September 5, 2011 - Posted by Laina - 0 Comments
Okay, so it’s been a rather quick year since my last update. Life looks almost 100% different. For starters, I’m MARRIED. Chad and I made it official in early November. So, I’m a “Mrs.” now. (I’m still getting used to it, even though it’s almost been a year.)
We moved out of the dumpy house in the ghetro, and into a nice, airy apartment… with a great sunroom. Even though we overlook a parking lot with more apartments across the way, we have some beautiful trees that provide ambient lighting, shade, and lovely night sounds. The neighbors know my dog Percy better than they know me, but it’s comforting to know my neighbors are friendly, and know my face.
We also got a really fun and sweet cat, whom we lovingly call Cracker (because he was originally found at Cracker Barrel, but Chad says it’s really because he is solid black with a white butthole… whatever. Cracker is a fun word to say, and we don’t mean anything derogatory about it…) My dad built him an AMAZING cat tree that he loves to play on… I’m kindof jealous actually.
I’m at the same job, and I LOVE it. There is a potential opportunity for me to become full time once my project is finished… THAT’s exciting! The people I work with are very pleasant and professional; I don’t feel micro-managed, and the job is actually interesting. Not to mention they encourage telecommuting! What a luxury! I’ve really been enjoying that, and the way it allows me to maximize my day…
I guess the biggest change in my life, though, has been with Chad–both with our growing marriage relationship, and due to his massive weight loss. Over the past two years, we as individuals have changed drastically as a result of our coming into each others’ life. He’s lost over 200 pounds this year, and is currently creating a weight loss education course that *I think* is going to be amazing once it gets polished and refined. If anyone knows how to lose weight successfully, it is someone whose lost a ton of it! Of course, the real test will be whether he keeps it off or not, and honestly, barring a huge paradigm shift, I don’t foresee that being a problem. Just the other day, he was telling me about how terrible processed foods are, and really that the only way to eat healthy is to go as organic as possible. I about fell over laughing because this was NOT the same man I knew last year when I was talking to him about these things! But, I digress. I’m happy to see the change, and grateful to have him just as he is.
Anyway, that’s a quick update to say that I’m sorry for the long absence, but I *have* been a bit busy living my life…
I am going to try to write more often, even if most of these post remain private… It seems that when I met Chad, I got so swept up into the fairytale romance that I’ve been slacking off in my creativity… and in a sense, losing touch with my individual self. Chad has a part-time job in the evenings now, so I’ll have plenty of time to do my own “thang”… I already have about 500 projects in the “queue”… I have left over dried flowers and floral supplies from my wedding, rice and buckwheat hulls from another random project way back in the day, assorted fabrics, beads and trims… In short, I’ll be busy for a while just with what I have on hand, so who knows what sort of trouble I’ll get into?
September 5, 2011 - Posted by Laina - 0 Comments
Okay, so it’s been a few weeks since my last post… I’m still at home, recovering well, and wondering where the next step in the journey will take me. I’ve got an idea of what I WANT to do, but not sure if its the wisest decision or not.
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I just stumbled upon the above post in my WordPress “drafts” folder… it is dated July 14, 2009 at 1:07 am. How interesting that I wrote those words a short 10 days before the adventure of my lifetime started. On July 24, the day after C’s birthday, we spoke for the first time online… and then the rest is history. But, I can remember those agonizing days prior to “history” beginning… living at home–too old to be there, but not “steady” enough to be on my own. I felt like a teenager before–trapped, hopeless, and willing to do anything to be on my own again. In mere days, I met the man I was to marry and started on an epic adventure that included filming a reality television show, living alone with a crazy next door neighbor, family drama, and so much more… I was a little girl when I wrote that, and on this side, I’m happy with the way this “little girl” has grown up.
June 8, 2010 - Posted by Laina - 0 Comments
This book came at a wonderful time for me. For a while, I have struggled to ask the “hard” questions about my faith as I attempt to make sense of what I’ve been taught and what I believe. Ken Wilson’s book, Mystically Wired, struck a chord with me that has resonated in many areas of my life. Before I even finished, I recommended it to friends, promising a few that they could borrow it when I was done.
