a hint of sad

Andy is nearing the end of his time at WFIE and I feel this sense of sadness. It's very much like that feeling that you get with graduations - how you know that things are changing, a new chapter of your life is starting...and although you're happy to be moving on you're a little sad to say good-bye to things. I'm not sure that Andy shares my feelings, but I really feel like this is time passing by and we've got to capture and celebrate everything. Last night was his last night to be on call. There are only 2 more days that he'll spend at the station. I keep thinking about my last tour of the station, my last time to see him drive the live truck or meet him on location. My last time to watch tv and feel proud that I can tell which video is his. Now, we'll have to get our news like everyone else. I wonder if Andy will still know everyone in town, or if we'll feel like we're lost in this city. I only have 2 more days that we can "do lunch". I feel that there are so many lasts and so many changes. I feel like crying even though I doubt that I can explain my happiness at our chance to be a "normal" couple that does evening things, sleeps at night, and spends weekends with each other and friends.

WC Handy Festival

Andy and I were looking for something fun to do today. This weekend (or actually, I think it was this week) the WC Handy Festival was happening in Henderson. The only time that I can remember really going to a festival or fair and eating something is a few years ago at the Toad Suck Festival in Conway. Today though we went with the intent on eating barbeque from a vendor and listening to the live blues bands. We were a little disappointed to see that the festival was slightly smaller (less vendors and such) as it had been in the past, but we easily found a barbeque stand. We both enjoyed some pulled pork sandwiches and sweet tea. There was a park bench in the park facing the Ohio River, so we sat eating our lunches and listening. I also tried to catch a lot of cotton flying from the cottonwood trees. It was fun just having a lazyish day and hanging out. This morning I even finished reading a book -something I really enjoy but haven't had quite enough time to do recently. I'm excited about Andy having "normal" hours and the possibility of us being able to do fun things in the evenings like other people. Something to look forward to, I suppose.

life is unpredictable

The news that Tim Russert has died really makes me sad. I've never been
a big political person, overly concerned with all aspects of everything. I do however remember watching presidential races (and other higher-profile policial decisions) while Tim used his dry erase board to explain things in a way which I could understand. I was able to see how important each state was in a way that my history and government teachers somehow couldn't get across to me. The part of my heart that breaks each time someone dies that I liked from afar but never really knew is -they seemed like a great person, but now what. They're dead -where did they go? Apparently, he was a 'devout Catholic'. Catholics are great people (usually), but my heart aches for their souls. I wonder if they ever really knew the truth and if they were so misguided by the words of the priests and so dependent on the sacrements that they miss actually letting Jesus save them. Life is short and unpredictable...I just hope that I can use my time to make an eternal difference in the lives of people around me. I feel very contemplative and a little sad about the whole thing...and yet, there's nothing I can do about what's already happened.

A Vacation

Our vacation is over, but it was great fun. Just time in the car...talking about all things past, present, and future. It was fairly relaxing with it's share of adventures. The free time was just what I needed. I always come home from vacation wishing for more time. Going to work this morning wasn't too bad, but it would have been great to just have another couple of days back without going to work. Our adventures took us as far north as Wisconsin (where we survived a tumultuous thunderstorm in our little tent). We also visited Missouri, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and back to Indiana. Our exciting highlights include getting "kicked-out" of our tent by a park ranger, hiking a very slippery mountain in flip-flops, watching a huge branch fall and break an electrical line, meeting a very happy dairly farmer, finding Andy's wallet "safe and warm", wading in Lake Michigan, and fantastic sweet tea in Wisconsin. I wish everyone would have as much fun with their spouse as I have with mine. Now, to move on to the next phase of our lives...waiting for summer adventures and thinking of next year's vacation. If only we lived in England...they get a whole month of vacation, right? :)

Looking forward to the weekend

The thing about working a normal job is that I get normal holidays off work. One day isn't a lot, but I'm hoping that the slightly extended weekend is fun and relaxing. Andy and I don't have plans but we do both have Monday off. I'm so ready to be away from Evansville so I don't have to think about any responsibilities. The rising cost of gas prices might have a little sway in our vacation plans (hopefully we'll get a vacation, which is a completely separate topic). Last weekend though Andy took engagement photos for a couple, and on the way home we stopped by a state park where I got to play on the playground. It was fun, relaxing and a glimpse of what we might have if vacation time ever arrives. I'm excited about summer weather. I'm sure I'll be singing a different tune whenever it's so hot I can barely breathe, but for now I'm happy about it. Summer is the beginning of everything (it seems) trips home for mother's day and father's day, the rowden reunion, multiple weddings, our anniversary, 4th of July, labor day...and on and on. Things that keep us busy until we ease into winter again and start over next year. Everyone was really right when they said time goes by more quickly the older you get. A seems to pass so much more quickly than I ever remember...they also say it flies when you're having fun, right? It must really go fast if you having fun and getting old :)

what i've been up to

Jonathan's graduation...we got to see family. Andy was here at home alone, but everyone was excited for Jon that he was finished and moving on to a great youth pastor position in Arkansas. Niah was wonderful...I hope that someday Andy and I can have kids as sweet as she is. And, I'm certain that she loves me...and she really looks like me, too. :)

Monday was Florence Nightingale's birthday. She is considered the "mother of modern nursing". I had to read tons of things that she wrote about nursing, I went to the Nightingale Museum in London, England. Nurses week also happens near her birthday because of her impact on nursing. I had been trying to convince the nurses at the clinic to wear their nursing caps...I didn't think it would work out, but I went on Monday and there were a couple of them that came through. We took some pictures and then presented a scrapbook I made quickly last night at the nurses meeting this morning. It was a big laugh, and I liked it.

A bit of deep thinking

Living here in Evansville, it's hard to ignore all the political candidates, their views, and all the promises they make to all the people that will listen. Andy has gone into work early and stayed late because of it all, and has seen both democratic candidates and several members of their families. I feel he's seen more "celebrities" in the last week than the entire rest of the time I've lived in Evansville.

The thing about it though, is that none of the candidates are very appealing to me. They all somehow disappoint me in the moral views. I don't know what I'll do when election day comes...hopefully I'll be able to decide who I think really is the best candidate. While all this is going on, I ran across a quote from Confucius. The quote says, "The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home." Wow. There's no doubt that the homes in America have deteriorated in moral standards, time families spend together, and time spent talking about God (unless of course they're using His name in vain). I think Confucius was right...and how could I expect the strength of our nation or the integrity of it's leaders to be any better than the majority of families. Our national leaders and our futures leaders really need God -just like the rest of our country. I suppose the best thing to do is pray that God will have mercy on our nation and guide the actions of those in charge. Who knew Confucius was so smart?