To do List

I wanna go fishin

Need to get my hair cut

Celebrate my Bro's and Mom's BD

Visit Jan Kay

Eat Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Fish

Drive fast on gravel roads w/ my stick shift.

Lone Pine

Plant a garden in my bikini

And of course see Chuck and Cass

I'm Coming Home

I'M COMING HOME!!!!!!!!! Detroit, Texas here I come. I am going to be home for 2 1/2 weeks starting next Wednesday. Due to circumstances beyond my control and the need for my summer clothes ( I am spending the summer up here), I will be coming home.

-Abigail

Hey Porter

Hey, Porter, Hey Porter!
Would you tell me the time?
How much longer will it be
'Til we cross that Mason Dixon Line?
At daylight will you tell that engineer to slow it down;
Or better still, just stop the train
'Cause I want to look around.

Hey, Porter! Hey Porter!
What time did you say?
How much longer will it be
'Till I can see the light of day?
When we hit Dixie will you tell that engineer to ring his bell;
And ask everybody that ain't asleep to stand right up and yell.

Hey, Porter! Hey Porter!
It's getting light outside.
This old train is puffin' smoke and I have to strain my eyes.
But ask that engineer if he will blow his whistle please,
'Cause I smell frost on cotton leaves,
And I smell that Southern breeze.

Hey, Porter! Hey, Porter!
Please get my bags for me,
I need nobody to tell me now that we're in Tennessee.
Go tell that engineer to make that lonesome whistle scream.
We're not so far from home so take it easy on the steam.

Hey Porter! Hey Porter!
Please open up my door.
When they stop this train I'm gonna get off first
'Cause I can't wait no more.
Tell that engineer I say, "Thanks a lot. I didn't mind the fare.
I'm gonna set my feet on Southern soil
And breathe that Southern air."

-Cash



Home

I’ve seen enough to say I know

That this old world is not my home

From lustful eyes and tainted lies

Pride to hide the way that I

The way that I feel inside



I am ready to go home

I’m packing my bags and hitting the road

I am ready to go home

I’m packing my bags and hitting the road



I am packing my bags and I’m hitting the road

Yes, I’m going to run, I’m gonna run for my home

To stand in the sight of the Living God

That’ where I am longing to be

-McDonalds





See ya!

Compensating

Do you think hes maybe compensating for something? - Shrek

Okay, so I am compensating for something. So sue me. I, Abigail, not only made my site look cutesy and girly but almost childish too. What can I say, I like rabbits and Easter is coming. Every now and then, I feel the need to be girly. I can't always be the sweaty, dirty, workaholic type.

IT IS FINISHED - My quilt is done. La la la di da. I am sooo happy. It is v-e-r-y purple Of course, now the question is what Little-Old-Lady-Hobby will I try next to fill my "spare time." Maybe I should try knitting. That would be different. Any suggestions?

FORGET GETTING ANY BEAUTY SLEEP- I just found out from Leticia (she was wearing a malicious grin and was snickering) that I will be attending the Minnesota National Prayer Breakfast. That means I have to be out the door by 6:30. And I have to actually look nice tooo. I haven't had to wake up that early since last year. The breakfast starts at 7 and goes for 1/12 hrs. I think it will be fun, but haven't these people ever heard of Brunch. I might fall asleep in my eggs.

ORPHAN - My family left me yesterday to go to an event. I made sure to ask them what time they would return so I wouldn't get caught dancin in my undies.

BPOU - My Saturdays are going to be filled with BPOU's (Basic Political Operating Unit). Ooooooo gooody. So that is what I will be doing for the next couple of weekends.Yeee Haw -as Howard Dean would say.

-Abigail

RANDOM THOUGHTS

1.
Apparently polka is the funniest thing ever. I have decided that before I die, I am going to try it.
2.
Ice Cream and Cheetos ( not necessarily together) are great comfort food.
3.
My computer had a worm.
4.
I am getting Poochy - and liking it.
5.
There are parents naming their children Leif
6.
I am so happy because Chicken Little got voted off.

