Flabbergastery

I thought I'd update you all on my day, because I can and I know you want to know.
This morning was trench digging day. It was pretty fun, some good, hard physical labor. We busted out a pickax to help the task move along.
Danny and I did most of the first portion, then Brad came, then Ryan came. We have to go along the entire long side of the dining hall for this thing. I went to town with the pickax, first picking all the way down, then using the flat side all the way down. It was pretty fun.
I was swinging and working as hard as I could push myself. It gets tiring lifting that thing above your head over and over again... After the first however long, I began grunting nice and loud at every swing. I think it was due to the effort I was exerting, I couldn't help but do it (like when you have a cough/asthma and if you breathe out too hard, you just cough whether you like it or not). I enjoyed all the physical activity I got.
So after I had killed myself with the pickaxing, I went and layed on a bench for a few minutes. The girls were using a pressure washer and the leaf blower, putting exhaust in the air. Naturally, when I opened my eyes and saw gray gas hovering above my head, I assumed it was exhaust. Shortly thereafter, I realized that this was not what it was, but rather that my head was Steaming! Because the air was so cold and my noggin was so warm, steam was rising off of my resting skull! It was quite entertaining (have you ever literally steamed!?).

After that, the four boys took a break to move to another task. We have this big junk pile over by the dumpster and it pretty much needs to go away, so we all took part in the best part of construction: destruction! I chooped some wooden chairs with an axe/sledge. Then I moved on to bigger and better things. Brad and I were violating a pommel horse (sp?) with our axes. We were both channeling ESPN while we did it. We used to watch (in our respective homes) these lumberjack challenge shows on ESPN, and I know they used to have similar ones at the fairs some times. Anyways, we were totally axing that thing into oblivion. Meanwhile, Ryand and Danny were tag-teaming some steel chairs with a sawzall.
After the PH, Brad and I moved on to beheading a wind surfing board (yeah, the one I found back in the day and I wanted to see if it would work :D). That thing gave so easy (which made it fun to whack). Fiberglass + Styrofoam v Axes, you do the math.
By the end of it, I had broken the handles of one sledge and one axe/sledge. The handles were pretty much doomed from the start. They were both weak with duct tape all over. I just helped finish their lifespan :).
Part of the way through, Brad started sharpening our axes in the shop, and that made it all the more fun :). I wanted to bust out the chainsaw for the PH, but Ryan deemed it too unsafe, and he didn't know how Mike (the big man) would feel about it. So, when Mike gets back from the CCCA conference, we're going to tell him we did and see how he feels about it >:D.

My gloves worked wonderfully for the day. They kept my hands moderately warm and entirely blister-free. After hours of shoveling and axe/sledge swinging, the worst I got was the slightest soreness on my right hand near the end of it all. Oh how I do enjoy my CLCs :).
Tonight I'm babysitting for the Guinn boys again from 5:30-10. I thought I posted about them when I last sat them, but I can't seem to find it in my blasts from the past... Anyways, I babysat for them back in the day and their mom has some business hoopla tonight, so I'll be taking care of them (dinner, entertainment, bed). Last time I left my origami paper there, perhaps I'll remember to bring it home with me :).

I feel very scatter-brained in this post, so hopefully it all makes sense to you reader types. My brain is running on autopilot right now for some reason. Not particularly tired or anything, just kind of zoning a little :). Now my battery is nice and low (21% and dropping), so I shall now plug in my computer and bid my farewell.

Hope this wasn't too long for you...I was on a roll...

