Addictions

Cat invited me to attend her Christmas party again this year. Christmas is one of the worst times of the year to be single. As she explained, it's easier to bring your sister to an event than another single friend. . . limits the confusion.
As soon as we walk in I recognize a face. A woman with blonde hair, her face is so familiar. I tell Cat, "Hey, I know that lady from somewhere." I see people I recognize everywhere I go. But I'm getting terrible at placing the faces, maybe too many to remember. To narrow it down, I go through a series of images - I have to determine if they are dressed in the same kind of way I normally see them. This woman was not, I knew she was dressed up more than normal, wearing make-up tonight. I try to imagine them in a role. This woman exuded, from my recollection, authority...some kind of power. "I know that I know her from somewhere!"
Cat, in a joking tone said, "Maybe she works at Starbucks." And there it was.....absolutely spot on - suddenly there was white shirt, green apron....and the power.
-Jlt

Dangerous to be alive: part II

I decided to go home for lunch today. I am financially strapped this month and cannot eat out - beside I already indulged myself in Starbucks for breakfast. Lunch is an important part of my day. I work with criminals all morning and all afternoon and lunch is my break to get away from the drama. Already today I've had a grown man cry, as his mother is in a cancer-induced coma and a young girl explain she will be "taking care of her pregnancy" and it's not a big deal - she's done it before. This is my hour in the middle of the day to decompress and regroup.
It's a nice day out and I'm in my own world - contemplating my bank account balance and how I will afford those shoes I want and a haircut this month. There is a myriad of ways to walk home and I try to shake it up every now and then. No matter the route I never cross Cascade at Platte on the south crosswalk. Drivers in the turn lane on Platte never pay attention to pedestrians and it is very dangerous - I've almost been hit and have seen a few close calls. As a pedestrian, knowing my right of way, I can become stubborn, "it is my turn to walk and you must yield to me." It isn't always the safest stance to take, as they're shielded by steel and me, only cotton and polyester. So, as fitting, today, I crossed Cascade at Platte on the north crosswalk - a much wiser choice - just as I stepped onto the sidewalk I hear a loud, "Hey! Watch out!" I look to see what is going on and watch as a bicyclist gets hit by a car, and lands on the hood. He appears to be moving. I call 911 and another witness pulls over and checks the bicyclist (everyone else, mind you, doesn't even slow down - busy lives to live and intersections to plow through). The bicyclist is okay - looks like a transient and explains he thinks he'll just go. The man driving the car is rattled but the two shake hands...no hard feelings. Police, fire engine, ambulance.... (alas, no single men who discover I am the one they've been waiting for)it is quite the scene. I fill out my witness statement and discover my own witness incompetencies and then that's it. I can go. Bicyclist will live. Other witness will go home and have a drink. Driver will not go back to work and call it a day.
I did make it home - I had just enough time to eat a peanut butter sandwhich and some cheez-ums, then back across the intersection, paying more attention to the cross-walk this time.
So much for my break from drama - so much for the regroup.
Folks - look both ways, it's dangerous to be alive.
-J

Dangerous to be alive: part I

I'm clumsy, have been most of my life - but that last few months have been dangerous. I'm always tripping, and unfortunately, sometimes falling. I can recount some of the more tragic times like they were yesterday. Biffed it outside of my hotel in Paris in front a group of Japanese tourists; biffed it at a busy intersection in my go-go boots, where a man was kind enough to point out I may have dropped something; biffed it going up the parking garage stairs in the evening, so that anyone looking would have seen it occur in spot-light form through the large window with stairwell lighting.
It happended again on Friday, hours before the single's retreat, and minutes after establishing a payment plan for my physical therapy (after my nasty Alaska fall-PT told me chronic ankle sprainers often suffer from weak ankles the rest of their lives)...I was walking home from work, for lunch. I made it all the way downtown, across the street, across the lawn of the park and was so close to my door and then the next thing I know: concrete - in my face! Somehow my left foot slipped in my shoe and I biffed it. All the contents of my bag were on the ground around me - papers, pens, 6 lip glosses (none of which is quite the right color) and even some unmentionables. I mumbled a curse word and then began the struggle of getting up, discretely checking to see if anyone saw my tummble. My left knee instantly hurt and sure enough I skinned it up pretty bad - I hobbled back to work and then down to the courthouse and then back to work - then the pain really started to set in - all stiff and tender.
How does this happen? Why doesn't it happen more often? How is everyone walking around?

