Cardinals vs. Reds

Hello Everyone!
I just got the tickets in the mail for the game in August. And since it is collecting interest on my credit card, I was hoping to get some money! Here is the deal--I have 23 people confirmed, and 2 extra tickets. I also want to be assured that those on the confirmed list pay and get their tickets. With 23 people going, I am not sure how we will meet beforehand or how I will get you your tickets, and honestly I dont want to be responsible for them all!

We are in sun/moon deck $22 per ticket (includes tax and surcharges)

so... send your money to:
Chrissi Pflederer
117 Cotton Lane
East Peoria, IL 61611
also make sure to include your address so I can mail your tickets to you...(i will do delivery confirmation)...

you can also give your money to cheryl or carol (with address where to send tickets to).

If you are on the confirmed list, you have committed to paying for the tickets, so even if you dont go...you owe me for the tickets. =)

All the tickets are in the same area so I am just going to randomly choose tickets to send to you, but i am sure when we actually get to the game we can sit whereever you want in that area.

Thanks so much!

Below is again the CONFIRMED LIST:
1. Chrissi Pflederer
2. Nat Pflederer
3. Amber Tillison
4. Phil Tillison
5. Cheryl Bond
6. Cindy Tucker
7. Sarah Nunery
8. Ben Nunery
9. Becky Palmieri
10. James Palmieri
11. Sarah Craynon
12. Rachel (Sarah Nunery)
13. Stephanie (Cindy Tucker)
14. Emma Gibbons
15. John "Gibbons"
16. Carol Bond
17. Kaitlyn Palmieri
18. Jimi Bird
19. Katie Bird
20.Sarah Ralston
21. Trevor--hahahah I mean, TRAVIS (Sarah Ralston)
22. Hope Yoder
23. Steve Yoder
24. Kaitlyn Palmieri Friend

PAID

If anyone wants the last two tickets...it is first come--first serve.

help me

no one is helping me with my studio name.....

i dont even care if it is alycepaige anymore...just give me some ideas please!!!

Business Minded: Part Deux

So I started this blog and left nothing but a title. So now I am back at it again to try to shed some light on the situation. So I work at the journal star, a newspaper, designing advertising for clients. It is a decent job, i get paid to sit and create all day...it is not stressful and they love me. But I dont plan on being here forever...I plan to do what I have always wanted to do and have a degree to do...photography. So recently I talked with a wedding photographer here in peoria that would pay me to go shoot weddings and then they would do all the ordering and backend part (like albums, etc). It would be a perfect job for me because as katie and becky well know....i am not so good at getting the images i take back to the client...i am quite a procrastinator (although i think money is a good motivator =))---chill out girls...you will get your pictures, eventually. Well after talking to this particular photographer, i asked to shadow him on several weddings to get a feel for how he works...and it was scheduled for this saturday. It also got cancelled, family issues, totally understandable (yet the insecure part of me thinks he is trying to avoid me and coming up with excuses to not hire me cause i am not good enough). Sandy has a friend that is also a photographer that would like some help at weddings and doing portrait work....then vanessa wants pictures, and she referred a friend of hers to have me do her wedding, and i have senior sessions for at least one person in the works and also a couple family portraits to follow up on. I am also working on a special project at work where I will be taking creative group photos at businesses for up to 80 different businesses. so I could potentially have alot of work to do. So I am doing some research on getting a website....a nice professional one, and honestly i dont know much about web design, and i think i have come to terms that it is better if someone else does it. I have a domain name, two actually(alycepaige.com, alycepaigedesign.com), and still deciding on the way i want things to look that reflect me. So I need some help....for ideas...about everything!
Names
1. AlycePaige Design
2. Alycepaige PhotoDesign
3. Alycepaige Photography
4. Alyce Paige
5. Do i even want to be alycepaige anymore?

symbols....i want to stay away from flowers (gender) but maybe stars? camera? anything unique and catchy. Can anyone help? Just to get something started....and find cool unique ideas....the photography i can do, and do it well....its the getting started stuff that just keeps me procrastinating!

HELP!
Mrs. P

Confirmed and Unconfirmed

Here is my list of CONFIRMED people...then there are the unconfirmed...if you are on the unconfirmed, please let me know one way of the other asap, cause i have 25 tickets, and 27 people on my list...
CONFIRMED
1. Chrissi Pflederer
2. Nat Pflederer
3. Amber Tillison
4. Phil Tillison
5. Cheryl Bond
6. Cindy Tucker
7. Sarah Nunery
8. Ben Nunery
9. Becky Palmieri
10. James Palmieri
11. Sarah Craynon
12. Rachel (Sarah Nunery)
13. Stephanie (Cindy Tucker)
14. Emma Gibbons
15. John "Gibbons"
16. Carol Bond
17. Kaitlyn Palmieri
18. Jimi Bird
19. Katie Bird
20. Sarah Ralston
21. Trevor--hahahah I mean, TRAVIS (Sarah Ralston)
22. Hope Yoder
23. Steve Yoder

UNCONFIRMED
24. Scotty Huston
25. Lindsay (Scotty Huston)
26. Amber's Cousin
27. Amber's Cousin
28. Chad
29. Elizabeth
so, if you are on the unconfirmed list and are definately coming, please let me know asap so I can guarantee you a ticket. If you are on the confirmed list, and things have changed, please let me know so I can fill your spot. I have not physically talked to Chad, Elizabeth, Scotty or Lindsay so please someone let me know, or have them contact me. LOVE YOU!

Thanks
Mrs. P

THE GAME IS ON!!!

So I just confirmed our order for the August 16 7:10 game of the St.Louis Cardinals vs the Cincinnati Reds...GO CARDINALS!
I chose the Sun/Moon Deck and we will hopefully get the first couple rows nearest to field (the seats are behind right field).

The tickets will be $22 each (with shipping, tax and surcharges included)...
I ordered 25 tickets and have a confirmed/tentative 24 on my list now, so we might need a couple more to come, but ill let you as I know.

YEAH!! I AM SO EXCITED!!

Mrs. P

Da Game

Ok People
I have a choice between two sets of tickets. One is for the Field Level and they are $33.00 and the other is for the Mezzannine/Sun-Moon Deck and they are $21.00. I havent been to Great American BallPark and not sure which ones are the better seats. I am getting 25 tickets all together and want to make sure I am staying roughly in everyones budget. Here is a pic of the stadium...let me know what you prefer....asap please.



I hope this helps, I think if you click on it it will enlarge for you.

Mrs. P

Reds/Cardinals

Stephanie
Katie
Jimi

Cardinals/Reds Game

Hey Everyone.
i know i sent out an email to many of you and got responses...but just wanted to put it out there once more if you would like to go to the game.
Saturday August 16
6:10 Game
St.Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds
cost: $25-40 (still waiting for final number)

If you are interested, please let me know asap.
So far I have 15 people committed to going
1. Chrissi
2. Nat
3. Amber
4. Phil
5. Cheryl
6. Cindy
7. Sarah Nunery
8. Ben Nunery
9. Becky Palmieri
10. James Palmieri
11. Sarah Craynon
12. (possibly) Amber cousin
13. (possibly) Amber cousin
14. Emma Gibbons
15. John "Gibbons"
16. (possibly) Carol
17. (possibly) Todd -- wont bring the dogs if that helps! =)
18. (possibly) Kaitlyn Palmieri

Katie? Sarah R? Abbi B? well??!?!?

