Spring Break!

I'm sure almost everyone is blogging about it being Spring Break!!! I can not tell you how happy I am! I'm not doing much for the break, except for going to Dallas probably for a weekend to do some shopping!!!! That's about it! I do plan on sleeping in though!! I'm just so glad to be out of school! Hardly any of my friends will be here, so I'm going to have to find something to do! More shopping maybe?? That always seems to keep me happy and gives me something to do! haha!.....I know my dad probably doesn't like the sound of that, but Dad you have a daughter who just loves to shop! You know I get it from you! This is the way I look at it.....you know how you like to golf because it is a stress relief and something you just LOVE to do? Well, that's how shopping is for me! If I get upset or stressed out about something, then I just need to go shopping and it calms me down and I LOVE it! =)
So, it's Friday and Spring break has just begun! You know what I'm about to do? Curl up on the couch and watch TV because I'm SICK!!! Yes, that's right sick! I was throwing up with morning and some other stuff....and I still don't feel too much better, even after a 3 hour nap! What a way to start the break!

Right Thing at the Right Time

A couple of night ago, I had been hanging out with some friends. We went ran some errands and then went to a movie together. After the movie, I had to drop off one of my friends at home. We started talking about how busy and crazy our week had been and the coming week was going to be the same. I just started getting sad. Nothing upset me or made me mad, I just start feeling really lonely or kind of lost. It had only been about a week since my grandma died. Ever since her death, it's been really wierd. I've never had anyone close to me die and even though at times I'm fine, a lot of the time I start thinking about how I can't just call her up anymore or anything! So, I dropped her off my friend Kristin and headed home to my apartment. I started to tear up and when I pulled in to my parking spot at my apt. I just started sobbing. I didn't care how crazy my week was or care about anything else for that matter. I just missed my grandma. Right as I started to cry even heavier, this amazing song came on the radio. It was like my grandma was speaking to me through it. Here's what the lyrics are to the song---

I wanted to tell you how closely I've kept the memories of you in my heart

And all of the lifetimes that we had to share

Live, even though we're apart

But don't cry for me

'Cause I'm finally free

To run with the angels On streets made of gold

To listen to stories of saints new and old

To worship our Maker That's where I'll be When you finally find me

No don't you be weary cause waiting for you

Are wonders that you've never known

Just hold on to Jesus, reach out for his hands

And one day They'll welcome you home

And that's when you'll be Finally free Finally free

I wish you were here, I wish you were here

And all of the dreams that you treasure Will soon come together

And that's when your sorrow will find tomorrow

And you will rise again

We'll run with the angels on streets made of gold

We'll listen to stories of saints new and old We'll worship our maker

That's where we'll be When you finally find me

I wish you were here

Isn't that amazing??!! That song came on at the right time! My grandma knew I needed her right then and I know she was there! I love you grandma and miss you so much!!!

Something to make you laugh....for all the women!

So I finally got to a point at work today where I could take a small break to check my e-mail. Of course I had the usual junk mail and then the last one I looked at was a forward from my mom. I was just about rolling on the floor laughing when I read it. I showed it to my assistant manger, but she didn't think it was as funny, but I did, so I thought I would share with you ladies out there....be sure to read the whole letter. It starts getting good after the first paragraph!
***********************
This is an actual letter from an Austin woman sent to American companyProctor and Gamble regarding their feminine products. She really getsrolling after the first paragraph. It's PC Magazine's 2007 editors'choice for best webmail-award-winning letter.

