Weekend Overview

My birthday was wonderful! Luke made me pink lemonade icebox pie, got me these mini drawers for me to fill up with nick knacks, and this stamp that I LOVE!

My friend Andy got me this Alice in Wonderland puzzle. I can't wait to put it together. This will be one I glue and frame.

I got an awesome package from my family with all sorts of scrapbook/ATC fun, and of course caramel Cadbury eggs. I'm really excited to use the stuff from my family. I already have some ideas of how to use it. I also got my 2 Pisces Birthday swap stuff from swap-bot partners. One gave me a handmade pouch, some backgrounds for ATCs, and other various treats.

The other gave me a box of photo corners, an Adventure sticker for scrap booking, and this awesome handmade card. At 1:30 I had to go get radioactive dye injected into my arm for my bone scan. It was quick and painless (thank goodness), and I got to go home for a while. The dye went through my blood stream and acted like calcium so my bones sucked it right up. I went back at 5 and had "pictures" taken of my feet. I actually had to lay with my feet inside one of those big machines (I can't think of the name). There was a screen for me to watch, and my feet were fuzzy white blotches on it. Video was taken for 6 min as the radioactive dye danced around on the screen in the general shape of my feet. Then all the frames were mushed together to show one picture of my feet bones. It was pretty cool to see.

For my birthday dinner Luke and I went to Buffalo Wild Wings. He got wings and I got my usual kid's burger and fries. I also bought a Strawberry Daiquiri just because I could. It tasted good, but I think it tastes better without the alcohol.

After dinner we went to the basketball game and then watched Singing in the Rain. I love that movie so much. I had a great birthday. I can't believe I'm 21. It sounds strange.

Luke jumped 16' in the pole vault this weekend. This is an indoor PR for him. His outdoor PR is 16'6.75". I'm so glad I got to go see him jump. It was fun being at the track meet. You can see his jumps from different meets at http://www.lukejumphigh.blogspot.com/. He is a few meets behind, but he will get them up soon. He is currently sitting at 10th with one other person, and he will find out tomorrow if he gets to go to New Mexico for nationals.

I found out today that I don't have a stress fracture. Hooray! But now we have to figure out what is actually wrong with my foot, and why it hurts so much. No more boot!!!! I was so sick of that thing. It was strange today without it though. My left knee hurt, and my hips felt as though they needed to dip awkwardly from the boot being taller than my shoes. It wasn't too bad. I am really bummed that I didn't do the bone scan two weeks ago. I could have been getting better or close to it by now. I want to be ready for outdoor. At the beginning of indoor I was feeling so good during workouts. I ran sub 60 for my first 400, and everything was feeling great... except my foot. I was ready for a sub 57 PR this season. I'm going to work hard to get back there. This is rather frustrating.

We successfully moved all my stuff from the storage shed to the house Sunday. Luke is very happy with the shed in the back yard. I'll have to take pictures of everything to share later.

Last Day to be 20

This weekend the track team is going to Sewanee, TN. Because it is only one hour away I am riding along with Passen. I'm looking forward to seeing Luke jump for the first time this year. When we went to Tennessee State (my only meet this season) they didn't have pole vault. I am looking forward to it.

Today I got both my Stars ATCs in the mail today. I like both of them. The first picture is sideways. I couldn't get it to upload the right way.

Luke and I went to Walmart this evening to get the making for my birthday pie. When we got back I wanted to help him make it. I thought it would be fun. He wouldn't let me help though. I can't wait to eat some tomorrow. It will make me feel better after my bone scan.

Tonight I'm going to leave you with something fun I did for a Swap-bot swap. There was a list of questions, but instead of answering them myself I let my iTunes do it. I put my iTunes on random shuffle and as I clicked next the title of the song was the answer to the question. Some are odd, and some are funny. Enjoy.

How am I feeling today? Our Love Is Loud

Will I get far in life? Carousel

How do my friends see me? Something

How will my wedding day be? Crush

What is my best friend? All Creatures of Our God and King

What is the story of my life? All My Lovin

What was high school like? I Want to Hold Your Hand

How can I get ahead in life? Beth

What is the best thing about me? I Feel Love

What is today going to be like? Wolves

What is in store for this weekend? Tree Hugger

What song describes my parents? If I Could

What will my kids be like? Happiness Is A Warm Gun (I hope not!)

How is my life going? The Fame

What song will they play at my funeral? The High Road

How does the world see me? Say You'll Be There

Will I have a happy life? Field Below

What do my friends really think of me? Mary Did You Know?

