I'm not dead! Really!

"Real Life" can be so invasive sometimes, really. I mean, yeesh, can't it tell that I'd rather be wasting time on the internet?

(And why am I always doing laundry when it's time to update?)

I suppose I'll update soon-ish with a real entry. Until then, please know that I still do love my silly little livejournal, and that I hope you're all having a lovely spring. If you're not, go out and buy yourself a bright yellow raincoat.

Seriously. It'll make you feel like a superhero.

So.

Hi! Update? Sure!

The night we moved in, I became ill. Aches, chills, etc. Eric wasn't home (working nights), and we had no fire in the woodstove, and I was too sick to go out and grab some wood and chop kindling. This was during the cold spell at the end of January, when we had snow and ice every day.

Eric didn't get home until 7:30am, although he was due by 5am. The reason? Due to the snow and ice, he got into a car accident: spun in four circles and landed backward in a ditch. He wasn't hurt, thank goodness, but it definitely damaged our finances. Oh, did I mention? It was in my car. (That makes three accidents in my car, none of which have been while I was driving.)

Anyway. I'm sick, but Eric's okay, and later that morning we conclude that I have the flu. A visit to the doctor confirms this, and also supplies me with some lovely drugs. Even with those, it knocked me out for eight days straight. As in, I couldn't be out of bed for more than an hour at a time, and I was asleep for at least 20 hours each day/night. My entire body just HURT, and then I got an infection in my lungs that essentially made it impossible to speak... or breathe. Luckily, the congestion was on par with a standard cold, so I tackled that with over the counter medicines. Two and a half weeks later, and I'm finally back to my regular schedule.

Sort of. I'm still weak, having lost a lot of strength, and napping way more than I should be. But at least I'm awake and walking around, and (slowly) finishing up all of the cleaning and organizing and unpacking. Although another unintended consequence of getting sick: I missed three job application deadlines.

Eric got the flu exactly one week after I had it - the day before I felt I could claim that I was "healthy" (despite the lingering cough I'm still fighting). That was nine days ago for him, and he's still sneezing and coughing like mad. Other than that, though, he's pretty healthy. It helps that he drinks four gallons of cranberry juice every week.

My car is in my possession for the moment, until I return it to the shop. We're just waiting for parts to arrive. Luckily, my insurance covered Eric driving the vehicle, so we only have to pay $500 for the damages. That, and the ticket for $175 (driving too fast under the conditions, we're contesting), and the tow-truck fee of $170.

Did I mention that Eric hasn't worked since that night? And since I wasn't working for a week, our bank account is rather... lonely.

Some Final Notes:

In case you ever get a hankering to store your furniture in a barn and then a greenhouse: DON'T BOTHER. Besides getting sick, the main reason we've yet to finish unpacking is that we can't put anything away until ALL of our furniture has been bleached, and then dried out. Which takes a long time, given the lovely weather we've been having, and the smell of chlorine and ammonia isn't really great for two sick people.

Still, though, 409 is my new best friend.

I'm no longer on birth control. At this point I know there's no way that Eric and I can afford a baby. I look at it this way: We're not trying to have a baby, we're just not preventing pregnancy. This isn't a huge decision for us right now, but I felt that I should mention it so that people don't think we're hiding anything when they find out I'm no longer on the pill... Or pregnant.

Oh, and it feels great to have my own stove/oven. I can cook again!

... Except it's a work party. Heh.

We're onto the mudding and sanding part of building walls. Yay! It's so much fun I can't think of what I'd rather be doing. Perhaps skydiving without a parachute? Playing with a porcupine? Cuddling with rabid possums?

I don't mind the mudding so much (probably because I'm doing so little of it, that's mainly David's job). But sanding really stinks, especially when you're short so more than half of the wall AND the ceiling are just ready to explode dust all over you. But hey, we have a bathtub now, and I'm working on closet doors! We might just be ready to move in within two months, if all goes well.

AckAck I need a home! I'm still obnoxiously happy most of the time, what with puppies and chocolate and church, and oh, Eric too, I suppose. ;) But I want to decorate my own home with him, and unpack my belongings that are just sitting in a greenhouse covered in spiders and various six-legged freaks. It's very hard to be a domestic diva when you're living in a converted store (picture a tiny studio apartment minus the kitchen). I'm wondering if Eric and I shouldn't've just looked for an apartment or something, because that would've also inspired me to look for work, which I still haven't done seriously yet. Oops.

I need an income. There are entirely too many cute things out there and it's torture for a consumer such as myself to let them continue sitting idly in my favorite stores.

It's raining. Haven't seen (or felt) that in awhile. Crazy! I suppose I'm going to have to get used to the rain again. (Insert big sigh here.) Ah, well. That's a price I'm willing to pay for living in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Odd how I have so much to say, but when it comes time to update, my mind goes blank. I've been journaling a lot more in my little notebooks, though, which is good. And keeping up with Bible study and devotionals, which is even better. If only my computer had internet access (I'm using Eric's mother's at the moment), I would be obnoxiously updating.

I think it's time to go and bother my husband. (That's still entirely too much fun to say.)

Oh, and after our house is finished, there really will be a party. And you're invited. You know, if I really know you and stuff (sorry, random intarweb surfers).

What was the last wedding you went to? Were you in the wedding?

...

Haha. I login to LJ after weeks, and the "Writer's Block" question is exactly what I need to write about... (By the way, when did LJ start this "writer's block" thing?)

( This is LONG so it's going under a cut )

Yeah, life is amazing. Pretty much the only downside is that even though it's summer and most of my dearest friends are all on this side of the state, I haven't seen any of them but Shelly since the wedding! Totally not fair, and I demand quality time, and soon. Georgia's new boyfriend lives not far from Eatonville, though, so we're going to meet up soon and spend some time together, maybe go on a double date. =) And I'll be seeing Aly on Sunday when we go to a Randy Travis concert (her mom got free tickets!). Oh, life is grand! Eric and I may be going to Forks for the weekend before the 4th of July, but I'm not sure yet. As for the rest of you, though, call me! Let's make plans!

I should be visiting Pullman sometime in August/September, and possibly again afterward. I will be sure to let everybody know, so we can go to Rico's or dancing, mkay? =)

Love you all, and I hope to update more frequently soon! With pictures and videos! Aww, the puppy's whining because he's outside all alone and wants some love. I'd better go, ta!

Thank God for God. Seriously.

I love people. I just need to keep reminding myself that I love people.

I wish I knew what God was thinking. Sort of. That'd be a bit of an overload, but still. Maybe at least a little bit of insight on what's going on in my life.

I keep telling myself that I'll be okay, that I'll get through it. These little chants, and then I'm surrounded by lovely people who encourage me and lift me up and remind me when I need to fall down on my knees and pray. And I think I should be doing this all in reverse order. I should be praying and then doing and then praising God for helping me get through everything. Because right now, there's a lot of everything going on. Phew.

I actually did almost all of my homework. I'm waking up in three hours to do the rest, then get ready for school. Thursdays are my worst days. Class from 7:45am-3pm, then work from 3-5pm, then class from 5-8pm. Then, if I'm not completely exhausted, dancing from 8:30pm-1am.

I don't have class on Fridays!

I totally didn't schedule myself for work on Fridays, either. It's my free day. This week I'll be doing inventory, cleaning my room, getting a trim, buying a new phone (same number), and transforming my beautiful friend Christine's head into a work of art (I'm doing her hair for a band banquet).

I don't understand how people can be so selfish. Which doesn't mean that I don't recognize my own selfishness, because trust me, I do. Oh, how I do. In fact, in addition to being selfish, I'm demanding and critical and can be overly harsh. But while I'm aware of my issues and actively trying to improve upon them (and realizing that I'll never be able to unless I give them completely to God)... Well, there are still so many people that I know who are so selfish. They only care about themselves, and what is best for themselves. They are so wrapped up in their own lives that they fail to see how their actions are affecting those around them. Everything is an emergency, everything is the end of the world, and everybody else has to suffer because of their immaturity.

It's like when people partake on these quests to "find" themselves. It's all good in the metaphorical sense, but as I've matured I realized I'd rather spend my time helping others. Being a selfish bitch has never helped me to discover a person inside that I truly wanted to be. It was only by sacrificing for others that I discovered self worth, that I realized my worth. There's no sense in having communication skills and ignoring them, in having the abilities to serve and guide and not helping others. People are only as good as they choose to be, and putting yourself before others does not a good person make.

Or something like that. I was going somewhere with that, and if I wasn't so exhausted it might've made sense. I need the weekend (without traveling). I need some time to sit, and think, and pray, and journal, and blog.

