Where did the time fly???

I have been a bad blogger....I have neglected to tell any information, good or bad..

It's interesting when you've been away for so long, there's so much I want to say, but I don't know how to start. The last two weeks have been mind blowing.

The most memorable moments, were extremely unforgettable. It's not too many moments that I can say, I remember when....or I will never forget where I was. The last two weeks have offered two. The first being the Virginia Tech shooting, I am still numb and truly at a loss of words. I can't imagine being a student, attempting to better prepare yourself for the future, having so many hopes and dreams, and then those dreams being cut short. I can't imagine the pain of a parent, whose lost a child in such a violent manner.

The second happened Friday, at my job. On Friday, a gunman entered one of the buildings on site, and shot and killed his boss, and then turned the gun on himself. It's interesting, you couldn't watch the news the past couple of days without hearing about the VT tragedy, but you never think it could happen to you. For some reason, I thought I was so removed from the possibility that someone could do that here, on a federal, and assumed heavily secured work site, but it happened. During a conversation with my Best Friend on Thurs. I told her that I was playing musical doors at work. Every place I went was determined by whether there was a locked door around. As a Christian, I believe that I shouldn't walk in fear, but in faith. But the Virginia Tech tragedy, touched my soul. For some reason, I felt I knew those students, I could have sat in those classes.

Nothing I had prepared in my mind, prepared me for Friday, April 20Th. When the word finally got around that there was a gunman on the premises here, for whatever reason, I couldn't stop laughing, it wasn't that I thought any of it was funny. It was just something I couldn't control. The fact that my phone wouldn't stop ringing, the fact that my building was in lock down..the fact that what was on the news, was where I was....The only thing that made sense at that point was to laugh, because this could not be happening...

After about a hour and a half, we received word, that the incident was isolated in an building about a block from mine, and we were released to go home... We were warned, to not go near the building...As I promptly walked to my car, I can't describe the feeling that went through my body as helicopters hovered overhead, I can't describe my pleas for people to drive and not to obey that stop sign...I just wanted to GO..

When I finally got home, and found out that the situation had ended with two people dead, I couldn't believe that loss of life had happened so close to me. I think my life changed on Friday...we have to be careful how we treat people, how we act toward people.... But most importantly I learned the importance of having a life outside of work. I understand that my job pays my bills, I'm not in denial about that...my family and friends are what's important...

What I've noticed...

This band thing is SO working!!!! I'm so grateful that I had Lap Band Surgery. I'm not just saying that because everything has been perfect, because it hasn't. But I mean, I'm just SO happy. I noticed the strangest thing today while I was racing across the parking lot to my car...I wasn't out of breath!!! I had to test this theory, on my way to my doctor's office this afternoon, I decided to time how long it would take me to walk to my car. I took off walking, trying to see just how fast I could go!!! Next thing I know, a crazy thought crossed my mind, see if you could run..And I'll be dang on, if my feet didn't pick themselves up, and start running. I'm not saying it was a running like for a marathon, but, there was definitely some jogging going on!!!! I had to congratulate my feet, because surely, I didn't believe it could be done!!!

This weekend we had a cookout!!! With chicken, and steak, and hot dogs... For as long as I can remember, I've had a strange obsession about grilled hot dogs/hot links (for my Chicago people!!!), to the point that I don't think a cookout is a cookout without them. I remember growing up, and my mother and I would eat hot dog, just because..There didn't need to be a special occasion, just needed to be hungry!!! Well, at this cookout, I was able to eat a couple of chicken and grilled vegetable sh-Kai-bobs, ( I know that's spelled completely wrong, but you know what I mean!!!) , a ear of grilled corn of the cob ( Laura did the fool with the sweet corn), a grilled hot dog, and a small piece of steak. I know, I know, sounds like a lot of food. But I really wasn't, I made sure I chewed my food really well. I took my time, and when I was done eating, whatever food was left on my plate, went to John...(Again, I know...I have to stop treating him like my human disposal..)

But I was able to eat, I was able to feel like a normal person..Although with limitations, I was able to eat.

This weekend..

I had an absolutely wonderful weekend!!!! Every once in a well, you will have those weekends where time just fly by, and you find yourself back at work on Monday going, what happened to my free time. Normally, that's how I find myself...

Well, this weekend, was absolutely off the chain!!

Friday, was Good Friday. In remembering the best sacrifice that could ever be given for man, that Jesus died for our sins, I went to noon service at our church. It was amazing to hear the story told with such power, and clarity.

That evening, several of my girlfriends had a girls night out. No boyfriends, finance's, or husbands... A couple months ago we started attending plays, and found it to be very entertaining. On Friday, we saw Tyler Perry's latest play, "What's done in the dark.." The play had a very touching and informative message about going to the doctor, and taking better care of ourselves. Following the play, a couple of us went out to dinner, to one of our favorite places, Chili!!!!!. Lord knows, it's in those moments of reflection that you remember how blessed you are to have such dear friends. Sometimes people claim that women can be catty, and mean..But my female friends, have been some of the most encouraging, and supportive people that I've ever met. It's true when people say, when you find good people hold on to them...and that's what I've done.

On Saturday, another one of my friends, Laura, was in town visiting. Even though the weather was ugly, John and I really wanted to hang out with her, and our other friend Donald. We found this interesting place in the mall, where you find a piece of pottery, and then you use your creative side to paint the object. It was SO fun, and funny... When we got there both John and Donald, were totally against this "girl" activity. But after some convincing, they decided to try. John picked a Hummer, I picked a dog!!! About two hours later, everyone else was finished painting but John!!! He was determined that the Hummer looked as real as possible, and refused to leave before his creative vision was complete...Again it took some convincing, but he soon let it go, so that we could leave!!!! I must admit it turned out great!!! But don't tell him, I said that!!

I hope to post pictures from Friday night, and Saturday!!!!!