Monday, December 26, 2011

Almost 2012



2012, wow I can't believe it is almost 2012!!!  Crazy!! I wanted to write about this past year, even if you are a usual reader of my blogs, this one will kind of put this year is perspective.
2011, I had so many changes... became single, got an amazing job, found out who my true friends are, found out what Family really means, and realized that good things to come to people who wait. I have experience true joy this year. I believe you can not honestly understand true joy until you experience true sorrow. Since I have been on both sides this year, I know JOY!! Disappointments in my life have now become few and far between. There are those occurances where things don't go my way, but everyone experiences that kind of mis-fortune. But understanding more now than ever has truly lit up my life. I have a deeper understanding of things now. My religious and moral background that I have (thanks mom and dad) has gotten me through alot this year. Also, to the people that were there for me this year, Thank you!!! It has been a crazy ride. Now that 2012 is upon us, it is just going to get busier and busier!! I will be traveling like crazy, looking forward to seeing America more this year! TN and Northern Cali and Washington or Oregan areas are coming up! I will be so busy, and try to write blogs when I can. All I can say is that this year has been a roller coaster, but IT HAS BEEN AMAZING!!! Looking forward to 2012!!

Happy New Years Everyone!

Love you all!!!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Travel...

I haven't really written in a while, so I thought I might just sit down and talk about what has been going on lately. I am in North Los Angeles and have been for about a week and half. I do love California, it is beautiful with the mountains and such. But I am missing my family. Travel is very funny sometimes. I work ALOT of hours. I am constantly away from home, then I go home and love being there, then I am ready to go back to work.  Not that I don't love my family, because they keep me going, but am I that addicted to work that I would rather be traveling then at home? I guess what I am trying to say is that I love being home, but I also love being on the road. Most everyone who will read this blog are married, or about to be married, or in some kind of relationship, so I am asking you guys, since I don't have that "someone at home" do you think it is easier I guess to not be "at home"?
As you become an adult and move from the adolescent years, you rely more on yourself and your significant other. You miss your spouse more than one would miss their mother or father. So as I become an adult I realize that not having the significant other to miss, I enjoy being away from home. Kinda weird huh? I do miss seeing my parents and brothers and sister's...but not as much as I thought I would. There are points during my time away from home where I think, OMG John would love to be here, or Melissa and I would have a blast here and so on, but for the most part I have surprised myself in that regard. Cleveland was difficult, just because it was the longest I had been away, and the first stint away. But as time goes on, I love being on the road.
Even though flights never go as they are supposed to, since I have been in West, EVERY flight I have taken has been delayed or cancelled. We will see how this Friday goes. Hopefully I get home at a decent hour. But next week, I have no clue where I am going to be. I could be in California, or Arizona, or Nevada, or even Oklahoma...we shall see.  If I don't blog before Christmas, HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!
Talk to you soon!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Its that time of year again....

