Big Red Days are Here Again!

This Saturday marks the first Husker Football game. I love going to the games or watching them on TV. I love cheering for our team and I love screaming out the chants. I love the sea of red in Memorial Stadium and I love getting new paraphenalia to support our team. Husker football season in Nebraska is a one-of-a-kind experience. This could be our "last" football season in Nebraska, or it could be another of many more years.



There are some big time fans around here, and so I have come up with a Husker fan scale from 1-5.

Level 1 Fan: Live in Nebraska, therefore must be a Husker "fan."

Level 2 Fan: Cheer for the Huskers, have Husker clothes, but would rather take advantage of the near-empty mall.

Level 3 Fan: Enjoy watching the games, going to the games, & cheering loudly, but realize that there are times that they may have to miss the game. Instead, they catch the highlights on TV later.

Level 4 Fan: Tune into the pre-game show, watch or attend every game, cheer loudly, discuss the game with others for the next 2 days. Are not happy when they have to miss a game, but will catch the highlights at night, if necessary.

Level 5 Fan: Read every newspaper story for the 5 days leading up to the game, tune into the pre-game show, attend every game, cheer loudly, and discuss the game with others for the next 5 days (while preparing for next week's game). These fans know each player's number and what high school they came from. They arrange their entire weekend around the game day festivities.

I think I know people in each level and would classify myself as between a 3 and 4. What level of fan are you?

Rainy Days

Today is a rainy day and I am so glad. I don't like rain everyday, but love it every once in a while.

The ideal rainy day would be a day inside; watching movies and playing games; munching on popcorn and drinking hot chocolate. Oh man, today reminds me that fall and winter are on their way and I am so excited!

When it is rainy, I also feel the need to dress for comfort: jeans, t-shirt, jacket, and tennies of course.

Yeah for a rainy day!

Blog Award

Laura presented me with an award and I really never thought I would get one. I have seen it on other blogs that I read (the really good blogs) and I thought I would never get the opportunity to receive one. So, thank you Laura for thinking my blog good enough to receive this! Now, I have to answer a few questions before I can officially have my blog award:

A. Attached or single? Attached to Richard.

B. Best friend? I decline answering this question

C. Cake or pie? Pie

D. Day of choice? Saturday, I guess?

E. Essential item? Bible

F. Favorite color? Blue

G. Gummy bears or worms? Bears

H. Hometown? Such a hard question...Hutchinson, Kansas and/or Findley Lake, New York

I. Indulgence? Ice Cream

J. January or July? Well niether are enjoyable, but I'll pick July due to Independence Day and our Anniversary.

K. Kids? Someday

L. Life isn’t complete without? A relationship with Christ.

M. Marriage date? July 22nd, 2006

N. Number of brothers & sisters? two younger brothers

O. Oranges or apples? Apples

P. Phobias? Worms

Q. Quotes? "Casting all your care upon Him because he cares for You." Peter

R. Reasons to smile? Puppies & pre-schoolers

S. Season of choice? Fall

T. Tag seven peeps! No thanks

U. Unknown fact about me? Hmmm, I took a weight-lifting class in college

V. Vegetable? Tomatoes and Cucumbers

W. Worst habits? Finishing Richard's sentences for him

X. X-ray or ultrasound? X-ray - less mess

Y. Your favorite food? I'm not hungry right now so food doesn't sound good.

Z. Zodiac sign? Don't care

And here's my award!!!!

Plug

Two posts right in a row is not a norm, but I must give a plug for a new CD that comes out tomorrow by one of my favorite artists - David Phelps. I have added a little music player to the sidebar that features 3 of David's songs. This new cd looks really cool...I previewed it a few weeks back.

David has one of the best tenor voices I have ever heard. In concert, he is absolutely amazing. His music is a little different, and like most artists, there are a few songs that warrant the reaction of "huh?" Overall, he is my favorite artist, just after Dad. One of our favorites is "End of the Beginning," so select that song on the player, sit back, and enjoy.

