Hanging out in a Biker Bar

I got to experience a biker bar this weekend. And let me just say, I thought about taking a picture, but I also thought I would get my butt kicked if I did! So, I refrained from that one!

Saturday morning was the big poker run that I have been planning for months now. It did not go well. I will just leave it at that. Before everything began it was suggested to me that I should call one of the stops, the biker bar, and make sure they have some one there to man the stop. Well, I am glad that I did. They had no one. Great. So, after registration, I had to go to the biker bar. Fun times!

When the other people who were working the poker run found out I had to go to the bar, they kept telling me to be careful. When I asked if it was a rough place, they would say, “no, just be careful”, with a look of grimace/worry on their face. Apparently, the bar I got the privilege of visiting is known to be a rough place.

Let me just say, it was just like you see in the movies…minus the fighting. I loved it. There was a biker club that ALL met there to go for a ride. And then while they were there, another poker run showed up. There were lots of people with them. So, it was me and about 100 bikers all crowded into a very small building, with almost every one of them smoking. Let me just say, I stuck out like a sore thumb. I liked hanging out with them though. I didn’t dare talk, just listened.

I was sitting at a booth and four of them came and sat with me. There was room at my booth. There were some interesting conversations there, filled with “four-letter” words. And all of them were smoking. Did I mention that I have been sick for the past week? That didn’t help.

Then, in the midst of the crowd, a big tall man, decked out in leather, stood up, whistled, and said, “Let’s go”. The place then emptied and the bikers rode off together.

Now, as you read this, you probably are thinking that I was grossed out and appalled by all of the smoking, drinking a 40 of beer at 11am, and the two girls going out back to get high together. But secretly, I kind of wanted to be in on it all (well, not the smoking, drinking, and getting high part:)). Yeah, I know, I could never be that cool. But I wanted to jump on a bike and ride off into the sunset. Maybe that will be for another life.

So instead, I stayed in the smoke filled bar, and waited for the end of my poker run.

A new ring for me

**UPDATE: I chose Ring #2 (even though no one voted for that one). It should come in the mail some time this week. I am super excited! I’ll be sure to post a picture for you to see when it gets here.

For the past couple of weeks I have wanted to get a sterling silver ring for my right hand. I don’t know why, b/c I am not much into jewelry, I just want one. Anyway, I have been looking at Overstock.com at their rings, and I think I have narrowed it down to 4-5 rings that I like. I can’t decide which one I want. So I thought I would let you all help me out. Here are the rings. Let me know which one you like best.

Ring #1

Ring #2

Ring #3

Ring #4

Ring #5

Family Update

I have realized that I have not really posted as much as I used to, hence, I do not update you as much on what is going on in our crazy lives.

Tim has gone back to school. He has decided on speech pathology. He is in his first semester back in school now. He still has quite a few core classes to take before he can get into it. I think that for his undergraduate degree he will have his major be Child and Family Studies and his minor as Speech Pathology (at ETSU they do not have Speech Pathology as a major). And then when the time comes for him to get into Graduate school for Speech Pathology, he will still be able to get in with just a minor. And apparently, schools and employers LOVE IT when men apply b/c there are so few of them. So that is a plus right there. I am excited for him.

I got a new blackberry phone (I know that I just stepped WAY down on the level of importance on the updates). I really like it a lot. I REALLY like the blackberry chat option. And the calendar too.

I have decided to go back to nursing school. I know, big change. But to be honest with you, I would have had to make this change if I would have just done what I felt like the Lord was telling me to do 2 1/2 years ago! During the summer of 2005 I spent 2 months in the Philippines. CHANGED MY LIFE!! When I got back, I just kept thinking to myself how much I do not belong here.

Anyway, back to the part where I felt I should come back home and be a nurse: We visited one village and just hung out there loving on the kids and playing with them. One little boy had a knot on his head, a goose-egg if you will, that had gotten that had gotten infected. It was horrible, and only b/c he had nothing to properly clean it with. He also had pink eye in both eyes. I was so drawn to that boy. I held him for the majority of the time we hung out with the children. Two days later I woke up with pink eye in both eyes…and then gave it to someone else on my team. Oops. That same weekend, we were all in the host house for our siestas (can we PLEASE bring those to America?!). I just kept sitting there feeling like I should change my major as soon as I got home to nursing.

After all of the past major storms/hurricanes came through, I felt again that I should be doing something to help.

Did I tell you that my little brother is about to graduate and he has been hired onto the BEST company to work for in Tennessee (according to Forbes Magazine)? I am so very proud of him! He is still having to work hard for this last semester, but his graduation date is set for December 13th. I am so excited for him! Here is a picture of him, I think he was talking when this picture was taken

Ok, I have quite a bit going on right now at work. I have a poker run to finish up the plans on (how did I get into that?!), Bras Across Tri-Cites : we are collecting bras to string up in downtown Kingsport to raise awareness for Breast Cancer, and so much more…+ I have a cold and am exhausted. I need to go for now, but I will catch back up soon. Even though I am not posting much, I am still trying to keep up on all of your blogs.

They made it!!

I just wanted to let you know that the money ($4,000) the Bush family needed for their adoption fees was completely raised in 36 hours. They are blown away and full of excitement!! How amazing is that, they do not have to waste another moment worrying about raising that money. Praise the Lord!! How good is He to provide!

