Stealthy

After turning away for literally 5 seconds this is what I found my cat, Baby, doing.... 

Well, I guess that's what I get for having
a glass of milk laying around with a stealthy cat

Day at the Dog Park

Yesterday was one of those "I just want to be outside days" so I took full advantage of that and took my two dogs, Chuy and Dixie to the dog park.  First, let me preface this with a brief description about each dog.  Chuy, my golden retriever/chihuahua mix... I know, it sends chills down your spine doesn't it? Anyways, he is the absolute perfect dog because he is just a miniature golden!  Chuy prefers the indoors and lounging either on the top of our leather couch or in someone's lap at all times- rarely does he enjoy getting dirty and he has the hardest time staying awake throughout the day.  My other dog, Dixie, is a pure bread golden retriever and definitely the polar opposite of Chuy. My family has successfully gotten the most beautiful yet crazy Golden of all time... Being only 4 1/2 months old, Dixie has managed to not only dig up every single thing in our entire back yard but also eat an entire rose bush- how is that even possible!? Did she not feel the thorns!?  Ok, so now you have a little idea of what I am dealing with as I decide to take on this adventure. 

I yelled up to my brother's room to see if he wanted to tag along and after what seemed like forever of him "getting ready" we were off in his jeep.  Dixie felt right at home and lounged in the back like we were her chauffeurs, however, Chuy, as he normally does, froze completely and acted like the world was ending.  He slowly made his way to the front where I had to hold him in my lap so he could bury his face into my arms to hide his eyes from the "terrible fate he was about to endure."  When we finally arrived at the park, Dixie jumped right out and told the world that she had arrived- but Chuy was not too sure about anything.  I put their collars on and immediately heard the barks of my lovely newcomers along with snickers of the snobby regulars.  I tried to act like it was all part of the plan you know, they were just saying what's what and then they would be the most well-trained dogs there... too bad Dixie and Chuy proved otherwise.  At first, they were terrified and had never seen not only other dogs but so many in every shape and size!  Of course we had to run into the biggest dog there first, but they did great and did the whole "hey let me sniff your butt to get to know you" thing- Chuy looked TERRIFIED but I think they started to get the hang of it.  There is a little beach for the dogs and it is in the "off leash" area and I didn't know just how they would do.  Dustin and I decided to split up so he took Chuy and I took the newly Miss Independent Dixie.  At first, I let her walk around you know scope the place out with her leash on to make sure she didn't get all crazy on anyone and after a little while I decided that there was no point in holding her back and the sooner I let her loose the sooner she would learn how to act so I counted slowly... one... two... THREE and she was FREEEE like the wind and no one could stop her- well until this little pug punk put her in her place making her go hide under a picnic table for 10 minutes... She was introducing herself to every canine and human that she came in contact with and LOVED all the attention- especially from the women who "ooed and awed" over Dixie's ridiculously soft hair ( which I must admit resembles a teddy bear ).  After a little while of watching her run aimlessly through every mud puddle around I glanced over to Dustin and Chuy to see how they were doing and couldn't help but laugh out loud at the sight.  Dustin had the look of pure anger as he stared down at the tiny shaking body of Chuy who had just learned of his newly acquired canine claustrophobia.  This was a sad sight and I had to rescue them so we decided to carry Chuy over to Dixie so he could watch us throw her into the lake.  Now, Dixie has never been in any kind of water other than the bathtub and as a Golden Retriever we knew she would eventually discover he love for swimming so we decided to jump start it and throw her into the lake.  Poor thing had no idea when we picked her up that in a matter of seconds she would be submerged in a lovely green dog lake- after the splash we see her jump up and not just jump.. but frolic out of the water. You would have thought this dog had died and gone to heaven the way she shook that water from her furry coat.  She was loving every minute of it and felt the need to tell everyone around... not a good idea.  As I am smiling and laughing about Dixie's love for the water I slowly turn around to see her running towards this nice and clean lady wearing lovely pants and a white shirt... her mistake.  It was like slow motion watching Dixie run towards her and "NOOO!!" the lady was now sporting some fresh dog prints made of dirt and I quickly grabbed Dixie and ran away.

