A is for Absence

I know, I think about blogging all the time. But, blogging is an art. I'm still a dabbler, not yet an artist!

So many new things in my life! I have so many photos I need to upload and stories to tell.

Where to begin.

Let's start with my face...

Face?

Yes, my face. You see about a month ago a "pimple" appeared on my face, after what looked like a bug bite. I didn't think much of it, except it was annoying and on the larger side. Two weeks later...

It's still there! Yep, with no signs of slowing down. My dad thought maybe I should go to Urgent Care. So, my mom and I darted there to check things out. The RN or whoever the "non-doctor" was barely looked at it and proclaimed it a "cyst". I asked her what could be done, and she declared she wasn't the one to work on it, and made an appointment with a dermatologist (in real life that word is a more difficult word for me to say). I asked how long till that appointment and she said around 2-3 weeks. I exclaimed, "That long?"

One week later, I had my appointment. Again, I met with "the nurse", I believe she was a nurse practitioner, very nice. She weighed the pros and cons and decided to take a culture to see if the growing mass on my face was indeed staph infection. Before I knew what was happening, the chair was being lowered and a needle was approaching my face. NOVOCAINE! For all you out there in reader land, I have never experienced this drug. (Cavity free for 25 years and counting). She said it wouldn't hurt. It did. She also didn't say there would be discomfort after the numbing wore off. There was. I was given a prescription for antibiotics, a handful of dot band-aids and an appointment in two weeks.

A week later they called. It wasn't staph.

The bump was a tad smaller but it started turning red again and looked quite inflamed.

Yesterday. Went to my appointment and "the nurse" tried not to look concerned. She was about to pump a few shots of cortisone to reduce the swelling, but then stopped and started thinking out loud. She then took a 180 an decided to take a sample for a biopsy. Before, I could say "dermatologist," I was whisked away into the magic wonderland of numb cheek. This time there were stitches involved. When I was done, I looked like a patient after a small plastic surgery procedure. People stared. A lot. I actually liked the attention. Especially the children. They couldn't stop staring.

Last night, I took off the huge bandage. I looked like the beginnings of Frankenstein. The stitches come out in a week. The test comes back in week. The wedding I sing in is in less than 2 weeks.

I'm just praying this "cyst" isn't going to be much more of a nuisance, it's been here long enough!

What juicy story do you have for me?

My Summer

I have so many fun ideas I want to do for Summer, but with my job as chaotic as it is, I'm not sure exactly what I will get to do. Here are things on the Calendar so far!

June: 14th - 16th - Wedding Weekend with my friend Lauren - I have the lovely honor of singing at her wedding

27th - 30th - Desperation! The best conference in the world! Just sayin!

July: Empty
August: Empty
September: YWAM

Wow, so I need to fill my summer a bit. Here are some things I'm looking forward to:
Summer Concerts/Festivals: Celebrate Lincoln Ethnic Festival, Jazz in June, Maha Music Festival in August (Omaha)
Farmer's Market(s)
Picnics
Road trips to KC
State Fair(s) - Iowa (August 9th -19th), Nebraska (August 24th - September 3rd)
Omaha Day Trips
College World Series, Salt Dog Games
Amusement Park Road Trip??

June 8th - The Midland Band (Bourbon)
June 21st - Orion Walsh (The Zoo Bar)
July 3rd - Avett Brothers
July 24th - Logic
July 25th - Childish Gambino (Kansas City Mo)
August 1 - The Black Keys
August 5th - Gavin Degraw
August 7/10 - Coldplay (Roadtrip anyone?)

Wednesday

If you haven't read yesterday's post, go read it. I'll wait. Ok, ready?

Yesterday morning was hard. Really hard. But after my realization/revelation, I can see clearly now.

 Here's how yesterday went:

woke up (630am)

went to worksite (second day in a row to be the first one there -- that is rare)

ate a mid-morning snack of m&ms

took a picture of the skyline/horizon

came to the hotel ate lunch (leftover from Ricardo's)

picked up a the brand new flavor of starbucks frapp (accidently took a little kids -- I felt really bad -- I didn't drink mine till he got his new one)

went back to worksite

returned to the hotel (had to take shower because it was so HUMID)

went out to eat at Bailey's with the co-workers (amazing steak dinner)

then went to the movies! (the movie wasn't for awhile, so we played some video games. I’m not very good at those shooting ones!) -- OMG 21 Jumpstreet is hilarious -- WARNING -- It is very inappropriate but sooooooooooooo funny. My co-worker did end up tagging along. We laughed so hard. I kept choking after I laughed, he complained of a tummy ache from laughing so hard.

went back to the hotel, ate some popcorn and took some sleeping pills -- I was out

all pictures were taken with my phone through instagram -- follow me @lmwilliams2009

tuesday // singleness

This blogging thing is getting easier. Much easier. my Tuesday was not as eventful as Monday, but here's what I did!

woke up at the holiday inn (actually at 6am)

picked up a scooters (iced coffee with a shot of espresso and milk -- disgust)

went to worksite

tried crystal light ice tea (lemon flavor)

lunch in the hotel room (wings from last night)

picked up big cup at the local gas station

came back to work

dinner at ricardo's

chilled in hotel room working on church work while watching drive (do not recommend movie)

restless sleep

I told you it was uneventful...

