Video from the Half!

DetermiNation Half Marathon from Paige Jones on Vimeo.

Mardi Gras Half Marathon

This may be one of those “you had to be there” stories, but it was awesome in that moment...
Most everyone knows someone who has battled cancer. I have been touched by this terrible disease in more ways than one. Five months ago I committed to run a half marathon and raise money for the American Cancer Society in honor/memory of my loved ones who have battled the disease, particularly my cousin, friend, and classmate, Travis Stringer, who passed away this summer from the terrible disease. I raised my money and ran the race this past weekend along with Amanda Blakeney, Debra Cockrell, Natalie Duckworth and Nicole Kemp. I had trained some, but did not take it as seriously as I should have. I knew I could run some and walk the rest and that was fine with me.

As Amanda and I were about three miles into our run we were talking about how we were going to make it. I was telling her about some things I read from other runners saying that they just broke the race into smaller sections and dedicated each part of the run to a person. We then decided that the last three miles were going to be for Trav since those would be the hardest ones and we were going to have to remember that no matter how bad we felt, it was NOTHING compared to what he went through. We would have to be strong and fight right through it like he would. So miles 10 to 13.1 were for Travis.

When I got to mile ten I had slowed down. Amanda was ahead of me and I was jogging just past Café du Monde (where I really wanted to stop and get a beignet). I was regretting the lack of serious training. I saw the sign and was giving myself a pep talk before I got there because I knew I needed a push. Then the best possible thing happened. I had my iPod on shuffle through a playlist of songs I put together for the race. Born Free by Kid Rock came on. I had never listened to the song and thought of Trav before, but I can't think of anything more fitting…

“You can knock me down and watch me bleed
But you can’t keep no chains on me.

I was born free!
I was born free
I was born free, born free.
And I'm not good at long goodbyes
But look down deep into my eyes
I was born free.

Calm, facing danger
Lost, like an unknown stranger
Grateful for my time with no regrets
Close to my destination
Tired, frail and aching
Waiting patiently for the sun to set
And when it's done, believe that I
will yell it from that mountain high

I was born free
I was born free
I was born free, born free

I will bow to the shining sea
And celebrate God's grace on thee”

I listened, cried a little, smiled a lot, and forged on, ignoring the pain because it was worth it and it was NOTHING compared to the cause. The Lord works in strange ways and I know Him and Trav put that song on to tell me to get my tail in gear and press on. It worked. I finished…

My little cheering group... Mom and Madelyn in the background filming... I think she would have preferred a big fall or something to send in the America's Funniest Home Videos. Next year they're going to be running with me. I'll break that news to them in a couple months!

:P

I'm doing a HALF-MARATHON!

The journey of thirteen miles (and a cure) begins with a single step...

That's what I'm telling myself anyway.

I'm not exactly sure how it happened, but I have registered to walk (not run) a half-marathon. The details of that night are somewhat foggy as I would never in my right mind decide to walk for upwards of four hours when I could quite possibly drive that it fifteen minutes. The meeting was all fun and everyone was excited about our relay for life and almost as if I was bidding at an aution, my name went on the list.

And here I am. Writing a blog. Again, I should probably have my tail on a treadmill, or be going door to door to raise money, but I'm not. So, let me share my story and idea.

I volunteer for the Relay for Life every year. Last year I served on the committee and designed my team's t-shirt. It was great. The event went off without a hitch. Simpson County exceeded our fundraising goal by a LANDSLIDE! It was amazing... And my t-shirt won best in class! YaY!

Of course this year I was super excited to serve on the relay committee again. I even recruited a new member for the committee. (Looking back, I think she's the one who really got me on board this marathon train, so I'm not sure if my recruitment was actually a good thing! hahaha!) At our first committee meeting, our wonderful relay coordinator, Debra, had all kinds of hand outs for us. Initially, I just stuck the little green marathon flyer to the side and wondered why she had even wasted that paper on us... At some point (it's all a little foggy now) we pulled out that same little sheet and before I knew it, I was not only signed up for the team but nominated to be the team captain! So now I'm on board and super excited about it all. New Orleans. Mardi Gras. Great friends. Great charity. What's not to love!

