Kristie Breaking Forth:

Well my darling daughter has flown the coup, left the building, exit stage left...

I'm not sure how I feel - I told Murray as we drove away that I couldn't tell if I wanted to cry or not, it was a strange emotion. I think it's just that I am so excited with her opportunity to go to WCC but sad because she is at WCC. They get all mixed up inside me and I don't know how to feel.

We had told her we would leave around 10:00 Monday am, I got up at 9:30 - she was up, dressed, packed (with everything at the backdoor) and her coat on.

Did she want us to get up? "Yeah that would be nice, you did say 10."

She packed the car while we got dressed and ate breakfast. Do you think she was anxious to go?

She is all settled in there, seems to have a nice roommate, and it sounds like her first day went okay. Not that she has told me personally. She did find time to email her sister but not me...like what is up with that????????

Things I'm thankful for...Kristie being able to attend WCC, Sarah for cleaning the house while we were gone, the opportunity to attend Breakforth, warm coats and mittens, money for groceries, hot baths and being able to spend time with my hubby on his birthday.

Heather Break(ing)Forth:

I attended Breakforth this last weekend. People had talked about the experience of worshipping and singing with thousands of other people, and they were so right. I want to bottle up those overwhelming emotions I felt and carry them with me everywhere. I talked to another first timer and we both had had the same thought - that it was a glimpse into what heaven would be like. Wow.

Here is some of the statements I heard over the weekend that are still rolling around in my head:

"Live life with gusto, 'I've come so that you could have life in abundance' - live like you have nothing to lose, nothing to hide."

"Good news, Good news, I've learned that Jesus loves...me!" This one you need the background story to understand why it chokes me up everytime I think of it.

"Don't judge a stronger brother who can resist what you cannot."

"Need to be in the world but keep your values (love, empathy, compassion)" So what are my values?

"Modern culture - a culture of knowledge, Post Modern culture - a culture of experience."
"This is the largest gap between generations. Adults - if it's true it works, Youth - if it works, it's true" - back to experiencing it.

"Being a believer isn't enough - even Satan believes in God and the bible. You need to be still/allow/feel Jesus living in you."

"Our mandate - Our job to have a loving, intimate connection with our kids and live a life with convictions." Back to this generation needing relationships and seeing the truths of the Bible working in our lives.

Learning to trust and watching love...

Well it's been a roller coaster week of emotions for me, with our Good Lord trying to teach me, yet again, about trust - in particular trusting that all will work out. "For I know the plans that I have for you." or in this case my daughter. Yet again, I didn't do a good job of trusting though I know He is still working on me - at least this time I prayed about it, telling Him I'm trying to trust Him here, I'm trying not to be so negative. He did a pretty good slap me up side the head with "SEE!!" on Tuesday. Hoping that memory will help me trust next time...baby steps.

I had a week of seeing love in my life.

Where would I be without my sisters in Christ...still deep in the negative I think. They were so supportive and encouraging, God has blessed me immensely with them.

I also got to see the love between my husband and his youngest daughter. Not that I don't see that on a regular basis but several times this week they sat together watching tv. I like this picture because they are holding hands...makes me smile.

Oh...and Kristie at last found her dress for the Winter banquet!!! It's red and she looks beautiful in it... One more week and she is off to Western!!!

What to do after a blizzard?

Well we survived the blizzard on Wednesday and our house has been nice enough to keep us busy while we stay indoors toasty warm...













The sideways picture (I have no idea why it is posting sideways) is our tub tap in the off position - a touch more than a drip... The other picture is the dish washer which no longer washes dishes. Besides keeping Murray busy trying to fix it, it keeps the girls busy washing dishes. Unfortunately when we realized it wasn't working, was when it had a full load of dishes but the girls had a snow day from school so needed to be kep busy anyway (hee hee) Today we plan on putting on the Christmas boxes away - what I can't figure out is that it's the same amount of stuff I took out of storage but it seems to be a whole lot more going back into storage and I'm not sure if I have enough storage....well I can always pile it up in Kristie's room (snicker).

For my friends from the states here is a couple of pics of the amount of snow we have around here - our house and outside my window at work...











I'm thankful for heat and warmth, warm clothes, a good neighbour that gave me a lift to work on Thursday because my car was stuck 1/2 in and 1/2 out of my driveway, and then after his work he got my car back into my driveway for me; for the safety of all my work staff during the blizzard, my children who are helping me clean up today, my sisters and of course my loving husband who looked after me when I had the flu this week....

