Well, we're back home. I've caught a cold (no real big surprise here given the sheer number of 'sick' people we saw over our Christmas whirlwind tour. But juggling two kids that are at home today on Christmas break still, a thousand empty boxes and paper trash littering the house is proving to be a bit much for my foggy brain. So, please forgive me for the inconsistant postings lately. ;)
Since today is New Year's Eve, I feel the need to post something profound, but I got nothin. I've got a few resolutions for 2008, but it'll probably be a few days before I can get there thanks to this wonderful virus. Thankfully, I don't believe that January 1 is a magic day...resolutions are more about our internal resolve than the calendar. And this year I resolve to:
1) Eat more healthy foods and less 'junk' food
2) Reduce my caffeine intake over time so that I can eventually give it up entirely (except for special occasions)
3) Become more disciplined in my finanical affairs
4) Organize life better by fully utilizing tips and techniques from Getting Things Done.
Hopefully, if I can stick with these resolutions, I can lose weight and start to feel better about juggling my many different hats. With a little bit of luck and divine support, Jackson will graduate in May 2009 and so this year will be quite intense and quite rewarding. I'll need to be organized better just to survive!
Plans for tonight are amazingly tame, but forgiveable given how I feel. We'd initially discussed inviting people over to the house to ring in 2008 with friends, however, I seriously hope to be in bed long before midnight tonight. This, unfortunately, makes the second year running that I've missed seeing the fireworks off of Pike's Peak. At this point, however, I'd rather have a good night's sleep than anything else - including great fireworks.
I hope that each and every one of you have some resolutions of your own. If not, give some thought to where you are placing your 'resolve' these days. None of us are perfect and you may find your resolutions where you are focusing your energies. :)
Have a blessed 2008!
My Munchkins'
Monday, December 31, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Gone Country
Today we visited some family in Southern Missouri and went out to the country. Despite the cold temperatures and heavy fog, the kids enjoying puttering about in a red wagon with Grandma while Jackson and I took my new gun out for a test run. He recently bought me a Kel-Tec 9mm and I haven't yet had a chance to try it out. Unfortunately, we forgot ear protection, so my ears are still ringing. :)
As it turns out, it shoots low and to the right, but after shooting an entire box of ammo, we were starting to compensate appropriately and were getting closer to the bulls-eye. It was a lot of fun. Hopefully when we get home we can find somewhere to practice a bit more regularly. That might help to reduce the shaking in my hands. ;)
Tonight we're going into town (Springfield) for dinner at Cheddar's and perhaps some Scrapbook shoppin'. Even though we have an Archivers' in town, you never know when a new store might have what you're looking for.
As it turns out, it shoots low and to the right, but after shooting an entire box of ammo, we were starting to compensate appropriately and were getting closer to the bulls-eye. It was a lot of fun. Hopefully when we get home we can find somewhere to practice a bit more regularly. That might help to reduce the shaking in my hands. ;)
Tonight we're going into town (Springfield) for dinner at Cheddar's and perhaps some Scrapbook shoppin'. Even though we have an Archivers' in town, you never know when a new store might have what you're looking for.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
New (free!) Blog Tracker
Okay, my brother just introduced me to StatCounter.com. I've added that element to my site just for fun to watch it grow! visit http://www.statcounter.com/ if you're interested in adding this to your site.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Over Too Soon
After waiting an entire year to visit family in Georgia, our time is over far too soon. Our extended weekend passed by like a blur and we're now en route back to Kansas City for our Christmas celebration with my family. The kids had such a great time that many tears were shed when it was time to go and it was really hard to be the "adult" and leave on time to catch our flight.
While our country is getting smaller thanks to the prevalance of quick and relatively inexpensive flights, its still a major feat for a family of four to travel from Colorado to Georgia. It's amazing to me that while our country really is small in many ways, it can also be so very large.
Do you know how a tuning fork resonates when the appropriate note is hit? That's how this trip has felt so far - it feels like an internal tuning fork is coming active once again after being dormant for far too long. A part of me still remains - and always will remain - in the South. I've acclimated to the weather, adjusted to the altitude and the arrid air, but my tuning fork still resonates to the sounds of the South.
I find myself remembering the movie Sweet Home Alabama with Reese Witherspoon. Reese's character, Mel, goes to New York to pursue a career and chase her dreams, but when she returns home to Alabama she finds that the Southern lifestyle still fits too. Her ex-husband Jake sagely advises her that she can have "roots and wings." I'm beginning to think that maybe I've ignored by roots for too long to stretch my wings.
While our country is getting smaller thanks to the prevalance of quick and relatively inexpensive flights, its still a major feat for a family of four to travel from Colorado to Georgia. It's amazing to me that while our country really is small in many ways, it can also be so very large.
