When I first saw the preview for this movie, I really didn’t think I wanted to see it. I thought, maybe I’ll rent it. There has been a buzz about this movie in the mist of females and so along with Carla and Ashley (and it wasn’t even a Sunday!) I went and saw 13 Going On 30. It was such a cute movie. Ive tired so hard to get myself away from chick flicks, but come on, some are just great. Does help a lot that there was a cute boy who’s the sweetest thing and takes photos for a living! (In the movie of course. And as Brandon reminded me, movie is the key word.)

Did the movie make me want someone? Of course it did, what chick flick doesn’t? I didn’t want just anyone, she got to be *spoiler if you haven’t seen the movie and want to* with her childhood sweetheart. I thought about my highschool sweetheart when walking out of the movies (besides Mark Ruffalo…the cute guy in the movie) wondering if I hadn’t broken up with him where we’d be now. I wasn’t sad thinking about it, regretting anything I did, I just wondered. That’s how I compare my personal life to the movie. Now, I don’t mean I wish my life would be like the movie, I know that’s not healthy at all. I just always want to try and apply something. I did, and it was just memories of old friends, old loves, and old dreams.

As much as Jennifer Garner has some man qualities (come on, when she discovers she has boobs, that is this just strange) she did a very great job being at 13 year old in a 30 year old body. Took me back to my Jr High days. I didn’t have a guy for a best friend, but there was a guy I had a crush on for all of Jr High. Mike Jankowiak. That some last name for someone who cant spell to learn how to spell, let me tell you. But I probably will forever remember that kids last night. I haven’t talked to him in ages ether… last I talked to him was a phone call from Germany I think last he was in the Army. Anyways, the movie… I wasn’t a teenager in the 80s but I did live through them. The soundtrack to the movie is all very familiar from my childhood. I remember seeing my older friends dressing just like they did in the movies. I even remember wearing some of the things they did (I’m proud to say though I have never worn blue eye shadow). I didn’t see any slap on wrist bands though, where were those in the movie? I was in two different parts of my life watching the movie. The part of the 80s I remember (I was under the age of 10 in the 80s) and my Jr High days. Popular or biggest geek in the school, we all felt the same things in Jr High, just in different degrees.

“My high school dreams are gone
My childhood sweets are gone
Life is a day that doesn’t last for long.”
~Jon Foreman, Gone

If I didn’t know it already, I officially now know I live in the south.

Tonight, I listened in on the youth group’s lesson and the youth pastor said:

“Jesus loves y’all!”

I had to refrain from giggling. Yall?! Isn’t it, Jesus loves you?

But, like I said, I’m in the south, so, remember Jesus loves y’all.

1) Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, find line 4. Write down what it says: “And since then she has had the odd fling with men who have a penchant for the larger lady.”

2) Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What do you touch first?: Air cause my bookshelf isn’t close enough

3) What is the last thing you watched on TV? Friends

4) WITHOUT LOOKING, guess what the time is: 11:30pm

5) Now look at the clock, what is the actual time? 11:25pm

6) With the exception of the computer, what can you hear? the train going by and soft sound of my fan moving

7) When did you last step outside? Around 10pm from Crimson Cafe to go home for the night

Before you came to this website, what did you look at? ring web site (looking for a friend)

9) What are you wearing? Carla’s nice dark khakis GAP pants and my new black GAP shift. Yes, a GAP outfit today

10) Did you dream last night? Yes I did but I cant remember it at the moment.

11) When did you last laugh? at work tonight

12) What is on the walls of the room you are in? dried flowers… quotes… a painting my friend’s mom gave me… photos… and a black and white calendar

13) Seen anything funny lately? Oh yeah, the pictures Carla Ashley and I took the other night are quite funny.

14) Last movie you saw? AW MAN! Why did this have to be a question? I’m not answering that. Everyone who watched it with me said we’d speak to nobody about it. Worse movie ever.

15) If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy first? Plane tickets to lots of different places.

16) Tell me something about you that I don’t know? I love Otter Pops. I had like 5 today.

17) If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do? everyone could have a warm home. I just watched a video on the homeless on Sunday.

18) Do you like to dance? Depends if you’d call it dancing… Carla is probably the only privileged one to see my “moves”

19) George Bush: A good man as far as I know.

20) Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her? My aunt Dawn middle name is Alisa, so I kinda like Dawn, but its too common for my taste. I really don’t know… kinda depends on the last name.

21) [Same question for a boy] I actually like the name Derek a lot, but due to the fact I listen to one frequently and its not because of him, it would be a middle name. Ive thought about Landon some. I like uncommon names and I haven’t really sought out any for a boy.

22) Would you ever consider living abroad? Yes I’d consider it greatly.

I haven’t had bangs in ten years, if not more. Ive been talking about getting bangs since my friend Kari cut bangs last winter. I even took this picture in with me today when getting my hair cut. (I wanted a mix between Kari’s bangs and Sandra’s grown out look , which is what I think I got.) Of course I had to bring support of Carla and Ashley with me, or else I would of chicken out. I’m bad when it comes to cutting my hair more than an inch. But I did it and I have been messing with them all day.

That was the first of the Ashley, Carla and Alisa adventures today.

After poking around the mall for a little bit (I bought a cute black top from GAP) we drove over to Crimson Cafe for 1/2 price coffee and a board game. We played Worse Case Scenario and it was a lot of fun. We learn lots, you know, in case we need wrestle an alligator or know what to eat if in a jungle. I won by the way. And I just realized, I beat Carla. I take a little bit more glee in that then I should. Ashley left us for a thing at church and Carla left shortly there after for a church thing as well (church, pshaw ;))

In the late evening, Ashley came over to our apartment were we watch some Friends on DVD while eating cake and popcorn. We were very girly and a fun evening. We did originally have plans for a pool day, but rain cant stop the adventures of Carla, Ashley and Alisa!

I also had two very interesting phone calls today. First one from my little brother who NEVER calls me. He wanted to know about living out side of our parents house expenses. I gave him thoughts on that and asked what was up and if he was moving out. We had a good chat over some issues he iss facing with our parents. While listening to him I remembered the feeling of wanting freedom. I don’t blame him where he’s at (in wanting that freedom), he just needs lots of prayer and guidance right now. If he moves out, it will just be so weird to me, like he’s really growing up or something. (When he drove, that freaked me out. He’s got a 2 year plus girlfriend, which also freaks me out.)

I wanted to hear my parents view on this, because I knew there was one but didn’t call them right away of course.(My brother would of figured if the phone rang right away and it was me. ;)) My mom actually called me just to call and we had a good conversation about whether I’m going to be staying in Alabama if/when Carla leaves. She didn’t try to talk me into moving back, which is the first. It helped me a lot to know she saw where I was coming from and that she supported me ideas. It felt more than just a mother daughter talked, I cant put my finger on it. I just know when I got off the phone I just felt loved in many ways.

“Rain rain don’t go away
We need you this dry and dusty day
Rain rain don’t go away
Though some may say please go away

Like the April Showers on the slick cement
And the roads once straight have now become so bent
Weaving through the trees of vain security
Rounding round the hard rocks of hard morality”
~Aaron Tate

Im not much of a typer after a 12-9 shifts, which I like to call, the best shift ever. Yes, I am kidding. And to add to my kidding, Im working 3 of those 12-9s next week. What did I do? I mean seriously, thats just not okay.

Carla and I went to Wal-Mart for a food run tonight. We got everthing we needed in a pretty decent time, but when finding Friends magazines, we lost track of time. Of course we had to stand there a flip through and look at pictures of Friends that we soon will see the end of. Our milk got warm while standing there reading usually infomation on Friends, but it was fun.

Some new pictures from last Sunday. I thought of Kari greatly when we did this.

After showing off my new, proud purchase of the book, “Flabbergasted” by Ray Blackston on CD, to Carla I asked her:

“Do you think I’m a nerd for buying this?”

She didn’t answer, which is Carla’s polite way of trying not to hurt someone’s feelings. I learned this about her taste in music and it seems to work with anything else in conversation with her as well.

To help my case, this is the very first book on tape. Well, unless you want to count those Disney books that chimed to tell when to turn the page that my brother and I loved when we were 2 and 5. Being a book nerd (that is something I’ll own up to) you’d think I just buy the book, right? I love books, they are my friends. Working at a Christian bookstore with a discount has my group of friends grow quickly since September. As much as I liked “Flabbergasted”, its very funny and great writing, I didn’t like it enough to bought it. Not now anyways. (Thats a yes, you should read it.) When I read the back pages (I do read pages cover to cover… even the page with the copyright information. Like I said, I’m a book nerd.) of “Flabbergasted” I saw that Andrew Peterson is the one who reads the book. That perked my interest greatly. With a nice discount, a coupon and 5 dollars off, I bought myself a treat.

Now, I have something to listen to when I’m home alone at night. If you don’t know this about me already, I do not like being alone, especially late at night. So, when my roomie is gone, I like listen to something thats talking. Music keeps me awake, but a voice is smoothing to me or something. When I went to Cali in March I was given a pile of old sermons on CD from my home church. Those came in handy when Carla left me for Spring Break. Now, I get to listen to Andrew Peterson’s speaking voice, which I might add, surprised me the first time I heard it (not on “Flabbergasted”) compared to his singing voice. Not sure why, but it did. He even does voices for the characters, its awesome. I could just picture him reading to his kids, which knowing what I know of him, he probably does. Makes you all warm and happy inside doesn’t it?

And yes, I’m listening to it right now.

Ive started blogging about two totally different things tonight and nothing seemed to fit what I wanted to share. I know I dont have to blog but I feel like putting something. One thing I did start to write about was my family, but words just didnt seem enough, so Im gonna share some pictures instead.

My darling little brother, my dad and me (in fun glasses)

Im really not that much taller than my mom, I had big shoes on that day. (Im only a couple inches taller. ;))

Dad and I on my 21st birthday

I love this picture of my mom and me

Okay, so maybe I miss my family a little tonight

So about a month ago I got my first tan lines of the season. No one but myself could notice, but I had lines just the same. I sun-bathed time to time since then, but only when really sunny and for a short amount of time. Ive talked Carla two days in a row now to go to the pool (which has water in it now!) and sun-bathed with me. Around 11:30 this morning we went with our books and read for an hour. The only people that came to the pool where 4 ladies other than ourselves. What was unique but comforting about these ladies were that they were just as white as Carla and I. (Well, as I, Carla’s whiteness is a whole other story.;)) Felt much more comfortable vs. yesterday then us two white girls who laid out with two guys and older guy who all were burnt to a crisp already.

We were enjoying the sun with our fellow white skinned friends until thinking a float would be so much better than just sun-bathing on the hot deck. So we take a quick trip to Wal Mart with our feet out the windows (well, just one of my feet because I was driving) while listening to Jason Mraz and pick up some tanning oil, two floats and hair clips. We took our purchases back to the apartment and start blowing up the floats. I finished mine and Carla was not even close to even being half way done. I take over and amaze Carla with my lung’s abilities.

Armed with our floats and greased up, we head back to the pool. It is now empty which we prefer because we are actually getting into the pool this time and we don’t have an audience watching. It takes us a whole 5 minutes to get ourselves in the pool with our floats and on them. The water is just a bit colder than we are used to submerging ourselves in. We finally get on our backs and float, good thing too because we had mid-tanners join us at the pool. We float till Carla had to leave for her interview for her internship (which she got!). I got out of the pool as well to read (we will master the art of floating while reading sometime soon.) and nap a little.

I must say, I think I tan slower in Alabama than California. Maybe its the sun-raves here, I don’t know. I was whiter than ever before because I didn’t get to sun-bath at all last summer. That might help to the disadvantage of the sun here, but Im just getting lines that people may notice now. But summer is upon us in many ways and Im going to soak up the sun as much as I can till humidity kicks in. When it does, I’ll be inside my air-condition apartment avoiding summer.

I don’t know if its just Christian retail or the general public but sometime it just floors me how stupid some folks are. And I promise, this is not what I think of people all the time that walk in my store. Its just when somethings happen to you over and over again, your just in awe of the wealth of knowledge that you thought was out there but these people have just some how seemed to miss. I hope more than just my co-workers or anyone whos worked Christian retail (yes, its quite different than just plain old retail) find this somewhat funny and say a few “amens” at the computer screen.

Every part of our store makes for different questions commonly asked by customers. When you walk in, to your left is the registers which is right next to the bible section. It even has a nice sign above the bibles that says “BIBLES”. But yet, we (sales associates) still can stand right under that sign and we get asked “Where are your bibles?” Are you serious? Did you forget to stick in your contacts because THAT would make sense to why you just asked me that question. We, as professional sale associates team say “Right over here ma’am. What kind of bible are you looking for.”
Since we are talking about bibles… gotta love the people who come in wanting one, but not just any one, they want the “holy” bible. “Do you want a bible that says that on the front of it?” “No, I want the HOLY bible.” I quickly hand them a King James Version and suddenly they are happy and asked if they can get their name “engraved” on it.
Or you have the fun folks whom when asked “What kind of bible would you like?” They respond with “The whole bible.” We smile and nod and say “Which version do you read?” “English.” “Yes, sir, but what version.” “The one that has the new and old testament!” “Yes, sir, most of our bibles have that. Do you mean maybe the King James or New International or New Living…” “Just a bible!” Oh, I’ll give you just a bible… on your head!

The phone is another fun thing about a Christian bookstore. We are asked to say “Thank you for calling Gospel Supply. How may I direct your call?” “Well I don’t know where I want to be directed.” “What are you looking for ma’am?” “Well I need a cd.” Ohhhhhhh then you must want the bible department! I’m glad we cleared that up. “I’ll transfer you to music then.” Music, you have an idiot on line one, music, line one.

“This is the music department, how may I help you?” “Yes ma’am, I’m looking for a cd, I heard it on the radio. Its really popular, they play it all the time. Do you know it?” or theres the “I just heard this song, its about Jesus, do you know it? Its by a women if that helps.” Now, Id like to think of our staff as well educated people on CCM world, but come on folks, a song about Jesus? Oh THAT song, because you know, theres only like two to pick from.

We do all of our holds, special orders, gift wrap and imprinting in what we call “Customer Service” in the back of the store (again a wonderful big copper sign). So when a customer comes to the front registers asking for any of these things we say “Straight back to Customer Service.” “Where is that?” We aren’t Wal Mart, just open your eyes lady! And did I not say BACK of the store? “Straight back in the back of the store.” “Straight back?” “Yes, straight back, just follow the path on the floor and you’ll hit it.” If ya don’t then well we have a bigger problem here.

