And then there was ANOTHER dent

the camry can't catch a break

So, some kid backed out of their parking stall at the apartment today and hit Jared, in the Camry, as he was driving along. Which means we ALMOST went an entire year without an incident (as many of you recall, a girl pulled out in the front of me last July and almost totalled my car).

It isn't a bad dent, it is on the door of the passenger side. And his car, of course, looked untouched (it ALWAYS happens that way doesn't it?)

Jared says he honked and yelled right before he hit him. Then he called me, because apparently I have been in a lot of wrecks and I know what I am doing (which probably isn't something to be proud of). So I walked down there and this poor kid had his DL out, his insurance card, had written everything but his shoe size on this piece of paper. I felt kinda bad for him, he had never been in a wreck before. I remember that feeling, it isn't fun, especially when it is your fault. But, we were nice and cordial and got all his information and told him our insurance would be contacting his. No need to file a police report, it was in a parking lot anyway (so they can't do anything), there were no injuries and we weren't blocking traffic.

So, I guess we will see what happens. This poor car will have all new parts if this kind of stuff keeps happening. Maybe we should have kept the Dakota :)

We have exercised the demon!

say goodbye to the Dodge Dakota

We FINALLY sold Jared's old truck the other day and I couldn't be more relieved. It has been sitting up at Jake's warehouse in Pittsburg for over 2 years and someone decided they would pay us $800 for it! YYIIPPPEEE!!!

This truck brought Jared much joy during his high school days, at least that's what Jared and all his friends say. He got from his parents and, for a '94, it was a pretty nice looking truck at the time. But this is a truck that has seen its days of wrecks and bad luck. From bridges, to poles (one of which was my fault) and setting for over 2 years this truck was a thorn in our side and we are happy to see it go. Hopefully the buyer can do some work on it and get some use out of it.

GOODBYE DAKOTA (this is a stock photo, our truck is definitely not this nice, haha)

You know you have been working too many hours in the fireworks biz

if this is the conversation you have with your husband at 2:30 in the morning while half asleep

Jared: I need 10 cases
Stacy: what?
Jared: I NEED 10 cases
Stacy: (realizing what is going on now) of what?
Jared: I NEED 10 cases on that new order
Stacy: (just messing with him now) what new order? Who's it for?
Jared: (getting up out of bed and then laying back down) You know... it's for, uh, it's for, uh...
(Realizing, somewhat, that he has been talking in his sleep he gets up to go to the bathroom)
Jared: I am serious, I do need 10 cases for this customer.
Stacy: (laughing histerically)
Jared: I AM TELLING THE TRUTH, I need 10 cases right now
Stacy: Yeah, I'm sure you do need those 10 cases right now, at 2:30 in the morning. Go back to bed you big dork.

Oh, the stories of fireworks season!

My disappointing trip to Indy

it wasn't the BEST time I've ever had

So, my trip to Indy wasn't real exciting. It was for a Mental Health Conference that was geared toward the Corrections community. So, needless to say, I was a little out of my element. I am used to working with schools, communities and youth and in my new role we are focused on relapse prevention in the correctional facilities and after the convicts re-enter society. It is fascinating to me and I am eager to learn, but it was just a little hard for me to grasp. But... I WILL get it eventually :)

But, that wasn't even the worst part. This conference was held at the Adam's Mark Hotel at the airport in Indianapolis. My advice to you... DON'T ever stay there and NEVER host a conference there! The hotel staff were rude, the rooms were not impressive and the food at the conference was atrocious. A former inmate said it was worse than prison food!!!

We finally got away from the hotel on Tuesday night and went to downtown Indy, which I really liked! I am sure I will get to explore more of downtown Indy in the near future, haha. I will be about as tired of Indy as I was of Topeka.

I hope to post a picture later and have a story of hope and rehabilitation from a former inmate who has completely changed his life. I know... I was skeptical too, but what this man has done with his life is amazing.

Have a Happy Thursday everyone!

Mistakes

on a somber note...

I would love to write happy-go-lucky blogs all the time like my life is perfect, but a blog is a real life look into someone's world -- the ups and the downs. This is a down for me.

We all make mistakes, we are not perfect and there are things that we all WISH we could go back, rethink and redo.

Last week I made a mistake that has upset my family immensly. They are hurt, they are angry and they are dissapointed. As am I.

There is nothing I can do, or say to change anything. I never meant to hurt or cause sadness to anyone and it was simply bad judgment on my part. I've said my piece and I have apologized and to tell you the truth, I don't think it did any good. I am at a loss and not sure what to do. I'm not even sure they will talk to me... for a long time.

So with that said, here is my special message to all my readers... be good to your families, think before you act, and put yourself in someone elses shoes (these are all lessons I have learned from this and will strive to remember from now on). We all have things we have to constantly strive to do better, I will just have to give it 200% for the rest of my life.

With all this said, I am starting fresh. I will not dwell on it and I will not let the "what if" and the "why" consume me. I will strive to be the best me I can be and when my relationship repairs itself with my family it will be something I will cherish, hold dearly and never put in a path of destruction again. Like the saying goes, "life is too short".

My first trip to Indianapolis!!!!

woo hoo

I headed out yesterday evening to Indianapolis for a conference that begins this morning. It was about a 2 1/2 hour drive from South Bend, which kinda sucks, but I was still excited to see a new place.

Coming into the north side of Indy was eerily similar to coming into the south side of KC and Overland Park. It made me sorta miss Kansas, :(

We are staying out by the airport for this conference, which sucks because there is NOTHING out here. But, we are going downtown tonight so I am excited to do that. Everyone says downtown Indy is pretty cool! I hope to take some pictures and have something more FUN to blog about later. This is more or less an update on my whereabouts, haha.

Have a wonderful Monday everyone!!!

I'll take an order of cheddar bites with ranch please

you Girard-ians will think this is hilarious

Living in the small town of Girard, Jared and I visited the Sonic Drive-in on a regular basis. Mostly we went for drinks and ice cream, but sometimes when we didn't want to cook we would head up there for a cheeseburger and fries. It was about the only place to go in Girard, besides eating at the bar (which is no good anymore without Connie cooking), the chinese place and the grocery store (whose expiration dates were always questionable).

So when we moved to South Bend we were overwhelmed with the amount of awesome restaurants, fast food joints and grocery stores that were available. For the first couple of weeks, we were so excited to NOT have to eat Sonic that we were going to all our favorites like Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Famous Dave's BBQ, Fazolis and Buffalo Wild Wings. But then one night Jared wanted his usual vanilla shake from Sonic, so I said I would go grab him one when I headed to the bank. So, I asked, "Where is the sonic here anyway, I haven't seen it". And he replied, "Hell, I don't know. I thought maybe you knew". :)

So, we got out the handy dandy phone book to check it out. We could not find Sonic ANYWHERE! It was like the world had come to an end. The place we got so tired of and so sick of eating, we were now craving and wanting so bad. I mean, I know that not ALL fast food places are located everywhere and that not all cities have the same stores, etc., but there was a Sonic in Fredonia, Girard and Cherryvale Kansas.... so why not South Bend, Indiana.

Well, my friends, on the Monday evening news here in South Bend, among stories about 3 murders in Elkhart, a bank robbery in South Bend and a stabbing in Mishawaka was a story about the "Sonic opening in South Bend". I am telling you, it was the funniest thing I have ever seen. They said (and I quote) "Sonic features 50s style food and fun and the car-hops even bring out your food on roller skates." In my 26 years of life I have only seen maybe 2 car hops actually wear skates at Sonic. They were so excited for this "awesome food drive-in" to be in town that it even made the news. I was laughing so hard I thought I might pee myself. Too bad it is on the complete other side of town from us or maybe I would actually visit it. You never know... they might even get TWO Sonics in South Bend! Hell, that would be an entire news cast if that happened! :)

My Daddy

there's no one like him

Since tomorrow is Father's Day, I figured I better roll out my special Father's Day blog just for my daddy.

My childhood was a grand one filled with laughter, fun, and learning all because of my father. I think ALL dads a supposed to be a little crazy and silly, but my dad topped them all, haha. I remember running down the hall screaming and laughing when the "bellet attacker" would come after me and Alicia. He would stick his hands out in a scary stance, put his bottom teeth out over his top lip and chase us around and tickle us like crazy. I remember him hiding behind doors and jumping out to scare us "RRRAAAAAARRR".

I remember hanging out in the garage with him while he worked on endless house and yard projects. I would hand him tools and he would tell me what he was doing and how we was doing it. Although I still have little ability in the carpentry area, I can say the little that I do have I learned from dad.

I remember laughing as he danced around the living room to John Cougar Mellencamp and how he would make up crazy songs with words Alicia and I had never heard. As we got a little older we were embarrassed by him, but I have to say that I remember EVERY song and phrase he ever said to me and I am sure my kids will hear it too, haha!

I remember how driven he was, and still is, to being the best he can be at his job, as a husband and as a father. Like I said before... there is no one quite like Robert Drennan and I proud to call him dad.

So, thank you dad for teaching me how to stand strong, be the best I can be and never give up (I think I got my work ethic and professionalism in the workplace from you). Thank you for making Alicia and I laugh and always taking time to listen to us and be there for us. Thank you for being such a wonderful husband to mom. Thank you for always being there for me when I needed you the most. And, thank you for giving me the most vivid and special memories that will stick with throughout eternity. You are the best and I love you!

Where will you be on November 11?

here's what my good friend Misty and I will be doing...

Don't you ALL wish you were this lucky OR even this cool! :)

Much better

Ok, I am liking my blog layout now! :)

Hope you all like it too! :)

Can't seem to get it right

i'm still not happy with the look of my blog

You all may have noticed that I have been changing some things on my blog recently. I am still not satisfied with what I have and I am continuing to work on it. Hopefully I will find just the right picture (or pictures) that describe us and will make a really neat header. I would work on it right now, but I don't have any Adobe programs at work to help me :(

Anyway... just wanted to drop a note and say hi and tell you that I hope to have the PERFECT blog soon. (Thanks Sherry and Sarah for introducing me to picnik.com as well. LOVE IT!)