I am planning on buying tickets this week...
love you all!
Mrs. P

business minded

Carol has the other one..

There are two pics of this sunset at My. Sinai....this is mine, the other is at carols blog (http://ceb2song.blogspot.com)

i love comments!!

i am a bad blog reader, cause i read but never comment, but I love it when people comment on mine, so maybe, just maybe i might change my ways...

saturday night...still in the works...carol is trying to figure out her schedule and if she is going to work in am or pm so that will determine alot and the main reason for goin to LaRosas is because she would be working....but ill keep you all updated as i know so keep checking up on it.

Mrs. P

In a distant land....

Hmm, what has happened since the last i posted? the only thing really exciting was our sister trip to egypt. We travelled the country for 17 days and saw ALOT of OLD shit! A trip like that is always welcome in my mundane world. It is a reminder of how easy we have it and how much America has to offer, not only in oppurtunities to succeed but also in its beauty and diverse attractions. We went to Sharm el Sheikh, a beautiful beach in the Red Sea...gorgeous in so many ways, and while there I realize that I travelled on 6 planes (from peoria, counting abu simbel) to get there and i was MILES from home...i thought of Florida and California...in my OWN country, I have something to offer so spectacular and yet I never take advantage of it. The trip is refreshing though, especially for my crippled self-image. Its nice to feel beautiful, even if it comes from horny egyptians!
Egypt was great, i love to experience other cultures and learn new languages. The middle east is so welcoming and friendly, especially in Egypt but 99% of the time its because they want to 1. make you their fourth wife, 2. get your into their store to buy something 3. because they are just plain friendly. I didnt meet a mean one yet! It was weird not to see very many women, but they were all at home being wives I suppose. It took me a while to get back in the groove of life, being sick didnt help and going pretty much non-stop for 2 weeks doesnt either. I think I am finally getting some energy back.
I think I got more appreciation of the trip after getting back. I sorted out my Egypt pictures and then my boss wanted me to show them to my co-workers at a pizza party. I relunctantly agreed. I worked out all my images in folders based on location and spent some time figuring out why the temple or location or person was so significant. So now i feel like I have a better understanding of where I went, what I saw and why people stand in awe of it. I have some pretty cool pictures too!

There are some for your viewing pleasure. Carol and Cheryl have been giving me a hard time because it has taken too long to get them their pictures...they should have them this week. I am planning on retouching some of them and either just printing them and framing them or making a hard bound coffeetable book. I think that would be cool to do for Israel too! I went last weekend and got some nice frames for my papyrus paintings, but now i have no idea where to put them. I have so much wall space and no idea what to do with any of it. Unfortunately I dont have a interior design bone in my body.

I have been thinking about going back to school to get my masters or my secondary teachers certificate. I am not sure what I want to do...i just figure that teaching is a perfect career for me because i love to teach others what i know, and i figure teaching graphic design or computer graphics is an up and coming teacher need. I also really like the schedule. It would give me more oppurtunity to market photography to seniors as well as getting holidays and summers off. I jsut think it would be a great mix for me. The idea keeps coming and going, the only downfall is the money aspect. I am sure that after school and getting degree that i would get a job making the same as i do now....but maybe i would enjoy it more!?!?!

I started going to a chiropractor for my back. It has been hurting me for a while but i am jsut the worlds biggest procrastinator and i keep putting it off. We now I am finally going and I feel better, although it has only been twice. I think that it will make me feel better in the long run and hopefully get rid of my headaches. I am also going to weight watchers. I was really diligent before egypt but then went i got back my buddy that goes to meetings with me was busy and then got sick and then had to have surgery so I have been on my own, and it sucks BIG TIME. She is a lot of fun and reminds me Cheryl, and we talk about the same things I would talk to Cheryl about. Hopefully she will be back on the wagon in a couple weeks, then i can show her up! I have lost a total of 11.5, which is good, but I could be doing so much better if I would jsut stay committed. We will see how it goes. I would just really like to get down to pre-marriage weight...I have gained nearly 25 pounds since i married him and 30 since i met him....that is WORSE than the FRESHMAN FIFTEEN!!

So I have started to walk the dogs. Sandy comes over sometimes to help, and granted I have only done it 3 times, its more than i would have! The girls are pretty good on leashes, except for sadie, she hates it and is constantly pulling on it. Its sorta cute and annoying all at once. Otherwise they are all really good...its good for them, cause they (ETTA ESPECIALLY) are OVERWEIGHT. Soon we will all be able to go around the block 4 times without loosing our breath!

I am trying to think of anything more interesting that has gone on in my life, and i honestly am at a loss. Life is day to day now and everything seems so mundane day after day. Jsut trying to get through without having a breakdown. Trying to figure out my life before it passes me by. Ill be 30 this year, and although i still am young and have the rest of my life in front of me, i was thinking that i would have accomplished something significant by now...and i guess I have to most, but there are goals that just never seem to get met and things i want to do that i feel like I am running out of time to get accomplished. I guess i just expected more.

So Nat is in school and working on the unfinished duplex across the street from our house that his sister bought. He will hopefully graduate from school this time next year, if everything goes as planned. The duplex is coming along well, but they still have ALOT of work to do...right now they are working on plumbing and electric, then insulation, walls, mudding, floors, painting, cabinets, doors,....i am tired jsut thinking about it. It has WAY more work to do than our house did...at least we had walls! They got a good deal on it, i jsut hope that get it done soon so that Nat will come back and finish our house! I think there will a lot of yard work in the near future. We are buying some trees with our income tax check and then we are going to work on the yard and landscaping (which i PRAY will help with the muddy floors from no grass, rain and dogs....).

Our house just need final touches...which i think is supposed to take a lifetime to finish. I would really like to get the basement done by this time next year, but I think it depends on the duplex and landscaping. I wouldnt imagine that they would start it before fall, that way boating season is over and its colder and there is really no excuse. =)
I have been trying to get outta debt, and that seems like the hardest thing to do. I am supposed to be using my check to pay off debt and I have it all figured out and how much i was paying with each paycheck and how long it would take. Unfortunately I had to revise my plan and instead of getting out of debt this year, it is going to be Jan 2010 and that is if nothing deters us. I hate/loathe/despise/abore debt...it puts such a strain on life and dreams and things you really want to do...and i know that once i get outta debt ill just use the money to buy more shit...but still....i will be out from under it. I have dreams of studio in basement with lighting equipment and tripods, backdrops and props, then dreams of furniture without teeth marks and hand-me-downs that will make our humble abode look like a house instead of a kennel. One day, my dreams will come!

Owning a house take alot of money....stay with the 'rents as LONG AS POSSIBLE!!

I havent had anything to do at work that last couple days, which makes the says DRAG on, and i would happily read blogs but there are many of you that dont write on a daily basis...you all should aspire to cindy's blogging skills! barely ever misses a day!! I am to blame as well, but life is just plain boring!

so you all should help me figure out my photography niche. Search out some really cool photoshop effects and posing and just unique ideas that no one else has really tried. I think i have a name, but give me some suggestions. I need to get my website built and get some clients under my belt and see if this photography thing will actually give me a decent salary/career...so any and all ideas are appreciated. I know Katies big idea goes something like "after taking pics of kid, show to parents within a year" sorry, babe, it doesnt help that you live in OHIO!! or rather i live in ILLINOIS....all well. when your child is 15, you may get back some baby pics!!! hahahah =)

One day I will be an award-winning photographer...ONE DAY DAMNIT!!

Id like to make the most of my trip while I am there for Becky's wedding so Cheryl and I are proposing to get a group together to go to LaRosas on Saturday night. Let me or her know if you are interested. I think it will be around 6-7pm. then possibly hanging out at cheryls after?!?!? Who knows!! LET THE NIGHT DECIDE!!

i love you all and think of you often
Mrs. P

Snow Day

Semi-Blog

hurling....as in puking in disgust

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/07/27/national/main1843396.shtml

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/31/national/main3438079.shtml?source=mostpop_story

wonderful

have i mentioned lately how INCREDIBLE and WONDERFUL my husband is? cause he is!

sdrawkcaB gnioG....(Going Backwards)

I know its been a long time since I have really written, but I have been sorta busy! The house is coming along very well now and things are starting to come together and get finished. It is not as overwhelming as it was a month ago, but we still have a lot of work to do.
I have been really tired lately. I get home at 5 and swear i could sleep till i had to go to work the next morning. I wish i could just shake it. I am blaming it on the house --- finally all the stress is catching up with me and my body needs to rest. I think i might be coming out of it.
I am VERY VERY VERY (times infinity) that Cheryl is coming to visit this weekend. I really need some affirmation of doing such a good job on the house that isnt coming from Nat's family, granted I LOVE Nats family....i love mine more! I also need some sister time and someone there to be with other than just Nat.
I have started making new friends. A group of girls have been going out every wednesday night and it really is awesome for me. I thrive by being around people. I am thrilled to have some girls that are my friends, by my own submission. They are a good fun group of girls and i love hanging out with them. It is very nice to have a place to go where I can learn again how to be social---i have been cooped up so long i felt like I was not only losing myself but also the confidence to be anything good for anyone else...
I have been researching a new camera. I think i have basically decided on Nikon (over Canon) but still havent narrowed down which model i want. I am thinking the new Nikon D300 or D3 (coming out brand new in November!), there is another one too but I cant remember what model it is. I am trying to stay in a reasonable price range, but I also want a significant upgrade from what I have. I am sorta jealous of Cindy's showings and stuff. She is motivating me to get back into it again. Its been a while and I am really rusty.
I have also been looking into lighting and backdrops and plan to go around Peoria looking for some cool and new places to take pictures. Maybe that will help even more to get out of this rut.
I have been wanting to go to church lately, but just havent gone. I kind of dont want to be a fraud, but then i guess we all are so it doesnt really matter. I miss HIM, my heart aches and i know he is the CURE. It is also a great place to get connected to even more people, I just dont want that to be my sole reason for going...i am sick of not being there though...i just feel so empty and need to be filled up...know what i mean?
So i have been re-evaluting myself..like a personal psycho-analysm. reflecting back on my past and where i want to go and trying to figure out why i live so much in my failures rather than turn them into something beautiful and rewarding. I struggle with 2 main things in my life that I just cant shake. They have been demons in my life for at least a decade if not more. I blame my mom for one, I blame society for the other...but really i need to blame myself for both of them. I have control over me and my actions, but addictions are tough to kick. I am determined for about 3 days then my flame fizzles out. I come up with tons of excuses why I fail...i make "valid" excuses of why I cant follow through. Then i noticed a sort of trend, not only in those 2 areas of my life, but also spilling over to everything else. A lack of confidence in my abilities to do anything successfully...continually coming up with excuses why I cant. I remember in high school, when i was playing volleyball that I would fake a pulled muscle to keep from having to run or jump or even play. I look at photography and starting a studio and i think, i need a better camera, more lighting, studio (all that before I can even go out and take random pictures)...it is really pathetic. If it wasnt for Nat, I wouldnt even have the confidence to put together a portfolio and get the job I currently have...i probably wouldnt even have looked past the IDEA of it...coming up with tons of excuses why they would never hire me....when in fact they were WAITING for me and my specific talents. funny eh? I dont want to keep myself from living anymore because of mundane excuses why something cant be done...even before I try!
I think thay may be the stem of some of my depression lately, feeling like I am letting myself go, not losing her, but not taking ownership of myself, my flaws (and rectifying them) and my talents (and expressing/using them). I guess my excuse is that i am just lazy, but doing nothing irritates me more than running around with my head cut off. I would much rather have 2 jobs and an avid social life then time to sleep or sit and do nothing or just watch tv. I am much happier that way i think. That is definately where Nat and I differ. He doesnt feel the need to make friends, have a social life or even do much of anything beyond what he is doing. I think he is just as scared as I am to change the course life has been on for so long. its scary to change....it bring about the unexpected..the unpredictable...and also the greatest rewards. Maybe I am wrong...maybe he just really is content with himself and life...i guess i am the one with all the issues...
Everyone has those days when they hate life...hate their jobs, their selves, their everything...I dont really have them very often, but i think i would like to stop...go to a beach, relax, not think about anything pressing other than the sound of the waves. It will be a long time before I get that vacation. The Egypt trip will wipe me out of all of my vacation and person days in one hit....i think i even have to take days without pay. I think it will be worth it. Nat doesnt like the idea of taking a brand new camera across the world..but isnt that the point of buying it? to use it! I think I have decided that whatever gift someone gives me should be photography related...camera, lenses, backdrops, lights, props....etc etc. It used to be like that...every christmas i just got one more big photography related item...then i graduated college and havent really got anything since. I think alot has to do with that we are all poor and photography stuff is expensive.
anyway, i should probably get back to work....as much as i truly love it...

love you alls
c.ALIce

Before/After

Office Before


Office After


Utility Room Before


Utilty Room After


Living Room Before


Living Room After


Master Bath Before


Master Bath After


Master Bedroom Before


Master Bedroom After


Dining Room Before


Dining Room After


Entry Before


Front Before


Front After


Brick Close Up



Kitchen Before


Kitchen After



Wall After


Sexy Husband

home sweet home

so its been a LONG time since i have been on my blog, more or less written anything. Here is the update: we finally got our house and we have been working on it non-stop really since we signed! Today our kitchen cabinets started being installed and hopefully by the end of the week we will have all the hardwood installed and most everything outside (siding and brick and gutters, etc) -- this has really been the first day i have not had to do anything on the house and i am so tired...except i need to get an album done and i am REALLY procrastinating. But i think i deserve a break...i am going to take some more pictures and download them later (before and after) so you can see what we have done!

