Life Lessons from Meals on Wheels

In honor of my possible last week of doing meals on wheels I thought I'd share some of the important lessons I've learned from driving around delivering meals to elderly people 2/3 times a week...

1. People who make an effort to engage with other humans at least once a day are healthier.
Kids, this is STRAIGHT UP the truth!!! I could tell a drastic difference between the people I delivered to who sat and watched tv all day and those who not only chatted with me when I gave them their meal but seemed to be involved with friends, neighbors and family members on a regular basis....I also happen to know this from personal experience. Its not good for Abigail to be all alone with her thoughts ( and the tv) for days on end.

2. Don't be afraid to dress-up and look nice even if you've got no where to go.
I've got to say that the over 75 set puts the youth of america ( aka. university students) to SHAME. I'll drive down a street, nearly hitting five or six college kids walking to class, all wearing some variation of sweats and a T-shirt and then deliver a meal to a home bound lady who's seriously wearing the cutest costume jewelry ever. And while I didn't take a poll, I bet that lady felt better about herself for wearing those cute earrings and matching necklace....or the man in the wheel chair with a very nice blue stripped button down shirt that brought out his eyes...I am definitely convinced that making the effort on your appearance can make the difference on how you view life.

3. Open up your curtains!!!! For HEAVEN SAKE!
This is sadly, what I would say about 75% of the people I deliver meals fail to do. It'll seriously be the most beautiful fall day known to man, and I'll open a door into a musty and dark cave to deliver a meal. I quite literally want to drag the person out into the sun!!! Alternately, those who have their curtains open( maybe just in preparation for my arrival...who cares!) seem to be in much better moods and much more aware of the goings on of the day. Also, I might as well add, since its so popular these days, that its BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT and saves MONEY, since you won't have to turn on as many lights!
Now, many of you may be wondering who I am talking to, since a lot of you probably DO open your curtains or shades every day, well, I've noticed that a LOT of single guys seem to sit around with all the lights in the house on and no windows open. I dont know why this is...Brett has not answer for me, although he fit into this category at one time. hmm.

4. Talk to your grandparents.
Now, I've always been a fan of grandparents, but it just reiterated it in my mind how important it is to hang out with them if you can, and call them if you can't. OR,novel thought, send them a birthday card on their birthday, a valentine's day card on valentine's day...seriously, any opportunity to send something in the mail, use it. I say this because, sadly, a lot of the people I visit with have been pretty well deserted by their families. But, you better believe that those who have, even the most minimal interaction with children or grandchildren, tell me about it. I see them for literally two minutes and I hear about the very minor ( in the grand scheme of things) thing their family member did for them....Now, wouldn't YOU like to be talked about, bragged about? And one day, wouldn't you like for people to remember to call you and send you birthday cards?! Heck! I bet you like it when people do that for you NOW! So, don't forget about your grandparents...they probably have some good stories to tell, and of all the people you talk to today, they will appreciate it more than everyone else. Stop being selfish with your time and do something nice!

5. Be neighborly.
Now, I didn't just learn this from Meals on Wheels, but from my whole time here in Kansas. I have met some of the nicest neighbors! People who cut grass, give rides to the grocery store, baby-sit, change light bulbs, fix running toilets, cook dinners, pet-sit, pick up mail, take out the garbage cans, visit people in the hospital and all in all are involved in the lives of those who live around them! Now, I'm the first to admit that I've not been the best neighbor in the past ( and I've also HAD the most evil neighbor in the world...so there's that.), but what a wonderful example of loving others! And it has made me smile so much to see some of the random acts of kindness shown towards Army Wives left alone with their kids, Elderly who are sick or home bound, or just busy people who need a helping hand! It is truly inspirational....and hey, you might make some new friends!

6. Eat Desert.
I find it really wonderful that meals on wheels, which probably states somewhere that they deliver "well balanced meals", also provides a small desert. Heck yes! I mean, come on! Sometimes eating desert is the best part of the day, so why hold back?! Now, I'm definitely not saying that you should eat a dozen cookies in one sitting, or that you should even eat something incredibly sugar...some yummy fruit might be nice, or a little "dab of ice cream" ( as my grandmother always said)....but I think if you can cut it, let yourself have a little "luxury" in the desert department, life really IS too short to be without chocolate.

7. Volunteer if at all possible.
Today on my way back to the Senior Center I started calculating in my mind when the next time I could be involved with the Meals on Wheels program, and I realized that it probably won't be until I'm without a job again ( aka. I have kids or I'm once again off somewhere for a shortish amount of time)-but believe me, if I have a chance to help teach a night class at a senior center, or do Big Brother, Big Sisters, or if I can once again spare ONE HOUR ( at the most) of my mid-morning ( usually most senior centers do meals on wheels any time between 10:30 and 12-and its up to their volunteers of when they go out.) then you better believe I'm doing it. I promise it will be rewarding and you'll meet new and interesting people.

