Hunting!

Axis buck in velvet! (I shot him from the back of a pick-up truck, going down the road!)

8-point whitetail (I shot this one while doing the belly crawl on the ground, b/c I was scared of the mouse that was in the blind!)

My au-dad.

And yes, I field-dressed every one of my kills myself!! Blood up to the elbows. You guys would've been proud of me!

Rest in Peace

Well, Heaven sure is a much brighter place as of this morning. I'm glad my aunt is there in her new body with no more cancer or suffering! I'm sure God is happy to have her home.

At least one thing hasn't changed...

Yep, I still love Starbucks. Made myself double-check this weekend, just to be sure. The peppermint mocha they have around the holidays is SSOOOOO good. That's all.

Been Missin' It

Yeah, it just hit me the other day like a ton of bricks that I miss blogging! Just being able to sit down and express whatever I'm feeling and put it out there to get it off of my chest. It's really an amazing thing. If I just want to be stupid, silly, philosophical, or whatever, I can be--an people actually read it--that's the most amazing part! Yep, I truly miss this blogger world. I think I need it right now. Lot of feelings going on inside of this head of mine! You'll be hearing from me more regularly, I have a feeling....

Pics!

Before You Say Goodbye

Dedicated to my Great-Aunt, Barbara Wilcox, who today was given 10 days left of life here on this earth.

One more game of skip-bo,
Just one more chocolate pie;
One more loving lecture
Before you say goodbye.

A walk to the springs,
An morning on the porch,
Hot soup in on the stove--
These mem'ries will be my torch.

You've touched so many lives;
Taught so much by your smile.
It's time for you to rest
As you cross that final mile.

Taking pictures on the steps,
Sending cards in the mail--
I don't know how you did it,
Staying strong, while so frail.

You did so much for others,
Saw the good through all the bad.
You're truly my life's hero,
So just let my heart be sad.

I'll see you soon over there.
We'll walk and talk and laugh.
You're in a better place now,
So don't blame me if I ask--

One more hug and cheery smile,
Just one more twinkle in your eye;
One more reassuring touch
Before you say goodbye.

Happy 4th!

Hey... hope everyone enjoys their 4th of July. I miss my family!!! Well, eat some extra BBQ, fried chicken, apple pie, whatever you have for me! And I hope everyone gets to go see some fireworks. I might try to go out to the air force base to watch them if I can find someone to drag along w/ me!

Enjoy your celebrations, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!

The Higher Plane of Life

What is this I'm feeling?

Why are you dealing

Losing hands and stealing

My stability? I'm kneeling

With the acknowledgement

That the procurement

Of rest is now obscurement.

No lasting establishment

Of peace leaves me lacking

Words to end my slacking

And silence. I've been packing

Down all emotions and stacking

Daily duties of life on top.

But it's time all that stopped;

Time to harvest the crop

That's ready to drop

From exhaustion

And too much caution.

My only option

Will soon be crossing

To a place of no return--

Where it's crash and burn.

Will I ever learn

That while I may yearn

For certain situations,

Life's not on vacation?

And unrealistic infatuations

Only steal my dedication

From the truly valuable,

Seemingly unattainable,

But always rewardable

Higher plane of life.

How do I do this again??

Wow... I forgot how to even sign in to Blogger... Yeah, it's been a while. I thought that just not posting at all would be better than just posting randomly once a month or so, but one of my wonderful readers does not seem to agree.

Okay, so.... I have moved. I LOVE my new apartment--lots more space, a big, nice kitchen, a lovely 3rd floor patio/balcony (that I utilize very often!), and a much newer, prettier and safer place is now my home. Cinnamon has given me her approval as well--She loves to hang out on the balcony and sun bathe.

Life is good. I've been getting more involved in my church--with the music and the children ministries. It's a lot of fun; I really love it. Also babysitting for the doctors I work for has practicaly become a full-time second job. I'm not complaining though-the extra income is extremely helpful. I've also been traveling over to the ranch a lot any Saturday mornings that I have free to help my great uncle and aunt out. I've been building deer blinds, painting, hunting fishing, cleaning, cooking, riding horses, four-wheeling--it's a lot of hard work, but it's fun and it's great to be able to help them out. My great aunt just underwent her 61st chemo treatment and is in her 6th year of fighting cancer. The downhill stage is really starting to escalade, so keep her in your prayers.

