Right now I'm waiting for a lady to come check out a dollhouse I'm selling on Craigslist. She is about 15 minutes late but I won't be aggravated until 30.
I decided at least once a week I'm going to take a picture of something that I need to get rid of and post it for sale on Craigslist.
Today's item is a custom made dollhouse with miniature furniture that's been taking up space in the attic for the last 8 years...
Ok, so I'm getting aggravated now...LOL
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
New Year 2010
Ok - for my resolutions....
- Blog more often - there's no excuse - I have a Netbook now - it should only take me a couple minutes a day!!!
- Lose weight - yes, I know everyone says it. I really need to do it - I just can't get myself started.
- Get organized in the house - and share in my adventure. I have so much "stuff" I really don't need - I need to purge first then I can organize.
- Cook at home - not only cook, but make decent stuff everyone will eat! LOL
- Give hubby more attention (poor guy - you see he's number 5 on my list)
- Get some photo albums done with all these stinkin' pics I take constantly! They're all in folders on my PC but they never get printed!
- Makeover my kids rooms
- Paint the Living room
- Pay off all the looming debt...
- Work on some tax write off's for next year (new heater, new windows, etc).(In other words - more debt)
Ok, well that's a good start, right? :)
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Ramblings of Poetry...
Roses can wilt and words can be forgotten, but a rhyme lives on.
Colors fade and bruises heal but my seal is my promise.
Together we are stronger, but on my own I can hurt no one.
The wagons gather round with the bright colored clothes and the tambourines but my song is no gypsy song, no rose set to wilt.
Promises will not be broken despite your urging and your tears.
The smiles are brighter in the sunshine, towards the frothing waves.
Colors fade and bruises heal but my seal is my promise.
Together we are stronger, but on my own I can hurt no one.
The wagons gather round with the bright colored clothes and the tambourines but my song is no gypsy song, no rose set to wilt.
Promises will not be broken despite your urging and your tears.
The smiles are brighter in the sunshine, towards the frothing waves.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Off to Lancaster...
Tomorrow I'll be headed out to Lancaster - we're taking the kids to Dutch Wonderland and staying over at the Neffdale Farm for a really unique taste of Dutch Country.
Yippee!!!
Yippee!!!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Another Giveaway....gotta love em'
"Check out the giveaway over at V and Co. sponsored by csn mattresses for a chance to win the most gorgeous pillow"
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Creative Writing Swap
I'm going to be brave here and post the short story I wrote for this swap. I've never written a short story before so I'm sure it's very rough - but since I wrote it I might as well share! :)
The Dream
The Dream
A short story
It all happened just last night, as I was lying in bed unaware in a deep and cozy slumber. As my sleep deepened, my mind took a turn and before I knew it I was in a place completely foreign to me. It was a dream unlike any other.
Something like a siren during the night had caused me to turn and awaken from sleep, but when I awoke I was not alone in my four poster bed, but instead standing outside in the cold night, on a campus of sorts. I was wearing the shorts and a tank top I’d gone to bed with and was chilled to the bones, despite knowing it had been a comfortable 75 degrees in the air conditioning at home. “Of course I’m dreaming” I think to myself. This can’t possibly be real.
I begin wandering the immaculately groomed lawns, in which large castle-like buildings are encompassed. It’s hard to see everything because of the darkness, but I can tell this is some sort of campus. “Is it a college?” I think to myself. “Why am I here, and how did I get here?”
All of a sudden as the cool breeze ripples past me, I realize that I’m not “me” anymore; I’m someone else…someone who feels they belong there. No longer a part of the life I’ve left behind, I start wondering why I’m outside dressed this way. There seems to be no one out at this hour, it must be about two or three in the morning.
I head towards a building that looks vaguely familiar and all of a sudden I’m run into by a tall, lean man with dark wavy hair wearing a sweat suit. He stops, grabbing onto my elbow, and looks deeply into my eyes. Something sparks as I look into his dark eyes and I can’t even speak. All the while he is pulling away from me, looking anxious like he’s scared or shaken. He says to me “I didn’t do it”…before he takes off running, sending me spinning around in the process.
“What in the world?” I think to myself, “What was all that about?” It’s then that I see the gun, lying on the ground a few feet away from my bare feet. Before I know it, I’m surrounded by cops and they are asking me question after question. “I don’t know” I say, over and over. “What has happened?”
Slowly, I hear the story. Someone has gone into the gym and shot a girl. Apparently the building I was heading towards is the gym. “Why would I be heading in the direction of a gym?” I think to myself. This is so strange. “Was that guy the shooter?” I am instantly scared but remember his words. Why would he tell me he’d not “done it”, if he was guilty? This is so much to take in.
A couple of policemen from the group led me over to their car and offer me a blanket from the trunk. As one asks if I saw a tall male go past me by the gym, and as I shake my head another asks which dorm I’m in. For the life of me I can’t remember and stand there with my mouth wide open. “Shock”, he says. “She must be in shock”. I guess that I am, for I don’t know why I’m there at all, much less where I live.
The cops say I can stay in the car and keep warm while they search for the “suspect”. I don’t feel safe by myself, even in the locked car. I keep remembering his eyes. They didn’t look guilty, they looked scared. But maybe he was scared of getting caught. Maybe?
Did I remember him holding the gun? Is he the one that dropped it? All I can think of is his eyes and the feel of his warm hand on my cold shoulder. There was some connection there, I can’t deny it.
It seems like hours have passed but it must’ve been only minutes. I decide I must help him. I feel so strongly about it, I jump out of the squad car, dropping the blanket to the ground. I feel strong and sure and urged to do something. I know he’s innocent but I’m not sure why.
Where would he be? I am trying to think of where I’d hide. The large building in the back – I’d hide in the grove of bushes that runs along the side. Quickly I run across the lawn, crossing over the sidewalks, amazed there’s no one around. Into the gap in the bushes I go, sidling myself between the cold, hard stone walls and the tall, manicured shrubbery.
I’m scared to call out or even whisper, but squeezing in between the shrubbery is much more difficult than I thought and I’m getting scratched up and have to move slower and slower. I keep stumbling on the stones next to the wall, and have to be oh so careful to not make noise. Just when I’m about to give up, I feel a warm hand reach out and hear his voice “Shhhh”, “What are you doing here?” he asks.
I whisper that I want to help him and ask him what happened. “I didn’t do it”, he repeats. “She was just lying there, bleeding”. I reach my cold hand out and take his hand in mine. “I believe you”, I whisper back, knowing in my heart it’s the truth. It seems like an eternity has passed before we speak again.
“Do I know you?” he asks. I shake my head. Suddenly, I see what must be a flashlight scanning the bushes near us and we both edge further and lower into the shrubbery. I don’t believe they can tell there is a gap between the shrubbery and the wall, but I hold my breath praying they don’t come closer. The glare from the flashlight moves on and both of us breathe a sigh of relief.
It’s so curious, this feeling I have. While policeman search all around us, all I want to do is take this total stranger in my arms and hold him, kiss him. I think he must see the longing in my eyes as he looks at me, there in the shadows of the moonlight. His hand tightens on mine and I suddenly know he feels the same. Why? Why would I feel this about a stranger who could be a murderer?
Time seems so still for so long I start to get stiff, my body finally feeling the cold and I feel myself shaking. “Go”, he tells me. “I’ll be fine”. I don’t want to leave him for the knowing that I’ll never see him again. I can’t speak though because I’m too cold and too tired to say the words. I edge closer to him, fearing exposure through the shrubbery, but needing to draw on his body heat.
“You’re frozen!” he exclaims in a rushed whisper. Immediately he pulls me to him and I can feel the warmth from his body taking over. “We must get you somewhere warm” he whispers to me. His breath warm in my ear, I cannot concentrate on anything but the feeling of his warm body next to mine. I don’t want to move, I just want to stay right in that position, forever.
“I think its ok now” he says and he leads me out of our hiding spot onto a narrow path between the two buildings. With the strong pull of his hand in mine, we walk up some steps and enter the building just up the path. The stairwell entry is quiet and seems to echo every step we take. Up the stairs we go and I feel my body heating up with the movement within the warm building. We finally stop at the third floor.
“This is my room” he whispers as he starts to open a door along the hall. “Don’t worry; my roommate is a heavy sleeper”. I see his roommate lying facing us and I’m so scared his eyes will open any minute. “It’s ok” he repeats and sits me on his bed. I am so tired I lie down, still watching him. He lifts my feet up into the covers and is surprised at how cold they are. He tries to warm them with his hands while I can only wish that he just climb into the bed with me.
Can he hear my thoughts I think, as just then, he pulls back the covers and climbs in. I can’t help myself and I reach my arms around him, pulling his slim, muscular torso in close to me. One of my legs wraps around his and I pull it, too, close to me, aching for his warmth. His hand comes up next to my face as he takes a stray strand of my hair and softly pushes it back. I stare into his eyes and I know. He’s the one. The one I’m meant for. But it’s all a dream, isn’t it? It can’t be real because I don’t know who I am or why I’m there.