One And The Same

So as to not be a rebel in any sort of way and to comform to the normal, I am posting a picture just like everyone else :). I did want to post it yesterday, but I had already posted and wanted to save it for another time, and here it is!
This is a pic from Lyd's 'scavenger series' photos, more can be seen on her blog. Look at us being so nonchalant... It was a very fun day for the fearsome foursome. We'll definitely have to have another, though slightly different.
As you can see, I've added a little holiday cheer to my blog with these nice green links :). I mostly just wanted to change the color my links were, and this is how it came out.
Our wireless internet out here has gone out. The power cable on our wireless router because...damaged. So now we need a new one to get our normal connection back up. Luckily, the neighbors have a connection (but I can't get it from our place, I'm in the girls' house now...). Hopefully that gets fixed soon so I can be back to my regular skyping self.
In other news, I got to use my CLC gloves today blowing leaves and doing a little shoveling. They were great to have for both. For blowing they kept my hands a Lot warmer than doing it in the open air. For shoveling, they just made the task much more comfortable. We four guys are going to be digging an 8" wide and 1' deep trench along one side of the dining hall tomorrow, and that will be the true test to see if these gloves are all I've cracked them up to be.
For now, I'm off for some quality time watching some old school Muppet Show.

Go in peace and be blessed.

Troc-a-tron

Yes, Troc-a-tron. It's a Czech song. It was the best song.
Yesterday afternoon Lyd and I went down to Benaroya Hall for SPU presents the Sacred Sounds of Christmas. If I had my program with me right now, I'd post the song list, but I don't, so I won't. Anyways, they sang a song called Troc-a-tron (which I thought was odd sounding from the start when I glanced through the program to see what we were to hear). This is totally one of the best songs ever. Mostly because it was so ridiculous and oddball in the mix with a program with the likes of Silent Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem and that sort.
Also, as a bit of a surprise, there were three or four or five songs where the audience all stood to sing along! That was way cool. They had the music printed in the program, but it was only melodies :(. It's ok though. We got to sing Joy to the World and Silent Night, and I'm pretty sure I was the only one singing the echo on Joy :D. But it was so much fun. The conductor during Joy was going nuts and having a blast and that made it more fun for the audience as well. The last song was Silent Night, and as the conductor was approaching the podium the organ started playing pretty loud...then stopped. Everyone was like 'wha?', even the conductor. I really enjoyed that little mishap because it made everyone kind of chuckle (like a live blooper in such an immaculate show) then we carried on with the song normally.
Afterwards we got some Papa Murphy's for dinner (grilled chicken and bacon stuffed pizza? or something like that) and we actually ate half the thing between the two of us. We also watched the BBC Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe. That was...fun? Yes, fun. Not good; fun. It's ok though, now the new one can be looked forward to with more anticipation (lots more). Poor Lucy! Rawrr!

That about sums up my Sunday, I think easily the most enjoyable day I've had in a very long time (not that I've been having bad days, this one was just especially good). Oh yeah! And Saturday? when the fearsome foursome were at Lyd's, Jason did something funny and I laughed hard out loud. But that's just it! I Laughed! I didn't hack! Oh it was the best! I haven't been able to laugh a good hardy laugh in so long.

I think that's all for now. I'm not scheduled to work until 9:30, but my schedule this week is such ridiculousness, so I'm modifying it (of course I'll be showing my bosses how I would like it to look so they know and consent).

Signed by me, Bruce, captain of the secret police. Long live...something! Rawrr!

Pomp and Circumstance

I have drawn a blank as to a title, so I had to resort to Wik. Wik gave me nothing good, but this came into my head, so Wik'd it, and there it was. And that's how the title came about.
Good weekend so far. It's been really nice to have this break from work. I spent Thanksgiving with Marlae's family (friend from camp) which was fun. It was out on a farm and they had a full-on brick oven in the kitchen (coolest Ever)!
Yesterday I returned Rob to his Canuckian home and enjoyed the company of friends. Today, not much to happen. I just went and got a two-button mouse for use with my lappy. Apple makes a two-button mouse (Mighty Mouse), but I've heard less than great reviews and it's like $50. Instead, I got a mouse from another brand (MacMice) and found The Mouse (two buttons and scroll wheel). It has all I need, plus it only cost as much as a regular Apple Pro Mouse. Totally cool.

