Play VS Reality

I've been unemployed for a couple months now and I haven't really been worried about it.
At first I was pretty stressed about finding another job and such - but I'm past that now. I have been doing projects with mom and sister, traveling places, visiting friends, playing with the nephews, and just all around not seriously searching for a job.
I have decided that I should probably start doing that though. I want to move to a new place - Knoxville just isn't where I want to settle down. I guess I'd best start researching again as to where would suit me best to live.
I'd rather accept reality and get a head start on things than get bit in the butt and regret all the playtime I had and procrastinated.
Here's to no more procrastinating and starting to find the next adventure in life.

Religion

For those of you who don't know - I'm what is popularly known as a 'Mormon.'
I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

The other day I was out with some friends who have different beliefs in life than I do and we started having a small discussion about religion. It was pretty interesting to hear what they had to say. We all definitely agreed on the fact that throwing your religion is someone's face is not helping you convert them to it. It's really doing just the opposite. But by just living a good life and doing what you believe - that's the best thing.

I then thought about past friends and discussions on religion. And I've definitely realized that it's easier to follow my beliefs and the follow what I believe is right/wrong when I'm around those who believe differently than me. They know my reasons and they respect them and that's the end of it.

It's the friends that also "believe" the same things as me, but act and do differently than what they've been taught and/or what they believe is the right thing. As an example I can say, "No thanks. I don't drink. It's against my religion." But then having those "jack-mormons" there, they just laugh and don't care. It's their religion too and they are drinking anyway. So then it's easier to succumb to things because they believe it, but they are doing against it.

Having friends of other faiths makes me feel as though I need to be an example. I need to actually act and live what I believe is right so that I can show them what I believe. I can't claim to be a 'Mormon' and then do things contradictory to the beliefs because that shows a terrible example. It wouldn't be living my religion at all - so how can I possibly claim that religion if I'm not living any of it's teachings?

So - here's to everyone I know and meet that either are or are not of the LDS (Latter-Day Saint)faith: I am a member of the 'Mormon' church and I'm going to try to show that through my actions. I would hate to have anyone meet me and then be completely surprised that I'm 'Mormon.' I am not perfect and I have a lot of things to change, but I am working on it and will try to be better.

The Joys of Summer

Aw... the nice sunshine.
Relaxing out by the pool, surrounded by pretty and brightly colored flowers - reading a book while the kids splash in the pool. The occassional splash reaching outside the pool to cool me off just in time to keep me outside without having to submerge myself beneath the cool water.
The mornings of having a delicious breakfast (or somedays more of a brunch) on the porch while again enjoying the beautiful flowers, nice sunshine and distant sound of birds.
The wonderful picnics at the park with tasty watermelon and sandwiches.
The nites of seeing the stars and fantastic lightning bugs flashing off and on among the trees and bushes.
The weekends of camping, the days of sunshine, the months of vacations, and the relaxation of not having to get up early or go to work.
Oh - the joys of summer.

Car ride with a bug

On the way to the park - I could've sworn a big bug flew in the open window. But I couldn't see it on the floor while driving. And it was quickly forgotten once we got to our destination.
While driving back home - I heard it. And then I saw it walk across the floor of the passenger side, fix it's wings, and then fly out the window again.
It was as though he flew in haphazardly, layed on the ground (whether napping or unconscious) for awhile, and then left again. It was a safe and clean place for him to hang out for a bit. Strange.

But then it reminded me of the part of "You've Got Mail" when Kathleen Kelly says: "Once I read a story about a butterfly in the subway, and today, I saw one. It got on at 42nd, and off at 59th, where, I assume it was going to Bloomingdales to buy a hat that will turn out to be a mistake - as almost all hats are.”
And I decided that the beetle/bug/thing was just hitching a ride because he was too lazy (or maybe tired) to go all that way alone.

Slacker in the posting...

This is my 201st post - I believe.

I used to do posts much more often - not very entertaining ones, but at least it was something I suppose.
But lately - I haven't felt much of doing that. I don't feel like I have anything to say. At least not anything to post publicly (haha).
So I suppose after getting to 200 posts on this blog... it may start to slow down quite a bit. Sad really. I was hoping to do so many more. Perhaps I will do better as things start to pick up.
My days consist of attempting a 'to-do' list that will probably never get done (mostly research and long-term projects). And also an attempt at entertaining two little boys (which is GREAT birth control, if I haven't mentioned that before). And other than that... not a whole lot.
I've become a home-body. I don't go out much. I like to stay in bed and somedays I really have a hard time getting up in the morning. No serious reason to, so why not stay comfy in the blankets? But I always do - at some point, usually around 9:30 when the little rascals show up.
I guess I have a few things in the works for entertainment soon... and then perhaps I'll tell you all about it. Until then - go read a good book instead (that's what I do a lot of).

Time with my boys

I suggested last week - out of nowhere - to take my nephews to Raleigh for a few days.

What was I thinking?!?!?

It turned out to be a lot of fun. We hit the road Thursday morning and it was a pretty good ride there.

Schedule as follows (nothing really planned):

Kids museum - pretty fun, hands on playing. We got to play on stage, grocery shop, play in the water, pretend we were in the ocean, dressed up as pirates, played in 'peas and carrots', played hockey and all kinds of stuff.

Then we had dinner, went to the park, and rented a couple movies. We watched one and didn't go to sleep until after. (Way too late.)

Friday: Beach time!! Stayed there for about 5 hours and played in the waves, sand, and had a great time with friends. On the way back, we took our ninja-army friend to get his car and got to see some cool military trucks. A tank, a missile launcher and a truck.

Pizza for dinner, played with the ninja-friend, and then watched a movie. (Again up way too late.)

Saturday: We actually slept in a little bit, which was great! Then we played around and made a mess, while packing kind of got done. We even learned some cool ninja tricks!!

Then off to the Natural History Museum, McDonald's, and back on the road.

It was a fun trip. I definitely learned that I would not want to be a single mother. I never would've been able to take them out into the waves and jump them with both children clinging to me. So thanks to the friends who came and helped!!

I also learned that children do things on their own time schedule, and don't understand the meaning of hurry. But I also learned that I love my nephews so much and having children of my own will only be that much better.... one day. In the meantime, I'll just enjoy any nieces and nephews I get!

Sometimes the grass is greener...

and sometimes it's just spray paint.

I try not to post blogs when I'm emotional, stressed, or have a lot on my mind because then it tends to come out in the post and is out there for all to see. And most of the time it's not something the world should know.

But recently I was let go from my job. Friday -29th- was my last day. I was with the company for 3+ years, which is the most I've ever worked for a company. It was great and I loved working with them. I actually stayed with the job for so long because I liked the company and how things were. Even though it's strange not having a job, and the job hunt isn't what I want to be doing, I am glad that I've been put into a situation where I have to make choices and changes.

Now decision making isn't my best ability - it actually scares the crap out of me - but this non-employment is actually forcing me to figure out the next step. And while I'm trying to figure out what that is, I've been looking at all options.
I'm young, I'm single, and I've got experience with things that could land me a good job. Or I could go back to school. Or I could do both. I could go anywhere and do anything. That's the hard part.

So now I have to decide if it's the grass I have here that I want, or the grass over there that I want.....?