Shake Shake Earthquake

Hey there Dad!

How are you today? I hope that all is still intact up there, especially after that earthquake! HAHA can you believe that we had an Earthquake on the east coast? I did not think that was possible! I was sitting at my desk yesterday afternoon and I honestly thought our building was getting bombed, the first thing I did was duck by my filing cabinet, then once I realized that everyone else was running out, I followed. It was a big mess! Our building was evacuated and we were sent home for the day. I think everyone was a little over the top but that is expected. Haha you know why… But anyway, the last earthquake in VA was back in 1897 and that one was about 5.8 on the Richter scale… I think yesterday’s earthquake was 5.9. Oh snap we are making history!

In other news….

1.       I started to work at Bobby’s this weekend, I missed that place a lot. It has changed a bit but it is still a great part-time job. Some of my old friends are there and the money is still good. I am hoping to save up enough money within the next two years so I can get the heck out of VA.

2.       I have been taking the dogs on daily walks and they seem to really enjoy it. The weather is getting cooler and I take them around 7PM each night. We walk for about half an hour and by that time their little legs are all tuckered out. I look forward to walking with them, it gives me some time to clear my head and get some fresh air. You would make fun of me because I drive them to the neighborhood across the street from mine to go for their walk…it is a little nicer and doesn’t get as dark at night over there. I am just trying to keep us safe! LOL.

3.       I am starting my Masters program for real this time. I just submitted my TA paperwork through work and should be good to start on October 14^th. I already have 9 credits completed, just 27 more to go and I will have my Masters degree in Procurement and Acquisition Management. 27 credits equates to 9 classes…sounds pretty attainable. I should be able to complete it before Kelly comes home. That is my goal anyway. We will see!

Dad, I apologize but I have been struggling with writing lately. I think recently my life has just been relatively uneventful, yet filled with emotion. So the words just don’t seem to flow like they usually do. I have so much on my mind and yet I can’t find the words to tell you about it. I think it’s because I just simply don’t know where to begin. These last two weeks have been an emotional rollercoaster for me, I am up and down, happy and sad all at the same time. I am hoping that my emotions will calm down soon and I will be able to write to you as much as I used to. I like writing to you on a daily basis and I miss doing so. I love and miss you very much.

Old School!

Blair found these, I love them! Thought I would share. <3

My Butterfly

None of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.

I thought I would post this on your page, since I know you like this speech too. I feel the need to represent America whenever possible. Love you!

Good evening.

Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts.

The victims were in airplanes or in their offices -- secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal workers. Moms and dads. Friends and neighbors.

Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror.

The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness and a quiet, unyielding anger.

These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people has been moved to defend a great nation.

Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.

America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.

Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature, and we responded with the best of America, with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.

Immediately following the first attack, I implemented our government's emergency response plans. Our military is powerful, and it's prepared. Our emergency teams are working in New York City and Washington, D.C., to help with local rescue efforts.

Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from further attacks.

The functions of our government continue without interruption. Federal agencies in Washington which had to be evacuated today are reopening for essential personnel tonight and will be open for business tomorrow.

Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American economy will be open for business as well.

The search is underway for those who are behind these evil acts. I've directed the full resources for our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and bring them to justice. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.

I appreciate so very much the members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and assistance.

America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world and we stand together to win the war against terrorism.

Tonight I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me."

This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time.

Thank you. Good night and God bless America.



Rambles

Hey there dad! How are you!? I hope you are enjoying this cooler weather we have been having, I never thought I would say this, but I am ready for fall. I love summer, but my favorite attire is a pair of shorts and a hoodie. I am struggling to stay awake today so I thought I would write to you and hope that by doing so, I would wake up a little bit! Blair came down last night for a sleepover, she has been a really big help with everything I am going through right now. She and Justin both have been really good to me, they stayed down at my place over this past weekend and kept me company. It has been a week since Kel has left for Japan and I miss him so much, I just have to focus on staying busy and hopefully the time will fly. I start working at Bobby McKeys this weekend and I am super excited about that. As you know, I LOVE working there. I am so excited to get back there, woo!

