Why is cable such a big deal?

I don't want cable. I don't. I want to be a family that reads not a family that watches television. Steven, my dear sweet husband loves to make fun of me by saying "Like I am going to stop reading". For those of you who don't know him loves to read so much that the only reason why reason why he hasn't shelved his books in out new is because he hasn't had time to work out the details of the Hovater's Card Cataloging System. I am not concerned about him stopping his reading habits, I am more concerned about stopping mine. Also when we start to have kids, I don't want them to grow up glued to the TV. I want them to sit with me and enjoy Harry Potter together. I really am not sure what Steven is wanting to get out of cable, that we can't get out network TV. He says football games but that is only in the fall and once a week. Do you see the problem I have? I don't want to pay for minimal use and I don't want maxium watching. Two other reasons... everytime we going anywhere with a TV I have to practically do a dance for him to pay attention to me. I think that is a bad habit to form if the TV is on at home. Last reason... Every single middle aged to older adult that I expressed this opinion to say that I need to stick to my guns. Don't' you think that there is something to that? I know that we are adults, but older adults are wiser then us. No matter how wise we think we are we have nothing on them. Especially the ones that have raised kids. They understand the effects of TV on their kids and I am trying to prevent that stuff now. I am trying to establish good habits from the start. Is that so wrong? Steven wants it so bad and I don't want it just as much. Any thoughts out there?

We are mostly in!

Well, that might be a stretch. We haven't touched the kitchen stuff yet. But most all the big furniture is in and I am so thankful. So worn out but thankful. All this unsettledness has really done me in. I don't handle it very well. I get grumpy and gripy and that sucks of me. Things are looking up and once we get a shade on the window in our bedroom where I broke the blinds then I will get good sleep and be able to handle all of this better. I will keep you posted.

So I am feeling some pressure

2 words...Jesse Maddox. Why is it that there is so much pressure to update your blog. I read Jesse's then looked at Leslie, then felt like I had to put something down. Really Jesse, all this pressure just because you are bored. I just don't know how I feel about that. Wait, yes I do, it makes me hang my head in shame. I committed to this blogging thing and I need to follow through with it. But if I am following what Jesse commands ( and yes I mean command) then I have to post something new every hour. No Ma'am. Can't do it! I am just not that interesting. So how much blogging should one do to be a committed blogger? Once a day? Once every 2 days? I don't know. I am just feeling very pressured right now.
Oh a little update on the house. It is coming along much more quickly thanks to so many wonderful friends. Hopefully most of it can be done by tomorrow, but we will see. It that stinkin' trim that is killing me!

Is that a light?

So for the past almost 2 weeks we have been working our tails off on trying to get the most hideous wallpaper off in our new kitchen. I think that we are seeing a light and I am super pumped. We only have a few more things to do then mudd, seal, prime and then finally paint!!! Oh what a wonderful day it will be when I can sit in my freshly painted and cleaned living room and read while drinking some tea. I miss the days of relaxation after work. Oh just to give an update. Disneyworld is not better then Disneyland. Here is my theory. If you are going to compare parks, then the only park that you can fairly compare Disneyland to is the Magic Kingdom at Disney World. And when you complete the comparison you will realize that they are exactly the same. Yes the castle is bigger in Disneyworld but the princess' that live in these 2 castles are different and it is not Disneyland's fault that sleeping beauty's kingdom can't afford a bigger castle. Don't you think?

Good Times!!

Well I am assuming it will be good times. Today at 11:00 am (6 hours before I normally have to leave work) we are leaving to join our dear friends in Florence Alabama for Donnie Stover's wedding!!!! I am about to pee myself excited. There will be so many wonderful people from Harding and Memphis. Oh man this is so great!! THEN after all the festivities are over Steven and I are going to Disney World for our 1st anniversary / vacation. I have never been but from what I hear it is awesome! Some have even claimed that it is better then Disneyland. Don't worry Cali., I know where is the REAL happiest place on earth is. Only park that Walt Disney himself had ever visited. Either way, I am excited to see Micky and spend time with my Punk. Well that is all I got. Happy Donnie's wedding to everybody!!

Some big news for the Hovaters!