It feels so real though, as my body warms quickly in his arms, in his bed, and I choose to believe it. I choose to stay, despite not knowing. I feel his lips brushing against mine and my mouth parts, wanting more of him. I cannot think anymore, I just want to feel. Feel the passion that is exploding within my heart and within my arms.
Abruptly, I hear a noise in the hall. We both stiffen. Muffled voices, moving closer cause me to shiver, no longer from cold, but with worry. The voices pass down the hall and I can’t be sure they are gone, but I pull up and away from the stranger that had held me. “I must go”, I say, “They can’t find me with you”. I knew if the police saw me with him, he would be implicated at once and I just can’t take that chance. “I know it wasn’t you”.
Where to go? I have an overwhelming urge to get to the Library. “I’ll find you again”, I say, knowing that it’s not true. Those precious minutes spent with this stranger will be the last. I place one last kiss on his lips and pull away. “Here, take this at least” he says and hands me his dark blue sweatshirt. I pull it on over my tank. “My name is Anne” I tell him and start to go. “Jeremy”, he whispers. “My name is Jeremy”. “Thank you”.
I leave quietly after Jeremy checks the hall and the stairwell for me. I am warm now and am hesitant to go back into the cold but for a reason unknown to me I feel compelled to get to the other side of the campus.
Opening the stairwell door slowly, I’m surprised at how light it’s getting outside. I am a little worried that I’ll attract attention in my shorts and hesitate once again. “I’ve got to save him”, I think and head towards the Library. I see police cars far off in the distance in the other lot, but see no one as I jog through the grass in my bare feet.
At long last reaching the Library, I pull at the door to no avail. “There must be another entrance” I think and start to head to the back of the building. “Where is everyone?” I can’t imagine that there are only six cops here and they’ve not evacuated the campus. I think to myself that they must want to search for the murderer before everyone’s up so there’s no chaos. “But why so little police for this big campus?” These thoughts are all flooding my mind as I search frantically for a way in.
Finding no unlocked doors, I start pulling at the windows on the north side of the building and move unsuccessfully around to the east side. Finally! An unlocked window! I shove it up a few inches and try to pull myself up, scraping my side and arm in the process. I squeeze through, seeming to hang for a minute on the ledge, but managing to pull my leg up high enough to grip the ledge corner and push the window up further. “I’m in!” I think to myself and I quickly close the window.
It is much darker in the Library, even with the long tall windows to let in the light. The ominous bookshelves are everywhere and I bump into small tables, set up between the rows. I feel the hair on the back of my neck prick up and know I’m not alone.
Something pulls me to the front of the building but I’m conscious to keep crouched low and stay quiet. I don’t hear anything but I know he’s there. The killer. I accidentally bump into a stool and it rolls over a couple inches. “He’ll now know I’m here, I’ve got to reach out for help”, is my last thought before I feel a shove from the back, which knocks me to the ground.
“What are you doing here?” the man growls and I don’t know how to answer. What could I possibly say that he’d believe? “I said, what are you doing here?!” My hands skim the floor to see if there’s anything I can use to throw at him, but there’s nothing. Click. “I asked you a question, and you’re going to answer it now!” I am so scared I start babbling. “I don’t know why I’m here, something led me here. I just knew that I must come to the Library. I knew you would be here” I say and I hear him take a step back. “Who told you?” he asks. “Who told you I was here? Do the cops know?” I take a deep breath and tell him that I didn’t see any cops but knew that I needed to come there to find him. “What now?” he asks and I just don’t know the answer. I hear him un-cock the gun and he reaches a hand down to pull me up.
“I didn’t mean to do it”, he says and then proceeds to tell me the story. Jim has worked as a night custodian cleaning the common buildings for over ten years. He keeps a locker in the maintenance building with his uniforms and a gun – because he’s scared of being mugged at night. He also carries a gun at all times. When he was working for the university several years ago, he was beat and left for dead by a mugger working the park next door. While he’s never gotten over that, he’s felt that if he’s prepared, it just won’t happen again.
“I never meant to shoot her”, he says, and I believe him. “I was cleaning in the men’s locker rooms and I heard a noise”. “I went to see what it was because sometimes the kids will sneak in to use the pool in the middle of the night”. “I didn’t see anyone so I decided it was nothing and went back to work”. Jim further explains that he kept hearing noises and finally decided it might be a break-in, because he didn’t see any lights on.
