Watch Out For Dead Man's Curve!

Our good friends, Misty & Michael (left), invited us to go canoeing with them this past Saturday, as a final "let's get away and be out in nature" activity, before Misty and I had to dive back into nursing classes (which started back today, and are going fine so far... thank you for asking).

I was very excited to go! Paul wasn't as excited to canoe, mainly because he has never been before, he dislikes being wet, and I think he has a "safety above all else" chip constantly processing information in his brain. Which, by the way, I definitely appreciate.

But, he also wanted to go have a good time with our friends and to get out, and I wanted to go really bad - so we went. We even bought some cool water-shoes for $3 at Walmart.

See the cool shoes? Mine were black.


It was about a two-hour drive to the Spring River in Arkansas. We had a good time talking about various things and singing to classic country songs on XM satellite radio - which is TOTALLY AWESOME.

A side note:
I used to listen to country all the time when I was younger... it was my "thing". I don't listen to it much now, but after Saturday I will probably take it up again if I can find a worthy country station.

Oh, and I LOVE when a song comes on the radio and I know the words to it. I feel "cool".

Back to the canoeing story...

First of all, it was very fun for me to be out on the water. I haven't been canoeing since I was a young teenager, and we went canoeing for a young women's activity for church. Paul and I don't do very many "outdoorsie" type activities, other than go to the park once in a while, mainly because there aren't any close places around where we live (that we know of) to do anything like camping, canoeing, hiking, etc. Also, we don't have a lot of time to do it with work and school right now.

When we got to the canoe rental place we were immediately approached by a nice Arkansonian man who I believe owned the canoe renting facility. He was rather hairy, had green teeth, a strong southern accent, and spoke of "Dead Man's Curve" a lot during his explanation of the different routes we could take on the river. It was all rather confusing really.

I don't know if we encountered "Dead Man's Curve" on our journey down the river, but we survived the awful fate if we did. You can see how rapid the water was...

See my awesome fanny-pack?

It being Paul's first time, and a long time since I had been, we decided to do the short two-hour trek down the river. We were warned of the different rocky waterfall areas, and to follow the signs directing all canoers to a specific side of the river at a certain point - or we would surely suffer a horrible fate.

Regardless of the inaccurate, and vague warnings from Mr. Canoe-man, we got stuck on the rocks a few times, and Paul bashed his shins up pretty good because we didn't turn fast enough after coming down one of the little waterfalls. It led us, at lightining speed, right into the side of the river and into a tree. The force of the impact threw me onto my buttocks and threw Paul into the wooden bar, which was located at the center of the canoe right in front of him.

This is BEFORE the shin bang. He was so happy.


Paul also hurt his ankle while trying to stop the canoe from going over some rocks sideways. He is definitely a SUPER TROOPER!! He was still in good spirits afterward.
Michael helped us out of a couple spots too, which was very much appreciated.

Although we got a little bashed up, we both had a good time. I think we all had a fun time canoeing.





It also rained pretty much the entire time we were on the water, but that was okay. It wasn't a heavy rain, and we knew we were going to get wet anyway, so it wasn't that big of a deal.



After the canoe ride, we changed our clothes and stopped off at a "Corner Booth Restaurant" for some lunch.


Here we are at the Corner Booth restaurant


Then we walked up and down the main street of the small town we were in. We looked at a small art gallery of local artists, and we stopped in a candy store so Paul could buy some red and black licorice.

Then, we headed back home.

All in all, it was a lot of fun. I wish Paul hadn't gotten hurt, but that was really the only negative part of the entire excursion, and he is just fine now.
I hope we can do it again sometime.

Back To School

It's that time of year again... back to school.

Fall semester nursing courses are starting up again tomorrow morning. Therefore, I won't be blogging much until December. I'll try to squeeze something in once in a while, and maybe Paul will blog a little more. I have sort of been a "blog hog".

I must devote all my free time to studying, reading, and practicing medical treatments on Paul now.

Nooo!!!! Pluto!!!!!

And then there were eight.

It has been decided... the verdict is in.
Pluto is no longer considered a planet. It has been... demoted.


Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus (hehehe), Neptune.... and..... and.....
A moment of silence please...


"My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas" - Not any more kiddo!

Now, Pluto is to be known as a "dwarf" planet, along with the asteroid Ceres and the icy object, Xena, that is slightly larger than Pluto - both of which were up for a possible planethood promotion.