I initially became involved with the American Cancer Society in high school helping my mother the year she first volunteered. Some of you may remember, a month later, she was diagnosed with leukemia. Fortunately she is now cured. Thanks go to God above all for this blessing. So many others were amazing during this time and we are eternally grateful for that. I also know the American Cancer Society played a part in her fight. They are the largest non-governmental funder of cancer research. They have been involved in most all cancer breakthroughs in recent history. They also provide programs for cancer patients such as the “Look Good, Feel Better” initiative and other informative programs to help patients better cope with the disease. In addition, ACS is very focused on cancer prevention and spends much time and money on various awareness programs so that one day we can stop the disease altogether before it begins. It is an organization that I am so passionate about and I hope some of you will help me with the goal I’ve set!

My walk in New Orleans will be thirteen miles. My fundraising goal is $1300. My hope is to have you sponsor me in a portion of my walk in honor/memory of a loved one who has battled cancer. For example, you could sponsor me in a quarter mile for $25, half for $50, or a mile for $100. All donations will be tax deductible and go to this amazing organization. In return, my team and I will walk in shirts that bear your loved one’s name. You may send a check made payable to ACS to my address or donate online at http://main.acsevents.org/goto/paigejones . If you choose to donate online, please specify your loved one’s name in the message so that I will be sure to print it on our shirts.

They'll be styled similarly to this:


I would greatly appreciate your support in this endeavor. I realize, given the state of the economy, it is a tough time to give donations. This organization, however, depends solely on the support of its volunteers and donors and in difficult times it is even more important to do what we can even if it is just a small donation or word of encouragement. Thank you so much for your support and consideration.

Things I miss about college...

As the football season progresses, I think about college. When I think about college, I think about all the good times. When I think about the good times, I think I need to write them down, because I'm getting older and inevitably, I'll forget them. So here they are... My list. The things I love about college.

1. Game day. Football, basketball, baseball... Whatever. Football was definitely the biggest, but all were fun and exciting. Ohhhh the feeling! The memories make me smile.

2. Lack of major responsibility. There is something nice about knowing my bills would be paid whether I did anything or not. I didn't have too many huge committments. I was free. It was awesome.

3. Sleep. Not hearing the alarm clock at 5:15 every morning was great. I'll never complain about getting up at 7:00 ever again. In fact, most days I would call that sleeping in now...

4. The Sanderson Center. I loved the variety of options. The equipment. The classes. The state of the art facility. The fact that it was free.

5. Endless awesome times with friends. Staying up until all hours of the morning, riding and talking about nothing, or the same stuff over and over--I wish I could do it now. I miss them.

I know, I know. That sounds like college was the highlight of my life or the best time for anyone, but that isn't true either. For each thing I love about being in college, there is something good that comes from me not having that now...

1. Gameday--I can afford cable and regular tickets now so I can either watch the games with friends from the comfort of my home or pay for seats that are NOT in the student section where I had to risk getting drenched in alcohol as a result of some frat boys excitement from the game.

2. Responsibility--It isn't that bad after all. I like my work and it allows me to pay my bills. I obviously can't buy everything I want, but who can? I live by the saying, "do what you can with what you've got."

3. Sleep--Well, I really do miss it and it's hard to think of something positive for this one. I do have a greater appreciation of it now! I am so happy when I get to take a nap instead of being ill because I couldn't like I was in college. I'm not bitter about it and I guess that is good! :-)

4. Exercise--Not having the gym has made me explore new options, like exercising outside. Who knew it could be so pretty and pleasant (sometimes) in south Mississippi?

5. Endless awesome times with...--I still have good times. They are just with different people. Coworkers, family, and even sometimes in class with my students. The fun with friends is still there, just not as frequent as the college days. But that's ok too because it makes me appreciate them even more.

So that was really random and just for today, as my Dawgs play Auburn at home, I wish I was in college again to experience gameday in Starkville on campus, but the wish won't last long. Tomorrow I'll again be thankful that stage of my life is over, but today I'll just reminisce... Oooohhhhhh, the memories!

