So it's been a while, I figure I should catch up.

A few weeks ago, I was pretty busy--my parents were coming to visit and I wanted the place to look really nice.  Its been the first company we've had since we've been here and I wanted to be "hostess", even though they are my family.  They came and we had a great weekend.  Friday, I made pizza and tiramisu cheesecake and we chatted and ate pizza and dessert.  David was at the first Youth Nite our church has had for a very long time, so it was just me and my folks.  On Saturday we went to New Orleans and the French Quarter.  I have never been there before.  We chose it because it sounded awesome when I read about it and my mom has been there in her college days.  She visited the Cafe Du Monde, which is famous for its beignets and chicory coffee.  My dad has even flown over it in the Air Force before.  Well anyway, we drove over Lake Pontchatrain with its 25 mile long bridge, which was very interesting.  It started to rain as we drove into New Orleans, though, which was a little disappointing, as we didn't want to spend our day walking in the rain, though we did come prepared with umbrellas.  It took us a looong time to find the French Quarter.  But we got to see some of New Orleans, lol.  Once we got there, we discovered it was fairly populated, which of course it was because this was Labor Day weekend.  But it wasn't too bad.  As we walked along, I was rather shocked at the vulgarity of some of the shops.  I suppose I oughtn't have been--I am sure its frequent enough in large cities, but Blaine, MN was the largest city I've ever lived in and that was when I was in grade school.  Anyway, there were some interesting parts, such as street performers like the Roboman, painted all over in silver paint.  I'll post some pictures.  He had some robotish music and was moving around like a robot. 

And then there was a man painted all in gold wearing sporty clothes and carrying a ball of some sort.  He just stood in one position as a statue, which was incredible in the heat of a post-rain in Louisiana!

There were also plenty of interesting and clean shops, some historic and some just interesting.  I also LOVED the old buildings--that was my favorite part. 

Also, as we were walking around the square in the French Quarter, we saw a bride and groom coming out of this cathedral, which was so fun to watch. 

We walked along the coastline of the Mississippi and watched boats go by--also very interesting.  I learned about the types of ships coming and going and what they were likely carrying, though now I cannot remember. 

Sunday, of course we went to church.  Afterwards my folks and I went to Walmart where Mom and Dad bought me groceries and other stuff, which was sooo nice.  We went to Winn-dixie and got some beignet mix and chicory coffee so I could make my own Cafe Du Monde!   :)   A lady at church had given me some okra and butter beans, so we made okra jambalaya, butter beans, and cornbread for dinner.  Sooooooo good!  We decided to eat after evening service, but Mom and I ended up getting pretty hungry during church!  But it was totally worth the wait.  We decided that the next morning, the morning they were to leave, that they would come over for some chicory cafe au lait, just like Cafe Du Monde.  So they came and we enjoyed some coffee and conversation.  Dad also helped us anchor our coat rack/shelf near the door. 

Later that evening, David and I went to Katie's to look at a dog that a friend of hers was trying to find a home for.  We loved him immediately.  He is a pitbull mix, I believe, though frankly we didn't know much about him.  But we took him home.  He turned out to be SUCH a calm dog and fairly obedient, except on the leash.  He would obey after a while of leash checking.  We decided to call him Balboa.  Balboa's one vice turned out to be seperation anxiety.  I wonder if this is due to a jaded past with previous owners.  We were with him most of the day, but Wednesday was the real test.  We went to a church function and, of course, put him in his kennel.  For some reason I was so paranoid about his getting out--he had chewed and torn part of the plastic bottom, which was the ONLY thing he chewed on.  When we got home that evening, David said, "See? He's fine. He's not out".  .... Then we saw his nose and head poke around the blinds.  We couldn't believe it!  How did he get out???  We found a note on our door from our landlord saying that there had been complaints.  The only thing we could figure is that our landlord came in to let him out of the kennel.  That ticked us off a little, since for all the landlord knew, the dog could have chewed our place to bits, though he didn't.  He knocked over a plant and our trashcan, which are both near the windows, but otherwise the place was fine. 
We didn't know what to do.  It takes some time, usually, to train a dog and the next time we were going out was Sunday--for most of the day.  We really thought about it and decided that we couldn't afford to be either evicted or have our dog let out again, possibly into the street if the landlord so decided.  So we decided to give him to an animal shelter to be adopted.  This has really broken our hearts.  We had Balboa for less than a week, but we so fell in love with him.  Mom had shipped us some Cesar Millan episodes and some dog training books, etc.  We've been watching them lately and want Balboa back more than ever.  I am actually sort of hoping that in 6 months or so, when we'd hopefully be ready for a dog again, he will still be available for adoption.  But I'm sure someone will notice his sweet nature and give him a home. 

