Keeping up with my brain

Avery James

2007-10-28T22:21:00.000-06:00

Avery is here

Born 10/18/2007

8lbs 4.5oz 21.25 inches long

he is a sweet baby

It's a boy

2007-06-29T14:13:00.001-06:00

Happy Anniversary

2007-06-27T05:30:00.000-06:00

Today makes 4 years. So happy anniversary to us. I work tonight but we will go out Thursday of Friday night.

Expecting!

2007-06-14T08:52:00.001-06:00

My pregnancy has not been bad at all. I am half way through and starting to feel the baby move. Most people told me that I would feel the baby move more when I am resting... ha ha... I feel the baby more when I am at work moving and checking out groceries. It kinda tickles. The other times I feel the baby is when I am in school.

My belly seems to grow overnight and I sure do look pregnant now. People at work notice, but I don't look as big as I am with my big work shirt and my apron.

The majority of people think we are having a boy. I don't care what sex we are having and I would be happy with either. But yeah 3/5 people think boy. We will find out June 29th, 2 days after our 4th wedding anniversary.
I can't wait.

Happy Birthday baby boy(cat)!

2007-05-09T11:57:00.000-06:00

Today is Ziggy's birthday. I can't believe my little baby is 6 years old.

babies online

2007-04-20T10:17:00.000-06:00

I'm due Friday, October 26, 2007 - Visit My Babies Online Pregnancy Journal

Advertise

2007-04-15T11:00:00.000-06:00

I have a lot to say on here and have not kept any of you updated. I will so I swear. For now I will leave you with a picture of me on the King Soopers advertisment.... so mom and dad you should pick one up at the store before Tuesday haha.

color quiz

2007-02-23T13:08:00.000-07:00

I got this from my mom's blog, who got it from a long list of peoples blog.

Shawna took the free ColorQuiz.com personality test!

"Intense, vital, and animated, taking a delight in ..."

Click here to read the rest of the results.

Poem

2007-02-15T14:27:00.000-07:00

Why do you make us feel loss?
Why do you make us feel pain?
Why do fear you Death,
When some day you will visit us the same?
Why do we feel empty, when our loved ones pass away?
Does it really make us feel better when we think we will meet with them again one day?

To some of us it still saddens when the loved one isn’t ours,
But to know some one who loved them might feel like they were yours.

( I thought of this after a classmate of mine told me on Tuesday that she had lost a long time friend suddenly over the weekend)

I was told that they come in 3....

2007-02-02T12:22:00.000-07:00

Shortly after Emilio's death, a former coworker (someone I didn't know) also died suddenly. Few people currently working at my store knew him, but it was still an impact on those who did.

Then last Tuesday another coworker, Betty, died at age 67 of a heart attack. Last Saturday I had learned that Betty had called in sick and immediately I got worried because that is all Emilio did was call in sick. I couldn't believe it when I went to work on Wednesday and Rob told me about Betty.

As I was putting on my ribbon my manager Buz and I talked about Betty. Buz said that Betty often talked about death and said she wasn't scared. She had a near death experience 4 years ago and she was prepared if it came for real.

"I'm Busy!!" - Emilio

2007-01-22T10:15:00.000-07:00

Last Monday I was working the manager's desk and I took a sick call from Emilio. He sounded very odd and I didn't even know who it was at first. Then he said "This is Emilio, I'm sick and I have to go to the doctor." I said "Ok Emilio, get better, ok" and he said "Ok, bye." He sounded really strange. When I came back to work on Wednesday I was told that I was probably the last person he talked to, because he had died in his home. He didn't come to work Tuesday and he didn't answer his phone... so the delivery driver drove to his apartment and he didn't answer so the apartment manager opened the door and they found him.

Emilio was in his 70's and was a sacker at my work. He spoke with a very thick accent because he was from Spain (even though it sounded like he was from Italy). He liked to give me and others a hard time at work. If you would say "Emilio you are on buggies" he would answer "I'm busy!" Or if I would say "Emilio go to your break" he would say "right now?" and then tell the customer "I do what she say she is my boss"

Damn that's a lot of snow!

2006-12-21T17:19:00.000-07:00

There is so much snow I don't even know what to say. I was supposed to work yesterday and I couldn't even make it there. The buses shut down and it took Andy at least 1 hour to get home when it takes him 15 mins on a normal day. Andy is a great driver in snow but the snow was so deep he and others kept getting stuck. Later we went for a walk and helped people who were stuck. I told work I would go in today but I am still stuck at home. The main roads are plowed but you can barely get out of our neighborhood, and cars are still stuck, blocking the roads so the plows can't get us out. The cats even went out on porch to play.

| View Show | Create Your Own
http://www.rockyou.com/show_my_gallery.php?instanceid=48036627

Is he...?

2006-12-11T12:49:00.000-07:00

Thank goodness this semester is almost over! I just got done studying for my first exam tomorrow. The class is called Exceptional Learners in the Classroom. The class covers things like learning disorders, mental retardation, traumatic brain injury, gifted and talented, and then some.

I was reviewing the information on gifted and talented students and I started thinking about my brother Michael. Michael is very smart, I mean I have always thought so not only as his sister but as a person who has always wanted to be a teacher. I would love to read his stories he wrote for class and even his rough drafts he would have to take home. He has always been interested in science; creating strange mixtures of beverages in his bedroom that one exploded do to heat and smelled up the whole house. I always wondered what he was thinking about when he sat in the middle of the livingroom floor meditating... Perhaps it was the meaning of life or something and maybe he found it.

It would be very sad if he was undiagnosed. He struggled in school. Sadly I think only a few good teachers recognized his full potential.

A lot of children are underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed who are gifted or talented. They are misunderstood by family, peers and teachers. I think you would have to know Michael to know what I am saying. Here is some of the research I looked at that made me think of my brother.

Contrary to popular belief, gifted, talented, and creative children face many challenges.

One challenge is being correctly identified as gifted. The other is living in a world where their personal traits are often poorly understood.

Such challenges put gifted and talented children at risk for having certain difficulties at home and school. To make matters worse, giftedness is often misdiagnosed or overlooked by psychologists, psychiatrists, and other health care professionals.

What it Means to be Gifted or Talented

According to the Institute for the Study of Advanced Development in Denver, Colorado, gifted and talented children possess greater than average awareness, perception, and sensitivity. This may be expressed in one or more areas, such as art, music, language, science, or math. Common traits of gifted and talented children include:

Creativity and strong imagination
Perfectionism and idealism
Intensity
Strong absorption in their interests
Complexity and intense inner turmoil
Deep compassion for others
Questioning established rules, beliefs, traditions, and authority
High sensitivity
Keen observation, perception, and insight
Ability to process information at deeper levels
Love of learning

Difficulties Facing Gifted and Talented Children

Because of their finely tuned awareness, gifted and talented children tend to experience life differently and more intensely than others. Unfortunately, peers and authorities at school or home often do not understand these differences. Gifted and talented children may experience the following problems:

Boredom and impatience
Frustration and disappointment when ideals are not reached
Disregard for, or open questioning of, rules and traditions
Preoccupation with deep human concerns, sometimes leading to anxiety and depression
Difficulty observing boundaries and channeling their intense energy
Not "fitting in" with their peers

In a clinical situation, the child's intense personal traits and difficulties may be viewed as symptoms of a mental or emotional disorder. Misguided therapy or medication may follow, as the clinician attempts to suppress or "cure" the symptoms of giftedness.

Common Misdiagnoses

In a paper presented at the American Psychological Association's Annual Convention in August 2000, James Webb, Ph.D. discussed common misdiagnoses of gifted children. They include:

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Traits such as intensity, impatience, sensitivity, and high energy are common in children with ADHD, as well as in gifted children. Some gifted children do have ADHD, but many do not. They are at a different developmental level than other children. As a result, they may be inattentive and impulsive in certain situations.