But, what I'm really here to talk about is singleness. You probably know by now, that I'm single. I'm not rejoicing or complaining. There are moments in my life where I'm sad that I have no significant other and then there are times, like this morning when I'm glad I'm single.

I'm tired. I mean physically and mentally tired. I haven't had much time to find rest. I have so much caffiene in the morning and afternoon to keep me going, that my mind is still racing at the end of the day. So, when my body is ready to shut down, my brain hasn't quite got the message.

Where are you going with this Lauren, you may ask. This morning (Wednesday), I was tired, like don't talk to, look at or think of me tired. Yesterday, I had made the proclamation that I was going to treat myself to a nice steak dinner and then go to a movie (21 Jump Street -- Is it any good, has anyone seen it?). My co-worker says, "Oh I may join you for that movie." And then proceeds to ask the rest of our co-workers if they would like to come. First of all, I don't mind if you come, but I had declared I was going alone and it would be my first movie alone in the theaters! It had taken a lot of time for me to come to terms that I can go to a movie alone. But, alas, no one else wanted to go.

This morning, I realized I was getting agitated about the smallest things. Why? Because I'm tired! I'm really tired. The kind of tired where all I want to do is go curl up in a ball and cry -- Because I'm so tired! I think I already stated I was tired. At the moment of my agitation, I wanted to look at my co-worker and say, I'd rather go to this movie alone. I'm an introvert by nature, extrovert by choice. I just haven't had enough time to recharge -- alone! That's when it hit me, I'm selfish. In those small moments of complete exhaustion I have no patience. None. Not even a smidge. My stress levels rise to boiling point. My words are few and biting. My sarcasm becomes a mean of hurting vs. a mean of witt. Deep breathing works. No wonder I'm still single! When I'm dating someone, I spend a lot of time and emotion on that one person, and I snap. Really, I do. Every time. I get so worked up about the smallest things because I'm so TIRED!

I write all this to say -- I'm single for a reason. A God reason. That reason being, I need to learn to go with the flow when I'm "give up" tired. My patience has grown. My temper has softened. My temperment has improved. My tolerance level of annoyance is at an all-time low -- Except when I'm tired.

Whew, writing this all out has calmed me down to state of pure comatose. It's like I just ate that candy bar I shouldn't have eaten and that moment triggers the pleasure centers in my brain, which are doing a happy dance. It's always a good feeling when you've discovered a problem and a solution.

Of course, I'm not perfect. I do have moments of terror (me being the terror) when I'm not tired, but they are few and very far between. But, the inner turmoil during deep exhaustion has been an ongoing struggle for as long as I can remember.

Is he coming to the movie with me tonight? I'm not sure. And it doesn't matter.

Boy, am I tired.

Now, I just need to solve the not sleeping problem.

Monday

My monday was fantastic!

woke up

finished packing

went to walgreens - got some needed makeup

stopped at starbucks -- iced coffee (i <3 summer)

drove to norfolk -- in record time (norfolk nebraska)

listened to some awesome podcasts -- Relevant Magazine and Boundless.org

stopped at jimmy johns

went to worksite (worked a total of 9 hrs -- 2.5 drive)

started a very interesting book

checked into the hotel -- (priority club status)

went out to eat (big red keno -- it was the closest place to eat)

had wings -- teryakki

chilled in the hotel room -- watched horrible bosses

proofread a co-workers paper

fell asleep

All in all, my monday made me smile!

How was your monday?
Have instagram? follow me @lmwilliams2009 and twitter @ren_was_here

Whistle while you work

This weekend I came home, took my sister to all of her events, went to church, hung out with some cool peeps, and got no work done. I'm enjoying being on location for work, but I will be glad when this is all over. I need a routine. I'm working on my summer bucket list. It's long. I'm excited. I'm writing this on my iPod so, this is just a short post.
What was your weekend like?

News // Wish List

I'm not sure if I've said much about my new job, but I started it right after I got back from NYC. Oh, I haven't talked much about that? I haven't had time to compile all the pictures, but that post will be coming soon. I started my new job a few short weeks ago, and let's just say, I'm making some money! Finally. The light at the end of the tunnel was a search party, they were looking for me, and they found me! God is good!

Well, since starting my new job, I have saved some, payed off a CC, and I've put in a ton of overtime these past two weeks. I'm currently out of town for work, and it's been nice getting some much time to myself. Too bad I couldn't get it at home. But, there's no point in moving out. I am planning on going on a  six month missions trip this fall. Oh, wait, I haven't really talked about that either? Man, I'm behind the times. I'm missing blogging so much, that's why my posts have been so sporadic. I'm ok with that, at least for now! But, with making money gives me the insatiable (I spelled that right the first time!) desire to spend it. So, I've done a little wish list:

1) Beach Body: Brazilian Butt Lift

I watched the infomercial for about a half hour. But, Beach Body is pretty credible. I think that may be a good investment. Any one try it?

2) Omaha Color Run

I have to do this, it's only a 5K and I'll be able to run the whole thing! Woohoo!

