Heart Broken & Confused

I don't want to get into too much detail, but being this is my personal online journal, I had to write something down today that has been weighing down on my heart.

I was out of town over the weekend, a short but much needed get away. I came home Sunday afternoon only to discover that one of my dear friends had packed up all her belongings and moved away. Not a trace was left of her...not a forwarding address, not a working phone number, not even a good email address. I have been worried about this friend for some time now and have always felt as if I should do more to make things better for her. I guess even though we may have the best intentions to help a loved one (a friend or family member) we may not fully understand what it is they need help with.

I guess the part of this whole thing that breaks my heart the most is I NEVER thought SHE would leave without at the very least saying goodbye.

I have played in my head over and over, WAS IT SOMETHING I SAID OR DID? but I truly cannot come up with anything. I almost feel like I wish it was something I said or did because then it might make some sense to me.

I picked up the kids from their Uncle's house and headed to the store...the kids and I shopped for birthday gifts for her two children-because they both had recent birthdays and hadn't yet had a party to celebrate. I found the last 2 seasons of FRIENDS and bought them with excitement because this was something my friend and I would do in the evenings together and we were about to finish the series. Only to discover that she is GONE.

Now I am worried....worried for what she is going through. Worried about the state of mind she must be in, to leave without a call/a text or a short note to say Goodbye....to say, she had to leave. To say she'd call me to let me know when she arrives safely.

I WORRY.

I wish I could stop feeling responsible for this whole situation. I feel in my heart that I did what I could do to help a friend in need. She had a lot on her plate. Single mother, finding her career path, a dead beat husband/father of her children, financial struggles, self esteem issues. No matter what her struggles are/were, she was such a beautiful person inside and out to me and those who got to know her and I will miss her always. I can only hope and pray that she is okay and that she will find her way back home...wherever that may be.

Please pray for my friend...her name I will not mention, but please pray for her and her kids.

Thank you!

Thirstday Thirteen: Events

1. Started reading ECLIPSE

2. Got my Hair CUT & Highlights (YES AGAIN)

3. Looking for a NEW apartment

4. Cancelled my MySpace~due to an EX Friend {STALKER}

5. Bought a New Camera~Just don't know how to upload pictures yet!

6. New Blog Layout~I don't know how to sign on-I can't find the SIGN ON tab! Argh!
I had to leave myself a comment so I could sign into the blogger account to do a new post! LOL

7. A DAY @ the SPA with my Non-Stalker friend Nellie

8. Tonight I am meeting with my dear friend Chris for a drink or two
a. We are celebrating his promotion to V/P-Exploration
b. My Return to THE company
c. He has bought me some Logo Shirts to wear back on my first day-Nellie you'll owe me LUNCH-O

9. Girls Nite Out Friday w/Daisy and Company

10. Taking the kids shopping for FALL/WINTER clothes

11. Date with Russ

12. Taking Kostas to the airport so he can pick up my friend from Denver....she is moving here to live Happily Ever After!

13. Flying to Denver with Chris next Friday to see the house in Steamboat!

Wordless Wednesday: Me On Monday! Ahhh!

Get Out & Vote!

LET US PRAY!!

Dear God,

This election is in your hands. I beg and plead with you today that you will put the best leader in control of our nation. The leader who is a Christian and who lives his life based on faith and who has YOU in the center of his life. I pray that the man who considers our nation to be "Far from a Christian Nation" loses today. I pray that the man who isn't afraid to say "God Bless America" will prevail. The majority of our country believes that today will be a new day in history. That a new face promising change is the definite winner. I believe that today is going to be a shocking day in history. But not shocking because today will be the day of election for America's first black president. But shocking because today the nation will be rocked when your will is done and John McCain is announced as President. If anyone performs miracles it is you Lord. No one believes this conservative is going to pull this off. But I know that in your hands, it can be done. I pray that as people are out voting today, they don't vote for someone just because of color. That they vote for the man who has the experience and the heart to bring this nation back to its roots. That all of the traditions our forefathers fought so hard to put in place, continue on. That our Constitution is RESPECTED not criticized. John McCain knows America's foundation and respects her greatness. 10 years from now I want my son to be able to bow in prayer in the huddle with his fellow football teammates during a game and be proud of it! I want my son to know what it means to work for what he wants and to learn the struggles of what it takes to be a man. I don't want him to grow up expecting handouts, thinking the more he does nothing, the more he will get. I pray that today at the voting polls the morals and values that were instilled in us by our parents prevail and swarm our hearts leaving us with only one way to vote. I pray that people will not see this as an election of Republicans versus Democrats, but instead a competition between two men. I pray people have studied their pasts and have paid close attention to what they stand for, for the sake of our future. And make a decision based on that. You are my Father in heaven and you are the reason we are all here and the reason our country exists. I haven't forgotten to thank you for all you have given me and our world. I pray no one else has either.

