Feeling A Little Shaky?

Tuesday morning, our toy poodle, Teddy woke me up around 3:00 AM. I looked around my room -- I didn't see anything that could have scared him, but he was acting weird and trying to get my attention. I figured he just needed to go outside though.

I was able to calm him down some, so I laid back down and closed my eyes. I was only half-awake and really didn't want to go outside, I thought I could just lay there for a little bit longer. After what was probably two seconds later, my eyes shot open.

The whole house started shaking, I could hear a low rumbling noise, and Teddy was barking uncontrollably. It was an earthquake!

I jumped out of bed and into the doorway somehow picking up the panicking dog on my way. Honestly, I felt like I could start panicking too. It's a really strange feeling when the ground you're standing on isn't stable. Then I realized the shaking wasn't violent and I probably didn't have to stand in the doorway. I decided not to move anyway.

Then it just stopped. I stayed in the safety of my doorway for a while before going back to bed. When I laid back down, both Teddy and I were wide awake and a little tense. I was expecting an after-shock even though it was only a 3.9 on the Richter Scale.

I've heard how animals can sense an earthquake before anyone can feel it, but I always wondered about it. Now I don't have to wonder anymore. Teddy was telling me something was wrong even before it happened -- he's like one of those dogs on TV!

The Technicolor Phase

Okay, today’s post is a little random, but it’s really fun too. Plus this will give you an idea of the music I listen to. All you have to do is answer the questions and it makes your life a musical!

Instructions:
1. Put your iPod or MP3 on shuffle
2. Press "Next" for each question
3. Use the title of the song to answer the question
4. No cheating

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
The Airway - Owl City

WHAT'S YOUR OUTLOOK ON LIFE?
Never Let Go - David Crowder Band

WHAT DOES YOUR FAMILY THINK OF YOU?
We are Loved - David Crowder Band

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Too Much- Leeland

WHAT DO STRANGERS THINK OF YOU?
Pure Bride - Leeland

HOW WILL YOUR LOVE LIFE BE IN THE FUTURE?
Here With Me- Mikeschair

WILL YOU GET MARRIED?
Carry Me Home - Third Day

WILL YOU HAVE KIDS?
Wire- Third Day

ARE YOU GOOD AT SCHOOL?
Beloved - Tenth Avenue North
.

WHAT SONG SHOULD THEY PLAY ON YOUR BIRTHDAY?
Dental Care - Owl City

WHAT SONG SHOULD THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Walk on the Water - Britt Nicole

THE SOUNDTRACK OF YOUR LIFE:
On the Wing - Owl City

YOU AND YOUR BEST FRIEND ARE:
Caught Up in Yourself - Third Day

HAPPY TIMES:
Back to Life - Mikeschair

SAD TIMES:
Panda Bear - Owl City

EVERY DAY:
I've Always Loved You - Third Day

FOR TOMORROW:
The Nearness of You - David Crowder Band

FOR YOU:
Can't Stop - Leeland

WHAT DOES NEXT YEAR HAVE IN STORE FOR ME?
Call My Name - Third Day

WHAT DO I SAY WHEN LIFE GETS TOO HARD?
Come Together - Third Day

WHAT DO I THINK WHEN I GET UP IN THE MORNING?
The Lost Get Found - Britt Nicole

WHAT SONG WILL I DANCE TO AT MY WEDDING?
Feel the Light - Britt Nicole

WHAT DO YOU WANT AS A CAREER?
Don't Worry Now - Britt Nicole

YOUR FAVORITE SAYING?
Eastern Hymn - David Crowder Band

FAVORITE PLACE?
The Veil - David Crowder Band

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS?
Ready - Britt Nicole

DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
What this World Needs - Casting Crowns

WHAT DO I LIKE DOING MOST?
SMS (Send Me a Sign) - David Crowder Band

WHAT IS MY STATE OF MIND AT THE MOMENT?
Hey - Leeland

HOW WILL I DIE?
Cave In - Owl City

THE SONG THAT YOU'LL PUT AS THE TITLE?
The Technicolor Phase - Owl City

My Security

I wrote this poem yesterday afternoon and it was originally going to be about insecurities, but as you can tell by the title, I had a different thought as I went along.


My Security

It feels as if I'm in the spotlight now
I want to run, but I've forgotten how
But You are there to rescue me
You are my security

When I'm crashing into the sea
And when I'm sinking into the deep
You are there to rescue me
You are my security

So I bow my head and say a prayer
Knowing that You're always there
You're always there to rescue me
You'll always be my security

LOOK!

Despite my doubts, my Carnations sprouted Monday! Now they’re all approximately one centimeter tall. I might not have a green thumb but at least I can’t be called a plant killer any more.

It’s so exciting!

A Funeral for a Fish

Phelps

September 19, 2009 - March 5, 2011

My fish, Phelps has died and this time it's for real. There were two other times he was about to "swim to the light", but as my mom said: third time's a charm. For a beta fish, he was very old and everyone was surprised whenever I told them how long I had him.

So, in his memory, I will share the story of the second time he almost died:

I had just finished cleaning his bowl and I was ready to put him back in it when he jumped out of the net. I reached to get him out of the sink but when looked, he wasn't there. Standing there a little confused, it took me a few seconds to realize that he slipped down the drain. I never thought he would fit through the tiny hole.

After telling my mom what happened, she went into the bathroom to take off part of the pipe under the sink. We were really hoping he would be in the P-trap (that's the part of piping that looks like a hook) but sadly, he wasn't there.

When my dad came home about an hour later, he went to put the pipe back together and sitting on a towel under the open drain pipe was Phelps. Surprisingly he was still alive. After he was back in his home he swam around more and acted better than ever.

Apparently he was stuck at the top of the piping and didn't get dislodged until no one was looking. It was amazing that he was able to live through a trauma like that.

For a fish he lived a full life and at least he only died of old age this time.

But of course we had to have fish for supper...

A Poem By Me

I'm not really into poetry, but this is the second one I've written this week and probably the first serious one I've written in over a year. So I thought I would share it with you.  I was inspired to write this because of the book Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris (one of the best books you could read, by the way) I'm not a poet though--so it's not the greatest thing you'll ever read, but I'm kind of proud of it...

My Comfort Zone

My zone is small
I want to step out of it
But I'm comfortable in it

My zone is small
There are things building up walls around me
But I'm not trapped physically

My zone is small
The chains are only in my mind
But I still need help breaking them

My zone is small
I want to change something
But I wonder if it will make a difference

My zone is small
It's easier to stay where I'm at
But then I see a hand to help me out