insert 10:00a - 2:00p 06.18.07

So Ryan finally got his camera back from Jaclyn's car. Now you can get the rest of our experience in Atlanta. I know you were on the edge of your seats waiting for this material . . .

Think of this as a "before" shot. It was before riding Goliath, Batman, Mind Bender, Ninja, The Georgia Cyclone, Superman, The American Scream Machine, and The Georgia Scorcher; before 93° Georgia heat (note the Scorcher above); before our more than 17-hour day field trip.

The expression on my face says, "Ryan was right, The Ninja does hurt your neck."

Ryan won Jaclyn a prize . . . but which one?

They went with my suggestion of a giant tiger. Good choice Jaclyn.

I don't recommend this ride either. I hit my elbow on a screw in the car and was dripping blood the whole rest of the ride. It hurts your neck too, btw.

Sweet blast of mist . . . mmm

This ride had one of the longest lines and we looked pretty ridiculous for not having even one driver under age 6 with us.

My car went about 3x as fast as Jaclyn's. I had time to stop for a picnic lunch before she got around the first corner.

Here's an after picture for you - in line for the Georgia Scorcher, our last ride of the day. We were pretty dead.

things i'll regret aquiring during my next move . . .

I acquired a new piece of furniture today. Nikie and Chadd were given this entertainment center and they didn't want it b/c it doesn't match the wood on their other furniture. They also don't need it b/c they have built-ins in their house. Anyway, they said I could have it or it was going to Goodwill.

It's in pretty good shape, aside from missing a knob, the left door is cracked all the way down but is being held by some L-brackets, and some gouges where their TV sat.

As you can tell, my TV doesn't begin to fill the space. Maybe I can get 3 more and have some multi-screen action? Anyway, I can hide something there with the door shut. I have to do something about the wires coming down too . . .

The other piece I've had for a while now is this bookshelf. I had to get a floor sample from the store b/c they didn't have any more in this finish (which matches the legs on my couch perfectly). This picture makes the cabinet and bookshelf look like they're a similar color, but they're really not this close. It's an optical delusion.

Here's the front view. Things are just randomly put up there right now. As you can see, Ryan added some items to the shelves too.

I think it's fun anyway, and thanks to all who contributed to my birthday bookshelf. It just took me a while to actually go buy. Too bad you can't tell in this picture how white and shiny my trim is behind this shelf. That's another project I have to finish . . .

Anyway, I've got the munchies after my softball game, so I'm gonna go pop some popcorn.

dizzy business cards

Today I set out to design myself some business cards. Since only 2 people in a whole year asked me for a business card, I decided to make them on the fun end of the fun - functional continuum.

i'm back

I'm re-posting this with better-quality pictures of the pages that I scanned at work today. I had to scan each in half and put the halves together.
I know that I should be asleep right now . . . but I got started on these and had to finish them. :D

I've taken to using less pictures on each page lately. It makes choosing really hard because you have to represent whatever it is you're scrapbooking with less information. It's also good though, because you can focus on one aspect of something and have a real focus point.

Jaclyn and I were talking about how weird it is that humans strap themselves into these machines for the sheer thrill of being hurled through the air and making our brains and stomachs question our intelligence. So, "twisted" is our sense of fun. The stats are from Six Flags' website. I left off that all of those turns happen in 3 minutes! (heard something scary today [6/22] - girl got her feet cut off yesterday at Kentucky Kingdom's Superman ride [freefall] when a cable broke!)

I didn't do this page today, but didn't think I had ever posted it online. I still have to do the other half - us opening presents.

Ok, I got my creative fix. I can sleep now.

be honest

am i crazy because my post-it notes have to be at 90° angles to my desk?

the weekend to end all weekends

The foundations of this weekend were laid a long time ago when Jaclyn realized the Red Sox would be in town to play the Braves for a series June 18-20. Who could pass up that opportunity?

The planets aligned perfectly for several huge events to coincide that each could have warranted their own weekend.



Luckily, Sabbath was pretty relaxed. We went to church, ate lunch, and vegetated in the living room. Amy and Jeremy came by for a little while, so it was nice to see them again.


Ryan finally convinced us to come outside and play catch with him. Jaclyn warmed up while talking to her parents on the phone. Ryan let me throw at him for a while before I stopped to give my shoulder a break.






We stayed outside for a while, until we decided to follow Ryan K's suggestion that we go watch the fireworks that end Riverbend downtown every year.