Xena, Not to be confused with...
Xenu, the alien ruler of the galactic confederacy in Scientology doctorine.


Or, Xena Warrior Princess

In a time of ancient gods, warlords, and kings, A land in turmoil cried out for a hero. She was Xena, a mighty princess, forged in the heat of battle. The power... the passion... the danger...Her courage will change the world...

You just watch... before you know it, they're going to get rid of Pluto the dog. You better get to Disney Land soon. I fear the worst for this poor fella.


We will miss you Pluto! You Icy, blue, unreachable floating mass of rock.

Behold...

There is significant tannage... I should have done a before picture so we could compare, but I didn't think of it until after the fact.

Unfortunately, I did make a couple mistakes. My fingers have some weird squiggly looking marks on them, and the knuckles are significantly darker than the rest of me.

And I loaded that so called "barrier" cream on like crazy! Oh well, I guess when you are as white as I was these things are going to happen.


Oh, and If you ever decide to get this done, don't forget to wipe the BOTTOM of your feet... I have scrubbed my feet like there is no tomorrow and they still look like that.



I'm sure it will fade... no biggy.




Now that I see them... don't you think my knees look like faces? Maybe we could add a little hair.... some clothes.... and.... presto! Knee people.

Interesting.

Anyway, so the tan pretty much worked. It's unfortunate that it is so expensive and that it only lasts 1 week. It will fade, and I will be back to my nice white skin where you can see every pore and every vein from a mile away, soon.

Pro's - I look healthier? I feel... cool.
Con's - Cost, smell, discolored hands and feet, weird, dark, dots on my leg and it fades in a matter of days.

I probably won't ever do this again. I will enjoy this tan while I have it though! Maybe I should go by a hula skirt and a lei.

Mystical Moments

I was blessed with a contagious smile, nice hair, and pretty long eyelashes.
I was also blessed with - UNBELIEVABLY PORCELAIN WHITE SKIN.

What is a "tan"? Me no speak-a tannishese.

It is foreign to my cells. I don't think I have any sort of melanin in my skin at all. When I do get a chance to be out in the sun, I burn - unless I wear sunscreen, which, I do.

In fact, even when I wear suntan lotion, I don't get tan, I get these little red dots all over my skin. It's atrotious and scary!

Now-a-days anyone who purposefully lays for a long period of time in the sun to get a tan is just an idiot looking for a sunburn sandwich with a side order of skin cancer. No thanks!

In my previous quest for tan skin I have tried the creams, lotions, and self-tanning sprays. They either don't go on evenly, streak, wash off with any smidgeon of humidity, or don't work at all. Also, they smell.

So, I finally decided to try a mystic tan. I've known of the "mystic tan" for several years now and have always wanted to try it.

It was an interesting experience to say the least.

The sales girl, a mystic tanner herself, was very excited that it was my first time. She eagerly showed me the "mystic tan stance"

pardon the crudity of my quick sketch, you get the idea

That's so you get your armpits and any other "cracks" that might normally be missed otherwise.

But, before getting in the booth of mists...

You must apply a barrier cream to your knuckles and cuticle areas, or they will look all poopy and stuff - no one wants poopy fingers.

Okay, so the barrier cream is applied, the hair net is on, you are buck naked - in your own little room so no one can see - and it's time to jump in the booth and push the green button.

Ready Stance!!

Push button!!!

GO!!!

The mist SHOOTS out at your face and goes up and down, up and down, 3 or 4 times. It smells bad, and it's best to take a deep breath beforehand, if possible.

I was assured that if I did happen to breath in some of the "mist" that it is not harmful and I would be okay.

If you MUST take a breath during the mist, it's best to do it when the mist is pointed at your feet.

After a while though, it really doesn't matter when you take a breath cause the whole little booth fills with the stuff.

ICK!

Then, the mist stops, and gives you a second to turn around and get into position for the back spray. After it is all over, you towel dry off, get dressed, and leave.

Will it work? Will I wake up tomorrow with the tan of my dreams??????

stay tuned!

Spending Time Outside

With work, school, and all the other responsibilities of life, I feel like I spend way too much time indoors focusing on the busy-ness of it. Or, not focusing on anything at all, and just staring into a pit of nothingness (The TV or PC) while precious moments in time slowly slip by.

How many days... how many minutes have I wasted? How many sunsets and sunrises have I missed? There are days when each moment in time almost feels unchanged... as if each minute that is about to happen is predictable, and each day, a re-run.

