Hello Ladies!
HAPPY FEAST OF TABERNACLES! So.. ok... it takes freaking forever to get to Alaska, but so far it has been worth it. Today we went to the kennels of Martin Busher... the 4 time Iditerod Dog Sled Race winner. They let you hold the puppies!!! (something about socializing them... blah blah... I'm holding a puppy!!!!)
I miss you all! I wish teleporting was real.
Anyway... we are off to dinner. Missing you and wishing you all a good weekend!
LOVE!-A

Everyone left without saying goodbye? Poor blogging form, ladies! Hope the week is lovely.

You're Gonna Miss Your Friends

Ahaha, awesome about your new friend, Sarah. I'm sure that you handled the situation beautifully. Just to fill you in -- the shop that I'm working at is... well I guess it's a combination of vintage and then thrift store -- newer items that we resell. There are a few new items as well. All of the kids working there are young and tattooed and trying to break into the fashion industry and just generally hip. I've been thinking about your post, it hit on some things that have been on my mind as I find myself in a new city. When I've made "new" friends in the past few years -- as in, people completely new to me, not friends-of-friends, or reconnections from schools, etc-- they have almost all been boys. I think that somehow, talking to boys is much easier in a social situation, in a lot of ways its much simpler than talking to people of the same sex. I suppose that its just more common to be looking for a connection with someone of the opposite sex at bars/coffee shops/concerts. Interesting. I've been faced with that same dilemma here a few times as well -- I don't want the interesting girl that I'm chatting up to think that I'm in it for a date. Maybe I'll make acquiring a new female friend my new challenge. And i definitely agree that, in a male/female pairing, there will always be an element of attraction, from one or both sides, whether or not it is ever acted upon. I MISS MY CLEVELAND GIRLFRIENDS. Or, soon to be Cleveland/Houston girlfriends. I hope that this last weekend in town was lovely, Amanda. I can't fathom going back to visit and not finding you there.
Speaking of friends: one of my favorite book passages for you! The scene: a hero is sitting on a park bench, when an unfamiliar woman stops in front of him and silently sizes him up.
"I'm looking for some friends," said the girl, glancing at Antoine and then at their surroundings.
"What do they look like?"
"Like you, maybe. You looked like someone interesting sitting there on that bench, so I told myself you'd want to be one of my friends. You seem pretty good quality. Superior quality."
I want the guts to try that out sometime, preferably on John Cusack, who i happen upon, sitting by the lake.

friends

I hadn't blogged much this week for once because I freaked myself out at just how often I was blogging. But here I am. Yes, I am "out here" Amanda:) Emily so is this a sheek thrift store,antique or is it new clothes? Yes, I remember back in the day when I was in retail how hard it sometimes was to be passionate about whatever it was I was suppose to be selling. Drugs help. (j/k of course)
So when you say you spent the week with this "boy" you are speaking of while being at work, Correct ? If it had been hanging out with him elsewhere, you would already be doing what you are trying to gear up to do. So Im gonna guess " a week together at the store" Now, hmmm making friends.... Most of the "friends" you make are "boys" (when I say that I feel like Im in 7th grade) Which use to be my style too but as we discussed the baton fully belongs to you. so really there is another dynamic usually thrown in. Attraction and a certain kind of intrigue that very often we rather not have ruined by too much reality...We both know....and oh do I know from my recent experiences....that it is usually impossible (and I always argued with my dad on this one) for people of the opposite sex to be JUST friends. There is usually something on one or both of the sides....So I propose to you that making a new friend (a woman/girl) can be quite a dance as well. Just some girl off the Cleveland or Chicago streets that you find intriguing and such.....talking to her...maybe hitting it off .....and proposing you see eachother again....how do you do THAT without one thinking the connection desired is more than just trying to evolve from strangers to friends...
I had an experience last week....lets just say...I met a woman at happy hour. her and I hit it off. I don't know anyone around here and was bored...she is a mother of an adorable 5 yr old special needs boy.She spoke of how badly they needed a nanny that could understand him...I gave her a number that could hopefully help. I said I was hungry she said she was too but her husband works 3rd shift and she had to get home to her son. Her friday nite was gonna consist of making chicken wings for herself and having some drinks while taking care of her son. She said I was more than welcome to come over and have chicken wings,drinks and meet her son that we spoke so much about. So I thought for a second...What the heck....I said yes, I havent had much excitement lately. This is quite spontaneous and others my think down right crazy. WELL A sista knows how to cook mmm mmmm mmmm....we had black cherry vodka and pepsi... her son and I hit it off...I wish he could get the proper help he needs. So we were just chillin.....and then ....I was clued in that she may be a tad drunk and feeling a little less straight then when I met her a few hours ago....I think she wanted a lil more...ETC....so much for a new friend....But damn were those chicken wings goooood!;) (now now, have some confidence in me....no I havent called her since;)