Do people secretly lust after me? Lovin' You Lots and Lots

How can I make myself happy? Moses Supposes

What should I do with my life? I Could Only Imagine

What job should I have? Sunshine

What is some good advice for me? Fantasy Man

How will I be remembered? City Girl (hah... not even close)

What is my signature dancing song? If I Had Eyes

What is my current theme song? I Like It Rough (Lady GaGa)

What does everyone else think my current theme song is? If You Can't Dance

What is my secret? Walk By Faith

What do I love the most? Gee, Officer Krupke

Something I hope you will think about: Gone

Swappers Comment Wherever You Want

I have decided that for my birthday I want to eat pink lemonade icebox pie, and watch Singing in the Rain. I might also try to buy an alcoholic beverage. I say try because while I may be turning 21, I still look 15. I have a coupon for a free desert at Chili's, and I want to ask the waiter how old they think I am. Last year the waitress guessed 13. People always seem amazed when I tell them how old I am. As if I was telling them I have 20 eyeballs and can fly. Oh well... as everyone who I've ever met has told me, "You'll appreciate it when you're older." I also have a free breakfast at IHOP, and a free drink from Starbucks. Gotta love birthday clubs. I think I'm supposed to get a free Cold Stone too.

I looked up today's holiday, and was surprised to see that today is a very busy day. Today is George Washington's Birthday, Be Humble Day, Walking the Dog Day, and International World Thinking Day. You can choose whichever to celebrate, or all of them if you want. I might have to take Walking the Dog day because it takes me back to all those great times I had with my cousins and sister. "I'm walking the dog. I'm walking the dog." "She's walking the dog!" hahaha. Those were good times. Tomorrow is tennis. I don't think Luke and I have those rackets anymore. Maybe we can play with our hands or some cardboard. hah

Caramel Cadbury Eggs!!!!!!!!!!! I love them so much, and they are finally back in stores. I'm limiting myself to one a day, so maybe I can make all the ones I get last a while. Tonight is nacho night, and everyone is excited. Will thought it was last night, and was really disappointed when he came in and found nothing. When I was working out today, I was thinking about them. Speaking of working out. I'm sick of water running and riding the bike!!! I just want to run!!!

I got my first (of 5) Audrey Hepburn Remembered ATC in the mail yesterday. She actually sent me 2. The first is just a card. The second however is a little booklet with different pictures and quotes by Audrey.

Today I'm going to leave you with this: "For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you will never walk alone. People even more then things have to be restored, renewed, and revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw anyone out." - Audrey Hepburn

Birthday Countdown: 3 days

"Here I sit, eatin a pastry stroodle." Who can finish this movie quote?

Luke and I are now proud renters of a house. We signed the lease today and payed the deposit and first months rent. I need to change my magazine subscriptions to that address. We are moving my stuff from the storage shed to the house next Sunday. Passen is going to bring Luke's trailer from Ethan's house when he comes back from Birmingham Monday. The weather has been nice lately. I'm ready for it to get sunny and warm outside. I just have to be careful with my tan... I don't want it to look like I'm wearing sleeves with my strapless wedding dress. My track tan always gets so intense. My white winter skin compared to my golden honey shoulders and arms are a real sight. Golden honey.... hah. I amuse myself. Today Luke and I decided to take a Sunday stroll. Last Sunday we walked to Frizzles and shared some strawberry frozen custard. Today we walked around campus and looked at the new statues that have been put up around campus. We also looked at some graves on campus. One of them was a guy that lived from 1760 - 1820, and he was a Revolutionary War soldier. Thought that was pretty neat.

I got this Black Altered Text ATC in the mail the other day. I like it. Its pretty neat.

Friday night after Luke and all his room mates left I decided to work on my ATCs. The first I colored paper and cut stars out of cardboard. Glued the two together, and there were my Star ATCs.

I made this card a while back, but I'm just now adding it.My Owl ATCCelebration of Color ATC: Blue. I'm pretty pleased with it.A picture of it from the side to see the bubbles.I'm apart of a Pisces Birthday swap, and this is an ATC I made for one of my partners. There are 2 partners for this swap. I'm not sure what to do for the other yet. If you have seen the ATCs that blossominch sent me you can tell that her ATC was my insperation. It doesn't look at cool, but I got the point across.

A side shot.

Luke, Will, and I are currently watching the NBA All Star game. Go West!!!

Birthday Countdown: 6 days

Hello friends, family, and foes... why the latter would be reading this, I'm not sure. Yesterday I went to the doctor again for another x-ray. She said that a stress fracture would show up later because of the healing. It didn't show anything, but because of the location in my foot, the fact that it hurts on the top and the bottom, and that I'm a runner she still thinks it is one. My options were: wait 2-3 more weeks and take another x-ray, or get a bone scan. A bone scan will tell us right away if there is a stress fracture. I would like to know now. If it isn't I can start working with the trainers and get rid of the problem whether is be tendinitis or a deep tissue problem... and I can get out of this boot!

