Anniversary Dinner

I haven't posted pictures in a while, so I figured why not now? We had our big anniversay dinner on Friday night at the Melting Pot. It was fun, definitely an experience, but I wasn't too thrilled with being there for three hours. Our waitress was a tad busy, apparently. I would recommend it for a one-time experience, though. The anniversay is actually tomorrow (Monday) but this was fun. Yay for two years!

People who annoy me/General Update

1. Prissy drivers who, FOR THE LOVE, cannot get over in an appropriate amount of time, so end up slamming on their breaks a foot in front of me because apparently, their depth perception is lacking, and they just HAD to get over at that very second. (This is especially prevelant on 20/59 northbound at the place where the far left hand lane ends before the junction. It's an idiot magnet.)

2. The customer who calls just to bitch about how bad their job is, and how our system makes it 5,000,000,000 times worse for them.
(Because, apparently, I have control over that.)
(And I am now their personal therapist without the pay.)
(Awesome.)

3. The person at work who talks about their vacation day(s) for at least 10 minutes to someone before realizing that other people can hear them, so they stop abruptly and sound like an idiot because the rest of the room wasn't having this conversation. But thanks for filling us all in. We appreciate it.

4. The person who pulls into the same center lane as me, turning the same way, and is so much more important than me that she gives me a look like "What?!" when she turns out of order onto 31. (See center median on 31 near church across the street from the Food World.)

5. The person in the bathroom who is obviously blowing it up, and does not understand the concept of a "courtesy flush." C'mon people...it's not hard...

Ok, that's all I've had to deal with thus far today...I might add to this later. But let's hope not. I'm trying to be more loving, but dude, it's hard.

General Update:

• Paul has been sick the past couple days, and is still kinda out of it. He still went to work, though. I'm way more of a pansy than he is.
• You should listen to this new artist I found - her name is Colbie Caillat. Her career was started completely on MySpace. Her album, "Coco" is now in stores. I plan to buy it very soon.
• We're going along with the Benz's theme for our living room - we call it "Big Ass TV". Now, ours is most definitely not as big or as nice as theirs, and it's a hand-me-down, but we're still pretty pumped about it (and you would understand if you had/have seen our old TV). If you're going to be around the H-town area on Saturday, we're going to be watching the Alabama game on it. ROLL TIDE!
• I'm praising the Lord that tomorrow is Friday. Paul and I are both taking a half day off because we're celebrating our two year wedding anniversary. :) (The actual day is Monday the 24th, but it's easier to go out on the weekend.) We'll be dining at this fine establishment - I'm so pumped! I heart fondue. And I think we're going to a movie...any suggestions?
• I get to see the Floyd family on Saturday. So looking forward to it - YAY!!!!
• We are more and more thankful for our church everyday. Small group was awesome last night (even if Paul missed out), and Sundays are even better. I know I haven't been around that long, but the community we're experiencing now is amazing to us. It makes me want to be better. Seriously.

I guess that's it for now. I'm out like a fat kid in dodgeball.

Sex/God and Family

That's basically what my weekend consisted of. Oh, and cooking for 6 people twice. My parents were down for the weekend, my cousins stayed with us Friday night to Saturday (meal #1), and my in-laws came over for dinner Saturday night (meal #2). Then we (my parents and me and Paul) went to church this morning, which was amazing. I just have to say that I freaking LOVE my church. I can't help it. It had me at hello.

After a fun-filled weekend, my husband and I are having a laptop war (ok, not really), copying things from the old laptop to the new. We rented a couple movies (neither of which have been watched yet), and I'm attempting to clean up some from the weekend and do laundry. A nice, relaxing Sunday evening. Plus, the weather has been awesome this weekend, so that makes everything better.

I'm learning that I need to be more organized and disciplined in life if I'm going to get everything done. My parents asked how they could pray for us in the car on the way to the airport today, and, needless to say, we gave them a ridiculously long list, so they'll be busy for a while. After we dropped them off, Paul and I were both quiet in the car, just thinking. And this is when the realization hit me - although I do a lot now, I'm going to have to shift my priorities around to make time for things that should be more important in my life (i.e. the gym (well, physical fitness), connections w/ people, stuff for church, etc.) There's just so much to think about, and so much I want to do with life, and the ever-present question of children continually emerges, and I need to learn to be a better wife, and do I really want to be person I am forever?!?

GAH...I hate thinking sometimes.

And I need to blog more.

A new laptop, TV interviews and Identity Theft

That's the main gist of my week thus far. We bought a new laptop last weekend (the one thing that has really made me happy, even though stress comes with it). Luke was on CBS 42 on Wednesday night (click here to see the clip), and we'll be on TV again because this Sunday, ABC 33/40 will be coming to our service to tape and interview. WOO-HOO! I know God is going to do something amazing with this opportunity, even if I don't see it yet.

Lastly, I had my identity partially stolen today. I, like the dumbass I can be sometimes, was scammed by an email that claimed it was from Amazon.com's security office to verify my account info. Now, trust me, usually I don't touch emails like this because it's for some bogus company or some weird email address sent it to me. This time, however, I was reeled in because I do have an Amazon accout, and I do store personal info there, including my debit card info. Needless to say, I verified the info (and thus, opened my life) to an identity thief, and have spent the entire morning trying to get everything sorted out. This type of theft is an ugly thing, and I feel stupid and vulnerable. As far as I know, we've done everything we can to take care of it, and the people I've worked with have been awesome about all of it. I'm thankful that there are still smart, competent and kind people out there helping idiots like me.

I'm just about at my breaking point right now. Stress is all-consuming, and although I know I should use the stupid cliche of "too blessed to be stressed", I'm not in the mood. God, I need a break. Something....anything.... Also, be careful what you say out loud to God, because He'll call you on it and then some. I was just talking to my supervisor yesterday about all of the stress I'm dealing with, and how HORRIBLE this week has been, and how I don't think I can take anymore. Then today happens. Apparently, I can take more than I thought. My brain might be mush, my face might be tear-stained, and my heart might be in a million crushed pieces, but because of His strength, I can take it.

And now, my focus moves to my parents coming to town next weekend, and preaching about submission in three weeks. Anyone want to say a prayer for me? GAH.

The first weekend of September

September has always been my favorite month. Mostly because it's the start of fall, but now because it's our anniversary month and, typically, it's slower than the summer months. But being in Alabama, not only is it still dreadfully hot, it's also the start of the craze, the hype, the insanity that is college football. Being an Alabama fan (ROLL TIDE), this month marked an even more momentous occasion - the beginning of Nick Saban's reign as head coach for the Tide.

Yeah...blah blah blah.

I am most definitely a fan of college football, and do claim the Tide as "my team", but can I just tell you...I'm not anywhere NEAR the insanity we endured last Saturday in Tuscaloosa for the opening game against Western Carolina. I don't think I've ever seen that much red in one place. Although I do enjoy tailgating (especially when the really drunk people next to us give me free, surprisingly well-made margaritas), I am not one for all the craziness.

Imagine the scene: I'm sitting under an plastic UA tent thing with Paul's aunt and uncle, I'm literally surrounded by American, UA and Rebel flags (on trucks, on tents, flying from their post in the ground, etc.), the familiar yet distinct smells of cigarette smoke (Paul's aunt), grilled food, alcohol, and hot sweat all combined to make an interesting (read: not so great) concoction, and some of the weirdest people I've ever seen. I even have to put up with my husband demanding to drive his truck (even though it's horrible with gas) and listening to classic rock on the radio the entire drive down and back. (Even with my fervent chanting - "I did not marry a redneck...I did not marry a redneck...I did not marry a redneck...") Plus, we got kicked out of our original seats (don't worry, we ended up in better ones...long story...ask if you want to know). But all in all, it was a great day - and we kicked WC's ass.

The weekend had started Friday night with dinner at the Weather's house with Luke and Shana. Jen and Alan and their kiddies have been a part of our church for a while now, but found out recently that they're moving back to Michigan (where they are both from) for Alan's job. As much as we're excited for them (they'll be really close to family), we're saddened too. It's going to be a rough one this Sunday, saying good-byes.

The weekend ended with church and our Worship team retreat overnight at Shocco Springs in Talladega. A good time, but tiring. Learning new songs, poker games, decent food, and fellowship all make for a good time. Although I was tired, and had a bad attitude about it at first (I get crabby), I'm glad Paul and I went. He got some good convo time with Luke, and we learned some great songs that, I think, the church will grow to love. Props to Jason for putting it together.

And now it's Wednesday, I'm still tired, I'm craving Diet Coke like a crack fiend (we gave it up for this month for Paul's niece - ask if you want more details), and this month continues to stay busy. Things to look forward to:

• Hair cut tomorrow (it's beastly at this point)
• Date Night on Friday
• Work Day at church on Saturday, and lunch with the coolest of the Benzes (jk...well, you're cool, but I'm not going to say you're the coolest...you know...)
• Start of the Sex God sermon series on Sunday AM
• My parents coming down next weekend (YAY!)
• A possible quick trip to Destin, FL with Paul's brothers
• Our anniversary (the 24th)
• I preach on the 30th (prayers are appreciated)

Well, that's it for now. Peace out, peeps.