He had cocked his gun, ready to scare any would be mugger away, and rounded a corner going into the gymnastics arena. It’s then that the gun went off. “I must’ve been so nervous when I saw her, bent over near the bars”. “I guess she was tying her shoes”, he says, “but at the time all I saw was a dark figure with something in their hands, and I think the gun accidentally went off, even as I realized it was a female student. But by then, it was just too late”. Jim explains he then heard a noise and got scared and ran.
It must’ve been Jeremy I think, and it explains everything. He must’ve found her and called 911. But why would he run? Why wouldn’t he try to explain? Both men, scared, both making wrong decisions. I must help him; I think and tell him so. “You must call and turn yourself in. You must explain that it was an accident” I say. “No. They will put my in jail, and I’ll never go to jail” he cries, “I don’t want my life to be over, I haven’t done enough. I don’t want to end up there. They won’t believe me, I know it!”
I put my hand on Jim’s arm and pull him over to a table and we both sit. “You must tell them what happened; they will believe you” I say. “How do you know?” he asks and I tell him “I just know. As sure as I knew that you were here”. He nods and sets the gun down on the table. I pick it up, knowing to take it with me to protect him.
“I’ve got to go” I say, and leave him there to think on things. I walk to the back of the library and slip out the rear door. On the way I pass a dumpster and toss the gun in with a thud. “It’s ok” I think to myself. “No one will hear”. I jog back across the grounds and see the police car that I had sat in earlier. The door was still open; the blanket on the ground where I’d left it. “Hmmm”…I think, and I run across and climb in, pulling the blanket in with me. I close the door softly and lie down in the backseat. I drift into a heavy sleep, tired with the nights’ activities.
“Beep” “Beep” “Beep”, I lift my head up groggily and reach out to touch the alarm. “Oh, it was all a dream”, I think and turn back over for more sleep. I am sooo tired and can’t bear to get up. “It felt so real”, I repeat to myself over and over.
Sure I’d just had the most vivid dream of my life; I pull back the covers and swing my legs out onto the floor. Suddenly, I see them. Scratches are all over my legs and there’s a big bruise on my arm. My feet are grass-stained and there’s a dark blue sweatshirt lying on my floor. “It was real!”
So many questions flood my mind. As I run to the living room to turn on the local news channel to confirm my thoughts, the most penetrating thought of all crosses my mind – I must find Jeremy!
A short story
It all happened just last night, as I was lying in bed unaware in a deep and cozy slumber. As my sleep deepened, my mind took a turn and before I knew it I was in a place completely foreign to me. It was a dream unlike any other.
Something like a siren during the night had caused me to turn and awaken from sleep, but when I awoke I was not alone in my four poster bed, but instead standing outside in the cold night, on a campus of sorts. I was wearing the shorts and a tank top I’d gone to bed with and was chilled to the bones, despite knowing it had been a comfortable 75 degrees in the air conditioning at home. “Of course I’m dreaming” I think to myself. This can’t possibly be real.
I begin wandering the immaculately groomed lawns, in which large castle-like buildings are encompassed. It’s hard to see everything because of the darkness, but I can tell this is some sort of campus. “Is it a college?” I think to myself. “Why am I here, and how did I get here?”
All of a sudden as the cool breeze ripples past me, I realize that I’m not “me” anymore; I’m someone else…someone who feels they belong there. No longer a part of the life I’ve left behind, I start wondering why I’m outside dressed this way. There seems to be no one out at this hour, it must be about two or three in the morning.
I head towards a building that looks vaguely familiar and all of a sudden I’m run into by a tall, lean man with dark wavy hair wearing a sweat suit. He stops, grabbing onto my elbow, and looks deeply into my eyes. Something sparks as I look into his dark eyes and I can’t even speak. All the while he is pulling away from me, looking anxious like he’s scared or shaken. He says to me “I didn’t do it”…before he takes off running, sending me spinning around in the process.
“What in the world?” I think to myself, “What was all that about?” It’s then that I see the gun, lying on the ground a few feet away from my bare feet. Before I know it, I’m surrounded by cops and they are asking me question after question. “I don’t know” I say, over and over. “What has happened?”
Slowly, I hear the story. Someone has gone into the gym and shot a girl. Apparently the building I was heading towards is the gym. “Why would I be heading in the direction of a gym?” I think to myself. This is so strange. “Was that guy the shooter?” I am instantly scared but remember his words. Why would he tell me he’d not “done it”, if he was guilty? This is so much to take in.
A couple of policemen from the group led me over to their car and offer me a blanket from the trunk. As one asks if I saw a tall male go past me by the gym, and as I shake my head another asks which dorm I’m in. For the life of me I can’t remember and stand there with my mouth wide open. “Shock”, he says. “She must be in shock”. I guess that I am, for I don’t know why I’m there at all, much less where I live.