Sometimes, it almost feels like Paul and I are the only ones on earth.

Yes - Cars rumble as they drive by, neighbors chatter loudly, doors slam, car alarms go off, dogs bark, airplanes fly by, and the loud annoying rumble of a lawnmower periodically interrupts a silent moment... all reminders to me that there are others around. But there is still a massive feeling of disconnectedness in the air.

I feel disconnected. I feel alone.

Then I remember that human beings are just one of the millions of living things in this universe. I remember what it feels like when I am walking alone along a path in the mountains shaded by trees. I remember what it feels like when I lay on my back on fresh green grass and gaze up at the clouds. I remember how alive I feel when Paul and I walk hand-in-hand toward a setting sun, and the sky is filled with piercing purple, orange, red, yellow, and blue beams of light and energy.

Being outside truly helps me feel connected to the earth. I feel closer to Mother Nature, my family, my friends, all the things I love. I feel closer to God when I am surrounded by lush green trees, or when I happen to catch a cool purposeful breeze on my face as it wisps by.

I can feel, deep down in my soul, how good being out in nature is for me. I know I am never alone when I am spending time outside.

Therefore... I have decided to take a moment, each day, to appreciate and connect with nature. We don't live by a mountainside or in a place you would immediately see as a Garden of Eden. But it really doesn't matter.

If it's just a moment of closing my eyes and taking a deep breath in each morning before I get in my car... that is something. There are big, green trees here filled with chirping birds to look at and listen to. The sky is open and blue, filled with gigantic, white, puffy clouds. We even have squirrels in our trees sometimes. And although it is hot and muggy most of the time, there is still usually a light breeze that helps the tree branches sway back and forth in an almost rhythmic motion. There is a park nearby with beautiful sparkling lakes, shaded trails, buffalo, and other animals of different kinds to view.

In the end, it won't matter that I missed an episode of The Dead Zone on TV. But the time I spend bonding with my family, my friends, and nature will matter.

I am part of nature, and I am never alone.

Confucius says...

A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.

The End of Summer, What a Bummer.

This is my last week of freedom before it's back to the fun-filled, always have something to do or somewhere to go, study, study, study life that is nursing school. How could time have gone by so quickly? What exactly did I accomplish this summer?

-I slept in a lot, I will truly miss that. Truly.
-I invested in large quantities of oil paint supplies, painted 4 or 5 paintings, got frustrated, and threw a bunch of stuff away. Then, I decided I will try acrylics.
-I started meditating, stopped, and then started again.
-We joined a gym for way too much money, but we go so it wasn't a total waste.
-I exercised... sometimes. I'm not gonna lie.
-I still lost some weight!
-I successfully completed 2 master cleanser lemonade diets (10 days, then 17 days).
-I spent a lot of time with Paul... that alone was worth it.
-I talked with my mom a lot
-I spent a week with my nephew Christopher
-I spent a week in Arizona with Paul while he was on a business trip, and I got a sunburn
-I read a book
-I watched A LOT of episodes of Quantum Leap on the Sci-Fi channel
-I found a new passion for the Food Network
-Paul's mom and dad came down for a week
-I started this blog

So, it has been a pretty good summer, and I think my main reasons for taking this time off - getting into better shape and relaxing - were somewhat accomplished. I would give myself an 85% on the grade scale. I could have spent more time exercising, but I can STILL do that. I think I've come a long way.

Hello Kitty!

For the past few weeks, there has been this white cat outside our apartment.

It usually sits in the shaded area on the first floor of our building. Paul and I are on the second floor.

It looks really skinny and dirty, and it doesn't wear a collar. It's a girl and it's not spayed because it has nipples - as if it has just had or will soon be having babies.

I've never seen anyone petting it or calling it. I am pretty sure it's a stray, because it is REALLY friendly. Most cats (those with owners) run away when people try to pet them or come up to them.

Anyway, I am not sure what to do about it. I've searched the internet for several online websites for animal rescue places here. There are a number of places we could take the kitty... but there are so many stray animals, they would probably end up killing it because they can't find it a home.

To have a pet, Paul and I would have to pay about $100 more a month in rent and we do NOT want to do that.

Paul is so sweet, he really seems to care about what happens to this cat as much as I do. I am really surprised at him - I never expected he would care so much. Anyway, for the first time last night, we gave it some food and water. It was probably a mistake because now the cat will never leave... but we know this.