My injury slowed me down on the retreat, couldn't go on the hike, slept lightly, as with each turn in the night, shooting pain. I hate being the one hobbling around, slower and needing sympathy.
Things are better with the knee now, still a little tender on stairs and a nasty scab, but everthing is working.

Yesterday I went home (for lunch again - this time driving) I changed shoes, because the pair I was wearing had given me a blister on both feet. At the end of my lunch, and with a new pair of shoes, I headed back to my car with a letter I had received in hand, I began to skim my grandfather's illegible handwriting and wouldn't you know - down I go.

I'm looking at complete disability by 30. Do you think they sell walkers in a stylish black, or fall-look tweed?
-J

Singles Retreat

This weekend, J and I are heading up to Crooked Creek for our communities' singles retreat. I've been on the committee for the past couple of months and it seems a little strange to see it take a life of its own and work it way to the end. The weather doesn't look all that promising BUT even if that doesn't lean our way, we have plenty to keep ourselves occupied. That place is great!! One of my favorites will be to sit in the "TRINITY" shaped hot tub. YIKES.

Our speaker will be talking about the Immutability of God. Basically about His Unchanging Nature. It promises to be both a learning and humbling time for me at least. How many times is my clock not lined up with God's and I keep moving to a pace that doesn't recognized that God is outside of TIME and nothing I do will ever change the path and plan He has for me? Like I said, humbling.

This also means a rap up of some fun times with the rest of the retreat committee.

I still need to wash my clothes, pack and plan for a quick getaway after work tomorrow. =-( I think I am becoming a little overwhelmed.

WHOOHOOO!!! We have received our first spam comments. This is very exciting. We finally got the telemarketer to stop calling and now we are on our next adventure.

CA just started subbing for the local school district up in Anchorage. YOU have to tell us some of the better stories!! Hope you are doing well, we got your message and I am hoping to be able to call you once this retreat stuff is OVER.

Pesky Lil Critters

I've been having this nagging feeling lately. That sensation you get when you know you're forgetting something. It has escaped your mind, you can't put your finger on it, but you know you are forgetting something. I figured it out today....
My hand gently brushed my chin. And there it was....I did put my finger on it. It was that darned chin hair. Despite the harrar of having a chin hair that grows long, thick and black, there are times I can forget about. Unlike eyebrows that grow unruly and look at you each time you glance into the mirror, the ghastly chin hair hides itself in a place one rarely gets a good look. The hard truth is that others do get a look at this region. For instance, anytime I'm in a car and the sun is setting, it is a sure bet my passenger is getting a look at the soft fuzz on my chin and neck as they glisten in the rays of the light, I can only imagine what the wirey black hair is doing. By the time I found it today, it was clear it has been some time since I had remembered it last. Maybe I should set a date for it in my day planner - "let's see, this Thursday I need to check the progress on c.h."
I fear if I have no reminder to yank it from its place, this travesty could occur again...and things could get hairy.
-jlt

Off Road is Off the Chain

I bought my jeep wrangler 5 years ago, last month. I have loved having it and have seen the mountains in a way a passenger car just doesn't offer. I've wanted to go on an off-roading caravan for a few years - head out with a group (safety in numbers), take advantage of the modifications and wisdom of others. I sent out an invite to the singles group at church - a fairly new group, still getting the feel of things. On the big day, six of us are there and ready to play. The original plan of taking an easy trail, was no longer a concern, because the subaru driver didn't make the trip. 2 Jeeps ready to hit the trail. I tell Crazy C that I'll follow him (I'm all about letting the man lead - right?!). "Sure, " he says, "I know some trails that aren't tough, just a dirt road with some bumps, but it'll be fun." And so, up the mountain we go - a car of three men and a car of three women. The speed at which Crazy C was climbing the mountain should've been the first indication that following him could be dangerous.We head onto a trail that I'm sure says, "dead end." Those words of warning aren't used loosely. There are a number of times when I think it isn't a good idea to keep following the boys down the steep climb, rolling over rocks and ducking from tree branches as they reach for our heads, eyeballs and all. The scared jeep of girls evens stops to pray for God's wisdom and protection. I finally decide, I've had enough.... I want to turn around and I'm fully aware climbing what we rolled down will be no easy task. After a 100 pt turn, we are facing upward. By this time, I have given the wheel over and sit in disbelief as a passenger in my own car and the fellas attempt to get it unstuck. My poor baby, I've taken such good care of you over the years. At one point, boy driver behind the wheel, 3 girl passengers and 2 male hood ornaments (on the hood for additional weight - I am waiting for them to crash through the windshield or be run over). The next thing I see (after a terrible noise), is both guys giving the driver the "cut it off sign" also illustrated by slitting one's own throat...accompanied by a couple, "it's done, it's done!" Sure enough one of those darned rocks slammed into my oil pan....
Approximately 8 hours later I am safely home, but not my jeep. The fellas were great and offered to fix it, spent hours taking the original oil pan off, putting a new one on....but weeks later, I realize there is a leak...and then good old fashioned smoking from the hood - shoot! Eventually it took a trip to a professional and $357 later, my baby is back and running. I don't think a trip to the mountains will ever be the same. Off-roading seems like a ridiculously foolish hobby now and I think I've actually lost respect for hard-core off-roaders. Aside from the others stranded on the mountain, no one saw the "crazy" trail we were on, it isn't something people will be talking about forever, and I won't begin to analyze the number of shoes I could've purchased with that mechanic bill.

TO SANTA FE WE GO

Ahh, another weekend away..

Last week it was car camping girl style. You know the kind where you actually come back weighing more than when you went. We hung out in Telluride, relaxed in the springs at Pagosa springs and enjoyed picture perfect weather unlike this week where it has been stormy rainy. I would hate to imagine camping in three inches of water, what in the world do people do?!

This weekend I go with a different group of friends (coed) down to Santa Fe. We will stop and spend the night at my parent's place in Trinidad and then head down early Saturday. Due to the zealousness of one guy in the group, we have a pretty comprehensive itinerary of what the weekend will look like. My heart is rebelling against the agenda of it all but in the end with 7 people involved it seems the safest route.

My personal goals of the weekend will be to spend a chunk of time on Canyon Road and some time at Trader Joe's. I have never been to one so I am sure that the rumors, stories and theories are greatly exaggerated but regardless of that, I am still excited about finding super cheap wine and salsas that rank never the top of taste tests.

What else??!! I am hoping to relax this weekend and have one great Southwestern meal. That doesn't seem like it will be too out of reach.

ct

3:00 AM

I thought that I finally had my insomnia under control; it has been a couple weeks since I have had consecutive late nights. But, again it has reared its ugly head, sleeplessness; and oh do I mean ugly head. After having suffered from this for some time I am a firm believer in beauty sleep; and let me tell you without sleep I am no beauty. OF course this outbreak has some backing. My roommate's father just had a tumor removed from behind his left eye...I just started MY BUSINESS...my friend is coming up to alaska to visit for week...and the list goes on.
It is crazy how some people can sleep entire days away while some of us wish to sleep an hour away. Of course I don't help myself go to bed. I avoided doing any of my chores until late this evening...after having done everything in my power to avoid them. I took the dogs with me to dinner, lost them in the neighborhood, drove around the neighborhood, watched Viva La Bam -ya , I was desperate to avoid the looming dishes and laundry and vaccuuming and so on. SO, finally after finding myself sifting through the men on Yahoo personnals, uh hu, I was desperate for any distraction, I slipped in some blues, poured a glass of wine and went to town.
If only I had done that this afternoon...I could have already taken my tylenol Pm and passed out. BUT instead it is 3:09AM.
CA

Pressure's Off

RING:" Hello"
Caller:"Hey, what are you doin'?"
One thought ran through my head "WHAT?"
I was sitting on the couch when the phone rang; expecting a call from someone else I was stunned into silence by the sound of his voice; his familiar southern drawl. Yes, this is the cowboy that I went to visit in Texas. But he is an ex now. We split about three weeks after my trip. We ended amiacably, still friends and talking; thinking that if I were closer we would be together.
So, how is it that he always found some excuse for not calling me when we were together but now he calls like it is nothing. I mean twice this week; yes twice this week I have answered the phone to hear that voice that I used to wait for. Sitting idly by waiting for my phone to show his name on caller id and now, I am blown away, twice in one week. It seems like when there was a title on the relationship there was too much pressure for him.
But then when we were together I could hardly use endearing terms like honey. He used to ask why and I would force them out akwardly. And now I catch myself using them; they just slide out in the middle of our conversations. "Ah, honey"; I mean where is that coming from?
I guess that when you lose the titles the Pressure's Off.
ca aka cmt

Alaska or Bust

It's hard to believe how long it takes vacation to arrive and how quickly it goes. My week in Alaska was the shortest of the year. It was a great time...an opportunity for Les Trois Soeurs to spend time together, exploring more of Cmt's backyard. She and her roommate were gracious hosts and took us all over the state, literally. Five women and three large dogs crammed into a Dodge Durango with camping gear and groceries was quite a sight. We encountered just one burly, now-Alaskan man on our travels (let us not forget the firefighters - thanks T) and drooled all the while. I did see moose this year - my first spotting was on the way into Palmer, fighting long blinks after our flight...I looked up and hollered, "MOOSE!" just in time for Cmt to avoid more than sightseeing. We saw a lot...took a mini road trip to Portage (where Portage Glacier sits), Girdwood, and saw Hatcher's Pass (once a mining town - my favorite). We went to Denali National Park and camped outside the park, a beautiful place. We enjoyed a nice hike and a bit of wildlife....on the way back to the car I mis-stepped and saw my life flash before my eyes. Not quite sure what happened, but remember thinking, "Dear Jesus..." "I don't want to die, or break anything, or eww bugs..." I think I did a full somersault and the brush stopped me. Cat and T said it didn't sound good. <My ankle is still sore and I'm trying to remember if it is the same ankle I fractured in the 8th grade - note to self: do not dance to La bamba while going down the stairs...dangerous.>
We went up to Fairbanks and camped on the Chenu River. Camping is a blast and I have decided I want to do more of it. It is not a past time to feel pretty or like a girl, or even good for one's complexion- but it is great to get away and sit around the fire. After discussion the next morning, we decided a moose had come very close to our tent, there was snorting and breathing and, yes, fresh moose poo the next morning. We went to Matanuska Glacier - after signing a waiver explaining we may DIE, we went out and walked on the glacier, I think I could've stayed out there for hours, but the rain game and a moving land form didn't seem like the place to be standing.
Hours before leaving we ate a good meal at the Glacier Brewhouse. I went all out again this year and had crab legs!
It was great to see Cmt and T and meet T's friend. They were great hostesses and really went out of their way to show us around. You should be proud of your home and backyard... it is a great place and was a terrific trip.
-J
This trip sponsored by mom and dad - thank you very much, wouldn't have happened without your generosity.

Golden Trough

So, of all the glamorous restaurants in town, of all the places to feel special on your birthday, Ch chooses to eat at the Golden Corral. "Why?!" I asked her a number of times - but to no avail...her heart was set. I used to have an aversion to buffets, they would make me nervous. People standing behind you waiting for you to get out of the way so they can get what they want...the pressure was too much, and almost inevitably I would crack and spill things, drop olives, lettuce flying - really a sad scene. It might have something to do with an experience at Bonanza as a small child. I was looking for the best pieces of lettuce at the salad bar and was scolded by a woman about playing in the food. It shook my world, and think I even cried.
I've overcome most of those feelings and can handle the buffet like an adult - although I noticed last night that I kind of mumble to myself, "Oh my, oops, dropped a bit over there." Even, or especially, when there is no one around to hear me.
I do become concerned when I look around at buffets - "all you can eat" - really does encourage over-eating and over-eaters are abundant. I can't judge them, I too was an over-eater last night. It is far worse than even Thanksgiving - at least at those huge meals at home, you know you can have some more tomorrow, in fact the less you eat today, the more you'll have for lunch the rest of the week. Not at buffets, no take home boxes, if you want your money's worth, it's going out in your belly. Well, my belly was jam-packed, eating things out of obligation, eating things because they were there, eating things because that's what you do at these places. "Get we get some more plates? More rolls?" It was a great time, although everyone left feeling uncomfortable, needing to lay down, unbutton things, and swearing off meals for a week. -J

Birthday TODAY WHOOOHOOO!

Howdy!! I just wanted to say thanks now for the great evening I will have tonight. Gorging myself in the presence a great family and friend. Ca- Thanks for the call today!! Love you bunches and J and I plan to call you and gush about how excited we are about our trip!

Today at work, the ladies celebrated for me by having a themed party. They brought in all sorts of olives and cheeses and non-alcoholic drinks for us to try. It was fabulously fun and made me feel special.

Love you all!!

ch

Mr. No Game

I met a boy at a bar. I know, it is absolutely not recommended. I know these things, but can't help but discover them on my own. Same with dating co-workers: DON'T DO IT! Everyone knows that, but I had to learn the hard way. I am a very responsible, practical girl - but when it comes to dating, I really compromise what I know is best. It's just the pickings are so slim! Where is a girl supposed to meet a boy? There aren't any prospects at church, they don't approach in the produce aisles anymore, on-line has not worked for me, and I can't stand WalMart (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,157073,00.html) as is.
So I had had some drinks, Mr. No Game was a really nice guy, we chatted a bit, and before the end of the night he asked for my number...and then he called?! We went out a couple of times - again, a nice guy, but no game. It's the trait you think you will miss the least, especially if you've been fortunate enough to date a player. But a guy with no game just isn't attractive. He lacks smoothness, finesse, and that Rico Suaveness that really makes a man a bit more desirable. "Self, don't be so tough on the guy. So he can't handle a phone conversation, so he can't think outside of the 'want to meet for coffee for the third time?' box - doesn't mean he isn't a good guy." I stepped out of my comfortable bubble and decided to ask him out for a Saturday morning outing, shake things up a bit. I called him mid-week and asked him if he wanted to go the Farmer's Market and then hang out in Old Colorado City. His response? "uh, well, it's only Wednesday, I don't normally, uh, make plans for Saturday until Friday night." As it turns out, I rated slightly below a kegger. Mr. No Game explained to me much later that week, that he was going to a kegger and wouldn't be able to get up Saturday before 11:00am. Woa - and I was giving him the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes I should go with the gut. -J

So I got an accident today.. Some lady on her cellphone rear ended me. She actually wanted to just exchange information and handle it without police involvement. After Ca's experience with the biker rider and expired insurance, there would be no hearing of it. More later. ch

The inevitable Trip

In every relationship there comes a point when the two involved must decide is this worth their time, especially in a long distance relationship. They must decide if there is potential for long term; are the multi-hour phone conversations getting them anywhere, any closer to a deeper commitment? Well, I made the trek to Texas to see my beau and figure some things out. My goal for the trip was to spend lots of time together and help us to both recognize our deeper desires for this relationship.
Ahh, what a womanly perspective...Right, but a ten day face plant into reality was awaiting me. I had a fantastic time; we hung around the house, went for drives into town, went on dates and so on... But, as a female, I realize, I was looking for enlightening moments of clarity... is he my future; can we get along all of the time; can I mesh into the family?
The answers I found---yes, we could have a great future; we get along great; I get along with the family smashingly well.
What I was not expecting to learn---how to shoot a gun; that men think on such a different level when measuring a relationship; THAT THIS TRIP ANSWERED NO QUESTIONS AT ALL.
Upon my return to Alaska we knew no better where we stood on the future of our relationship. We are still facing the same questions and still trying to decide for ourselves... IS ALL THIS WORTH IT?
~Ca

micodermabrasion

So I have come to the age where youth is a memory but I am still dealing with acne, redness and gross skin. My vanity has caught up wiht me and I can no longer live accepting a yucky facial texture sooo within the month I am goin to find the BaL#s I need to step out and get the face taken care of.

Background: I went to a friend's house for Wine, Chick Flicks and Fancy food. The crowd was older and the conversation naturally drifted to old age, wrinkles and as one girl stated,"I am considering BOTOX!"

When did this happen?
-ch

Smart Moms

I was having lunch at Pikes Perk today and took the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful weather by sitting outside. There were three women sitting at the neighboring table, in the midst of some pretty interesting conversation and not bit bothered that I intruded in on their space. They must have been there a while because they weren't eating or drinking anything but just talking. I didn't get a good look at two of the ladies, I think that they were older around 45 to 50 but the loud one facing me was probably the youngest of the three. They talked about their kids, religion, doctrine, their husbands, their idea of a women's role in family, society and in marriage. I felt like they were kindred spirits + 15 years. It was so reassuring that there are mothers and wives out there that are passionate about their families and are committed to taking hard roads in order to see their family grow together. For example, the loud one was taking about the family's choice to homeschool the children until the 8th grade. She referred to some university research about about children's continually waning interest in school once they they enter kindergarden. She said that homeschooling her kids until high school has helped them keep the energy to appreciate school and that environment. Now, I am not the smartest person and the idea of homeschooling freaks me out but I respect a mother who chooses her children's happiness above the desire to get the kids out of the house into school. She admitted that they had to sacrifice financially for her to stay at home. "So they don't get soccer lessons, we play soccer outside every afternoon. So they don't get dance lessons, I dance with my daughter everyday and I handmake her all her dancing outfits."