We had to find a new place to "chill" so we walked a little further and planted our eyes on the perfect hill right next to a deserted lake.  Now that Dixie was a free woman she chased every stick in the lake and went only so far as she could touch and then came back- she's not too sure about the swimming part yet but she'll get there in a few weeks.  Chuy, on the other hand was all bark and no bite and would try to intimidate every dog that walked by until they came close and he was a goner behind my back.  There was this one spot that dogs kept coming to rub their backs on and slide down the hill, which I thought was hilarious especially because it was mainly huge dogs doing it, however- a lady told me that they had picked up a scent and there must be a dead animal somewhere near there. So, I just nodded my head like I knew that was normal and shrugged it off until I saw Dixie bounding down the hill out of the pack of dogs with something hanging in her mouth..... of course, out of ALL the dogs around she had to be the one with the dead animal in her mouth or should I say throat because I had to hold her head down to get that thing out after she had literally swallowed whole!  Left and right I found Dixie either "obediently sitting" and mooching off other people's dog treats or jumping up and pushing little kids, who were nearly her size, down the hill closer and closer to the lake. We were at this park for a good 6 hours and needless to say, after all the crazy running around, chasing bikes, and ruining white shirts I will admit that I am looking forward to the next beautiful day at the dog park.  (Especially because once I brought her home, she was out like a light and I never knew a dog could snore that loud! =) )

Senioritis, it's even on Wikipedia

Senioritis, from the word senior plus the suffix -itis (which refers to inflammation but in colloquial speech is assumed to mean an illness), is a colloquial term used in the United States to describe the decreased motivation toward studies displayed by students who are nearing the end of their high school, college and graduate school careers.^[1]

Causes/Effects, Symptoms

The main symptoms of senioritis include chronic procrastination, lack of motivation, a drop in academic performance, and "coasting," which is the act of going through classes with very little concentration or application of intent. This usually happens in the last year of high school, college or graduate school. One of the most notable symptoms of senioritis, is that all attempts by educators to curb senioritis tend to actually increase senioritic symptoms. High school seniors experiencing senioritis after admittance to college are fed up with high school; as they see it, they have achieved high school's goal of getting into college and don't understand why they are still expected to work. Not to mention, most seniors, even those accepted to top-ranked institutions, do not love academics as much as their college essays would seem to indicate. Therefore, when a teacher attempts to motivate afflicted seniors, their efforts are only met with resentment.

Senioritis has been known to surface at different times depending on the personality of the afflicted individual. The most common time for a senior in High School to develop senioritis is at the beginning of the second semester, after all applications to college have been submitted. In some cases, senioritis can surface at the beginning of senior year. These student have a particularly hard time focusing, as their senioritis is usually triggered by being fed up with the administrative shortcomings of their High School. Senioritis typically begins during the senior year, (occasionally signs of infection begin to show themselves during fourth quarter of the junior year) there have been some extremely rare cases where individuals are born with senioritis. Individuals born with senioritis tend to make excuses as to why it is "ok that they don't care" because "it doesn't matter all that much anyway." Such individuals are extremley unproductive for all of their academic years, and ultimately their lives. They also tend to be extremely infectious to other seniors who become prone to senioritis during senior year.

Dancing in the Moonlight

I woke up thinking it was one of those days because 1. it was nearly impossible to get out of bed... 2. I could not focus on anything 3. everyone else seemed to be out of it just as much as I was.  However, I was pleasantly surprised at just how well the rest of my day was.  It started looking good during my study hall when there were these two little kids (one 4 years old and the other 2) were sitting on the couch in the admissions office.  Not only were the absolutely precious but the little boy's name was LEVI which is what I will Lord willing name my hippie son.  But anyways, we spent about 30 minutes on a giant kid puzzle and afterwards felt completely accomplished.  The puzzle got me a little bit happier but I was still hoping that not everyone in the entire world was as irritable as my art class seemed to be today so I gave my crazy boyfriend a call and we both agree to a wonderful picnic down in harbor town which if you have not been there you must visit just one time because it is this spectacular little place that looks like it was cut right out of a beach magazine.  It has it's very own little town grocery that my boyfriend and I buy our cookies and drinks from when we go down there.  So, since my boyfriend is super sweet he cooked my absolute favorite meal, spaghetti, and packed it up for the picnic.  Of course, spaghetti is probably the worst 1. date food and 2. picnic food... but it is us and that is what we wanted so everything seemed great.  The weather was absolutely perfect for the convertible at a nice 72 degrees and I cannot tell you just how peacefully everything fell together.  We ate on a big red blanket and talked about things we probably can't even remember now while the giant sun set over the steady moving Mississippi River.  After listening to our favorite songs and dancing on the grass by the river we packed everything up and headed to Republic coffee to drink Lattes and play a hearty game of chess. To end the night we filled our thirst for music with the marvelous Jamie Randolph & the Darkhorse at Swanky's Taco Shop.  I felt like such a creep because despite never meeting any of the band members I know every word to a good amount of their songs... okay almost all their songs. Their music is incredible and you cannot listen without moving in some way to the beat.  I don't understand how they are not blowing up the charts already because their Indie style is one that I feel I have been looking for all over and finally found! Needless to say, it was a night of smooth running fun and one that will forever stand out in my memory of my senior year in high school.  That time is approaching where senior parties take over every weekend and people begin to freak out about college so those days of peace are going to be a bit of a stranger to me until after all of the craziness settles down.  After having a night like such and watching that sun disappear into the spider webs of bark I couldn't help but thank God for being creative.  I also just had to tell Him how thankful I am for peace and letting me experience just a smidgen of the real thing tonight.

My Psalm

Freshman year we were supposed to come up with a psalm of our own and I found this saved on a random jump drive laying around in my room and thought it was neat. I enjoy reading things I write in the past to see how God has worked in my heart and compare my thoughts to the ones I currently have. I recommend rereading some of the things you did once upon a time!

Oh Lord, our Lord how wonderful are Your works in all the Earth
You planned every breathe out of my lungs and glance out of my eyes
Every creature in the seas and bird in the skies you named
When I step on the ground I know it is sound because
You will always take care of me
No matter where I run, You will always be there
You are the Master of my mind I cannot escape anywhere
You have given me all that my heart could desire
Given me gates when I deserve the fire
From Noah to David and Abraham galore
All of Your servants simply adore the wonders of Your majesty
I cannot Fathom Your righteousness
But I can sing praise and proclaim my faithfulness to You
You are the trinity three in one, Father, Spirit and the Son
I am tested here on this demon-filled world, tempted by every sinful boy and girl
Choosing wrong or right, these choices determining if I will ever see the light
My heart is longing for the day that I am embraced back in my Father’s arms

Dreaming of a Dream

Happy St. Patrick's Day/ Dannah's 22nd birthday!! 

We had a St. Patrick's Day breakfast/party this morning in yearbook and needless to say our teacher was not exactly thrilled about it.  I was quite astonished because we participate in such parties for almost every occasion but for some odd reason this very one seemed to upset him far beyond normal.  I think it was one of those days for him and I am honored to be one of the few he lashed out on because we all need that victim on those particular days. The worst is when you are not in the best mood and the person next to you feels like they are on cloud 9 and giggles every five seconds.  In my opinion, it seems that when one is experiencing the worst of worst days, the best thing to do is pretend you are not experiencing the best of the best.  But actually, that could possibly make them also experience that goodness with you and therefore result in them being a little happier? OH MY GOODNESS this is a pointless argument between myself and I am sorry. 

Anyways, I always have the weirdest dreams and remember them vividly.  No matter what happens that day, my dream will completely alter a way that I think about a situation because it will place me in another point of view or experience involving the situation.  Also, my dreams put in me in a place of peace with certain situations that leave me almost angry when I wake up because I come to the realization that it was only a dream. For example, if I had been experiencing difficulty with a friend or was troubled by something recently, my dream would place me in a completely peaceful and resolving situation with that person or confrontation.  Why do we have dreams and do they serve as a greater purpose than amusement?  I believe they do, and mainly because in scripture God used dreams as a way to communicate with people.  This does not mean God still communicates the same way with His people as he did in the Bible, however, He could help us with things going on in our lives through our dreams.  It is a possibility? Who knows... only God and for all I know they could be just crazy suppressed emotions that our sub-conscience is dying to get out which is a scary thought thinking over some of my dreams... haha 

{ And so I leave you now with what I received when typing in dreams on google images and the wonderful "Dreams" by non other than Fleetwood Mac}

Random Day

So today was just like every other day but for some reason I kind of want to keep track of what goes on in my life for future enjoyment because I feel like so many funny things happen that I will just forget in a few days!