p.s....Dont get me wrong Em This was not a message of encouragement in trying something new! ...stick to your "friends" of the male persuasion. Then I don't have to wonder where I stand....I know you'll have your lil stage crush on an artichoke or two...but your "happy place" resides right her in cleveland;)

Sorry to post about food, but the pictures are adorable.

Shew, happy Friday. I spent most of this week working, I feel a little out of place at the shop. Everyone is so lovely but also actually knowledgable/interested in fashion and trends, while I stay out of regular stores and just dress to please myself. I have to kind of educate myself on the subject since we're responsible for taking in clothes to sell, but it's hard to muster that kind of enthusiasm for something so frivolous. BUT THAT'S OKAY, really its an ideal situation. I even missed a dramatic shoplifting by five minutes [which culminated in the young man screaming, 'I'M TAKING THE PANTS!' and bolting out the door wearing a pair of jeans and holding a tshirt]. Oddly enough, the lovely boy from a nearby bookshop turned out to be a new hire this week, I almost fell over when he walked in for his first day.
We spent the week together but he's heading for the new store opening in Wicker Park, and I am too much of a chicken to propose that we get coffee/play frisbee/eat grilled cheese sandwiches together. HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT MAKING FRIENDS? Without being creepy, of course. It really mystifies me. That initial awkward gap... its amazing to me that we can ever bridge it. Maybe I'll have half a bottle of wine and go track him down at the bookstore again sometime and pretend to be brave.
There hasn't been time for much else, I've done a little wandering and another concert and had the most amazing milkshakes of my life. 7 dollars [Pulp Fiction, anyone?] but totally worth it. Come visit and they're on me! Much love.

HELLO??? Is anyone out there????

Good Morning My Loves!

EM! Congrats on the job,you fashionista!!! Your mom told me and I was so happy to hear the news! Hope all is well in Chi Town! Looking forward to more stories and adventures!

I hope you all have a great week! I love you!

who in the world is that girl? She has blond hair, glasses and amazingly funny facial expressions. For a second I thought it was me...I know Em, 4 weeks!!!...but very soon Mr. O'brien will perform our wedding services...I love you .....please send me some adorable stuffed animal to sleep with...the nights are long.

So. It's been a little while. I hope that everyone had a lovely day, I'm glad to read of everyone's adventures. I can't believe its been a year for Karyn and Nick. I can't believe that Amanda's moving in a month. And I can't believe I haven't seen Sarah in over 4 weeks!
Last weekend, my friend Josh came up and softened my homesickness a little bit. David and Josh and I went to a music festival; Josh had a fantastic, expensive looking camera, and, [long story but to make it quick] after befriending a woman in front of us with an all access pass, Josh ended up sneaking backstage, and at one point I realized that he was ON the stage, snapping photos. It was a day of adventures all around. I finally scored a job at the little vintage/thrift store, I am not cool enough to work there but everyone has been so nice to me, I can wear whatever I like, and the music makes me happy. I'll take it for now.
I noticed yesterday that this city is finally starting to feel like a home to me. I was walking to work and I realized that I have some familiar points that I look forward to; there are giraffe statues across from a tiny tucked away park, the tiny bookstore staffed by a young man who always smiles when I walk by, the smell of coffee from one of many cafés along the route, fresh bouquets spilling out onto the sidewalk in front of the florists, artwork leaned up against trees on pretty days. I'm less of a stranger and more of a resident, and I can't tell you how good that feels.