Sometimes I don’t know why we bother with some signs. I mean, they are big, copper and above the sections of the categories. In the book department, we even have signs that say fiction, christian living, love and marriage, singles, men, women and so on. Now, maybe this is just me, but I tend to LOOK before I go ask a sales associate where something is. Maybe Ive worked too many years of retail and know they are not waiting at my beckon call. But I just feel stupid when I’m standing NEXT to the section when I stop someone to ask where the bible studies are when there CLEARY is a sign letting me know, with little work of my brain, they are in fact right there.

We used to have a outlet store across the parking lot from our current store. Its been closed for over a year now but people still what a good deal. Who doesn’t? We have our bargain room and bins in the back of the new store. I love it when people come to the counter and try to bargain with me. Sometimes not even with a discounted item! Oh and if they don’t have a coupon, I guess, because we are a Christian bookstore, we should be nice and just give it to them. I tell them sorry, we need the coupon for the sale, Ive suddenly turned into the bad guy. Look ma’am, first of all, I don’t make the price, I just scan the item, hit a few buttons and take your money. I didn’t call you to walk in here and buy this book, this all on your own free will.

Or what I like to call “blind customers” who I seem to check out almost daily. “HOW much is my total?” I reread them what they
have all brought to the counter and their price and remind them of the 9% sales tax. They are still in disbelief. The price hasn’t changed since you picked it up off the shelve. Again, blind customers, they also tend to not want to, oh, turn over a book for the price! I’m more than happy to find a book, but when they ask “How much is it?” I turn the book over for them and tell them the price. I know thats a really hard thing to do, thats why I’m here ma’am.

“They all want an answer. I wont say a thing. Time wont be our master who died and made it king?!” ~Tara Leigh Cobble

Conversations are quite an interesting thing. Ive had few over the past few days that really have impacted me. Some Ive allowed to be a big deal when I shouldn’t have. Others I probably should let them effect me more than they have. These conversations have been corner stones on the foundation of fresh friendships in my life. Im still developing 9 months relationships that I thought were further in my mind but Im comfortable where they’re at. Do I have any close friends just like I do back in Ca here? Id have to say no. I have friends here that I consider close friends, but not as close as some back in Ca. I cant expect that! The relationships in Ca are built on over 6 years of history. Comparing them and the new ones now is comparing apples to oranges. But it does frustrate me a little. This is why its been a tough answer when people as me the ever popular question “What are you doing when your lease is up?”

My answer: I have no stinken idea.

Now, I giggle nervously at myself for that answer. For one, Im a planner. My friend challenged me with a question of just taking off without packing for a trip, could I do it? The thought made my uncomfortable. Not because Im a control freak, but I need some form of familiarity. So for me not know what Im doing in less 3 months, yeah its kinda scary, but I know it will work out. (Its only a big deal if you make it a big deal, right?) Id have to say, with that being my response, Im single in every sense of the word! (”But if you say its worth is all I’ll take the first bus back.” ~Tara Leigh Cobble) I have no responsibilities that tie me down that I should have more of an idea than I do what Im doing this summer.

Im happy both here in Alabama and in California. I left a very happy life in California. I had a lot of good things going for me. The thing I miss the most would be the friends, my family and the ministry I was apart of. As much as I love my Alabama friends and church, that cant replace my group in California. And vise a versa. So thats hard. I miss them, but if I left, Id miss my friends here dearly (Im getting sad just thinking of the idea). Im used to being away from people in California now. They have moved on with their lives without me (I know how dare they ;)). I feel more apart of things here, because Im here, it hits closer to home. I made that choice when I uprooted and started to replant some seeds here last August. But that doesn’t mean its not tough to have to maybe make it again.

I really don’t know where God wants me when it comes down to it. I don’t want to be out of God’s will, thats even more scary than waiting on an answer from Him. I must admit though, I have not been faithful in seeking His counsel on this matter. I think mainly because it stirs up a lot of emotions I just flat out don’t want to deal with. I know thats very selfish, shows once again, Im a sinner. (As Im well aware) But what I do know, is that He is above my sin. He is the King of my life (even if I may not act like it every day) and is bigger than all of it. Time wont be my master because the King is not dead and great plans for me. Hes been faithful all 22 years of my life thus far!

I may sound not responsible to some, but I try not to make my focus pleasing others. I do like to please people, but when it comes to how I should be living my life, thats between God and I. I highly respect people close to me in my life thoughts and advice. I drink it in actually, hoping they’d make big decisions for me. Thats why this one is a tough cookie. I cant lose ether way. Heck, maybe God has a totally different idea than my plans A and B. I want to be open to what He has for me. Sometimes that sounds like just throwing caution to the wind, but being in His will has to be one of the most freeing feelings in the world. So, I long for that, to know Im in His will.

I feel like Ive been writing about my days like a record book lately. The whole reason I started a blog was really my dad’s idea. He thought it would be nice to read about life in Alabama from my view. I do like to do that, but it makes it so impersonal and doesn’t really allow my creative juices to flow. So, as much I know some of you would love the play by play of what went down in Nashville yesterday, sorry, this is all I can give right now.