I need some time to do nothing.

Got back to Pullman today, long but fun drive.

Eric's grandmother measured me for the dress, and I was pleasantly surprised by my measurements (yay for not being nearly as big as I thought I was in the tummy, and bigger than I thought I was in the chest)! I'll need to contact her with some changes, though, I think, because I spoke with my mom about the pattern and we both realized I went way too low on the back unless it's a scoop (right now I think it might be pointy, which is a bit too harsh for the classic romantic look I want). I gave her a lot of my ideas, and she's going to design a pattern based on that and what will look good on me. So long as the core things are the same, I know I'm going to love it. Sweetheart neckline with straps, poofy tucked skirt.

Oops, I forgot to call the woman in charge of the Grange, where I want to have my reception. Must do that! ACK!

Hooha. Anyway. I have one month to lose two inches. Whee! I doubt I can do it, but I'll pretend I'm going to try and that will make me feel better.

Eric's family got me my very own personalized study bible (American Standard Version, which is my favorite after King James). With "Suzy Schactler" on the front. I got all teary eyed in the restaurant. My mom and I also received photo albums of Eric as a child. ACKCUTENESSACK! I also got to feed cows and collect eggs from chickens and play with puppies and kitties... Oh, I am so very, very blessed. Gourmet dinners and tractor rides make Suzy a very happy girl.

The engagement dinner went swimmingly. For $700 total, it darn well better have! (That's not including the $800 for Korean outfits.) Yeesh, my mom and I are big spenders.

Anybody in Idaho going to any of the MLK events tomorrow? I need a program, if you do! Extra credit, yo!

Going to watch some girly movies and do some homework. Ta!

So much has happened, and I don't know where to begin. Honestly, life is so time consuming at the moment that I simply don't have time for journaling or blogging, and it's quite annoying because I think I might do better if I had some personal time.

Hm, must re-prioritize already? Craziness, school just started up again!

Quick rundown:

Great birthday, thanks to work buddies & my lovelies. Office decorated with streamers, too much cake (apparently it's possible, such as when it's overflowing pans on pans on pans), yummy homemade dinner, sigh of contentment & happiness. =)

Became much fonder of the ampersand.

Closer to some friends, farther from others. Realized one is an awful, awful person with whom I should no longer associate except when necessary. New friends, some who are quite impressive.

Got eight free video rentals from Blockbuster because their Rewards program screwed me over. Very happy.

Scheduled engagement party dinner for Saturday the 13th at C.I. Shenanigans in Tacoma. And a cake that cost near $200. A tiny cake that cost near $200. Yeesh.

Headaches that have been near-constant for the last three weeks finally went away (cake = remedy?). After a bout of dizziness that left me falling on the floor multiple times.

Potential for a great last semester, if only I can stick with it. Encouragement greatly welcomed and appreciated. =) Especially in the form of cookies.

Engagement ring still sparkly. =D

God is great.

Gotten nothing productive done, but today was a great day.

Here's hoping yours was as good as mine, and that tomorrow will shine on you.

... Great balls of fire!

Sorry, had to do that. (Hm, that reminded me of you, Jule!)

Anyway. Life has been... well, not good, actually. But it's getting better. That whole being sick thing completely sapped my focus, motivation, and determination. I missed school, work, Core, fell behind in nearly everything, and was cranky and mean to people just trying their best to cheer me up.

I suck.

But like I said, it's getting better! I had a chat with God last night/this morning, and I feel refreshed. It's a new week for me. I have Relay for Life today (although I wish there were two of me so I could go on the Chi Alpha retreat). My kitty has gas and the hiccups, and it's quite possibly the cutest thing, EVER! I finally formatted my computer, and it now almost everything running on it is LEGIT! Yesterday there was a group of autistic folks cleaning up the Chipman Trail, and it was AWESOME! And I met my goal of $350 for the Relay for Life!

Yeah, cool, stuff.

Also, I have a different journal now for God-related musings. Not that I still won't mention Him here, as I talk about my life in this here "livejournal" and hey, He's the most important part of it! And it's not to spare those on here who don't wish to read about it, because as much as I dislike offending people, well, it *is* my journal, and I know all of my friends are intelligent enough to use filters if necessary... No, I decided to do some daily devotional stuff over in another journal because I think God deserves His own journal. =) It's cleaner, and simpler, and makes it easier for me to daily devotionals.