David and I took a dog breed quiz to find out which is best for us, and the answer came up as mixed.  French Bulldog was high on the list, though, and according to the description of the dog, it would be a great dog for us.  After watching the Cesar Millan episodes, I feel confident that we could have an obedient dog fairly quickly. 

On Sunday, it turns out that I wasn't gone for most of the day.  I started to feel sick at church and it got worse during the day, so I stayed home.  David went to preach at a home church in lieu of another member who is ill.  Monday was no better.  I had planned to go out to search for jobs, but I felt so nauseous.  Its been better lately, but still a little "gnarly" as my mom would say. 

As for the job hunting, I have applied several places, but have received no calls yet.  I did have an interview with Sears this past Tuesday.  I applied online and at the end, I was asked to schedule an interview.  But I would LOVE to work in preschool again and have applied at one.  I called them the other day, but the receptionist told me that the director was out, but was reviewing applications.  I shall call back in another week and hopefully will recieve a more pleasing answer.

David bought me all the available episodes for "Bones" recently.  We watched them all already   :)   and are now watching the new ones online.  He found it online from China for really cheap.  Buuut, apparently it was bootlegged or something right from the television.  The editing was pretty good, except for the TV signal in the corner and the one mistake of leaving on a "Bones" preview at the end of the episode.  That made us laugh. 

Last Friday was the second Youth Nite and I attended this time.  There were a few more kids this time, which is heartening.  David and I decided on a water balloon toss using two sheets, one for each team.  This they were not good at, so tired of it quickly.  We have a range of ages from about 8 to 13, so I think the ability differences mad the older ones who probably could have done it a little frustrated.  We then allowed them to pelt each other with the balloons, which they greatly enjoyed.  Some of the girls and I had filled some up inside (the only place to access a faucet).  The girls came back in to grab some more to pelt the guys and I was trying to take them outside, when a girl grabbed one and it broke on the floor right behind Miss Thelma (grandmother to some of the kids) and splashed her a little.  I laughed, admittedly, but felt soooooo bad.  She said it was fine and was totally cool about, though, but I still felt bad.  The girls wanted to watch a movie during dinner, so I was going to go back to get our TV, DVD player, and a selection of movies.  The four older girls wanted to come with, which they were given permission to do.  I felt a little nervous carting around other people's children, so I drove really slow the whole way.  One of the girls even asked me to speed up.  They were really enchanted with our little place and wanted to see everything, but were rather bold about touching things and trying to be "adults", so I did not allow this.  But they helped me carry out the DVD player and the movies.  One of them, the one that seemed most attached to me, wanted to carry the TV, but I was very adamant that I only do this....I did not want it to break and have anyone else be responsible for it.  Since I drove so slowly, it took longer than usual to get back and everyone else was already eating dinner.  The girls didn't even watch the movie, possibly because the boys were playing Life and the older adults were talking and it was pretty loud.  But I think they had fun.  We are really going to have to think of some activities to tire them out early on, because they were pretty energetic during the end and being loud and active inside the church, but it was dark by then.  We sent the boys out since they were most active, but even the girls, who wished to play inside were a little too energetic and bored.  If anyone has any thoughts (and has managed to stay with me this long into my post!) I'd greatly appreciate any and all ideas! 

Last Sunday, we had church of course.  After evening service, we decided to go to Taco Bell and a movie.  We went to see "All About Steve", which turned out to be pretty funny.  We got home and were upstairs when David wanted me to get him something from the kitchen, but was feeling timid about asking.  I said I enjoyed serving him, so he was like, "Hey! Its a mutually beneficial relationship! It's like a leech and a host! .....But.....the host doesn't profit from the leech. Hm....."  He was searching for another example so I said, "....Like being married??"  "Yeah!"  Lol.

Monday was no fun, mostly for David.  He had an abcess on his leg that was not getting better, so we took him to the Walk-in Clinic in Hammond.  Doctor drained it and said it was a mild case of Staph.  He gave David some anitbiotics and pain meds.  David's leg was hurting him pretty bad.  We switched sides of the bed so that I wouldn't inadvertantly bump the sore leg, which I would be very likely to do.  But I was so paranoid about hitting it anyway (plus nervous about my Sears interview in the morning) that I didn't sleep well at all.  
I was enormously tired in the morning, but went to my interview.  I made it, after searching for the office for a while and a employee to ask.  My interview was very short.  The Customer Service Manager asked me a few questions such as, "Describe a time when you displayed integrity", etc.  He told me they definitely need people but the Hiring Manager would call me when he got back from vacation.  Totally not worth worrying about. 