Drive Up 65 “Dirty Auburn!” “Go home Mississippi! Don’t pollute!” “Boobie bungalow! Can we name our band that?” “I could give you directions to the Franklin locations?”

Starbucks (best toffee nut latté ever). “No no no, throw me a bone about you.” “Its a line, people are supposed to wait.”

On the drive to Trey’s work “STOP! I need to take a picture!”
“How on earth are we going to get in there?” “He wants me to come to see a show”

Caterpillar “How are we going to find Trey in this sky scrapper!” “Is that his truck… Popular Genius stickers, yup.” “There are two cute girls here to see you.” “How do I get out of the parking garage?”

Pancake Pantry “Take my picture!” “The sweet potato cakes are the best.” “The locals eat here.” “This is Geof Morris, Trey’s personal assistant…”

BookMan “This is your kind of place.” “How do you find anything in here?”

The Great Escape“Did you go next door? Its Josh Mahn world” “Im happy to report there is no used Derek cds.” “You always pick cds up and put them back.”

Fido “We’re going to Fido, with or without you.” “She snoozes she looses.” “Two milkbones on the bar.” “I was pasta now, the book is talking about pasta.” “We have to write with the frosting davejac.net on the window”

Green Hills Grille “She has herpes” “What is Andrew?” “Its kinda funny to have the wife making date plans”

Bongo Java/Tara Leigh Cobble Show “Are you the girls who drove far?” x10 “This is for the girls who drove 10 hours round trip.” “Im bummed we didn’t hang out, because I wanted to spend time with you two, call me selfish” “Cha-chi is a bit of a loud mouth” “ALL of Tara’s friends are beautiful! Male and female”

Drive home“I like how the sign says Birmingham, not Huntsville.” “After listening to this cd I don’t ever want to see Dave Matthews angry.”

Pictures are available here. Enjoy.

Sorry to leave on a sad note, but I didn’t see the baby birdies today. When I looked for them I saw a hole in the nest. Carla said she saw one earlier. Im hoping Peaches didn’t push them out of the nest or that I had anything to do with that. I was very sad coming home with no greeting from them. I gave Peaches a dirty look. Carla tried to comfort me by saying the weather has been really bad so thats probably it. Im still sad about them not being there…

Carla and I both wore a spring dress to church this morning. You’d think this would be normal to wear a dress for church, but not at the Vineyard . We wear jeans on Sunday, which I personally think is awesome since I don’t wear jeans 5 other days of the week when Im working. My pastor even had a tie on, which I was even surprised at. Along with a lot of people dressed nicer than normal, my church made a video to make fun of the Easter bunny. It involved my friend Ross scampering around downtown Tuscaloosa in a bunny suit and scampering the way to the woods with a hunter pointing a gun at him. They cased each other around for a while, then the Easter bunny hands the hunter an egg from his basket and they became friends. Sounds nice right? End it right there, right? Noooooo not my church. The final shot is of a living room thats full of animal heads and the final head we see, is the bunny’s! I hope no 5 year olds was in that room and saw that, otherwise, I thought it was pretty dang funny.

Jon taught out of John and read the Easter story out of Mark. (We even had a sheep and a goat for part of the sermon. The sheep wanted to talk for Jon of the time. Carla was sad she didn’t get to pet it.) But the way he told the story of Jesus saving us, becoming our leader, he brought us back to the bridegroom part of the Lord. This morning in church I felt like I was at wedding. I don’t mean to get cheesy and say that Jesus is my husband (actually that’s more “Jesus is my boyfriend” that I think is cheesy) but I really feel back in love with the Lord this morning. Jon told us to think of our dress just waiting for us to put on and walk down the isle to Him. To follow Him for the rest of our days. The closing song was Paul Oakley’s “It’s All About You” which fit perfectly in my mind for the wedding in my heart.

My friend Jordan invited me and Ashley over to his family’s house for Easter supper. His family just didn’t think it was okay for us girls to not have good food on Easter away from our families. I guess lately I had forgotten or gotten used to that I lived in the south, but this afternoon I was very aware. His family is full of thick southern accents. His aunts are very southern, grade A gossip queens. The food, which of course included fried chicken and sweet tea (very very very yummy food too. Ashley and I stuffed ourselves and then they brought us desert plates!). We then went over to the other side of his family house where we were told “yall come back now”. I love southern hospitality!

(For this part of the blog entry, please click on the links as you read the post, for full effect. Thank you.)

As some of you know, we have a bird named Peaches who has made her nest in a tree right outside our front porch. About a week and half ago we discovered she had three eggs in her nest! We waited for the eggs to hatch, and yesterday when I walked outside the door to go to work I saw them ! I called Carla outside to see the babies! They were just too cute with their little beaks sticking out waiting to be fed! So dependent on their mommy! Their names are Strawberry, Blueberry and Raspberry . One of them doesn’t pop up all the time when they hear us coming, which is sorta disconcering. We didn’t see him at all the day they were hatched, so he might be a bit slower than the other two . Im excited to have this happening right next to our porch. Im going to be sad when they learn how to fly!