Wilson’s approach to the book is one of non-judgemental instruction–showing readers the scientific research behind how prayer triggers reactions in our brain to both heal and soothe us. After establishing the importance of prayer in our daily lives (and that everyone prays whether they realize it or not!), Wilson directs readers to how to pray. Instead of expecting people to maintain long sessions of prayer in the wee hours of the morning, Wilson approaches prayer incrementally–stating that prayer at set times times throughout the day are often much more beneficial and do-able than one long session.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone seeking to deepen their walk with God. It is important to remember to keep an open mind about some of the information, and test it with the Scriptures (as Wilson does multiple times throughout the book). He presents some very interesting arguments for his stand point, and they make complete sense. Wilson’s presentation could be considered controversial, but once you read and understand what he is driving at, the content is revolutionary.
February 16, 2010 - Posted by Laina - 0 Comments
Another activity that Chad and I have been discovering and trying to get into. We haven’t found our first cache yet, but we’re ready to!
Geocaching – The Official Global GPS Cache Hunt Site.
February 16, 2010 - Posted by Laina - 0 Comments
Okay, so my new favorite thing is Stumbleupon.com… it’s an awesome little search program that provides users with random websites based upon a list of preferences that you outline… Anyway, I found this and I LOVE it!
Graduates : Seeing the World on a Shoestring: 8 Resources for Rent-Free Globetrotting.
February 11, 2010 - Posted by Laina - 1 Comment
Okay, so I know it’s been a while… about six months, to be exact, and for that I’m sorry… life just kinna took off, and before I knew it, there was just TOO much to blog about. So, I’m just going to start from here. K?
A little back story… when I last left, I was just beginning a great relationship with a wonderful guy. Now, I’m STILL in said relationship, and it’s MORE than great. It’s AMAZING! Chad continues to sweep me off my feet and surprise me with new and exciting adventures every day. And when I say adventures, I don’t mean anything scandalous, yet not for the faint of heart. I mean that we have a BLAST no matter what we decide to do. Case in point. My birthday weekend and the week following.
Thursday night before my birthday, Chad takes me to the Shakespeare Tavern for dinner and a show (Canterbury Tales). I’ve been there with school before, but never got the FULL experience. Chad was a ST Newbie. We both had a blast.
Saturday night, we initially went to a dance party at a ballroom dance club in Lawrenceville only to realize that we both desperately need lessons… so, we decided to go where we could actually look cool…. somewhat… Cocktail Cove. I’d never been before. Turns out, the place is a magnet for has-been partiers who still want to get their swerve on, but are too old to do so with class. One poor chick desperately needed someone to just take her home and put her to bed. She was trashed beyond all reason — practically dry humping anybody that came her way… Eck.
Tuesday for my birthday — I was sick as a dog, by the way, and barking like a harp seal — Chad drags me out to the Basement Theater to see 13 comedians for $5. Cost effective, yet entertaining! It was funny enough… we got our money’s worth, lets just say… but, we were the true jokes of the night! I showed up in fuzzy red pants and a light blue sweatshirt. My style reflected how I felt that night. Still, it was a night I’ll always smile about.
Thursday night, exactly a week later, Chad introduced me to Toastmasters — a public speaking club. I’m excited about becoming more confident and articulate with my thoughts… Plus, this is one of those intellectually stimulating activities that’s not stuffy… everyone in the group seems genuinely excited to be there and eager to help others grow.
Saturday morning, we took a field trip on Marta for a morning ride into the city. It was FREEZING! We decided to stop at Five Points Station, and much to our delight, Underground Atlanta was inside the station, so we didn’t even have to leave the *relatively* warm building! We strolled around Underground, spied a few ladies sporting mullets, bought a piggy bank at the dollar store, and had to come back because I had to be at work at 3.
Aaaand fast forward to now… Life these days has been quite happy. I’m getting ready to start working at the CDC — my start date has been delayed due to the government spending freeze, but I feel confident that everything is happening for a reason. It isn’t the right time for me to be at the CDC. Maybe I’ve still got something to learn or some area that needs to grow before I am ready to move on. Whatever the reason, I am content and happy, but not complacent. Chad and I are always “pipe dreaming” — looking forward to how things “are gonna be” — especially within the next month or so!!
