep, so I don't mind.
But as I sat down in my room, trying to decide what to do with myself, I realized something...
(I wish I'd realized I forgot to do laundry like I just did now!!)
But, whatever, I realized that I was lonely.
I have my friends, but they're in these categories...
1. I'm a full-time student, and so I don't have time to come home, let alone hang out at a moment's notice.
2. I have to work all the time and I can't get off work easily, so I'm afraid we'll have to hang out another time.
3. I work with you and I'll be friendly to you, but don't expect to see me outside of work.
4. I go to church with you and I'll be friendly to you, but don't expect to see me outside of church.
(This second one, I don't know if it's actually my fault or theirs, cuz they really are nice people_
5. I met you through your ex (either one) and since you're not with him, there's not as much incentive to see you.
6. None of the above apply, but I'm too busy anyway.
At least that's what it feels like.
And it brought up an interesting thought...
The best part of breaking up: Getting my free-time back.
The worst part of breaking up: Getting my free-time back.
Because even though I have it, there's nothing to do, no one to do nothing with, and I'm on the verge of cracking!!!
I still dread sleep, though my dreams aren't as messed up as they have been...
"Here It Goes Again" by OK Go
'Just when you think you're in control,
just when you think you've got a hold,
just when you get on a roll,
Oh here it goes, here it goes, here it goes again...'
And that's how I feel right now...

