<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596017295225088282</id><updated>2011-07-08T01:04:19.119-07:00</updated><title type='text'>What A Wonderful World</title><subtitle type='html'>My thoughts. My never-ending need to express myself. These are my words of wisdom, kindness and love.</subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default?max-results=100'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>Opal</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955412105013601254</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>26</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>100</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596017295225088282.post-6875995163673304595</id><published>2009-05-23T16:18:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-05-23T16:24:52.844-07:00</updated><title type='text'>I need a break........badly</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;So.....my wedding is creeping up very quickly. I think we have everything finished and ready to go, but I'm not so sure. I am such a perfectionist that I want to lay everything out on my kitchen table and reassess the situation. If anything goes wrong on June 13th I may just fall out in the floor in a crying mess, I can't handle that stress right now. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;Jordan and I went to get coffee last night and had quite a time talking about the wedding and honeymoon to follow. I was telling him that we can not see each other the whole day of the wedding, not by accident, not just a peek.....nothing. This is my only true want for my wedding day. I love the thought of the first time I see the person I am going to spend forever with I will be standing there in my beautiful white dress with pretty purple flowers and the people I love around. Perfection. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;I am so excited about the honeymoon! I love going to Las Vegas and can't wait to be there with Hunny. It will be a well deserved break and I am chomping at the bits for it to be here. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;Come on wedding.....I'm waiting!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4596017295225088282-6875995163673304595?l=opalsjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/6875995163673304595/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4596017295225088282&amp;postID=6875995163673304595' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/6875995163673304595'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/6875995163673304595'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/2009/05/i-need-breakbadly.html' title='I need a break........badly'/><author><name>Opal</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955412105013601254</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596017295225088282.post-1084395299837069885</id><published>2009-04-05T19:20:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-04-05T19:25:50.849-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Lately</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;Ok...so I'm horrible. I don't even remember the last time I have been on here. I'm done trying, I will get to it when I get to it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;So many things have happened lately!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;1. My mother got married. ???? Enough said. I'm glad she is happy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;2. Jordan and I have learned that living in the same house is not the bed of roses we thought it would be. We will make it...just need to work out a few kinks. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;3. Thank god for Julie and impromptu late night visits to her house.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;4. Work is going great! Our competition makes me hate my world from time to time, but I wouldn't have it any other way.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;5. My Grandma Opal died on Friday. :( &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;6. I think Gabby gets more and more onry every day.....and I love it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;7. I am learning to live with dog hair.....slowly but surely.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;8. I love love love my new car!! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;9. I want to sleep for the rest of my life. Tired has plagued my life for some reason.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;10. I still love Jordan with every fiber of my being, no matter how crazy he makes me. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;That is what has happened with me lately.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4596017295225088282-1084395299837069885?l=opalsjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/1084395299837069885/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4596017295225088282&amp;postID=1084395299837069885' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/1084395299837069885'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/1084395299837069885'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/2009/04/lately.html' title='Lately'/><author><name>Opal</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955412105013601254</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596017295225088282.post-7382086510229549990</id><published>2009-02-09T10:57:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-02-09T11:12:22.013-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Gone...but not forgotten.</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;I can't believe how long it has been since I have been on here! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;In my defense....I have been moving. We found a house and FINALLY have gotten moved in and settled. Oh how I love it.  I never realized how much I missed living in a house until I actually had a house to live it. It is souper kute!!! Julie came over one night last week and helped me decorate a little bit, then I finished it up on my own. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;As much as I loved living alone, I must say, I love having boys around as well. I hung not one shelf, picture, sconce or anything decorating related. I have; however, gotten really good at saying, "Up a little bit, now to the right. Jordan, does that look stright to you? Jacob, stay still!" As much as they gripe about it, I do believe they like having someone there to do the laundry, make the beds, load the dishwasher and clean the bathroom. It's a fair trade out if I do say so myself. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Now if I could only get them trained to know that when a trash bag is sitting by the back door it needs to go out to the trash, not put the pizza box on top of it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;We will get there.....but I can't guarantee in one piece.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;G.I.S.T&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;1. Seeing Jordan all dressed up for work this morning. I never get to see him dressed up. I love it!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;2. Just the right amount of work to do today. Not too much, not too little. I'm sure it will all pile on after my lunch break. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;3. The Britney Spears song on the radio right now. I have an unhealthy obsession....I need to be seen about it. =0)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4596017295225088282-7382086510229549990?l=opalsjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/7382086510229549990/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4596017295225088282&amp;postID=7382086510229549990' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/7382086510229549990'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/7382086510229549990'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/2009/02/gonebut-not-forgotten.html' title='Gone...but not forgotten.'/><author><name>Opal</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955412105013601254</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596017295225088282.post-7783089651016570091</id><published>2009-01-17T15:19:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-01-17T15:26:16.295-08:00</updated><title type='text'>G.I.S.T</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;Ok...I really can't get it together here. All you G.I.S.T peeps out there, you can vote me out if you want, I deserve it. BUT....until the voting is final I will carry on my G.I.S.T. until further notice.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;1. My massage today. Jordan had the great idea of me doing more things for myself, so I did! I had the best hot stone massage about an hour ago and I loved it! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;2. Sleeping in. Enough said.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;3. Having lunch with Chelsea today. I don't really get to spend enough time with her. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;4. Knowing our church is paid for. *sigh of relief* It is finally all coming together.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;5. I only have $256 more dollars to pay on my dress! The alterations are going to be out of this world though.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;6. I got the money order today to pay the deposit on our house! I can't wait to:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;a) live in a house&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;b) see more of Hunny&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;c) have a yard for the puppies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;d) live down the street from Julie&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;e) have cheaper rent&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;f) see more of Hunny&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;g) have more space to live in (this 1 bedroom is very limiting)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;h) have Jacob around more to make me laugh&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;i) have a back porch to have get togethers on&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;j) see more of Hunny.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;As you can tell by the above list, we made a good decision by finding a house.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4596017295225088282-7783089651016570091?l=opalsjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/7783089651016570091/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4596017295225088282&amp;postID=7783089651016570091' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/7783089651016570091'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/7783089651016570091'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/2009/01/gist_17.html' title='G.I.S.T'/><author><name>Opal</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955412105013601254</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596017295225088282.post-920272571336285086</id><published>2009-01-13T16:48:00.001-08:00</published><updated>2009-01-13T16:55:00.005-08:00</updated><title type='text'>G.I.S.T</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;Ok....so I am already behind. In my defense....I'm busy!!! I need to keep up.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;1. We finally found a house to live in! Wanna know the best part? Its right down the street from Julie! Yay!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;2. Going back to work. I love my time off work but I never mind going back. I loves my job!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;3. That feeling you get when you first lay down in bed at night.....ahhhh comfort. I love it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;4. Having the "serious talk" with Jordan last night. Over time it seems like we drift apart. I'm happy to know we have always been on the same page.....busy, but always on the same page. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;5. Talking to Skylar and Joey today on Skylar's birthday. I can't believe she is already ten! Where does the time go?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4596017295225088282-920272571336285086?l=opalsjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/920272571336285086/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4596017295225088282&amp;postID=920272571336285086' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/920272571336285086'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/920272571336285086'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/2009/01/gist_13.html' title='G.I.S.T'/><author><name>Opal</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955412105013601254</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596017295225088282.post-8358118946439547051</id><published>2009-01-09T17:25:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-01-09T17:27:59.670-08:00</updated><title type='text'>G.I.S.T</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;1. Holding my first staff meeting all by myself today! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;2. Going to see Julie's new house today. I'm so excited for them!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;3. Knowing I have nothing to do tomorrow!