Last first day of dental school

Today is the last, first day of Dental School. You will get sick of these "lasts" at some point. And, they don't ease you back into the routine in dental school, let me tell ya. A full morning of classes, a full afternoon of clinic, and a full evening of basic life support training.

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Laura and I went to the Miranda Lambert concert on Friday night, and we got the special treatment!

Yup, we went to the VIP reception and ate BBQ from Rib Ranch. It was quite good. Then, we went out to the auditorium to wait for the concert to start. It got pretty warm while we waited, but we were standing about 3 feet from the stage. Primo seats!

The stage, pre-concert.

I only knew a few of her songs, but the concert was great! We had some big fans standing around us. The place was packed. This is the first time I have ever left a concert with my ears literally ringing for about 15 minutes!

Naked

That's how I feel today.

My grandma used to say she felt naked without a watch or earrings. I never really understood that until I got married. If I forget my wedding ring, I do feel naked.

But I am wearing my wedding ring today, and my watch. Yet I still feel naked. Naked because I am left an important communication device at home...my cell phone.

Have you ever gone somewhere without it? I feel incomplete without my cell phone on me at all times. What if I want to call or text someone? Sure, I can use my work phone IF I could remember the many phone numbers stored into that small black device, because why would I write phone numbers down anymore if I can just put them in my phone? And what about after work? We have the Miranda Lambert concert tonight and I won't be going home until it is over. To think that I will not have my constant stream of communication with me is an odd feeling.

It is on these days that I realize how dependant I am on that phone. Since we don't have a home phone, that is my one communication device to my friends and family. Without it, I feel lost and naked. And, contrary to what you are thinking, I do remember the days before cell phones. We didn't know any difference then...now we do.

So now I sit and comtemplate whether it is worth the gas and time to drive across town to pick up my much-needed phone. Will I need it today? Probably not. But will I feel complete again? Most definitely!

So, if you need me today, you will have to call me at work. If you don't know my work phone, you will have to email me.

I will be disconnected from the rest of my world until my phone and I are re-united.

Whew

I don't even know where this week has gone. Actually, where did this summer go? Anyway, it is already Thursday and we have another busy weekend planned... School starts up again on Monday. And, as Richard pointed out last night, I will be saying, "this is our 'last fill-in-the-blank' for the next 8 months!"

Which leads me to the exciting news of today. Richard is back home with me! He left early Monday morning to go on a golfing trip with his dad and got back last night. They had a great time and played 90 holes of golf in three days! I think it was a good end to the summer and I'm so glad they had a chance to do this. I have a feeling these golfing trips will happen more over the years. While he was gone, I kept busy with work, Bible study, cleaning, working out, and hanging with Jake, but I am glad to have Richard home again so I don't go crazy and start talking to myself! It was probably good worthwhile for him to be gone because I finally ironed the many shirts hanging in the laundry room and put them away in our clean, organized closet!

I'm babbling today, but I am so excited that we have a free evening to hang out together before the busy school year starts! Whew.

Loud Voices

While teaching the 4 & 5 year-old's singing time during Sunday School, I instructed the kids to yell at certain parts of the songs. I told them that this is the one time we can yell in church and it is okay and I challenge them that they can't yell loud enough for their parents to hear. What 4 or 5 year old doesn't want to yell, right?

One little girl raises her hand and says, "Teacher, loud voices make me cry."

Sigh. Her teacher covered her ears everytime we got to the loud parts.

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I will be returning to the black background soon. Although I know a few of you prefer the blue and the daisies, it still feels like it is missing something and I can't figure out what. My html skills are limited lacking and the entire task can become frustrating. I think that, when I am bored when I have more free time, I will try again.

My 100th post is coming up and it seems to be very popular to do a list of 100 things about yourself. I'm pretty embarassed that I am already at 100 posts and I just started this in April. Get a life, Feather! If anyone has less agonizing better ideas, I would love those suggestions.

Names

While teaching the 4 & 5 year-olds' singing time during Sunday School, I asked if anyone remembered my name (since they had just learned it the previous week).

