so here's what's been going on in my world

I know I haven't posted anything of substance in a good while...mostly because I've been busy with things the past couple of months and just that I haven't really wanted to actually see in print what has been on my mind. Trust me, my mind can be quite a scary place. One of my best friends from home said to me while we were chatting and hanging out one day, "Joyce, I would so love to be a neuron in your brain for 30mins just to see how you process the multiple things that are firing on in your head" And I was like, "No you don't, because I wouldn't want to be a neuron in my head!"

Okay back to the update...sorry went off in the "weeds" Let's see since the last time I was here, i've been wrapping up another SAI year...the first yr of my second term as PO with things such as Province Day, spring initiations, meeting upcoming EB officers, meetings and wrapping up end year reporting. It was a pretty good year overall with just a few things that need to be worked on for next year. However, the "few" things made me shake me head on more than one occasion and want to scream bloody loud!! A few of these young women are going to be seeing a different side of "me" when we gather next. I pity those few kiddos....you should too! Work is work...and has at times made me think about relocating to another planet!! But it's all good and affords me the opportunity to do all the extracurricular stuff I so enjoy doing.

I went home in May for a much NEEDED vacation and break from things. It was so nice to be home in VA with my family and friends. I spent the majority of my time with my nephew Evan and we had so much fun playing together. As Evan would say, "Auntie Joyce, we're having lots of fun!" I went to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg for the first time in years and it was a real blast. My younger sister Kelly and I had our share of memorable moments. It was good. Carina and I spent some time together as well. She kept me laughing with all the crazy stories of her in-laws and that side of the family...we had planned on doing sushi, but didn't get a chance. Perhaps next time I'm home! I got to hang out also with my crazy Sherri- my friend since elementary school (sixth grade) and we had fun just catching up and visiting. I learned alot more about what she's been through and I'm more impressed with what all she's done. To quote Kelly, "She better than me. I couldn't do that!" Came back to good old K-town and have been cat/house sitting since being back. Hey it's easy money ($300) just to feed four cats and keep them company in the evenings! It's been fun but is starting to get a little tiring. I've got five more days of this still so hopefully it will go by fast. I miss cable and my floor!

No big summer plans other than just taking it easy. Jennifer and family are coming in the end of June so that will be nice to see them. I have a few road trip dinners planned with some friends and that will be fun. There are a few places we'll drive an hour and a half to go eat...it's that worth it! I want to get some scrapbook done and cards made so that's what will occupy my "free" time.

I've had an interesting week so far....been sick most of it with some stomach bug-whatever-is going-around thing. I've not felt like eating much of anything which is a bit difficult with my diabetes and sugar levels. I may have dropped a few pounds in the process (NOW that's good). However, it pales in comparison to some of the things that I have learned what's happened with some of my friends. I found out Sherri lost her sister this week (they don't know what happened- she went to bed one evening and never woke up- she was only 44) and I know it has been rough on her. I couldn't imagine how I'd be without one or both of my sisters- we're all so awfully close. She was already dealing with the ending of a relationship she had been involved in for some time. Then my friend, Tiff from church told me last night after we got out early from practice about some of the problems she is having with things in her life. Practice itself was weird and then listening to Tif tell me about aspects of her life was so sad. She's just resigned that certain things will be as they are and will never change and she's just stuck in basically a no-win situation. I think she can get out of the situation, but I think she's at this point lost all her self-worth. What made me feel worse was that I actually knew about some of the stuff she told me, but never said anything because I figured as rough as it was the first time for her to talk about it, I didn't want to say something in case she didn't have any suspicions. And there was a time I was really miffed with her because when I was really upset about some stuff, she wasn't there, but expected me to be there for her. I know she had stuff going on at the same time, but I guess my mind was not thinking that. Anyway, that kinda bummed me a bit..

there has been some good interesting things too...and according to Tiff were clear attempts to see if I had any ties to someone. She was like, can you not see they were checking to see if you were available?? I'm like...no way. and today, I was asked how would one get a hold of me if they needed me for something- so I gave my numbers (office and cell) and they were like, would you like my number so that if I called you'd know it was me?? So now I have a number programmed in my cell (which is kinda funny), but i'm sure there's nothing to it other than what it is- Tiff would disagree with me on this. I sent her a text and am curious to see what she's going to reply back with.

So that's what's been going on in my world. I promise it won't be another three months before my next post.

Well, I better get back to being productive. Later

an update now and earlier

Okay so I'm sitting here on Friday just ready to go home and be done for the day.  I'm more tired than I have been.  It's probably because i got up late and had a rough time getting in gear this morning.  i have been pretty busy since getting here and will be until the day is over.  Anyway, not much planned except for going out for sushi this evening!  Yeah!!  i'm going to go in tomorrow at church and help out with some "spring cleaning" with all the music stuff for a couple of hours and then who knows??  i may go window shopping for some crafty type stuff.  We'll see how I feel after sorting music and all. 