Consequence

Today, I realized this might be my last week of doing Meals on Wheels. This actually made me realy really sad. This proves how quickly I get into a grove and how much I hate change.

Then again, I'm leaving Kansas for all sorts of interesting adventures...
Yet you tell me how anything possibly compete with today?!

Today I chatted with Florence. Last week we talked about her roses and how they were still blooming in October, this week we talked about her cat and the next door neighbor's dogs, Buddy and Boss and their ball ( I swear I did not make up this alliteration!) . I know it sounds inconsequential but the whole interaction made me think of my Memaw back when I was in elementary school and how she'd come pick me up from school and she and I would talk about the same sort of things. It was one of those happy/sad moments.

And on the note of grandparents...today is my PawPaw's birthday! I sent him a chocolate cake that I saw on Rachel Ray ( which is incidentally his favorite show...so hopefully I'll get extra points for that) I almost ordered one for myself too, but I had great restraint.

Pretender

Right now Brett and I are pretending to watching the Presidential debate. I feel ok about the fact that I've spent the past hour ( an hour I should have been watching politics in action) reading my old blog posts. Laughing. I use to be really funny. Or maybe its just that I blogged more. I need to blog more.
*sigh*
Evil Neighbor? COMIC GOLD.

Anyway, while I was reading about myself ( *cough* self-centered*cough*), Brett was reading a book written by one of our friends from high school ( yeah, he got it published. rock on.).

So yes, we aren't watching the debate like we should. But I already know who I'm gonna vote for. So there.


Oh, and today I found out that someone in London, England pretended to be me on October 3rd. That's right! And not only that, they bought over $500 in Train Passes with my debit card.

Luckily my bank is taking care of it for me, but I wonder which one of the presidential candidates is going to take care of bank fraud for me?! Its a problem.

love, love..

I love sleeping with the windows open. Tell me where I could move where I could have my windows open 365 and I'd totally move there.( well, actually no, but I'd WANT to move there...)

I love the movie Akeelah and the Bee, and I've decided movies about Spelling Bees are particularly enjoyable unless they have Richard Gere ( that horrible movie Bee Season deserves to be shot.) in them.

I love Leona Lewis. Here CD is worthy of a look-see, but her song "Better in Time" is worthy of an immediate download/listen. Do it.

I love the fact that the movie Fireproof is a really good look at not giving up on marriage and the need for Christ's love...and I am happy to say I was not embarrassed by the production value of the movie, which is nice....


I love that Brett and I are spending three nights in a suite in Kansas City this weekend. Pampering is always a good idea.

clarification for my readers:

Ah readers! Why do you put up with me at all?!

I'm sorry to just drop information on you all so casually and expect you to take it with a grain of salt...so here are some more details for you...

I was asked to be a substitute teacher for the Pre-AP/AP English teacher at the high school where my mother works. At first, it seemed like a dream come true-since it fit perfectly into the time I would probably be in Nacogdoches anyway for the holidays.

I started to get stressed out when I realized that my trip to China AND the substituting gig would not BOTH fit into the time allotted. So, after some praying I decided to give up the substituting job, since I'd already made plans to go to China, and family always comes first.

Then I was told that the teachers and administrators who'd wanted me to substitute teach, didnt care if I wasn't there for the whole six weeks...they wanted me anyway ( this shows how desperate they must be!!). And then I got an email directly from the teacher thanking me for taking on the gig and giving me some insight into her classes...so all of a sudden both my China trip and my teaching gig were back on.

