Please Pray....

**Please pray for a local hero who was taken by an unstable young man this morning. Coach Thomas was an inspiration for everyone who came in contact with him, he was an amazing coach, and a wonderful leader. I had the opportunity to listen to him speak a month ago. He was so inspirational. He had such strong faith. My heart is aching for his family, and the Aplington-Parkersburg community. Please send prayers their way. Article below (http://sports.espn.go.com/highschool/rise/football/news/story?id=4283443) is highlighting Coach Thomas' career and stating some facts about the shooter and the events that took place this morning.

Stop back and see me,

Kendra**

PARKERSBURG, Iowa -- Ed Thomas, who has produced four NFL linemen as the football coach at tiny Aplington-Parkersburg High, was shot and killed Wednesday inside the school's weight room, authorities said.

The gunman, identified by authorities as 24-year-old Mark Becker, shot Thomas multiple times just before 8 a.m. local time, authorities said. About 50 students were in the school, including several in the weight room, at the time. School was not in session, and no one else was injured in the attack.

Thomas, the 2005 NFL High School Football Coach of the Year, was airlifted to Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo, where he died, his family said in a statement. He was 58.

[+] Enlarge

Ross Dettman for ESPN.com

Ed Thomas, pictured in 2008 beside the football field at Aplington-Parkersburg High, was shot and killed Wednesday at the school.

Becker, a former student and football player at the school, was arrested shortly after the shooting and charged with first-degree murder, authorities said. He is being held in Butler County jail.

The district's superintendent and a guidance counselor were meeting with students who were in the weight room at the time of the shooting.

"No kids were hurt, we're thankful for that," superintendent Jon Thompson told KOEL radio. "They did witness this and so we have counselors at the site to talk with the kids."

The school is in Parkersburg, about 80 miles northeast of Des Moines.

Aplington-Parkersburg is the alma mater of four current NFL players -- Casey Wiegmann of the Denver Broncos; Jared DeVries of the Detroit Lions; Brad Meester of the Jacksonville Jaguars; and Aaron Kampman of the Green Bay Packers. All played for Thomas.

DeVries, a defensive end, walked off the Lions' practice field in Allen Park, Mich., toward the end of morning practice, apparently shaken.

Team officials said DeVries was not immediately available for comment.

Thomas compiled a career record of 292-84 in 37 seasons as a head coach, 34 of them at Aplington-Parkersburg, and was one of the most well-known high school football coaches in Iowa.

Thomas made national headlines last year when he insisted that the high school's football field, named in his honor, be rebuilt as a way to help restore community pride in Parkersburg after it was hit by a powerful tornado in May 2008 that killed six people and destroyed the high school.

"A lot of people know coach Thomas for his success as a football coach, but a lot of people here locally know him as a person, as a dad and grandfather, and that's where our thoughts are right now, with Coach Thomas," Thompson said.

Looking back at Thomas

A vigil will be held at the field at 7 p.m. local time Wednesday, Thompson said. In case of rain, it will be moved to Aplington Middle School.

Iowa Gov. Chet Culver, who was once a high school teacher and coach in Des Moines, said he was stunned by the shooting.

"As a former high school football coach, I've always had great admiration and respect for Coach Thomas," Culver said in a statement. "The state and national coaching fraternity has suffered a devastating loss. As we mourn the passing of Coach Thomas, it is my hope we can all continue to learn from his example."

Paul Rhoads, Iowa State's new football coach, said in a statement that Thomas was one of the first people to call him when he accepted the Cyclones job last December. Rhoads said Thomas was an Iowa coaching legend and "the best of people."

"His leadership set an example for us and his legacy will live on in the thousands of people he has touched in and out of the classroom and on and off the field," Rhoads said.

Toby Lorenzen, head coach at Central Lyon High School in Rock Rapids in northwest Iowa, said the killing was a shock to people in high school football programs throughout Iowa.

"He was one of the most down to earth, well-respected coaches around, Lorenzen said.

Richard Wulkow, executive director of the Iowa High School Athletic Association, said in a statement that Thomas embodied what a coach should be.

"He will be forever remembered not so much for his many wins on the field, but for the exemplary manner in which he coached kids and led the Aplington-Parkersburg community and school. This was especially true last spring and summer as they rebuilt from a devastating tornado," Wulkow said.

In 2005, a Texas high school football coach was shot by an angry parent who walked into the school fieldhouse and fired a single bullet into Gary Joe Kinne's stomach. The gunman's son played on the Canton High School football team with Kinne's son, who was the star quarterback.

Kinne survived. The shooter, Jeff Doyal Robertson, was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Oh Happy Day! :)

Hey all! It's me again, the perpetually bad blogger, here! Life has been a whirlwind lately!

My College friends have pretty much all left me. Moved on with their lives, outside of this small Iowa town. I'm jealous! I want to move on, too. But I know that this time next year hopefully that will be in the works.

My friend that I'm going to see in August just got engaged. Congrats Brookie! I love you girl! I'm so happy that I'll be able to see you pre-wedding in August!

I'm REALLY excited today! Its my best friend from high school's BACHELORETTE PARTY!! :) I've never been to one, and she's my first high school friend to get married so it's going to be a blast! I'll post pictures when/if I recover in time tomorrow!

Off to tan and then get my stuff packed up!
Come back and see me!

Kendra

**Update (Updated since my last post didn't work)**

So, I thought I posted yesterday...apparently I was mistaken. In short, my post was meant to express my new found "self", or at least how I plan to find my new self. I've come a lot closer to making some substantial decisions regarding my future. My mind is not 100% made up, but it is definitely a lot closer than it has been the last year and a half since I graduated.

