It was Mom's birthday this past week and we celebrated in Destin, Florida. Here she is at Ruth's Chris Steak House enjoying a saxaphone serenade.
My sweet nephew Logan. 
The girls bury their dad in the sand.
Happy Birthday Mom!!!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Birthday at the Beach
It was Mom's birthday this past week and we celebrated in Destin, Florida. Here she is at Ruth's Chris Steak House enjoying a saxaphone serenade.
My sweet nephew Logan. The girls bury their dad in the sand.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Sweet Ride!
Oh yea,
That's right!
Those are white-walled tires. Springer front end-- for comfort. Tractor seat. The works.
I get so much attention with this clean vehicle, I hardly need to use my "I love my bike" bell for people to know I'm coming.
But I do anyway!
Well, I'm about to head out to Florida for some fun in the sun! When I get back I'll post some photos from the trip. Woo Hoo!
Here comes the summer!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Air and Space
Not quite the final frontier...but, the National Air and Space Museum, aka, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, is all the way out near Dulles Airport. There is also another Smithsonian Air and Space museum but it is in downtown DC. Unlike most other Smithsonian Museums, the National Air and Space Museum has a fee. It's a parking fee, not an admission fee. They say it's because the airport requires it. So, don't neglect to bring $12 with you if you plan on stopping your car.
The Museum has plenty of aviation history. Some of it is not so pretty...
And some of it is downright adorable!
This thing looks like it flew right out of a Pixar film, don't you think?
There are planes for the wealthy........... and planes for the stealthy.
They even have helicopters.
And, of course...... there are plenty of amazing space gizmo's too!
Satellites, missiles, shuttles, rovers....
And, no trip to the Air and Space would be complete without a look at the most famous piece of Astronaut clothing ever!
Yes, there definitely is something for everyone at the National Air and Space Museum.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
My Cuticle
Sitting in the salon today-- listening to the tunes and chatter-- I heard a song and it reminded me of something that happened not so long ago. It made me laugh and probably made the poor stylist a little bit nervous about just who she had sitting in her chair with the head full of tin foil.
Since I'm no longer worried about getting fired by a certain employer, I feel much more free to tell this story on myself. I probably should keep quiet about it still, but, as you'll see from the story I'm about to tell, I'm sometimes prone to make impetuous decisions that I later regret.
So, here's what happened:
Most days at the office consisted of pretty much the same thing. Lots of sitting, lots of staring at a computer screen, lots of mouse clicking. If a person didn't take a few minutes every now and then to just be silly, all of the monotony could potentially cause permanent damage. We knew this because we happened to share space with a poor girl who most certainly had crossed over into that frightening territory and now did nothing but spin around in her chair while applying makeup and divulging waaayyyy too much personal information about herself to practical strangers.
So, on one particularly heinous day at the end of a particularly heinous week, Hallie (a co-worker, and all around awesome lady, who has also left this particular employer) decided that we needed a fun break from the drudgery. So, inspired by the online parody "My Cubicle", she concocted a contest where each of us (there were about six, at the time) would write our own version-- Weird Al style-- to the tune of the song "You're Beautiful".
We feverishy jumped into action with a renewed vigor we hadn't seen in many months. Pens were flying, sweat beads forming. Laughter could be heard intermittantly, as each person re-read a particularly clever line they had composed. Her plan had worked. We were alive again!
After fifteen minutes all submissions had to be turned in for consideration. I typed mine up for efficiency's sake. It would take at least 20 minutes for anyone to even read my handwriting, so typing was definitely the way to go, right? Well.. this is the beginning of the "things I would later regret" portion of the story.
My entry would be titled "My Cuticle" and would include many inside jokes about "fungus toe" and other unfortunate digit maladies. After completing a particularly humorous (I thought) stanza about pulling out all of my hair and putting it back on with glue (something I imagined our chair spinning co-worker might have tried before), I quickly sent my masterpiece to Hallie's computer, cc'ing the other competitors. Or so I thought......