17 Bruises

thank you World Class Fireworks

So, I counted them up in the shower yesterday and I have 17 bruises from working in the warehouse at Jake's. It doesn't help that I bruise really easily either or that I am a shrimp who has a hard time hoisting boxes around.

Most of the bruises I have are on my arms from the boxes. One of the big ones on my left arm is from the One Bad Mother 3 Inch... that one does a number on me every time. Then I have some on the tops of my legs from catching boxes and from using my legs to hold the box up. Then I have a huge one on my ankle from the darn forklift. AND... to top it all off.... my arms are soooo sore I can barely move them.

But I guess that's what happens when you work in the world of fireworks. I just hope my co-workers at my other job don't think I am a freak with all my battle wounds! haha.

One more month and then I don't have to do it anymore!!! WOO HOO! But by then, I'll probably be one big briuse!

RetroJunk.com

back in the days when cartoons were good

I love this website! I found it about a year ago and like to check it out once in a while as a nice de-stresser. It has television shows, movies and commercials from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Each one will have some info on the show then videos, photos, quotes, etc. Here's a few of the shows from my childhood that I like to reminisce about (there are so many I had a hard time choosing which photos to put on here, haha):

Well, there ya go....

it turns out that I AM a rockstar

it only took me a little over a month living here to make the local broadcast news! Not to bad for a newbie!

After the C-Span tour Beth and I attended a press conference for a new "Serve Kids Serve Time" campaign. Well, on the NBC news station there I was, on the 6 o'clock news sitting in the background listening. hehe. I even got the pleasure of meeting the county prosecutor and the Mayor of South Bend.

I knew it would only be a matter of time before I was on TV! :) AND, if we get the big federal grant we applied for later this summer I get to plan and speak at a press conference to announce the award!!!

Oh, South Bend will KNOW who Stacy Birk is. Why yes they will! :)

Hangin' out in the C-Span tour bus

it's been an eventful morning

I get into work today and the girls are all heading out to see the C-Span tour bus that has stopped in South Bend for a public tour. So, we walked downtown and across the river (our office is about 2 blocks from the center of downtown and we are parallel to the river) to where the bus was parked. I even got to walk by the National College Football Hall of Fame, the Century Center and a really cool Chocolate Cafe that has all kinds of chocolate and candies as well as a cafe inside. Looks like I will have to give it a try sometime. :)

The C-Span bus was actually pretty cool, especially for a news-junkie and former reporter like myself. I guess I have always watched more CNN or FOX and didn't realize that C-Span is a non-profit news organization that is funded solely by cable subscribers. They have no reporters, just cameramen (which explains the endless hours of the House and Senate proceedings that they air). Their whole motto is to show the entire speech, or entire event without reporters telling you what they said so that you can make up your mind about the candidates in a non-biased way. Sounds good to me!

We got to see where they interview everyone and where they produce the footage for the broadcast. It was pretty impressive! Roz and Beth even won t-shirts for guessing the names of several faces they flashed on a screen real fast. Then, Beth and Naomi were both interviewed to be on the local news! Way to go girls! They were calling themselves rock stars, but I wouldn't go that far, haha. I told them that this is only my first week and to give me time cause I will be a rock start too. I think they either think I am really cool, or just plain dumb. haha. Either way I don't care! They are fun and I love my job!

Fits like a glove

i am really enjoying my new job

I started my new job on Monday and I am really enjoying it. The staff there are easy to work with, they are all team players, fun and flexible (much like the office I came from). It also helps that I actually know what I am doing, which makes the learning curve much less grueling. Most of the learning I will be doing is about all their programs, grants and initiatives and meeting all the movers and shakers in the area (which I love to do).

I am off to make a difference in South Bend, Indiana!!!!!

After nearly 9 years...

it was time to say goodbye

When I was 18 years old I thought it would be really cool to get a bellybutton ring. My friend Angie had one and she talked me into getting one as well. She even took me to downtown Wichita to get it and then we enjoyed a lunch at Carlos O'Kelly's afterward. It hurt like hell and it didn't even heal up correctly. In fact every time I tried to change the ring out for a prettier one it would get all infected and I would have to put the other one back in. Yet, I kept at it.

At that stage in my life I was in pretty good shape. I was not, however, as teeny-tiny as my friend Angie but I would definitely give anything to look the way I did back then. So, the bellybutton ring didn't look too bad (once it healed up) and I actually showed it off a little.

Well, as the years have passed I have not maintained my 18 year-old figure. yet the bellybutton ring remained. Here's a nice visual for ya... now I have to hold up my jelly roll on my belly just to SEE the damn ring. :) I had thought about taking it out several times over the years but feared it would get infected. But, I threw caution to the wind last night and unscrewed it, said goodbye and tossed it in the garbage.

It feels a little weird and I have been using some neosporin creme to make sure it doesn't get infected.

I should have done it a long time ago, but I think I was still trying to hold on to a little bit of my youth, a little bit of the wild side of my life (not that I was totally wild and out of control), but we have all had a wild streak. :)

So, here's to growing up, here's to taking out unnecessary body jewelry, here's to full-time jobs and retirement funds, here's to making babies and here's to always remembering your past but always looking to the future.