We're saaaaaaailing....to yard sales!!!

Kelly: In the past week, Holly and I have been to at least a dozen yard sales! Our quest: porch furniture! We have had no luck thus far, but we've managed to snag some pretty good deals along our journey. It was my idea to go yard saling this morning, so we packed up around 10:45 this morning and got home about 20 minutes ago (it's 5 after 3 according to my computer clock). Plus we were bored and needed something to do; our trip also involved a sudden need to venture to the laundromat for some last-minute laundry doing. (If anyone would like to help us hook up our VERY HEAVY washer that is currently sitting in our garage so we don't have to keep shelling out copious amounts of quarters...not that we mind...but yeah, please let Holly or myself know). I don't want to waste any more space, so here's some pics of some of the deals we found!

Holly: 

A lovely GE hand/stand mixer.  Needs new beaters, but I'm sure we can find some.  Isn't it awesome? Can't wait to bake yummy goodies with it! :D

ALL of the Narnia novels in one book! 

Two skirts (left and middle) and a dress.  The skirt Yoda is sitting on is from Gap! 

Do any of you yard-sale? If you've found any smashing deals, let us know! :D

Question this! Yeah, we're pretty BORED!!!

Holly: A bajillion people have done this little questionnaire that we're about to do.  Figured we'd give it a whirl...heck, you might learn a thing or two about this dynamic duo.  :)

When were you happiest? I'm generally a happy person.  I suppose one instance is when I learned that the D+ on my transcript wasn't going to ruin my chances of graduating from college.

What is your greatest fear? Stagnancy (i.e. not changing, growing, progressing in life, etc).  And disappointing the ones I'm closest to.

What is your earliest memory? Watching my brother ride his gigantic black plastic bike down our driveway.  I was maybe 3 or 4.

Which living person do you admire most and why? It's always the answer given, but my folks, because not only are they incredibly hard-working, but amazingly supportive and caring.  They believe in even my craziest dreams.  And my academic adviser I had in college, because he dealt with a lot of stuff and still managed to inspire me and challenge me in ways I could have never imagined.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? I'm not as confident as I let on.

What is the trait you most deplore in others? Dishonesty and close-mindedness.

What was your most embarrassing moment? I peed my pants in front of my gym class when I was in second grade.  I had to interrupt my mom's class so she could get me some clothes to change into.

What makes you unhappy? The fact that people are just downright nasty to one another.

What do you most dislike about your appearance? I break out like nobody's business.  Thank God for Mary Kay!

What is your guiltiest pleasure? Oh geez...."crap telly", any sweets, Sherlock/Hobbit/LoTR tumblr pages

What is your most unappealing habit? Speaking before thinking

What's the worst thing anyone has ever said to you? I'm pretty sure someone (they will remain unnamed) called me a "slut" once in high school.

Which words or phrases do you overuse? "I know, right?"

What has been your biggest disappointment? Not being able to find a job that I can use my degree with.  I suppose that's more of a frustration than a disappointment.

If you could edit your past, what would you change? I would say "I love you" more.  And listen to my parents.

What is the closest you've come to death? Not necessarily death, by any means, but I passed out when I was 12 and was out for over 30 seconds.  It just felt like sleeping.  As scary as the aftermath was, it was quite peaceful.

What single thing would improve the quality of your life? Seeking God.  Always and everywhere.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? My degree from Berea hanging up in my living room.

What keeps you awake at night? My neighbors and their fireworks, job-related stuff, Yoda meowing at the door, friends of mine going through rough times, those I love back in Ohio...

What song would you like played at your funeral? "Into the West"

How would you like to be remembered? That I made someone's life better just by me being in it, and that I did my best to live like Christ.

Tell us a secret.  I once dreamt that Martin Freeman showed up at my apartment.  We had tea, and amazingly I didn't manage to scare him off.  It was lovely.  Also, I want a corgi.

Kelly: Ok, now it's my turn. I'm an open freaking book people. Seriously.

When were you happiest? Stepping off the plane after landing in Glasgow. I was on a red-eye flight and horribly jet lagged, but that day was officially the farthest I've been away from home by myself. I will never forget that moment.

What is your greatest fear? Getting stuck in a job that I will grow to hate but will start out loving.

What is your earliest memory? I have the same memory as Holly, but another one I have was when I was  in kindergarten. I stuck one of those plastic wiggly eyes up my nose.

Which living person do you admire most and why? I have a few, but the one on my mind now is a friend who is going through hell right now, yet he still manages to keep the faith. If I were in his shoes I don't know if I would be as strong as he is. Praying for you, friend.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? I'm kind of loud sometimes.

What is the trait you most deplore in others? Close-mindedness

What was your most embarrassing moment? I was on a Med/Surg floor for clinicals. I had opened a patient's medications out of the packets and put them in the medicine cup. Reached to scratch my nose without even thinking and the meds went everywhere. My instructor made me call the pharmacy to order more. Learned a good lesson that day.

