ghosties on second!

So I babysat today and had a ton of fun. One particularly funny...and somewhat gross... moment happened when we were playing kick ball. There were only 4 of us so it was teams of two...so if both teammates ended up on base the person highest up on base would yell "ghosties on second" or "ghosties on third" and would then run and be the next kicker...then assuming the person on the lower base got to run ahead the "ghostie" would also move the same amount of bases ahead...very complex stuff I tell ya...anyhow...we were apparently having such a good time that the younger of the two boys decided he'd rather pee where he was standing instead of pausing the game to run inside to use the bathroom...of course peeing on home base didn't exactly inspire any of the rest of us to want to keep sliding into home after that so we ended up quitting the game and making the pee-boy run through the neighbors sprinkler before coming in the house...I'm just the babysitter so I felt no responsibility to teach the kid what sort of situations are pee friendly and what ones aren't...I just laughed, shook my head, and then we all decided to go hunt for frogs instead. Thank God we didn't actually catch any...that would have been gross in it's own special way...

sifting

so tonight I have been sifting through my belongings that I've had in storage for a long time. the last bin of stuff I pulled out was actually kitchen items...a couple cake pans I remember buying for special occasions...the jello molds that almost caused me to have a triple X rated easter on accident...funny story...and then finally a sifter. I actually considered keeping the sifter for .2 seconds until I remembered I don't bake.

while I have been sifting and sorting I have been doing the same thing in my mind. running across items that remind me of certain times and certain people and certain moments. so glad that certain times are done with and sad that others went so quick. wondering what kinds of things I will be sifting through 10 yrs from now. what kinds of memories and moments...

"Aha" moments

So I was at the swimming pool last night with Robin and her granddaughter Tobi and there were a few other people there. Including this little boy who started talking to us the second we got there and didn't stop...he was cute. At one point he was telling us how he used his waternoodle to stay afloat in the deep end...to which I said "good idea, it's 5 feet deep! thank heaven's for waternoodles" or some such thing...his response was soooo cute. "uh-uh, I only have 2 feet" and he proceeded to show me that he had 2 feet, not 5.
I don't know at what point I realized what depth measurements were at the pool...I wonder when he will...

I do remember the day I realized what a second was and what a minute was...I can remember what the room looked like and we were playing hide and seek and I had such an "Aha" moment when I finally got it. It finally made sense why my mom got mad at me for taking to long..."you have 2 seconds young lady or else" I really thought I had longer..."It's only 5 minutes until we leave"...seemed to take an eternity...

I have had other "Aha" moments since then but when we were at the pool this is the one I was reminded of...there are some things I've had "Aha" moments about and wished I didn't...it's sooo nice to be blissfully unaware sometimes.

and now I know...

Did you know that the only difference between Batter and Dough is the consistency?
I googled it today...

Did you know that a parking ticket in Mpls is 34$?
I did not google that one...

Did you know that there really is nothing as great as being with friends even if it's just for a few hours every few years?
I did not google that one either :)

Did you know today is the longest day of the year (daylight wise)?
I can't remember how I found that one out...I think from a friends blog...

hmm...wonder what else I'll learn today...feel free to share something interesting if you comment on my blog...I'd love to learn more interesting random useless trivia...it makes me happy...

itsy bitsy aint so itsy

yuck yuck yuck double yuck yuck.

I was just sitting and reading in my bed when I noticed what I thought was a moving shadow on the side of my book...strange as there was nothing to cast a shadow...I turned the book a little to see a little better and a HUGE nasty spider was crawling up the book...that meant it had climbed up my bed, up my body, up my arm and finally up my book before I noticed....I am completely grossed out right now. And of course I didn't have a good response, I chucked the book...I'm sure not killing itsy but instead freeing him to roam about my bedroom freely...boo....

Ever heard that we swallow spiders in our sleep? something like 10 or 20 a year? I always hoped I was the exception...but itsy seemed quite comfy in my bed...blah...

bring on the truth!

I just spent a week up at kids camp. I absolutely love being with kids. They are so real. Not a whole lotta fake going on with kids. Good Bad or Ugly it's all there. I wonder at what point it is that people figure out how to put on the masks? I have a theory. I think at some point we are all told that we "can't" do or be something that God has called us to be and created us to be...and we believe it and settle for less than the best God has for us. And the sad thing is that it's usually people who were told they "couldn't" do something and are generally unhappy who are telling people they "can't". It's a viscious cycle. One that ONLY the spirit of God can break once it's started. And in the meantime while people are suffering under the masks they are medicating themselves with things like overeating, sexual relationships that aren't Godly, alcohol, gossip, television...and the list goes on...and the things you have to overcome after you realize that you can indeed be what God created you to be are mind blowing...wouldn't it be so much easier if we just skipped the believing a lie part and went straight for the truth of God. Think of the freedom that would bring!

