Great Granny's Beans

Kara from church shared this recipe with someone who then shared it with our Stampin' Up workshop. It's so delicious!

Saute 1 onion and 2 cloves of garlic

Fry & drain 1 lb. bacon and 2 lb. beef

Pour above ingredients into large crockpot and add 2 large cans of pork & beans with juice

Drain and add 2 cans red kidney beans, 2 cans lima beans, 1 can northern beans, and 1 can butter beans

Mix 1 cup catsup, 2 tablespoons brown mustard (can use Dijon mustard), and 1/2 cup dark brown sugar (can use light brown)

Slow-cook all day and chill overnight. Next day, reheat in slowcooker before serving. (Also tastes great if you slow-cook it all night and skip the reheat)

Can it be?

I cannot believe that I'm heading into my fifth year of teaching. Have I really been out of college for four years? And I'll have another degree under my belt spring 2011. I guess that's the over-achiever in me. Maybe I'll go for a Masters...just not sure yet. Most programs want you to student teach. Can't do that since I'm already a teacher. I wonder who the genius was who thought that up...Teachers, get a Masters degree in education...after you complete all your studies AND student teach for 6 weeks during the school year. I think that's the only thing holding me back right now (well, except the money thing, too). I guess I like the practical experience better. I learn quite a bit from my colleagues.

School starts in a couple weeks. Where did the summer go? Oh, yeah. I worked all summer.

Well, there's not much else I want to write at this moment. Maybe later.

About SAF (Sharon Antcliff Foundation)


My family spent just under four years taking care of my mom, who was a victim of young-onset Alzheimer’s.

Since her death in December of 2004, it’s been my goal to do something to help other families who are going through what we went through. Until mid-2009, I wasn’t sure what something was.

Too many times to count, I wished that somebody, or some organization, could have come in and taken some of the responsibility off of my dad’s shoulders. I wished somebody could have told my dad to go away for a few days, and they’d take care of things at home. I wish somebody could have paid some of my dad’s bills to make up for some of the work he missed.

Now we’re taking the fight right at this disease. We’re in the ring, ready to do what it takes to defeat an opponent that’s never been beaten. But we can’t do it alone. Just like a championship fighter, without the right people in their corner – supporting, coaching, pushing – winning is almost impossible. That’s why we need you.

Our goal here at SAF is to educate the nation about the realities of dealing and living with this awful disease. We believe that if people knew more about Alzheimer’s, they’d do more about Alzheimer’s.

Our fight starts here, and we want you in our corner. Together, we can do it.

Kevin Antcliff
Director, and son

The Sharon Antcliff Foundation is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization


2010 True Warrior Celebration

The Sharon Antcliff Foundation True Warrior Celebration

Presented by Six Star Muscle

Date: Saturday, July 31, 2010

Time: 6:00 PM

Location: Space Gallery, Denver, CO

Tickets: $30.00 (plus $2.64 service charge) | Purchase Your Tickets Now!

Come celebrate with us as we’re joined by Six Star Muscle to recognize the inaugural winner of our “True Warrior” award, the UFC’s Nate Marquardt.

Our host will be Chris Voth, a Denver-based comedian who has appeared on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, and who has performed with some of the biggest names in comedy, including Dave Attell, Jim Gaffigan, Dana Carvey, Wayne Brady, Larry the Cable Guy, Brett Butler, Caroline Rhea, Tommy Davidson, Kevin Nealon,Tommy Chong, Bobcat Goldthwait, Kevin Pollack, David Brenner, Jake Johannsen, Louie Anderson, Mitch Hedberg, Brian Regan, and Kathleen Madigan.

Click Here for a Clip from Chris Voth!

Proudly presented by Six Star Muscle, the True Warrior Celebration will be a time to relax, eat, drink, and schmooze, as we re-affirm our fight against young-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Enjoy our homestyle bar-b-q buffet, complete with pulled pork sandwiches, fresh rolls, iced tea, lemonade, and more!

Join us, and enjoy a performance by the CU Buffoons, the University of Colorado men’s a cappella group, who was recently showcased on the Ben Folds album “University A Cappella.” You’ll be treated to the unique blend of voices, as they give some of your favorite songs an incredible A Capella treatment.

You’ll also dance the night away with one of NYC’s top turntablists, Dj Absolute!

And on top of it all, you will have the opportunity to bid on some incredible items thanks to our friends at Grand Stand Sports!

As you read this, there are roughly 500,000 diagnosed cases of young-onset Alzheimer’s in the United States. Those families face a battle every day, not just against the disease, but against the impact it has on their family, their relationships, their finances, and their way of life.

All proceeds will go directly to the Sharon Antcliff Foundation. To purchase tickets, click here.



http://www.eventbrite.com/event/554927804/warrior1/5196266015

Psalm 1

Psalm 1

1. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.


Do you see the progression? Walking to standing to sitting. We should be desiring a relationship that is in forward movement with the Lord, but how often do we get sidetracked? We start seeking guidance from those who don't know the Lord, then start hanging out with them, then we just sit right on down with them. Do you see who gets blessed here?


2. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.


Delight. What do you delight in? Sports, food, friends, family? Christians need to be delighting in the law of the LORD all the time.


3. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.


Trees planted by a water source have deep roots, are prosperous, and bring forth fruit. The believer, who delights in the law of the LORD, is like that tree. He gets his power from the water source that never runs dry. He brings forth fruit (new believers). His strength remains strong because it comes from God, not himself. His life is prosperous (remember, God owns everything).


4. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.


The lost are like the chaff that is blown about in every which way. Have you noticed that those who do not know the Lord live a life that has no direction. In fact, they are trying to go in many directions at once. They get frustrated. They give up.


5. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.


Judgment is something everyone will face. The believer will gain entrance into Heaven. They will be acquitted of their sins. The lost will not be acquitted. They will not be a part of the righteous congregation.


6. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.


God knows the way of every single person. How often do we stop to think about that? The believer will spend eternity in Heaven with God. The person that chooses not to believe will be forever separated from God in the torment Hell.

The Love of my Life

The Love of my Life

• Has given me everything  
• Understands what I'm going through  
• Knows my weaknesses and strengths  
• Longs for a deeper relationship  
• Sets me up for success  
• Always forgives me when I fall short  
• Knows my needs before I do and supplies them  
• Desires an open line of communication  
• Comforts me in time of sorrow  
• Rejoices with me in times of triumph  
• Encourages me to do the right thing  
• Lovingly corrects me when I choose to do something I ought not to do  
• Never strays from the narrow path  
• Is righteous in thoughts, actions, and judgments  
• Will always be there for me

This love of my life is Jesus Christ

Four months later...

I can't believe I let FOUR months go by without posting. Since that last post, I moved into my own apartment. I love living alone. The only thing I don't like about my place not having a stove or washer and dryer. I need to do laundry, but right now I have less than two hours before I have to meet with the ensemble to go sing at another church tonight. It should be interesting.

I've been staying busy. Of course I am still teaching M-F, but I also work in the library T & TH nights as well as take 12 credit hours and volunteer for two choir classes. I helped with the library book sale (of which had a rather low attendance due to the possible bad weather...which wasn't bad during the sale). I took a student to lunch and a Christian book store as a reward. I have another student to take out since he wasn't feeling well enough to go yesterday. I looking at next Saturday.

I'm thankful for the Lord's protection. Last night I went to the grocery store to get some things and on my way back, I just minutes behind a bad accident that blocked three lanes of west-bound traffic. The first police officer was just getting to the site as I was coming to the intersection. I had to turn at the intersection and then do a U-turn so I could get back on the street I was on to get home.

300 Posts..Oh, and here's the dress.

Wow. 300 posts. But who's counting?

Well, some people wanted to see what my dress looked like (the one for the Civil War reenactment), so here it is. I was not able to go to the reenactment due to it being rained out. I did get to use the dress for the college Christmas concert. It was a grand time.

Getting ready to move. While I get along for the most part with the lady I live with, other concerns arose that have caused me to look for different housing. The Lord provided. :) I haven't live by myself at all. I did have my own room for about three years, but other than that, I've always had roommates. This is going to be a very welcome change.

At my current residence, there is a chick who lives in the apartment below us and she is not easy to get along with. Several weeks back, she knocked on our door and then was really nasty to me when I answered the door. She refused to listen to anything reasonable. She is convinced that we are purposely banging around our apartment to annoy her. Please. I have better and more important things to do with my time. So now, she is banging on the ceiling every time the floor creaks. I think she needs to get a life. This is an older apartment building and hearing floors creak is a given, especially when someone lives above you. It never fails that when I go to turn out my light, the floors creaks, and she feels the need to bang. She apparently thinks everyone must levitate to please her. I'm ready to get in the flesh and give her something to bang about by stomping and jumping around the next time she bangs on the ceiling because the floor creaks.

I'm so looking forward to moving out for that reason.

Overall Run Hike

I went on an eight mile hike this past Saturday. I may not have been the fastest, but I did finish.



The view once I finally reached the top.


Well worth all the struggle.


God's handiwork is amazing!


My favorite by far!


Those rocks were slippery on the descent in the rain.

Too funny not to share!

THERE ... I FIXED IT

When you walk through a storm,
Hold your head up high,
And don't be afraid of the dark,
At the end of the storm is a golden sky.
And the sweet silver song of a lark.

Walk on through the wind,
Walk on through the rain,
Tho' your dreams be tossed and blown,
Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart,
And you'll never walk alone.
You'll never walk alone

This song has been on my mind lately. It seems to fit a few different things. One, it brings back memories of being in high school choir. I miss both teachers. It's interesting to talk with my brother and his being in choir with the teacher I had. I was reminiscing about some of the songs I had the chance to sing and was asking him if they had done any of them.

Two, this song comes to mind when I feel like I;m on the outside looking in. I'm not alone even though it may seem like it.

Three, the storms of life. They come in many forms, but is with me through them all.

I'm keeping busy with work, school, and work. I have some tentative plans, but not sure if they will pan out. I enjoy my babysitting job and the opportunity to sit and chat with parents. They are outside of the small world I have at the moment. I'm planning on going hiking next weekend with a church group I've done things with in past. They are a great and fun group of people. I'm looking forward to it even if I don't know anyone there.

Hit the ground running

Summer is over for me. The kids come back to school this Monday. I am thankful that I have 16 students this year. 25 was a bit much. I did have to change rooms (and how is it the teacher with the least amount of students ends up in the largest room?) and everything is basically done. Well, I don't really have much of a choice at this point.

I had a fair share of the usual computer problems during in-service week. I tried not to have any, but they always seem to find me! At first, the problem was with the computer not being updated in quite some time, so I had to spend a day doing that. Then by Friday, when all the paperwork was due, my computer wouldn't open a single file (from the internet, flash drive, or saved on the computer just moments before). Very frustrating. No one knew what to do, either. So, I put on my detective gear and googled the error message. Kind of interesting, but I did figure out what the problem was and was able to fix on my own. I don't know what I'd do without Google! :)

Anyway, this school year is going to be busy. Teach in the morning and attend class or work in the library in the evenings. Babysit some weekends. I'll also be getting three allergy shots every week for the next six months. It looks like there will be no social life for me. Oh, wait. I didn't have to begin with. So, no problems there.

I am excited about participating in a Civil War reenactment in October! A friend of mine is going to make a dress for me. Another thing I am looking forward to is changing Sunday school classes this coming Sunday. I've been in a college and career class for nearly 8 years now (by choice, of course) and it's been great. It's just time for me to move on up.

Well, that's life in a nutshell for me at this point.

I'd like some allergies with a side of more allergies

So I have been out of the hospital for about a month now. I've been to the asthma/allergy specialist, PCP, or dentist every week since I've been out. I double scheduled myself today and saw both the specialist and PCP. Between them both, I was poked 62 times.

Yes, there is reason for all the poking. I had an allergy test done today. Of the 62 pokes, 61 came from the testing. Of the 50 allergens they test for, I was allergic to 41 of them. I am highly allergic to trees, grasses, animals/mites/insect and moderately allergic to weeds and molds. Of the nine allergens I wasn't allergic to, there were two weeds and seven molds. This was one of those scratch tests where they poke with a small needle and some of the allergen solution.

What you don't expect to hear is the nurse saying the following types of statements when she walks in 15 minutes later to check on you:

"Oh, my!"
"Wow!"
"I haven't seen someone that allergic in a long time!"
"Oh, my lands!"

Yeah, all from one nurse.

The doctor came in and told me that I won a prize for being the most allergic person all month. And what's my prize? Weekly allergy shots for the next six months. Oh, joy!* (*Read with sarcasm.)

They were all amazed at the level of allergic reaction to (drum roll, please) guinea pigs. Apparently, I am more allergic to them than cats.

Now, I have to leave school early on either Thursdays or Fridays to get the shots. I even have a doctor's note to do so. It's all right with the administration at school, but I still have to let my supervisor know. I may see him tomorrow to tell him about it.

When I was at the PCP, I received a Tdap shot (whooping cough/tetanus booster). That wasn't the main reason for me being there, but we'll see if it helps this school year. I still have to have some more blood work done to see about the high blood pressure and dizzy spells. The doctor want me to have a CBC, thyroid, and other things checked. Hopefully that will explain some the other things.

Other than that, I haven't used my inhaler since getting out of the hospital. I can't remember not ever using this long. Feels good!

*DISCLAIMER* I was without internet access for a week (horrid, I know), so I wrote during the week.

I have been up for 22 hours. Not a record, I know, but I can't sleep! My breakfast will arrive in less than 3 hours. I think I'll have more visitors after that. Hospitals are no place for resting. Sunday morning I went in to the ER where I thought that they'd just give me some back-to-back nebulizer treatments and steroids and then send me home like most of my asthma attack episodes. Not so this time. It was back enough (even with clear chest x-rays) that they still wanted me to be admitted. It's now almost 5:15 am Tuesday morning. There may be a chance for me to be discharged later on today, but the doctor was not definitive on that.

I've dealt with acid reflux last night from all the breathing treatments and now I'm nauseous. The nurse was able to get a hold of the doctor rather quickly to get me something for it. I'm attempting to type without my left index finger due to the pulse-oxymeter I've been hooked to. It's been interesting to see how my O2 level and pulse react to various movements. My pulse has been rather high (100-120) during the day and right now it's about 80. My O2 level could be higher. It's been sitting at 93-96% throughout the day. It needs to be 99-100%. They've had me on oxygen since they decided to admit me.

This really wasn't what I expected to be doing this summer at all. I had blood drawn twice in the ER and an IV put in. That IV did not work for the second dose of steroids, so they had an IV tech person come in to restart one. That took 3 more pokes yesterday. OUCH! Then, the area around that IV started to swell. Had to have another one restarted. That hurt too. I'm not afraid of needles, though. I've watched every poke they've made. Kind of interesting. I know I've asked them a lot of questions, but I haven't bugged them too much, I think.

I'm thankful for the friends that have called and visited. And for the prayers. I did have a funny call, though. I've been living with a 73 year old woman for about a month now. Her son, who set up this living arrangement, called me and said that admitting my self to the ER was a quite extreme way to get away from his mother. He never thought of that! We had a good laugh over that (and she's not THAT bad to live with). Well, it's time to get off and try so get to sleep now. *Yawn*

Haha! No joke, as soon as I put the bed down and shut off the light, a nurse comes in to give me some meds. Then, a short while later, another nurse comes in to hook up the antibiotics to the IV and take my vitals. 7:50 am and I am up. I guess all I needed was short nap. Such as life.

Two more IV pokes today. Ouch. No naps though. Maybe I'll be able to sleep tonight.

I was told by the allergy and asthma doctor that a case of unmanaged asthma like mine usually results in a 3-5 day hospital stay. This is going on night number 3. *sigh* The respiratory therapist is changing up my neb treatments a bit by adding an inhaled steroid morning and evening and the albuterol treatments every 4 hours as needed.

I do have to say that some strange shows come on at night. I had the tv in the animal channel and I learned a bit about a very small but poisonous relative of the Portuguese-Man-of-War. Interesting. I think I've seen it before.

China and India get to see a 7 minute long lunar eclipse tonight. I'd like to see that. We just get rain. (Yeah, watching the negatively-biased news. Can't take too much of it.)

Wednesday was a first for me. Apparently the steroids they have me on may have a side effect of raising my blood sugar. When the nurse pricked my finger, my sugar was 320. They gave me insulin. The next time they came in to check, it was 317, so I had to have more insulin. "Normal" is 120 or so. The first was taking the insulin. I used to check my sugar level at grandparents' house (both were diabetic and I was a little paranoid).

Now it's Thursday morning. Still don't know if I've leaving yet. Every time I get up, my oxygen level dips to 88-89% without the oxygen in my nose and that's to do minimal movements. I'd like to get some walking in but I feel like I'm on a leash since they have the pulse-ox on me 24/7. I can only get as far as the bathroom. Getting a little stir crazy being stuck in this room. I guess I saw a doctor yesterday, but I don't remember. They are all meshing together. It doesn’t help that the name of the doctor that has been on the info board in my room hasn't changed in three days and I never even met that doctor.

5:40 am Friday. Awake with pain. The nurse came in to start the antibiotic IV drip. No real problem there, but when she left, I felt a burning sensation. I thought it was the initial entering the vein burning, but it persisted after the nurse left. Then, I felt an odd wetness. I lifted my arm and some the antibiotic dripped onto my face. Yeah, another IV issue. The nurse was quick to come back in and take the IV out. She said she'd have another nurse that's good with IVs come in and check me out to see if she could get another one in me. If not, I'd have to wait for IV therapy to come in (mind you, IV therapy has done six pokes for 3 IV sites on me already). The other nurse did a great job. She found another vein quickly and only poked me once. It bled a bit, but it's not burning or anything. So now, the grand total is 8 pokes for 4 IVs.

I had my sugar checked this morning already. The last 4-5 checks have resulted in high sugar levels followed by a dose of insulin. I've done what I could (not eating or drinking anything knowingly high in sugar) to try to get it down. It was 115 this morning! Much better than 340 yesterday. No insulin this morning.

Completely off topic, but it seems that the government is against people owning things that are old. The whole HD TV thing and now cars. They are not happy unless people are spending money out the wazoo. Just leave us be! Oh, and another thing that's bugging me (and I wouldn't know it, but I've been watching TV and can't fast forward through the commercials) is a ridiculous and offensive commercial put on by some gay group. It's the "Emma and Julia" one. It starts with two teenage girls that are talking about what to do after work. One asks if the other is going to a party or something and the other replies that she parents said she had be go home right after work. The other answers with "that is go gay" and the other one says the same thing. That's when a customer walks up and says that "that is so Emma and Julia" and that everyone is saying it. The commercial ends with telling people (rather rudely) that they need to think before they speak and knock it off. Excuse you? I have to listen to the world say all sorts of offensive things about Christianity and the world gets in a tizzy when Christians speak up about but now I have listen to that crap? No way.

Today is going pretty well, I guess. My O2 stats still aren't the best though.

I think all these meds have had a strange affect on me. I tear up so easily! I find it amusing. From reading a great book (which would lead to some tears anyway) to the results of What Not to Wear to even the astounded reactions in a car restoration show (of which the title completely left me). Yeah, odd, I know. I think I even teared up watching a dog show. I know I'm female, but even that is a little much for me.

OverHauled. It came back to me.

Just found out that they need to do another IV for the CAT scan. Lager gauge. A nurse just tried and it must have been on a nerve because I felt pain all the way up in my shoulder from the poke in my elbow. Up to 9 IV pokes now and heading to 10.

The CAT scan IV took 3 pokes to take. That scan was quite a bit different. It really made me feel warm as the fluid was pushed through me. I had to ask for the results since no one bothered to tell me anything after a couple hours. No blood clots (very good news) but the lower sections of my lungs aren't expanding as they ought to be. The nurse basically told me to exercise my lungs by taking deeps breaths throughout every hour (in addition to my regular breathing, of course!) to try to make those pockets expand.

I get to go home today! Woo-hoo! It's about time! Lol

A full week in the hospital is not what I planned a all, but I am finally feeling much better.

Change

It's time for change. Yeah, cryptic, I know. Change is needed in a few areas of my life. One is going to be an 18-week challenge. We'll see how that goes and if I am able to keep with it. I'm starting that tomorrow.

Well, that's all you get for now.

Welcome summer!

School ended last Friday. While I love every child in my class, this summer break has been long overdue! I received a couple end-of-the-year gifts. Chocolate, candles, a plant, Starbucks card, B&BW soap, and a remote controlled Grave Digger monster truck. I had to laugh when I heard the story behind the monster truck. My student's mom was going to give me a plant and the student said no and that I liked monster trucks. That is a true statement. lol!

Well, I'm waiting to fins out where exactly I'll be moving to. A friend just let me know of a place that is extremely affordable and not too far from my work. It even includes utilities, washer/dryer, swimming pool, and gym. I have a meeting about that tomorrow after work. If that does not work out, I'll be moving into one of the church apartments, basically across my backyard. Either way, both options have pros and cons. Living on the church property has been a blessing while I have an unreliable car. I really don't have an excuse for being late to work. But, the other place will allow me some privacy.

I had a meeting with the principal today. It went well for me. I know that I have a job next year. What is unfortunate is that I have a few friends that do not. I know the Lord is control, but it is hard to see good friends hurting. Finding out during out service week is much better than the beginning of the school year. Psa. 61:2

I've been able to finish up most of my classroom. I have some more paperwork to complete, though. There are a number of areas that I need improvement in. Those I will be working on this summer.

I get to go to Florida at the end of the week. I'm so excited! My friend Sarah is getting married. At first, I was just invited to the wedding. Then, I was asked to be the guest book attendant. I gladly accepted. Then, I purchased my plane tickets. After I sent my friend that information, she called me up to ask if I would like to be a bridesmaid since another one of her friends was no longer able to make it to the wedding. I gladly accepted that position as well. Now, just as long as the bride doesn't back out. I'm not filling the bride's place! :)

I can't believe how quickly things are already going this summer. I'm still trying to nail down a job, but I know the Lord will provide.

I didn't blog at all in April. Well, wait, that's not entirely true. I did update the Sunday school class website. That counts for something, right?

Things are always going to be busy. There's no getting around it. Oh, and let the countdown(s) begin! There are three more weeks of school. College classes end this week. In 5-6 weeks, I'll be moving. In four weeks my friend Sarah is getting married. There is a total of 11 weeks for the summer break. I need to find a steady part-time job for those 11 weeks. My loan will be paid off by the start of the next school year.

Confused yet? Yeah, that's how I've been feeling.

Thursday was not a great day for me. I had to wait until after school to get a tooth pulled (and two weeks after finding out it need to be pulled...it was the earliest they could see me). The oral surgeon was more concerned about getting paid in full than relieving me my cracked molar. His assistant didn't seem to understand English. After stating that I had less than $100 in the bank, she said that if I could pay $250 right now, they would further discount my bill. Umm..where did she expect me to pull that $250 from? I just told her that I had less than $100. Goodness! And then the dentist tried to pull that garbage that they don't usually let people make payments. I know for a fact that he did agree that I could make payment because MY dentist spoke to him and then called me to tell me he would. I think dentists have got to be some of the richest people out there. They can easily make $350 in 15 minutes. Ridiculuos!

In other news...nevermmind. There isn't any other news. Unless you wanted to know that I want a dog. Papillons are adorble! So are Shiba Inus!

I really don't think that Obama is starting things out well. This so called "stimulus" thing he's doing is basically giving you next year's tax return in tiny amounts throughout the rest of this year. There is your "raise." I think many people are going to be very surprised when they file next year and then get a small return. I redid my W4 to make sure that I will get a return. Single people don't get the breaks that marrieds and those with children do. So goes the Obamanomics.

And of some have compassion, making a difference

The world lost an incredible person Friday, March 13. She was a woman who, at first, scared me when I first moved into the dorm. I was so not ready for the changes that were going to be taking place or the spiritual battle I was about face. But through it all, she, my dorm mom, was there to help and encourage me, pray for me, and admonish me. My life has been forever changed because of her.

I knew that when I received the news that she had passed on to Glory that I wanted to be there for her funeral. The only thing standing in the way was some 550 miles road, a reliable vehicle, and time off of my job. The Lord quickly allowed each of those things to fall into place and by Tuesday night, I was on my way.

So, Tuesday was a busy day in itself. I judged vocals all day in the ODACS competition and then asked my boss about taking Thursday and Friday off to attend the funeral. He okayed it and then the mad dash began. I had to send in my grades and then pack before a coworker came to my house to to give me a ride to the Metro. I made it MD in a timely manner to meet up with Jen. From there we had an uneventful 9-hour ride to IN.