Feast of Trumpets

I look forward to this day more than anything...

1 Corinthians 15:50

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-

52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Matthew 24:30-31

"Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Dear God,

Please increase our faith in You,Jesus and the plan that You have for all mankind. Wash away our doubt. Speak to us and feed our minds and hearts with Your truth and revelation. Inspire us with Your Spirit. Give us the understanding and belief that only You can give. Protect us from the influence of our enemy and give us a desire to come to You daily for the armor that we need to fight this battle. Please bless this Feast of Trumpets and reveal your plan to many more this festival season. Please come to our rescue soon! In the meantime, inspire our vision...our eyesight is so narrow...Help us to learn and grow in wisdom,strength and love...Instill in us YOUR VISION. In Jesus Name, Amen

God of Wonders

Beautiful! Please watch this video...

MercyMe - I Can Only Imagine

The day WILL come! It has to...nothing else makes sense. The Ultimate reUNION!

I hope they have decent grilled cheese in Texas! Mmmm... grilled cheese with Texas toast?!?!

She's ALIVE

Hello ladies...
Contrary to popular belief, I have not fallen off of the face of the planet. I apologize that it has been so long since I posted...but I have a bad habit of reading the blogs and then going "I'll write something later when I have time to think about it" and low and behold I don't do it.

Enough about my slackerishness. Not too much going on...just work, and some freelancing work I'm doing on the side and the house stuff. Nick and I had our anniversary last Sunday (but we celebrated on Saturday). We went to the 100th Bomber Group for dinner and then had planned to go see a movie...but we are getting old and pathetic so we decided to rent some instead and relax at home (Sad isn't it?). Amyway he bought me flowers and got me a sappy card and we reminisced over the last year...and how it should get easier since we dumped all of the really big stressful changes into the first year...tee hee. So hopefully it will be smoother sailing from here.

Well I really enjoy the blog and getting a chance to read all about what is going on in your lives.

Amanda - I am so excited for you and the upcoming move...a bit sad...but excited for you. You will love being there near your new honey...just promise you will come HOME often.

Emily - I am glad to hear that you are still having many adventures in Chicago. How is the job thing going? Did you find anything yet?

Sarah - I just wanted to let you know that I am proud of you for the way you are handling all of the events that have happened recently. Stay strong sista, and I am always here if you need me.

Well girls I gotta get to bed. Love you all!

Take a look at this! Its a slideshow of Euclid Ave. in its hey days! Listen to their stories...I love older peoples story about "hot it use to be"....

http://www.cleveland.com/slideshows/index.ssf?euclid.html

September 11, 2007
Anticipating The Good
Anxiety About Change
When we find ourselves going through any kind of change in our lives, our natural response may be to tense up on the physical, mental, or emotional level. We may not even notice that we have braced ourselves against a shift until we recognize the anxiety, mood swings, or general worried feeling toward the unknown that usually results. There are positive ways to move through change without pushing it away, however, or attempting to deny that it is happening. Since change will occur in almost every aspect of our lives, we can learn to make our response to it an affirmative one of anticipation, welcoming the new while releasing the past with grace. One thing we can do is change our perspective by changing the labels we use to identify our feelings. We can reinterpret feelings of anxiety as the anxious butterflies that come with eager expectation. With this shift, we begin to look for the good that is on its way to us. Though we may only be able to imagine the possibilities, when we acknowledge that good is there for us to find, we focus our energy on joyful anticipation and bring it into our experience while allowing the feelings to carry us forward. We can also choose to do a ceremony to allow our emotions to process. Every culture has created ceremonies to help people make the transition from one phase of life to the next. We can always create a ceremony too, perhaps by burning written thoughts to watch the smoke carry them away, thereby releasing them, or we can welcome new endeavors by planting flowers or trees. Some ceremonial activities such as a farewell send-off or housewarming party, we may do automatically. Society also has built-in ceremonies, like graduation and weddings, which may satisfy the need we feel. Sometimes the shift from denial to acceptance is all that is needed to ease our anxiety, allowing us to bring our memories with us as we move through nervousness to joyful excitement about the good to come. (taken from www.dailyom.com