i guess ill write more later cause i am tired and dont really have much more to say...

c.ALIce

update

I am so tired of making decisions, or even the thinking about making decisions. I tihnk that this house is going to be a money pit and we are going to spend more on it than we can afford, but Nat is confident we will be ok...i am just a worry-wart. I keep trying to convince myself to not worry, but its inevitable.
Egypt is a go, which is awesome...the tickets are purchased and i am looking forward to harnessing some photography skills before I go so I can take some spectacular photos...I am not sure I will have time with all the house stuff though. Alhtough in this house i can envision my "studio" and even a darkroom (that is if Nat can sacrifice some of the basement for me! Photography is an expensive business, and I need to go to more seminars to catch up with all the technology.
Tomorrow we are going to have a spa day, something we cant really afford (topic of choice today) but something we deserve for all our hard work on the old house, and i suppose preparation for all the hard work on the new house. We are supposed to sign for both of them on the 30th of July. Nat wants to move everything into the new house i suppose in the back bedrooms, and then live with his dad for a week (but i estimate longer). No big problem with that expect for the dogs...its one thing to tear my house up with dog claws and hairiness, but it is something totally different is destroying someone elses house...i just dont think its a smart idea, and if something happens, it will never be lived down. Not to mention he has fairly brand new hardwood floors....i just think we spend that one week in our house (since we really have till the end of August) and not rush everything so much, cause we really have no control over other people.
I have been feeling like shit lately. I have been overly tired and stressed out. I just want to crawl under a rock and die. I am dealing with many issues, other than just the house. that is just a small peice of that thoughts go through my head. I am just in a hard place right now.
I have finally finished retouching the Burchett reunion and next hopefully will be Katie and Olivia. All i need to do now is order them--that should only take a couple hours, to check and recheck to make sure i ordered them all. I also need to burn the DVDs...I also have projects from Ona and trying to get the business together...and passport and oh God, i am just stressing myself out!!
I just thought i would give an update and hopefully get some friendly encouragment!

Love ya
c.ALIce

oh yeah, to get an idea of the house we are buying, pics are here: http://chrissialice.blogspot.com

missing him

nat left yesterday for turkey..yes the country...he wont be back till next sunday. i am very excited for him. he is going to train CAT dealers on how to use the software he supports. but i miss him....a lot!

now..

i am feeling a LITTLE better, but still dont enjoy looking for houses!

faith. frustration. failure. fickle.

That pretty much sums up my life...i am lacking in faith that this is where I am supposed to be. I am frustrated that i havent been to one house that i like and the one i like is pretty much outta reach. I am a failure in more than one area...and I am fickle...i have no idea what i want!

i feel hopeless, stressed, frustrated, angry, and confused!!

WE SOLD THE HOUSE!!!

thats it..just thought id share...homeless again!

c.ALIce

comfort (er) destroyed

There was a time when our bed was adorned with a ratty old comforter, with holes and so thin you could see through it. then while on a magical trip to Kohls (and 30% off coupon) i found it, the perfect comforter, mainly because of the reasonable price, yet besides that, it was beautiful, funky beautiful (pic at http://chrissialice.blogspot.com). I loved it, a pride came over me when i put it on the bed and it looked nice, and not like a homeless person's cardboard box.
Thanks to a couple mischevious girls, the comforter has met its demise, in less than a week, the comforter now shares the same fate as the former and now has a huge hole in it and until i am bold, brave or stupid enough, i will spend my hard earned money on another comforter, but until then, i guess my "nice things" phase will have to fade quickly.

Now some "un-dog-lovers" will bitch that maybe we should 1. get rid of the dogs (like my husband would allow that!) 2. lock the girls out the bedroom (did that, but door did not cooperate) 3. dont buy new things (yes, yes, cause i want to surround myself with objects that look like they have been rat-infested). But something WILL be done, whether that means that Nat's precious lil girls will very soon become outside dogs or well in my angered state, that seems like a only and damn good solution!

thats all, figured i would share!

c.ALIce

Did I Mention Part 2...

well i am home and its almost surreal that I dont have a list of things to do to the house once i got here. I am almost bored, but believe me I have plenty to keep my busy and entertained. i have a list of photos that need retouching and projects to do and just relaxing will be the main part for just a bit and that will be nice. Nat is in school again and although he only has two classes, they seem to be very difficult and time consuming. I am so proud of him and I know he will finish and with flying colors!
I have seen the adorable Olivia and also the adorable McKinley --another big thing in my life is that my friends are having babies. They seem to be everywhere. I feel a little left out, but I know its not time yet, at least not till we move and get settled. I am hoping that selling this house will put us in a very good financial position, or at least 10X better than we are in now...and that is one step closer to feeling ready for kids...although I am not sure I will ever be ready...Nat on the other hand is a natural...
a new phase of new me is starting today...
12 week countdown. Carol and I and maybe Cheryl are going to Niagara Falls! I am excited. I think we are going to Cedar Point as well. carol planned the whole trip and she is a good planner -- i am just thrilled to be looking forward to a vacation. I am going to KY on June 30th for Moms side of the family reunion. I will be the official photographer with cheryl as my side-kick...its quite the sight to see...us bicker and grip but get some great shots in the process.

well i better try to find something to do...love ya all

C.ALIce

Did I Mention...?

I have a few minutes before I leave from work and really dont feel like working anymore, so figured I'd write a bit. I think i have mentioned before that I really thought the 2007 was going to be the year of change, with my personal motto being "New year, New you!" Its definately been a year of change so far, slow but surely.
As you already know I have a job, a real one, some days I hate it and some days i dont. I have actually considered in the last week or so about going back to school to get my teacher's certificate insecondary education so I can have my summers off and most major holidays. I was looking for schools that had 12-14 month accelerated masters programs with teacher cert...i found a couple, but didnt devote too much time to them.
Also, for those that dont know, and I assume most of you dont..today is day 35 of me not smoking. Its been hard and easy and lately my cravings have been really bad, but I have not succumb to the temptations! GO ME!
This weekend Nat and I put our house on the market OFFICIALLY and had Open House on Saturday and Sunday. We had 6 couples walk through and today we had someone call and say they were coming back and talking to the bank for pre-approval. So it may happen alot sooner than we anticipated. I guess we should start looking for a place to live eh? Moving to Peoria will be a good change I think as far as being able to get connected into a community. I think Nat needs to get out of Tremont although i have come to love and adore the house and it is perfect for us and the girls...its actually the girls I am most worried about...they will go through culture shock and we will have to either build another (perfect) fence or tie them out again or buy a house with a fence...house remodeling take 2...
I found a new friend! Her name is Sandy and I think she will be my saving grace here! We have much in common and she is so sweet and nice and welcoming. I really think that we will get along great. Our schedules have collided over the last couple weeks but we made a date to hang out next saturday and i am really excited. I also had a breakfast date with grandma pflederer planned that day, and poker on friday so it will be a fun-packed weekend!
Nat is leaving for Turkey (yes the COUNTRY) on June 22nd and he will be coming back on July 1st. He is going there to train some Cat dealers, or something. I am excited for him and wish I could go, but I have a real job and no money!
Vanessa is moving back to Illinois that weekend as well. I am not sure how long she is planning on staying, but she is leaving LA and moving here....that i am TOTALLY excited about!! YEAH!!!
Just seems like life is falling together for us and its excited and scary and I know there is more change to come before the year is out!!

