It's about time!

When I was a VERY little kid (well young anyways), I wanted to be an ice cream truck driver. I told all of my relatives that I was going to do this when I got older. Now my intentions behind it were good. I remember thinking about how the ice cream truck driver brought smiles to the faces of all the kids in the neighborhood just by driving through, ringing that bell, and selling us cold treats on hot summer days. I wanted to make people smile like that.
My next aspiration started in 2nd grade. I remember it very clearly as I asked for a business suit for my school clothes that year. I wanted to be a news anchor. I like to talk, as I'm sure you have guessed and I like the news. I wanted to be the one who kept people up on the happenings. This dream lasted through most of elementary school. Then came the dream to be a teacher, a missionary to Haiti, and finally in my last years of high school and early part of college the dream was to be a psychologist. Now, if I look back and remember the time in high school never in a million years would I picture myself to be where I am now. I know that by the time 25 hit I pictured my life to be much much different.
The thing is, I am happy about it now. As I sit here today I am thankful that my dad talked me out of going to school in California. I am glad that I stopped taking college classes in which I wasn't putting my best effort forward. I am even proud to be a drug dealer at this point in time. Do I want to stay here forever? NO! Do I plan on going back to school? ABSOLUTELY! Do I know that as the years go on it will only get harder to go back? ABSOLUTELY! Do I feel at peace with where God has me for this time? Yes I do. Am I getting annoyed with myself for asking and answering so many questions here? INCREDIBLY!
I say these things because I know God has been at work in my life so much lately. I feel his presence and I think back to when I started this blog, on my 25th birthday. That was 9 months ago to the day and I feel more at peace and closer to my Savior then EVER before. For this time, He has called me to be content. My friend keeps telling me that she sees it as a transition period. God is moving and working and building up to some great BIG things and I can't wait to see what they are! I really can't. He is working in SO many areas of my future and the first steps were to get me right with him. That is a lifelong process!
I believe he wants that for each of us. I know wholeheartedly that God wants to see us succeed. Sometimes as life is moving we think we know exactly what success will look like for us...but God has a completely different picture. Sometimes, for some people, God gives them a dream from a very young age and and allows it to come into reality as soon as possible. That is not my story. My story has been through A LOT of obstacles. I have gone through some pretty rough times, but on the other side...years later...I am a better person. I love watching God at work in the lives of those around me. I love to see his promises fulfilled when we earnestly seek him. Although it is hard sometimes, when people ask me why I'm not a.) Married b.) a _______ (fill in profession) or C.) married :), I know the answer. The answer is God. He is preparing me for a future that I haven't even imagined. He is preparing you too. Please don't think I am being cliche. I know it's true. The Lord will bless those who earnestly seek Him.
Tomorrow is my first Sunday at my new church. I am so excited to get involved and start seeing what is in store there. I wanted to get involved and build some relationships before I moved up to "the cities" so it wasn't all new at once. I'll keep you posted!

Part 2

Ok so here is where I left off: At this point I have walked to the police car and gotten in the front seat. The policeman gets in the driver's side door and I am sure he is about to tell me that I am under arrest and that my sister will have to fend for herself on how to get home. The conversation that followed was much, much worse!
OA: "So, you're on your way back from Idaho huh?"
Me: "Yeah."
OA: "Is this your current address?" (as he looks at my expired license)
Me: "Yeah."
OA: "So, what is it you do for a living, there in MN?"
Me: "Well sir...I'm a drug dealer." Ok, ok...so I didn't use those words exactly but to be honest...that is what I do.
OA: "REALLY??? (said with a little too much glee) So, when you mix Oxycontin with water does it turn to solution right away?"
Me: "Um....I'm not sure."
OA: " Is it illegal in MN to crush up your prescription medications and inject them?"
Me: " Um...I'm not positive but I am pretty sure that it is."
OA: (said swiftly) "Well, it's not illegal in Montana."
Me: "Oh, well I'm really not sure. I'm a Pharmacy Technician not a Pharmacist."
OA: "So, what's the deal with Oxycontin? Why does it have such an effect on people and why do they crush them up?"
Me: "Well, I don't know a lot about the chemical make-up but it is an extended release tablet. You'd have to ask a pharmacist (which I am not) about that."
OA: "So like, what percentage of the actual tablet is drug and what do they use for filler?"
Me: "Um, well.....I'M REALLY NOT SURE...SINCE I AM NOT A PHARMACIST!"

