BlogRolling - The best link manager for your weblog and more!

Nice idea... Should I try it? It couldn't hurt, right?

Hmmm.... I am going to have to think about this...

L

BlogRolling - The best link manager for your weblog and more!

Merry Christmas!!! Early, I Know....

Kind of perfect for a girl born a week before Christmas, don't you think?

I realize that these tests are cheesey, but I love laughing at the results, plus the beautiful anime pics...
Please bear with me!

You are Christmas!

What Hoilday are you? (anime pic)
brought to you by Quizilla

RollingStone.com: How Madonna Got Her Groove Back : News

What can I say? I grew up with Madonna and was even born in Bay City, Michigan just like her. Hell, her grandmother was born in Standish, Michigan too... according to a biography I read several years ago...

Anyway, I have always identified with her ambition, her shear drive. While I can't sing and I am no dancer, I have always known that I WILL make it.

I WILL! Nothing is going to stop me from accomplishing all that I want to accomplish in my life... Not my family, not my fiance, not people who can't see my true value, NO ONE!

Reading this article this morning, I realized two things: Madonna didn't really make it until her mid-20s, I will make it too, despite everyting.

If she can make it in New York after leaving Michigan with only $30 in her pocket, I sure as hell can make it with what I have right now.

I also realized that I just need to believe in myself. Even my Dad admitted that I can do anything if I just put my mind to it, and that is coming from an extremely sexist man in his 50s who only thinks his son can handle taking over the family business.

Anyway, I really needed to be reminded of my own internal resources, my dreams. As I've heard so many times before, God doesn't make mistakes...

More later...

Linds

Madonna Article

Heaven or Hell...

Heaven or hell
I see the light, in my dreams.
Once there it disappears, like a closing door.
I'm screaming at the top of my lungs, but nobody looks up.
I think of someone that let me down
and they regret me for something that I didn't do.
Why don't they just understand? I'm in Hell.
I need to be somewhere in heaven.

Heaven or Hell
brought to you by Quizilla

And the Results Are In!

The Land of Godly Light

You are the high angel of the Land of Godly Light.
You are the eminent force of God. You are pure
and lovely. You goal in life is to help
everyone, and bring Gods word. You are
completely devoted to Gods word and never
question him. However, you might want to
broaden your horizons. Know and understand
everything and take that into consideration
with all religions, faiths, and ideas.


What is the mystical land of your birth? {13 results with gorgeous anime pics}
brought to you by Quizilla

garish and tweed

Incredible pictures... I'll have to take some tomorrow... It has been snowing all day and we are supposed to get 3 inches of accumulation just in time for Thanksgiving...

Then again, this is Michigan and who know what will happen!

Later... Lindsey

garish and tweed

CAROL CAIN: Duo teaches the ins and outs of starting a business

This article describes me perfectly. In fact, I am condsidering starting a new blog regarding my business ideas.

More later... There just seems to be too much going on lately. Hopefully I will have some updated pictures of Sparty later... along with Thanksgiving pics.

CAROL CAIN: Duo teaches the ins and outs of starting a business

Granholm's veto may cost Michigan jobs

Another example of how our Canadian governor is ruining our state! I have really had it with her...
I can't wait until she is out of office! I just hope Republicans can actually offer a better alternative to her...

We will see what 2006 brings...

Lindsey

Granholm's veto may cost Michigan jobs

Your 1920's Name is:

Althea Eddie

What's Your 1920's Name?

The Movie Of Your Life Is A Cult Classic

Quirky, offbeat, and even a little campy - your life appeals to a select few. But if someone's obsessed with you, look out! Your fans are downright freaky. Your best movie matches: Office Space, Showgirls, The Big Lebowski

If Your Life Was a Movie, What Genre Would It Be?

Updated Family Pictures....

My wonderful brother and sister together at MSU...

Garrett stayed with Erica for the weekend while my Dad was at the cabin in Canada and my Mom went Christmas shopping with my Aunts...

I miss the times Garrett and I spent together on weekends at MSU...



Erica and her boyfriend Justin, a soon-to-be cop from the UP (Upper Penninsula of Michigan).

He really is a great guy and they seem to be incredibly happy...



Garrett and Wooly (Justin's nickname) just hanging out at State...



Need I say more? My baby brother hamming it up... As usual...

It is hard to believe that he is in high school already.



I'll post more family pics after Thanksgiving and the Hoffman reunion.
The next few weeks are going to be very interesting.

Love, Lindsey

A Family in Baghdad

This blog blows my mind...

When this war is said and done, and I DO believe that we are there for a reason, blogs such as this will allow my progeny to fully understand why we went to war in the first place. I get incredibly angry when people on the left forget about all of the abuses under Saddam, when the take our military - and all the sacrifices of those who serve - for granted.

It is about time someone told the truth regarding what is truly going on in Iraq. We don't need the ultra-liberal media elite to make up our minds for us or tell us what to believe. We all have the freedom to gain the information for ourselves. It is about time we started using it.

We don't need to follow the masses in either direction.

Lindsey

A Family in Baghdad

Where elephants can fly

Another great blog... Too many, too little time!