I want to break the cycle. I want to only speak truth and I don't ever want something I say to cause someone to think that they "can't". I want to see adults walking around with out masks on being who God created them to be with out the pain of overcoming years wasted...hopefully those kids at kids camp will have learned what it is to hear the voice of God and when all the other voices come their way, I pray that it is the voice of God that they focus on...

A bugs life

just an FYI...camp is filled with bugs.

I realize this is not a revelation. I have camped before...this is my 7th yr here at kids camp...but I always forget about the bugs..blah...

I was greeted this morning by Charlotte's cousin, Max. He found his way to the inside of my sunglasses...I thought it was a smudge and took my shades off to clean them only to realize that Max had decided to park his little spidey self on my face...well...sort of my face...close enough I say. I didn't freak out and I didn't kill Max either. I merely said "Salutations" and set my glasses on the floor and watched him crawl off to do whatever it is that spiders do. Ick.

I am sure this won't be the first or last buggy moment I will have.

Camp is fun even with the bugs. The kids are all jazzed to be here today and the energy is fun to be around.
I am the waterfront coordinator this week...which is funny since I don't really swim and lakes gross me out. But really, all you need to be is bossy to coordinate just about anything and I have the corner on the market! Hopefully I'll walk away a little tanner than when I started and the kids will be safe and have a blast. Let the good times roll!

okay...sleep is calling...I must answer...

get my wheel chair ready!

It's official. I am old. I didn't see it coming.

I was helping run a kids camp counselor training meeting and someone asked a question and I answered the same time PD answered and there was someone between us who said "wow, that was in stereo!". And the like 15 people there under the age of 20 looked blankly at us...we asked if any of them knew what it meant for something to be in "stereo"...more blank stares...one kid raised his hand "ooo, ooo, I think it means there's two speakers!" he was so proud. I guess the thing to say now is "that was so 5.1" whatever that means!!!!!!!

I'm going to go get myself an early bird dinner and find some friends to go play bingo with.

(on a completely unrelated note...I fit my little tush into a size 8 when I was shopping with my sister...a perk of mono...losing way to much weight...of course I'd never buy a size 8 anything because it was probably a passing moment...one I shall think of fondly for many years to come I'm sure..lol..)

waking up

So I am pretty close to feeling back to myself from Mono. I still get crazy tired at times and the yawning really is a little out of control..but all in all I feel like myself again. While I was sick I was completely stopped in my tracks. I couldn't work, I couldn't play, I had no energy to "do" anything. I merely existed.

Pre mono I was plagued by a feeling of being alone and feeling stifled but I didn't know why..I never stopped to take the time to figure it out...but of course God in his fatherly way let my actions play themselves out in natural consequence. A completely worn down Jamie somehow comes in contact with the virus mono and has not the ability to fight it off and winds up wildly ill. Now I had the time.

And in my many hours of just being I realized a few things about myself. I realized that I had let my life become so busy that there was no depth to any thing I was doing. I was surrounded by people but had no real friendships. I was beyond busy and felt useless. I had blurred the lines between work and the rest of my life and never felt like I was ever resting.

I decided a few things in that time. I decided that I was going to do my best to not be so busy that I didn't stop on a regular basis and truly talk to the people in my life. I decided that rather than waiting for people to try to get to know me more I was going to volunteer information about myself (novel concept...I know) and really listen when people spoke. I took some real steps at setting better boundries for keeping work at work and home at home. I have (mostly) been taking my days off off (novel concept...I know). I have been learning how to ask for help. Not something that comes natural to this very independant woman you see before you. Even when I desperately need it. Gosh...pride is just foolish but it creeps in to so many areas of my life.

I have already begun to see good things coming from sticking by these choices. I have felt more myself, I have seen people react to me differently (in a good way), I feel like I am connecting more with people who I have always enjoyed in the past...but on a deeper level. It is a process but one that I am thankful I can engage in now that I am more aware of where I was and where I need to be.

I literally slept for almost two months but I feel like I am awakening from something that started way before that...it's a good feeling.

it's a long one folks

1. If your doctor said you were pregnant, what would you do?
ask if they get in trouble for mixing up people's medical records...it would have to be someone else as I wouldn't be pregnant.

2. Do you trust all of your friends?
I have some of the best friends and I can honestly say that I do. I also have some new friends that I haven't built trust with yet...I do not blindly trust...but I do assume the best until proven otherwise.

3. Would you move to another state or country to be with the one you love?
yes

4. Do you believe that everything happens for a reason?
yes, but maybe not the way this question implies...I think there are a lot of natural consequences to behavior..and some of the crappy stuff people deal with the reason they are dealing with it has to do with their choices. I also think that sometimes bad things happen to good people because that's life. not everything has a mind blowing "reason". that being said I think that God uses even the worst of situations we deal with to bring about good things if we let Him lead us.