Last weekend was tough without Kel here to do stuff with, but as I mentioned, Blair and Justin did a good job with keeping me company. On Friday night, they came down and cooked me dinner (stir-fry, just the way you used to cook it!), we watched a movie and passed out super early. We debated on whether or not we should go get tattoos, but decided not to. Hahaha. On Saturday I took the pups up to your place and went kayaking with Justin, Jerry and Mom. Blair was working so she could not go…We kayaked for a good couple of miles then came back and had some spicy Thai food at that place by the house. Afterwards mom and I took the pups on a walk around the neighborhood and then Blair, Justin and I went on home. Again, it was an early night for all of us, why.......? Because Blair and Justin actually convinced me to go hiking with them on Sunday morning! I was glad they made me go….it was my first hike! It was a great time on the way up to our destination, however hiking back was a little much for me, lol. The bugs, prickle bushes, wild animals, spiders, and rocks were all up in the way of our path. We hiked nine miles and by the time we made it back to the car, my left foot and knees felt like they were going to fall off. All in all it was a lot of fun though! I will post some pictures as soon as I get them from Justin.

Lets see….what else….

Monday night was a sucky night, it was raining and thundering, I laid in bed for about 3 hours after work then finally made myself get up and clean Kelly and my bathroom. FUN NIGHT! Sike! Last night I had Blair come down and we took the dogs on a long walk and went dog toy shopping at Petsmart. I spoil those pups. They have been my saving grace through all of this, those two little dogs give us so much happiness and I am glad that they are there when I get home from work, just as happy as can be. Guess what Tuff has started doing?! He has started smiling when he gets super excited or happy, it is so funny to watch him do it, it puts the biggest smile on my face!! I will have to show you some pictures if I can ever snap one while he is doing it.

OH! This is totally on a new subject, but last night Blair and I sat down and watched Bush’s post 9-11 speech on You-Tube. I don’t know why but there is something about that speech that gives me goose bumps. I think it is something that should be broadcasted on a daily basis, just so this country doesn’t forget. It just gives me such a patriotic feeling and makes me super proud of Kel, Justin and all of our friends that fight for our country. As you know, the military is something I have the utmost respect for and the fact that there are people out there that do not feel the same way just boggles my mind. I know you are proud of the guys your girls are with. Kelly and Justin are just so great.

Well dad, I am going to get back to work. I will talk to you soon, I love and miss you so much!!

"my dad would be proud of me today"

Hey there dad. I know it has been a while since I last wrote, a lot has been going on and I just have not had the opportunity to sit down and type you up a note. I have a few that I have written you over the past couple of weeks but I am finally getting the chance to sit down and talk to you now. 

Let me think, where did I last leave off.... I was getting ready to go to OBX when I last talked to you! It was a great trip, a lot of memories of you and the family while we were down there, but it was still a blast, I forgot how much I love that place. This year I stayed in Salvo, the complete opposite end of the island in which we are used to staying in. It was super nice down there, even more secluded than Corolla. Kel really enjoyed it down there as well....he said he would for sure want to take another trip down there. After spending the week down in OBX we went up to PA to visit with Kelly's family and so he could say his goodbyes. Mom came up with us on Friday and flew back on Sunday, I was happy that she decided to come up there with us, especially for Kelly's last trip for the next two years.

Today was the day, I have tried not to mention it to you in past posts, probably because I have tried to avoid it. Actually you know what...I am going to write to you in my notebook about this, I don't want to put too much of my business out on the internet....so check the book for updates on this certain situation :)

So many things have been going on this summer and it sure has flown by, I hope that time will continue to fly by.....and slow down in a couple of years. Hahaha wishful thinking, but whatever! You always used to tell me that time flies way too fast and one day I will ask myself where the last ten/twenty years have gone. I still to this day disagree with you dad...I will be young forever! Haha

I am trying to think what else to tell you, there'd has been many moments within the past few weeks that I have said to Kelly...."my dad would be proud of me today!" I think the main one was me helping Kelly epoxy the garage floor! It looks so much nicer, I really had no idea what the purpose of this was, but I am so glad that I did it! Although, I enjoyed doing it....I think Kelly tricked me into helping, lol. He told me that if I helped him, I would get to bedazzle the floor....and well....you know me when it comes to bedazzling. So of course I jumped on the opportunity. What kel failed to mention was the fact that if I agreed to help bedazzle, I would have to help with all of the other awful aspects of this task. Such as, cleaning out all the junk from the garage...sweeping all the bugs and nasty stuff  out of the garage, hosing it down, drying it, painting it....thennnnn I got to bedazzle. Whew! It was hard work but totally worth it! Proud moment for me! Haha ohhh the little things in life. 

Well daddy, we will catch up later! I love and miss you so much. I could really use you here right now. Keep me sane during these next few months, I need you.