Sunday, December 26, 2010


I know, I know... it sounds all ooshy gooshy... but it's so true. The last thing Cathy told me at work before I want home Christmas Eve afternoon was, "Cherish this Christmas! You will miss it and the two of you will have so much fun."

So I did my best.. and even if it wasnt my best, I was GREAT!

When I got home, Nathan was out plowing the absolutely gorgeous 6 in of snow we got that day, getting all the church parking lots ready for their Christmas Eve services. I got to church early for HOPE practice and slowly others filled in. Nathan had to sing in the choir (which is so sweet) so i oogled at him while we sang the first little bit. After the choir was done with "What a tiny Little Baby?," he came down and sat by me. Now for each, his own, i understand, but I know i feel the holy spirit when i get all chocked up randomly...and at that moment when he settled in, I had that chocked up moment where I realized I was surrounded by people I love. The Bakers with little Andrew 4 year old with his bow tie on, the McGarrahs right behind us, Steve with his arm around Pam in front of us...it was just a Christmas moment where God just proved his blessings... Then Dad read Joel's message (b/c joel was really sick). I'm sorry to say that i dont remember all of it :), but there was one point where Dad had something in his throat and I thought he was crying. As a daughter of a man who rarely cries, tears started coming. Then he cleared his throat and I wiped my eyes pathetically.

We had soup at the Yates Christmas eve with family and after, Nathan and Josh needed to plow one more church that had an 11pm service. So I GOT TO EXPERIENCE MY FIRST PLOW! It was terribly frightening bc they fly, the memory was fun.

As we were driving from one job to another over on the south side, I said something totally profound...don't know where it came from, but i said, "Even the worst of Peoria look better under a blanket of snow." Then of course I got all weepy again and remembered how grateful I was for Nathan and our family and Jesus.

And then the last weepy part... after Christmas Brunch with Mom and Dad Christmas Morning, I made Nathan take me up to fondulac drive to the view point where you can see all of peoria. It was snowy and clear and just beautiful. All I could think about was...Home. And there it was right in front of me.

We got wonderful gifts and ate wonderful food, but the best part of the whole weekend, was taking in the memory of my first christmas with my husband.

God is also beginning to reveal out Africa adventure. I have a new graph! It's EXTREMELY promising and encouraging.

I MUST sleep, but i wanted to get those memories down. I know most will find them bored and possibly feel ill by the end, but i selfishly need the memory...so just hit the "X." :)

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

New Cupcake, Senegal or Bust, and Jacob's Letters...

I made a new cupcake...

Lemon Lavender Cupcake with Vanilla Bean Butter Cream Frosting
...

Also,
We have a new number for Senegal funds. God's got us! We are moving in the right direction!
We also heard from Jake Wineinger this week. Pam typed out his letters so I'm going to post them here.

1st letter:
So I'm writing this in a hurry because I'm standing fire watch at 3:00 in the morning. Everything is going fine. It is definitely different. Everything is so fast paced. They count down for everything. I have to shower, shave and brush my teeth in 400 seconds that are counted fast. The food sucks, but I am so hungry it doesn't matter. Remember how I said I needed to lose weight? Well, that was the truth. They put me on a diet. So I get half of the crappy food, and I am always hungry. I have already lost 8 pounds in the last week. We are doing PT and martial arts already. Then we go to class and study a bunch of crap. The nice thing is the days go fast, and when we aren't in class or PT or martial arts, we drill. Which is simply marching. There is so much information to take in. That's all I have for now.
Love you, Jake

2nd letter:
So its Monday. Today was a mix of good and bad. Good because we did the confidence course, which was fun. And bad because I got in trouble at chow. I was talking in line and someone said something funny, so I smiled. Big mistake. I could have lived with one of the DI's seeing it, but the Chief drill instructor saw me, and took me to my senior drill instructor who was pissed. So a good day turned south fast. But it's a lesson learned.

I don't know if I've told you about the glasses yet. I can't wear contacts so they issued me these stupid glasses. And you know how much I wore my contacts. Well I wear these glasses less, only in class or when I'm reading a letter or the bible or something small.