=P

If you believe in yourself and have dedication and pride and never quit, you'll be a winner. The price of victory is high, but so are the rewards.
--Bear Bryant

Yes, I'm Alive!!!

I’m thinking by blog roll call is down to about two readers now, and one is telling me I need to write something soon… So here I am. Busy. Overwhelmed. A million things to do. But here I sit writing a blog instead. Ah well… It is a great release and all that other stuff will still be here for me to do in the morning.

Let me start by saying I have accepted the fact that I have no clue about anything pertaining to my life anymore. Every time I think I have things figured out, God sends me a wake-up call. And these aren’t just small hints lately. They’re big. Bigger than big. Pretty much huge. And I’m sad it takes something so huge, but I’m not good with change I guess. Looks like He’s trying to teach me to get over it though. If you don’t have a clue what I’m talking about I’ll fill you in quickly. Since the last blog, the guy I was dating turned out to be a huge jerk. The job I had last year was totally eliminated. I found out old friends are the best and most dedicated ones. And life is too short not to be with the one you love.

Let me explain. The whole jerk situation—it doesn’t need explanation. It’s just scary and embarrassing. And I really thank God for getting me out of that situation in a timely manner before things got bad.

In the year of the budget cuts, many school districts were forced to cut back. Unfortunately my program was on the chopping block. I was upset because it was my first year here in that program and I didn’t even have a chance to really get anything going, but the students had done well at competition and on their end of year exam. Thankfully, the district found a place for me here at OG teaching STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). I did not hold certification to teach that class so I had to take some tests and do some classes this summer. I was really nervous about teaching this because it is SO totally out of my element, but I have really enjoyed it. I teach with some great people who are so generous and helpful. For that I am thankful. God is good!

In late April or early May, a group of friends from high school got together again to plan another benefit for my cousin Travis. He had been having a very difficult time and had been in the hospital pretty consistently since March. We met on Sunday, and he had an appointment the following week. The news wasn’t good. They sent him home and told him there was nothing else they could do. Our next meeting was somber, but the news didn’t deter our resolve. The benefit would continue and we knew it would be a success. We all went to visit him that afternoon and his good spirit and attitude was amazing despite his physical condition. It brings tears to my eyes to think about it. Sadly, he “went to fly with the angels,” (as Addy, his two year old, says) June 9. Many tears were shed, but I know he is doing SO much better now and I have to keep that in mind. The following weekend Jamie Johnson, one of his favorite country singers, was playing at the coast. With broken hearts, Team Travis hit the road. We made the concert Saturday night and then went to a memorial service Sunday morning for Trav at the track where he raced. Old friends are the best… The benefit turned out awesome. Community support in a small town never ceases to amaze me. I love it… Again, God is good!

This is us at the beach before the memorial at the track Sunday morning.


That brings me to my last point. Throughout the time Travis was sick, Bo and I began talking again. He would call me to check on him and let me know he was praying for him. He was genuinely and unselfishly concerned. It turned into a daily prayer meeting via text every morning and it was so comforting. It led to other conversations with Bo about different things… The past… The present… The future… I’ll never forget one text he sent that said, “life is too short not to be with the one you love.” I knew it was true and I knew I loved him. We have been back together for several months now. It seems like forever and just yesterday all at the same time. It’s a lot different. He’s a lot different. I probably am too (or should be), but I’m way too stubborn to admit it. We’re a lot different, let me just put it like that. Things have changed... And change is good.

Love you guys!
=P

"Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
— 2 Corinthians 10:17-18

I'm BACK!!!!!

HELLO MY BLOG FRIENDS! I have MISSED YOU!

I’m going to be quite honest (and probably ramble a lot). It has been SO long since I wrote a blog that I don’t even think about it anymore. Months ago my thought process was something like this. “Oh, that was amazing. I am definitely going to blog about it. And when I do I can work in ____________ and ____________ and begin with _______________ or ________________.” Then gradually my thought process became “Oh, that was amazing. I should write a blog about it. Maybe later I can plan out the details.” Recently my thought process has been this: “Oh, that was awesome… Now what was it I’m supposed to be doing or getting? Note to self—get notepad to make lists.” However, I don’t have a notepad to write that note, so do you think I’ve picked up that notepad yet? Absolutely not!