Well, It is now after Thanksgiving and it is now that time of year when you have that hustle and bustle of the Black Friday shopping and the sales here and there. I am going to rant a little bit today. It isn't something that I do that often, but this is what I am thinking about and how annoyed I have become with this whole situation.
Merry Christmas VS. Happy Holidays!
Why has the phrase "Happy Holidays" become popular? Over a period of many years Christmas has become less of a Christian-centric holiday and more of a generic cultural holiday. It is celebrated by many non-Christians in various ways and the religious connotations are lost even on some Christians themselves. Christmas isn't very "Christian" anymore. For me personally, Christmas is about celebrating the birth of my Savior. I know that everyone gets all wrapped up in the shopping and the gift giving and all that, but do Christians take the time to realize what this time of year is really about. I am as guilty as any other person. I go Black Friday shopping. I worry about gifts for my family and friends, and sometimes I do get stressed out about the small insignificant issues that the Christmas Season brings.
Here is where my problem lies. I know that America has freedoms, and I am blessed to have the freedoms I do, just like this blog. I have the freedom to write down my feeling about this issue. But society has taken this Christian "holiday" and changed it into a shopping/cooking time of year when the significance is Jesus. Do I expect everyone to believe as I believe, absolutely not! But do I want to change the name of Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa? No, just like I said before, EVERYONE HAS THESE FREEDOMS IN AMERICA. I do not believe that Merry Christmas is derogatory. I believe that you can not change the way someone reacts to you. You can only explain your side to the best of your ability, and then hope for the best.
What I believe is that I celebrate CHRISTMAS. I do not celebrate HOLIDAY. I know some will say well Happy Holidays covers everyone. I can see that point. If you were not sure of someones faith back round then I can see that side, you may say Happy Holidays, and I do understand someone not wanting to offend someone else. But at the same time, for Merry Christmas to be taken away, or not used or whatever you want to call it, to me is disturbing.
There was an article in the Tulsa World a few weeks ago concerning our currency. In the 1950's In God We Trust was put on to our money. During that time it was "The Red Scare" that had everyone worried, and the US Government decided to try to ease the country's stress and worry so this was something that would help. I do not see anything wrong with that. Does everyone in the US believe in my God, well no, but some are not remembering the reason this country came into being. Doesn't everyone remember that we came to America for religious freedom from the Catholic church? That this country was created for freedom?
This whole politically correct way of thinking is wrong. I do not think we should change the traditions of our country to be politically correct.
Not everyone will agree with me, and not everyone will be happy about this blog, but for me, this is Christmas time, not Holiday time. This is the time of year I celebrate the birth of MY Savior. I do not agree with changing things to Happy Holidays, I should not be condemned for wanting to say Merry Christmas. so to everyone I love and cherish MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

MSO - Really?

Welcome to go live # 2! Wow, what a road I have been on. Working non-stop but loving it. I have been several places lately. Lets see, Stillwater, Joplin, Coffeyviile, Chanute, and Salina to come. Then it is off to the beautiful state of California! Woo Hoo! I will be spending the weekend in Tucson to see some of my family. But mostly in Sunny California! After California, watch out Kingsport, TN, here I come. I will be there for around 7 to 8 weeks as well. Mid- South has been pretty good. Nothing MAJOR. Little issues here and there. Looking forward to getting back to the training though. Not that I dont like Go-Live, but I miss the training. We will see how Salina goes. I am going to be with my new partner. So excited. I feel like we are going to get along great!  I love this job, and I love the training team. Life long friendships are being made and it is neat to see where God is taking me. I am just along for the ride! This is going to be a short blog, need to get some sleep...work in the morning.....  SAP trainers never stop!!!

Monday, November 7, 2011

Mid-South, West and everything in between!

Wow, it has been a while since I have posted a blog....So, this is going to be about anything in particular, just whats going on. Unlike my wonderful brother, who is amazing intelligent and so opinionated, I have nothing particular to blog about, so again, this is what is going on in my life. Work...who would of thought I would of become a work-aholic?? Well I am and I love my job. I love traveling, I love meeting new people and I love doing what I do. Some changes have been made, and now I have a new partner...Jon Bengston. He is from the west coast, and going to have to deal with an Oklahoma girl, but it should be fun! Mid-South training/go-live is almost over. We did a good job, and Mid-South is now on SAP, and doing wonderful! Whats next for me???  Well WEST HERE I COME. I will be in North LA for 2 weeks! Cali in December, we will see how it is! The exciting part about going to West, is that I am going to spend a weekend in Tucson, my old stomping ground and spend some much needed time with my Grandmother and Aunt and others! It is going to be nice to go there and see them! So in December I will be a Cali and Arizona girl for the first part!! Woo Hoo!
Now after that...Mid-America, here we come. Kingsport,TN. Not much out there...but I am gong to find something to do....there has to be parks for hiking or something like that. Its going to be cold, so we will see...But that is about all that is going on!
I will write more as my travels go on and on!

