32

Sunday I turn 33.

32 was a good year and I had the opportunity to do many new things.

Here is a list of my firsts from last year:




Played paintball.

Visited Chattanooga, TN.

Attended Germanfest.



Went through the Wichita Falls Citizen's Police Academy (and am now a Board Member for the WF Citizen's Police Academy Association).




Spent a month in Italy.





Changed jobs and hired an assistant.


Became an aunt.




Announced the bands at the Hotter-N-Hell Hundred.

Received my 10-year service award from the district.

Went to a New Kids on the Block concert.

Had my house broken into (I lost my laptop and all of my jewelry).

Did a ride-along with the WFPD.


Visited the Grand Canyon.




Did a zero-gravity wind tunnel (simulated skydiving).

Act of Kindness

Today was one of those days, one of those days when all I wanted to do was come home after work and relax.

I did four presentations today for 300 High School seniors (presentations that I had been working on in the wee hours of the morning for several days). The presentations went well, but I was on my feet for 6 hours straight. Then when I got back to my office, I was bombarded by visitors. In addition to the constant interruptions, I was trying to check email, listen to voicemail, chat with my friend in Italy...basically, catch-up on everything that I hadn't been able to do since I had been out of the office. Needless to say, I was ready to leave at 5:00.

When I got in my car after work, I discovered that I needed to get gas before going home.

I pulled into Sam's and noticed that there was a car at the next pump with a man washing his windshield. Once I pulled in, I began to look for my Sam's card and noticed the man outside my car, pointing to my windshield, asking me if I wanted him to wash it. I nodded no. I got out of the car and the man said, "Are you sure you don't want me to wash your window?" "I like to do nice things for people once and day and today is your lucky day." How could I refuse? So while I pumped my gas, he washed my windshield (and even lifted my windshield wipers...he told me that he used to work in a gas station while in college). He then asked me if I was having a good day and I said yes, but that I was very tired. He said that he could tell. We each finished with our tasks and as he was getting back in his car, he said, "I hope you have a GREAT day!"

I just stood there dumbstruck by his kindness. What prompted him to help me on a day that I needed a pick-me-up? His small act meant a lot to me. This made me realize that there are probably TONS of situations everyday where I have the opportunity to do small things that could really make a difference in other people's lives.

So man at Sam's, wherever you are tonight, God Bless You!

Here's to the Crazy Ones

From the folks at Apple:

Here's to the crazy ones.
The misfits.
The rebels.
The troublemakers.
The round pegs in the square holes.

The ones who see things differently.
They're not fond of rules.
And they have no respect for the status quo.

You can praise them, disagree with them, quote them,
disbelieve them, glorify or vilify them.
About the only thing you can't do is ignore them.
Because they change things.

They invent. They imagine. They heal.
They explore. They create. They inspire.
They push the human race forward.

Maybe they have to be crazy.
How else can you stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art?
Or sit in silence and hear a song that's never been written?
Or gaze at a red planet and see a laboratory on wheels?

We make tools for these kinds of people.

While some see them as the crazy ones, we see genius.
Because the people who are crazy enough to think they
can change the world, are the ones who do.

Texting Your Way to Love <3

How appropriate for Valentine's Day:

All the Single Ladies

Three years ago, Meg and I decided to host an annual Valentine's Day party for all the single ladies (by the way, we hate Valentine's Day and refer to it as VD). The theme of our party is "You're Too Sweet To Be Alone." Everyone brings a dessert and a good time is had by all.

This year VD is on a Saturday :-( Meg has to work at the hockey game so there will be no time to host a party. So instead we will be going to the movies to see, "He's Just Not That Into You." If you are a singleton, we would LOVE for you to join us!

I came across this HILARIOUS video of Beyonce and Justin Timberlake singing Single Ladies...enjoy:

Times They Are A-Changing

Tonight, Meg and I had to do some volunteer work downtown and decided to eat at Carl's Jr. (a place we never frequent). We go in and what do we see? Kiosks!!! You can order your meal and pay for your meal just by using a touchscreen. We jumped at the chance to use it while others in the lobby decided to order the "old-fashioned" way. Using the machine was very easy and I encourage you to go and try it out. I am amazed with technology; however I hate to see people-to-people interaction decrease. By the way, it was hilarious to see some "country folk" come in and exclaim, "What the heck is that?" They were helped by Carl's Jr. staff and seemed very happy with the experience of ordering their food.

Since Carl's Jr. is near the Greyhound bus station, we decided to sit near a window to watch the people get on and off the buses. However, we only got to see one bus leave the parking lot :-(

We also sat where we could see the cars coming out of the drive-through and we decided to perform a social experiment (we should have been sociologists). Anyway, we decided to wave at the people leaving the drive-through and wanted to see how many would wave back. Luckily 50% waved back; the other 50% "didn't see us." The ones who did see us, left with a smile on their face.

The trip ended with Meg asking the "country folk" where one could ride ATVs since this I what I want to do for my next birthday (Side Note: the country folk pulled into the parking lot with three ATVs on a trailer and when I saw that, I decided that that was what I wanted to do for my birthday). They listed some places, but they weren't sure if one can rent ATVs, but told us it was a definite possibility. Then they tried to sell us one for $1800.00 (which seems like a bargain to me). Anyway, I will keep you posted on the ATV trip (in case you want to join).

Who knew one could have such a GREAT time at Carl's Jr.???

People Don't Know...

I "borrowed" this from the "List of the Day" blog...

What's one thing about you that most people don't know?

Something you've done...
Somewhere you've been...
Some skill you have...
Etc.

Speak. Brag. Confess.