And just to keep going with details...it turned out that Aunty D. and I could no longer go to China at the same time. So I emailed my cousin directly last night to see if that still wanted me to come at all and when would be best for them. So far, all I've gotten was "before January". So, I suppose from that response I could go any time...in the next two months after Brett leaves, so now its all about trying to figure out when the best time would actually BE.

~~~

So, there you have it, Friends! Hopefully that helps you be in the total-Abigail-loop. As you can see-my life is now about "doing it all". If it doesn't kill me-it'll make me stronger ( as in, I'll have lots of fun.)

All that Jazz

So, I just registered for an absentee ballot so that I can vote in November. Sweet. That's right. I'm going to participate in democracy. I was inspired by Leonardo DiCaprio and his advertisement with all those other politically correct actors ( I'm so being sarcastic right now). I mean, I take all my advice on big things like the presidential election from people that are fake for a living.

In other news, this morning after my meals on wheels route I sat outside for ages enjoying the beautiful beautiful weather. I am SO digging this fall weather! I am especially enjoying the fact that its sunny and the high is in the low 70s, both are things that I would probably not be enjoying in Washington on a consistent basis. I no longer take weather for granted. But anyway, while I was sitting outside I was also drinking my usual double tall soy latte, but with the added adjective of 'decaf' at the beginning. I know, its official I've sworn off of caffeine. Of course, its much easier to swear off of something like caffeine when you're getting, like, 11 hours of sleep on average. But, nonetheless, I decided to let go of my darling caffeine as part of my "trying not to have headaches" plan. I mean, it couldn't hurt, right? I also tried to get a doctors appointment for the week that I could possibly be in Washington but no such luck. I'll have to pray over my phone ( something that has totally worked in the past) and call again. Whatever the case, life is about to get busier and I think it might be hard for me to adjust. In some ways it is SCARY how easily I did NOTHING AT ALL for six weeks without too much drama. Of course, I would normally say something self-depreciating like "I'm lazy" but luckily my dear Aunty D, said it best with this statement "Not easily bored"...hahaha...so much more positive!

And on that note, it seems like the right time to bring up my current worry....it looks like the wonderful people at the high school where my mother works did not take "no" for an answer and they still want me to substitute teach for an English teacher who's going on maternity leave. So, I got an email from the teacher last night and I was totally scared. Apparently everyone is expecting a "mini" version of my mother to show up and rock their socks off with amazing teaching skills. Ummm....negatatory. In fact, being a small town and everything, the news has already spread among the students that the daughter of Wonderful Mrs. Abt is coming to teach Pre-AP and AP English. Uh-oh. There is a limit to how long I can keep up a charade of awesome-ness and I'm pretty sure a school day is going to exceed that time constraint. Looks like I have some studying to do.

Dude, its October!

I realized with a sudden feeling of panic, that its officially October! This basically means "get ready for the crazy!"

This weekend trying to hit up the OZ Museum (because if you don't go to a wizard of oz museum when you're in Kansas, when ELSE are you gonna go!?!), next weekend spending the long weekend ( yes, ironically Brett did not get Labor Day off, but Columbus Day?! heck yes! That's something worth celebrating...*rolls eyes*) in Kansas City bumming around. Then Brett leaves sometime around the next weekend to go to California for the end of his training, and I either, A. stay in Kansas to 'save money'. B. go to Texas for a visit. or C. go to Washington for a visit and a visit to the doctor for my migraine-action.
And then...we're already at the last weekend in October, which is officially the end of Brett's training-and after that....well....he'll be ready to leave whenever they want him to leave, and that fact is REALLY hard to sink through my little head.

I think going to PWOC bible study has been really good for me, though. I am literally surrounded by women who's husbands are deployed, who's husbands have been deployed and who's husbands are about to be deployed...and they're all amazingly well-held-together...oh, and did I mention that on average they have three children all under the age of 9!? Yup. So, its been very inspiring to be around these women, to see that my situation is not new, or different, or even that special ( I have zero children, much to everyones dismay.)-good preparation for the future!

Now I'm off to do meals on wheels. I got a new day, so now I do it THREE days a week instead of TWO! Woo Hoo!

brains before beauty

So, yesterday I ran my fingers through my hair ( hey, I brushed it on Sunday! That's enough!!) and I put on eye-liner and mascara and I went and got a new passport picture.

And can I just say, without sounding too vain, that I absolutely look better than my 18 year-old passport picture! YESSS!

Of course, I can't seem to figure out the passport-renewal form at all, so apparently my brain HAS suffered in the past 6 years. Ahhh well, beauty before brains. Or something.


So, I know I've been a terribly blogger lately. But, I honestly had nothing new/original to say. And while you may be thinking, "That hasn't stopped you before, Abigail". And while that may be true. I've also had a perpetual headache for days, that has made staring at a computer screen seem like a terrible idea.
Which brings me to my prayer request:

I never actually switched my medical care to Kansas because...1. It was too much trouble. and 2. It was going to take weeks to switch over and I'm only here for a short time and 3. I never get sick ( HAHAHAHAHA! Just kidding, I'm just lazy...)

