Speaking Louder than Before

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Friday, April 24, 2009

I've obviously been horrible at blogging during my stay in California.

I was supposed to fly home last Sunday, April 19, and spend my birthday, April 28, with Drew in Georgia. Well, when Drew got home from Cali, he found out he would be sent out to the field on Monday for ten days, and would miss my birthday. We decided it would be best for me to stay in Cali with my family and friends for awhile longer, so I wouldn't have to celebrate my 21st at home, alone.
I am excited to be staying here longer, and am having a blast. But, I would give this up just to be with Drew for my birthday. Its really devastating, especially to him. He had some kind of surprise planned for me, but as the Army is quickly teaching us, we can never plan for anything.

I will be back in Georgia on Wednesday, April 29.

I'll update again later with pictures from my trip, so far.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Leaving on a Jet Plane

The time has come!! I'm about to leave for Atlanta airport, and will be on the plane, headed home, in four hours.

I cannot wait to see you all in Bakersfield. I love and miss you so much!!

4 hours and counting....

Katelyn

Thursday, April 09, 2009

2 more days to Cali!

Well, Drew is currently on the plane, homeward bound to Bakersfield, CA. Unfortunately, when we found out that he would be getting a four day weekend this week and could go home, we couldn't change my tickets from Saturday to Thursday. So, now, I'm at home all alone, while my hubby flies to meet my family in Los Angeles. Its pretty bittersweet. I am so thrilled that he gets to go home for the weekend, but would have loved to spend more time with him there. I'll get there Saturday afternoon, and he will leave Monday.

Then there will be another week while I'm in Cali and he is back here in Georgia... That will be the ultimate bittersweet time.

I hate being away from him for a day... It only makes me think more about his future deployment. How will I ever survive a year without my other half?

I bought Eric Church's new album last week and have been listening to it nonstop. Eric is seriously the most overlooked country artist out there. He is unbelievable, but I never really hear much about him. Anyway, Drew heard this song and believes it was written about me. He loves it, and says he plays it over and over again because it always reminds him of me.

No if, and's, but's or maybe's

So you wanna be her baby

I can read your face like a book

Yeah it looks easy to love her but believe me brother

It's harder than it looks

She's as pretty as a picture

Every bit as funny as she is smart

Got a smile that'll hold you together

And a touch that'll tear you apart

When she's yours she brings the sunshine

When she's gone the world goes dark

Yeah she's heaven on the eyes

But boy she's hell on the heart

Yeah she's good when she's bad

She's cute when she's mad

And she does all the wrong things right

Yeah boy it's a fact when they're made like that

You ain't ever gonna sleep at night

She's as pretty as a picture

Every bit as funny as she is smart

Got a smile that'll hold you together

And a touch that'll tear you apart

When she's yours she brings the sunshine

When she's gone the world goes dark

Yeah she's heaven on the eyes

But boy she's hell on the heart

Once you feel her touch and you've felt that rush

It's gonna mess up your head

But here's the kicker son

Your old ticker's gonna beat you half to death

She's as pretty as a picture

Every bit as funny as she is smart

Got a smile that'll hold you together

And a touch that'll tear you apart

When she's yours she brings the sunshine

When she's gone the world goes dark

Yeah she's heaven on the eyes

But boy she's hell on the heart

Yeah she's hell on the heart

I have to admit, its pretty dang true. =)

Maintain A Healthy Level of Insanity

To Maintain A Healthy Level Of Insanity

1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a Hair

Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.

2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don't Disguise Your Voice !

3. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, ask If They Want Fries with that.

4. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks . Once Everyone has Gotten Over

Their Caffeine Addictions, Switch to Espresso.

5. In the Memo Field Of All Your Checks, Write ' For Marijuana.

6. Skip down the hall Rather Than Walk and see how many looks you get.

7. Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat, with a serious face.

8. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is 'To Go'..

9. Sing Along At The Opera.

10. Five Days In Advance, Tell Your Friends You Can't Attend Their Party Because You have a headache.

11. When The Money Comes Out The ATM, Scream 'I Won! I Won!'

12. When Leaving the Zoo, Start Running towards the Parking lot, Yelling 'Run

For Your Lives! They're Loose!'

13 . Tell Your Children Over Dinner, 'Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have

To Let One Of You Go.'

14. PICK UP A BOX OF CONDOMS AT THE PHARMACY, GO TO THE COUNTER AND ASK WERE THE FITTING ROOM IS..

Monday, April 06, 2009

New Hair Pic

My dark hair with new bangs =)

I love it.

Dead Broke, But Still Happy =)

Columbus Bank & Trust is really, really making me mad. I'm not a confrontational person, but tomorrow when Drew gets home we are going to go talk to the manager and take our business elsewhere if need be.

I have yet to deposit a check without them putting a five day hold on it, which has caused HUGE inconveniences when we needed the money that day. Due to them, our rent check has been considerably late and we were threatened with eviction. This morning, they refused to deposit the large check we received for Drew's retirement plan from his previous job without putting a hold on it. Its an OFFICIAL check. I could understand them putting a hold on personal checks, but this is ridiculous. Also, I have never had a problem depositing checks made out to only Drew, as long as he signed them, but this morning that posed a problem as well. I won't be able to put the deposit in until tomorrow when Drew can go with me, which means the money won't be available until Sunday, and we NEED that money to fly home on.