So, I’m having a bit of writer’s block so let me just talk about the thing that baffles me most lately: this CRAZY weather! What on earth is going on? I have seen snow more in the past four years than I have in the first 25 years of my life. And I have seen more snow this year than I did for at least 12 consecutive years. While I’m not crazy about the snow, I’m even less crazy about the drastic swings in between each winter mini session. I think Mother Nature is going through “the change!” I learned in. elementary school the seasons went in this order: winter, spring, summer, autumn (the fancy word for fall). No one ever told me that is not order of seasons in Mississippi. Through the years I’ve learned we still have the same basic seasons (with the addition of a rainy season), but they don’t only roll around once a year, and don’t always come in that order. Ours go something like this: Winter, Rain, Spring, Winter, Spring, Rain, Summer, Winter, Spring, Winter, rain, rain, rain, winter, winter, winter…. You get the point. Never a dull weather moment here folks! But I am tired of the winter weather and rain. Ready for spring at least ¾ of the time!

Unfortunately I don’t have any huge stories or life events going on that have kept me from blogging. I’m thinking the main reason is because I don’t have a laptop and going to sit in the coldest room to write the blog only to have to post it later (since I can’t get internet out in the sticks) just isn’t appealing at all.

So here are some random things that have been going on lately. I think the last time I blogged was in November, so I’ll try to start from then.

December—crazy crazy month
• I finished my first semester of teaching at OGHS. It, like any other job, has its ups and downs, but it still going well.
• I experienced the Christmas season from the eyes (and body) of a retail employee. OMG! I thought it was supposed to be a time of love and happiness and sometimes those customers were far from loving and anywhere close to happy was a stretch.
• This one is embarrassing. I have no pride though, so whatever. Here goes…………. OK, never mind, I just can’t do it. I started typing this one out and there’s no way anyone can understand it without way too much background info. The story pretty much ends like this though: I got stood up for Wal-mart on New Year’s Eve! Ba ha ha ha!

That brings us to January
• I turned 29… The age at which I will stay for several more years. I can pull it off though because I religiously use moisturizer with SPF, a great night cream, and have just become a fan of Bare Minerals—a foundation that gives me a youthful glow! And my students still think I look 24. I know they are just trying to flatter me, but I like to believe it nonetheless.
• After returning from Christmas break for one day, we were off for a winter weather advisory. Fortunately, it was not bad. We could have actually had school, but the day off was much appreciated.
• Joseph and I went to Nashville to see Vallery and her new house. We went to Dave and Busters, I got a new purse, and hung out with great friends. Does it get any better?

And February
• I got to hang out with Dana for a day. I saw sweet Caroline’s room, which for the record used to be MY room in Dana’s house… I’m not jealous at ALL about that one ;) We went shopping and had a fun GIRLS day. I miss all my girls :(
• I celebrated my one year anniversary with my blog… Not really, because I have terribly neglected it, but I did look back at old posts and realize that it’s been a year since I started it. I did also realize how much I enjoyed doing it and I have renewed my blogging vows. I will TRY HARD to do better.
• Friday, it snowed… A LOT. I mean, I think that was the most snow I have ever seen around here. And it was good snow. Not the cold, hard, frozen, sludgy crap that is kinda off white because it has mud and dirt all mixed in. It was fluffy and pretty and white. Don’t get me wrong. It was still very much cold. I tried making a snowman but had to quit after getting started because my hands were hurting. So then I just made snow balls and had a snowball fight. FUN!!
• I took a group of students to FCCLA state competition in Jackson. Ten students competed. Four got first, two got second, and one got third. I was SUPER proud of them!



I can’t believe it's now March
I can’t really think of anything eventful that happened yet. Oh, wait! I helped mom make some cupcakes the other night. Aren’t these the cutest little froggies you’ve ever seen?!?!?! I can only take credit for the cupcake... Though I did do more than one... My mom made the cute cake and others too!



And I had to make some stuff for sweet baby Caroline (even though she’s stealing my room).