Chad’s being considered for a weight loss TV show where he’ll be sent to a ranch (like the Biggest Loser) for six months. It’s gonna be TORTURE for us since we are so used to being together, but nothing good EVER came without a cost, and going 6 months without my boo to have him come back healthier and running circles around me will be WORTH IT! Anyway, he should know more by the end of February definitely, we hope MUCH sooner!
Okay, I suppose that’s enough for now. Thanks for reading, and I’d love to hear some feedback!
September 8, 2009 - Posted by Laina - 0 Comments
So, Saturday, five days after I entered the hospital, I was released; and on Sunday, I flew back home to recover. And, let me tell you! Flying by wheelchair is the ONLY way to go!
Once I got home, I faced 8 weeks of recovery. The first week, I held my stomach like a baby and shuffled around like an old woman. I slept most of the day and popped my pain meds as often as I was allowed. In that time, Gracie came to live with us. She had been kicked out of her home with nothing more than her clothes in trash bags.
After four weeks, I was ready to get the heck out of dodge, so I took the first ride to Charleston… literally. I was visiting my Dad when out of the blue my uncle Steve showed up happening to be on his way to the famed city by the sea. He offered me a ride, and I jumped on it!
The next day, Monday, I woke up in my favorite city in the world with high hopes of starting a new life here. Jobless, homeless, carless… I had nothing more than a bag of clothes and my guitar. But, I was happy and hopeful and surrounded by the best friends a girl could have.
A day turned into a week and nothing happened… Actually, LOTS happened, but roots never sprouted, and a week blossomed into a month, and I was still jobless, carless, and homeless (living at Kimmie’s for the time). I fell more in love with dancing, though, having gone dancing on the pier several times; I spiraled into adoration for kids as I helped Tracy with Owen and Rosie; and I met the man of my dreams. NO REALLY!
It started as a way to kill time, meet some people, and maybe score a few dates… nothing serious, right? The first time I chatted with Chad, it was utterly forgettable. In fact, I didn’t recognize who he was the second time he IMed me. We talked about how he’d never been to Hooters until his roommate took him for his birthday the day before, and I honestly forgot I even talked to him once our conversation was over. But the following Tuesday, the same week I arrived in Charleston, Chad and I spoke on the phone for the first time. We talked a total of 25 hours that week–one session lasting almost ten hours! We just couldn’t get enough of each other! And by Friday’s conversation (which lasted five hours, by the way), Chad told me that he wanted to pursue a more serious relationship with me; he told me he was smitten with me and loved everything about me. Needless to say, I was rather floored by this news, and, while I enjoyed talking to him and looked forward to getting to know him better, I wasn’t at ALL expecting to start a relationship with him! I’d never even MET this cat!! However, if everything he said was true, I could easily fall in love with him. Several times that first week, I wondered if he’d read my journals because he was saying EVERYTHING I wanted to hear… and that freaked me out a bit.
So, how did I react? I pulled back! This guy was talking about a potential lifetime with me, and I was just looking for a good flirt. I told him that I needed some time to think about his proposal (no, not THAT kind of proposal!!). I said that I needed the rest of the weekend to pray and think about all that he had said. He told me to take as long as I needed, and if I needed more time, he’d wait on me. “I’m not going anywhere, Laina. I’m going to be here as long as it takes you to come to a decision. Take your time,” he said… well, that pretty much made my decision for me… I WANTED HIM!! And by noon on Saturday, I had come to my decision, but Tracy made me wait until Sunday night to contact him. So, I did, and the house rule was that NOBODY was allowed to talk about him. TORTURE!!
Sunday night rolled around and I was DYING to talk to Chad, but people came over, so I had to be polite. I gave them until 9, and then I would be occupied. On Saturday, I had drafted a letter to Chad explaining everything and saying that I wanted to meet him face-to-face before I went any further with our relationship. The earliest he could come was two weeks from then, but he would do it. In the interim, we continued to talk and grow closer, but the build up to The Meeting was intense! What if the chemistry just wasn’t there? What if he had annoying mannerisms? What if he liked me but I didn’t like him–or vice versa? So many “what ifs” swirled around my head that I got dizzy. The greatest thing about Chad, though, is that I was comfortable with bringing these issues up with him. So, by the time Friday rolled around, I was nervous with excitement not insecurity.
