A Blessing...

Probably one of my favorite blessings to come out of all that transpired ultimately bringing me to Nebraska...

(Never posted a video before, so I hope it works for everyone.)

At the gate, 6-19-09...

Bad News...

My friend, Michelle Dobrovolny (whom I have spoken of frequently here), died Wednesday evening. It was rather a surprise despite the health problems she'd been having.
It has been really hard as she had been really sweet, kind and supportive to me all the time I've known her (since our freshman year in college).
I miss her very much!!!!
Brought a whole new meaning to the word "delete" and "remove" when I took her off my e-mail contacts list. :(
The funeral is Tuesday.

oh, yeah...

Forgot to mention in that last post that I'm at the farm today. Their church is having some missionaries from Asia come speak tonight. I had read about it in their bulletin a couple weeks ago and expressed the desire to come. Mom reminded me yesterday, so I came down last night.

Weekend Activities

Saturday (6th) I got to spend time with a friend who shall remain nameless. She says I shouldn't write about her on my blog. So plthththth! I still wrote about you on my blog! At least you stayed anonymous. That's all you get! lol Anyway, it was grrrrreat to see her! Can't wait to see her again. :)

Sunday (7th) I sang a descant in church. I want to post the little video Sandra got of some of it,but I haven't figured out how to make that work yet, so maybe another time.

After church the family (Justin, Trisha, Nikki, Ivy, Tasha, Sandra and myself) went to Lewis & Clark Landing and Heartland of America Parks down on the Riverfront in downtown Omaha. They were having the Taste of Omaha Festival. I guess it's an annual thing with bands, booths, lots and lots of food and carnival rides. I have tons of pictures...but don't have them downloaded from the camera yet, so I'll have to put them in a separate post some time.

In other news (not related to this weekend)...
I am working on becoming a tutor through what is called WyzAnt. It's basically a networking company for tutors and students to find each other. You have to take tests in order to be able to tutor in the subjects. I'm working on all things related to English (literature, reading, writing, etc). The other day I got a 100% on my grammar test (passing was 60% -- can't think how that's good enough). Just now I got a 100% on my proofreading test (passing was 80%). So now I can tutor in grammar and do proofreading! I still have 2 tests to go. I'll let you know what happens!

Well, Dad has asked me to help process a calf and we need to have lunch...dinner...lunch. I call it lunch. They call it dinner (I used to when I was a kid). Banana...banana... That doesn't work when you are reading it. :)

Oops.

Just realized that this whole time my time zone has been set for Arizona time. So, it may have been showing my post times as two hours earlier than they actually were. Not that the post times are important...unless you watch them waiting for a chance to lecture me about my sleeping habits.
So just don't even think about going back and checking them, Mom! I could hear you thinking about it from here! You're not fooling anyone! ;)

Time flies...

...when we're having this much...fun? There have certainly been days when I'd beg to differ.

I am exhausted! Sleep and pain have been worse this week, which I rather expected...except maybe for the sleep problems. That's been particularly difficult. I think I'm going to get a bit o' wood from Lowe's to put under my mattress and see if that helps. I've heard of that a lot, so might as well give it a try. I have a Lowe's coupon, too. :p

I was talking about my sleep problems with Justin this morning while I was taking him to work. They (all sorts of experts) say the bedroom should only be used for two things: sleep and sex. I'm not getting either one, so something must be wrong here. Instead, I'm making important and often stressful phone calls, doing homework, doing other things on the computer (like writing on my blog), playing with Nikki and Ivy, watching TV and movies...et cetera...you get my point. Now all I have to do is come up with a solution to that.

I have an appointment next Friday with a doctor at a clinic that uses a sliding scale for their fees and prescriptions. They can also give me referrals to specialists who do the same thing. *fingers crossed* I have prescriptions that will be running out very soon, so this should be very helpful.
Also, Pfizer is starting an assistance program for people who use their (or their subsidiaries') medications. Someone low income or unemployed can get their medications for little to nothing. (If you want to know more -- and I guess they have other programs, too -- go to www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com.) I will probably apply for that once I see the doctor on Friday.

My car stuff -- making the car a legal Nebraska resident -- has gone all screwy. The taxes aren't paid, the bank has the wrong title, the county treasurer says I'm the one who needs to sort it out and I really have no idea what they are talking about. So...this could prove interesting...and expensive.

Other news...I'm singing in church Sunday. It's only a descant on two verses of a hymn, but it's the first time people will see and hear me without the choir or sitting in a pew. I'm rather looking forward to it. I'm finally getting back into an element I recognize as my own! :)

Well, I should be getting in the shower so I don't smell and look funny when I go have dinner with my friend, Michelle D. It's bad enough I was in Barnes & Noble this way!

More neat things to do in Omaha...

Sing in church...

(This was Pentecost Sunday -- May 31, 2009.)

June already!?!?

I woke up this morning and realized it is June. Then I wanted to go back to sleep and pretend I hadn't just realized that. Half the year gone and most of it spent unemployed and feeling utterly lost and/or sick. What a depressing thought!

We're in a severe thunderstorm watch, but it was warm enough I am wearing shorts and a sleeveless shirt. That's okay. Better than whatever oven temperature Arizona has going, though I wouldn't take it as the only nice thing about being here.

My nieces are the joy of every day. Nikki explores so much it can drive us all crazy, but it is cool to watch her learn. Today she was singing and dancing along to VeggieTales and later The Four Freshmen (classic jazz ensemble). That was pretty darn cool! I sense a budding musician here!
Meanwhile, Ivy is scooting around faster and faster. We should call her "Lightening" or "Flash" or "Bolt" or "Speedy" or something like that.

Still no interviews,so the job search continues. God willing this will not go on another four and a half months or longer!

Well, I have a suspicious cat next to me and a curious toddler on my lap thinking about smacking him with a book, so I should go.

Ben's Wedding

Promised more about my cousin Ben's wedding. It was beautiful! A classy, simple combination of old and new styles. It was really nice. A couple pictures...

Ivy and her Auntie at the church before the wedding...

The ceremony...Exchanging vows, to be specific...

"Let them eat cake!"

Corrine and Ivy dance with the groom (Ben) during the "dollar dance"...

One more...

Cutting a rug with my Aunt Linda (Mother of the Groom -- a.k.a. my dad's siter)...