We were thinking maybe we would give it food and water every day, and just let it eat it outside and remain an outside cat. I'm a little scared about it cause I don't want anyone to see us feeding it or thinking it is our cat. I don't want to take it to a shelter where it would just be killed though!!

It reminds me of my cat coconut.

Coconut was my first cat. She was a kitten from a litter of one of our other cats - Ritzy. I watched her being born, and my mom let me pick her out of the litter to be my very own.

Coconut was my best friend. We spoke to each other; we had a language. It was almost like I knew Meowish and she knew English. She knew what I was saying to her when I would ask her questions or tell her to do something. It was an amazing relationship.

She was an outdoor/indoor cat. She would go outside in the morning when I went to school, and play all day outside. Then, at night, when the sun went down I would stand on the front porch and say...
"Cooo Cooooooooooooo!" In a high-pitched voice.

She would immediately come running up the street and into the house.

Every night, coconut slept above my head on my pillow. She not only cleaned her fur, she would also lick my hair and face - give me a nice cleanin'.

Coconut had a place out in our backyard under my mom's lilac tree where she hid a pile of birds, mice, or any other creature she happened to catch in her hunting. She got angry if anyone got near her spot. I was the only one who was allowed to sit with her under the tree in the shade. We would sit and talk about her amazing pile of prey, and what a magnificent hunter she was.

One time, I awoke to my mom saying,
"Be calm Edith... coconut has brought you a gift, don't scream"

I looked down at cococut... she was SO excited. She jumped up on my bed with a small mouse in her mouth. She then very gently layed the mouse on my pillow, and in meowish said,
"Here Edith, this is for you!"

It was a gift you see.

I immediately began praising her...
"Good job coconut!! Thank you so much! But I want YOU to keep it".

So we put the mouse on the floor, and to our surprise, it rolled on its belly and started to run! It wasn't dead. Coconut just patted it with her paws, teasing it... and then she grasped it with her mouth and took it outside to the lilac tree of death.

I don't know what kind of a life this other cat has had. I don't know if it once had a home and was abandoned, or if it has always been a stray. I don't know if it has any diseases. I don't know how old it is. But for now, if the cat can survive outside with a little "charitable nutritional support" from us - like my mom says - then it would be OK. At least until we can find a place that doesn't kill animals.

And if the landlord bothers to notice the cat we can honestly say it isn't our cat.

It really is an emotional dilemma.

Happy Happy Birthday!!!

Today, a lovely lady named Mary Ann (Paul's Mom) celebrates her birthday! Ma, with every year you grow more wonderful to know, and more special to us!!
We hope you have a wonderful day today!
Thanks for being such a caring and loving person.
We Love You!

Fun w/ Photoshop 3: A Blast From the Past

Well, it's that time again.
This time around, I thought we'd take a journey through the past.

Remember that time, in the early 1900's, when we used to be obssessed with the fashion industry?

I would spend hours on end trying to look just right.

I was so upset when my mom got the modeling job I was going for...

It did turn out fabulous though, so I guess they knew what they were doing when they picked her.

And then, there was that other job my mother-in-law got...
That year she took the fashion industry by storm!!


We were so vain, we even joined a swimsuit competition.

That was the year Andrea took first, and Shawna took second.
Your suit was a little revealing Andrea... dontcha think? sheesh!!
And Shawna... showing your ankles? Someone was trying to get some extra points from the judges...
And Amber, trying to win by wearing a wedding vail... please.
Buncha cheaters.

But, we finally realized as the years went on what was really important in life...
Like, saving those is need, right Super Scott?


We started to understand what the good things in life were... like music


balloons..


Relaxin' by the lake, fishin'
Remember that one year Greg? Ooooohhh that was awesome!


Being free and spontaneous! Good times eh Kim?
Remember when Tyler kept saying he was the King of the world? And then we found he had taken too much Nyquil? haha good times.


Baseball... didn't you beat Babe Ruth's record that year Kevin?

And love...

One of my favorite memories is watching Paul Presley sing and dance and woo all the girls.
But I was the one for him...

What a looker!!

Yeah... those were the good ol' days. Times I will always cherrish, and memories I will never forget.

Good times... good times.

None of the preceding statements or pictures are true... except for the love of music and balloons. I truly love music and colorful balloons.

Background Check

Nursing classes start back on August 28th, and I recently received a letter in the mail from the school requesting I conduct a background check on myself.