POLKA

After all - What says embarrassingly fun like Polka?

NOTE TO SELF:

m&m -irreconcilable differences have now been solved

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Find ecstasy in life; the mere sense of living is joy enough.
Author: Emily Dickinson



PS: HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAITLYN

My baby sis is going to be 12 tomorrow. Gosh they grow up fast!! Luv ya girl.

Come Higher

Come Higher

Everything you see- you can have

Come Higher

It is all within your grasp

Come Higher

Fame and Fortune

Come Higher

The choice is yours

Come Higher

Just don't be deceived

Come Higher

Know exactly what you are getting yourself into

Come Higher

When I say you can have it all - I mean ALL

Come Higher

Divorce, Bankruptcy, No Peace, Torment, Despair,

Come Higher

Life is full of choices

Come Higher

You can chose everything and wind up with a mediocre life at best

Come Higher

Or you can surrender, come higher, and find life







This weekend my grandmother came into town. We went to the Mall of America.

I love the Mall of America. It would been a lot better if a certain shopping friend of mine had been there to insert her opinion. But considering how much I love what I got, if she had told me it was the ugliest thing on earth, I would have laughed at her and bought it any ways. I don't like the immense size of the Mall of America but I do like it's convenience. It has all my favorite stores and more.

Then I manned a table at the BPOU convention. That is an interesting experience. I wouldn't say boring because the people alone amuse me. I used the word squirrelly to describe a couple of them. It fit.

Then we spent the rest of the weekend at the farm. It is so relaxing there. I sleep so well there. And no, it is not just because of the cell phone calls I receive at night ( there is no cell phone service at the farm), I actually sleep better after I have gotten in my word quota in for the day.

Recap: Things I have Learned Since I Came Up Here:

1. Never stand in front of a 3 year old
2. Lobster tail is good
3. Snow can be the best thing ever and the worst
4. The difference between a Democrat haircut and a Republican.
5. The "unusual" haunts me- There is no escaping it.
6. When the temperature gets below 0 There really is no difference between -10 and -20. And in the negatives my nose freezes shut.
7. Pedicures are awesome
8. My - I am not going to take any crap days- are fun to play out.
9. I have a great "support system" - If I need them they are there for me.
10. I learned to not depend so much on my "support system". It makes them mean all that much more to me.
11. 50 degrees is a heat wave and everyone goes around in short sleeved shirts.
12. I am not fond of Asparagus ( to me it taste like grass- yes I chewed on some blades of grass when I was little. Hasn't everyone? I also ate an ant. Does that make me a freak?) or Onion soup.
13. Minnesotans are scared of " Texas Values". They don't want to become like those heathen Texans.
14. Socks are wonderful
15. I can unzip my dress by myself.



-Abigail

I want it all
by shane barnard

use me, break me, waste me on You, Lord
ruin me, take me, waste me on You
for to die is to live...

to starve is to feast
and less of me is more of Jesus
Lord, i want it all
Lord, i want it all
if i lose my life
i gain everything
and at the cross
away with all death's sting
Lord, i want it all
Lord, i want it all

there is power in the blood
there is victory in Jesus
come in power, wash me clean
overwhelm me with Your presence
there is power in the blood
there is victory in Jesus
help me glory in the cross
help me find my gain in loss

(philippians 1:21-23; 3:7-11)
Quote of the Day:
I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much.

Mother Teresa (1910 - 1997)



Deut 19-20

Kick-off

The Kick-off

(aka "The Night of the Butt")

Well, I have been meaning to write what has been going on, but you will have to excuse me if I am to busy living my life to actually take the time to write about it. j/k. But it has been crazy. I think I have officially started every single post with - it has been crazy, I don't have time, or I have gone off the deep end and become insane.

Saturday- I lazed around.End of story? No. Saturday we celebrated Vicky's birthday by going out to eat. Yum. Then we went to Target and I bought "Walk the Line". I love that movie.

