April 23rd 2012

          I feel so terrible that it's been so long since I've posted!!! I tried to write something last weekend, but I just got so busy GETTING MY WOHELO and stuff. It was such an awesome ceremony! An awesome week, really.
          Monday night we picked up Nate at the airport and got a room at the hotel right outside the parking lot. But since Nate had been sitting down for five hours, he wasn't really interested in going to bed right away. So we went hunting for Cosmo's, this really cool coffeehouse. The best part was that they had an amazing GF menu!! (Gluten-Free) I'm not GF, but my mom and Leo are. We hung out with our snacks playing scrabble for a few hours and it was really nice. Then we went back to the room and watched those really stupid prank'd shows that MTV shows really late at night til almost 2:00am.
          Tuesday we headed back home. Mom tried letting Nate drive, but living in Cali has turned him into a CRAZY driver!!! (Sorry Nate, if you're reading this, but it's true) So I drove the rest of the way. Once we got home, we took Nate to Dan's for dinner. You'd think this tiny town wouldn't have anything going for it, but it has got same delicious restaurants. Dan's is this amazing steakhouse, and we always get the same thing because their steak is sooo good. Except Leo, he doesn't like steak, so he gets a burger. After dinner we gave Nate the not so grand tour of our tiny town and stopped at our, admittedly, awesome park. We all played around for awhile and Nate got Leo to drop feet first into a giant mud puddle. It was pretty hilarious.
          Wednesday I had to work, that was pretty much the only reason we bothered coming back home instead of staying in town. So I went and did my thing, no big. We just kind of used Wednesday to get used to each other again. It was really nice that Nate and I weren't down each others throats like the last time we were together in the same state. Hopefully that means we can be friends or something instead of those siblings that are always fighting. Maybe. That gives me hope for Leo, maybe someday down the road we won't feel like spiting each other for fun.
          Thursday was mom and dads fifteenth anniversary, but they didn't get to see each other until late! Dad had to work and we left for town in the morning. We got to town in the early afternoon and went around running all the errands that needed running. We got Nate some dress shoes(really they were just nice sneakers, but they fit their purpose) we got Leo new shoes, mom got some new shoes. Everybody but me :( I'll live, lol. The majority of the afternoon was spent looking for the perfect gifts for my fellow Camp Fire seniors and Hope's WoHeLo gift! And we got a few other things, but I can't remember what they were. We went to mom and dad's friend's house for the night, which was nice. They have a son Nate's age who lives next door and they went and hung out for the evening. Their other son, that lives with them, is Leo's best friend, so he was occupied all night. I just popped in a Redbox and then went to bed.
          Friday mom and I split off from the boys and went to run the last last minute errands. For instance, mom needed nail supplies. Stuff like that. We couldn't check in to the hotel until 2:00pm, so we had a ton of time to kill. Sooooo, we went to Incredible Pizza! Incredible Pizza is like this pizza buffet(that makes GF pizza to order, no extra charge) that has a huge arcade! And they have daily deals you can get, like get $20 on a card and get a $10 bonus! So that's what we did. And let me tell you, we had a blast! Now, I play for tickets, so I ended up getting somewhere around 492. Since I'm not so into the prize counter, I just gave mine to my mom. She's got an account and she always saves her tickets. I don't know what she's going to spend them on, but she saves em! After we'd all had our fill of fun, we went and checked in to our hotel. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express right in the middle of town, so nothing was more than 20 minutes away! My father and Lisa got to town around 7:00pm, it was so fantastic to see them! It felt like Bennett and Winston hadn't changed at all! I helped them unpack and everything and we just chilled for a little while. then they were getting hungry, so I suggested we all go out to Village Inn!



More later, I promise! I just cannot finish right now :(

March 12th 2012

Not much to say, honestly haven't been doing much! But! I have sent out almost all my invitations to my WoHeLo and I finally have copies of the WoHeLo pictures we took last week with the camp fire office photographer!

