Life, as it is. Happy

Its a good life. Thank God I'm alive to hear the little pops outside my window, take a walk outside when the sun's out, breath in the fresh air, to enjoy a bite of dirt pudding with my family, and to take my girls to the mall on the weekends. Thank God I have the most wonderful friends in the world who love me!! And thank God for my dear friend punk, who makes me laugh, and talks with me when I'm lonely and bored! LOL :-D Life couldn't be much better!

Spa

Its soo good to be home! It was great to be on vacation, but its great to be home again too. The other day I got to spend the day with some friends, and got to occupy one of thier little boys while they shopped for school supplies. He is the cutest little guy!

My mom, sister, friend, and I went to a "Spa". It was alot of fun, we got to try nearly all the products, and have an arm massage. When we were done we all felt very pampered!

I missed my girls while I was gone, its good to be back at work!

The Journey Home. February 19, 2010

Maryland, Snowy, Miserable but Beautifully White
Lots of Snow when I entered West Virginia still...

I didn't hear my alarm go off.

I woke up and blinked at the alarm clock at the side of the bed, seemed so weird to be in Ana's house without her there, 3:34 am... wow... its late! I had planned to leave earlier than that! I jumped out of bed stumbling with sleepyness and stretched..WAKE UP SARAH LEIGH!!! I had packed everything the night before, so all I had to do was wash my teeth, brush my face, grab my purse and a couple other items, and say goodye to the little yellow house.

After I climbed in my car I consulted my maps to be sure of where I was headed, then as I pulled out onto the little windy road, I prayed for protection over me and my car, that the ride home would be a smooth one.

The ride was great, until I was in Maryland, and falling alseep so bad, about 4:00 am that I thought I might find a McDonalds and sleep a bit, when I pulled off the highway onto the ramp, I discovered that there was a ton of snow on the road, and the wind was blowing the snow like a frozen hurricane on that mountainside! I turned around and headed back to the highway, where the roads were alittle clearer. After a few close calls, and white outs, I drove as carefully as I could until I saw the welcoming sign of a McDonalds, and pulled off. Thankfully finding the bathroom I freshened up a little, and was contemplating getting some breakfast when a dude walks into the bathroom shouting.. "hello!" Just as quickly his eyes widened and he turned around and walked out again. I laughed to myself. When I went out he was seated at the closest table and he apologized. I told him it was ok, he was just going to do some cleaning. We chatted for awhile, then he got me a couple sausage egg breakfast wraps. I found a nice little booth that was kinda hidden, and fell asleep for about a half hour. I woke up, it was pretty light out, should I take off again? I did, and before too long I had entered West Virginia, the snow tapered off, and the sun came out, It was turning out to be a beautiful day!

The day passed quickly, I sang, stopped whenever I felt like it to visit walmart. At one walmart I decided, after struggling to see out of my windshield that I was going to buy some new windshield wipers, and put them on my car. I was shivering in the cold trying to figure out how in the world you get the crazy things off when a really nice man came up and helped me figure it out. He was tall, with red hair, balding just a bit. After he left I managed to get the other one on, and was on my way again! Man was it cold out there tho!! Whew!

I was almost to Warsaw Indiana, when I get a call from my little big brother, Steve, "Can you come give me a jump??? Hum... I'll give ya a call when I get close to home, and see if you still need one ok?" I was in Warsaw Indiana, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel when my little sister told me on the phone that mom and dad might be at Applebees, and that my little brother was making me supper so I could eat when I got home. I stopped and drove around the parking lot of applebees tho, looking for mom and dad's van, no such luck, they were prolly at walmart or something having a blast shopping, and I was exhausted, I kept heading toward home. I stopped at Steve's, and gave him a jump, gave him and Tom big hugs.. felt so good to be home.

When I got home the kids were so happy to see me, and I was so happy to see them, they helped me pull everything out of my car, it was wonderful to get unpacked. We ate supper of Macaroni and Cheese.. :-D Which my brothers burned the cheese sauce to the first time around, and I had to show them how to use velveeta to make it again lol... I love my little brothers. Somewhere in there I remember falling alseep on the couch amidst my family talking around me, then nothing... I was out. I was HOME.