Hey,
Found this and thought I'd pass it along. Continental has fares Cleveland to Chicago and Chicago to Cleveland $66.00 each way plus taxes. Not the best deal, but still not bad. Here is the link:
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/deals/offers/featured_fares_fll.aspx?camp=COSP&campyear=2007&sender=EMAIL_MKTG&language=EN

Love you!

WTF???

So Im on Flickr and what do I find????

WTF???

Mary wrote this below your picture...

"my future fake wife. She will reach the things high up in kitchen cabinets, I will get the ones that are closest to the ground. "

That's the same girl in the ohio city alley right??? Oh yeah, well I told her....lmao!!....you gotta find my response to her pic on flickr....

You betta tell her if she asks!! I crack myself up! Don't worry I know you love ME!!

Sabbath

So instead of going to bowling green Amanda,Erica and I went to a mexican restaurant...mmm mmm mmmm. Margarita's too! Then I took Amanda to Rocky River park and we sat on the rocks near the waves on the lake and took it all in. After that we went to Mitchell's and got some yummy raspberry cheesecake ice cream. I had a nice Sabbath with ya!
Well its almost 5 pm and I have done absolutely nothing...Im done watching my show"Girlfriends" ya'll fair skinned girls dont know nothin bout that;) ha! love you ladies.
Oh Karyn what did you and Don Juan do for your anniversary??

Sarah and I are off to adventures in Bowling Green this weekend! Hooray for the Black Swamp Arts Festival! We'll still be missing our better halves though (Karyn and Emily!)

Emily- Missin' you! I'm working on a suprise for you! No hints!

Karyn- Happy Anniversary! That's nuts, a whole year already!

Check out pics of my birthday weekend at: http://mark.scenemenow.com/gallery/160

WHO???

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6.12)

Who wants you to compare yourself to others instead of the Perfect Example you were already given?

Who wants you to doubt God's existence just enough so you never get close enough to hear His voice?

FACING MY GIANT

Is my abusive X boyfriend really the one who wanted to defeat my trust, love and compassion for my fellow person and replace it with fear and anger?

Is he really the one who wants me to hate myself and feel guilty and worthless?

Is my boss the one who wants me to be filled with hatred and anger because of her disrespect and condescending attitude? No.

They are merely tools working for the devil...

Who wants me to be filled with anger and indignation so much that I toss and turn wishing I could sleep? Who wants me to continue seeing my X's face in my dreams? Who wants me to be distracted just enough to not have God's peace? Who wants me to be pissed off just enough so I don't feel the relief of forgiving? Who wants me to feel worthless and unloveable?

Tonight you will NOT win! I was reminded who I am really fighting with~ its seems thats half the battle! You can not destroy God so you try to destroy God within me...
TONIGHT IS NOT YOUR NIGHT!!!! - ME

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4.4)

Im homesick

Today I was super Nanny.Took Dan to school. (he goes to nursery now...:( Grocery shopped,made kids

lunches, put away dairy and meat dishes, cleaned the

toy-filled basement, did lots of puzzles and read books with my lil man. "I'm gonna go get my blankie" he said.