March 8th 2012

          Okay, so I'm feeling kind of fired up. First off, real quick, I finished my WoHeLo!!! Got it all done signed sealed and approved!
          So I just finished watching a bunch of video's about KONY2012. I watched some from both sides. The people advocating for it and against. If you don't know who Joseph Kony is, go to KONY2012.com and watch their very informative video. In short, he's an evil old man in Uganda on the top of the international most wanted list. His charges against humanity are numerous and horrific. The kony2012 campaign is trying to make Kony a household name. As famous and talked about as Taylor Swift or Justin Bieber, Not to celebrate him, but to let our government know that the people are still interested in Uganda's children's welfare.
          There are people who think it's all a load of crap. They believe that Invisible Children (the company that organized the campaign) is scamming the nation. That like all those other social media campaigns, it doesn't work. You know the one's, "if Joe's picture get's 1,000,000,000 likes the doctors will waive his sons medical fees" and other such nonsense. But I think all these people are completely missing the point.
          KONY2012 isn't about getting we, US civilian citizens, over to Uganda to fight the good fight. It's to spread awareness! If the videos and stickers and bracelets and posters get people talking about it, then it's working. And isn't that what social media was made for? KONY2012 is a worthwhile cause. Because we have a voice! If I've learned anything from being in Camp Fire, it's that just because I'm one person or I'm only 17 doesn't mean I can't make a difference! Have you ever read that Dr. Seuss book, "Horton Hears a Who"? It's like in that, where everyone is yelling except one little boy. And no one can hear them until that one boy raises his voice!
          The goal is to have Kony arrested before the end of 2012. They believe that we must strike while the iron is hot. KONY2012 can't be some fad that we pick up to play with and put down again. Opinions?

Let me know, I genuinely want to hear some different views!

February 25th 2012

          Hey guys,
How's everyone been? I've been frantically trying to find a chaperone/roommate for my conference in DC, but it's either inconvenient time or too much money for everyone. I'm going to ask the women at my board meeting this Monday, but if no one there is able, I'm prepared to just give up on it. It was never supposed to be this big of a deal. I'll have to re-write my walk in speech and send a new one to Susan. But that's the easy part. I'm just bummed because I was so excited for my first solo vacation. No parents. Not like I was going to o crazy or anything, but I'd really like for my first few weeks at college to not  be the first time I'm on my own for more than two nights!
          I guess if I don't go to DC though, I can get this dress I've been eying. It would be perfect to wear for my WoHeLo. It would fit under my ceremonial attire, and look fabulous for pictures and the party. It's got a purple ruffled top and a simple black skirt. There was another one I saw too, but mom didn't feel too good about it. And I kind of want to find some super short black shorts to wear under this one dress I have. I just got these awesome tights to wear with it, but it still needs shorts, just to be sure ;-)
          Mom left for town early to spend time with her sister and then her friends. I would've gone, but I had to work yesterday, today, and tomorrow. But it works out since daddy has to be in town Monday morning anyway, we're leaving right after work tomorrow. So get up, go to church, go home and pack, go to work, go to town. We probably won't get in until around midnight, but daddy seems to be okay with it. I don't know where we'll all sleep. The place we usually stay is really uncomfortable for four people. three, sure. But unless I'm sharing the couch bed with Leo, I'm not seeing this working out. Maybe he'll sleepover at his friends house or something. Seems kind of late though. And all his friend has school.
          I just finished catching up on The Vampire Diaries.  I watch all my shows on Hulu. I can't decide if I prefer the books or the show. The show is definitely more "people pleasing". What I mean is, the producers give the audience exactly what we want. But aside from the names, we might as well be in a different story. Nothing happens the same. Caroline is a real person in the show, with feelings and stuff. Then she gets turned into a vampire. I'm fairly sure that NEVER happened. And so far there is no sign of Elena getting her wings powers. She never got turned into a vampire and then brought back. So frustrating. Why couldn't they do both as tv shows and name the other one something else?
          Right now, I'm charging my flipcam to take to town. I might try a little vlog or something. Could be cool. What do you guys think?
          Time to catch up on my beauty sleep, that's all for now folks.