There is more to this particular article at:
http://www.thirdage.com/healthgate/files/14303.html

Thanksgiving 2006

2006-11-26T11:53:00.000-07:00

Why I missed my exam!

2006-10-31T18:49:00.000-07:00

This morning I woke up early so I could get a little more studying done for my exam today. Last night I worked until 10:15 and little did I know that the soreness of my back was going to mean anything.

When I woke up this morning my back hurt so bad. I mean so bad that I was on the bathroom floor crying. Andy sleepily woke up and told me to get dresses because he was taking me to the ER.

So there I am in the ER and that is why I missed the exam.

PART 2: Why I was in the ER!

I have an infeccted Kidney Stone..... ewwwwww.
So now I am on anti-biotics and pain killers whoo hooo!!!
(just joking about the whoo hooo part.)

Happy Halloween

2006-10-29T22:38:00.000-07:00

Quote of the day

2006-10-18T11:23:00.000-06:00

Love Quote of the Day
I wonder what fool it was that first invented kissing.
Jonathan Swift

This quote was on my blog today and I thought it was funny and just wanted to share

For goodness sake you have a blog so write in it!

2006-10-17T21:15:00.000-06:00

The other morning (don't ask me what morning it was because I am so busy I have no idea) I remembered that I had left my iPod at work and therefore I could not listen to Harry Potter on audio book while I was on my way to school. I was off work that day and I didn't want to leave my iPod there longer than I had to so I convinced Andy to drive me to King Soopers before he went to work so I could get. It is amazing how you can bribe someone who is not a morning person with free coffee.

So we got our coffee and I got my iPod and Andy went to work and I waited to catch my old bus route 12. As the bus pulled up to the stop I noticed that there was a crowed of people standing at the front of the bus. I rode this rout for a year and even when most routes were on strike and other were made to take the 12 it wasn't THIS crowed. Some others and myself tried to squeeze on the bus. It was louder than normal and I was forced to stand.

A whole class of little kids (maybe about 1st or 2nd grade) was on the public bus. Even thought there were three kids to a seat, that usually seats two the bus was packed. I guess they were going to see a play about dinosaurs or something.

Anyway, there I am standing in a spot where I had to reach for the bar above and because I am short I really had to reach. I have my full and heavy backpack on and a hot pumpkin-spice latte in my hand and trying to keep my balance so I would not spill it on the little girls sitting in front of me.

After all the little kids were of the bus it was so quite. I mean it was so quite (like the bus is normally) that everyone still on the bus felt awkward and had to start a conversation about how quite the bus was. This conversation went on for a while... I guess we couldn't let it be that silent again. While standing I wasn't able to put my head phones on and I thought if I put my headphones on while every one was talking that would be rude. So I didn't even get to listen to Harry Potter that morning anyway.

A look I never want to see again

2006-08-25T11:18:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was Thursday and my day off. But I told Sue, my manager, that would come in after school and help out. While there I kept thinking "why did I tell Sue I would come in".

One of my fellow co-workers and friends is a 40-year-old woman with 9 children, and one grandchild. It amazes me, it sounds as though she has practically raised the children by herself, even though she has a husband. Her third oldest daughter also works with me and is my friend. Recently her oldest son started working with us as well.

Last night she was scheduled to close the photo lab. I was eating my lunch outside and I see her running out side, her face a combination of pale and red, tears flying down her face. She sees me and yells something to me, but I can't here her through all the tears and loud traffic of the parking lot. But I could make out enough "....go.... daughter... sorry" and that was enough. I said it's ok and told her to go. I knew someone in the store would know what was going on.

Her saying sorry to me was because the meant I had to finish the film left in the photo lab and shut it down... but trust me I didn't mind.

She had gotten a call saying her daughter had committed suicide. Next the few people who knew... other management and the people who heard her scream because the work near the photo lab, started wondering if it was the daughter that worked with us. I told them it couldn't have been because she would have used her name and some one else heard her say older daughter. I started putting it together... her oldest daughter only 23. She had recently told me that her daughter started some kind of anti-depressant and asked me id 23-year-old could really be that depressed. She didn't understand and I gave her some advice... telling her the depression is serious and her daughter did the right thing to start taking meds even if this only temporary.

I kept hoping and praying that it was some kind of miscommunication or only an attempt and that her daughter was no in fact dead. We waited and waited for a call and the more we waited the worst it felt and sounded.

Finally call and her daughter was ok... only an attempt. I hope they get her the right treatment.

I will never forget that look though. It is the worst look I have ever seen. The look of a mother that thought her daughter was gone forever. A mother who loves her children so much, and scared to death that something was wrong. The way her body looked when she ran to her car, it was like she wanted to tellaport right to her daughter's side.

I never want to see that again.... but I am so happy that her daughter is still alive. And I hope she doesn't blame herself or think that those of us that knew what was going on blame her, or think that makes her a bad mother... becasue it doesn't.

A Castle in Colorado

2006-08-23T11:36:00.000-06:00

For over 30 years, Jim Bishop has been building a castle on a mountainside in central Colorado. "Did it all myself, don't want any help," he says mechanically as he unloads a pile of rocks that he's hoisted to the 70-foot level on one of the castle towers.
Every year since 1969, Bishop has single-handedly gathered and set over 1000 tons of rock to create this stone and iron fortress in the middle of nowhere. Bishop calls it "a monument to hardworking people" and "America's biggest, one-man, physical project." "I always wanted a castle. Every man wants a castle," Bishop continues, his voice a broken record, answering the same questions he's obviously been asked thousands of times before.
It hasn't been easy. For most of those 30 years Bishop was engaged in a running battle with Washington bureaucrats over the rocks that he used, which came from the San Isabel National Forest that surrounds the castle property. Bishop felt that they were his for the taking, the government wanted to charge him per truckload. Another bone of contention that stuck in Bishop's craw belonged to the Colorado state Chamber of Commerce, which refused to list Bishop Castle as an attraction in its official tourism guides.
Happily, those angry years are in the past. Both Uncle Sam and the Colorado Chamber now recognize that Bishop's dementia concretia is marketable, and that he's transformed some heavy, unwanted rocks into pure tourism gold.
The castle is a popular spot. "I been here three times," said one visitor. "I'm taking my kids to see what one man can do," said another. Other popular comments: "He's crazy," "Where does he get the time?" and "Where does he get the money?" Bishop's goal is to complete his castle before he dies. He has no thought of slowing down. Although the castle is still just a hollow shell of cemented rocks and ornamental ironwork (Jim Bishop's regular line of business), his future plans include a moat and a drawbridge, a roller coaster mounted on the castle's outer wall, a balcony big enough to hold an orchestra, and a second castle for Phoebe, his wife.
"I want to live as long as I can and keep building that castle bigger and bigger and bigger."
(source http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/COBEUcastle.html) or

http://sangre-de-cristo.com/westcliffe/visitors_guide/Bishops_Castle.htm

Andy and went there on Saturday. It was awesome. I have lived in Colorado all my life and never knew this thing was here. I had to find what someone else wrote about it because I couldn't even put it in words.

Pictures of the castle

"Mom" for 2 days

2006-07-29T22:03:00.000-06:00

Thursday and Friday I got to spend time with Holly and Austin. They were our first house guests to stay overnight. Thursday we went downtown and rode the light-rail to the 16th street mall and saw the "cow parade" (painted cow statues). Then we went to Films on Fillmore and watched Madagascar. Films on Fillmore is an outdoor free movie event with a blow-up screen. They also had a blow-up bouncy castle for the kids. Then on Friday we went to the mall and the kids played on this play area the has things to jump on that looked like breakfast foods like bacon, eggs and cereal.
Then I took the kids home in time for Austin's birthday party. He turns 5 on Monday.

I had so much fun, but I am pooped. It is hard to spend all your time watching an almost 8-year-old and a 5-year-old.... but it hasn't changed my mind about having my own someday; it was fun playing "mom". Andy even had fun with them. Ziggy is very happy they are gone though... he was not a happy cat those two days. I am not sure if it was because the kids had so much energy or if he was mad that I was spending time with the kiddos and not him.

