Halloween

Yesterday we dressed up and went trick-or-treating with Eric's boys. We had so much fun dressing up - I had not dressed up in years (since high school when four of us went as the decades and I was 1980). It is amazing the stuff you can pull out of your closet...

Michelle was "Birthday Girl" with a balloon and all. Juan Ma was a mad scientist (notice the radioactive sign on his suit and the crazy hair). Norm was some sort of hunter and I was a gypsy.

Jacki-O

Earlier this week we carved a pumpkin. We are calling her Jacki-O!

Family Portrait

I was nominated to be on the member website at work. This section of the website is dedicated for the employees to give thanks to the members for their contributions to the Christmas bonus - each employee gets a week where they are featured (personal information, work information, what you did with the money, etc.). The section has one head shot of the employee (taken at work) and then there is another part for a personal picture. I wanted to submit a "family portrait".

So this morning Kerrie came over and was our photographer...





I'm submitting this last one.

When We Witness History

It is always surreal to me when we are able to witness history in the making... do you remember what you were doing when you got the 911 news? How about when Princess Diana died? Where were you when you were watching the videos of hurricane Katrina victims lining up to get on the school buses to leave New Orleans?

Tonight the rescue of the 33 Chilean miners who had been trapped underground for 70 days was finalized - they all made it out alive and in good spirits and reasonably good health. It is impossible to not get chills as I learn more and more about their stories (because I have no idea where I've been for the past 70 days... I just found out about all of it this morning so I've had to do a lot of catching up).

I am overpowered by joy and thanksgiving for these miners and their families. The hard work of the rescuers, and the solidarity of Chile and helping countries is so powerful.

I am sure in the next few years we will probably read these men's testimonials of hope, faith, trust, and team in books (which will eventually become movies).

Friendship Awareness

"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit." Albert Schweitzer

Earlier this week I came across this quote at work (I am working with a member who is planning a birthday party for his wife, and he wanted this quote printed on the menu cards).

Although I don’t necessarily agree with it on the spiritual side of things, I do think it’s a beautiful quote when seen under the friendship light. Every friendship touches our lives in different ways. Are we aware of that? Are we thankful for it?

Some friendships allow us to laugh, others to cry, other friendships serve as role models, others allow us to grow spiritually, grow as a person, others to grow externally (due to eating, mainly), and others help us enjoy the everyday life.

This quote has increased my friendship awareness and I am thankful for each one of my friends (who some happen to be my relatives!) – they are all a part of who I am today.

Proud Owner of a Karaoke Machine

Yes, you read that correctly - my good friends Kerrie and Eric gave me a karaoke machine for my birthday - AND I LOVE IT!

I ordered one of those box sets (volume 1 of 4) that has four CD's, one for the 60's, one for the 70's, 80's and 90's. The box set came in the mail today (had to order it online because they don't sell them at the local Wal-Mart).

After dinner I put it in... and sang... for one hour; and my dear husband listened to me... for one hour. He sang along too on a few of them.

I am so excited. I can't wait to sing more and sing with all who come over! The world of karaoke CD's is amazing, there's one for jazz standards one (on my wish list) and one for Christmas songs (also on my wish list). The possibilities are endless.

The Garage

I remember growing up my mom had this thing about the garage that she always wanted it to be clean and in order. Although I never saw the point of it growing up, I find myself cleaning my garage now (yes, because I actually take time to organize and clean the garage). As a matter of fact my mom is about the only person that notices, and actually comments "wow, your garage looks so nice!" One of her most common phrases when it comes to garage cleanliness is "you should always shut the garage door right away to keep bugs, dirt, leaves, etc. away"

So I just spent the last two hours cleaning one half of the garage. I consolidated boxes, swept, put items back where they belong (like the ladder on the ladder hook, which actually fell off the wall, but at now least the ladder is over by where it belongs). Then I started coming across items to be donated and found lots! I also came across items that should be donated, but won't, like:

The white plastic trash can:

I can't get rid of it... I never know when I'll need a white plastic trash can.

The Christmas tin cans:

They come in so handy to put cookies in (because we keep cookies in the house 24/7... NOT)

The Igloo coolers:

That haven't been used since 1993 when we used to go out on the lake when we lived in Augusta. But they are so handy, can't get rid of them.

Now these following items are just plain trash that should be thrown out, but we all know that the minute we throw them out, we get stuck in a situation that goes something like this:

I really need a _______. (shoe box, big box, etc.)
I know! I have some in the garage (as you walk out to the garage to get the item needed)
Oh no! I threw them away two days ago!!! I had forgotten...
Now you are stuck looking for the exact box that you once had and now need.


Or glass jars... they always come in handy for old grease, diluting things, etc. (but do we really need this many of all shapes and sizes?).


Although I sometimes wish I had no space to store items such as the above and I would have to force myself to donate them or throw them away (right away), I truly am thankful for my garage (especially during the cold winter when I don't have to worry about defrosting my car and for whenever we get those random hail storms in March).

Celebration

Birthday Day, Birthday Week and Birthday Month came and went. I don’t think I have ever (for as long as I can remember) celebrated my birthday for A. such long period of time or B. so intensely.

Michelle made a good point during Birthday Week – she said: Hay ciertos cumpleaños que hay que celebrar en etapas!! Which means: There are certain birthdays that have to be celebrated in stages!! And that is exactly how I finally welcomed this birthday – in stages. I say “finally welcomed” because for a while I was very disturbed about turning 30. Finally I came to terms with the fact that I’m old (joke!).

From Erik’s slip and slide party early in September (it was his party, but I celebrated the beginning of Birthday Month), to a dance party co-celebration with Jessie a week later at Kerrie’s, to a beautiful birthday dinner surprise the night before my birthday (which involved a trip to Athens for a casual night dedicated to lots of good food, good wine, good conversation, lots of laughter and friendship), to being attacked by silly string at work, to casual baked ziti and movie night during Birthday Week. Followed by family celebrating time with Juan Ma and Michelle that involved outdoor dining (yeah!!) the weekend after Birthday Day. Can’t forget to mention the several calls from my mom all throughout Birthday Week!

Thanks to all my loved ones (I just had to throw that in!) who made turning 30 more bearable.

Believe it or not, this is the only decent picture I have for Birthday Month: