Monday, December 31, 2007

2007 In Review

It's the last day of 2007, and what a year!

I made no resolutions for 2007, but I commented to a friend that "I just don't want to be in the same boat next year that I am right now." 2007 was a year dedicated partially to becoming healthy. The most obvious expression of that was some (long overdue) attention to my weight. I had an idea what it would mean to lose some weight, but I expected that to be primarily a physical change. In reality, I think it was even more mental than physical. I never realized how my weight had become a sort of wall for me... keeping me isolated... and keeping others out. I've learned that beauty is an important part of being a woman and that I'm a unique expression of God's beauty. I don't think I was doing a very good job of expressing that before. I'm still working on it, but I feel like I have a lot more to give of myself today than I did a year ago.

I've also been on more dates this year than I probably have all of my years up to now. Now, that's not saying a whole lot, but it has been a fun year in that regard. And, I've learned a few things there, too. I've allowed myself to be more open to possibilities... not so guarded and not so oblivious to the people around me. I've taken more risks, and I've tried not to over analyze every situation. I've focused more on enjoying the moment and not getting so caught up on where things might end up. There's a real freedom in trusting God that whatever happens will be for the best. I can see where worrying about those things has caused considerable havoc in my past relationships. I want to be a person who brings life and freedom to another person... not someone who causes stress and adds pressure where none needs to be. THAT has been a really exciting change!

It's been a year of new friendships, too! A vast majority of the people I'm hanging out with these days were not friends (or at least close friends) a year ago. God's really blessed me with a great gal pal, too! It's so nice to have a friend who understands my life, with all of its idiosyncrasies. He's also blessed me with old friends. Though things have changed fairly radically this year, it's nice have friends who will stick with me... regardless.

I'm sure there are other interesting things to tell, but those are the highlights! In summary, 2007 has been what one might call a banner year for Krista. :)

Saturday, December 22, 2007

A Christmas Miracle!

Well, I can't sleep, so I thought I'd catch up on some overdue blogging. :)

My nerves started wearing thin mid-last week. I was still without electricity and waiting to hear from the electrician who had already been out to my house and had apparently ordered some supplies for the job. Needless to say, I was beginning into the meltdown stage. Thursday was a bit better, and Friday I was determined to sleep in my own home... regardless the electrical situation.

I got home around noon on Friday to find that NO electrician had been to my house. I called a couple of other electricians, but prospects were not looking good to get anyone out to the house until after Christmas. My friends were becoming increasingly aware of my tense emotional state and were kind to offer assistance with generators and limbs. Around 3pm, as I was rolling a generator over from the neighbor's house (the rest of the neighborhood had power by this time), I received a call from one of the electricians I had called around noon. They said they were on their way! I was excited to know they were coming but doubted the possibility of getting the electrical work done AND having PSO come back out to connect me. (I had friends who had to wait the better half of a week just to be reconnected AFTER having the necessary electrical work completed.) But, the electrician went ahead and connected everything so that I had power flowing into the house! YEAH!!! What a blessing!

I talked to my Dad later that day. He said that that morning when he was praying he knew there was no way all the pieces could come together to get electricity by the end of the day, but he prayed anyway... prayed for a miracle... a Christmas miracle, which came true!

So... twelve days without electricity... and I survived, thanks to the generosity of my friends and God's watchful protection.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Home

Everybody needs a private place to cry.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Things I Usually Take for Granted...

Heat - if it's a little cool, I usually just crank up the thermostat, add another blanket to the bed or find any number of warmer places to be. This week, I've been cold everywhere I go. I've been wearing long underwear, ski socks, sweaters, a coat and gloves!

Clean clothes/Washer/Dryer - I've been taking a few clothes at a time over to Jessica's house. But every day or two I have to go back by my house to load up again. Jessica at least has power now (off the generator), so I've been able to do a load of laundry. But, I think I'm to the end of my clean underwear, so I suppose I'll be making another trip by the house. (I haven't hit the end of my clean resources there... yet.)

Coffee - Warms drinks are somewhat hard to come by, especially early in the week. A lot of restaurants & coffee shops were closed. Without power it was difficult to make. (Coffee pots aren't always top priority when you're running a generator.) But, my neighbors were kind enough to run an extension cord from their house to mine so I could run my refrigerator. A couple of mornings, I'd run by to check on the house and would unplug the refrigerator long enough to brew a few cups of coffee. Mmmmmmm.

Internet access - I felt somewhat removed from the world. I've been able to check my email from a church I camped at for "work" early in the week and then various friends' computers (here later in the week).

Cell phones - I was a bit nervous on Monday... running low on gas, trapped in a war zone and limited cell phone juice. I've been carrying my charger with me all week with the hopes of finding a live plug here or there for recharging. (Such has fortunately been the case.)