So- Monday after spring break. The absolute hardest day to wake up on! Not to mention its daylight savings again so we have to lose an hour of sleep. wwwoonnderfulllll But I am the Yearbook Business editor with my best friend who actually busted in at a wopping 10 minutes late to school but since we have yearbook first period no one really seems to notice?  So on a normal day I find myself just sitting in my car watching everyone bust a move to class while I am physically unable to move until about 2 minutes til.  I don't know why but the feeling of my "heat seater" and hot air blowing just soothes me to where the last thing I want to do is leave.  I always wait for the very last of my friends to arrive so that I can hitch along with them but recently they have been either arriving so early or not at all SO that's becoming a little inconvenient if you know what I mean.... HOWEVER, after yearbook is close to the best time of the day because it's activity period and kelsey ( my bff) and I always hide out in the Yearbook room because our teacher leaves everyday and locks the door behind so along with him locking the door and us improvising a file folder to hide the door window- no one can get in! It's actually really amusing watching people jump up to see over the folder and now we almost know each specfic persons knock.  My classes consist of Drama, Art 3, Study Hall, Yearbook, Econ and English and Bible so please understand that we have to find some amusement in our otherwise slacking days. I have really come to terms with my senioritis and accepted it as a well known side affect of being at a school for so long and finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel! What's even funnier is the teachers see it as well.  My Senior english class is reading the same book that my brother finished his first semester freshman year in highschool.  Tell me that's not a little funny.  Especially since we are taking it a chapter a day and I am NOT complaining!  If anything, I am thankful for the low maintenance even if I forgot to read chapter 3 during spring break and failed my first quiz.

Today marked 2 months until our highschool graduation and that is so weird!  Usually everyone is so sentimental and tells you how much they miss high school or how you should never take for granted those memorable days but at dinner my dad looked me straight in the face and said something along the lines of, "You won't miss it.  Once you step off that campus your life begins." and first I laughed because my dad is so funny and of course says the things you wouldn't expect but then I thought about it and he's actually right!  The ones who miss high school the most are the ones who peaked in high school and have yet to do the things they wanted to do with their lives most.  Their life in high school was so much better than their lives now and that freaked me out.  I have an incredible life now but I cannot wait to live my own new independent life! I have been very scared to live without my parents but you have to grow up eventually and I have a feeling that it won't be too hard to get the hang of it.  My Bible teacher always talks about how important it is to break away from your parents and mainly in marriage but I am eager to have to deal with the hard circumstances that come with the responsibility of living on my own.

I met my roommate all the way from Houston, Texas for the first time yesterday and could not be more excited for next year! It is crazy because I have been basically praying for HER the entire time! I have been constantly praying for an amazing roommate, or more just one that I can live with and God has far exceeded any expectations as always! It was just so awesome to see His perfect hands around the both of our lives and lead us to be roommates.  I know I sound so dorky because it sounds like I am talking about a boyfriend or something but this was a big deal to me!  Your roommate can affect your college life and I am going to need to have someone to adapt and live with that will not only keep me accountable but go through all those crazy first times of college together!  God is always in control and that's the biggest problem we have with situations is that we are so stubborn and take too long to realize He is over everything and wants to take the burden off your chest.  

Stuck in the Middle

I am in the middle.  Not just between my older sister and my little brother, but in the middle of what I have known my whole life and the new place I will be in a few months.  I know college can be scary for everyone and it is not that I am unsure or not excited, it is just hard sitting here and waiting in anticipation for my fresh start.  I am reminded by so many things here in Memphis- so many good- some bad- and I can't imagine it not being "home." I am ready, I think.  I am ready to be independent and learn how to live on my own.  I am ready to live with a roommate and have to adjust to new friends.  I am ready to meet people who are not .. high school.
Most of all- I am just ready to move on.