think about it...

HOW DO YOU LIVE YOUR DASH?

  I read of a man who stood to speak
  At the funeral of a friend
  He referred to the dates on her tombstone
  From the beginning...to the end.

  He noted that first came her date of birth
  And spoke the following date with tears,
  But he said what mattered most of all
  Was the dash between those years. (1981 - 2000)

  For that dash represents all the time
  That she spent alive on earth...
  And now only those who loved her
  Know what that little line is worth.

  For it matters not, how much we own;
  The cars...the house...the cash,
  What matters is how we live and love
  And how we spend our dash.

  So think about this long and hard...
  Are there things you'd like to change?
  For you never know how much time is left,
  That can still be rearranged.

  If we could just slow down enough
  To consider what's true and real,
  And always try to understand
  The way other people feel.

  And be less quick to anger,
  And show appreciation more
  And love the people in our lives
  Like we've never loved before.

  If we treat each other with respect,
  And more often wear a smile..
  Remembering that this special dash
  Might only last a little while.

  So, when your eulogy's being read
  With your life's actions to rehash...
  Would you be proud of the things they say
  About how you spent your dash?

WHAT?????

Exxon Mobil posts biggest US quarterly profit ever!

You've got to be kidding! And most of the middle class are struggling to pay for gas... come on!!!

time & space & other things!

Well, it has been a long and strange road this illness has taken us on, and I am exhausted! BUT, things are looking up for mum now. I started a new assignment just as we got her settled in... and I'm still there. I just got back from a trip to Florida, I won an all access pass to a fabulous design conference (about 10 conferences rolled into one) and I think my head is going to explode...I did take time out to go see Miss Kimmy while in FL...she sure has her stuff together! Ahh, to have life figured out like that... as for music? still listening, but not visiting with my awesome musician friends, I'm just way too tired right now. Still trying to figure out why some people just can't believe in me...it's complicated & frustrating! The bethel is growing and it is absolutely wonderful! We got lost in the corn maze, with our newest member to be! And we are planing a trip to Build-A-Bear just after she joins! We are beginning the fundraisers for session in just a couple of weeks...I even brought the girls back t-shirts from FL! oh, and just a bit of pixie dust! ****

Just trying to unwind and figure out what tomorrow will bring...still living it one day at a time, for now... =]

NEW UPDATE!

My mom is feeling much better & after 2 1/2 months of not eating, she is now having three meals a day, YEA!!!! Her muscle weakness is improving and she says she feels more and more like herself everyday! I want to thank those of you who have expressed your concern, sent cards or just understood that I can’t get all the things done to this site that I wanted to right now… Mother is really enjoying the cards, I have them posted up on the wall so she can see them!

OMG! where am I going to get that kind of $$$

holy cow that is expensive, anyone have any idea of the cost of a stay at IUMed center? I do now...

MOM - updated

Mom is now at Eagle Creek Health & Rehabilitation Center. She is feeling somewhat better, but has a lot of therapy ahead of her as this has affected her muscles and made her very weak. She is still not eating because it has affected some of her throat muscles and cannot swallow correctly.

update

I still detest fake friends.

Mom is in the hospital, many days in Vincennes, now at IU Med Center... still trying to confirm things and rule out others... it has been a horribly long two weeks, including the cancellation of the big trip to Wisconsin - sorry Brittney, Jette, Becca & Indiana...

just one more thing...

I've learned that it takes a very long time to build up trust, and only a moment to destroy it...

i hate so much about the things you choose to be

on Fake Friends [again] and life...

You know, I still feel the same way about fake friends as I always have, but it has just recently been thrown in my face that you never really know who your TRUE friends are until you really need them. Then there are those people who hear about a tenth of a conversation and THINK they know what you are talking about...who should shut up and mind thier own business, but don't - I've discovered that life is really way to short for this high school crap, because nothing is more important than my mom! Not some band, not some guy who really could care less, not even people who you thought were your friends! It comes down to who you can really count on when you absolutely need them to be there, your real friends! For those of you who are wondering about this post- my mom was just diagnosed with a rare condition that is similar to Muscular dystrophy and when I needed some friends to be there for me, I found out who my real friends were...thanks you KNOW who you are...I love you all... I am always in YOUR corner too.

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

More Lovehammers

For your viewing pleasure!

Dermatomyositis

It's been an interesting week & holiday... My mom is really sick, they think she has this condition called dermatomyositis, similar to muscular dystrophy. She has a HORRIBLE rash & she is weak all over. It has been a very LONG week... many hours in the car, lots of time at the doctor's office, and really, tons of non-quality time with mom - I HATE THAT! I love quality time with mom...

