UJ: sooooo tired! (and I loathe DEER CREEK!)

Hey kiddos....I am such a tired tired girl today. I had a fun, but overwhelming weekend this past weekend.

On Saturday, I drive into Indy to a Pampered Chef party with a friend of mine....then drove back to Bloomington and hung out and had a cookout with a group of friends. We had A LOT of fun...drank probably a tad too much, didn't get enough sleep, etc...

And Sunday morning I woke up at 6:30am and could not get back to sleep. That was the beginning of a long day. Then I went home...ran some errands, etc. I was trying to take a nap since we were heading up to the Dave Matthews concert that evening, but I wasn't able to sleep. I was exhausted, but I wasn't able to sleep.

So, at about 2pm, we headed out of town towards Indy again to the Dave Matthews show. I had a good time....but was so tired and cranky, that I think it will go down as a night not to be known as great. I drove up...and on the drive up I noticed how tired I was already and it was only 3pm. We had a late lunch with my friend's parents....and the waitress and service was horrible. She got many many things wrong....she brought me a regular burger and not a veggie burger...and then was insistent that a burger was what I wanted. She was dropping things left and right.... Let's just say that she isn't very good at what she does....and we all noticed.

Then on to the show.....for the first little while we had a really good time. We played the "That Guy" game while looking at the crowd. You have to find guys who match the description of your card...such as "Mullet Guy" "Guy Wearing More Jewerly Than You GUy" etc... But I think we all started to hit a tiredness wall....and that was about when the music started. The opening band was the Aguanas....and they were pretty good.

And Dave came on next....I have never seen him before, outside of Farm Aid. I am not a huge fan, but I like his stuff when I hear it on the radio. I was enjoying it, but was also getting overwhelmingly tired. And then....well...some drunk guy stepped on my foot, a drunk girl behind me kicked me, then she and her friends spilled beer on me and the blanket...not once, but twice. Oh lord....it was not helping my cranky mood.

And then getting out of Deer Creek. I swear...given that experience, I don't think I ever want to go there again. We were packed in like cattle getting out of the building and then when we got to our car, we waited 45 minutes before our cars started moving. I think I had it at this point....so tired...so cranky....and just wanting to be home in my bed. So...then guess what, we get lost. I have no idea where I am driving or what I am doing...and good god....it's getting later each minute. So, my wonderfully wonderful friend takes over the wheel and drives the rest of the way for me....since I was on the verge of either falling asleep or killing someone. So...THANK YOU to her!

And then we listened to music in the car...and talked on the way home. It was an ordeal....but it was quite an experience to have. It's not one I am jumping to do again....but all in all....was definitely worth it.

So...that was my weekend. Now, I am waiting at work until I can leave at 2pm...go home and take a nap! *yawns*

g'night!

UJ: happy friday!

Hello....today just feels like a good day. This week was pretty hectic at work, but today...it just feels calm. Now, I haven't gone to work yet and who knows what the day may bring, but right now....I don't know why, but I just feel good.

And why has work been hectic....well, in small...the organization that works with the homeless is closing. They are closing their emergency individual shelter and family shelter. So, we have been scrambling all week trying to get people a place to stay....and sometimes we were successful and sometimes we were not. On Wednesday, I think we saw 11 families come through the door with needs from a roof over their head to diapers and baby food for their children. It was a crazy hectic day, but it felt good in some sense...because I was in small ways able to help each family and that felt good.

This week I have also been talking with an old friend more. We have always been very close...she is one of my very very best friends from college. We chatted over email a few times in the past week and we started talking on the phone again this week. I don't think I realized how much I missed her until we started chatting again....she is someone who just understands me and when we talk, it doesn't seem like time has passed or that we are so far away from one another. She might try to come visit me....and that would make me SO SO happy! I can't believe it has been months since I have seen her...and her birthday is on Saturday...so happy happy Birthday to her!

So...today should be a simple day. We have a play group this morning and a cooking class this afternoon...and tonight, I am going to sit home, relax and watch some crappy TV. AND...this weekend, I am going to the Dave Matthews show...and that should be tons o' fun!

much love-

UJ: names

You know, I don't tend to use people's names in this journal....I never have. I feel that it is ok for me to decide to open up my life and place it in a journal on the net, but just because someone is my friend and I want to write about them...they didn't give that permission to have their name and experiences on here. Now...those who know me, probably know exactly who and what I am talking about....but I guess I am protecting my friends and their names from those who don't.

I don't know why I am making this declaration...I guess I was overwhelmed by how many times I write "my friend" or "the bride and groom" and I thought people might be wondering why I never say the person's name.... Well, that's why!

UJ: wedding galore....

This weekend was our friends' wedding....and it was beautiful. I feel so lucky and honored that I was asked to attend. The bride I met through grad school....and her maid of honor is also one of my best friends from grad school. Because I was such good friends with the wedding party and because another friend was coming up early to take candid shots of the wedding party getting ready and such, I was there early....and ended up helping a lot with the "getting ready" stuff.

