Hot Like Ebola!!!: November 2005

So, the bills from the unfortunate toothpick fiasco have flooded in during the past week. The current rough tally:
Amount paid during procedure= +350
surgery cost= -2,385
ER cost= -1,200
imaging costs (ultrasound)= -250
amount donated to us by church (thank God)= +1,100
our leftover from wedding gifts "emergency money"= 500
estimated amount we are still short= 2,300.
cost of plane tickets home for X-mas= 600
Pray for us. I know it will work out somehow, but I still can't find a job and I'm a little tiny bit panicked right now.

p.s. if you can tell me where that quote came from, i'll think you are super cool!

:: submitted by Jenevieve, 4:57 AM | link |

27 November 2005

Scripture

0 pathogens detected

This was our Old Testament Scripture today:
Isaiah 64:1-9

Oh, that you would rip open the heavens and descend,

make the mountains shudder at your presence--

As when a forest catches fire,

as when fire makes a pot to boil--

To shock your enemies into facing you,

make the nations shake in their boots!

You did terrible things we never expected,

descended and made the mountains shudder at your presence.

Since before time began

no one has ever imagined,

No ear heard, no eye seen, a God like you

who works for those who wait for him.

You meet those who happily do what is right,

who keep a good memory of the way you work.

But how angry you've been with us!

We've sinned and kept at it so long!

Is there any hope for us? Can we be saved?

We're all sin-infected, sin-contaminated.

Our best efforts are grease-stained rags.

We dry up like autumn leaves--

sin-dried, we're blown off by the wind.

No one prays to you

or makes the effort to reach out to you

Because you've turned away from us,

left us to stew in our sins.

Still, GOD, you are our Father.

We're the clay and you're our potter:

All of us are what you made us.

Don't be too angry with us, O GOD.

Don't keep a permanent account of wrongdoing.

Keep in mind, please, we are your people--all of us.

And here was the NT Scripture:
Mark 13:24-37
"But in those days, following that distress,
" 'the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'

"At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

"Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' "

It just really hit me this morning. Peace of Christ be with y'all.

:: submitted by Jenevieve, 4:59 PM | link |

26 November 2005

Back in the Saddle

1 pathogens detected

Matt and I went to visit Lacey and Scott this weekend for Thanksgiving. We got in on Wednesday afternoon, and hung out in their awesome trailer, warming ourselves by their wood-burning stove. When they came home, we watched *Best In Show* and ate the goodies I had baked for their gift basket. On Thanksgiving, Lacey and I went riding for about 4 hours. Yes!!!! I feel so good right now. Thanksgiving was quite tasty, and we watched *The Emperor's New Groove* when we arrived back at the trailer, stuffed with turkey and pie. Mmmmm....

Anyway, we made the trek back to Spokane today. We listened to *Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince* on the way back, and continued listening for the rest of this evening. Ahh, what a good book, and Jim Dale is SO good.

Happy Advent season, guys! Peace of Christ!

:: submitted by Jenevieve, 5:12 AM | link |

20 November 2005

Tasty, Tasty

0 pathogens detected

Made some of these crackers this morning. I think tins of these are going to go in our holiday gift baskets. The recipe comes from Matt's Grandpa Jim.

Jim's Crackers

2 (13 oz.) packages oyster crackers
1 package Hidden Valley dry ranch mix
2 tsp dill weed
1 cup buttery popcorn oil

Preheat oven to 275 F. Combine all ingredients in a wide, shallow baking dish. Bake 15-20 minutes, stirring 3 or 4 times. Cool and serve. Keeps in airtight package for about 10 days, though they won't last that long.

