Babies, Brides, Books, and Bleach....and don't forget the Random Chipmunk!

I'm about that age in life now that all my friends are getting married and having babies. Thank the Lord I'm already done with both!!(I'm so competitive at EVERYTHING!!) This past weekend and week to come I have joined in celebration with two of the most amazing people in my life. It all started with preparing for my college roommate/best friend's baby shower on Friday night. I was assigned to bring the cake, and AS USUAL, I had to make things more difficult by wanting to make the cake instead of going the store bought route. An adventure in itself! However, Wesley and I built our very first decorative cake. And yes, it was a building process. In fact, Wesley compared it to tiling a floor! For being our first cake, we were quite proud of it, and I couldn't think of many people that I would want to spend that much time and effort on doing something for, except Michelle. When I headed off to college back in the day, I was stuck with some random girl who ended up being an amazing part of my life!! At the time, she was a little over-bearing, cared a little too much about the happenings of my life, and had strict standards for herself. Oh how I needed her though! I've never learned so much in my life from one person! The most important thing I have learned though is the love of a friend, a true friend. You can't out love or out give Michelle. An example, you ask? Get this. She shows up to HER baby shower with gifts for US! WHAT?! What a woman! I'm so excited for her and her venture into motherhood!

The "S" is for Sophie

Moving on to Sunday. After praise and worship at church, I headed off with my little sister in an attempt to have bridal portraits done. After getting her 2tons of (gray) hair done up, we traveled to the end of the earth to Holly Springs Baptist Church. We stepped inside to get her in her dress, and then we heard it....RAIN! What?! Thankfully, after a few shots in the church, the clouds passed on by and we were all set for some outdoor shots. Being that brilliance runs in our family, Candace had the awesome idea to go up to the top of Bald Rock for some photos. And all I have to say about that is: "Blow Away Bride!" We get to the top of this big rock and it is absolutely FREEZING! Then, the wind starts blowing like crazy, and what does Candace want to do? She wants to put on 6in. purple stilettos and both veils. So....long story short, we become crutches for Candace and pray that the wind doesn't rip the expensive veils from her head. We would hold everything together, and run away quickly, just for a few snaps of the camera, while bystanders nervously watch the bride as she clings to the rocks for dear life! I'm sure we got some pretty amazing shots, but OH MY WORD! Since my brain is in math world, I can only express this in terms of Candace + Stilettos + a windy mountain top = PRAYER to the second power! We did have fun though! And though most brides focus on their adorning dress, leave it to Candace to change shoes 4 times for her pictures! IT"S ALL ABOUT THE SHOES! And not to get too mushy about her, but there are very few people I'd go traipsing up the windy, cold mountain for, just for one good shot!

I wish I could give you a pic from yesterday, but then Steven could see her

in her dress!

I got home later than expected and began my study efforts! Math test was today. Two weeks into this class and I'm dreaming about math! I feel as if that's all I do! A word to the wise: if you drop out of school with intentions of going back, don't wait more than five years in between. You lose credit for math and computer. But alas, here I sit, not so wise, working my algebra. A couple things have changed since I was in school last. My book for instance, I sure did pay $139 for it, all to find out, they didn't bind it. So, I have to get a big notebook to put it in, all to find out the book is online as part of my class! BOO! What is wrong with this picture? Regardless of all my gripes, I studied hard and did well, considering it is math we're talking about. I'll have to live with a 95.

Now, with time off coming this week (meaning much cleaning and packing for me), and Candace's Bridal shower(meaning lots of decorating for me), the week has just begun to get crazy! The Lord knew I needed a laugh today so the stress wouldn't reach a "knock-down, drag-out" climax. So, when I hopped on the mini bus (AKA the short bus) to go pick up kids, something didn't seem quite right. I heard a knocking sound. It seemed to stop long enough to get to the school, but when I pulled in the drive and came to a stop I heard it again and a sudden thud directed my attention to the door. Looking out, a very frightened little chipmunk jumped from under the bus to the sidewalk. Back and forth his head kept jolting, wondering what his next move would be. All this pavement. All these kids. All these big buses. I could do nothing but laugh out loud as I sat there all by myself. I brought a chipmunk to school. HAHAHA! Seeing as how the chipmunks ate through our gas tank last winter, I wished nothing but demise for the rodent. It appeared that he had finally scurried off realizing he wasn't in for another ride under the bus to get back home. As I pulled forward a little to get the kids, I glanced in my side mirror, only to laugh even harder. There he was again, in frantic desperation, dodging buses and heading back to me. Once again, he stood at the door of the bus, as if he were asking for me to PLEASE open the door! I just glared back and thought, "You got tha wrong one, sucka"! And then I ever so politely drove off! Who knows, maybe some others will join him tomorrow! They better if they know what's good for them. I may not know the proper technique in shooting a gun, but I can get creative!

Turns out I really did need the laugh today! After getting dinner on the table, the hustle of the evening routine, and cleaning up the mess from an overflowing toilet, I'm sitting here in my bleach perfume with a million things to do for the Bridal shower and time off, all while I'm supposed to be studying for another test tomorrow. I should really get busy!

I had to make up a math problem then solve it on my test today. I'm interested to see who might take a stab at it. Submit your answers as a comment.

Dacusville and Mauldin are 23 miles apart. Wes and Lindsay are driving from Mauldin to Dacusville for church and Candace and Steven are driving from Dacusville to Mauldin for MIP. The couple leaving Mauldin, averages 2 miles faster than the couple leaving Dacusville. Both couples meet on the road 30 minutes into their trip. What are the rates of the cars? (P. S. - I realized after working this problem that they wouldn't really go this speed.)