Hopefully during spring break I can get some more projects done and get another blog posted!

Love you guys! Have a great weekend!

=P

Oh Lord, You are my God. I will exalt you and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness, You have done Marvelous things, things planned long ago.
Isaiah 25:1

What you all have been waiting for...

Finally I have some house pics. Still working on things, but it looks much better than before. Mom is making more window coverings this week, so hopefully I can get better pics then. Photography and lighting is terrible, I know, but I was tired and it was dark. There are lists upon lists of little things still to be done I could record with each pic, but I don't have time and I just wanted to humor you guys for now!

This is the kitchen before... And after... (new fridge soon I hope!)



Dining room before...And after... Window coverings in the works...


Living room before and after...





Hall--doesn't look much different. We just painted, but will be putting down wood flooring in here too.



Hall Bath! Can we say WHOA! This project was the one that I thought would never end. One thing kept leading to another, but I am so happy with the way it turned out!








My craft room!






Guest Bedroom... Blinds should be installed this week.





My room still looks about the same. I'm trying to get everything else done and then work on my room. I would have at least taken pics, but it was a MESS--laundry all over the place! Maybe during Christmas break I'll get to it!

Hope everyone is doing well! Have a great week!

=P

Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

So, what's up with you?

So, I’ve been thinking about writing a blog for ever so long. I even started one a couple of weeks ago. Needless to say, it never got finished. I can’t think of any earth shaking events or even any clever topics to write about, so I’ll just make a list of the things I’ve been doing to keep me busy since the last blog.

1. Trying to teach. New job is still great, but it is definitely hard work.

2. (drum roll, please…) Moving in to my house! Still making it look presentable, but will take pics asap!
3. Working on my house. It’s livable, but nowhere near done. We are trying to finish up the current projects on the inside, then start on the outside. The lovely cool weather makes the outdoor projects MUCH more bearable!

4. Enjoying the sunrise on my drive to school each morning. When I see things like that, I KNOW there is an AWESOME GOD. Who else could make something so beautiful and perfect?

5. Trying not to fall asleep on my drive home… LOL! It’s not really that bad, but I do get tired sometimes. A friend told me she read something about apples giving you more energy than the caffeine in a cup of coffee. Maybe it’s a coincidence, but I deliberately ate apples several days and didn’t get tired out on the way home. Give it a try… It’s worth a shot.

6. Working at Ballyhoo. I was scheduled every other Saturday, but somehow I can’t remember the last Saturday I was off. It’s fun and I get a discount though, so I really don’t mind.

7. Buying new furniture. I bit the bullet and bought a new sofa and chair. It wasn’t my first choice, but it’s the first choice I could afford without having to sell any of my vital organs. I do like it a lot.

8. Attending jury duty (on my fall break…Boo!). I got out of this civic service last time by playing the teacher card, but I felt obligated to go this time since I didn’t have school. After hearing the case, I was SO glad not to get selected. I had to go back another day and the attorney forgot to show up… Maybe he skipped the course on attendance. Anyway… I didn’t have to stay long that day either, so all was well and I did my civic duty.

9. Spending entirely too much time checking my friends status updates on Facebook mobile… It is not fun not having internet. Ughhhh.

10. Trying to think of things to write a blog about. Obviously, this is a stretch since I am pulling at straws to come up with a list of things I’ve done lately.

I promise, once I get “settled in” (if that ever happens), I hope to write more. I really miss it. I hope all my loyal readers are doing well. Maybe I won’t be a letdown too much longer!

=P

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1

Just some pics...

I don't have time to write, but I'll be writing soon and hopefully posting pics from the house! Yay! I have been so busy, but made time for the beach this weekend. AWESOME. As I walked the beach at night I really wondered how people can NOT believe there is a God. Stuff like that doesn't just happen. Anyway... Maybe that will be in the next blog.

Here are a couple pics from the weekend and some paintings I did recently.



I'll post some pics with people later!

Just a short one...

