Days Go By

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:46:48 GMT

I have a date tonight with a grumpy frazzled crochety old man. William's out of town so I'm going out on the town with my father-in-law, who says he's taking me to "see the night life in Bangor". WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

I think we're going to the legion LOL.

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:53:38 GMT

Wow, long time no LJ. I'm convinced I can only have one communication program at a time in my life. Right now that'd be Facebook. Let's see, what's going on...

William is leaving Friday for a little over a week for the Air Force. I'll be basquing in the loveliness of having the house to myself, which means I can clean the first day he's gone and it will stay that way until he comes back. YESSSSSS. But I'll miss him for sure. Probably after 2 days I'll be whining..."when are you gonna be hommmmmmmmme????"

School is going well for William also. He's taking it very seriously and has a 3.9 right now. He's taking his Instrument Flight ground test tomorrow and he's been studying steadily for it since October. I know he'll do very well but he's not convinced. He keeps getting 85% on the practice tests but he's pretty hard on himself. His goal is a 90% or better. I think he can do it. We've been applying for mad scholarships for him too. Essays, transcripts, applications, letters of recommendation. It's crazy all you have to do! We've probably sent about 10 so far. Most are worth about $1,000 each which doesn't make much of a dent if you know how much flight school costs. But every little bit helps.

Things are very calm right now in our married life. No drama, no big news, just nice to be married and enjoy each other's company. I know it won't last forever bc eventually we'll have kids and life will happen, which eventually brings chaos and stress, but right now I'm enjoying the mellowness (if that's a word?) and not taking it for granted.

Something I've struggled with (and I think we all do to an extent) is figuring out where we belong in the world. Knowing where God wants me is always a mystery to me. Am I doing the right thing with my life? Am I using my gifts? I have decided that the answer is yes. I've been feeling in a rut because I'm working to support a husband in school and the bills. That made me frustrated at times because every other relationship I've had, I've been the breadwinner. I've supported them. But this time I'm supporting a family that has a goal and purpose. It's different. I can't compare my past with my present. I can learn from my past, but it's not fair to put someone like William into the same category as a Larry or a Jeremy. I'm trying to use my stage in life to learn the most I can, and be God's light in a dark world. Without knowing Jesus died for me I'd be hopeless and lifeless. I know I have value because He gave it to me, and He wants me to live a life without questioning my worth.

My brother got kicked out of the house by my dad so he lives in an apartment in SL with his dog Sarge. He got hired for Ottawa County and just finished his training so if you're in SL you might see him around. He still works full time for Lakeview too so he's driving a lot, but once he can get hired through Ottawa County full time he'll quit driving an hour and 15 mins 1 way like a crazy person. Of course with the economy you do what you have to do these days.

Amazing race

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 02:12:51 GMT

Tonight we had the Amazing Race at church. We had to go around and find all sorts of clues in order to get to the end. We went all over! We had to count the number of steps in the whole church, drive a remote control race car through an obstical course, run and get ice cream, eat said ice cream, answer trivia questions like "what's the capital of this state or that state", we had to turn over cups to look for words which made a sentence, drove up the street and had to flip a tarp with everyone on it, and unscramble a puzzle which ended up being Micah 6:8. Unfortunately we were the 2nd to last group to finish. Phew! I'm whooped!

Life

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:18:26 GMT

Wow, things are actually KINDA settling down now. I'm trying to get the house organized after the wedding gifts/moving in all at once, which is a feat in itself believe it or not. For those who have seen my house, it's not exactly huge. There is very limited space for stuff. The shed is filling faster and faster. I'm trying to make room for Michelle so she can actually see her bed when she says at my house.

William is gone to Turkey and won't be back until July 3rd. Funny how I get a husband but only for 3 weeks before the government takes him to far off places for 3 weeks. Oh well, I guess I can't blame them too much...he's the one who signed up to be a patriot. Sheesh.

Work is ehh. Not good. Don't wanna talk about it.

Life in general is good, though I feel like I need to be somewhere else. I don't know where. William is going to school in the fall so I know we'll be in Michigan for about 1.5 to 2 years. But I'm feeling like there's another purpose for me. I pray about it all the time, wondering where You'll take me, God. I wait and try to listen. I think He's preparing me but it's not quite my time to move yet. Maybe another state, maybe another country. Maybe mission work, maybe another job, maybe a stay at home mom. Maybe something I had no clue existed. I'm anxious but trying to be patient.

I'm going rustic camping this weekend, which I've never really done before. No bathrooms, just 5-6 girls fishing and drinking beer. Should be a good time :)

quiz

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:56:56 GMT

I tried my best to answer the questions since I'm not a super political person. I think my answers were highly based on the fact that everything I do is based on government grants and regulations. This is the world I live in!