That's all for now. My sister says I'm supposed to call me mum. Off I go.
Oh yeah, I was going to post a picture. Oh well, another time...

Snuggle1

Ok, back to blog land now that I have a little more time :).
Robb, thank you for indulging me in my comment lust (I like your blog). Everyone else feel free to follow suit :D. Oh, and my response to a post a while back, Roll Call. I thank you all for actually dropping a line on it. The idea was that everyone would comment in the order in the post (like a roll call), but so many comments is better than only a few in order- so again, thank you.
I don't really feel like I have much to say now. I kind of used the good stuff down below. Oh well, the reason I wanted to post again was so I could put a footnote on my title :D.
There you have it folks, I think I'm blogged for the day. After work is out to UCU (for the weekend?), Nasai for dinner and who knows what else. I'll take my lappy, but I'm not sure how much I'll use it. Everyone have an enjoyable thanksgiving and travel safe.


¹To settle or move into a warm, comfortable position.

Snaggletooth

Here I go again, posting with minutes before I need to be at work. What ever will I do with myself. That's ok though, because I'll have to post later when I have more time to do what I want to do and have fun with it :).
Last night, I got my new gloves from Home Depot for working out here at Sambica. I don't like blisters or hands that freeze off, so these are for preventing the both of them! Chris Bova (previous handy man) had a couple pairs and I got to wear one of them when we were replumbing a house, they're very comfortable and have good movement to allow you to work on small things with them on. I just want hand protection, but better is good :).
Rest home was fun. Paul was in E-wing, they set him up his own chair and all. He looked kind of...crazy (his hair was ruffled and his eyes were reddish, I'm guessing from the pain) but he sat and mouthed the words to songs with us (don't think he's allowed to sing). We sang Stay Still and he really liked that (choked me up a bit).
And that's all she wrote for now...(he?).

PS- Men's One-a-day tablets say "take with food", but I'd eaten mine. Let me tell you, they are NOT joking. These are one of the most disgusting things I've ever tasted. Won't make that mistake twice...

At Last, Skullduggery!

So, the other day, Lyd and I were driving past the new end of the mall, and what do you suppose we should happen to see, but our very own, brand spankin' new Panera Bread!!! For those of you who have never visited this wonderful establishment, you should! It's like the Starbucks of bread... They have amazing bagels, wonderful soups and sandwiches, and superb warm drinks like hot chocolate piled with whipped cream (and it's the perfect temperature), all prepared in minutes! Hmm, Lyd should be on their marketing team or something... I'm super excited because Panera was one of those places I was quite sad to leave behind me when I left Covenant. Until now, they hadn't even come close to the west coast. But now- Panera is here, and I've already eaten there twice! : )

PS- See next post for things that I composed myself : )

Must...Post...Quick!

Not much time for this, but I'll try to make it snappy.
Saturday was Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, quite good. They turn the book visual so well (Quidditch World Cup totally looked like Creation) and the maturity that comes with each new book has been reflected in the films. I very much look forward to Order of the Phoenix (I would probably look forward to Half-Blood Prince if I'd read it yet).
Up top is Lyd and I at the ice rink (what fun it was!). It was the most fun skating I've had in a long while (but I'm sure it will be trumped when we get a nice big group of people). I certainly felt I looked better on the screen of my phone... Oh well, such is life.
Next one down is Jason and Mel skating, and it's a great picture. They aren't exactly the traditional 'cheese' and smile types, as you can see. But that's ok, none of us are any sort of normal anyhow. Third down is Lyd by her onesies (duh, I'm taking the picture). This was one of the first pictures of the night when I was seeing how photos would look on my phone (not so bad).
For now, I must bid a hurried farewell, as it's time for work! I looked at my schedule last night, and I'm opening all three of my days this week! Yipee! Which means no sleep last night, but all day for (party)ing later!

Leave comments!

Malarky!

The title of my last post made me want to use this title in my next one, so here it is. Not much to update with. Got new socks and a hoodie (I've been looking for a good black zip-hoodie for Ever, and I found one on sale yesterday and when I bought it it was even $5 cheaper than the sale!) at Aeropostale. And right now, instead of posting, I'm going to go read the first two chapters of 1 John, because I think I forgot to read yesterday morning! For shame! Here I go before I f orget again...

Lyd said I'm more domesticated than she is!

Marwar

I decided to post just because I found this excellent Wik article.
Behold the link!
It goes to the Marwar entry.
Isn't it neat?
I'm tired!

Once, Twice, Three Times a Lady

Just to be sure that it is understood, I would like to point out that the whole fleece idea wasn't in the slightest my own (since my post probably alluded to the fact). It was all Mrs. H's idea and all credit is due her. Sorry for any misconstruery, I'll try to cite my references better in the future.

The field trip yesterday was lots of fun. At first it took a minute to get my rink-legs, but eventually I got confident and balanced and had fun with it. It turns out Andy (our boss) is a really good skater, so he was fun to be out there with. I was even doing cross-overs and whatnots (it's easy to balance on quads :) and being all fast-like. We counselors played some tag around the rink (it only got bad once, but nobody was hurt...physically...) which was fun.
One of the women there (not ours) requested an adult skate (so many kids, being that there was no school) for one song. I was hoping for something niiiice and long, like Thriller, Mr. Roboto, something like that. They at least played a decent length song. I was busy skating as hard as I could to notice how long it was. There's a lined area around the outside of the rink for the slow lane, but since there were no kids, I used it as the fast lane! It was wonderful! Along one of the long edges of the rink- the side where you can get in- all the kids were lined up on the wall. Every time I went around (skating as fast as I could), I would put out my hand and high-five them all and they loved it (oh it was fun!). By the end of it, they wouldn't let me get by without doing it.
That adventure reminded me of Chariots of Fire and Eric saying how he feels God's pleasure when he runs. You know, when you do something and do it well, and it just feels good. Well, I felt like I was skating well. There were lots of tricks and things I didn't know how to do, but I skated well.
This all made me wonder what it is that I can do for God's glory. I wish it were roller skating or ice skating, but it's not (far as I know...). But I want to find that one thing that I can do really well; that will entertain the masses, that will win hearts, that will put them on my side. And then I will say to them "Praise God! I skate for His glory! " O, if only! I so long for such a purpose in life. To know that God made me fast so that I could run for Him (or skate for Him, or anything for Him!). Perhaps I will find such a purpose in time, or perhaps God has something else in place for me.
For now, only time will tell...

Field Trippin'

Hooray!
First of all, I brought about this post to tell my tale of how I've felt about this field trip we have today, but now I have to bunny trail to Firefox!
The other day I decided to download Mozilla Firefox for my lappy here (since everyone says it's so good) and I've been discovering new things since. Sure, I had a couple fun things in Safari (like Apple+# got me to blogs of choice) but now I have so much more. One thing I am now discovering (this being my first post since the change) is that I have more options in Firefox. I'm back to good old fashioned compose mode for blogger (Safari doesn't have all these features supported). That's all for that.
Back to the field trip... I'm kind of looking forward to it. At least we get to go roller skating. But at the same time, we have to watch all of our kids while we're there, and that's going to be a mad house! In other news, we have to pack lunches for field trips. This morning I headed out to Fred's and Alby's (I only found fruit snacks and waffles at A's) and at Fred's found Airborne on sale (I want to try and take it weekly since we work with kids so much and they're icky) and took my first hit today (when they say 'zesty orange flavor' they mean it!). I also procured a Henry Weinhardt's root beer (my treat in my lunch) and fuji apples for 58¢/lb. I think I'll be taking two... I also packed myself some Wheat Thins (the Cadillac of crackers), a few Oreos and a PBH sammy. All in all, I'm looking forward to my lunch. Though I do wish I had some sort of 80's tin or plastic lunch pale to take it in, then my lunch would be complete!
Happy day everyone. I think I'll go discover more in my Firefox browser and finish packing my lunch. Yay!

Love

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
1 Cor 13:4-7

I've been reading out of the letters to the Corinthians recently. I'm in 2 right now, but finished 1 a little while ago. As I was reading through, I came across this section. Naturally, I remembered hearing/seeing it before. As I went through, I underlined how I felt I was loving (selfish? prideful? I was just trying to see how I felt about myself). I only underlined parts of this section that I thought I was. Give it a try, see how you view yourself as loving.
I didn't underline half of it. Of the 14 parts of love, I considered myself six and a half of them. I doubt I'm much of any of them, but it's how I perceive myself. Maybe I am those half of the time, or some of the time, but never all the time.
In at least one of the parts, I found that perhaps that part of my love was in fact a weakness in me. Not that love is a weakness. Hmm, maybe it's more that because of that love, evil has an easier time taking advantage of it.
Love is the first fruit of the Spirit. How can it go wrong? The fall is not in love itself, but that we fail in love. How can we be at all deprived, at all failing, at all undeserving if we simply love? Mark 12:30 says "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." Did not Jesus also say that the greatest commandments were this and to LOVE your neighbor as yourself?
[I'm no bible major (or minor), and I may have that wrong, but I am young still in my faith and am trying to be bold :). Correct me if I need it.]
Really, there is nothing new here. I am just reminding us all of our failures and just one way in which we do so. For lack of a better word or term- and after consulting my thesaurus- let us love until the cows come home. With love, we can not go wrong.

"And now these three remain; faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
1 Cor 13:13

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity may one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah they'll know we are Christians by our love

We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah, they'll know we are Christians by our love.

- Jars of Clay - They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love

Blog-a-palooza!

Apparently I'm going post crazy today (is there more yet to come!?). This is at least because of something.
Today I asked Mama whereabouts a fabric store would be that would sell fleece by the yard (being that I want a fleece blanket, but it's cheaper to just get it like so) and she told me Pacific Fabrics was just out here in Issaquah over by Fred Meyer. And so there was! After the staff meeting finished (and all the non-plain donuts disappeared ;), I was basically free until 1:30, at which time I will have a bus run. I went over to PF to check it out, trying to figure out how much blanket to get and all.
I go in and meander around looking for the fleece section. I had apparently gone the wrong way around (I went all the way around the right side of the store, and fleece was in the back left corner), but eventually found my target. As I approached, I found a wonderful sign awaiting my arrival: "Fleece 25% off" Could this be? Surely they were expecting me!
After a somewhat long-winded perusal of their selection (and weighing prices), I finally decided on the fleece I was to have (two, in fact) and went and waited by a counter to get the attention of a sales woman (being that I didn't know how to go about getting this stuff). Of course, as I was choosing my fleece, it came upon me that- being as tall as I am- I would need more than two yards for a blanket. Drat! I figured two and a half yards of each would suffice my warming needs. Plus, if ever I entertain and there is a couch to be had, this blanket could easily take three persons!
The moral of the story is (there is no real moral, I just don't like always starting a new sentence with 'so,' or 'anyways' or any variation thereof), I got out of there with two 7.5'x5' fleece blankets, one a piano print, the other a light purple (lilac?). I went with the purple to get a little color instead of getting the black and white piano fleece and- what I was thinking at first- a gray fleece.
All in all, a fun trip to the fabric/craft store. It knocked my wallet a little harder than somewhat expected (with the whole extra half yard each), but I am still satisfied with my purchase. I remade my bed, now with Lyd's wonderful comforter, my clan tartan wool blanket and my piano fleece to top it off. Tonight will be the trial run to see if this is enough blankery to keep me comfy in the night, else I have another blanket from the house of L, my old school heavy-as-molasses (uuugh) afghan and another fleece. I think I'm set for the winter :).