My home/shelter - I've feel a bit nomadic this week. I realize how much I've taken for granted just the simple comfort of having a "home-base." I've felt a bit lost this week... unable to really focus on anything... like a wanderer... drifting from place to place.

Gas - My gas light came on Monday. I determined to fill up on Tuesday, and became a bit concerned with the first gas station I tried was dark and closed up. (I was hoping it was an electricity thing and not a gas shortage!) I did find another place, but the lines were backed up. I patiently waited my turn and mused at the variety of attitudes there... some people very kind and helpful... others angry and easily-agitated.

Okay... more later.

The Ice Storm of 2007

Well, I figured I'd give everyone an update on my experiences here in Tulsa this past week.

I'm currently sitting at a friend's house, sitting across from another homeless soul.... watching it snow outside... and wondering when life might return to "normal."

Sunday night, December 9th (into Monday morning)

Tulsa was like a war zone. No kidding! The freezing rain began sometime that night, and all through the night I heard crashing limbs, explosions and emergency vehicles. I kept getting up to look out the windows and would see bright orange and turquoise blue flashes in the sky. (I've never seen the sky so brilliantly colored! I maintained power until about 5am Monday morning. I heard a huge explosion, which was obviously our transformer. I looked at my alarm clock... black. I knew at that point that I wouldn't have power any time soon.

I called my Dad (the one person I thought might be awake) and told him of the war zone-like atmosphere in Tulsa. Well, the freezing rain continued through until Monday afternoon/evening, making a bad situation even worse. I heard from several friends Monday morning who were looking for anyone with electricity... making plans already for evening warmth. I had no such place to offer, but we finally found a few folks around who had electricity. (Though some of those who had electricity in the morning were out by night.) I got together with a cousin of mine who had just moved to town. We headed for the warmth of the mall, where I ate two meals that day. He and I went by to check out the status of my office (some lights, limited heat, no internet) and then went back to my house for awhile. We stayed warm by sitting (practically) IN the gas log fireplace. We also rigged up a way to heat water in a metal bowl in order to make hot chocolate. (I have a picture that I can post later.)

I met other friends that night at the mall, and I ended up staying the night w/ my friend Jessica... whose family had no electricity but DID have generator. That's where I've been camped. It's a different group each night, it seems... her Dad was here earlier in the week but left town on Wednesday. Then different friends have crashed with us each night... usually friends who spent the first part of the week in their homes but have since given up the "home-life" in search of some warmth.

I have plenty more to say, but I think I'll add some different posts... to break up the potential monotony for those who have better things to do besides sitting and reading my blog. (I'm guessing those are probably people who have their own sources of electricity!)

Television Update

If you read two posts ago, I recently gave my (non-working) television away through Freecycle. As "Amy" was leaving with my television, I asked her to email me and let me know how much it cost to fix. She said, "are you sure you want to know?" I assured her I did... even though I knew it might be painful. (I honestly didn't expect to hear from her.) But, she DID reply and let me know that it cost $70 to fix... something to do with the power switch. Not too bad, but I still don't think I would have spent $70 on a ten-year old TV. :)

This whole episode reminds me of when I was in college. Me and my two roommates (Chelle-belle and Laura) had a huge TV. It stopped working, so we had a smaller TV sitting on top of the large one, which had a sheet thrown over the top of it. When Laura, the owner of the TV, moved out there was some discussion about whether to trash the TV or move it. She decided to keep it and later informed us that it only took $35 to fix = $11.67 a piece. We probably would have gone for that. :)

Monday, December 03, 2007

Covenant vs. Convenience

We've been working through a sermon series at church on the Ten Commandments. We're just over half-way through, and this past Sunday night we covered Commandment # 7... "Do not commit adultery." It'd be easy to write that off as only dealing with the married folk, but we talked a lot about how marriage is a covenant - a pledge or binding agreement. It's not meant to be abandoned as soon as the going gets rough, the excitement wears off or "something better" comes along. It's a commitment that requires time, patience, communication and work... lots of work.

Compare this to our culture of quick fixes and self-absorption... fast food, drive-thru cleaners, internet shopping and casual relationships. We tend to take whatever is right in front of us... instead of to wait... even if it's for something better. This is true of married couples as well as single adults. Even in dating, it's easy to settle for the something now instead of relying on the hope of something that God can bless in the future.

I want to be a person who cares enough about myself, my relationship with Christ and the people in my life to avoid the self-centered, instant gratification that so many other people live by. It's not easy, but I think that's a foundation that God can use to build a healthy marriage in the future.

Friday, November 30, 2007

Freecycle

I had my first experience with Freecycle this week. I didn't post about it, but my television "died" about a month ago. It wouldn't turn on any more. When you pushed the power button, it made this small sound like it was turning on but then wouldn't do anything else. Since it's about ten years old, I didn't want to sink any money into fixing it. My friend, John, was kind enough to give me a TV he wasn't using (or using much?). So, I'm back in business. But... I had a 27" TV taking up space in my house.

Enter Freecycle. It's pretty cool. I knew David had used it before up in Kansas, so I thought I'd give it a shot. I registered w/ the Tulsa group and posted it on Tues/Wed, had a response by Wed and had it picked up Thurs. So, I've determined it's a worthwhile means of getting rid of stuff... especially LARGE stuff that would otherwise cause me headaches. Thanks, Freecycle!

Well... I'm off to bed. I'm supposed to meet friends for an early morning cup o' joe in about six hours.

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

The Kite Runner

While on vacation, I was able to read "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini. It's an excellent story about friendship, betrayal, regrets and maturing. I wrote down a few of my favorite quotes...

"That's the thing about people who mean everything they say. They think everyone else does too."

"What happens in a few days, sometimes even a single day, can change the course of a whole lifetime."

"My heart was doing pirouettes in my chest."

"A man who has no conscience, no goodness, does not suffer."

If you're looking for something to read, you might want to pick it up. A movie about the book is coming out in November, though we all know the book is (nearly) always better than the movie. :)

A Road Trip to South Carolina

A friend pointed out to me today that I've fallen significantly behind in my blogging. (I agree.) So, let me catch you up a bit...

I just got back from vacation. I went to South Carolina with some friends. We took two days to drive out, and the drive was absolutely lovely. It would have been nice to have a bit more time, but as it was we still had time to "stop and smell the roses" so to say. The trees in Alabama hadn't changed colors too much, but the trees/forests in Tennessee and North Carolina were really astounding.

We drove on the Natchez Trace Parkway from Tupelo, Mississippi to Florence, Alabama...


This is a trail we hiked on the Natchez Trace Parkway...




Gorgeous! The Appalachian Mountains!


More scenic highways...


The funniest stories relate to trying to escape all of the National Forests we drove through. We finally passed a sign that said "Welcome to South Carolina." After driving and driving and driving, we hit another sign that said, "Now entering North Carolina"!! The scary part was that we were running low on gas, it was very dark and there didn't seem to be any gas stations anywhere in the forest. Fortunately we found one before we started sputtering. And, we also finally escaped North Carolina. :)

Columbia and Charleston were both a lot of fun. I got to visit my friend, Kate, in Columbia and hang with her. Then we joined up with some other friends in Charleston and did a lot of eating a sightseeing. We went on a not-so-scary ghost tour and also toured the U.S.S. Yorktown, an air craft carrier. Our hotel was lovely, and we were able to hang out there one night around a nice fire pit and just hang out.

We made the drive back in one LONG day. Fortunately we gained two hours (one from the time zone and one from the change from daylight savings)... we slept one and drove one. We left SC around 4am and arrived back in Tulsa about 9pm... only stopping long enough to eat and use the restroom.

But, I'm home... safe and sound! A good time was had by all!

Monday, September 17, 2007

The lies we tell...

A personally-entertaining quote from my current read ("The Eyre Affair" by Jasper Fforde)

[After the main character reveals (lies) to her mother that she has a new boyfriend...]

"This, to my mother, was extremely good news. It had been of considerable anguish to her that I wasn't spending more time with swollen ankles, hemorrhoids and a bad back, popping out grandchildren and naming them after obscure relatives... In all honesty I wasn't against the idea of kids, it was just that I wasn't going to have them on my own."

Touché! :)

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Insanity

Well, they say the definition of insanity is trying the same activity over and over but expecting different results. I guess I qualify. I apparently have some messages on facebook but can't seem to log in. So... I guess I should just give up and go to bed, but it's really bugging me and I just keep trying.

Btw, David... noticed you're on FB. I'd add you as a friend... if I could. :) Maybe tomorrow!

Quick updates... life is getting really interesting. I'm spending time with some new people, who keep me well-entertained. I'm going camping this weekend w/ the fam. Should be fun. I'm running again. I'm back up to two miles at a time but am working toward three. Hopefully I'll be there again soon (in the next week or two). Monica, my new roomie, has moved in. It's only been a few days, but so far so good! I can't think of anything else, though I feel there's something on the tip of my fingers...

... oh well... I have an early morning meeting and should be in bed. G'night, y'all.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

The Pre-Celebration

It's not quite my b-day, but that didn't stop our small group from celebrating anyway...


