Just in case you were wondering...

For those of you who look at me and think "Ryanne should really doing something about those eyebrows. Should I say something?"

You can rest assured that I already know and I am working towards that goal.

I've Got the Power...

Here's a short story for you...

At 11:15 am yesterday I walked into the lunch room, and stopped dead in my tracks because the Diet Coke had been replaced with Coke Zero. I seriously didn't know what to do. So I called my friend Heather, and told her I was devastated that the Diet Coke was gone, and I NEEDED her to fix it. She said she would make some calls. At 12:30 she called me and told me it was getting fixed, and at 12:45 I got a text message from Allison McCroskey that said "Ryanne is a HERO! The Diet Coke is back in the machine."

Some might call it power, but it mostly about knowing the right people. I am so glad we got it fixed, because it is basically my life line...who knows how long it would have lasted.

this is katie

This is katie. I think it is about time I posted on here since I am ryannes best friend.

Here are some things ryanne loves about me,
I loved kung fu panda
I eat her food
I hang out with her 24.7
I am funnier, and she is jealous.

it was Wicked awesome

For Christmas Jonathan gave me tickets to Wicked. Well, he gave me a piece of paper that said I was getting tickets to Wicked. It only took about six months to deliver. We drove up to LA today and walked around Hollywood&Higland for a couple hours...then caught the shuttle to the Pantageas. It was definitely worth the wait. The show was incredible (and a first broadway show for Jonathan). I highly recommend it. Merry Christmas to me!

Did someone order a Pizza?

I got a text from my mom today. Don't get too excited and start making any plans (that is what my husband said to me) but according to her the Pizza possibilities are looking better. It is still way off from now, but just think how cute this guy would be running around my house. We will just have to wait and see!

"Nothin' nothin'...absolutley nothin'"

The only thing wrong with doing nothing is you never know when you're finished. -Anonymous

All week we have been sweeping, shoveling, hanging and doing our best to get the Refinery ready for two grand opening events and the first four church services ever in the building. It has been an amazing time of bonding and excitement. Today was the first of two days off. I had all these plans do to things that I have been putting off for the last three weeks until we got through the chaos. On the list: a massage, pedicure, buy new make-up, get a car wash, do laundry, grocery shop, etc.

I have been known to waste a whole day doing nothing. I could easily watch a whole season of Veronica Mars in my bed, or play video games for eight hours. BUT today I did nothing. Absolutely nothing. It felt good this morning, but as we head into evening I am feeling a little bit like I wasted a perfectly good day off, and now I am down to just one more day off. I have a lot to accomplish tomorrow!

Do we live in Palm Springs?

It is 7:40 in the morning and weather.com says it is already 81 degrees outside. It is going to be a hot one!

So I married an axe murderer?

No word on the Craig's List ad. Jonathan just told me at dinner tonight that if we don't hear from anyone in the next two weeks he is going to chop the entertainment center up with an ax. Hope someone contacts me soon.

Movie Times?

Often when I am trying to go to Facebook I type F-A-N-D-A-N-G-O. I don't know I am doing it so I get really confused when the Fandango homepage comes up. Sometimes it frazzles me and I decide to close Internet Explorer and move on to the next thing I am doing. So if you have poked me lately that is why I haven't poked back.

16 Hour Day

I left my house at 7:05 am...and I am calling it a night and heading home from the office at 10:50 pm. I am tired and my back hurts...but the pay off is TOTALLY worth it. Two days until The Refinery opens!
Photos courtesy of Alanna Moine.

Craig's List

In an attempt to make room for our new TV...we need to do a little clean up. So we decided to sell our entertainment center on Craig's List. This is a first for me...using Craig's List. I thought someone who reads my blog might want it as well. Here is the description I put on Craig's List.

Beautiful oak entertainment center for sale. Has 3 adjustable shelves, and 2
permanent ones. Also, has three DVD drawers with dividers. Measurements for
whole entertainment center are: 51Hx65Wx20D. Measurements for TV space is:
33Wx28H. You must be able to pick it up from home, and it will take three to
four men to move it.

Not really a great sales pitch...but my brain is tired and it has to go. I will let you know the results.

Things You Should Know About Me

I love growing plants. Especially fruits and vegetables. I just love growing a plant...it makes me feel like I have accomplished something. Our apartment is a little bit of a cave, and we don't get a lot of sunlight on our patio. So I thought I would do an experiment and buy some of the summer vegetables that were on sale at Target. I chose peppers:Anaheim, Jalapeno and Bell...as you can see above the Anaheim has some great growth. Seven peppers are growing! What an easy sense of accomplishment.

M.A.S.H.

Not the show... the Game. Wow! Totally takes me back to the old days with Allison. Not the good old days - just the old days - because these days are pretty fabulous. Enjoy!

Thank You Mr. President

We have decided how we our going to stimulate the economy. There is a new TV is in our future. I once read somewhere that there is a high percentage of women who would rather receive a big screen TV instead of a diamond ring. I definitely fall into this category. I love watching TV -live...on DVR...on DVD. I love playing video games - by myself...when friends come over. Although I am still striving for a new couch and Pizza...I am still very happy with our decision.

Things You Should Know About Me

I freaking love the Orange County Fair. I don't know what it is, but I can't wait for it to come, and I can't get enough of it. Only 25 more days before it is here.

Since my last post...

23 Tours of the Refinery
1 Leader Appreciation BBQ
1 Senior Dinner
8,000 times that I have laughed
4 Potential Volunteer Meetings
3 Trips to Party City
5 Loads of Laundry
0 Hours of TV Watched
Probably 300 emails read/responded to/created
1 Million times I have said "Oh you are a life saver...thank you so much"

OC vs NYC

Awesome!

Zono Zohan

I agreed to see Adam Sandler's new movie tonight. It was uncomfortably funny (and it wasn't because we were sitting in the second row). Adam Sandler has always been one of my favs, but this movie has Mariah Carey in it...enough said.

Summer Interns Start Today

We had 4 summer interns start today, and Josh asked me to write an orientation for them. It ended up being 20 things that we thought they should know about the culture of HSM and Student Ministries before diving into Grand Opening of th Refinery, summer events, and camp.

HSM Summer Intern Orientation
20 expectations of summer interns

1. Know what is on your calendar before you come in for the day.
We live and die by our calendars in the office. Nothing throws you off more than forgetting about a meeting. Also, summer events don’t always allow you to run home and change your clothes. OUTLOOK is one of your most important resources…use it!

2. Expect to be at all HSM events…if you’re not sure, ASK!

3. Have a good attitude.
If you don’t have a good attitude, take some time for yourself to read, relax and refresh.

4. Check Basecamp Tuesday thru Friday

5. Know what is expected of you on the weekend
· Be on time.
· Help set up.
· Greet Volunteers
· Jump in where needed
· Sit with students during the service - Don’t stand in the back!!!

6. You are responsible for your emails, voicemails, and texts.
Check them often and return them in a timely manner – every 24 hours (at most), but take care of Pastoral Care issues IMMEDIATELY!

7. Communicate where you are going and when you will be back
There is no such thing as over communicating and don’t ever assume someone knows where you are. Keep JG in the loop at all times.

8. NEVER say “I don’t know”…ALWAYS say “Let me find out”
Try and know every detail about events on the calendar (Location, Price, Where to meet, Times) and GO get the information for a student, parent or volunteer rather then sending them to someone. Also, walk them over to the person with the answer and listen to what they have to say – then next time you won’t have to ask.

9. Know that everything can change at ANY moment…go with it.

10. Ask questions.
A lot of them. Why we do things? How we do things? What if we did things a different way? Even if it is to confirm what you already know…ask questions!

11. Write it down.
You should not go into a meeting (one-on-one or with the team) with out a pad of paper and a pen – bring your Moleskine.

12. Expect to pay for your own meals.
Team lunches are a privilege, and we will try to feed everyone whenever we are asking them to work through a meal, but never assume it is on HSM.

13. Ask for a deadline (because there is one).
Asking will save you from conflict and unknown expectations. Even if the person can’t give you an exact time, ask them about how long they think it should take you.

14. Don’t be scared to ask for time with people.
You are here to learn and experience the inner workings of ministry. EVERYONE at Saddleback is working with a packed schedule, BUT you can not receive unless you ASK. If there is someone in Student Ministries or the church that you would like time with ask JG and he will try his hardest to make it happen.

15. Let Josh Griffin know when you need his time.
The easiest way is to set up a meeting with him, but even when his door is closed it is really open.

16. Protect your day off.
Because if you don’t…no one else will.

17. If you’re not doing anything…ask how you can help.

18. KNOW THIS: We COULD NOT do ministry with out Volunteers.
So…
Learn their names
Talk to them
Tell them how much you appreciate them
Involve them with what you are doing
Ask for their help
Make a big deal when they do help
Pray for them

19. Know who does what on the Student Ministries team.
Student Ministries is a team and it is so important that we help each other whenever we can.

20. Spiritual Life is Essential!

You have 72 days…make each one count!

In the midst of craziness...

...I am still going to do one of my favorite things tomorrow morning

One Last Pepperocini Post

The other day Heather sent me a CASE of sliced pepperocinis. She guaranteed that I will NEVER post again about not being able to find pepperocinis at the store, and now I can share my work jar with my friends with out bitterness.