There is a laundry mat at the end of our barracks that all of Lima Company uses. Well at night you can leave your laundry on your footlocker and firewatch does it. Well, me being trusting person, did that, and all my laundry was lost. And I told the guide who told the DI's and they said tough crap. So I have to buy more clothes. They have this cool little store where you can buy everything you are issued. And you pay with this debit card that draws out of the account you get paid into. The worst part about the clothing is this tighty whiteys. So uncomfortable!

Well that's all I have time for now. Thanks for the prayer.
-Jake
P.S. I weigh 180, that's 12 pounds down.

3rd letter:
So it's Sunday! This is the day I look forward to everyday of the week. Church here is amazing. We sing and they have guest speakers. This week we did communion. Its great. It is a recharge for the week. There is a lot of guys I go with from my platoon. It's amazing how I can feel Jesus help me everyday. Especially Sundays. I get chills sometimes. The days are going by fast. Everyday starts at 0500 and gets going 100 mph until lights out at 2100. I'm receiving lots of mail from everyone which is great. I look forward to mail call every night. Today is a field day which basically means we clean the squad bay all day, then go drill. But a bunch of the guys got our stuff done early and we were just sitting around so I read that devotional for everyone. It was cool. I've lost 12 pounds and I'm still on this stupid diet. I mean I guess it's working, but I'm hungry all the time. All I can think of is food!

You were asking about the graduation date. It is January 14 as long as everything goes all right, no injuries, and I don't fail any tests or anything like that. So you can start looking into those tickets if you want. If you do come up the day before, that is visitor's Thursday. I can't leave base, but I get two hours of family time. That Thursday morning we do a moto run which is the first time I can see you. I can't spend time until little bit later in the day. But I will have more details about that later. Then after the 2 hours of time together, we have to get on a bus and go to some stupid basketball game where they show us off. And I don't think you can come. So the next time I can see you is the next day after graduation and that's when we get to leave, I think its around 11:30.

I can tell you right now the first thing we are going to do is get some fast food. I'm craving food! I want moose tracks ice cream and all you can eat chinese food. But that's just the diet making me hungry. I ordered my pictures already and a DVD thing. Which is interesting. They are having us do this stuff so early in training.

We have two more weeks left here at MCRD, then first phase is over. These two weeks are going to be fun, but challenging. The first week is the confidence course and some log stuff. And the second week, which is probably more important because you have to qualify, then they give you a ranking of how good you are. But because of my MOS of Recon, I need to do very well. So pray for warm weather, strength, stamina, breath, and that I excel far above everyone.

Then after these next two weeks we go to Camp Pendleton which is 3 hours north of San Diego. That is where 2nd phase starts. We get to shoot our rifles. We do team building and scenarios. We are up there for 4 weeks, which is different. Everyone else is only there for 3 weeks, but because we are the last platoon in our company, we have to stay an extra week. Let's hope it is for something good.

We didn't do anything for Halloween. I didn't realize it was here til it was gone. The next holiday is the Marine Corps birthday on November 10. So that day we will probably do something special.

There is this thing here that they call the recruit crud. Scotty (Wilcoxen) talked about it. And its true. Since you have so many people from all over together in one place. Everyone is sick, including me. But that just adds to the fun I guess.

Oh, you asked about how long leave is. It is 7-10 days. But its going to be longer because of the waiting list to get into SOI, which is School of Infantry, the next step of training for me. So my leave is going to be like 18 days maybe. But I have to do what is called recruiters assistance, which is to help Sgt Edwards with his recruiting (in Peoria). I don't know how that works yet. I wrote him a letter, so I'll know more later. But I know I got at least 7-10 days.

Ash asked wht to send me. Right now just letters. You can send food, but like I said, I have to eat it all fast, then get in trouble for it. So unless I write asking for food, please don't send anything but letters.

I got letters from Grandma and Pop and Nan and Gramps. Please tell them the graduation date. I know they said they might want to come. And if you would once a week, send one of those devotionals so if we get the chance to do that every week, I can share that.

