February 28, 2011

This is a Pet Rock.

Yes, this pet rock is from 1975, this is the sort of thing people did in the 70s, I guess.

My mother was one of these people, she says its name is Rocky. It still sits on a shelf in the front of the house.

It has a little nest..a "pet carrying case" and yes...a book on how to properly care for your rock and how to train it.

The 70s were weird.

February 27, 2011

Today I traveled down to Carmi for Sydney's 4th birthday.

It was a very fun time, Syd was cute as always and got lots of good presents. I just love her so much!

February 26, 2011

This weekend my very good friend Michelle descended upon us from Chicago in the great white north.

This is Michelle having fun at the grocery store.

February 25, 2011

Tonight we had two special house guests.

They are very polite young men, but can be a bit slobbery.

So here they are, the handsome Kellan and Mason Tackett!

February 24, 2011

So to start this out, I'd like to say Happy Birthday to my lovely Goddaughter, Sydney Strange.

This picture has nothing to do with her though...

I just went out today and took some pictures, because thats what I do when I'm bored.

I took some pics of the ever so busy Vandalia Railroad, they move stuff like...a mile...maybe.

But here you go...some...stuff?

February 23, 2011

Hello, my name is Abi and.....I have an addiction.

This started in early November, at first it was just something to do to pass the time, but then...it slowly became all encompassing.

So, you may be wondering, what is this addiction? Is it meth, is it gambling...is it an addiction to 90s boy bands?

No...its an addiction to Angry Birds.

At first, it was ok to just pass the levels, but then it became about the 3 star perfection.

And I will be perfect...or I am not the Black Swan.....? What..?

February 22, 2011

Today I was introduced to a special little guy, his name is Bucky.

Claire's family has always had a love affair with Beagles and naming them names that start with the letter B.

They got Bucky yesterday, he is not the first Willms dog to have the name Bucky, but hes the first I met, and hes adorable.

So, without further ado, Bucky!

February 21, 2011

Today is President's Day and I informed my Mother that by the time I got home from work at 10 she needed to have some facts written about every president.

I was joking, but because my parents love humoring me, she did it.

My mom is awesome.

February 20, 2011

Well, yesterday's picture was of the arch. I went to St. Louis to meet up with some of my friends.

Besides my Dad and my brothers, these are the two guys who mean the most to me.

This was taken around 12:30 am at Blueberry Hill on Delmar. It was a fun time.

February 19, 2011

Well...its another Arch picture, but this time it wasn't taken from the dead city of East St. Louis.

February 18, 2011

Tonight my attention was again focused on the moon.

My original intention was to drive out to the lake and take a picture of the moon reflecting off the water. This didn't happen because the lake was still frozen over a little bit..so no reflection...

But anyway, tis the moon...again.

February 17, 2011

I was sitting in my living room today and I was starring at the bookshelf.

We have these huge floor to ceiling book shelves..and most of the shelves are full of history related books as well as a collection of Stephen King and JRR Tolkien.

My particular picture tonight is mostly of books just of related to WWII, and this is not even close to all of them.

I guess between my Dad and I's addiction to history and reading...this shouldn't be too surprising.

February 16, 2011

Sometimes pictures just come to me...

When I got home from work tonight, I looked up and this is what I saw. I thought it was pretty cool looking, and then Moonlight Sonata started playing in my head.

That Beethoven, he knew what he was doing.

February 15, 2011

Today was a good day.

Any day is great when I get to see one of my favorite people ever; Sydney Parker Louise Strange.

For those of you who have never talked to me for more than 15 minuets, Sydney aka Geegs is my Goddaughter.

Tonight we met in Mt. Vernon, she drove her barbie jeep...or her parents brought her, and we watched Gnomeo and Juliette in 3D.

It was a very cute movie, it had good stuff for the kids and also really funny stuff for the adults, I'd recommend it.

February 14, 2011

Ahh, today is Valentine's Day.

Couples all over are celebrating with flowers, candy, and a typical romantic comedy.

Others are drunk, crying, and OD-ing on pints of ice cream because alas, they have not found their loves.

I on the other hand spent my night at IGA closing down the store with one of my good friends. So, it was a pretty decent night.

Because as we know, I love history, I thought I'd tell you a little bit about St. Valentine!

Well, Valentine was either a priest or a bishop, no one is 100% sure of which one. Well, he was uniting Christian couples in Holy Matrimony.

Awwww.

So, whats the big deal?

Well, during the time he was doing this, Rome was ruled by a guy named Claudius II, he was not a fan of Christians.

Helping Christians in anyway, was considered a crime.

So eventually, Valentine was arrested, Claudius got to know him and thought he was a pretty swell guy, until Valentine did the unthinkable, he tried to convert Claudius to Christianity.

FOR SHAME!

After this...he was condemned to death. They stoned him and beat him with clubs, but this would not kill him. So, they decided it would be best to behead him.

So, if you are unhappy with your Valentine's Day, remember, St. Valentine had a much worse one...

But never the less, Happy Valentine's Day to everyone out there!

February 13, 2011

Well, today it reached 50 degrees. This means that the snow and ice are melting, except for in my driveway..it remains a sheet of ice, probably because Mother Nature wants me to break my leg.

I heard some people at work today describe this as the "Spring Thaw", but we must remember, this is Illinois...and Illinois is tricky.

But, while it lasts, everyone enjoy the nice weather.

February 12, 2011

My favorite ice cream ever is Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia. Ben & Jerry really know what they are doing.

Anyway, as I was enjoying my ice cream, Lily tried to enjoy some too....she didn't get any.

February 11, 2011

I was at Wal Mart tonight (blech), in the "craft" section....I guess crafts and wedding decorations go hand in hand? But anyway...this is a wedding cake topper and I found it...awful.

Its a bride dragging a groom to I guess the wedding, maybe shes knocked up and is like "dammit, marry me", because..thats a lasting relationship...

Anyway, if you look closely at the bride, it looks like a. shes been punched in the face or b. shes been crying....but maybe c. shes crying because shes been punched in the face, which ever option..its....terrible.

February 10, 2011

Well, tonight on the awesome Thursday night comedy night, it was mostly Valentine's Day episodes. I am not a fan of Valentine's Day. I think its lame. Some would say I'm bitter, but...whatever.

So in the spirit of lame ass Valentine's Day, if I could make this fictional character real....I would totally want him to be my Valentine.

Now I'm lame...haha.

February 9, 2011

And today.....was another weird day.

I got up at 5:30 am and started to get ready for my day of substitute teaching at South Central.

I love student teaching there, the kids are generally good and I like the other teachers there. Its where I student taught, so it feels sort of like home.

Today though, would prove to be not one of those great days at South Central that I'm used to.

They had lost a student to one thing that I will never understand and thats suicide. Seeing the look on all those kids faces was absolutely heartbreaking. Something I never want to have to experience ever again.

When I was driving home from South Central my phone rang.

I was offered the job that I had interviewed for the day before. Of course I accepted.

I am so incredibly excited to be teaching, even though its not social studies, and its not in a high school or middle school, but still its teaching. I am ready to start the new phase of my life even though it might be hard to say goodbye to what I'm used to. I guess this is what growing up is about.

Tonight I looked at the sky as the sun was setting, and I thought it would be a suitable picture to sum up my day.

The night is coming, and I guess it could represent the unknown....for whats going to happen to my career, for whats going happen to all the families and friends that that student left behind. But then with the darkness, theres always light to help guide our way.

February 8, 2011

Today....was a weird day.

I started out with a job interview, and I think it went well.

Then I spent the rest of the afternoon in East St. Louis.

I'm not going to go into why I was there or what happened, but it was a hard day. But, I needed to be there for a friend.

Its scary to think that you can put your complete trust into someone and then they have a completely secret life, but I guess you just never know.

But heres my picture of the day, the Arch...



Also, some lyrics a song by Jack's Mannequin that will hopefully help my friend in this hard time.

"Swim"

You've gotta swim
Swim for your life
Swim for the music
That saves you
When you're not so sure you'll survive
You gotta swim
And swim when it hurts
The whole world is watching
You haven't come this far
To fall off the earth
The currents will pull you
Away from your love
Just keep your head above

I found a tidal wave
Begging to tear down the dawn
Memories like bullets
They fired at me from a gun
A crack in the armor
I swim to brighter days
Despite the absence of sun
Choking on salt water
I'm not giving in
I swim

You gotta swim
Through nights that won't end
Swim for your families
Your lovers your sisters
And brothers and friends
Yeah you've gotta swim
Through wars without cause
Swim for the lost politicians
Who don't see their greed as a flaw

The currents will pull us
Away from our love
Just keep your head above

I found a tidal wave
Begging to tear down the dawn
Memories like bullets
They fired at me from a gun
Cracking me open now
I swim for brighter days
Despite the absence of sun
Choking on salt water
I'm not giving in
Well I'm not giving in
I swim

You gotta swim
Swim in the dark
There's no shame in drifting
Feel the tide shifting and wait for the spark
Yeah you've gotta swim
Don't let yourself sink
Just find the horizon
I promise you it's not as far as you think
The currents will drag us away from our love
Just keep your head above
Just keep your head above
Swim
Just keep your head above
Swim, swim
Just keep your head above
Swim

February 7, 2011

Recently we have packed up my belongings and placed them into boxes for now because we are redoing my bedroom. As I'm sure I'll miss my old teal and purple Charlotte Hornets inspired bedroom with green shag carpet, it was time for a change.

Sadly, this little guy wasn't able to join the boxes with everything else, for he is stuck to this shelf. He has been stuck to this shelf for years....This is Stretch Armstrong's dog, Fetch. Evidently if he explodes the corn starch will make him stick to the surface of whatever he is laying on.

So new carpet, yes. New paint, yes. But I think I will always have a bit of my childhood hanging out on a shelf.

February 6, 2011

Today is Super Bowl Sunday and the Green Bay Packers has just defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers. I am not a Steelers fan, but I am so not a Green Bay fan. Green Bay is my arch nemesis, because...after all I am a Bears Fan.



But, in all seriousness, it was a very good game, and even I can admit defeat. So, Congratulations to Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.

But....be prepared for the Bears.

February 5, 2011

For the past, I don't even remember the years because its been so long, I have been closing Saturday nights at IGA. Basically a night at IGA is the same routine, night after night, week after week, month after month, year after year. You get the picture.

After my 11 years at Harmon's Market, sometimes I need to find ways to entertain myself so I don't go crazy. Now, don't think I don't do my job, I do, I just sometimes have a bit of downtime...yah, I could always reface or clean something, but why be an over achiever?

Anyway, tonight I decided to make use out of the random inches of snow we got today. The snow wasn't the awesome packable snow that you need in order to make a great snow man, but I made due with what I had.

After piling, and somewhat molding the snow, cutting out some cardboard wings, grabbing a carrot and using pen caps for eyes, I present you with the IGA Snow Bird.

February 4, 2011

Well, here I am, another exciting Friday night.

I know that not every Friday needs to be crazy exciting, and I guess I was pretty content with this one. I hungout with Tanning Tara Tackett, played the lyric came with Tim Cocagne, and chatted it up with Elisa, I could think of worse ways to spend a Friday night.

February 3, 2011

It is said that people with blue eyes are more sensitive to the sun light. I have blue eyes, and today was a very blinding day.

The sun was out in full force and when I awoke I even heard birds chirping, I'm pretty sure these birds were just drunk because even though it looked rather bright and happy outside, it was still very cold.

I went outside to greet the day armed with an ice scraper so I could free my car from its frosty grips. What I was welcomed with was a very blinding site, but once my eyes adjusted, it was also really pretty.

February 2, 2011

Well, the ice storm is over so now we are left with lots of ice and really cold temperatures. As usual on a Wednesday night, I closed down the ol' IGA, which wasn't too bad because we were very dead.

After taking deposit and I decided to do one of my favorite things. Grabbed my Kindle, headed to the leather recliner in the living room and decided to read.

This is probably how I'm going to spend the rest of my night, so everyone out there, stay warm and good night.

February 1, 2011

Well, February greeted us with an ice storm. Thanks February!

Supposedly snow is on its way, but who knows...what I do know is, it might take me at least a decade to get into my car.

Be careful out there everyone!