The only negative part of my life right now is my job. I'm just not happy with what's going on. I'm debating right now over switching positions into a new department w/ a new boss, or looking for a completely new job. So, until then, hopefully I don't go postal on anyone! ha ha.

Happy Mother's Day to all you wonderful moms out there!

I think maybe I'll do a little poetry soon. It's been quite a long time since I wrote anything. We'll see if I get inspired.

I know, I know

I really need to quit promising I'm going to be more regular at this, because obviously it still isn't happening. It's just hard to find the time now that I'm not allowed to play at work! Imagine that!

Anyways, things have been crazy. I got "KILL" threats spraypainted all over my Jeep a week ago, so that was not fun. Now, I'm in the process of looking for a nicer, safer place to live. I found some apartments I LOVE, but it may require a little part-time job or something. The babysitting has slowed down a lot, so that extra money's not so steady anymore.

More that likely I'm going to switch positions from medical billing to surgical coordinator in the summer. I'm excited--I think I will love that a lot more.

Also been toying with the idea of getting into medical school--really big committment though, so not so sure.

I've gotten more involved in my church here. They have me playing the keyboard now and helping in the nursery. It's fun.

What's with the guys in Texas? Everyone single one that has asked me out so far, I found out later they had a girlfriend. Whassup w/ that?

Anyways, I still love it here. It's getting really beautiful and warm. I'll be taking lots of trips up to the ranch to hunt and work on my tan!

I miss football.

Sorry this is so boring, just wanted to throw a quick update out there!

Sensitivity... good or bad?

I've been thinking about sensitivity as a trait in your "significant other", if I may use that term without sounding too liberal. Desirable or non-desirable?

This is what I've come down to. I think if he is more sensitive to the needs, wants, feelings of others (including mine) than he is to his own needs/wants/feelings--that would create a good balance. On the same note, I would not want him SO unsensitive to his own feelings that he didn't even know what they were, or how to express and communicate them . And, I would not want him SO sensitive to the needs of others that he can't say no or discern when it is no longer helpful to help (a big problem of my own, actually).

Anyways, enough of that.

I shot my first deer last weekend. It was a lot of fun. Perfect heart shot! And we won't talk about the gutting and stringing up... cool? cool!

I also had a very rude awakening to the art of horseback riding--bareback. I'm not so sure if I am "de-sensitized enough to my own feelings" to share that story just yet. =)

Wow... time flies

I signed on to blogger and noticed I completely missed the whole month of December! Wow... well, a lot has been going on. I trust everyone had wonderful holidays with their family and friends. My Christmas was definitely very different this year. I stayed here in Texas, so wasn't around any immediate family, but did have a couple relatives to hang out with for a little while.

Well, this guy Jason who was supposedly madly in love with me and wanted to get married when I moved down here is completely out of the picture now. Good thing he was only a little part of the reason for my move! But I've been making lots of new friends and having a good time. Yeah, it was a little disappointing, but God gives grace, ya' deal with it, and move on, right?

Anyhow, a week before Christmas (without going into much detail), I had a little incident that set me back pretty good. But I managed to pull some overtime (3 fourteen hour days in a row was not fun--don't do it unless you have to!!) and got plenty of babysitting jobs from the doctors I work for, along with the help of some generous people, managed to keep on track.

So I rang in the new year...... babysitting. Yeah, I know---no fun, but that's alright. I guess everyone's already made (and possibly broken!) their new years' resolutions. I kept it simple this year--cutting out soda/coke/pop/whatever you call it, and cutting down on sweets. Yeah, little miss dedicated gym girl that I was hasn't been to the gym since I moved, and my bad eating habits are catching up with me. gotta get that under control!

I haven't had time to do any writing lately, but I kinda miss it, and might try to take a stab at it again soon.

Okay, for all the sports losses and victories and stupid mistakes I have missed talking about, here's my conclusion: Congratulations to South Carolina for finally winning a bowl game! you guys rock! Texas Longhorns get a thumbs up for barely winning a bowl game. Hope your season is a little better next year though guys. Colt McCoy--you're a pretty cool dude. And the Cowboys, my sad, sad Cowboys..... WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU, ROMO? Ever since you starting dating Miss American Idol Carrie Underwood, you completely lost your game!! Get your head right, dude! okay, too late now--you already dashed any chances of a championship. All I know is, for next year, you need to learn to put your game face on and focus and forget about your pretty little country blonde for a few hours, okay? And T.O.--it ain't all about you, and that's all I have to say about that.