February 23rd 2012

          Hey guys! I know you're not used to so much attention! But the day has come!
Today is my last day off of work before my final panel meeting for my WoHeLo!!! So I'm working on my gown, getting my last two hours in somewhere, and dancing around the house! There were definitely times in the past where I was positive I'd never get done in time or times I just plain wanted to give up! Now that I'm standing on the very edge of completion, I'm so overjoyed I did it! And I'll deny I ever said it, but there's no way I could have ever done it without my mom. I'm kind of lucky to have so many adults in my life who care about me.
          I can't find a chaperone/roommate for my conference in D.C. so it might not happen :( I'm really bummed about it. It's ridiculous because my parents are just fine with letting me go by myself, I'm just fine going by myself, but the conference people aren't. I really just need someone over eighteen who can pay their own airfare and half the room. I'm going to start asking friends and family soon. I was talking to a woman at the Baltimore Camp Fire office, but she's stopped communicating very suddenly. She just stopped replying to emails.
          I added it up, and between my bank account now, two paychecks before I leave, and my income tax soon, I should be able to afford it. That parts no biggie. And mom said she can chip in a little bit too. It's just so frustrating to be this close to something amazing, and not do it because I'm under eighteen. I'm so sick of the word "minor". All summer at camp, all through the year at Camp Fire... "aren't you eighteen yet Razzi?" I could just scream and pull my hair out!
          The other day at work, I said "okey dokey" to a customer, and he said he'd never heard someone say that except in movies. He also hadn't heard someone literally say ya'll or aight. You know how you always come up with the perfect comeback twenty minutes later? That's how I feel. I was kind of offended because he said it like I was dirty for using those words. Nope, just raised in Oklahoma...
          A few days ago, a friend of Leo's asked him to tell me I should post to my blog. I'm not sure how she knows about it, but I'm not complaining about it! I wish all the people who check my blog regularly would subscribe so I can see how many people are reading regularly. Maybe if people would comment or something *AHEM AHEM*. Sorry I had a tickle in my throat.
          So, guess what happened yesterday?!?!?!? I got my first college acceptance letter!!! It was from my second choice; I'm still waiting to hear from my first choice. I really really want to go to my first choice. If I get in, I get a full ride scholarship. Room and board is still expensive, but it'd be worth it for such a prestigious education. I think if I went there, I'd major in some sort of politics. And minor in psychology. If I go to my second choice, I'll probably get my BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing). I'd have to transfer my Junior year to a bigger school though.
          Right now mom is cracking and rolling eggs because she boiled, like, twenty this morning. She also brought home root beer, peanuts, candy bars, and caramel wraps. I think she may be trying to sweeten us up for something. I just haven't figured out what yet. But don't worry mom, I'm onto you :P. I've been trying to curl my hair with my straightener, but it's not working. I think I'm going to rag roll my hair tonight. It's so much fun when my hair is curly! And it looks so legit, people who don't know me very well assume that I must straighten my hair every morning.
          I wonder if I'll receive so many compliments if my hair is super curly. Men have asked if I'm married, called me gorgeous, told me I look pretty, told me I looked beautiful, and commented on my "free hugs" pin saying "I might not let you go!". All in all, it's very flattering but most of them don't speak English very well or are three times my age. SO I just smile and check their groceries.
          I received my Growums sale package in the mail today! For ten dollars, you can buy a miniature garden with four kinds of seeds, eight pods to plant them in, and eight tags. And their really cute! Like a pizza garden has basil, oregano, cilantro, and tomato I think. And there's different kinds of gardens. A taco garden, a ratatouille garden, an oriental themed garden. And every penny raised goes straight to YAC! We're planning on doing a F2F, which is Face to face. We want to have a meeting just so we can all get together aside from the conference calls to hang out and plan stuff. I'm pretty pumped. If you're interested and you actually know me, get at me and I'll hook you up!
          That's all for now folks!

