*o*o*o*o*o*o* goodbye tink *o*o*o*o*o*o*

She was a class act. Compassionate. Maternal. Playful. Sweet, sweet, sweet.  Beautiful, inside and out...if that can be said of a cat.  Our companion for 16 years...she was part of the family.  She is already dreadfully missed. Goodbye, Tinkerbell...glad you're finally at peace.

Silly as it may seem to say a prayer regarding a cat, please do say a prayer for us if you thinkof us.

*o*o*o*o*o*o* sunday, sunday *o*o*o*o*o*o*

Jeepers, when did I get old? Get togethers of the "old TFC gang" now include babies and spouses. *lol  But no complaints - Jason and Sarah's little girl is absolutely edible, she's so cute. It was nice to see 'Ferndale' again...hasn't changed a bit...well, except for being married...crazy.  Oma's pregnant...Bryan's engaged...people coming and going so fast, it's dizzying.  But fun. It's an interesting time of life.

Tonights shindig hosted by the Gerings and run by our temporarily restored world travelers - Ju, Jay & Nay - was great fun!  Ju brought a favorite recipe back and we all got to make dumplings! I was pretty darn good at it, if I say so myself. Oh and, for the record, I like taking pride in a job well done - or a dumpling well placed - and I'm not OCD, thankyouverymuch. No names of who accused me of that...lets just say the same might be said of him with regards to geocaching. So there. *hehe

Oh but it was a fun night...any time with old friends is good. Thanks, all, it was a wonderful evening!

*o*o*o*o*o*o* inspired *o*o*o*o*o*o*

Hello again, xanga world.  So...Christmas Day I came down sick...very...sick.  With little else to do besides sleep and watch the telly, I found myself wandering the World Wide Web.  In my meanderings, I reminiced through old familiar blogs and explored - intrigued - through new.  I came upon one that, though not new in itself, was new to me...one belonging to a co-worker, James.  Now, I - frankly - hardly know the guy so I hope it doesn't weird him out that I was reading his blog - James, if you are reading this, well, you do link to it..  And I was a fuzzy-sick-head...wasn't thinking in terms of whether I really should or not.  Hope you don't mind.

Moving on.

I found myself amused...there was something in his blogging style that struck a cord.  Daily going-ons communicated with brevity (usually) and wit (always)...huh...where have I seen that before?  Hm. Well...it actually reminded me of my own blogging style. (You'll have to pardon me if that sounds a bit arrogant, but I think it's true...at least, it's what I strove for) But in company of creative writers, poets, english majors and artists I always felt my blogging style was...unimaginative...boring, even...was anyone really reading it? And, um, why?

I couldn't do what they did...so...I grew tired of trying to come up with something...and...gave up.

But I liked what he wrote...and how he wrote it...and I know others read his blog...and maybe I'm fooling myself that I can even write like that...but...regardless...I was inspired.

So...xanga revamped...new post added.
I won't go so far as to make it a New Years resolution - those never work out anyway - but...well...here's to trying.

Ok, so I missed the mark on "brevity".
Still...feels good to be back.

Yes, the rumor is true...I am 25 today!  And, no, I'm not dead.

(I know it's not really my place to post a birthday greeting for myself,
but it's so pretty I just had to!)

[edit]

And what a loverly day it's been!  Thanks in no small part to all of you!   From my roomie, Julie, greeting me with a chocolate chip muffin and a homemade card this morning; to the dozens of emails, texts, IM's and e-cards I've been peppered with all day; to the nerf darts being lovingly fired at my head (I'm looking at you, Mark ); and the gorgeous bouquet of flowers sent by some of my church friends (oh they small amazing!)...it has been a fantastic day!!!  Ooh, and not to forget the chocolate-chip cheese cake my mama has waiting for me tonight, a-woo hoo!

Thank you, everyone!!!!   

[/edit]

*o*o*o*o*o*o* heeellooooo?? *o*o*o*o*o*o*

aaaaah
aaaAAHH
AAAHH-CHOOOO!

*sniff

Sorry about that, friends...guess I've allowed it to get a bit dusty in here being gone so long.
Work has a filter on it's internet now that I can only override on break and for 5 minutes at a time, so I haven't been online much except to take a peak for anything super important or whatever.   And my lappy at home is basically kaput...but good news!  I'll be coming into a fair amount of money this next month or two, so I should be getting myself a new computer, huzzah! 

And in other good, and sorta related, news: I finally have a roommate!  Her name is Julia...she's attended my church since she was just a little'in.  Somehow I caught wind that she was looking to move out of her parents and after some thought and prayer she called me last week and by Monday she was moved in!  I'm pretty stoked...she's a great girl and I think we'll be really great roomies.   And thanks to her, I'll be saving $300 a month now, woohoo!  Such a blessing.

Erm...other than that, work is going alright...one deadline after another, oy.

Other than that, it's just been awesome times with my kids at Hangtime!  We had another of our retreats this last weekend...here's a special little dealy with a few of the pictures...I think if you click on it, it'll take you to a few more.  Youth group has been amazing...we had an influx of 30-40 freshmen this year to add to our 30-40 already in high school.  We took 60 kids to summer camp...about that many have been coming consistently each week to youth group...we took 50 this last weekend.  It's exhausting...it's terrifying, but it's also absolutely incredible!  The kids are just wonderful!  If you think of us Wednesday night, pray for us!

P.S.
Hm...fancy that.