Annnnyway, long story short, now its REALLY too late to switch my medical care, because I'll probably only be here for three more weeks. Soooo, I'd just like my headaches to go away for the time being. That would be really really nice.

Shedding a little light

I'm watching the presidential debate right now. I don't like to talk about politics. I think its unladylike. ;-)
Actually, I'm incredibly incredulous towards government. The government has let me down a couple of times, but that won't stop me from voting. No siree. I'm gonna vote because I think I'd be letting down all those non-diplomatic country's citizens down if I didn't.

I do think I know who I'm voting for now though. It definitely helps to see the two dudes up there talking side-by-side. I like this much better than those lame-o advertisements they have on TV.

Whew. Ok, let's talk about something more important( sic). Today I went and watched the movie The Women at the theatre by myself. I went by myself because Brett is working tonight and tomorrow and sometimes you have to do fun things by yourself to make the time go by more pleasantly, besides I've quite literally spent 80 percent of my week in bed so I needed to celebrate the end of my headache ( hopefully). Annnnyway, I really liked this movie. I think it portrayed women and their relationships with each other, with work, with the opposite sex, with themselves -in a very interesting and sometimes rather accurate way. I laughed, I was touched and I would like to have Meg Ryan's hair.
Seriously, her curly hair was gorgeous. I'm thinking about getting a perm. For serious.


In other news, I talked to Carmi on the phone this afternoon and I mentioned to her that I needed to start mentioning the little ways that God is helping me get through "the hard days" more often on my blog. So, here goes...the past few days I've been fighting a pretty nasty headache. Its gone up and down in strength, but it pretty well tainted everything I did from Tuesday until today, and its been hard! But, even through this difficult week of Brett working late and me being Crazy Headache Girl, I felt God's help... on Wednesday Brett got home from work and we were going to go to the Navigator Bible study. I was totally torn because on one hand I wanted to be with Brett and I wanted to support Brett ( he was going to be sharing a lesson), but my head also felt like it was going to explode and the thought of spending two hours with a bunch of guys ( there are no girls at the bible study yet, unfortunately) was hard to stomach. Annnyway, I was really discouraged and tired and I felt miserable. But, Brett made the decision that I should stay home...So there I was, laying in the dark ( my favorite thing to do when I have a headache like that. ), and I ended up listening to a really great sermon by my Papa that really encouraged me and THEN I got a phone call from Leah in Washington. And I was able to talk and pray with her! I was struck by the fact that if I had not stayed home I would not have gotten to talk with Leah, something I'd wanted to do all week! So, there on a day when I was feeling pretty crummy as a wife, as a person, just crummy period. I was encouraged by a little reminder that we have a God who cares about the details, details like when a friend is going to call. He is able to bring light into even the darkest of rooms....
of course, not literally that would have made my head hurt worse...

No, the light He brought me was so much better, the beauty and Truth of His Word, the support of a sister, the encouragement of prayer, that light will not go out.

total recall

So, I have a pretty exciting/verging on migraine headache right now. Which I'm totally fighting off with willpower and three extra strength Tylenol. I'm mostly fighting it off because I had big ol' fat plans today that consisted of me going to the library.
Its important to my mental health for me to go to the library because of yesterdays overdose on television which I'm not allowing to happen today. So, yes, the headache has to go.

I asked my housemate yesterday for any good ideas for places for Brett and I to go for our four day weekend in coming up in October. She told me about this place.
And if there was ever a link that you went to on my blog this is the one to go to. Check out the accomodations section....that's right. THEMED rooms!!!! AHAHAHAHAHA!
Brett and I are very much considering staying in the Tahitian Treehouse just because the pictures will be worth it. That's right a Tahitian Treehouse in KANSAS. Tacky tacky.


In other news, Brett was able to come home last night after all. Of course, it was midnight, and i was half asleep. But, if you're an army wife you know just how important it is to just sleep in the same bed as your husband. So no complaining here.
I also can't complain because I talked to several wonderful friends/family on facebook chat last night, which totally kept me from going off the deep end. So that was a major bonus to life. The other majorly good thing about last night is that I listened to the Bethlehem Mission podcast of The Lord's Supper service from several weeks back. It basically consisted of Steve reading scripture and then the congregation singing. Now, sure the singing part wasn't the best quality recording...but it was enough for me. There is NOTHING so wonderful as listening to family sing praises to God. I was already getting my headache at the time ( this was around 11pm last night), but it was wonderful just lying in bed listening to that.

So, yes, I'd have to say this has been a struggle of a week, but I'd also have to say that I've been helped through it. So, three more days ( until Sunday...which is the best day of the week so it doesnt count), I think I can make it.

I'M-barrasing

So, kids. Its come to this. I'm watching the 100 top songs of the 90s on the VH1. This is not even the worst thing I've watched on TV today.

The worst would have to be: "The most smartest model" , its a competition with a bunch of really really stupid pretty people.

That's right. Bad grammar is in the title, that is JUST how bad it is.

OH!!! Yesssss! "I don't wanna wait" by Paula Cole just came on as number 80 of the songs...gosh what a great song!!


Can you tell....Brett isn't coming home tonight.

Another Month.

So, the last month in Kansas has really flown by, in fact, so quickly that I didn't even realize we'd been here for over a month until now. Wow.
I think the big thing about the past month has been just how much time I've gotten to spend with Brett! He actually comes home almost every night around FIVE! I didn't even know that was POSSIBLE in the army!!! Of course, this week he won't be coming home at all on Tuesday or Thursday and he still works six days a week every week...but considering when I decided to come to Kansas I thought I would only see Brett on Sundays, I am incredibly grateful for how well things have turned out thus far!
If anything this is all a testimony to how the Lord has been faithful to lead Brett and my life...even though we couldn't see it at the time we felt certain that there was a reason for me to come to Kansas...at the time I figured it was going to be some sort of "learning through torture" experience, but for it to turn out to really be about quality time with my hubby before he heads off to Afghanistan is an EXTRA unlooked for blessing! It has encouraged me greatly about the coming year and how God will continue to be faithful in His guidance.
While I realize that things might not always be such a nice surprise, I do know for a fact that all will work out for His glory.

So, this weekend Brett and I went and saw the comedy Ghost Town. It was totally hilarious. I totally recommend it to those of you into dry humor.

On our way out of the theatre Brett saw a guy who is also on another MiT team here at Riley driving out of the theatre at the same time, E was actually at Fort Benning at the same time as Brett several years ago and they have a lot of the same friends...anyway, as we drove past him and his wife on the road I yelled an impromptu invite to have dinner with us ( because that's just what I do). So Brett and I ended up having dinner with E and his wife J. It turns out that J is from Korea and Fort Riley is her first "taste" of middle America. Poor thing she was definitely shell shocked and seemed like she had not had a very good experience thus far. So, I was so happy to be able to tell her how to get to the library in Manhattan ( poor thing, she'd been going to that postage stamp-sized one on Post, remember? the one where I had the melt down and got locked in the trunk of my car!?! yeah.) And I invited her to PWOC with me tomorrow. She seemed really happy to have met us and I'm hoping that maybe I'll be able to make her time her in Kansas a little better. MiT team wives support group here I come!

*ahem* It serves me right for saying all those complimentary things about the Army, because I just got a text from Brett saying he won't be home until 8 or 9. BOO! Poor guy, he was SO looking forward to the season premiere of Heroes tonight too!! I wish I had a way to tape it or something :-(

information:

1. I just finished reading "Bulletproof: The Making of an Invincible Mind" by Chuck Holton. While the cover and premise ( written by an ex-army ranger) totally turned me off, this book is definitely not just for military minded people or guys...In fact, I thought of women that I knew as I was reading, it definitely addresses the ( often associated with..) feminine fears that we have about our own lives, our husbands, children and friends. And overall, I was inspired to put my life into Christ's hands more and more. Go read it! *thanks to Leah for recommending it, and to Chuck for giving me the book!*

2. The Office Season 4 is making me laugh....but is it just me who has to fastforward scenes where the office employees interact with people outside the office setting?! I get SO embarrassed for them!

3. This morning I was called at 2am by a guy on staff duty at Fort Lewis trying to get a hold of Leut. Wilson...ummm....yeah...there were so many things wrong with this that I had to actually number them in conversation:
"Look, number one CAPTAIN Wilson is no longer at Fort Lewis, Number two I'm his wife and you have MY cell phone number PLEASE make note of this on your contact list, don't call me again." Lucky for him it was 4am my time or I probably wouldn't have be so proficient with my words ;-)

Of course, I have no hope that the phonecalls will actually end ( this is not the first time this has happened...), somewhere, someone accidently put down my contact number as Brett's and thus began a long line of annoying calls from silly soldiers. *sigh* Yet another reason to get a new cell phone!

4. The weather continues to make me incredibly happy. All this sun! All this coolness of tempature! I'm loving it!!

5. I want some yoga pants that do not cost a fortune yet do not shrink the first time I wash them, making the leg too short and me look like I'm wearing too short pants. Any help with this?!

6. I realized this week that I don't think my body likes meat very much. I naturally gravitate towards vegitarian meals...I feel like I could be a vegitarian that eats a steak once a month and that would be great. Oh. And a vegitarian that doesnt eat carrots or celery....

7. I'm off to hang out with a chick I meet through the Navigators- and now we're PWOC friends...I can't remember the last time I had a lunch date so I'm excited!!

8. Tomorrow Brett is working and I'm going to an art fair in the park near my house. It would be more fun with him there :-(

I shop at Dillards now!

It turns out that when I'm bored and feeling fat ( as in not happy with how I look in any of my clothes) I like to go shopping in the middle of the day**....however, I will say that when you go shopping at 11:30am on a Wednesday you'll realize that you're spoiled. Because the only other people shopping at that time ( broad generalization here...) are Rich People Wives. Women that have money but obviously don't work....

And just so you know...I am NOT one of those women. I just don't work.
Luckily, the Manhattan mall is MUCH to be desired....there are lots of empty shops alternating with shops like Claires and Wet Seal and other teenage trash stores where I don't fit in their street-walker clothes. This is lucky because that means I don't spend as much money. I'm basically left with an under-stocked Gap and Dillards. *sigh*