Well, sorry guys! I haven't written in a while. It has been crazy busy for me since I left McComb and there is no sign of a slow down in sight! I am soon going to post pics of the house I've been working on. I know you guys think I'm making it all up, but I will have pics for proof shortly. Obviously I have the before pics, but I am still waiting on the afters (you would think I was outside my mind for tackling the project if I posted the before shots... I'm beginning to believe it myself at this point). Thankfully, we only have to put the flooring in two rooms down now and I'll be able to move in, God willing. I could take some pics and show you what is done as of now, but you wouldn't be able to see much because all my things are piled up in the two rooms that are finished. I now wonder how I had so much stuff in a one bedroom apartment... I mean, I've completely furnished a three bedroom, two bath home. I can't wait to get it all fixed up and settled. I love my family, but I also love having my own place... Since the house is just down the road from mom and dad, I've got the best of both worlds.

The new job is going well, but is also challenging. I love the course and I have some really great students. The facilities are awesome and the teachers I know are really nice. Unfortunately I only know a very small percentage of the teachers here. There are nearly 100! I think I know about fifteen. That is quite an adjustment, but I keep reminding myself that I didn't get to know everyone at my other schools very quickly either.

I am so thankful for all the great things that are going on in my life and in the lives of those around me. I have SO many friends who have new, healthy babies and several with healthy pregnancies and hopefully healthy babies to come. I have friends with beautiful healthy families. People who have been laid off are finding employment. Unfortunately, I know several people going through struggles as well, but the beauty is that even through those struggles, they see a positive side. It is simply amazing. I am most certainly thankful for all the great things going on in my life right now--a list too long to detail. I say all that to say this--there are a lot of bad things going on in our world and it is very possible these things affect us in a big way, but when we step back and really look at things, blessings abound. We have to have perspective. It's hard sometimes, but necessary. We are blessed beyond measure even when we are undeserving. And that, above all, is something to be thankful for.

I think I've lost my diplomas... my mind isn't far behind!

So, anyone who knows anything about education knows Harry Wong. Since I was starting a new school and wanted to make a good impression, I thought it might be good to brush up on my beginning of school dog and pony show. So, as any good teacher would do, I dusted off the old Harry book, The First Days of School. I listed all my rules and procedures, made my classroom appealing, fixed a nice bulletin board and even threw up a couple silk plants to make my atmosphere more welcoming (he actually said real ones, but I figured green silk ones were better than brown real ones). Harry also suggested putting up a bulletin board describing yourself. I had the best of intentions, I really did, but that board just didn't get done. Instead I grabbed a couple pictures out of my boxes of stuff that haven't been unpacked, through down a table cloth (that I made) and set up a display... That's much better than a stinking bulletin board (and easier). Harry also suggests displaying your diplomas to establish credibility with the students (and to let them know that even though they may be pretty smart, none of them paid as much as you did for education... You know, remind the little angels to be grateful.) Anyway, in an effort to fulfull Harry's commands so that I can have a perfect year, I thought I could hang my diplomas on the wall. Well, as all of you know, for me, finding things is a task easier said than done right now. My life is in boxes in a house that is not currently livable. I am happy to report, however, that I do have a pot to pee in now though. Dad got one toilet in place and working last night! Yay! So anyway... I was trying to find my diplomas so that I could hang them in my class room. I could not find them anywhere! I looked through all my boxes and saw no sign of them! Who does that? Things have been so crazy lately and this is the icing on the cake. I have lost my diplomas... pittiful!

I am happy to report that I think I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel with my licensure dilemma. Finally I was able to speak with someone Thursday who said it was "very likely" I will get a license for this year. THANK GOODNESS! Sub pay for the year would have been t-e-r-r-i-b-l-e! (I'm sorry if you don't know what I'm talking about. Just trust me when I say it's a long story that has kept me so occupied I haven't had time to blog lately.)

And finally, I am SO thankful for this new job! The kids are so different from what I was accustomed to. The facilities are amazing and, of course, I just love Hattiesburg. I know that a good year is awaiting me and I thank God for giving me the courage to wait for this job. I am still amazed by His work and what He will do if you just ask.