Love you all!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Understanding relationships


Never would I of thought that my life would turn out the way that it has. Am I upset about it? Absolutely
not! I feel blessed to have what I have. But here is what I wanted to talk about today. I have many relationships in my life. Everyone from family, to friends, to co-workers, and all the above. Some mean the world to me, and some are those relationships that do not require all the work that a true close relationship takes. I wanted to write a little about relationships, partly because I read my brother's blog earlier today, and I wanted to discuss how my relationships with certain people mean more than I could try to explain.
Let me start with the most vital relationship that has kept me going my entire life. My parents, I am going to split up the parents and talk about them individually. So if you are not looking to know how I feel about the most important people in my life, then I would stop reading now, if you are interested, then continue to read. I am not writing this to hurt any ones feelings, this is my blog, and I am writing from the heart. I am writing about who is vital in my being, if you don't make the list, it doesn't mean I don't think you are important. I am just writing as it comes to me. Here we go....(this is going to be a long one)
My Mother: Where do I even start when it comes to my mother? First and foremost, my mom is my best friend! My mom is one of the most amazing people I have ever known. Her unconditional love astounds me. No matter what I have done, gone through, or the decisions I have made in my life, she has been there love me, hug me, or cry with me, or yell at me or whatever was needed at that moment. As I get older, I now understand the patience my mother had to of had when she was dealing with me as I grew up into an adult, and still to this day. She is not done being my mom, she never will be! Her understanding and complete devotion to me and my family is what I strive for in my life. If I become a fraction of the woman my mother is, I will count myself as a success!
My Father: Wow, here we go. My dad. The constant man in my life. My everything! My relationship with my father is one of the strong ones, if not the strongest, relationship in my life. My father is the example of what a man should be. His work ethic, his love for his family, his love for his wife, his love in general astonishes me. I read my brother's blog and he gives a definition of love in most of his blogs. When I read his definition of love, I think of my father, and how he loves. He, like my mother, loves unconditionally. But unlike my mother, he will fight with me until the bitter end. If we disagree, most of the time we have to agree to disagree. He keeps me on my toes. He keeps it real for me, his advice in unmatched, and truly there are not enough words to explain the love I have for my daddy.
The brothers and sisters-in-law: I have two wonderful brothers, Scott and John, and their beautiful wives, Melissa and Jennifer. Growing up with two older brothers can not really be explained unless you have lived it, you can't try to understand it. I loved being the little sister. Scott is so much older than me, so he had everything cool. Cars, and girlfriends, and band, and trips and everything. I was so jealous of him growing up! He got to do everything! Then there is John. I count him as my best friend growing up. Poor John had to deal with me more than Scott did. I still think back at the times I knew John didn't want me around, but he still let me hang out! The love a brother has for his sister is amazing! Both of my brothers have supported me through a lot, let me tell you! I am going to break it down a little bit more. Scott: He is so smart I want to punch him in the face. He is always right! Which is good for me, I always have a a freaking Encyclopedia a phone call away. Recently, Scott has been someone I can emotionally rely on. He has listened to me cry, and bitch and moan, and everything else women do. He has been nothing but amazing. The feelings he has on family and the way he loves his wife is wonderful. I look up to him more than he knows. John: Have you ever had that best friend that no matter what is going on you can look at them and crack up like crazy? That is John and I. We have always been close. We have had the same circle of friends our entire life. Its kinda like Ross and Monica on Friends. John has been there for me emotionally as well. He is always there for me no matter what...even if that means moving an apartment in 110 degree weather, 2 months after moving you into it. (On the fourth floor of an old apartment building, 20 miles away from his house, with a tiny elevator, with no cold water to drink) That's love people! John's philosophy in life is awesome YOLO!!! You only live once! I wish I could think of life like that! He has worked so hard to be where he is at. He deserves it all.
The sisters-in-law: Melissa: Melissa was introduced to my family a little over 10 years ago. I was living in Arizona when Scott met Melissa met. She is so awesome. She has been someone who always is there to talk or chat or make me laugh. Her and I do not have the closest relationship just because we are both so busy, but I love her more than she knows and she is just full of love and laughter. She keeps it real for me too. 
Jennifer:  Where do I start with Jen. We met through mutual friends about 9 years ago or so. Her and I were not friends to begin with, but soon after became inseparable. I truly consider her one of my closest friends (I have 3 true best friends) she is one of them. She has been there through boyfriends (good and bad ones) weddings, divorces, everything I have been through as an adult, she has been there. Even though we fight like sisters, I wouldn't have it any other way. Then she married my brother, which is a match made in heaven. I love her more than I could ever explain!
OK so I know that my family are obvious close relationships in my life. I have a big extended family as well. Many of those extended family members I have close relationships with as well. Some more than others, and all of you know you are important to me, but I am only going to talk about 2 extended family members. Remember: I LOVE ALL OF YOU!
My Grandmother Fairchild: Silly Grandma as we use to call her. She is so amazing. Grandma and I have a very special relationship. I can call her and talk about everything. I can laugh with her, I can cry with her. We just understand each other on a level where no one else can reach. This last year of life has been a roller coaster, and she was one of the people that kept me on track and really understood where I was coming from. She will just let me talk. She will listen and listen and listen. Its hard to find someone who will just listen to you. And she does. Then she will let you finish and say whats on her mind. She gives me advice that I use on a daily basis. I don't think she knows how important our relationship is to me.
My Cousin Rachael: Rachael and I grew up mostly apart. I moved form Arizona to Tulsa the first time when I was 18 months old. We would visit Tucson and I would see her and stuff but out relationship did not blossom into what it now until she moved here from Texas. Instantly we were inseparable. I would be at her house everyday. That is not exaggerating either. EVERYDAY people! She has become someone I can confide in, and laugh with, talk to, cry with, blow off steam to and have all the inside jokes in the world with. I can call her at anytime and just vent, or joke around. Her wisdom has helped me so much this past year. Her friendship is very dear to me, as I said before, I have 3 true best friends, she is the second one!
So I have gone through the family I wanted to discuss. I love all of my family, but these are the close ones!
Outside the family I have only 3 people I consider close enough to discuss in this blog. So here we go.... True Best Friend # 3: Chelsea (Dunlap) Legrange:  Holy Crap, other than family, she has been in my life the longest. Since 4th grade Chels has been a friend of mine. She has been there through it all. All of my firsts, first loves, first boyfriends, first trespassing ticket, first car, first prom, first everything! She is truly amazing. She works so hard for what she has. She is one of the strongest people I know. She can handle anything! She is married to wonderful man and has a beautiful little girl. She has helped me get away from the bad boyfriends, helped me understand myself, she has grown up with me. I can tell her anything and not be judged. She is as close as a friend can be. My relationship with her is irreplaceable. I don't know what I would do without her!