Wal-Mart won't cash this check, either, because the amount exceeds their limit. I'm going to get my hair cut and colored today, and had to cash in my collection of change to have enough money for it. Why don't I ever learn not to depend on money that isn't tangible yet? I guess I had this coming, but I continue to believe that the next time will be the exception.

I woke up at eight this morning and went straight to the bank, and fought that for about an hour with no success. Maybe Drew will be able to negotiate better tomorrow. Afterward, I went to Wal Mart's CoinStar with a purse filled to the top with change, and got $125 out of it! I love collecting change, but now my empty change bottle is a very depressing site. Its screaming at me "YOU'RE OFFICIALLY DEAD BROKE!!!" I'm going to have to find a new, hidden, place for it.

Around ten this morning I went to the gym and ran a mile on the treadmill. I'm down to a 9 1/2 minute mile! Two weeks ago I couldn't run one lap without having to stop and walk. The weather is cold and ugly today, so I used the tanning beds, which is not nearly as wonderful as laying by the waterfall pool. I went home to do my ab workouts and free weights. The gym full of big, buff soldiers is pretty intimidating for me, and when I can never feel comfortable enough to really get a good work out. Besides, I like to be my own workout DJ with my own pump-up music.

Its almost time for my hair appointment... I'm dying it dark again and getting my bangs cut short. I'll post pics later!

Sunday, April 05, 2009

I'm Alive!

Yes, I AM still alive. Boot camp did not kill me. Thanks to all those that texted and messaged me just to make sure!

I officially am grateful and so, so happy that Drew convinced me to go to boot camp. I can't believe the change that has occurred in just two weeks. I have so much more energy, am in an overall better mood at [mostly] all times, extremely motivated, and TONED. After the first week, I was already noticing definition in my arms, abs, and legs, but I thought it was my eyes playing tricks on me. Last week, though, Drew actually mentioned how different I look and confirmed my thoughts. I have lost five pounds, which is surprising considering how much muscle I have gained. I've always had a very athletic build, but now its just intensified and I look like I never stopped being an athlete after high school. My tennis game has even improved, because of the strength in my arms. I absolutely kill Drew at tennis now... don't tell him I said that though.
I knew the last day of camp was going to be intense, and I was right. We went to a high school on the very top of a big hill, and it has steps leading all the way up to the entrance. We had to run up and down the four flights of steps ten times, then did five sets of lunges up the steps. I thought I wouldn't be able to do it, but I was the first one in the group that finished and was still able to jog back to the park afterwards. Its amazing how every day's activities intensify, but you go home feeling better and better.
And the biggest achievement... I dug out my bikini from two years ago from the bottom of the moving boxes (yes, we still have unpacked boxes..) and went to tan by the pool... and I felt confident the whole time. Last year I NEVER went out without a tank top over the bikini. Drew and I have been tanning by the pool every day this week, and we look very ready for California next week! Our apartment complex has six gorgeous pools with WiFi in the area. Drew brings the laptop out and I read a book. Its bliss.

This week I don't have camp, so Amanda and I are going to take fitness classes on post. They have step classes (which we did one class of last week), belly dancing, cardio dance, spin, water aerobics, and lots more for only $3 a class. Amanda and her husband are going to the Bahamas next week while Drew and I are back in Cali, so we both have the motivation for our last blast workouts.

Speaking of California... Only SIX more days until I'm there! And even better, Drew gets a four-day weekend so my mom bought him a last minute ticket for him to visit Friday - Monday. It couldn't have worked out more perfect, and I think he is even more excited than I am to visit. He is very, very homesick. He went out to the field again today and will be back Tuesday. Hopefully the excitement for Cali will keep him motivated this week. Only 4 more days, baby.

A ton has happened since I last wrote, but this is starting to become a novel. Drew and I have been hanging out with Amanda and her husband, Rob, a lot lately and it has been fabulous. We went to Atlanta last weekend and had a blast, although we do NOT understand the huge hype over Atlanta. Our consensus is that it is extremely overrated.

Thats all my personal blogging for today.

On to politics... Did anyone see that Obama bowed down to the Saudi Arabia king at the world leader convention?

President Obama greeted the king of Saudi Arabia with a full bow from the waist yesterday, a move one commentator described as a violation of protocol and not worthy of the office he holds.

"I am quite certain that this is not the protocol, and is most unbecoming a president of the United States," writes Clarice Feldman in an American Thinker commentary.

The situation developed as leaders of the world attending the G20 summit in London assembled for a photograph to mark the event.

In this first image, after the king extended his hand while Obama approached, Obama bends from the waist until his head is nearly at the monarch's waist:

The action appeared especially awkward since among the dozens of world leaders and their spouses, handshakes abounded, but there appeared to be no other bowing in the room.

The U.S. State Department's office of protocol did not respond to a WND request for the proper etiquette for two heads of state meeting, but the online Travel Etiquette website for Saudi Arabia said handshakes are common greetings between members of the same sex.