Dear Mr. Thatcher,I have been a loyal user of your 'Always' maxi pads for over 20 years and I appreciate many of their features. Why, without the LeakGuard Coreor Dri-Weave absorbency, I'd probably never go horseback riding or salsa dancing, and I'd certainly steer clear of running up and down the beach in tight, white shorts. But my favorite feature has to be your revolutionary Flexi-Wings. Kudos on being the only company smart enough to realize how crucial it is that maxi pads be aerodynamic. I can't tell you how safe and secure I feel each month knowing there's a little F-16 in my pants.
Have you ever had a menstrual period, Mr. Thatcher? I'm guessing you haven't. Well, my time of the month is starting right now. As I type, I can already feel hormonal forces violently surging through my body. Justa few minutes from now, my body will adjust and I'll be transformed into what my husband likes to call 'an inbred hillbilly with knife skills.' Isn't the human body amazing?
As Brand Manager in the Feminine-Hygiene Division, you've no doubt seen quite a bit of research on what exactly happens during your customer's monthly visits from 'Aunt Flo'. Therefore, you must know about the bloating, puffiness, and cramping we endure, and about our intense moodswings, crying jags, and out-of-control behavior. You surely realize it's a tough time for most women.
The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that America is just crawling with homicidal maniacs in Capri pants... Which brings me to the reason for my letter. Last month, while in the throes of cramping so painful I wanted to reach inside my body and yank out my uterus, I opened an Always maxi-pad, and there, printed on the adhesive backing,were these words: 'Have a Happy Period.'
Are you FREAKIN' kidding me? What I mean is, does any part of your tiny middle-manager brain really think happiness - actual smiling, laughing happiness, is possible during a menstrual period? Did anything mentioned above sound the least bit pleasurable? Well, did it, James? FYI, unless you're some kind of sick S&M freak, there will never be anything 'happy'about a day in which you have to jack yourself up on Motrin and Kahluaand lock yourself in your house just so you don't march down to the local Walgreen's armed with a hunting rifle and a sketchy plan to end your life in a blaze of glory.
For the love of God, pull your head out, man! If you have to slap amoronic message on a maxi pad, wouldn't it make more sense to say something that's actually pertinent, like 'Put down the Hammer' or'Vehicular Manslaughter is Wrong',
Sir, please inform your Accounting Department that, effective immediately, there will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for I have chosen to take my maxi-pad business elsewhere. And though I will certainly miss your Flex-Wings, I will not for one minute miss your brand of condescending bullshit. And that's a promise I will keep. Always. . .

Best,
Wendi Aarons
Austin , TX


What's even funnier, is that we have all probably felt like this at one point or another when "Aunt Flo" came to visit. I don't think men will ever understand what "that time" is like for women....I once saw on something that all of our "problems" seem to start with MEN--
Menstrual Cylce, Menopause, etc. coincidence???

Missing my Grandma....

Most of you probably don't know, but on Friday February 15th, my Grandma Patterson passed away. For the past week, I have felt like there is just something missing. There is an empty spot in my heart. I miss her so much! I know she's in a much better place now and she's not in anymore pain, but it's still hard coming to the realization that I can't go home and have a special talk with her anymore or listen to her tell me her crazy stories that I love so much!

My grandma and I had a special relationship.....we could talk about pretty much anything. She knew stuff that my parents don't even know! (mom & dad-don't even bother asking)


I do have wonderful memories of my grandma though. One thing I will always remember is this past Thanksgiving she was in the hospital in Rotan. I was about to head back to San Angelo and I made a stop to see her before I left. My parents kept telling me to leave early because the weather was supposed to get bad....but that didn't end up happening. As I was sitting with my grandma in her hospital bed we were just talking about all kinds of things. Then she told me I better get going before it gets real bad out. For some reason I just couldn't leave yet. Then she asked me what was wrong and I told her nothing of course, but all that was going through my head was-This might be the last time I get to see and talk to her. Of course, she knew I was lying when I said nothing was wrong and then I started tearing up and she asked me a couple of things and we started talking even more from there......I probably sat in my Grandma's room for 3 or 4 hours talking to her that day. It started to snow and when I say snow, I mean it was was coming down hard. So Gram and I sat in her room talking and watching the snow fall...it was beautiful!


Grandma, I miss you! I know you're up in Heaven and one day we will get to spend eternity together. One of the things I couldn't be happier about is you being reunited with Grandpa...I bet you're telling him all about us! Like those times I always told you, "I'm so ugly grama". You always told me how beautiful I was and you loved to show Meg and me off to everyone! You are the best Grandma! You're crazy talks were the best! You always made me laugh and smile with your great sense of humor and love. I know you and Grandpa are watching over Dad, Mom, Meg, and Me...and I hope you are a part of everything we do! I miss you and I love you Gram!

~Love,

Courts

Meg, Grandma, Me and Dad on Christmas

WE LOVE YOU GRAM!

Europe here I come!

I can't believe I haven't written about this yet....I'm going to study abroad for a month!! We will leave May 23rd and return June 22nd!
Our adventure starts in Edinburgh, Scotland! We have class from 9:00 until 1:00 Monday-Thursday the first week and then free time Friday, Saturday, & Sunday to do whatever we want! Then class again M-F and that's it for classes!! Then we get to travel Europe the rest of the time!
We leave Scotland and go to London for 5 days and then depart London via the Eurostar and arrive in Paris, France!!!!!!!!! WoW!! Can you believe I'm going to get to go to the Eiffel Tower??! Me either!!! We spend a few days in Paris and then head by train to Verona, Italy!!
Am I a lucky girl or what?! All the while we are in Europe, we are going to all the beautiful sites you can think of and more!! Holyrood Palace, Roslyn Chapel, St. Andrews, Eiffel Tower, Westminster, Champes de Elysse, etc.
This whole thing doesn't even feel real to me yet!
I found out about this whole thing from a really good friend who is going (thank goodness I will have someone to experience this with). Our trip is basically paid for because we are getting scholarships that are going to be around $5,300 right now (maybe more) and that pays the way and more....the only thing we have to take is our spending money....(which of course is going to be a lot!)
Thanks to my parents....who are allowing me to do this! They are awesome!! You better believe I will have a million pictures to post when I get back! There's only one bad thing about this trip...I can only pack one suit case that has to be under 50 lbs. WHAT?! If you know me, then you know this is going to be almost impossible for me!
I'll def. be blogging more about this as time gets closer! I'm soooooo excited!!! Europe here I come! :)

Inspired By a Friend

So I got to meet up with one of my best friends tonight and right before we left she said, "Courtney, you need to blog more!" It was wierd because about 5 min. before she said that, I was thinking the same thing! So then I got the incredible urge to blog as soon as I got home! So here I am.....inspired to write by my friend.
My night was pretty awesome! I didn't do homework and I met with Beth at Bakers Street and we just talked and talked and talked......and could have talked some more if Kelli wouldn't have needed paper from their parents house (thanks a lot Kelli) haha! Just kidding! I just had a lot to say since we hadn't seen each other in a while. But you know what's great? To know you have friends who are real. And I mean people who you know you can always trust, who will always be there, who don't judge you, and you just have a special connection with! I only have a couple like that and when I say a couple I mean I don't even need a whole hand....she's honestly one of my best friends! We honestly don't hang out much anymore because she is miss professional teacher now (you go girl!!) LoL....but I love talking to her and hanging out when we can.
I was inspired by my friend in more ways than one tonight....not just inspired to write a blog...

Mindy's Big Weekend!

As most of you know one of my best friends, Mindy, got married last weekend! I was one of her bridesmaids and just so happened to be in charge of her bachelorette party. This was my very first bachelorette party to plan and I thought I might go insane! I had no idea what to do at first. I did have lots of help from some friends and I appreciate them so much! We rented a LIMO for an hour (but ended up in it for only like 20 min). We were sticking out of the sun-roof of the limo yelling at cars and making them honk....it was so much fun! Then we all went over to the Olive Garden and had a yummy dinner and then back to my apartment club house for dessert and some fun! (thanks to Kristin and Andrea, it was decorated very cute) We played a couple of games and had dessert and them came the good stuff! Mindy opened her presents (mostly lingerie) She got enough to wear something different everynight for probably 3 months! After that we blind folded Mindy with some HUGE underwear and took her to Buffalo Wild Wings for some karaoke (however you spell it)....it was hilarious!! We had an awesome night and couldn't be happier for her!

Then came Saturday.....The BIG day!!! We got up early and decorated all morning until about 1:30 and then started getting ready. It all turned out so beautiful and the ceremony was absolutely amazing! Congratulations Mindy and Kasey!!

Mindy's bridal party! L to R: Jenna, Shawna, Millie, Heather, Me, and Sheena

Me and the beautiful bride to be getting ready!

Me and my handsome groomsman, Greg!

I do have pictures from the bachelorette party, but they are uploaded on my other computer so I will post them later!