Parking tickets may be the only thing I hate

I've lived in my new apartment for a month. Close anyway, 29 days to be exact. The first 21 days that I have lived here I have parked under a tree...in fact here is a picture of my tree....(runs outside and takes a pic)

It's actually of my parking spot the first 21 days of my residence at 1115. Have I hit it home to you yet that I parked there for 21 days? If you haven't got that yes, let me say it one more time. I parked in this spot for 21 days. And in those 21 days I didn't ONCE get a parking ticket. First day of school I get a $15 parking ticket. I was frustrated because after all it is my apartment that I'm parked right in front of. Same cop, a week later gives me ANOTHER ticket. I LIVE HERE MR. POLICEMAN! So I went to the Municipal place today to show them my parking pass and my lease, and the dismissed one and told me that I could have a meeting with the big dog to get the other one waived. But alas, the only time I can meet with him is Friday from 8:30 to 10:30. Stink I have class. So I paid $15 for a parking ticket I didn't deserve. And I think the thing that gets me the most is Jason and Aaron BOTH were parked right in front of me on the same street and neither of them have a parking permit. GRRRRRR I bet it was a guy cop. So anyway...I'm officially legal:

Fun fact: Stimulate from being on the subject of my car. I'm sure many of you have noticed that the light that likes to come on and shout at you when you're about to run out of gas, is spelled differently from most gauges in the world.

Dictionary.com lists "gage" as a variant, and I guess that's okay; "gauge" really looks like it shouldn't have a long "a" sound. I just saw that for the first time on my way home from IN. Why does the English language have to be so trying.

That's awkward

My life is screwy right now. I'm out of sorts. The start of it happened in B-town last weekend. Chelsie, Jesse Rufener, and Josh Steffan were talking next to the bathrooms. I had to go really bad so I headed that way. I stopped and chatted with them for a while then gave some stuff to Chel and headed right in. They sit out there for a while then Josh says, "Maybe it's just me, but I could have sworn she just went into the guys bathroom." Chel was like, "Um...I was thinking that too." So he decided there was only one way to find out. Meanwhile, back in the bathroom, I'm tucking my shirt in getting ready to leave after ...taking care of business (no delicate way to put that)..when I spied this urnal. I was thinking in my brain that I'm going to have to mention that there was a urnal in the womens bathroom. All of a sudden Josh looks in the bathroom and said "Tifani??" in a very unsure voice. I was shocked and looked at him like he was crazy. Come on what's a guy doing sticking his head in a 'womens' bathroom. .......Then the comprehension hit. I walked quickly out the door and found to my displeasure about 10 sisters dying laughing along the opposite wall (they saw me go in) and Chels, Jesse, and Josh about to keel over.

Then, tonight, I was setting up our wireless internet. Jason Kaeb, Scott Kellenberger, and Aaron Luthi live right above us so we are sharing the internet. We didn't have our sbcglobal registration done, so I couldn't get it set up without interent. I was wearing some pretty non-decent clothes, but since it was completely dark outside and I knew the guys wouldn't be home for a while, I didn't think and just ran out the door with my laptop to quickly steal some internet. I really thought I was under the cover of darkness. So I'm intently typing away...and wouldn't you know Aaron decides he has to come home at that time. I didn't see him til he called out asking if I was setting up our internet as he's walking toward me. I couldn't think of anything but, "Stop, you can't come any closer!" I think he was confused, but he stopped abruptly and turned around and went inside. So later when I went up there to tell the the outcome of our internet, I had to explain that I was using the shield of darkness because I wasn't decent. He was like, "Um...you were sitting under a street light." Doh! *hits head*

I count it a true blessing though that neither of these times were turned into something a lot worse...and awkward.

B-Town Once More...I love that place

This past weekend Dan Leman, Brandon Edelman, Chelsie and I went to Bluffton/Leo for the Gateway Woods sale and a Bluffton Invite. We had a really great time!

We got there for the Friday night activities for once in our lives, and they were really great! I definately will be going to those more often. It was a blessing to see everyone! There was tons of singing! We got to take part in a "100 ft. diameter Grain Bin" singing! I have been hoarse ever since we got back! It's a satisfying hoarseness however! Might be interesting in glee today. Hope they don't ask us to sing! Classes started yesterday and it's been weird getting back into the swing of things. I already got a stupid parking ticket. I'm ticked. When you get home from a 12 hour road trip, the last thing you are going to be worrying about is not parking in the 2am to 8 am green zone. Sheesh. I gotta get to class but first...


On the way home from B-town, we discovered something about Dan that not many people know.

He owns a town called...

And the population equals 1.

Grocery List

Louise Redden, a poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store. She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries. She softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work, they had 7 children and they needed food.

John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her and requested that she leave his store immediately. Visualizing the family needs, she said, "Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can." John told her he could not give her credit, since she did not have a charge account at his store.

Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told the grocer that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family. The grocer said in a very reluctant voice, "Do you have a grocery list?" Louise replied, "Yes, sir." "OK." he said, "put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount of groceries."