More Pictures

Today

2006-07-20T13:04:00.000-06:00

Well my bus stop is great! I have even seen it be used by someone other than myself. Today I recognized this lady and her two children that live in building 2. She waits at the same stop with me and rides the 44 home and we both had to take the long walk from the bus stop home... And with 2 kids and the heat I wouldn't want that walk home. I didn't remember it was her until we got close to the old stop. I was hoping she didn't get off there... And she didn't, she pulled the cord before I did to get off at my stop. I'm glad she knew it was there.

In funny news I saw the most ridiculous thing...
This guy on campus was wearing the shortest skirt I have ever seen. The shock wasn't the skirt... I see guys in kilts and lots of drag-queens.... but it was shorter than most females or drag-queens I know would wear a skirt. And the worst part was that there where slits up both sides of the skirt. He wasn't trying to dress like a girl either... he had a baseball cap, and a baggy tee-shirt with grey men's shocks and hiking boots he was sure a looker let me tell you. The strangest part was he wasn't just a guy my age trying to be weird (I have seen that too) he was an older (grey haired) man.

A simple request

2006-07-06T14:57:00.000-06:00

I take the bus to school almost everyday.... I don't mind but it can also be a horrible experience. Before today I had a 10 min walk to my bus stop I had to be at to get to school. I contacted RTD customer service and requested a bus stop closer to Park Hill Village (condo/townhome complex). I expecting nothing... but yesterday I got an email saying they were going to add a stop at my request. And today it was up.... ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh I AM SO EXCITED I WANT TO USE MY BUS STOP.... IT IS MY BUS STOP. And these pictures where taken from my bedroom window

Sable is 4

2006-07-01T10:40:00.000-06:00

Happy birthday to my baby kittie Sable. She is 4-years-old, awe my baby is growing up.

Happy late Anniversary to me and Andy

2006-06-29T13:28:00.000-06:00

It's almost hard to believe (as of June 27) I have been married for 3 years. I look and wonder where they time has gone. Really it seems like almost yesterday I was dress shopping with my mom. It's great to have a day to look back on and see how much has changed. I feel so old and yet I look back and realize I was so young and it has only been three years.Most peoples first reaction when they find out I am married is "oh you are married... did you just get married?" And like now when I say "no three years" the next response is either "how old are you?" or how old were you when you got married?" Yeah, yeah, I look 17 I got it!

Andy has been in my life for 6 years now (when I was 17 :) ) and it is great to have someone that has changed with me and been there to support me for this long.

I love you Andy

A Shocking View

2006-06-25T22:30:00.000-06:00

So today is my first day of vacation. Andy and I went to Fort Collins to see what my dad has in the basment that we could take for the new place. While we were gone something exciting happened. Our view is the Safeway distribution center on I70 and Smith Road. An empolyee of the SDC started setting fires and shooting people inside. Uhm... kinda strange.

This site has all the info.

All moved in

2006-06-16T14:05:00.000-06:00

.... but not unpacked. We moved into our new home last Saturday. I will post pictures so but I have been so busy. But I will post pictures of Ziggy's new hairdo.

Condo news

2006-06-08T08:27:00.000-06:00

Sorry I have been so busy... I started summer school last week. I had a heck of a time getting what I wanted but it finally worked out.

And today (dun dun dun da) we close on our condo. It is not the condos that are in the pictures I posted a while back it is a better and less expensive one.

I will keep you updated.

Mario and Mundie

2006-05-29T21:24:00.000-06:00

Too bad this picture did not turn out as good as I wanted it to. This is Mario and Mundie. I work with Mario; he and Mundie are engaged and this was their engagement part I attended on Saturday night.

Click here to see more pictures

Carley

2006-05-26T17:30:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I drove to Ft. Collins to celebrate Carley's brother Kyle's high school graduation and 18th birthday. I have known Carley's family for 13 years and it was awesome to see Kyle graduate. He had a small class of 15 graduates because he goes to a charter school. Here is a picture of Carley and me.

Michael

2006-05-14T17:03:00.000-06:00

Today is my youngest brother Michaels Birthday. He is 20 years old and even though that is only 4 years younger than me I feel old. I took the baby picture from Mom's blog, cuz it is fun to remember when my little baby brother (who is now probably a foot taller than me) was so little.

Also last night....

2006-05-11T08:42:00.000-06:00

For Andy's Birthday in Jan. I got him a new fish tank... with the works and new fish.

Last night I went to feed the fish and found a small floating rock.... then I realized that it wasn't a rock it was a tiny fish. Then Andy and I found 4 more. His Dalmatian molly had babies. This was something we did not expect. When I started his tank I got two Dalmatian mollies that where mostly white and one of them died. We needed a tank cleaning fish so we got another molly, this time mostly black, and I remembered the girls at petsmart saying that she was a girl and how to tell. But when I got home I didn't look to see what the mostly white one was. But about a month ago we had to flush him... and yep he was a him.

Ziggy's Birthday

2006-05-11T08:34:00.000-06:00

May 9 was Ziggy's birthday... and I forgot until last night. I can't believe my little kitty is 5 years old.

We are not really sure when Ziggy's real birthday is, but when we first took him to the vet we found out that he was possible 7 or 8 months old. So we figured his birthday was in May. Then we took my birthday and Andy's birthday subtracted one from the other and got 9.... and so then it was Ziggy's birthday May 9, 2001.

I hate pants shopping!!!!!

2006-05-05T21:50:00.000-06:00

The only time I enjoy shopping is when I am with friends (as an activity) or just window shopping. The thing I hate shopping for most is pants (and bathing suits but that is another story).

It is so hard for me to find pants and lately it has been even harder. My typical dilemma is that I am 5' 2.5" and most pairs of pants my size are too long. They now make a "short" style that feel too short because I am used to my pants being so long. Next my size tends to be a popular size so I find plenty of size 0 and size 16.

My newest dilemma is that I still like to shop in the Jr. Section and all the new style are too faded, have pre-made holes in them (and usually the reason I am buying new pants is because I have holes in the one I own) or they have other weird fashion features that I don't find appealing.

So I try the woman section instead of Jr section. Then my problem is that the pants contain 1% (or more) of spandex and the way I wash my pants stretches them out. I should be able to throw my jeans in the wash and not worry. And during my last major jean shopping I discovered even the pants in the Jr section contained spandex... what ever happened to 100% cotton?

So after being in tons of stores I finally found two pairs of jeans that fit what I wanted. There is a little shop very close to my house that buys clothing from people and resells them..... yeah!

March Of Dimes

2006-05-02T08:46:00.000-06:00

Saturday I walked for March of Dimes to help raise money for premature babies. My group, King Soopers 29, raised over $500. And that is awesome considering there were only 3 of us that participated. We thank every one who donated.

The walk was 6 miles. We started in Civic Center Park (right by the state capitol) walked downtown to Coors Field (baseball stadium) then took a trail by Invsco field(the football stadium) and Six Flags/Elitch Garden's. Then we headed back downtown, past my school, the Center for Performing Arts, Colorado Convetion Center, and back to the capitol.

Click here for more pictures

Busy Weekend Part 4&5

2006-04-22T22:23:00.000-06:00

Yes there is more.... then we went to the Denver Botanic Garden. It was a free day Yeah! And later we went to the Rockies game at Coors Field with our $6 tickets from King Soopers. Score 6-4 Giants :(

Busy Weekend Part 3

2006-04-22T22:18:00.000-06:00

Andy and I went back to look at the condos... we like them and every layout that we can afford... but should we buy one? And what model?

Busy Weekend Part 2

2006-04-22T22:13:00.000-06:00

Early Early this morning I woke up to support my friend Jordan while he auditioned for a show called OT. It will be people living together competing for a singing career.

