Cool

I can't believe I got so many comments on my last post by only stating that I was being sweet.

I talked to Kk tonight. She and I hadn't talked for over a week, and she's definitely on the five-day timeline, so it was way time for another hour-long conversation.

She had to go before we were finished catching up, though, because she had to drive home, and she hasn't quite mastered the art of talking on the phone while driving a standard.

She and I made a pact. She says she'll go on the Pilgrimage next year if I'll go. ...Ummm...if I can save the money, I'll go, Kk! We are going to pray to Our Lady for me to be able to get the money...hmmmmmm. I have to go this next year, anyway, because MARCY is going (*IS* *GOING*, Marcy!), and so are Mary, Ginny and Beth...we hope!...and I have to go with them! It will be an awesome trip. There is nothing on this earth that can compare to the Chartres Pilgrimage. It's incredible. Absolutely incredible.

::thinks back on the first sentence of this post:: I have no idea how I got off on the subject of the Walk. I'm going to bed!

;)

This Is Me...

...Being sweet.

(Happy, dearest Mother?)

(\o/)

Congratulations, Doug and Laura

It was a beautiful wedding.

Laura's dress was gorgeous.

*Laura* was gorgeous.

The bride's maids were beautiful. Marcy, I *loved* your tiara!!!

The reception was fun.

Kevin and Mike and Christian, your songs were hilarious!

Beth caught the bouquet. (Congratulations, Little Lizzie.)

Kevin caught the garter.

But I've decided that whole catching the bouquet/garter thing does not work. I've caught the bouquet twice. I refused to even try this time. I kept my hands behind my back.

Maybe I'll write more tomorrow. It's just too late tonight. :)

I'll keep y'all updated and Beth and Kevin.

Let Me Walk You Through This

1 + 1 = 2

2 + 2 = 4

Four. Fooooooour.

Hellooo

::sigh::

Thanks for the Prayers

The mother is doing better.

She's still in ICU, but that's all I know.

No news is good news, I suppose.

Prayers

There is a woman who attends my church who had a baby just yesterday. This woman's family had a hard last time year when the mother lost her last baby just days before her due date. This pregnancy had them all on edge, and they went in early to deliver the baby due to the mother having high blood-pressure. The baby is doing fine, but we just heard that the mother stopped breathing for a little bit tonight around 10:00. They don't know what caused it, but they have moved her to Intensive Care.

So, any prayers would be appreciated. I'll post again when I know more.

Thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

"...Even if it is a Protestant holiday."

::shakes head and laughs::

I heard someone say that today, and it made me laugh.

I am waiting for my sister Kelly. We are going to ride together to my uncle Donald's house for Thanksgiving lunch. After that, we are going out to my grandparents' house for Thanksgiving dinner.

Lots of food.

Lots.

Every year my uncle makes a ton of food because he expects me and my 12 siblings to eat it all. We never do. And every year he makes the same amount, if not more.

I hate it.

Don't get me wrong! He is a *great* cook! *But* I hate that we don't eat more than we do because it looks like we don't like it, and we don't appreciate the effort he put into making everything.

::sigh:: Oh well.

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody--Protestant or Catholic!!

::giggles::

Question

Does anyone know the difference between skeet and trap?

*Is* there a difference?

My cousin thinks the difference is what the clay pigeon comes from...I think he's right. But I'm not sure.

?

The Day Before Thanksgiving

At this time last year we were all talking about April's wedding.

Now we're talking about Laura's.

Wow.

I wonder who it will be next year?

Anyone?

hm.

Maybe Justin's. But maybe he'll already have been married. Perhaps we'll still be talking about, though.

Wow. After Rodney's wedding and Justin's wedding, there won't be any more! After a year and a half of weddings to look forward to, it's going to be bit boring.

I love weddings. I don't love being the Maid of Honor, though. Well, I do and I don't. It's an honor to be the Maid of Honor, but it's also embarrassing to be the first girl in a pretty dress to walk down the aisle. Everybody looks at you, and you don't know where to look.

But I smiled, darn it. ;)

Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow, everyone!

::pensive thinking::

I have decided that being happy and sweet can be considered a calling.

::laughs::

Indeed.

But is it *my* calling?

Some people might say yes.

But it's *my* call that counts.

::runs fingers through hair::

Yep.

Two Marine Corps Captains

That was all it took.

Just two Marines.

Showing me how to shoot a 12-gauge shotgun.

In the direction of airborne skeet.

*And* I even hit a few!

Tracy + 2 Marine Corps Captains + a few shattered clay pigeons =

1 great afternoon!

Of course--if they had just been wearing their uniforms, it would've been better....

;)!!

Thanks for the help, Marines!

Alicia came out and showed me up, though. Good grief! That girl just walked up and calmly hit the VERY FIRST ONE!!! Beginner's luck? ch, yeah right! She hit like 6 out of 7!

Maybe it has something to do with being a Marine Corps Captain's wife. ...Or maybe she's just a natural! Ben would say the latter.

Either way, it was very impressive, Alicia! (I hope you've found your way to my blog by now!) And I was glad to have you out there.

And we can't forget Shelley and Ginny! They were awesome, too! Something tells me y'all are going to have sore shoulders tomorrow!

It was *hilarious* to watch Mary shoot the gun. She was still in a skirt from Mass this morning, and she was looking *very* feminine. After a few mintues of Dan instructing her on how to stand (or was it Ben? eh, I get these Marines mixed up...), she finally shot.

Oh. My. Goodness. I wish y'all could've seen it! She wasn't ready for the kick, and it got her good! Her hair went flying, her shoulders flew back, and it almost knocked her over! It was quite amusing. But she did well. She just picked it back up and shot again. She's definitely my dad's daughter. I think she may have even hit one or two...I can't remember. Mary?

Oh yeah. Ben and Dan hit a couple, as well.

::ducks head and laughs into folded arms:: I'm just kidding! You were great! We girls wouldn't have hit a single thing except air if y'all hadn't been out there. You were just too distracted by our lack of skill in regard to guns and ammo to truly concentrate on what you were supposed to be shooting.

Father is doing well after the first half of the Cochlear implant process. He said the 11:00 Mass this morning! I was shocked. He did so well! If I didn't know Father personally, I would never have guessed he couldn't hear a single word the altar-boy was saying! He even announced who it was the Mass was being offered for. He had the oddest smile about his lips as he said it. Hmm--I wonder why?

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching. My family will be coming to OKC for a change, instead of my going to Clear Creek. I'm looking forward to it. I'm especially looking forward to this weekend, because a childhood friend of mine is getting married on Saturday! It's going to be a great weekend.

Okay. Enough writing. I'm going to go do some writing. On *real* paper. With *real* ink.

'Night!

"No, I Did Not!"

Colby is home!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy!

Colby is my Godson/nephew. He lives in England with my brother and sister-in-law and his baby brother, Ryan. They just returned yesterday afternoon, and I saw everyone but Marc this morning. Ryan Michael has grown a *lot*, and he smiles quite a bit...he's adorable! Colby doesn't look very different. Perhaps a little taller. But he's *phrasing*!! Oh my. He sounds like a little British kid!

Colby pretended I had hugged him too hard, and that I had killed him. He said, "I died today!" And I said, "You did???!" And he responded, "No, I did not!"

He doesn't use contractions. It's kind of weird, but very cute on him! Crystal says she thinks it will wear off. If it were a Scottish or Irish accent I wouldn't want it to, but the English...I'd prefer an American speaking nephew, thank you very much.

Well, I am going to go change into something a little warmer so that I can stand in the freezing cold wind and shoot skeet. I am going to try my very best to actually hit one this time.

Just a Reminder

Mind your P's and J's. Always.

If you find a P, you should kick it. If you find a J, you should smile at it first, and then kick it.

In the end it all works out. Mind over matter. Foot in mouth. Papaw's foot and leg. Papaw's left foot.

I meant to ask--by some odd, strange chance, does anyone from the University of Arkansas ever read this blog? I know it seems an odd question, and highly unlikely, but I have a reason for asking, trust me. Besides I don't think anything more unlikely than being discovered by someone in Clear Creek, so...perhaps.

The Most Interesting Post In Blogdom

Okay.

Your job:

Pretend that whatever interests you the most has been written about in the space provided between the two stars.