I'm running out of stuff to tell you. So here are some questions. Has it snowed? Have you seen any geese around the house? How's everyone doing? Has anything big happened in the news? How are the cows? Did you get your truck ready to plow yet? Did Josh get that Mustang?

Well that's all for now. Thanks for prayer and support. It makes what I'm doing worth it that much more.

Love, Jake

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

...i'm not doing so hot...

On the cupcake challenge that is...

I think im gonna keep the website though and when i finally get 200 cupcakes done (ten years from now) it will be complete.

I got a new story right now though on my blood pumping organ. Nathan and I have committed to going to Senegal...again for me, for the first time for him. And I know God is at work in this situation. I don't know how and what for, but Im getting anxious and excited to see how He's gonna work. I got an incling of how he was going to work though tonight as I was putting together a budget of what we've got to do between now and January 23 to make this happen.

No something that i have felt very passionate about for a long time, you can ask my mother... we fought about this when i was in the youth group and wanted to do everything...that $$ has no hold when it comes to mission work and where God wants his Children. If he wants you somewhere he's going to provide a way.

So i did the math tonight and discovered that Nathan and I need to save $52 a day to make it to Africa. Get ready folks! God's shedding his light and Nathan and I have to trust in what He has planned.

Now im not saying, "Ok, God! Here's the challenge! It's time for me to step back and let you get to work!" No. I'm saying, "God, when March comes, I'm gonna be content in you whether I'm on the couch or on a plane. May I faithfully travel on the journey that you put me on to get there."
Some parts of that statement i say with gritted teeth, but do i say it truthfully...i think for the first time in a while, i think i really do...

So... as I hit the transfer button on my bank account...

Nathan and I are 1.4% on our way to Senegal.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

New Directions...

And no, im not talking about Glee, this time anyway...

I HAVE SOME EXCITING NEWS! Please check out my new blog!









That's right! I am going to attempt to bake 200 cupcakes in 365 days! And i want everyone to join me in my adventure! This blog explained about my life but the only time when i really got comments was when i was being funny, so i got board with posting. So I love cupcakes! And my dog! and this NEW BLOG! Click the logo to connect and add to your favorites. I am posting my newest cupcake first thing in the morning!!!

Friday, June 18, 2010

Mrs. Lindsay Wineinger

I have not posted in oh so long and so much has changed... especially my last name...
Let me introduce myself... Hello, my name is Lindsay Wineinger.*woow*

My wedding was such a beautiful day! I couldn't have asked for a more smooth flowing day with few kinks and LOADS of love and laughter and amazing celebration of God and of Nathan and me. What turned out to be a busy weekend ended up being so fun and full of family and friends...i dont think i would have had it any other way. Both nathan and i said that when all our wedding party got together on friday night it was one big family like we had all known each other for years and we were ready to have a great reunion weekend. I really didnt cry much that weekend, but the one time i did cry was on the way out the rehersal dinner/yates family reunion when i realized how much i love the people that were surrounding me at that moment and how much it meant they were all there to share the weekend with me. I was overwhelmed with so much JOY!








My ladies threw me a bachlorette party where i was joined by my lovely Shannon and Megan Block! I got tons of things that nathan thought were great *cough* and a fantastic book, The Joy of Sex. Oh the faces and stories... recommended by many. I still have yet to crack open the book and not giggle a little or cock my head to the side with a bewildered look... lol.

We had fun saturday morning getting our hair done, drinking starbucks and heading over to the church to start the day. Nathan and i had a special time where we met at the light poll where he asked me out and proposed to me to see me for the first time. We had our moment and then we headed downtown to get our pictures taken and just have fun with each other. The boys slightly toasted b/c of their suits but all was well and we had fun.
The wedding was perfect filled with wonderful people. We got to hug most of them and anyone we didn't we did at the reception hall. I got advice by many people to just stop at some point and just take it all in and i really feel like the day was just so relaxed that i took it all in all day long. I never really felt stressed and I knew no matter what by the end of the day i would be married.
The next day after the wedding was another family filled day. We had presents at the house with my Grandma Carol and some davises and Aunt Ann and Bill who I dont get to see very often and we were VERY blessed by all the presents. Then we headed to the Wineinger Twins HS graduation, which was AWESOME! with Dakota, Blake, Kim, and Todd as new additions to the wineinger family. Then we went to the 50th anniversary party for Nan and Gramps Wineinger and then we wee teed and ate culver's and just had a blast. We finally ended the evening, went home, and packed for Florida where we spent tons of time just basking on the beach and enjoying the sun and LOVING the peace and quiet!

We are doing quite well here at home. We are already in a kind of routine and we have already discovered that we need to slow down our schedule a little. But being together after being apart for so long is just refreshing and just plain fun. I will definitely put more pictures up when i get the professional ones back but these were just some of my favorites..

Friday, April 9, 2010

20 Things that I have always wanted to blog...

These are some helpful tips that i have learned over...well..my life. I would now like to share them with you and see if you have any similar advice to give.
  1. When the tag bugs you on the edge of a pillow, pull the pillow out of the case and put it in the opposite way.
  2. When you cat/dog/child eats the butter sitting on the counter, put it away. (If it's an animal, it's probably best to throw it away.)
  3. When your animals whine, bark, meow loudly, look at you and then cock their head to the side, this is equal to a small child saying, "Please mommy. I promise I won't make you mad if you let me..." DO NOT give in! I repeat, DO NOT give in.
  4. A clean bed is similar to that of a clean car. It will rain very shortly there after. It is best to find mud, rub your animal/child's paw in it, dip in water, and then place in a focal area of the bedspread. This will avoid the anger that comes when finding it unexpected.
  5. Plastic bags need to be obliterated. Yes, they are detrimental to the environment. Just as important, you ALWAYS seem to bump into, hear when your cat steps on, or need to get into one at a time when you are trying to be quiet.
  6. The forecast will always be sunnier on the days when you have the most work to do.
  7. In the state of IL, we should allow for space in our wardrobe for both summer and winter clothes. This will avoid the conundrum of putting your winter clothes away too early in the spring and putting your summer clothes away too early in the fall.
  8. The laundry is never done. You just gotta be ok with that.
  9. Never say you don't want to do something...God's a REALLY good listener.
  10. I have found that writing lists on my hands is very helpful, but it also shows others how behind I am. Try a notebook.
  11. Salute to the fellow females with blond eye lashes...others, please don't mock us when we put mascara on to go to the grocery store, roof a house, or play in sporting events. We just gotta do it.
  12. My backspace button is hit three times as much as the keys on the keyboard. a. because i am a bad speller. b. because my i key is missing and words look really funny without their i's. c. i think before i type about just as well as i think before i speak... that's not all that great.
  13. You can get a zit ANYWHERE on your body! Anywhere...
  14. When your grandmother asks your if it was tramp day at school, she is not referring to what is in your head right now...think of this word, "tramp," as a comical hobo. Generation gap...that's all that is...
  15. No matter how hard Wrigley may try, juicy fruit gum looses it's flavor the fastest.
  16. Dogs are a perfect example of unconditional love. I am in awe of my Jesus because of my dog. Now cats... different...
  17. Crystal door handles can make ANYTHING look cool.
  18. You are not a loser if it's Friday and all you have done is eat a bowl of ice cream and watched an L&O: SVU marathon. There is nothing wrong with that.
  19. Jesus >MAC >Chacos >bed >artichoke > a vaction...
  20. God's timing will come on your watch....so take it off and stomp on it. It's getting in His way...
That's all for now kids...I need to sleep, bad.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Our Last Days in Fatik...

So yesterday and today were our last days in Fatik.

Yesterday was our last distribution day. The morning started by visiting the High school. We split into teams and visited each english class so they could ask us questions and learn more from real english speakers. It was so interesting to see how their school system worked. They asked about President Kennedy and how we felt about his election. I answered that it had alot to do with his looks and that he was from a famous family, and i dont think that is what they wanted to hear. :)

Then, we went to a school here in town where another school traveled to recieve the boxes as well. Someone mentioned it took them two hours to walk and these were kids aging from 4 to around 15. It's a crazy whole new way of life here. We played games in the heat of day which was about 107 degrees. Us toubaes (pronounced to-bobs- their name for white people)took shifts on who had to stand out in the sun for what game.