Sunday- Went to the early service again. It really puts a cramp in my style to wake up that early on a weekend, but I like the nap after words. That afternoon we played bridge. Okay, so I know that it is customary to think only "old" people play bridge, but that would be where you are extremely wrong. It is an awesome game! My partner was John. If you had told me I would be "letting" a congressman down, in a game of bridge, six months ago I would have thought you lost your everlivin mind. In all reality, I didn't let him down, and we actually would have won except I had to leave because the weather was starting to get bad and I had to go to Leticia's.

Sunday Evening - I spent the night in Shockapee at Leticia's house. We had a "brilliant plan" (sarcasm dripping). I was to spend the night and make sure her kids get off to school because she had to get a morning Kick Off event ( Monday was the day to kick off Kline for Congress's Campaign. We had two events -a breakfast for big donors and a night time rally for supper) and had to leave early. That was the plan but......

Monday Morning - I was abruptly woken by Leticia. Apparently it snowed 12 inches the night before, and the schools where closed. Nice huh. So I spent the morning babysitting. I was caught in a small blizzard with two young boys, two cats, and a dog (and a partridge and a pear tree). Why did I not see it coming? I really am too naive for my own good. haha. Honestly though, It wasn't bad and I do love those kids. Just unexpected.

Monday Evening- THE KICK OFF. Not much to say about it other than I do have pics. I did learn a valuable lesson though. I learned not to block a 3 yr old's path. I tried to keep him from getting out of this little area, and he tried to bite my butt. No snide comments. Believe me, I have heard them all.

I know this is a really boring post but ya'll can just get over it. It lacks my usually quirkiness.

FYI: This weekend, my amazing grandmother will be coming to visit and I will be going to the farm on Saturday and Sunday. It is going to be extremely hectic, but I am soooo excited. I need a good dose of some Texan.

Also, I was told today of a rumor that is being spread that I love Minnesota, and I am never coming home. That is pretty ridiculous. Well, it is true that I love Minnesota, but it can never compete with my Lone Star State. Up here, they don't call me Miss Texas for nothing. Besides the 12 inches of snow was about to do me in. I had to drive today while there was still snow on the roads. FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. Awesome!!! Slipping and sliding -completely and utterly nerve racking.

-Abigail

Exposed

Today for the first time in 2 months, I walked around outside without a coat. In fact, I even had skin exposed. The temperature was 58, the sun was out, and I was very happy. After all those ugly days, it is amazing as to how much I wanted to dance and twirl around in the parking lot. I know it was childish, but I don't care (pouty lips).

I went to see Failure to Launch. Loved it!!! I did notice a pattern though. Everyone in the cast had brilliant blue eyes. Hmmmmm. I guess us poor green eyed people (with eyes that don't pop) are out of luck. We are not special. -No surprise there.

I would like to mention that it is harder than it seems - staying here that is. Everything in me screams for my comfort zone- the normal, the people I love, and the familiar. BUT.... I can't and won't give in until I have gotten everything out of this expierence that I was supposed to.

"You have dwelt long enough at this mountain. Turn and take your journey, and go......See, I have set the land before you; go in and possess the land which the LORD swore to your fathers." Deut. 1:6-8

God was telling the Isrealites, "Shove off. Get out of your comfort zone." He was encouraging them to go forward, but also to prepare for the fight. Every wonderful thing they got after this point had to be "possessed." Living life in my comfort zone will never help me to reach the "Promised Land." If I truly want to be happy and have peace, I am going to -every now and then (lol)- do something I that makes me uncomfortable, that puts me on the spot, and completely drives me into His arms. I will come home but not until I am "released."