ill write more later....maybe...if you are lucky!

c.ALIce

Tremont House

here is a link to the pics of house if anyone is interested in the improvements...if you've been here, you would see they difference....

http://chrissialice.blogspot.com

YEAH

IM AN AUNT!!!

one question

why doesnt anyone ever come visit me?

decisions..changing

I am not sure whats wrong with me....why am i so discontent here in
Illinois. I havent really attempted going out and making friends
cause Nat and I go back and forth every 2-3 months whether we are
moving or staying. I guess I dont see myself raising kids in
Illinois. It is just too far from my sisters and family. I want my
kids to be raise with their aunts and cousins and friends' kids. Now
all my friends are starting to have kids in Ohio. Of course I am a
couple years off (ideally) but still, i like the idea of all my
friends getting together to take our kids to kings island or the
zoo. I like the idea of raising my children in the tight-knit
community I grew up in. Thats my only real issue. I dont want to
be here. What is so horrible about Ilinois? nothing really--just
lonesome. All Nats friends are already married and their kids are
like 12, just feels like a different place in life. The other
friends are ok, but still in the awkward stage and I just dont see
what we have in common...maybe i am just not trying hard enough.
You know when you meet someone and you know they will be your friend
for a long time? There is that instantious friendship and weird
cosmis bond that makes a deep friendship. I guess I just keep
comparing everyone to my friends back home...I want an instant friend
with comfort and history. So what do you do? Do you stay and force
yourself to go find a community of people that will doubtfully
compare to the ones you have, or do you move to be with those people,
or at least ALOT closer?
Its like my heart is torn, knowing that I finally found a job (for
now) and seems to be perfectly tailored for me-- and also starting
over again somewhere else. I am scared to go back to Cincinnati
because I dont want to fall right back into how I was when I was
there. Cause when i lived there before I left for Cincinnati, I was
miserable because even though I had friends, I never saw them. For
some reason I just think it will be different. There just seems to
be more open doors in Cincinnati; photography company with Cheryl,
hanging out with Amber more (cause since college I think i have seen
her 4-5 times but talk to her on the phone AT least once a week),
being closer to family and friends, being able to rely on someone
other than my husband and his friends and family for a social life, a
church i love, experiencing another era of life with those closest to
me...and sharing my new life with them...growing older with each
other, having kids together, maybe go back to school to get MRI
degree or something else. Then there is the other option...stay in
Illinois, love my husband, hope for big raises and start having
kids...hang out with g-ma yoder and g-pa pflederer and all Nats
family. Try to make friends with people around here, find a church
that we both enjoy...basically we would stay in tremont, go to a
church similiar to new bethel and lots of people that grew up
together and trying to somehow fit into that crowd...hell we've been
here for nearly 2 years and still havent made any progress-=its like
trying to fit into our nbbc crowd, you could, but you would still
always be an outsider. Maybe I am a pessemist. Maybe I am just not
trying hard enough...i know I am not. But where do I begin? Like I
was telling Nat, if we could just finally decide to stay or
go....maybe I could settle down...but in the same sentence, I hope
its not stay here. Maybe its just hormones, but I just want to cry
all day. Its not like my life sucks that bad. I am pretty damn
blessed actually. I am surrounded by people that love me--i have a
good job---what else really do I want?
So how do you decide what to do? You have one aspect that staying
here will be good for Nats career (ideally), that own kids will be
surrounded by people that love them and lavish on them (namely
grandparents) and there are good churches and communities to get
involved in if we, or rather i, would actually do it. and Nat likes
it here. Then there is the aspect that he would do anything for me
if I asked, and I guess I fear to take advantage of that and making
him give anything up. cause basically am i not taking him from all
he knows and planting into MY city. So is it better to find a happy
medium somewhere? Not moving to Cincinnati, but close enough that I
can go whenever I want..but then whats the point...i would still be
in a place where i didnt know anyone and pretty much in the same
situation, just not peoria. Now, would I be happier in Peoria rather
than Tremont. To be closer to the city rather than 30-40 minutes
away. Maybe if we were closer that would make it better? i dont
think so....but who knows. What do we do? We are going back and
forth about it all the time...not arguing, but discussing all the
pros and cons...he has pros for being here and I have pros for
leaving! I just think his career is important and its important that
he loves what he does, but that he also makes enough to support a
family. I definately dont want to be struggling financially for much
longer, and ESPECIALLY when we start having kids. We would be pretty
comfortable right now if it wasnt for all the debt...so thats
promising...but moving away would be me quitting my job and us
selling the house, then I would have to find another job and
hopefully enjoy it like this one (it is fine now, but i wonder how
long i will be able to stand it--guess it depends on how much changes
with the new company). Granted selling the house would get us outta
more debt...its still taking a pay cut and ultimately spending more
to live (cause the house payment now is pretty low and i am not sure
we could get that anywhere else.) see how it can go back and forth
endlessly!
stay, go, stay, go, stay, go, stay. go......i wish we could just
decide!! Do we just think too much? I guess I just want some
unbiased input. Maybe list our priorities and figure out how what we
have fits or doesnt, or if we have to be here to accomplish all those
goals----we just need to decide what we want and what is most
important, i guess....
anyway, I am sure that was overly scatterbrained and made no
sense....all well.
c.ALIce

