Sunday, September 30, 2007

Barack the Vote '08

Since this is my blog...I am going to go out on a limb and perhaps offend a few lurkers with what I'm about to confess.

I donated to Barack Obama's campaign this weekend. I have not donated to any political cause or campaign before (with the exception of Sojourners, which I don't consider overtly political) but I am excited that for the first time in this country, we actually have a person of color being considered for the job of President...someone who could actually win!!

As a person who loves a bit of diversity, this excites me. I really could care less if he was democrat or republican, I'm just pleased to see him doing well and hope that he has a chance. I encourage you to review his policies and ideas.

Here is his website...http://www.barackobama.com/

I think it's exciting and will certainly make the next 13 months interesting. Something to tell my niece and nephew someday!

Thursday, September 27, 2007

I wanna ROCK



I took Brent to his first Rock & Roll concert last night. We saw STYX, Foreigner and Def Leppard. What a night! Those boys can play some bad ass guitar and Brent and I played some bad ass air guitar. I must say that while Brent is a huge STYX fan, I found Foreigner to be the best "show" as far as songs, talent and originality. Dennis DeYoung of course is no longer with STYX and it's very difficult to replace that voice. They did sing Renegade & Too Much Time on my Hands, which took me back to 7th grade Summer Camp at Black Butte. I was so sure Carl Hedin was in love with me; even though he was like in college.

I was sharing with my friends at work today that I took Brent and we had a great time with friends Kat & Juice. I also decided that I will never leave CW or Hillary behind again! Even MW would love to rock...I think. It was a great venue and would be so much fun with a big group. I also shared that there was not one bad word said, no degradation of women, no discussion of ridin' dirty. Just good ol ROCK & ROLL! Sometimes it's good to hear it and I sang louder than I have in a long time.

There were people of all ages there too - some couples my parents age while there were a lot of young people - who probably grew up listening to their parents listen to Def. All in all, it was a great evening!

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Take me to the edge

Today is my one-year anniversary at Rainier Christian Schools. Faithful blog readers will remember my painful blogs as I was learning this system and how bored I was for many weeks - until I got to know the people and the systems and now it's a groove. Grooves are nice.

I was talking to my big boss (Mr. Superintendent) and we were talking about people who have everything in life (seemingly) handed to them and have never once had to rely on God's provision or grace. These are people like my Aunt, my baby rose cousin, and this other guy we work with. Now, mind you, this is OUR perception as I'm sure they have suffered their own small (pitiful?) trials and tribulations. Blair was saying that these people have never walked to the edge. Not to mention stepped off the edge..but never even come close to the edge. They are conservative, and I don't mean conservative Christians or in the political sense like they only vote for Bush - they are scared.

Scared Christians. They don't trust Jesus enough to get out of the boat, walk to the edge, open a coffee house, take a $14,000 pay cut, ask for healing from cancer, provide for a school district $500,000 in the hole. They have never had to rely on Jesus too much. Yet they love him just the same and they have a relationship with him.

I don't get it. I'm just glad he called me to the edge and asked me to jump. It has been a year of struggle, monetarily mostly...but I've made it thanks to friends, parents, sisters, financial aid and cashing out some retirement. It's still a struggle...but I've jumped and some of the best people I know have also jumped and it's a fun ride down!

Monday, September 24, 2007

The story of Ruby & Nellie

Author's note: Names have been changed to protect the innocent.

Once there was a little gymnast named Ruby and her friend Nellie. They had a love hate relationship and although they were on the same team for gym, they had a secret rivalry throughout their competition. Ruby was also not a very nice little girl and Nellie was usually very nice to her. Nellie's aunt Fleidi, however, knew there was something fishy about Ruby and her mother Shana.

Life went on for Ruby and Nellie until one day when Nellie's gym coach, Faynadi (he is Russian) told them that Ruby could no longer come to gym because Ruby's mom had embezzled $9000 from the Booster Club.

When Nellie's aunt Fleidi picked her up today, we said a little prayer for Ruby and her mom. Her mom was arrested and will face charges of theft. Nellie is sad, and cried a little, but she is strong and she knows that Jesus will give her friend Ruby peace.

