Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes......

I know it has been over 3 months since my last post. Sorry! But, as in the name of this post, there have been alot of changes!!! Those who have known me a long time, know how much I love my long hair. You should also know I have always talked about Locks of Love. Well......my third anniversary present to myself was to cut 11 1/2 inches off my hair!!! I felt really good about it. Had a little weepy moment, but it was more over something someone said to me... My best friend was with me, and she cut 8 inches off hers. As we sat, waiting for the stylist to get to our trims to shape the hair, she kind of looked at me funny. She started to say something, but stopped. I argued it out of her, only by promising not to cry. She said with my hair the way it was, I looked even more like Kie. Of course, I broke my promise, but only a little. It just made the haircut even more right.....
Less than a week later, I made another change, one that surprised even me. I am not usually a spontaneous person. I stew over things for a while before acting. Well, on June 9th, of all days, I got another tattoo. This one was strictly for me. It is on my opposite shoulder, and expresses me more. It stands for the peace I constantly strive for. It also is opposite my sissy & me tattoo. In this way it balances out my grief.
Also, as a side note....For my birthday, I spent the day with my mom. Oh yeah, and I tried out for American Idol!!! It was so much fun!! No, I did not meet RJ, P, or S. However, I did see Ryan Seacrest!! No, I did not make it, but I did have a blast trying out!!!! It was definitely worth it!! At least I tried!!!
There are so many other changes going on around me, I cannot even begin to explain. But, here is a little song I like about changes. Fittingly enough, the singer is named Butterfly!!!

"Changes"

by Butterfly Boucher

Oh yeah

Mm

Still don’t know what I was lookin for

And my time was running wild

A million dead-end streets

Every time I thought I’d got it made

It seemed the taste was not so sweet S

o I turned myself to face me

But I’ve never caught a glimpse

Of how the others must see the faker

I’m much too fast to take that test

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

(Turn and face the strange)

Ch-ch-changes

Don’t want to be a richer one

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

(Turn and face the strange)

Ch-ch-changes

Just gonna have to be a different one

Time may change me

But I can’t trace time

I watch the ripples change their size

But never leave the stream

Of warm impermanence

So the days float through my eyes

But still the days seem the same

And these children that you spit on

As they try to change their worlds

They're immune to your consultations

They’re quite aware of what they’re going through

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

(Turn and face the strange)

Ch-ch-changes

Don’t tell them to grow up and out of it

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

(Turn and face the strange)

Ch-ch-changes

Where’s your shame

You’ve left us up to our necks in it

Time may change me

But you can’t trace time

Strange fascination, fascinating me

Ah changes are taking the pace I’m going through

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

(Turn and face the strange)

Ch-ch-changes

Oh, look out you rock ’n rollers

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

(Turn and face the strange)

Ch-ch-changes

Pretty soon now you’re gonna get a little older

Time may change me

But I can’t trace time

I said that time may change me

But I can’t trace time

Three Years.....

Wow! I just had my third wedding anniversary. It amazes me how much can happen in 3 years....births, deaths, friendships binding, friendships ending, birthdays, marriages, divorces......and so many other things, I just can't even imagine! Seasons change, days go by, turning into weeks and months. It all flies by so fast, before we can even grasp it. All I can say is this: be grateful for the time you have, no matter how fast it flies. Anything can happen in a moment. Those moments can last a lifetime though. Thank you to everyone who has ever passed into my life, no matter how brief the moment. Everyone makes their mark.....just ask yourself, was it a good or bad moment? Next time you meet someone, smile. It can mean the world, and a moment can make a difference. Know what the longest word in the world is??????
SMILES!!!! Because there is a MILE between each S!!!!! Enjoy your day, and try to catch a few moments.....and a few smiles!!!! They are contagious you know!!!!

Taking time to Reflect......