Busy Weekend Part 1

2006-04-22T22:01:00.000-06:00

Yesterday (Friday) I had lunch with my Grandma and then we went downtown. Later Grandma went with Andy and me to see some condos in the newly developing old Stapelton Airport.

Ziggy likes the Disco Duck the Grandma brought over. It dances and sings

Dream Walker

2006-04-21T09:23:00.000-06:00

I wonder if it is possible to visit other people in their dreams. That maybe when they are dreaming about that is where you are. I am wondering this because I have been told a lot this month that I have been in someone's dream.

It all started when my Anatomy and Physiology teacher told me that I was in her dream the night before. She couldn't remember why just that I was in it. Then two deferent managers at work had a dream with me in it and a few of my friends.

It is weird to me because I have not done anything outstanding lately for or around any of these people lately... Or nothing really bad either.

Maybe I have been dream walking.

Out walking

2006-04-17T15:42:00.000-06:00

More pictures from my walk

What a beautiful day

2006-04-12T14:21:00.000-06:00

I got out of class early today and because I had my camera with me I decided to take a detour to the park near my house. I saw some squirls so I decided to take their picture. Both of them came up really close to me. I was so excited until I relized they thought I had food. I got some good pictures thought. I looked in my bag to see if I still had the granola I brought for a snack a few weeks ago but I was out.

Rylee Lin Starling

2006-04-09T21:56:00.000-06:00

My cousin Jenna is a new mommy. Sunday April 2, 2006 Rylee was born 7lbs 13.8oz and 19.5 inches long

Lyrics for all

2006-04-08T19:59:00.000-06:00

"Dear Mr. President" by Pink
(feat. Indigo Girls)

Dear Mr. President
Come take a walk with me
Let's pretend we're just two people and
You're not better than me
I'd like to ask you some questions if we can speak honestly

What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street
Who do you pray for at night before you go to sleep
What do you feel when you look in the mirror
Are you proud

How do you sleep while the rest of us cry
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye
How do you walk with your head held high
Can you even look me in the eye
And tell me why

Dear Mr. President
Were you a lonely boy
Are you a lonely boy
Are you a lonely boy
How can you say
No child is left behind
We're not dumb and we're not blind
They're all sitting in your cells
While you pave the road to hell

What kind of father would take his own daughter's rights away
And what kind of father might hate his own daughter if she were gay
I can only imagine what the first lady has to say
You've come a long way from whiskey and cocaine

How do you sleep while the rest of us cry
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye
How do you walk with your head held high
Can you even look me in the eye

Let me tell you bout hard work
Minimum wage with a baby on the way
Let me tell you bout hard work
Rebuilding your house after the bombs took them away
Let me tell you bout hard work
Building a bed out of a cardboard box
Let me tell you bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
You don't know nothing bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
Oh

How do you sleep at night
How do you walk with your head held high
Dear Mr. President
You'd never take a walk with me
Would you

2006-04-04T22:19:00.000-06:00

Dear Blog friends,

On Saturday, April 29, I'll be participating in March of Dimes WalkAmerica and taking steps to help save babies from premature birth, leading cause of newborn death.

Each year, half a million American babies are born too soon, including more than 8,000 in Colorado. Some are so small doctors can't save them. Those who survive may suffer lifelong consequences, like mental retardation or blindness. No one knows why some babies are born too early, and no one is working harder than the March of Dimes to find out why.

YOU can help find answers by sponsoring me for WalkAmerica. Funds raised enable March of Dimes research.

Contact me or visit my page to make a donation
www.walkamerica.org/ShawnaS

Thanks

Love
Shawna

Great Picture

2006-04-03T15:37:00.000-06:00

This is an awesome picture of Mom and new baby brother (puppy) Mateo.

April Fools

2006-04-01T11:18:00.000-07:00

I posted this last year on April 1st and got a response... I am not big on the pranking thing, even though I have thought up a few, I don't want to be pranked so I keep them to myself. Then I am always scared that something really weird will happen to me and people will think I am joking. But anyway I hope you enjoy the bit of history I am going to share with you...

April Fool’s Day rooted in serious controversy

By Mark Grainger

While most view April Fool's Day as a time to play practical jokes on family members, co-workers and even complete strangers, the origins of April Fool's Day are far more serious and can be traced back centuries.

The Julian Calendar, established by Julius Caesar in 46 b.c., was used throughout Europe and while it defined many of the characteristics of our current calendar, it started the year on a different day. Many ancient cultures began their year close to the vernal equinox (March 20th or 21st), the Julian Calendar celebrated New Year's Day on April 1st.

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII introduced a new calendar, the Gregorian Calendar, and issued the order that this new Calendar would replace the Julian Calendar. The major change between the two calendars was the startling decision to begin the year on a new day. That day was the first day of January. This decision was not particularly popular and many countries simply refused to adopt the new Calendar. England, Scotland and Germany, among others did not adopt the new calendar for 58 years or more. England actually held out until 1752.

France, being an early adopter of the new calendar, faced issues with their people accepting this new idea. Some simply did not accept the change, while others were simply ignorant of the change and the practice of celebrating New Year's Day on April 1st continued. The hip and trendy French who had accepted this new idea began to view these traditionalists as being a few eggs short of a dozen and found entertainment sending these late adopters on tasks which could not be completed or tricking them into believing a blatant lie.

The French refer to April 1st as Poisson d'Avril. For those who are not familiar with the French language, poisson is "fish" and Avril is April. So literally, this term means "Fish of April". The beginning of April marked the end of Lent, in which fish was often used to replace meat, from which Christians would abstain during Lent. It is thought that fish was not a popular food item during the month of April and therefore made an excellent throwing weapon to abuse those traditionalists who did not wish to celebrate the New Year when they were supposed to. Children make use of paper fish representations, attached to their victims, to play a joke on their schoolmates.

When

England

finally did accept this new calendar, the tradition of picking on the "fools" was also adopted and spread quickly to the colonies, including those in

America

Saturday at the museum

2006-03-25T21:00:00.000-07:00

Andy and I bought a pass to the Nature and Science Museum here in Denver. It is great. We had two free guest passes so I went with Mary and her family. Andy went snowboarding so 4 of us got in free and we only had to pay for a child's ticket. We all had a great time. Austin liked the dinosaurs, his phrase of the day was "they can't bite anymore" (he's 4). Holly liked the Mummy exhibit and thought it was cool and gross when I read her "how to make a mummy" and read to her that the brain was pulled out through the person's nose. (MORE PICTURES)

If it were you...

2006-03-21T15:39:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine came to me and asked me what I would do if I were in this situation.

He asked me, " What if you really liked someone and they really liked you too... This person wants a relationship and you want the same.... But they told you they have Aids... Would you run away?"

This was so sad for me to hear. My response was that I would stay. But then everything that came out my mouth afterward seemed to contradict what I had said seconds before. I would, I wouldn't, only, and if. I would like to think that I would stay, but would I really. I don't know.

He told me that if this was 4 years ago he would have walked away from this whole situation, he wouldn't even think twice. And for some reason he finds it hard to not only walk away but to think about walking away.

After he left my house I couldn't stop thinking about our conversation. What would I do?

Late St. Patricks Day

2006-03-18T00:29:00.000-07:00

When I was four I had the chicken pox for my birthday. I don't remember much about how it felt. I just remember that I didn't have a birthday party and St. Patricks Day.

My mom had given me and my brother Ben a bath (because we both had the the chicken pox) then I got dressed in a pink an purple stripped shirt. Later we were making green sugar cookies and I realized I wasn't wearing green. I wanted to change my shirt but my mom said that she didn't want me to change shirts because the one I had on already had pink lotion on it. I started getting upset because I thought people were going to pinch me because I wasn't wearing green.

Mom said "Don't worry sweat pea, no one is going to pinch you when you have the chicken pox" Then she told me if I ate a green cookie it would make for the fact that I was not wearing green.

The people you meet when you are sick of people.

2006-03-15T15:10:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when you work in customer service you can get really, really sick of people. You can start lumping all people together and and say "I can't stand people."