The last thing I wanted was for mine and Chad’s first meeting to be ordinary. Since he was coming to see ME, though, I took the responsibility to plan our first evening together. I kept it a secret, not even telling him where to meet me until he was just outside Charleston and I texted the address to him!!
It all started at Barnes and Noble. We had talked several times about how much we both loved the bookstore, so I thought it would be an appropriate first meeting place. But, I wasn’t content to just BE there waiting on him… I wanted a little excitement and adventure. So I sent him on a scavenger hunt.
June 29, 2009 - Posted by Laina - 1 Comment
In my last post, I listed the next four steps in my journey. I’m beginning to learn that I shouldn’t do that because when God knows my plan, He always changes them.
First off, I never delivered the boat with Keith. Turns out we never even made it out of the New River. One mishap after another (to save Keith’s dignity, I won’t go into gory details, but I will say that we had to dock at Bahia Mar twice in one morning!!), and I jumped ship before anything else when wrong. After I left, all seemed right with the world. I guess I’m not so lucky for Lucky Dog?
I actually DIDN’T jump ship because of Keith’s boat. Actually, I got a phone call from the interim captain off Pastime inviting me to come back and clean up the boat! YESSSS!!! So, I quite literally am a boat hopper, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. The boat was as I left it, but missing the captain and his cranky wife. Missing is too nice of a term. Celebrating the VICTORY of their untimely departure is more like it. I started immediately getting the boat in order and what a JOB it was! I stirred up mold and dust that had been trapped behind drawers and under beds and inside closets for years. Needless to say all the cleaning supplies and swirling allergens didn’t help my head one bit and over the course of the week, my body just started to wind down.
But, we never made it to the Abacos. Dave, the captain who agreed to take over while Mr. Boss found a permanent captain, determined the vessel *as nicely as possible* not seaworthy. Turns out the portside engine had overheated and an alarm ignored twelve times. Now the engine needs to be replaced — how? They aren’t sure. May have to have a hole cut into the side of the boat to take the whole thing out in one piece. ALSO, the fuel line was worn down nearly paper thin… and the fuel line runs OVER the transformer that HAD had a fire in it and has to be replaced altogether. SO, it’s highly likely the boat could have caught fire in the engine room. BUT the story doesn’t end there. The fire detection system hadn’t been checked in recent years and the air vents that are supposed to shut the engine room off to oxygen had been propped open with sticks. But WAIT! There’s MORE!!! The EPIRB — a device that sets off a signal telling Coast Guard where liferafts are — was still registered to the boss’s old boat, and the life rafts were only for 10 people when the boat has ALWAYS carried 12. I guess this is another one of those “Prior proper planning…” moments. Can you IMAGINE what would have happened if we’d had an emergency? And, not to freak anyone out, but the ocean around the Bahamas is MILES deep. If something had happened out there, we’d be fish food before anyone would miss us.
But, I got a job aboard the boat playing the role of Cinderella… until Tuesday of last week. AH! the REAL adventure starts here!
Monday all day I had felt “off”… more off than usual. I just wrote it off to being around all the filth and chemicals. We had gotten a new, permanent captain that day, so Iain and I wanted to impress him so we could keep our jobs, and I did my best to stay on my game all day. But, I knew something wasn’t right. Monday night when my friend Shannon invited me out for a drink, I really didn’t want to go, but I did want to see her, so I agreed to go out for one libation and some chat. Then it HIT me like a round house kick to the gut. I could literally FEEL myself turning a puky green yellow and a sharp pain began to grow in my side. I tried to ignore it. I’d had gas before, and I wasn’t going to let this get me down. But it kept growing and by 9:30, I had Shannon drive me home on her scooter. I went to bed and tossed and turned all while watching the clock go from 10 to 10:30 to 11 to 11:30. Finally at midnight, I threw up everything I’d eaten in the last 12 hours. Feeling somewhat better, I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and decided that was that. But, my body had a different plan. Again, I tossed and turned watching the clock from midnight to 12:30 to 1 to 1:30 on up to 4 in the morning. I fell asleep and woke up again and again. Needless to say, once 7:30 rolled around, I felt like a train wreck. From Iain’s expression when I emerged, I didn’t look much better.
