Mack the Knife

It's very hard to believe that one year ago tonight, I was sitting in a nursing home with a number of extended family members, just hours before my great grandma Eunie took her last breath. I remember the day like it was yesterday.

My grandma had been sick for the last two weeks and I had gone to see her every single day. No matter how tired she was, and even though she could hardly see, she knew it was me every single time I came to see her. Every time I left, I gave her a hug and a kiss, and told her I would see her tomorrow. I had switched my hours at work starting August 2nd, my first day of my second term at Kaplan, so I would come in at 1:00 PM, leave at 5:30 PM, and go to class at 6:00 PM. I figured this worked out best so I could still have time to spend with my grandma Eunie.

I went up around noon, and was a few minutes late to work. My dad called around 4:00 when he left work and said he was going to see her. I told him I had gone up to see her before work, and that she was doing pretty well. He said he would call me after he left. No more than 15 minutes later, my phone rang again. Dad. I don't remember the exact words but it was something like, "Lindsey. You need to come here now." I asked why but answered my own question with "okay" and hung up. As the tears welled in my eyes and a lump formed in my throat, I walked into my bosses office and said I had to leave. It was the longest 10-minute driver I've ever taken. I fought tears while contemplating stopping to get gas as my light was on. I kept praying to make it there before it was too late. I got there just before 5:00, and ran to her room. It was a very long evening and I was tired, hungry, sad, exhausted, scared, nervous... She passed away at 12:40 AM. I can't begin to say how thankful I am to have spent her last hours with her, to watch her take her last breath.

True Love

Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,

it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves.

Love never fails.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.

But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13

Two of my very good friends, Stephanie & Nick, are a prime example of 'true love.' Last summer, I spent quite a lot of time with the two of them, but it wasn't until Labor Day weekend that we started spending most of that time together. Sunday night, Lexi & I decided to go to the Screaming Eagle and Nick & Blake were there. After a few hours of conversation, music & beer, Blake took us into Newton's and cooked for us.

Blake was in and out of the kitchen while Lexi, Nick and I watched people leave what used to be Roux Orleans and is now Black's 501 Piano Bar. It was a great way to bring summer to an end and celebrate Labor Day.





When Nick saw this picture, the first thing he said was, "it looks like I'm trying to fart and she knows it." Needless to say, it was probably true and we laughed about it 'til our stomachs hurt and we had tears in our eyes.

We all ended up crashing at Nick's place, which was a loft above the Screaming Eagle. The next morning, we were laying around watching Astro Boy when Steph called. "I think I'll swing by!" Once I hung up the phone, Nick asked me who I was talking to. "Steph," I replied. "Stephanie Tansey?! I've had a crush on her forever! Oh my God..." and then he proceeded to begin sweeping and Swiffer-ing his nearly spotless place. Blake and I decided to keep them company and went to lunch at Chapala's, where we enjoyed enchiladas with "creamy white sauce" and margaritas. Steph and I took a trip to Target after lunch (for some pocket t's) and hung out until we went over to Nick's for pizza and game night.

And so it went from this...

...and phone calls and talks with each of them about how great the other one is and how happy they are, to this...

Throughout my relationship with each of them and their relationship with each other, I've learned a lot about life, myself, friendship, and love. I would often scrunch up my nose or make gagging noises whenever they'd kiss each other or say 'I love you' in front of me, but I now realize that they were and still are truly, madly (deeply) in love with each other. That kind of life doesn't come easy, and not everyone is blessed to experience it. I couldn't be happier for them and I am beyond thankful for being a part of their life.

Taysen James

It's been a ridiculously long time since I've posted. Here's what (or who) has been consuming 90% of my time the past two months...

It's amazing how quickly you can fall in love with someone you barely know...

...and even crazier how fast they grow up. Happy two-month birthday Taysen! More pictures to come...

Oh, The Places You'll Go...

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...
-- Dr. Seuss, Oh! The Places You'll Go! 

As you should have figured out by now, I will officially be done with college in one (!) week. Which leads me to think of very random things...

1. Take alcohol for instance. I know a number of people who have been finished with college for a few years (or a select few who decided to skip college and go straight to the 'Real World') ... and it seems like all they do outside of work is go out and party. At least four days a week. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a night out with friends and having a couple beers, but to go out more than two nights in one week for me is about impossible. Sure, I'm still in school, and I work pretty much full-time, and I am in my early-20's, but I'm beginning to think I've outgrown the "party" stage of life. This is where those people come into play. These people who go out Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and then start it all over again. These people who get black-out drunk every time they drink. These people who spend endless amounts of money on what? A fun night that they won't remember?

2. Acquaintances. Perhaps someone you graduated from high school with, had a college class together, or a co-worker from a previous part-time job. Someone whom you've talked to maybe a handful of times, where the typical conversation goes like this:
Hi, how are you? "Good! How about you?" Good! What have you been up to?! "Not much, school, work, family, etc. what about you?" Oh the same...well it was good seeing you. "You too!" Someone who tries (or appears to try) to make plans. I'm a person who has a few GREAT friends, rather than several "so-so" friends. Sure, I know a lot of people, and I won't hesitate saying hi to someone if I see them out, but I'm happy with my few closest friends.

3. Children. Don't get me wrong, I love kids. The thing that bothers me is the mom (or dad, or both) don't live up to their titles. A lot of my friends have children, or are expecting. There is no doubt in my mind that these women will be amazing mothers, as several of them don't have dad in the picture. If you are responsible enough to have [unprotected] sex, get pregnant, and choose to keep your child, then you need to be responsible enough to care for and raise your child.

4. Travel. I want to see the world. I haven't been many places...Texas, Las Vegas, UP of Michigan, Minnesota, Chicago, Wisconsin, St. Louis and Kansas City about sum it up. I want travel to be a part of my business life. My dad has gone on business trips since I can remember, and has met so many great people. I want that in my life.

I was up until 4:30am doing discussion posts and writing papers. Right now, I've got a few lists calling my name so I can graduate by May 31st. I wonder why I continue to procrastinate so much? 9 more days...I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

First Timer

There's a first time for everything, right?

Spring Break 2011 was spent with a lot of "firsts." Like my first business trip. Alone. To Des Moines for a 2-day insurance class. On Wednesday, I packed my suitcase and took off on Highway 20. I made it (without getting lost, thanks to my Garmin) in roughly two hours. I checked into my hotel and went up to Room 213. (I'm apologizing now for the poor pictures.)

After checking things out, calling Mom & Dad to let them know I'd arrived, I quickly became bored. Luckily I was just 1.59 miles from Jordan Creek Town Center. For probably the first time ever, I didn't find much, granted I purposely "missed" a few stores. After a good two hours of shopping, I decided to get some dinner at Champps. Alone. I've never eaten at a sit-down restaurant completely by myself. And you know what? It wasn't bad at all. Except for the slightly confused look I got from the hostess when I replied "just one." I enjoyed sitting at a high-top table, watching the First Four of the NCAA Men's Tournament and sipping a Woodchuck while waiting for my dinner...which was a cheeseburger. Like my Dad said, "imagine that." 

Day 1 of my "vacation" was spent in a meeting room at the hotel studying insurance terms like umbrellas and blankets. Besides an hour lunch break, I sat in the same chair for roughly 8.5 hours, drinking Orange Tea, water, or Pepsi, sucking on peppermints, taking notes and highlighting what Steve focused on, and making small-talk with my fellow classmates. Thursday night (St. Patrick's Day), I got Cheesecake Factory To-Go and relaxed in my room. Sadly, I missed Jersey Shore as the TV didn't have MTV.

I decided on Four-Cheese Pasta and of course, a piece of cheesecake.

I got to sleep in on Friday since I didn't have class until 1:00. Of course, I didn't sleep well Wednesday night when I had to be up by 6am, but I sleep like a rock when I don't need to set my alarm. Luckily, check out wasn't until noon, so after sleeping in I made it down to breakfast for the last ten minutes it was open. I didn't eat too much since I wanted to make sure I had a good lunch - hey, when work is paying for it, why not? :) I went back out to Jordan Creek and ate at Joe's Crab Shack. We ended up getting out of class about 5 minutes early, so I was able to be out and on the road by 5:30. Again, I didn't get lost!

Baby Clothes and Sick Days

I can't focus on one thing to write about, but I'm determined to write about something, so I guess I'll continue on with My Little Things.

2. Baby Clothes. 

These really are little things, and since my best friend/cousin/roommate has little Taysen in her belly, well, I've had more than an excuse to do some serious shopping.

 

Now, my trips to Target aren't complete without making a stop to the baby section, even though by now I have memorized where everything is located, and what the Cedar Falls Target has that Waterloo doesn't. During my upcoming visit to Des Moines, where I'll be staying just a few blocks from Jordan Creek Mall, I plan to carve out some time to check out Baby Gap...this could be trouble. Expect to see more rambling and photos about this subject. :)


3. Sick Days.

A good, true sick day is spent in bed or on the couch, in your sweats, with your dirty hair in a messy ponytail. A sick day should mostly be spent sleeping, if at all possible. A sick day should not be spent worrying about anything work-related. Forget about your meetings and deadlines, turn off the laptop, and put the BlackBerry on silent. There is a reason it is called a sick day. It means you need to relax. This afternoon is my "sick day." I am laying on the couch in my sweats and my dirty hair is up, but I'm not sleeping...yet. After having a fever at work this morning, which was established by my sweating in the bathroom and five minutes later having goosebumps at my desk, I decided to take a little break from life and go home.

Hello, March

Today, there is something different about it being a new month but I can't quite put my finger on it. 100 days left at John Deere. 49 days until Jami's due date. I'm hoping Taysen comes sooner than that...my money is on April 8th. :)

March is a lot of things. A day closer to spring. Daylight Savings - "Spring Ahead." St. Patrick's Day. The month I finally begin my final term of college; this Super Senior is almost there! Spring Break. A trip to Des Moines to spend two days (during Spring Break) in a classroom learning insurance. A trip to Coralville four days later to see how much I learned and hopefully pass my personal lines insurance test. Spring training. March Madness. A lot brighter than February and I am ready.