Then one day when you are not expecting it you meet a person that makes you remember that you really can't lump all the people together like you orginally had.

Today on my way home from school I took the #15 bus. At a stop a group of young children and a few adults got on. I figured they had come from the library. Most of the children where obviously handicaped. A young boy took the seat next to me and started looking at my iPod. Then he asked me what time it was. I answered him and then he asked me "When is your bithday" I told him that my birthday was Sunday to which he replied "March 12th". So I asked him when his birthday was. He said October 4th, and when I replied that his birthday wasn't for awhile he didn't respond.

A few stops later he asked me what I was listening to. When I told him Harry Potter he smiled and said he liked the movies. Then it was the group's stop and he smile at me and said bye Miss Harry Potter.

I thought it was great; he made my day. Now I can go to work in a good mood

24!

2006-03-12T23:00:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to me! I will forever be 17!

This weekend was not a good weekend to have my birthday. I have three exams and two assignments due next week. :(

Today March 12th, my birthday, I had to work 8-4:30. My co-workers made a card and got me a cake.

My brother Ben actually called my to say happy birthday... that was the best!

My mom posted a blog about my birthday and a few of her friends stopped my mine to wish me a happy birthday. Also my friends on myspace added a few comments.

It snowed... and it is still snowing I DIDN'T WANT SNOW for my birthday. So sorry whoever thought I wanted snow I wish I had a gift receipt to return it.

Andy and I went out to dinner and I studied some more.

And now I am 24 not much different than 23... and everyone still thought I was 17 or 18 (THANKS MOM AND DAD ;) )

Think BIG!!!!!!!

2006-03-08T21:07:00.000-07:00

Ok so I was watching T.V. today and three commercials, practically in a row, made me laugh.

First one.... for a shampoo that adds volume to your hair. Second one... for volumizing mascara. And third one... Lipstick with collagen something-or-other to make your lips big.

Big hair, big eyes, and big lips... ha! I'd look like a freak!

To my Great-Grandma

2006-03-06T10:37:00.000-07:00

With Loving Memories
Rose Louise Hawk

May 3, 1915 ~ March 6, 2006

Of all the music that reached farthest into heaven, it is the beating of a loving heart.
Henry Ward Beecher

I don't mind

2006-03-04T21:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went downtown to have lunch with my friend Ryan for our birthdays... Well mostly for his because today is his birthday. He turned 25. He said that makes him old even though I don't feel old and he is only 1 year and 8 days older than me.

I told him I wouldn't mind turning 25 and that we could switch.. So I guess I am turning 25 in about a week... LOL. I couldn't figure out why turning 25 was such a horrible idea for him even though he is 1/4 of a century old now. :)

Then he said to me " of course you don't mind getting older because you age well." True True. Both my parents have aged well so that leaves plenty of hope for me. And for now I like getting older and I like life. Even though I wish I could go back and do some things over I don't ever really want to go back. Everything happens for a reason to make us stronger and wiser.

Thinking like this always reminds me of a song by Anna Nalick. My brother Ben introduced me to her music last summer. My favorite lyrics in the song Breathe (2 A.M.) are:

You can't jump the tracks
We're like cars on a cable
And life's like an hourglass glued to the table,
No one can find the rewind button now so cradle your head in your hands
And breathe, just breathe, whoa breath just breathe
"There's a light at each end of this tunnel" you shout
cause you're just as far in as you'll ever be out
And these mistakes you've made
You'll just make them again if you'll only try turnin' around

Well Happy 25th to you Ryan and here is to getting old and grey.

Pooped

2006-03-01T21:01:00.000-07:00

Man I am pooped. So tired and so busy. So..... whats new with me?
Well on Monday I started dissection in my anatomy lab. The worst part about it is that we are dissecting cats. Trust me I had to build myself up and talked my self through everyday until dissection day. The best part was that I wasn't feeling well so my group let me be the "hands clean" person (the one that flips that lab manual) and I didn't have to skin the poor cat. Another good thing was that we all agreed to get a white cat because 3/4 of us have black cats at home.

Um not much is new at work or home really. My mom got a new puppy and I can't wait to see him. And I guess on my final note there are 11 days till my 24th b-day. Oh and one more thing.... I guess I have physically aged a year because most people think I am 18 now and not 17! lol

That day in Music

2006-02-23T09:56:00.000-07:00

I found this site where it can tell you the number one song on a specific day

My birthday March 12 1982

US Chart - Centerfold - J. Geils Band
UK Chart - The Lion Sleeps Tonight - Tight Fit

The day I graduated high school May 27, 2000
US - Maria Maria - Santana
UK - Day & Night - Billie Piper

My Wedding Day June 27, 2003
US - This Is The Night - Clay Aiken
UK - Bring Me To Life - Evanesence

Almost exactly

2006-02-12T23:53:00.000-07:00

Just the other day I my pictures arrived, they were not just any ordinary pictures. These pictures captured a moment in time almost exactly 8 years ago........

That year before Valentine's Day I had planed a party with my friends Tara, Nikki, and Carley. We wanted to have a party for us single gals. I did however get a boyfriend before the day had actually happened but told him that I had more important things to do. He had given me a roll of black and white film that I had used to take pictures at the party. Other pictures from another roll I had developed forever ago, but the B&W roll never made it that far. I kept losing it and finding it and then Feb. 3 I was looking for a red hair tie or barrette and found the roll. I stuck it in my pocket took it to work and sent it away in the drop box (I can't process B&W at work).

I wasn't even sure if the pictures would turn out. They did and it is so cool.
I scanned them and put them on CD and soon when I have more time I will post them.

Baby Me and Baby Mom

2006-02-08T16:58:00.000-07:00

The picture on the left is me and the picture on the left is my mom. The picture of me is one of my favorite baby pictures. So a while back when my mom had posted this picture of her on her own blog I thought it was cute and that it kinda looked familiar. Finally I was able to scan and copy my picture then make it black and white a post them both for comparison.

Feb. 3

2006-02-03T12:00:00.000-07:00

Today is Wear Red Day for women's heart attack awareness. I of course was already going to to wear red. My mom had a heart attack 6 years ago tomorrow. I ordered this bracelet online and it arrived today just in time. I never thought I would buy one of these rubber band bracelets... But they are for good causes. It was hard to find one for heart disease awareness. I found mine at shanrene.com. It says Faith, Courage, Strength, Hope

Braids

2006-02-02T11:53:00.000-07:00

Some people are amazed that I can French braid my own hair. The funny thing is that when I used to French braid my hair it would be inside-out called a "lobster tail" and 60% of the time I would braid another persons hair it would be a lobster tail to. But lately every time I braid my hair it turns out the typical French braid way.
I'm not complaining though.

Commercial

2006-01-27T15:22:00.000-07:00

Currently there are two commercials that make me think of people I know.

1) is a commercial for ALL Small & Mighty laundry detergent. A woman pulls up to a drivethrough window and then hands the fast food into the back seat. She turns back around and the food is all over both the young boys in the back seat. The blonde haired boy points at the dark haired boy and says "He did it."

This reminds me of my brothers. The little blonde haired boy reminds me of my brother Ben. He would always be quick to say "Michael did it." and the little boy in the commercial says it just like Ben would have. Even though the other little boy is dark haired like Michael his reaction is not even close to how Michael would have reacted, he would have screamed at Ben.

2) is a commercial for a credit card (I can't remember for what right now). But the little boy looks just like pictures I have seen of Andy as a little boy. Andy also agrees with me and says he also acted like this little boy.

Anyway the little boy gets on the school bus and his friend says, "Do you want to buy a fudge pop?" and the boy says "No thanks I am saving for retirement." Then the little boy is in the convenience store and asks the clerk "Can I only buy one twinkie?" while holding up a two pack of twinkie.

Now you will pay attention to the commercials, I know you will.

Harry Potter

2006-01-24T15:12:00.000-07:00

When Harry Potter started to become popular I simply didn't care, I had no time for it. The bigger it got I still didn't care, in fact I thought it was kind of stupid...
Last year I had a children's literature class and thought that maybe when I had to read books for the class I would read Harry Potter... but it didn't happen.
Andy and I both received an iPod for Christmas and I asked him to download Harry Potter on audio book so I could listen to it on my way to school. I finished the first audio book before school even started. I started the second book the first day of school and finished it today.

Harry Potter is wonderful. Now I can see why there is all the hype. It's enjoyable for all ages. I wanted to read (listen to) the books before I ever saw the movies. I think after the books the movies are my next project.

Harry is a great character. He was famous among the wizard world practically since birth, but he didn't know it until he was 11 because he was raised by his aunt and uncle who were not wizards and wanted nothing to do with magic. He is a legend... but he is modest and goofs up like a normal person... and yet he is still the hero of the story.

Yes I Can See!

2006-01-22T21:28:00.000-07:00

I started wearing glasses when I was 18. I stared wearing them all the time and my friends said I looked really different with them. When I started working at my second Greeley King Soopers store (and around my 20th B-day) I decided that I was going to wear contact lenses... and did. If I had my glasses on for whatever reason my friends and co-workers would say "I never knew you had glasses" when in fact when I started there I did all the time from June to March. Just last year I switched to wearing glasses again... a new frame and a new look. When I started at my K.S. store I am at now I still had contacts. A month later I got my new glasses. After months of wearing my new glasses I decided to switch between the two... mostly glasses. But every time I wear my contacts people say "where are you glasses?" or "can you see?" of course I can see! I have contacts in... my glasses are at home. And I can also see without my glasses, but it is not as easy when I am in a larger space than my home.

Oh and Carley says my eye picture is creepy.

Artistic Andy, Model Sable

2006-01-21T17:43:00.000-07:00

She has been a regular little model... Miss Sable Lee. It's good because I need more pictures of her and I have a new camera. Andy took this one today, isn't she precious?

Sable is Such a Character

2006-01-20T13:04:00.000-07:00

I was taking pictures of the snow today from the view out my windows. Sable is definitely a silly cat. As I was looking out one of the windows getting ready to take a picture she jumped on my shoulders... She actually does this quite often. Then she lays down and I can walk all over the house with her there. So I walked into the bathroom and got a picture of that too... She was asking for it.

Favorite Kiddos

2006-01-14T12:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I got to see my two favorite kiddos... Holly (7) and Austin(4). We went to Applebee's and the movie Hoodwinked.

Boycott the campus bookstore

2006-01-14T10:50:00.000-07:00

After buying a book that cost $209.00 (that was with tax) I went for the search for a cheaper book. I found it at amazon.com for $115.00 dollars (new, and including tax and shipping) so I ordered it. Then I went to a place downtown called Big Dogs Textbooks and found it there new $145.00 and used $103.00.

So my point is that I will not buy my books at the campus bookstore anymore unless I absolutely have to... And luckily I didn't unwrap the book so I could return it for the full amount to the bookstore.

Last week of freedom

2006-01-12T15:50:00.000-07:00

Today and tomorrow are my days off... And school starts Tuesday. Work calls me today to see if I want to come in a work.... haha. I never get called to come in when I have three or four days off, or to come in early when I am only working four hours. I get the call on my day off, when I have plans or after I have done errands all day and I am beat. Do I want to pick up CC hours.... heck no... even if I am getting paid my wage and not CC wage.

And damnit I had to pick up stuff from the store too. That means I have to go to Safeway now.

I bought some of my school books today. Thank goodness my dad gives me money for books because I spent it ALL today... on books. My anatomy book was almost $200.00 by itself. This makes me mad, not happy like I should be when I go school book shopping. I really like Metro but the book prices are horrible.

Well I guess I better go do the things I was going to do when I told work I couldn't come in

Break

2006-01-06T11:13:00.000-07:00

Ok so I have not been compleatly lazy during my break.... althought the apartment looks otherwise. About a week ago my best friend Carley stayed with us for two days. Carley now goes to school in Pueblo and it is hard to see eachother in our busy lives. We went downtown and ate breakfast at Carley's new favorite place... Sam's No. 3 And went shopping at Ross. Carley took a picture of my tattoo so I could finally post it on my blog. It was Carley's present to me as a Birthday and Christmas present and she went with me to get it.

Fun Trick

2006-01-04T21:33:00.000-07:00

ok! Go to www.google.com type the words miserable failure in the search bar then hit the botton under it that says I'm Feeling Lucky. And look at the first page that pops up.

Another one type in French military victories in the search bar then again hit I feel lucky

Cute little Elmo wants kids to die!!!!

2006-01-03T15:44:00.000-07:00

I'm seriuos this is a true story. A woman in Texas bought an interactive potty-training book for her daughter. Instead of the book saying "Who wants to go to the potty?" Elmo says, "Who wants to die?" It is so wierd....

Check it out

Happy Brithday Andy

2006-01-03T11:38:00.000-07:00

Today Andy is 26. Happy Birthday.

Real Live Teddy Bear ... Or Kitty that is

2006-01-02T22:11:00.000-07:00

Sable likes to sleep with me all cuddled up like a little stuffed animal. A small soft furry stuffed animal... That purrs. She sleeps like this almost every night. Sable and I where cuddling on the couch and I was almost asleep. I had been playing with my new digital camera and left it on the coffee table so Andy saw the opportunity to take this picture. Luckily it is a cute picture or I would have to kick him... Just kidding that's what digital cameras are for, you can erase those not so grate pictures.

2006 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-01-01T21:15:00.000-07:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2006

Announcing Music Videos

2005-12-26T23:21:00.000-07:00

Now on songsinmyhead.blogspot.com I will post the video to the song (if it is available) until a new song is posted.

It's tradition... But a little late

2005-12-26T11:08:00.000-07:00

When I was younger my friends and I would call each other on Christmas and share with each other what we had opened. Then last year I posted it on my blog to share with all my friends so here I go again:

Mom & John:Universal Present $$$
Dad & Versa: Universal Present $$$, Digital Camera
Ben:CD - Anna Nalick
Michael: Movie - 10 Things I hate about you
Deak:$$$ to by new shoes, movies- Shrek & Shrek 2, iPod Nano, Smart Wool socks
Patti: A Figurine, A art-stained glass wind chime, A tea pitcher, little things "from Santa"
Philip:cups to go with the tea pitcher
Rob:starbucks gift card
Secret Santa (Tiffany):nail dryer
Connor (Andy's cousin from the "cousin draw"): a sweater
Andy:The gift to give more presents

Happy 21!

2005-12-22T15:36:00.000-07:00

Wow my baby brother is 21 today. It only seems like yesterday that I was 21... And when I turn 24 Ben will be as old as I was when I got married.... Hum.

We just got back from Steamboat Springs... A sorta early Christmas get together with Dad, Versa, Ben, Michael, Andy and Me. It was beautiful (an worthy of another blog entry that I am too tired to write right now.)

3 MORE DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!

A happy end to a stressful week.

2005-12-16T15:03:00.000-07:00

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finals are over

Today I had my last final. Before I caught the bus I went to work to see if the schedule was out for next week. On my way to the bus stop I noticed a lady with some children and a wrapped package that looked familiar. The closer I got I started to realize that it was the present I bought and wrapped for a little boy who's name was on the gift tree at work.

"No it couldn't be!" I thought to myself. I mean the only thing I knew about this child was that he was in kindergarten, his name is Stevie and he wanted toys. There were two organizations that the had names on the tree. One was Dora Moore School, the school right across the street from my work. The boy was from that school.

"No way!" I kept thinking. Then his mom called him by name... It is him it is little Stevie. How badly I wanted to say something to him. I mean I have always imagined what the people I have given to looked like and how happy they were to get their gift... But to see him right there.