Shoes, Cup, and Cork Club

The awesomest Chandelier!!! :D
MMM MMM good!! and so purty!

The name of the Coffee Shop

We got into the car and headed for the Winery, we were chatting away, when Ana says, oh.. its 4:15, do you think we will even have time to do any tasting before they start closing up? Usually they close the Wine bar 15 minutes at least before the actual closing time. I called the Winery, yup, they said the Wine bar closes at 4:45. RATS! Oh well, What to do now? Ana knew of a little coffee shop in Leesburg that she had been wanting to try, so, not willing to turn down a cup of coffee and the awesome atmosphere of a coffee house, of course I agreed that we definately needed to check out the Shoes, Cup, and Cork Club.

It was the sweetest little place! Very unique, they had old shoe making contraptions sitting in the window, along with what I believe might have been a cobblers bench. We walked in, and who was sitting there reading a paper or something but the young bar tender we had met at The Wine Kitchen the night before!! We were sitting, chatting away when I looked up and did a double take... was that boots hanging from the ceiling???? Yep, it was...

There was a couple, maybe thier second date that settled to our left, between us and the bartender guy, and they were talking and laughing away, definately seeming to hit it off, there were two teenage girls, one with a mouthful of braces discussing whatever teenage girls can discuss so passionately, and a few other people at the other tables in the room.

Soon enough we decided we were getting hungry, so we headed home, and made taco dip!! yummy! The evening was pretty quiet, I think we were both dreading the coming goodbye. At about ten o clock pm Ana took me to the little parking lot to get my car, and helped me load it up with my stuff then we stood looking at each other, both fighting back tears... "I always hate this part!!!" Ana said, and we both laughed as we hugged and said good bye. She left, I headed back to her house to sleep a few hours then start off early in the morning for home.

February 18, 2010

An old barn!

New Haircut...

The cutest little house!

An office building! Gorgeous!

My last day in Virginia I spent at the Outlet Mall for a long while, speed shopping thru the other half of the stores, that Ana and I hadn't covered before. By about 2:00 pm I was getting pretty tired, I'm not a hard core shopper usually lol. So I decided to set out in search of a Hair place. The girl in Claire's had kindly pointed me North saying, somewhere over there is one... lol. So I went "over there" I found a Walmart, and I thought maybe there would be a salon in the Walmart, but it didn't seem to be that way. On my way out of the parking lot, I noticed that there was a place called A cut Above (I think). So I decided to take a chance and try it out. I went in, and every worker there was foriegn, and there was even an older man cutting a man's hair. I asked how much a cut would cost and the lady told me, I thought it wasn't too bad, so I waited. They led me to the back, washed my hair, which I had just washed that morning, but oh well, and then pointed me toward the man's seat. Huh? I was alittle freaked out, a GUY cutting my hair??? Never done that before!!! I swallowed my fear, and told myself that he wouldn't be working there unless he had a talent, and took the seat offered.

He asked me what I would like done with my hair, and I asked him to make bangs, and layer it, and please take off the split ends that have been driving me nuts. "Oh, you want a bang.. we make a bang for you" He smiled and nodded. "I take off this much? This ok?" He held his comb about two inches above the bottom of my hair, I nodded.. Whatever it takes to get rid of the split ends.. And he started chopping. I watched carefully how he styled my bangs, not having seen any one use a blow dryer before to style them, and liking the way they turned out, decided to go buy me one of those round brushes so I could copy the style myself. I wasn't so sure about the way he straightened it all.... I paid him, and gave him a generous tip wondering if he was supporting a family on this income.

He finished just in time! It was about 3:30, so I headed over to where Ana works, I was supposed to meet her so that we could head over to the Winery for a tour. We planned it that way, becuz the winery closed at 5, so to go we would have to leave from Leesburg. It took awhile for her to get out of her meeting, so I took a walk, the sunshine was gorgeous that day, and I wanted to get the most of it! lol, I walked down the road a ways, I had seen some really neat buildings, some of which didn't look like they were being used, So I went and checked them out. Later Ana told me that they were going to eventually use all of them, restore them, and use them for school buildings! This isn't common in Indiana.. usually we just tear down old buildings... I like the thought of using whatever we got :) Lotta history in them old barns!

Evening on the town

Pajama Party!!

At The Wine Kitchen

Glass of Wine at the Wine Kitchen in Leesburg

Last course.. Creme Brule and Espresso at The Eiffel Tower

At the Eiffel Tower

Roses on the Table... French Waiter

The table setups at The Eiffel Tower

Ready to go!

Ready for the night out

I went shopping at Kohls for awhile, then went to starbucks and watched people come and go, and wrote for awhile, it was so nice!!! Then Ana called, she was out of work, so we met at the Outlet Mall down the street from there, and walked around till our noses and ears were frozen.

We went home and put on our makeup and got prettied up for the night. We went to a little french restaurant calle The Eiffel Tower, it was sooo neat, we walked in, and the waiter pulled the table out for Ana, who was sitting on a booth against the wall, then pushed it in, and held out my chair for me to sit down. He had the sweetest french accent, I loved it when he said Fillet Mignon.. lol. Sounded so cool. We both had sparkling water and put lime in it, then he brought us a "pallate teaser" of little peices of toast with Anchovie dip on top. Then he brought us our next course of Soup/Salad, I had a cream of Tomato soup, and Ana had a ceasar salad. Our next course was a codfish baked with a creamy parmesan sauce and a special rice.. can't remember the name... but it was really good, creamy stuff, and asparagus. Soo yummy.. the most ever spent on a meal.. but it was really neat. For Dessert we had Creme Brule with Espresso.. sooooo yummy, man alive, I am so inlove lol.

After we got done there we headed over to meet Ana's boyfriend who was waiting for us at a little wine bar five minutes away called The Wine Kitchen. It was the sweetest little place, we sat at the bar, sipped wine and chatted with the owner. Loved that place, I'd definately go back to that one.

Ready

Ready to go out

February 16, 2010

AWESOME SNOW!!!
7:30 am Sunrise

We woke up pretty early, the sunrise was so beautiful. Ana got ready for work, then we got into her car, she took me to where my car was parked. Along the way we saw a whole family of deer cross the road. I didn't know there was such a thing as one lane bridges!! lol, but here there is! You have to yeild to oncoming traffic. Good thing Ana pointed this out to me, or I mighta just been driving through not thinking about it!! :D. The day was so gorgeous, I revelled in the sunshine, Ana's little home is mostly windows, so I enjoyed my day in the sunshine while catching up my blog. As the day passed, I began to get a really bad headache, even after taking some meds. By the time Ana called me to tell me that she was off work I was seriously feeling sick, laying down on her bed. I made myself get up and put on makeup, get ready so that we could hang in the evening tho. She texted me about 5:00 and said she was ready to meet me at the post office, so I drove over, and we switched cars again. We came home, Ana had brought me some Coconut Oil, I have never heard of this, but she told me to warm it up and rub some on my tummy where it was hurting, so I did, and it helped immensely!! Sweet! We made the yummiest pasta dish!! Shrimp, wheat noodles, peas, onions, celery, Tomatos, then mix it all together with a couple Tablespoons Olive Garden Italian Dressing, and a little Feta Cheese.. mmmm mmm good! After Supper I was feeling alot better, so we left to go to Ana's work, but we were stopped by a car that had tried to jump the 5 foot drift on the side of the street, and alot of cars were stopped, blocking traffic. Ana was afraid to turn around, because of the drifts on either side of the road, but finally we decided we'd better, or we might be there for awhile. She made it with flying colors!! LOL, but she was yelling at the oncoming truck... STOP!! STOP!!! I'm here!! lol. We went back to the house to look for alternative routes, but decided to try the other way again, and it was all clear, we could see the huge marks in the snow where the car had jumped up onto the snow drifts.. Ana said that Virginia people really don't know how to drive in Snow.. I think she may be right. We went into Leesburg and parked behind this tiny little chiropracters office. We snuck in the back door, and she showed me around the old building. I love all the old buildings out here!! I swept all the floors, while she did the dusting, and cleaning, then we drove around Leesburg awhile looking at all the little shops and stuff, Leesburg is really a darling town!! We got a movie at Red Box, then came home, it was already getting late, but we made parfaits with sf pudding, toasted Coconut, and nuts, and Whipped Topping.. with Cinnamon on top.. it was SSSOOO yummy!! We had a pajama party and ate our Parfaits, then I fell asleep while she was doing something.. lol.. I felt like an old person, but I was so tired. I slept so well all night, then about 7 I woke up to hear Ana moving around trying to be quiet. TIME TO GET UP!!! lol I laid there for awhile, thinking about life. I have been hoping to hear from a good friend, to hang out, but I haven't really. I am guessing I won't get to see this person this visit, and it makes me kinda sad, but I know the ppl God has in my life in each moment is who He wants in it, so I will try to trust Him. I looked at my phone, 7:28, yep, better move.. why not make some breakfast? hmmm... Ana only had alittle applesauce for breakfast yesterday.... I got up, and threw on a sweater, and started exploring the kitchen. Made some eggs and toast, with an orange. Simple, but I knew it might hold over better than applesauce would. We did the whole car swapping thing again today, so that I would have a vehicle today. I think I might get off here and go do the dishes and get cleaned up, and maybe go back to Leesburg to explore, or go drive out in the country side.... You never know what today holds...

