livnupnorth's Xanga

HOORAY FRIENDS!!

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 10:48:17 GMT

And HOORAY thunderstorms that cause flight delays in Chicago!

For the full story please go to: http://www.xanga.com/Katusha79

New Advneture...

Mon, 21 May 2007 03:46:16 GMT

Well, tomorrow I officially start college classes. I guess you could say I am doing FINE. :D Actually I am somewhat excited about it...I'm sure it will be all good. Hopefully I will like Biology 'cause I am going to be getting 5 hrs of it everyday for the next four weeks. :)

On a happier note, I went to an awesome concert last night. (Superchic(K), DecembeRadio, Nevertheless, Everyday Sunday, Group 1 Crew) Had a ton of fun, met new people, got new music and just had an all around good time. Don't have any pics....I have yet to acquire a digital camera. This usually isn’t a problem since most of my siblings and friends have one, but seeing as I was alone, I couldn’t bum any pictures off of anyone. And for anyone wondering how it was going to a concert by alone, it was actually a lot of fun. I met new people and just enjoyed the music. I wouldn't opt to do it alone every time, but if there's no one else to come with, I wouldn't that keep me from going. :D (Thanks to an awesome friend for the encouragement to go!)

A tribute to shade

Fri, 18 May 2007 21:44:21 GMT

The tree is gone. Such a sad day. This tree has been around for over forty years and has been in every childhood memory at G&G's house. But alas, it was getting too big and Grandma was ready for it to come down. So down it came.

But who says you can't have fun while doing it? :D
(second try at the picture thing...hope it works!)

snow? freezing rain? what's with that???

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 18:07:39 GMT

I protest!!! It may be spring but that is no excuse for such awful weather. My goodness, spring is supposed to be a time of warming up, not freezing!!!! It is absolutely NASTY out there, sheesh.

I am SO thankful for an indoor job where I can sit with a cup of hot tea and some good music.....my poor brothers who have to work in this nasty stuff. It was very appropriate for us to have grilled cheese and tomato soup for lunch....the perfect meal for such a time as this. :D

new hair cut

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 01:50:24 GMT

For those interested, I cut my hair and here are some pics.

ahhh...SPRING!

Sun, 25 Mar 2007 22:15:20 GMT

What a wonderfully beautiful day! Got home from church (went to a different church today and had quite the experience ;) ), helped my grandma clean up the yard a little, then sat on a lawn chair in the sun with my laptop. Which was all the better because of my wireless connection, got to love it! :D I think spring is my favorite time of year, the brown trees and bushes turn green, flowers start popping up and you don't have to wear a jacket or heavy coat anymore. But my absolute favorite part is being able to wear flip flops again! :D Looking back over my life, spring has meant so many different things in the different places I have lived….

When I was in Moscow spring meant the dreary gray days of winter (which I suppose are everywhere, but over there they seemed to be in abundance and there was no where to snowboard, so what’s the point of winter without that?!?) were over and summer was coming. The green paint would come out and the hundredth coat of paint was added to anything metal. The venders were selling lilies of the valley and lilacs on the streets and you could walk to the metro station instead of riding a bus. Then of course there was the annual boat ride on the river, picnics in the forest, sand volleyball, and soccer...so many fun memories....

In Ironwood CA. the year I was there it was the greenest it had been in ten years. The mountain behind the camp was covered in lush green bushes and bright desert flowers. I loved climbing the mountain just being up there. I felt like was transported to New Zealand, the land looked like it was taken directly from Lord of The Rings. Going to actually make it to NZ one day….

At the Northwoods spring was the calm before the storm. First, the storm of bugs :D and then the storm of people. It meant everything had to be cleaned, all the water had to be turned back on and supplies ordered in preparation for the first group. Fun times though, we went swimming the first week of April for the first time. Cold, but wonderful! :D

I guess wherever I am the season always brings new life and an opportunity to start a fresh. Kind of like what the Lord does for us when we come to Him in our dead and broken state. He washes us with His healing rain and then causes new life to grow and take root in our hearts. As His love blossoms it becomes a testimony of His glorious power and grace.

Not a terribly profound thought, but something to ponder on this glorious Sunday afternoon….Hope your day was as beautiful as mine.

home again....

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 03:38:08 GMT

Just got back from an awesome trip to the Northwoods! Had a blast (even if Joy couldn't make it with us, the bum!). We tore up the property and what was left of the snow with snowmobiles and the 4-wheeler; Alicia shot a gun for the first time; ate good food; played imagine if; watched movies; even got 4in of snow....it was an all around fun time. Thanks Mom and Dad for putting up with us! :D

The guys had a few issues....they're CRAZY!

Is that ME???? :D

...more snow pics to follow, soon as I get permission!

Alicia's first shot, Cameron did a good job teaching and demonstrating just how to do it. :D

Did someone say snow?

My new baby!

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 21:54:35 GMT

I have a new car!!! And I am very excited about it.
A huge thanks to my wonderful parents and Chris for helping to make it happen, what would I do without family?
Specs:

Year: 2002

Make: Saturn

Model: S-Series

Trim: SL 4dr Sedan (1.9L 4cyl 5M)

Exterior Color: Light Silver

Interior Color: TAUPE

Mileage: 41133

Engine: 4 CYL.

Transmission: 5 SPEED MANUAL
Yes it's a manual, and no I haven't driven one in years, but I am getting used to it. Only a few kills and working on keeping the jerking down to a minimum. The best feature is the mileage, it gets 29 mpg in the city and 40 on the highway. Or at least that is what they say....I will have to try it out and see. Did I mention it has a sunroof? I am one very happy camper. Life is good.

Opinions please!

Fri, 02 Mar 2007 12:30:37 GMT

Back by popular demand....

What would you do if someone offered you $100 cash won at the slot machines?

A. Accept it and use it to win more

B. Refuse and give reasons for why gambling is harmful

C. Accept in good graces to avoid offending

D. None of the above. Your own opinion ______________

Time...

Fri, 23 Feb 2007 14:14:08 GMT

Where does the time go? It is hard to believe that it has been over a month since I last posted....so much has happened since then....

Right after I returned from Connecticut, on Saturday, January 27th my Grandpa Howie passed away. He had fallen and hit his head on Wednesday afternoon and was taken to the hospital in a coma, he had fractured his skull which caused bleeding in his brain. Our family was able to be with him and my grandma for the three days prior to his death, a hard but good time as the family drew together and held each other up. He passed away peacefully and without pain.

I returned to the Northwoods to finish the last few weeks I had remaining of my time there. My new direction was to move in with my grandma and be her companion as I worked part time and went to school at a community college. She needed someone to stay with her and I was searching for where would be the best place for me to finish up school. The other options I was looking at fell through, so it was obvious the Lord has perfect timing, even in the hard things.

Before moving in with her I had a few other things on my schedule. First, I needed to finish up at the Northwoods. Which as it ends up I will still be working for them part-time remotely until a replacement can be found. This made saying good-bye to my home, job and friends a little easier since I know I will be back. Though it is still hard to leave...

Secondly, I went on our sibling ski/snowboarding trip out to Colorado, which was a blast! Check out Joy's xanga for some pics. My siblings ROCK! I feel honored to be related to such talented people, and wonder what happened to me. Though I must admit, they all push me to greater levels of risk and adventure; I would not have done half the things I did on the slopes without them!

We rented a condo with 15 people, which worked out great. Our trip consisted of skiing/riding Copper Mountain (a very awesome resort!), sitting in our own personal hot tub (thanks Jason for cleaning it!!!!) and playing a TON of card games (ok, maybe just one card game, but we played it a ton of times! Three guesses as to what game it was and the first two don't count! ). Three cheers for Paul and Lindsey who organized the trip and a HUGE thanks to Lindsey who worked hard to provide meals for us, Lindsey you ROCK! The trip was topped off with an over night lay-over in Kansas City at the McGregor house. Where we had the best lodgings, awesome food, and more card games! What a blast, thanks McGregor’s!!!! We will be back.....

Now I will head up to the Northwoods once more to take Ethan back and pick up my stuff. Then I will have officially left the Northwoods. If I didn't know this was the Lord's leading this would be a very hard thing to do, but He lead me up there and now He is leading me away. I look forward to seeing all He has for the future. I will do my best to update more often. I hear though that Myspace is the thing to do....maybe I will join the dark side, haven't decided yet..... Until next time!