The end.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Sweet Baby Roses

Went to Granny's 100th birthday party today. There were so many people there! It was a very nice day to honor her and her 100 years. She didn't know who was there and you could tell she was in a daze.

My BFF went with me. It's so nice to have her to take to these events and of course My Little BFF went too (Lora) and she was a hit. I usually hate these kinds of events, but once I got there, it was like old times and it was nice to see everyone again. I miss those people and it is true that the kids grow so fast!

I was thankful that my mom and sisters were there and Brent was the cutest of all the boys! I was proud of our little family amongst all the other folks there. We are good girls and we all love Jesus and try to be obedient.

All the way home, Hillary and I explained our family dynamic to Christa (who listened with rapt attention!) and it was interesting to recite the lives of these people integral to who I am, whether or not we see one another once a year or once a lifetime. Some of my family members have been through some crappy times - some of their own making and some not. I appreciate that my cousin Pete remembers what car I drive or that my cousin Steve remembers my name or that my cousin Jackie grabs my rear or that Bart wants to talk about his non-profit work. I wanted to hold Ben in my lap like I used to but he's like 6 feet 4 now...so kind of hard.

I need to get a copy of my cousin Jeannie's song she wrote for Granny. I think it was the highlight as she's always been everyone's favorite. I'm sure there wasn't a dry eye in the house...but I'm the only doctoral candidate in the entire family So there Jeannie!

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Granny is 100!

My grandma turned 100 today. She was born on September 20, 1907!! She is an amazing woman (much like my mother) and has seen and lived through some interesting times. She played the violin and wanted to be a Missionary Doctor. She went to the UW for a little bit in the 20's. She grew up on Queen Anne Hill in a house built by her father, my great grandfather - and had a sister (Aunty Lou who had an affair with a doctor and was "killed" on the railroad tracks in a car with him! SCANDEL!! I love her!) and two brothers - one who died at a young age of TB. Her other brother, Roland, lived in Washington D.C. and used to travel around with his eccentric wife in a motor home.

She married Ben Welch, my very handsome grandfather and they had four kids-three girls and one boy. My mom is the youngest. They lived their whole life on 13th Street in Ballard/Crown Hill and then she moved to a house by the water right before my grandpa died.

I remember them coming to visit us often but my fondest memories are of going to her house for the holidays. This was such a passion for our family that one particularly crappy year we lived in California, we packed up one December 23 in our compact car (all 5 of us!) and drove to Granny Welch's house just so we wouldn't miss her on Christmas. I really didn't want to miss her Chocolate Christmas cookies that she makes every year from a recipe from her mother.

She also loved to go to the mall. Month-end at The Bon was her favorite. Shopping was something she was very good at and I like to think I take after her in that area. Holly got the ankles...I get the shopping gene.

There is something about her...she has never commented on my weight, tattoos, spending habits, or hair color. She has loaned me more money, without question, than I can ever repay. She loves me unconditionally. She does make sure I love Jesus though - and we still talk to this day about Him and our relationship with Him.

I am proud and grateful for this legacy. The Lord puts us in families and I'm so grateful that I got mine!!

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

New Book Alert

There is a new book coming out on October 16 by Alice Sebold.

She wrote The Lovely Bones and Lucky. Both of these books are wonderful and highly recommended.

Maybe we should start a Mosaic book club?? We could meet on Friday nights before a concert? Just thinking...dreaming...wishing...

Monday, September 17, 2007

Ode to the Chocolate Chessman (and post-Ode comments)

Update to the Ode...

I promptly ate two (2) 100 calorie packs, went to have my cavity filled, got lots of novacaine, went to work-out with my trainer and threw up Chocolate Chessman after about 30 minutes. I am sure it's not the Chessmen's fault - I will blame it all on the novacaine. I am so glad I made it to the bathroom and they have very loud toilet flushes at L.A. Fitness!!


How I love thee?? Let me count the ways.

If you have not tried the Chocolate Chessman 100 calorie packs...let me invite you to join me in this delectable afternoon treat. Perfect for right before you go to the dentist to have a cavity filled!

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Sorry CW!

I find that I usually freak out on Sundays. I want everything and everyone to be happy and enjoy their time and worship and I tend to tense up if things don't go as planned. I had to bring Brent & Ellie and they wanted to bring friends which was great, but different and unexpected. Now I'm confessing a down side to my steller personality here so please, go easy on me.

So, today we started Sunday School which was great but I found my freaky old crabby church lady personality coming out. I wanted everything to be good and right and I freaked and didn't even make Christa a drink because I didn't want it to be "LOUD", my bestest (yes, I said it!!) friend in the world... So, for this I apologize and will make hers first every Sunday.

Then we went to church and my sister was no where to be seen - either of them! It was such a great service - the singing, the readings, everything really just was excellent and I realized that I can just relax and let things happen and everyone will be fine.

We even had a good bored meeting. It was fun and I'm getting excited for the 100th anniversary - never thought I'd be excited for that...but I am. Mark promissed pagentry...I want pagentry!

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Confessions of a swearing 3rd grader

I was talking tonight with my friend whose son just started kindergarten. He is doing great even though there are adjustments to be made and learning curves to survive - he tells some wonderful stories!

It reminded me of my own issues while in elementary school. There were the scary ones about being picked last for kick ball or who my boyfriend would or wouldn't be in the 2nd grade. There was one boy who liked me all throughout elementary school. His name was Raymond. I was never very nice to him, but he persevered. He got me a little necklace one Christmas. And one day..it was pouring rain when we had to walk home and Raymond, all of about 9 or 10 gave me his umbrella to walk with and he headed home in the pouring rain. Luckily my mom came to pick me up and we went to find Raymond to give him a ride.

There are some days when I remember how much he liked me and how mean I remember being to him and my heart grieves for him and I hope he is well and I bow my head to say a prayer for him. At least someone liked me and wanted to marry me...once.

I remember an incident in third grade when I was sent to the Principal's office - Mr. Hockstetter. He was small, thin and wore a lot of Grecian formula. He had little glasses too and a hook nose which made him look like a "hawk" thus befitting his name. He also smoked a lot of menthol cigarettes. I was on the playground, upside down on the bars. I had chosen to wear a skirt that day and buck convention and go upside down on the bars anyway. Well, a boy named Mike Murray (who I know my mother will remember) came up to me and grabbed the skirt and tried to pull it up/down or whichever way so he could see my undies.

I was mortified. I ran to the playground teacher and promptly told her that Mike Murray had tried to f*#k me. Yes, I said the f-word - that glorious word that has survived generations. It was really the only word that described exactly what Mike Murray was trying to do!!

I got sent to Mr. Hockstetter's office. My mom was called and she came to retrieve me in her humiliation and shame. The pastor's wife...picking up her daughter from school for saying the F word. I don't even remember getting in trouble. My mom knew Mike Murray and realized that he would probably be in jail someday and understood my plight. Thanks mom, for being cool and hating Mike Murray too!

And Raymond...wherever you are...thanks for the necklace.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Fall Reading List

I have not given a reading list lately and since school is over this week (for the quarter) I will be grabbing some books I've wanted to read. Here is a list of what they may be:

1. Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl
A little wordy and rift with cliches, it's a good mystery about a young girl and her dad after the loss of their mother/wife.

2. Messy Spirituality by Mike Yaconelli
"I go into churches and everyone seems to feel so good about themselves..."

3. Sin in the Second City: Madams, Ministers, Playboys, and the Battle for America's Soul by Karen Abbott.
A real life story of the Everleigh sisters and the brothel they operated in Chicago during the early 1900's. Kind of similar to Devil in the White City (GREAT BOOK!)

4. China Road: A Journey into the Future of a Rising Power by Rob Gifford.
Rob is an NPR correspondent who had an excellent series several years ago while journeying on China's route 312 - some 3000 miles stretching from Shanghai to a small town in Turkestan. Called the Old Silk Road - this book chronicles more of this amazing journey - and since I've been to Shanghai...twice, I thought it would be fun to read and I liked his stories on NPR.

5. Girl Meets God: A Memoir by Lauren Winner.
Recommended by both Jen on This Pile and my personal trainer...I thought I would give this a whirl. I did NOT like her Real Sex - as it didn't give me permission to have pre-marital sex...dangit!