I finished my Audrey Hepburn ATCs last night. I added part of a quote by her, "For attractive lips, speak words of kindness." It goes along with the shiny lips I put on there. You can see them a few posts back. I also made a card for my Foreign Coin Swap.

I am really pleased with the result. The only rule was attach a coin that is foreign to you. I happened to have this Euro because Passen gave it to me from his trip to Spain. The girl I'm sending it to lives in Sweden, so it will be foreign to her too. I cut paper for the sun and moon, and yes I cut out all the stars with tiny scissors. The things I do to myself. I wrote the words in my sketch book, cut them out and glued them on. I glued the Euro on too. I would have done more languages, but I would have had to write smaller. It was late and I honestly just wanted to be done with it. I think of all my ATCs so far this is the one I'm most proud of.

Today I will leave you with a quote by Dr. Seuss. "Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer then You."

Open the Gates and Seize the Day

Good morning. Good morning. It's great to wake up late. Good morning. Good morning, to you. Makes me want to watch Singing in the Rain.

I am feeling good right now. I have one class today, a visit with the doctor to do an x-ray, and the rest of the day to work on ATCs. Speaking of ATCs, I got some in the mail yesterday. I traded with someone I saw on swap-bot, but our swap was private instead of through swap-bot. This girl is Amazing!!! I love her scrap booking, and her ATCs.

My birthday is in 7 days... how appropriate. I'll just be 21 instead of 4.

As you can see we sent 3 random cards each. I love these! The last picture is the back of the cards all together. If anyone is interested in visiting her blog it is http://www.blossominch.blogspot.com/.

On a different note, I think my test went very well yesterday. I look forward to getting it back Monday. I guess it is time to get ready for my only class of the day. I will leave you with a movie quote. Who can think of the movie title first? Danni... you don't get to play this one for obvious reasons. :) "Hey! That's my horse!" Who knows it?

She's a trooper....

This picture goes perfect with my last post. I'm sure our dachshunds would want to steal the bed from Cookie too. I found this on Etsy today.

Ready for the Weekend

Today is Do A Grouch A Favor Day. Should I bring Luke breakfast in bed? Hah. If I see someone who looks cranky I'll try to think of something nice to do for them. Come to think of it, I might be the grouch after my Mechanics of Materials test this evening.

For those of you who do not know, our family dog, Cookie, is a trooper! When I was in elementary school she was hit by a car and the doctors said she had 20% chance to live. My parents decided to put her down because the surgery needed wasn't a sure thing because her chances were so slim. The vet however wanted to give it a try anyways and performed the surgery. The next day she called my mom and told her that it was successful, and we only had to pay the amount of what it would be to put her down simply because it was experimental. The veterinarians at the clinic called her the miracle dog. Now I'm a Jr in college and my mom called my Monday to tell me that Cookie had a tumor on her spleen. "The vet will go in tomorrow to see if it has affected any other organs, but the blood work looks like everything else is unharmed." Yesterday my mom called me again to tell me that Cookie is doing well and that she gets to go home in a few days. The five pound tumor was completely tangled up with her spleen, but hadn't moved on to anything else. Both were cut out, and she has at least one more year of healthy living. The vet said it was lucky that the surgery happened when it did because part of the tumor had ruptured and her diaphragm was willing up with blood. The miracle dog was at it again. The strange thing though was what else the vet found while during surgery. Cookie only had one kidney, and the other one was nowhere to be found. After a bit of looking around she found a balloon like mass filled with liquid. It had no kidney tissue whatsoever, and obviously wasn't in the place a kidney should be. After determining that a bit of the extracted liquid was urine the vet decided to take the "non kidney" pee balloon out. Curiouser and curiouser. So now Cookie has bed rest for a while... which might be difficult with a dog who loves to be outside all day long.

Speaking of cookies... I bought a box of Trefoils from a girl scout, and they were amazing. Too bad they are gone now. If I get the chance I'm going to get another kind... Samoas or Thin Mints.

Tomorrow I go to the doctor for my second x-ray, and hopefully get the doctor to give me documentation for a medical redshirt. A few people on the team are going to Clemson this weekend for a meet. I will get to tag along to the next meet in Sewanee, TN.
It is time for me to start studying for my test some more. Today I'll leave you with a picture I found via Etsy.com. This one is by HansMyHedgeHog.

The Stars at Night are Big and Bright... Deep in the Heart of Texas!

What a crafty weekend I have had! Friday (After my math class) I sent out two swaps: Black Altered Text ATC, and a Picture Book Swap.

I used the return policy at the bottom of a receipt from the mall as my text and did the rest in pen. I'd share with you my interpretation of the card, but you might find it disturbing. Interpret it for yourself. For the picture book I had 2 partners, and the rule was that it had to be in your own language. At Walmart I found this:
I love these books. I read a lot of them in elementary school. Then to send them I used a bit of cardboard to make it sturdy, and wrapped them in funnies. I also made an envelope out of the comic section to send the ATC in.

