In Memory of KitKat
1991-2007

I smelled November coming in August
Neatly wrote my birthday list
A hooded sweatshirt,
A new tape,
A cat.

I was turning ten that week.
We gazed at the cornfields.
Tried to catch a glimpse
Of a lonely Amish girl's
Plain, white face.

Kittens were cuddled in a box.
It didn't take very long.
I chose the cat that looked most wild
Bobcat ears, a mischievous smile.

From that day on, I slept unsoundly.
Not a limb, not a hair could slip
Over the bed's side or between the rails.
The wild kitten, orange, brown, November,
Would attack my feet, my face,
Any appendage that hung over.

I have outlived you,
Deceitful feline.

Childhood Memories

Childhood Memories
Mark the things that you have:
[x] A mom
[x] A dad
[] Stepmom
[x] Stepdad
[x] A younger brother
[xx] A younger sister
[] An older brother
[] An older sister
[] Grandfather
[x] Grandmother
[x] Cousins
[] Half-brother
[] Half-sister
[] Stepbrother
[] Stepsister
[x] Brother-in-law
[x] Sister-in-law
[] Niece
[] Nephew

Did you enjoy your childhood?
Yes, I liked being a kid for the most part. I think I pretty much did whatever I wanted. My mother is very fortunate I was a good kid.

5. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a first grade teacher, a writer, and one point I wanted to be a zoologist just because I was obsessed with baby lions, tigers, etc.

6. What do you want to be now?

I want to be a wife, a mother, and a teacher. I think I'd still like to be a writer, but it's just not going to happen. I don't even really like to do it anymore.

7. Name the first memorable vacation you took as a kid.

Washington DC in first grade and fourth grade. Pigeons.

8. What was your first best friend's name?

Jennifer and Staci, Randy, Ryan, and Ben, and Nicholas from preschool.

9. Are they still your friend?

Nope. I'd say hi if I saw them, though. Maybe chat for a few minutes.

10. Can you name all the schools you ever attended?

I sure can.

11. Were you closer to your mom or dad as a kid?

My mommy.

12. What was the first record, tape or CD you remember buying?

My first CDs were Aladdin and Paula Abdul. I definitely remember playing Debbie Gibson, Amy Grant, and Ace of Base tapes. Before that, it was all Beach Boys records.

13. How old were you when you first heard of Chuck Norris on GoofyAuctions.com?

All I know is that someone had a crush on Chuck Norris and I think it was my Aunt Cathy.

14. Are you scared of anything? Of course. I don't know what to tell you.

15. How old were you when you wanted to get your ears pierced for the 2nd time?I

got my right ear pierced a second time in fourth grade, I think. It was the thing to do. But the first time I ever got them pierced was for my seventh birthday at the county fair.

16. Did you buy school lunch or bring your own?

I did a little of both, but kids used to make fun of my juice boxes from Aldi's and my salisbury steak sandwiches, so I think I preferred buying. Thanks, Mom.

17. Broken any bones or had any freaky accidents as a kid?

One time I had a high fever and was hallucinating a lot. I still do that when I have a fever...it's pretty exciting.

18. Were you a mean kid?

Only to my little cousin, Drewly.

19. Favorite board game of all of time?

Drew and I played a lot of Candyland Bingo, but I think I mostly liked Chutes and Ladders. Drew was too retarded to play that, though, so we just played Bingo and Poker.

20. Did you play house or pretend to be a super hero?

My friend Staci and I played some pretty intense episodes of "Hospital," but when I was really little, I'm sure I did pretend to be Shera. Drew and I played "Don and Nancy," which usually consisted of us just getting married 100 times. I would use the curtains as a veil and wear my flower girl dress.

21. What was your favorite class in elementary school?

I think I liked writing and reading the best. My favorite thing was my teachers reading aloud books like Ramona and Mrs. Piggle Wiggle. That stuff cracks me up.

22. Seriously, are you still just a kid at heart?

Seriously, I am. I love watching cartoons and playing games. I even like coloring and playing with Barbies. I even like watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I really wish I had a little cousin, niece or nephew that I could take to Disney on Ice or something.

Now, repost this with the title "Childhood Survey," and see what your friends answers are to these questions, because it will be life altering.

Can I skip Easter this year?

Hobbies: None

I still haven't found a hobby, which is rather annoying during the NCAA tournament. I want to be able to sit and watch the games, but I just can't. I just can't sit still. Maybe if I had something to do with my hands, I could manage this feat. These are the activities I've considered:

1. Crochet or Knitting: I can't do this. I've tried dozens of times and just can't do it.
2. Sewing: HA!
3. Cross Stitch: Who would I cross stitch for? Do I know anyone who likes cross stitch?
4. Scrapbooking/Card Making: Not only do I HATE scrapbooking, but I just don't see the point. My pictures are just fine in a box. Plus, too expensive and too messy.
5. Plastic Canvas or Latch Hook Rugs: Could I get any more lame? I think this was an okay thing to do in the 70s, at least for my mom...not cool for me. I really would have no friends. Can I make anyone a Kleenex box cover???
6. Writing or reading: Not able to multi-task with these.
7. Grade papers: Borrring. The great thing about first graders who come from Spanish speaking homes is I can throw away half of their papers. No one notices :)
8. I suck.

Any ideas?

Rosa's True Identity

This is what the results were for our cat, Rosa's identity on tickle.com:

Former Incarnation: Al Capone

Aliases: Biggie, Mugsy, Vinny, Chunko, Bunto, Killer,Claws, The Predator, Meanie, Feathers

Description: Subject is known murderer, and has taste for the blood of birds and small rodents. Although known for rough behavior, subject always remains well groomed and wearing immaculately tailored coat. Fur may be illegally imported from Italy. Probably has scars. Runs catnip ring, and extorts cat food from others. May meow with slight Brooklyn accent. Prefers to stay in its own neighborhood, but strays into other areas at night. Fearless defender of the homestead from all invading squirrels or mice. Does not give a hoot about other cats, and will attack just for kicks. Good for a quick cuddle, but do not push this cat too far. Protective eyewear suggested. Ankle injury likely upon meeting subject. Has earned a degree in creative shredding of valuables. Loves gangster movies.

Interesting...

Sunday, March 23, 2003

Nothing compares to the anger and frustration that I feel right now as Florida is sucking beyond all suckage and is now out of the bracket which I picked as the number 2 team, stupid me. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Florida, I had faith in you. I will never again visit your state. It sucks anyway. I think I'm going to cry.

No Friends in Florida or Ohio

The Kansas Jayhawks will prevail!

I work with a bunch of Gator fans, who probably weren't really Gator fans until this past fall. So everytime I see a Gator fan, I trash talk and make some more enemies.

And Ohio State. Blah blah blah. I knew ONE person in my whole life that was an Ohio State fan. Now every flippin person I know in Ohio is such a huge OSU fan. I hope Ohio State does really well...for a while...until the final game when the Jayhawks eat 'em for breakfast. Scrumptious buckeyes in the big Jayhawk beak. Crunch, crunch, crunch.

I think I was getting too nice there for a while. It's good to have something to be nasty about :)

All in good fun, kids. All in good fun.

Sick in your face

I am so sick and tired of being sick and tired!

When I was sixteen...

Daylight savings time began today, as you are all keenly aware. I slept until the new 9:30 am and my eyelids are now stuck open at the new 10:30 pm. So I thought I'd do what I do best when I should be sleeping but can't: write about all the crazy things I'm thinking.

I am so sad today.

You see, I became a Christian at the age of sixteen. That means I finally realized, after being such a complete moron for so long, that I was imperfect. That no matter what I did, I deserved hell and nothing more. But a few very wise adults and even wiser teenagers helped me understand that I didn't have to carry the weight of my sin on my shoulders. In fact, my sin was the whole reason Jesus died. So to deny him any longer was crazy, selfish, and well, just pretty stupid. I accepted Christ as my Savior while driving home from a spirit-filled sermon by Clancy Cruise. I don't recommend getting saved while driving at 16. Pull over first. :) Well, especially if you're as bad a driver as I was.

Anyway, the reason I'm sad. After accepting Christ, all I wanted to do was learn more about him. In fact, not too much time in my life has passed without motivation to learn more about him or grow closer to him. So why do most of the girls in my youth group completely lack that desire? They say they've been learning "this stuff since kindergarten." They've grown up in a Christian school, in Christian homes, in a Bible teaching church.

They say, "We don't want to do lessons anymore in Bible and Life (Sunday School) Groups." Why?

They say, "I used to like you, Amanda." Because I've started to hold them more accountable for their actions (for example, "Um...do you think it's okay to say, 'That's so gay,' all the time?" or to demand respect while an adult is speaking).

"But we just want to have fun, Amanda."
"But that's just our culture, Amanda."

A year ago, I may have taken these comments personally, but I know that someone else is taking them personally. It's certainly not an attack on me. It breaks my heart, God. Forgive them, for they know not what they do...or do they? Haven't they been learning that since kindergarten?

I need some encouragement. I need some prayer. Desperately.

The Next Prefontaine...

...is living next door.

He is three years old and everytime I sit down at the computer, I hear his little feet slap, slap, slapping on the tile floor in the apartment next to us for five, ten, 15 minutes at a time. He might stop after 15 minutes, only to get right back up again. Run, run, run, little man. He has a remarkable pace. Consistent, constant. This family needs a yard.

HaaaaaaaaHaaaahahahahahahahaha!

I've begun to laugh on my way home from work. I just force myself to laugh at anything or nothing. I laugh all different sorts of laughs and it actually ends up making me laugh because I feel so nutty.