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4596017295225088282-8358118946439547051?l=opalsjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/8358118946439547051/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4596017295225088282&amp;postID=8358118946439547051' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/8358118946439547051'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/8358118946439547051'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/2009/01/gist_09.html' title='G.I.S.T'/><author><name>Opal</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955412105013601254</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596017295225088282.post-308230496733357421</id><published>2009-01-08T18:35:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-01-08T18:42:07.345-08:00</updated><title type='text'>G.I.S.T</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;Ok...so I missed a day. Not because I found nothing, I was super busy and just wanted to go to bed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;But....here are my blessings for the day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;1. Dinner actually coming out good. It was great!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;2. I L-O-V-E my job.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;3. Jordan and I were sitting around tonight and I leaned over and smelled him. I love that smell!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4596017295225088282-308230496733357421?l=opalsjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/308230496733357421/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4596017295225088282&amp;postID=308230496733357421' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/308230496733357421'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/308230496733357421'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/2009/01/gist.html' title='G.I.S.T'/><author><name>Opal</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955412105013601254</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596017295225088282.post-5994293657527827372</id><published>2009-01-06T21:37:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-01-06T21:41:13.072-08:00</updated><title type='text'>G. I. S. T. January 6th</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;1. Samantha coming into work to help me.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;2. Hunny helping me with work I had to bring home with me. He is sweet and loveable.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;3. The hectic nature of my job. Although it stresses me to no end sometimes, I wouldn't trade it for the world. I feel very lucky to have a great job.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;4. Trevor laying in my lap before bed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;5. Gabby's pumpkin pie with cool whip....mmm mmm good!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;Sometimes the little things in life do make you the happiest! What more could I ask for!?!?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4596017295225088282-5994293657527827372?l=opalsjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/5994293657527827372/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4596017295225088282&amp;postID=5994293657527827372' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/5994293657527827372'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/5994293657527827372'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/2009/01/g-i-s-t-january-6th.html' title='G. I. S. T. January 6th'/><author><name>Opal</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955412105013601254</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596017295225088282.post-4159340548017874241</id><published>2009-01-06T21:35:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-01-06T21:37:43.420-08:00</updated><title type='text'>G. I. S.T. January 5th</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;1. Julie's hysterical story about the mouse....love it!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;2. Beckie sending me an e-mail about how Joey landed himself in the principal's office even though he did nothing wrong. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;3. That moment when I finally laid down in bed and realized my crazy, yet fulfilling, day was over.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4596017295225088282-4159340548017874241?l=opalsjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/4159340548017874241/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4596017295225088282&amp;postID=4159340548017874241' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/4159340548017874241'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/4159340548017874241'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/2009/01/g-i-st-january-5th.html' title='G. I. S.T. January 5th'/><author><name>Opal</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955412105013601254</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596017295225088282.post-8906685246378292849</id><published>2009-01-04T16:38:00.001-08:00</published><updated>2009-01-04T16:39:43.521-08:00</updated><title type='text'>G.I.S.T 2:365</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;1. Hanging out with Jordan today. Oh how I love him.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;2. Washing laundry all the while singing the "I'm gonna have clean sheets" song.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;These are my blessings for the day!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4596017295225088282-8906685246378292849?l=opalsjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/8906685246378292849/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4596017295225088282&amp;postID=8906685246378292849' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/8906685246378292849'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/8906685246378292849'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/2009/01/gist-2365.html' title='G.I.S.T 2:365'/><author><name>Opal</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955412105013601254</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596017295225088282.post-4274542386884308484</id><published>2009-01-03T21:15:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-01-03T21:26:56.145-08:00</updated><title type='text'>G.I.S.T 1:365</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;So....my friend Julie is doing this thing on her blog so I am doing it on mine. I think it is neat and I am hoping it will help me to be more positive about the little things in life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt; Here is the deal.....it is called Gifts In Small Things. I have jumped on the band wagon fashionably late, so I am starting on January 3rd. One should pick out something in each day from which they have been blessed and tell about it. I think it will be fun.....so here goes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt; 1. Going to work. I love my job! I enjoyed going in to work today (on my day off) just to catch up on missed work over the holidays. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt; 2. Finding a great sale at Hobby Lobby. Oh My WORD!!!!! Thanks to one Mrs. Julie Wittie, I was informed of 66% off of decor at Hobby Lobby. I had the opportunity to cash in on 50% off wall decor, 66% off of home decor and 80% off of Christmas decorations. Although a carrot nose or two was broken off of the snow men, I caught a great deal.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt; 3. Cooking dinner for Hunny. (man he hates that) Jordan and I have been together for almost a year and he has yet to get a decent meal out of me. I decided I am going to learn how to cook now that I have a little more time to myself after graduation. Tonight I made pepper-lime chicken with seasoned potatoes and salad. It was great, Jacob and Trejo confirmed. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt; These are my blessings for the day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt; I can't guarantee I will be able to keep up with every single day of this, but I am going to give it my all. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt; Happy blogging!! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4596017295225088282-4274542386884308484?l=opalsjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/4274542386884308484/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4596017295225088282&amp;postID=4274542386884308484' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/4274542386884308484'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/4274542386884308484'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/2009/01/gist-1365.html' title='G.I.S.T 1:365'/><author><name>Opal</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955412105013601254</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596017295225088282.post-4052559025869235003</id><published>2008-12-27T22:46:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-12-27T22:59:45.558-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Five People You Meet in Heaven</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;Surely we have all heard of the book "Five People you Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Album. Although I have never read it, I would like to think a bit on who I would like to meet when I get to heaven. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;1. First, and foremost, I want to meet the Lord. I want to hug him and feel his warmth. I want to rest in his peace and tell him thank you for my salvation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;2. My mother's father, Pawpaw. I want to tell him all that I have heard about him and let him know how much I enjoyed the family farm when I was growing up. I want to sit and talk with him about how great his kids were and how highly they spoke of him. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;3. Adolf Hitler. I want to ask him why, WHY would he not even lead, but allow such carnage and destruction in Germany. I want to know what enjoyment he got out of his tyranny and if he feels sorry at all for his actions and horrific leadership. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;4. Emily Dickinson. I want to tell her how famous and moving her poetry became and how important it was in my life. I want to learn from her and ask her if there were any thoughts she never had the chance to write down on paper. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;5. Vincent van Gogh. I want to explain to him how I came to know his beautiful artwork and why it was so important to me. I want him to recall what his feelings and emotions were when creating such creative and moving work. I want to explain to him how absolutely elated I was everytime I had the chance to view an original of his work. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;There you have it, when I finally go home, these are the folks I would like to sit a spell with and chat it up.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4596017295225088282-4052559025869235003?l=opalsjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/4052559025869235003/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4596017295225088282&amp;postID=4052559025869235003' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/4052559025869235003'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/4052559025869235003'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/2008/12/five-people-you-meet-in-heaven.html' title='Five People You Meet in Heaven'/><author><name>Opal</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955412105013601254</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596017295225088282.post-8019031800179034316</id><published>2008-12-18T19:58:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-12-18T20:18:00.485-08:00</updated><title type='text'>"So.....do you think I'm a bitch?"</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;Let me begin by saying, I yell.....a lot.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;I'm the girl who doesn't mind telling the server that the meal tastes like crap. (if it really does, I don't lie to get free food or anything) &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;I'm the girl who doesn't mind flipping off a crazy driver.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;I'm the girl who doesn't mind telling someone I don't really care what they are talking about, provided the fact I really don't. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;I was talking to Jordan the other day and I found myself asking him, "Honey, do you think I'm a bitch?" Much to my surprise, he replied, "Well.....not to me." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;Good deal. At least I'm not too mean to him.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;I think I'm great! I would never want to hurt someone's feelings or make them feel bad, but I don't let people walk all over me. I'm definitely not passive. People always know where I stand, and I don't back down.  There have been too many instances in my life when people told me what I can do, when I can do it, what I should think, and how I should act. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;I can truly say that I love Jordan with all my heart because he knows me at my best.......and worst. He knows I yell a lot, he knows I clean constantly, he knows I throw the remote control when my DVR malfunctions, and he knows I love him dearly. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"&gt;That is really all that matters right? I love Hunny. (and he hates when I refer to him like that) =0)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4596017295225088282-8019031800179034316?l=opalsjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/8019031800179034316/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4596017295225088282&amp;postID=8019031800179034316' title='3 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/8019031800179034316'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/8019031800179034316'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/2008/12/sodo-you-think-im-bitch.html' title='&quot;So.....do you think I&apos;m a bitch?&quot;'/><author><name>Opal</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955412105013601254</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>3</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596017295225088282.post-5446127653294221492</id><published>2008-12-06T16:31:00.001-08:00</published><updated>2008-12-06T16:41:50.445-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Banned Books</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;When searching for books to read in Hastings on Thursday night I internally revisited my most academic abhoration....banned books. I despise them.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Why, for goodness sake, would any school ban a book? Books are amazing. They have the ability to send one into an imaginative world that is new and exciting. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;My favorite book? Catcher in the Rye. Oh, how I love it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Simple minded adminstrators dislike this book because of the language. Seriously? This is what the whole book is about! Holden Caufield loathed "phonies," this book was the basis for John Lennon's death. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Lennon wrote about revolution and change while living in the Dakota Apartments, some of the most expensive, in New York City. Don't get me wrong, I love his music, but he was a phony. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;In conclusion, all you high school teachers out there, fight the power. Teach a banned book. The administration will get over it don't you think? Maybe not.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;If a book is banned, the students will never know the real value of it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Don't be a phony.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4596017295225088282-5446127653294221492?l=opalsjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/5446127653294221492/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4596017295225088282&amp;postID=5446127653294221492' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/5446127653294221492'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/5446127653294221492'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/2008/12/banned-books.html' title='Banned Books'/><author><name>Opal</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955412105013601254</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596017295225088282.post-8526334243868507621</id><published>2008-11-29T23:22:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-11-29T23:33:21.826-08:00</updated><title type='text'>The Holidays</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Well, Thanksgiving was great!! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Jordan and I went to his parents on Wednesday night and had Thanksgiving dinner with his parents and brother the next day. I had the pleasure of meeting Martha's side of the family.....lets just say I'm pretty sure it won't be so awkard next time we have an impromptu encounter. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Then we went to see my Daddy! Yay! Oh, how I love him. We hung out, and dinner, watched TV, ate pie, watched a movie, then went to bed. My perfect evening. Food. TV. Pie. Movie. Bed. =0)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;We came home on Friday so I could get some homework done. Of course, I wrote one 2 page paper and quit. Now, here I am at 1:28 in the morning just finishing up my first project. I need to get it together. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;But first, I need sleep!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4596017295225088282-8526334243868507621?l=opalsjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/8526334243868507621/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4596017295225088282&amp;postID=8526334243868507621' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/8526334243868507621'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/8526334243868507621'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/2008/11/holidays.html' title='The Holidays'/><author><name>Opal</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955412105013601254</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596017295225088282.post-1715052304303906781</id><published>2008-11-15T22:04:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-11-15T22:07:30.929-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Today I....</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Slept in.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Had lunch with Morgan.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Got my nails done.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Met with Lori for homework.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Went to Walmart for groceries.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Started laundry.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Homework.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;More laundry.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Walked Trevor.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;More homework.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Oh.......I want Jordan to come home so badly. This weekend is lasting forever. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Next time I am ditching homework to go with him. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4596017295225088282-1715052304303906781?l=opalsjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/1715052304303906781/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4596017295225088282&amp;postID=1715052304303906781' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/1715052304303906781'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/1715052304303906781'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/2008/11/today-i.html' title='Today I....'