All in all it ended up being GREAT! It was just so thrilling to see those kids walk away with all their friends with their boxes on their heads and huge smiles on their face.

Today was more of a relaxing day. We met for prayer walking and devotion in the morning, had Chicken and Dumplings for lunch and then headed home for a restful afternoon. Here in Fatik the city controls the electricity so at any moment the power can go out for up to 5 hours. They mostly choose to do that when most people use power so in the middle of the afternoon when it's hottest and fans and ACs and tvs during afternoon naps are playing, they flip the switch.

Some of us napped, tricia visited a friend, liz and i played a card game, and then around 4:30p we went to visit tricia's french teacher. We were ushered into her cement hut, and watched tv and chatted with 12 other ladies. Some of the girls were from the high school and english club that tricia and liz do.

Then we went over to the Forsyths this evening to show a bible film to a yard full of kids and some adults. The kids stayed through the entire thing, but most of the adults left as soon as Jesus entered the scene. I tried to pray extra hard for them as they walked out of the gate.

Tomorrow we head to Dakar. I will be posting all these pictures on facebook. Im sure there will be many more once i get into Dakar. Ok i have to go pack now. and I'm on facebook with my mom. :)

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

True test of Faith!

So yesterday was a great day and as I blogged yesterday, I was soooo tired, that i posted what i did and then went to bed. Tricia soon came to bed after and likewise, everyone went to sleep.

Then at about 1:30a there was this HORRIFYING sound. I said quite frantically to Tricia, "Did you hear that?" "Hear what?" BOOOOOM!!!! The sound was like if you were to set a washer on top of a dryer and then push it off. It was SOOO LOUD! Tricia and i clingged to each other smilier to Scooby-doo if you know what i mean. Mary came in behind us b/c she heard it as well and we called to liz.

Liz being half asleep but also not hearing the sound at all, when to the window, shined the light out and determined there was no one there. But after that, Tricia and I couldn't sleep. We were analyzing every sound we heard! This morning we were talking about our prayers that we were praying...
or poke us with a big stick.

- God, please protect us. If you really want me to go to prison now, i will, but i will ball like a baby!

- God tell the Devil to leave this place! He's not welcome here.

- Don't let them shoot us.

- God my faith is small but you are large! Save us please!

We proceeded to tell everyone in the bible study this morning and i don't think anyone really understood the fear that was racing though us!

Amidst it all, Tricia accidently stepped on my glasses so I am wearing them scotch taped together. I look kinda funny.

We did another distribution today and it was in a village outside of Fatik. We got to watch wrestling and dancing of children from all ages. Then we handed the boxes out and watched them all run home to share them with their family. Today, little girls got most excited about hair bands and the little boys loved the clothes they received.

I think now, after giving these boxes out, i understand what the children NEED! And i have no doubt in my mind that each church could easily do 100! Some of this stuff in there is soooo inexpensive and these children will use those pens and pencils and paper for at least two years. Truely amazing!

I am off to bed. We have our last distribution tomorrow and it's going to be beautiful. We have one village walking a few miles to get to another village for the distribution.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

J'appelle Nilaan Sene!

So look at Tricia's blog for all the details. Im really tired tonight and all i want to do is sleep! But the best part was when Victor game me my Senegalize name! Nilaan Sene pronounced Neelan Se(long e)n.

New tatoo idea! don't tell mom! :)

Saturday, March 6, 2010

2/3 The way to AWESOME!