Soccer....

She kicks, she scores!!!!

...and I was there to witness it :-)

Sunday...

He chooses Jesus as his Savior, God scores!!!

...and I was there to witness it :-)


It was a good day.

2007....

I have not posted lately for the following three reasons:

1.Still have my bad cold and laying in bed seems to be my favorite thing to do. I have managed to go to work on Thursday and Friday - which were very tiring days as I had a new clerical staff starting (so that meant I spent most of those 2 days training her while trying to catch up on my work), we were short staffed (due to one of the clerical staff being home with the flu), and lots of work sitting on my desk to get done. So by the time I came home - my bed was the only place I wanted to be. Last night was a touch better as I started to take down the Christmas decorations - hubby was nice and made supper for us and even brought it to me.

2. When I am up and actually have time to get on the computer, I spend it reading other people's blogs. Loving the new baby pictures and reading up on everyone one's Christmas.

3. Sarah... if you're looking for her, you will find her in front of the computer.

But right now everyone is still in bed (Sarah had a friend sleep over so the computer is free this morning), and I'm listening to a cd I got for Christmas, Dan Fogelberg "The Nether Lands". Nice and soothing.

Speaking of music... the one thing I noticed while I was off laying around was my taste in music seems to have changed. I found I was watching the CMT channel alot - in fact one day while ironing I found myself even "dancing" and mouthing the words...what's with that? I hated country music growing up, in my 20's I liked a few of the country singers (not sure if it was the music or whether I liked looking at the singer's themselves...) but lately I have been enjoying country music alot. So has country music changed or have I? I received a CD from a friend called Believe and Faith - a collection of country songs - loving it!! Even with this shift in taste, I still plan on trying to listen to what my youngest enjoys. I don't want to turn into a parent that asked their kids "how can you listen to that crap?" "Turn that music down!". Granted some of her stuff is loud and definitely not my "taste" but that doesn't mean it's crap or bad music - it's just different. Like my music when I was growing up was just different then what my parents listened to. Now I'm not saying that some of todays music isn't "crap", there is some stuff that I will not listen to and don't want her listening to either but some of it is okay. I think that was made apparent to me when 3 Days Grace lead singer came and talked to our clients one day this last year. Now I think their music is loud and have to admit would have been tempted to ask her to turn it off, but he talked about why he wrote some of the songs. His one song Pain comes from after he was in recovery from his substance abuse, he talked about how he was so "numb" before that now feeling anything - including pain - is better than feeling nothing. So I will continue to listen to Sarah's music and try and understand what the song is about before I judge it. Could that be my new year's resolution?

Christmas:

Up late at night with a terrible case of heart burn, so thought I would blog since it's keeping me from sleeping. Of course I have to work tomorrow and here I am, 3am blogging. The only other time I got heart burn was when I was pregnant with Sarah and now that she is 13 I get heart burn again - do you think there is any correlation there? ...

Drinking some cranberry Canada Dry - hoping the bubbles work...

Anyhoo, Christmas. I have been battling a cold also this week so was very happy that it was just our family for Christmas and no big meal to prepare. We actually slept in until around 8:30 - 9 (love having teenagers!) and I was the one that got up first. We got some interesting and fun gifts from each other and friends/family. Here is a pic of some prints my sister bought me for my "collection":

The will go nice in my room with my other prints. Love this type of artwork. I tend to buy postcards or cards with the artwork on it and then frame them. $5 postcard, $50 frame job and I ended up with a beautiful piece of framed artwork.

Gots lots of pretty smelling bath products from my daughters - so now I smell pretty.

We spent the day watching movies, vegging on junk food and laying on the couch. Loved it. I did some reading. Trying to finish off a book so I can read the next book in the series (my gift from my oldest daughter). I think the funniest moment of the day was watching the dog "attack" his new toy - a blue round squeaking ball - the squeak survived a total of about 5 minutes. It was quite hilarious. The kids favorite gift was a Cheerios Recipe Book.

Presently reading: The Englisher by Beverly Lewis (next is The Brethern); The Taking by Dean Koontz

Presently listening to: It's late at night so nothing though I have been listening to Il Divo, Believe and Faith and next up NetherLands by Dan Fogelberg.

Sudoku and Christmas...

Well I achieved my goal. My plan was to have all my shopping done by this weekend and have a stressful free weekend and I think I succeeded :-) Now I admit I did go buy a gift today but only because I had to go out and feed a friends fish and thought I would stop by the chocolate store I had heard about and pick up my sister some chocolate. I hadn't really got her gift yet - a gift certificate for a restaurant but figured I could get it later. But I went into the Willowwisp store first and found this lovely item for her and couldn't help buying it.

Today was housecleaning day which was all done by noon. Kristie has been busy making her bread this afternoon and I have fallen in love withe game Sudoku. Found it on the online games today, figured out how to play it and now I can't stop... I'm addicted!! Guess what I'm doing all week :-)

Though in alot of ways it hasn't felt like Christmas yet (I've had quite a few conversations with people about why) it is finally starting to feel like it. I've had a good week - finished my shopping by Monday night, visited with some friends a couple of evenings, went to a birthday party, tonight the neigbours are coming over for a visit and tomorrow night (Christmas eve) my neice and her husband are coming over.

The photo's are of our Christmas tree's - yes we have two - one for upstairs and one downstairs. I think we will be celebrating Christmas morning downstairs where we have more room and comfortable couches ... the rest of the day will just be the hubby, the girls and me. First time we haven't had a big Christmas meal where we have had to go to it or do it. It will be different but nice.

Missing you versus being Homesick:

People keep asking me if I'm going to miss Kristie when she goes to Western. Somedays I feel like saying "duh yeah!!" but the question has made me think. What about Kristie am I going to miss.

Duirng one of our discussions about her going to Western I told her I was going to miss her because I really like her. I know I love her, I carried her for 8 months inside me, I'd cried buckets when she was in neonatal, I've watched her grow and mature and turn into this beautiful girl that I love dearly. But you know, you can love someone and sometimes not like them, I think sometimes that can be true with teenagers. With Kristie, I like her, I like spending time with her, I enjoy talking to her, hanging out with her, laughing with her. She has such a good sense of humor, loyal and caring nature. We went to a Christmas concert at a local church last night (Calvary Church). A friend of hers from school attends this church and invited Kristie to come watch her int he concert. So Kristie asked if I would go with her. We had a lot of fun sitting in the pew, giggling about the kids, generally talking about stuff afterwards. It was alot of fun and that is what I will miss. Those moments.

I keep teasing Kristie about missing us and missing my morning hugs/kisses, missing her dad teasing her, Wedenday night watching Veronica Mars at the Taylors, etc. She guiltly admitted that she wasn't going to be homesick. I told her that was good. If she misses us but isn't "homesick" then we have done our jobs as parents. It means she misses the time with us, the safe comfortable haven where she can be herself...but it won't stop her from enjoying her time at Western, from soaking up every experience there, or stopping her from participating in activities because it might mean she can't come home to see us. It means she is independent and can function without us... but will still miss us.

Sigh, I will miss her...

But I also know that going to Western is another great experience for her that will help her mature more, grow more, be more challenged, more independent and she will get a more solid spiritual influence. That's all a parent can ask for.

Christmas baking:

Well we all seem in the christmas baking mood - even I have finally got off my butt and done some baking. Last night I did my cinnamon twists - doesn't seem to make as many as before so I will most likely cave and make another batch. Made eatmore bars this morning. Made my cream cheese cookies early in the week along with my puff wheat choco squares. Still need to make our wild rice braid bread that we are hoping turns out nice enough to give to the neighbours. Our neighbour on one side has been so wonderful with snow blowing our city sidewalk and up our sidewalk, he even did most of the driveway one day. Sarah wants banana bread - didn't even know she liked it - go figure.

Almost finished the shopping too - life is glorious. My aim is to not have to do anything the weekend before Christmas except a few groceries items. Otherewise I want to stay away from the stores. Wish me luck folks! We have been hunting for Season Gas Season 3 with no luck for Murray. He finally told them what he wanted for Christmas - tickets to the NHL Hockey games coming in September. Unfortunately you don't actually get the tickets until next year...so not sure how the girls want to "buy" the tickets as he went down already and ordered them.

I'm thankful for beautiful soft white snow, for my black dog that is easily spotted in all that snow, for the good behavior of my dog who follows you out to the front yard but stays with you and doesn't run away, for a good rest last night, medication that clears out the congestion in my nose and helps me breath with the hopes it works on balancing the pressure in my ears (I'm really tired of my one ear popping at the most inconvenient times - it does that loud high pitched makes you want to shake your head pop) and I'm thankful for my familyas always.