One little boy raised his hand and said, in all seriousness, "It's Weather."

So sad that I had to correct him since he was so close, I asked the entire class of 16(!) to repeat my name, "Miss Heather."

Another little boy proudly yells at the top of his lungs, "It's Miss Heffer!"

Heather is a hard name for little people just learning to talk. My brothers both called me "Header;" my cousin called me "Heller." Of course, there has been "Feather" and "Leather."

All of these names just make me smile.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday dear Dad!
Happy Birthday to You!

Hey Dad, wish we could be there to help you not celebrate your birthday. I hope you have a great, relaxing day.

Love, Heather

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Here is what dad walked into this morning!!




There were 400 balloons!


Dad and Grandpa popping them all


The birthday boy is left cleaning up the mess!

4th Year Anniversary

Last night, my friend Laura, won a radio contest. We have been trying to call in for a few days to win tickets to Miranda Lambert, who will be at the State Fair next Friday, and have not been the right caller...until last night. Laura won us VIP passes to the concert, which includes: dinner from Rib Ranch, tickets into the fair, great reserved seating at the concert, and a super pass that allows us to ride all of the rides for free! I was excited for the concert before, but now I am pumped! Thanks Laura!

Has anyone else been glued to the television to watch the Olympics? I am hooked. Last night I stayed up to watch the girls all-around in gymnastics, which didn't start until 10:30pm! I got a little worried about the obsession, but hey, this only comes around every 4 years, right? I am just amazed at these athletes and I think that just being at the Olympics would be a never-forget experience. Do you have a favorite sport to watch?

I do have to brag that I have met, and had a conversation with, one of the Olympic Athletes. At Martha's wedding, we sat at the same table as Priscilla Lopes, who at that time was engaged to a freshman UNL dental school student. They have since gotten married and she is competing in the 100m hurdles for Canada. She is super nice and attended UNL for undergraduate. So, even though she is not on Team USA, I'll be cheering her on, too.

Four years ago today, I moved to Nebraska. I didn't know anyone or anything about Lincoln. I spent my days driving around town, looking for a job, and watching the Olympics! I won't lie. I did not plan to still be living here, but God did and I have become attached to this city (not necessarily the state). I am once again reminded that God's plans are always better than Heather's plans.

Under Construction

Please bear with me as I try to come up with a more creative design for the blog. I am so tempted to go back to my old, boring, simple style. Creativity is not a strong point of mine, so I tend to stick with the boring. If the blog gets too busy I start going crazy in my head. It is relaxing and peaceful if I open my blog and see one background color, maybe a few text colors, and no graphics, icons, or anything.

So, needless to say, I may be out of my league to try something new. If you like something (or don't like something) - speak up. Otherwise, we might be back to plain ol' black.

Comments

I'm usually not one to subject myself to begging. It's not pretty.

However, did you know that my blog had 65 hits yesterday? Did you also know that only 1 of those hits resulted in a comment (thanks Audrey)?

Another statistic: Out of the last 6 posts, I've received 2 comments (not including comments posted my the author). The numbers just aren't adding up.

I love reading comments on my blog - really, I get very excited. Let me know how inpirational, amusing, creative, and entertaining boring my posts are or if you are enjoying them. But even if you just stop by to visit, let me know.

And to those of you who take time to comment on my blog - thank you, thank you, thank you!

The County Fair

The County Fair is about 2 miles from our apartment; admittance is free; parking is free; we had free tickets for supper Friday night. So, we went and had free fun!

They never had any problems getting their horns through those bars.


These geese were honking at each other the whole time we stood there. I narrated their conversation, of course.

Most of the animals were very friendly, until they found out we didn't have any food.

I'm taking this one next time I get my hair cut. I want this style!

Richard and the camel having an intense conversation. The camel would not show Richard his teeth, no matter how much we asked!

These piglets had little bitty tails going back and forth about 100 mph.

My favorite! He just kept coming closer and closer to the shiny silver camera.

If I had children I would have taken them to this fair for sure. There were lots of families with children just walking in the barns looking at animals - a kid's dream! Richard and I had a blast, so I just know kids would enjoy it too.

