911...Please State Your Emergency

Me- "Yes, I'd like to file a noise complaint."

I debated whether or not to post this particular story for all to judge see and know we've called 911 at my house once twice.  Jana convinced me though, so here it goes.  Remember sleep diva?  That's me...who has been sleeping like a champ the past several weeks! (Yay)  Until the neighbors behind us, we're talking across the back street and a good 500 feet behind us, have started to party hard into the wee hours of the night with very loud, bass bumping music.  Said music vibrates our walls and can even be heard clearly in our basement!!  Bump, bump bump...bumpin bump..bumpity bump. For hours. And hours. And hours.

Now don't start jumping to conclusions of, "You're crazy! You can't call 911 for that." I had these same conclusions the first couple of times we had the lovely privilege of listening to this until nearly 2am on week nights.  (I shouldn't remind you at this point that I don't even have to wake up in the mornings for work right now...but it's the principle of the matter.)  We tried looking up local police numbers before resulting to 911.  I even found one where noise complaints was specifically listed under things they take care of.  Lovely.  Problem solved.  I called only to hear this, "We're sorry.  Our business hours are 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday."  Um...what?! Who is going to make a noise complaint before 5pm on a week day.  Unbelievable.  So that left us with nothing but 911. 

And good thing I wasn't really dying or being attacked in some scary, abandoned park, because it took eight rings for 911 to answer.  Eight.  Wow.  I'd never called 911 before and they sure do have a list of standardized questions they want to ask. 

-Do you see weapons?   No.
-Do you hear violence or fighting?   No.
-Are you in danger?        No.
-Do you want a police officer to come out to your house and file a police report?  Ummm....I'm not sure.  I just want the music to stop. 

They say they'll put the house location out on the broadcaster and if someone has time they'll check on it.  It is not a high priority.  (I understand that, it shouldn't be, that's fine.)  So I'm not sure what good it does to call 911, but call we did.  Judge all you want, but this would have driven you crazy too.  Moral of the story? Don't be our neighbor.....no, just be a good neighbor.  Where's Mr. Rogers when you need him?

Teacher's Pet

I'm three weeks into my grad classes and thought I needed to escape from all the Book Evaluations, paper writing, and responding to posts to write for FUN.  I originally started the blog to have an outlet for my writing.  It's not that I have an exciting life or cute kids to show off, just the desire to type out my thoughts and every once in awhile hear from near strangers that they enjoy reading my blog. 

I've honestly been avoiding the blog because that requires more writing and I feel that I've been glued to my computer daily with writing.  Let's just say I prefer going to class over the online course.  Summer session 2 is two online classes.  Lovely. 

As for a grade update (Yes, I'm willing to share my grade with the wide-world internet) Why? Because it's currently a 100%.  Yes, I'm totally taking the role of the teacher's pet.  The one who responds more than the minimum amount, and is regularly one of the first ones to post.  And my youtube video (refer to last post) was out of this world if I do say so myself, thanks to Windows Movie Maker.  (I'm making it loud and clear that I do not have an exciting life nor cute kids to occupy my time, aren't I?)

Anway, nothing of value or real importance to say.  And sorry, breaking the rules and not even including a picture.  Just needed a school break and a chance to write for fun.  I might also be procrastinating on reading the next novel for the Lit class....but get excited, the Sauder girls are all reuniting in GB for the weekend, so great times and fun pics to come!!

High on Summer Time!

Woo hoo!! It's officially my favorite time of the year...SuMmEr!  Honestly, it could not have snuck up on me any faster.  If someone told me I still had a couple weeks of school left, I'd believe them.  This year has just flown by.  This weekend is Memorial Day? May has nearly come and gone? Crazy.  

Now don't get me wrong, even though Summer seemed to come a knockin' fast, I've definitely opened the door and welcomed her right on in with great pleasure!  Even today, my first official day of summer, I've embraced my summer norm of not showering nor wearing any makeup just in case it gets sunny enough to go lay out.  I just might forget what it looks like to get ready for the day.  

To keep from completely boring you and to adhere to my own blogging rules, I'll sprinkle some pics of things I've done over the past couple of summers.


2009- Ocean Isle Beach, NC.  So much has changed since then; Jana didn't even have kids!

Despite my personal hygeine laziness (don't worry, I've brushed my teeth & changed my underwear..TMI?), I have been very productive in other areas of life.  Back in January I bought a One Year Bible and decided  this would be the year where I actually start and FINISH it in a year.  Today I had some time to do some catching up so I can stay remotely close to meeting this goal.  I've also been very productive with my grad classes.  I officially have a video on youtube thanks to the poetry project I had to do, but sad for you it's unlisted so as not to be viewed by the public.  Luckily.  I've stayed busy writing papers, responding to posts, and reading.  Now I'm enjoying "You've Got Mail" on TV.  See what I mean? Busy, busy.   :)


2009- New York City w/ Jana, Mom, Grandmama.  Let's do it again!



2010 & 2011 Roadtrip to Wisconsin where Dad had business meetings



2011- Gulf Shores, AL to nanny for this cutie & her sister

Wow, I've had some great summers in the past!  We'll see what's in store for Summer 2012!

Good Life

I truly believe there are certain things and people in life that just make life more fun.  There are pleasant surprises that you stumble upon where you know you'll never be the same because of them.  These girls have been just that for me.



 I have the wonderful privilege of co-leading these eighth grade girls through the youth group at my church.  I just started with them this past school year, but already we've become such  good friends.  A few weeks ago we went back to grade school and had ourselves a picnic and playtime. I'm looking forward to moving up with these girls as they start high school next year!  Enjoy the pics.


Yes, we were those kids dominating the play area.



Cheetoh eating contest. Duh.

This swing was good for nearly an hour of fun!  The girls stood back and watched little kids play on it like a hawk waiting to pounce when it came open.  I have some video of us taking turns screaming our heads off as we nearly flip off of the thing.  Okay, more like me screaming my head off, but I can't get them to upload. Boo.  I went home that night telling my roomies that I'm officially old and most likely the "lame" one of the group who couldn't do all the crazy, daring things without being overly hesitant and scared to death.  These girls do a great job of keeping me young.

Whirlwind Weekends

Wow...I've been keeping the road hot these past three weekends and have so many pictures and stories to share with you all!  The easy route would be to just dump all the pictures and let them do the talking, but I'd hate to deprive you all of my wordy story-telling.  So I'll do my best to keep it brief, but still get the details to you.  Let's start with trips to KC to get this girl married off....

Mrs. Cooper!

Honestly, this is really the only picture I got of the two of us that day, and what a fabulous day that was!  She could not have been a more chill, laid back, beautiful bride.  Things went so smoothly & everything was gorgeous.  (Again, sorry, no pics)  Turns out when you're in the wedding party, you seem to get fewer pictures of it all.



Rehearsal Dinner

Scheduling could not have worked any better.  This same weekend in KC, Cade Man turned TWO!  Jana and Matt threw a great BBQ at the park for this very special day. 




Gift Time



Family traveled from Tulsa for this big event!

The Aunts with Jana and Miss Reese

 This past weekend we all met back up in Great Bend to celebrate the best Mother in the world!  Happy Mother's Day, Mom. 

She's sporting her garden bench we got her.



A bit more formal here.  Got to celebrate Grandma Sauder also! She turned 92!



Happy Mother's Day to another champion Mom!



Look at that precious OSU cowgirl...don't worry, she's got a Willie shirt too!



Oh yeah, I turned another year older in there too.  The big Two-Five!

 Phew! Well I think that gets us all caught up for the moment.  Current summer break countdown: 5.5 days!  Grad classes started today and I've already had a near panic attack at the amount of reading.  Yikes.

Summer Plans Cont.

Remember when my biggest summer plans were this? Don't get me wrong, that's still the plan.  I'll now just be reading a textbook instead of the newest New York Time's Best Seller.  Yep, I'm going back to school for my masters.  Here's my proof-

In case you can't read the 12 point font, it says I've been granted full admission into Baker University's Master of Arts in Education program.  AKA....I'm getting ready to spend big bucks on grad school for the  next year and a half.  And I'm totally excited.  Yep, sure sign of becoming old and lame.  First class starts in less than two weeks and I feel like a giddy little school girl who wants to pick out her clothes and take a "first day of school" picture on the porch.  (Yes, a Sauder family tradition)  Ask me my excitement level in a month...we'll see.   

Holiday Weekend!

What?! April 27th was not a nationally recognized holiday?  Well, USD 261 sure did celebrate.  Happy no snow days to us!  In honor of my extra long weekend I made the trek to see this pretty thing-

and this silly boy-

I know I say this everytime, but I'm not sure Cade could be any cuter or more fun then right now.  His little personality is in full swing (pun intended) and he is just precious. 



See what I mean? Mr. Personality.



And what a great big brother!  He always wants to hold and kiss Miss Reese



And what's a post without Reese??



It's truly remarkable that her eyes are open in 2 pics, because she sleeps a lot.

 Can't wait to get back to hang out with these two crazy kiddos!  Jana and Matt, you officially have the cutest family ever!! How will The Kid and I ever come close?? :)