Now the next 5 or 6 or 72 questions proceeded to ask about drugs. Which ones were the most often forged? How many patients I had on certain ones? What color certain ones were (ok that is an exaggeration, but you get my point). After this the officer proceeded to ask me:
OA: "Who is in the car with you?"
Me: " My sister and her two kids."
OA: "What are the kid's names?"
Me: "Isabelle and Elise."
OA: " What are their ages?"
Me: "6 and 4." (At this point I am getting slightly irritated and concerned)
OA: "Who is ** sister's name**?" (said as he is looking at the slightly expired registration)
Me: "That is my sister."
OA: "Who is ** brother in law's name**?"
Me: "That is my brother in law."
OA: "So what, does he think your family is weird? He didn't come to the reunion?"
Me: "Well actually (not that it is any of your business), they are going through a divorce right now so I think he wouldn't want to be around my extended family."
OA: "Oh, yeah I suppose. Ok, well I am just going to issue you a warning as I clocked you going a little fast (I mean my grandma's grandma's grandma drove faster then that in her model T). When was the last time you were pulled over?"
Me: " About 4 years ago." (I didn't tell him that that incident involved a breathalyzer...I thought that would be too much info :) )
OA: "So, what was the name of the company you worked for?"
Me: (At this point I am contemplating lying but figure why start now, maybe this man is going to do a trivia contest about all of the people he pulls over) "Fairview."
He then hands me my warning which has my name as Marie Marie Allen and my address as only the numbers involved. He then tells me that we are through and asks very pointedly" if he has handed me back ALL of my documents." I start to get out of the car but not before a million things rush through my head. Like maybe I should say, "Now that we have talked all about my job....let's talk about yours. Would you say that today is a slow day for you? Would you say that you prefer to pull over the people that drive slower than a turtle going through molasses, as opposed to the people going 30MPH above the speed limit? Are you planning on using what you have learned today about drugs to do anything illegal? Do you plan on visiting MN anytime soon?"
I intended on asking all of these things but instead got out of the car and slowly walked back to my sister's car. I knew a new interrogation would follow, and that one would be the worst. There is nothing more humbling then having to admit you are wrong to the 6 year old in the back seat who hangs on your every word.

My trip to and from The Gem State (aka the potato state)!

Now I will forewarn you. This post will be wordy. I know this comes as a surprise to you that anything I would write would be that way, but it is what it is. I just arrived home last night after a trip to Idaho for my family reunion. My sister and I drove out there with her two kids. I love car trips! We went on numerous LONG car trips growing up and some of my best memories come out of those experiences. The drive to Idaho is almost as familiar to me as my drive to work (about as long too). We left at Midnight on Wed. night and drove to Missoula Montana the next evening. When we stopped in Billings for lunch, I pulled out my wallet to discover that I had indeed, left my drivers license at home. This will be important for later in the story.
The rest of the drive out was pretty uneventful. We killed approximately 42,324 insects on the way out (and almost double that on the way home), my nieces watched approximately 350 movies (why didn't they have portable DVD players when I was younger?) and I drank WAY too many bottles of water which caused WAY too many bathroom breaks. My dad would have had a fit! We arrived at my Aunt and Uncle's cabin Friday night...had a great time with family and then had to turn around and begin the trek back Sunday morning. This is where the story gets interesting.
I was driving along in Montana on Sunday afternoon. Now, those who know me know that I am not much of a speeder. I do however like to go about 5 MPH above the limit. I have never really considered this speeding as more so trying to keep myself from looking like I belong in a Buick. We were about 20 miles outside of Bozeman and I was cruising along as usual. I saw a cop as I was passing him on the shoulder and knew instantly that I was in trouble. I of course slowed down a whopping 5MPH to try and hide. This did not work. I saw flashing lights and knew I was in big trouble. I pulled to the side and the officer walked to the passenger side of the car. The conversation happened as follows. We will call him officer A as his last name started with that letter and for no other reason.
Officer A: "Can I please see your license and registration? I clocked you going a little fast back there."
Me: "Sure, my license is in the trunk in my purse though." (now know that I was not lying. I had my expired license in my purse in the trunk)
OA: "ok, go and get it out."
(during this time my sister is handing him the car registration and apologizing for the fact that it expired July 1st-points for us!!!)
Me: (officer A has walked back to the trunk where I am pulling out "my license"), " I left my real license at home and didn't realize it until we were already in Billings, there were only two of us to drive and so I had to help my sister out. This is my expired license." (all of this is said in a voice so shaky I can only imagine how it sounded)
OA: Ok, go and sit in the front seat of my car.

