Friday, January 8, 2010

Attempt #1

We're about to see if the FLIP is as easy as everyone says it is. Here's a clip from Hannah's most recent riding lesson.



I think it worked. One goal down! Another goal is on hold. My phone has been having issues, so Verizon is replacing it with an upgrade. It will be here Monday, so I'll be starting from scratch. Good grief...this from a gal who rarely upgrades her phone...two new phones in 8 months. I'll keep you posted!

Saturday, January 2, 2010

I hereby resolve...

Hmmm....I don't make New Year resolutions any more. I think the lackadaisical attitude comes with being 40ish and having seen so many unsuccessful resolutions come and go in my younger years. However, this year I'm going to set some goals...some big, some little, and some just plain silly; but here is the beginning of my list.

1. Learn to use my phone. Yes, I know...most of you talk to me on my phone and I CAN use it to call people, but I really am going to use the features on it. I selected this phone so I could consolidate gadgets and not have to take my mp3 player AND my phone into the gym. I tried to upload some podcasts, only to have just the first few minutes of each one actually show up in the play list. Grrr....I WILL conquer my phone.

2. Learn to use my Christmas presents. Yes, I must have been a good girl this year... I got a Flip! Isn't that fun?! Supposedly they are amazingly simple, so I should be in good shape, but we must never underestimate my ability to be a complete technology dunce. You'll know if I succeed here...if I post videos. I also received a French press coffee maker from my daughter. I'm still perfecting my skill at getting just the perfect brew, but stop in any time and I'll make us a pot.

3. Plan menus ahead. I have been trouble shooting some issues in my life. For many years I was on top of things (or at least I was compared to now) and felt much more at peace. Then the kids grew up, schedules got complicated, we weren't eating the things the way I had planned and the pendulum swung the other way. I gave up planning (well...the plans never worked out so why continue) and now I rarely know what we are eating at the next meal. Thus, we end up eating out more than we should, simply because I am paralyzed in the kitchen. This year, I'm going to try to plan flexible meals that will work into our schedule if we are home or can be made at a later date without wasting ingredients. I may even try to cook ahead and freeze some meals.

4. Blog more. I saw that for less than $20 I could have my blog from last year made into a book. I would love to do an annual "this is our life" book to pass on to my grandchildren some day. But let's be real; at this point, those grandkids would just see how scattered I am and how inconsistently I post here.

5. Decorate, really decorate for Christmas next year. I've only given it a half hearted effort for too many years. Next year, I'm going all out. If I say it all year long...maybe then it will happen.

That's all I can think of right now. I reserve the right to add to my list. How 'bout you...what are your goals for the new year?

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Happy New Year!

Wow, 2009 is drawing to a close and I don't want to let the year end without a shout out to a few people. These people don't even read my blog (I know....there are precious few of you readers out there), but I LOVE looking back at old posts, so I'm doing this more for posterity's sake than to actually thank these terrific people.

To my husband - Wow...our 20th Christmas together. I'm excited to see what happens in the next 20 years. Life with you is always exciting.

To Alyssa - You, my dear daughter, have blossomed into an amazing young woman. I'm privileged to be your mother. Thank you for being my "guinea pig". I'm excited to see what God has in store for you next year.

Kevin - Your desire to serve the Lord here and abroad is such an inspiration to those around you. I'm truly thankful for the "front row seat" that I have been given in your life. I can't wait to see what all God is going to do through you.

Hannah - You are amazing. I love watching you cultivate those things in your life that you are passionate about. Thank you for being patient with me. Sometimes I think we are too alike for our own good. :-)

Victoria - Your zeal for life is precious - thank you for making me smile. I love watching you dance and your stage presence is amazing! You are soon going to be 11 years old...I guess I don't have little girls any more.

To Wendy Jeffries - YOU are a blessing, a true gift from God! You are more than a riding instructor, horse trainer and owner of the most beautiful stables around...you are a tremendous mentor to my daughter. What a privilege to see her blossom under your tutelage.

To Mark Linton - Thank you for imparting life to my children. You inspire them to seek the Lord for themselves, not just attend church because that's what our family does. Your energy and enthusiasm are contagious.

To the friends of Carenet Pregnancy Center of Coastal Georgia - Thank you for your prayers and generosity. In the midst of strange economic times, YOU have been faithful and Carenet is thriving. What a blessing to look back over this past year and see God's faithfulness. It's because of YOU women are served and lives are changed.

May God richly bless you in 2010.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas

As a lover of Christmas music of all kinds, I like to think I'm pretty well versed (no pun intended) in traditional carols. However, at the Christmas Eve service last night I was struck by the richness of the lyrics of some of the lesser known verses of common carols. This one especially caught my attention.

What Child is this who, laid to rest On Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping?

[CHORUS] This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing; Haste, haste, to bring Him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Okay...so we all know this part. One of my favorites.

Why lies He in such mean estate, Where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christians, fear, for sinners here The silent Word is pleading.

[CHORUS]

Okay...so we hear this verse occasionally.


Nails, spear shall pierce Him through, The cross be borne for me, for you. Hail, hail the Word made flesh, The Babe, the Son of Mary.

[CHORUS]

Wow...the entire gospel, right here in this hymn. I LOVE this verse.


So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh, Come peasant, king to own Him; The King of kings salvation brings, Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

[CHORUS]

Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Hope you have enjoyed the season!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Happy Birthday Patrick!

In the midst of all the Christmas hustle and bustle, we did pause to celebrate Patrick's birthday. All kids were present (no small feat considering everyone's conflicting schedules) and a good time was had by all. After a delicious birthday dinner, some chocolate cake that was to die for, and a couple of presents, we topped the night off with our annual viewing of It's a Wonderful Life.

Mmmm...just gotta love Publix bakery's decadent dessert line.
My goal is to try them all.


Patrick's office is about to be refurnished, so I thought he needed something new on the wall, you know...something trendy and sophisticated...like a quote from Winnie the Pooh.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Christmas with a Toddler

In the midst of my hurried house decorating, I forgot that a toddler roams the house four days a week. I wasn't worried about her getting ornaments from the tree, as she's quite obedient and rarely out of sight. However, Caitlyn did manage, in a brief moment, to find some baubles on a little side table. Most were plastic, so when she threw them down, it was as if she was playing with balls...toys of her own. But when she threw down a glass one, we all came running. We found her staring at the shattered, red ornament saying, "Uh, oh...NO, NO baby!" We all burst out laughing...how do you reprimand a child who chastises herself?

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Let's Play Jeopardy


Alex, I’ll take NYC numbers for 100

The answer is: Three

How many college friends met together to reconnect; OR how many seconds did it take to feel like we’d never been apart OR how many times did Natalie buy hot, melt in your mouth coconut, almonds, peanuts and cashews from the Nuts for Nuts vendors on the street? Seriously, it’s a good thing I don’t live near those vendors…they could be addicting.

Alex, I’ll take NYC numbers for 200

The answer is: One

How many times did Laura and Natalie wander aimlessly trying to figure out where they needed to go next. Yes, after leaving the Empire State Building, we circled the entire block once before realizing where we needed to go to catch the subway to Uptown. We were quite pleased with ourselves that we navigated the city by ourselves so well.

NYC Numbers for 300

The answer is: 3000

Approx- imately how many calories were in the cheese cake and frozen hot chocolate Laura and Natalie sampled at Serendipity 3? For a fleeting moment, we considered a third dessert when we heard a waiter tell a neighboring table that the peanut butter frozen hot chocolate is like drinking Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Yummmm……

Alex, I’ll take NYC Numbers for 400

The Answer is: 12 Million

How many 19th and 20th Century paintings did we look at in the MET? Okay, maybe that’s an exag- geration, but it was a lot; or how many people were AT the MET while we were there? I hate crowds, so it was sensory overload in each and every way possible.

NYC Numbers for 500, Alex

The Answer is: 12 or more

How many Broadway shows would Natalie see if she had the time and money to see them? Alas…I settled for one, South Pacific. We fell in love with Paulo Szot's (Emile de Becque) voice. Oh my…hearing him sing Some Enchanted Evening is enough to make any young woman fall in love with him.

I can now say I’ve seen Times Square, Central Park, the Empire State Building, and Ground Zero. I’ve shopped on Canal Street (no, I don’t want a Gucci, Coach OR Chanel bag), bought $5 pashminas and walked more in one weekend that I ever imagined. I’m hoping this is the first of many reunions with dear friends. Angelique and Laura, my life is richer when you are a part of it.