... a come back?...

I was thinking of making a comeback. Not really sure at this point but I think I might give it a go!
So, I stopped posting. Not for any other reason except life got crazy. Not really life. The Job. I'd been there for 7 1/2 years and the emotional abuse became intense to the point that I was having intense and crazy things happening all because of the stress. Good grief. I really believe God helped me get through the first 7 1/2 years and then it started getting really tough. I'd have friends who'd ask how the job was and when I'd say that I cried only 1 time that past week, they would say "that's good!" and they meant it.
But I'm happy to say I'm out. I'm done and I've started a new job! In a new City! In a new State! And although there are stresses, It's soo different.

I feel like I can breathe now. I feel relief. I feel like I can see things clearer now.

And I'm out of Florida. Nothing against Florida, I guess. Although I am not a fan. I did live in the middle of the state so that probably made it so much worse~ super hot, no breeze, nothing but humidity.

I live in the middle between my homestate of Michigan and Floria. Good middle ground with great views.

And I'm so excited about what the future holds!

Reminiscing.

During the summers of 1999 and 2000, I lived on Mackinac Island. There's something about just hearing that name that causes this crazy nastalgia. The first summer I worked there, I worked at a Bakery. I lived upstairs with 14 other girls in a 4 bedroom/2 bath/tiny kitchen/no dining room/small living room apartment. That summer I met Carrie who was also my "house mom". Carrie, my roommate Tammy(who grew up on a farm in a whole different world then me but was such a great roomate), and I hung out all the time. We worked together, hung out together. By the end of the summer, I don't think we thought we would ever want to see eachother again. But, a few months later, we were in touch again. I have been unable to contact Tammy for the last 7 years but Carrie is still one of my favorite people. She is the one I call when random things happen. She is very busy, working different hours than me, so I usually leave rambling messages on her voice mail. Not sure why. It's just what I do and so far, she still laughs!
Summer 2000 was good too. I got out more, trying hard not to gain the 15 lbs I gained the summer before (I lost it all on a few weeks once I was away from the cinnamon rolls that were as big as my head), and really explored the island. I also worked at the coffee shop as well as the bakery. This was when I fell in love with coffee shops and planted that seed of hope to one day have my own.
With all the stress of life these last few years, I think my memories are fading sometimes... but not when I think about these summers. I remember so many moments, the people, the smells, the way it felt to walk to the post office and have a bunch of people say hi and know who I was. I remember the sound of the water, the breeze on my face. Exploring the Island on walks. Mission Point resort where we used to sit by the fireplaces after work and play cards. I am so thankful for this experience, for the memories. I hope that I can take my kids there someday and although they will look at the Island through different eyes, I hope that they will be able to grasp the beauty, awe and wonder of that place.

New Orleans revisited.

I was uploading some pictures and ran across this:


When my dad, Marion, and I went to New Orleans, we got off the trolly too soon and had to walk to the zoo thru this park. When I saw this house, I stopped and took a picture for Eric. He likes scary movies and it looked like it belonged in one. I don't think I would want to walk by this house at night!
When we finally got to the zoo, I made sure to see the monkeys. I like exhibits with a lot of one kind of animal like the monkeys, the penquins, the flamingos because I like to the see the interaction.


I hate alligators but took this picture because they have moss on them! Our alligators are too busy in Florida nibbling on people and animals to grow moss, I believe.

I should be sleeping~ not blogging...

But I had an adventurous night! And Look! I am able to label this post "adventures and such"!

My friend Ava organized a girls night out to paint pottery. 5 of us showed up and had a lot of fun. To tell you the truth, I don't get out much and I am not the social butterfly I once was so It was really good to be in a smaller group of girls that are down to earth and fun! So, this is what I painted:

My cat looks pregnant but that's supposed to be the foot that I obviously didn't make long enough!
I won't name this friend~

I am not sure if this face came before of after she announced " I am REALLY funny tonight!" That you are, sister. That you are.

shoplifters and headlights

About a week ago, my mom ran to a local store to buy some shoes. She and another lady were leaving just as the store was closing. She got in her car and headed for home when she noticed a cop trailing her. She thought it was strange and stranger still when his lights and sirens went on! After saying something in the loud speaker, he came to the window and put a light in her face and then exclaimed "oh, you have the wrong color hair!" The security guard who saw a shoplifter told the cop the wrong car to trail~ thankfully the security guard gave the cop the womans correct hair color! Poor mom.
I got pulled over a lot in my late teens/early twenties when I had my chevy cavalier, Don Juan Benito. (seriously, who doesn't name their cars in high school!? Just because my cars name was a little bit longer and maybe alot weirder than your cars name, doesn't give you the right to judge!!!) : ) The name really worked to my disadvantage, though because D.J. got hit on all the time. A shwan truck took off part of my front bumper and a lady rear ended me going 35 when I had come to a complete stop~ that hurt. I'm pretty sure there were more occasions but I can't think of them right now.
Anyways, his headlights burned out all the time. I would say that I got pulled over once every 6 months to be told one of my headlights was out. One night, I got pulled over TWICE because of it. That stunk.
Anyways, my week, compared to these stories, was much less adventuresome. I just asked Eric if we did anything exciting this week just to make sure I wasn't forgetting to tell you anything. He said he doesn't think we did. I'm pretty sure we didn't either.

Drive safe, readers!

Kind of a part II and other adventures

I made a New Orleans Part I blog, thinking I had a bunch of pictures to post but I don't... so, um, yeah.
Anyways. When we were in New Orleans, we went to the preservation hall and heard the Jazz band. The thing that stuck out to me is the love these men have for their music, their instrument. They don't just play it. They have a gift and they use it to the fullest. It was so cool to watch their faces when they played and when their band partners played. It was like they were hearing it for the first time!
We went to the zoo too. It's a really nice zoo with great exhibits. I tried to add pictures but blogger's taking forever to upload them. Sorry to disappoint!
I also ate a fried pastry with powdered sugar on it. I know how to say it but not spell it, so it will remain nameless. I think fried things are great. I also love powdered sugar. I used to love licking the bowls after frosting sugar cookies with powdered sugar icing at Christmas. Oh my, I am starving now. starving.
I digress.

Today, Eric and I went to Lowes to buy dirt to fill in areas in our yard. As eric was loading it on the cart, an older man started talking to us. He then took me by the arm and took me to his cart to explain how to get a good bargain on miracle grow. He told us how to make our plants big and healthy. I didn't have the heart to tell him that we just wanted to cover up the pipe from our sprinklers where the dirt's been washed away! I think my shirt with flowers on it made him think I gardened. My dad is the gardener in the family. He even has a gazebo! and a fountain! I have only seen it in person twice so I don't have more things to list with exclaimations.
Other than that, we've just laid low all weekend. Have a great week.

Good ol' New Orleans PART I

My dad and step mom flew me out to one of their favorite cities~ New Orleans. They met me there from the North.
One thing that sticks out about the city that my dad pointed out is when the people in N.O. talk about things that have happened, they say it in terms of before or after Katrina. I get that. That's how I view our lives. Things happend before I was pregnant or after Micah was born. It's my landmark. It is the moment that changed who I was. It made me who I am.
And I think that's how it is with that city. Many people didn't come back but those that did have such a passion for their city. THEIR city.
I will write more about my adventures later but need to go to bed now.
I do have to say that I had the CRAPPIEST plane ride on the way home. Thank God is was a short trip. I am already praying that my 13-20 hour plane adventure to China in a few years doesn't suck and isn't so scary. At one point I was curled up in a ball in my seat to keep my stomache from dropping (that doesn't help, by the way). But I'm home and safe.
Night.

Karin