She was a healthnut. "I told my older son to ask his future wife hard questions. Did her parents raise her on fast food and food coloring? Because those things can affect the kids. I mean, seriously, they are creating our future generation." I had to smile. Some parents find it hard to encourage their kids to ask about the girlfriend's/boyfriend's interests, jobs, faith and this woman cuts through all that and helps the son understand that his future wife will contribute half the genes of his kids, food coloring and all.

I was sad when they left.n

Big city girl trapped in a little town

Ok so in my attempt to support my roommate and to live in Alaska a little longer I agreed to move north to the tiny Alaskan town of Palmer. She wanted to buy a place and you get much more house and land for your dollar if you move to the valley.
Now here I am with no internet hookup until the 28, having to go to the local library to check my emails, blogs, websites and even to get a glimpse into the news of the world. Now, by local library I mean the smallest one story, one room book center you have ever seen. For instance their magazine section is probably 25 magazines that they don't backstock, no reviewing old articles or perusing last season's styles. Their new book section is two columns, four shelves high, containing books that I would not consider new- its like the new release wall in Blockbuster, you know those movies that have been out since before your last haircut.
Most importantly is the local aspect. The man just walking in is in his too big jeans hoping the suspenders holding them up will not slide off his shoulder to expose his "local member." The mom with her oh so too many kids is trying to keep them under control as she checks out a stack of children's books taller than her smallest. Over by the magazines is the black sheep of the local high school with her shaved head and wholly fishnets under dirty cut off jeans.
Here I sit, obviously not a local, in my black sassy heels, purple silky camisole, tight dark jeans, sticking out like a "big city girl." ~C

What in this world is Worship

So I have been convicted about the way that I spend my Sunday morning before church. I lack the discipline to focus in on the cross, repent of my "cherished sins" and cannot seem to get away from "me" centeredness. So.. tonight my buddy Ames and I decided to reclaim our Sunday morning by reclaiming our dependence on Jesus. However, we have decided to create a habit that a little more palpable....Pre-church Starbucks coffee of the day. I know. How lame are we? Well, lame enough to know that we have crippled ourselves by not giving Jesus our time. Schedule: Arrive at Starbucks around 8:15-8:25 (Hey, we are grace centered), drink coffee and journal. Get to church around 8:50AM and spend the next 10 minutes in reflection and preparation.
I am going to update this blog next Monday with the results of what actually happened. -ch

The Absentee Boyfriend

I do have a big trip coming up, the inevitable first trip in a long distance relationship... He in the great state of Texas and me thousands of miles north in Alaska. How have I come to find myself in a long distance relationship you might ask yourself. I did not intend to; I found this incredibly gorgeous, tall, polite, southern gentlemen in Alaska. After three years of the sporadic bad date with a number of losers I found myself being persued by a man. I mean MAN; good with his hands... Meaning he knows how to work- seriously people, get your minds out of the gutter. His accent and dimples are irresistable to boot.
What does he go and do; he gets out of the military and moves back to Texas. That is how I find myself boarding a plane in 2 weeks to see my man and to meet the family. Just to be able to go on a date with my boyfriend I have to fly to see him.
The craziest part of this "adventure" is that after only a few weeks of actual dating I am doing what it takes most couples a few months to do... meet the family. I am going to be trapped on the family ranch with complete strangers for TEN days. I don't know these people; I hardly know my boyfriend!
It will be nice to be near him though. To walk together and hold hands; to sneak a little kiss while waiting at the stop light. Sometimes I find myself in little shops or at a restaraunt where I think, how nice it would be to laugh with him and look into his eyes.
While all of these disires build up with anticipation of 10 days together, the hesitations of meeting his family and having to travel to see him slip away and I honestly can not wait to step off the plane and into his arms for a long over due hug and kiss hello.

The BIG 2-4

And what a birthday it was. Considering that it was an unexcitable age of 24, I have some great friends who partied it up with me.
I started the evening with a new "birthday suit!" No surgeries mind you, but some great sassy shoes and a pink halter. In the company of friends I enjoyed Alaskan King Crab while peering out our table-side window watching the sun set over the Cook Inlet. Two bottles of wine, a couple of stories and some great laughs later we headed downtown to meet up with some more dear friends. Not so dear as...hot. Being all firefighters out to celebrate my birthday and another firefighter's birthday (celebrating the big 2-1). As the toasts of the the party we hammed it up together; getting shots from strangers, beers from our friends and many well wishes all around.
After walking a block to a fantastic Anchorage secret hot spot we danced the night away, while still receiving beverage gifts galore.
I had a great time, enjoyed the new shirt-not so much the shoes- had a "little too much to drink," and spent most of the next day recovering! ~C

Tripsing through the Travel

There are a couple of trips coming up for the girls.

J will be going to Las Vegas.. Whoohoo!!

C will be heading to Austin to visit her boyfriend.
and
Ca and J will be heading up to Alaska to visit C in July.

THERE will be lots and lots of stories.

There's a Birthday Comin' 'Round the Corner.....

We are counting down the days to the youngest of Les Trois Soeurs' Birthday and we hope that it turns out to be fabulous, exciting, fun, and memorable. c, sorry we can't be there but we will be sure to re-celebrate when we are up there in July. =-) Love you bunches. -ch

Fellowship of the Singles

I find myself more often than ever before identifying with the soul of The Lone Ranger. Seeking to "save others" but not be saved myself. I don't need it.. I am the ...."LONE RANGER"!!! Until nights that I am sitting in a Bible Study with women who are my friends and the feelings of needing to keep spiritually hidden becomes a noose around my neck. I just want blab it all out, let them know about how I am feeling, where I feeling I am struggling, how dark it seems sometimes in this relationship with Christ. It should be pink bubbles and always a sunny day. Tonight was one of those nights... we are going through Living in Light, a devotional put out by World Harvest Mission. It was written with a new believer in mind but let me tell you, for all the decades that I have had a personal relationship with Christ, I have never been faced with the fact that I didn't know what that meant outside of eternity. He died so that I may live. I never assigned that to how I am living now. Isn't that where the Holy Spirit takes over and gives Jesus the "night" off?

So this books is slowly taking the black coated glasses off and forcing us to recognize the immensity of God's sacrificial love for us and how that looks every single day of our lives whether we see it or not. For example, during the hours of 12:00AM to 12:00AM twenty four hours later is the sun shining? Yes.. even on a cloudy day, even if you live in AK, even if you are blind.. the sun will always shine because it is always shining, irregardless of what you are experiencing, seeing and feeling. Now substitute in the place of the sun God's love, patience, grace with us. No matter the time of day, where you are in life, how dark it seems...God's love has never changed. That's what Christ has done on our behalf, he has made it possible for us to live in such a light.

The Running Man

I've been living downtown Colorado Springs all of my independant living life. There are things you see down here that you won't see anywhere else in town. There is the Wigged-it: a woman who hangs out downtown and drinks coffee at the various outdoor patios and cafes. You can't miss her, she is always wearing a wig. Not just any wig - she sports various hued numbers, mostly blonde or strawberry blonde - all long and matted. Over the top, really. There is also the Running Man. He runs through the downtown streets with just his brightly colored shorts. He yells things out - it's hard to distinguish what he's saying, until you've been exposed to him a number of times. He yells at passing vehicles and their drivers, that they should get out of their cars, get exercise, hollering things like, "Wusses!" At times, with more colorful language. He feels strongly about it and a number of times I have seen him run across intersections blatantly defying the red hand warning him to stay on his side of the street - he pounds his chest to oncoming cars, almost daring them to proceed, as he jogs across, yelling the entire time. I usually watch him from my apartment window -it's entertaining and you can hear him coming. I was at a dinner party and heard his banter approaching - after a quick explanation we all dropped our forks and rushed to the window to watch him run by. I have been a victim in my car a couple of times, where I have been the enemy. One time my sister and I were jogging and heard him approaching us - that night I wasn't the enemy, we were, somehow, on the same side. I have always said that I should like to see him out around town somewhere, fully dressed. What does the Running Man do? Does he have a job? Does he have a family? Does he have a full wardrobe?
Yesterday I was walking downtown, waiting at a crosswalk. A man came up next to me and pointed at a car and yelled, "wiener dog!" I thought maybe he knew the driver - but no window was down and the driver kept driving. I looked over at the man and *oh my lands* it was the Running Man. He was wearing a yellow dress shirt and tie, dress pants and dress shoes. It was our turn to proceed (he waited at the red hand) and off he went. I followed him as fast as I could in my heels, but the Running Man has a bit of speed, as you can imagine. I didn't know what I was hoping to see, but I didn't want him out of my sight. Along my way I saw the Wigged-it outside, drinking coffee. The Running Man ran (chuckle) into someone he knew and they stopped and chatted. I caught up to them but didn't know how to slow down enough to hear their conversation. Was he a friend or a potential wiener dog? I passed them and their interaction and felt at sense of accomplishment. I had seen the Running Man in real clothes, in a real conversation, on a really nice day.
Last night I heard something out the window, it was a man, yelling. -J