But no. I had actually sent my ode to office boredom and insanity to a different email list. One containing many many people who had absolutely no idea about our afternoon diversion, one including the managing attorneys of the case we were trying hard to not think about.
Heads started popping up from behind computer screens. I kind of remember someone saying, "Michelle, did you know that you sent that to Mr. so and so?"
I stood up. I turned green.
"What's wrong?" Hallie asked.
"I just got myself fired." I replied, not believing what I had just done.
"Recall!" "Recall!" someone yelled across the room.
"What????" "I don't know how?" "What do I do???"
There was screaming. There was scrambling. Finally, someone with much more Outlook prowess dashed to my computer and recalled the message.
Had they read it? Had they seen the incomprehensible toe fungus ramblings with my name as the sender? How was I going to explain this to my husband? How was I going to explain this to my next employer when they asked that inevitable "why did you leave your last job" question. What had I done!!!!!
God was kind to save me from my own stupidity and the emails sent to the big cheeses were recalled before (supposedly) being read. I was not fired.
And I'm pretty sure I won the contest! ;)
See, these are the types of co-workers and friends that made that place tolerable and that I'm really going to miss. They helped me out when I needed help. They made me laugh when I needed a laugh.
Thanks guys! You Rock!
Since I'm no longer worried about getting fired by a certain employer, I feel much more free to tell this story on myself. I probably should keep quiet about it still, but, as you'll see from the story I'm about to tell, I'm sometimes prone to make impetuous decisions that I later regret.
So, here's what happened:
Most days at the office consisted of pretty much the same thing. Lots of sitting, lots of staring at a computer screen, lots of mouse clicking. If a person didn't take a few minutes every now and then to just be silly, all of the monotony could potentially cause permanent damage. We knew this because we happened to share space with a poor girl who most certainly had crossed over into that frightening territory and now did nothing but spin around in her chair while applying makeup and divulging waaayyyy too much personal information about herself to practical strangers.
So, on one particularly heinous day at the end of a particularly heinous week, Hallie (a co-worker, and all around awesome lady, who has also left this particular employer) decided that we needed a fun break from the drudgery. So, inspired by the online parody "My Cubicle", she concocted a contest where each of us (there were about six, at the time) would write our own version-- Weird Al style-- to the tune of the song "You're Beautiful".
We feverishy jumped into action with a renewed vigor we hadn't seen in many months. Pens were flying, sweat beads forming. Laughter could be heard intermittantly, as each person re-read a particularly clever line they had composed. Her plan had worked. We were alive again!
After fifteen minutes all submissions had to be turned in for consideration. I typed mine up for efficiency's sake. It would take at least 20 minutes for anyone to even read my handwriting, so typing was definitely the way to go, right? Well.. this is the beginning of the "things I would later regret" portion of the story.
My entry would be titled "My Cuticle" and would include many inside jokes about "fungus toe" and other unfortunate digit maladies. After completing a particularly humorous (I thought) stanza about pulling out all of my hair and putting it back on with glue (something I imagined our chair spinning co-worker might have tried before), I quickly sent my masterpiece to Hallie's computer, cc'ing the other competitors. Or so I thought......
But no. I had actually sent my ode to office boredom and insanity to a different email list. One containing many many people who had absolutely no idea about our afternoon diversion, one including the managing attorneys of the case we were trying hard to not think about.
Heads started popping up from behind computer screens. I kind of remember someone saying, "Michelle, did you know that you sent that to Mr. so and so?"
I stood up. I turned green.
"What's wrong?" Hallie asked.
"I just got myself fired." I replied, not believing what I had just done.
"Recall!" "Recall!" someone yelled across the room.
"What????" "I don't know how?" "What do I do???"
There was screaming. There was scrambling. Finally, someone with much more Outlook prowess dashed to my computer and recalled the message.
Had they read it? Had they seen the incomprehensible toe fungus ramblings with my name as the sender? How was I going to explain this to my husband? How was I going to explain this to my next employer when they asked that inevitable "why did you leave your last job" question. What had I done!!!!!
God was kind to save me from my own stupidity and the emails sent to the big cheeses were recalled before (supposedly) being read. I was not fired.
And I'm pretty sure I won the contest! ;)
See, these are the types of co-workers and friends that made that place tolerable and that I'm really going to miss. They helped me out when I needed help. They made me laugh when I needed a laugh.
Thanks guys! You Rock!
Monday, June 11, 2007
National Cathedral
I went to the National Cathedral this weekend. It's an impressive gothic building filled with beautiful stained glass windows, wrought iron works, wood, tapestries and other forms of art. It was obvious that a lot of time and money had gone into this place.
Overall, I left feeling as though I had visited a very nice museum. It was a little too dark to take very good photos inside with my camera without a tripod. The signage was plentiful. The brochures-- helpful. All of the benefactors were carefully credited for their contributions. There were lots of flags, statues of former presidents, colorful windows depicting the 1803 Lewis and Clark expedition, a tribute to lawyer and histioran Charles Warren, the Apollo XI mission (complete with a piece of moon rock brought back by its crew), a tribute to our armed forces, a memorial to a diplomat and statesman, one for an architect of the building, symbols of the Laugue of Nations, the United Nations and (I'm not making this up) "peaceful uses of atomic energy". There's even a Museum Store!
However, I didn't feel as though I had visited a living church. I was not motivated to worship by the thousands of pieces of art. The whole thing was kind of scary, to tell the truth. I guess that's partially a product of the gothic style. But it just didn't seem like is was a place dedicated to Christ. Christ was simple and humble and..... well, He was a lot of things. He is a King, it's true. Perhaps this place was someone's way of showing Him as King, but, to me it looked a whole lot more like the type of king the world was hoping he would be and not the type he actually was. It was this difference that caused people to reject him when he came as a servant instead of a political and military ruler.
But it sure was a pretty building.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Say Cheese!
Here in D.C. there are many things to see and do.
Monuments, museums, a great big grassy mall......
Now that I've been here for a little over two years (an eternity by DC standards), I've seen a good portion of what this historic area has to offer. Of course, there is still much, much more to see and do, but, I've recently taken to noticing some of the infinitely more interesting sights this city has, and has in abundance... that's right-- tourists!
... and tourist buses, and tourist trolleys, and tourists on segways, and on....
Ducks!
Isn't it wonderful! Every year, a new crop of similarly shirted folks flock to the district to revel in the historic wonder and awe of it all. Actually, many of those here on school trips are "like, so bored" and are usually looking for the non-grassy type mall for some prime food-court scoping of other school-aged same shirt wearing kids from across the country. OMG It's, like, the internet has totally come to life. ;)
The picture above on the left was taken at the Navy Memorial during Rolling Thunder week. Just look at the Vets there in the middle of the photo. Everyone else in the photo seems to be looking everywhere else but at them. I think it is fitting that these guys ride these loud Harleys into town in large numbers. It makes it very hard for a person to ignore something like that!
The picture on the right is of the "tent lady". Actually, tent lady hasn't been there in a while and has had another of her friends sitting in for her. This picture was taken about a block from my old office. The White House is directly behind me. Tent lady and her friends have been camping out there since the 80's. My co-workers think it's hilarious that tent lady thinks I'm a terrorist... because I pay taxes. I heard recently that tent lady is actually an extremely wealthy widow that kind of went crazy crackers after her husband died. Her family owns one of the nearby buildings. I always wondered where she showered. Now it all makes sense. (?)
Of course, I AM still a tourist here. I am still awed by the impressive stone buildings, each one built to be remembered. They serve their duties well as working monuments. There is reason for people to travel great distances to see them. I'm thankful I don't have to travel all that far. Sometimes the traffic and the crowds can give me tunnel vision and cause me to focus on the not so great things. I hope I never lose the awe and the ability to see things from a higher perspective.
This is a picture of my old office (sort of, it's actually just up the street a little bit), as taken from the rooftop of the Hotel Washington. It really does look a lot better from above! I'm sure all of my good friends over there at the Walker Building will appreciate this one! Enjoy!
Monuments, museums, a great big grassy mall......
Now that I've been here for a little over two years (an eternity by DC standards), I've seen a good portion of what this historic area has to offer. Of course, there is still much, much more to see and do, but, I've recently taken to noticing some of the infinitely more interesting sights this city has, and has in abundance... that's right-- tourists!
... and tourist buses, and tourist trolleys, and tourists on segways, and on....
Ducks!
Isn't it wonderful! Every year, a new crop of similarly shirted folks flock to the district to revel in the historic wonder and awe of it all. Actually, many of those here on school trips are "like, so bored" and are usually looking for the non-grassy type mall for some prime food-court scoping of other school-aged same shirt wearing kids from across the country. OMG It's, like, the internet has totally come to life. ;)
The picture above on the left was taken at the Navy Memorial during Rolling Thunder week. Just look at the Vets there in the middle of the photo. Everyone else in the photo seems to be looking everywhere else but at them. I think it is fitting that these guys ride these loud Harleys into town in large numbers. It makes it very hard for a person to ignore something like that!
The picture on the right is of the "tent lady". Actually, tent lady hasn't been there in a while and has had another of her friends sitting in for her. This picture was taken about a block from my old office. The White House is directly behind me. Tent lady and her friends have been camping out there since the 80's. My co-workers think it's hilarious that tent lady thinks I'm a terrorist... because I pay taxes. I heard recently that tent lady is actually an extremely wealthy widow that kind of went crazy crackers after her husband died. Her family owns one of the nearby buildings. I always wondered where she showered. Now it all makes sense. (?)
Of course, I AM still a tourist here. I am still awed by the impressive stone buildings, each one built to be remembered. They serve their duties well as working monuments. There is reason for people to travel great distances to see them. I'm thankful I don't have to travel all that far. Sometimes the traffic and the crowds can give me tunnel vision and cause me to focus on the not so great things. I hope I never lose the awe and the ability to see things from a higher perspective.
This is a picture of my old office (sort of, it's actually just up the street a little bit), as taken from the rooftop of the Hotel Washington. It really does look a lot better from above! I'm sure all of my good friends over there at the Walker Building will appreciate this one! Enjoy!
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Sweet Freedom!!!
Hooray! Hooray! Hoooray!
So, I've worked a lot of overtime this past year and to celebrate.... I've decided to....
Take a month or two off!
Sweet Freedom!
I plan on using this time to get my mind and my body back in shape. Being chained to your desk in an inhospitable environment for too long can make you look and feel a little bit like a blob.
Time to UN-BLOB!!!
Can you tell I'm just a little bit excited about this?
I've only been enjoying this sweet freedom for a little less than a week and I've already lost six pounds! It's amazing what actual movement can do for a person.
I've also managed to volunteer myself for many ministries at the church and signed up for a creative writing seminar. Should be fun. I can't wait to do lots of arts and crafts with the VBS kids. There's nothing like glue, yarn, and macaroni to make you feel young again!
So, I've worked a lot of overtime this past year and to celebrate.... I've decided to....
Take a month or two off!
Sweet Freedom!
I plan on using this time to get my mind and my body back in shape. Being chained to your desk in an inhospitable environment for too long can make you look and feel a little bit like a blob.
Time to UN-BLOB!!!
Can you tell I'm just a little bit excited about this?
I've only been enjoying this sweet freedom for a little less than a week and I've already lost six pounds! It's amazing what actual movement can do for a person.
I've also managed to volunteer myself for many ministries at the church and signed up for a creative writing seminar. Should be fun. I can't wait to do lots of arts and crafts with the VBS kids. There's nothing like glue, yarn, and macaroni to make you feel young again!
Friday, May 25, 2007
Feeling nostalgic
Today at lunch, a couple of co-workers and I celebrated our one-year anniversary (a few days late) at our firm. From the roof of our building in downtown DC we lunched on chicken taco salads and reflected on the last twelve months of our lives. It feels like it's been a lot longer. So much has happened.
As the self-appointed motivators of our office, the three of us have have quite a run as the "Quote Committee". Each of the past 52 Fridays has been a little sweeter because of our Sweet Friday treats. Strangely, I seem to be a little "fluffier" too. I'm sure the two are in no way related.
I'm so thankful for these awesome ladies and the encouragement and support they have provided to me and to the rest of the blessed people whose lives have been touched by their kindness and generosity. I'm convinced that God placed these ladies in my lives to help me make it through the days, because I know I certainly wouldn't have made it a whole year (at least with my sanity intact) here otherwise.
I know the posts have been sparse this past year. I have to say that the time away has been good. I figure if I were spending loads of time blogging during my first year of marriage -- there would be a real problem and most of my friends would have to counsel me on my bizarre behavior. As it is... I've been keeping all the bizarre behavior under wraps for the sake of my dear sweet hubby. ;) I know my mother, for one, is glad for the respite from any "ground hog/ squirrel" related posts.
I'm so excited about year #2. There's no telling what the Lord has in store for us. Tonight we're headed downtown to take in the great views and hang out on the sky terrace at Hotel Washington with some good friends. The weather should be great. Most folks will be getting out of town for the long weekend so it shouldn't be too crowded. Hooray!
I hope you all have great things planned for the long Memorial Day weekend. We have so much to be thankful for and so many people to thank for our freedoms. I hope you all take some time this weekend to reflect on the sacrifice and service so many have given to you and your families. And while you are at it, would you mind taking a few minutes to pray for our military men and women?
I thank you in advance for your prayers. I appreciate all of the support and encouragement others have given to my older brothers at their jobs. I know God has put many great soldiers and prayer warriors around them to help them make it through the days too.
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!!
As the self-appointed motivators of our office, the three of us have have quite a run as the "Quote Committee". Each of the past 52 Fridays has been a little sweeter because of our Sweet Friday treats. Strangely, I seem to be a little "fluffier" too. I'm sure the two are in no way related.
I'm so thankful for these awesome ladies and the encouragement and support they have provided to me and to the rest of the blessed people whose lives have been touched by their kindness and generosity. I'm convinced that God placed these ladies in my lives to help me make it through the days, because I know I certainly wouldn't have made it a whole year (at least with my sanity intact) here otherwise.
I know the posts have been sparse this past year. I have to say that the time away has been good. I figure if I were spending loads of time blogging during my first year of marriage -- there would be a real problem and most of my friends would have to counsel me on my bizarre behavior. As it is... I've been keeping all the bizarre behavior under wraps for the sake of my dear sweet hubby. ;) I know my mother, for one, is glad for the respite from any "ground hog/ squirrel" related posts.
I'm so excited about year #2. There's no telling what the Lord has in store for us. Tonight we're headed downtown to take in the great views and hang out on the sky terrace at Hotel Washington with some good friends. The weather should be great. Most folks will be getting out of town for the long weekend so it shouldn't be too crowded. Hooray!
I hope you all have great things planned for the long Memorial Day weekend. We have so much to be thankful for and so many people to thank for our freedoms. I hope you all take some time this weekend to reflect on the sacrifice and service so many have given to you and your families. And while you are at it, would you mind taking a few minutes to pray for our military men and women?
I thank you in advance for your prayers. I appreciate all of the support and encouragement others have given to my older brothers at their jobs. I know God has put many great soldiers and prayer warriors around them to help them make it through the days too.
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!!
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Birthday!
I've figured out how to circumvent my computer issues and that means it's time for the backlog of photos to flow!
Let's get this wagon train a rollin'!
For my birthday, we flew back to the Lone Star State for some good old-fashioned fun at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine. While there we had a wonderful time at the "Weekend to Remember" Conference. I can say the event definitely lived up to its name!
Robby pulled off a real stunner by bringing together a gathering of friends and family for a surprise birthday party for me in Fort Worth! I didn't have a clue of what he was up to!
Everything had been so perfect, I couldn't have
imagined the weekend could get any better.And that's when I walked into the restaurant and saw the smiling faces of my mom, brothers, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephew, and friends from back in the day!!! Hooray! He did such a great job-- as always. :D
One year!
To our pastor's great surprise, the hubby and I survived our first year of marriage! He (the pastor) claims he's only kidding when he says it, but, you just never know with that guy. ;)
It has been an amazing and wonderful year-- even better than I could have imagined. I'm not exactly sure what Robby did wrong to be paired with me, but, I'm sure glad for whatever it was.
Through all of the rough times (illness, loss, etc) Robby has been solid. What a blessing! We've grown closer because of these tragedies, instead of letting them tear us apart, and I credit it all to Robby and his strong relationship with the Lord. Had he not been clinging to Christ with one hand and to me with the other, neither one of us would have stood through the storms.
I know I have my own role to play in completing that circle and holding on to them both, but, I can definitely say, Robby's taken up a bunch of my slack.
I'm pretty sure I've mixed a dozen metaphors already, but, this is a blog-- it's allowed. :D
It has been an amazing and wonderful year-- even better than I could have imagined. I'm not exactly sure what Robby did wrong to be paired with me, but, I'm sure glad for whatever it was.
Through all of the rough times (illness, loss, etc) Robby has been solid. What a blessing! We've grown closer because of these tragedies, instead of letting them tear us apart, and I credit it all to Robby and his strong relationship with the Lord. Had he not been clinging to Christ with one hand and to me with the other, neither one of us would have stood through the storms.
I know I have my own role to play in completing that circle and holding on to them both, but, I can definitely say, Robby's taken up a bunch of my slack.
I'm pretty sure I've mixed a dozen metaphors already, but, this is a blog-- it's allowed. :D
Monday, April 16, 2007
What Happened?!?
Ok, so my last post was all about how excited I was to see the warmer weather arrive. Today, it is forty degrees outside and it "feels like 33"! Ridiculous!
Nor'easter!
Anyway, I haven't really posted a lot since my computer decided it no longer wanted to "speak" with the internet. They are having communication problems. Either Computer doesn't want to share or Internet just doesn't want to see any more cherry blossom pictures from me. They have been giving each other the "shun" for some time now. This has to stop!
Cause I've got tons of awesome photos backing up and I need an outlet for all these pixels!
There are the photos from my birthday trip to Texas! So amazing. We stayed at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine and Robby pulled off the ultimate birthday surprize when he orchestrated a birthday party filled with friends and family. I didn't have the slightest clue he was up to anything. So sneaky!
Of course, there are tons of Cherry Blossom festival photos part deux! --Even better than the first.
I've got a brand new nephew and another niece due in August. These two feuding electronic devices had better get their acts together pronto or there will be...trouble. I hate to stoop to this sort of tactic, but......
Don't make me have to call Dell!
Nor'easter!
Anyway, I haven't really posted a lot since my computer decided it no longer wanted to "speak" with the internet. They are having communication problems. Either Computer doesn't want to share or Internet just doesn't want to see any more cherry blossom pictures from me. They have been giving each other the "shun" for some time now. This has to stop!
Cause I've got tons of awesome photos backing up and I need an outlet for all these pixels!
There are the photos from my birthday trip to Texas! So amazing. We stayed at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine and Robby pulled off the ultimate birthday surprize when he orchestrated a birthday party filled with friends and family. I didn't have the slightest clue he was up to anything. So sneaky!
Of course, there are tons of Cherry Blossom festival photos part deux! --Even better than the first.
I've got a brand new nephew and another niece due in August. These two feuding electronic devices had better get their acts together pronto or there will be...trouble. I hate to stoop to this sort of tactic, but......
Don't make me have to call Dell!
Friday, March 02, 2007
Spring is coming...... again!
If you didn't already know this about me, let me make it very clear.... I LOVE SPRING! I noticed the first signs of life around here this week, a few bulbs pushing up through the snow, and then suddenly, my steps felt lighter and the smile hasn't left my face since.
It has been an amazing year for me. I married the best man in the whole world and it just gets better and better every day. I'm blown away by his brilliance, his servant's heart, quick wit, charm, and particularly... his patience with me.
We've been super busy for the past year. I'm slowly adjusting to my husband's pace-- high gear. Before long, I hope to be fully functional at this speed. Right now, it's all a big blur. ;)
Actually, we are having a blast and so excited to see what's next for us. I imagine there will be several trips planned for the near future and hopefully that means we'll have a chance to visit with old friends.
I'm also hoping that means I'm going to dust off the ole camera soon too! It's about time for some new photos. I've got a new nephew and there's now another niece or nephew on the way!
So there are all sorts of new things sprouting up these days. Hooray!
Oh, did I mention that I love spring.
It has been an amazing year for me. I married the best man in the whole world and it just gets better and better every day. I'm blown away by his brilliance, his servant's heart, quick wit, charm, and particularly... his patience with me.
We've been super busy for the past year. I'm slowly adjusting to my husband's pace-- high gear. Before long, I hope to be fully functional at this speed. Right now, it's all a big blur. ;)
Actually, we are having a blast and so excited to see what's next for us. I imagine there will be several trips planned for the near future and hopefully that means we'll have a chance to visit with old friends.
I'm also hoping that means I'm going to dust off the ole camera soon too! It's about time for some new photos. I've got a new nephew and there's now another niece or nephew on the way!
So there are all sorts of new things sprouting up these days. Hooray!
Oh, did I mention that I love spring.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Fall Foliage
Robby and I went to Tarara Vineyard this past weekend. Tarara was named by the owners after Mr. Ararat, the Biblical landing place for Noah's Arc. Tarara is Ararat spelled backward.
The weather was great. The leaves were beautiful. It was an awesome way to spend our six-month anniversary!
The weather was great. The leaves were beautiful. It was an awesome way to spend our six-month anniversary! 
Friday, September 22, 2006
Productivity
I've spent a lot of time lately being "busy". I rush to work early in the morning, I sit in the same chair, staring at the same computer screen, for 10 and a half hours, I rush home or to whatever meeting or class or activity I have scheduled for the evening, I rush home, fall asleep, to get up and do it all again the next day. In between all of this rushing I try to build my relationship with my wonderful husband. He helps me keep it all together and figure out where it goes. Bless him.
But, for all of this rushing and business, I just don't seem to be getting a whole lot done.
I guess that's why I love my camera. It suits my need to sit and ponder. Collect stuff. In my mind, if I take a picture of something, I can take it home and inspect it more closely, analyze its features, appreciate it-- later. I don't have to take the time now. I will get to it. Later.
I can get through the day as long as I know there will be a time, down the road, where I can sit and be still with my thoughts. I guess that's why companies don't, or didn't used to, mind retirement plans. It keeps people going when they have something to look forward to... down the road.
Taking snapshots of life for an eventual "memory" slide show is risky. So much of what I know now has come from lessons I learned during those quiet and still times of reflection. If I wait until later, I'm afraid I will discover, too late, the wisdom I needed for along the way.
The camera doesn't work for maintaining relationships. Taking pictures of family and friends is great, and those pictures are a good thing to have. But, if those people in the photos aren't around to share and recount memories with me... chances are-- regret will be one of the thoughts I will be sitting still with and pondering.. later.
I'm making an effort to reach out more. To connect with people. To grow and strengthen my relationships. The most important relationship in my life, that between me and my Lord, has become more like someone I cc on a forwarded email than the deeply intimate, spirit to spirit one it should be.
What to do? Well, I'm working on it.
But, for now, I'm still going to take pictures. I'm still going to sit in this chair, eating my microwave meals and scrolling through page after page of inconsequential "snapshots" from other people's lives, hoping that one day... I will be able to enjoy the smell of the flowers and not just admire their pretty picture.
But, for all of this rushing and business, I just don't seem to be getting a whole lot done.
I guess that's why I love my camera. It suits my need to sit and ponder. Collect stuff. In my mind, if I take a picture of something, I can take it home and inspect it more closely, analyze its features, appreciate it-- later. I don't have to take the time now. I will get to it. Later.
I can get through the day as long as I know there will be a time, down the road, where I can sit and be still with my thoughts. I guess that's why companies don't, or didn't used to, mind retirement plans. It keeps people going when they have something to look forward to... down the road.
Taking snapshots of life for an eventual "memory" slide show is risky. So much of what I know now has come from lessons I learned during those quiet and still times of reflection. If I wait until later, I'm afraid I will discover, too late, the wisdom I needed for along the way.
The camera doesn't work for maintaining relationships. Taking pictures of family and friends is great, and those pictures are a good thing to have. But, if those people in the photos aren't around to share and recount memories with me... chances are-- regret will be one of the thoughts I will be sitting still with and pondering.. later.
I'm making an effort to reach out more. To connect with people. To grow and strengthen my relationships. The most important relationship in my life, that between me and my Lord, has become more like someone I cc on a forwarded email than the deeply intimate, spirit to spirit one it should be.
What to do? Well, I'm working on it.
But, for now, I'm still going to take pictures. I'm still going to sit in this chair, eating my microwave meals and scrolling through page after page of inconsequential "snapshots" from other people's lives, hoping that one day... I will be able to enjoy the smell of the flowers and not just admire their pretty picture.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Robby's Presidential Run
It isn't often a woman gets to see her husband in a Presidential Race. I consider it an honor to be among the select few who have supported their men through this difficult endeavor.
It was thrilling, exciting, and I'm proud to say that despite the drizzling rains.... it was a clean race! No mudslinging.
A good friend of Robby's works for the Washington Nationals and gave us a call this morning to see if we'd be interested in running in the Presidential Race. Robby was up to the challenge. I respectfully declined, however, and opted to be official campaign photographer instead. (There was no way I was going to go run across a soggy baseball field with a 6+ foot tall head braced to me. No way! But, I would gladly go along and take lots of photos of this madness.)
So, we headed down to the stadium where Robby suited up and took to the field against three strong contenders-- George Washington, Abe Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt.
The team runs the race every game between the top and the bottom of the 4th inning. So far this year, Teddy Roosevelt has had zero wins. You wouldn't believe how quick some "fans" are to heckle a former President. The whole thing is getting to be a little sad. He's had some pretty good starts, but, he has never had a win. As Robby was taking the role of Thomas Jefferson, we were hoping that today was not the day for Teddy to break his streak.
It looked pretty good for Mr. Roosevelt at first. Teddy and Abe were giant head to giant head coming out of the tunnel and onto the field. George and Tom were bringing up the rear. It appeared as though this just might be Teddy's day.
All of the sudden, big Ted pulled out his umbrella and busted into a clumsy rendition of "Singing in the Rain". It was a poor choice of campaign tactics. This brazen showboating lost him the race, as a long-legged Lincoln strode easily to victory.
As for Tom and George, well, they didn't win, but, they both ran a good race.
I was very proud of Robby's performance and would gladly support him should he choose to run again.
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