That to me...was such a gift. I was able to be a part of someone getting ready for the most important day of her life. I was also...not to brag, quite good at it. There were a lot of little things that still needed to be done and when we arrived it looked like all the odds and ends were getting to the bride. She was a tad frazzled and also seemed genuinely concerned that so many things needed to get done. I was happy to jump in....and I worked hard. I put together most of the flower arrangements for the table settings. I also ran errands for both the bride and the groom.,....and just tried the best I could to make things easier for both of them. I think someone asked me if I minded throughout the day...and I didn't. I actually enjoyed it.....in a small way, it was probably the best wedding gift I could have given them...my time.

And the wedding was beautiful....with all weddings there were small things, like the cake not being right and one of the junior bridesmaids got too hot under the stage lights and passed out during the ceremony. But those aren't the things that make an impression...at least not for me. I watched as two people I truly adore said their vows to one another....and then saw them all night just so in love with one another. I couldn't be happier for them. And at the reception...the party really begun. We danced, we laughed....we even cried a little. And the groom's family...wow...they are spunky and fun and boy do they know how to party! I thought the day was just amazing.....

And then at night, a few of us headed off to the hotel and rejoined the bride and groom there. We sat with them until the wee hours of the morning and they opened presents with their family (I know...you'd think that wouldn't be what they wanted to do on their honeymoon...but in actuality, the bride couldn't wait to get to her presents and to be able to open them in front of people she loved!). They sat together in a chair and were the same couple that I knew a day before.....and reveled in the long line of gifts that were wonderful, but also showed in dramatic form all the people who love and care for them...and wish them well.

I felt very blessed that I could share this day with them from beginning to end....it really was a gift. Not many people who are not in the wedding party get to experience that...and it was wonderful. They are off now....to their honeymoon in Hawaii....and I can't wait til they get home and can tell us all about it!

Their wedding reminded me of many things...but the most was of my friend's wedding where I was her maid of honor. I haven't spoken to her in a while...and I think I will have to correct that! I remembered spending the day with her much like this...and am saddened that I am so far away. I am not the best about keeping in touch...especially when there is so much distance.

Much love to all those in my life....

UJ: bachelorette party....

Hey there...this Saturday was a friend of mine's bachelorette party. I haven't gone to many of those...and they are always a riot. One of my best friends is the maid of honor, so she did a lot of preparing for the event. I hope that once it started, she was able to relax and just enjoy it!

We went out up in Indy, since during the summer months when the students aren't around...the bar scenes can be pretty pathetic down here in Bloomington. My friend's dad got us TWO sweet hotel rooms downtown for next to nothing....so, we are very grateful to him! We started the evening with dinner...and just chit chatting. And then we all got ready. We put on matching shirts that all had the same front and then a nick name was on the back. My nickname was "got milk?" And why was that....well, because I don't like to eat anything white and we thought people would get a kick out of the name and what it might imply!

At about 9pm, we headed down to a local bar there where we reserved a private room. The bride to be opened up all her presents...and they were as outrageous as bachelorette presents tend to be. We got her lingerie and some interesting toys (hee, hee!) And then we all ate a penis shaped cake...and since we had no silverware or plates, we had to eat it with our hands! *giggles*

And after that...and many drinks...we all headed down to the dance floor. It was a lot of fun...I haven't gone out like that since I was in college. We all danced and had a good time.....there might have even been some boys involved!

I think the funnest thing for me was watching people's reactions when we were walking to and from the bar.... We were wearing little devil horns on our heads...and wearing hawaiian leis that had flavored condoms on them. We got a lot of gauking, but it was all fun! And on the way home...we made it even worse, by trying to give away the chocolate candy penises that we had to anyone who walked by! Now, that is an interesting way to start a conversation!!!

So...all in all, it was a fun night! We stayed out way past our bedtimes....drank way too much...but all in the name of fun!

*winks*

UJ: no subject

One of my friends sent me this internet survey...it's one of those "how well do you know me" quizzes. Well, it has been a lot of fun. I have sent it on to a bunch of my friends and it has been great to get them back. It's always interesting to see what your friends know about you...or how they truly feel about you. I had a lot of fun with it....and if you got one from me, be a doll and fill it out!

On a more somber note, a good friend of mine passed away this weekend. She was someone I met about 3 years ago when I went to the New Year's Eve Mellencamp show. Gerri was from Texas, but would come up to Indiana as often as she could, since she just loved the state. She was the first Mellencamp fan that I met from the email list. She got sick a few years back with lung cancer, but she went into remission. And then a little while back, the cancer came back. This time it wasn't so easy to treat.

She is one true gem of a woman...and she will most definitely be missed. I don't think I will ever be at a Mellencamp event again without thinking of her...and that is a good thing. I hadn't been in the best contact with her in the last few months of her life....I wasn't going to the chat room as often...and we didn't find each other on IM, but I hope she knows how much I adore her. She was nothing, but kind and generous to me and I will be constantly grateful for that.

Gerri- you are missed....much love to you, your family, and all that knew you!

UJ: updating....

Hi there....

I have been told by numerous sources that I need to update this things more often...and you know what, they are right! It's been a while. Work has been keeping me crazy busy, but for the most part I am enjoying it.

THE JOB:

There are some glitches at work....nothing that isn't expected when suddenly you are thrust into management. We have funding through this huge grant which was given to the Bloomington community. And, the people in charge of the grant...well, sometimes they make me want to pull my hair out. Sometimes it seems like I spend more time trying to help them and make them happy than I do helping the families for which this money is designed. So...that bugs me...BUT...the good news is that the staff at Shalom...we are so dedicated to our work. We aren't letting this snag get in our way. It's just an interesting lesson that confirms that sometimes when money is involved....you have to jump through hopes and do things that you usually would not do!

But on the positive side...I am still loving the direct aspect of my job. I love working with the families....being someone positive and supportive in their lives. I love the fun programming things we are doing. We just started a month long cooking class for some of our families. It's aspects like this...that make the snags WELL worth it! AND...I love the staff we have at the family center. They are some of the most amazing women I have ever worked with. I couldn't be luckier!!!!

MY CAR:

And my car....oh...it's so beautiful! I keep finding new features everyday that I love! I feel very spoiled, since I never thought I would have a car which is as nice as this. I always thought if I bought another car...it would be used and probably something I was willing to live with, but not exactly what I wanted. This car...it is what I wanted. It's a 2002...which is probably the closest I will ever get to a new car. Now my new debate because I always have one...is what to do with the old (not working) car. I was hoping to get it running and then donate it to the local domestic violence shelter, but since I don't want to put more money into getting it running...I am either going to call this one place that will take any kind of car or I am going to just junk it. Right now, it is just sitting in my parking lot...looking very sad and unloved! hee, hee I was hoping to give her a new home, but I looks like I will just be putting her out to pasture!

And....now, what should I name my new car? Have any ideas...through them my way! And if you want to see my new car, send me an email...and I will get ya some pics!!!

FRIENDS, ET AL:

The past few weeks have been very nice. I have a small, but very supportive group of friends here. I have also been branching out with some people at work and at another agency that I often work with. I can sometimes be the life of the party and at other times be very isolating....and for a little bit, I was in the isolating period....but it seems for a time that I have broken out of that. I have a couple of friends that I see almost daily. We enjoy hanging out...watching trashy TV or just running out to get ice cream. It reminds me a lot of my time in college, which was probably the best time in my life. I think I have grown to really appreciate how wonderful my friends are...and to make sure that I am spending time with them.

Also...one of my best friends. She is a very neat person...her apartment is also picked up and everything is usually in place. Well, let's just say the same is not usually true for me, but for the past week she has had a very good influence on me. I was getting sick of my messy apartment, but too overwhelmed to begin cleaning...well...she was my savior...started cleaning with me and now it is something that I really want to do. Everyday I work a little bit on cleaning either a room or organizing something. And, it's a nice feeling. Also...I love that I can have friends over and hang out and not have to worry about the place being messy. So...who knows how long this will last, but hey...I am trying to make life changes here! Wish me luck!!!

FAMILY:

My mom is going really well...thank you to everyone who asked. She got out of the hospital and really was following doctors' orders and taking care of herself. I am so proud of her. She is such an amazing woman...and so supportive of me. I often wonder how I would have turned out if I didn't have the amazing set of parents that I did.

And this weekend...today actually...my mom and dad are going to Maine for the day. My grandfather passed away almost 2 years ago and his ashes were cremated. My mom wanted to take care of his ashes with at least my aunt....and this was the first time they both could be together and do something. So, my mom, dad, aunt and uncle are getting together to spread his ashes over the ocean...just as he would have wanted. I would have loved to attend, but I just couldn't get there....being so far away. And then my parents are going to bury a brick with my grandfather's name on it behind the house where my mom grew up. Then they are going to place some ashes there. So, if anyone wants to visit...there is a place. I think that is such a nice idea and I also think it is a great healing moment for my mom. I miss my grandfather...he was an amazing amazing man who I didn't get to see enough. I will look forward to going to Maine to visit him.

And my brother...he is considering a move to Oregon. A lot of his friends live out there. Suddenly, I won't be the kid who moved far away if he moves. I am not sure when he plans on moving or even if this is serious, but if he does...I will love going to visit him, since i have never been to that part of the country before.

MELLENCAMP:

How could I update the journal without mentioning Mellencamp's new album. It got released last Tuesday and of course...I went right out and bought it. This album is a collection of covers from old Blues songs. At first, I wasn't sure what I thought...but as I listened...I really fell in love with the CD. It's call "Trouble No More." I also saw a small documentary on the making of the album, so it made me love the album and the man even more. Before the album...I was losing some of my mellen-ambition. I just wasn't feeling as connected to the music, etc....but the new album did the trick. It re-energized and it is a good feeling!

Well, I think that is enough babbling on for now!

*waves*