No I am not pregnant! We found a house!!! Two things worth mentioning about this house, 1) it has a loft that over looks the living room and 2) it has a hot tub. We are pretty excited about it. So because Steven was out of town yesterday I decided that I was going to attempt to pick out colors for the walls. Oh my gosh! I am so overwhelmed with colors! There are so many colors!! AHHH! I really thought that I this was something that I was going to be good at. After yesterday, I am not so confident. Also, refridgerators are soooo expensive. Who would have thought that all these big girl things were so expensive! Well probably the whole world except for me. Anyway we are super pumped! And this is totally off the subject but, Banks, this is no where near as interesting as thesecondchance but, it makes me feel good that you take the time to read this so I promise that I will be better about posting more regularly. (Is that appropriate to have personal shout out on a post? Wait, this is totally MY blog, I say what is appropriate!)

Kelly time? What's that?

So it totally has been oh about 3 months. I apoligize for the lack of anything interesting on my blog but to be perfectly honest this post will not be much different. The past 3 months have been crazy! I have started a new position with Easter Seals. It has been going really well but has contributed to totally throwing my routine off. So the running interest has dimished some what BUT last night I totally ran 6 miles! Who is proud of me? I am!
Another thing that has been crazy has been the start of the summer. My sweet husband is really truly the best youth minister in the world so the summers for us are BUSY! Well I say us, but probably more him. Well actually even though I can't attend most of the trips becuase they are during the week, I really do feel like I have a second full time job. At times I get worn out. I mean think about it 2 full time jobs! That is crazy! Most of my off time is filled up with kid time, but I really do love it! God really has put a love for teenagers in my soul and if I can't get paid for it I am thankful for the oppertunity to volunteer at it.
Oh this is something exciting and kind of out of the ordinary. This weekend I am going to Birmingham, AL to see my dear friend Matha (no I did spell her name wrong). Along will shopping till we drop we are going to go to Atlanta, GA to run in the Peach Tree Road Race. You might think that this is a boring ole 10K, which if you think running is boring then I guess a race would be boring. BUT this race happens to be the largest 10K in the world! Something like 50,000 people run in this. I am pretty pumped! Maybe slightly on the "in over my head" side, but still very excited. Well actully the goal of 6.2 miles in an hour doesn't seem that unatainable after last nights little jaunt. We will see!

Good Friends

It is amazing to me, the older I get, how many people do not have good friends. I am not really sure why this is. I guess that people just get busy with their own lives and don't think about how important good friends are. Steven and I have both been so blessed to have many good friends. One of those dear friends, for me, is Matha. (No I did not spell her name wrong, that is the way I like to say it) My brother-in-law and her have come to Little Rock for few days to see Steven and I and it has been wonderful!
Last night we went to Goucho's and today I feel 10 lbs heavier, but it was so worth it. Man, I love their bananas! Anyway all that to say, God is awesome for blessing us with friends that love us for who we are and teach us to be more like him.

I am a runner

Well kinda. I guess you can call me a runner because compared most, putting on a tee shirt and running shorts makes you some sort of hard core athlete. On a good week, I run with a friend 3x a week at 6:00 in the morn. Which, by the way, is really cold and up until a couple of weeks ago the sky was pitch black. Yesterday, though, I ran in the morning and then after work. Who's a stud now? When I run, my limit is 2 miles, which is kind of wusy, but I really think that the props are in the effort. This morning's run was sucky. Because I ran 4 miles yesterday, my body was screaming, "Are you crazy? I guess that you forgot you are our of shape and not Martha Kellum". Matha, is what I like to call her. She is a total stud when it comes to running. 5 miles a day? No problem for Matha. Right now I am sitting at my desk, sore, but loving the fact that my body aches because I am doing something good for it.

Just me, ranting about stupidity

So I have this friend, who is the one person I probably talk to more then Steven. I promise, it's kind of ridiculous. So today, she told me that after church she had lunch with some girls all of whom she did not know except for one girl. Well, in the middle of normal lunch conversation, one of the randoms say that she can't be friends with ugly people because she has no sympathy for them. Then another, just as ignorant girl pipes in, saying that when she thinks about this other girl is right because she only has cute friends. What the HECK!!!!!!! When my friend told me about this conversation, I was totally and completely offended. I cannot believe that there are real human beings that would say such thing and also claim to be Christian. I am assuming that they claim to be Christians because this lunch was right after church. Actually, regardless of them being Christians the fact that anybody they would utter such words is horrendous. First of all, who decides who is pretty and who is not. I mean does she have a check list that requires high cheek bones, almond shaped eyes, and not a pound over a 110. "Nope sorry, you have one tiny laugh line and you eye lashes aren't quite a half an inch, we can't be friends". Who really thinks like this? In a world where people are starving for love an acceptance, is she so wonderful that she can reject love because one doesn't have flawless skin? After that comment, I highly doubt it. How shallow is that? It makes me furious to even think about it. Oh, how I wish I was sitting around that table. I am so irritated that such a girl would exist.