Monday, August 06, 2007

Mini Mart

I passed a building today that said "Minute Mart," and it reminded me of the little "mini mart" that used to be at the end of the road from the house where I spent some of the most formative years of my life. I was thinking of that mini mart and thinking of the man who I believe worked there filling gas tanks. His name may have been Dewayne. And then "Dewayne" always reminds me of the punchline of an old knock knock joke... "Hurry up! D'wayne the bathtub, I'm dwowning."

Roomies...

Sunday, August 05, 2007

Opossum

I wrote this poem after another dead animal was found in Matt's yard. It seems he sent (as always) a picture of it along. I'll have to see if I can find that. :) I should also note that the poem was inspired by a few lines from Matt's email, which effectively are the last few lines of the poem.

Opossum (an original poem)

This one died near the hyacinth bush,
Under the colorful crepe myrtle, which has yet to bloom.
I can’t be sure what caused his demise…
Maybe a cardial-infarction?
An advanced case of tail cancer?
Or a broken heart?
Who’s to say?
It was surely a sweet, though possibly short, life.
Let’s hope he hasn’t left behind a family…
Two baby opossums and a loving mate,
Who wonder why he hasn’t returned with dinner.
He met an unfortunate end here in my yard,
Under the crepe myrtle, near the hyacinth bush.
But, I laid him to rest.
Under the stars.
In a dirt hole.
Next to the bird.
And the other bird.
And the rat.
And the squirrel.

Thursday, August 02, 2007

2:07

It's 2:07AM, and all I can say is I'm tired. Tired physically (wanting to sleep) but mostly tired of itching from this darned poison ivy. I've just been laying in bed these past 2-3 hours scratching my arms, legs and anywhere else that happens to itch at the moment. Grrrrrr.

The doctor prescribed me some steroid pills on Monday, but I was hoping by now the itching would have subsided. No luck.

So, since I'm up, I thought I might as well blog. I'm sure there's something I could blog about that you might find interesting, but I'm not quite sure what that would be. Maybe a poem? Maybe a funny story? Maybe just some unintelligible rant?

Life's not too bad right now (save the itching). I'm enjoying some new friendships, planning some trips, doing some new things... trying not to answer all the unknown questions of my life just now. I figure they'll be answered at some point, so I might as well sit back and just enjoy the ride. :) I guess that's all I have to say right now. Say a prayer for me as I return to bed and try to actually sleep!

Good night/morning!

Sunday, July 29, 2007

The Midnight Drags

Sorry for the paucity of email lately. Maybe I've been busy. Or, maybe I just haven't had anything to say. Or, maybe there's been so much to say that I haven't even known where to begin. :) Regardless. Here I am, typing away, doing my best to satisfy the masses...

So, the most immediate thing on my mind is the insane "itchiness" being caused by my most recent run-in with poison ivy. Grrrrr. It's driving me insane. I'm trying to avoid another steroid shot, but I may have to give in and get one tomorrow.

Last night was quite fun. I ran out to Fort Gibson with a friend who has a Jeep. We took the top off, and I got to experience the wind in my hair and the feeling that I could easily fall out onto the highway. It was exhilerating! We didn't have much time there, but caught an amazing sunset and the full moon, which we enjoyed on the drive back.

Then, we met up with a couple of other friends and headed out to the midnight drag races! What a crazy place! Quite an interesting crowd... from the guy with the shirt on that said "I'm a Keeper." to the girl hanging all over the guy right in front of our car as we waited to get in the gates. I think I needed to show a little more clevage to really be "appropriately dressed" for the drag races. (Maybe next time...) There were some pretty crazy cars out there, but I think my favorite was a kind of pale green Chevelle. (Dad... you would've loved it! David, you too! Next time you're in Tulsa, we'll have to go out!)

I'd write more, but I'm about to scratch myself to death. I need some relief!!

Saturday, June 16, 2007

In Cold Blood

Well, I've finally set to reading an American classic, "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote. It's been on my list of books to read for some time (though I reviewed my list of "books to read before I die" just yesterday and couldn't find it on there). I think my particular interest in the book is the fact that it tells the true story about a cold-blooded murder of an upstanding family in a small Kansas town in late 1959. I seem to remember from my college days that the murderers stopped in Emporia, KS to buy some supplies. Very creepy. Indeed, the book is relatively creepy. I've determined that I can't read it too closely to when I go to bed. And, I also think it's reviving some of the sleeping difficulties I noted right after our break-in last fall. However, I'm curious enough to know what happens to push on through. I like this particular quote, as it reminds me of those nervous nights last fall...

"Imagination, of course, can open any door - turn the key and let terror walk right in."