So I found this site tonight called technorati.com If you have a blog or website put in your web address. It tells you who has your paged linked to thiers. Most people I knew about, but there are a handful I dont know they are. Between statcounter.com and this, nothing is gonna get by me!

The colors are pink and brown. They dont show up too well in the photos. And yes, she is very happy with the results.

Last week was a very long and hard week. I felt myself many times wanting to slip into hermit mode again. I fought ever urge not to and the days went by (badly) but I made it out. It mainly had to do with work, it just flat out sucked. Short staffed (new people do not count as real workers!) plus the whole state of Arizona escaped the heat by being a tourist here equals very grumpy baristas. That’s all I really want to say about that because rehashing it out wont help anything. Id rather stay in my happy place about work and stay there to get myself through the summer (aka Frappuccino hell).

Speaking of the heat, it was bad. Now, don’t yall down there in the south jump on me how hot it was there. I’ve been there, done that. I couldn’t believe the cry babies I share a state with last week. I would of liked to of shipped a handful of them to the sticky south so they’d understand truly what hot is. But for folks who pay good money for 70, ocean breeze weather year round, we did not get that last week. The main difference between my living places in the south and here is one thing: air conditioning. I lived through a hot Alabama summer only through having the air on all the time. My family does not live in a house with air, this fact I did not know till this summer. My mom just opens the windows and says “natural air conditioning”. Thus, adding to my bad week with it being so hot I couldn’t sleep, so I was tired or grumpy most of the time. Today its rather nice, bit warm but its summer, I expect warm just not hot.

On the shopping front (this seems to be a bit of a theme lately which I’m unsure if its good or bad) yesterday I was on the hunt for shorts. I own one pair. With summer camp quickly approaching I will need shorts, but for some reason only jeans to be on sale (ironically of course). In my hunt for shorts (I did fine one pair - brown) I ran across a really cute Kenneth Cole wallet. I have been looking mostly on eBay for a checkbook cover (my plastic one from the bank is falling apart) but all were too much for me to pay for a checkbook cover. I almost bought a cute Lily pattern one but I couldn’t bring myself to pay 7 bucks for it. So when I spotted this wallet (with checkbook cover) for only 10 bucks I couldn’t help myself. I’m not a Kenneth Cole girl by any means but its far too cute. I may have to name it and post a picture of it. Also, I ordered a make over for Marla, its in the mail and should be in with a few days. That was free, gift from my mom because she thought they were cute, and helps protect my laptop.

My projects today have to import most, if not all, my cds into iTunes. My that is a task. Since Pinkie is a mini iPod she can not hold all of my songs. Which is totally fine, I have just come to the point where I’m tired of dragging my cds around in my car or having to hide them so no one breaks into Hope to steal them. So I’m going to be investing in an iTrip soon probably. Just a reminder, I am not an apple girl, PCs all the way. Also, I have downloaded all of my transactions from my online bank statement into Quicken to make sure I haven’t missed anything over the past year. Can you believe I’ve been back in Ca a year? I cant really. But I feel such the geek girl having computer projects all afternoon. And tonight is the first meeting of the Starbucks bookclub, adding to my geekyness. I think it will just be my coworkers since we didn’t widely advertise it (our store is small so we don’t really want to) but that’s fine. It will give us a chance to talk books, discuss Rosie Dunn. I plan on wearing my “Reading is Sexy” shirt tonight to it. That doesn’t help my case does it?

Upcoming events: Caedmon’s show on Wed. I’m ditching youth group for this (shame shame). I’m not as excited as I was a year ago to see them. Basically, I don’t have high hopes, I’m going for old time sake and to met Casey. I think it will be a fun night if just to go to a concert which I haven’t done in quite a while. Jason and I are trying to plan a trip for him to come out here so we can decorate with the help of IKEA his new apartment. Very exciting. Bridget came today so a Bridget movie marathon might be in order. Oh I just saw Bride and Prejudge, wonderful biollywood movie cept I don’t like how Mr Darcy was casted. Ready for August to be over and September to come. Gilmore Girl reruns are gettin’ old.

“Sometimes your voice is the loudest when you write it down.”

I saw that on a random search today and thought it was a great quote.

However long ago Bath and Bodyworks had their big sale was the last time I was there. They have a good marketing system down, which is what brought me back to their store tonight. Since their sale, I have been holding onto a coupon for a free product (with any $10 purchase). I’ve done this a couple of times with B&B, actually, every time in the past few years cept for the sale visit. Tonight I walk in with my mission to spend 10 bucks on some silky lotion I had been wanting since trying some at Sarah’s wedding. The sales lady stopped me and greeted me with “You haven’t been in a while!” She was right, but was she just saying that or mistaken me for someone else? I am by no means a regular to this store. I thought it was odd but didn’t ponder too much on it. She asked if Id like to try their new line of lotion and pulled a bottle out of her apron. I said sure and held out my hand. She flipped it over so my palm was now facing the ground and put a dap onto of my hand. Telling me all about the product and rubbing it into my hand for me like someone would during a manicure. I had never had this done before to me. They were slow, there was about a handful of other customers in the store, so I wasn’t sure what this treatment was for. I explain to her that the very reason I was in was for the coupon for the line she was treating me to. She explained the other scents and said they had all but the one she gave me and one other. Of course I liked both of them very much and was unsure why she let me sample the one they didn’t have more left of. I ended up getting some fancy shampoo and condition in travel size for cheap and the silky lotion for half off (plus of course the freebie). Again, rather proud how I made out with a good deal. So has anyone else experienced this special treatment or is it just my Bath and Bodyworks that does this?

I love a good deal. So when walking into Costco the other day and saw all seasons of Friends proudly displayed for $28.99. Very tempting I think to myself. But I was unsure which season I would like to own. I figured I go home, google someone who spent a lot of time and energy putting a listing of shows per season on the internet. Well, then my mom found a 10 dollar off coupon for the Friends. 18.99 for a bran spanken new season of Friends? Oh I am so on that. But wait, there’s more, there’s another 10 bucks rebate if you buy a season of Friends by a certain date. With that, I think that warrants two season of Friends. That’s right, that’s two still in the sealed package seasons of Friends (5, The One Where Everybody Finds Out & 7, I’m a sucker for Monica and Chandler together) for only 27.98 Now is that the bargain of the month or what?

I don’t eat at IHOP often, but when I lived with Carla, we’d always find out selves there in weak moments for their stuffed crepes.

They look them way for a while and we were very sad. Our last time together (in April) our last meal together were stuffed crepes (just had to be).

Now, IHOP has funnel cake?! I know, I need to get myself to IHOP very soon (apparently they are limit time for the summer).

Mixed thoughts from the weekend:

Having an inching to go on a missions trip. Don’t know whether that’s from the overseas letters in a box I rediscovered or listening to Share the Well a lot.

If you aren’t even man enough to give me your number yourself, really don’t bother. Besides, I don’t even really drink wine.

My library has 140 copies of the new Harry Potter book. With 120 holds waiting to read it.

I really do feel it when I’m away from those kids so long. I miss the old 8th graders dearly but having a wonderful time getting to know the new class that took their place.

Buying things off of gift registerys for people turns me selfish. Instead of trying to find their items, I find things I want to register for.

Why do “to do” lists never seem to end? Making a new to do list is always on the to do list.

There are at least four movies out that Id like to see right now but no one or time to watch them.

Training someone at work for the first time. My voice is scratchy from talking so much. Hopefully I will be a good learning coach.

My dad bought the Carol King cd I had thought of buying without knowing. My mom is watching Gilmore Girls without me. Are we around each other too much?

Food of the weekend: bread. In any shape, size or form, it has been welcomed by me. Though, when getting an hamburger, I had a lettuce bun.

Repacking boxes and all Jason’s apartment talk makes me want to move. Moving means shopping (among other things).

Things I meant to think about last weekend did not get thought about this weekend. Has too much time passed by?

Got a new address book. Its cutter than the old one and is getting pencil inside this time.

A little Arbor Mist before work never hurt anyone.

My grandma bought a new car but still drove her old one to church this morning.