Room 17. That's where all the single girls stay when they come back to visit. This is the second time I've stayed in that room. This time, I wasn't greeted by my beloved dorm mom.

I know that things change with time and that people are born and people die. I don't know why it's so hard to accept this when it occurs all the time. Jen kind of summed up some of my feelings in her blog. You can't go back. All we are left with is the memories (sometimes regrets) of a person's life.

I chuckle at a time that Mrs. Leslie was not happy with me. It was my freshman year and I was as independent as could be. I needed a tire changed on Hank the Tank and since I'm my father's daughter, I knew how to do it. The only thing I lacked was a good floor jack (I've never liked bumper jacks) so I asked a guy if I could borrow a jack. All he said was that a guy should do it (he didn't offer to do it). So, I changed the tire. I returned the jack and went back to the dorm. Mrs. Leslie was at the front desk and I mentioned to that I just finished changing my tire. She then told me that there was no reason for me to do that and that a guy should have done it for me. My independent mind was reeling. By my senior year, a number of guys had tried their hand at fixing Hank, and Mrs. Leslie and I were laughing about that freshman incident. She told me that she wanted to roll a huge tire across the rec room during the Christmas party just because of me. LOL! I forget the reason why she didn't.

It was very evident that Mrs. Leslie cared for all her girls. She often did little things (notes of encouragement, special treats) but the greatest thing she did was pray for her girls. I know I needed lots of prayer through my years there.

There are so many things I can remember about Mrs. Leslie. I volunteered to go visiting with her once and when we go to where the card said to go, no houses existed there. We just kind of laughed about it. I remember getting a note from her that was addressed to the "Energizer Bunny." I think that was the year I was working two jobs, 7 days a day week (at both jobs). I remember her telling the girls that worked the cleaning job (there were 4 of us at first) that we were allowed to go down to one of the empty rooms to continue sleeping when we got in real late. I enjoyed leaving a case of diet coke outside her apartment door "just because." I also enjoyed getting her thick, fluffy socks to replace her holey ones.

The dorm is not going to be the same. Ever. Mrs. Leslie was one-of-a-kind.

As I have said before, the feelings were bittersweet. While she will be terribly missed, I can rejoice in the fact that she is in Heaven, no more in pain. I was put at ease even more when I got to the dorm and went to the rec room to put something in the refrigerator. The Leslie's apartment is on the bottom floor and I heard lots of laughter coming from the family inside. There was no depressed sorrow of a death, but a celebration of life on the other side of that door. That's what a Christian's life should be like. We should be able to rejoice in the life that was, not the loss right now. Our loss is Heaven's gain.

Mrs. Leslie's life can be summed up by the verse: And of some have compassion, making a difference.

She sure has made a difference in my life.

This past week has been interesting. On Monday, I was able to meet Byron Foxx, founder of Bible Truth Music and rehearse with him with the ensemble. We then sang a BTM piece for the chapel special.

Then, Friday and Saturday was spent in Norfolk attending an Elizabeth George conference. I bought a few of her books and she signed them. Her husband, Jim, was there and he signed one of the books he authored for me. I enjoyed the conference and it left me with some things to think about. The theme of the conference was Following God with All your Heart. One of the hardest things a woman may deal with is her thought life. It's easy to look back and think "what if?" or "if only" and that's not what we are supposed to do. We need to be thinking about what is real and true, not what has happened or what may happen, but what is happening.

(me, Gloria, Claudia, Yolanda, Julia, Lucia, and Melissa
Mrs. Elizabeth George)

She also mentioned a book entitled Faith is not a Feeling by Ney Bailey. The story she shared with us about Ney Bailey was moving.

I did get some sad news on the way to Norfolk: my dorm mom passed away after a fight with cancer. The feeling is bittersweet as I miss her, but I know that she is in Heaven.

I got to do something that I have been wanting to do since I moved to VA: Go to the ocean! Now, the weather was not the best, but we still got up early and went to see it. The rained hadn't started yet for the day, but the wind was blowing and it was cold! But, I did not let that stop me. I still took off my shoes and entered the water. I know that all beaches are basically the same, but this was my very first time to see the ocean. It was incredible!

(awful pic of me, but I am in front of the Atlantic Ocean)