The cops say I can stay in the car and keep warm while they search for the “suspect”. I don’t feel safe by myself, even in the locked car. I keep remembering his eyes. They didn’t look guilty, they looked scared. But maybe he was scared of getting caught. Maybe?
Did I remember him holding the gun? Is he the one that dropped it? All I can think of is his eyes and the feel of his warm hand on my cold shoulder. There was some connection there, I can’t deny it.
It seems like hours have passed but it must’ve been only minutes. I decide I must help him. I feel so strongly about it, I jump out of the squad car, dropping the blanket to the ground. I feel strong and sure and urged to do something. I know he’s innocent but I’m not sure why.
Where would he be? I am trying to think of where I’d hide. The large building in the back – I’d hide in the grove of bushes that runs along the side. Quickly I run across the lawn, crossing over the sidewalks, amazed there’s no one around. Into the gap in the bushes I go, sidling myself between the cold, hard stone walls and the tall, manicured shrubbery.
I’m scared to call out or even whisper, but squeezing in between the shrubbery is much more difficult than I thought and I’m getting scratched up and have to move slower and slower. I keep stumbling on the stones next to the wall, and have to be oh so careful to not make noise. Just when I’m about to give up, I feel a warm hand reach out and hear his voice “Shhhh”, “What are you doing here?” he asks.
I whisper that I want to help him and ask him what happened. “I didn’t do it”, he repeats. “She was just lying there, bleeding”. I reach my cold hand out and take his hand in mine. “I believe you”, I whisper back, knowing in my heart it’s the truth. It seems like an eternity has passed before we speak again.
“Do I know you?” he asks. I shake my head. Suddenly, I see what must be a flashlight scanning the bushes near us and we both edge further and lower into the shrubbery. I don’t believe they can tell there is a gap between the shrubbery and the wall, but I hold my breath praying they don’t come closer. The glare from the flashlight moves on and both of us breathe a sigh of relief.
It’s so curious, this feeling I have. While policeman search all around us, all I want to do is take this total stranger in my arms and hold him, kiss him. I think he must see the longing in my eyes as he looks at me, there in the shadows of the moonlight. His hand tightens on mine and I suddenly know he feels the same. Why? Why would I feel this about a stranger who could be a murderer?
Time seems so still for so long I start to get stiff, my body finally feeling the cold and I feel myself shaking. “Go”, he tells me. “I’ll be fine”. I don’t want to leave him for the knowing that I’ll never see him again. I can’t speak though because I’m too cold and too tired to say the words. I edge closer to him, fearing exposure through the shrubbery, but needing to draw on his body heat.
“You’re frozen!” he exclaims in a rushed whisper. Immediately he pulls me to him and I can feel the warmth from his body taking over. “We must get you somewhere warm” he whispers to me. His breath warm in my ear, I cannot concentrate on anything but the feeling of his warm body next to mine. I don’t want to move, I just want to stay right in that position, forever.
“I think its ok now” he says and he leads me out of our hiding spot onto a narrow path between the two buildings. With the strong pull of his hand in mine, we walk up some steps and enter the building just up the path. The stairwell entry is quiet and seems to echo every step we take. Up the stairs we go and I feel my body heating up with the movement within the warm building. We finally stop at the third floor.
“This is my room” he whispers as he starts to open a door along the hall. “Don’t worry; my roommate is a heavy sleeper”. I see his roommate lying facing us and I’m so scared his eyes will open any minute. “It’s ok” he repeats and sits me on his bed. I am so tired I lie down, still watching him. He lifts my feet up into the covers and is surprised at how cold they are. He tries to warm them with his hands while I can only wish that he just climb into the bed with me.
Can he hear my thoughts I think, as just then, he pulls back the covers and climbs in. I can’t help myself and I reach my arms around him, pulling his slim, muscular torso in close to me. One of my legs wraps around his and I pull it, too, close to me, aching for his warmth. His hand comes up next to my face as he takes a stray strand of my hair and softly pushes it back. I stare into his eyes and I know. He’s the one. The one I’m meant for. But it’s all a dream, isn’t it? It can’t be real because I don’t know who I am or why I’m there.
It feels so real though, as my body warms quickly in his arms, in his bed, and I choose to believe it. I choose to stay, despite not knowing. I feel his lips brushing against mine and my mouth parts, wanting more of him. I cannot think anymore, I just want to feel. Feel the passion that is exploding within my heart and within my arms.
