I LOVE MY HUSBAND!! :)

I absolutely love being able to spend time with my husband, but it is so hard to do when you work two jobs and go to school. I feel like I am always running around and that I "never" get to do anything fun. That is not completely true lately though. Don't tell my boss, but I kind of skipped work one day this week (yesterday) just to spend time with my husband. I did not completely lie to him, but just because I was not feeling well did not mean that I was not well enough to work. I just didn't want to drive myself to Joplin and back. Driving an hour both ways gets very tiresome and I just didn't have that much energy, especially considering what I do at work.

Eric and I avoided Joplin, and went into town to eat lunch as well as to watch his little cousins baseball game. We ended up seeing a few of his other family members as well, but the point is that we went and spent some time together. I always love that, no matter what we are doing.

We have also gone to eat after I get off work and spent extra time doing that than we normally do. Oh, and we made a random stop at the Precious Moments Chapel the other day where we took the time to get a guided tour and browse around the gift shop... And yes, he had to spend money. (But that's okay because my necklace is beautiful.)

We haven't really had any “traditional dates” lately, but spending time with him is all that I really care about. By traditional dates though, I mean something along the lines of Putt-Putt, going to the movies, going out dancing, or just something that we actually plan just for the two of us or with another couple. Like I said though, that's okay with me.

Two nights ago we rented Tekken from Redbox and stayed up late to watch it together. Then we spent all day yesterday spending that time together. Tonight, after work, we went and ate at Logans then rented The Three Musketeers from Redbox which we are going to put in the DVD player and watch as soon as I finish my homework. (See what I mean about never having time?) I do have to go to work tomorrow so I'm trying to get all of this done as soon as I possibly can.

I love my husband, and I love being able to spend this extra time with him. I just wish that this could be more of an everyday occurrence rather than just every once in a while. It would be nice to feel like I actually get to see my husband more often than just driving to and from Joplin and when we get ready for bed and wake up. Of course we do argue some, but at the end of the night we are still in love so it all works out :P

Extreme Roller Coasters

"To some, any roller coaster is a scary roller coaster. But to the brave at heart, the faster they come, the bigger they smile." I read this statement and automatically knew that I was definitely not part of the latter. On the other hand, my husband is.

 This article is about America's five scariest rollercoasters. The whole reason I clicked on this article was because I was searching for ideas for a trip my husband and I can take and to get a range of what a trip might cost us. Even though I do not like this kind of adrenaline rush, I do love seeing him have fun on the big rides and being with him to check out the little gift shops and non-death defying rides at amusement parks. Three of the five roller coasters are found at Six Flags. The other two are at places that I have never heard of. Along with that, they are spread out to four different states.

The first, at Six Flags in Jackson, New Jersey is considered to be the worlds TALLEST roller coaster and was the worlds fastest in 2004 when it opened. Kingda Ka is its name and it is 456 feet tall. The ride lasts for about half of a minute. Our second roller coaster is found in this same park. It is the third tallest roller coaster and is called El Toro. It has a more rustic look than Kingda Ka.

I have actually been to the Six Flags where you find our third roller coaster. That would be Superman: Krypton Coaster in San Antonio, Texas. This rides is said to have "the world's largest complete vertical loop". I flat out refused to ride it with the rest of my classmates on our senior trip. However, some of my best friends LOVED it!

Intimidator 305 at Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia is our fourth roller coaster. It has a 300 foot drop and a top speed of around 90 miles per hour. It was named, in memory, of Dale Earnhardt. One of its hills has actually been toned downed since it was finished in 2010.

Our fifth and final roller coaster is called Big Shot and can be found at Stratosphere Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. You may not find it to be too too interesting at first since it "only" goes up to 45 mph and is about 160 feet tall, but when you factor in that it is on top of the tallest building in Las Vegas, you might find it more interesting. The Stratosphere Hotel is 100 stories tall and on this ride you are about 1000 feet above the Strip.

These roller coasters would scare the living daylights out of me, but I personally think the parks and the hotel would be great to visit!

Thomas Kinkade died at 54

Thomas Kinkade was an amazing artist. When I heard of his death I was sitting in Hardees with my husband. I was shocked when it came across the news. I have always liked Kinkade's art and have even bought a few of his pieces to give as presents to family and friends. My favorite painting of his has always been Deer Creek Cottage. He painted it when I was two years old, but I don't consciously remember seeing it until I was in middle school. We had to write a paper in art class about our favorite artist, what medium he/she used most often, and which of their specific pieces was our favorite and why. Deer Creek Cottage really stood out to me. I love the wintery look and how brightly the lights in the house illuminate the snow and the creek below. At first glance, you may not see the deer in the corner, but when you do, you can tell they look to be curious. This image has always put a smile on my face. Below, you can see the image I am talking about, or you can go to the official website and browse his work.

I have also found that Thomas Kinkade was very popular for his lighthouse paintings. The Light of Peace is a very inspirational painting of a lighthouse. Actually, almost all of his paintings have some inspirational aspects to them which I find really awesome. Here is what Thomas Kinkade had to say about The Light of Peace: "Storms must end. God's glorious light streams through the clouds in brilliant beams. That moment, when peace returns to the land, sea, and sky is a wonderful affirmation. It is the inspiration for The Light of Peace, third in my Seaside Memories collection. These heavenly lights literally take my breath away; I hope this dramatic print has that effect on you." I find this to be very moving as a Christian. I know that when a storm comes in my life I feel terrified, but when it all subsides I feel that sense of peace that he illustrates perfectly in this painting.

