Good Tuesday morning to you all!

First of all, The Little Mermaid was absolutely amazing.  Went with my friend Jonny and we just had a great time. The show was great, the singers were fantastic, and the night was cool.  It was a PERFECT evening.  I couldn't have been happier.  

Fun thing that happened: we heard gunshots about 20 minutes before the show ended and a helicopter flew over with a searchlight.  The zoo/Starlight is located near a pretty crappy area, so I'm not really surprised.  Kinda scary though. 

Other than that, I've just been doing normal stuff.  I've had a lot on my mind, but I'm not sure of how to put into words what I've been thinking, so I'll let it simmer some more.  

I started a new painting this week, and am LOVING it so far.  I woke up this morning and looked at the work in progress and smiled. Usually, I won't feel happy until something is complete, but I just really like this one.  The colors and design of it is really pleasing me.

Delilah is just beyond amazing.  She sings on key and knows words to songs at 19 months.  All the time, people ask me how old she is (when we're out and about and they see her doing that).  They are shocked when they find out how young she is.  Good genes and engaging your kids is a good way to help them grow mentally.  I saw way too many people in Clovis who just pushed their kids off to the side like they were just accessories.  I'm very proud of how much Delilah knows and how much she's able to communicate, verbally and using sign language.  There aren't a lot of times that she and I don't understand what the other is trying to say.  Not a lot of frustration when communication is there!

Picked up my bridesmaid dress for Chelsea's wedding in October.  Love the color sooooo much.  The cut is great too!  I can't wait.  What an exciting wedding this is going to be.

Well, time to go get my butt in the shower and ready for the day.  I've got a lot to do, and that's perfect!

xo

Danielle

Oh, and hello to the people in Clovis and estranged family members still reading this.  Hope you're getting the dirt you need to continue to talk about me.  It's actually really weird that you are still very much..obsessed...with my life and how I live.  Ah well, doesn't effect me.  I'm living a happy and fulfilled life.  

I already want to start packing for Missouri

...but I still have 8 days to go.

Clovis is full of negativity, and if you don't work at it, you get sucked down into it.  I've been doing my best to just keep to myself, be polite, etc...but I need a break.  Phew.  I think the monotony of the town, the lack of anything to do, and the unhappiness that people face in their own lives turn people angry and resentful.  I'm a happy person, I have so many wonderful things going on in my life, and I have a really caring family.  That keeps me on the up and up.  Just gotta make sure that the unhappy ones don't try and drag me down.  It's happened before because I was walking around with my eyes half closed.  They are wide open now.

Here's another reason why I am excited to go back:

The first tier of my diaper cake-being made by Mary!!!

Cannon Appreciation Day?

Just got back not too long ago from the festivities on base...
Something the town puts on every year to show their support for the base and the economical value we have here.  This town would be absolutely NOTHING without the support of the base...they would have less business and it would be ruled even more by the devious dairy farmers and the gangs.

So how do they thank us?  Well, they have a raffle!  Sounds fun, right?  What kind of prizes did they offer?

 A couple of these. ($20 at Walmart)

Some cheap looking plastic/wicker patio sets.
A few "nice" hoses.
Some tool sets.
A cooler.
Outdoor chairs.
A couple park benches.
A couple microwaves.
A cheap charcoal grill.
Some childrens' bikes.

And the one nice thing was a TV.

Is that really all you got, Clovis?  For all the business that the base gives you, this is all you donate?  I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but if you're going to put on an appreciation day, you might want to look like you appreciate us.
The military are in the community every day spending money and volunteering time and services to make this town less shitty.  I've seen them on the sides of the highways picking up trash that the disgusting people who live here by choice throw out.

And THAT stuff is how you say thanks?

Hmmmm.

Good gravy, I'm tired.

I was in the car for 11 hours, luckily it was with someone I ADORE.


Here are some things I learned today:
1. As soon as you hit Oklahoma, expect humidity and beautiful greenery. (Neither of which occur in Clovis)
2. David Cross is only funny when playing Tobias on Arrested Development.  His stand up cd is 1/4 jokes, 3/4 political/religious rambling.
3. Aziz Ansari is HILARIOUS and I love him.
4. Businesses on I-40 like giant American flags.
5. Falling asleep at an incline with your hand over your head leads to your entire arm falling asleep painfully.
6. Bugs splat really hard and make a mess when hit going 78mph (not that we were speeding or anything)
7. The person at our house taking care of things is awesome.
8. My brother is a giant (although 7 years younger than me).
9. I will always feel at home at my parents' house.
10. Eating friend mushrooms fast is not smart because you don't enjoy the flavor.

Anyway, that's my post.  I'm going to go fall into a coma...slash fall asleep.

So you're gonna do [insert something here]?  Well here's what you can do to make it actually good or way better.  You wouldn't know about that though, cause my way is the best way.

I'm about sick and tired of that.

In other news:
I'm slightly cranky.
I'm sick of the weather being so freaking hot that I can't walk my dogs until like 7pm.
I'm sick of being in Clovis.
I'm don't like feeling like I'm not good enough at things.

In slightly happier news:
I gauged up:

I painted a new picture: