Happy Birthday Richard

Weekend Starts Here

First, let me say: I passed my PT test this morning ~yippee~
This week has been a long one. I have been unpacking boxes like mad,getting my apartment in order. I finally got all of the furniture moved in today. I made lasagna for the guys that came over to help. I'm sure I can bribe them into helping me next week with the window fixtures and wall decor. Spaghetti anyone?
Mars and I spent the night in the new apartment for the first time last night. I'm not supposed to have pets in the apartment so, I've been spending a lot of time back at the house so that Mars can roam free in the back yard. Plus I don't have cable or internet at my place yet.
Tonight I think I'm just going to take a much-needed break and lay on the couch watch, Audrey Hepburn movies, eat McDonalds.
Tomorrow is Christine's Pampered Chef party. Her and Richard are currently remodeling the kitchen so the party will be at my place.
There is a possible ladies night out tomorrow night so depending on my mood, I may be getting wild n' crazy in Destin. I could use a night out to forget all my worries. And let me tell you, I've had lots of those lately.
Sunday I have some friends from Okinawa coming to visit. They are stationed in Nebraska right now and are currently in training in Panama City. It will be nice to catch up. They will be in the area for a few weeks so I'm sure I'll get to see them a couple other times before they return the Corn State.

Kristin & Me in NC

Happy 5th Birthday Emily Marie

I miss you so much Emmy
I hope you have a wonderful birthday

I believe...

That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

That no matter how good a friend is, they are going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

That just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

That you keep going, long after you think you can't.

That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

That the heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will also be the ones to help you get back up.

That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

That no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn't stop for your grief.

That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

That two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't know you.

That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.

That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

That the people you care about most in life, are taken from you much too soon.

That life is more precious than money will ever be able to be.

Busy Weekends

I need a break. No moving, no traveling, no agenda, just a day off. In the past month I have been to Atlanta 3 times. Christine and I went up to go wedding and bridesmaid dress shopping 4 weekends ago. We had a great time and that's where the pictures that I posted last week came from. I would attach pics of us in our dresses but I don't think that would be apropriate and Christine would kill me. You'll have to wait until the wedding.
Labor day weekend, Kristin and I drove to Atlanta to drop her kids off with their dad while we went to North Carolina for another friends bridal shower. I do have pics from that weekend but they are on my work computer and I keep forgetting to send them home.
Last weekend I moved into my apartment. I still have lots of unpacking to do.
This past weekend Christine, Mars, and I went back to Atlanta to pick up her dress. We stayed at her brother's house and did some additional shopping at Ikea.
I had lots of fun but I'm worn out.

Additional News:
The Seawolves will not be playing this season due to extensive damage of the collesium from Hurricane Katrina. They will return next season.

Cool Website

The ConstiTutorial

Pics from Atlanta (27 Aug 05)

Happy Birthday Jenn

My First Controversial Post

I have just returned from a trip to North Carolina for a wedding shower for a friend. While there I found myself if a heated conversation about relief efforts in New Orleans. I am so angry at the finger pointing that everyone is doing. This is not a time to be blaming and assessing. Why are we putting all of our resources and efforts into a response investigation a week from the date we were hit when we should be focusing on those people who need to be housed, clothed, fed, and hydrated? We need to be concerned about families who are still missing or separated. Other issues we need to center on are the diseases that are developing in the area and how we can prevent the spread. Headlines on Fox news read "What Went Wrong?" A friggin' Category 5 Hurricane hit the gulf coast, that's what went wrong. A natural disaster happened. No one predicted the destruction of this storm. Yes, the situation is very sad and the amount of time it took to rescue people was extensive and chaotic. But is it really the Bush Administrations fault that New Orleans failed to implement the evacuation plans? For as long as I have lived on the Gulf Coast, the media has done it's best to warn us all of the arrival of hurricane season and how to prepare ourselves if a storms is heading our way. There are hundreds of warnings every summer of the potential dangers of attempting to ride out a storm. Stop the blaming, just help.

"The key to successful implementation is people. Everyone of us has a responsibility to become informed of the risks we face, to make wise decisions to keep ourselves out of harm’s way and when we cannot, to possess the knowledge needed to act responsibly when disasters occur."
- FEMA FY03-08 Strategic Plan