Abruptly, I hear a noise in the hall. We both stiffen. Muffled voices, moving closer cause me to shiver, no longer from cold, but with worry. The voices pass down the hall and I can’t be sure they are gone, but I pull up and away from the stranger that had held me. “I must go”, I say, “They can’t find me with you”. I knew if the police saw me with him, he would be implicated at once and I just can’t take that chance. “I know it wasn’t you”.
Where to go? I have an overwhelming urge to get to the Library. “I’ll find you again”, I say, knowing that it’s not true. Those precious minutes spent with this stranger will be the last. I place one last kiss on his lips and pull away. “Here, take this at least” he says and hands me his dark blue sweatshirt. I pull it on over my tank. “My name is Anne” I tell him and start to go. “Jeremy”, he whispers. “My name is Jeremy”. “Thank you”.
I leave quietly after Jeremy checks the hall and the stairwell for me. I am warm now and am hesitant to go back into the cold but for a reason unknown to me I feel compelled to get to the other side of the campus.
Opening the stairwell door slowly, I’m surprised at how light it’s getting outside. I am a little worried that I’ll attract attention in my shorts and hesitate once again. “I’ve got to save him”, I think and head towards the Library. I see police cars far off in the distance in the other lot, but see no one as I jog through the grass in my bare feet.
At long last reaching the Library, I pull at the door to no avail. “There must be another entrance” I think and start to head to the back of the building. “Where is everyone?” I can’t imagine that there are only six cops here and they’ve not evacuated the campus. I think to myself that they must want to search for the murderer before everyone’s up so there’s no chaos. “But why so little police for this big campus?” These thoughts are all flooding my mind as I search frantically for a way in.
Finding no unlocked doors, I start pulling at the windows on the north side of the building and move unsuccessfully around to the east side. Finally! An unlocked window! I shove it up a few inches and try to pull myself up, scraping my side and arm in the process. I squeeze through, seeming to hang for a minute on the ledge, but managing to pull my leg up high enough to grip the ledge corner and push the window up further. “I’m in!” I think to myself and I quickly close the window.
It is much darker in the Library, even with the long tall windows to let in the light. The ominous bookshelves are everywhere and I bump into small tables, set up between the rows. I feel the hair on the back of my neck prick up and know I’m not alone.
Something pulls me to the front of the building but I’m conscious to keep crouched low and stay quiet. I don’t hear anything but I know he’s there. The killer. I accidentally bump into a stool and it rolls over a couple inches. “He’ll now know I’m here, I’ve got to reach out for help”, is my last thought before I feel a shove from the back, which knocks me to the ground.
“What are you doing here?” the man growls and I don’t know how to answer. What could I possibly say that he’d believe? “I said, what are you doing here?!” My hands skim the floor to see if there’s anything I can use to throw at him, but there’s nothing. Click. “I asked you a question, and you’re going to answer it now!” I am so scared I start babbling. “I don’t know why I’m here, something led me here. I just knew that I must come to the Library. I knew you would be here” I say and I hear him take a step back. “Who told you?” he asks. “Who told you I was here? Do the cops know?” I take a deep breath and tell him that I didn’t see any cops but knew that I needed to come there to find him. “What now?” he asks and I just don’t know the answer. I hear him un-cock the gun and he reaches a hand down to pull me up.
“I didn’t mean to do it”, he says and then proceeds to tell me the story. Jim has worked as a night custodian cleaning the common buildings for over ten years. He keeps a locker in the maintenance building with his uniforms and a gun – because he’s scared of being mugged at night. He also carries a gun at all times. When he was working for the university several years ago, he was beat and left for dead by a mugger working the park next door. While he’s never gotten over that, he’s felt that if he’s prepared, it just won’t happen again.
“I never meant to shoot her”, he says, and I believe him. “I was cleaning in the men’s locker rooms and I heard a noise”. “I went to see what it was because sometimes the kids will sneak in to use the pool in the middle of the night”. “I didn’t see anyone so I decided it was nothing and went back to work”. Jim further explains that he kept hearing noises and finally decided it might be a break-in, because he didn’t see any lights on.
He had cocked his gun, ready to scare any would be mugger away, and rounded a corner going into the gymnastics arena. It’s then that the gun went off. “I must’ve been so nervous when I saw her, bent over near the bars”. “I guess she was tying her shoes”, he says, “but at the time all I saw was a dark figure with something in their hands, and I think the gun accidentally went off, even as I realized it was a female student. But by then, it was just too late”. Jim explains he then heard a noise and got scared and ran.