Counting down, t minus 17 days

Wed, 07 May 2008 16:27:32 GMT

Well, I'm down to 2 1/2 weeks until the wedding! I can't believe it. I have engagment pictures though most of you have probably seen them.

www.barrytilson.com/2008/katherinewilliam/katherinewilliameng

I feel like I have a lot to do but I'm getting ambivalent about it. "I don't care about all these dumb details, I just want the day to be here so I can get married!" I'm only like that because I'm so anxious. It seems like forever away and yet it's going fast. I have some good people helping me out and I appreciate all they're doing for me. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone :)

Bachellorette party this weekend!! We're going to my house first and then to see Mega 80's. FUN!!

Today I had a nice surprise at work. My coworkers pooled together and got William and I a set of luggage, and another girl some baby items because she's due in June. They gave it to us at our staff meeting. I had no idea; it was awesome.

FUN!

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:59:16 GMT

I got engaged on Saturday!!! William asked me in front of my parents and his parents. They all came over for dinner and he said "hey katherine". I turned around and he was walking toward me. "I love you. Will you marry me?" He was down on his knee in a flash. I was in shock. I literally said nothing and don't remember what I was thinking for about 15 seconds. Then I looked down and he had put the ring on my finger and was waiting for an answer. "...uhhh...yes! YES!"

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 22:20:09 GMT

Heath Ledger is dead :(

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 17:03:37 GMT

The holidays are over and I have to work again. BOO! Not that I had much time off for Christmas to begin with, but more than Willaim did at least. I had a good Christmas this year. I got a file cabinet and a new bike from my parents, along with one of those off brand Magic Bullet blenders I've been wanting forever! William got me a heart necklace with a little diamond in it. It's purty :)

Matt was trying to get a job with the Grand Rapids police department and they sent him what he calls an "F-you letter" saying he was no longer in the process. But a few weeks later Lakeview (where he works part time now) offered him full time starting within the next couple weeks. What a blessing because he will get a couple dollar raise, benefits, and obvously more hours. He said he's glad because he feels like his teeth are getting fuzzy from not going to the dentist for like 8 months lol.

We got tickets to see Casting Crowns on Valentines day so yay, I have a date! Last year I was boycotting V-day. I guess you have a different perspective when you're actually dating someone you LIKE.

William is doing his Air Force duty this weekend and I have absolutely no plans. Maybe I'll lay around and watch my new digital cable (what? Katherine got cable? She's actually paying for it? That's insane.) Or I'll work on filing papers into my new cabinet...EHH.

Probably TV.

HO HO HO

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:47:58 GMT

Your Elf Name Is...

Floppy Ho-Ho-Ho

What's Your Elf Name?

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:56:06 GMT

Liz got me the movie Hairspray today (early Christmas present)! It just came out and I'm very excited to watch it :) Fun.

I have to work late tonight. Boo.

William has to work on Thanksgiving. Double Boo.

The water cooler at work bit me and made me bleed. Oww.

I joined a contest at work where I have to eat lots of fruits and veggies, and have to drink lots of water and do exercise. I'm peeing a lot.

I'm very much in the Christmas spirit this year for some reason. I'm listening to Christmas music and I've already started Christmas shopping and thinking of the perfect gifts to get people. Jingle jingle.

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:55:34 GMT

I’ve been having some problems with my stomach lately. Every few days I get a really bad pain in my stomach that leads to me being in the bathroom like every 20 minutes, and then after about and hour or two it’s gone and I’m fine. This has also been accompanied by headaches and dizziness occasionally.

Today I found out that my coworker Nick has had the same problems. I described my symptoms and he said it was exactly what he’s been having.

I went to the doctor a few weeks ago about it and they put me on an acid reducer. That didn’t do anything really, so I went again yesterday for a follow up. The nurse practitioner thought it could be a virus but thought maybe it could be Irritable Bowel Syndrome. So she put me on this diet that consists of me eating like an Ethiopian until they get my blood labs back on Friday.

I’M HUNGRY!!!!!!!

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 16:11:09 GMT

This weekend was AWESOME. I didn't do anything. Not a thing. I stayed home all weekend and only went out a select few times for plasma (Yay, I can donate again!), and for church. That's it. I watched 8 episodes of season 1 of the Gilmore Girls, I played Guitar Hero (William doesn't have a TV at his apartment so he's keeping it at my house, muahahahaha), and cleaned around the house. It was wonderful.