Another Session

Returning from another Grand Session... and once again, I am a GBRep... my dream falls away again... and that is where it will most likely stay... I am taking on two responsibilities: Bethel Guardian at Bethel 68 & webmaster of the Indiana JD site... more on these two items later... we are drawing closer to the final walk of our Miss International, that will be very difficult & she has done a wonderful job representing the order this year....

CS Conference

WOW!

One solid week of intensive training sessions on the various design apps from Adobe. And one really interesting night doing the crawl along Broadway & finding myself dancing, Coyote Ugly, need I say more? And one of today's sessions was so interesting and easy, I think Cindi will get her wish for the JD website, now all I need to do is finish the pageant pics and get the layout shelled of the site...

Graphic Design 24/7!

Ahhh, MOGO... the Creative Suite Conference!

Day one of the conference, and my brain is full. Yesterday was Tutorial day and I learned many things I did not know! Dreamweaver. CSS, Photoshop, InDesign and MORE!!!! I can't wait to get started using these tips, tricks and techniques I am learning. TWO more days... and I'm in Nashville, ready to go listen in some hotspots for some fabulous tunage!

For your viewing pleasure!

2008-2009 Misses

misses, originally uploaded by Lavender Unicorn.

Our brand new misses! Jamie, Mallory, Becca & SarahBeth. And so begins their journey!

Easter Service cross

Easter Service cross, originally uploaded by Lavender Unicorn.

The "Living Cross" is the prettiest ceremony that Job's Daughters have the honor to perform. It has a very purposeful meaning and is steeped in tradition & values. This is a special version of the ceremony, formed during the annual Memorial Service at Easter, for the Rose Croix at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.

VISUAL DIALOGUE

VISUAL DIALOGUE, originally uploaded by dailypoetics.

A very cool business card! Look at the whole set of interesting cards that dailypoetics has compiled on flickr...

GREAT PROMO!

026_pics, originally uploaded by Lavender Unicorn.

Calling all air artists! I found this image on a website that had numerous photos of odd things. I found it very appropriate considering SOME of my friends...

(I uploaded it to flickr to avoid potentially offensive items being linked here)

Sorry Tom!

tom&eli, originally uploaded by Jeff Valois.

I just watched Eli & the Giants pound the ever so great (HA) Tom & Patriots into the dirt! Every team is beatable! You just have to believe! What a cool thing for the Manning family, passing the trophy from one to the next, and the MVP title too! Sorry Tom, I don't think you are the greatest, or your cheating coach either! I was offended when Billichek was named coach of the year - this sends a clear message that cheating is ok, when it is not... I'm pleased that Eli & the Giants proved that teamwork, confidence and support of each other can win in the end!

HammerJam 2008

HammerJam 2006, originally uploaded by Lavender Unicorn.

Oh how I want to be there, but a promise is a promise, and I already had something scheduled for that day... so I thought I'd share my favorite photo from Metro, HammerJam 2006...

NEW: Job's Daughters of Indiana - a flickr space for us!

flickr-Job's Daughters of Indiana

a place for all Indiana Job's Daughters to post photos of fun activities! If you had a good time, SHARE!

Email me for an invite to join!

Indiana Degree of Royal Purple Recipients

Indiana Degree of Royal Purple Recipients, originally uploaded by Lavender Unicorn.

Our first OFFICIAL group photo. Taken prior to the ceremony for our 15th Indiana Recipient, Tiffany! I feel honored and privileged to be among this group as we all continue to work in the interests of the beautiful young ladies of the Indiana Job's Daughters.

Geez! I hate being sick! and food poisoning is the worst! YUK! I feel horrible.

But laying in bed or on the couch gives you lots of time to contemplate life... and although decisions shouldn't be made while you are sick, it doesn't mean that you can't consider things... and make plans.

The time has come for me to thoughtfully consider changes in my life. I seem to be no closer to a permanent job now than I was 5 years ago. I hope that I made the right decision in turning down the position in Kokomo. I wasn't ready for that kind of change at that time, and maybe I should have just closed my eyes and jumped! Because there doesn't seem to be anyone else out there that wants me. Why can't I get a break? I work myself to death and I still can't get ahead!

Then there is the matter of fake friends, you know the kind I'm referring to, the ones who call you only when they want something, but ignore you when you need them... yea, those people... can I say again that I dislike fake friends...

Happy New Year!

To all my friends & enemies the same!