Loss of internet and cable service :-(

Well we have been without both of these since this weekend - Sasktel will be in on Friday to hopefully fix it. I have noticed a few things since this has happened:

1. Youngest daughter is going to bed earlier.
2. I suspect to read, which is a "good thing" as Martha would say.
3. I have all my Christmas cards and out of country gifts either sent or ready to be sent.
4. I have baked 3 doz muffins
5. Was able to prepare for my Wed night class without being rushed
6. Caught my family playing Yahtzee yesterday (wow interacting with each other!!)
7. Oldest daughter invited friends to go to her school play with her.
8. I've had more access to the computer to get my Christmas letter written and printed, notes to my small group written and printed, been able to play my computer game - all of this without kicking someone else off the computer and listening to them whine about it.
9. My oldest daughter cleaned her room (including everything off the floor).

I'm starting to wonder if maybe I should delay Sasktel fixing the problem ???? Mind you I don't think I can handle the "crying" fits of my youngest who is going into serious withdrawals...

I'm thankful for interior car warmers, warm boots, a beautiful moon this morning, candles, interesting inservices that I get sent to, a car that starts every morning, family and friends, and Christmas sweaters that were given to me.

SNOW!

Okay, I love snow. I love the whiteness and crispness of snow. I love the hush in the air on a night like tonight after it's fallen and how it blankets everything. I love the crunch of snow under my boots as I walk. I love imaging how each snow flake is different and God took the time to do that - it speaks of His attention to detail, creativity, love of beauty, imagination, etc.

BUT....

I am sick and tired of shoveling!! It's not even December yet and I've shoveled 4 times this month... 4 times, people, 4 times! And I suspect I'll be doing it tomorrow too. :-P

Thankful for good friends, a long list of Christmas cards, having all my ironing done, driving around the streets without hitting anything or anyone, having another project sent off at work (though it may land back on my desk for revisions - at least I've started the process), rhubarb crisp dessert (and the fact one of the committee members didn't eat his so I got his dessert for my afternoon coffee break), I'm thankful one of the committee members was sick so I didn't have to teleconference in two people and have the rest of the committee watch me as I cut off at least one of the people I was dialing, and the fun of going through the recipe books looking for Christmas baking recipes....now to find the time and energy to do it!

Honesty is the best policy?

1. Kristie apply's at McDonalds.
- advice from her dad "Wear your black dress pants."
- advice from her mom "Be yourself." Which was amended to "okay okay what does that mean? Who knows themselves? Just relax instead."
- advice from the interviewee "Try at a store where they are hiring for seasonal work"
- honesty on Kristie's part about her length of time she would work for them, ended in no job but she feels better about telling the truth now instead of waiting and quitting on them later.

WWJD or want her to do? Don't tell them she is leaving in two months, have a job for and just quit later, or be honest up front? .....

2. I'm feeling better. Looking forward to dinner theatre. Visited a co-worker in the hospital yesterday. She has cancer in her back, is now restricted to a wheelchair and is looking at 6 to 12 months to live. She is waiting to see where they will transfer her to and is not looking forward to some of the possibilities. But she was in good spirit's. I'm glad I finally went in to see her.

3. ..... nothing more to report I guess. Loved the snow last night, even shoveled my walk last night at 9:30 without gloves on ... cool.

“Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.” Ecc 7:3

Read that today, not sure how I feel about it as I’d rather be laughing instead of crying. Again though, open up God's word and there is the exact message I need to hear. Okay I hear you Lord!!

I’ve been quite depressed this last week, I can cry at the drop of a hat and I just want to climb into bed, pull the covers over my head and never come out again. It’s ticking me off. It’s not like anything bad is happening to me, it just seems that everyone around me has something happening to them. I feel like I am surrounded by sadness and heartache, pains and trails. Even the things that normally do not stress me out are really stressing me out. I’ve been trying to figure out why I’m feeling this way and I think one of the reasons is I have lost my perspective on things. I seem to be concentrating on all the negative in my life to the point I’m having a hard time finding anything positive. I did get some good advice the other night at church…

“Cry me a river, build a bridge and get over it”

“Either way you’re a loser.”

Okay okay, you have to understand the context of those statements. They were both made by women who were trying to help me laugh or smile and they both worked. Even now just typing them has put a smile on my face.