Upon finding out that there was not shelter for us in Nashville tonight, we didn’t get to make it to the Sandra and Miller show, which disappointed us greatly. I happened to be looking around Sara Groves website a couple days ago and checked her tour dates, thats when I saw she was playing in Bham, Saturday April 10th at 7:00pm. I smiled and talked Carla into going with me.

I just recently got into Sara Groves. I have heard her names around for years, during her indy days even. I remember seeing her album “All Right Here” come out and hearing a lot of talk about it. I actually kinda forgot about her till she sang background vocals on Derek’s album on “The Church”. Days after seeing the movie Passion of the Christ I was doing some soul searching and happen to having lunch at work. I had sometime left after eating and I went over to the music section to listen to anyone I had never listen to before. I picked up Sara Grove’s first, because, well, might as well start with the beginning first right? I sat there with the lyrics laid out before me with my hands over the headphones just soaking it all in. Those song ministered to my heart deeply that day. Shortly there after I bought the cd for my trip to Cali and I played it the whole plane ride there and back, only switching it out for a Justin McRoberts EP time to time when I needed some male voice. I just felt so much what she wrote about, it was real life struggles, not just the “I love God” songs that are great but don’t cut it all the time.

I was told at work she had a new album coming out which got me every excited. I bought it the day before it came out because I was so excited (and it was on sale!). Id have to say I was disappointed the first listen, it was completely different sound than “Past the Wishing”. I still don’t know lyrically, I haven’t sat and listened to it with the lyrics in front of me like I always do with new cds, but so far I only like a few songs. Ive been told “Conversations” is probably her best album. Its on hold just waiting for me to buy at work, and I am really looking forward to actually owning all four of her albums in the near future.

The show tonight was sweet. I wish I had heard more songs from the one album I own, but I enjoyed it very much just the same. I read an interview of Sara this past week and between her music I had heard and what I read, I really thought she was a cool gal and Id like to met her. After her talking (I love when songwriters talk about what they’re songs are about) and singing so genuine, I just love her. Very rarely, when talking about life or the music did she not say “Troy and I” or “us” referring to her husband which I just loved. She also talked about her boys all the time as well. It wasn’t hard to guess what was near and dear to her heart, besides the songs she sang. She makes the music to me.

Her “opener” (he played between her songs, which was kinda neat actually) was the funniest part of the night to me. I couldn’t put my finger on what he sounded like, but something I had heard before. I leaned over the Carla and told her he kinda sounded like a band I used to listen in Jr High, PFR. She says she never had heard of the band. Few songs later, Sara says that Joel (her opener) was from a band her and her husband listened to a lot in college for Pray for Rain. I knew it! From that point on I hoped he’d play and old PFR song for kicks, but he never did. I made sure Carla knew what she was missing when we got home tonight. I dug out my old “Greater Lengths” cd (amazed that I still have it) and sang with her. Quote of the night: “I waited for the good music to come along.” Carla, in reference to when she became a Christian.

After the show, I of course had to met Sara. Im spoiled I think, I cant just go to a show and not talk to whom I just came to see anymore. Carla and I chatted with a couple from Starkville, MS while Sara tucked her 3 year old Kirby in for the night. I found out this gal was a mother of three. I hope when Im married my husband realizes shows are important to me and will drive 2 1/2 hours, with out family, get a hotel, and spend the evening with me just because I love their music. Sara came out way later than expected and it was neat to talk to her a little. And as they say in the south, I got my picture made with her.

(dislike this picture of me greatly. why do I stick my chin in?!)

Inside the 1800s Methodist church building with the stain glass windows being lit up by lighting while I sat on a hard pew listening to Sara Groves is a night I enjoyed greatly. So now, go over to www.saragroves.com and check her out.

I had a craving for Taco Bell the other day for some odd reason. So, today I satisfied that craving at lunch. I walked up to the counter to order what I always get when I go to Taco Bell, nacho supreme and a soft taco supreme. A sweet old lady who had to be at least 60 with a name tag that read “Kelly” told me sweetly that she hadn’t seen me in a while. I smiled at her and ordered my lunch with no response because I had never step foot inside this Taco Bell before today but couldn’t bring myself to tell her otherwise. My thoughts were more on why was this dear sweet old lady working at Taco Bell than what was on the purple menu above me head. She handed me my changed with the her soft and wrinkled hands. She told me that my number was 90. Walking to fill my cup with sweet tea, I see two elderly women having lunch. I guess they have to be friends of Kelly because they just didn’t fit among the mostly college age folks eating lunch to music I never in a millions years picture them listening to. I walked over to a private booth of my own to read my book while I waited for my food to be ready. As much as I have been enjoying the book, I used it more for my cover of not being caught watching Kelly. Her name didn’t fit her, she looked more like a Rose or a Lily to me. Kellys are what Id put with a sorority girl before a tender elderly women. Kelly walked around the counter and sat down at the table across from my booth. There sat a gentleman who was reading the newspaper and she asked him if he was keeping up with it (I assume some story that was on the page he was reading). I wondered if he was a regular or if she was merely being friendly. My order was called so I walked over to retrieve my grub. Kelly returned to the counter when new customers walked in and was just as sweet to them as she had been to me, no matter who it was. I don’t know her story but I sit and wonder how out of place I found her. Does she work merely for getting out the house or does she have to work? She should be home on her front porch sipping sweet tea while looking into the old eyes of the man who put that ring on her finger ages ago. I think if I come back to Taco Bell anytime soon, it will be to see her. I might even be tempted to hug the dear old lady or bring her flowers to match the name I think fits her in my mind in the short hour she was in my life. My thoughts faded to embarrassment when my cell phone started playing “Jungle Bells”.

I really should not read other people’s blogs before I actually blog for the day. Its kind of like listening to Phil Keaggy then sitting down to try and play guitar.

I picked up a new book today, “Flabbergasted” by Ray Blackston. (Also, for Kari anyone else whos a book nerd like myself, I have made a spot over to the left side, of the books Im reading and will try to keep that updated) Ive seen the book many of times before but for some reason never picked it up. Its bright green, you’d think I’d at least give it a second look, but no. We got a shipment of this book in today because apparently Ray Blackston wrote another one. I forget the title, but it goes after Flabbergasted, so Im reading this one first (makes sense, right?). I picked it up because two pages into this book the guy is going to church merely for the sake of meeting single women. Now, thats one in a million that Christian novel starts out like that, don’t ya think? I found the writing funny as well. Maybe this will hold me over till “Shes Out of Control” comes out this summer.

Leaving work this evening it was very warm outside which I thought was kinda odd. Im going to stop listening to my Alabama friends because every time its warm, they think, no big deal. Theres been thunder and lighting all evening. The national weather service had to interrupted my rerun of Friends to tell me we have a server thunder storm warning. No kidding. The weather always fascinates me so I listen to what Mr. Weatherman had to say (plus, Im waiting for Friends to return) which is this might turn into a tornado, so they are going to keep a close eye on it for us. And I was just driving home thinking I could live through the two tornado storms I have and be just fine, but no, theres a chance I’ll add one more to my list, lovely.

Ive officially have this scab on the rim of my nose from blowing it so dang often this weekend from my cold. Its not cute and no there will be no pictures, sorry to disappoint. When I walked into work Tuesday morning with my roll of TP under my arm Neda (the office manager) asks “Are we out and no one has told me?” I laugh and tell her that I haven’t left my house since Saturday night to get tissue and this is all I had. I put my purse away in my locker, grab my name tag and walk towards the sales floor. Neda hands me a box of tissue, aloe touch the box says. I thank her for the box and take it with me up to the front registers where Im assigned for the day. I pull a tissue of the box and it was a world of difference. Bless Neda for giving me such a wonderfully soft tissue for my nose. But I learned the hard way with this scab that my nose deserves better.

Last note, due to lack of shelter, Carla and I will only be spending the day in Nashville instead of the weekend which is a bummer. But, I just happened to check out Sara Groves website and guess whos in Bham this Saturday night?! *alisa does happy dance*

Today Caedmon’s Call’s “best of” cd came out. I knew it was coming out and had bells on when I walked over to the music department asking where it was. I started to look through our demo’s liner notes when our music buyer starts to tell me all about the cd. I nod at what hes saying to me while still looking at the liner notes. He gives me a look. I ask, what? You knew about all of that stuff already didn’t you? I shake my head yes. He asked how I knew. I smiled sweetly and said Im just in the know and walked away. He calls to me who told you. For reaction, I said Derek told me. He says well thats nice, I have to go return Smitty’s phone call now. I said, you do that.

I wasn’t too excited for this cd, and Im still not. 6 of the songs on there is from 40 Acres, which I own (two copies actually, my first is about to give out). Actually, I already own all the songs that are on Chronicles. Did I buy it? Oh yeah, totally. I’ll probably forever buy what Caedmons put out because, well Im a loyal fan I guess. It doesn’t matter I listen to Caedmons for a completely different reason now then when I first started listening to them. Whats that reason you ask? Well, the song writing is probably the biggest change. Their two main song writers from the start of the band, have left. So of course the sound is going to be different. But I miss the relationship songs. I miss the way Aaron Tate wrote that I had to pick apart the song to understand it. Derek said in an old interview when self-titled was releasing that they wanted to play music that was different and transparent. I think they still do this, to a degree. I understand all but Garrett and Josh are married, so something like Somewhere North or Table for Two will never again be on a cd. Josh is becoming more of a song writer for the band, which frankly, doesn’t excite me. ( Im allowed to say that all you Josh Moore fans, this is my blog. :)) I think he just has a lot more growing to do before I’ll like his style. I know I should expect to hear self-title sound again, but that doesn’t mean I cant miss it.

Here is my thoughts on the first listen of Chronicles:
1. All My Life: Heh. Well, its runs for 2:30 and I think they say “All My Life” for about 2 minutes of it. Does someone in the band play the cello now? Hi CCM.
2. Thankful: Whats extended about it?
3. Lead of Love: Nice live recording… I didn’t know it was live till the clapping at the end.
4.There You Go: Yup, just like the record
5.This World: Very very nice new recording of this song. Andy O is a nice addition. No replacement, of course.
6.Table for Two: Again, yup just like the record (Sandra must of wanted this on cd cause its her fav song :))
7.40 Acres: This would be probably the 5th live version of this song I have. I hear an Andy touch in the background, very nice.
8.I Will Sing/Hope to Carry On: Weird with Andy backgrounds on this one but I like it.
9.Only Hope: Didn’t like it on Back Home and still don’t like it. Radio hits, I tell ya.
10.Hands of the Potter: Oh THIS is the radio version everyone talks about. I don’t know which I like more or less.
11.Piece of Glass: Still the same great song. Maybe Danielle should write more.
12.Bus Driver: THIS is the gem of this cd. What a wonderful version!
13. Before There Was Time: This version actually makes me like this song a lot more.
14. Who You Are: Really, this was a radio hit?
15. Faith My Eyes: A classic on a 12 string, what more could you ask for? Oh, The House Show cd which is off of.
16. Shifting Sand: Ahhhh good old 40 Acres songs…
17. A New Day: Doesn’t sound like Cliff. Actually sounds like something Andrew Peterson would sing. I dig it thought.

Now, for those not Caedmons fan, your wondering who this Andy O is that I keep bringing up. Andrew Osenga (we call him Andy O, cause well, Andy, is Andrew Peterson) is the newest member of Caedmons. We all saw it coming when he started touring with the band. Did we like it? Yeah we did, hes a great touch to the band. What we didn’t like was Derek leaving. But I like things the way they are now, and its been almost a year since Derek officially left the band. Strange. Still, Im excited to see what Andy O’s wonderful talent will do for the band. Something else I like about the new Caedmons is Danielle’s voice. Off of Back Home, her songs are my favorite. A lot that has to do that Sandra wrote them, but her voice is just amazing these days. I hope that on the cd in the fall that she sings much more. Heck, Id even love to hear a song that Andy O has lead vocals for! I was kinda disappointed he didn’t sing his song on this one.

This “review” might come off that I don’t like Chronicles. I cant say that. I do like it, its more than I thought it would be. Id wish they would have so many of the same recordings of the songs that are already out there. I know that every Caedmons fan is going to have a different “best of” in their minds. Even between my room mate and I, it would be pretty different (shes not even gonna pick this cd up) . The “preview” of Third World Symphony does get me excited for the new record in the fall ( Danielle is wearing hoops… should we be worried? ;))

Carla and I were grocery shopping this early afternoon after way over sleeping. We justified being heathens and not going to church since she drove for hours and Im sick. Add on top of that neither of us remembered to change our clocks. While we were shopping she remembered that the last day lights savings time we were together in Virginia. She was right, which made it clear that we had known each other for over a year. So in celebration (we like to celebrate even the simple things in life) we bought some yummy food (brie cheese and strawberries with chocolate to dip. not to eat together mind you) that we normally wouldn’t buy for ourselves. Id like to say how proud of Carla I was today. For being the high-maintance gal she is, she sure wasn’t this morning. No shower, no make-up and in her mix match PJs she went out. I still wished that Ashley and I found in her size the PJs that has the name tag that says “Hello I’m High Maintance” all over them while she was gone as a welcome home present.

I cant believe my trip to Virginia was a year ago. It seems like it was so much more than that. I also was sick then, but worse than I am now. So much as has changed in my life, not just the fact I moved to Alabama ether. Maybe thats why it seems that trip was so long ago because I have “grown up” as my friend Sarah says. This line from a Nickel Creek song is how I feel about from a year ago to now: “However you feel, Whatever it takes, Whenever it’s real, Whatever awaits me. Whatever you need, However so light, Whenever it’s real,Whenever it’s right…” (Spit on a Stranger)

Some of the girls from work and I went to Papa’s College Custard after work tonight. I haven’t been there since October when I had a bunch of the .netters at my house. Being that I don’t go there often I don’t know all the flavors and I couldn’t find them on the menu so I walked up to the clerk and asked him what the flavors where. He told me, all excited, what the flavors where. This kid was great, peer entertainment. He was just a crack up the whole time to me, my friends and his co-workers. Ashley and I got custard then wanted food. So we back again, and Matt (the clerk) gave us yet another hard time.

Me:”What size are the nachos?”

Matt: “How big are the chips?”

*makes his fingers into a round circle to show the size*

Me: “No! How big its the plate that they are on?”

Matt:”Ohhhhh…”

I love people who can have fun at their work.