What makes you unhappy? The fact that our country is so admirable to many others, yet we have one of the worst violence and death rates among newborns. It's disgusting.

What do you most dislike about your appearance? My smile, to be honest. It's a long story.

What is your guiltiest pleasure? The dreams I have. Nothing PG-13 or R, just wild and stupid but they make me happy.

What is your most unappealing habit? Belching. Usually happens after I drink a lot of Coke or Dr. Pepper

What is the worst thing anyone has ever said to you? There was this one girl in high school. Said some horrible things about me. She knows who she is, but I've forgiven her.

Which words or phrases do you overuse? Turd

What has been your biggest disappointment? That after almost 3 years my ankle is still bothering me and that I've been to half a dozen specialists who claim to "know it all."

If you could edit your past, what would you change? I'd go back to Feb. 2010 and NOT WEAR HEELS TO CHURCH.

What is the closest you've come to death? Passed out from heatstroke in 7th grade. I turned a not nice shade of blue around my mouth. Bit of not good.

What single thing would improve the quality of your life? To quote The Good Book: Peace that surpasses all understanding

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Coming so close to completing a college degree, considering when I was younger there were so many who thought I couldn't.

What keeps you awake at night? Things people tell me, my friends and what they're going through, my parents and what they're doing

What song would you like played at your funeral? See Holly's answer, and a few others.

How would you like to be remembered? I'd like to be remembered as not being perfect but a positive energy with a contagious personality.

Tell us a secret I don't eat milk in my cereal. The very thought of wet cereal makes me sick to my stomach. Haven't eaten it that way since I was a kid.

One Hundred

Kelly: Readers, avid readers, and strangers; I present to you with good news. This blog has reached its 100th POST!!!!! *cue wild cheering, confetti, party horns* We are so excited and honestly never thought that it would get this far. Hey, it's hard to keep up with something like this when our lives are taking such busy and definitely interesting turns. Oh...public service announcement: THE LOUD MUSTANG IS GONE!!!!! Turns out it wasn't a mustang that was across the street from us, it was a Pontiac something. Goes to show you how much I know about cars. Whatever. What I'm thinking about is how much new stuff we have gotten into in 100 posts. WOOT. Go us and our crazy fandoms! But what I'm most happy about is how I have felt my relationship with God grow and flourish! I am different. SO much different than what I used to be; even more different than the start of the summer. Gosh. What has happened in 100 posts?

We: met Colin and Brad, Holly graduated, moved into a new place, became mommies to two fuzzy children, got hooked on Lord of the Rings, Sherlock and the Hobbit, made new friends, lived, laughed and grew in our joy of the Lord. WOW! It blows me away how much as people we have grown! It's awesome and we couldn't have done it without God and your all's warm and wonderful comments! Thank you all! 100 down...100 more to go!

Holly: I have a purring Yoda on my lap.  We just ate an amazing dinner (Seriously).  We're wearing our new hobbit feet slippers (you can't make this stuff up).  We're about to go spend time with our amazing church choir family.  :)  I am so different of a person now than I am from a year ago, life isn't AT ALL what I imagined it would be, and yet I couldn't be happier.  We're Skyping with one of our best friends this evening.  All is just unbelievably well!  :D

If you have been riding on this roller coaster with us from the start, then I must thank you.  Knowing that there are those out there that take interest in what is going on in our random, hectic lives makes it the very reason that we've reached 100 posts.  Here's to 100 more, hopefully!

And now, some random awesome pictures:

Who would YOU like to meet?

Kelly: While browsing the web, I came across this website that posts really thought-provoking questions. One of the questions was "out of fictional characters from a book, TV show or movie, who would you like to meet?" And I thought this would be a good blog topic.  Wow this is hard. Really really hard. Ok, well here goes. (FYI: We apologize for the wonky fonts. We don't know how to fix it. Please bear with us as we try to figure it out.)

TV: Ooh that's an easy one!!! That's soooooo easy. My answer: Dr. Carter from ER. We have so much in common!!! Like me, he started out as a bumbling student wanting to save lives and practice medicine. Except he's a medical student and I'm a nursing student. He was anxious to get started and was hesitant at first but then just jumped right in and saved a man's life! Though he faced many hard times and even a severe setback involving illegal substances, Dr. Carter got back on his feet and continued to do what he loved. If I could meet him, I would shake his hand and say "thank you." He also provided with me some words of inspiration that I am carrying with me. "You set the tone." It was said to him as a medical student and he said the same words to an aspiring medical student.

Book: This is a tough one for me. I've REALLY had to think about this. I was going to say Jesus, but I believe that when I die I will see Him anyway. I think the purpose of this was to stick to fictional...oops. Anyway...well, to be honest. I really can't think of anyone at the present time. I'd really love to meet everyone from Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings and The Bible, but shoot that would be a long list. Well, there you have it then. There's my list :P

Movie:  Again, another easy one. First I would like to acknowledge a bunch of my friends and church goers for continuing to feed my addiction to the Lord of the Rings series. Second is now the answer to whom I would love to meet from the movie. That would be Frodo, or as Sam calls him, Mr. Frodo. Frodo, like all of us who are Christians or others pursuing life's journey, are on a quest. It is up to us to respond to it and venture into a journey, sometimes not knowing the outcome. Frodo did such that. Sacrificing his home, belongings and nearly his life on several occasions, Frodo took the call as the Ring bearer and carried it to its final resting place. He had no idea where he was going or what he was doing but gained some trustworthy followers on the way to his quest. Though others tried to help him carry the burden of the ring, he refused, stating it was his to carry but they were happy to join him if they pleased. Like me, I too am on a journey as a Christ follower. I have had to carry my fair share of Rings and others have offered to carry them for me. But I too have stood firm and said they were mine to carry, and I gained followers and supporters along the way. I've got some great Sams in my life, and Sam was an honest and loyal companion to Frodo, especially when Frodo's hope was dead and buried. If I were to meet Mr. Frodo, number one he would live at my place, probably in some small confines that I have in my apartment. And then I would say "we both have faced great journeys, but we are not alone. We never were."

Plus, Elijah Wood is re-gosh-darn-stinking adorable!! ;]

Holly: Well, Kelly, we must be related.  Because some of yours are also some of mine!


TV: Ok, well...I could just be really snarky and say the entire cast of E.R. because at one point all of them have just been like woah to me!  But like Kelly, I also have to go with Dr. Carter.  He starts out as this shy, unsure, timid little med student, but then becomes a warm, well-respected, model physician.  Along the way he deals with all sorts of junk: losing his grandmother ("Gamma"), getting stabbed by a crazy dude and in turn, losing a friend (yes, even though he and Lucy started out hating each other, they DID become friends...so...yeah), a crippling narcotic addiction, a bajillion (in my opinion...crappy, lol) girlfriends, becoming disowned by his family, and finally, falling in love with a woman but losing their child (and, for the record, I'M SORRY KEM, I know y'all lost your little Joshua, but FOR GOODNESS SAKES, HE LOVED YOU!!!!!!!!!! //end rant).  Plus, the passing of the "You set the tone" torch from, WAY back in the beginning, Morganstern to Dr. Greene, from Dr. Greene to Carter, then Carter to Gallant, and finally Carter to Morris= aahh! Brilliant! :D


Book: Ok...again, a bajillion could go here.  Of course Harry Potter: unabashed bravery, loyalty to his friends, his love for his parents...and he defeats Voldemort.  Hello?!?!?!?  Freaking.  Awesome.  But from Lord of the Rings, I LOVE THE TREEBEARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!  Or Ents.  Whatever you prefer to call them.  They keep Merry and Pippin company and just make me happy!  I want to just hang out with an Ent for a day.  Or forever.  :)

Movie: Dangit, Kelly, you took mine again.  The Frodo/Sam storyline is perhaps one of my favorite relational stories in fiction.  So here's sweet, brave Frodo, who gives up his Hobbit comforts, friends, and security in order to take on a very dangerous and weakening mission: destroying the One Ring.  He plans to go at it alone, but Sam shows unwavering loyalty to his master and decides to go along on the arduous journey with him.  Though Gollum tries to break them up (P.S. Gollum is an evil little booger...sorry!  And that "precioussssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss" thing...super. legit. creepy).  But anyway, towards the end of the journey, Frodo is so weak, he doesn't think he can go another minute, and Sam is asking what he can do...and Frodo just says carry the Ring.  I'm done.  And Sam tells him "I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you."  Daaww....still gets to me, even though I've only seen the movie once.  But to have a Sam in your life, to have someone stay by your side through EVERYTHING, the good, pretty, and ugly...it's rare, and it's love.  Plain and simple.  I hope to have someone like that someday.

Well dear us, how in the WORLD could we forget these dashing, charming Brits? None other than Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson! :)

I'm Blank Because...

Holly: Found this on a blog of a friend (karenrenia.blogspot.com....check it out!).


I'm weird because:
~I like peanut butter cookies, Reese's cups, and buckeyes, but I don't like peanut butter
~I don't have any full albums on my iPod, only songs
~I swore up and down in college I would never drink coffee, and now I'm borderline addicted
~I can be ready for work in 45 minutes (showered, dressed, breakfast, etc.)...aren't women supposed to be SLOW at that type of stuff? lol
~I prefer to stay in rather than go out

I'm a bad friend because:
~Well...quite frankly, I don't think I'm a bad friend.  But sometimes I would rather text than call.
~I don't know if this makes me a bad friend, but while we're on full disclosure: sometimes if I see someone out in public and I don't feel like striking up a conversation, I avoid said person.

I'm a good friend because:
~I will listen to you
~99% of the time I answer my phone
~I care about you so freaking much that it hurts sometimes
~I am usually the first person to say "I'm sorry"
~I will support you in WHATEVER is going on in your life, even if I don't agree with it.  And I will not judge.  Ever.

I'm sad because:
~distance sucks sometimes.  I miss my mom and dad, and my best friend.  And A LOT of my Berea friends!
~being a college grad means that you don't get to return to a place that changed your life.  Or see said people that changed your life on a daily basis.

I'm happy because:
~I have a GOD who loves me MORE THAN ANYTHING!
~My parents are da bestest.
~I have an amazing job in my field after graduating from college! Not many recent college grads can boast about that.
~I have a JOB!
~My church family has been nothing but a blessing!
~I have a Bachelor's degree from an institution that became a saving grace for me, gave me some of the greatest and closest friends I could have ever asked for, taught me so much, and helped me to become a better person, sister, student, friend, Christian, etc.
~After almost 9 years of insanity, I am still friends with my bff.  We met when she was in 8th grade and I was in 9th.  Distance doesn't always defeat friendships!  It hasn't been easy, but I think we're better friends because of it.
~I live comfortably in a small but quaint apartment.  Yeah, money is tight, but we're surviving.  :)
~My kitties keep me entertained 24/7...and drive me crazy too!
~Um...how much more time do we have? :) lol

I'm excited because:
~Two amazingly awesome people in my life are going to be parents in October!
~New Berea students are arriving in August! As an alum from the outside looking in, I hope that I can provide some mentoring.
~My mommy recently retired, which means I can talk to her more often!
~Tomorrow is Friday! w00000t

Kelly: All right everybody, buckle up!

I'm weird because: 
*I do this thing with my mouth and it freaks Holly out
* I don't like okra, but I like pickles

I'm a bad friend because: 
* Sometimes, when I see a missed call or text, I just...don't answer. This usually happens when I've had a crappy day and I don't feel like talking to anybody.

I'm a good friend because: 
*Well, all my friends say I am. :]
* Due to my future nursing career, I have become an excellent listener. Anytime you need to talk I will provide you with no words and a non-judgmental heart. If that is what you would prefer
* I realize my friends have flaws but that's ok. I have them too. It makes us human.
* I have good friends too.

I'm happy because: 
* My day is done. YAY!!
* God is God and I am not. NUFF SAID
* I have a car that runs and gets me from point A to point B.
* I have a roof over my head and functioning AC. Thank you Jesus because it is HOT today!
* I am alive, living and breathing.
* Most of my family is still around. My grandpa will be 91 in August. :D
* I still talk to my parents on a regular basis. Most of my friends parents are not together anymore. 30 years and counting...
* I am almost done with my summer class and I could NOT be happier!!!!
* My kitties. It is proven having pets makes you a happier person
* I wake up in the morning and know that I have a wonderful Creator who loves me for me even though I screw up 100000% of the time.

I'm sad because: 
* My ankle still hurts after 2+ years. Back to the foot doc tomorrow :/
* Bills are coming up. ALL the bills are due in July. Waaah!!!
* My family and best friend are still in Ohio and I'm here. And I miss them!!!
* Churches turn away people because they don't understand how other churches work.
* People like Westboro Baptist church exist.

I'm excited because: 
* I'm almost DONE WITH SCHOOL!
* Awesome things are happening to so many people in my life. Yay!
* Life is good. Nothing much to it than that.

Keeping my end short. Got to shower and make dinner. :]

So, it's 12:30 on a Friday afternoon...

Holly: So........................................

Hi everyone! *waves*  How's everyone doing? I'm usually still eating lunch right now, but sis and I ate early today and now I'm just killing time before my dreadfully boring Spanish class.  Listening to "I Want to Break Free" by Queen (only because I had NO IDEA that this great song is by Queen).  My computer is currently operating on no battery..."life support", as Kelly put.  Kelly's about to leave for her psych nursing class; she has an exam so send happy thoughts to her!!!!!!!

Shout-out to one of our lovely readers/followers: glad you are having a superb time in London! Wish we could be there too! :)

Oh, Berea students got paid today! Yay for income!

Um...yep.  That's it.  Have  a wonderful day filled with hugs! <3

UPDATE: Dreadfully boring Spanish class got cancelled and got attacked by my advisor's sweet chocolate lab.  Life is good.  

UPDATE AGAIN: Sorry, but this one's huge: Just checked my email, and the Berea College Board of Trustees has elected Berea's ninth president! A big day for Berea College indeed! So happy and excited!