Today was a GREAT day despite our job incomplete. We woke up and headed to the Forsyths a little latter in the morning in hopes to sleep an extra hour to get rid of our jet lag (which i might say we all handles VERY well!) We needed to wait to hear when the trucks were getting in, so we did things in the mean time. We had a morning devotion about being peaceful, learned about prayer walking, some when to the catholic church to clean out the rooms where the boxes are going, while the rest of us headed to market to buy elements of games we are playing during the process of handing out the boxes. Oh and by the way, when we heard about the general time out truck was coming in, we found out we were getting about 7,000 more boxes then we planned. AWESOME.. .so Travis needed to come up with more storage space...

We then came back from market and went to go meet some of tricia's friends, but they weren't home, so we went back, had dinner, and FOUND OUT THE TRUCK WAS HERE! Don't tell my mom but we piled a ton of us in the car and tricia, liz, and i rode on the luggage rack on top :) unloaded about 8,000 boxes and then headed home to wait for the next two trucks...

After a wonderful game a Fishbowl and a triumphant game of Spades (all played to keep us awake and alert for the next trucks), we got word around 1:30a that the trucks were stopping for the night and wouldn't be in until EARLY the next morning. So we just got back to the house.

We have TONS of pictures, but i didn't bring anything to import them, so please be patient with me.

Things to be praying for...
- Because of the extra boxes, it's going to cost more for guards, storage, and workers to unload. Pray that our funds stretched.
- Pray that the schedule changes at the schools work to our advantage.
- Pray for the people of Fatik, HIGH muslim population, but WONDERFUL WONDERFUL people.

Ok my battery is dying and i need to sleep! GOODNIGHT!!!

Friday, March 5, 2010

26 hours later...

Ladies and Gents!

We are in Senegal!
I met up with the rest of the team Thursday morning at O'Hare and took a flight to Dullas at 1:10p. Arrived a little after three with the time change and thought we had a little layover until slightly after 5p. Well, we were all sitting down to a carry over meal until we were served a dinner on the plane. Bill and I split a piece of pizza, then I headed to the Kiosk for a magazine. Mom called and we chatted for a little while and when I got off the phone, i headed to the ladies room... My pants were just unzipped when i heard over the loud speaker, second call for guest flying Flight ### headed to Dakar, Senegal, Crider two, Davis, Dingus, some other names in between, and Smith. Please check in at gate A16. I ran! Zipped up on the way out and frantically called them to run to the gate. As soon as we got there, I asked if they started loading early and they said, Yes! Yes?!!?! So I frantically called nathan, told him i loved him, and we jumped on the plane to Dakar.

It was about a 6 hr flight and we arrived in Dakar at 5:40a on Friday Morning (today). So needless to say, many of us haven't slept for about 24 hours...me 26 because of Sharathon.

We got off the plane, kindly said no to any man that offered to help us to avoid any kind of fee or tip, and waited (since we got in early) for Kim to pick us up. Very shortly after, we went to the missionary house in Dakar, ate breakfast, picked up Kim's daughter, Gloria. Then all 13 of us headed to Fatik. After a crazy bumpy 4 hr ride home, we got to where we were staying and heard that out Operation Christmas Child Boxes aren't coming until tomorrow afternoon. I think that changed so plans but we just go with the flow.

Some of the ladies experienced their 1st squatty potty! Holy Cow. And Donna had quite a time at the bathroom at the airport.

I am actually getting ready to head to the shower. I promise, I'll write more as we do more.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Crunch time!

  • 4 days until 91.5 WCIC Sharathon 2010
  • 6 days until I leave for Dakar, Senegal. HOLY COW!
  • 46 days until the season premier of Glee
  • 49 days until 91.5 WCIC's Opening Act (I'm the main coordinator)
  • 64 days until I turn 24
  • 92 days until I'm Mrs. Wineinger.

I have come to understand that i can usually tell the validity of my task when i type into google, "Checklist for (FILL IN TASK HERE)" so I was feeling really good and slightly less overwhelmed when I specifically found a checklist for packing for Senegal. Granted it was another blog, but shoot! I'll take what I can get. I officially leave in less than a week. This time next week I will be in the air to Dakar, Senegal in Northwest Africa (Take note that when I get there it will actually be 5am of Friday)

My laundry is still sitting in a pile in my room. My two suitcases that I'm going to bring are down stairs waiting to be brought up. I have rolls of wrapping paper that I plan on unrolling and folding up to bring. I still need to shop for extra things and finalize all my bills so that everything get paid for while i'm gone.

