Happy Birthday Amanda!

25 years ago today, Amanda was born. Although, I didn't know her then, or for the 20 years following that for that matter. But I think we have made up for lost time in the last 5 years =)



The last four-five years have been filled with so much laughter, tears, and all out awe inspiring conversations. I've never had a friend like you. There are no words to tell you just how much you mean to me.

You're relationship with God has always been one that inspired me so much. When I first started going back to church, I used to pray that someday I would have as much faith as you do. I love that we can talk about all things related to God, that I have a friend who will pray with me, and for me.

((can I take a second from our program to comment on how different we both look here? LOL)

You've never been one to really talk about how you're feeling, well up until the last few weeks at least. (LOL) But you're actions have always been so clear to me. I know that I can count on you for anything.


This past year has been filled with so much fun with planning my wedding. Thank you, for everything that you did to help plan my amazing day. From designing the invitations to planning the BEST bachelorette party a girl could ever have. It was a weekend I will never forget, and I couldn't have planned it better if I had been helping with the planning.

You have brought so much good to my life, so many memories, so much love. You're one incredible woman. And any man who gets you will be the luckiest man in the world :0)

I cannot wait to watch you meet the man of your dreams, and fall in love. I cannot wait to be involved with your wedding planning, and do for you all the wonderfully amazing things you did for me.


I love you Slakes! Happy 25th!

Tetris

I would just like to take this opportunity to announce

I AM THE TETRIS QUEEN!

No, really. I am. My high score on Facebook is 406,487. I love playing tetris. But I don't really like to play against other people. No offense, its kinda boring to beat people more often than not!

Jim bought me Tetris party on the WII for Christmas. I've only played it a dozen or so times, and mostly by myself. But on Super BORE Sunday (hahahahah!) Jim and Amanda decided to play a few rounds. After Amanda successfully kicked everyone's butt in the room, I decided maybe there would be an actual challenge there. So I decided to play a few rounds with her. The first round she won, and the following two she lost.

Another person who is just not good enough.

Sorry Manda, I'm awesome. I can't help it.

Amazing Amanda

(completely off topic, dontcha love how I dont' post for WEEKS and then I post more than one blog in one day?!?! lol!!)

Now, back to our regularly scheduled program:


In case you haven't heard, Amanda is AMAZING!!!

She designed my INCREDIBLE wedding invitations, and we made them on Saturday night. they are REALLY incredible. I cannot wait to send them out. I'm super super excited about them. I will post a picture of them as soon as they're in the mail, I don't want to show them to EVERYONE before they get 'em :)

I am so blessed to have Amanda as part of my life. I seriously don't know what I'd do without her. And sometimes, I think I'm marrying her, not Jim. You know, since Amanda's done more with planning our wedding than Jim has.

Thank you Amanda!!! I appreciate it!!

Check out the video posted on Amanda's blog. from our out of control evening!

Happy new year everyone! I hope your new year is full of wonderful blessings

Its your birthday

....Happy Birthday! (couldn't resist!)

Today is the birthday of the coolest person, well, since sliced bread.

She's funny, always laughing (even if its that little "AWKWARD" laugh of hers), and always smiling. Well, almost always anyways. She has her moments when most people wouldn't laugh like here or here, heck even here, but she still makes it funny, and pure entertainment.

Amanda, you are an incredible friend. I love having you as part of my life. You encourage me in my walk with God, your always there when I need to complain about something going on in my life. I'm so greatful to have you as a friend. Your friendship means the world to me.

I hope you have a wonderful birthday. Try to relax a little bit you crazy girl!

Random Facts

Last week, Amanda tagged me in this, but I suck at being sarcastic on my blog. I can't be as cool as MckMommy no matter how hard I try.

So, here we go.

6 Random facts about me.

1- I love to eat. I pretty much have something in my mouth at all times during the day. It helps me concentrate on whatever I'm doing to have something in my mouth to keep my brain partially busy. Its terrible, I know. but it works. I'm trying to break the habit of always needing stuff in my mouth! But being ADD its impossible.

2- I struggle with meeting new people. I'm as social as they come, but meeting new people terrifies me. I think it is because of my hearing loss. I don't want to say the wrong thing, or mishear. I hate it when I mishear something, it makes me feel incredibly stupid. I typically don't like to meet new people, unless its in a quiet place, where I can really hear everything going on. I'm trying not to be so afraid of this, and to accept my disability COMPLETELY. but its not easy.

3- I hate deaf culture. Deaf power makes me angry. You can't say you deserve equal rights as hearing people on one hand, but not be willing to earn that life on the other. Work hard, and get ahead. You don't hear of Dyslexic Power, or Blind power groups. They have to live their life differently, but it doesn't mean they're not disabled. It makes me incredibly angry when a deaf person says they're not disabled but yet they're getting Social Services on the other hand.

4- I am a planner. I plan everything. It annoys people. But its who I am and its what I do. My wedding is almost completely without all that much stress! and I'm so excited about it!

5- I am a photographer. I love, love, love taking pictures. I love learning new things, and learning better styles for my pictures. I love to do photography gigs, and spend time getting to know people, and taking their pictures, rather than being rushed through photo shoots like I was at the picture people.

6- I want my life to honor and glorify God in every possible way. I'm learning so much about him that I never knew. And he's been opening so many doors in my life and in my heart. I can't even describe how happy I am to have found my way back into my saviors waiting arms after walking away for so long.


Now, join in the fun! Post six random facts about yourself!
1- Danielle
2- Amy
3- Katie
4- Michael
5- Kira
6- Amy Jo

Feel free to join in the fun, let me know if you do it so I can make sure to add your name to my link list!!

Amanda -

Adorable
Magnificent
Amazing
Nosy
Dramatic
Absolutely hysterical

Energetic

Sweet
Loving
Adaptable
Kind
Easy-going
Super fantastical

whats the point?

What will the rebate mean to my 2008 taxes?
Will I owe taxes on my rebate amount next year? What if this year my situation changes and that means my rebate amount should be less?

For most filers, says Luscombe, this year's rebate will appear as a simple gift from the government. The rebate amounts are tax-free.

But filers will have to reconcile any money they receive this year when they file their 2008 returns.

"It harks back to the 2001 situation when we got the new 10 percent bracket and got an advance check for that. Then on next return had to account for it," says Luscombe. "It's expected to be that way this time."

The 2008 tax forms should have a line for the new credit. When calculating taxes next year, taxpayers will have to subtract what they got as a rebate check the previous summer.

"Some people might think that's unfair," says Luscombe, "but they got the money, and they got it early."

One thing taxpayers won't have to worry about is giving back any excess if their 2008 taxes show that the advance this year was actually more than they should have received.

"If it turns out that credit on your 2008 return is greater, you get to take that additional amount," says Luscombe. "If it's lesser than what you got in 2007, you don't have to refund that back to government." The law says the IRS can't recover the extra payment by reducing your 2008 refund or adding to your 2008 tax bill.

So, i'm gonna get a rebate check, thats going to be taken out of my taxes for next year??????????? whats the point? its a waste of my effort to go to the bank and cash a check that is going to cost me more in the end. Stupid US Government and their stupid economy revitalization. Give us a check, and then take it away next year. HORRAY! that sounds fun...

But, on the plus side, making cookies with Amanda is so much fun! Amanda rocks my socks. We had so much fun yesterday. She did an amazing job frosting all the cookies, and I have gotten a ton of compliments on her works of art this morning :-D