Organizing Fiend

On Saturday, I tackled my closet. Actually, my side of the closet. It was a long overdue project and finally frustrated me so enough that I couldn't take it any longer. Here is what I was up against:




So, after a trip to Bed, Bath & Beyond, 2 bags of trash, and 2 bags of clothes to give away I ended up with this:



Doesn't this look great!!! Comments of congratulation would be well received! I am so proud of this project - probably too impressed with myself, but it has inspired me to continue the theme of organization throwing-out-crap-that-we-don't-need-nor-will-ever-use-again into every room in our aparment!


Next project - the laundry room!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Dear Mom -

Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday dear Mom!
Happy Birthday to You!

I love you very much, Mom, and wish I could be there to party-hardy with you.

Heather

PS - You're present will be in the mail today soon.

One of those days

It is one of those days. One in which I really wish we owned a luvable, cuddly, lick-you-in-the-face dog. How wonderful would it be to receive a cute little puppy with a big bow around her neck and know she was for me!


Isn't she adorable?

I don't know when my love of dogs started. My mom said I was never afraid of them as a child...she almost wished I would have had a little fear. My baby-sitter's family had 3 giant dobermans that I played with all the time. At the age of 5, I dog-sat for a big dog named "Bear." And, in North Carolina I remember playing catch with 2 of the neighborhood dogs all the time.

Our first dog's name was Annie - a labrador mix. She was a beautiful black dog, but she had a tendency to chase the cows. I remember how devastated I was when Dad took her to the humane society promising me that a good owner would come find her. The next dog was KC. She was a black cocker spaniel with super curly, thick hair. She was with me for 8 years and maybe became a little possesive of me. I cried for a week when she was put down. We bought a buff cocker spaniel, Holly, for my parents a few years back. I love visiting her and it reminds me of how much having a dog adds to a home.



For a while, I was too busy to have a canine companion and give it the love and time it would need. Now, my life is free, but the apartment complex 1) is not the place for a dog and 2) does not allow pets. I see people walking their dogs, running with their dogs, playing catch with their dogs. I see dogs hanging out the car windows - tongues out, ears flapping. I see pictures of dogs. It all keeps piling up, making me long for a dog even more.




How can you deny that face?

To all you pessimists out there, I know that I will have to vacuum once a day, wake up in the middle of the night to yelping, train the dog, clean up poop, pay for the vet bills...I get all that. But, it doesn't stop me from wanting one.




This may be too many!

I guess until May, I will just dream of having a puppy and search for a new place with a yard and that allows pets!

A Stye on my Eye

I woke up on Tuesday with a sore eyelid.

By Tuesday evening, it was swollen a little.

By Wednesday morning it was more sore and more swollen. After a trip to the eye doctor yesterday, I found out I have a stye. Which, for those of you who are interested in the medical world, is an infection in an oil gland around my eye by Staphylococcus aureus. Staph is on our skin naturally, but there are times that it can cause an infection. Maybe I didn't wash my hands when I touched my eyelid or something. However, it's nothing a little antibiotic can't fix and I should be back to normal in three days. Warm washcloths feel good on it, too. And it already feels better today!



This is a freaky picture! Can you even tell which eye is infected?

Seven Years Ago Today

My grandma left a message on my phone. She has a one-year Bible that she reads through each year. She writes in certain events on the date in which they happened. Her message on my phone said that 7 years ago today we were in Italy on a missions trip. On this particular day, we were sanding a railing on the house that was about waist level high. Not 10 minutes into the day, grandma's pant leg got eaten up by the only electric sander and broke the machine. How her pant leg came in contact with the sander, we will never know.

Oh, how I wish I had those pictures with me today to post. It was so funny. And, what does her granddaughter rush off to do? Not help her. Not call for help. No, I ran to grab my camera to capture the moment. Thanks for reminding me of that trip!

Do you know what you were doing 7 years ago today?

The Little Brother Moves to Town

Yesterday, my youngest brother, Jake, moved to town. Mom and Dad came to help get him settled in so we got to have supper with them. Someday, I hope our visits will last more than 1 hour.

Jake is going to attend college here, but decided to move in a few weeks early to hunt for a much-needed job. The search started this morning, but if anyone knows of something, suggestions would be helpful! We all know how much fun it is to look for a job.

I did mean to take pictures. I bring the camera along, just forget to actually take the picture. What kind of blogger am I anyway? So, your introduction to Jake is pictures from cross-country season last year.

Heather Renee

After seeing this on other blogs, I decided to try it out myself. Here is what a computer said about my personality. I'd love to hear if you think it is accurate or completely off. I have my own opinions. Post it in my comments.

What Heather Renee Means

You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out. Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia. Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life. You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home. You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

What's" Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

New Shoes & More

It has crossed my mind that most of my blogging friends write about much more substantial, worthwhile things in life (ie - their children, their house building progress) besides their new shoes. Oh well.

Richard heard on the radio that a local mall was giving out a $15 gas card if you spent a certain amount of money at any of their stores this weekend. Richard and I both were overdue on new running shoes and Richard also needed some stuff for his bike, so we decided this would be a great time to take a little shopping trip. Once we got to the shoe store, our decision was confirmed because Scheel's was having a sale on shoes - $15 off any pair!

I must insert a little aside here - I have only had one pair of running shoes so far (Asic's Kayanos) and they lasted me 3 years. Therefore, the shoe shopping experience for Richard versus me is quite different. I have no idea what I am looking for in a running shoe - comfort? support? So, I would pick a shoe that I liked, show it to my hubby, and he would give the yea or nay.

So, I pick out 3 pairs of shoes and ask a saleslady to bring me a size 6. She returns with nothing. So I pick out 3 more pairs of shoes and she returns with the kayanos (same shoes I have been running in). I try them on and they are great shoes really. So comfy and I already know that they are good shoes for me since I have enjoyed the pair I have already. The down-side is that the Kayanos are pricey. I ask for 2 more pairs of shoes, just to compare, and she returns with none. Richard finally asks, "Do you have ANY in a size 6?" She encourages me to keep picking out some and she will keep checking. So, I grab 5 pairs of shoes - not caring about the style, fit, or brand anymore - just hoping that there will be some in the back room! While she is gone, I start picking out some more, knowing she will come back with nothing, but to my surprise, she comes back with 4 pairs. I try them on and narrow it down to 3 pairs - Asics Kayano, Asics Nimbus, and Brooks Defyance (like you care, right?).

Here they are - my new pair of running shoes. The Brooks Defyance. The Asics were great, but more bulky than the Brooks. Plus, the Brooks were less pricey which is a plus for sure.

I have been told that you should put 400 miles on your running shoes before buying a new pair. Hence the reason I had my last pair for 3 years! I've starting a spreadsheet and I am going to record how long it takes me to get to 400 miles...any guesses? I haven't updated you on my running progress, but I have continued to run since the Havelock race is over. I will admit that vacation and the extreme heat has put a damper on the progress, but I am not going to let myself quit. Honestly, I have come to enjoy the activity.

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Richard and I took a bike ride on Saturday morning. That is a great way start the day. It wasn't unbearably hot and I just love the morning-time. We also went to the pool and played Bingo with our flock. Richard and I didn't win, but it was fun.

My grandparents were in town and we had coffee with them. They gave us great encouragement from the Word in making decisions for our future. Verses that I am sure God wanted us to remember as we seek His will for our life.

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At my Bible study on Saturday morning we continued discussing Elohim, which is the word used for God during the creation account, and other places throughout the Bible. I don't think it was coincidence that I was studying this name while we were in Hawaii. God revealed Himself to me in how great and awesome He is through His creative creation. Look up these verses and you will see what I mean:

Isaiah 40: 12, 15, 22, 26-31

Yet a God this big - who weighs the mountains, pulls the heavens back like curtains, and lifts up the islands - He desires a personal relationship with you and me.