I feel better now. The rodeo's coming to town in a few weeks. I think I'll go experience a good ole Texas-style rodeo. Should be fun, right? Do I have to get me some tight Wranglers, a bit ole hat, a flashy belt-buckle, and some cowboy boots to go to this? Some of my fellow Texans help me out here? If I don't have all that git-up on, will everyone be snubbing there noses and making mean "foreigner" jokes? Just wondering.

Well, my internet is officially fixed, so hopefully I'll be more regular on here. Happy New Year everyone!

Old grumpy man teaches a lesson...

Hello, blog world! Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are getting ready for a wonderful Christmas. I love this time of year!

I put up a small tree Friday night, and scattered the few Christmas decorations I have around my small apartment. Put Christmas music on loud and repeating in my 5-CD changer and got into the spirit of things.

Next, I'm going to bake a butt-load of cookies and take them around to friends and family.

Today, one of my 88 year old patients that I've been going back and forth with about his bill for about 3 weeks came into the office. After he saw the doctor, I had to sit him down in my office to go over his bill step by step, very slowly and clearly for the 5th time. After he seemed to finally understand, he started talking about his life and different things he had gone through, and how now all he does is go to bed every night and pray that he will not wake up the next morning. His wife is dead; his dog is dead; he can't work or use his hands anymore. It was sad. I think I'll take him some cookies and share the hope of Christmas with him. It kind of helped to adjust my perspective a bit.

Anyways, don't get so lost in all the fast-paced shopping and social events that you lose your perspective of Christmas.

Don't save all the love for Christmas day.... show someone today how good God is to you!

Football blues!

Pretty depressing South Carolina and Texas games this weekend, huh? I sure hope Colt McCoy is back in shape for next week's game. And what was up with all of SC's kicks being batted down? uhh.. Well, next week's Ohio vs. Michigan should be really interesting!

My Ingredients

I am a vast field of disappointments;
a single bud of hopes.
I am a handful of accomplishments;
a bucket full of failures.
I am a river made from tears;
a puddle made from laughs.
I am a page written with quirks;
a sentence written with grace.
I am a heart bursting with dreams;
a head of stifling excuses.
I am a line of a happy melody;
a story of a melancholy ballad.

Dahlia's wedding

Well, I flew back to South Carolina real quick for my friends Dahlia and Jorge's wedding. It was beautiful.

Sad News

Please pray for the family and friends of Rick Daniel, a former coworker and friend of mine who passed away suddenly yesterday from a heart attack. I'm completely shocked by this news and feel so far away and unable to help. I know his wife and two daughters would appreciate the prayers.

Thanks

Finally!

Well, a cold front is coming through, and it's starting to feel a little like fall around here.

I learned something tonight... no matter how dedicated a person used to be to exercising, when they quit, it's really tough to start again. yes, yes... I'm talking about myself--miss 24/7 dedicated gym girl who loved to work out and exercise. Well, since my gym membership expired back in March, I haven't really done much in the line of exercise other than playing a few sports here and there. Well, tonight it was really nice out so I decided to go running. Yeah, right... totally out of shape. I'm going to have to get it back in gear, because exersing and staying fit is not something I want to lose. I'll let ya' know how it goes.

In other news, I have my official Texas drivers license now, and I finally found an insurance company who would cover me in spite of all my wrecks (even though it's gonna break the bank to pay them!), so I believe all the issues of moving are officially completed, and I'm good to go for a while. I've also found a great church with some great people that I've really been enjoying.

Talk to ya soon!

Peek-a-Boo!

I see you! I have come out of hiding for a second! Ha ha

The seasons are trying to change, and of course along come all the nasty allergies. Sneezing, coughing, watering eyes, etc have pretty much been what my weekend consisted of. I can't wait for the cooler temperatures though!

I'm sorry I don't keep this blog up like I used to. It's just that I am not allowed to be online at my job, and then there's just so much to get done in the evenings, and I don't feel like getting on the computer after being on it all day. I do check my email, and I'm sorry that I don't respond all the time. But I am alive and well; things are going well. I just need to figure out when and how I'm going to fit blogging back into my life.

I really do appreciate all my blogging buddies... you guys have been more encouraging than you know.

So, who wants to set up a budget for my time and fit blogging in there for me??

Hunkee-Doree

Everything's just rolling right along. One of our doctors died mysteriously in his car on the way to work Friday. Then, this morning I received a couple death threats from patients. Just a normal morning right?

This job is getting really interesting.