WHEN BUSY IS JUST BUSY

Out of personal conviction I have found myself trying to create a livable schedule. Now I am faced with the quality/quantity life equation. There are so many things I want to do but now I have to look at all my activities and put them through the filter of "Do these things have more worth than the things that I am not doing?" YIKES. Like tonight, I was invited to have dinner with a couple of friends from my singles group. It would have been great fun but I chose time with J, returning a over-priced sweater to the store, eating out in a restaurant and perusing the mall." Don't get me wrong.. that will be fun as well so now I am faced with a other set of quality qualifiers. Is that even mentally comprehensible? I am exhausted. ch-

Hungry Mongrels

So I work in a family run business. Dad is the boss, son is the supervisor, and son-in-law is a sub-supervisor. It creates interesting dynamics. So, boss brings in some brownies his wife made. Very thoughtful and generous. Now, missing from this office, in addition to an Employee's Handbook, is the Employee's Treat Etiquette. Within minutes of the plate arriving this morning I saw two of my co-workers make 5 trips to the snack room, one with his mouth still full, making his way to grab another. Is there no common decency? If someone takes the time to bake a treat and bring it in - it is for everyone. Snacks will disappear within minutes. It happens over and over again around here. People shoving things into their mouths before everyone in the office (all seven of us) even knows there is something special. I myself, made a treat on Valentine's Day with French cocoa, I purchased in Paris...scarfed - in moments, without anyone ever tasting that rich quality chocolate...it's a shame. It reminds me of my childhood, on the rare occassion my mom brought a treat from the grocery store, the standard house rule, was grab as many as you can now, or you won't get any and you can only blame yourself. But we're all adults now - professional co-workers, at that, right?
I feel like the offical Treat Police, well, and the Potty Patrol, too - my office is next to the breakroom and bathroom. I keep my on eye the happenings - "Oh wow, he's going back for another, " as I hear the tinfoil crinkle. "He's been in there a while, " the toilet flushes. "Roger, Officer 251, I'm going to need some back up and some air sanitizer, we've got a double flusher...over."
-J

Easter Sunday

Easter was an incredible time this year. Earlier in the month, our singles group prepared ourselves through a Messianic Seder event. A gentleman from Focus on the Family led us in a time of reflection and praise through the Process of Haggedah (sp?). He also played clips of The Prince of Egypt in order to put the ritual into something we could wrap our minds around. It helps when you are yelling Lice, lice, lice... cattle disease, cattle disease, cattle disease and you (unfortunately) have forgotten the plagues in Egypt. Anyhoo, when you realize the beauty of how Christ was that Passover Lamb and see it in the bigger story of God's plan for redemption.. wow, how could you NOT be amazed and humbled concerning God's love for us.

Today was lunch at my parent's place, we met together and had yummy ham, sweet vinegar green beans (brought by my Southern Friend) and these dreamy creamy hashbrown potatoes.

Tonight we might be capping off our evening with a little pool downtown and cleaning the apt.
=-( Not the pool but the apt. Yuck. - ch

The Beginning

Well, this is Christina's idea - a place for three sisters to keep up with each other in a busy and spread out world... two are roomates with very busy lives and one that lives in the "wilds" of Alaska! The goal is to create a place to reconnect, save memories in written format and to give others an opportunity to be brought into our little circle.. Each of us special, each of us unique, each of us with a story.

I don't know about all of this...it seems so advanced and worldly. Exposing myself to whomever...dangerous - daring - exciting. Welcome to my world.