Beautiful Somehow

Artist: Joy Williams
Album: By Surprise
Track: Beautiful Somehow


Never been a fashion queen
I wear dresses, I wear jeans
I’ve even been known to wear my heart on my sleeve
I’m just your average kid next door
A plain, simple mystery
I’m a self-proclaimed Daddy’s girl
With my share of idiosyncrasies
But You love me for me

I’m just fine
I see a smile from Heaven
My Father is proud
I know that I am simply, fearfully and wonderfully
Made in You
You make it beautiful somehow

I’ve got old fashioned sensibilities
I believe chivalry still exists
And I can be a princess
Even when there ain’t no prince
So what if I’m right brained
I’ve got half a mind to disagree
I would rather write the book
Than go and read the movie
So even when I may not rhyme
You always give me reason…

Got my elbows on the table
My mind up in the clouds
I know I’m getting better
I can almost hear You laugh out loud
The more I trust in You
The more I find
What You create is no mistake
It’s purpose by design

The Match Game

I don't match today.... I thought I did when I left the house but by the time I got to work I realized that I definitely didn't match. Of course one of my coworkers pointed it out first thing when I walked in.... gotta love honest people. So now I've been sitting here all day knowing that I don't match and being incredibly uncomfortable.

Five tips for a woman....

1. It is important to find a man that helps you around the house and has a job.

2. It is important to find a man that makes you laugh.

3. It is important to find a man you can count on and doesn't lie to you.

4. It is important to find a man that loves you and spoils you.

5. It is most important that these four men don't know each other.

The "Incident"

This is my truck, or was my truck. I actually don't know if it is or was since the insurance hasn't gone through yet. So here's the update... on Thursday I was rushing home real quick to change clothes and head out to the Astros game with Marilee!!! We had awesome seats that my boss had given me since no one else was using them. Well as I turned left into my apartment complex I heard a horn honk and then my airbags deployed... I really have no idea what happened. So now I think that I will be purchasing a new car. The saddest part is that this is the truck that I had all the way through college. I had so many memories involving this truck... so I've decided to list my favorite memories.

1. The day that I got the truck
My mom was out of town because my nephew had just been born and my dad and I went and bought the truck while she was born. My mom still swears to this day that we waited until she went out of town and went behind her back to get it...

2. Rain Dance
This summer is frequented by memories of my vehicle.... moving in when I drove my truck in the grass between the apartment buildings and freaked some drunk guy out, so I could pull right up to the door. Then there was the first time I spilled something in my truck turning out of the rain dance apartments... those apartments were really creepy.

3. Lampasas
Ah the spring ho festival ... what more can I say besides... thanks Hub for cleaning my truck.

4. The comedy club
Nothing goes with Houston than having 5 hispanics stuffed in a little truck pulling up to a five star hotel....

So here's to my truck... all the moving, the nights out, and the drive thrus... I will miss you...

Now I know some of you have fav memories of the truck so c'mon... post em.

Single and Fabulous - Exclamation Point

I just wanted to write today to tell anyone who still reads my blog, that God is awesome!!

Last night we had our first devo of the summer for the singles' ministry... as many of you know I am helping to advance this ministry at our church. And as many of you know this is a ministry that needs a lot of help usually!! I have yet to understand why we go through middle school, high school and college using all of our time to praise God with other Christians and fellowship, and somehow after college that just stops. I don't know about you, but I want it back!! As Matthew West (a Christian Artist) says:

"Well, I wish I could say I always stayed right there And I did until my freshman year But the world was pulling me a long way from thirteen And you were calling but I didn't hear Still I knew there was something more So, one day my knees hit the dorm room floor I said, "If you're there, and if you really care, Come and talk to me like I was thirteen." "

Anyway, the devo was awesome and we're well on our way to creating a place for singles' to come and be a part of a family... God's family. So pray for us and praise God that He works in awesome ways. And take time today to rekindle that feeling ... the mountain top feeling of when you were young and you had just discovered how great being a Christian could be.

Fill in the Blanks

So I realized today that I haven’t updated my blog in 5 months!!! 5 MONTHS!! That’s a long time. Why hasn’t anyone complained…. Do people even still read my blog? Who knows? Well for those of you who are still reading this here’s what I have been up to.

1. My parents are taking all of us (the WHOLE family) to Disney World in a month. I’m kind of excited… I love Roller Coasters and we haven’t been on a family vacation since I was in third grade… so we’ll see how this goes.

2. I took another exam, and I think that I might have passed this one but we’ll have to wait until July to find out.

3. I am now in charge of the singles’ ministry at my church and consequently I have learned that I don’t like planning things for people my age… I also realized that I’m a much bigger dork than I thought I was.

4. The Astros are terrible this season. Let’s hope this isn’t an omen for the Texans’ season.

And that’s pretty much it…. Leave a comment with your exciting news, and I promise I will post again soon!!!

Secret Single Behavior

SSB

Last night I officially watched my first episode of Sex and the City. I know, I know, I'm a little behind the times. Anyway, Sarah Jessica Parker brought up SSB's. These are your Secret Single Behaviors. These are things that we do alone that we would never do in front of any guy, like Charlotte said that she liked to stare at her pores in a magnifying mirror for at least an hour every day, but now she couldn't because her husband would think that it was weird. (which he would). So I was thinking about my "Secret Single Behavior" and realized that I definitely have some. My biggest one would be that I like to lay in the middle of my floor and stare at the ceiling while listening to music, for at least 30 minutes when I get home from work, and I definitely don't want to talk at all. So I figured this would be a good chance for you guys to chime in on what your "Secret Single Behavior" is....

Long Day at Work

So I think that everyone is back at work today. The bus was packed, traffic was bad, and I'm back to my regular routine. Its so hard to get back on track after being off for basically two weeks. Also, I'm bored with my cubicle. (mostly I'm bored being in a cubicle) But the good news is that our head office sent us a memo about how to keep our work place clean and it included an article with Vern from Trading Spaces organizing someone's cubicle. The sad part is that I read the whole thing and thought it made some interesting points (how old am I??). Anyway, I have to get back to work, after all that's what this day is all about.

A Blog a Day...

This is our slow time at work, so I'm bored during most of my day. And I have to say that I'm disappointed. Most likely I'm disappointed with you... Yes I said you. I take a section of my day and read people's blogs. Some of you might not even know that I read them, but I comment on some people's, anyway... no one has posted anything new in several days. I guess I can't say no one, Angie posted today (thanks Ang) but to the rest of you... PLEASE POST A NEW BLOG. And to those of you who read this and don't have a blog, GET ONE. Can't you see that I'm bored??

Saying Goodbye

There comes a point in everyone's life when they must say goodbye to someone near and dear to them. This time came for me today. My hair dryer died today. It was a quick and painless death I think, just a quick spark and some smoke. I think that my flat iron is effected the most by this. But here's to you hair dryer, you have been there for the good times and the bad times for several years. No matter what, you've always made me look the best I can, and for this you are truly appreciated and will be missed.

~Carrie

Before and After

Cosmetic Dentistry... this is the new fad around here. I have always thought that Americans took pretty good care of their teeth, but pictures would have us believing otherwise. Now it is the style for dentists office to display before and after pictures on their signs outside of the office. Now don't get me wrong, I think its great that people are getting their teeth fixed, but really do we need visuals of this. There is one sign on the road that I frequently drive down on my way to get something to eat. And the pictures on the sign are not just someone with crooked teeth that had them straightened, these are people with teeth that can only compare with those of the devil. Here's a hint, if I am interested and want to see what other work you've done, I'll come in and ask. I know what "Cosmetic Dentistry" means, I don't need a visual. You don't see plumbers putting before and after pictures on their signs... take a hint.

Don't Hate the Playa... Hate the Game

This might possibly be the worst advice that was ever offered to me. But it has nothing to do with my blog today. Today I have an update in my search for a Christmas Party Date. I have found the best date a girl could possibly ask for. Ladies... try not to be jealous, but I am taking the one and only MATT THOMAS. Actually there is another Matt Thomas that I accidentally wrote an email to when I was in school and confessed my undying love to, fortunately he was nice enough to forward it on to the person for whom it was intended.

Matt has already begun putting together a list of stories that we can tell as our "how we met" story. So here is the list he has provided to me. Please feel free to vote on your favorite.

(Written by Matt Thomas)

1. I could be the foreign exchange student your family hosted years ago (except I can't fake an accent.) I missed you so much that I had to come back and see you.

2.We met on a random cruise for singles and have stayed in touch ever since.

3.I am the tow truck driver who took your car most recently from downtown. I felt bad about the $200 charge so you asked me to be your date

4.We met on eharmony.com and when anyone asks at the party I will say that I just flew into town and this is my very first time to ever meet you or see you. We didn't exchange pictures while talking for the last year.

5.We met at college and....oh wait..that really did happen.

6.I was backpacking thru Europe (or whatever country you have been to) and you were there vacationing with some girlfriends. We met in a tiny European market as you were frustrated that some guy was ripping you off price-wise on a bag you wanted and I intruded and spoke the local language to the guy and you got a fantastic discount. You then went on to wink at me and asked if you could "tip" me by buying me a drink at the nearest café. And from there it's history.

7.We could tell everyone we're on a blind-date and yes you're taking me home afterwards.

8.I am the father of your child that you gave up for adoption five years ago.

9.I am living in Florida, but these horrendous tropical storms and hurricanes came thru earlier this year and destroyed most of my belongings. I quickly learned that it "served me right for living on some land that just sticks out in the ocean like that," and so I'm looking for a place to buy in Houston and met you on the sidewalk in your neighborhood.

Waiting on Mr. Right? Why Young Career Women are Putting Motherhood on Ice

This blog really has nothing to do with people freezing their eggs. But I thought that this article was very interesting and weird.

So I have to find a date to my work Christmas party. I feel like I'm in college all over again and I have to find a date to banquet and you all know how well that worked out for me. So a few people in the office are making bets on who I'm going to bring. I don't see why I have to bring anyone. Its not that I don't have anyone to bring. I know some people that I could ask and they would go with me. The problem is that our office Christmas party is notorious for being boring, and I'm not sure that I want to subject people that I like to that kind of misery. So if anyone has any thoughts or ideas, I'm open for advice.... I know what I'm going to wear... why is the date part always the hardest???

~Carrie

I GET A KICK OUT OF SOCCER

Soccer

So, my brother broke his arm playing soccer on our indoor soccer league. Up until now, the biggest injury we had is when I got smacked in the face by the ball being kicked as hard as this big man could kick it. I was just getting over my fear of that happening again when my brother broke his arm. I don't want to say that he got knocked down by a girl but that is what happened. My fears would also be calmed a little if our ref didn't have a glass eye. This is kind of freaky if you actually think about it. Anyway, in honor of my brother, here's the top five freakiest times in my soccer career...

5. The first time I played and I wasn't in very good shape and I thought I was going to die after just being out there 1 minute.

4. The first time that someone got the bright idea to kick me the ball (possibly they thought that I was going to be able to do something with it) and everyone started running towards me.

3. When I got smacked in the face with the ball... my brother said that you could hardly tell that it hit me though.

2. The game that the ball got passed to me and I started running down the field with the ball. This was cool until I realized that I was doing something cool and then I freaked out.

1. Last game when I was walking off of the field and I saw a blood stain on the wall... c'mon we can't clean that up... really?

Don't Forget to Vote!!!

Some Bathroom Humor

I work in an office type setting, and I like to think that I'm pretty up to date on the latest office etiquette. So here's a few tips in case you're not sure how to act in an office setting...

1. Its rude to have inappropriate conversations with your boyfriend while you're in your cubicle. Don't they know that other people can hear them?? Not only is it rude, it should be embarrassing for the person doing it.

2. Don't come around at 5:25 on a Friday expecting to go over a lot of work that was given to you 4 days ago and you're just now getting to. Some of us aren't trying to avoid going home.

3. If you are a receptionist and someone calls for Fred, and you can see that Fred is on the phone, don't go over behind Fred and whisper his name over and over again so you can tell him he has another call. He's on the phone... TAKE A MESSAGE!!

4. Don't touch other people's computer screens. Treat them as sacred.

5. Don't take magazines from the breakroom into the bathroom (this has really happened). You should not need reading material in the office bathroom. A trip to the bathroom at work should always be a short one. And whatever you do, DON'T return the magazines that you took to the bathroom, to the break room... that's just disgusting!!

And this is what I know so far. I thought that these things were common knowledge but after working at this freakshow of a job that I have, I guess its not!!

~Carrie

We'll get 'em next year!!

Way to go!!

My Big Tow

My Big Tow
I don't always ride the bus to work, sometimes I drive my car, but only on special occasions when I have something going on after work. A few Friday's ago, the Astros were competing for the Wild Card pick in the playoffs and I had tickets. So I drove downtown on that Friday with plans of meeting Marilee and Kara for the game. I was even trying to be productive, thinking that I could work late (on a Friday) and then just walk over to the ballpark. Since the day I started working downtown, whenever I drive in I always have this big fear that I will come down to the location of my car and it will be gone. Well on this day, that nightmare came true.

I park in this lot that has numbered parking spaces and then you put your money in this big box in the slot with the number that corresponds to your parking spot. After work, I decided to take a few of my bags to my car so I wouldn't have to run around downtown looking like the bag lady. I walk to the parking lot, look around and realize, that my truck is gone. I immediately have to give myself a pep-talk so that I don't end up crying and I try not to look too stupid because there is a cute guy who is paying for his parking and I don't want him to think..."ahh look at the retard who lost her whole car". So I call the towing company and find out that they towed my truck for "failure to pay" (which I definitely did pay) and they tell me that it will be $200 to get my car back.

Now, I like to think that everyone works hard at their job and is paid accordingly... but really, hooking my truck up(falsely, might I add) and dragging it a few miles away does not constitute $200.

So anyway, I still went to the Astros game and they made it into the playoffs. I did almost get in a fight with this guy that wouldn't move out of our seats. At which point Marilee suggested that I might be a contestant on a show called "Boiling Point" where they see how far they can push you before you go crazy. My friend Kara and I went and picked up my truck at about 11:00 that night. It might possibly be classified as the scariest time in my life. But we managed through, paid the $200 and went to Applebee's where the manager paid for my whole meal because he felt sorry for me... he's a pretty cool guy!!

So the moral of the story is... never drive downtown... EVER!!

Here's To You Sports Fans...

Houston has the greatest fans ever. So here's to you...

Here's to you lady with the Rum. Way to share your secret of how to sneak in your own alcohol.

Here's to you bird man, when asked if you were drunk when you made your costume, you said "no I was just doing what the Lord told me to"

Here's to you towel head. You know all the words to the touchdown song and sing them with pride.

Here's to you paper mache mask guy. You took being a fan one step further than everyone else.

Here's to you divided family. Parents with Raiders jersey's and kids with Texans jersey... no matter what you know that it will always be a long ride home.

Here's to you drunk chinese guy. Way to be pumped up about the astros.

Here's to the Astros ... way to pick it up in the end and make it to the playoffs!!! Go STROS!!

The Simple Life

I've noticed that people always sit around and talk about how complicated their lives are. In fact, that's quite the topic of conversation. Its almost a competition to see who has it off the worst. So... In light of this, I've decided to de-complicate my life or simplify it for those of you that are grammar Nazis (Riz). In order to do this, I've decided to create three lists. One of people that don't cause me any complications whatsoever (the white list if you will) one of people that are definitely complicating my life (the black list) and one of people that are on the bubble. These are people that could go either way. Eventually these people will either prove themselves to be simple or be black-listed forever. I haven't decided yet if I will notify people and tell them that they are on probation or just let them know once they are moved over to one of the lists. But, I am definitely going to start living the simple life!!

~Carrie