Killing Me Softly

Benefit of the Doubt. I find that giving people this, often leads to disappointment. We use phrases like "One more chance" and "One last time", trying to believe that people will change or somehow prove that they are worthy of those chances. Not one time, that I can recall, have I given someone the "benefit of the doubt" and been completely happy I did so. Most of the time, I end up kicking myself for repeatedly allowing myself to be vulnerable to the hurt that comes from repetitive forgiveness and wishful thinking.

Lord, How do you do it?
So many chances, so much forgiveness. I can barely handle the verbal repetition of apology and forgiveness: without true change.

Head -Over Heals

In the last month, I have experienced on THREE SEPARATE occasions the kind of "brotherly" affection that brings me back to fifth grade(or so).
I've been left, shaking my head in confusion three different times in ONE month.

My older brother used to give me what I can only label as a "headlock/noogy", painful and embarrassing. I wasn't sure if this was the exact term, so I went to a reliable source. The trusty word-bank, known as : Urbandictionary.com(Totally reliable, second only to Wikipedia*).

Turns out that "noogy" IS the correct term, and here's the definition:

"To grab someone around the neck with your arm, pull their head against your body (thus subduing them), make your other hand into a fist, and grate your knuckles painfully against their scalp. If you're sneaky enough, grabbing them around the neck may not be necessary.

A favorite tactic among bullies and older siblings."

Yep, totally accurate.

Anyway,

Occasion #1:
Culprit: John Krutsinger

We were at the election party, and I got up to say goodbye. He flips me around and puts me in a head-lock, and gives me a noogy. "Seriously?" I think, I'm a girl. YOU DON'T give girls noogies, unless they're your sister.

Occasion #2:
Culprit: Adam Sabolick

Going on-stage, right before worship on Sunday Morning. I compliment him on his orange, puffy vest and say "Adam, I haven't seen you in so long" and precede to give him a hug. Then it happened AGAIN. He grabs my neck and gives me a noogy. Messing up my hair, and causing me stumble awkwardly onto the stage. Fixing my hair as I go.

Occasion #3:
Culprit: Frank Sanchez

After the "Thanksgiving-Eve" service, chatting a bit with Frank. I said something cheeky, and it happened for the third time in a month. He hugged me and turned it into a headlock/noogy.

Why? I don't understand...
I'm not a boy, and I'm not their sister: maybe "In Christ", but that is AS far as it goes.

Yep...

Oh the head shaking, mysteries of life.

Oh, Canada

I think I would have thought the world was coming to an end, had I seen this BRIGHT flaming ball headin' my way.

Rock around the clock tonight...

Three Days Until I'm here:



I feel like this is what I have been waiting for, since the day we bought our tickets.
I made it through mid-terms, through my sister's amazing(yet highly stressful)wedding and now I'm looking forward to an amazing vacation!

I get to see my loves, and get to experience a glimpse of what has become their everyday.

+Get to visit the VERY first Nordstrom.
+Finally feel like it is Fall!
+Wear winter clothes: scarves, hats, coats, boots.

Charmed

I would love to be described as charming: "She is a very charming girl" or "She has a charming personality" or maybe "She has a charming disposition."
It just sounds so classy.

Sweet Caroline

duh, duh, duh...
good times never seemed so seemed so good.


I'm done, free, and oh so happy to A) Say that I now have a married sister, and an amazing new brother B) Happily admit that I survived giving my toast and C) Finished mid-terms!


Feelings: Relief, Wonder, Thankfulness.

Once again, God has shown himself so faithful in my life.

" For great is your love, higher than the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies."
-Psalm 108:4

He has seen me through every stress and worry, and I am confident that He will continue to do so. He never leaves, never forsakes. He is patient with my doubts, and shows me unending mercies. He never fails. And for this: I am so thankful. I would have no hope, no light at the end of every trial, no constant feeling that everything will turn out alright: if not for the loving reassurance of my savior.

Psalm 121

"A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;

4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;

8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore."


*This post is a random mix of thanksgiving and updates, of which I am aware. Bear with me, friends.

Things I can now EXCITEDLY look forward to:
-Seeing Bethany this week!!
-Palm Springs in November
-Flying to Seattle, with Carrie, to spend a long weekend w/my favorite girls(B&T)
-Thanksgiving
-Cold Weather
-Christmas

(It is just all fun and games from here on out, yay!)

All Time Low

Today I hit an all time low...
and NOT for reasons that would be expected of a student struggling through mid-terms.

Today while meandering through BIG LOTS(Formerly Pic-N-Save), I was humming whatever song was blaring over the state of the art sounds system. When it happened...
I walked past the kitchen isle, Halloween decorations/costumes(complete with plastic machetes, masks, and other haunting decorations), christmas decorations (Which I'm pretty sure they carry year-around), and was making my way toward the back of the store when I looked down the isle to my right as I passed: I see a man (Total father of four material), in a collared shirt.
Just out of my peripheral vision.
I thought nothing of it...until I began to make my way back towards the front of the store.
I passed the home decor isle and saw the same "Dad." This time I look as I pass and he smiles and says "Hello."
As I'm thinking just how weird that was...I hear "Hello, excuse me...".
I turn and see "World's Greatest Dad" looking at me. He's like "Oh, I'm sorry...you don't work here, do you?"

No, No Dad of the year...I don't work at Big Lots. I can't direct you to the isle with the 5 year old canned goods, or last year's Halloween candy.

* ALL TIME LOW.


Other random things I found there:
-Guitar shaped plastic containers with Elvis on the front, filled with pop-corn(I also located large plastic beer bottles filled with the like)
-Blistex for 59 cents (A find indeed)
-A (plastic) machete and butcher knife (Which Chris and I chased each other around the store with)
-A bag full of "fun-sized" pop-rocks (Chris just couldn't pass this deal up)

Oh Big Lots, A storehouse of cheap random items.

*Side Note: Has everyone at least BEEN into SMART&FINAL.
That place is amazing, its like costco with party stuff and TONS of fresh baked goods *IN BULK

Oh the places I have been, in search of random wedding items.