Now this is the point where the story gets better. It is also the point where I must stop for the day. The rest will come tomorrow....I promise!

I found the culprit!

A couple of my co-workers approached me today because after this weekend I have a few bruises up and down my arms. After one of my co-workers proceeded to poke me right on one of the bruises she declared that it looked like someone had grabbed me around the arm and pulled really hard. I informed her that I had no idea where the bruise had come from. My other co-worker then asked me if I was in an abusive relationship. I of course said no, without hesitation. I now know that is not the case.

If you look closely at the photo above, you will see "the culprit" in the process of starting an attack. Now this picture was taken over two years ago (I know, don't I look young!). As I evaluate the relationship I have with "TC" I realize that it is indeed one of abuse. There have been numerous bruises, cuts all up and down my arms, the occasional nose ring being ripped out. I remember one time when I had to tell a patient who was concerned, that it was indeed my puppy that was causing all of the scrapes on my arm.

Now I know she looks harmless and cute but do not be fooled. This relationship has been very turbulent. Once when "TC" was mad at me while driving down the road, she decided to just jump out of the car window on the highway. I am definitely reevaluating this relationship.

I leave tomorrow for a trip to Idaho for our family reunion. I will be travelling with my nieces and my sister. We're driving! Should be a blast. I am planning on using a tip that I learned a long time ago. Benedryl is a good babysitter! I'm sure there will be stories!

Did you know?

Did you know that God is faithful? I sure do. I promise you I am not throwing some cheesy cliche at you to make you feel better. I mean, I want you to feel better, if you are feeling bad that is, but I don't say this without proof.
One of the most perfect examples I have seen in my lifetime hit a highpoint yesterday. You see another one of "my girls" got married yesterday. Yes, another one bit the dust.We will call her Cristy, as that is her name. Cristy is one of the most beautiful people I have ever met. I'm not biased either. Ask anyone who has ever met her and they will agree. When she walks into a room you can't help but smile and she has such a genuine heart. There is not a mean bone in her body. Well, Cristy being as beautiful as she is...has had a lot of offers from guys that were interested in her. These were great guys who Cristy cared about as friends but none of them were ever "the one". Now I say that knowing that it sounds like some sort of movie or fairytale some guy named Walt wrote. I tended to be a little sceptical of Cristy's "high expectations" in college. Now I see what she knew all along. God brought "the one" into Cristy's life and her story has been one of faith, growth and trust. Brenton, the man she married yesterday is such a perfect fit for her...only God could have brought them together. I say that because Brenton is from Australia and he worked at a church where Cristy didn't attend when they met. They met through the family he was staying with here in the states and the story began to unfold. God was evident in their relationship from day one and yesterday,in a ceremony that celebrated marriage, family and future hopes, God was in it all.
I will try not to bore you with too many details as I usually do. Through this whole process of watching Cristy and Brenton fall in love I have been encouraged. I see God's faithfulness in abundance and I know he wants great things for me too. I am not sure how it will look for me but I have hope. God knows me...he knows what I need and he knows what I want. He desires to have me experience all of the joy he has set out for me and I am going to do my part to be ready, willing and able to go where he has me go. Did you know....he wants all of that for you too? I don't mean to sound cheesy (but I can't help it) but sometimes I think we settle too much for mediocrity in life because we think it is all we deserve. God wants more for us and he is faithful to provide it if we are willing. It will take work, but I honestly believe it will be more than worth it.

Uff-da

Dear reader-
I had the pleasure of taking the day off yesterday and since I volunteered to work today (who wouldn't? Can we say time and a half?) I had to make sure I capitalized on the full day off, I do what I want opportunity. After a busy day of shopping and lunch with my favorite chef, I headed to happy hour with some friends and then I was off to the Twins game. My friend and I had planned for a couple of weeks to go to last night's game and when I realized that my favorite pitcher would be on the mound I grew excited at being able to wear the shirt that bore his name.
Now reader, there were a few things I learned at that game last night and they are as follows. I will never, never, EVER...wear my Slowey shirt to a game again. I am not huge into superstitions but find it odd that the day I bought that shirt, last year, was the very day that the original injury occurred (or so it seems). I just can't risk it!
The next thing I learned is that people are a little weird at times. I was sitting there, enjoying my delicious twist helmet sundae, when out of nowhere I hear a mom say to her daughter behind me, " Oh Mercedes...please pass me the backpack I need some chapstick". I said to myself, "Self, why would anyone name their child Mercedes?" and almost before the full thought had crossed my mind I hear the same mom say, " Porshe! What are you doing?". I am guessing these parents are into cars...and fancy ones at that. I decided that if I follow this equation my children's names will be Evian, Pelligrino and Fiji as I am sort of a water snob. As I am processing this I feel something hit the back of my neck. I turn to see what it was and see a cute little girl who is eating peanuts. Her mom apologizes for her little imported car's ways and offers to take the peanut shells out of my hair that have accidentally nested.
Now if you watched, listened to or checked on the game you will know it was a real nail biter. You know that it was six to 1 at the end of the third and that our starter was taken out after that. You know that in the sixth inning all of that changed. After some great help from our bullpen and a few great hits we were all tied up until the 16th inning. There was a lot of clapping and cheering at the dome last night and here is where my next learning experience came in. Somewhere in the sixth inning I looked over and saw my cute little friend Phusarn cringing. I noticed that the more I clapped...the more she cringed. I gave her a look of question, like "Have you suddenly become a Tigers fan?". She looked at me and very sweetly said "GIRL, you are a REALLY loud clapper!". Now understand, this is not the first time I have been told I was a loud clapper. My Grandma once told me the same thing about 10 years ago at a softball game. I had forgotten about that though and Phusarn's announcement cause quite a stir of emotions for me. There was questioning, fear and a little bit of embarrassment on my side of things. That was until I heard a little girl in front of me (most likely named Rolex) tell her older sister that she was indeed...a loud clapper! Now my friends, I will wear the title with pride!
We ended up losing the game but not without a great fight by our boys. I cried when Lee Greenwood's God bless the USA came on and I laughed when the kiss cam zoomed in on two people who didn't know each other. Can't wait for outdoor baseball! I hope you are all enjoying your 4th of July! Babble at you later-Abbie

I can't believe I just did that!

Well for those of you that know me well, you know that I am about as passive as Paris Hilton is annoying. Last Friday night, some of my friends and I went to Brits pub for a happy hour. While we were there our waitress was rude to us the WHOLE time. We spent over $200 and when the tab came we decided to not be that annoying group that asks the server to split the tab between 15 different credit cards all of which are the same color and all of which require different charges. Our brilliant idea was to give her a large portion in cash and to ask her to split the remaining amount between 2 credit cards. I personally always carry cash for happy hours as I don't want to participate in the please put this much on this card and this much on this card debacle. Anywho....when we asked the server to do this her response was "(heavy sigh that implicates a problem)". To which I responded "Oh, is that going to be a problem (in my normal voice which as you know is more suited for a cartoon character that only talks of flowers and rainbows)?" Her response floored me. She said "well, I guess it's OK but usually when people do it that way....I don't get a tip!" To which my brain responded " you want a tip...I've got your tip right here pal" but my mouth responded "Oh...you'll get your tip!"
I have dealt with customer service for 10 years....at no point did I look at a customer and say "uh, yeah...the way your doing things is going to be a problem for me." When someone tells me that if I don't get there 30 med order typed, processed through insurance, filled and checked in 30 minutes they are going to leave without it- I don't usually look at them and say "uh yeah, about that....that would really be a problem for me." I may think it and that is my business but I do not say it.
So, now I've done it. I sent...a complaint e-mail. My friends made me. We were all so angry we did the only thing we could think of....we left her a 30% tip and walked out of there with our dignity (well most of us did anyways). Now I just have to wait 2 business days to see what happens. I am scared. What if they have the waitress call me and tell me what an inconvenience it was that I called her out? Oh no, now I won't be able to show my face there again...she might sigh heavily and roll her eyes at me? Oh well, not quite the large dilemma but I am somewhat proud of myself for following through with a complaint as usually I let people get away with treating me poorly. She picked the wrong day to mess with me. I woke up that morning and definitely put my crabby pants on!
Side note to the worlds longest most pointless blog post. Today as I was driving home I saw a semi with a bumper sticker that read "be a flirt, lift your shirt, hike your skirt" I was trying to decipher what it said when out of nowhere the semi driver honked his horn at me....what did I do? Took the next left turn off that road!