Hi livejournal.
I haven't spoken with you in a long time.
I have been thinking about you a little bit though. Little things keep popping up from two years ago or three or four, and I want to remember what I wrote to document that time. I'm glad there is such an extensive calendar system on here. Well, I guess it's not that extensive, but it helps to keep everything organized. I don't even really need to worry about "tags." Eh.

That's all.
Bye.

We took engagement photos! My brother actually did, and I think he did a wonderful job! I'm really excited about them.




Check them all out on Drew's Flickr.

So all day I've been giving updates on AJ and Shea. Katie called me this morning and I had my phone on me while I was working (something I normally don't do). I answered, and she let me know about the earthquakes and landslides in Costa Rica where AJ and Shea are vacationing. Needless to say I was a slight wreck all day but actually stayed very calm. I called information trying to get the O'brien's phone number in Sacramento, called a few friends, and finally got ahold of Kim O'brien, Shea's mom. She seemed calm for 7 am and not knowing where her daughter was so I felt a little better. She let me know that if all went as AJ and Shea had planned then they should not have been in San Jose, Costa Rica when the quake hit. They had planned to fly in, rent a car, and drive 3 hours west of the city. And, that's just what they did. Thank the lord.


Here is an email I got from AJ around 5 pm today:


Hey Familia,

We are safe in Costa Rica. Today was the first time we have had internet access since we arrived except for at the rental car place (and even now it is moving at a snails pace). We didn't even know about an earthquake until we arrived today. Please tell everyone we are safe, having a great time, and talk to you soon!

Yesterday we zip lined through the rain forest and then jumped from 40 foot waterfalls! Today we did a little snorkeling, island hopping, and have been out on a boat all day. It has been so amazing!

Anyway, miss you all mucho. Please pass on the word that we are safe and were completely oblivious...

Pura Vida.

Amor Mucho,
Shea and AJ

http://www.newschannel5.com/global/story.asp?s=9569257


Look guys! It's my brother, Drew! He saved this man, Tim Cross - a former Chicago Bears player - last week by dragging him out of his car and giving him CPR after he crashed! SO AMAZING! They say he wouldn't have lived if not for Drew being there.!! It's the top story!


I love my brother!

It's snowing outside! Really pretty-like.
Today feels nostalgic. The hum of the heater, the chill from the windows.
We're going to try to haul our christmas tree home today, too!

I am currently downloading Obama's podcast videos from the campaign. And, I have to tell you that I am still so amazed. I just saw one where he sat down to lunch with 4 or 5 educators, and spoke about grassroots change, the need for reform in education, etc. and, yeah.... it makes me hopeful.

Um, I don't get this...

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/11/14/second.life.divorce/index.html

I spent last night with Obama in Grant Park, and I am so happy I decided to go (sans ticket).
It was beyond words one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

I feel like this man understands what it means to be an American.
And, so like most of you I am proud and excited. But please listen to Barack, and don't let the fight for change end here.

Today a man told me he was going to spit on me. This was after he pushed an old man in the lower back - hard.
I guess, I should state that he wanted to spit on me because I basically told him he was an asshole.


I also bought this game today.



It was $1.38 at salvation army. I think it might be fun. Practice for my survival adventure at least.
Tomorrow I leave for Omaha, and I'm not ready. Still need to pack. And, I haven't seen my friends in forever. And, I'm going to miss my boyfriend and my pets. Oh, and I'm working 12 hour days. So I'm going to be tired, but hopefully it's fun.

Yesterday evening Tucker went missing. I can't tell you the emotional rollercoaster we've been on. Nathan said it best when he said, "I can't imagine what it must feel like for those who lose children."





Nathan got home at 3:30, let Tucker out the back in to the yard like usual, and fell asleep because he's been sick. I got home at 5, ordered some Thai, checked the internet, and then thought "It's getting cold Tucker should come in." I realized that I hadn't heard him bark like usual, and I called for him at the door. But no sounds. No big feet clanking on the pavement, no rustling, no panting. I went farther in to the yard behind the cars, and that's when I saw the gate. The gate had been locked, but was not pulled tight. Just enough room for a big dog or even myself to squeeze through. I ran to the gate, bent down and crawled through to the alley. TUCKER!!!!!!! TUCKER!!!! He was no where.

I ran in side to get Nathan. He was still asleep. NATHAN! Tucker's gone! He was confused. But he got up, and the next time I saw him we were both outside looking for Tucker. We spent a good hour and a half walking separate areas of our neighborhood calling for him. Once we thought we saw him, but it was some other big black dog. I asked everyone who was out walking their dogs if they had seen him. No one had. I was crying. Tucker! Clapping. Tucker!

I broke down in the alley. Nathan consoling me, and it's really his dog.
We call the local police, 311, the pound. No one has turned a dog in. The pound opens at noon today.
We cry ourselves to sleep imagining where he is, how cold or lost or tired he must be. I think he isn't out there alone. Someone must have gotten him, and are waiting to turn him in. Or someone got him and are going to keep him. Either way he has got to be safe.

I wake up this morning at 6:45. I can't sleep. I took the day off and I get up and I call the police again. The pound...still no answer. They aren't going to open their doors early for me. I start thinking about what our flier will say, and how much false hope it may give us. I walk outside in to the back yard in my underwear....Tucker!

I lay back down, cry, and sleep.

We are both awake after the phone goes off a few times. It's Nathan's mom but he doesn't want to talk yet. He answers to tell her that. She says, Heather found Tucker!!

Heather is Nathan's sister who lives in New Hampshire. How could Heather have found Tucker?
I'm hysterical. Tucker is found! Where? Who? How?

Heather from her office desk in Manchester, New Hampshire googled (GOOGLED!) Lost Chicago Dogs. The second link was for Craigslist.

Her email this morning says:

Carey,

I have been trying to get in touch with both you and Nathan (with no luck)…but I have located Tucker! I had typed “Chicago Lost Pets” in the Google search engine and a million links popped up (obviously). Well…the second one was for Craigslist, so I clicked on it. Up popped some ads for lost & found pets…



Thu Oct 02

47th and Damen @ food for less -

Nokia 6655 phone in leather belt holder -- reward -- - (oak park or portage park)

found female puppy - (Hobart, In)

Lost: Red Specialized mountain bike. - (Hancock Center, Michigan Ave.)

found big fat happy black lab today in humbolt park - (humbolt park)

I had no idea where humbolt park was, and thought it was simply too good to be true, but I clicked on it. The ad was posted yesterday at 5:40’ish. I called the number listed and amazingly enough the girl said she was basically right around the corner from your house.



Apparently she was walking her dog and Tucker ran across the street to play. While he was crossing the street a car was coming, so she started screaming, the car slowed down, but still “bumped” Tucker. She said he was fine and still wanted to play. She didn’t want to leave him on the street, so she took him home with her (somewhere in your area). Anyhow, he loves her dog, she took him swimming this morning, and he is doing fine.



You guys need to get in touch with me so I can give you her cell number. She works until 2, but can scoot out earlier if you need.



I’m so happy that I decided to waste the Government’s money, but googl’ing during my work hours.



I love you both!

Heather


______

She found him!
I called the woman today with the ad. Her name is Tony and she has been calling Tucker Tatertot.
This is a miracle! A miracle.

When Tony answered the phone I said, Hi my name is Carey and I think you have my dog and I started to cry.
I mean, He's found!

We are so happy. I'm so happy I'm still crying.

She gets off work at 2 today, and is going to bring him over.
We are going to get him chipped, and put a different lock on that gate, and love him so so so much.
I just can't believe the outcome of this story.

sigh.

The Head Project took a trip to visit the Red Ball Project today! It was pretty cool! Lots of people whispering, "What's that head? Look at the head?" while simultaneously biking by, sitting under, and trying to push the big red ball. And, then the creator of the Red Ball Project came up to speak to me (but I didn't know it was him...doh!).

Anyways, you should check out the collision of these two projects!
BOOM!
And, if you are in Chicago anytime this month you should check out the Red Ball Project. It'll be in Wicker Park next weekend just in time for another love of ours the Renegade Craft fair!

Thanks guys!

From Barack himself to me :)
(Okay I'm not that naive but I like to pretend).

Carey --

Why would the Republicans spend a whole night of their convention attacking ordinary people?

With the nation watching, the Republicans mocked, dismissed, and actually laughed out loud at Americans who engage in community service and organizing.

Our convention was different. We gave the stage to everyday Americans who hunger for change and stepped up to make phone calls, knock on doors, and raise money in small amounts in their communities.

You may have missed it, but we also showed the country a video with the faces and voices of those organizers, volunteers, and donors from every corner of the country.


What you didn't hear from the Republicans at their convention is a single new idea about how to make the healthcare system work, get our economy moving for the middle class, or improve education.

Just attacks -- on me, and on you.

But what the McCain attack squad doesn't understand is that people like you -- who devote part of their busy lives to organizing and building their communities -- have the power to change this country.

With your help, that's exactly what we're going to do.

Thank you,

Barack

I am appalled at Rudy Giuliani.
He makes me want to throw up, actually the entire RNC does. So dismissive and cold hearted.
I am appalled at Rudy's dismissive remarks, and laughter. It is a shame that SERVICE is a theme at the RNC. Judging what "service" is redeemable is unjust, and in my opinion unpatriotic!