It goes from bad to worse. Tuesday, Mar 6 2007

I knew the kitchen was to be a nightmare, of only i knew then what I know now.

 Cleaned the WHOLE kitchen in just over 4 hours. Was in the home stretch when the washing machine decided to go and “fubar” on me. Thanks!

I has just thrown in the little apple rug (My kitchen is in a “apple” theme. Why do we women have “themes” for a kitchen? Never figured that out.) the curtain, tablecloth, and placemats. It went through the wash cycle and during the rince cycle it started cutting out and the water would not drain.

AAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGG!

So now I am in complete panic. I have to get this stuff washed and then there is the laundry hamper that at this point OVERFLOWING with clothes that I have not washed yet since I was doing this whole spring cleaning thing. I do not need a busted washer right now. I am beginning to imagine going old skool and taking the laundry down to the nearby Tuckaseegee River and beating them on a rock.

So at avoid a temper tantrum, I just walked away. In my best Scarlett O’Hara voice I procalimed that I would “just think about that tommorrow” and finished the rest of the kitchen cleaning.

Andrew came home with his latest “wound” from his first responder class. A bruise to the forehead. There may have been brain damage, but we can’t tell a difference. (haha) Everyday they have to act out a medical emergency to train themselves how to respond, stabalize and treat the injuries. Saturday he had a injury just behind his right ear that scared me to death! I did not know that this was part of the training and so when he walked in the house with this huge “bruise” on his head and neck I FREAKED out. I was nearly hysterical asking him what happened. I was on the verge of passing out when after busting into laughter he finally explained that it was just paint. So now everyday he sends me pictures on the cell phone to show me his “bruise of the day”. Sunday it was a bruise to his right torso, and yesterday was the head wound. He also “cut” the palm of his hand cutting a bagel. By the way to make fake blood, mix black cherry Kool-Aid, water, and hair gel.

So today is on to the living room, maybe i’ll just test out the couch and sleep. Yea sounds good.

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All because I am trying to avoid the kitchen. Monday, Mar 5 2007

A survey courtsey of Echo and MySpace.

1. If you were to find out you were pregnant what would you do? First of all, how did that happen? Look at Andrew and say, the wedding date just moved up BIG TIME! 2. Do you trust your friends? If I don’t trust them, they are not a friend. 3. Would you move to another state or country to be with the person you love? I have done it before, how do you think I wound up in Louisiana? Thankfully Andrew is saying Georgia is where we will move after graduation, so I am good with that. 4. Do you believe that everything happens for a reason? If you have faith in God, then you do. it is just hard sometimes to understand why. 5. Name one thing you would NOT tolerate in a relationship. My three rules, do not cheat on me, do not disrespect me, and do not hit me. Do any and you are OUT! 6. Which one of your friends do you think would make the best room mate for you? The only person I would consider would be Tracie, but we both are so particular about things that eventually we would drive each other nuts. 7. When was the last time you snuck out? I never have 8. Are you afraid of falling in love? Aparently not! 9. Is there someone who pops into your mind at random times? Yes, but usually he pops in the front door too! 10. Would you stop talking to your friends because you hooked up with a new guy/girl? Well now that would be stupid, would it not? 11. When was the last time you flew in a plane? That would be back in 2002 or 2003, can’t remember when, but it was I went on a work training thing in Orlando. 12. What was the last text message you sent? “Keep with it sweetie, I have faith in you” to Andrew. The course he is taking this week for school is tough and he was getting frustrated with trying to keep up with it all.  13. What features do you find most attractive in the opposite sex? Faith, humor, compassion, good cuddling, and has to have great hair! 14. Fill in the blank. I will NEVER _____. Take illegal drugs, my mother would still take a paddle to my butt if I even thought of doing it. 15. What are your goals in life? To graduate, get married, raise Nathan with Christian faith, support Andrew in being a better father to Alex and reduce the size of my backside. 16. What can you tell about a person by kissing them? if they brushed their teeth that day. 17. When you get married, how would you envision your dream wedding? Get married in our church, with a great party with great food and tons of dancing afterwards. 18. If you could say just one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? I love you. 19. If you were to wake up from being in a coma for an extended period of time, name some people you would call? Nathan, Andrew, Mom, Tracie, my pastor. 20. How many kids do you want to have? I wanted 2 and I have 1 of my own and then 1 by marriage soon. 21. Would you make a good parent? I think I do pretty well, but I am always learning. 22. Where was your default pic taken? My MySpace page is the photograph of my church, the site for Andrew and I was taken at a lake up near Highlands. 23. What is your middle name? Raynell. 24. Honestly, does your crush like you back? He better! 27.What’s on your mind right now? I really don’t want to start Spring Cleaning the kitchen! 28. Are you musical? In my own head, I am Celine Dion, out my mouth, not so much. I do love music and do sing in the church choir and so far nobody has had their ears bleed. 29. If you could go back in time, and change something, what would you change? I would have worked harder in high school Shoe size: 7.5-8 Height: 5′5″ What are you wearing right now: Black track pants, white tank top and white fleece v-neck top. The Mom uniform. Righty or lefty: Righty. Can you make a dollar in change right now: I think so. Best place to go for a date? I don’t like the typical dinner/movie date. I like doing something fun and creative. The date Andrew and I had to Biltmore Estate was great. FAVORITES Kind of pants: jeans Number: 4 Animal: cats and horses Month: July Juice: pineapple HAVE YOU HAD: Chicken pox: yes Sore Throat: yes Stitches: no Broken nose: no Plastic Surgery: no QUESTIONS?? Who knows you the best? Tracie and Andrew Do you wear contact lenses or glasses? glasses, hate them! Do you get along with your family? pretty much Ever been in a fight with your pet? Chesney has ticked me off, but it is not like I punched him out or anything! Been to Mexico? nope TODAY DID YOU 1. Talk to someone you liked? yep, 2 of them! 2. Buy something? nope 3. Get sick? nope, just tired 4. Talked to an ex? not today, did a few days ago 5. Miss someone? Yes, I miss both my men who are at school right now. 6. Get in a fight with someone? nope 7. Have sex? Nope LAST PERSON WHO 6. Slept in your bed? Andrew 7. Saw you cry? Andrew 8. Who made you cry? myself Okay now I will get off my butt and go clean the kitchen, ugg.