It must’ve been Jeremy I think, and it explains everything. He must’ve found her and called 911. But why would he run? Why wouldn’t he try to explain? Both men, scared, both making wrong decisions. I must help him; I think and tell him so. “You must call and turn yourself in. You must explain that it was an accident” I say. “No. They will put my in jail, and I’ll never go to jail” he cries, “I don’t want my life to be over, I haven’t done enough. I don’t want to end up there. They won’t believe me, I know it!”
I put my hand on Jim’s arm and pull him over to a table and we both sit. “You must tell them what happened; they will believe you” I say. “How do you know?” he asks and I tell him “I just know. As sure as I knew that you were here”. He nods and sets the gun down on the table. I pick it up, knowing to take it with me to protect him.
“I’ve got to go” I say, and leave him there to think on things. I walk to the back of the library and slip out the rear door. On the way I pass a dumpster and toss the gun in with a thud. “It’s ok” I think to myself. “No one will hear”. I jog back across the grounds and see the police car that I had sat in earlier. The door was still open; the blanket on the ground where I’d left it. “Hmmm”…I think, and I run across and climb in, pulling the blanket in with me. I close the door softly and lie down in the backseat. I drift into a heavy sleep, tired with the nights’ activities.
“Beep” “Beep” “Beep”, I lift my head up groggily and reach out to touch the alarm. “Oh, it was all a dream”, I think and turn back over for more sleep. I am sooo tired and can’t bear to get up. “It felt so real”, I repeat to myself over and over.
Sure I’d just had the most vivid dream of my life; I pull back the covers and swing my legs out onto the floor. Suddenly, I see them. Scratches are all over my legs and there’s a big bruise on my arm. My feet are grass-stained and there’s a dark blue sweatshirt lying on my floor. “It was real!”
So many questions flood my mind. As I run to the living room to turn on the local news channel to confirm my thoughts, the most penetrating thought of all crosses my mind – I must find Jeremy!
Monday, August 3, 2009
MIA
I've been missing in action - haven't blogged in a month almost...
Summertime for me seems to be so busy I feel I can't breathe. I thought I'd get a break because the kids are out of school but it's the total opposite. There is just so much going on...
My dear daughter will be going into 7th grade (they start the 27th of this month) and the little guy (who's not so little anymore) is going into 4th. These are the tough grades. I can't believe it. I haven't aged a day but all around me kids are growing up!
Two weeks from now I'm hosting a joint family party for my daughter & nephew's 12th birthdays. I'll be going out of my mind trying to get the house ready, then the yard ready for about 33-37 people. I already can't wait until it's over. On top of it all my mother's coming to visit! Yikes!
I'm praying now for sanity - especially since the past couple weeks have been a little rough -and I'm definitely not doing well on my diet....uggh...I just feel so overwhelmed!!!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The Last Wife of Henry VIII Review
I love paperbackswap.com. It's so much fun to maintain a "bookshelf" for other people to pick off of, earn credits, and be able to request books from other swappers.
I've just finished this book and absolutely loved it. The way it was written was excellent. It grabbed me from beginning to end and I literally had a hard time putting it down.
Several days later I'm still dwelling on it's contents. Still stuck in another time with a woman who was strong willed but submissive. Wholly beautiful and able to truly impact others.
The minute I posted it someone requested it. I'm sure they will love it just as much as I did.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Happy Independence Day America!
Independence day,( or July 4th as it's more commonly known) is seen as a holiday (a day off) accentuated with fireworks by most people here in the US.However, it's actually a celebration due to the signing of the Declaration of Independence here in Philadelphia, on July 4th, 1776.
When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness...
Creativity & ATC's
Some people are just incredibly gifted. I got the most adorable ATC in the mail today from Rachel (via Swap-Bot). I just had to post a picture...it is just the cutest thing!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
ATC for Beginner's Swap # 2
Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures of the ATC's I made for swap #1.
I made this ATC using a bunch of different types of materials and papers. I took scrapbook paper, cornered the edges with a fabric(ed) recycled Christmas card, one corner I placed a ribbon and lace then adhered a couple floral address stickers to it, stamped it with a floral design, placed an embellishment in the middle and wrote out "Dimensions". I wanted the ATC to have a lot of different dimensions, pieces that all kind of went together but came from totally different places. Unfortunately I forgot to stamp the embellishment first and when I went back and stamped it after I wrote the theme out, it kinda messed up the writing (hopefully not too bad).
