Pack Rats

How many times have you said to yourself..."Ill wear that again?" I say it A LOT and today I found that out. We had a garage sale and after selling over $200 of what I might call JUNK... it doesnt even look like there was a dent in the driveway.. there is SOOO much more left. As I hang the shirts that I have said the above question to a million times I think Why? Why did I keep the furry angora candy apple red turtle neck for ALL these years? Why did I ever in my right mind weat that leather flower painted choker? and best yet.. why do I have a million and one random books in boxes and boxes when I dont even read??? They always say one man's junk is another man's treasure.. and man is that true. Usually when I have garage sales we get a pretty good outcome but not so much sells.. this time a MILLION things to sell and a MILLION people buying.. it amazing me watching them buy my crap..lol. I love to people watch and see how people react in situations.. I mean seriously, I think a never used mini cupcake tin being sold at $1 is a gosh darn good deal... but it seriously amazes me when someone is trying so hard to get me to go down to $.25 just cause its a garage sale and they can... They want it THAT bad.

So yes, with all the money we made and all the people we met, there is still sooo much stuff that needs to be sold, or better yet, needs to get rid of.. we will attempt it tomorrow. Another day, new buyers, more money!!

Never Forget

With all the craziness in the world, it seems that no matter what everyone has on their plates; today, September 11th, is day that everyone in America gathers together and remember the tragic day we all experienced 7yrs ago. Its weird to think 8 years ago is when all the craziness we are experiencing now started..and soon hopefully to be over with.

I got an amazing email from a number of people today titled: "Meet ME In the Stairwell" it made me think about all the people that were caught in the tragedy and lost in the rubble. People who might not have known God in that time of their life, but turned to him in the last moments of it. It amazing me at how many people might deny God throughout their whole lives, but when they have minuets or even seconds left in their lives they turn to him, and no matter what God listens. Please take a moment while reading this and take a moment of silence for those who we have lost and the families who have lost loved ones and especially for the soldiers who are fighting for our lives at this exact moment, and to never forget September 11th.

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'

You say you will never forget where you were
when you heard the news On September 11, 2001 .
Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room
with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.'
I held his fingers steady as he dialed.
I gave him the peace to say,
'Honey, I am not going to make it,
but it is OK..I am ready to go.'

I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast
to their children. I held her up as she tried to
understand his words and as she realized
he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor
when a woman cried out to Me for help.
'I have been knocking on the door
of your heart for 50 years!' I said.
'Of course I will show you the way home -
only believe in Me now'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest
ministering to the injured and devastated souls.
I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven.
He heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes,
in every seat, with every prayer.
I was with the crew as they were overtaken.
I was in the very hearts of the believers there,
comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.

I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan
I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news.
Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face.
I knew every name - though not all know Me.
Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath.
Some couldn't hear Me calling to them
through the smoke and flames;
'Come to Me.. this way... take my hand.'
Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.
But, I was there.

I did not place You in the Tower that day.
You may not know why, but I do.
However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time,
would you h ave reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001 , was not the end of the jo urney for you.
But someday your journey will end.
And I will be there for you as well.
Seek Me now while I may be found.
Then, at any moment, you know you are
'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

God

Life is turned crazy

WE DID IT!!!!!

We graduated.. its over, and yet I still feel like im enrolled in school, on a week break and will have to drive back on Sunday.. but NO!! Im back in San Jose FOR GOOD!!! Saying goodbye to my girls was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but I know they are friends for life, and I will see them again and again... Future Ellen Trips and NY Trips are highly awaiting us :) So yes, life is crazy right now.. moving is horrible. I have boxes and bags EVERYWHERE... Today is sorting day, that should be like Christmas all over again..lol. I am planning on starting work again sometime next week, have to talk with Deanna to sort a few things out, but Im ready for work!!

THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me during this experience, I had an amazing college experience. and you all were help towards that. There will be a party in the next few weeks, and will be posted on here when, if you are able to make it, I would greatly appreciate spending time with ALL of you and thanking you all.

My Support Group

Its weird.. its all coming to an end. I knew it was happening, and I knew it was happening fast, but it really is here, its all over. 2 more days and I leave... I leave my life I have been living for the past 3 years. My friends... I cant even imagine life without them.. the nights of endless laughter, the days of stress and tears... all of it, and they were there always..Amanda and Marlena... how am I going to live without you girls. Tonight we ALL went out to dinner.. My family, Marlena's family and Amanda's family.. we went to a restaurant that accommodated all of our needs.. yummy food.. PLENTY of space for the 25+ people eating and of course the amazing site of the shores. Memories shared, laughter spread and new friends were made within families, it was a great night. We had a mini gift exchange between the three of us, we wanted to be able to actually enjoy opening our presents without the rush and pressure at Graduation, so we did that tonight too. It was such a fun night.. here are a bunch of pictures to capture the moments...

You girls are AMAZING and I am going to miss you more than you will EVER know. I look forward to our mini trips to LA and to NYC to go ice skating :)

Boxes. Boxes and More Boxes

With the countdown down to 7 days untill family arrives, 10 days untill Graduation and 11 till the cars are gassed up for my last road trip down the 101 to move back home, I started packing. I have about 10 boxes done including items such as: Kitchen items, toiletries, random books, old assignments, a million and one slides and 4x5 film from the first year at brooks and of course a million and one pictures. I discovered I was a pack rat.. I have a MILLION things I remember buying saying to myself at the time "I need this" or "Ill use this" but no.. never touched it.. good thing the bulk of it was either dollar bin finds at target or random nicknack's from our golf land and arcade ticket winnings. Lying in my bed, at this very moment, I look around my room and it looks untouched.. sad isnt it. I haven't even touched my closet.. im afraid to go in there. I know there is a million and one things that I haven't worn in the entire time I have been here at school, but once again will pack it in the keep box instead of into the one labeled with pink duct tape SELL!! You would think that living in such a small space would limit your spending and what you own, but no, it didn't stop me. I found pom poms, sequence handbags, every possible selling item from Bath and Body works, binders and page dividers, sleeves and a shelves worth of paper from Calumet. I always though I had run out of paper and ran out in a frantic to buy more... instead of checking under the couch or on the side of my dresser, I would not only spend more money on gas, but on another box of $50 paper, that a week from now I would also think was lost.

Even with all the stress of packing, making sure you've got it all, I have actually enjoyed it all. All the assignments I crammed up in the corner of my closet so I could get the horrible memory out of my head forever, was a BLAST to scan through again and realize all I have accomplished. It feels good to graduate.. it feels productive to pack.. it even feels more amazing to know Ill be back in San Jose in just a little over a week!!

Mr. & Mrs. Yoder

They did it.. they tied the knot, and it was the most beautiful wedding at that. Set in the hillside of Gilroy, Ca.. we gathered at the Guglielmo Winery. Surviving the heat, Kendall and Dusty shared their vows, prayed for eachother and kissed as husband and wife!!! When the reception started we ate amazing food and danced the night away... and I mean we danced the night away. With the live band singing the most diverse selection I have ever heard at a wedding: ACDC, Journey, The Hit Crew, Kool & The Gang to Frank Sinatra and Conga Lines...it was amazing.
Here are some pictures of the night!!!

Congratulations to the new Mr. & Mrs. Yoder!!!

Addictions

"Catch a game when you know your at GSN"... those lyrics have been on repeat mode in my brain the past few days. First step to recovery: Admitting a problem... Hi my name is Tina, and im a GSNaholic. Thats right, im completely and utterly addicted to Game Show Network. When I was younger.. a lot younger, my Great-Grandpa and I would watch game shows all the time.. I found the GSN channel a while ago but never was as addicted as I am now. Family Fued, Card Sharks, Lingo, Chain Reaction, Password Plus, Pyramid and best of all Lets Make a Deal.. they get my every time. I catch myself telling danny.. "This is the last show.. just let me finish the 30 minuets..I promise" but then another amazing show comes on. I have a problem. Im like the 90yr old caught in the 20yr old body. I seriously believe that this is the one thing that brings me closer to my Papaw. He passed away a few years ago and I know he would want me to watch these shows for him... although im pretty sure in heaven hes playing them instead of watching them on a 15'' mini screen with a fuzzy cable connection!! The addiction developed a while ago im sure started taking a toll on my life a few days. I came back from San Jose and Danny came home with me.. not knowing that I have had the GSN channel here I FLIPPED out when I walked into the room and found him watching Lingo.. thats when the problems surfaced.

We all have addictions, we only know that word as a bad thing that taken over our lives: alcohol, drugs, gambling but there are millions more that can bring joy to your life. The difference is.. when people don't want to be around you or associate with you, thats when your addiction had become a problem..I feel that yes my few addictions may be annoying at times because I do become a little obsessive over them, but that is who I am.

gotta go... Bingo America calls :)