** Oh, and I know it makes no sense to go shopping when you're feeling fat because then you have to look at yourself in the mirror and you have to get bigger sizes...but I bet you didn't get the memo about over-sized cardigans being in style this fall...well, they ARE and they cover up fat-rolls really well!!! Problem solved!


Annnyway, I forgot to tell you about PWOC ( or as Amy would have me to say: "Pee-Wok" ) yesterday! It was one of those totally intense planned-by-a-no-longer-teaching-elementary-education-teachers events.
You know the kind, themes rule the day: Everyone divided up in groups according to their nametags picture...placed with a "conductor" ( dressed up in cute matchy-matchy train conductor outfits complete with whistle) and then each "train" went around to different "locations" where we learned about each of the bible studies being offered this year ( I was actually told to "stand in a line against the wall at one point-something I havent been told to do, quite literally SINCE elementary school!) ....while ALL at the SAME TIME we also were given different ice-cream sunday toppings at each "train stop" and then at the end we were given the icecream so we could eat our "upside down sundays" while we signed up for the study we wanted to do.

Yeah. I may or may not have made fun of myself for being a part of such shenanigans throughout the whole two hours.


So, amongst all the "fun" and "food" I almost forgot I was at a bible study...but seriously, I did end up signing up for a video study done by Ray Vanderlaan on Israel and the Holy Land. I think its going to be a good choice for me since 1. I will only be here for part of the study, so better to not get involved in a more intense study. 2. I really like Ray Vanderlaan. Brett and I have listened to quite a few of his teachings and I really respect him as a teacher. 3. This group will also be used for the "intro group" for any women who might come to PWOC in the middle of the year, so I'll be able be part of a non-offical welcoming committee! Which I'm totally down with!

seeing red.

Not what you think! Brett and I just finished watching The Red Violin. I'd seen it years ago, but thought it needed a re-watching, especially since Brett had never seen it before. Totally great story, beautiful music...watch out for the nudity though. ;-)

Annnnyway, I suppose I should start giving my reviews with some sort of a warning attached after that last comment about Twilight... obviously some people are not going to agree with my opinions on books and movies hehehe...although, I can't say I was surprised that it was this particular book that brought out the outrage...it seems that those who love the books REALLY love them and those who don't ( me, anyway) have pretty strong feelings about it too! Leila, I do appreciate your comment nonetheless and I'm happy to hear that, at least of what you have read of my blog so far, that was the worst...nice to know what my lowest low looks like to at least one of my readers ;-)
Oh, and I probably will go see Twilight when it hits the movies...afterall, by then Brett will be off fighting a war...I might as well fill my time with things like bad teen dramas, what else will I have to do?!? hehehe.

On that note...

So, to continue the theme of the last few posts...bemoaning my lack of competence in the way of my blog...I REALLY wish I could re-work this blog so I could have a little section over on the side where all of you could easily see all the movies and books I've been reviewing for your general knowledge over the past few weeks, I KNOW all of you would love it! But, too bad...I don't know how...

Hey! Paul, ( do you still read this blog)since you're all unemployed right now-what's your hourly rate to give me a new blog?! Seriously! I just thought of this....I'll give you a wish list of how I want it to look, you'll make it happen, I'll pay you the big bucks...whadda ya say?!?

*ahem* I should have probably emailed him, since he hasn't seemed to be around my blog in a while and the rest of you probably didn't need to read that shameless plea...but where were we?!

Oh yes! Reviewing!!!

Ok, so to recap...in book news:
I hated Twilight by Stephanie Meyer.
I also hated ( just a little less) New Moon by Stephanie Meyer. The characters are annoying. The plot is mostly girl going on and ON about how much she loves a certain vampire. The action is minimal and the stories are terribly guessable. Big fat ZERO in Abigail's book.

In Book news:
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a day: I watched this when Brett wasn't able to come home at all on Friday night. Its the perfect, feel good girl movie. It was adorable and light-hearted. Amy Adams continues to be so charming...but was very similar to the character she played in Enchanted, so there's that. Anyway,if you're looking for a good "girls night in" movie this one is perfect!

Forbidden Kingdom: Ummm...Ok, so obviously this movie was picked not for my benefit but for Brett's- who's been dying to see it for ages. Anyway, you should probably ask him for his review since it is entirely different from mine ( I know this because we discussed it in full...)...but this is my blog so let me just say that *I* knitted the whole time and was entirely "whelmed" by the experience. ( not over or under). Basically the plot ( for me, anyway) was entirely too close to The Karate Kid, and while the Kung Fu was very good ( both Jackie Chan AND Jet Li?! It's bound to be!)....I felt like the plot could have been a bit better. Ah well! To each his own! So if you wanna see to Kung Fu legends go at it for a full-length feature, you should go get this movie. You will not be disappointed.


Eagle vs. Shark:
This movie is what I call a "celebration of awkward"...if you are not down with socially weird you probably won't like this movie, but if you like off-beat comedy than this movies if for you. Of course, being a person who DOES like such movies,I will say I wasn't totally into how mean the main character Jarrod was to those around him....I never felt like it was justified enough....but maybe that's just me.


OK! That's it for today...

No Prob Bob.