'Why' I asked. "I wanna cuddle with you" He replied. He makes me melt...and when I tell him " I love you"

Instead of saying " I love you too" He says " I love you too much" ....flippin romeo! Then I came home and

I made dinner for my cousin,his wife and I. It was delicious! Green peppers,onions,sharp

cheddar cheese (+ chicken..but just as good without- for those of you that are vegetarians;) all wrapped up in

crossaints!! I had some coke and coconut rum...then umm, oooopsey, I made a drink for my cousin and I

with the really expensive liquor that only him and a couple people were able to drink at his wedding. Yikes. I

wont be touching that bottle again. Played with Isaac....came down stairs....checked the blog...

and here I sit....MISSING YOU SO BAD EMILY. I try not to think about it... how we use to be

able to see eachother whenever we couldn't go without seeing eachother another day! If "home is where your

heart is" is true...then tonight my heart is in Chicago...
Love,
Your Happy Place

I can’t seem to sleep here.
So. A story:
I was wandering around the city in July with Ryan one night; it was one of those perfect summer evenings that lent itself to firefly hunting and playground conversations and sparkler spinning. We came to a railroad crossing and he remarked that he had never walked along tracks before, not even as a curious kid, and naturally we agreed that we had to give it a try. We each took a rail and did our best, wobbling and flailing despite our tiny mincing steps, giggling at the other person’s sad attempt just before we would spin off ourselves. At one point he yelped and reached for me, and our hands met at angle in the air, above our heads. Suddenly, traversing the narrow beams was as easy as pie – we practically jogged along those tracks, laughing in wonderment at our schooling in physics and cooperation. Sure enough, as soon as we released each other’s hand we fell off sideways.
A lesson there? I like to think so. Something about things being remarkably easier in a tricky situation with someone to lean on. Everyone benefits.
Thanks for your friendship, girls.

Emily,
I'm so proud of you! Way to be proactive (and not creepy)!
Sad you won't be able to come to BG this weekend.
I served coffee to this beautiful boy today who used to work at a Starbucks in Chicago and I thought of you (and was a wee bit jealous of all the beautiful boys you must be seeing, tho I'm pretty thrilled with my own at this point too). Much to share on that topic, but I'll reserve that for a good girl talk (or blog) to come!
Love you!

ASkdjalkjsdla Amanda! That's so soon! But how exciting. I'm glad that it was a good weekend with the boy.
I regret to inform people that, despite my initial excitement, I can't make it to Bowling Green. My friend Josh is coming up for a concert, i've had that plan for weeks and totally forgot about it. My ONE weekend of plans, of course. You could just accidentally come to Chicago instead.
I've done a little bit of adventuring and exploring. This weekend I wandered to the park and passed a little group of people playing frisbee and I wanted to join in but completely chickened out. I went to read by the lake but couldn't stop watching the game [creeeeepy] and so i made myself go over. "Random, I know, but can i play for a few minutes?" I asked one boy. "That's not random!" he replied, "that's fun! Of course!" So I got to run around with strangers for a couple of hours. I was proud of myself, although my arm is still sore. It felt good to connect with people.

News and Gratitude

Thank you all for your birthday wishes! I appreciate them very much.

I guess... since you all pretty much know anyway... I'll make the official statement:
I'm moving to Houston in OCTOBER (yikes... I'm still a little in shock myself). That is about 6 weeks away, but I my last weekend in Cleveland will probably be Sept. 22/23 (also Atonement). SO... we need to have some girl time (even if it is via phone w/ Em).

I think- Emily and Karyn- you each should have recieved a delightful voicemail from Sarah and I yesterday afternoon. I was planning to go anyway, but then thought it would be great if we could all go together. I am planning a short weekend trip to Bowling Green this coming weekend. Emily- it is only 4 hours via MEGABUS!!! And we could all meet up in BG for the Black Swamp Arts Festival!! I'll have to call and double check with Kathleen about sleeping arrangements, but we can make it work! Let me know if you guys want to go!! I want some girl time before I move!!!! I miss you guys already!
Ok... hope all is well and I love each of you!
-A
PS- The weekend with Mark was awesome! (Sarah- glad I got to spend some time with you too!)

Happy Birthday Amanda!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMANDA!!!

"Here's to Succulence"

I love you!!! May this year be filled with growth,beauty and blessings...

Shakespeare and Co. Bookstore in Paris. If you go with me Em, I wont need a ladder.


This will be us having coffee at the Louvre Garden...

This is a picture of the ferris wheel at sunset in Paris. How bout it Em?