The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
1 Peter 5:10

*sidenote* God never ceases to amaze me. Usually, I just search for a "verse of the day" to put at the end of my blog. Nine times out of ten the first one I find seems to be so fitting to what I'm going through or what I've written about... Gotta love the awesome irony there! God is the best author of all time!

Catching up...

This is going to be a fun (not really) couple of days ahead for me... I will be packing my apartment and moving. Usually moving is okay. I hate packing and unpacking, but the excitement of being in a new home is kinda fun. I don't even have a home this time though. I'm moving back in with mom and dad until the house I'm going to live in is finished. So far we (I) have painted the living room, kitchen and dining area, one bedroom, and I've started the foyer and hall. Madelyn has helped and my cousin Rebecca came down one day and helped too. My dad has done so much work! We ripped up all the carpet, and let me tell you it was NASTY! Under that nasty carpet were several rotten floor boards. He has replaced many of the them. He had to take both toilets out to replace the floor boards there. So now, I don't have a pot to pee in... LITERALLY! I should be getting floor covering Monday--carpet in the two bedrooms and linoleum in the bathrooms. I'll have to post the before pics soon--the house was a MESS! It's getting better little by little, much slower than I had hoped, but hopefully it will be worth all the wait in a month or two.

When I haven't been working on the house, or working at work, I have been doing some more painting... Here are some of the latest.

This pic isn't that great... It looks SO much better in person.


This one really isn't crooked... It's just the angle at which the picture was taken.


I was making a canvas for Mary Morgan (Amy's bundle of love, arriving in 3-4 weeks)... I just didn't like this one, so I might try to sell it on ebay or something.


This pic isn't so great, but the acutual painting turned out better.


So now I am in McComb, packing my apartment (and writing blogs). I never cease to amaze myself with all the "stuff" I have. I am not sure how some made it through the last move. I have found things that were of no significance at all. Why on earth have I kept them for so long? And furthermore, why did I make the effort to move them last year when I moved here? I mean, really, how many bottles of scented lotion and body splash (that I don't even use) does one person need? And why do I still have notebooks from college? I haven't looked at the things in at least four years. What makes me think I'll one day get the urge to revisit Dr. Browning's lecture on Piaget's Developmental Stages? I can be such a pack rat... And don't even let me get started on my closet. I have clothes I haven't worn in years, but every year I think, "I'm gonna wear this sometime this year." I have got to minimize my wardrobe, and by minimize I don't mean wear skimpier or smaller clothes. I don't have room for clutter in my life and that includes my closet. In all of my clutter though, I must admit, I find some good "stuff." I found my notebook of essays from comp I. Rereading some of them is HILARIOUS. And some of them are really good. I might just have to post one (since my four readers have complained of my lack of blogging). I'll get all caught up this weekend. One (that will never get posted, or even described in detail to anyone) was actually about me and the guy I had been dating. WHAT WAS I THINKING? I'm embarassed for me back then. Who writes a paper to turn in for a grade about a relationship that lasted a month? It was really pathetic and I see how much I have changed. But other ones make realize I'm still the me I've always been. Hopefully, the changes have been for the better... Anyway, I said all that to get to this point... I hope I keep this blog up for a while. Ten years from now I'll probably read this archive and laugh... or wonder what that essay was or who I was dating. I never faithfully kept a journal, but I surely have gotten a kick out of the random entries I did write (I think I actully shredded most of them after laughing). We forget so much and take so many little things for granted. I hope this helps me keep up with what was going on and who was doing what. And maybe now that I'm getting back in a routine with school quickly approaching, I'll make more time for keeping up with my blogging!

=P

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
Hebrews 13:2

pics of my latest paintings...

So, here are my paintings as promised…

This is the first one I did a while back… It was supposed to be a birthday gift for Vallery, but another friend wanted to buy it… So, maybe it was wrong, but I sold it to her. Note to self: get Vallery another present.


We went to another painting class for mom’s birthday and this is what we did. I loved it! You should check out www.easelyamused.blogspot.com... Super cute stuff and fun too!



I really LOVE the Brushfire Crosses and have been working on that technique… Here are my first feeble attempts at that look. The first one is really messy, but I like the second one. It turned out much better.