There are people in my life I find very important. Many I talk to on a daily basis, or weekly. But some people, like family and Chels have been there through everything! I count my blessings, and I am so blessed to have these people in my life. I have many people I talk to. I can't name everyone, and again if you aren't on the list, it doesn't mean you are not important, I love you all. But these key people have cried with me, and listened to me, and helped me with my decisions. I truly love you guys, and I just wanted everyone to know a little bit how I feel about you and how important you are to me!!

Monday, August 8, 2011

The 27 Club

         Well this blog is going to be a little bit weird and really it has nothing to do with me exactly, but I wanted to write on the subject, since my 27th birthday is coming up in less than a week, I thought I would write about it.
         On Wikipedia, there is a page devoted to the 27 Club. Great musicians that lost their life at the young age of 27. This club is also known as the the Forever 27 Club, or the Curse of 27. I am not superstitious by any means, nor do I think there is this horrible curse that revolves around great musicians that are 27 years old, I just find this topic interesting. The list of musicians who have died when they were 27 has some of the greatest rock & roll musicians of all time, here we go,


1. Robert Johnson - American blues singer and song writer. Knows as the master of the Mississippi Delta Blues. Johnson was not really known in his time, in the late 1930's. He rose to fame in the early 60's when some of his recording were more widely spread. It is said that he was poisoned by strychnine, by receiving an opened bottle of whiskey.

2.  Brian Jones - English musician, one of the founding members of The Rolling Stones.  He was originally the leader, but Mick Jagger and Keith Richards soon overshadowed Jones. He died in his swimming pool a month after he left The Rolling Stones in 1969, he did have a major substance abuse issue as well.