Partnership

So its been almost a year that I have been married.� I think it feels about right.� I dont feel like ive been married for 20 years or so comfortable or in a groove that we have it all figured out.� Above all and everything I LOVE MY HUSBAND.� �I couldnt imagine life with anyone else.� He seriously is the other half of me.� He builds me up in the areas of my life where the building up helps me grow in things i lack confidence in.� He encourages me the best he knows how--- and even I am not sure how to let him encourage me (especially in the areas of my life where I want to remain control or feel the most hopeless in) which brings me to my "thought".� Marriage requires partnership...and as of yet, that is the HARDEST thing to learn.� SO lets investigate...what is a partnership?
According to dictionary.com the definition is "A relationship between individuals or groups that is characterized by mutual cooperation and responsibility, as for the achievement of a specified goal"� or otherwise the "the state or condition of being a partner; participation; association; joint interest."� Partner is defined as "One that is united or associated with another or others in an activity or a sphere of common interest, especially:"� I personally think the first defination is the best to make my point.� A 'mutual cooroperation' and 'responsibility' to achieve a specified goal.� Now I mentioned that my husband is fantastic..he loves me SO much and I never have a doubt of his sincerity and depth of love and admiration for me (ok, other than a couple days a month due to ragin hormones...but still DEEP down I KNOW).� There are certain things in my life that I am very defensive with...and things I have struggled with for a long time.� They are goals that I have made for myself yet have never accomplished.� I shared my heart with him and try to open up and let him know that I am trying to psuh through, accomplish these things, and yet I still fail.� Now understand that our mentalities are different in this respect.� He says "well baby, if you want to lose weight, then just do it"� sounds so simple and non-complicated and really takes it to its core..Just DO It...sounds like a Nike commercial.� I on the other hand can have determination and will to accomplish these goals for a short while and then its like my fire just burns out.� The problem arises when he attempts to keep me accountable.� I resist it and determine myself not to let his encouragement influence me...its like something inside flips and I get defensive and hard-headed. Where did my fight against 'authority' come from?� So this is where the dying to me comes and where marriage begins.� So the hardest thing to step down from is my pride..."dont tell me how to do something, dont tell me I cant do something - mentality"� This is the most trying of all places in marriage...this is where you decide whether you want a partner in life and if so, you move closer together to accomplish a goal, or you decide to resist the help (my disposition) and move a little farther away from your marriage and the trust and encouragement and friendship--because after a while he is going to give up and not push that button anymore and I fear that I will lose a bit from our foundation because of that.
So partnership...taking responsibility that its OUR life, not MY life...cooperate mutually with him to accomplish a goal...even though its ultimately up to me to actually do it, but to open my heart and mind and soul (letting down my pride) to allow him to encourage, motivate, and even discipline me.� To not take offensive to his sweet pleading..dont clam up and feel like a failure when he wants to stand beside me and help me not BE a failure...dont do it out of spite just to prove to someone that I am ultimately in control of what do, when and how I do it.��
If you know me at all, you know I have been a rebel, or rather have dealt with my pride, for most of my life.� If someone says I cant do something, I am damn well going to do it--within reason of course.� My heart has always been torn because of this.� For instance, I want to a woman of God that people respect and admire and that feeling still comes up when people say "you can be so much more"---for some reason I feel like keeping people from "being right" about my life, gives me some boasting rights about proving them wrong.
There was an instance last weekend where Nat scoft at something I did because he didnt want me to do it---knew i wanted to change and was trying to keep me accountable.� At the time I was defensive...i had no answers when he asked me what he had to do to keep me accountable.� It took me a couple days and it finally dawned on me--it was about my pride and this feeling I had towards him was not anger but resistance, and I didnt know why...now it has a name, and it makes sense to me what I need to do is not necessarily MY plan for life...but the plan that makes OUR life better.

Day One and Two

So yesterday was my first day at my new job. I think I am really going to like it there. People are super friendly and very welcoming. They seem to have a lot of fun all day and I think that will help with the mundane moments. I am a little nervous about what I will be doing all the time, but excited because there is so much potential to be fantastic and my boss already loves me and my designs. He took me around yesterday and introduced me to 40+ people and then I had lunch with all the artists and breaks as well. Ended my day on a great note and was excited and ready to go to work this morning...then BLIZARD (no not the delectible treats from Dairy Queen..we are talking snow here). Granted it was not as bad as the one in december, and actually seems quite mild in comparison, but day two...and I have to call in. I talked to my boss and he said it was ok...really to do what I thought was best, but also told me that I would be sitting and reading the manual he already read to me. So i opted not to brave the weather. Most people would be ecstatic that they could get a day off, yet I was sorta bummed.
I have my own desk that I get to decorate and my own key to get in and out of the building. I feel so professional. I thought that the waking up early would be my downfall, but i seem to get out of bed with no problem (knock on wood) although I am exhausted by 4pm and just want to take a nap. overall I am very happy with the job, although i've only officially been there for one day!
anyway, i thought i would share about my first couple days.

Chrissi

Career Woman

I know I probably should have announced this last week, but I just havent had time. I know I blogged about the job interview with Peoria Journal Star, well I also went on the second interview and they hired me!! My official first day is February 12th. I went through the drug screening and physical and now I have to make it through the first 90 day probation and I am a shoe-in. I am a little stressed, but its a new job, there is always room for stress and anxiety. i am excited though, its a great oppurtunity to work in a real-life setting and get some job experience.
I have to learn some programs I am not all that familiar with, but I impressed them by learning some basics before I went in for designing (2nd interview). I have been sick this weekend and still feel very wore out, but I guess i have to push through and get-r-done.
Sadie is super needy today. she has been right next to me all day. Etta is usually the needy one, but not as much as Sade-ster today. Its cold here in Illinois, like negative degrees and we got snow last night and its still coming down, I think it will get at least 4-5 inches.
well I better get to learning some features of the programs ill be using at my NEW JOB next week. I think the hardest thing to adjust to is that its 8:30-4:45 Mon-Fri. No days off, although its steady and consistent...it will be a super hard adjustment to not make my own schedule, but they pay me enough to bare the sacrifice!
love you all, thanks for the prayers, I just wanted you to know that they actually work!!!
c.ALIce

And it begins....

I got a job interview!! its with Peoria Journal Star as a Production Artist. My interview is on Thursday at 3pm. I am excited that I got a call back, apparently all the hard work with the resume and portfolio paid off. There is also another job I have my eye on. It is a studio install technician for a photographic supply company. I think I am more excited about that job, but haven't heard back from them. This is where I have to trust that God knows what he is doing. Job hunting is hard, what if you get hired with the job you sorta want and then the job you really want calls and wants you...but I guess we should stay focused on the real reason I am looking for a job---stability. Funny what things happen when you grow up and the direction of your life changes.
Nat and I decided to try for kids this year, but I think we may put it off for one more year just to make sure we are ready for one. right now i think it would be too soon, but I am excited about the possibilities in the future (sometimes) still a scary thing to think about.
anyway...just wanted to give you an update!
It was AWESOME to see all of you this weekend...You dont know how much i needed some girl time!!

c.ALIce

WARNING

DO NOT WATCH GREYS ANATOMY IF YOUR DAD DIED...IT WILL ONLY MAKE YOU MISS HIM AND THATS NO FUN

El Fin

I finally finished (well mostly--still needs a little bit more). I did my resume, contact sheets, portolfio and am working on a CD with other related or unrelated material. I must say, I feel very pleased with the overall look and a sense of accomplishment that I completed it. Now I must mail them out!!! Wish me luck and all the prayers you can possibly muster up that I land a good job with a nice salary!!

love you all
c.ALIce

Job

Just wanted to let you all know that looking/applying for a job is like pulling out all your teeth without novicane. I am so tired. I wear myself in the preparation part and am scared to death that someone would actually call and offer me a job. I am pathetic. It should just fall into my lap right? All this work for a job that pays $9/hr...am i not worth more than that? I am a job snob. I dont want just any job. I want a job that I can grow into and with..one that I will be happy with 5 years (rather 5 months) from now. I have my resume done and I am happy with it. Now I am trying to work on my portfolio to send with my resume...not as easy a task I am afraid. I am clueless, which doesnt help. I wish someone would just tell me what to do...cause I have no idea what I am supposed to do!

cALIce

Pathetic

I think most of you have probably given up on my blogs. three months...how pathetic. I cant really think of anything exciting to talk about. So i guess Ill just tell you whats been going on.
As you probably know, I quit virtuallnk in August. My life was so much less stressful and semi-peaceful. Then shortly after I got a job with a photographer in Peoria. I love working with her most of the time (everyone has their days). Trouble is that I only work there part time 15-20 hours a week. Which is good, but not good enough. I talked to her about going full time in January, but it wont be working out like i thought. In order to help Nat with the bills, I had to get another part time job (which actually ends up being 30+ hours a week (you do the math). Some weeks arent as bad as others, but sometimes it is down right exhausting. My second job is a cashier at Walmart. Now I thought that this job would help me meet new people and find friends, but to no avail. It is still a loner job. Cant really cut it up with the other cashiers and most of the time the customers arent so friendly. Plus it is boring!!! The time pokes by like you are standing in line for a ride at kings island. 10 minutes feels like 2 hours. I dont think I have any choice but to suck it up. I consider going to get a 9-5 job, but what the hell would I do? I kind of like the flexibility of working with Ona, but walmart sucks because after 2 years of not having anyone tell you when and where to be at work and being able to make my own schedule, now I have people dictating my life with weekly schedules (that mind you are made 3 weeks in advance!). I feel like I have no control anymore. I cant quit though...I have nothing else substantial to fall back on. I have considered going back to school to get my teachers cert to be able to teach HS, but I am not sure how good Id be at that either. Maybe I should consider substituting first...then i fear they will put me in a room full of 5 year olds and I will suffer an anxiety attack. fear...what a messed up emotion...wont let you do anything!
I am also considering having a freelance design business, but that takes time and money to start up and I dont have much of either!
I miss Ohio. the lack of community aches in my heart and I think I take it out alot on Nat, indirectly. I really dont have any excuse why I dont have friends, other than I dont know anyone. I feel like I am trapped in Nats world, surrounded by his friends, his family and his everything. Could I be losing my identity as Chrissi. I guess I feel I am not categorized but as Nat's wife. No one really "talks" to me. You know, those out on the porch till 2am conversations...those talks about where you are, where you want to be and who you really think you are. those talks of encouragement and even those that kick you in the butt. I feel like i am missing the best times of my friends lives. They are having children, buying houses, making life changes and I am so far away that I dont even know how to talk to them anymore because maybe I feel we dont have anything to connect us anymore but our past (which can only be reminiscenced so much). I dont feel like I am of much worth. What defines my worth? the people that surround me, the pride I have in what i do for a living and how i help others. my worth is defined by how responsible i am and how much i have going for me. Maybe i have my blinders on. maybe i dont see beyond the hopelessness I feel right now. I am 28 years old with a bachelors degree working at walmart. I dont have any motivation and nothing really to hold in esteem right now. I dont feel like I have anything of my own. nothing that is purely mine. I want the determination to change my life. To step outta my comfort zone. to conquer those demons that have haunted me for years; fear, laziness, hopelessness, anger, discontentment, unsettling, lack of drive, irresponsibily...i guess the list can go on and on.
I am tired. its like feeling your feet are cemented to the floor and you can only look at what you could accomplish and the person you would truly be if only you could break yourself out of the mold you've plastered around yourself.
I dont take pictures anymore. havent for quite some time...why is that? i am jealous of those that have the zeal for what i once loved. easy to say "then go take pictures" --- bout as easy to do as carrying the ton pound brick on my shoulder as well.
I realize I have never accomplished anything I was at one time determined to accomplish. What ever happened to the girl that dreamed of owning a coffee shop. Where is the girl that dreamed of bringing people together in community and helping them grow. Where is the girl that was so free from others pre-concieved ideas, that went with the beat of her own drum? Where is the girl that loved to be around people, loved to sit and get to know others hearts and dreams? What happened to that girl? Did she grow up along with society’s pressures of “normalacy”? It makes me wonder whether that girl ever existed or if she too was a figment of my imagination, maybe just a dream of a girl I always wanted to be.
There are some days I want to get up and fight, fight for a life I know I am capable of. Fight for the vision of the woman I see in my head that I could be. I want people to line up at my funeral with utmost respect for the person I was. I want people to want to be like me, to emulate my desires, to be jealous of my zeal for life and love and adventure. I don’t want to wrestle with these demons anymore, I want them to be cast down and go away forever!
Pipe dreams…or is it? Would you recognize me if I truly became who I thought I was destined to be? Would you still love me? Of course you would, you couldn’t resist!!! =)
I am waiting…that’s my problem. I wait for her to just show up. Like one miraculous day she is going to just be me. I know that in order to show her to others, I have to walk down that long valley of change. No one wants to change…its hard, tough, scary. Its so much more comfortable to continue to dream and not achieve than to achieve and experience other dreams!
I am not sure how I feel. I want to be successful at something. I want to make enough money to pay my bills. I want to feel respected and admired. I want to be the person that people go to because they know they will be encouraged and motivated just by being in my presence. I want to love my husband without fear or reservation. I want to be happy in my soul. I don’t want to be tired, weary and discouraged all the time. I want that change to occur in my mind, soul and mind that would push me to grow. People in cinci may see that person, but I feel like right now…in this moment of my life… I am so insignificant here. I feel like I have nothing worthy to offer, and the thought of trying to find a career scares me, and at the same time perplexes me because I cant come up with anything that I am exceptional at doing.
Crossroads in life suck. I feel like I need to get the ball rolling in my life to be able to look back and be proud. I need to take those steps I have always feared to take. Take those risks that may return void. I feel like I have to decide between life in a career of working for others, or working for myself. I need to find balance in my life between work, social and spiritual life. I guess now I feel like I am lacking the later two, and have too much of the unsatisfying remainder. I think I need to emulate that SNL skit “I am good enough, smart enough and doggonit people like me”
I hate feeling discontent. I hate not taking control of my life and making it my own rather than working for people that have made it their reality. I hate being a follower and not a leader. I hate not standing up for what my heart longs for. I hate not knowing what my next step is. I hate living life without vision or drive. I hate not having anything thats mine.
Is this something I inherited…to let life pass me by. To not allow myself to live out of my comfort.
I doubt this is making sense to anyone. It’s a lot of rambling about heart with no clear definition of what it is that I truly want. How do I see myself in 1 year? 3 years? 5 years? Will I still be ranting about what I shouldve done and how life is passing me by and I am accomplishing nothing significant.
I don’t want to be a martyr. I don’t want to heal world hunger, or encourage everyone to be a vegetarian. I don’t want to be a politician. I just want to figure out what my purpose is, I want to establish my life in Illinois and surround myself with people that love and care for me deeply and really ASK how I am wanting to know the real answer. I want to be successful at something other than being a failure. I want to look in the mirror and be proud of the person I see. I don’t want to struggle with the same habits for the next 20 years. I am dying for change, and don’t know where to begin, and that is where the frustration comes from. I see this girl in my head that people take a second glance at for her beauty and spirit and drive. I see this woman in my mirror that I cant barely stand to look at because I don’t see anything worthy.
Call this the pity party of 2006! I have come a long way. There have been substancial changes in my life that I would never have expected 2 years ago. I understand this is a journey that requires patience and endurance. I understand I may never be satisfied. I know that one day, if need be the total breaking down of my will, I will accomplish something. Today I want it all…I am sick of waiting.
Its something no one can help me with. The encouragement drives me to rebellion. I don’t want people to see me in the journey, I don’t want them to help…I want to do it on my own (because I know in my heart I am strong enough). I don’t want them to keep me accountable because that makes me feel like a failure and leads me to just give up again and again. I don’t want it. I want to be awed. Ya know…like going to your ten year reunion for high school…to walk in and be envied. I don’t want to be seen in the dirt and grim of it (which is why I think marriage is so hard…there is no where to hide or escape). I feel the need for a reboot…for my screen to go dark so no one can see whats really going on in the background. And then…..well I think I am determined enough, if only I could get past myself.
The journey is lonely for a time, hard for a while and rewarding for a lifetime. I need to tap into that strength and will I know exists. You know what you need to do to make that strength obvious…something you do behind closed doors that shows your true heart, passions and devotions. Cry out on my behalf. Groan for peace, satisfaction and purpose. Weep for my heart and soul. Stand up for me when I am weak. Grant me the priveledge of prayer. Fast for my stubbornness and pride. That’s all I ask, because I know that its more powerful than all other devices. It withstands the self doubt and weaknesses…it alone can transform the body, soul and mind in an instant. It alone can bring to me the salvation I long for.
I think that’s it…I miss and love you all desperately and I want you to know that my heart aches for your companionship. I am always a phone call away!

c.ALIce

VC Lovers need your help!!

Please pass this one and save Vanilla Coke from permanant demise and its lovers from a lifetime of devastation!!!!
Many of you may know, or you may not, but I am an AVID lover of Vanilla Coke. Its the only thing I drank until it was pulled off the market, off the shelves and out of my life. Pleas help!!!
Go to http://www.savevanillacoke.org and sign the petition to get vanilla coke back!!

They say that their consumers asked for black cherry vanilla...i wonder WHO they are talking to...that crap is disgusting!!

Whether you like VC or not, please support our mission so that we can all live in harmony.

Thanks!!
Chrissi

life, etc.....

this is an email i wrote earlier...but pretty much sums everything up

LIFE:
I quit my job with virtuallnk as a graphic designer becasue I was miserable working from home and having NO contact beyond Nat. So I am taking a job with photographer in Peoria. i think it will be awesome because I actually get to work with pictures and albums which i have always wanted to learn to do and also take some pictures. i am not sure the hours or the pay, but at this point I am just overly excited about the oppurtunity to get my foot in the door. Ryan (our friend) also said I am basically hired at Starbucks Pekin...when it finally opens. I think its supposed to open end of September, early October. So there's two jobs in the bag!! YEAH I AM SO EXCITED!!
LOVE:
I love my husband. He may be getting a raise, which is very exciting. We will know in the next couple months. He is so awesome to me that I dont think i ever do enough to make him happy (although he tells me that i am). I am glad he went to church with me on Sunday. It would be nice to get re-aquainted with those people, but I also wonder if he would grow more and be more open to getting involved if it wasnt at Northfield (his home church)...I dunno, we will have to see. I wonder how we get involved with at home bible studies (do they even offer that?)
FAMILY:
Life is good for them. Mom seems to be really happy, though i am sure she has her moments. Cheryl is currently on vacation, she was at moms till wednesday then she is went to North Carolina. Carol may be moving from Cincinnati to Campbellsville, KY. There is a potential opening for a dorm director and a VERY good possibility she can also teach some classes there as well. Its the college she went to for her bachelors and its her dream to teach there, so that is really exciting for her. one problem is that she cant take her dog Judah with her...and Cheryl, me and mom dont really want her either. Its really sad actually, but I am sure we will find her a good home.
BUSINESS:
I started a home-based business with Arbonne. Have you ever heard of it? The products are PHENOMENAL and the compensation and rewards are the best for direct sales businesses. I am hoping to be able to get some networking done in Illinois and expose the Holiday catalog. There are so many good things in there for Christmas gifts. I have some ideas on what I am planning on getting people that I dont know what to get them. I am having some trouble because i dont know anyone here because the entire time I have been here I have been working from home. I had a couple parties in Cincinnati that were awesome last month. I am hoping to make district manager by next month..which means i really need to get my butt in action. It has really forced me to get out and meet new people, which has been really good for me.
You can look online at the holiday stuff. If you need to get anything for cousins, aunts, mothers, mother-in-laws, sisters, sister in laws, friends, guys, co-workers, birthdays, weddings, etc etc...remember when you look at the price online that it is 35% off that price (if you sign up to be a consultant)....so if your christmas budget is around $20-30 per person...these might be some great ideas...trying to make it easy for ya. Better than Bath and Body!!! =) I am going to buy the set of three of the smaller ones and mix and match little baskets...i think that will be clever! I LOVE THE MANDARIN CASHMERE!!!!

Here is a link to look over them....
https://www.arbonne.com/shop_online/shoponline.asp

Also, if you want to host a party or have a catalog show...let me know!!!

http://chrissi.myarbonne.com

So that basically sums up my life...little bit of work, little bit of love, family and Arbonne. Overall I am very content with where my life is and where it is going to take me. I have my days though!!!

CP

Coke Addicts

This is hilarious....well to me, but i thought i would share
So Nat is sitting on the couch, watching tv...he drinks coke, in the bottles. He opened it then put it on the floor next to him. Then I saw Sadie, walk right over to the coke bottle (which was full mind you) and dragged it into the middle of the floor and started chewing on it. Its not unusual for the girls to chew on empty water bottles and coke bottles, but she blantantly stole a full coke bottle from Nat. HAHHAHAHAAHHAAH
Then, he took it from her and put it next to him again, she climbed up on him, gave him a couple kisses, then STOLE IT AGAIN. Now we are a little to blame, cause we have taught them to chew on coke bottles, but usually empty ones!!!
Nat noticed earlier today that they (being Sadie and Etta, because most days they work as a tag team) dragged a full bottle outside (last one from a 6-pack with plastic thing still attached)...and one fourth of it was left.
So I have concluded that Etta and Sadie are both coke addicts.

CP

quitter

Failure is not the only punishment for laziness; there is also the success of others.

Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.

Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.

Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.

People are fond of spouting out the old cliché about how Van Gogh never sold a painting in his lifetime. Somehow his example serves to justify to us, decades later, that there is somehow merit in utter failure.
Perhaps, but the man did commit suicide.

Ninety-nine percent of all failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses.