I cannot believe that Al Gore won the peace prize…the NOBEL Peace Prize…what is this world coming to?

That’s all I’m going to say. No more ranting…

YAY! I’m in Pennsylvania! After an entire day of traveling, I have arrived…I had dinner with my “Pennsylvania Dad”, who is in Harrisburg for work, then went to see my friends who are getting married on Saturday…we watched “The Office” together (SO good!), and we’re just finishing up some wedding music stuff right now.

I love this state…it is SO beautiful…it’s going to be a great eleven days!

Oh, update on the HOA: the hearing was tonight to decide whether or not they can fine us. I don’t think the HOA Board had any idea of the trouble they may be in because they are violating some Federal laws…needless to say, this will now be going to lawyers! I knew from the beginning that we would be fine 🙂 And I think that we will be living in this house for a long time!

I’ll keep updating throughout the week, of course with plenty of pictures! 🙂

Well, all the stress and crazy workload over the past two weeks has given me a touch of tendinitis. I felt like I had stepped back in time 11 years today, when my first doctor told me that I had tendinitis (which it wasn’t at the time–they didn’t discover the nerve damage for 4 years after that).

Great. That’s all I can really say. I have to play mandolin this weekend…and cook…and do other things, all which require the use of my hand/arm. But, at this point, my hand is weak and it hurts to do a lot of things. At work today, I moved my mouse to the left-hand side, and typed basically solely left-handed because of the pain.

Lord, please heal this arm…it’s been eleven long years, and I’m ready to move on. 🙂

In eight days, I will be on a plane to Baltimore, beginning my eleven-day stint in the great state of Pennsylvania. Woo hoo!!

As I’ve been preparing to go–making reservations for car/hotel, creating play-lists for my iPod since I’m doing a lot of driving—I can’t help but reminisce and feel so blessed for knowing the people that I am going to see while I’m there…

My two summers in Pennsylvania (plus multiple week long trips since), have left such a lasting impression on my life and my faith. As most of you know, I served as a summer missionary in Williamsport, PA in 2002 and 2003…and I definitely never expected to be so profoundly impacted by the people there and the lessons learned (my first thoughts when learning my assignment to PA: “What? Aren’t they all Amish?” LOL–true story).

On my play-list for the driving thus far, I have put many songs that I listened to during those summers of ministry—songs that sustained me and reminded me of my purpose there…and those songs bring back specific memories of people and places…and I cannot wait to return! It’s been two long years since my last visit (for my “sister” Cheyenne’s wedding)…

I’m really excited about all the people that I will be seeing, but also for all the driving that I will be doing, as I will be by myself, and will have time to just reflect and relax (and stop wherever I want to for photography)! I will be going to Scranton—where the great show “The Office” takes place, so that I can see the real places the show references. I’m going to Pittsburgh for two days, to see two former youth group kids of mine who are in college now, and to see the city again (Perhaps another visit to the Heinz Factory!).

I am very VERY excited about seeing the Autumn colors while I’m there. My Pennsylvania “Mom” said the other day that the leaves had just started turning, so while I’m there it should be the “peak” of the color…

I’m excited about being present at two weddings—and singing at one of them…

I’m excited about eating a Wegman’s sub sandwich (the BEST!)…

I’m excited about seeing all those who have become like family to me…

Most of all, I’m excited about leaving Southern California and all the busy-ness that life here brings for me. I need a break. I need time away to seek the Lord, experience His creation, and most importantly, not go to work. 🙂 I’m exhausted, my spirit is worn, and I desperately need to leave SoCal…

I apologize for my lack of blogging lately—work is crazy, and I’ve been working 9-10 hour days for the past two weeks. I’m exhausted—but the next two paychecks will be nice 🙂 Life is good, just busy.

Big concert on Saturday (that I have coordinated and will be performing in as well)—if you’re in the area, you should come! Three artists from the area will be performing (Gayle Skidmore, Andrea Hamilton, Cameron Akrami) and they are all excellent!

Concert on the Lawn
5pm-8pm
Saturday, October 6th, 2007
Free Dinner & Music!

505 N. Grand Avenue
Glendora, CA

Back to work…EIGHT DAYS UNTIL PENNSYLVANIA!

This article actually makes me interested in watching “Kid Nation”…

It’s raining!! It’s really unbelievable…we’ve had the driest year on record, and they are still predicting a very dry Winter…so this rain is amazing! 🙂

I love the rain…I just hate driving in SoCal while it’s raining, LOL. 🙂

As I mentioned in August, something I’ve really been observing lately are the hand-washing habits of people at my workplace.

Well, this article shows that the problem extends far beyond this corporation! SO gross! I don’t understand why people don’t wash their hands…

Anyway, check out the article…and wash your hands 🙂

It always excites me to see Saudi women standing up for themselves…each little step helps!

You may have heard about comedian Kathy Griffin’s remarks this past week about Jesus…if not, Google it. 🙂 This woman’s remarks offended millions of people, and one news writer decided to speak out about it.

Wow…

Well, the meeting did not necessarily go our way last night. The HOA Board– after “listening” to the community members talk about how much they were against the rule (the one where they will fine us for living there, up to $1,000 a month)–voted 6-1 in favor of the rule.

What does this mean? Well, apparently, they will be sending all “violators” of the CC&Rs a letter, and the homeowner will then have a “hearing” (which we know is just a formality, since the board is so blind and so unwilling to change their minds) before the fine is assessed. We are being discriminated against, plain and simple.

Best part–at the hearing, the “burden of proof” is on the homeowner, not the board. That means that WE have to prove that we’re innocent, rather than the board having to come up with legitimate and honest reasons why they want us out.

I’m honestly not worried about this situation–I find it more amusing than anything…but, it’s still really irritating, especially because it’s taking quite a toll on our landlady.

Thank you for the prayers–we still need them 🙂