It's been a long time

Sorry for the bloc-silence. I really just haven't felt like there is anything interesting I have to say. Jenny, I am writing this for you. 9 days is a very long time not to post anything. To tell you the truth I have been feeling kind of poopy over the past few days. I am not really sure why, maybe a lack of sleep or just trying to get over last weekend. This really truly has been such a busy week. Mostly that has shown itself in Steven and I's schedules being completely opposite. The last few days I have just seen him at night, when I am just about to go to sleep. It really stinks, but that's the life of a youth minister. Busy, busy, busy. I shouldn't complain, I really do have the best husband in the world. I mean what boy is going to listen to his Xbox games on head phones so I can sleep? Boy, I am an ogre.
I have also been quite involved in another fellow blogger's site. The discussion is kind of over my head but it is really interesting. I guess that the only time I feel like it is over my head is when I feel pressured to write a comment. I don't think like them and I am okay with that. I am perfectly happy just reading the comments and forming my own private opinions no matter how fluffy they are. These commenters do challenge me to think for myself and force me to figure out why I believe the way I do. And really, I think that I do have intelligent comments but my writing language is where I am feeling a little left behind. Which is where my lack confidence plays in. They are just so smart! Anyway that is all I got for today. I try and be more interesting tomorrow.

Just my thoughts

As many of you know, I work a nonprofit agency that helps children and adults with disabilities of all kinds, learn to become more independent and productive. Some of them grow up to work in the community, other's abilities are so severe that they are unable to live normal lives as productive adults. At the beginning of each year we gear up to hold annual meetings with our clients and their parents/caretakers. This is always a great time reconnect with their parents and also gives us the opportunity to encourage the clients in front of their parents and for their parents to be encouraged themselves that their kids are doing well. Along with the great things that happen at these meetings, the parents normally will use this time to discuss with me how difficult and stressful it is to "raise" an adult with a disability. Most of the families are single parents that are poor. With only one income and $579 a month from SSI, you can imagine what the financial difficulties that these families face every day. I use the word "raise", because unlike adults without disabilities, our adults are being reared by someone for their entire lives. Their parents are burdened with their disability as well. A normal 5 year old can write their name and probably the names of others important people in their lives. I have 2 clients that have been trying to learn to write their name for over 50 years. In reality, they will never learn to write their names. I cannot imagine having a child that lives with you for the rest of your life and then having to make plans for their care after your life is over.
Along with this burden their are so many blessings. These adults teach me every day how to love people of all kinds with out holding back. I have never seen a person carry another's struggle and pain like our adults do. They teach me to be more like Jesus. They fight like 2 year olds, but love like our father. They say the most ridiculous things, but are always the first people of my day to tell me how nice I look. When I get to work, there is a line at my door of all these people that just want to say good morning and ask me what I ate for dinner last night. They are precious people and I am blessed to be able to work with such a special population.

Happy Valentine's day!!

Today is Valentine's Day. I could spend this time writing about Valentine's and all that it means to me, but I decided that might be boring and those thoughts are better shared with my Punk.

I am not sure what to write, really. I could write about a friend's recent receivement of the tiniest dog in the world. Or, I could write about this same friend causing TWO trucks to get in accidents, one right after the other because both drivers in their respective trucks were to busy staring at her. Well, actually I have a few comments about that. What the heck? That is like something out of a National Lampoons movie. I can not believe that I actually know somebody that this has happened to. I mean don't get me wrong, this friend really is so cute, totally deserves the stares and the accidents, but things like that don't happen in real life. Amazing, really and truly, so amazing!

I could write about the place where my friend Courtney and I run in the morning, being spotlighted by 2 police cars as we pulled up this morning. That was kind of scary. I mean who knows what happened right before we showed up and who they were looking for. It makes me a little nervous, but also very blessed that we are in God's hands and under his protection. I could let my mind wonder and create the most frightening story ever but I am not sure that I would ever run again so we are going to try and keep a handle on that.