"Mom I can't wait till Christmas, can I open it now?" he asked as soon as I was close enough to them at the stop. "Maybe when we get home." she said. "I can't wait, can I open it now?" he asked again. Another little boy who was at the stop (a friend) started playing with him and he didn't ask anymore. I felt like I was going to cry and his mother looked at me and was probably wondering what my problem was.

The more I saw him play the more I knew he would like the gifts I got him. He said, "lets pretend to play football," and "now let's pretend to play basket ball." I got him a mini football, basketball, and soccer ball that came together in a set, the teacher side of me got him a playdough pack, it had about a dozen colors and a pack of match box cars, because every boy loves toy cars.

He was so cute... I'm glad I could make someone happy. I'm glad I had to go to work to get my schedule because I would not have been at that bus stop either.

Fall Cookies (yes it's almost winter)

2005-12-15T10:31:00.000-07:00

3/4 cup butter
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, firmly packed
2 eggs
1/2 cup canned pumpkin purée
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
little tiny bit of salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans or other nuts
Browned Butter Icing, below (or I use butter cream frosting from Pilsbury ect.)

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and smooth. Beat in eggs, pumpkin purée, and vanilla. In another bowl, stir together flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Add to the first mixture and stir until smooth. Stir in chopped pecans or other nuts. Drop cookie dough but spoonfuls onto lightly greased cookie sheets, or use Silpat-type sheets or parchment paper to line baking sheets. Bake pumpkin cookies at 375° for 10 to 15 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool cookies on racks then spread with browned butter icing

(below).
Browned Butter Icing
6 tablespoons butter
2 cups confectioners' sugar, unsifted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 to 4 tablespoons milk, or enough for spreading consistency
chopped pecans or other nuts
Brown butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat; remove from heat. Blend in confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Beat in milk to desired spreading consistency. Sprinkle with chopped nuts, if desired.

Memories

2005-12-12T14:35:00.000-07:00

Today before my psychology final we has a few more presentations to sit through. This girl in my class said that she read a book on Carl Jung. She said he claimed to remember things that happened to him when he was little... And basically she said he was lieing because she couldn't remember that far back.

SO I started to think of things I can remember....

I remember being in Ohio (age?) and sitting in the child seat of a shopping cart. My Granny gave me one of those raspberry lifesaver hard candies and I choked on it.

I remember playing with my orange and yellow plastic shopping cart and some how tripping and splitting my lip open on the handle. This was during Dad's watch.

I remember sitting on the front step of our house eating the candy good & plenty with my mom. Also playing with daddy-long-leg spiders.

I remember catching little grasshoppers in baby food jars in the back yard.

I remember when there was a field between my neighborhood the Safeway and while sitting in my stroller tons of grass hopper jumped on me.

I remember this white shirt with an orange and yellow lion on it that I would never wear because it was itchy and thought there were grasshoppers in it. ---- connection to the one above, probably.

Well I just remembered that I need to go rap my tree presents and get ready for work.

quizes

2005-12-08T11:08:00.000-07:00

I spent some time yesterday prettying up my myspace page. On Carley's page she had a quiz about what gemstone you are. Hers said she was ruby (wich is her birthstone) so I decided to take it and I am aquamarine (also my birthstone) Um

Your Gemstone is Aquamarine

Intuitive, tranquil, and trusting.

You inspire others to have faith in themselves.

What Gemstone Are You? Take This Quiz :-)

Find the Love of Your Life
(and More Love Quizzes) at Your New Romance.

JUST SAY NO...

2005-12-08T10:34:00.000-07:00

to C.S.A.P
Yesterday there was a speaker in my Developmental Educational Psychology class. The speaker gave us information about the C.S.A.P. (Colorado Student Assessment Program). His talk was about how these tests are no good for schools or students.
He had us listen to a C.S.A.P. protest song and gave us the lyrics that I am going to share with you.

What Did You Learn in School Today?

What did you learn in school today, dear little boy of mine?
What did you learn in school today, dear little boy of mine?

I learned that I must pass a test
to sort the learners from the rest,
that winners win and losers lose
High stakes test scores' how they choose.
That's what I learned in school today.
That's what I learned in school.

What did you learn in school today, dear little girl of mine?
What did you learn in school today, dear little girl of mine?

It matters what my parents earn
with better grades and cash to burn-
don't have those things I can't be smart.
No more music, no more art.
That's what I learned in school today.
That's what I learned in school.

What did you learn in school today, dear little boy of mine?
What did you learn in school today, dear little boy of mine?

Textbooks fill my empty mind, so I won't be left behind.
I'm learning how to play the game
and all right answers look the same.
That's what I learned in school today.
That's what I learned in school.

What did you learn in school today, dear little girl of mine?
What did you learn in school toady, dear little girl of mine?

Learning's just a job I do, 7:30 'til half past two,
And all my interests have to wait
Til I drop out or graduate.
That's what I learned in school today.
That's what I learned in school.

Photo Greeting Cards

2005-12-05T12:41:00.000-07:00

I really wanted to make phot greeting cards for family as Christmas cards. I was looking for a good recent picture of Andy and me that is greeting card compatable. I finally got my brother Ben to email me the pictures I knew he took of Andy and Me dressed up for my Dad's wedding. We look great but of course Andy has his sunglasses on and now the picture is unusable for what I had planed. :(

Some people are so rude.

2005-12-05T12:23:00.000-07:00

Since I now work in the photo lab I again deal directly with customers. I don't mind because I have always had good customer service and over all enjoy people. But yesterday I had the rudest customer. I mean he was really rude and not like you would think a person at the grocery store could be rude. I was very friendly to the man and he was very friendly to me (at first) I helped him scan pictures he had and even gave him a 10 cents per print coupon we had on his order.

He then started to tell me about his photography job he used to have at a modeling school. Then he told me he had a tip for me... "If you are going to paint your nails, paint them. If you aren't then don't" He was talking about my nails that I painted around Thanksgiving to look nice for the holidays. Since then it has started to chip and crack and with school and finals coming next week, repainting or removing the polish is the last think on my mind. I mean the nail polish doesn't look as good as it should be but my nails are kept nice and clean and manicured. *** ASSHOLE THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK***

And it wasn't like he left it like that either... he started telling me that there is a clear product that makes your nail polish not chip. I told him it didn't work very well and in fact while working at the grocery store and wearing the clear polish makes the polish chip faster (HELLO I HAVE WORKED HER FOR ALMOST 6 1/2 YEARS) and he still argued me. Unless you get your nails professionally done by adding tips or acrylic nail polish will chip.

But the point is he shouldn't have said anything anyway.

P.S. Happy late Blogaversary to me November 29

Joke

2005-12-01T10:33:00.000-07:00

It was Sally's first day as a second grade teacher. She walked into the class room and saw that someone had written T T T 1 A. She then asked who wrote on the board and a boy named Bobby raised his hand "I did" he said.
"What does it mean?" Sally asked the boy. "It means To The Teacher one Apple" said Bobby as he handed her an apple. "Thank you" she said.

The next day of school there was more writing on the board this time it was T T T 1 O. "Who wrote this and what does it mean?" she asked. Another little boy named Joey raised his hand and said "To The Teacher one Orange" and he handed her an orange. "Thank you." she said.

The next day was quite a shock. There was more writing on the board and this time she was angry "Who wrote this?" she demanded looking at the board. The board said F U C K 1 T. "I did" said a little boy named Juan. "Why did you write that?" she asked.

Juan answered. "It says From Us Chicano Kids one Tamale."

The President made me late for class

2005-11-29T16:25:00.000-07:00

Today President Bush was in downtown Denver. On my way home from my first class thismorring they started blocking of the area and my bus had to detour. But I wasn't expecting the detour on my way to my second class. My bus doesn't even go by the Brown Palace (where Bush was) on my way to school only my way home. But again a detour with buses as blockades and huge concreat barriers and I WAS LATE TO CLASS.

Sunday night...

2005-11-29T12:20:00.000-07:00

I went out with my friend Jordan from work. We went to a place called Charlie Brown's where there was Kareoke. I love to sing. Jordan is an awesome singer. He went to the American Idol tryouts here in Denver but they had already reached their quota for guys and he was turned down. At first I thought yeah I get to sing.... Then Jordan went... Then I didn't want to go anymore and few more people with great voices went to... Then a few really bad singers so I was set. I did "How Do I Live" by Leanne Rimes. I thought I did ok. When we left the waitress said I had a pretty voice.

Yesterday at work I told another co-worker Mario about my night out with Jordan and how I thought I sucked and the waitress and her compliment. So Mario wanted to hear me sing to. When I was done he ran over to the service desk and told everyone that they needed to hear me sing and that I should have tried out for American Idol. Me an American Idol...... Like Kelly Clarkson.......um.....

Mom look-a-like contest

2005-11-27T17:17:00.000-07:00

When most people I know see my my they say "You look just like her but she has dark hair." But on the other hand people would see me with my dad and say "I can see you take after your father." Both are true... I look enough like both of my parents and at certain times I can see my resemblance to both of them.
My mom posted pictures of herself at christmas time in 1963. The more I looked at them I thought 'Wow if Michael was born a girl he would be a split image of my mom.' (Left: Michael Right: Mom)

Michael looks like Mom, Ben looks like Dad, and I look like all of them. :)

Longest Phone directory

2005-11-25T21:37:00.000-07:00

I realized today that I might have the most names I have ever had in my phone book... and most of the names of people I have are people I met at King Soopers.

I have 29 names in the phone directory.... 15 of those people I met at King Soopers (including Andy) and +1 more that is King Soopers. 6 of them are related to me (Mom, Dad, Grandma, Ben, Michael and my cousin Neotha)
2 of them are related to me through my marriage to Andy (mother-in-law and father-in-law) 4 of them are friends I made at school from Kindergarden to highschool. And the last on is Andy's friend Ryan.

Just some facts.

Still Amazes Me. (Before and After)

2005-11-21T12:28:00.000-07:00

I was going through the pictures that are in folders on the computer. Now that I am in the Photo Lab I was looking for any pictures that I wanted to make prints of. I came across these two pictures one (with the blue bikini) was taken in Hawaii when I was on my honeymoon (Summer 2003) and I was so mad because I didn't want any pictures of me in my bathing suit.
The other picture was taken a year later (Summer 2004) I went from 142 lbs to 120 lbs. So now I am kinda glad I got my picture taken in my bikinis cuz it still amazes me.

SIGH

2005-11-20T21:07:00.000-07:00

Work let me off to go to Dan's funeral. It was a nice service. I knew a lot of people there because they are (or were) also part of the King Soopers Family. Many people fulfilled the families wishes and wore Broncos or CSU apparel(me included). Dan's wife Regi and daughter Becki looked rather well all things considered. After the service I went to talk to Regi and was crying so hard and she seemed fine... but she told be it didn't seem real to her yet... and I understood that.

Dan's brother-in-law Jim (who was also my neighbor for a few years) gave a nice eulogy that included funny stories about Dan that I could picture so vividly in my mind. They played four songs: "Tears in Heaven" "The Dance" "When you Think of Me" "Amazing Grace" and "Go Rest High on That Mountain"

And a poem in the information hand out:

I'm Free

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free
I'm following the path God laid for me,
I took His hand when I heard Him call
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work or play
Tasks left undone must stay that way
I found that place at the close of day

If my parting has left a void
Then fill it with remembered joy
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss
Ah, yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow.
I wish you the sunshine od tomorrow.
My life's been full. I've savored much:
Good friends, good times,
A love one's touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all to brief:
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me.
God wanted me now
He set me free.

~Author Unknown

I pondered....

2005-11-15T18:06:00.000-07:00

Today I thought long and hard if I wanted to trade shifts so I wouldn't have to work tomarrow. I kept thinking yes I should and again no I shouldn't. There is a funeral tomorrow. I final decided I needed to go.

I have known Dan since I was 1 1/2 years old. Today I found out he passed away at the age of 50. Dan was neighbor and he saw me outside plaing and riding my bike... he saw me growning up. Even when he and his family moved away we still saw him around and it was good old Dan. Then I started working at King Soopers at the same store as Dan.

As soon as I turned 18 I was old enough to work in General Merchandise (the department where Dan was manager). Dan needed some temporary help in GM and he knew I would be heading off to school after the summer so I was honnored when he asked me if I would be in his department.

Some people thought I was crazy and that they thought Dan was mean and that he would be tough on me. Sure he was tough on me but he knew I had the potential and what it took and I didn't think he was mean. We would joke about things he remembered about me and my brothers when we were little.

A few years after I transfered stores a friend of mine, Lewis, go the chance to work with Dan. After I would go visit the store and talk to Dan, Lewis would tell me that I needed to come visit more because Dan was always in a better mood after he saw me.

So tomorrow I will go because I think I need to even though it is hard.

Ha ha very funny!

2005-11-15T10:37:00.000-07:00

If you ever feel stupid, then just read on. If you've learned to speak fluent English, you must be a genius! Reasons why the English language is so hard to learn:

1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce.
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
5) He could lead if he got the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13) They were too close to the door to close it
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down a sewer line.
16) To help with planting the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18) After a number of injections my jaw got number.
19) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
20) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
21) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

Where has the time gone?

2005-11-11T15:57:00.000-07:00

Wow it has been almost a week since Andy and I went to see Mom and John.

Last Saturday Andy and I drove to Fort Collins and had dinner with my mom and John. (Mom and Me in the picture)

And since then I have little time to write in my blog. First I will blame this on "boys and their toys!" To sum that up Andy is doing stuff with his music and the computer and it was making my connection slow so I didn't even want to bother with the internet. Second.... school, school, school (same old same old)

Sunday was my first day in a new job position that was in a way forced on me. I did have the title of "booth clerk" but company wide the position has been eliminated completely. So, I got stuck in the new King Soopers photo lab. Good thing... no pay cut. I am not sure if I like it or not. It is not hard or anything, but it is really easy to mess up. I was told they (managers) wanted me to be a head clerk (manager) but it wouldn't work out because of my school schedule. But none the less it made me feel good that they wanted to give me such a position.

Rest of the week.... school/work..... school/work....
Today some of my classmates and myself went Faith Christian Academy to do hearing screening for children in school there. The children were so cute. Some were scared and others knew what to do and were fine. The kindergarten would raise there hands really timidly and the 1st and 2nd graders would raise their hands high and quick. It was fun.

And now I am home and I am able to write in my blog :)

Fall

2005-11-05T12:43:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween

2005-10-31T12:34:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite time of year...

2005-10-29T01:30:00.000-06:00

I love the fall... Halloween is my favorite holiday, mostly for the costumes and pumpkins. I love to carve pumpkins, I carved two today for work decorations. I love to eat pumpkin two and I made yummy pumpikin cookies the other day.

I just got home from hang out with Mary. Mary loves Halloween too. Mary is big on scary movies and haunted houses and we did both tonight. We went to a really freaky corn maze and saw SAW II.

This year I don't have a costume and all my halloween stuff is in my dad's basement and I had no time to get it. It is alright though because I had no plans to be anywhere to dress up. The Saturday before Halloween King Soopers has a costume day... and I am off. I didn't have time to decide what I wanted to be any way.

Color of Love

2005-10-25T01:53:00.000-06:00

Today I played with Photo Shop again. In my favorite picture of myself (I know it sounds vain) my eyes are this wonderful baffling shade of blue, very bright. So in photo shop I extracted all the colors in my eye and created this artwork that you see on this post. I have titled it Color of Love (because I am the artist I can).

Shawna's Pictures

2005-10-21T16:19:00.000-06:00

Now you can look at pictures I post at http://shawnaspics.blogspot.com
So far I have posted pictures of my babies. There is also a link to the right of the page so you can access the picture blog from this site.