Where elephants can fly: ", so i replied (as one do), yes, and then she said 'really?? I can really go before you??' then i said no, im drun"

Blogthings - What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Your Birthdate: December 18

You are a cohesive force - able to bring many people together for a common cause. You tend to excel in work situations, but you also facilitate a lot of social gatherings too. Beyond being a good leader, you are good at inspiring others. You also keep your powerful emotions in check - you know when to emote and when to repress. Your strength: Emotional maturity beyond your years Your weakness: Wearing yourself down with too many responsibilities Your power color: Crimson red Your power symbol: Snowflake Your power month: September

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

I must admit, this is a little too close to the truth.... Check yours out!

Blogthings - What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Human Rights Ecuador

Quite frankly, I am going to have to keep up with this blog...

On December 21st of this year, it will have been exactly 4 years since I left Ecuador a bundle of energy wanting to right all of the wrongs I saw first hand in Ecuadorean society in the 4 months I spent studying at the elite Universidad San Francisco del Quito in la valle de Cumbaya.

To this day, I regret I didn't become more involved while I was there, I regret the fact that I have lost touch with my wonderful host family, I regret the fact that I've so readily dismissed my experiences abroad as simply "learning experiences."

It is time for me to finally deal with all I learned in Ecuador, Spain, and Mexico. It is about time...

More later...

Lindsey

Human Rights Ecuador

Stacy Knits

Just thought I would make a note of this blog. I am determined to truly learn how to knit!
Scarves, dish cloths, blankets, etc.

More soon...

Lindsey

Stacy Knits

Bloggers of the World Unite

Another great blog... 'Nough Said.

Bloggers of the World Unite

Moonlight Masquerade/Dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Buttrick's

The woman's description of herself in this blog took me totally by surprise... It could have been a description of me!
VERY creepy.

By the way, Brian and I went over to Grandma and Grandpa Buttrick's home tonight for dinner - pot roast - YUM!
It was incredibly intriguing... I know they both worry about Brian and I... Grandpa thinks that I can collect unemployment in Michigan, but I doubt it.
Besides, I don't want to collect unemployment!

In my opinion, it would be like an admission that I failed. There is no reason why Brian and I can't have new jobs by Christmas.
In all honesty, we both needed a vacation from "life." Thanks to my Granparents, that has been possible.

It is now time to get down to work and create a wonderful, successful life for myself.
I'll be 25 in a few short weeks and I don't want to approach 30 thinking: Is this it?
Anyway, I get the feeling that Brian feels the same way.

By the way, I found out an interesting little tidbit from my Grandma - my Aunt Tara is retiring after this year.
Somehow, I just can't see Aunt Tara being retired.

Surprisingly, she wants me to sell her engagement/wedding ring from her first marriage on E-Bay.
In fact, we will be discussing the arrangements over Thanksgiving.

That marriage ended in 1981. You'd think that she would have sold it long ago as she has been happily remarried for 22 years...

I digress...

More later... I hope to post holiday pictures soon...

Love, Lindsey

Moonlight Masquerade

Maya Elizabeth: My Life in Pictures

What a beautiful blog! I hope to do the same for my children someday...

Someday that little girl will sure appreciate what her parents did for her...

Love, Lindsey

Maya Elizabeth

beautiful morning with you

An interesting collection of poetry. I find it to be very honest, intriquing, and true.

Check it out...

beautiful morning with you

The Mighty Mackinaw Bridge...

Despite everything, I am glad to be back in Michigan where I belong!

Back to Basics...

Well, here is the blunt truth:

- I live in a city I love - and I don't want to move!
- I have a loving fiance who I adore - and who adores me!
- I have a loving, supportive family - Brian's family included!
- I have two bachelors degrees from a very well respected Michigan university (MSU).

- I will be 25 a month from today (and that scares the hell out of me)!
- Both Brian and I are unemployed and have been for over 6 months.
- Corporate America has left a horrible taste in my mouth - I only want to work for
myself...
- My Dad may have a job opportunity for me - in Canada!
- My Dad and Brian don't get along - Dad doesn't know Brian well enough...
- I would like to lose 80 lbs.

It is apparent that something has to change...
Right now, I just feel absolutely paralized by all that has happened to me since college:

- Loving, meaningful relationship.
- Career hell - Horrible first job and boss, not to mention current unemployment.
- Substantial weight gain due to stress.
- Move from Michigan to Texas, and then from Texas to Michigan.
- Living alone and then with Brian, and now back to living alone.
- Family pressure both personally and professionally.

All I want is this: I would like my loved ones (family and otherwise) to fully accept the fact that I am an adult and that I will make my own decisions. I would like my loved ones to respect one another, even if they harbor dislike for each other.

Is it too much to ask?

At this point, I really need to move on with my life.

I want to start my career (again), announce our engagement, mend feelings between my Dad and Brian, plan our wedding, begin paying down debt, purchase house, and possibly pursue advanced degree.

Somewhere down the line, I would like to take over my father's business as well.

If anyone has any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it!
I feel as though I am going nowhere fast...

Lindsey

An Apology...

These last few months back in Michigan have been extremely stressful, and Brian and I are still trying to get our lives, our life together, back to normal (whatever that is).

I apologize for not writing in months... In a way, it just underscores how completely awful this last year has been for me.

Enough angst for now.

As I will be 25 one month from today, I still have time to get my life together and figure this mess out. Right now, all I can do is move on.

More later... Stay tuned...

2006 can't be any worse... We can only move in a positive direction.

Lindsey

Sleepy Kittens by Rob Manuel

What can I say? This could have been written by my kitten Sparty.... Definitely take a look if you need a laugh!
Lindsey...

Sleepy Kittens