ACRES OF HOPE
by Shane Barnard and Robbie Seay

He will allure her
He will pursue her
And call her out
To wilderness with flowers in His hand
She is responding
Beat up and hurting
Deserving death
But offerings of life are found instead

She will sing
She will sing
Oh, to You
She will sing as in the days of youth
As You lead her away
To valleys low
To acres of hope
Acres of hope

Here in the valley
Walk close beside me
Don’t look back
For love is growing vineyards up ahead
You have called me master
And though you’re in the dark here
Call me friend
And call me lover and marry me for good

She will sing
She will sing
Oh, to You
She will sing as in the days of youth
As You lead her away
To valleys low
To acres of hope
Acres of hope

How the story ends is
Love and tenderness in Him
Not safe, but worth it
So the valley’s up ahead
Or the ones we live
We’ll sing together
We’ll sing together

We will sing
We will sing
Oh, to You
We will sing as in the days of youth
As You lead us away
To valleys low
To acres of hope
Acres of hope

I guess, I wrote this post to convince myself. A long time ago, I decided that I wasn't going to go against God. Having been on both sides of the fence, I know to much. The other is death, and I won't go there again. I have skirted around the whole God thing at different points in my life, but never for too long. I will conquer this new territory!!

I will come home. Hopefully, a stronger person or at least bigger (pound wise hahaha). I think of all of you often, love ya'll and am praying for ya'll.

-Abigail

Caucus Night

I went to a Dairy Queen today. BIG DIFFERENCE. Hello, there are NO steak finger baskets or salads for that matter. What the heck!! I remember that there was less food and more Ice Cream, but how can these people survive with only hamburgers?

Today was Vicky's birthday....

In other news:

We are starting a softball team and they are drafting me. That means I might be staying here for the summer. Not sure yet, but... It ought to be interesting/hysterical. My only regret is that there will be people there to witness me "playing ball". If this happens, I will be coming home for at least a week. But like I said- this is still a huge MAYBE. So don't get tooo excited -either way.

Things I learned today:

1.
After several nasty days (weather wise) , your eyes start to glaze over. It truly is a terrible feeling.
2.
Ice Cream can help fix that.
3.
Being 5'11" and wearing heels is actually a good thing. McGyver couldn't find as many uses for stilettos as I did today.
4.
It is really easy to freak people out... All I have to do is remain silent.(Luckily for them -it is a rare thing)
5.
Getting a thank you card in the mail for the job you do is truly wonderful.
6.
I am 44% mean and I am 80% normal (but I have to ask you- by who's standards)
7.
I don't like Minnesota DQ's.
8.
I shouldn't take Internet polls that Marcus gives me.
9.
I -by Internet poll standards -am one of the nicest people in the office.
10.
My mom is awesome!!!

Okay, so today was the start of Minnesota's political process -Caucus night. Which basically is a bunch of people that have nothing better to do than sit around and talk on a Tuesday night, and propose amendments to the Republican platform. I went into this thing completely convinced that I was going to be bored out of my mind. But...... I actually enjoyed it. Granted it had its moments, but it was kinda exciting. Shocking, Huh? I know!!!! I was surprised that Abigail kinda enjoys politics and they don't completely go over her head. Then again, I always was a "geek."

Here is some info for anyone who cares what the heck I am talking about. Consider yourself "educated."

Definition of Caucus

A caucus is most generally defined as being a meeting of supporters or members of a political party or movement. The exact definition varies between different countries.

In the United States, a caucus is a meeting of local members of a political party or subgroup to nominate candidates, plan policy, etc., in the Congress of the United States or other similar representative organs of government.

In early United States History, the Congressional nominating caucus and legislative caucus were influential meetings of congressmen to decide the party's nominiee for President and legislative policy. Similar caucuses were held by the parties at state level.

History of Caucus

The origin of the word "caucus" is debated, although it is generally agreed that it came into use in English in the United States. According to some sources, it comes from the Algonquin word for "counsel," cau´-cau-as´u, and was probably introduced into American political usage through the Democratic Party machine in New York known as Tammany Hall, which liked to use Native American terms. Other sources claim that it derived from Medieval Latin caucus, meaning "drinking vessel", and link it to the Boston Club. In the Finnish language, there is also a word, kokous, meaning an official meeting. The existence of this word in the Finnish language supports the theory that it has European origins. It is also known that many Finns moved to the United States, more specifically to the East Coast and the areas surrounding the Great Lakes.