Do you know how a tuning fork resonates when the appropriate note is hit? That's how this trip has felt so far - it feels like an internal tuning fork is coming active once again after being dormant for far too long. A part of me still remains - and always will remain - in the South. I've acclimated to the weather, adjusted to the altitude and the arrid air, but my tuning fork still resonates to the sounds of the South.
I find myself remembering the movie Sweet Home Alabama with Reese Witherspoon. Reese's character, Mel, goes to New York to pursue a career and chase her dreams, but when she returns home to Alabama she finds that the Southern lifestyle still fits too. Her ex-husband Jake sagely advises her that she can have "roots and wings." I'm beginning to think that maybe I've ignored by roots for too long to stretch my wings.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Merry Christmas from Georgia!
As I write this post, we've just finished having an early Christmas celebration with our family in Macon, GA. All of Jackson's siblings and their families made it into town at the same time and we're really enjoying the time together. Best of all, we've made it through this year's celebration without any broken bones or stitches. :)
Being back in the South, however, reminds me of how much I really miss home. The air here is softer (due to the humidity levels) and even though its December there is still green to be found amongst the Georgia pines. It really feels good to visit again! I must make a way back here before next Christmas.
To get to Georgia, we drove to Kansas City and then flew from KCI to Atlanta on Delta airlines. Sitting in the airport waiting for the people on our plane to de-plane so that we could board, about 30 service men and women came off of the plane to a standing ovation! It was truly a heartwarming sight. :) At best, these men and women are doing a difficult job for us overseas and at worst, they frequently put their lives on the line for us. While each and every one of us back home have differing opinions about the war and how its being managed, it really made me feel good to see the soldiers getting such a warm reception.
Tomorrow is another full day of travel. We've got about two hours in a car, two hours of terminal waiting and two hours in a plane ahead of us. Thankfully, the kids have been fairly well behaved and I haven't run into any rude anti-children travelers. They also now have a new arsenal of toys to take with them to occupy their time as well.
Being back in the South, however, reminds me of how much I really miss home. The air here is softer (due to the humidity levels) and even though its December there is still green to be found amongst the Georgia pines. It really feels good to visit again! I must make a way back here before next Christmas.
To get to Georgia, we drove to Kansas City and then flew from KCI to Atlanta on Delta airlines. Sitting in the airport waiting for the people on our plane to de-plane so that we could board, about 30 service men and women came off of the plane to a standing ovation! It was truly a heartwarming sight. :) At best, these men and women are doing a difficult job for us overseas and at worst, they frequently put their lives on the line for us. While each and every one of us back home have differing opinions about the war and how its being managed, it really made me feel good to see the soldiers getting such a warm reception.
Tomorrow is another full day of travel. We've got about two hours in a car, two hours of terminal waiting and two hours in a plane ahead of us. Thankfully, the kids have been fairly well behaved and I haven't run into any rude anti-children travelers. They also now have a new arsenal of toys to take with them to occupy their time as well.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Weight Watchers Check In
Before moving to Colorado, I regularly attended Weight Watchers with a friend. I found it to be a reasonable program that I could actually follow long term. I got within two pounds of my goal weight before moving to Colorado and completely de-railing the train.
I've tried off and on to get back in the program, to no avail. Meetings were somewhat helpful, but I found they missed a crucial key element - my friend. Accountability from my friend was what helped me stay on track. She helped me continue to care when I hit the inevitable plateau. She helped me find new recipes (some cool, some disasters) and whispered with me in the back row of our meetings. We celebrated star stickers, small victories and glossed over the inevitable set backs reminding each other to just get back on the wagon.
I've recommitted myself to following the program and am checking in with a new accountability partner (my mother) every week. This week, while not a great success dietarily, I did manage to lose one full pound by simply moderating my portions and drinking less Cokes or Diet Cokes. I'm findly myself deeply missing my friend now as I find it harder to celebrate the "little things" alone.
I've tried off and on to get back in the program, to no avail. Meetings were somewhat helpful, but I found they missed a crucial key element - my friend. Accountability from my friend was what helped me stay on track. She helped me continue to care when I hit the inevitable plateau. She helped me find new recipes (some cool, some disasters) and whispered with me in the back row of our meetings. We celebrated star stickers, small victories and glossed over the inevitable set backs reminding each other to just get back on the wagon.
I've recommitted myself to following the program and am checking in with a new accountability partner (my mother) every week. This week, while not a great success dietarily, I did manage to lose one full pound by simply moderating my portions and drinking less Cokes or Diet Cokes. I'm findly myself deeply missing my friend now as I find it harder to celebrate the "little things" alone.
Norman Rockwell - found then lost
It's been a busy, busy weekend here at the Douglas household. First, we celebrated Jackson's birthday by going to a very special fondue restaurant here in town where we enjoyed a 2-hour meal without children. It was wonderful! It'd been snowing all day and continued to do so throughout the evening so that when we came outside it felt like we were stepping into a Norman Rockwell picture. It was a fine, wet snow that clung to everything and made the world look like it'd been "dipped" in snow.
Of course by the time we woke up the next morning there was about six inches of "dip" on the ground. Thankfully our church didn't have services yesterday so we were able to stay at home, which was good because I had lots to do to get ready for Christmas.
About 1:00 (Mountain), however, we heard from a neighbor that there had been a shooting at New Life Church. We live about 15-20 minutes South of that church and we know people who attend there. As the news sank in, we realized that we knew police officers who were working the scene as well as people who were likely in attendance that day. This hit very, very close to home.
As I write this post, they're still investigating a possible link between the New Life shooting and a shooting that happened hours earlier at a YWAM conference center in Arvada. New Life Church apparently has a YWAM branch on their campus, and so there is serious speculation that the two are connected, but as of yet that hasn't been proven.
The ironic thing here in my opinion is that Pastor Jack Hayford had just finished preaching a sermon at that church on giving your fears to God. It's as though God was preparing His children for the unthinkable that would happen mere minutes after the service was over. That served as a source of encouragement to me and reminded me that God is still on the throne. He is still omniscient and will never leave nor forsake His children.
All the same, please join me in prayer for all who were touched in some way by this act of violence. The victims and their families, those who witnessed the shootings and are still in shock. Those who were visiting church for the first time yesterday and are wondering if they'll ever go to church again. And for the first responders who always run in while others are running out.
Of course by the time we woke up the next morning there was about six inches of "dip" on the ground. Thankfully our church didn't have services yesterday so we were able to stay at home, which was good because I had lots to do to get ready for Christmas.
About 1:00 (Mountain), however, we heard from a neighbor that there had been a shooting at New Life Church. We live about 15-20 minutes South of that church and we know people who attend there. As the news sank in, we realized that we knew police officers who were working the scene as well as people who were likely in attendance that day. This hit very, very close to home.
As I write this post, they're still investigating a possible link between the New Life shooting and a shooting that happened hours earlier at a YWAM conference center in Arvada. New Life Church apparently has a YWAM branch on their campus, and so there is serious speculation that the two are connected, but as of yet that hasn't been proven.
The ironic thing here in my opinion is that Pastor Jack Hayford had just finished preaching a sermon at that church on giving your fears to God. It's as though God was preparing His children for the unthinkable that would happen mere minutes after the service was over. That served as a source of encouragement to me and reminded me that God is still on the throne. He is still omniscient and will never leave nor forsake His children.
All the same, please join me in prayer for all who were touched in some way by this act of violence. The victims and their families, those who witnessed the shootings and are still in shock. Those who were visiting church for the first time yesterday and are wondering if they'll ever go to church again. And for the first responders who always run in while others are running out.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Happy 30th Birthday, Jackson!
Today is my husband's 30th birthday. We celebrated some last night by enjoying some birthday cake after dinner, but tonight will be his "surprise." Unfortunately, because he has a December birthday, parties are difficult to coordinate as they conflict with everyone's holiday schedule. I have a surprise on tap for him tonight that should be a lot of fun. Tomorrow's post will let you know all about it.
It's snowing here today, so we'll mostly spend the day getting ready for next week's holiday travel and watching some television. I've also got some reading to catch up on, and I can't think of anything better to do on a snowy day, than read a good book and eat some warm soup. We'll be having some Taco Soup for lunch tonight with Southern-style cornbread. (just a post a comment if you want the recipe and I'll send it to you - its great for cold winter days.)
It's snowing here today, so we'll mostly spend the day getting ready for next week's holiday travel and watching some television. I've also got some reading to catch up on, and I can't think of anything better to do on a snowy day, than read a good book and eat some warm soup. We'll be having some Taco Soup for lunch tonight with Southern-style cornbread. (just a post a comment if you want the recipe and I'll send it to you - its great for cold winter days.)
Friday, December 7, 2007
Initial Musings
I've wanted to do a blog for some time now, but I'm just now finally getting around to actually doing it. I'm looking forward to having a creative outlet for my random thoughts, occasional rants and raves and family updates for those who are interested. It'll also be a good place to share Scrapbooking hints, tips and recent layouts with other cropping addicts!
We're all gearing up for Christmas now, so posts may not happen regularly at first, but please be patient with me - 2008 is looking like a fantastic year for our family!
We're all gearing up for Christmas now, so posts may not happen regularly at first, but please be patient with me - 2008 is looking like a fantastic year for our family!
Initial Musings
I've really wanted to do a blog for quite a while now, but I've finally just now gotten around to it. I'm looking forward to having a creative outlet for my random thoughts, occasional rants and raves as well as family updates for those who are interested.
We're all gearing up for Christmas these days, so posts may not begin in earnest until January, but I'm thrilled to have 'set up shop' now.
We're all gearing up for Christmas these days, so posts may not begin in earnest until January, but I'm thrilled to have 'set up shop' now.
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