Happy Happy Joy Joy!

I finally have my baby back!! I was able to somehow manage to get a screw in back tire thus resulting in my first flat tire on the bike :(

I was very very sad after I found out and had to wait for a payday to get it fixed, luckily I didn't have to get a whole new tire, they were able to put a tube in it to get me back on the road.

So yesterday, very excited I might add, I went and picked up my bike in Cpaign (Thanks dad for taking it down for me!). I had really missed it. So I got in a nice ride back to GC, then took her out later in the evening (Can I say PERFECT evening to ride!) did my small town drag and rode around town a bit. I am so happy now!

"Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul."

Do You Ever Grow Out of Being a Band Geek?

First let me start off my prefacing this post with the fact that in my school Band was cool. We were not hardcore band geeks, it was more of a social hour with 1/3 of my school.. literally. We had almost 300 kids and a little over 100 were in band. I played clarinet, and surprising I'm not that bad, and still remember how to play.

I started band in 5th grade and played until senior year in high school. We would have two concerts a winter concert and a spring concert. We would go to organizational contests and usually get a 1st or a 2nd. I went to a few solo/ensemble contests and got some ribbons. Then we have a few local parades for fouth of July, Memorial Day, Homecoming parade, etc.

Then there was marching band and pep band. We played pre-game and half-time and you got into the games for free. It was some fun times with friends and honestly.. we weren't that serious we goofed around alot and by no means were up for full-ride scholarships for college (maybe I should have tried a little harder, but we just weren't that hardcore). And not to mention that we got to go to Florida to March in a Disney parade.. that was pretty cool, we got to spend the whole spring break vacation in Florida and have some fun.

So anyway there is the background... well every year there is a community band that has summer shows every Thursday in the North Park. It's made up of people in the community and some kids still in High School. Most are alum that had Mr. Titus as a band director (he is the bomb diggity) and come back to play to see him and friends. Some people in community band are hardcore making sure they are in perfect pitch and others... like me.. are just there to have some fun, have something to do, and touch up on our skills, and we get paid $6 for every practice and concert we play in.

So every Thursday if you ever in GC around 7:30 come on up and listen enjoy some refreshements (sponsored by our band boosters profits going to GCMS Band) and enjoy some good music. The running joke has been that we are saving (for the past like 7+ years) for our GCMS Community Band Tour in Europe. Next year is Mr. T's last year directing band at the HS and I hope he will continue to be the summer band leader it's fun.

10 Things: On my Pet peeve list

1. People on facebook who don't turn their pictures the correct way (it takes two seconds)
2. Illinois weather
3. People who don't use turn signals
4. Ice cream making you large
5. No Central Air Conditioning
6. BWheezy and his stupid baseball team
7. Too many of my favorite shows on Monday Nights and I can't fit them all in :(
8. 90+ degree weather in May
9. Future uncertainty
10. People who drive the speed limit

*Bonus
11. People on cell phones who can't drive while doing so. Hang up and DRIVE!

Sure Thing Deputy

Timothy Olyphant aka Raylan Givens Deputy US Marshall on FX's Justified

What Would You Do?

Two times this week I have got stuck on abc watching "What Would You Do?" and have ended up in tears both times. The generosity of people around us is just unbelievable.

The first episode that made me cry was the other night, the scenario was a boy with down syndrome (an actor) was bagging groceries at a supermarket and the girl in line (also and actor) was making mean comments that he was taking too long, why do they hire these people and other mean mean comments. The premise of the show is to see how ordinary people would react. Some people would just make faces in disagreement but wouldn't say anything. Some in the line would say that is rude. And a few would step up and express their opinions and stand up for the boy. One person who came to up to bat for the boy wasn't even in the line behind the woman who was acting he just happened to over-hear. He was motivated to step up because he has a little sister who also has down syndrome and he said he couldn't imagine someone talking to her like that, queue the tears. It really does just break my heart that people are so cruel to others because they are different, but it's amazing that people will stand up for others.

Tonight got me going with this scenario: given the new health care reform an elderly lady went to get her diabetes medicine that she can't live without. She is on the last of her social security for the month and her usual co-pay is $20. When she gets ready to pay the man tells her it will be $140. She starts crying (acting) that she can't afford that much. Amazingly several people offered to pay for for at least half and one woman offered to pay for the whole amount. I wouldn't have the money to help her but I hope that if I would have been in that situation I would have helped if I could.

This show is amazing. It really makes you think about how you would react in any of the given scenarios. It's so easy to say you would, but unless you are truely in that situation it's hard to say what you would or wouldn't do. It's a great discussion show and if you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it.

10 Things: I Wish I Had as a Hidden Talent

1. The ability to make a wookie noise [mine just turns out to sound like a dying cat]
2. Ride a unicycle
3. Make baloon animals
4. Juggle
5. Catch a fly Mr. Miyagi style
6. Be a rubics cube genious and compete in competitions and complete them in like 30 seconds
7. Any magic tricks
8. Any kind of gymnastics
9. Skateboard tricks [lets me serious just being able to skateboard would suffice]
10. Roll my tounge [it really bothers me that I will never in my entire life be able to do this, stupid genetics.. thanks mom!]

What are these things?

So London has unveiled the new 2012 Olympic mascots. First I'll go ahead and admit that I didn't even know that the olympics even had mascots, I guess it makes sense. But I don't even know what these are. Their names are Wenlock and Mandeville. Oh ok, because nothing screams London like one-eyed geometric alien looking colorful things. I get it... not. But they look like they are ready to get down and party.

Are you there?!

So loyal (or not so loyal) followers how's my blogging?

I'd love to hear some feedback...

How often do you visit North of 10th?

How'd you hear about it?

Where are ya from?
What do you like?
What would you like to see more of?
Any suggestions?
Improvements to make?

If you visited today (all my "followers"?!) leave me a comment... it can be anonymous! If you like what you see tell your friends! I'm just curious to see who's stopping by and what ya'll think!

An Ode to Dom

This is my bubby, Domino. No I'm not a crazy cat lady, I only have 1 and although he isn't a big blogger fan I'd still like to give props to my personal cuddle friend and foot warmer. He can be annoying affectionate, especially when I am trying to work on the computer he likes to crawl on the keys.

Most days he likes to just sit and be lazy and sleep all day (oh the life) when he gets bored doing that he will explore his castle and creep downstairs to see what gma and gpa are up to. He's an old kitty but has a lot of energy left in those old bones, I've had him since 3rd grade then my granny and then a cousin had him before that so we figure he's around 18 or 19 years old. Gma keeps he young by royally spoiling him with soft cat food.

He's the best cuddle bud I have and since I don't have anyone else around he fills the job pretty good.

I'm a Roadshow Nerd

And Proud of it! Who doesn't love PBS?! If you say you don't then you are a lying! My favorite show is Antiques Roadshow. I can often be found on Mondays enjoying the show wishing I had an attic full of ugly crap that I could sell for thousands.

I like to play a little game while watching that I call.. Keep It or sell that sucker why someone wants to pay that much for it. I of course take into consideration the sentimental value of the item but more often than not I find that I could be bought out of those memories.. take a picture of it and show me the money!$!

I often dream of a day when perusing an antique store in a small town somewhere and I run across an ugly ugly rug or chair or ugly-ass bowl that I buy for $2 and it turns out to be worth 2 million bucks! Man I wish my families ugly crap wasn't just ugly crap but priceless heirlooms. Oh well..

Anyway that was my random thought about Antiques Roadshow.. I really do love this show and will watch it over something better.. I can't help it, it's too compelling and really fun to watch. I actually just love PBS in general.. it's a good thing.

Somedays It's Only Music That Gets Me

I honestly have a huge music obession. My itunes is full of literally thousands and thousands of songs. Victor Hugo says it best “Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent." I couldn't agree more. On days when I think there can't possibly be another soul who feels how I feel or going through what I am, a song will come on that just completely encompasses every emotion going through my mind at that very moment.

Sometimes I will have to turn a song off just because I am unable to fully experence the moment in which that song takes me back to. Sometimes they take me back to happier times and that makes me sad and sometimes it just takes me back to that moment and you sing at the top of your lungs. We all have moments of ups and downs and even when I feel like there is no one there... I always have my music and I know things will be ok. If you know me, you know I love a perfect quote for the perfect moment and I have the same obession with song lyrics. I can always find a song that perfectly expresses how I'm feeling that very second.

If I'm having a really crappy day I can always turn on Incubus and immediately feel better. This song just has some similarities to how I'm feeling...

INCUBUS - DIG LYRICS

We all have a weakness

But some of ours are easy to identify.

Look me in the eye and ask for forgiveness;

We'll make a pact to never speak that word again

Yes you are my friend.

We all have something that digs at us,

At least we dig each other

So when weakness turns my ego up

I know you'll count on the me from yesterday

If I turn into another
Dig me up from under what is covering
The better part of me
Sing this song
Remind me that we'll always have each other

When everything else is gone.

We all have a sickness
That cleverly attaches and multiplies
No matter how we try.

We all have someone that digs at us,
At least we dig each other
So when sickness turns my ego up
I know you'll act as a clever medicine.

If I turn into another

Dig me up from under what is covering

The better part of me.
Sing this song!
Remind me that we'll always have each other
When everything else is gone.

Oh each other....
When everything else is gone.

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, ohh

oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, ohhhh

If I turn into another

Dig me up from under what is covering
The better part of me.
Sing this song!
Remind me that we'll always have each other
When everything else is gone.

Oh each other....
When everything else is gone.
Oh each other....
When everything else is gone.

Brooks & Dunn!

Brooks & Dunn with Jason Aldean.. The Last Rodeo Tour

Our after concert festivities concluded in downtown where who should appear but Jason Aldean! We had the chance to gander and oogle, no pictures were allowed to be taken of him. Closest I have ever been to a famous person and had the chance to say that I was partying with a famous person :)

You Can Be My Prince

Jake Gylllenhaal in Prince of Persia

Behind Home Plate... Literally

How 'bout them Cubs!

Yesterday my sister, dad, and I headed up to the Friendly confines to cheer on the cubbies! HOLY COW! was it cold up there.. oh about 40 degrees Brrrrr! We sat front row behind home plate and made several tv apperances throughout the broadcast on WGN :)

It is going to be quite difficult to watch another game not being able to be so close to the action. It is such a different experience being that close, as Ferris would say " It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up." Here's a few pics from the day (A.Drama.B has most of the pics on her camera)

Movie Review: Iron Man 2

Yesterday I did something I haven't done in a really long time. I went to the theater and treated myself to a movie (thanks select-a-gift for your gift that keeps on giving... 4 movie tickets!)

My quick thoughts on the movie.. good, not as good as the first, big fight scene left a little to be desired, love that they tie the avengers into it, hate Scarlett Johansson, Iron Man makes Robert Downey cool, Mickey Rourke is scary looking (in the movie and real life, reason number 133 why I won't ever have plastic surgery). Overall pretty good movie, love the special effects, if you go and see it stay after the credits for a preview of what is to come...

Just a Thought

Why am I less tired when I go to bed late and get up early than I am when I make an effort to go to bed early and get a good night's sleep?  Weird.

*Happy Mother's Day Mom!*

We Love you Mom! Happy Mother's Day!

It's Prom Season

Earlier this evening we were busy getting my little brother all ready to go to his junior prom.. doesn't he look so handsome!?

Prom season got us to talking yesterday at work about proms. Our small town proms are a lot less glamourous than they are in the big cities. The discussion started with our question of the day.. "What is the average cost for a couple to go to prom" we thought about it... well the girls have hair, nails, dress, accessories.. boys have the tux, then there is transportation, dinner/tickets, flowers, pictures.. well the list can go on and on and on. The answer ended up being $1000!!

I went to prom three years, junior and senior year and my boyfriend at the time was a year younger so I went to his senior prom too. Our little GC proms consist of driving 30 miles to the big city one over having our dinner/prom there at a banquet center. Then we drive back 30 miles and have after prom in either the High School gym or the elementary school gym and cafeteria. Then sometimes we will all go to someones house for an after-after prom party which usually just consists of a movie night and everyone zonking out.

Junior year prom... I love this dress. My sister hated it when she saw it on the rack but it looked a lot better on. My prom day drama for this year consisted of about 15 minutes before my date arrived and I was hopping in my dress.. the zipper broke and I ended up having to be sew into the dress last minute. But everything worked out good. This year we went with several other couples and I have like 500 million pictures from my first prom.

My senior year prom.. My grandma made this dress. I'm not big on spending 300-400 dollars on a dress that I will only wear once and I'm a bit of a tom-boy so I'm not totally into the girly girl fancy dress.. although I do like getting dressed up a little more as I've gotten older. Prom drama for this year was the week before prom in a softball game I (must like I recently did, actually the exact same looking boo-boo) botched up my leg pretty good and the netting under my dress rubbed on my ouchie and hurt a bit but I got through. My dress was red and this year we took gpas red cougar to match!

To be comletely honest I don't remember the last prom all that much. I think it was kind of a last minute decision to go but I'm sure it was fun. I liked this dress too. My sister had the exact same dress for a homecoming in burgandy and I liked it and was excited to find it in black and white.

Proms are kind of lame not going to lie, but at the time they were fun and we thought we should at least partake in the high school rite of passage. The after-proms parties were kind of touch and go. I won a TV at one of them, I remember being so bummed because my name hadn't been called for any prizes yet (everyone gets a little something at least) but then my name was the last once called and I won a TV! I couldn't believe it.

I'm pretty sure proms have changed a lot even since I have been. We never had to be told there was a dress code which means things have gotten smaller and tighter.. kids these days are out of control. Well I hope my little bro is having a great time tonight and I can't wait to hear all about it. Does anyone have any good prom pictures or stories to share? I'd love to see your pictures and hear some good juicy stories. How about you Old Lady did you go to prom??

Women's Build: UPDATE!

As I mentioned in a previous post I am working on a Habitat for Humanity Women's build event. I have a few more days scheduled to work but have only been able to help out one day but am very eager to help with my next day.

YOU! can help too! It’s easy and tasty: you, your family, your friends, and your neighbors bring this flier to any of the area monical’s pizza® restaurants listed below and enjoy a delicious meal. In return, monical’s pizza® will donate 20% of your bill* to Women's Build.

To keep up to date on how the build is progressing visit:
http://www.habitatmclean.org/photogallery/index.php and we are working on the 2010 Women's Build/Sturgeon Family home! I'm in a few of the pics.. see if you can find me!

10 Things: I Wish Were Tomorrow

1.   College Football Season- Notre Dame home opener

2.   My lottery winnings were being delivered

3.   A huge party for me

4.   A nice warm real spring day

5.   National give Heather money day

6.   Congratulations your bills have been paid for a year! Announcement

7.   A chance meeting with a cute boy

8.   A day to sleep in

9.   The invention of a transporter machine

10.  A magic pill to shed unwanted pounds was announced

Brain is Mush

I honestly can't think of a single creative thought or opinion on anything tonight.. I have literally sat here for about a good hour or so pondering and searching for inspiration.

However I did come across a book I will be adding to my list to read after I begin/finish Grapes.

"For generations the Burdens were one of the wealthiest families in New York, thanks to the inherited fortune of Cornelius "The Commodore" Vanderbilt. By 1955, the year of Wendy's birth, the Burdens had become a clan of overfunded, quirky and brainy, steadfastly chauvinistic, and ultimately doomed bluebloods on the verge of financial and moral decline-and were rarely seen not holding a drink. In Dead End Gene Pool, Wendy invites readers to meet her tragically flawed family, including an uncle with a fondness for Hitler, a grandfather who believes you can never have enough household staff, and a remarkably flatulent grandmother."

Sorry today was a lame Thursday.

A Country Boy Can...

Luke Bryan

Women's Build = fun!

Today I had the opportunity to work with a great group of ladies on a Habitat for Humanity Women's Build event and it was so much fun!

"The annual celebration has become the signature event of Habitat’s Women Build program in the United States. This year’s National Women Build Week takes place May 1–9, 2010.

Leading up to Mother’s Day on May 9, more than 200 Habitat affiliates in all 50 U.S. states are dedicating at least one day to a Women Build. The event challenges women to make a difference in their communities and raise awareness of local housing needs."

With the company of a co-worker we helped today to get a foundation in place for the home. This was my first experience with a Habitat for Humanity build and it will not be my last, it was so much fun. I chatted with several of the other ladies, many of whom have volunteered on several other women's build events. With the help of a few men "Crabby Bill" and Alan we all got a lot accomplished and learned a lot today. If you have never participated in a build event I would highly recommend it. In one day I already learned a ton and met some new friends.

I'm bored, here's 100 things

WHAT WAS YOUR:
1. last beverage = water.
2. last phone call = Caity
3. last text message = TT
4. last song you listened to = "Pull up a Tailgate" Brian Davis
5. last time you cried = I cry when I laugh so usually everyday I laugh :)


HAVE YOU EVER:
6. dated someone twice = yes.
7. been cheated on = I don't think so
8. kissed someone & regretted it = nah
9. lost someone special = yes
10. been depressed = yeah, happens to the best of us
11. been drunk and threw up = twice


FIRST THREE FAVORITE COLORS:
12. Yellow
13. Green
14. Blue


THIS YEAR (2010) HAVE YOU:
15. Made a new friend = yes
16. Fallen out of love = yes, with work
17. Laughed until you cried = almost daily
18. Met someone who changed you = Yes
19. Found out who your true friends were = painly obvious now
20. Found out someone was talking about you = nah, doesn't matter
21. Kissed anyone on your FB friend's list = yes


GENERAL:
22. How many people on your FB friends list do you know in real life = I know all of them rarely see any of them
24. Do you have any pets = Domino, cat
25. Do you want to change your name = never
26. What did you do for your last birthday = went out with some friends
27. What time did you wake up today = woke up like 8, went back to sleep
28. What were you doing at midnight last night = watching TV
29. Name something you CANNOT wait for = Summer good times
30. Last time you saw your Mother = this afternoon.
31. What is one thing you wish you could change about your life = smarter about spending my money
32. What are you listening to right now= Brian Davis CDs on shuffle
33. Have you ever talked to a person named Tom = I have
35. Most visited webpage = I have a daily routine so there are a few
36. Where do you want to be right now? = I'm good here for now
37. Nicknames = evertyone usually calls me Bode
38. Relationship Status = unattached
39. Zodiac sign = Aquarius
40. Male or female? = female
41. Elementary? = Saint Mary's/St. Clare/GCMS
42. Middle School = GCMS
44. Hair color = Brown
45. Long or short = getting long! :)
46. Height = 5'9"
47. Do you have a crush on someone? = idk
48. What do you like about yourself? = I'm finally starting to become me 
49. Piercings = Ears
50. Tattoos = 0
51. Righty or lefty= righty.


FIRSTS :
52. First surgery = cyst removed from my mouth, first real real surgery Tonils
53. First piercing = ears.
54. First best friend = hard to remember 
55. First kiss =   don't remember
56. First vacation = South Carolina?
58. First crush =  Jonathan Taylor Thomas


RIGHT NOW:
59. Eating = nothing.
60. Drinking = water.
61. I'm about to = go to the gym maybe
62. Listening to = Brian Davis
63. Waiting for = a good excuse not to go to the gym


YOUR FUTURE:
64. Want kids? = yes 2
65. Get Married? = someday..hopefully
66. Career? = the insurance company most likely unless I figure something else out


WHICH IS BETTER?:
67. Lips or eyes = Eyes
68. Hugs or kisses = kisses
69. Shorter or taller = taller.
70. Older or Younger = older.
71. Romantic or spontaneous = both
72. Nice stomach or nice arms = doesn't matter to me
73. Sensitive or loud = doesn't matter!
74. Hook-up or relationship = relationship.
75. Trouble maker or hesitant = both equally

HAVE YOU EVER :
76. Kissed a stranger = No
77. Drank hard liquor = yes
78. Lost glasses/contacts = misplaced temporarily
79. Gotten a ticket = yes
80. Broken someone's heart = I doubt it
81. Had your own heart broken = yes
82. Been arrested = not yet 
83. Turned someone down = yeah.
84. Cried when someone died = yes
85. Fallen for a friend = nope.


DO YOU BELIEVE IN:
86. Yourself = most days.. starting to more
87. Miracles = yes
88. Love at first sight = I don't think so
89. Heaven = yes
90. Santa Claus = nope.
91. Kiss on the first date = sure
92. Angels = yes


ANSWER TRUTHFULLY:
93. Had more than one bf/gf?= nope :(
94. How do you feel about the person who answered this before you? She's fun
95. Did you sing today? = yep.
96. Ever cheated on somebody? = never
97. If you could go back in time, how far would you go, and why? = I don't think I would, it all happens for a reason the good and the bad
98. If you could pick a day from last year and relive it, what would it be?= Graduation
99. Are you afraid of falling in love with somebody? = No.
100. Posting this as 100 truths? = nope

Don't wait until everything is just right

Don't wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful.”-- Mark Victor Hansen