:: submitted by Jenevieve, 4:48 PM | link |

Childrens' Books Meme

1 pathogens detected

Tagged (in a manner of speaking) by Running2ks:

Earliest book you remember (read to you or by you)- Hmmm... the earliest thing anyone remembers me reading is "Architectural Digest"... Oh. I got it. My brother and I used to read and reread "Ferdinand" compulsively.
Picture Book you would like to climb into- Runnink2ks tempted me with "Harold and the Purple Crayon", but I think I'd rather climb into "Where the Wild Things Are". I mean, really.
Favorite series of books (then or now)- (Hangs head in shame) Probably The Babysitter's Club, or The Saddle Club. Yeah, I know. It's not good. Now, probably Harry Potter, though I love LOTR and The Chronicles of Narnia, too.
Character you would most like to meet -Probably Aslan. Or Eomer. Or Aragorn. Pretty much any of the good guys in LOTR.
Last childhood book you re-read (for yourself or to someone) -I read some story about a huge, rolling pumpkin to my nephews. I don't remember the name of it, though. I also read the first 10 of A Series of Unfortunate Events.
And I'll add one:
Favorite Childhood Book- Either "Bridge to Tarabithia" or "Where the Red Fern Grows".

:: submitted by Jenevieve, 4:03 PM | link |

Here's Chloe!

1 pathogens detected

I don't know what's up with me and the skimpy tank tops, by the by. Usually (like right now) I am in a sweatshirt. Guess the snakes inspired me... hmm...

:: submitted by Jenevieve, 3:13 AM | link |

Ooh, a Picture

1 pathogens detected

Well, since I haven't posted many pictures lately, here's one of me and Handsome, one of our two beautiful snakes.

I'll try to post one of Chloe soon, too.

:: submitted by Jenevieve, 3:06 AM | link |

19 November 2005

Matt's Grammatically Correct Wit

0 pathogens detected

"I'm nothing if not clever! I just think you can be clever and spell correctly at the same time... if you're going to quote me, you should also add something about how I hate your body, because that seems to be the trend as of late."

:: submitted by Jenevieve, 6:46 PM | link |

There you have it.

4 pathogens detected

I got my first definitive answer from a vet school today!

"We have determined that you are not qualified to be considered for admission to the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine in the 2006 application cycle. Thank you for your interest in NC State University."

Thanks, North Carolina. You face isn't qualified, punks!

:: submitted by Jenevieve, 4:36 AM | link |

Movie Reviews

1 pathogens detected

Matt and I saw *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire* tonight. Some good parts (like the ferret and priori incantatem), some bad parts (the 1st 15 minutes). Overall, I liked the 3rd movie better, but I still enjoyed this one. This movie (like the book) definitely had the best ending. I can even say that while saying that GOF was my least favorite of the books. Best. Ending. Ever.

About a week ago we saw *Jarhead*. That one we didn't like so much. If a movie is going to be hopeless and suicidally depressing, at least have some genuine comic relief, you know?

In the past week, I've rented *Benny and Joon* (DVD was broken), *Independance Day* (on accident, but I still enjoyed it), both *Men in Black* movies, and (hangs head in shame) *Maid in Manhattan*. Hi, my name is Jeni, and I like Jennifer Lopez romantic comedies.

:: submitted by Jenevieve, 3:29 AM | link |

18 November 2005

Oh, That Was A Surprise

0 pathogens detected

As seen at Phantom Scribbler:

Rohirrim

To which race of Middle Earth do you belong?
brought to you by Quizilla

:: submitted by Jenevieve, 6:01 AM | link |

16 November 2005

Bliss, Pt 2

3 pathogens detected

"I should get a t-shirt made that says, "I hate my stupid wife.'... Don't put that up there! It's entirely out of context." -Matt

:: submitted by Jenevieve, 3:34 AM | link |

15 November 2005

Yay! It's Snowing!

3 pathogens detected

Winter has officially begun. Becky(I mean, poptart), Why do I feel the sudden urge to watch "Little Women"?

:: submitted by Jenevieve, 10:22 PM | link |

13 November 2005

More Poetry

2 pathogens detected

When I was looking through my old poems for friday's bonanza, I came across a little one I wrote when I was taking British Literature after 1800. We had just read "Ode on a Grecian Urn" by John Keats, and it inspired me more that the other poetry I was reading. I wrote this response, and it was promptly buried under all the drivel I was prodeucing back in the "Frosh Period". Looking at it now, I think I like it.

"Urn"
Keats, you have
your urn
but me?
I have no ashtray
to rhapsodize
no painted jar
to show me constancy
or beauty
there is no art
no nature
that can comfort death
with this pen
shimmering blue-hard
in the canned light
I write my urn

:: submitted by Jenevieve, 6:18 AM | link |

Marital Bliss

3 pathogens detected

"I should get a shirt made that says 'I hate my wife.' Oh, I mean, my life."
-Matt, 12 November 2005

:: submitted by Jenevieve, 5:01 AM | link |

11 November 2005

Buzz Lightyear, Sam, and Me

0 pathogens detected

So, on the new Buzz Lightyear ride at DisneyLand, you and your seatmate have laser guns that you shoot at targets, and it keeps score of who shoots more. In addition, they take a picture of you on the ride, attach your score to it, and let you email it to yourself for free. Fun! The picture showed up in my inbox today, so here it is for your viewing pleasure. That's my sister Sam next to me.

Incidentally, I have no idea what the "Play at home" scores are from. Also, in case you are wondering, that thing on my shoulders is a cape that Sam made me from some "Disney Princess" fleece that she found at the craft store. Have I mentioned that she's a creative genius?

:: submitted by Jenevieve, 11:30 PM | link |

Poetry Bonanza. Sort of.

1 pathogens detected

After I saw Running2ks lovely poem, I was inspired to post one of my own. That inspiration quickly faded when a looked at the abysmal poerty of the last several months. So, in lieu of fresh stuff, here is a poem inspired by a trip to a certain Asian fast food place 4 years ago. I sent it to their corporation in hopes of a free shirt, but one never came.
*Disclaimer: This is not supposed to be a serious poem, just a clever one.

"Eating Panda Under a Gray Sky"

We sit comfortably
he and I
familiar friends
But as I place the
sweetly spicy morsel
oranges and peppers
between my lips
I look up and see
piercing brown eyes
They search my core
their intensity like
the flood of sensation
in my mouth
I pause
cease chewing and
smile around the bite
then try to swallow
past the heart in
my throat
Outside, the gray rain continues
but here the warmth of the food
melts the ice in my mouth
as the warmth in his glance
melts the reserve in my heart

But the gray beckons
and we must return
to his expected affections
and my habitual loneliness
we are once again
casual friends
And for that moment
of orange chicken
and chow mein
of fleeting connection
and vague emotions
only the faintest aftertaste
sweetly spicy
remains

:: submitted by Jenevieve, 11:13 PM | link |

10 November 2005

Ah, Employment

4 pathogens detected

So, I went to the hiring seminar of my former employer (the bathing dogs one). Alas, they cannot hire me for either a dog bather position or a cashier position, but they might be able to hire me for the "specialty" section (small animals, fish, and birds). I.e., the worst position in the store. That's alright with me, though. At least I'd have a job. I also gave my name to a vet clinic, and I'm off to try a few more places.

Mary, are you going to email me that email address? Also, I miss you!

Dinner with Bianca and Andrew last night. Much fun and pasta.

:: submitted by Jenevieve, 5:36 PM | link |

08 November 2005

Hmm...

3 pathogens detected

Am I alone in thinking that Gravy really needs a blog? Here are her qualifications:
1. She's awesome
2. She's hot
3. I don't see her enough
4. She's hilarious
5. She loves the Lord

C'mon, Gravy!

:: submitted by Jenevieve, 5:47 PM | link |

I'm home!

2 pathogens detected

However, I will be indisposed for the remainder of the evening.

:: submitted by Jenevieve, 2:36 AM | link |

03 November 2005

WAHOO!!!

3 pathogens detected

I got an interview with this school!!! Let the people rejoice!

:: submitted by Jenevieve, 4:52 PM | link |