5. Name two things you would NOT tolerate in a relationship.
abuse and cheating

6. Which one of your friends do you think would make the best doctor?
probably Anika...she's calm and very caring of others needs

7. When was the last time you snuck out?
I snuck out of work and went to starbucks last week...does that count? does it matter since no one cares if I go anyways? just more fun if you leave with out telling where you're going...

8. Are you afraid of falling in love?
a little but more afraid of not...the risk is worth the reward

9. Is there someone who pops into your mind at random times?
a few friends I've lost track of over the years

10. Would you stop talking to your friends because you hooked up with a new person?
no way...my girls are my girls...no man will ever be my girls so it is to his benefit that I keep talking to them :-)

11. When was the last time you flew in a plane?
on my 30th golden birthday in Dec when I got to go to St.Louis and meet my brand new niece..sweet.

12. What did the last text message you sent say?
lol...of course! to my little ana

13. What features do you find most attractive in the opposite sex?
confidence...how he carries himself....and eye contact

14. Fill in the blank...... I like...
eating! a lot :)

15. What are your goals in life?
To make good decisions always, and to honor God in all that I do.

16. What color eyes do you have?
hazel and sometimes green

17. When you get married, how would you envision your dream wedding?
on the beach baby! very few people.

18. If you could say just one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I'd sing it and it would be "Amazing Grace"

19. If you were to wake up from being in a coma for an extended period of time, name some people you would call?
the nurse first...lol...and once I knew who was still alive and all that I'd call Jess, Ira, Mike, rents, H&K probably a few others...if I had to know their phone numbers I'd never call anyone...my cell has ruined me.

20. How many kids do you want to have?
a couple...not to many...

21. Would you make a good parent?
I hope so...no one's perfect though so I'm sure I'll mess my kids up a little..it's what parents do :-)~ they'll at least know I did my best.

22. Where was your default pic taken?
Twins game!

23. What is your middle name?
Willow

24. What was the last concert you went to?
I think it was a sara groves concert...hmmm...can't remember

25.Does someone like you?
I think so! at least one person must right? mom?! lol

26.Do you want to get married?
eventually

27. Honestly, what’s on your mind right now??
listening to my sister sing...I like her...she's got talent folks!

28. Are you musical?
that would be a yes.

29. If you could go back in time and change something, what would you change?
I would have wripped the stinkin' bandaid off!

30. Shoe size:
11....tall girl big feet :)

31. What are you wearing right now?
khaki pants and white shirt...I look like a gap add

32. Righty or lefty:
righty

33. Can you make a dollar in change right now?
sorry, I only carry 50's! haha! I wish!

34. Best place to go for a date:
anywhere you can talk and interact a little

35. Favorite jeans:
anything from the buckle that's long enough for these legs!

36. Favorite pizza:
just add green olives and I like any of it really

37. Favorite animal:
horse? they are pretty...not really an animal lover

38. Favorite month:
October-love the fall time and pumpkins and apple pie and crisp weather...

39. Favorite juice:
cranberry

40. Have you had the chicken pox?:
yes

41. Have you had a sore throat?:
yes

42. Have you had plastic surgery?:
kind of

43. Who knows you the best?
there are plenty of people who have me figured out...I'm not really a mystery...some people I have more history with.

44 Do you get along with your family?:
we love and fight hard...it's all good at the end of the day

45 Do you wear contact lenses or glasses?
lasik baby!

46. Ever been in a fight with your pet?
what?! no

47. Been to Mexico?:
cancun with Ira, Ash and Jess...fun fun fun in the sun!

48. Been to Canada?
yes...I saw Phantom of the Opera in the Toronto theatre...amazing!

49. Did you buy something today?
stuff to make nametags from Michaels

50. Did you get sick today?
I could have, I ate WAY to much!!!!

51.Do you love someone?
my heart is full

52. Do you miss someone today?:
oh yes, like crazy

53. Did you get in a fight with someone today?:
I'm a lover not a fighter :-)~

54. Did you go to work today?
worked my tail off! it was a fun day.

55. Did you cry today?
Nope

56. Last person to see you cry?
a lady I prayed with a couple weeks ago...

57. Who made you cry?
myself, sometimes there's so much going on inside of me and tears are the only way to work through it all...

58. What was the last TV show you watched?:
probably Stargate...

59. Do you have a crush?
not exactly

60. What are your plans for the weekend?:
well...this weekend is over in like 40 minutes...next weekend I am having breakfast with Beth at her new house and then I leave on Sunday for a week of kids camp...good times!

taste the rainbow

I walked out of the church tonight after a very very busy full day of ministry with my girl Ana after having a great conversation (love that girl) when we were greeted by a full rainbow. you could see the whole thing and it was gorgeous. we attempted to take some pics but pretty sure the rainbow was elusive when it came to being captured in a photo. it is captured in my memory though...what a lovely thing to see at the end of a busy tiring energizing day.

Made me want to eat skittles.

What the...

I'm sitting in my office at work and I can hear a toy making noise in the next room, only I can't find it....it's driving me NUTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!