*
















*

My job was in providing the blog which provided your space, and I have done that. So, if this post was boring, it was *your* fault, and I cannot be held accountable for it.

Goodnight!

Aunt Tracy

Once again, I have heard that I am to be an aunt.

Yay!

I love hearing this particular piece of news. It never gets old!

My sister and brother-in-law will have an addition to the family in the late spring of next year. This will make a wonderful number of three.

I have three nephews and two nieces from three older siblings, and I am *always* excited by the prospect of another!

Sister-Dear, if it's a boy, I am going to call him "Old Blue".

...Just to warn you.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!

What Are the Odds...

Picture this:

A beautiful November day just approaching noon. Many people are standing outside of the Clear Creek monastery pleasantly conversing and happily ignorant of what is about to happen.

Actually--I'm only speaking of myself. I was the only ignorant one. For it was at this moment that a man approached and politely asked, "Which one is Tracy?" Quite oblivious, I responded that I was indeed she. I got the most incredibly unexpected surprise of my life when the man responded:

"I read your blog."

Please imagine the shocked expression on my face. For those of you who know and see me almost everyday, this won't be hard for you to imagine.

I had seen the gentleman at the monastery couple of times before, but I had never been introduced to him. Suddenly there I was confronted with the knowledge that my blog can indeed be read my many an unknown person. (And of all the places to find out!!)

I am now suitably terrified. My worst fear is realized. People with sense and knowledge, learning and--quite possibly--wisdom, have read my inane drivel and random scribblings.

The gentleman, a doctor, had found my blog by searching for something else. Clear Creek monastery, no less.

I suppose I should now shape up and turn this blog from fun, silly diversion to a more serious and structured writing exercise.

Quite a thought, that.

Clear Creek

I'm off for the weekend again.

I just have not had much time on the computer lately.

I was planning on writing last night, but I didn't get home from a party until after midnight, so then that was definitely out.

There were these two guys that showed up in skirts at the party last night. But, for some reason, they looked very manly.

Must've been because the skirt was of a Scottish make, and they were playing the bagpipes and a drum while wearing them.

They even had hats and jackets to go with it! Very authentic. Very cool. ;)

I love watching my sister Mary at events like that. *Especially* when certain people are there. I like to laugh because of her.

I should've left for Clear Creek an hour and a half ago. I guess I should get going now.

Bye, y'all. Maybe I'll write you from CC.

Pax.

Stuck at 60 Feet

Rock climbing can be quite challenging.

Quite.

::sigh::

ESPECIALLY if you go with a man named Larry, but who answers to the name of Jake!

I think I'm going to gag him next week.

I didn't make any higher this week than I did last week. I don't know why. I had some sort of mental block.

But I did bruise my knees again.

I have got to figure out how to avoid that.

Paris In Winter ~ When Tracy Met Christa

Silly Christa, can you really have forgotten about our trip to Paris?

It must have been all of the wine you consumed.

Ah well. You have now forced me into reminding you, and into relating the story to the entire collection of interesting people who read this blog.

'Twas almost two years ago. Life had just come to be too much for me, so I decided to run away to Paris for a few days. So run I did. No plans, no thoughts, no telling anyone where I was going. I just jumped on a plane and left.

The first night in Paris I took a stroll down the Champs Elysee. It was beautiful. The sidewalks were bustling with activity. The trees which line the street were lighted up for Christmas. It was very cold. There were cafes everywhere. Everything Paris was supposed to be was all right in front of me. And I loved it.

As I was walking down the Champs Elysee, something quite odd captured my attention. A tall man in a chef's uniform. "Chocolate!" He was calling out at intervals.
"Chocolate!" And in his hands he held a tray of chocolates. Then I noticed there were quite a few of these men along the sidewalk, holding the trays out so that people could take what they wanted. And in front of one young man--a young girl. Perhaps 16 years old. Perhaps 35. It was hard to tell.

"Chocolates!" The man yelled out. And she took one. But she didn't eat it.
"Chocolates!" He yelled again. And she took one. But she didn't eat it.
"Chocolates!" He yelled, stepping slightly to the right. He seemed to be ignoring her, except for the fact that his eyes dropped to her upturned face, though his face was turned from her. She then stepped to the right also, and took one. But she didn't eat it.
"Chocolates!" He yelled once more, this time turning his back to the girl. But she simply stepped in front of him again and took another chocolate--gazing into his face the whole time. She ate this chocolate. She ate the chocolate, and just stared at the man in the chef's hat. And he stared back at her through half-closed eyes.

I was terribly amused watching this silent exchange, and I wondered how long the Chocolate Holder was going to put up with her behavior. I also wondered how long she had been there in the first place.

Moments passed. She continued to stand there, patiently looking up at him, and every time he called out "chocolate", she obediently took one. Sometimes she ate it, sometimes she put it in her pocket, and sometimes she turned and handed it to some passing stranger. All of this the French chef took with little more than a veiled glance her way. Until she placed a chocolate back on the tray.

"What are you doing?! They do not go back once they go off!" He did not seem to know how to deal with this young lady.
She just continued to look up at him with her big, soulful brown eyes, not saying a word. It seems this had a calming effect on the man, for he just stared down at her.
"Well, now," he said. "What iz it?"
"Your hat." It was stated clearly and matter-of-factly.
"My HAT?"
"Yes. You see, I've lost mine, and after studying yours for a while, I have decided that you are indeed wearing my hat." She held her hand out. "May I have it, please?"
The man reached up and took the hat from his head. He studied it himself, and then looked from one Chocolate Holder's hat to another, and then down at his own. Indeed, there was a slight difference. With a shrug of his shoulders, and a confused look in his eyes, he handed the hat over.
"Merci!" She called out, smiling brightly. And away she walked, the chef's hat sitting high on her head.

I had to follow her. I could hardly contain my laughter and my curiosity. I was just about to quicken to my steps to catch up with her, with the intention of asking about her hat, when she suddenly stopped in front of another Chocolate Holder. I stopped also, eager to see what she would do now.

"Chocolates!" He yelled out. And she took one.
"Chocolates!" He yelled out. And again she took one.
"Chocolates! Chocolates! Chocolates!" She took three, then, turning, saw me standing there, and gave me two. But she turned right back to the man and didn't say a word. Just stood there looking up at him.

I studied the man. Surely she didn't want his hat. She'd already found one. What, then, could she want? I didn't know. Had no idea. I began to weary of standing in the cold watching people eat chocolates, so I walked across the street to a cafe, where I could sit, get a drink, be warm, and watch the girl. For many moments she stood there, eating chocolates, saving chocolates, and passing out chocolates. After a while, the patient Frenchman had pretty much the same reaction the other one had. I couldn't hear what they were saying to each other, but I dearly wished that I had stayed to listen when I saw the Chocolate Holder take off a pair of sunglasses and hand them to the girl. Again, she smiled brightly and turned to walk away. But, just as she was about to disappear out of my sight, she turned and looked straight toward me. Still smiling, she put her sunglasses on, straightened her hat, and raised her hand and waved at me. Then she was gone.

I ran into her a couple of nights later, and absolutely nothing was explained, but we did go on to have quite another adventure. But that's another story.

There now, Christa. Do you remember differently? I hope not, for if you do, I shall have to get my friend Billy and we shall have to accuse you of having been drunk. For, after all, you were wearing a hat.

;)

I Wasn't the Only One

<--- This (along with a gorilla, *not shown*) is what walked into my cousin's home on Halloween night.

Robby and April--I think Suzi said it best when she said: "THAT is why you don't say 'come in!' on Halloween night!!"

Okay, so it's not such a great picture.

But give the person who took it a break.

She was wearing a hairy, hairy gorilla costume.

"You Can't Handle the Truth!!!"

Yeah.

The title says it all.

'Night!

;)

Rumours

There is a nasty, horrible rumour going around that there are photos of *me* floating around somewhere on the Internet. Photos of me in a gorilla suit.

Well.

*NO*body can prove that I am indeed the person under the fur. Nobody.

I deny it all. I don't know what anyone is talking about. I have amnesia. I don't even know where I was last Monday night.

Seriously.

Prayers for a Priest

Our dear pastor is having surgery this morning to have a Cochlear implant put in. Any and all prayers are accepted and appreciated!

Positive thinking, Father. ;)

Pax. LL.

Turkey Hunting

A thought which occurred to me this evening around 5:00: "This is too funny." But I had to stop and think about it a little more. And then:

"...Yes....yep...yeah...definitely. This is way too funny. It'll just be *wrong* if we don't see any turkey!"

Why were these thoughts occurring to me? ::laughs and shakes head:: Because I was turkey hunting with a couple of friends.

Mike, with his orange stocking cap and--what was it???--his 12 gauge shotgun.

Dan, with his black cowboy hat and 30-06.

Oh, wait...I was wearing the cowboy hat at first. Yeah. As all of those thoughts were occurring to me.

There I was, in the middle of a big field, walking behind two guys who were stopping every few yards to listen...and listen...and listen. I almost wondered what I was doing there a couple of times, but I was enjoying it so much I didn't quite think it all of the way. The only annoying factor was that I lacked a gun. (It can't really be considered hunting if you're not carrying a gun, can it? Dad? hmmm. Anyway...)

There we were, walking through this field which had grass up to my shoulders. Mike and Dan were in front of me and totally oblivious to anything I was doing. So I clasped my hands together and put them on top of my head. One, because I didn't want my arms getting cut up by the dried grass, and two, because I didn't have a gun, and three, because it made me laugh. I looked like I was a prisoner--only, my "captors" were walking in *front* of me, and they would've had no clue if I had just turned and run the other direction.

::laughs:: Well, that would've been a funny experiment. Maybe I should've tried it. ::giggles:: Once we ascertained that the field was indeed devoid of any turkey, I should've gone running through the field yelling for help. If nothing else it would've given the guys a start!

We gave up on the first couple of fields, and decided to try somewhere else. This was when we joined by three other guys. Kevin, Solomon and Damian. ::laughs:: 'Twas quite the little hunting party we all made. Damian especially made it interesting, considering the fact that...well. Just considering. ;)

It was a cool field we were hunting in at this point. (I say "we". Was I really hunting? eeh...I dunno.) It had about shin-height grass, and some kind of evergreen tree every few yards. Farther into the field were some kind of I-have-no-clue-what-those-are trees which were much taller than the evergreen. And in those trees were the turkey we'd been looking for. (:::laughs::: Somebody ask Brian Reagan what the plural of turkey is, 'cause I don't know for sure....) It was hilarious seeing Dan and Mike freeze when they heard the turkey clucking sounds. They completely stopped and looked at each other, then they slowly made their way into those trees.

I was a few hundred yards behind them, just watching them, and I knew there was something wrong with the picture. Um, the fact that the sun had set, and it was going to be dark in those trees. Not extremely dark, but enough--Enough to keep you from shooting a turkey.

At least that was what I thought. Damian knew. When shots were fired, he whispered, "They got one!" Ten minutes later we found out he was right. They came walking out of the trees and towards us--but by this time it was getting pretty dark, so they were close before we could tell that Dan was holding a turkey in his hand.

I didn't find out until later (ah, later...that is where the real fun was....) that Dan had never been hunting for turkey before. He bagged a turkey his first time out. Well, Dan, I'm duly impressed. Congratulations!

The rest of the story shall have to wait until tomorrow. I am so tired, and I must get some sleep. ::strives for a wise expression to cover face:: Hunting will do that to you.

;)

God bless.

Don't Even

"Different strokes for different folks. Some people smoke cigarettes, and some people smoke pot."

I was told that last night by some girl who was like the cutest girl in the whole world--Okay, maybe not the whole world, but she was definitely way too cute to be saying something like that.

I wanted to say:

"And some people are sane, while others are complete morons."

In the exact same, sweet tone, of course.

Sheesh.

I swear.

Not to mention SOME things are legal, while OTHERS are not.

Okay, new subject.

I have not been keeping up with my blog very well. I haven't had much time lately.

I went rock climbing last Wednesday. Did I write about that? ::laughs:: Man, that was funny. When we were walking in, I said to Andrea, "Wouldn't it be funny if those people from the Czech Repulic were here?" (If you don't know what the deal is with the CR, go to "Rock Climbing" in archives.) Two seconds later, I kid you not, Andrea just about ran into the SAME Czech couple! I almost died. Seriously. I thought I would choke on my laughter. Luckily for Andrea, though, the flirty one wasn't there this time. I don't understand what the couple was doing here. When we ran into them the first time, they were only here on a business trip, and that was a month ago. hmmm

The highest climb I made was somewhere between 55 and 60 feet. Larry was trying to make me climb the entire 80 feet, but my arms weren't having any of that. I was sorely tempted to drop my chalk ball down on top of his shiney, bald head. It would've been funny--leaving a white, ball shaped spot on that head of his. But I didn't do it. I decided it wasn't Larry's fault I was 60 feet in the air, and that the only thing between me and lots of gravel was...well...nothing. So, instead of throwing the ball on his head, I just hit it when I got back down. But then he told me I hit like a girl. So then I just bit my lip and went to go watch other climbers climb.

Don't ever let Larry know you think someone is cute. He will start singing "You Are So Beautiful" when he knows perfectly well the person you just spoke of can hear him.

I was terrified to make the first climb of that night. It just hit me all of a sudden. For some reason, I felt like there wasn't anything to keep me from falling once I started climbing. ::hmm:: Know what? I felt like the girl in my repelling story....

I was still nervous by the end of the night, but it wasn't as bad. On my last climb, I decided I was going to enjoy it even if I was nervous. ...And besides...Larry was making me climb it. So. I sang a song the whole way up. It calmed me down. Don't know why. I was also being smart-aleck to Larry. That helped, too. Then I started being a ballerina. A Prima Donna, mind you. Don't ask how that is possible while rock climbing. It usually isn't, but I can pretty much be a ballerina anywhere I want--except on the stage, 'cause I know absolutely nothing about ballet.

It turned out the be the best climb I'd ever made. It was SO much fun. I can't wait to go again.

YAY!

Congratulations, Ashley and Chad!!!!!

For those of you who are not in the know--my cousin and her husband are expecting their first child next July--YAAAAAAAAAAAY!

I am very excited. I have *always* said that Ashley would be the cutest pregnant woman in the world. Now she finally gets to be! ;)

Luv ya, Ash!

:D

Also...

There are certain people reading this blog who I did not think were reading it.

Hello to those people.

I'd mention you by name, but this way is more fun.

;)

Where's John?

It worries me when we don't hear from our favorite Irishman.

So I decided to post this post to force him to respond.

Oh, favoooriiite Irishmaaaaaaaaan! Are ya out there?

Scenes from Panera

It's so boring when people don't post things on their blogs.

I don't like being a boring person.

I went to Panera Bread last night. It is so interesting what you can see there. Y'all should try it some time. Just sit and watch people. Try not to be judgemental, though.

There is a table right across from my favorite table that has a padded seat on one side, and a regular chair on the other. It never fails that when a couple sits at this table, the woman *always* sits in the booth side of it. Last night it was funny because I saw three couples come and go, and one after another, the women who sat in the booth were all short, petite, and had short, highlighted blonde hair. It was a funny coincidence. ::laughs:: The last couple that sat there had another couple come and meet them later on, but it was obvious that they were the woman's friends, but the woman had left to answer a call, and the man just stood there, very awkwardly talking about the absent woman. I had to laugh.

Then there was a Marine that came in with his wife. They sat right next to me. The wife was upset about something, and her husband was trying to cheer her up. It wasn't working very well. I *had* to laugh when he said, "You know...that Arnold guy...the Guvernater..." His wife didn't respond. He waited a second, didn't say anything, and then he goes, without looking up, "That was supposed to be funny."

There was another table where there were two old Chinese women who did nothing but laugh the entire time they were there. It was adorable. I loved watching them because it made me laugh, too.

There was also this girl that sitting alone for awhile, but she was on the phone. At first she was laughing, but then she started crying. It was kinda sad. Then she looked around, and started wiping her eyes. I figured someone was meeting her, and she didn't want them to see her crying. After a while (when she'd hung up the phone), a guy showed up and sat down with her. She had recovered herself pretty well, and they talked and laughed for a while, but then she started crying again. That was when the guy moved his chair around so that he was sitting next to her. It was really sweet because he put his arm around her and let her cry on his shoulder.

::sigh:: Oh, the drama of Panera. You know what, though...I have yet to see someone fighting there. I wonder why? It must have something to do with the atmosphere.

Okay. I'm leaving now.

Bye, y'all!