I guess my eyes are kind of... shifty. And I can be pretty... sneaky. Let's just see what I'm hiding, shall we??!!!

According to this $58.00 background check I:
-am not a criminal
-am not a sex offender
-and I do not have a history of abusive behavior

Whooo!! That's a relief. I mean, just when you think you can trust yourself.

-----
Seriously... it's for the hospital I will be attending my clinicals at this semester for my Advanced Adult Health course.
I can't believe I only have 2 semesters left and I will be a nurse. It's pretty exciting.

Random Thoughts & Comments

*I bought a tongue scraper today, and used it for the first time... It! Was! Awesome!! My tongue feels so... clean!! I would definitely recommend getting one if you don't already have one.

*I'm actually down ANOTHER pound today. I didn't think when I started the OJ I'd continue going down in weight, but I guess I am. Woo!

*Take a look at this delicious looking soup I am making for my dinner tonight... You should smell it!! They should make a candle that smells like vegetable soup. I'd buy it. Then people would think I was cooking all day.














*It rained really hard last night. The kind of rain where you think your windows are going to break. The lighting was amazing, and the thunder - less than one second behind it - was SO LOUD! It was absolutely exciting.

*No, this is NOT my great-great-great-grand mother... it's a preview for the upcoming "Fun with photoshop 3: A blast from the past" blog.


*Our water-heater was replaced on Paul's birthday, and it took a couple days for it to kick in. Even still, it doesn't really get HOT unless we turn on our heater. It's really irritating. Hopefully it will get better.

*I am getting so much better at throwing darts! I practice when Paul is at work. I even watched "The World Series Of Darts" on ESPN the other day. The key is to hit that triple twenty area on the board. That gets you the most points. Paul is still really good at it though, so he beats me most of the time. I am, by nature, left-handed, but I throw darts better with my right hand. I also bat with my right. Maybe I am ambidextrious??

17 days

Today I have decided to begin breaking the lemonade diet/cleanse. For the next 3 days I will be helping my digestive system to get used to eating normal foods again.

Final stats:
Total weight lost on the cleanse: 13.5 pounds
(Total weight loss since I started exercising and eating better - 27.5 pounds!)
-1 inch from my waist
-1 inch from my hips
-1 inch from my chest
-1.5 inches from my thighs
-0.5 an inch from my calves
-0.5 an inch from my biceps
no more cravings for bad food, I crave vegetables!!

I am really in a mood for a big salad... MMM!


There are specific things you have to do, before eating normal foods, to get your body ready to digest foods again - once you have been on the cleanse.
Breaking the cleanse:
Day 1 - OJ all day, water
Day 2 - OJ breakfast & lunch, prepare a homemade veggie soup for dinner (eat mostly broth)
Day 3 - OJ, soup from yesterday for lunch, vegetables, fruit, salad of your choice for dinner.
Day 4 - resume eating normal foods

I still have about 24 pounds to go, to get to my goal weight. But I am so happy and proud of myself for getting this far! It really is a great feeling to be more than halfway there.

Good Times

The party was very fun, and once again we had an amazing time together! We always have a good time together so I knew this wouldn't be an issue.

In preparation for the shin-dig, I set up a table, hung a banner, and some balloons. I picked out a birthday hat - every party has to have hats. This year I made Paul wear a King's hat because he is of noble birth. Last year I made him wear a sponge bob square pants hat - he must really love me, ha!
I think he had a good time.

Once Paul got home, I prepared his dinner and set out his plate. Since I am on the lemonade diet I just sat with him and drank a lemonade while Paul ate.
This year Paul chose a beefy birthday dinner.
A filet (cooked medium-rare, just how he likes it)
garlic mashed potatoes
green beans
and corn. Mmm Mmm Mmm!

Here's Paul, about to blow out the candles... Make a wish!!
He probably wished he could take off that hat.

Here's a closer look at Dessert... a Baskin Robins Vanilla Ice Cream cake.
Mmmmmmm!

After dinner and cake, Paul opened his presents from me...

A black tie (I ironed the other one he has and ruined it - oops! ),
Some dark chocolate truffles,
A high tech dart board,
And a card.

I actually found a card with my name already on it! I had to get it...


We ended the evening trying out the new dart board. Paul is an awesome dart thrower!! I, on the other hand, need some practice.

Good times!

The crown shall now be passed down to the heir of the throne...
teddy