Holly's Happenings: 5/29/11 - 6/4/11

Sunday, May 29th - Saw "Bridesmaids" with my mothers. It was hilarious and I think I may have even enjoyed it more than the buttered popcorn (and that's saying something)!

Tuesday, May 31st - First summer school class - Management Information Systems - started (online).  I cannot begin to describe how much I despise this class and how unnecessary it is for my major.  Only one more week left!  Spent the afternoon sandbagging with a friend. Bismarck-Mandan is currently battling the rising Missouri River due to record snow- and rainfall in both North Dakota and Montana. Flooding became an issue in mid-May and is expected to continue throughout the summer.  Bismarck has built a massive levee to protect residents in the floodplain on the south side of town (including my parents and in-laws) but many of those outside of city limits haven't been quite so lucky.  Yesterday, a home was swept away by the river and officials say it may not be the only one.  My heart is heavy for that family - I cannot even imagine what it must feel like to watch your house being swallowed up and then carried away by flood water.  This is definitely a time that will go down in the record books - unfortunately.

Wednesday, June 1st - Spent the night sandbagging with friends and my dad in hopes of reaching the city's goal of eight million sandbags by the next day. It was a chaotic evening but it was awesome seeing so many people out helping the community.

*Minot is also battling devastating flooding due to the rising Souris River (the story actually made national news last night and is one the lead headlines this morning on MSN).  Nearly a quarter of the city's population, 10,000 residents, had to evacuate their homes yesterday as water began to spill over the dikes.  Please keep the residents of Bismarck, Mandan, and Minot in your thoughts and prayers.*

Thursday, June 2nd -  On to some happier news.  I turned the big 3-0 this month! The 20s were great but I think the 30s are going to be even better.

Saturday, June 4th - Bought myself a pair of patterned fishnet tights for roller derby!  I suspect it will be the first of many.  Spent the gorgeous evening in the backyard with Crickett. I love the sights, sounds, and smells that you experience outside this time of year.

Snapshot Saturday: Earth's Laughter

Earth laughs in flowers.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

Bad Blogger - June 2011

I decided to make and give myself an award today because I really deserve it.

I'm making it a goal to be back soon with updates and regular posting!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Sunday Smile

I have my first roller derby practice tonight!

Wordless Wednesday: Flower Shopping with Mom and Sissy

Backyard Snapshots

Rather than going for a walk the other evening, Crickett and I decided to play in the backyard instead.

I snapped photos and chased Crickett around the yard.

Crickett smelled dandelions and chased birds around the yard.

Pretty blossoms

and pretty weeds.

Even the way the sun shines on ordinary objects makes me happy.

I love our backyard.

Happy Memorial Day

I have never been able to think of the day as one of mourning; I have never quite been able to feel that half-masted flags were appropriate on Decoration Day. I have rather felt that the flag should be at the peak, because those whose dying we commemorate rejoiced in seeing it where their valor placed it. We honor them in a joyous, thankful, triumphant commemoration of what they did.

~ Benjamin Harrison ~

Sunday Smile

Going to see Bridesmaids this afternoon. Excited for the movie and extremely excited for the popcorn!

Snapshot Saturday: Missing

Missing the farm

and missing these ladies

Life Update

1.  If you haven’t guessed it yet, I have dropped out of the Spring Fever Challenge.  I like challenges (and Amy's are great!) so I may join another one like this in the future but right now I just want to concentrate on my 101 in 1001 list.

2.  Speaking of 101 in 1001, over the weekend I read the short story The Hunter’s Wife by Anthony Doerr.  I do not enjoy short stories because I can’t seem to develop a connection with the characters and this story was no exception.  (Sorry, Moll!) I went in with an open mind but apparently this is just not the type of reading for me.

3.  Earlier in the month, I was given the Stylish Blogger Award by Lisa at Charlie the Cavalier.  Thank you, Lisa! 

As part of the award, here are three of Crickett's quirks:

Crickett prefers dirt (and even snow) over grass.

Crickett will only drink water out of the cup in our master bathroom.  Her bowl is always full of water but it only gets used by puppy visitors.

Crickett loves to have her neck blown on.

4.  Between a trip to Washington D.C. and working the night shift, Mitch has been gone more evenings this month than he has been home.  During this time, I became a night owl and discovered reruns of “How I Met Your Mother” and “The New Adventures of Old Christine.”  I really like these shows and would venture to say that “How I Met Your Mother” has even made it onto my list of favorites; I now understand the good reviews it got from everyone.

5.  Mitch and I have been dealing with water in our basement again this spring.  We had a landscaping company come over to work on the issues contributing to the problem.  So now, instead of green grass, we have a patch of dirt on the west side of our house.  Combine dirt patches with wind and you have a situation that is not ideal for hanging clean laundry out on the clothesline.  Bummer.

6.  I got A’s in all of my classes this spring!  I start summer school on May 31^st and will be busy with that until July 31^st.  I will be taking two courses, “Principles of Macroeconomics” and “Management Information Systems”; sounds like exciting stuff, huh?  I received my graduation audit several weeks ago and it looks like I will have a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree at the end of the spring 2012 semester.  So thrilled!

7.  On Saturday I watched my sister and her derby team compete in their first home bout.  It was so much fun and my sister did an amazing job as a jammer.  I was so proud of her and lost my voice from screaming so much.  Yesterday I bought my derby gear and on June 6^th I have my first practice.  I cannot wait!