Today (yay! All caught up!) we went back to the doc's for a check-up on the abcess.  I decided to watch which turned out to be very stupid.  The procedure looked like it hurt, which made me lightheaded and nauseous.  I was wheeled (how embarrassing) to a vacant room and laid down.  I continued feeling very faint and weak and clammy and nauseous.  David even finished his procedure and came to sit with me.  Seeing him triggered the reaction again.  It would come in waves.  I tried sitting up at one point, but was totally not ready for that.  We decided to check me in to see the doc.  It was quite a while before he got to see me.  In the meantime I was so cold I was shivering rather violently.  By the time the doctor came to see me I was sitting up, wrapped in a blanket and feeling much better.  He gave me some medicine to help with vertigo, in case that was the problem and then we went home.....nearly five hours after our arrival.  I suppose I just had a reaction to thinking David was in pain and it took me a while to be convinced that he felt much better.  He's going back on Friday, but I think I'll just wait in the lobby while he goes in.....if I go at all. 

Well there is my rather lengthly post about the past few weeks.  I really must get back to my exercise regimen, which was put on hold while I was busy.  But I am less so now and really need to get back....motivation....hard to summon.  Encouragement anyone???

It has been a while since I have written.  I have felt despondent lately....gloomy, lonely.  And this week has been a total pms session, which is unusual for me.  I got so fed up with the rollercoaster of emotions, that I decided to begin an exercise regimen.  I found a 6 month workout guide and since it sounds reasonable and within my present physical condition, I began yesterday.  I only start out with 20 minutes of aerobic activity for the first two weeks, but that is actually plenty for me right now and I actually feel great afterwards. 

So. Since I am feeling an inclination for writing and am feeling better than I have in days and can, in good conscience, write without sounding like a messed-up wreck, I will attempt to chronicle my past week or two.

Sunday, August 9th (approximately)

Well. I can say that this was the most social day David and I have had in a long, long time. It started out normally enough. We woke up, dressed for church, and drove thither. Bob Morrow was already present when we arrived. We chatted for a while until the others showed up. Of course, we also chatted with the other members--the part of the service that I do not really like. I am so shy and reserved, I find it extremely difficult to talk to these people--people with whom I have little in common and often treat us like very young persons, which we are; though I would much rather be treated like another adult and not like I am ignorant. Mr. Simmons told me that when I went to speak to Deborah Forshag ("for-shay"), she thought I looked like a "little girl" in my floppy-brimmed hat. That bugged me a little. But anyway, after church is also rather social in a small-talk sort of way. It seems to me that people are always hinting at us to come over, but I do not take hints very well and would feel uncomfortable "going over" without a formal, blunt invitation. I was always taught not to invite myself over and so I don't, though it seems common enough down here and acceptable.

Well, after church David and I went with Brother Bob (brother being the common local term for a male Christian) to "CB's". I had no idea where this was or what it was--I assumed it was a place. But after eating at Ryan's, where Brother Bob has been frequenting every Sunday for two years and where, also, the entire staff knows him, we arrived at a private home. David and I were a little surprised. The woman who answered the door also seemed rather surprised at seeing Bob's two companions, but not vexed. CB, it turns out, is a member of the Russell clan, after which they named a road (where our church is located) called Russell Town Road. CB is a much older man, around 80. His friend, or brother perhaps, was also present. His name is Cleo. CB's wife, whose name I don't recall, daughter, and her children were also present. I think CB's daughter is Emily, but I could be making that up. Her children are Matt and Monica, both slightly younger than David and I, though I thought they were married at first. Ha.
This gathering, to which a family who frequents our church later arrived, turns out to be a small worship/church service.....after the morning church service. I don't exactly understand this, but I am not accustomed to it and who am I to criticize a group of people who want to worship God and hear the word of the Bible? Brother Bob was the one who spoke that day--he spoke on Revelation--a sermon I didn't really follow as I was extremely tired and I never understand much of what Bob says, anyway.
Afterwards, Emily served cake and coffee, of which David and I did not partake. I felt rather guitly, since it appears that feeding people is the way people show affection down here, but for that very reason, Bob had insisted we eat a lot at Ryan's, which we did. We had no more room for food that day. Honestly, we never expected to be hungry again.

The service at CB's took about an hour or two and by the time it was over and we had chatted for a while afterwards, it was time for us to head back to Amite for the evening service. Bob came back with us, which was rare, since he doesn't usually attend evening service--due, probably, to the fact that he lives 2 hours away. Mrs. Ruby who is an older lady came to the service. Sometimes she attends, I think when she doesn't she works--at what, I am unsure. Anyway, she reminded David that he forgot to come over to her granddaugther's house just before service. They do not attend church, although Mrs. Ruby brings their children occasionally. David said we'd come over after church, which we did. The couple, whose names I do not remember, is probably in their early 30s. The husband--Stephen?--is sarcastic and good-humored and can be jokey in a way that may not tickle the ears of the older members of our congregation in a good way. His wife is more subdued, though equally good-humored. We talked for about an hour and half and left around 8:30.

We arrived at home exhausted from all the social activity. If I was lonely before that, I certainly wasn't after that day.

....more to come later....I am going to eat now.   :)