'i put vaseline in my nostrils this morning' and other stories.

it's danged dry, people. i think it's one of the reasons why i've been "sick" since i moved here.

sneezing, coughing - you name it, i've been doing it for darn near a month now.

and though this may be too much information, you ladies with babies know what i'm talking about. sneezing and coughing is never just that. you always gotta pee in your pants a little with each one. i know, i know. gross. and freakin irritating! but you know it's true.

yes, i know about kegel exercises.

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i have more lights to put up and oh-so-much to do before the party friday. i'm getting nervous.

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speaking of nervous, tomorrow night is our first youth service. missy has already been up to help landon. sweet girl. we met several other kids this weekend - our first official weekend - as well. they were completely wonderful.

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i'm having a hard time adjusting to the fact that i'm not on vacation here. it's even weirder since i don't have a job. i'm running around all day, and it seems like people should be there with me. i have to stop myself from calling delana to go shopping all the time 'cause, um, she has to work. stupid work.

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i cry during worship every time. i'm talking about EVERY TIME. no exception. doesn't matter if the leader fell off the stage or the drummer was off beat or the guitarist broke strings. e-v-e-r-y time. this is a lovely experience when i'm alone in my car, and the tears flow unnoticed. but when i'm required to "shake hands with five people" with drippy mascara and a snotty nose, i know people are wondering. "oh.. poor girl. something must be wrong." "ahh.. how sweet. she's crying." it's bordering on ridiculous.

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i've been a terrible friend to angela, jenny and crystal for the past couple of weeks. this is not a request for reassurance. it's just the honest truth.

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i really want to have a playdate at my house, but i have absolutely nothing to do for your 2-to-4-year-old children. ellie's toy collection is limited at the moment because she's only just started paying toys any attention. i'm sure it will at least triple with christmas-a-comin, but in the meantime, i'm afraid your kids would be bored to tears. maybe i can set up a christmas coloring contest or something. hmm..

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i miss kylah at every intersection in this town.

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the Lord is providing for us in miraculous ways. you know how sometimes the money just seems to stretch? you haven't done anything different or haven't really seen a comprehendable increase in your income? oh, how He makes wine from water. hallelujah.

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we had dinner with lennon and christal tonight. stir fry veggies with rice and spicy shrimp. holy toledo. talk about yum. and their house? quaint and perfectly adorable. i'm jealous. and we watched 'mickey blue eyes.' a fun time was had by all. thanks for having us over, guys.

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two elderly couples stopped ellie and me on the way into dillard's today and ooed and aahed over her for at least 10 minutes. no joke. the one lady, who could barely walk, said, "we're the grandparent type. she likes us." how cute!

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my nose is raw again. the vaseline is calling.