Reflections....there are different types. There is what we see, in the mirror, ourselves, or even others. There is also reflections, or reflecting, on the past. The former can be a quick glance, even just a glimpse, of something, whether we want to see it or not. The latter requires more time, more thought even, than its companion. I find myself doing both lately. I find myself taking stock of what I try to reflect to others, and trying to examine others reflections more closely. I am also reflecting on the events of the past few years, and taking more stock in myself, instead of worrying so much about everything around me. I tend to give 150% of myself to everything and everyone I am involved with. This can be good sometimes, but not when it drains you......I am trying to figure out my own reflection, and decide how happy I am with myself, and the person I want to be. I want people to like what they see, but not at my own expense. Then again, are we ever truly happy with what we see??????? Be it in ourselves, others, and the world around us. It all changes, some slower, some faster than others. We can try to change with it, or we can choose to remain true to ourselves.........

Reflection by Christina Aguilera

for the Disney movie Mulan

Look at me

You may think you see

Who I really am

But you'll never know me

Every day, is as if I play a part

Now I see

If I wear a mask

I can fool the world

But I can not fool

My heart

Who is that girl I see
Staring straight back at me?

When will my reflection show

Who I am inside?

I am now
In a world where I have to

Hide my heart

And what I believe in

But somehow

I will show the world

What's inside my heart

And be loved for who I am

Who is that girl I see

Staring straight back at me?

Why is my reflection

Someone I don't know?

Must I pretend that I'm

Someone else for all time?

When will my reflection show

Who I am inside?

There's a heart that must
Be free to fly

That burns with a need

To know the reason why

Why must we all conceal

What we think

How we feel

Must there be a secret me

I'm forced to hide?

I won't pretend that I'm

Someone else

For all time

When will my reflections show

Who I am inside?

When will my reflections show

Who I am inside?

The Loss of a Real Good Friend......

"Kahlua" Chaser

Beloved Chow, Chip Eater, & Rodent Catcher

08/10/1995-02/05/2008

I lost one of my best friends today. He was 87 1/2 years old. (in dog years)

The vet says he had either a stroke or a heart attack. Neither very surprising despite his age. He lived a good life. He had many friends, both canine and human. He loved tennis balls in his younger days, a good nap in his latter. He was good at keeping mice, snakes, and lizards away. He did a little puppy dance when he knew he was getting fed, down to his last meal. He was there through everything in Jacksonville, the good and bad. He is greatly missed.

Time keeps on slipping.......

It has been really flying lately! Is it a new year already? Oh my goodness! It seems there is never enough time to do all the things we need or want to. There is never enough time to spend with everyone we love. So I try, I make dates with friend when I can, even with my husband if I have a chance! I try to take an opportunity when it arises. For example: I had a date with one of my best friends, Brenda, back in October, we did dinner, a movie, and coffee. When I saw her again on Hunter's birthday, we made dinner, then played Uno til all hours!! But it was a blast! So, last night when Justin had to work, my best friend Manda and I went to dinner and a movie. The funny coincidence? Tim Burton! I saw the Nightmare before Christmas in 3-D with Brenda, then Sweeney Todd with Manda! I think that is pretty cool!
The holidays have come and gone, with memories of their own as well. Can I just say, that I am very proud of Chad! He was off his computer, AND out of his room, for a solid 5 hours on Christmas day! He did the whole Christmas morning thing, hung out, and even played with his toys! It was really cool. He can be fun to hang out with, when he wants! New Years was cool too. The 30th we all went to Auntie Greta's. Afterwards, we took the kids to see The Waterhorse Legend of the Deep. We as in there were about 10 of us! 5 kids, and 5 adults! Later, Chad, Terri Moore and I went to National Treasure Book of Secrets. The next day, New Year's Eve (Terri Moore's b-day!!!), we went to Alvin and the Chipmunks. It's been a pretty good movie week! Justin and I went to dinner, but I fell asleep when we got home. I had him wake me up at midnight! I said "Happy New Year!" in time! (then went right back to sleep)
Needless to say, It is a New Year that I am trying to prepare for. i know it will be another roller coaster of a year.....ups and downs, good and bad, happy and sad. We can make it through it all! We will survive!!!!