This article says it best:

President of the United States Bows to Foreign King

By Bob Ellis on April 2nd, 2009

Didn’t anyone tell President Obama that Americans don’t bow down to anyone? Didn’t anyone tell President Obama that the President of the United States especially doesn’t bow down to anyone?

Didn’t anyone tell President Obama that Americans fought a long and bloody war so we wouldn’t have to bow down to a king anymore?

To my knowledge, even the Queen of England (a nation with values similar to our own) didn’t get this kind of worshipful treatment.

Is it a Muslim thing? The Saudi king is, after all, a Muslim. Is it something Obama picked up while registered as a Muslim in school in Jakarta?

I don’t want to make a mountain out of a mole hill, but when one bows, one signifies the superiority of the one bowed to. It is a gesture of submission. The leader of the most free nation in the world should not be slobbering on the ring of some king!

It was embarrassing when President Obama ungratefully gave back the gift from the British of the bust of Winston Churchill (one of their greatest prime ministers and one of America’s greatest foreign friends). It was embarrassing when the British gave President Obama a gift made from historic wood and President Obama gave the British…some DVDs–that won’t even play in their DVD players!

It’s been embarrassing enough to see other foreign relations gaffes (e.g. the red button we gave to Russia), feeling as if the White House was being run by a 9th grade school social club, but now…

It has been bad enough to hear Obama attempt to curry favor with the despots, tyrants and socialists around the world–since even before he was elected. It has been bad enough to see the President of the United States worried about what a bunch of European snivelers think of the United States. It has been bad enough to see the President of the United States treat terrorists and sponsors of terrorism as anything other than the dregs of humanity.

But to now actually see the President of the United States rendering obeisance to the king of a foreign nation, one with a poor human rights record–from which 15 out of 19 hijackers on September 11 came…I’m feeling sick (and something else, too).

And then there was his American arrogance speech to Europe. Direct quote from Obama:

"In America, there is a failure to appreciate Europe's leading role in the world. Instead of celebrating your dynamic union and seeking to partner with you to meet common challenges, there have been times where America has shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive."

Has he not read the memo that America is the leading force and leading nation in the world? Its not an opinion, its a fact. And now we have elected a President that believes Americans wrongfully THINK their country is superior. We are clearly not equals to other nations. Well, up until now I thought that was pretty clear...

On the Huckabee show last night, they showed a new comic of Obama giving that speech and holding up one of those big foam fingers that said "We are only 1 of 20." Nothing special, just one of many. Thats all that really needs to be said.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Fitness Boot Camp, Day 2

Well, boot camp has killed me. Ok, not quite KILLED me, but it has definitely kicked my butt. Yesterday, I was so tired that I went straight home afterwards and took a three hour nap. I literally can barely walk up the steps to our apartment, sit on the toilet, walk, bend over, or any other habitual daily activity. When I woke up this morning, I thought of every reason in the world to skip camp today. I couldn't even roll over in bed without needing to groan in pain. I made it out of bed, though, but didn't do my hair because I couldn't raise my arms up high enough. Camp was slightly better today, because I paced myself much better (instead of going all out the first half, then feeling nauseated the last half, like on Monday).
In just two days I have done countless push ups, crunches, jumping jacks, bicep curls, pull ups, lunges, sprints, and other painful activities I don't know the names of. The worst part about this, is that my lovely husband, who wanted me to do this in the first place, is out in the field. I'm sitting at home having to fend for myself. I'm seriously contemplating putting a plug in Brody's butt so he doesn't have to poop for the next few days. When he whines at the front door I cringe... To get to the grass I must go down a small flight of stairs, then walk across the parking lot. Doesn't he know??

Amanda and I were planning on watching Twilight together yesterday, but needless to say I was good for nothing after boot camp. I postponed it today, and fortunately I felt okay after camp today, and spent a couple hours at her house. We watched Twilight and ate pecan pie (don't judge me! I can have it, because I'm working my butt off in the mornings now). She introduced me to Winn Dixie's fresh baked ready-to-eat pies which are amazing. I refuse to get addicted though. I refuse, I refuse, I refuse.

I'm back at home now, and excruciatingly sore. I'll probably be on this couch the rest of the night, with small trips outside for potty breaks. Fortunately American Idol is on tonight, to pass time.

Thats all I can write for now. When I type, my forearms are unhappy. And I'm at my body's mercy at this point in time.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Thanks for the Memories

A couple weeks ago on Facebook, I got this crazy idea to completely read through my old blog from high school, on a site called Xanga. I actually didn't think it would even exist anymore and/or would have deleted all my posts from way back when, but amazingly I was able to remember all my log in information, and voila -- I had access to the past.

It literally took me hours upon hours to read through three years of posts, but I never really noticed the lapse of time. Mostly, I laughed out loud at the memories of the "good ol' days", and sometimes I would cry, or roll my eyes at the way I was so in love with people who are no longer in my life. It amazes me how experiences can shape you and lead you on to the path of maturity, and when those experiences have done their job, we erase them from our mind either intentionally, or just because time fades them.