So Close to bringing him home!!!

The Bush Family is about to go from a duo to a trio. They have been going through the domestic adoption process for about a year now (I think). They got the call in late August (fitting b/c their child’s name will be August) that they were chosen to be the parents of a baby boy. The child is due to be born October 2nd. I cannot tell you how excited I am for these two! They are going to make great parents.

Now it is crunch time. Next week (if on time) the baby will join us in this crazy world and be welcomed by his new parents. There is one catch, they still are 1/3 short of the money they need for the adoption fees. That’s about $4,000. Bush (the proud papa) has come up with a way to raise that money. He is a photographer . His work is amazing! (Side Note: His work is the reason I was turned on to raising awareness about the global water crisis.)

He is now offering prints of some of his favorite shots for just $35 a print (includes shipping). Each photo has a story behind it. If he sells 140 prints, the $4,000 will be raised! I am so excited about the print I got! You should head over now to the Adopting August website and get your’s today! This will help bring a baby boy home to his loving and wonderful parents.

If you buy a print or even if you can’t afford one but still want to help out, be sure to post about this on your blog and get the word out.

(The picture I chose):

Haiti video

Here is a video about what is now going on in Haiti.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4448242n

thoughts while driving my husband’s truck

For the past couple of weeks, my husband and I have switched vehicles. He is driving my car, and I his truck. We typically switch when he has to drive farther than I do, to save on gas. He is back in school now, and his school is farther than my work. So, we have switched. I was thinking this morning, while driving to work, how I focus my thoughts on certain things when I drive his truck. Here are some of those thoughts.

*Why does the heat only work if it is on high? The heat in my car works just fine. (and yes, I turned on my heat this morning!)

*I think my ears are crooked. Every pair of sunglasses that I have owned-minus one pair, which was my favorite pair ever…for three years and then I lost them (which is inevitable, I lose everything)- have been crooked. If almost every pair has been this way, I can only assume it is b/c of me.

*What kind of vehicle will I buy next (I think this one a lot!)? Should I just go ahead and buy a mini-van since I want to have a big family and probably won’t buy another vehicle for many years? But I really like the Subaru Frontier (which by the way, you HAVE to go HERE and click on “Start your photo session here”, it is hilarious!).

*Why do people continue to creep forward when the light is still red? That drives me crazy! You don’t get to your destination faster if you stop just shy of an inch from my rear bumper!

*I miss my husband. Even though I just left him (at home, he just got to wake up while I am on my way to work), I still wish I could see him more.

*Community group is tonight! I am excited!

*Who can I call to just chat with on my way to work? Is Meg awake? Probably not. Or should I just drive in silence and take this time as me time? That sounds good.

*I want to move back to Johnson City.

*How long will it really be until we have kids?

*I want to go back to school.

*I am tired.

*I don’t want to go to work.

*Just where does this blasted school zone end?

*Stop riding my tail!

Ok, so some of these thoughts actually just came to me. But for the most part, this is what I think about.

What are some of your thoughts on the way to work or just in the mornings?

Here I am!

Just wanted to say a quick hello to everyone. I am still here and doing well. I am just super busy right now, thus I am tired a lot too. There are a couple of things going on in my life that I don’t want to share on here just yet, but I promise I will soon. Nothing bad at all, just some new developments (and for those of you who have this thought pop up immediately, NO, I am not pregnant! ).

I have been reading several blogs for updates on Haiti and the damage that was done there from the hurricanes/storms. I am so glad that people are stepping up and helping! Praise the Lord!

I have also been reading lots of blogs through Google Reader, which causes me to not visit any blogs, especially my own. That might be contributing to not writing.

Some things that are coming up for me are The Rail Grass 2008 in downtown Kingsport. And with that, The HOG Poker Run & Motorcycle Rail Ride. (Did I tell you that I am planning a biker rally? SO weird for me! And, I am SO ready for it to be over!). Also, I the coordinator of a wedding coming up Oct. 4th. I am excited about that! Then, a good friend of mine from college is getting married the very next weekend. This is going to be so fun b/c it will more or less be a “hippie” wedding, which I love, and there will be contra dancing. I probably will not get to dance at the wedding, or at least any contra dances, but I love to watch people who are really good dancers. Especially the bride and groom! They are so good! I will be sure to post some pictures and maybe even some video of that great event! Then it is off to Gatlinburg for a semi-family reunion in November. I am excited to see everyone. I hardly ever get to spend time with my family, so it should be a blast!

I also have pictures (in slideshow below) of one of the most beautiful weddings that I have ever been to. This wedding was not beautiful b/c of the decorations and flowers, but b/c of how godly it was. My husband and I love and respect this family SO MUCH. It was an honor to be there for this wedding.

Gas Prices Sky Rocket

In East Tennessee there are gas stations with gas prices already at $5.78 a gallon! Others are shutting down b/c they are out of gas. This is crazy! I know that it doesn’t even come close to the struggles others are going through, and other parts of the nation have paid for gas at these prices even before Ike. But to go from 3.64 to 5.78 in one day is craziness!

Great Quote

April over at To Live is to Love posted this quote today. I loved it so much I wanted to share it with you all.

“Sometimes I’d like to ask God why He allows poverty, famine and injustice in the world when He could do something about it……

But I’m afraid God might ask me the same question.”

-Anonymous