I've also decided my blog needs a major makeover. I'm embarrassed to admit that I actually went to school and got a degree in design with my personal specialization in web design. I've all but forgotten even the most basic concepts, so I've decided now is the time to polish my skills back up and put them to good use. I already have my own url from my senior seminar class portfolio, that my mean instructor insisted I purchase, reassuring me that I could get out of it at anytime. Well, two years later, I still get the price of the site charged to my bank account, still totally oblivious as to how to cancel my "membership". So, I've decided to get rid of my 2 year old information off of my site, and update it and integrate my blog. How does that sound?

Back to my new self...well in order to work towards it, I have in the works, some ideas for a new series. I'm still working out some catchy names and when and how often I plan to post these. But I hope it totally revamps my blog. So many of you out there in blogland have inspired me to pursue my dreams, all 150 of them :).

So here goes, the first step...the series, then once I save up some money...well I'll let you know more in the coming weeks. Stay tuned and be on the look out for my new look. I'm pretty excited to show you what I can do..I hope I don't disappoint.

Thanks for stopping by, hope to see you again REALLLL soon! :)

Kendra

Shame, Shame on me!

I've been a bad, bad blogger again. Sometimes, I swear this is the truth, I get so wrapped up in reading all of your fascinating blogs, that by the time I look up at the clock, it's 6 o'clock, I've been home for an hour and a half and have a hungry boyfriend staring at me, waiting for ideas for dinner (we cook together, but I usually have to come up with the meals!). So then I'm off to make dinner, eat, and catch up on the latest Dancing With The Stars, American Idol, Lie to Me, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice...etc. that by the time I'm done with all that it's time for bed!

I'm still working on figuring out my life. At times, I feel like I'm closer, other times, like I'm a hundred miles away from figuring it out, and I'm never gonna get there. A very frustrating feeling, I might add. I have it narrowed down, and as the boyfriend puts it, lack the self confidence to do any of them. This is something I'm praying about, and swearing to work really hard at improving. I like myself, I think I'm "OK" at things...but I just lack the confidence to actually take the jump towards a new career.

In other news, people are popping the question all over the place in my life right now! My best friend and her boyfriend (my "brother") finally got engaged on her 23rd birthday last week! Lonnnnng time coming...like almost 4 years, and him having the ring for 3 months! Way to go, Jon! I love you guys!! My little cousin, the youngest on both sides of my family, surprised ALL of us and proposed to his wonderful girlfriend, Jackie a few weeks ago. They're great together! I'm really happy for them as well, and Jackie...welcome to the crazy, loud, loving Bolton family!! I can only hope that they don't plan their weddings for the same day..that would be complete and utter CHAOS!!! I'm hoping I'm close to next to be newly engaged....crossing my fingers, dropping not-so-subtle hints CONSTANTLY!! The boyfriend is probably utterly sick of me at this point! But he plays along!! And I love him for humoring me!!

Well...off to a meeting! Come back and see me soon!
Kendra

Sew What!!

Sew I don't know how to sew, sew what! I'm determined to learn. The plan is to find a reasonable sewing machine for a reasonable price and sit my butt down this summer and learn to sew! I've been dreaming of learning to sew and making my own creations for some time now. Sew, I've decided sew long sweet dreams, hello sweet reality! I'm gonna do it. I'll start small, of course. But my plan is to be proficient enough at sewing to be able to create a t-shirt blanket for Jacob this summer. I also have dreams of creating things beautiful enough to start my own Etsy shop. I have ideas, but need some inspiration and direction.

Any tips?

What did you all start off sewing?

Any certain brand of sewing machine that is a better bang for the buck than the others?

Sew many questions. I really can't wait to begin. My roommate should move out the end of May/beginning of June, and I have plans of transforming her room into my studio.

Send me patterns to get me started, links to cheap fabric sites, tips on learning to sew, ANYTHING. Fuel my sewing desires!!

Well, I should get back to work. Thanks for stopping by, see you soon.
Kendra

Big Brother

So, I learned moments ago that the school I work for, my Alma mater, is hosting the only Iowa audition for the tv show for "Big Brother," in 3 weeks. I can't wait to see the amount of crazies...er people, that show up to audition. I might have to make a trip over to work that day, just to people watch!

I've never actually watched the show. However, I did see several clips since a hunky guy on the show wore several shirts bearing my Alma mater's name. Have you ever seen the show? Is it something I should watch? Give me your thoughts! :)


Thanks for stopping by, see you soon!
Kendra

I just fell in love...with a house (or two!)

Okay. Really it's two houses. I love them both. They are gorgeous! Each in their own separate way. One, is very cozy (small), cottage-y (is that a word?), the other very modern (small) and beautiful. Both are relatively cheap, although the modern one is less than the other one, which makes me smile even more! The absolute worst part, other than not having the money to buy a house, is that the cheaper one was flooded pretty badly this past summer in our 500 year flood that totally brought havoc upon our fair town. The first, is on my street, I see it EVERY-DAY, when I go to and from work/working out. Highly overpriced in my opinion. Both, sad to say, are not fixer-uppers, which is on my wish list. They are both newly remodeled, and the first even has granite counter tops! The second has a gorgeous, most-white, kitchen. But hey..what would I do it if I bought either one since they are both newly remodeled...aww well..I'll just have to keep window shopping. Maybe someday my boyfriend will finally be done with college (next May..woohoo!!) and we can decide where we will start our first years of post-college life, and buy a home (I hope! He may decide grad school is an option..which just delays my plans even further. darn.)

ok. I'm done rambling. I just had to share that with someone. If anyone is interested in pictures, I will post them. But, I'm off to work out. I love spring days! It's 69 degrees here, how lovely is it where you are?

Thanks for reading, stop back soon!
Kendra