/><author><name>Opal</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955412105013601254</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596017295225088282.post-722671311701721091</id><published>2008-11-09T18:31:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-11-09T19:08:07.679-08:00</updated><title type='text'>I Love NY</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;I have been feeling rather nostalgic about New York City lately. I know, random thought right? Oh, I miss it so. The honking of horns, the people, the skyscrapers, and the parks.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I cry when I have to leave. If I could have Jordan and my amazing job in New York I would be in heaven. The last time I visited (in June) I despised going to my hotel room. In the event of a shower or a couple of hours of sleep, I would sit by the window of my 14th floor hotel room, literally put my hands to the window, and feel the energy. Who wouldn't want to live in a place like this?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://s484.photobucket.com/albums/rr209/OpalKatherine/?action=view&amp;amp;current=OpalsPictures121.jpg" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;img alt="New York Skyline" src="http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr209/OpalKatherine/OpalsPictures121.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;I love walking through Central Park and hearing jazz bands. I love to walk down the street and see a Starbucks and fruit stand on every corner. Every one eats healty in New York. Walking is a must, and, despite the common idea, the subway is lots of fun!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Oh I miss it so. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4596017295225088282-722671311701721091?l=opalsjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/722671311701721091/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4596017295225088282&amp;postID=722671311701721091' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/722671311701721091'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/722671311701721091'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/2008/11/i-love-ny_09.html' title='I Love NY'/><author><name>Opal</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955412105013601254</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596017295225088282.post-4529124425935088726</id><published>2008-11-06T14:40:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-11-06T14:52:32.294-08:00</updated><title type='text'>When I Graduate</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;I get so dang tired of the question, "so what are you gonna do when you graduate!?" I feel like people want me to tell them I am going to be a marveous educator or cure cancer. Sorry folks....I hate to disappoint you but I already have a job I love...and I'm stickin' with it. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Because I need something to come up with when they ask me, I have decided to compile a list.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;1. Read. And not take a quiz over it the next day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;2. Learn to cook food people can actually eat. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;3. Work 8-5. No more scheduling around my classes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;4. Have a weekend to myself. No papers to write or articles to analyze.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;5. Plan my wedding. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt; Unfortunately there are only 5 items on my list. You would think that after 5 1/2 years of school I would know what I want to do when I get out. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Too bad....I wanna relax. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;=0)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4596017295225088282-4529124425935088726?l=opalsjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/4529124425935088726/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4596017295225088282&amp;postID=4529124425935088726' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/4529124425935088726'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/4529124425935088726'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/2008/11/when-i-graduate.html' title='When I Graduate'/><author><name>Opal</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955412105013601254</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596017295225088282.post-1324406855308680151</id><published>2008-10-26T20:58:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2008-10-26T21:03:07.938-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Fleas</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;So, I am fighting an uphill battle with fleas on Trevor. (not me, just to be clear) I have done everything, EVERYTHING I tell you, to get rid of them. I don't know why they hang around. Tomorrow I have the day off of work and I am taking EXTREME measures. It will be flea bath, Adam's Flea and Tick Spray and lysol central in my apartment. Anyone is welcome to join the party. =0)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Poor Trevor. Maybe after tomorrow he will be allowed on the furniture and bed again....just maybe.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4596017295225088282-1324406855308680151?l=opalsjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/1324406855308680151/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4596017295225088282&amp;postID=1324406855308680151' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/1324406855308680151'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/1324406855308680151'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/2008/10/fleas.html' title='Fleas'/><author><name>Opal</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955412105013601254</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596017295225088282.post-688687996289698313</id><published>2008-10-10T12:27:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-10-10T12:32:58.427-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Friday</title><content type='html'>Ahhh......Friday.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;No classes to attend.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;No work to worry about.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Knowing I can sleep in on Saturday.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Staying up late knowing I won't feel the consequences of it the next day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Sitting on the couch catching up on my missed TV shows from the week.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Man, I love Fridays.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4596017295225088282-688687996289698313?l=opalsjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/688687996289698313/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4596017295225088282&amp;postID=688687996289698313' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/688687996289698313'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/688687996289698313'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/2008/10/friday.html' title='Friday'/><author><name>Opal</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955412105013601254</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596017295225088282.post-3842474867371173927</id><published>2008-10-03T22:20:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-10-03T22:34:07.089-07:00</updated><title type='text'>"We're A Team"</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;The other night Jordan and I went out to eat in Abilene for my birthday. (Lots of fun!) By the time our ticket came around I already had my debit card out and was ready to pay. Jordan gave me that "I'm going to pay for it" look and said, "Um, no. I'm paying for this one" &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;I, of course, rolled my eyes at him, handed the red-haired woman my card and said, "You don't always have to pay for it, Honey. We're a team now." &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;As minut and corny this may seem, it really meant a lot to me. It struck me that it is actually happening. I am getting married. Scary! For the rest of my life I am going to pick up after someone else, cook dinner for someone else, wash laundry for someone else and constantly worry about someone else. Am I really ready for that??? Absolutely. I am ready to have someone setting the table for me when I am cooking dinner, someone to talk to when I come home, someone to help me tuck the kids into bed after a long day, and someone to lay and bed for hours and giggle the night away with. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Ahhh.....I'm ready, I found my team. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4596017295225088282-3842474867371173927?l=opalsjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/3842474867371173927/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4596017295225088282&amp;postID=3842474867371173927' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/3842474867371173927'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/3842474867371173927'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/2008/10/were-team.html' title='&quot;We&apos;re A Team&quot;'/><author><name>Opal</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955412105013601254</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596017295225088282.post-657864966823430495</id><published>2008-09-24T14:09:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-09-24T14:33:31.549-07:00</updated><title type='text'>So Many Things....</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;seem to be going on right now! Yet, when someone calls that I haven't spoken with in a while I just say, "oh, not a whole lot, just work and school." Seriously? I feel like I have been run ragged and all I can say is "oh not a whole lot????" I really need to get it together.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;On a more positive note...I found my amazing wedding dress on Saturday! It was great. My mother, Claire and Jordan's mother came and my Aunt &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"&gt;Guyla&lt;/span&gt; surprised me there! We looked and looked for the perfect one, and finally found it. It was a lonely little dress on a &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"&gt;mannequin&lt;/span&gt; at the front. Aunt &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"&gt;Guyla&lt;/span&gt; saw it and said, "why don't you try this one??" I was somewhat against it at first and basically tried on the dress because she wanted me to. I loved it!! As of now, I will be the most beautiful lady in the Methodist church on June 13&lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"&gt;th&lt;/span&gt;. &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"&gt;Yay&lt;/span&gt;! =0)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;I have to go back to the doctor on Monday...AGAIN. I'll tell you what, if I never had to see a doctor ever again it would be too soon. It gets so tiring to go all the way to Ft. Worth to see the doctor for about an hour, only to drive all the way home again. On the other hand, I get so caught up in being mad about driving 4 hours that I forget to be grateful for the wonderful doctor I have found. It was about this time last year that I was fed up with looking for a competent doctor that fit my needs. Now I have one! Maybe I should shut up with the belly aching about driving so far. At least I can walk up stairs and brush my own teeth.....a lot more than I could say this time last year. =0)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;I'm a lucky gal.....&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4596017295225088282-657864966823430495?l=opalsjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/657864966823430495/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4596017295225088282&amp;postID=657864966823430495' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/657864966823430495'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/657864966823430495'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/2008/09/so-many-things.html' title='So Many Things....'/><author><name>Opal</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955412105013601254</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596017295225088282.post-4785394922667779772</id><published>2008-09-14T14:10:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-09-14T14:17:38.851-07:00</updated><title type='text'>This Morning...</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;I took Gabby to church with me. She is soooo cute sometimes. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;First off she got in the car, looked right at me and said, "why are you so mad this morning?" I replied that I wasn't mad...just tired. She insisted that I must have stayed out too late last night because otherwise I wouldn't be so tired. Thats right Gabby......a full time job, school and homework aren't enough to make me tired during the week and sleeping in one day a week will definitely catch me up on sleep. I wanted to roll my eyes but knew she would see me and slap them right out of my head.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;I looked over at her this morning in church, when she was only a few seconds away from falling fast asleep, and thought of how wonderful it would be to live as long as she has and still remember just about every memory of my 91 year old life. She is so amazing, she can still cook a mean pot of potato soup and a banana nut bread to die for. All the while she complains about not being able to "see a lick" or hear just about anything. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;So funny......&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4596017295225088282-4785394922667779772?l=opalsjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/4785394922667779772/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4596017295225088282&amp;postID=4785394922667779772' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/4785394922667779772'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/4785394922667779772'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/2008/09/this-morning.html' title='This Morning...'/><author><name>Opal</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955412105013601254</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596017295225088282.post-2749478099320521119</id><published>2008-09-12T20:30:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-09-12T20:39:20.847-07:00</updated><title type='text'>My Life.....</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;is pretty much a big ball of perfection right now. Although I hit a few bumps in the road every now and then, I basically have it made. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Sometimes I forget to give thanks and notice how blessed I am from day to day. If there was one thing I would change about myself it would probably be that....I want to remember to give thanks for my blessings every day. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;What more could I ask for? I have a wonderful job that I would not give up for the world. I work with people who give me recognition for my accomplishments and cheer me on all the way when they realize I am working hard. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;My family tends to be a bit nuts sometimes but, for the most part, we stick together in order to help each other through the hard times. Its what matters most. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Finally.....Jordan. Oh, my Jordan. God sent him to me at precisely the right time. I was just about at my wits end with things not working out and basically fed up with jerks who wouldn't know how to treat a woman right if it slapped them. It is so comforting to know that someone will always be there for me for the rest of my life....no matter what. No matter how many times I yell, no matter how many times I kick the dog, no matter how mean I am in the morning. We loves one another. I can't get enough of him!!!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;Now we are off to get coffee!!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4596017295225088282-2749478099320521119?l=opalsjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/2749478099320521119/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4596017295225088282&amp;postID=2749478099320521119' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/2749478099320521119'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/2749478099320521119'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/2008/09/my-life.html' title='My Life.....'/><author><name>Opal</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955412105013601254</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596017295225088282.post-1674089169400105576</id><published>2008-09-11T12:32:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-09-11T12:38:57.259-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Stress.....</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;is starting to get to me. I'm tired all the time and I catch myself snapping at people for no particular reason (mostly Jordan). =0(    I gotta stop that. I just love him to pieces and don't want to take anything out on him. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;We are getting our engagement pictures back today!! Yay! We are super excited to see them. We only took them this last Saturday and it feels like we have waited forever for them. I can't wait to see how they turned out. It's gonna be great! =0)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;I am kind of in a weird place with school right now. Part of me says it is super hard and I don't know how I am going to get through it. The other part of me is relaxed and taking it in stride. I don't want to get too relaxed about it because then I stand a chance of failing. At the same time I don't want to over stress about it because I tend to shut down and do nothing when I over stress. I don't know....I guess I will figure it all out sometime. I just have to keep telling myself....only 3 more months....I've come too far to quit now. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4596017295225088282-1674089169400105576?l=opalsjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/1674089169400105576/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4596017295225088282&amp;postID=1674089169400105576' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/1674089169400105576'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/1674089169400105576'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/2008/09/stress.html' title='Stress.....'/><author><name>Opal</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955412105013601254</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596017295225088282.post-4656487452949426923</id><published>2008-09-10T14:20:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-09-10T14:47:52.359-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Here We Go</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="color:#ffffff;"&gt;Ok, so here I am. I'm blogging.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="color:#ffffff;"&gt;I figured this would be a good creative outlet, a way to relax my brain.....or something like that. =0)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="color:#ffffff;"&gt;Many exciting things are going on in my life and I believe it is only fair for everyone to be in the loop. Stay tuned for more info on my graduation, my ever-changing family, and most importantly.....my wedding!! &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="color:#ffffff;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4596017295225088282-4656487452949426923?l=opalsjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/feeds/4656487452949426923/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4596017295225088282&amp;postID=4656487452949426923' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/4656487452949426923'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/4596017295225088282/posts/default/4656487452949426923'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://opalsjourney.blogspot.com/2008/09/here-we-go.html' title='Here We Go'/><author><name>Opal</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955412105013601254</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry></feed>