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Cleanliness is next to Godliness Sunday, Mar 4 2007

When I awoke at 7am all I wanted to do was crawl right back under the covers and take the expressway back to snoozeland, but God and Spic and Span were calling.

Got Andrew off to school at 7:30 and jumped in the shower. I was paranoid that despite the fact I soaked up every bit of hot water yesterday in the shower after cleaning party, I might still have the scent of bleach and Murphy’s Oil Soap on me. Got to church for choir practice at 9:30 on the dot. The it was Sunday School and then service. I was only in there with the choir for the first 20 minutes. I then went down to teach childrens church. I was nervous to wing it solo, because Andrew and I usually do that together. But I just had 3 kids, including Nathan, so it was a breeze. We talked about praying and what are some of the things that we pray about. Next we did some coloring and had snacks. We also watched a “Veggie Tales” video and called it a day.

Came home and fixed burgers for lunch, Nathan hid out again while I started on the bathroom. I fully intended to do it all in a hour, but wound up spending almost 2 doing it, but I reorganized more than I thought of beforehand but I also discovered that I have a new addiction.

*Stand up in a room and says, “Hello, my name is Ronda and I am a Bath and Body Works-aolic”*

Seriously I didn’t realize I had so much of their stuff, see the pictures to see how bad it is (for those of you unfamilar with Flickr, roll your mouse pointer over the photograph after clicking on it and the “notes” will appear.)

Back to church for a church committees meeting with our new pastor so he became familiar with all of them and what the different committees are currently doing. I didn’t realize we had so many!

Tommorrow is kitchen day, and I am so dreading it.

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Day one down, 5 to go Saturday, Mar 3 2007

Well the first day is completed, the bedroom is completly redone and cleaned out. I am exhausted and ready for bed. Tommorow after church is day two and the bathroom. Not much to do there but mop the floor, reorganize the drawers and counters, and wash the windows. Also throw the curtain and rugs in for washing.  Updated photos of the bedroom is on flickr.

 Good night!

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Major undertaking Saturday, Mar 3 2007

Late last night I figured that I had better get some laundry done so that I could have all of mine and Nathan’s clothes ready to go through and get those we are getting rid of seperated out and packed up for sale/donation.

Somehow I now have a pile of clothes litteraly 3 feet high in my bedroom and still 2 more left to wash/dry. I seriously have to get rid of some of this stuff. I swear I don’t know how this happens. I am not a huge clothes shopper (mostly because the only clothing store around here is Walmart and their clothes just kinda bites) but still the fact that I usually clean out my closet 2-3 times of year, but my closet never seems to get smaller. I cant figure it out.

I thought I had all day to do the bedroom but then I remembered that I have to go by church to pick up the packet for childrens church tommorow and have to go exchange the trashbags that Andrew picked up because the one he got are too small for my trash can. I will do that when I hit a stopping point.

Okay really I am on here because I am trying to avoid starting this process, but I know that once I start and get on a roll, it will feel great to get this house cleaned out. It is so theraputic for me to really get things organized. Nathan has barracaded himself in his room with his Game Cube, he knows the drill and knows to hide out.

But please, someone call me about 3pm to make sure I am still alive and not buried under jeans and church dresses.

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Spring Break=Spring Cleaning, oh and trying to scare myself Friday, Mar 2 2007

First of all and most importantly please everyone pray for Echo’s inlaws. They live in Enterprize, Alabama where they tornado hit yesterday. She says that their house was damaged ,but thankfully is still standing. Several houses very close by were completly demolished. Keep them and everyone there in your prayers

So next week is spring break for us college victims, oh I mean students. My bad.

Andrew actually doesn’t get a “break” as he has to attend a wilderness first responder course starting tommorow and everyday until next Sunday. He has to be outta here by 7:30 am and will not be getting home until WELL after dark. So what do I get to do for my break? Backpack through Europe? Lay out on the beach in Florida? Party in Atlanta? Please!

I am SpRinG cLeAnInG! WOOOOOOOOHAAAWWWWW!

Please stop being so jealous, it is so unbecoming of you.

So tommorrow after Andrew ships out, I am tackling the bedroom. Massive cleaning out of the closet, moving around the furniture (which will annoy him to no end since he thinks that moving furniture is a man’s job, but he will get over it) and doing the stuff that we dont do that often, like washing the curtains, washing down walls, ect.

Sunday since I will have church it will be a easier day. I also just found out that Andrew and I are scheduled to teach childrens church, but I guess i will be flying solo that day! So I will clean out the bathroom. Since this gets cleaned alot anyway, it will not be too much to do. Just clean out under the sink and reorgainze stuff.

Monday will be for the Kitchen, ugg. That will be a NIGHTMARE! I hate cleaning the kitchen. Well not normally, but this kitchen is so small and the cabinets are a pain to work with. I will leave it at that.

Tuesday is Living Room day. Just vacuming, dusting and washing those curtains. Maybe if I lose my sanity I might strip off the couch cushion covers and wash those too.

Wednesday I am working on the spare room also know as the office/gym/storage room. Mainly going through the storage boxes in there, throw stuff out and pack it all away again. Then since it is so easy Ill finish the day with Nathan’s bathroom. Since we never use it, and it just is really Chesney’s “bathroom” it will be easy to clean.

Thursday will be Nathan’s room. Mainly going through his clothes to see what he has outgrown and get it ready to sell in the upcoming Childrens Consignment Sale at the end of the month.

After that I am going to try to work on Nathan’s scrapbook and the scrapbook for Andrew and I.

So tonight Andrew went into work for a few hours. They keep cutting hours so he has been going in when he knows they are busy and see if they will just put him on for a couple of hours. I have been veging out, trying to rest. We did manage to keep ourselves busy with other random stuff around the house. He changed my oil in the car and then changed the radiator fluid in Sasquatch, what we call his vehicle. It is this big 1990 Blazer that really has seen better days. I used to call it the grey beast, but Sasquatch was so more appropriate.

Nathan talked to Chris again tonight. Chris has got him all hyped up about going ghost hunting. He told me about this website called Shadowlands.com where you can look up haunted places in every state. I didn’t realize there was any haunted places so close to us! They haved listed under “Cullowhee” 3 places on the campus of Western Carolina University that are haunted. I seriously freaked out, because I worked there! Thankfully none of them are were I worked (2 are residence halls and the other was a residence hall but is now a class building. There is also one in Dillsboro (very close by) and one in Franklin where Andrew is from. We also saw several listed in Asheville including Biltmore Estate where we just were 2 weeks ago.

So then my dumb backside thought, “let me look up ghosts caught on video on YouTube!” So not a smart thing to do when you are home alone at night. I watched one and scared myself. But not nearly was bad as the day i was at work and watched this one that a friend sent me. I screamed like a little girl right in the middle of the office when I saw it. It is a ghost caught on video during the filming of a car commericial. Watch closely for the ghost to form along the side of the road near the car.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz1W_omigwg

Good night!

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Our MySpace Page Friday, Mar 2 2007

Just in an effort for those of you who have become friends of mine through MySpace. I will be deleting the page, but Andrew and I have had one together for the last few weeks that you can use to keep connected with me. Just click on my current page and under my “friends list” you will find ours, then send a friend request.

 Thanks!

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So um yea, it’s all good Thursday, Mar 1 2007

Is today Thursday, right? Just checking, it has been that kind of week. And it’s March too? What went with February? Hello, anyone?

The Dad-ster was sweet enough to drag himself out of bed and get Nathan up for school. I had planned on sleeping in, but then I remembered that the boy child had lost a tooth last night. Actually yanked out by Andrew, but he didn’t fuss since he was all about the cash that the Tooth Fairy would be dropping off. So I got up and we snuck in to see the loot. Nathan found a yellow envelope with 3 dollars inside. Yea, he was stoked.

Andrew then drove Nathan to school and said when he was leaving he said he was going to run to Wal-Mart for Pop-Tarts. So I am thinking, “Cool, some Mommy time alone with coffee and Good Morning America, I rule!” So much for that idea when he walked back in 15 minutes later and announced he wanted me to go Pop-Tart shopping with him. I suppose I should have been touched that he wanted to share something as mundane as breakfast pastry shopping with me, but I really wanted to relax and become one with the recliner chair. But alas, it was not to be.

So I get up, shower and get dressed, Pop-Tarts are bought, along with lemon water (for his wilderness first responder camping trip next week for school) and other snacks. Weeeee!

We also met this morning with our pastor. We have been seeking counsel with him in regards to our marriage plans. We both have been facing some stresses in our lives and felt that we needed to work on some issues that have caused conflict. It is primarily our communication with each other, since we both communicate in very different ways. We have been doing better to understand each other and show the respect to one another, but we know it would not hurt to do better. Also in the meeting Andrew recommitted himself to his Christianity and his beliefs. I am enormously proud of Andrew and I know that with the things he is facing that God will sustain him. He has made so many changes in his life and continues to do so. All of us here see those changes and we are immensly proud of the man God is making Andrew. I see that God is working to make him into a great husband and father. He also is working in Andrew’s life to bring him to the career that Andrew is striving for and I feel that he will be a blessing to the young people he wants to help. Please continue to pray for him that is life will continue in such a positive way.

Well dinner is calling, ya all take care now!

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War is hell Wednesday, Feb 28 2007

That is probably just about the most obvious statement a person can make, but the words don’t even scratch the surface.

I am sitting here watching the special on ABC about Bob Woodward and his nearly fatal injury that he suffered after an attack in Iraq. Everytime I hear about Iraq, I think about Chris.

I still remember the day when he called and told me he was headed to the sandbox (as we call it). I knew it was going to happen. I knew it since September 11th. It was just an issue of when. It was September 11th that our marriage started to fall apart. We seperated 6 months later and divorced a year later. We spent about another year fighting over the phone, even 800 miles between us couldn’t stop the arguing.

That day he got orders I decided to get over it. The man who was my son’s father was going to war. He might not come back, I thought to myself. That kind of realization makes you grow up and say to yourself that bickering and arguing doesnt solve anything. For a year and a half I prayed to God that if he would just bring Chris home safe I would never fight with him again. I begged, just let my son have his father.

He answered my prayer, Chris did come home.

Now I will not say that the relationship that I had hoped would happen between Chris and Nathan has happened. Chris has remarried and has another son. But I made a deal and I stick by it. I make the efforts to get them on the phone together as much as possible. We send emails and pictures, do what we can, as often as we can.

Last week we spoke on the phone, Chris and I. He was asking about making arrangments for possibly coming down one weekend while he goes to training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Then he hit me with a bombshell.

He might be going back.

I am scared to death. I started to recall the stories of what extreme close calls he had while there. 9 times he nearly died. 9 times my son nearly lost his father.

No child should have to face that, but mine does. How do I get through this again? What about Cassie and Toby, what do they do? Pray for us all.

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Survey Day Tuesday, Feb 27 2007

FORTY QUESTIONS YOU’VE NEVER BEEN ASKED IN A SURVEY

1. Do you know anyone in Prison?

Unfortunatly yes. I guy I dated 5 years ago who is in prison now. Habitual Felon charge! I didn’t even know that he had been in trouble with the law when we dated, but a week after I broke up with him I found out he had been arrested for a probation violation! I guess he kept getting into trouble and my best friend found out about the habitual felon charge and sure enough we checked on the North Carolina Department of Corrections website and there he is with a 9 year sentance. In a way i feel sorry for him, but ya know, you cant go through life and keep screwing up and not think there is going to be a time you are going to have to pay for it.

 2. Have you ever logged onto a boyfriend/girlfriend/crush’s myspace?

Yes, Andrew and I both log on to one another’s all the time, it is no big deal at all between us.  We now have one together too.

 4. When is the last time you ate Peanut butter and jelly? Umm last week? I was busy with homework and Nathan was sweet enough to make me a PB&J sandwich while i was buried in it. He is such a sweetheart.

5. Have you ever gotten naked at a party?Not no, but hell no!6. Name someone you miss? I miss Oma (Chris’ grandmother) she was an amazing, intellegent and sweet woman. But the Texan in her would whup your butt if you needed it! She used to play football with the boys, tell you when you were messin’ up and one more than one time put a grown man on the ground when he disrespected her. Love that woman!7. Are you named after one of your parents or grandparents?My middle name was created from my father’s middle name. His name was Ray and I was given the name Raynell

8. Who loves you?

Andrew, Nathan, Mom, Andrew’s parents, Tracie, Kelsie, Kendra, Christain, Carrie, Bailey, M-Fed, my aunts and uncles, other cousins, and maybe some random ex. God and Jesus.

9. Do you throw up gang signs?

Hell no! I want to junior high and high school with Bloods and Crips and I know the signs, but even if a blond white girl threw them up, she would get her backside filled with lead.

10. Have you ever broken a rib?

Nope

11. Would you rather be a girl or a guy?

No way would I be a guy!

12. Who is the most spoiled person you know?

I can’t STAND spoiled people! I had a good friend in high school who became a spoiled brat when she got married. She would purposly pick a fight with her hubby just so that she could get jewlery or clothes from him. Within a year of them being engaged/married she had a 2 rings on EVERY finger that he bought her to “make up”. It was pathetic.

13. Would you rather have a million dollars or true love?

True Love

14. Have you ever had sex in church? 

No orgasam is worth being struck by lightning! 

15. Is your boyfriend/girlfriend a Marine?

Nope, he is definatly no Jarhead!

16. Do you watch the Grammy’s?

No, I prefer the CMA’s (Country Music Awards) 

17. Would you ever work for the border patrol?

Uhh, no thanks.

18. How would you describe your last relationship?:

Ugg, he started off pretty good, but then got all “Holy-er than Thou” and that was the end of that.

19. Would you rather date someone 2 years older then you or 20 years older then you?

2 years would be better, I could imagine dating a 53 year old!
20. Have you ever had a eating disorder?

Yes, I have a cheese in a can addiction

21. Do you have a porn collection?

Can you say, ewwwww? That is discusting!

22. How many proms have you been to in your life?

Three

23. Have you ever been in a inter-racial relationship?

I dated a guy in high school who was half Korean, does that count?

24. Is your birthday on a holiday?

Nope

25. Are you old enough to vote? 

Yep
26. Do you have any friends or family in the War right now?

Not that i know of right now, but my ex-hubby may be going back again later this year.

27. Are you a vegetarian?

Nope, my body would reject that!

28. Do you worry about global warming?

A little

29. Do you like polar bears?

Umm sure why not 

31. What kind of birth control do you use?

I find keeping my knees together works very well.

32. What slang word do you call marijuana?

How about “Extreme Idiot’s Cigaretts”?
33. Are you an atheist?

Do you think I am that stupid?

34. Did you lose your virginity to your neighbor?

Nope

35. Did or do you think your childhood dreams will come true?

I hope so
36. Do you wear your sweetie’s clothes?

Yes, He likes it when i sleep in his t-shirts 

37. What’s your opinion on gold diggers?

How pathetic can a person be?

38. Are you a country or city girl/boy?

country girl.

39. Is your car a 2002 or higher?

Yea, it is a 2002

40. Do you floss daily?

Try to!

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