Pray...

I know quite a few of you that read the blog, so please take a moment to pray for some very special friends of mine.

Ryan and Kim lost a good friend from Florida this last week who had been battling cancer for some time who was our age...they will be heading back home tomorrow after attending her funeral.

My friend, Erin, found out that her mother has cancer and will begin treatments soon... I have a link to Erin to the right under 'Ernie'. Erin and I became friends several years ago through work and her mom was so welcoming when I went to visit her in MI...she treated me like her own daughter.

Thanksgiving for Kelli and Dave on the arrival of their little girl who was born yesterday! Congratulations, you two :)

Thanks everybody~

Seriously...

Can anything 'normal' happen to me while being out here?! I remember an old friend from college who used to talk about 'The Days of Marcie's Life' because everything always seemed to be out of the ordinary with me.

Tuesday night was no different.

I get a 'Restricted' call on my cell phone and like everybody else, I ignore it. Two minutes later, I hear a faint knocking on the front door... it's around 8:15pm and I'm sort of wondering who could be out selling stuff this 'late' at night, so again, I ignore it. The knock grows louder and more persistant and I'm getting a little irritated, but still, stay in my room. Next thing I know, I thought my door was going to be knocked off the hinges, so I run downstairs and look through the peep hole to see nobody out there. However, out of the corner of my eye, I see somebody looking at me through the side of the window and I see the sleeve of his shirt - it was a police officer. Well, let's see what he wants....

I open the door and out of nowhere, three men jump in front of me with guns (not the cute little circus guns that say 'BANG!' when the trigger is pulled, but BIG guns). My hands go up and I'm like, "Whoa! Hey guys, what's up?" A woman steps from around the corner and asks me if everything is 'ok in here'.... Sure is... (except for the fact that I want to poop my pants). I offer for them to come in and check things out, but they won't do it.

Naturally, I'm still freaking out... she explains to me that the guy who lived there a year ago had sent in a suicidal note and wanted to go down in a blaze of glory (or gunfire) and this was the last known address that was on file for him. The suicidal swat team was in full gear, ready to go, and then some girl opens the door in her pj's - I wish I would have answered my phone :)

Once they clear out, my landlord stops by to see if I was doing ok - supposedly they had called him first, he gave them my number to 'warn' me that they were on their way even though he told them that the dude didn't live there - they still had to follow protocol. I guess that there were 8 more officers down my sidewalk AND they blocked the street off! I can only imagine the adrenaline pumping through their veins when they walked up to my door - what a let down for them to see me :)

Talk about excitement in the neighborhood...

It Might Be, It Could Be, IT IS!!

I miss Harry Caray. The Cubs games just aren't the same without him anymore...

I was so sad this morning on the commute in to work. My carpool buddy and I usually listen to this morning show on the radio called the Rise Guys and they announced that the catcher, Michael Barrett, was traded today to the Padres. Bummer.(http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jspymd=20070620&content_id=2038291&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc )

My favorite game days involved watching Carlos Zambrano (my fave) and Barrett because I thought they made a great team in and of themselves. I was hoping that when I went to the game out in San Francisco in a couple months to see the Cubs play the Giants that I would get to see both in action, but the wind has been taken out of my sails. Boo.

Maybe a trip to San Diego will be in the near future? Hmm...

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

I love my dad.

If the old saying about an 'acorn not falling too far from the tree' is correct, then it is so true for my dad and me.

Throughout the years, I have been nicknamed 'Little Loyal' and at times it makes me mad and other times it makes me proud....such a double edged sword!

My dad has taught me so many things throughout my life and I don't know what I would have done without him near - he helped me learn how to ride my bike after many unsuccessful attempts in the yard and ramming the handle bars into my gut - "You're ok - it's a long ways from your heart. Now try it again."

I got to sit on his lap and steer the El Camino when I was learning how to drive and couldn't reach the gas pedal. He would take me in the pick up on Sunday mornings to Casey's so I could get a Mt. Dew and a Snickers while he got the newspaper. He rigged our kites with a TON of string so we could get it extra high in the air - well, mine would go high and Todd's would get wound up in the power lines.

My bicycle seat was on the back of dad's bike before I learned how to ride on my own and he would go so fast down hills that it felt like I was flying. He was good with throwing fly balls in the backyard (my favorite) and he made me practice ground balls even though I hated it (always afraid I'd get my teeth knocked out if the ball hit a bump in the grass). He was a pro at playing bad mitton with a cigarette in his mouth and we hated playing Monopoly against him :)

Since mom was unable to get her point across by 'yelling' and letting us know we were in trouble, we knew when dad gave us 'the look' that the game was over. His piercing blue eyes could cut like a knife and thankfully, I have only seen 'the look' once. It worked.

Louie loves his naps, especially after lunch. However, he does not like it when he is napping and you're roller skating around and around the kitchen and living room. I thought I was being quiet (besides, he couldn't hear and was sleeping) until he grabbed the back of my pants on my way by and told me to go get the yard stick. Now why would he need the yard stick when he was sleeping? Good question. I knew I had pushed the envelope and tried stalling, but Grumpy Gus wasn't having it. Somehow after I got the yard stick, it flew out of my hands and behind the washer and dryer... weird... sorry, dad, can't find the yard stick - guess I'll just go outside and roller skate there.

One of my favorite childhood memories (yours too, dad) was the day that we were getting ready for lunch (mom was working) and I wanted to go ride my bike around the block. The answer was a definite 'NO', but I couldn't hear him since I was already out the door and on my bike NOT going to Wendy's house. I was just going to go the other way around the block... ''Maarrrciiiieeeee....." I heard Wendy's voice and wondered what she could possible want - better go check it out.

Call the local news channel - she found a bird's nest!! "Are they hatching? Is the mom in there too? What does a nest look like?" Away I went across the street to check things out... up the tree I climbed to look at this marvel and just then, here comes dad around the corner on Todd's dirt bike, cig hanging out of his mouth, and boy was he on a mission - did he come to see it too? Not so much... he had watched me from the window after telling me not to go to Wendy's and was just waiting for the moment when I was 'lured' over there!

Needless to say, I was grounded for a week and the worse part of the whole deal was that my bike was off limits. Was it put in the shed? Oh no that would be too simple - it was chained to the garage wall, suspended above the ground, so every time I went outside, I was reminded of the reason that I was grounded in the first place. He was so creative :)

I used to love laying on your tummy when I was little and having you scratch my back until I was sleepy. I loved how you would swing me over the bannister by my corrective shoes back and forth until no more blood could rush to my head! I love the sound of your laugh, the way you say ''Fridee, feesh, and seement''... I learned that it's ok to be different and not look like other people who are wearing sandals. You are honest, opinionative, and straight to the point so we always know where we stand...good or bad! (I definitely don't get that trait from mom! ha ha).

I love it when you take me for a ride in the Corvette and hammer down, even though we're never supposed to tell mom that we do it... I love going fishing with you, standing next to you at football games chit chatting, having a beer on the back step and talking about our days, and talking to you on the phone. I love it when I give you a hug and can smell your after shave on my cheek for hours after we've left each other.

Dad, I've never been as proud of you as I am right now at this very point in time. I have seen you come a long way in the last two years after getting baptized and most recently after your stroke. You are an inspiration and a blessing to our family - you have always instilled in us that we don't need 'things' in our lives to make us happy, but we do need family and love. You have taught me about work ethics, how to stand up for myself, and that you don't like anything with mint flavoring.

I'm so happy about the faith journey that you're undertaking and am glad that I have been able to be a part of it, been a sounding board for you, and I will continue to pray for you. I'm happy that you are going to get to experience the retired life and after 18.5 years of having the station, you deserve a rest. Enjoy it! (Mom's going to put you to work, you know? It's not going to be Dr. Phil and bon-bons every day, Louie.)

Dad, thanks for being my friend, father, a good Christmas shopper, mover, and mechanic. I have enjoyed spending so much time with you on the way up to SD to the football games, hanging out on Saturday's for lunch, and watching you grow as a Christian. I like how we are so similar because you always know my reaction or what I'm thinking.

Thank you for giving me freedom, thank you for your approval, thank you for being understanding and loving and thank you for my blue eyes :)

I hope you have a great Father's Day and just know that even though I'm not there with you, I will be thinking of you and loving you from 1,800 miles away!

I love you, daddio! Lorettie

New Sights

I almost wrecked my car trying to miss this little rodent.... then of course I had to rubber neck because I've never seen one before. Ah, new sights in the big city :)

Not much has been going on lately with me.

I have been house sitting for a coworker and have enjoyed spending every night hanging out in their hot tub and pool and playing with their doggies. It's so nice to have such an open space, a 'home' to be by myself, do my own thing, and have some personal time.

Last night I went to a slow pitch softball game to watch some coworkers (The Bulls) play after work. It was so much fun and the weather was perfect.

I'm not sure how the forecasters can keep jobs here when every day it's the same thing - High of 90F, Abundant Sun - they nail it on the head every time! I miss the big fluffy clouds back home though. Last week it was cloudy and looked like it could sprinkle and you should have heard how 'down' the office was - they just couldn't believe that it wasn't sunny and a lot of people were a bit upset. I loved it! (Not that they were upset, but that I finally got to see some clouds).

Speed Dater Boy and I haven't talked for almost 2 weeks - I wasn't as 'fast' as he was, so he must have moved on... his loss, eh? (At least that's what I keep telling myself... Morals - check.)

Another birthday has come and gone and who is the cutest birthday girl you know? Here, I'll help you out.

Still studying for my exam and I actually just finished a practice test from my manager - keep the prayers coming that I can pass this crazy thing! Does there really need to be that many rules and regulations? Yowza.

Keep in touch! :)

Old Friends

I had the opportunity to see some old friends from Iowa on Friday and it was fabulous!

After taking the day off and driving up to Reno, I was reunited with Kerry and Kari, whom I had met at church several years ago and have grown friendships with that have withstood the test of time (and now distance). What a wonderful 24 hours I had with these two beautiful women!

Not only was my spirit refreshed, but I felt renewed when I had left the following morning (after crying for a good five minutes). To have a dear friend pray for you and have your name spoken on her lips meant so much to me... I haven't had a connection like this since moving out here and I forget how much a person's heart longs to have a relationship with friends you love and trust.

The day was even made brighter when we spotted a Dippin' Dots stand in the middle of the mall - naturally I had to have a small cup of chocolate mint ice cream 'balls' (it IS the ice cream of the future, you know). Thanks to Jill Ann Oh Huh, I have become addicted to Dippin' Dots and have made a quest to try every flavor that is available. Last year at the fair, I had 3 cups - in one day. Oh it's the little things that make me so happy :)

To start the morning right, we hit the nearest Jamba Juice stand and introduced Kari to some fruit smoothie goodness. She is now a Jamba Juice snob like K Dubs and I have been for the last couple of years! Welcome to the club, sista!

I am incredibly blessed to have friends like I do and Friday was just proof to me how much I miss everybody; but knowing how a little contact with old friends can rejuvinate the mind, spirit, and soul is something that can't be replaced. I thank God every day for each one of you and hope that you have amazing people in your lives like I do. I am overjoyed and filled up with love and blessings!

Ladies, thanks again for the short time we had together - I had a GREAT time and enjoyed every minute of it! Hugs and kisses....