Blogging may be a fad now, but I truly believe its one of the better ideas that has come from modern technology. Keeping journals and diaries is part of every little girls' world, but now those experiences can come to life and can be shared by every big girl. Its a candid look into someone's life, and I find it fascinating. I admit, my life and writing ability isn't the most enthralling phenomena on the internet, but ten years from now I can look back on this and laugh, cry, and roll my eyes.

I guess I should start making these blogs more interesting, then. I'm starting to believe I will bore my future self.

Here are just a few of the memories that were worthy of posting on Facebook. They are worth sharing. My mom reads these blogs and I think she'll remember a lot of them.

I miss Anna everyday. I wish she could come to Georgia for a week or something.

Saturday, January 24 2004
"I just got back from the Verizon Wireless store, and found the cell phone I'm going to get next. One of those picture phones!"
[Dude, there was a time before picture phones? I can't remember it!]

Wednesday, February 25, 2004
"Anna and I went over to my friend Chad's house to try some cake he made, and I was cutting the cake with a spatula in his house, when Anna decides that I'm taking too long, so she grabs the spatula and presses down so hard on it that it completely broke in half!! OMG we started laughing so hard.. I couldn't believe it. Then Chad makes it worse and goes "That's my dad's favorite spatula!!" I felt sooooo bad. I think I should buy him a new one. Haha. So sad."

Thursday, February 26, 2004
"Anna bought Chad a new spatula and brought it to school today. It was sooo funny. Its a really nice spatula, too. Lifetime guarantee.. In other words, Anna Proof. We took pictures and got one of Anna and I with the spatula. That'll be good memories forever!"
Remember how his dad ended up hating the Lifetime guarantee spatula?? ha!

Friday, February 27, 2004
"We brought home Anna, Katie, Jordan, and Chad today. Katie, Chad, Anna, and I sat in the back (me on Anna's lap). Anyway, as we were pulling out of the school parking lot, Anna and I saw this freshman guy who is SOOOOOO cute, and we both started yelling "That's Him!" (we had been talking about him 7th period) so we started describing him to my mom. He was in front of our car, going to his car with a few of his friends, and we couldn't see his face. My mom kept waiting for him to turn around, but he never did. So Anna decides to roll down the window and yell "BLAAAAKE" really loud. Now.. keep in mind that this kid has NO CLUE who we are. A few minutes before, Chad had just told us what his name was! So he turns around as we all duck and try to hide behind the seats, cracking up laughing the whole time. He kept staring at our car, and my poor mom and Jordan were in the front and not able to hide behind anything. My mom just shook her head at him like she didn't know who called him. Ha ha. It was the funniest thing in the world. As we drove past him, he kept staring at our car, and we were all hiding behind the seats in the back."
[Anna.. I thought we yelled FIDO?? Where did that come from?]

Tuesday, March 02, 2004
"Yesterday when my mom and I were dropping Anna off at her house after school, my mom remembered that she had a bag of pads in the trunk, and she was starting to get really embarrassed because she thought she forgot to cover them up and thought they were visible when the trunk was opened. Since we take so many people home, we all put our backpacks and stuff in the trunk. So anyway, Anna was the last one to drop off yesterday and when she was getting her stuff, I whispered to her and asked if she could see the pads. So she starts DIGGING through the trunk, then a few moments later she holds the bag up and yells "Yep! They're right here!" ... Did I forget to mention there were two men in front of the house next door?"

Monday, March 08, 2004
"Today, my geometry teacher just out of the blue told me I blink a lot, lol. The whole period he kept looking over at me and start blinking really fast. Hahaha.

Anna came over to work on our P.E. project. We have to make up a game that can be played in P.E... Our game is called Peg-A-Leg. hahaha. Yeah, I'll leave that up to your imagination ;)"

Tuesday, March 09, 2004
HEY!

This is Anna because I am once again over at Katelyn's house so I thought I would be extra special and write Katelyn's daily xanga report. Don't tell her I told you though. Um, but she will figure it out sooner or later. Like in 1 min. Anyway, today I (I am speaking if I was Katelyn) had an extra special day with R i mean Schedule and we talked and such. Katie looked really cute with her crush sunglasses and PE was rather boring as usual. Okay, some random music just played and it scared me. Um, Also, I went to math and saw Anna...I liked her butt. No jk. (but seriously my mom did) Lunch was rather exciting, I got to talk to everyone and then debate with Anna on how to do our Peg-a-leg form. Anyway, Nice seeing everyone on here and Hi Ligaya! that was my shout out and anyone else?? Hmmm okay HI Blake, Katie, Johnathan, Kaitlin, Anna, and others Don't look katelyn! yes okay! bye bye!!,

ANNA------>hehe

Friday, March 26, 2004
"In Geometry today, the phone rang, and since I sit closes to it, Mr. Tucker asked me to answer it. As I was walking to the phone, he told me to say "Room 1104, Blinkie speaking", so I did. I think it was a parent or something on the other line, and she just asked for the teacher. Afterwards, Mr. Tucker gave me five extra credit points, because he thought I was too shy to say that, so he was proud of me, lol. It was cool."
[I MISS MR. TUCKER!!]

Thursday, July 01, 2004
"Yesterday was Katie's birthday part We all met at Katie's house and ate pizza, then we went bowling. Jordan, Katie, Blake, Jane, Jonathan, and I drove to the bowling alley in the same car. On the way there, we talked about termite eggs being laid in someone's mouth, then hatching and all the babies would start coming out of the mouth while the person was talking. APPARANTLY, according to Jordan, a lady ate meat from Taco Bell that had termite eggs in it and they got embedded in her gums.
On the way home our conversation consisted of how in Idaho (or some other state, can't remember which one) speed bumps are called 'Slow Humps' and Katie's mom thought that was really funny. Then Jordan started talking about how we should have a Humpday.... and I have NO IDEA where that came from. He just started jabbering away about that and I was just like....... okay Jordan"

Friday, November 12, 2004
"Ok so last night was the best thing ever. I had all my friends over (Katie, Blake, Anna, Jordan, Kim, Megan, Cody, and Garret and Shane came by for a bit too). We watched What Lies Beneath because Cody was set on a scary movie. ANYWAY it was a really good movie but watching movies like that with Anna freaks me out because she screams then I scream and then its just 1000 times scarier... if that made any sense. I know it made sense to Anna and I guess thats all that matters lol. The movie was pretty long, though, so we didn't get to play Catch Phrase which is just a TRADITION. This weekend people, ok? And we'll tape it so we can add to what we taped last night. ANNA GONE WILD!! hahahaha. Not really. Well not like that anyway. More like Anna Gone Spazzy. First she goes on an advertisement for a plastic cup, then she trips over Katie, then throws a pillow at me, then advertises a wine bottle, then tears up my moms decorative grapes, throws them at me, proposes to me, asks me to be her bodyguard.... I think thats it? Oh yeah I'm so putting that on video tape so we can watch it when we're like 80"
[hahaha I remember this night so well.. And I still have the video tape!]

Friday, November 19, 2004
"Today was awesome. After school, Anna came over and we goofed off for about an hour before Blake came over and we all ate dinner at my house. We had Frugatti's and they made fun of me because I took practically all the toppings out of my calzone. Then we ate a triple chocolate cheesecake which was SO rich but SO good.
Let see... after that we went to Megan's and jumped on her trampoline for forever and a year. It was so awesome. My sides hurt from laughing so hard (and getting thrown into the air a few times...)
P.S. Anna... DON'T CHILL THE CHILDREN!!!! Haha I told you I'd put that in my Xanga. Wasn't there another Xanga moment today? I can't remember..."
[Wasn't this the night we weren't supposed to be on the trampoline?? And Anna almost broke it?]

Friday, November 26, 2004
Lets see.... how 'bout some lovely pictures??

Anna and Me. Aww :)

Anna, Jordan, Blake, Katie, Jane. I love this pic.

Vanilla Pepsi: It does a body good.

Jane, Katie, and Me

Sunday, December 05, 2004
"...We watched Garret and Cody try to beat each other at who could go farthest on the unicycle. Then Cody showed us the dead ducks his brother had brought back from hunting, and Anna flipped out because she thought Cody was going to beat her with it. Afterwards we drank some more Chai out in the courtyard and Garret and Anna told jokes, which was really funny. Anna: A barn CAN'T JUMP!!. Cody's mom said she was going to take Garret home, so we were cleaning up and then I dropped one of the mugs and it completely broke. I felt sooo bad. But its kind of funny how accident-prone I am. I mean... go figure. And THEN when Anna and I are together... we are the most accident-prone people ever. Anna - does SPATULA ring a bell? geez aweez. ;)"

Tuesday, December 21, 2004
"... Anna and I went to go see The Notebook in the dollar theater. It was the 3rd time I'd seen it... and it was great as always :)
After the movie we went to Frugatti's and laughed so hard. I was imitating my hamster jumping when I scared him, and when I threw my hands up I let go of my fork and it hit me in the eye. I think we all peed our pants. My poor mom almost gave herself a hernia. I didn't think we were going to be able to get her out of the restaurant.
The past 2 days have been the best EVER. I spent like 30 hours straight with Anna. We laughed soooo much. I think we have like 10 new personal jokes. "
[Dude, I remember almost stabbing myself with that stupid fork. And I don't think I've ever seen my mom laugh that hard.]

Sunday, Janary 09, 2005
More pictures!!

Anna!!

My seductive look. Oh yes.

Kissy

I love that picture

Drunk on Shirley Temples...

Hiding out in the tree.

Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Jeremy Camp Concert Pictures!!
Concert Pictures!! OMG.. the most amazing night ever.

In the elevator! It had a mirror roof lol..

...And finally in the Convention Center... waiting for the concert to start. So we took goofy pics to pass the time.

First up were Monk & Neagle who were AWESOME.
..And we got a picture with Michael Neagle afterwards. He was so nice. Anna came up to him and was like... "What'ssss uppppppp NEAGLE?" and he goes "What's up GIRL?" Cute Cute.

Friday, March 11, 2005
"Cruisin' around Rosedale with Blake, Anna, Nick, and Macy is the most fun I've had in a really long time... Hahaha my cheeks hurt from laughing so much."

Friday, March 18, 2005
"Tonight I went to Olive Garden with Anna, her mom, and Blake. It was so fun. So many funny stories. And song time! Part of your woooooorld.... haha."
That's the night I became obsessed with Skye Sweetnam's version of Part of Your World

Monday, March 28, 2005
"Toilet papering a completely random house with Cody, Anna, and Chris is the craziest thing I have ever done, and I can't stop laughing."

Tuesday, April 19, 2005
"The lunch conversation today was SO funny, Anna...
"Did you say... Billy... I love you?"
"Say I'm a bird!"
"Everybody Come On!"
And the best....
"WOMAN'S FERTILIZER?"
hahahahaha.

Thanks chica for making the day so much better. *Muah*"

Sunday, May 15, 2005
Prom was amazingly awesome.

We always have to take goofy pics.

The girls: Me, Anna, and Katie

At dinner: Outback Steakhouse. Me, Anna, Blake

The dance floor!

Saturday, June 04, 2005
"Cody, Blake, Nick, Anna, and Me went to Boomers and rode the go-karts, then the bumper boats where these little 10 year old boys got me soaked because I had a white shirt on. Little perverts. They just kept chasing me yelling "White Shirt! White Shirt!!" Yes, and afterwards I was getting lots of weird looks. Walking through Boomers with a see-through shirt is quite embarrassing. Afterwards we went to Carl's Jr. where Cody ordered a cock-a-cola and 5 waters. OMG. And then we chucked ice out the window as we were driving and it made me laugh so hard that I spit water alllll over the place and Nick called me a retard.
Yes, yesterday will be yet another memory to write down in Anna's yearbook, which I haven't yet finished signing. Still many more memories to remember."

Wednesday, June 08, 2005
OMG today was hecka fun.
From seeing Anna in Centennial's parking lot and hanging out the windows to overly PDI (hahaha Anna...) in the theatre....
[OMG Anna do you remember this? PDI... Public Display of Intercourse! In reference to the kids behind us while we were trying to watch Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants!!]

Sunday, June 19, 2005
"I <3 Anna.
I <3 my curfew being at 12 instead of 11.
I <3 driving around with Chris driving.
I <3 Anna's laugh.
I <3 personal jokes.
I <3 Anna and I's tanning hearts (and playboy bunny)
I <3 hot fudge brownies..
I <3 my dogs
I <3 our turkey call
I <3 listening to rap music in a car with friends.
I <3 laughing.
I <3 watching home videos.
I <3 taking pictures with Anna.
I <3 crazy spur-of-the-moment ideas.
I <3 being able to talk openly to 2 people in my life. They are all I need.
I <3 songs with meaningful lyrics.
I <3 playing Catch Phrase with friends & family.
I <3 lunch with friends.
I <3 joy rides with friends.
I <3 everything with friends.
I <3 how Anna knows what I'm thinking and one look can set us off laughing.
I <3 getting new messages on MySpace..
I <3 random Starbucks trips.
I <3 being able to be myself around the people I love most.
I <3 feeling pretty.
I <3 thinking of all the things I <3."

.... And then I quit Xanga! This took me ALL DAY to do so I hope you guys laughed. hehe =)

Lyric Obsession

So, I just heard a new Miranda Lambert song, and of course, love it. Anything she does is amazing, but this is even better, because its a song about the military/war/politics, etc. Anyway, I was looking up the lyrics to post on my Blog, and then realized that Miranda's version is a cover to Merle Haggard's original song. Whoops. I guess I'm not too knowledgeable about classic country.
I do know, though, that country music is the most patriotic. And no matter who sings it, it gets me pumped up.

Fightin' Side of Me

Miranda Lambert..... or Merle Haggard

I hear people talkin' bad,

About the way they have to live here in this country,

Harpin' on the wars we fight,

An' gripin' 'bout the way things oughta be.

I don't mind 'em switchin' sides,

An' standin' up for things that they believe in.

When they're runnin' down our country, man,

They're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.

Runnin' down the way of life,

Our fightin' men have fought and died to keep.

If you don't love it, leave it:

Let this song that I'm singin' be a warnin'.

When you're runnin' down our country, hoss,

You're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.

I read about some squirrely guy,

Who claims, that he just don't believe in fightin'.

An' I wonder just how long,

The rest of us can count on bein' free.

They love our milk an' honey,

But they preach about some other way of livin'.

When they're runnin' down our country, man,

They're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.

Runnin' down the way of life,

Our fightin' men have fought and died to keep.

If you don't love it, leave it:

Let this song that I'm singin' be a warnin'.

When you're runnin' down my country, man,

You're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.

Runnin' down a way of life,

Our fightin' men have fought and died to keep.

If you don't love it, leave it:

Let this song that I'm singin' be a warnin'.

When you're runnin' down my country, hoss,

You're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.

As I was cruisin' today, with the windows rolled down and Brody shotgun beside me, this song came on. And it was perfect, to say the least. When I sing at the top of my lungs and make up my own drivin' dance moves, Georgian drivers look at me weird. Its a Cali thing, I guess... or maybe just a Katelyn thing?

I got no money in my pockets

I got a hole in my jeans

I had a job and I lost it

But it won't get to me

'Cause I'm ridin' with my baby

And it's a brand new day

We're on the wings of an angel

Flyin' away

And the sun is shinin'

This road keeps windin'

Through the prettiest country

From Georgia to Tennessee

And I got the one I love beside me

My troubles behind me

I'm alive and I'm free

Who wouldn't wanna be me

I got no money in my pockets

I got a hole in my jeans

We're on the wings of an angel

And I'm free

Ahhh.. The fact of me being broke was quite alright at that point in time.

Drew is out in the field until Wednesday, so its just me and Brody (aka Bubba). I start boot camp tomorrow, so if I survive, I'll write about the experience tomorrow.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Brody Video!!!

I'm so proud of myself for figuring this out. haha.

Picnic Pictures

My boys and I had a wonderful time at Flat Rock Park today. I think Brody liked it the best, though. Here are a few pictures from our fabulous day.

I'm still trying to figure out how to upload the video of Brody chasing sticks in the creek. It is so, so cute. Hopefully I'll be able to get it on here later.

Teeny-Bop

Up until last night, I thought the Twilight mania was stupid. A bunch of teeny-bopper girls swooning over a stupid vampire? Give me a break. Well, my curiosity finally got the best of me so Drew and I went to see it at the dollar theatre last night.

OK, count me in on the mania.

It was awesome. Normally I despise anything unrealistic, such as vampires, but this completely changed my mind. I'm going to buy the movie, and start reading the books... I've been looking for a new series to start anyway.

I really, really wish my Kindle worked so I could buy the book right now for cheap. But, of course, it broke right when I was becoming reliant on it. Just reading a regular book seems so yesterday. Good grief I really am turning into a teeny-bopper.

To add to that, I'm officially addicted to Twitter and texting Google. Did anyone know you can now text Google? You send any question to 466453 (GOOGLE) and it texts you back with the answers. Last night, I found out the weather for the next week in Columbus, movie times, directions from Bakersfield to Las Vegas, and how many teaspoons are in a tablespoon. I'm hooked. What was life like before we could text Google? That was just yesterday, and I can't even recall.

The last two nights I have made dinner and Drew has LOVED them. I'll post the recipes sometime later today, as they are definitely worth sharing. Buffalo-style pizza and homemade chicken flautas. Yum.

Well, thats about all the time I have right now. The weather is absolutely GORGEOUS today... Perfect for a road trip in the jeep to Flat Rock Park. We are going to pack lunch and have a picnic with Brody. I'll take pictures.

Love you all... And to you in Bakersfield... I love and miss you... 21 days until I'm there!!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Swoon

Kris Allen is my boyfriend. And yes, mom, Drew is aware of that.

I Caved In...

... and got a Twitter. You can see my updates automatically on my blog...

<------ Right there over on the left hand side.

Pretty neat, huh? Well, I think so. I, like, won't even have to blog anymore, because I can say everything that I'm doing AS I'm doing it, from my phone. Whaaaat.

I just had a cup of Dunkin' Donuts coffee, which has been rumored is the best coffee ever (even better than Starbucks -- blasphemy!!), and I must admit... It is quite yummy. Drew and I got a small bag of regular roast, with Cinnamon Coffee Mate. I may have just found my new [current] love. I am so hyper now. I can't even type in literate sentences.

Yesterday Amanda and I went to Olive Garden and Ben & Jerry's for our lunch date. She told me that Olive Garden has a lunch special for unlimited salad, breadsticks, and soup for only seven bucks. SEVEN bucks! So yummy. The lunch special didn't include my Black Tie Mousse Cake (I think I would have fainted from sheer excitement if it did), so I refrained from getting it, also because we had previously decided on Ben & Jerry's... fresh scooped at the Ben & Jerry's store, which is just 100 times better than the containers from the store, that all y'all in Cali only have. muahahaha.

Whew. There are only so many run-on sentences you can type without wearing yourself out.

Anywho... check back later today to see my Twitter Updates!! Cause I'll be doing something else! hahaha.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Don't Bill Our Heroes!

I am infuriated at the following, and have been in an uproar about it for the past two days when it was brought up on my debate board.

If you want proof that Obama lied and made promises he never intended to keep during the election, eat your heart out:

Article during the election:

Obama says he needs to earn troops' respect
by Rick Maze - Jul. 7, 2008 12:20 PM
Army Times
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama knows that to win military votes, he has to prove himself.

"Precisely because I have not served in uniform, I am somebody who strongly believes I have to earn the trust of men and women in uniform," Obama said as he contrasted his lack of service with that of Republican presidential candidate John McCain, a former prisoner of war, Vietnam veteran and Navy retiree who has years of experience in Congress working on national security issues.

"I do not presume that from the day I am sworn in, every single service man or woman suddenly says, This guy knows what he is doing,' " said Obama, a freshman senator from Illinois, in his most extensive interview to date on a wide range of military issues.
The 46-year-old former community organizer and civil-rights lawyer will formally become the Democratic Party's presidential nominee at the party's August convention in Denver.

Obama said he hopes the military community will see him as "a guy looking out for us and not someone trying to score cheap political points."