Of course, it must be noted after my last post that it is NOT Katie's fault that I stink at all things internet. One day I will catch up with all those crazy kids who can text and drive at the same time and all that jazz, but till then everyone will just have to love me for my faults, k? ok.

Annnnyway, it is a pretty much beautiful day in Kansas. Bet you didn't think that sentence would ever come out of my mouth!?! hahaha! But, it IS! And its mostly because I love fall weather. As long as its sunny fall weather and its in the high 60s.

I'm currently procrastinating going on my run. Even though its beautiful outside I'm also a very lazy person.

This morning I went to Hastings ( yes, Kansas has them too...and its just as terrible here.) and read the second Twilight book ( good guessing, Josh). And I'm going to use common sense and stop while I'm ahead and NOT read the third and fourth book in the series. Here's one of the obvious reasons why Abigail would hate these books:
The author references Romeo and Juliet as a parallel of Edward and Bella's love ( the main characters) throughout the books. Um yeah. Who hates Romeo and Juliet's story?! That's right! I do!!
There is nothing worse then melodramatic teen love that ruins lives in their own self-indulgent fashion.

Anyway, apparently I'm more of an adult than I thought-since I can no longer love the things that teenage girls love.

Of course, I'm not too much of an adult, since last night Brett and I bought Eagle vs. Shark for ONE DOLLAR at the supermarket! YESSSS! We couldn't even find this movie ( its a NZ movie, granted..but still!) at Blockbuster, and here it was for uno dollar next to the deli section in the grocery store! It was a dream come true! Anyway, the movie was weird, but it was also funny...and it has the guy from The Flight of the Conchords in it so that was a bonus...plus it was in NZ and therefore made me all nostalgic for my second homeland :-(

I just re-read the above paragraph and realized I gave you no real reason to think I wasn't an adult. Adults buy DVDs too.

*sigh*
In other news, Brett and I had a good weekend together. Lots of good conversation. Lots of eating. Lots of lounging around. You know all the good stuff. I cannot tell you how delightful this time in Kansas has been for Brett and I- I mean, yes, I'm left by myself for most of the day doing next to nothing, but its a small price to pay to have time alone with Brett before he leaves...
We have also been informed that he could get up to two weeks ( don't hold your breath) of time off before he deploys. So, of course, as I say that I'm trying HARD not to get my hopes up. It would be nice though, since I'm thinking I'll need to drive the Prius back to Washington BEFORE I go to China instead of after because of all the snow and winter-y driving that I'd have to do if I waited until later to do it....so maybe just maybe Brett could drive with me....one last road trip before he goes?!?
Is that too much to ask?!

Probably.

Silly Abigail. You'd think by now I'd learn not to make plans.

Annoying: technology

So, after getting a comment that someone couldn't be a "follower" of my blog I went on a search of what in the world that even meant, and low and behold it turns out Blogger has been making all these changes behind my back. I've been going happily about my blogging day and they've just been "adding exciting new advancements" like crazy...so after doing some reading it turns out my template was not "up to date" and for me to add things like "Follower" buttons, than I'd have to change my template. But, no worries ( ha!), according to Blogger they were going to make changing my template "super easy"...so off I went, discarding my old template, getting one of their horribly generic templates, and THEN I set about trying to make their lame-o template into something that reflects me. Weeeelllllll, turns out, unlike the OLD templates, these NEW ones are a LOT harder for Abigail ( self-taught html reader that I am) to read! BOO!

So, that's why my blog looked terrible... with its two-color, color sceme and the weird line that ran through the middle of the title without any way of me getting rid of it...whatever.
In other news, after ALL THAT...it turns out that if a person WANTED to add me to their "follower" page, than all they had to do is type in the HTML on their ADD section and there it would be. No button necessary. Ahhhhh! Well, serves me right for jumping in head first.
BLAH.
So, I went back to my 'classic template'. I am apparently not cool enough to have an exciting-up-to-date blog.

I hate change. I also hate the new facebook too. What was wrong with the old one?!?

words

Let me hear your loingkindness in the morning
For I trust in you
Teach e the way in which I should way,
For to you I lift up my soul...
Teach me to do Your will
For you are my God
Let Your good spirit lead me on level ground~ Ps 143:7,9

I read that in my quiet time this morning and it spoke perfectly to the theme of the day. It seems that all my plans for the future ( "Future" these days is limited to that horrible time I like to call A.B. ( after Brett leaves), has crammed itself nicely into November/December. This is actually not as nice as it sounds because I tend to want to go to ALL the parties life has to offer and then I'm generally shocked and upset when it doesn't work out that way. It looks like it is now highly probable that Brett will not be leaving until the middle of November, and I've been asked/offered to teach six weeks of High School AP English starting after Thanksgiving plus I am planning on going to China ( this plan has been around the longest and I'm most attached to it...) pretty much as soon as Brett leaves...BUT....if you check out a calendar of November you'll notice there are literally not enough days to do all those things together, plus the added bonus that Brett's schedule is still never set in stone and all this worrying could be for naught since it could all go out the window in a second...which leads me to my point. I am SO SO thankful that I have a God who directs my steps! I mean check out the verse that's been at the top of my blog for years ( if you're reading this on Facebook, the verse is Prov 16:9..you should look it up if you don't already know it...its wonderful!)! That is exactly what I'm talking about! How many stomach ulcers would I have if I didn't believe in the Son of God who cares for me?!?