But I think the first statement is a good one – maybe I just need to have a good cry, build the bridge back to the positives in my life and move on. Yeah, life is sucky sometimes but I’m not the only one that has crappy things happening around them and at least those crappy things are not happening to me. So maybe I need to be the joy I seem to be lacking. Change my attitude and my emotions will change with them. Right?

Easier “typed” then done. I did start feeling better in church …we were singing “Love Lifted Me” and it reminded me of the love I experienced Friday night. I felt some of the sadness lift off me and I thank the Lord for that.

Part 1 of the things I’m thankful for:

I’m thankful for the ladies of my church who rallied around me Friday night in the church kitchen. Let me cry, gave me the most wonderful sincere hugs, and encouraged me. Life would really suck without them to help me build my bridge back to enjoying life again. I know they will hold my hand, kick my butt, and push me over the bridge and for that I am thankful.

I am thankful for my niece and the opportunity to spend Saturday craft sale shopping with her – it was a lot of fun and lifted my spirits some.

Part 2 of the things I’m thankful for:

I originally ended my post on that last thankful thought – I couldn’t find anything else to be thankful for – not a good thing considering how blessed I am. But after the song, talking to someone after church about a concern of theirs and a phone call I got later today has helped me tweak my attitude some more.

I am so thankful for my church family that has rallied around me and is trying to help me send my daughter to Western this next semester. I am blown away by their generosity

I am thankful for the smile on Sarah’s face when she came home to announce their team won the gold, she scored a goal, and she got Player of the Game.

I am thankful for a clean kitchen – it never lasts long but then maybe that’s why when it is clean is feels so good.

I am thankful for quiet nights at home, sound of my children laughing in the kitchen as they clean up, good music and love – all you really need is love right? And I’ve got that in abundance. Thank you Lord.

Why this video?

Just because we all need a good laugh once in a while...

"I'd rather see a sermon than hear a sermon..."

I've been meaning to post this last week, about Hallowe'en, Sarah's soccert tournament, etc but everytime I go to post it just feels all so meaningless and trivial compared to what John/Jenn are going through. Who cares what I wore for Hallowe'en compared to the pain they are going through.

I heard the line "I'd rather see a sermon than hear a sermon" and have been pondering it. When I think of the Wallace's and McLeod families I realize they are a "sermon", a sermon on courage, faith, love, trust, family, etc. I can't believe that anyone can read their blogs and not be impacted - not be inspired - not be in awe of God's power and strength in their lives - not look at their own relationship with God and wonder if it is that strong - if they could face such pain with the same courage and trust in God that this family has.

They say that people these days aren't looking for proof that God exists but does it really work, what is the benefit, does it change people's lives, etc. All we have to do is look at this family and say "Yes... it does."

Edmonton Roadtrip!

This last weekend Sarah and I had our first roadtrip together. We were invited to go to Edmonton with 2 of our friends to celebrate Linda's birthday. It was an early morning (left the city by 7:30am) but well worth it. After a few wrong turns (okay maybe more than a few, including a "Call a friend" for directions) we made it to the Ikea store. We were impressed that we did it and I don't think we had too many upset drivers LOL At least no one honked at us. Due to the fact that we drove there in a car we were able to control our spending urges and only bought a few smaller items. Loving my new bedroom lamp :-)

Then off to find the hotel, and the Edmonton mall. A few more wrong turns but we ended up with a great parking spot at the mall (we figured God felt sorry for us and guided us to the spot). We did manange to do both floors of the mall even in the two days were were there. Even watched the Sea Lions. We didn't buy much, had fun, and oh my aching feet!


We woke up Sunday morning to lots of snow and me being worried about the drive home. We found the church easily (started to feel like we knew what we were doing!) and back to the mall. The drive home was a little nervous (okay maybe a little more than "a little" but the road conditions were only bad til about Vermillion). After that it was smooth driving. Got home around 11:30.

A good trip!!! PS I took Monday afternoon off to recuperate *g*

Definition of phrases and words...

I've wanted to spend some time trying to really set in my mind what certain words or phrases mean when I read them in scripture or hear them used in a sermon, bible class etc. I did attend a Wed night class where Bob discussed the meaning of "kingdom business" which is one I've puzzled at. That night I thought I'd finally figured it out but since I didn't write it down and my brain isn't good at retention these days, I'm going to have to discuss it with him again.

The reason this came up again, is because I was reading a chapter on Blame in this book titled "Holding on to Hope: a pathway through suffering to the heart of God" She describes the phrase "feared God". Another phrase that I don't think I've grasped properly - I know it doesn't mean "scared of God or afraid of God" but exactly what does it mean. The author descibes it this way.

"It is a profound sense of reverential awe toward God. But really it is even more than that. The fear of God is better described than defined. It is displayed in a person's character and conduct. A person who fears God recognizes God's authority over every area of his life. He has a desire to obey God's clear commands in Scripture. He recognizes his complete dependence upon God for everything he has and everything he is. He approaches every aspect of life with an aim to glorify God. And when life deals him a blow, his fear of God is revealed more completely."

So, if you happen to be reading this - what would you say your description of "fear of God, feared God" is? I loved to hear it.

Chapter 5 Doubt and video clips:

Wait - I'll explain why those two are appropriate together. First my favorite quote from Chapter 5:

"What God's absence does is usher us into a state of complete emptiness, where all these feelings are taken away. During these stretches our impure motivations for becoming a Christian no longer sustain us. All feelings of contentment and peace leave us, and we're forced to learn to love God simply for the sake of loving God and not for what we can get from him. It's as if God says to us during these parched moments, 'It's easy to love me when you feel close to me. How about when my peace and warmth are gone; will you loe me then? I'll leave the room for a while, and we'll find out.' "

Now video clips - the one thing I like about technology is the ability to keep in touch with people long distance on "real time" as oppose to waiting for days for the letters to arrive. I also like the fact that I have the opportunity to meet new people who turn into dear friends. And it's a great way to get information - like how to download and show a video clip on this blog. Thanks to Angela (who I have probably met briefly years ago but know her family) my doubt that I would be able to post a video to this blog has disappeared. I emailed her from her blog, she was kind enough to respond with instructions. I attempted last night and failed. But Angela encouraged me again this morning with some more advice and it worked! So thanks Angela.

This Sunday afternoon we attempted to defeat the dust bunnies, dirty dishes and laundry that was overtaking the house. The kids were helping until they got slightly distracted in the living room - here's what they got distracted doing...didn't get my house any cleaner but it sure gave me a good laugh (and that is even better than a clean house).

We need deliberately to call to mind the joys of our journey. Perhaps we should try to write down the blessings of one day. We might begin; we could never end; there are not pens or paper enough in all the world.
-- George A. Buttrick

It always amazing how God provides for me, in the small things you know. When I'm trying to find something to read or a scripture for one of the Ladies Events or a for a card for a friend, or even when it's just something I've been chewing on in my head - he always seems to supply it. Like today, finished talking to Alice about what she thought she would talk about on Saturday, walk to the computer to check my email and thinking about what I should read or what scriptures, etc for the Ladies Breakfast on Saturday and wah la... there is a Heartlight message that is perfect - just received it today. Kristie and me have started calling them God moments.

Well it snowed on Monday, icy icy icy roads and I had to take the work van in for serving. The only way to get there is down Circle (speed limit 90km) hmmm...not looking forward to it as I'm very very very very very nervous about driving a big vehicle on ice. Especially after last winters accident when dad was driving down Circle on icy roads and lost control, spun around several times (at least it felt like it, my eyes were closed at the time) and we ended up in the ditch, on top of the fence. So I'm doing my little crisis prayer "Please make everyone drive slow so they won't be mad at me while I drive slow." Guess what? No one on the Circle drove anywhere near 50km - so I got there safe and sound - thank you Lord. And then they had to keep the van in later than 4:30 and so someone else from work went and got it for me - even better answer to my prayer!!

Well my older daughter got "hitched" today to a "creepy guy" as she puts it. Tomorrow they will be planning when they will have their baby. Before any friends freak out too much - I'm referring to her Pyschology class. They had to "speed date" and then pick someone to "get hitched" to for this project. She said the speed dating was okay, unfortunately she is too polite and when the "creepy guy" did the eye contact and "you and me" for the "hitching part" she said okay even though she rather would have picked someone else. Now she is dreading going to school tomorrow. One side of me finds it all quite hiliarious but the side that remembers high school feels realllllly sorry for her right now, since she is concerned the "creepy" guy might actually like her. I put on my mother's hat and told her to give the guy a chance, it's only for a short term and she might "grow" from this experience. I had better stock up on some Ben and Jerry's ice cream for her.