As for potpurri, I also asked Mama about coming in laterish Sunday, and she had no problem with it. Which means I shall be able to stay for the potluck Sunday at EBC! Hooray! Let's make something for it! Maybe... I'm also (hopefully) switching shifts with Coley next week. Which will mean I'll be in kitchen next week (except for Friday dinner, as I have tentative plans for a certain film!) and Coley will take my kitch shift at the beginning of December (which means no working on concert day!). Quite good, quite good. Plus, Coley gets out with all she needs too. She doesn't like busing tables (which we'll be doing for next week's meals, because it's such a small group) so she gets her way, I get my way and everyone's happy! I love this part of the job :).

Victorie

Hooray for fixes! My survey post was just having some trouble remember how to behave itself, but after a quick copy and paste over from Moi's post code, all has been restored. Isn't that great?
In other news, I haven't been shopping for a couple weeks! Not sure if that's good or bad. No Alby's run last week, because Chris was weak. No Alby's run this week, because I'm a sicky And I have a program meeting (so no rest home). Oh, but on the upside of things, I've been getting great gas mileage on my car! I gased up today at 282 miles from 9.1 gallons, last week was 352 miles from 10.1 gallons. It's so great getting such good mileage (it happens when you only cruise up and down 405) and getting costco gas on top of it! Muahaha.
Staff meeting in a few minutes. I didn't have to work this morning, so I went out and got krispy kremes for the meeting again. I always like to do this (despite my poverty), just because it makes everyone happy and kind of makes the meeting feel more like a gathering than a...something? Not as forced, everyone loosens up. Plus, we have this auction this weekend, so this week is going to be Crazy, and I think everyone could use a good donut or two to get them off to a good start.
Ooh, I don't start until 11 on wednesday and thursday... :D That could be disastrously fun!
Have a good'n everyone. If you're in the Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland or Redmond area, feel free to take the extra time to come visit and see my humble abode. It's humble!

Fritz

Apparently my blog has cought whatever it is I've got!
At least on my computer running safari, it's gone for a loop-de-loop. Maybe other people aren't experiencing this? I'm hoping this post will return my blog to it's former self. This all came about when I was trying to put a new profile pick on.

Roll Call!

Let's see if everyone understands this and we can make it work, just for fun! Please represent when your name is called:
Moi?
Mel?
Lydia?
Grant?
Jacob?
Jake?
Mrs. A?
Mrs. H?
Robb?
Russ?
Em?
Kasey?
Sean?
Mr. A?
Adam?
Meg?
Rachel?
Heather?
Damien?

Firth of Forth

A quick update whilst I wait upon my impending doom at clubhouse (wednesday is always a half day, so we have the kids a couple hours longer, and they just Love being here in the first place...). Well, it won't be That bad.
I think (Think) that I'm on the tail of this bronchitis finally! Sunday was the last day that it wasn't so hot. The last couple days, it's been in submission most of the day and only throws a few weak swings at night.
So far I've been doing decent with my below-the-poverty-line budget. A couple weeks ago, I decided I was going to do the best I could to only spend money on gas and food and try to save the rest (what little it is). It's been going well to date. No new cd's, dvd's, clothes or other paraphernalia. There are, of course, liberties that must be taken ;). But those, me thinks, shall be only as often as is reasonable (especially when tickets aren't exactly...cheap). Of course, the season is upon us, and I must also be saving for the dreaded Christmas (just the part where I have to spend my life savings on my friends and family). I think I'll be going for thought over price this year.
Grant - I'm game for a Batman Begins showing. Perhaps a one Mancus may be so kind as to kindle our minds and get us thinking about the movie, rather than just watching for pleasure (I do love how he does that, pure genius).
As for me, I must quite be off to my duties. Children need to be picked up and told and shown how to behave proper in a loving manner (some times it's so hard...).
Thanks.