3.  Jimi Hendrix - He was widely considered to be the greatest electric guitarist of all time, and one of the most influential musicians of his time. Sept. 18, 1970 Jimi Hendrix was found in his girlfriends flat in London. The cause of death was  asphyxiation. It was told that he had taken a large amount of sleeping pills before going to bed.

4. Janis Joplin - Known as "The Queen of Rock & Roll" she was apart of Big Brother and the Holding Company, then went solo in 1969 until her death in 1970. Janis Joplin's cause of death was a heroin overdose.

5. Jim Morrison - Lead singer of The Doors. Died of a heroin overdose as well in 1971.

6. Kurt Cobain - Formed the band Nirvana in 1985 in Seattle, WA. Cobain had substance abuse issues, and he was found in his home April 8th, 1994 of a self inflicted gun shot to the head.

7. Amy Winehouse - English singer/songwriter who was known for her amazing contralto voice. She was found dead in her London home. Cause of death is "undetermined", but with her drug abuse issues it is assumed that the cause of death is an overdose of some kind.

     I have always known that most of these musicians died of overdoses, which is truly sad. I understand being famous does come with its challenges, and all of that, but it is so sad to think that someone has to abuse drugs to be accepted into certain circles. If you could imagine the type of music that Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix could of created if their lives were not cut so short.
      As I have always said, death to me is not scary. Do I want to die, well absolutely not...I am just not scared of what happens afterward. Does everyone have the same understanding of after life as I do? Nope, I know that, but as I come to my 27th birthday, I look the the musicians that lost their life so early, and try to understand why they made the choices that they did. I know people die everyday, and I know some people do not like to hear only about the famous people who have passed away, just like recently with the horrible events that have happened in the middle east with our Navy Seals. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those brave soldiers.
Death is horrible, and I know that some people deal with death in many different ways, but for me, I know that the people I love and care for will be with me in paradise one day.
      I didn't mean for this to be all about death, we actually I did I guess, but I knew there was a list out there of famous musicians who have passed at the age of 27. It is unfortunate, especially with the recent death of Amy Winehouse. But I hope this list doesn't grow longer. It was said Kurt Cobain once said he wanted to be apart of the 27 Club. So sad....
      

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

SAP, BPP, yeah you know me......

I know, the title is kinda dumb, kinda have to understand SAP. But things are going well. I am working like crazy, and loving it.
So I am not always one to complain, I mean I complain, but who doesn't right? Well I was at my hotel last night, working on some stuff for work when I got finished. I decided then that I was going to watch The Bacholorette. Now this is not one of my favorite shows, I enjoy it, I like to see the drama involved, its just fun!
So there I was sitting in my dark hotel room, sitting in my chair, wrapped up in my blanket, getting involved, Ashley went on her date with Ben, (my favorite) by the way, and I was like okay, I can relax, watch this show, see who goes home, then go to bed. Her date with Ben was amazing, just how it should be. Then her date with Constantine. (Or however you spell it). I haven't been too sure about him, and if he has fallen in love with Ashley yet. I just don't think that they are right for each other. Anways, the whole reason for this story, it was right at the point that they were talking about their relationship, and how he feels..........then boom, ABC NEWS SPECIAL REPORT, and I am like, I hope there is nothing wrong anywhere, and I hope that no one is hurt.....then the DEBT CRAP with OBAMA came on the TV......RIDICULOUS!!!  I was so angry, I had "choice" words for the TV and the president, who decided to interrupt my television show. I understand this is important, I understand some people are worried, and upset about the whole situation, but I do not agree with how the president is dealing with this whole situation. I am not going to get into a political discussion, its just how I feel. I do not know enough about the current situation to discuss it any further.
But everything else is going good, I have my conference call tonight...so we will see how that goes.

Will write more later!!!

Friday, July 15, 2011

Cleveland ROCKS!!!