Truth be told, I know God has plans for me. He knows exactly what is important for me to do, what is not. He knows the people He would have me to meet, the people He would have for me to love. He knows all about today, all about tomorrow. Rest in Him.

Ok! While I'm waiting for Life to tell me what's going on, I currently have very little on my plate-this is something which has turned out to be quite enjoyable ( at least most of the time!) especially since Brett is still getting off work around 4:30pm and I get to talk to him all I want all evening! Anyway, I made a little request on my facebook status yesterday and I got several responses already...so I thought I'd throw it out to the blog-readers too...Book recommendations:
As you may know I like pretty much ALL genres of books...I like fiction, I like nonfiction ( especially if it paints a good picture of something I don't know much about.) I like spiritual books, I like fluffy fiction....so if there is something you think I should read or at least know about...add it to my ever growing list! This is such fun! I already have four new books I need to read just since I put up my plea yesterday afternoon :-)

I don't visit blogs anymore...

So, today I realized that since the advent of www.bloglines.com, I very very rarely actually "visit" my friends blogs anymore. In fact, unless it doesnt load properly on bloglines..or unless they say something like, "like my new layout?" I dont venture out beyond the handy-dandy little list of blogs that I already read.
But, then I realized that this means some of my best stalking is being missed out on-that's right! This means I'm not checking out all my friends links...therefore, unless they mention it on their blog ( which they totally SHOULD!) I never know when other people I know start blogging! HORRIBLE!

I feel like I've been missing out on a party because my invite got lost in the mail!


Annnnnyway, on more relevant matters-today I went to my first PWOC bible study, had a long chat with the only person I knew there ( we'd met at the Navigator get-together on Saturday night...) and all in all I left feeling happy. ( this was helped by actual interaction with another human other than Brett, the fabulous food they had at this all-women's bible study, by the prospect of good bible study to come, and by the fabo fall weather we were having today.)
And just in case you didn't notice, I pretty much missed getting out of the house and DOING things.

In other news, I have come up with this silver lining about living in Kansas:
Silver Lining: Getting to spend time with Brett without the distractions ( good or bad) of other commitments to family/friends/work/bible studies/housework that we often had in Washington. I have been so very ( very, very) grateful that Brett's had so much free time since arriving here. Today he got off of work at 4pm....I hadn't even gone for my run yet!!!! This basically means I hadn't even run out of things to do before he got home! A miracle!

Ok, its review time! Tomorrow I'll be headed to the library, which I'm waaay excited about-I've got three books on my list and I'm excited about all three...the problem is going to be picking which one to read first.
Here are some clues:

1. This book is a much talked about teen book which is featured in more facebook flair than any other.

2. This book is about a certain "bowl" in our nations history. Its not a cereal bowl.

3. This book I can't think of any clues for except that its possible a text book in disguise.

Stay tuned for the answers...but feel free to leave your guesses in the comment box!

But, back to the topic at hand...since I have no book reviews at yet-its movie review time!
YAY! So for your reading ( and viewing) pleasure: two good reviews, two bad....


The Great Debaters: I totally dug this movie, I mean, suuuure Oprah told the whole country to watch this movie months ago-but I'm sorry, I had things to do up until now. And I gotta admit, ol' Oprah she was right about this one...The Great Debaters is a total must-see! I was simultaneously struck by the "little dog overcomes all odds to beat big dog" story and the realistic depiction of racial hatred in the South. I came away feeling more educated, and also wishing that American's still spoke with that much eloquence-black or white, we've ALL gone down hill I'm afraid.

Bella: I'm usually not down with political-statement movies...but if you'd like to see a Pro-life movie, by all means see this movie! Actually, if you'd just like to see a really touching ( warning: its slow!) movie that looks at the very delicate nature of the human spirit and is incredibly heartwarming that you'll feel like hugging a stranger. Watch this movie. Its really, really good. Oh, and I also craved tortillas after watching it. whatever that's worth.

I'm Not There: Two words: Big disappointment. Ok, now I may just be admitting to my lack of musical appreciation or something, but HONESTLY! This movie was wack! I had NO idea what was going on most of the time...and I'm sure there was some deep artistic message that all the TRUE music-lovers and indy-movie people were totally digging...but I lost interest after I made note of the fact that Cate Blanchet looked freakishly like a man, so much so that I pretty much forgot it was her on screen. She deserved serious props for this roll-she put all the guys to shame. So I say, fast forward.. stopping only to take in the eyecandy of Christian Bale, Heath Ledger ( NOT Richard Gere, EW!) and Cate Blanchet and then hit eject and go watch Hanna Montana-it'll be more entertaining.

Bottle Rocket: Neither Brett or I had seen this movie. Now we know why. I was very much underwhelmed by this highly acclaimed cult classic. I spent most of the movie pondering how young those Wilson brothers looked ( not related to Brett or his brothers)...and that it was strange that they were cast as friends in the movie and yet noticeably had a strong family resemblance. I would have rather watched "What Happens in Vegas" ( which I watched tonight, and totally laughed a lot...this just proves my point about "America going down hill sense the time of The Great Debaters")