Louise hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed.

The eyes of the grocer and the customer showed amazement when the scales went down and stayed down. The grocer, staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, "I can't believe it." The customer smiled and the grocer started putting the groceries on the other side of the scales. The scale did not balance so he continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more.

The grocer stood there in utter disgust. Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper form the scales and looked at it with great amazement. It was not a grocery list, it was a prayer, which said: "Dear Lord, you kow my needs ad I am leaving this in your hands."

The grocer gave her the groceries that he had gathered and stood in stunned silence. Louise thanked him and left the store. The other customer handed a fifty dollar bill to the grocer and said; "It was worth every penny of it! Only God knows how much a prayer weighs."

Collection of Blab

This past weekend I went home for the first time in 11 weeks! Friday night after Chel and I got home, we went up and to one of my dad's fields and just sat in the beauty of the evening. Dad was cutting corn so I road the combine with him, and then Chel and I switched and mom, Steph, and I just sat there enjoying the peace...and the stars! I definately miss being in the middle of nowhere. Saturday, after sleeping 2 1/2 hours longer than I meant to, I went and saw my kids. Spent a couple of hours with them, just catching up and playing! Bub was sooo funny! He wanted my attention so bad, so when Shelly or Justin (the parents) would ask me a question, he would immediately say, "Hey Tif." "Hey what?" "Look at our phone." or "I got treasure chest" or he would just giggle. Made me feel good! He got in trouble though because he was being 'naughty.' Justin told him this, and he preceded to hang his head and go down the stairs very slowly and sadly. You couldn't help but laugh! They make me smile! Went home and hung with the family til about 4 and then one of my best HS friends came over and we caught up for a couple of hours. My g-parents came over, along with my G-ma Bahr and AP, and we had my birthday party! I'm 21!! Woohoo! It was more like a wedding shower though, I got 2 crock pots, a fondue kit, and a sandwich thingy majig. I'm not complaining though, I'll use them all! I like getting stuff I can use. Sunday I was bummed to find that the Stewart kids weren't going to be in church. But, it just gave us more time to spend with the older people in church! Matt & Courtney Schupbach came over that afternoon and we had a rip roaring good time! Chel and I left about 7:30. It was the hardest thing, because we know that we will not see our sister Stephanie for a good couple of months. After having said goodbyes to tons of Kansans this past year, I thought it would be getting easier. But it's never easy to say goodbye to someone you love and spend a ton of time with. If I had my way everyone would just stay within a 100 mile radius of me. But...God is bigger and He knows why all of my dear friends need to be where they are at.

After Jacapo died (for all who don't know who this amazing animal was, he was my hermit crab that froze to death when I lived in the Hunting house), Dona, Brooke, and I got a fish. But I've gone back to being a hermit crab pet owner as of 5:30 yesterday! I'm so excited! His/her name is Jacapo the II. He's pretty shy right now, but I'm guessing in no time he'll love me just as much as Jacapo the I did. I have confidence. Monica moves in today! Very excited about this new living situation. Jhoe has a friend that is looking for a place to live this next year, so we're praying about what we should do. It would be nice to have a third, but she's Hindu and possibly might not want to live with two christians. Guess we'll see what the Lord has in store. Jhoe, Chel, and I went and played tennis, we are pretty pathetic, then when we were leaving we spied the sand VB courts soaked with water. So we called up Austin and Tommie and played some Sandy water volleyball! It was amazingly fun! After some pizza then a Walley World trip, Chel played with Jacapo and I got things ready for Monica to move in! Now I'm at work, and have run out of stuff to say!

Taking care of them for how long??

My sister Stephanie is headed to Mexico for a year next week. She so kindly left Chelsie and I in care of her plants...without asking us. Then she sends us the following email because we know NOTHING about taking care of plants. I found it very amusing.

To my darling sisters who will be taking care of my plants while I am in Mexico and undoubtedly needing my guidance in order not to kill the plants and then face the wrath of Stephanie,

Here are the necessary requirements:

Mr. Plant (Chelsie):

Yes, this is his name... don't change it. He will become very irritated. So will I. Mr. Plant requires that you water him whenever the soil surrounding his roots is dry to the touch - not "dust" dry, but just less moist than normal. This means you will probably water him about once a week - about two and a half cups of agua. Also, NO direct sunlight. He needs to sit in complete shade, although a little light is permissable. Make sure you check to see that there is no mold growing in the fake matting surrounding the base (this is the stuff that looks like grayish-yellow string). Otherwise he will mold, smell, die, and then you will die.

Arne Root (Tifani):

Once again... no changing of the name. It's pronounced Ar-nuh (emphasis on the first syllable)... named for a famous Swedish journalist. He likes to be the topic of conversations whenever you wish to tell your friends and family about his fabulous namesake (plus this makes you appear smart). Arne requires that you water him once a week... about two cups of water should do it unless he is really thirsty... and then two and a half. If his leaves start to yellow, turn brown, and crinkle up, remove them at the base of the leaf's stem by gently pulling upward - otherwise Arne gets mad, spits, shows his teeth and chews on your arms. Don't risk it. He needs partial sunlight... not direct. Fry him, kill him, and then you will die a painful death as well.

Spike (Tifani):

Kinda cute for a cactus, huh? Spike is a cactus... hence he does not need a TON of watering... however, he can use a little. Spike should be watered about once every week and a half, and not given too much water... about a small cupful is all he needs. He does, however, require sunshine... not necessarily direct, but he should have a good two or three hours per day. Keep this in mind when you arrange your apartment - in fact, arrange it to meet Spike's needs. Remember that when you water him... he pees. Always put a dish under him or a cup to catch the run-off. Also... Spike is about to outgrow the pot he is in... CAREFULLY replant him in a slightly larger pot and make sure you purchase GOOD soil for him... or else he will lose his roots, his life, and you will lose your head.

Bambi (Tifani):

Bambi is short for bamboo... and probably the easiest to care for in this group. However, she has kung-fu moves you have never seen if you do indeed let her die - so don't. Around her base in the cool-turquoise-oriental-lookin'-jar, you will see gray foam: this foam must ALWAYS be kept wet. It usually needs replenishing every five days or so... depending upon her location which should NEVER be in direct sunlight. She doesn't mind partial sunlight, but if sun hits her in the leaf she will break out of her pot and go chlorophyll on your... butt. So... treat her right and she'll bring you peace and harmony, and if you don't you'll die... from both her and I.

Thank you for your time and don't kill my plants.

Sincerely,

Stephanie L. Bahr

I did that too

I really appreciated my devotion today. It had me read Matthew 18:23-33, which is about the servant the master forgave of his debts and then the servant went and threw a fellow servant who owed him into prison.

Our friend Barbara Leavitt loved flowers. Her home was a garden of rare beauty and sweet fragrance, and so was her life. Her presence was like a delightful bouquet.
Barbara went to be with the Lord in 2005, but something happened a few days before she died that I will never forget. My wife and I were sitting at her bedside with other friends telling stories about our childhood when I mentioned that I had once stolen some flowers. There was a park between the elementary school I attended and our home. One day, while walking through the park, I saw a row of irises in bloom and cut several to take to my mother. Some older boys saw me and threatened to call the police. I lived in terror for weeks thinking they would come and take me away.

Barbara placed her hand over mine and murmured softly, “I did that too.” I thought, That should be my response when I see the sins of others or hear about them—“I did that too.” Perhaps I’ve not committed their particular sin, but all sin is blameworthy and requires God’s forgiveness.

Awareness of our own depravity is what John Newton called “the root of perpetual tenderness.” I don’t want to be like the ungrateful servant in Matthew 18. I want to be gracious and show mercy, for “I did that too.” —David H. Roper

Teach me to feel another’s woe,
To hide the fault I see;
The mercy I to others show,
That mercy show to me. —Pope

Research

While we were in Denver, I was talking to Kristen Edelman and she told me I research a ton of stuff. (Research not being extensive papers but enough Knowledge for me to understand) I never really thought about it, but I do. Dumb stuff, that would never come up in normal conversation. The reason I'm thinking about this is I just got done finding out if it was trespassing to walk on a golf course at night. Last night it was raining and a couple of us went walking in the rain. We were going to go up to Manhattan Hill, but we decided instead to checkout the hill that the golf course is on top of. We got up there and started walking on the sidewalk through the course so we could see the sunset better. We walked half-way around before we started wondering if it was illegal or considered trespassing. So today I just got done looking it up. It indeed is considered trespassing. I'm bummed out, it was very enjoyable walking up there...esp in the rain. Here are some things I've researched in the past month:

• Largest city in the US and KS and which have grown since 1950
• Lyrics to "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood" and facts on Mr. Rogers
• KSU's pop. compared to U of I's pop. in the last 10 years
• Looked up and researched why so many diets fail and the most affective one....(trust me...I'm not on one...I was just really curious)
• The reason for St. Patty's day and the man St. Patrick
• Recipee's for Apple Soda - only problem was they were all containing vodka...so they must not be very good
• 2 things that I will not tell you because I don't want anyone to get sick...although you nurses would prob appreciate them

Anyway...so now I have become Queen of Fun Facts. Maybe someday I'll be able to use my useless knowledge!

The Ultimate Rejection

Today...I take this moment to reflect upon my life beforehand.

I was a nice girl once, then I met Ashley Esslinger, and now I am violent.
I thought meeting Matt Slagel was fun, the first guy, besides Ash, that would sit down and watch Anne of Green Gables.
I thought they were my friends.
They always talked to me.
They always made me feel welcome.
They laughed at my stupidity like any normal friend.

When did it go wrong? What did I do? Can I ever get it back? As I climb to the top of Shellenberger Hall, peek over the edge, brace myself, find a nice spot below, I reflect on 'the ultimate rejection.' That is why I am a new person today.

Confused? Call 1-818-663-5412. I'd recommend after 9:00 pm, if you want to help your phone bill.