Unfortunately, many in the art field regarded Kinkade as if he wasn't a real artist. They felt as if he was only giving people what they wanted and not something different. In my eyes, there is nothing wrong with traditional work that I can put in any room of my house. According to a news article highlighting his death, Kinkade even told The New York Times in 2001, “I view art as an inspirational tool... People who put my paintings on their walls are putting their values on their walls: faith, family, home, a simpler way of living, the beauty of nature, quiet, tranquillity, peace, joy, hope. They beckon you into this world that provides an alternative to your nightly news broadcast.” I completely admire him for this. I love having inspirational pictures and quotes surrounding me because I really don't like feeling down all the time. Kinkade is in part, one of the reasons I really love photography. How is that? Well it's because photography is an art and there are many people that I look up to who have inspired me in the wonderful field that art has expanded to. It's hard to believe he is dead, but I thank God for putting Thomas Kinkade in this world to be the inspiration that he is.

Story of a Girl (4)

This is the story of a girl who cried a river and drowned the whole world and while she looked so sad in photographs I absolutely love her when she smiles. -Nine Days, Story of a Girl

 

Everyone wants me to be a girly girl, but that's just not who I am. I prefer sneakers over heels (high tops actually), a ponytail over a Snookie bump, dirt over makeup, basketball shorts over a skirt, and many other things that make people consider me as a tomboy. That's who I am. I love aggressive sports like basketball, not prissy sports like cheerleading and I prefer band over dance. I am not gay, I'm just not conformative.

I am not saying any of this to insult anyone, I just felt that you should know that I AM a girl, I am just NOT a girly girl. I am sure you all realize that there are major differences between the two. It just bothers me to no end that my friends, my mom, and even my god sister (my sister in the way that if anything happened to her parents before she was seventeen mine would take care of her and  if anything happens to mine before I turn seventeen hers will take care of me...) still try to make me girly. I do not mind going out every once in a while and dressing up, but I don't want to do it every day. They seem to think I should. Actually, I enjoy dressing up more when we go out on those rare occasions. It keeps everything interesting.

My god sister used to be a tomboy like I am, but she's not as big of one anymore. Every once in a while she might rock those sweatpants and sneakers. It's kind of cool that she's married now, but I hate that I never see her. Yes, she is a few years older than me, but I love how we get along and that she never treats me like a child.

I bet you are wondering what I am getting at here. Well, to be honest, I just needed to vent about how I sometimes feel like a puppet. It gets old. What would you do in my shoes? Would you conform to how your friends wanted you? Would you disown your friends? What about my god sister.... we are the closest thing to sisters either one of us has? Sometimes I think it's a hard decision, but none of my friends have completely left me yet. I'm just not the one with a boy attached to my hip or the one who comes home one night to tell my parents I'm pregnant. (They would murder me by the way.) I like being me because I feel comfortable in this skin.  I cannot complain too much because they support me for the most part. I asked my mom recently to take me to dye my hair and do a few other things together and she was all for it. I just hate that people try to change me. I am only a sophomore in highschool. I feel like I have plenty of time left in life for change. I just want it to be for me. Is that too much to ask?

 

***Disclaimer: (Please see previous blog) This is a true story of someone I know. I write in first person so people can feel the impact of what I'm writing a little better***

Spice Up Your Sandwiches

I am not sure if the article Spice Up Your Sandwiches disgusted or intrigued me more. I am actually starting to lean more on intrigued though. Ratha Chaupoly and Ben Daitz have compiled a list of ways to start enjoying the many possible sandwiches you can make and eat. My favorite of their tips is number three "Salad on your sandwich". I have been trying to eat healthier lately, but I never seem to because we are always eating out. Of course, this might not be the case if we were ever home long enough for either of us to make dinner. The salad on your sandwich idea got me to thinking about getting rye bread and putting chopped ham, lettuce, tomatoes, boiled egg, crushed croutons, and poppyseed dressing on it. And yes, I am one to toast EVERY sandwich so I would definitely do that too. I am sure you all would enjoy the other tips as well. These include: "1. Find the right bread match, 2. Brighten it up with fresh herbs, 4. Creative condiments, and 5. DIY Pickles." The only others of these that I was personally interested in was the first one because I like to try different breads. Pickled foods, on the other-hand, are not my thing.
Thinking about and reading this got me to wondering how these guys got so "important" enough to become "big news". So I googled them. I found out that they were on VH1 and that they owned their own sandwich shop. Go figure. The picture on the home page makes them look so "into" their work. and the items on the menu look a little pricey to me, but I think they sound interesting. The only thing that throws me is a note on their menu that says "Our sandwiches were created to be enjoyed as they are. Please, no modifications!" If they want to promote new flavors, why would they not want anyone to modify anything? I just don't understand that.
Nonetheless, I think these guys are pretty awesome. I even posted a video of them (from their site)for you guys. Some of the sandwich ideas they come up with seem to be a little over the top to me, but other people might like them so who am I to judge something I refuse to even try? I honestly think that if I was ever home enough to spend time picking out meals and trying new things like these guys do, I totally would. I wish I was able to be home to do that atleast. If I was, fast food would be out of the picture because I am so tired of it. I hate spending all my money on fast food. When I first got married and was home more I was able to cook and experiment and I loved it! These guys atleast have fun with what they do. Check out the video. It's about them giving back to charity and having fun at the same time. :) (And it's only 4 minutes long!)