I wish I could gather my closest friends in a big hug and plop us all in once place. I miss good friends.

This weekend I will be unable to blog due to the server my blog is hosted at will be down for a bit. Hopefully none of you will be too broken hearted over that. But look what is going to be in the near future: coffeestainedpages.com (My favorite part is the little coffee cup next to the web address.) You can just click on that all weekend if you want some entertainment.

I am the biggest pack rat in the world. Well, that might be a bit of a stretch, I know others (mainly, Laura) who are worse than me. But my gosh, I saved every note, card, ticket sub, picture known to man! Or so it seems like it. Yes, in the mist of those things where letters from past boys. And no I will not post them. Notes from girlfriends where in there. Pen pals. Camp photos. It was sad to let everything but few (still a box full) special pieces to have. For the reason, if nothing else to have a box to go through and go “oh look at this!” “aw, I remember this.” To remember sweet times of my childhood and youth. I just hope to whom I share a house with someday wont mind my pack-ratness ways.

This song by BNL was on the first Friends soundtrack, way back when Friends first came out. A girlfriend (Laura actucally) had it and we listened to it and this song grabbed me. I think it was becasue in Jr Hugh I had a couple of shoesboxes full of notes. I didnt know even till now that the chorus went “shoe box of lies” (unsure what I thought it said). My shoeboxes where not full of lies, but I like the song anyhow. Brings back memories and fits well with going through boxes full of memories in form of paper.

Shoebox by BNL

You’re so nineteen-ninety
And it’s nineteen-ninety-four
Leave this world behind me
‘Cause you don’t want me anymore

I got a rambling message from my friend today. The kind where he just launches right into what he needs to say and then identifies himself.

“Oh yeah, this is Mark, if you couldn’t tell by the sarcasm and bad attitude.”

What are good friends for?

Its days like these when I’m around people who, how shall I say… I get annoyed by rather easy. I don’t know what it is. I try, I really do try to not get annoyed but it always happens. I am a nice person at work well, at least I like to think so. On my last review I was told I have great customer service and get along well with others, which goes with being friendly right? My goal is to be Christ like in every aspect of my life, work, church, family, friends, etc. If I were to be honest, more than Id like to be, most of the time at work I check Jesus at the door. So I’m going off my own steam a lot of times in trying to be nice to people which as we all know is never good. I don’t consciously leave Jesus at the door. I want to please Him, that my reason for being a joyful person not because my job wants me to be. But when it boils down to it, a lot of the times I’m being that way I’m not having the mind-set of pleasing Him. I have been trying to have constant conversation going with Jesus at all times, especially during the more frustrating times. What’s been helpful in this area of my faith that I struggle with is playing a cd that I finally broke down and bought. Its Justin McRobert’s ep cd that I borrowed for many moons from Carla when we lived together. Its a simple 9 song worship set, just him and the geetar. Its wonderful to get into the worship mindset when walking into a place I find very hard to be in a worshipful mind set. So, along with me sharing a struggle I’m actually uncomfortable sharing (the things you say when hiding behind a keyboard and screen) I’m telling you to go check out this cd.

July 2nd

I forgot to mention a very important part of my stay with Rachel (Adams). Sarah couldn’t pair me up with a more perfect person to stay with, simply because she understood the need for coffee in weak moments. She not make fun, she understood. There are few people who do really understand the need for coffee. I mean, we were a smidge late to the rehearsal and in we walked in with Starbucks cups in hand. Women and coffee, the super bridesmaid combo.

So Rachel and I drive a few streets down to pick up Sarah for her noon hair appointment (which was located right behind an “adult” store. What a landmarker). During our outing of seeing Sarah get curled up and a Princess Leila look (not buns on the side, Return of the Jedi hair style). It was so perfect for Sarah on her wedding day. It had a soft twist on the side, that too me looked like a wreath which was perfect. Rachel (Brown) came by for the last touches and drove Sarah home while Rachel (Adams) and I took a quick trip over to Wal Mart for wedding supplies. What I mean by wedding supplies is hair stuff for us girls and things to decorate the get away car, you know, like any good bridesmaids would. We both were hungry and so Rachel took me to a local favorite, Bodo’s Bagels which was very yummy. I was glad to be able to take part of a local thing since I didn’t get to pay a visit to Mudhouse like I had planned. After grabbing lunch to go, we went back to Rachel’s house to grab our dresses and getting ready bags and off to the church we went.

Sarah had told us that we had a Sunday School room to get ready in. That’s nice, we thought, a whole big private room to get ready in. But one thing Sarah was a bit uneasy about was that there was a big cut out of Satin on the wall. Not really the thing you want as you get ready to get married, you know? Andrea did the nice thing and covered big old Satin with sheets with a flower print on them. The bouquets arrived and where so pretty (all roses). Us bridesmaids started to get dressed instead of trying to do our hair then getting out of our clothes into our dresses. Elisa grab the wrong dress and there was a small panic why her dress was so big when it wasn’t that big when she tried it on not too long before. She still had to be sewn into her dress as to not have it fall down (strapless dresses can be a pain if just a bit too big. The attention should be on the bride, not the bridesmaid dress falling down). We did each others hair, as well as us non-hairdresser could. It was a lot of fun, being girly with one another and doing hair. I worked a big on Rachel’s (Brown) hair but feel short because her hair is so thick and wavy, nothing like mine so I didn’t think to get an extra holding onto it. She looked beautiful the same. The photographer was running a little late, but Sarah’s friend Hannah took some before she arrived. Once she did, show time started and out we went to take nice pictures with Sarah (no boys allowed). The fireroom (I believe that’s what it was called) in the church was perfect for the seating to take photos the way she had planned. Lots and lots of pictures, and that was only the beginning.

Before we knew it, the time had arrived. We gathered together and walked down the hall, giggling like girls do who are just so happy for their friend. We lined up waiting for our cue to walk down the isle. As promised, I made a silly face at Brandon as I arrived pass the rows of guests. I told him I would, but got a little scared once seeing the preacher. I had forgotten him seeing me do this very unproper thing at a wedding. But you only live once right? I took my place between Andrea and Rachel (Brown) and got a view of Rachel’s back for most of the ceremony. Rachel played for a few songs so I had the job of holding Sarah’s, Rachel’s and my bouquets which became heavy as time went on. It was a nice ceremony, despite being in heels the whole time. We took more photos, during breaks I got to visit with Jason and the .netters (Geof, Chalee, Dawn, Katey and Christiana) who had come a distance to be apart of this blessed event. It was great to see them at the first .net marriage. Finishing up a ton of photos (I don’t know how bride and grooms do it. This coming from a girl who wants lots of photos at her own wedding) we lined up again to enter the reception.

I was introduced as being from California, formally from Alabama. That made me smile since its true, just probably not in the scene as many thought. The wedding party sat at the head table and ate yummy food and visited with the folks who came up to the table. I got to see an old friend whom I hadn’t seen in three years, last time I was in Va. Chit-chat with Aaron (groomsmen who I walked in) to my left and to my right the best man and maid of honor, both who were a bit nervous over their speeches. Both turned out lovely, not that I doubted them at all. After watching the first dance of Brandon and Sarah Cozart (or as I like to call them, the cozy couple) and doing the traditional wedding party dance, we prepared to make our escape. We (the wedding party) got locked out of our first route to the car (because we would of been seen) but after the best man drove it around front to “load presents” we unscrewed the caps of toothpaste and unrolled streamers. It was a great bonding time for us all. We went back in, as to not be missed and took more photos and a little more song and dance then got ready to throw rose petals at the newly weds. Then there was a big delay for them leaving when an over stuffed trunk and a good hard shove to shut it. After some cords were attached, the couple where on their way.

After a quick clean up of the get ready room, Rachel and I accompanied Andrea to Chilis for a late night hang out and good byes with the groomsmen. At first, the thought was nice but after sitting there, both of us just feeling so out of it from being so tired, we said good byes and well wishes to the boys and went home for some rest. Mine that ending way too soon, but for breakfast with the NC girls and Mark and Karyn.

June 29th - July 1st

It rained every single night while I was on the east coast. So of course while flying over the country the thunder and lighting got so bad that we had to circle above Virginia for about an hour. While we did that, Rachel, my host friend in Charlottesville who was waiting for me at the airport got worried that I was in Norfolk. Apparently my flight disappeared from the status screen and replaced with being cancelled and landed in Norfolk. Luckily, she did not leave the airport and we found each other and made a very long drive in the rain. I saw fireflies for the first time since being in Alabama and was just in aw of them. I think Rachel must of thought I was nutty how excited I got over the glowing bugs.

After finishing up the long drive back, we got some sleep then headed over to Sarah’s house to put together the wedding programs. The other Elisa was there, in which I realized in that moment, the four of us (Sarah, Rachel, Elisa and myself) had been together in Charlottesville three years ago (and a few months). It was fun to be together again and catch up on each others lives since seeing one another. We cut ribbon, folded programs and stressed over wedding details for a few hours then headed out to be apart of the bacholortte party being thrown by the maid of honor. On the way to the Thai restaurant (one of Sarah’s favorite places to eat) Sarah and Elisa got rear-ended. What a horrible way of starting off wedding events now isn’t it? Elisa’s car was fine, but the girls who hit her wasn’t so. Quickly, the girls made it to the restaurant where we all became to scared to tired the real spicy dishes. Rachel (Brown) and I upped our spice a little, which was plenty; Thai food should be spicy. Then it was off to a girly picnic with sparkling cider and yummy cake on a hill at a local park. After eating, like any good bridesmaids should, we dressed Sarah up as a “flower princess”. Then we took her to CVS and Blockbuster in her get-up. Needless to say, she was not as happy with the idea as we were. The boys came into town from a day in DC to met us all during a paused session of “The Empires New Groove” (very funny movie). Awkward moments were had by all in the introducing of the wedding party to each other, but loosed up a little while later after spending more time with each other (and them bringing us girls back treats).

Retiring at a very late hour, as with the rest of our nights, sleeping was held till Rachel and I had to become “Super Bridesmaids” because Sarah had a bride need she just couldn’t attend to herself. We deemed Rachel’s car “Super Bridesmaid Mobil” and arrived at the bridesmaid lunch right on time. We ate lots of yummy food, including a delicious salad mixed with everything from peanuts to strawberries to chicken. Sounds strange but so so good. All the ladies who where out of town and close to Sarah (friends and family) were there and it was neat to see all these women in one place. Sarah gave us bridesmaids wonderful gifts, along with her mom and Brandon’s mom. Lets just say I am set on jewelry for pretty much rest of my life (this coming from a girl who wears very very little of it). After the lunch Rachel and I went back to her place for a couple hours of rest (both of us feeling out of sorts with her cold and my jet-lag) before heading over to the church for rehearsal. Three times is always the charm, as was getting the walking down at the right time right and all. Then we went to dinner at a country club that had the best food I’ve had in a very long time. The day was the day of very wonderful food. A plot to get a groomsmen and bridesmaid together was the talk of the night for sure. While Sarah went home, the rest of the wedding party (including Brandon) went out for some drinks and late night talk before the big day.

This evening, I’m very thankful for Diet Coke. This particular can is from my secret stash. Since I am not the only one who drinks Diet Coke in this house and it always seems to be gone when I’m in need of a Diet Coke, like now. In the place where the Diet Coke is normally is, there is a case of Lime Coke. Coke lovers, do any of you like this stuff? Seriously, I like lime. I am a lime girl. Lime chips, yummy. Lime splashed over my food? Yum yum. But this drink, it just taste like their is mouth wash in my Coke which is not a good combo. Not that any of you are here for my enjoyment of my Diet Coke sitting her besides me keeping me company. You all are here for an update right? Wondering how my trip was? I sure the heck hope so because do I have stories for you. I have decided to do it installments since its a rather long story with basically three different parts: the before wedding events, the wedding and time in Greensboro. I hope yall don’t get bored or I drag it out (I can do that time to time). I’m still tired from my travels and I feel a cold coming on. So I’m going to take care of it by finishing off my Diet Coke.