We parked at least 10 blocks away from the riverfront and went to the walking bridge to stake out a spot to watch the fireworks. After a short trip over to the Coolidge side for refreshments and a bathroom break, we came back and w a i t e d.









The fireworks show was one of the better if not best ones I've seen. I really liked the ones they shot into the water that exploded on the surface. Poor fish =(

Sunday was another day full of excitement. We headed for Harrison Bay shortly after 10 and spent a few hours working our back, arm, and leg muscles doing a variety of water sports. I just have to add that I got up on one normal-sized ski the FIRST time! Yay!






It was so hot, we had to keep jumping in the water to cool off.

Tubing is still my all-time favorite thing to do.

This picture sums up our Monday from 10a-4p at Six Flags in Atlanta. This Superman ride was one of my favorites. Goliath was the other one. I've had enough of the old, rickety kind though.

After Six Flags and a quick bite at Subway in the 'hood, we got to Turner Field for the baseball game. It was fun being part of the huge crowd - almost 50,000 fans. Our seats turned out to be ones out of the rain too!


As you can see from this stupid Yankees fan's sign, the crowd was pretty charged. Every once in a while, fans broke out into "Lets go Red Sox" cheers and were promptly booed. We had the wave go around the stadium at least 2 full times.





We got to the game early enough to watch David Ortiz hit into the stands time after time during batting practice. Too bad he didn't do that in the game. Unfortunately, even with Coco Crisp's 2 home runs, the Red Sox couldn't beat the Braves.



We didn't even get on the interstate to come back until 11:00p that night. I left Collegedale a little after 7:00a the next morning to get to work at Highland by 9:00a CDT. Let's just say yesterday was somewhat of a blur to me.

I was so tired and sore by our softball game, that I could hardly lift the bat. This weekend was amazing though, and has been just the inspiration I needed to scrapbook some more, so stay tuned for posts of the pages!

bumper stickers for teachers

Become an elementary school math teacher and make the little things count!

also bored at work

Your true color is Yellow!

You're yellow, the color of joy and energy — two things you definitely bring to everyone around you. It's hard for anyone to be sad or lonely in your presence; your sunny disposition and cheery outlook just won't allow it. The warmth of your personality shines through in the kindness you show friends and family (and strangers, too). Always ready with a lighthearted joke or heartfelt compliment, you know how to make people feel good about themselves, so they can't get enough of you. Yellow is a warm and inviting color for a warm and inviting person — you!

Brought to you by Tickle

sacrifice your extremities!

We had our last regular season games tonight against a team with the same record as us, 11-7. We're tied for 3rd in the league with another team.

I'm not sure if this was before or after JP pulled her hamstring. She was hitting really well tonight.

I missed lots of balls that came to me tonight. Here's one of them.

Ryan coached bases for us.

Renee misses one over her head.

Cindy steps up to the plate.

Renee's nickname is "Legs." She nearly always beats the throw to first, or throws them off by being so close when the ball is thrown in.

Ryan got this shot of me turning a double-play. I think I made two during the games. One time, I caught a line drive and tried to throw the girl out who had left first, but nearly missed hitting her in the head.

We were tied 15-15 going into the 6th inning (supposed to be last, due to time) in the first game and let them get ahead. We were home team, but only pulled off one run for a final score of 23-17. (I just read what I typed and realized that 15 + 1 = 16! So that was our final score, 23-16. Sorry about that - note the time.)

The second game was a lot better for us. We ended up 13-1. So, we're still tied with this particular team. I can't complain though, because I got to turn double-plays, slide, and I hit a home run (not over the fence).

L to R back: Norvella Ashby, Keri Williams, Jamie Latham, Renee Mathis, Wilma Case, Cindy Burtnett, Nikie Watkins, JP Mathis, Don Mathis - coach L to R front: Carrie Iverson, Shauna Aldrich, Jackie Duffy, Michelle Young not pictured: Jifer Proctor, Julie Stewart, Michele Ley, Denice Bushor Thanks to Chadd, Ryan, Tyler, Don, and Paul (and anyone I forgot) for coaching bases!

team SDA

Starting around April 9, every Monday and Tuesday night mean softball games in Hendersonville. Nikie was telling Madison stories during the guys' game this Monday.

Easton was very interested in this little turtle that Nick's girls' brought to the game. His mom thoroughly sanitized him after he touched it.

Chadd Watkins

Hector Corcino

Ryan was very serious about taking pictures.