February 21st 2012

          Hey guys, I'm sorry. I know I keep promising a nice long post but I've been super busy trying to get all the details for my WoHeLo in order. I also got a letter from Antioch today stating that I have four days to complete my application by sending in my supplemental items. See, I sent those item sin two weeks ago. But lucky for me I've got a smart Mom who insisted on saving everything and putting it in my file. So I just spent the last hour scanning documents into the computer and emailing them off to Antioch. Hopefully that takes care of that. And if I don't get accepted, it's because I wasn't good enough not because of some dang technicality. I'm trying so hard not to get my hopes up. I really want to major in Psychology if I go to Antioch, but mom thinks I should go into Politics. I am pretty good at managing people and reputations. I don't know. Maybe I can minor in Psychology. Opinions??
          Today Leo had to go to town with Mom for his first ever standardized testing. And it's his worst subject. I feel kind of bad for him. But it must be done. Everyone does standardized testing at some point or another, it really isn't avoidable at this point in time.
          I had bought a Groupon for laser hair removal. I was going to get my bikini line done so I could say goodbye to awkward shower shaving at camp. But they don't have any available appointments that would work for me, so I returned it and got my $100 back. Now that money is going towards my DC conference. Mom and I counted it up, I've got my income tax coming soon, two paychecks, and two hundred in the bank. That's not enough to get the room by myself, but I just got an email stating that I am required to have a chaperone because I'm 17. Which sucks because I don't know anyone else who's going to this thing. And if I could split the cost of a room with someone, I could almost definitely afford it. I'm so thankful the board came up with the money for my flight because I can't imagine having to factor that in too.
          So I have to work this Sunday. But I have tons of meetings on Monday and Daddy has an interview in town at 10:00am. If he gets this job, we get to move back to town!!! But that's off subject right now. So Daddy's going to pick me up after work (8:00pm) and we're going straight to town. Then on Monday, I've got to do WoHeLo pictures at the park with Hope and the camp fire photographer, then I have my final board meeting, where they'll approve my WoHeLo and finalize everything, then I have my board meeting at which I'll be giving a presentation. So before I even go for my pictures, I need to print and fold 30 copies of my brochure, make sure my ceremonial attire is in order, and at some point in there I'd like to eat dinner.
          Don't let my stress fool you, I'm so freakin pumped for this! I'm ready to be done worrying about it and start celebrating! Hope and I will be presented at WoHeLoees at Camp Fire Birthday on March 3rd and I'm pretty sure we're supposed to be at the Adult Recognition Dinner. So they can fawn over us, lol! Susan says our only jobs after we get approved is to show up and look pretty! It kind of feels like we won a pageant or something! And so far I've invited all my friends, my father and Lili, my mom is flying down my big brother from California, we invited my Uncle Dean todasy when mom was on the phone with him. I hope his wife and daughters can come too, but I'd understand if they can't all come. Looks like I just might get some of my dream pictures! In your face mom! Never say never!!!
          I've only got to get 5 more hours on this last issue, and  I think it's going to be a piece of cake!
          That's all for now folks!

January 26th 2012

          So, a couple weeks ago, my mom got me and Leo each one of those dollar store eggs of silly putty. I've been using mine in lieu of a stress ball. It seems to have picked up quite a bit of dust and dirt. It started out this neon cream(is that even a color?) and now it's this unidentifiable gray-ish sludge. But it's still pliable, so I'll just keep on squeezing.
          I got my quilt square finished yesterday! It's so cute! I hot glued some fuzzy yarn around the edges, and mom found her letter stamps for me to use. So it has my name and council and years I'll be on YAC in the stamps. Then I found another baggie full of asst. stamps. So it's pretty adorable. One of the ink pads I used didn't work so well, so I had to trace it with a fine tip paint brush in a similar color. But it still came out all right, I think.
          Yesterday mom and I went and got my khaki pants! I have orientation today at 4:00! I'm super excited! I'm only a little bit confused about dinner. Orientation is 4:00pm to 9:00pm. That's five hours so I know I'll get at least fifteen minutes to eat something. But what do I bring? I don't want to be dorky and bring my lunchbox. I suppose I could bring a paper bag, but that feels weird. But it's what I'll probably do. Mom says that if I'm not careful, people will steal it. Maybe I'll bring something gross so they'll regret if they do. But I doubt it.
          While I was in town over the weekend, we went to a goodbye party for a good friend from the Camp Fire office. She's always been super involved with me and Hope, so we wrote her a toast/letter. Hope didn't want to read it out loud, she just wanted to give it to her. But I thought everybody would really like hearing it. So I convinced her to stand up with me while I read it. Of course once we got up there, I read the first sentence and promptly handed it to Hope because I couldn't see through my tears. I'm glad I have such an awesome best friend!! She ended up reading it out loud anyways. Everyone understood, and I got lots of hugs. Another woman I knew from the office was there and I hadn't seen her in a long time! I knew she was pregnant with twins but I hadn't seen her since the 3-4 month mark. She's due any day now and she is so lucky to be carrying twins to full term. They don't know if they're identical or fraternal, but it's two baby girls and she calls them itty and bitty. I can't wait to see pictures when they finally get here!
          The night we drove home, Tuesday, was horrible!!! It was dark, bad roads, and a nasty storm! I am so glad I did not have to drive in that, I don't think I could have. Poor mom must have been so sore from straining her eyes and hunching over the wheel.
          I also met with almost all of my consultants on my visit to town and we all agree I'm right on track! There's nothing in the world, short of a natural disaster(knock on wood) that is going to keep me from finishing my WoHeLo.
          YAC is starting to get busy with all the stuff YAC does! We're doing a fundraiser in March and Valentines for Vets have to go out soon, and I'm going to start working with Lucy at the CF office for Absolutely Incredible Kid Day. Which reminds me, I've got some more valentines to make!
           That's all for now folks!

January 20th, 2012

           FIRST! Thank you Miss Aqua for reminding me to post! I would've procrastinated far longer without you! Can't wait for June!!
          Alright, alright. I know I've been slacking!! I'd like to say it's because I've been busy, but not really. Just slacking lol. BUT now I know why I really joined the National Youth Advisory Cabinet...they give me excuses to use glitter!!! We're each getting a quilt square in the mail and we get to decorate them however we want!! I'm probably using too many exclamation points, but I can't find it in myself to care. Exclamation points are like glitter...addictive. My poor friends don't share my opinions, so I don't get my glitter out as often as I really want too.           

          YAC's also got me thinking of idea's for Absolutely Incredible Kids Day. See, we have got really great incentive.  Our president, Lauren, came up with this 'master list' and for every YAC deed we do, we get a point. At the end of three months or so, she'll tally the points and send the winner a Camp Fire surprise! At last check I was tied for first. Take that Owen :P 

           In other news, I still haven't heard back on whether or not I got the travel/room/board scholarship for the Grad Nation Conference. It's driving me crazy! Because Camp Fire birthday is in March and I really need to know if I'll be in town for it because WoHeLo'ees are honored there, and it's my year! Of course, the summit is a huge deal and way more important; not that I wouldn't miss sticking a pie in Scouts face. That's another thing, At birthday, the WoHeLo'ees get to stick pies in the faces of people that get voted on all day. Scout usually gets one. 

          I was feeling kind of lost on my last WoHeLo issue, so I called up Swan* at the Camp Fire office for some advice. Now, she's in the middle of switching jobs, so I know she's super busy. Still at the CF office, just different responsibilities. Which is why I was so grateful to her for spending 35-40 minutes on the phone with me brainstorming. Of course, now I have a lot of work to do, but I'm happy for it. Because otherwise, all my hours for this issue would be blogging. Not that I have a problem with that, but the panel may raise a few eyebrows when I'm trying to get everything approved. I'm going to put together a whole 'curriculum' for a presentation on the benefits of homeschooling. I'm going to make a tri-fold brochure to give out for our kinesthetic learners. A power point for the visual learners; and of course my own notes for the auditory learners. My goal is to have something anyone can pick up, read through once, and deliver easily.

          I finally watched Footloose last night! It was amazing! I can't believe it took me that long to realize that Kevin Bacon and I are destined to be together? Lol, jk...mostly. Now I want to see the new one; just for a compare/contrast kind of thing. I think my favorite part is Ren trying to teach Willard to dance. Ren's face=perfect. 

          I guess one good thing about our new town is that everything is in walking distance. Compared to our old town where you may be able to walk somewhere, you just don't feel safe doing it. Leo and I go to the library all the time, sometimes we stop at Dairy Queen(that's another bonus, we didn't have a DQ back home). DQ and Sonic have the BEST banana splits ever! No one else has clued in on putting pineapples on ice cream yet!

          I have a board meeting and Leo has a CF meeting on Monday evening and on Tuesday, we're going to a good friends good-bye party. She's been a huge mentor to me, so I'm sad to see her moving away. But I know it's a great opportunity for her. I just hope she can come back in April for my WoHeLo, but I'll understand if she can't.

          I'm getting more and more excited for April! My dad and stepmom, Lili, are bringing my little brothers from Louisiana to come see me! Since I'm homeschooled, mom and I decided to make this my graduation. We're renting a room after the ceremony for my whole CF group to have dinner with our families. And either the day before or after, my whole family is going out for dinner. If you're one of my close friends, you know how much that means to me. One of my mom's friends is pretty handy with a camera, so I'm hoping he'll be there so I can get some quality pics with my whole family together. Oh! That reminds me! My big brother in CA is probably coming too! It feels surreal to think of all four of my brothers and all four of my parents in one place for ME! 

          While I'm in town on Mon/Tues I have a meeting with my homeschooling consultant so I can let her know how things are progressing; and of course invite her to Grand Council Fire. I also really want to stop at Old Navy because I need khaki pants for work on Thursday! I'm so excited to start!

          Toodles for now! I've run out of steam and it's almost time for dinner (Mom's meatloaf and baked potatoes...be jealous)

*name has been changed

January 3rd, 2012

          HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Yeah I know I'm late. But who cares, it's 2012 baby!
I had a pretty good New Years. Hope and I didn't get to check out the new club because no one wanted to come pick us up and Hope's mom doesn't like taxis. We ended up going to Step's house to hang out and watch Glee. We had some much needed girl talk and heart-to-hearts. It was a very cliche sleepover ;-)

At midnight, we decided we were hungry, so after digging through the cupboards, we found some Pasta Sides, chicken alfredo.  That's what's in the pot. (I'm on the left, Hope is on the right)
          My parents didn't give me a heads up before they picked me up, so I was a little disappointed we didn't get to make pancakes together like we planned. But on the way home, we stopped at the biggest town before home and wandered around. We went to a park and played and walked around. Then Dad and Leo went to Hastings while mom and I wandered down the strip mall into Ross. I got two dresses. A casual for every day and a business one I can wear to any conferences or board meetings. Then we went to the mall. I think the best part of the day was taking dad into Buckle. Mom decided this years craft project was him. So new wardrobe little bit at a time. It was really weird helping my dad shop in there because I usually go in there with Sketch or Doug. We ended up getting a super snazzy vest for him to wear when his boss is in town or for church on Sunday.
          After we got dinner at this chinese buffet in the mall, we went home. I was all for taking a shower and going to bed even though it was only 7:30pm. After all, Hope, Step, and I didn't go to sleep until 2:30am. But mom had other ideas. She's been borrowing tons of old classics from the library and this time it was The Bells of St. Mary's. I think I'm falling in love with Bing Crosby, lol! He's so handsome and when he sings, I get goosebumps. It's a shame he died.
          I've been working on my to-do list today, which includes WoHeLo stuff and college stuff. I had to call the college I'm going to and ask how they want my homeschool transcript. Turns out all I have to do is mail it to 'em! Super easy check! I also texted one of my WoHeLo consultants with some info on my panel meetings and emailed another one of them for her approval on my summary for my JDRF issue. All that's left now is to figure out how to finish my last issue. Obviously this blog is a big part of it, it's how I get most of my hours and I've had over 400 views. So that's kind of awesome! A few days ago, I put my blog on a bunch of websites that are supposed to get more publicity, but we'll see. I haven't seen any significant changes in the stats. It feels kind of weird to not need to do any schoolwork. I'm pretty much done with it. I've taken my ACT twice and when I talked to the recruiter for the school this morning, she said as long as I made at least a 20 on my ACT, I'm good to go. Of course mom wasn't worried about that, mostly just the money parts. Which reminds me, I need to ask her to tell me as soon as she does taxes so I can re-do the FAFSA.
          I also got the contract and personnel policies and all that other fun stuff that comes with a summer job in my email this morning! I got to put all the dates on the calendar and that always makes me a happy camper.
I saw a few things on the agenda that I really really want to do, but because I'm under age, I don't know if I'll be able. I also need to see about registering for the WSI class I want to do in March. Doing WSI pretty much guarantees that I'll be in charge of swim lessons. Which is my favorite thing besides treks. So I really hope I pass!
          I've got to go clean my room now, so that's all for now folks!

November 21st 2011

                So I know I haven’t posted in awhile. And I could lie and say I was super busy, but really I got in trouble and I wasn’t allowed any electronics for a few weeks. We finally have a set date for the move. I feel like it’s my execution date or something. I just want time to slow down so I never have to move away from all my friends. But it’s inevitable. I’ve already got my room all packed and we spent Saturday moving a ton of stuff into a storage unit because our new place is tiny.

                On a much happier note, Thanksgiving is right around the corner! I love Thanksgiving, it’s one my favorite holidays.  There is nothing more fun than going to someone’s house and seeing tons of family. Joking around with my grandparents, teasing my uncles and of course, getting to see my cousin from Illinois. Lizzy and I have really only seen each other fewer than 20 times. But spending a couple days hanging out every year is something I always look forward too. One year, she got a hold of my phone and left a message on my friend’s family voice message machine calling him a sexy beast and he said his mom never let him live it down. Last year, mom really wanted a black Friday deal for Leo's Christmas present from Wal-Mart, so we literally spent all night at the store. It was awesome.This year I really want to take her out to see Tulsa now that I live here…even if it’s only for a few more weeks.

                Tomorrow my book club is throwing me a goodbye party! I’m sure I’m going to cry. They’re all chipping in for my movie ticket and Cherry Berry afterwards. We decided to see Tower Heist because it looks funny and the boys will enjoy it too. This whole thing is very sad. I don’t want to say good bye to people! I know we’ll be coming back three times a month, but in the grand scheme of things that’s not very often. And mom is upset because the WoHeLo/Senior and parent meeting for Grand Council Fire is on Leo’s birthday. She refuses to see the good side of it. So we’ll have to spend the morning driving. But then Leo gets to spend the afternoon with his friends and mom. Then mom can give him some money to go off with his friends and have a good time! While her and I do our meeting. But she’s treating him like he’s 9 years old and not listening to what he actually wants to do. I tried to ask him what he wanted to do, but she blew up at me and told me it sounded like I was trying to get his hopes up just to crush them. I know Leo’s my little brother and I dump on him a lot, but I seriously doubt he’s going to want to spend his 14^th birthday sitting in our new place with none of his best friends around.

                I went to the Breaking Dawn midnight premiere with Hope last week, and it was AMAZING! I was also so freaking glad I am homeschooled that night. Because Hope didn’t get home until 3:00am and she had to sleep for four hours, then head to school. And after school, she had to work. Whereas I did not wake up until 12:00pm the next day. But the movie was just fabulous. Better than I expected. I’m so pleased with where they cut it off for part two. The best part was watching the transformation from Bella human to Bella vampire. I’m trying really hard to not do any spoilers. I could probably write a whole separate post summarizing the movie. I used to be this obsessed with Twilight when it first came out. But now I only get this giddy around the new movies. I took down all four twilight posters in my room last year and all my friends and my family thought I was getting sick or something. And just for the record, I’m team Edward all the way. The only thing I don’t like about the whole series, is that when you meticulously go through all four books counting the months, you realize that from the time Bella MEETS Edward to the time that they’re married with a baby and she’s a vampire is only a little over 18 months. That’s including the months in New Moon where Edward leaves. Kind of creepy. But other than that, Edward is pretty awesome. I mean, he does what he thinks is best for Bella throughout the whole series no matter what the personal cost. Jacob, not so much. He’s very selfish and says so himself.

                Anyways, Hope’s mom has got me hooked on puzzles. I was hanging out waiting for Hope to finish her chores so we could watch Grey’s Anatomy (and even then, Netflix was being a pain in the butt) so I worked on this 500 piece button puzzle they had laying out. I got about a 5^th of it done, complaining the whole time that I suck at puzzles. Then Hope came over and she was all like “Dang Razzi…leave some for the rest of us!”. It turns out I kind of dominate puzzles. But the only one we have at home is a 1000 piece photo mosaic wolf that looks really hard for a starter puzzle. I was thinking a 250 or 500 piece might be a good starter. And no photo mosaics for a long time!

                Well, I have to go work on other stuff, so more later!

November 9th, 2011

          So, a good friend of mine recently started a blog, it's called "Add Some Sparkle To Your Day" and it's definitely worth reading!

          These past few days seem like they are just crawling by. And I'm not even really taking advantage of it. I have so many things to do, but I just keep procrastinating :/ bad habit, I know. I need to work on my issue summaries for my WoHeLo, I need to document all my hours doing these blogs, I need to set up a day with OYP to come do my Homeschooled presentation. It's a little overwhelming. Which makes me think, you can be overwhelmed and underwhelmed. Can you ever just be whelmed? Something to ponder lol! 

          I know a lot of those words that don't really make sense. Like, Mouse Mice, House Hice? Nope. Spouse Spice? Nope. It isn't very logical.

          Tonight I'm going to the opening of the DREAM exhibit with my executive director and some board members. I feel so special to be invited to represent CFUSA!

          I finally found a Water Safety Instructor class! Well, Hope's mom found it for me. But same diff. I talked to my camp director and she said that as soon as we completed a contract, that she would include a clause that if I finish the summer at camp and they use my WSI certification, then they'll pay me back for the cost in my paycheck! Super excited for that. It means I get to do swim lessons by myself. Like, be in charge of them! I love being in the pool. I don't particularly want to be on waterfront. Em can have it lol. I know she wants it. I can't wait for summer to come back. 

          Candy sales are coming up soon, and I'm not looking forward to it. I can never decide if I want to go big or go home. We've sold up to three thousand worth before, but we've also had years where five hundred is hard. And so many people are quitting candy sales that it's really easy to get Top Seller awards. It's disheartening. I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. That's all for now folks! TTYL

October 26th 2011

     Alright, I know I know, two posts in one day? Outrageous! But this is important! I want to tell all of you(my readers) about The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation(JDRF). JDRF is special to me for many reasons. I have friends with Type 1 Diabetes(T1D) and it's an advocacy project for my WoHeLo.
     So first, let me give you some background as to what T1D is. T1D is often diagnosed in children and teens, hence the nickname, Juvenile Diabetes. T1D is what happens when your immune system reacts to, attacks, and destroys certain cells in your pancreas, an organ in the bottom of your stomach. These beta cells, which usually carry the sugar from food throughout your body to be used as energy, are destroyed. So the sugar, or glucose, stays in your bloodstream causing severe damage to your other organs.
     That's why people with T1D monitor their blood sugar so carefully and why some people with T1D have to take insulin shots. The insulin acts as the beta cells in your body. Scientists don't know the exact causes of T1D yet but they believe autoimmune, genetic, and environmental factors are involved.
     JDRF is the global leader in T1D research. They fund more T1D research worldwide than any other charity and have contributed more than $1.5 billion to the research since their founding in 1970. In fiscal year 2010 JDRF contributed more than $106,000,000 and funded more than 40 human clinical trials over 19 countries.
     So as you can see, JDRF is no scam. They put more than 80% of expenditures straight towards research. The other 20% goes to fantastic events like The Walk To Cure T1D! I have been participating in the walk for three years now, and every year is something to look forward too! There's breakfast before the walk and lunch when we get done. They always have water stations along the walk circuit and there's a live band when we finish. Local organizations come out and provide fun activities like bounce houses and exotic animals to pet. I raised $100 dollars for the walk this year, but I know I can do better! So if you'd like to donate, here's the page: All donations, small or large, are welcomed with open arms!
     I'd also love to hear some fresh idea's for fundraising! So if you've had success, or even failure(maybe I can learn from your mistakes (-;  ) with any kind of fundraiser, let me know! Just slide it into a comment below!