3) A New Bike -- I want a cruiser with gears!

4) iPhone 4S (White) 32GB by Sprint (too bad I can't get a new one for another year)

Random Blurps

I was thinking today how random and odd I was. 


I'm ok with that btdubs!


But, here are just a few weird things about me:

• I usually get on an elevator and forget to push the button for the correct floor. Once I stood there for a minute trying to figure out what was going on.
• I have a fear of driving, I mean a big fear. I'm afraid every person is out to get me when I driving.
• I am forever online window shopping. I like putting things in a shopping cart and then putting them all back.
• I always have a random song stuck in my head. Anything will trigger a song. 
• I always paint my nails before I go to bed, which means I always end up smudging them.
• I have purchased over 50 patterns and have yet to make one piece of clothing. But, I have an incessant need to make my own clothing!
• I hate eating leftovers if they're over a day old! 
• I can get away without doing laundry (usually) 3 weeks.
• I can't stand when people get upset that I haven't seen a certain movie, don't worry, I've survied this long without watching that movie, I think I can survive a few more. But, I probably do that to other people.

9000 Views and 52 Followers!

I think that calls for some sort of happy dance or at least maybe a giveaway? I think so, I'm not sure what yet though... That's my blip for the morning. It's 7am and I need to be out of the hotel by 7:30am... I'm not even ready like at all, not even a little bit... looks like my hair will be last priority today! Have a blessed Thursday.

You know what's great about Thursday?

TOMORROW's FRIDAY!!

C'mon, you knew that was coming!

Beauty Blunders

Ok, I don’t ever talk about beauty here. I know I don’t, and there’s a reason. I just don’t ever document
my blunders…

If I’m at Walmart, Target, Walgreens, CVS, etc, I will usually pick up some new beauty product. Lip gloss, nail polish, beauty magazine. My collection of nail polishes has grown over the past two years. Well, I’m awful at painting my own nails. I wasn’t brought up wearing makeup. So, maybe that’s why I’m so enthralled with beauty products. I thought I’d share some of my beauty triumphs and blunders. As the irregular postings happen over here, one thing I can say for sure. I’m always thinking of things to blog about. I blog mainly about my successes and failures, so why not in the beauty department…

What’s on the agenda for today?? Glue on nails… This will be more comical than a review. But it is still technically a review…

I’ve always wanted to try those glue on nails. I’ve heard they aren’t too hard to do, and it’s a lot cheaper than going and getting your nails done. I’m not one for acrylic nails at a nail salon because they are a pain in the behind to take off and my nails are just ruined afterwards.

Here’s how my adventure went:

I’m currently on a work assignment in a different part of the state and I decided a few nights ago to do my nails. And, since I had the time in the evenings, why not try a glue-on nail kit. I don’t know the first thing about glue on nails, but I do know that I spent about 15 minutes trying to figure out which brand was the best for me. First I decided on the shape (short square), then I decided on the brand. I picked KISS because Nailene didn’t have the type I wanted. After choosing my nails, I found two Essie colors I had been keeping my eye on. Go Overboard and Turquoise & Caicos. Since I hadn’t packed any of my nail items, I had to also buy some nail clippers, top coat, nail file, and polish remover. Not the cheapest trip to Wally World, but I was excited.

By the time I got back to my hotel room it was pushing 9pm. I was exhausted. But, I turned on a dvd and pushed through it. I followed all the directions on the nail kit and found nails that went over my real
ones. As I was gluing my first nail, I ran into my first snag. I had accidently glued my fingers together. If you know me you would be laughing (even if you didn’t – I have comical faces), because I’m not freaking out, I’m just trying to figure out how I can pick up the bottle of nail polish remover when I’ve glued fingers from the opposite hands together. It had to have been a comical site. After trial and error (and probably an hour later), the nails are on. Then I realized they don’t look that great with the glue visible, so as tired as I was it’s time to lacquer up. Well, I’m not that dainty when it comes to painting my nails. And, I’m too lazy n to look up all the tips on how to get professional looking nails. I would get one hand done and start the next only to mess up half the other nails. I tried the two colors, but in the end, the darker one prevailed. I tried staying awake as long as I could and passed out – I decided to put on the top coat in the morning. Morning came – Way to early might I add, since I didn’t get to bed till after midnight. All was going well, I was getting ready and about to put the top coat when one of the nails on my thumb popped right off. I tried with many attempts to glue it on, but tried as I may, I couldn’t get any glue to come out. I didn’t have enough time to waste trying to get the glue to function, do I decided to remove all the nails – BIG MISTAKE. That took way too long. And as I’m typing there are still trace amounts of glue on my nail, and polish in those hard to get places.

Will I try it again? I think so, I did a little bit of research and I really need to buy glue that has a tip
applicator instead of a squeeze bottle. I may also try a different brand because KISS’s nails didn’t always fit perfectly. I wish I had taken pictures of the mistakes, but, it was pretty hideous! Tonight? I think I’m just gonna paint my own nails. Maybe I’ll stop by Sally’s –

Have you had any blunders with glue on nails? Tips? I would love to hear from you!