Random Pics:

This is a pic of my wheels (aka the parade vehicle) Yes it is dirty but when the temperatures dip below freezing they shut off the car washes. Besides- IT IS A TRUCK.

Yes, this seems like a random pic but the temperature outside is 20 below.We are traveling 70 miles an hour and that exhaust is billowing out. I am wearing my fuzzy gloves.

-Abigail

Quote of the day:
Crime does not pay ... as well as politics.
Alfred Newman

Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it whether it exists or not, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedy.
Ernest Benn

Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game, and dumb enough to think it's important.
Eugene McCarthy



Num. 34-35

Dark

This weekend was not exactly the easiest time for me. Friday night we had a staff party and I got to meet the DC staff. I liked them all. I don't know what it is about the staff parties that make me homesick, but it never fails to happen.



Saturday, I spent the day cleaning up after the party and cleaning my room. Oooooohhh, clean sheets never felt so good! Okay, so I admit, I did take a nap too. Cut me some slack- the day before was hard on me. I also watched Dirty Dancing and worked on my projects.

Saturday night and Sunday morning, I barely slept at all. I think I got 3 hrs sleep before I had to wake up at 6:15 to go to the "early service." But I am not bitter -No, not me.

Sunday, -No I am not planning on giving up anything for Lent. After all, what would I give up? Chocolate? Hamburgers? I still need to gain weight. I have gained 5 pounds since I have been here. It is survival of the fittest, and I will be darned if I am going to let a little grease stand between me being fit. Besides eating, the only other thing "worth" giving up would be my cell phone. And right now, not sure that would be such a hot idea( though I am pretty sure my mom would disagree after that last phone bill). After all, it might be the only thing keeping me from contracting a twitch.

Sunday Afternoon, I took a nap (Yes, I did. So what of it?) then I went to Diana's to play bridge. It was a fun game but my goodness the insults were flying particularly in my direction. Apparently it is a "better with enhancement" kinda game (translation: better with wine -lots and lots of wine).

Sunday Night, My mom called me and told me my baby had died. Lil Black Thang was run over. Everyone has that one special animal that they love more than any other pet in there life. She was mine.

I am "recovering" from the weekend events. I will be my normal "Abigailish" self, but probably not today. Thanks for keeping me in your prayers. I honestly think I can feel them at certain times.

-Abigail



Quote of the Day:

Of all God's creatures there is only one that cannot be made the slave of the lash. That one is the cat. If man could be crossed with a cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat.
-Mark Twain

Num 32-33

Confession

Okay, I feel in all honesty- I should confess the reason behind my last post. Even though I know the great and mighty Abigail will be ridiculed, mocked and laughed at, I am pretty sure she is in need of a good dose of humility right now and what better way than a confession.

So here it goes- I, Abigail, fake baked!!! Gee, I thought by saying that I would feel better, but no my red neck is still burnt. Last summer, because I lifeguard, I was extremely dark with a "lifeguard tan." And even though I am still rather tan, for personal reasons, I decided I wanted to enhance it. I absolutely burned on my neck because I never got a tan there last summer. Dang those lifeguard tans!!!

So laugh all you want, I know that I am constantly bashing fake baking. I am a firm believer in getting it the natural way- slipping into a cute bikini and traipsing out into great outdoors. But I don't see myself going outside in the 40 degree weather in my any of my wonderful little bikinis. There is nothing like pulling weeds, burning brush, building foundations, mowing, or just sitting out and reading a good book and getting a tan.



Here are a couple of pics:

Here is the blanket I am making. It is already bigger.

Here is my quilt. Ain't it pretty!

Here is my desk. Yes, it is messy, but I have since cleaned it.

This is the mailing we did for the Campaign Kick Off. We sent over 1000 letter. That was a fun 2 days.

This is Leticia on her birthday.

My toes. I realize you can't see the flowers but they are there.

The moral of this story is - I should not be left by myself, alone for 10 days. There are more pictures but I think I will go easy on you guys today. Enjoy. Laugh. I know ya'll will. Tonight is a busy night so I have to run, Luv ya

-Abigail