The LAST thing I wanted was for the new captain to think I couldn’t be trusted to go out and come back and do my job. The last captain told him horror stories about how I drink and party with the guests until all hours of the night, so of course he’d be inclined to believe the B.S. with evidence seemingly in his face. I tried to paint on a happy face, but the pain in my gut kept growing and I couldn’t walk well, my smile was more of a grimace, and I was exhausted. Just giving up, I told the captain what was going on, how I’d only had one drink and I’d gotten sick at midnight. He told me to go back to bed until I felt better and come on back to work. I slept until 2 pm. The pain kept growing, despite my taking Gas-X. By that time, the captain decided to take me to the hospital. “Oh, GOD! I thought, this better be more serious than GAS!!! Otherwise, I’ll never keep my job on this boat!” Well, it was. Lots.
After a blood test and CAT scan, the ER docs decided that I DID in fact have appendicitis and that my right ovary had a huge tumor on it. The doctor said huge, not I. He said the tumor was 7″x6″x5″… basically I had a coconut growing in my abdomen. Speaking with an OB, I discovered that they couldn’t do the appendectomy laparoscopically because the ovary was in the way. They’d have to create an incision which meant that they might as well go in ONCE and get it all done. Multiple surgeries would put me at higher risk for infection. So I relented and consented to having everything taken out at once, so long as I could fly home once I was released from the hospital.
And so my SECOND adventure in a hospital begins… but that is another post… and believe me, it’s QUITE a post. I even made NOTES for it!! But suffice to say, I survived that hell-spital and am back at home in Georgia allowing my family to take care of me. At the moment, my mom and step-dad are working, my sister’s at school, and my brother is still asleep… Needless to say, they won’t be getting THEIR Christmas bonuses from me! But the pups… if they could fix me drinks and daub my brow with rose-scented water and sing sweet songs if healing to me (not that my family would do those things either), they would. I just know it. But, their greatest gift is to lay beside me and give me their warmth. That’s really all I need.
June 15, 2009 - Posted by Laina - 0 Comments
Alrighty… SO, the Atlanta American Idol plan crumbled like sand through my fingertips yesterday. Turns out I didn’t have enough money in my debit for the car rental company to charge to my account… It was getting to stressful anyway. SO, here is my tentative agenda for the next few weeks…
1. Help Keith deliver Lucky Dog to Key West tomorrow… return June 18th or 19th.
2. Prep Pastime for a trip to the Abacos… and go on the trip! Return on July 3rd.
3. Rent a car and go to Key West for July 4th to perform at a dock party for almost ALL of Nascar drivers… PAID GIG!!!
4. Take the train to Orlando for the American Idol auditions on July 7-9…
I was really hoping to hear back from a 130′ Westport who needed a Stew/Deck… the captain told me he’d contact me by Monday, but I’ve heard nothing… I worked for them on Thursday, and honestly, if he’d wanted to hire me, he’d have contacted me by now. Whatever. It just stinks because I *of course* made friends with people on the boat — especially the deckhand, Max, who also plays guitar. Oh well. Maybe we’ll run into each other if I can ever get to New England this summer.
I’m starting to get nervous about this trip on Pastime. I’ve been keeping contact with the chef, Iain, and he’s telling me that I’m onboard for the trip… but, I don’t know if I’m hired for temporary or permanent. Plus, I don’t know when they are expecting me to move on board. There is definitely enough to keep me occupied until we leave June 24th… and I’d rather be working on Pastime than delivering the boat to Key West… I’d be making money at least!!
Anyway, Keith just handed me a salon gift card for $25! Is my HORRIBLE hair that obvious?! I haven’t had a trim since September… trim or color, that is. HA! In desperate need for a fix-up, ya think?