William was at Grissam Air Force Base for his 1-weekend-a-month thing for the reserves and they needed an extra person to stay down there for a week so he volunteered. Therefore he's considered "activated" and now he won't be home until Saturday. BOO! Good thing I'm doing a lot of stuff this week that would not leave much spare time to spend with him anyways. Plus, hopefully it will make the time go faster so I can see him Saturday around noon. I'm such a sap :)

Speaking of, William got me a card and some candy before he left for Grissam since he wasn't going to see me on Saturday for Sweetest Day (I didn't even realize it WAS sweetest day--oops). It said "A dash of U, a pinch of I, together we make cutie pie." This is the most cheeze-tastic card ever and I LOVE IT! He even wrote Love Willaim on the inside, which for those who don't know, is a big deal because William has made a vow that he's never going to tell a woman he loves her unless it's followed by the words "will you marry me?" My mind ponders the possibilities...........

Haha, I suck!

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:45:49 GMT

Meet Texas Singles

Science is NOT my forte, obviously

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 17:21:42 GMT

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/74

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/33f2687080

I haven't laughed at a clip like these in a long time!

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 15:54:49 GMT

Well, if the state shuts down I could have a few days off (or more depending on Granholm...who voted for her again????) This would do wonders for me since I have only 1 income. Plus, I was donating plasma for money but I have been temporarily deferred because I have a protein that's slightly high. 1 out of like 5 proteins and it's .5 too high. Bah. Now I'm deferred for another 3 weeks. It's already been 3 weeks since I donated last. That is a total of $360 I'll be losing! That could be pretty significant if I don't have any other income coming in.

Laurel (our payroll lady) says she's optimistic and doesn't think we have anything to worry about.

William suggested maybe I could go get a job at Russ'.

I guess it's a good thing I'm Dutch and know how to pinch my pennies.

Not to mention I'm on lunch right and my phone is ringing off the hook. Leave a message people!

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 16:39:57 GMT

1. Go to www.careercruising.com.
2. Put in Username: nycareers, Password: landmark.
3. Take their "Career Matchmaker" questions.
4. Post the top ten results

1. Bank Teller
2. Logistics Specialist
3. Research Analyst (Financial)
4. Medical Secretary
5. Postal Clerk
6. Editor
7. Computer Network Specialist
8. Purchaser
9. Hotel Desk Clerk
10. Personal Financial Planner

I think this is a pretty good fit for me actually. #26 was fast food worker (does Russ' count?)

I also found my bottom 10 equally amusing:
31. Automotive Painter
32. Automobile Assembler
33. Venture Capitalist
34. Gunsmith
35. Stock Clerk
36. Auto Detailer
37. Butcher
38. Dry Cleaner
39. Housekeeper
40. Miner (Underground)

In response to being a Gunsmith: "I don't even own A gun, let alone many guns which would necesitate an entire rack...WHAT am I gonna do...with a gun rack?" --Wayne's World

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 20:58:40 GMT

It always seems like it takes me forever to update—I think it’s because I feel like my life isn’t all that interesting when in reality, there’s lots going on!

This past weekend was fun—I went out with Steph, Michelle, Erika, Angie and Paula. I had a fun time although I don’t seem to know my own limitations and ended up having to be babysat for the night (thanks Steph, by the way). I think we had a pretty good time though, and I had a great conversation with Paula about relationships and church. It’s always interesting to find people who have never been to church because it’s such a huge part of my life. I know sometimes I don’t always demonstrate what people might think to be the typical “Christian” things to do. I don’t want to make excuses for myself but no one is perfect and I’m certainly no exception. However, I realized that I probably could try harder to be a better example of Christ’s love and what He has done for me in my life. I have been truly blessed by everything I’ve been through, even the bad times.

Monday William took his pilot’s license test (he took it a few weeks ago and failed a part of the landing portion so he had to retake it). He passed! He met me at Tulip City Airport and I got to be his first passenger since he got it. It was so fun! He did very well and sounded all professional on the airwaves. “This is N575 Sierra Victor, turning to take off from runway 6, etc., Tulip City Traffic.” I was very impressed. He did so well on his take off and landings too. He flew us in a circle over Holland and I even flew right over my work. I can’t wait to fly with him again.

Speaking of William, he has been unemployed for the past few weeks and has been working very hard to find something. Long story short, he keeps getting leads and then we find out it’s really not a good job or situation. He was supposed to go to Florida for flight school to get all his certifications but he couldn’t come up with the money. He’s had lots of snags and we are praying for direction for his work. He’s got an interview tomorrow with an airport in Grand Rapids and if he gets it he’ll be moving there. But I don’t want to get my hopes up because I prepare my heart to do one thing and then it doesn’t happen. I fear if I keep doing it I’ll just keep getting let down and frustrated (not with him, but for him). Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

My friend Liz and I are taking a trip in the spring to Europe! This is probably no surprise to anyone that I’m going back, but we are going to England, Scotland, and the Netherlands (and possibly Belgium) which is cool because I’ve never been there before, in addition to France and Spain where I’ve already been.