Military members and their families deserve better pay and benefits, he said, and although money might be hard to find for a generous increase, he supports increasing basic pay to keep up with inflation and private-sector salaries, and he believes housing allowances need to be increased so young service members and their families can afford adequate places to live.

He also wants to spend more to improve veterans' health care and reduce the wait for a disability claim to be processed.

"I don't know a higher priority than making sure that the men and women who are putting themselves in harm's way, day in and day out, are getting decent pay and decent benefits," he said. "These are just basic requirements of a grateful nation."

And now that he's elected... guess what he is proposing?

Hypocrite.

http://ourvoice.legion.org/story/1448/legion-white-house-dont-bill-our-heroes

WASHINGTON, DC (March 16, 2009) – The leader of the nation’s largest veterans organization says he is “deeply disappointed and concerned” after a meeting with President Obama today to discuss a proposal to force private insurance companies to pay for the treatment of military veterans who have suffered service-connected disabilities and injuries. The Obama administration recently revealed a plan to require private insurance carriers to reimburse the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in such cases.

“It became apparent during our discussion today that the President intends to move forward with this unreasonable plan,” said Commander David K. Rehbein of The American Legion. “He says he is looking to generate $540-million by this method, but refused to hear arguments about the moral and government-avowed obligations that would be compromised by it.”

The Commander, clearly angered as he emerged from the session said, “This reimbursement plan would be inconsistent with the mandate ‘… to care for him who shall have borne the battle…’ given that the United States government sent members of the armed forces into harm’s way, and not private insurance companies. I say again that The American Legion does not and will not support any plan that seeks to bill a veteran for treatment of a service connected disability at the very agency that was created to treat the unique need of America’s veterans!”

Commander Rehbein was among a group of senior officials from veterans service organizations joining the President, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki and Steven Kosiak, the overseer of defense spending at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The group’s early afternoon conversation at The White House was precipitated by a letter of protest presented to the President earlier this month. The letter, co-signed by Commander Rehbein and the heads of ten colleague organizations, read, in part, “ There is simply no logical explanation for billing a veteran’s personal insurance for care that the VA has a responsibility to provide. While we understand the fiscal difficulties this country faces right now, placing the burden of those fiscal problems on the men and women who have already sacrificed a great deal for this country is unconscionable.”

Commander Rehbein reiterated points made last week in testimony to both House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees. It was stated then that The American Legion believes that the reimbursement plan would be inconsistent with the mandate that VA treat service-connected injuries and disabilities given that the United States government sends members of the armed forces into harm’s way, and not private insurance companies. The proposed requirement for these companies to reimburse the VA would not only be unfair, says the Legion, but would have an adverse impact on service-connected disabled veterans and their families. The Legion argues that, depending on the severity of the medical conditions involved, maximum insurance coverage limits could be reached through treatment of the veteran’s condition alone. That would leave the rest of the family without health care benefits. The Legion also points out that many health insurance companies require deductibles to be paid before any benefits are covered. Additionally, the Legion is concerned that private insurance premiums would be elevated to cover service-connected disabled veterans and their families, especially if the veterans are self-employed or employed in small businesses unable to negotiate more favorable across-the-board insurance policy pricing. The American Legion also believes that some employers, especially small businesses, would be reluctant to hire veterans with service-connected disabilities due to the negative impact their employment might have on obtaining and financing company health care benefits.

“I got the distinct impression that the only hope of this plan not being enacted,” said Commander Rehbein, “is for an alternative plan to be developed that would generate the desired $540-million in revenue. The American Legion has long advocated for Medicare reimbursement to VA for the treatment of veterans. This, we believe, would more easily meet the President’s financial goal. We will present that idea in an anticipated conference call with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel in the near future.

“I only hope the administration will really listen to us then. This matter has far more serious ramifications than the President is imagining,” concluded the Commander.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Modern Math and Gun Control

I just received these e-mails and think they are too good not to share.

Fifty two Years of Math 1957 - 2009

Last week I purchased a burger at Burger King for $1.58. The counter girl took my $2 and I was digging for my change when I pulled 8 cents from my pocket and gave it to her. She stood there, holding the nickel and 3 pennies, while looking at the screen on her register. I sensed her discomfort and tried to tell her to just give me two quarters, but she hailed the manager for help. Why do I tell you this?

Because of the evolution in teaching math since the 1950s:

1. Teaching Math In 1950s
A logger sells a truck load of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit ?

2. Teaching Math In 1960s
A logger sells a truck load of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?

3. Teaching Math In 1970s
A logger sells a truck load of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?

4. Teaching Math In 1980s
A logger sells a truck load of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20 .

5. Teaching Math In 1990s
A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers, and if you feel like crying, it's ok.)

6. Teaching Math In 2000s
If you have special needs or just feel you need assistance because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, childhood memories, criminal background, then don't answer and the correct answer will be provided for you. There are no wrong answers.

7. Teaching Math In 2008
Un hachero vende una carrtada de maderapara 100 pesos. El costo de la producciones es 80 pesos. Cuanto dinero ha hecho?

A LITTLE GUN HISTORY

In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control.

From 1929 to 1953,

about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves,