I'm sorry for being gone so much lately. I know that I'm not alone when I say this but...the last few weeks have been horrible! Why is that? Why does it seem that everyone is dealing with sickness and stress and grief and guilt and craziness? I can honestly say that I really think this has been the longest February ever.
It's time to shake things up a bit. You know what I mean? It's time to turn this car around; change this ship's course; throw open the windows and get some fresh air in here. Life is just getting too...stuffy. It's time for flowers and long walks and warm breezes and no... more... sickness!
I say we take a stand against winter and tell it to take a hike.
Let's say it together...
"Winter, you are not welcome here anymore! Take your crappy weather and your cold & flu and move on! Pack up your hurt and pain and make room for joy and celebration! And, don't let the door hit you on your way out!"
Who is with me?
February 21, 2012
February 6, 2012
My life flows on...
In loving memory-
for the Murray family and the community that grieves...
My Life Flows On In Endless Song
My life flows on in endless song;
Above earth’s lamentation
I hear the sweet though far off hymn
That hails a new creation:
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that Rock, I'm clinging,
Since love is lord of heaven and earth,
How can I keep from singing?
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear the music ringing;
It finds an echo in my soul—
How can I keep from singing?
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that Rock, I'm clinging,
Since love is lord of heaven and earth,
How can I keep from singing?
What though my joys and comforts die?
I know my soul still liveth;
What though the darkness gather round!
Songs in the night He giveth:
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that Rock, I'm clinging,
Since love is lord of heaven and earth,
How can I keep from singing?
for the Murray family and the community that grieves...
My Life Flows On In Endless Song
My life flows on in endless song;
Above earth’s lamentation
I hear the sweet though far off hymn
That hails a new creation:
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that Rock, I'm clinging,
Since love is lord of heaven and earth,
How can I keep from singing?
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear the music ringing;
It finds an echo in my soul—
How can I keep from singing?
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that Rock, I'm clinging,
Since love is lord of heaven and earth,
How can I keep from singing?
What though my joys and comforts die?
I know my soul still liveth;
What though the darkness gather round!
Songs in the night He giveth:
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that Rock, I'm clinging,
Since love is lord of heaven and earth,
How can I keep from singing?
February 2, 2012
Have you laughed today?
My day began with a blueberry muffin and a strawberry mango smoothie from Starbucks.
The sun is shining.
Birds are singing.
My office window is open.
What more could I possibly ask for?
Right now, nothing.
And so I leave with you a picture I got from *Clean* Funny Pics.
It's funny because it's true. Enjoy!
(If you can't see it very well try clicking on it to make it larger)
The sun is shining.
Birds are singing.
My office window is open.
What more could I possibly ask for?
Right now, nothing.
And so I leave with you a picture I got from *Clean* Funny Pics.
It's funny because it's true. Enjoy!
(If you can't see it very well try clicking on it to make it larger)
January 27, 2012
A penny for my thoughts...
I don't normally like to give out advice, unless someone has actually asked me for it. That's kind of my thing....I hate unsolicited advice and assume that everyone else feels the same way.
However, due to a few recent happenings I feel that perhaps, just this once, I'll break my own rule and dish out a few thoughts. You can take them or leave them. And, I won't be offended if you leave them.
Here we go...
1. So you're not a parent of a child under the age of 12? Well then, feel free to keep your "you should be doing it this way" look to yourself. Things have changed some in the decade since your child was my child's age and I don't appreciate your annoyed stare. I'm going to need you to put on your adult pants and just look away.
2. There are only a few times I can say this and actually mean it....Yes, I am the end-all, say-all, all-knowing person on a particular professionally-related subject (to remain unnamed). What I say goes. Don't question my advice. Just listen to it.
3. I don't care who you are or how often you frequent your local Starbucks. It is never okay to bypass the line (especially on a busy Wednesday morning) to wait for a barista to notice you, make your drink (while those in line are forced to wait longer), and then take your money in between other customers. We all have places to be honey so get your rear in line and wait your turn! Plus, really? You leave your house with hair like that? Wow....
4. When you're at Target and all of the lines look long, don't despair. There are way too many idiots who miss the second row of registers. Those always have shorter lines so find one and get in there. You might have to muscle your way past one of those idiots that I mentioned earlier but believe me, Target has two rows of registers for a reason and it's not their fault that some people don't know how to get into double lines.
5. Wait at crosswalks. Yes there are a million students running around this town, crossing the streets wherever and whenever they jolly well please. But, that doesn't mean you need to put your own life in danger and cross with them. And, to the young man who made fun of me for waiting last night, refusing to cross so that traffic could proceed...learn some respect.
6. Sometimes it is okay to let your two-year-old win. Sometimes.
7. Did you break the color printer in your office? Here's an easy fix- bagels on Friday for everyone!
8. Groceries can be purchased later, bathrooms can be cleaned this weekend, and, if it sits long enough, laundry will fold itself.
9. Are you new here? I bet you have a brilliant idea for an organization-wide initiative, yes? Perhaps your idea isn't as original as you think. You might consider holding it in until after the big meeting and then maybe just discuss it privately with a few people.
10. Always plan ahead. Giving a big speech soon? Make sure your presentation slides will work in the room you're presenting in and that you know how to use the equipment. Hungry for ice cream? Wait until after you put the child to bed to get it out. Planning a trip to Florida in January? Pay the extra $40 and buy the trip cancellation insurance.
Happy Friday everyone!
However, due to a few recent happenings I feel that perhaps, just this once, I'll break my own rule and dish out a few thoughts. You can take them or leave them. And, I won't be offended if you leave them.
Here we go...
1. So you're not a parent of a child under the age of 12? Well then, feel free to keep your "you should be doing it this way" look to yourself. Things have changed some in the decade since your child was my child's age and I don't appreciate your annoyed stare. I'm going to need you to put on your adult pants and just look away.
2. There are only a few times I can say this and actually mean it....Yes, I am the end-all, say-all, all-knowing person on a particular professionally-related subject (to remain unnamed). What I say goes. Don't question my advice. Just listen to it.
3. I don't care who you are or how often you frequent your local Starbucks. It is never okay to bypass the line (especially on a busy Wednesday morning) to wait for a barista to notice you, make your drink (while those in line are forced to wait longer), and then take your money in between other customers. We all have places to be honey so get your rear in line and wait your turn! Plus, really? You leave your house with hair like that? Wow....
4. When you're at Target and all of the lines look long, don't despair. There are way too many idiots who miss the second row of registers. Those always have shorter lines so find one and get in there. You might have to muscle your way past one of those idiots that I mentioned earlier but believe me, Target has two rows of registers for a reason and it's not their fault that some people don't know how to get into double lines.
5. Wait at crosswalks. Yes there are a million students running around this town, crossing the streets wherever and whenever they jolly well please. But, that doesn't mean you need to put your own life in danger and cross with them. And, to the young man who made fun of me for waiting last night, refusing to cross so that traffic could proceed...learn some respect.
6. Sometimes it is okay to let your two-year-old win. Sometimes.
7. Did you break the color printer in your office? Here's an easy fix- bagels on Friday for everyone!
8. Groceries can be purchased later, bathrooms can be cleaned this weekend, and, if it sits long enough, laundry will fold itself.
9. Are you new here? I bet you have a brilliant idea for an organization-wide initiative, yes? Perhaps your idea isn't as original as you think. You might consider holding it in until after the big meeting and then maybe just discuss it privately with a few people.
10. Always plan ahead. Giving a big speech soon? Make sure your presentation slides will work in the room you're presenting in and that you know how to use the equipment. Hungry for ice cream? Wait until after you put the child to bed to get it out. Planning a trip to Florida in January? Pay the extra $40 and buy the trip cancellation insurance.
Happy Friday everyone!
January 26, 2012
Happy birthday to Rachel...
It has been almost two weeks since we celebrated Rachel's 2nd birthday and I am just now getting around to doing anything with photos from her party. There are no excuses for my shameful actions...other than I just haven't had time. Does that count? Can I use that as an excuse? Yes. I vote yes.
So now we venture into life with a two-year-old...suddenly I feel very old and very slow.
We love you Rachel!
It is hard to believe that just two short years ago our little Pooh Bear started out like this:
And here she is, already such a big kid.
Okay, so before we start the party let us all give a big round of applause to my wonderful husband for making this toy shelf...from scratch. Thank you honey.
Look Mommy, ELMO Balloon!!!!!!
Blowing out the candles, with a bit of additional wind power. Thank you daddy.
And then we opened presents. Lots of them. Too many of them. Here are just a few pictures. I love the first one...she's back there somewhere.
So now we venture into life with a two-year-old...suddenly I feel very old and very slow.
We love you Rachel!
January 23, 2012
I'm tired...
I hate the Winter Blues. They make it hard for me to get motivated to do anything. Laundry has been piling up a lot more lately, blog posts aren't getting written, exercise has fallen out of my vocabulary, and I have yet to post any pictures on facebook from Rachel's birthday party....which was over a week ago.
Some might call this slacking; others would say it's normal; I say it's a bit pathetic.
Winter should be a time for cross-country skiing and fun indoor projects and parties. Instead, I'm exhausted and bored. I'm tired of being tired, and I'm ready for spring.
I'm ready to take Rachel mushroom hunting with grandpa, plant early garden, go on long evening walks, and sleep with my windows open.
I'm ready to see what my house looks like in daylight and stop having to worry about bad roads.
I'm ready to forget about cracked dried hands and heavy winter coats.
The other day Rachel jumped....that's it. She jumped up and down for almost 10 minutes and then ran into the other room to show daddy how much she can jump. Wow, wouldn't that be amazing to have that kind of energy? Can anyone actually keep up with that? I know I can't. And it makes me feel horrible. I should be able to chase my little girl around and jump up and down with her. Instead, I sat on the couch and grew tired as I watched her. And as her smile got bigger and bigger so did the weight of my guilt. Why does sitting at a desk all day take so much energy out of me? How is that even possible? What can I do about this?
I wave the white flag at you, winter. You win this time. Now, can we move onto spring?
Some might call this slacking; others would say it's normal; I say it's a bit pathetic.
Winter should be a time for cross-country skiing and fun indoor projects and parties. Instead, I'm exhausted and bored. I'm tired of being tired, and I'm ready for spring.
I'm ready to take Rachel mushroom hunting with grandpa, plant early garden, go on long evening walks, and sleep with my windows open.
I'm ready to see what my house looks like in daylight and stop having to worry about bad roads.
I'm ready to forget about cracked dried hands and heavy winter coats.
The other day Rachel jumped....that's it. She jumped up and down for almost 10 minutes and then ran into the other room to show daddy how much she can jump. Wow, wouldn't that be amazing to have that kind of energy? Can anyone actually keep up with that? I know I can't. And it makes me feel horrible. I should be able to chase my little girl around and jump up and down with her. Instead, I sat on the couch and grew tired as I watched her. And as her smile got bigger and bigger so did the weight of my guilt. Why does sitting at a desk all day take so much energy out of me? How is that even possible? What can I do about this?
I wave the white flag at you, winter. You win this time. Now, can we move onto spring?
January 17, 2012
I hate bugs...
So, apparently there is a "bug" going around.
Not a Love Bug either.
Nope. This is the kind of bug that...
causes your entire family to wake up sick;
cancels your vacation to Florida;
leaves you hovering around the toilet every 45-minutes from 4:00 pm - 2:00 am; and
makes you thankful for the opportunity to return to work...in almost blizzard conditions.
Last week was a loooooong week folks.
Not a Love Bug either.
Nope. This is the kind of bug that...
causes your entire family to wake up sick;
cancels your vacation to Florida;
leaves you hovering around the toilet every 45-minutes from 4:00 pm - 2:00 am; and
makes you thankful for the opportunity to return to work...in almost blizzard conditions.
Last week was a loooooong week folks.
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