In your name I pray,
Amen

Thanks for the prayer Nellie!

I am alive!

I know you are all thinking....Is she still in the DARK?!?

The answer to that question is Yes & No

A lot has been going on in the past month but oddly enough nothing has been going on. I've been telling myself...Laura...BLOG! I sign on and stare at my page and think, what do I blog about?

Today I was inspired!

1st-I got some great news about some very dear friends of mine.

2nd-I got a call from another awesome friend of mine who thinks about me all the time. She knows Lalo isn't best at calling people, but thank god she is willing to go the extra mile and call me. Thanks Lisa...you are a great friend to me and I look forward to seeing you Friday! Lisa & I~Halloween 2007

What will we do this year?

3rd: Target & Domo!

I love love love this little guy. He is the mascot for Target's Halloween Items and I swear I want to steal him. I don't know why, but I always love these strange things. He comes from Japan and was born out of an egg. *SHRUGS* I have no idea!

Domo Kun: Just Chillaxing!

The kids haven't decided what they want to be for Halloween which is driving me nuts, since it is Tuesday, October 28th! So we are going tonight and I am sure we'll be swimming through costumes on the floor, most of which will be missing their props, etc. Wish me luck!

Lastly: My dearest friend Holly is finally moving to HOUSTON! She will be here in 12 days! I still need to call her Dad to reassure him that she is doing a good thing!

~See you all soon!~
I THINK I'VE OPENED THE BLOGGY WORLD FLOOD GATES! NOW 100 THINGS ARE GOING THROUGH MY MIND THAT I NEED TO CATCH YOU ALL UP ON!

STILL NO POWER! GRRRR...BACK TO BLOGGING SOON MY FRIENDS...SORRY! MISS Y'ALL!

Hurricane Ike Has Us Down: Still No Power!

IKE

Downtown Houston-more pictures of Ike: http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/09/the_short_but_eventful_life_of.html

(Taken from Stephanie's page: Just the Two of Us)

One of Hurricane Ike's first victim's was this historic restaurant, Brennan's of Houston. One of my most favorite restaurants in Houston. I have been here every year for my birthday, special events, Christmas lunches and a few dates! A fire took this fine dining establishment down and even a few people were injured. A friend of mine knew this was one of my spots...so she sent me a text and was like...Hey, Brennan's Burned Down..Just so you know. The mean thing...she was in the room with me..knowing I was in a bit of shock. I still don't know the extent of damage caused by this hurricane. I think those outside of Houston/Galveston area have a better idea than I do. Without power...I am unable to see all its fury. Maybe that is for the better. Things are starting to come back to life {it seems}. I am back at the office today and so much to do. As far as I know..everyone is doing fine...as best we can. My prayers go out to those who may have suffered any and all losses. Just thought I'd post a few pictures...MY week before Ike.

My birthday lunch @ Brennan's of Houston 7/18/2007 with the Ft. Worth Team! Ahh!
Banana Fosters...was good and fun to watch!
Who didn't love their Turtle Soup {I know it sounds strange..but it was MMM MMM good}.

Gigi & I went to the Astro's Game Tuesday night. We always have fun. The kids and I went to the Thursday night game...I will have pictures soon. It was a tribute to 9/11 First Responders. When they sang GOD BLESS AMERICA, you couldn't help but get CHILLS.

Just chillaxin & watchin the Ball Game!!

Lauren & her cousin Angel {Vampires}

Fun @ Hobby Lobby, silly kids!

IT'S BEEN A HOT MINUTE SINCE I'VE POSTED: CATCHING UP A BIT!

The Girl finally got to meet Lil B! I am still not sure if she liked him more or all his cool baby gadgets! J/K of course she loved him more..he just slept a lot so she had to entertain herself. We had a really nice time hanging out with the 1st Family.

The boy hanging out during a feeding!
Yes-I know-my camera stinks! Pictures from Nellie's Happy Hour. These blurry objects are Stephanie & Nellie!
CK was there too! So good to see these ladies and catch up!
Us 3 gals by the end of the night. That is a lot of beers! {& we didn't have any service out on that patio!}

Below I am at Boudreaux's celebrating my friend Johnny's birthday. That is all I do these days is go to Birthday parties! :-P

This past Saturday I just hung out with Gigi & Sara.

The kids spent the weekend with Grandma (Friday night) and their Uncle Kostas/Aunt Holly (ha ha) on Saturday. I didn't get my children back until after 4:00pm Sunday. Grrr! I missed those little guys. So I spent Sunday afternoon watching football. I am so excited it is Football season again. My team plays tonight...a late game so I am sure tomorrow will be fairly unproductive. LOL

GO DENVER BRONCOS! BEAT THE RAIDERS!!!

Thanks for checking on my Blog and making sure I am still alive...I know it has been awhile since I've posted.