Social Media Anonymous

I have to admit it. I officially addicted to social media. You know all things on the Internet that connect people. Blogs, Facebook, reading twitter (I couldn't care less about actually tweeting), YouTube, you name it.

It's so fun finding people you haven't talked to in ages. I've recently started hanging around FaceBook. And I've found friends and relatives. It's really cool. And it doesn't take much time. I love my blog because it offers me space to really write.

And I keep track of social media at work to see how the company is mentioned so I feel pretty darn immursed in it.

Remember, the first step to fixing your addiction, admitting you have one. I have one, but I don't know if I want to fix it.

I'm mad as heck, don't know what to do about it

Tonight I finished watching the last of the five-disk series Plant Earth filmed by the BBC. I know it is a few years old and originally ran on Discovery but this is he first time I really was able to watch it.

If you are in a cave, like I was, and haven't seen it, the series highlights fantastic areas around the world and the wildlife that inhabits the areas. I don't know if the 5th disk ever was shown on TV - it is three documentaries with experts about what is happening to the planet, how humans are effecting it and what can be done to conserve the wonders of the planet we have left. It sums everything up.

The more I watched it, the more angry I became. Angry because we are destroying so many parts of the planet. So many animals, insects and plants are going extinct. We are changing the environment we live in, potentially forever. And it is beautiful. I am sad to think I may never be able to see some of these natural wonders in my lifetime.

I am worried that so many of these things will be gone soon and I feel helpless. I am mad that so many people are apathetic about the place they live and that it is shifting, parts dying. That it's too difficult for them to recycle, they are put out, they are too busy. That big oil-fueled cars make sense, that it needs to be 76 degrees in the winter and 72 in the summer in houses.

I'm at a loss. Call me a tree-hugger. Go ahead. I'm ready to find my way to help. Maybe this is my calling. I may not have been called to be a parent, to be the smartest, to have the best job. Maybe this is what I need to do. I just know I can't sit back and watch. I don't have the option.

Brrrrr

My thermometer says it's 48 outside with a gusty wind that makes it feel much colder. I know, most people in the country are dealing with much colder temperatures, but I am cold. It really reminds me that I really don't have many appropriate clothing to wear when it gets cold. I got rid of almost all of my sweaters because they were too large or just ugly. So I am down to 2 sweaters. I had to go and buy shoes that weren't as open. How silly.

I'm still cold. Where did I put those fluffy socks..?

Pooped

Work has been busy. I have two co-workers out on maternity leave (2 out 8)and one of them has a big effect on my workload. My brain is kinda fried. And on top of it, is the project I'm working on for church. I get to give my first real presentation in front of a large crowd. Sure, Dad will be there too, but it's still unnerving.

I'm ready to curl up with my fluffy blanket (it's cold outside today in west Central Florida!)and sleep.

But, at least I am feeling challeneged like I haven't in a long time. I hope this will remind my boss why I need to stick around. In these economic conditions, you can't be too careful.

Holy Moly

I've been working on a speech for a project at church off and on all week. I just sent it. I don't know how many times I have sat there with the arrow on the SEND button in the Outlook e-mail program and agonized about actually hitting it. This is one of the biggest writing projects I have been involved in and the most personal. I just want the team I am working with to like it. And that it has the impact we have set out to get. I have paced, drank espresso, and read it out loud again and again. I hit the button and it's gone so I can't take it back. But I have butterflies. Big ones. This is a proving ground for me. Holy moly.

Merry Christmas!

We wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! This week has brought us unexpected challenges, but it helped to remind us what this season is about, family, friends and an inner peace that is so important. So take some time out to reflect and enjoy the silence of the season.

From our home to yours Merry Christmas!

Baptism Times Two

This weekend Abby and Chloe were baptized and we had the privilege to serve as Godparents. They looked lovely in their stunning white dresses Grandma Dawn made (yes I did type that) MADE. We had a great time.

Next up...time to deck the halls and I have Christmas cards to write. I can't wait for vacation to start on Friday!

Never Again!

It is tradition. I go shopping with my Mom on Black Friday. We go early (7 a.m.) and are done by 11. Well, Mom is out of town visiting Karen, Joe and the twins so I was on my own. I slept in. Till 9. So I didn't get to JC Penny's until 10. First it took me circling the parking lot and then negotiating way too many people to look for gifts. And then the down escalator broke. I didn't even go into the mall because I think I was becoming claustrophobic and I had to get outside. On to the next shopping center. Wow. Too many people and crazy drivers. I made it through 3 more stores and I went home. I was successful in many ways but exhausted. I called Mom to tell her I would never do that again. Now I'm off to shop the saner way...the Internet!

I'm still alive

I know. I have been neglecting my blogging duties. I just don't have much to say. I've been keeping busy, with weddings, visiting the twin nieces, a new position on an important committee at church that will take up more and more time, work and of course family and friends. I'm a little more reflective lately. Unsure where I am supposed to be going in life. Nothing seems to be turning out as I thought. Unsure. I don't feel this is the place to air my woes or inner most thoughts and feelings. Just observations and thoughts on occurrences I want to share.

Anyways. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. I know I am blessed and have a lot to be thankful for.

Happy Election Day

Please take the time to get out and vote on Tuesday. This is a right that people do not have around the world and this is something here in the U.S. that we beg and plead people to do so. This is the right our forefathers and mothers died for from the beginning when they risked all to gain independence from England to those who fought and died in wars around our planet. And yet we squander that right and it takes a charismatic man to get people to get off their butts to vote. I'm so disappointed when I hear people who are voting for only that reason. I hope these brand new voters understand how special this actually is and that they continue to vote through their lives. Because when you disengage and stop caring it becomes easier for those to take away those rights. As Thomas Jefferson said "We have counted the cost of this contest, and find nothing so dreadful as voluntary slavery." - Declaration of Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms (July 6, 1775)

I'm off my soapbox now.

Happy Halloween!

I do have to say I really like Halloween. It's one of the few days that is just a meant as childhood fun. Kids get to dress-up and there's candy. Very simple.

Right now there are a nice bunch of kids out front of my door. Unfortunately it looks like we will run out of candy and my hubby is berating me for being "ill-prepared." See last year we had leftovers, Friday night brings them out I guess.

Who knew?

Anyways my ghouls and gobblins, have a great night.

Seeing Double

Sister Karen sent this photo of Chloe (left) and Abby (right) during a quiet moment one morning this past week. Seeing this cracks me up because I found out last week that Karen and Joe have given sides of the bassinett to each girl. And the girls go in the same side each night. One of the nights I put Abby down for the night and Karen was suprised to find her there later. It's amazing, they have grown since we were there. So quickly.

Babies Time 2

Last week hubby and I spent a great 8.5 days with my sister Karen, bro-in-law Joe and their daughters Abby and Chloe. Mini slide show is above, click on it to see larger photos. I found at the end of the week I hadn't taken many photos because I was spending the week living in the moment it seemed. Well, that's code for lots of hugs, rocking, feeding, burping and changing diapers. We were saying that my Mom was going through babies withdrawal. I can see where you can have that problem. You get used to holding someone in your arms, smelling baby and humming lullabies. A nice week.

Why Am I Watching? I Can't Turn Away!

Earlier today it was all about Rays baseball. And then on to USF football and now, I can't believe I am saying this - I'm watching the vice presidential debate. I know, it's silly. But I keep imagining that there is a train wreck about to happen. Two of the most unfit politicians that could sit next in line to the president are duking it out live. You know there are You Tube clips in the making, along with the Daily Show and every other media outlet out there. And who really cares? It's two people debating what their running mates would do. Not what they will do because, really, what does the VP really do?

Side note - where does Palin get that accent? Is that people sound like in Alaska? I've never been there, but to me she sounds like she is from Wisconsin or some place around there.

But still, I can't look away. I want to, I want to turn it back to football...darn it, she said "darn right" again. It's sucking me in!

You Know When It's Time to Clean....

This is a photo of my sister's TV. Last Sunday Dad saw how dusty it was and he couldn't help but write on it. Yes Laura, I did say this photo would show up some where. :-)

Scenes From My Early Birthday Celebration

A birds-eye view of my cake

My sister obviously believe you go big (the candle) or you go home

Like my new bowling shoes??

Happy Almost Birthday to Me.

Tomorrow is my 34th birthday. Because the big day falls when others couldn't celebrate we did it early. Off we went to dinner with Dad, hubby and sister Laura and bro-in-law. And then we went off to the sister's pad for gifts, cake and bubbly

Before I save, I have to make a correction. I've been told that my Dad does not want to be called Gramps but prefers Grandpa. So I'm going to go back and switch it out from an earlier post. Wonder what he would think of Grampie or Grandpappie?

More Cow Bell!

Rays Celebrate Making the Playoffs


Greg and Laura cuddle up during the game


Greg, Laura and Laszlo celebrate the Rays win!

So Laszlo, sister Laura and bro-in-law Greg and 36,000+ of our closest Tampa Bay residents had the privilege of watching the Tampa Bay Rays (by the way, they play in St. Petersburg ESPN) clinch a playoff spot for the first time in franchise history. As the guy in front of kept yelling, "Sept. 20, 2008, we are here watching history!"

We had a great day and I think I officially have a cow bell injury. If you don't know why a cow bell injury, fans of teams the Rays will be playing in the Trop., it is what you will be hearing a lot of soon.

Go Rays! and 9=8! (9 players, playing 9 innings can = 8 playoff berths)

An Office Romance

Since there was nothing to watch on TV this summer we decided to rent TV shows and see if there was anything that was worth watching via DVD. I heard that The Office was pretty funny so we thought we'd give it a try. What could we lose? Most episodes are 20 minutes without commercials and if we didn't like it, we could just send it back. Now we've watched 4 seasons-worth and are excited for the new season to start next week. I think I might start watching TV only via DVD. No commercials, specials features including deleted scenes (which on The Office is as funny as the show) and other fun stuff. Screw regular TV. Except The Office and Heroes - the rest can bite me.

Oh Baby

Dad, Mom and Abby


Dad and Abby

These two photos were stuck in cyberspace for some reason until today. So I thought I'd share. The newest news is that Abby's sister Chloe came home for the first time today. Keep Chloe in your prayers as she is still suffering from bradys (heart rate dips) so she came with a heart monitor. Doctors say this will be something she will most likely outgrow this and we pray this is right.

Niece Update

Proud Grandma and Grandpa and Abby


Chloe in a Close-up

Late last week Abby was released from the hospital as she had grown to about 5.5 pounds. So immediately Grandma and Gramps made plans to visit. Grandma is staying in Jacksonville to help Mommy and Daddy out as they adjust to parenthood and with Chole still in the hospital, Abby would need someone to babysit while the new parents visited her sister.

Chloe is doing well and getting close to 5 pounds. She still is still having a few slowdowns of her heart but she is getting better every day. Soon she will join her sister at home.