I'm a little bummed about the Peter Pan recall.  This is the brand I use and I had three bottles with the recall number on them.  I had already opened one and was about half through it.  Mom told me to throw it out so I did.  I hope they get it figured out soon so I can have my usual brand.  i'm not too fond of the other brands, but for now I guess i'll have to switch.

Well i'm going to jet in the lab and check things out....here's my earlier post (took it from my other site)

I should be in bed...

I really should go to bed seeing as though I will be getting up in less than four hours to go to work.  I got some things done this evening though not as much as I would have liked to.  I spent a bit of time on both phones discussing the peanut butter recall.  I thought I was fine, but upon closer look at the lids on all three jars of Peter Pan peanut butter they all have that prefix code for the recall so all three went into the trash.  i'm sending in those lids for a refund as those jars were pricey!!  I'm a little bummed because I like my peanut butter.  Hopefully it will end soon and I can go back to my usual brand.  I watched some tv instead of working on the newsletter, but I did get all my SAI paperwork filed and found the write-ups for the chapter blurbs my editors sent to me so i can include them in the newsletter.  I'm one step closer to getting it done.  Friday evening the "Dinner Club" minus one member is going out for sushi!  Yumm-o, I cannot wait.  It will be fun...I do plan on finishing up the newsletter at some point this weekend.  That's one thing I want to cross of the list.

Well, I'm going to go to sleep for once in my bed.  I'll be back later. 

**edit** I didn't sleep in the bed...on the floor as usual but at around 3am instead of 1am. 

killing time...til band practice

Hmmm...so I'm sitting here in my office killing some time before rehearsal tonight.  Granted, i guess I could go home first because practice starts at 6:30pm though we always have dinner half an hour before together but by the time I get home, I'd have to get back in the car and head to church anyway.  I'll just sit here a little bit before taking off and update on all my sites.

Nothing too exciting to report on my end except I've been sleeping more lately which for me is very bizarre in and of itself.  It is no surprise i'm sleeping on the floor despite having a bed to sleep in and I hope to one day soon actually go to sleep in my bed.  I'm playing a bit of catch up on some SAI paperwork and filing and making some progress though not fast enough for my own liking.  The goal for this evening (after rehearsal) is to finish the letters i've been working on.  Then, as my nephew Evan says, "I can be happy again!"  Granted, my happiness is not contingent on my getting the letters done.It's just an expression....

Speaking of my nephew, Evan.... I got an email from my sister Kelly (mother of Evan) that the package I sent him arrived yesterday and he was very excited. It got there fast as I only mailed it out on Saturday!! Kelly told me Evan was like, "Auntie Joyce sent me a package because she loves me.  I am happy now!" or something to that extent.  That was just too cute for words and made my morning when I read the email.  I sent him a Chick Hicks car from the Cars movie and some cookies that you can decorate that also are from the Cars movie, plus some balloons.  I love eBay as that is where I found them after several unsuccessful attempts to find it in K-town.

Well, I think I'm going to pack up here and head over to church for practice.  i'm sure i'll be sitting in traffic since it is the end of the work day.  I may update later. 

Til then, peace friends.

A fun evening

It was a pretty fun evening tonight.  Two of the girls from Lambda Eta (Amanda T. & Jinialle) came up to K-town for a dinner meeting and visit.  It was great to hear about things SAI and how everything is going.  There was the rehashing of what constitutes a date and lot of laughs though we did not apply the 50 miles from Lee at this gathering.  We ended up at Calhoun's and had tasty food....afterwards we ended up at the Coldstone for ice cream.  Then touring all the mondo houses in parts of Knoxville.  It was a nice break and good time.  I hope they had as much fun as I did. 

For the past week I have been searching almost every Wal-Mart in town and Toys R Us looking for a Chick Hicks (a character from the movie Cars) for my nephew Evan.  I was on the phone one evening and asked him if there was another car he would like from the movie and he said Chick.  so naturally I had to get it for him.  Well, I finally found it and took me three tries on eBay, but I checked my email after I got in from this evening and saw the email stating I had won!  Hallelujah!!!  So i'll be hopefully getting it soon and then I can mail it out with the other stuff I happened to have bought.

All, in all life is good.  I've got some things to do SAI wise like my newsletter and other letters so i'm going to be working on that this weekend.  I think Ashley is going to come over and help out with a little SAI project and do some scrapbooking...that will be a blast.  

But for now, I think I'm giong to close this and go to bed...IN my bed and not on the floor.  This will be the first time I've slept in my bed since coming back from the holidays! 

Til next time, peace friends.

love my phone