So sorry for the title of this blog. Kudos to Mr. Drew Carey for the title. I have been in Cleveland for a couple of days now, and I am loving it.  Found out who I will be training with and so far so good. Meeting new people, forming relationships and business contacts is going well. I am taking on more responsibility, and taking on project to train my peers, kinda scary, but good scary. :)
Living alone in a city that you know nothing about it pretty crazy. Thank God for Skype. Without it I dont know what I would do, I actually get to Skype with my wonderful nephews this evening, and I am SO LOOKING FORWARD TO IT!! Can't wait to see those two! My family through out this whole process has been nothin but supportive.  Ever since "the change" as I am going to call it, they have been there, but let me tell you old friends from the past have been showing up in my life as well, and let me tell you, I learn so much from other people it is crazy! Here is an example,
I had an old friend call me last night, and he is going through a rough time, with relationships and jobs and stuff and he asked my opinion on how to kinda deal with it. Well I first got on my soap box about how religion and your personal relationship with God should be your foundation and how you are to cast ALL your cares upon him and he will help you. Which in my opinion is what needs to happen first and foremost!!! But then I just got on a roll. If I have learned one thing about my journey this past year, is that instead of living your life for other people you need to start living your life for yourself. I was not put on this Earth to be at someone else's beck and call, and to do what someone else wants to do. Selfishness, is a big issue everywhere, but selflessness is as well. You need to find that happy medium between the both of them. You can not be  a door mat, nor can you be a spoiled brat!  The conclusion I came too last night while having this discussion with an old friend is that I don't care if someone gets mad at me, I don't care if someone thinks I am doing something wrong, or against the grain. THIS IS MY LIFE. I am going to live it the way I want to, not for anyone else, not for someone else's schedule, not for anything except me. Why be a door mat? Most of the time all your gonna get is dirt and sh*t. I have learned that I can be there for someone, be supportive and sit and chat if needed, but I am not going to give up my life, to make someone else happy anymore.  I need to put myself first. Once I am OK, then the rest will fall into place. I do not NEED and man in my life, is it a want, well of course, a necessity? Not so much!  Do I NEED children?  No, but I do want them one day. But that day is not today! I need to make sure that I am OK, financially, spiritually, and mentally before I let someone else come in. I don't want to try to find myself WITHIN someone else, I want to be LISA, take it or leave it!  I am going to get there, and I want that everlasting love and happily ever after just like the next girl, but I am willing to work for it, and not settle for anything, and just like the old saying, anything that is worth doing, it is worth doing well, and I am applying that to my life, my career and even to relationships....
Now that I am off my soap box, I hope you enjyed this blog....there will  be more in the future!!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

New Beginnings.....

Note: This was written back on June 22,2011, I will be posting the rest of my blogs from now on the date I write them. Thanks!

Throughout my life as an adult I have learned alot of life lessones and a lot of knowledge has been bestowed upon  me these last 10 years or so. Let me first start by saying that I want to thank my brother Scott for giving me the idea of starting a blog, where I can vent, discuss, argue, or even just blow off some steam.  My brother blogs, and I enjoy reading his thoughts or concerns, so maybe there are a few out there that might want to hear what I have to say.
So the title of this blog is New Beginnings, and I cant even start to explain everything new in my life in the last 8 months... Lots of changes, a lot of learning, a lot of self examination, and a lot of fixing the issues that have been weighing on  me. I have made MAJOR changes in my life, and so far they have been working out well for me, so far.
I am starting this at a point in my life where everything is about to change. I have sold my car, I have moved out of my apartment, I have gotten rid of everything in  my life that was bringung me down and I am about to start a new job that is going to give me the opportunity to travel around the United States. Crazy huh??? I have gotten rid of everything and I love it!!! I bought a scooter which is nothing like me, so I am absolutely and positively different person than what I was about 8 months ago. I am thriving, which is something I have never done. I had always been just barely making it...living paycheck to paycheck...I deserved better than that~ So the baggage in my life that was a huge part of that is now gone, and I am THRIVING!  Looking forward to what the future might hold....thinkinhg that I can do whatever it is that I want to do, I know this sounds a little "inspirational" blah blah blah, but it is how I feel.   FREEDOM takes guts to obtain. I have my freedom now, I am grabbing it by the horns and running with it!!
This blog will be here for anyone who cares to know where I am or what I am doing. I will try to update as much as possile, and I look forward to many many many more posts!!!
-Lisa