This ATC is going out to JadeY in Malaysia...I really hope she likes it. She is so unbelievably creative so I was a little intimidated sending this to her, but hey, it is only my third one! :)
Clouds
I love a cloudy sky. Not the kind that's dark and eerie, but a beautiful blue sky full of white puffy clouds.
Every once in awhile I come across a sky I can't help but photograph...
This first shot was actually taken through the front windsheild of my car, thus the blue effect of the top of the picture.
Finally a break in the trees and the telephone poles to catch this beautiful sight...of course the actual sky was much more gorgeous than the pic shows...
White, fluffy wonderful...
Every once in awhile I come across a sky I can't help but photograph...
This first shot was actually taken through the front windsheild of my car, thus the blue effect of the top of the picture.
Finally a break in the trees and the telephone poles to catch this beautiful sight...of course the actual sky was much more gorgeous than the pic shows...
White, fluffy wonderful...Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Movie Review: Confessions of a Shopaholic
Overall I liked this movie. I was a little worried in the beginning because the minute it started you knew it was going to be totally different than the book (and I adored the book!) and that was a disappointment. I'm still disappointed that they didn't follow the book more closely and place the characters in the UK - some of the movie was a little over the top (with the mannequins "speaking" to her, etc.), and her overall personality was more ditzy than the book.
However, I think anyone who had not read the book would find the movie enjoyable and especially hilarious in parts. If you haven't read the book - see the movie first! :)
THE BOOK:
Thursday, June 25, 2009
In control
With everything going on in the economy today, it's a true blessing to have a job in a stable company. My husband is just fine since he's in healthcare and they are not so easily foiled by the declining state of our country...however, I am not in the same position.
The retail business is getting hit (and hard) and I'm not sure how much longer we can continue to be beat down and still survive. My particular department may be shut down entirely by the end of the summer.
I know that ultimately God is in control of all, and He knows His plan for me - so I can't be worried. However, I really feel for the hundreds of people that could be effected.
I'm sure everyone out there knows someone right now who's currently unemployed. Please pray for them. I know they and their families would appreciate it.
The retail business is getting hit (and hard) and I'm not sure how much longer we can continue to be beat down and still survive. My particular department may be shut down entirely by the end of the summer.
I know that ultimately God is in control of all, and He knows His plan for me - so I can't be worried. However, I really feel for the hundreds of people that could be effected.
I'm sure everyone out there knows someone right now who's currently unemployed. Please pray for them. I know they and their families would appreciate it.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
E-Z Meals....Really! I'm making dinner planning easy!
I just found this most awesome site where I signed up to get a planned out menu (along with shopping list) for only $5 a month. There's also tips on coupons, etc. and many options for different kinds of diets, etc.
I like the fact they let you choose a grocery store too, so your menu will follow their sale dates, but unfortunately Aldi's is the only grocery store in my area until my new SuperWalmart opens up next month!
Here's the link...
Check it out! :)
I like the fact they let you choose a grocery store too, so your menu will follow their sale dates, but unfortunately Aldi's is the only grocery store in my area until my new SuperWalmart opens up next month!
Here's the link...
Check it out! :)
Monday, June 22, 2009
Cookie Diet
DH (Dear Hubby) is doing the Cookie Diet (Smart for Life's version) and so far it's been 2 days. He was really cranky the first day (who could blame him eating 6 bland cookies, some chicken and veggies for dinner and no dessert!), but seems to be settling into it.
I'm really hoping that this will help me to get through my next 30 pounds considering we won't be going out to eat anymore (or ordering fast food/pizza), so the pounds should just melt off me too! :)
I will keep you updated as to how it goes...
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Cheating
While away on vacation I was unfortunately (secretly hypnotized and) convinced that I needed to eat three large meals a day, with snacks to make sure that I had enough energy to do all that walking at Disney. I of course also needed one trip to the Infamous Boston Lobster Company restaurant for all you can eat seafood and had to indulge in desserts because they were "southern" and you just can't eat that kind of dessert up here in the North. (LOL)
So anyway, I gained at least 4 - 6 pounds - not really sure because I weighed myself at odd times, but anyhow, almost a week later I'm still up almost 3 lbs so I couldn't possibly go weigh in at work for our Biggest Loser contest. I mean, that 3 lbs will be gone by next week (because I'm really going to buckle down) and then I'll only owe $2 for missing two weigh-ins instead of having to pay $4 today. It's all just strategic you know...
Well, my cube mate says I am cheating...am I? She says the person that's going to win deserves to win all the money and I'm taking away from that. Well I disagree! :o{) I mean, they're going to get plenty of money why should I contribute more than I need to!??!
Right?????
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