I feel soo behind. I'm still finishing up Sharathon (our station fundraiser) stuff, making sure my interns, who are very awesome i might add, are fully trained for starting Opening Act without me. God has taught me something truly valuable right now! I cannot do ANYTHING on my own. And right now, I am pretty ok with that. I just got to relay on the one Man who's had my back even before I was born, and not sure why i can't fully do that.

I just listened to a really great sermon by Mark Driscoll about planning... we all know that im the most type A as they come... NOT! so listening to him and how he helped his wife manage over time was really helpful. Only thing is...I need someone to keep me accountable and up to date with my planning... and all i have is...

I say, anyone who wants to all over the state of il from Pearl City to Anna, we meet once a month for an accountability group... ha. It's worth a try.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't get me wrong. There are two highlight this spring and one is Senegal and the other is my wedding. I CAN NOT WAIT FOR THIS TRIP! Once I have the chance to think of packing it will get done very well... but i got to allow for time.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

We are the World

I know some people that really dislike this video but I don't care how famous they are, I still get a knot in my throat when I watch it... some of my co-workers were watching and it prompted me to watch it...




Sometimes I get genuinely concerned that we forget too fast. Sigh... this is a little bit of history.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

# of Days until Significant Events in my Life:

  • 5 days until my last round of immunizations for Africa
  • 37 days until 91.5 WCIC Sharathon 2010
  • 39 days until I leave for Dakar, Senegal.
  • 79 days until the season premier of Glee
  • 82 days until 91.5 WCIC's Opening Act (I'm the main coordinator)
  • 97 days until I turn 24
  • 125 days until I'm Mrs. Wineinger.
To write all of that out is kind of intimidating, but always good to see on paper. I am mentally prepared for about 1/2 of that. I have no doubt that I will survive. I have a huge fan club behind me, but how intact I will be after that is completely different.

My sister got married on new years eve. That was an awesome day! Moments happened that day that could never be replaced. What an experience. And I got a new brother; his name's Andy, and a niece and nephew, Maddie and Austin!

My wedding planning is going well. I attach some of the pictures that I am using as ideas. I think it's going to be fun. We are stumbling over a few little ideas but nothing detrimental. Nathan had his last first day at SIUC this week CRAZY!

I'm truly kicking myself right now because it has taken me almost four days to write this blog. I have some really great thoughts about what I want to write about and then I get home and get too tired to write about them, or Mac chews something and I get distracted. This is also a very similar story for my house. I start to clean it and then I get totally down or distracted and then I change my mind and sleep another night with a really tall pile of clothes at the foot of my bed.

I think my dear fish, Phish, is on his last leg. I have been doing my best to make sure he has all the water he needs even though the cats think this is their personal drinking bowl. He's floating slightly cockeyed around the tank at an nth of a pace. If i put food in there, it tends to sink to the bottom before he catches it... sad day. He's that animal that really makes me think about where i've been these past years. I got him when I lived in carbondale before I had Forrest...when we relinquished the fish tank in the living room...he came home for two summers, and three christmases, he moved to nashville with me, and then he moved back home and then here with me. Forrest chased him often at the apt in cdale and frisko chases him around the bowl now. He's lived a full fish life...and of course he's still alive so I shouldn't be talking like this.

Man...I created this blog to kind of allow myself to grow up on virtual paper, and I feel like i'm failing a little. I'm on paper yes, but still chatting about childish worries i seem to never grow out of. Something else I was thinking about today was a spot i heard on the radio about moms with kids understanding that their house doesn't have to be clean all the time...and I was thinking what about single women with no kids.... is it ok then too?

Anyone want to start a small group...im desperate. im drinking coffee right now so i feel about as sparatic as these last three paragraphs. Ok...i think this about as good as I'm gonna get for a while. I'm feeling like the next post will be a picture montage... i havent done one in a while.