Home Sweet Virginia

Supper
The finished Product
Little spices
Sauted

Slice and Dice

I stumbled out of the car, staring at Ana like I had never seen her before, so tired, I couldn't even think of anything to say to her. We got back into our vehicles and left, she led, and I followed, through town, then out into the country on a narrow twisty, curvy road. We stopped in a little parking area for the local post office, and transfered my suitcase to her car. I barely registered when we came to a gorgeous yellow house with White trim. I got all moved in, then laid down, I slept for about 2 hours, it felt so good. When I woke up she was making supper. We chatted while making supper, it was really nice, had a glass of wine with our chicken veggie soup, and toast, made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Then had a nice hot shower, and felt all warm and fuzzy outside too! :D. I slept well that night! Only waking once about 2 oclock when my sugars got low.

7:28 PM, Wined, Dined, Brushed, Washed, Total Relaxation.

The Journey

6:59 pm On my way North!!

1:00 am South Carolina

I was determined to make it into North Carolina before stopping to sleep, at about 2:00 AM I was nearly to the NC boarder, but was really tired, so I stopped to go to the B-room, and walk around a bit. I noticed there were about 7 other cars parked there sleeping, so I parked in the middle of them, pulled out my blanket and slept until I woke up, about 4:00 am. I was really out of it, but I got back on the highway. Once the sun started coming up I was good to go.

Just South of North Carolina there was a restaurant called South of the Border...

5:00 am.

I took this picture in the North Carolina Welcome Center, when I passed Raliegh North Carolina area I sent a message to a friend, I knew his parents lived close by, if you are in NC I'm passing you and waving!!! WOO HOO!

9:00 am

YES!! I made it to Virginia!!!

Somewhere in there I was getting really low on gas, so I decided to stop at the next town, but they only had 1 gas station there, so I decided to keep on going to the next town. "Ahhh, I can make it!" Hummm.. right. I get to the town, there are about 5 gas stations, so I am happy, but somehow I made a wrong turn, and ended up back on 95 going south, back toward the town I had just passed. Oh No!!! I was almost positive I didn't have enough gas left to get me back to that town... :S. I was on the ramp into town when the car started slowing down. I began to pray... "oh God please..." I looked for the BP station that had been advertised on the highway, it wasn't near. Kitty corner from the stop was a different one. I looked both ways, a semi was coming on my right, but it was going pretty slow, and if I let my car stop, I knew it wouldn't keep going.... so I kept it floored, and somehow I managed to get it up that ramp, thru the stop sign, (without stopping) across the street to the other side and it rolled to a complete stop in front of the closest pump. My heart was beating so wildly. What if I had been on the highway?? I know there was an angel pushing my car up that ramp!!!

I stopped for some protein at a BK about 2 hours b4 I got to Ana's, washed my face, and tried to get some energy. There were two girls there that I made friends with and chatted to while they were on thier breaks.

As I drove thru Warrenton I was flooded with memories of when I was here last time. I was getting so excited, but I knew I was about exhausted, just gotta keep going.. alittle farther. The abundant snow was magnificent on the hills tho, every turn of the road brought new and better pictures into my view. I love it!!!

1:00 pm Arrived in Purcellville Virginia

I pulled into the Giant Grocery store in Purcellville, I felt like my brain was a lifeless lump of mush. After calling Ana I fell asleep in my car until she knocked on my car window, making me jump about a mile.

I made it....

February 14th VALENTINES DAY!!

Sunday was SUCH a beautiful day!!
Ate lunch at Cici's Pizza
Grandpa and I
Noah and I
Grandma and I

Ready for Church Sunday Morning!!

At Grandma and Grandpa's church the worship leader is WONDERFUL!! I totally enjoyed his playing and singing. I coulda listened and sang along all day!! We met some really sweeeet ppl! After church a young lady, I think she might have been a little autistic, came up to me and told me she was going to keep me.. lol, she kept giving me hugs, and talking to me about stuff. She was fun.

So, yesterday after church we went to Cici's Pizza and stuffed ourselves- TOTALLY!! It was really good. I think I remember the guy that was at the counter, seems like he was there the year b4 too. Reminded me of Ben Hershburger alot.

After Grandpa got his cinnamon rolls, we left there and went home where we took pictures. The day was actually WARM! It was so awesome out. I packed most of my stuff, then went outside and layed in the yard, soon Noah, Grandma, then Grandpa joined me, and we talked and goofed off. Grandma's friend Pauline came over, she is from North Carolina and has the most AWESOME accent! LOL. She sounded just like one of my girls, that one guy talked alittle like that too. She told some stories about her childhood, how there were 12 people in a 2 bedroom home, she had 8 sisters I think, and one brother. After she left a couple that lives across the street from Gma's came, they were really nice ppl also!

I sat in the sun for little over an hour, then went in and tried to take a nap, all I could think about was my trip up to Ana's, and think about that guy that I'm trying not to love any more. The thoughts were just whirling around in my head and I knew I'd better just give up on sleeping, so I finished packing, walked to the store with granpa and Noah, helped gma make salads for supper, then ate with them, and said goodbye. I got into my car, bowed my head, and prayed for protection, when I finished praying, I looked up and through the tears in my eyes saw Grandma watching me out the front window of thier trailer. Then the journey began.....

Around Gma and Gpa L's

Noe, Latte's and computer at Mcd's
Yo, writing in my Journal

Walking to my FAVE McDonalds in the world!

Grandpa playing Zuma

Noe, playing Zuma

February 13, 2010, Saturday

Noah's awesomely huge cheeseburger!!!

Gma and Gpa L at the 2 Minute Restaurant

Two minute man


Noah Lee and I at 2 Min Restaurant

Today was a WONDERFUL day!!! We got breakfast, I still had tears on my face from crying about that guy when I went out to eat. Grandma had made us eggs and toast, it was REALLY good. After breakfast got a shower, felt SO SO SO good. Put on makeup, then we went to walmart to get grandpa's meds. I helped grandma pick out a belt too. She's tired of her jeans falling around her hips... hee hee.

After that we got in the van, and Gpa took us to the 2 minute restaurant. I got to meet the 2 minute man!! Woo hoo! Been wanting to meet him since Grandma told Ana and I about him last year. He's a little chinese guy, doesn't speak very good english. :). The food was WONDERFUL! I got fried haddock, Noah had a HUGE cheeseburger.. lol.

When we finished we were all SO full, ready for naps, but we piled into the van, and went to Lakeland Mall. It was HUGE!! WOW! Noah said that Grandma and I were in JcPenny's for 2 hours. I don't know, but we got some good deals. She got 2 pr. shorts, and some bra's and a nice top. I was just having fun, but I've been wanting a nice dress for a LONG time. I saw a couple and grabbed them to try on, when Gma and I were waiting to try on stuff a lady came by and put her unwanted dresses on the rack, she looked about my size, so I picked up some of the dresses she'd had, and they were 16's, so I tried a couple of them too. I didnt think they'd fit cuz whenever I've tried size 16 b4 they were all too small. Today, the first white dress was SO gorgeous! It was hard to zip at the top. Heh, I could have worn it, but woulda been pretty self conscious of the low cut in front. Just to busty I guess. :P. The next dress looked nice on me, but I wasn't wowed by it, but it fit! The next was teal, and looked SO pretty! It fit perfectly. I was shocked! The next was all black, was cute, but I wasn't in love with it. Fit really well tho. I didn't know which to choose! DUDE! its been so long since dresses like that fit me. I got the teal one with a black thing to wear over it. Its so pretty. I can't wait to wear it! I just got back from Walmart looking for shoes to wear with it, but no such luck... :(. I'm really tired.. sigh

We came back from Lakeland, Noah and I walked over to McDonalds for awhile, I bought us SF vanilla Latte's, they weren't half bad :). Came home, ate supper, played games- Grandpa is totally HOOKED on ZUMA! I'm so glad I got it for them. LOL. He is so funny. He really gets into things, he sits and watches Noah play and giggles to himself every once in awhile! lol.

Well, Punk has been talking to me alot since I've got IM on my phone. Today I talked to Jeff, and Chris too! =) What fun! Punk told me tonight that he wished he were here with me playing games and hanging out tonight. Hmmm... I can tell Valentines day is tomorrow, all the guys are lonely. Me too.. sigh

February 12, 2010 Friday

The sunset on the way back north to Gma and Gpa L's

Noah and Grandpa at the restaurant we went to.
Grandma and I at the restaurant we went to

Grandpa and I at church

The restaurant we took Gma and Gpa to for supper

We passed this truck on the way south to Avon Park

Grandpa in the gazebo by the lake

The little lake in Avon Park where Gma and Gpa live

Grandpa, Grandma, and I in front of thier trailer

So, last night was a ton of fun. We ate supper with Gma and Gpa, then we played Phase 10, and Greedy together. Watched Chuck for awhile, but I was SOOO tired. :-s. I went to bed b4 even Grandpa did.

Today we got up early and left for Gma and Gpa T's. We got there in about exactly 2 hours. It was fun, mostly listened to stories the whole time. Went for a walk around the camp ground, ate sandwiches and macaroni salad for lunch, then we went to meeting. After that we sang together for awhile, and talked more till it quit pouring rain, then Noah and I took them out to eat at Olympic, a really nice restaurant close by thier campground. I got fried fish and Mashed Potatoes with gravy, pretty good stuff!! I hope that Grandpa's sugars will be ok tho, he got the same thing I did. Both he and Grandma seem to be aging alot. :(. He isn't able to walk very well any more, bu he's still really funny. I recorded alot of the stories he and Grandma told on my phone. Maybe I can type them out some day. They were sad to see us leave, but I was so tired by 8:00 when we got home to Gma and Gpa L's.

Grandma was writing her addresses and putting them in her new address book. :) She asked me to sign it. She made it to the F's before stopping for the night. She helped me figure out how to get up to Ana's. YAY!! so excited to be going up there!~ Then she showed me all her pictures that she had on her computer till I was about to fall asleep. I really am SOO exhausted and I don't know how, or when, I'm gonna catch up on sleep. I'd better use the internet tomorrow to search for a hotel in Purcellville for Sunday or Monday night, whichever day I go up there.