Really, that is all I got. I hope all have wonderful Valentine's Days with their punkins!

Who stole my pillow?

Okay, so if you know me at all, you know how particular I am about sleeping. In bed by 10:00, clean sheets, no cuddling and absolutely no snoring!! Well after last night I have another rule to add to that list. Oh, I am so irritated as I write this. So, normally I am kind of a restless sleeper. That's fine with me, I cope. But when I get an awesome nights rest, it is a wonderful day! Last night I started out that way. Really! I hadn't moved all night and didn't wake up once. It was great! So while I am lying there in blissful slumber, I am jolted awake by someone snatching my pillow from right under my head! Can you believe it? The only "someone" this could be is my husband, Steven. I look over at him and see him peacefully sleeping away on a stolen pillow, MY PILLOW! So, of course I yank it right back telling him, "that's my pillow!" He, then has the nerve to look at me in an accusatory sort of way and ask me "well, where's my pill?" Are you kidding me? One thing that you should know about Steven is that he goes to bed with like 15 pillows all around him and throws a huge fit about who's side is who's. Oh your right, Steven. This is just another idea on my list to make "Stevens life more difficult". I laid awake all night silently gathering up all the pillows that you recklessly discarded and hide them from you, just so you wouldn't have a single place to lay to weary head.
To top it all off, when he not only robbed me of my pillow but also a great day, it startled me so bad that my heart was going 90 to nothing making it almost impossible to return to my slumber for at least 45 minutes! Don't get me wrong this boy is the love of my life, soul mate and best friend but when it comes to sleeping we part ways.
So in spite and retaliation, I wake his sleepy butt up after I got back from running, trying to make as much noise possible and attempted to use up every last drop of hot water.
Take that you pillow thief!

home alone

One night a week, my husband, is gone to school in Memphis. Normally, so not a big deal. Really it's a night that I kind of look forward to. Get to sleep in any direction, on any side I want. I don't have to clean and then 10 seconds later reclean that very same spot that suspiciously my precious boy just left. I can do what ever I want with out having the pull of wanting to hang out at home with my punkin. It's normally great, but last night was different. It's really funny how when somebody is right next to you, don't really notice things. For example, the annoying tick that has being ticking since the day we moved in, sounds more like a big huge scary man trying to break in to rob me of my sense of security and sain ness, rather then just a timer tick that won't go away.
I also have a ridiculous way of convincing myself that someone is totally in our apartment and the only reason why I can't see or hear them is because they are hiding in some crazy place that normal sized people couldn't possibly fit in and are wearing some kind of super duper quiet shoes. Knowing full well that I checked every possible hiding place in our apartment, I convince my self that they some how sneakily crept in when I was in the bathroom or some other secludedarea of our home.
It's rediculous I know, but when I am home alone at night every sense of truth and reality seemed to have walked out the door and went to Memphis with my husband.
I need to work on this.

I love nerds!

Apparently there is a rumor going around that I don't like nerds. Let me set the record straight... I am a nerd lover. It's true. Even though I have cool tendencies my core will always love nerds. Why do you ask? Well for several reasons really. 1) Nerds are not afraid to be themselves. They are some of the most genuine people you will ever meet. They have nothing to prove to anybody. Cool kids, on the other hand, have major maintenance issues. The second they loose track of what's "cool" they are no longer cool. There is no security or stableness in cool. Nerdiness = stability. 2) Nerds are visionaries. They continually look to how they can make things faster, smaller and just plan ole' better. 3) Nerds are typically smarter then the average fellow. Though social skills are top notch with the cool kids, you'll never beat a nerd at jeopardy unless you are a nerd yourself. 4) Nerds are fun. This is my last reason, though there are so many more, I need to go see my nerd at home. Here's what I think about nerds and fun. They for sure have their own type of fun and unless you embrace your own personal nerdiness you will never, ever understand. Their fun is clean and strategic. They also do a great job of forming communities around their type of fun. Which is pretty awesome seeing as how most of the world is community starved or oblivious to that need in them. So all this to say, I am and will always be a nerd lover.

welcome to the world of bloggers!

So this really is a new thing for me. My husband, the most precious person in the world and also one of the biggest nerds, thinks this is stuff is awesome. So, in my atempt to be a equally awesome wife, I am putting aside my coolness and diving in to the world of bloggers. Everyone is welcome and all comments are encouraged even if you think they may hurt my feellings. I'm tuff.