my blog siesta is over...

...and here I am back writing to you. It's not really been that long, but I've just had a few changes that have made me to lazy to sit at the computer. Well, one change mainly. I bought an iPhone a few weeks ago and now I don't get in the computer as often to write about what's going on with me, racequ.

But that will probably change now that I have found this fancy little (FREE) application which allows me to write on my phone, say, when I'm drying my hair... like I am now. Just call me a multi-tasker. Oh and thank you, Steve Jobs. Absolutely brilliant!

this is for a very special person.

Only one person I know will love this post.  So if you are not that person, just ignore it.  

The World's Fattest Man (700 lbs) Gets Married!

By Charlotte Triggs

Originally posted Tuesday October 28, 2008 05:25 PM EDT

Manuel UribePhoto by: Dean Chapple / Splash News Online

The world's fattest man, Manuel Uribe married his girlfriend of two and a half years, Claudia Solis Sunday night in a blowout ceremony in Monterrey, Mexico. 

Not that their fiesta was easy to pull off. Uribe, who once weighed more than 1,200 lbs. before losing 530 lbs. on the Zone diet since 2006, is bed-ridden and cannot walk. To transport Uribe, 43, to the wedding, friends placed him onto a bed adorned with satin sheets and garlands of peach and yellow roses, then hoisted him onto a flat bed truck to be driven across Monterrey to the posh Club de Leones. Five hundred guests were on hand to celebrate the nuptials. 

Once inside, all eyes were on Uribe's bride Claudia, 38, as she descended a spiral staircase, dressed in a strapless beaded gown and tiara. "She's so beautiful," Uribe tells PEOPLE. "I get butterflies in my stomach every time I look at her."

"Manuel was so excited, he was crying tears of joy," says his physician, Dr. Barry Sears, founder of the Zone diet. As the newlyweds partied until 2 a.m., greeting friends and holding hands while swaying to traditional Mariachi music, it was clear, "he was having a great time, and he should!" says Dr. Sears. "This is a great moment for him." 

As for their honeymoon? "We will have one, but it will be here in my house," says Uribe. "I can't travel yet." 

But the former mechanic is just happy to be married. "I used to ask God to please send me a woman who would love me as I am," says Uribe, whose bride also helped care for him in the months before their wedding, cooking him chicken fajitas and helping him bathe. "I'm so thankful that he sent me Claudia. I know if she loves me as I am now, with this problem that I have, she'll love me when I'm finally able to walk again."

relief.

For the past couple of months, I've had something that has been bothering me.  I am not a confrontational person.  I don't like making someone feel uncomfortable and I hate the idea of hurting someone.  But with that comes alot of personal grief and frustration (not to mention, being taken advantage of).  

So today, I finally said what was bothering me to someone.  And it feels so much better.  The thing is though, I knew all along that it would make me feel better if I got it off my chest.  But I could never bring myself to it.  What I want to know is, is how do others face confrontation?  Do they cower away like i so often do?  I'm sure its not just me out there that feels this way.

Speaking of relief, there is one thing I am not so relieved about.  The upcoming elections.  Is anyone else fearful of where/how our nation could end up?  My hand is raised.  There is so much information out right now.  It's crazy.  And the more I read, the more fearful I become.  One thing is for sure though, EVERYONE SHOULD VOTE!  Don't waste your chance to speak up this election year.  

Tomorrow, I have to be up super early to be at the Alzheimer's Walk.  Carlyle was/is one of the top sponsors this year thanks to all the staff and residents hard work.  There is one resident in particular that helped with many of our trivia fundraisers.  I found out today at lunch that she passed away this morning.  She was always (up until her final day!) so involved in things in our community.  Even yesterday I saw her up in our offices and I said hello, never knowing that would be the last time I saw her.  My prayers and thoughts are with her family.  I was  blessed to know her and be around her influence in our community.  She will be missed. 

twenty-one things from my twenty-first year...

I have so much to be thankful for during my 21st year. This is a quick list (in no particular order) of things I am grateful for and grateful to have experienced in my 21st year.

edit: I am happy to say that this list could go on and on for hours.

1.) My name on a piece of styrofoam to-go box. Ethan learned to write this year and he wrote my name for me while out to dinner one night... only an aunt can appreciate this!

2.) College/Graduation. Seriously, where did four years go??? I am so thankful for all that i was able to do and be apart of in my college time. The people God placed along my way and the things He allowed me to experience will never be replaced.

3.) Weddings galore. My two sisters, Madie and Anna Beth got married to two wonderful men of God. My sweet roommate, Emily and her husband Dallas. Good friends, Megan and Spencer. And childhood/high school friends Claire and Will, and Megan and Brett. Not to mention all the people at camp that gained a husband or a wife=) 27 dresses, anyone?

4.) Text messages. Now some might think this silly, but this makes my life that much better. now, quit laughing at me.

5.) Ouuu-ttthiide. Apparently my niece, Avery, has somewhat of a lisp and we sat on the porch one day, laughing our heads off while we repeated this back to each other.

6.) Forts. While babysitting Eth and Ave one night, we built a fort and hid. I love hearing where I child's imagination will take them.

7.) Magic Bullet/Power Smoothies. One of the greatest kitchen tools ever and I used this tool to make a special treat for Ethan so that the "bears" that were coming after us in the woods (living room) will stay away from us. (see what i said about imagination?)

8.) GCSU Homecoming. Having the honor to represent my school, is something I will always appreciate.

9.) Hosanna. One of the most incredible songs I have ever heard. If you haven't heard it... tell me and I will point you in the right way.

10.) A crush on a bo.. uh, I mean MAN. Need I say more?

11.) First Job. God provided me with an amazing job and incredible people to work with. It is so awesome to look at how He ordered all the steps that led me to Carlyle.

12.) Carlyle Place Senior Olympics. Checkers in the Olympics, really?!?!??? How can that not be one of my favorite things.

13.) Good friends. God allowed me to open up more to certain people than I ever have before, and the result is lasting friendships that are not just surface.

14.) The Office and LOST. Two things I have spent watching countless hours of... but have always brought a smile/fear/confusion/frustration to my face!

15.) Appreciation for veterans. Working with and hearing the stories of senior citizens makes you appreciate life and life in America even more than I did before. I am so grateful to have heard some of the most incredible stories from our "Greatest Generation".

16.) Letting myself be emotional. For a few years, I couldn't cry. I am now glad that sometimes, it just happens.

17.) Dancing at Ziggy's. Actually, dancing anywhere in public and not caring what others think. What a freeing feeling!

18.) Sushi and edamame. Because something so simple, is so so good.

19.) Running 3 miles. This may be nothing to some people. But to me, its huge.

20.) Seeing JS smile again. A real smile, one where I know God has done a work in his life. prayers are being answered!

21.) My iPod touch. Who knew a little device could do sooo much? Not me.

Well again, I could go on and on and on. But I won't. thanks to each of you who made this year the best one yet! I love and appreciate all you do and mean to me!

...

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

anyone got a label remover?

I think I have a label on my forehead that only certain people can read.

This label reads "Please tell me about your single son/grandson." After reading this mysterious label on my forehead, these people usually tell me about their "special boy" that they would love for me to meet, as well as what he's like, what he likes to do and most importantly... why he's single. In this unfair game, I have been told about everyone from a chemist to an actor.

I usually sit their awkwardly trying to think of an excuse not to meet "Mr. Right(now)".

October... already?

I'm sorry G. It has been a while. But unlike ML thinks, its not because I've been sleeping my days away. No sir. It's because these past two weeks(+) have been busy, busy.

As you probably know by now, I love being busy. But I can honestly say, that I am excited to be over that hump of chaos for now.

So what have I done with all this spare time? Model home, Milledgeville, a birthday (not mine... although, it is coming up. you know I had to throw that out there=), Office, Survivor, and Amazing Race premieres, a fight in Zaxby's, the GEORGIA NATIONAL FAIR, and Capture the Flag. Oh and did I mention the Model Home?

Well, I'll start off by telling you about the Model Home. You know how in the last post I told you I was excited about getting stuff moved, well we took a day to move all of our things from storage into the new model home, GARDEN HOME 25. While initially I was excited, my feelings quickly turned to "let's just get this over already" soon after it began. pressure. I don't like working on something that I am not passionate about, so I tried to change my attitude after the movers arrived 2 hours late. So after about 3 hours we finally had the home set up with the furniture we had. I went back to the office relieved that the beginning and "hardest part" (or so what I thought would be the hardest part) was over. Then I found out that the model home really was GARDEN HOME 24. Awesome. The homes are so similair and even share the same driveway. The only differences are the flooring and countertops, and the home is reversed. So after finding out I screwed up big, I laughed at myself/wanted to cry but realized it was just a lack of communication. Well, the movers came back out and switched everything. (applause!) Then started the second step. I like to call it Linens and Things. No, not like the store that went bankrupt, but like when you buy stuff to put on beds, in bathrooms, etc. I now have a fear of registering with whomever God has me to marry after this experience, and let me explain why. Dear readers, shopping is not something I love to do. While I like finding a good deal and having new things, I do not like wasting time in stores looking for things. But that's just me. Well, we have done alot of this Linens and Things shopping in the last few weeks. I probably will not be visiting, Presidential Parkway for awhile. But, the good news is, IT'S DONE! Well, the parts where we have to leave work for a few hours to go look for lamps that will look good on our entry way table that looks like a pieice of Chinese architecture (not really, but sort of). So next time you go to by a shower curtain, think of me... or actually, don't=)

Last Wednesday, I decided to make a quick trip to see my friends in Milledgeville. I went to Northside for the college Bible study that was a big part of my four years in college. It was so good to see everyone and be in a room with people my age! It's rare that I get to be with people my age, and that is something I've been praying that the Lord will give me more of an opprotunity with. After church, I stopped in for a quick visit with my good friend, JM. She is one of the most honest, encouraging people I know. So we "caught up" with each other before she had to go to her sorority's flag football game. It was such a refreshing and fun night!

Next was Baby Ruth's 17th birthday party. Excuse me, but when did she grow up? I don't know. It's crazy to think that 17 years ago Papa (my dad's dad) came to wake me up from my nap at Hope Christian Academy to tell me that I had a new sister. I still remember being jealous of her and our living room filled with presents. Now, she is a beautiful, smart girl... who gets whatever she wants. jk, RCQ.

So I won't take too much time here, mostly because I don't want to sound like her. As much as I hate admitting it, I love Thursday night tv. And The Office was sooo gewd. Jim & Pam. 4-eva... let's hope=) But I think the most hilarious part was when Kelly was gagging after she drank her diet drink.

Now probably the most hilarious/scary thing I've witnessed since I blogged to you all last was my experience in Zaxby's. A woman happen to reach over another while filling up her drink... and she lost it. Yelling ensued as I stood there speechless (wanting to laugh my head off) and scared that someone would pull a gun, I mean afterall, I do live in GAWWWJA. Anyways, the husband starts yelling and saying "you will not talk to my wife like that... MANAGER!!! MANAGER!!! I'LLCALL THE COPS ON YOU!!!". Really, I don't know how people can act like this in public and feel that this is normal.

On Thursday, one of the greatest things began in Middle Georgia... the GEORGIA NATIONAL FAIR! For those of you who have never experienced this simple wonder, let me give you a little piece of advice, COME! I don't know what it is about the fair but I love it. Maybe, one reason I love it so much is because it reminds me that fall is coming, or in this year's case, is finally here! So many leaves on the trees are already orange and red and that always brings a smile to my face.

Speaking of trees... I went to a pecan orchard last night and played capture the flag, by myself. Just kidding... that was lame. but for real, in my game playing hours, I did get a few people in jail (mostly because they were confused and not because of me being faster than they) but I did not get the chance to hold a flag in my hand. When I was not playing though, I was staring at stars... goodness gracious, they were beautiful. The last time I watched stars like that was when I was at camp in Summer 2006, aka... too long. I hope I will take time to look up at the stars more often, because when I do, I'm always reminded of how creative our Creator is.

Oh and did I mention that tonight is CFCA's homecoming? Has it really been five years since I was a senior in high school? In the words of Brian Fellows, that seems "crazy".

But even crazier that I'll be 22 in 10 days. (yes, I brought it up again=)