When I got back from the post office Passen and I watched movies all day. Luke and Ethan were at the track meet, and Will went home. The room was so empty. We watched Sherlock Holmes, the end of Iron Giant, the end of Robinhood Men In Tights (Passen had to go to class while we were watching those 2 the other day so he finished them), X-men, The Fast and the Furious, and as Passen started watching Water World I left to go get my late Christmas/Early birthday present from my friend Josh. He got me Despicable Me. It is such a cute/funny movie. During all the movies with Passen I worked on my Audrey Hepburn ATCs. I started with black and white pictures that I printed off the internet of her.
Then I colored her, cut her out, glued her to a card that I colored, and added the shiny lips.

I finished 4 out of 5 of these, and I think I'll do the last one during my study break later. Because I printed out 6 and only needed 5 I had fun with the last one.

Alien Audrey! I didn't finish her, but I thought it was amusing.

Yesterday I did my entire "I Love Swapbot Ultimate Swap". This includes one postcard, one ATC, and one matchbox that have to include the swap-bot mascot, Ernie the Envie. I'll add pictures once I've taken them.

Luke pole vaulted 15' this weekend. He got a late start, but at least he found his rhythm. I talked to the coaches, and I am medical red shirting this indoor season. I would like to have had my 5th and final year of school off from track to focus on my senior engineering classes, but the scholarship will be so helpful.

I almost forgot! I got lots of swap-bot mail this week. My Favorite Color Swap arrived.
The picture is sideways. The girl who sent to me lives in Lithuania. She included chocolate, green tea, a card(that I have already used and is not shown), 2 different incense (one is cannabis scented. Hah!), 3 small notebooks, and little froggy heads to stick on stuff. In another swap, Favorite Quote Swap, a girl included 2 mini zines that I don't have pictures of. I've never seen these before, so it is really interesting to have.
I am ready to eat now, and then I have to study all day for 2 tests this week. Bleh. At least the weather will be good this week.

Guy on the phone in the library... stop talking SO LOUD!

I want to go camping!!! While I was in North Carolina this weekend visiting a school with my sister and family I had a moment that got me itching to sit my a fire and sleep under the stars. The hotel room we had opened out to a deck that looked out over the river. Danni and I sat out there and enjoyed the sun. As if we were using photosynthesis to charge up for the day, we spread out and soaked up the sunlight. It was wonderful after walking the school tour in the rain the day before. I love being outside. It is the most relaxing place I could possibly be.

I can't believe I am just now remembering this, but when Luke and I drove to UAH in January we tried to find as many licence plates as possible. I think we got around 35 different states. I'll have to double check that later.

After taking an x-ray Thursday the doctor said a stress fracture did not show up, so I have 2 weeks of no running and a second x-ray then. I had the option of a bone scan, but I went with the second x-ray. A bone scan is when a large needle injects dye into my foot. The dye would only attach to growing bone which in this case would be where the fracture would be trying to repair itself. Jessica (one of our trainers) explained to me that this is better for newer stress fractures. An x-ray won't show new fractures, but it will show old ones that are healing. I have to take time off anyway even if it is just a deep tissue issue, so I might as well take the second x-ray instead of the large needle in my foot. Until then I am wearing a boot... even thought I don't want to. I was reluctant, but if I want to get better for outdoor I should do everything I can to help the process. I also have to take vitamin C & D supplements.

Tonight I will close out with my hula dancing pinkie finger.

Happy Birthday Papa!

February is finally here!!! I love February! It has my birthday in it, it encourages people to give me candy for V-Day, it is spelled really weird, and Groundhog day is tomorrow. I'm not sure why that last one is exciting, but I thought I'd include it. The Chinese New Year starts Thursday... year of the rabbit. It's your year Paige and Auntie Gem! Luke and I don't celebrate Valentine's Day. In high school my physics teacher, Mr. Smith, told us that he and his wife, Mrs. Smith (my computer teacher), don't celebrate it. He told us, "Why should I use this one day to do nice things for my wife that I should be doing the other 364 days of the year?" I don't mind getting candy though... Reece's miniatures are my favorite... until caramel Cadburys come out.
My Swap-bot swaps have been going well. I will have to include pictures of the things I receive.
I am excited for Thursday because Mom, Dad, and Dan are coming to Huntsville! Dan is going to visit Western Carolina University (I think that's the name), and I'm going with them on Friday. If she goes there, then we will only be 5 hours apart. We can find a place in between us to meet and camp! That would be awesome.
I feel a bit guilty... I don't have the videos from the track meet ready yet. I'll elaborate more on it when I have those to offer up.
I'm tired of typing now... Goodnight.