I’ve been giving plasma twice a week and working a lot, and I can’t believe how quickly summer has gone. Insanity! Work is alright, although I’m getting a little sick of people calling and thinking they are so deserving of services. I had a lady get an attitude with me because we couldn’t fix her house (free repairs mind you) before winter. She was outraged! She was yelling at me like I should just bump her to the front of the list because she thinks she’s got an emergency. Alas, at least if I can’t smack them I can stand my ground, which I did.

Speaking of smacking, I had a dream the other night. I dreamt that I was at a party and I saw Jeremy there. He had been with lots of other girls since me (actually I think that’s reality), and I got up to hug him and he said “Hey, Emily!” (cause he forgot my name since he had been with so many girls). I looked at him and slapped him across the face and said “MY NAME IS KATHERINE!” Guess we know how I really feel about him now, don’t we?

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 16:17:01 GMT

William has been looking all over for financing for his student loan but he has to have a cosigner to get it. His parent's won't do it and neither will I (although he hasn't asked me and won't). So....he is going to be moving in the next few weeks to Grand Rapids. *YAY!* No funding for school this fall so he's going to work and live with my friend Shawn on the NW side in her upstairs of her house. Can't wait!!

Mega 80's tonight...yeah dude!

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:32:37 GMT

I had a fun weekend in Niagara Falls with the family. My mom and I spent most of our time with her cousin Becky and her daughter Aubrey shopping and hanging kinky undies around my great Aunt Mary's house. It was so fun! I took lots of pictures of the "decorating" we did.

Tonight Bobbi is coming over with her new daughter Lena. I'm excited to see them!

Things with William are good. We are anticipating him going to Florida in August for flight school and I'm hoping he'll be back by Christmas with lots of pilot's licenses and hopefully a job to boot. A job around here would be nice...I hate the whole long distance thing. Been there, done that! Not a fan.

Life is good right now.

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 17:40:20 GMT

So looks like facebook is the new LJ.

Life

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 16:37:27 GMT

Man, I didn't realize it's been a month since I've posted on here!

Besides work, I've been super busy with lots of activities lately. A few weeks ago we went to visit Sarah in Ferndale for her birthday and we had a great time. The housewarming party went very well and thanks to all who came! I was so happy with the turnout (even though it started out slow). I went to Chicago last weekend with Erika and Michelle to visit Steph (I'm sure many of you have read Michelle's post about that), donating plasma twice a week (cha-ching!), and hanging out with William (awww squishy-bear! as Susan would say hehe). I think he might be a keeper :)

Speaking of, William is taking his written portion of his flight test today. Next week will be the oral and practical exams. Once he passes he will have his single-engine pilot's license! I'm so excited for him. He said may be able to take me for a plane ride (which I'll admit makes me a little nervous but cool nonetheless). Prayers are appreciated! Soon he'll be off to flight school in Florida for a few months to get his multi-engine licenses and then he can look for a job as a professional pilot.

I'm going to try and post pictures from Chicago, among other things, soon, but I'll need to go to my parents' house to do that and I don't know when that will be. I love summertime...I just wish I didn't have to be a responsible adult sometimes. Dang bills...I just want to play outside and have fun!

Housewarming

Mon, 21 May 2007 16:36:31 GMT

I'm having a housewarming party at my new house on Saturday, June 9 at 1:00. Let me know if you need directions! I should be there most of the day so come anytime. Look forward to seeing everyone!

Update

Fri, 18 May 2007 16:37:18 GMT

Well it's official, as of about a week ago I have a boyfriend! William is awesome, I'm really excited for people to meet him. He's 28 years old from Grand Junction (down by South Haven area), a Christian, smart, a military brat who's now in the Air Force reserves, going to have his pilot's license in a few months, and the BEST thing is that I can talk to him about ANYTHING and not feel like I'm walking on eggshells. It's AMAZING. This weekend he's going to meet a whole bunch of family and friends and he's actually excited about it! :D

My brother graduated from the police academy last Thursday night and he's having a party tomorrow to celebrate. No job yet but he's looking and I'm very confident he'll have one in no time. Hopefully he'll get one by me so he can live in my 2nd bedroom :) Then my friend Kim is having a bonfire in the evening. Fun!

DEAL OR NO DEAL!

Sun, 06 May 2007 13:31:54 GMT

Yesterday was a very interesting day for me. I got up at 5am and drove to Southfield to get to open casting call for Deal Or No Deal. I was in line for 11.5 hours! I got there at 8:30 and didn't get done until 8pm. I have no idea if they liked me or if I'll ever get picked for the show but basically I had 20 seconds to convince them I was a good contestant. AND MY FACE IS BLISTERED from being so burned. Oww. :/ But I'll let you know if you'll be seeing me on TV in the next year or so :)