6. Upside Down: A Primer for the Looking-Glass World by Eduardo Galeano
Reading this book feels like an acid trip. It has an amazing way of wrapping its ideas around your head and then leaving you to figure out how to unwrap yourself. Think of being in a maze and realizing you will come out eventually - after all you can't live in the maze. I need others to read this so we can talk about it (Bill & KL Mayhew??)

This should take you through the rainy days of fall-scary Ghost Parties and Thanksgiving turkey!

If anyone else has recommendations, please chime in!

Sunday, September 09, 2007

Assistant to the Regional Manager

Yes, I am the assistant to the regional manager...that is Regional Mortgage Manager. My sister got a promotion at her illustrious job at First Tech. I am so proud of her. Jealous as well. She's always had my life...the husband, kids, carpools, great job - I don't think she's ever been arrested...pretty much had a great life. Where did I go so wrong? Anyway...

She got a big ass promo and I'm proud of her. She rocks and we're celebrating next Sunday night and I just may make Mom drink an Alabama Slammer in her honor!

Way to go Holly - you are smart and talented and way better looking. I am proud to be your sister! Can I borrow some money?

Saturday, September 08, 2007

Saturday is game day


Today my dad and I went to the UW vs. Boise State football game. I thought, for a moment, that the stadium had more orange than purple, but finally the fans showed up. It was a great win for the Huskies as we have not beaten a ranked team in 11 tries! I told my dad that I sure didn't like working at UW, but I'll watch football there any day!!

However...tomorrow is the day I've been waiting for since last January. It's the start of "real" season football with the Hawks taking on the spurious Tampa Bay Bux...kind of the Raiders of the East if you will. John Gruden is a bad ass coach and they have typically had a great defense but our boys are ready. It's going to be a very good year and we have a good schedule.

And yes, faithful blog followers will have to endure the next four months as there will be at least weekly football postings. I may even start a column called "Ask the football chick" - all your football questions answered right here...right now.

Gotta go watch LSU & Va Tech..after all WE ARE THE HOKIES!

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Ruff Ryders 2007


I am wholly into Fantasy Football. I don't have a lot of fantasies in my life (there's one about meeting someone while on the treadmill, and another about a closet built entirely for shoes...but I digress) but my main one right now has to be FF 2007. It will make watching all the NFL games this year so worth it because I now have a hardcore stake ($10.00) in each game my player's participate in.

Here is the breakdown:
QB's - Vince Young (Tennessee) & Matty Leinart (AZ)
RB's - L.T. (YES!!), Deuce McAlister (PHILLY), Julius Jones (DAL) & D'Angelo Williams
W.R. - Chad (bad ass) Johnson (CIN), Anquan Bolden (AZ), Braylon Edwards, Joe Juravicious

Def: Chicago Bears & Dallas Cowboys
T.E. Kellen Winslow & Vernon Davis
Kickers: (The tokens) David Akers (PHILLY) & Jason Hansen (DET)

I am so excited!

Saturday, September 01, 2007

Why

Why do I do this to myself? I have 2 huge projects (drafts) due tomorrow and I have not even started. I also have to draft my Fantasy Football team on Monday, go to church, have a BBQ, etc. UGH!!

I always wait until the last minute. At least football is on to help me cope. I love how they talk (in week one!!) about Heisman candidates as well. It's so funny! I do like DeSean Jackson from Cal - he looks good. Va. Tech won today too - it's good to have football as a venue for them to come together. I got goosebumps watching the opening day ceremonies.

I will get it all done, I usually do - just have to power through. See ya on the other side.

About Me

I work at a Christian School district only 4 miles from my home. The people there are full of grace and love and I am glad to be a part of this ministry. I have a neice and nephew whom I love dearly. They are 12 and almost 15 respectively. I have two amazing sisters and two amazing brothers-in-law. Of course, I would not be here if it were not for my mother agreeing to marry my dad. Good going mom! My parents are my life and I would literally be NOTHING without their unconditional love, support and care. You rock mom and dad. Then there's Will & Lora...their giggles are like sunshine and their parents crack me up too.

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