December 10 Album of the year. What's rocking your world?
I have an iPod and an iPhone; I haven’t bought a CD in years. If there is a song I like I go an iTunes and by the song…Some that I really like this year are Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Kings of Leon and Seether.
My music taste are all over the place; I like any type of music except classical. Hubby laughs at me all the time because my iPod is filled with every different genre. Right now I’m in Christmas music mode. All day everyday!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Peace and Challenges
December 8 Moment of peace. An hour or a day or a week of solitude. What was the quality of your breath? The state of your mind? How did you get there?
Moment of peace? In my life? Phleeeaaassseee! I have a husband, a four year old and two dogs. AND I work full time as a Information Technology Consultant – No peace for me!
Seriously though – Hubby and Roo just left me for nine days and I was home alone so that’s about all the solitude I got this year (and it’s just fine with me). My moments of peace where some of the most hectic days. New Years Eve celebration at my house, surrounded by wonderful friends and drinking expensive champagne. Memorial Day in Washington D.C. Going to Alaska for two weeks this summer, camping in the rain. Being at my nieces 2nd birthday party…these weren’t times of solitude but they were moments of peace spent with people that I love.
December 9 Challenge. Something that really made you grow this year. That made you go to your edge and then some. What made it the best challenge of the year for you?
2009 has not been an extremely challenging year for my family. We’ve had our ups and downs but Roo has bee healthier this year with her asthma than any other. No one close to us has died (knock on wood) I haven’t had to move and we are all still employed.
The biggest thing I have struggled with this year is my weight. I’ve never lost the weight from Roo and it’s been hard for me. This continues to be a challenge for me and hopefully I’ll have more luck in 2010. Another issue I’ve struggled with this year is getting out of debt. It’s hard work and takes a lot of effort but we are using a cash only system now. If we can’t pay cash for it, we’re not buying it! I paid off both of our cars this year so we’re moving in the right direction.
Moment of peace? In my life? Phleeeaaassseee! I have a husband, a four year old and two dogs. AND I work full time as a Information Technology Consultant – No peace for me!
Seriously though – Hubby and Roo just left me for nine days and I was home alone so that’s about all the solitude I got this year (and it’s just fine with me). My moments of peace where some of the most hectic days. New Years Eve celebration at my house, surrounded by wonderful friends and drinking expensive champagne. Memorial Day in Washington D.C. Going to Alaska for two weeks this summer, camping in the rain. Being at my nieces 2nd birthday party…these weren’t times of solitude but they were moments of peace spent with people that I love.
December 9 Challenge. Something that really made you grow this year. That made you go to your edge and then some. What made it the best challenge of the year for you?
2009 has not been an extremely challenging year for my family. We’ve had our ups and downs but Roo has bee healthier this year with her asthma than any other. No one close to us has died (knock on wood) I haven’t had to move and we are all still employed.
The biggest thing I have struggled with this year is my weight. I’ve never lost the weight from Roo and it’s been hard for me. This continues to be a challenge for me and hopefully I’ll have more luck in 2010. Another issue I’ve struggled with this year is getting out of debt. It’s hard work and takes a lot of effort but we are using a cash only system now. If we can’t pay cash for it, we’re not buying it! I paid off both of our cars this year so we’re moving in the right direction.
Monday, December 7, 2009
TBBo2009C - 5-7
I’m still committed to The Best Blog of 2009 Challenge – I didn’t post this weekend (I rarely post on weekends) so here’s a 3 for 1 deal today.
December 5 Night out. Did you have a night out with friends or a loved one that rocked your world? Who was there? What was the highlight of the night?
WOW – this is a hard one. I’ve had so many great nights out this year. I’d have to say that one stands out in my mind. June 5th 2009 – New Kids on the Block concert in Virginia Beach. I had heard about this show and a group of us where planning to go. We where waiting to get tickets because we weren’t sure who was going.
The day of the concert I get an email from our receptionist, one of our clients had VIP box seats and parking passes for the show. I was on the phone so fast I didn’t even read the entire email. I was the first caller and he told me to come and pick up the tickets! Oh man was I excited. The night of the show it was down pouring and we all wore sneakers jeans and Hubby’s military GORE-TEX jackets. We where late for the show and missed the first two acts but we didn’t care. We all hung out in the VIP bar and then made our way to the box seats, where we had a waitress to get our drinks.
It was a wonderful night spent with Hubby, Miah, Megs, Lexa, Green Girl and a couple other girls that didn’t sit with us but where friends of friends. The entire night was one big highlight but one of my favorite parts was Green Girl and Miah singing an NKOTB duet. Ohhh the fun!
This also kicked off our summer concerts this year!
December 6 Workshop or conference. Was there a conference or workshop you attended that was especially beneficial? Where was it? What did you learn?
Hubby and I attended a Love and Respect couples class at our church this year, the basic philosophy is taken from the Bible. We weren’t having any problems in our relationship but it seem like an informative class and we decided to take it. I was surprised at how good it was. First thing I enjoyed about the workshop was they worked a lot of humor into it. You didn’t have to sit there and listen to some doctor tell you what a bad spouse you where!
The best lesson I learned was the Crazy Cycle. The Crazy Cycle teaches couples that they do not have the same fundamental needs. Most woman are satisfied, motivated and fulfilled by unconditional love from her husband, a husband is fulfilled and motivated by unconditional respect from his wife. If either spouse is denied this basic need, disaster is imminent. Dr. Emerson Eggerichs calls this reality the “crazy cycle;” a cycle that will spin toward divorce.
The bottom line is if a husband doesn’t show his wife love the wife doesn’t show her husband respect. They work against each other until they separate or someone changes. One of the questions that was brought up at the workshop was who should change. If my husband showed my love I’d show him respect and if my wife respected me I’d love her…well Dr Eggerich made a good point on who should ‘change’ first; the most mature person! Oh this got lots of laughs.
The Crazy Cycle won’t stop over night but if you try to make small changes your spouse will see that and do the same. I strongly encourage anyone that’s married and even engaged to look into this conference or check out some of the books Dr Eggerich and his wife Sarah have written.
Ephesians 5:22-25; 31-33
Wives and Husbands
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
December 7 Blog find of the year. That gem of a blog you can't believe you didn't know about until this year.
I’m still a new Blogger. I just started posting regularly in March of 2009. I don’t have many readers but one person really kept me motivated when she would vist and comment on my blog. Matter of Fact Mommy; although she’s not around anymore (and we miss her) she was sooo funny.
Another blogger that I love and is a loyal reader/commenter on my blog is calicobebop
She has a wonderful blog and we have quite a bit in common so she is always a fun read. Go check her out.
Jaci is usually pretty good for a laugh too, although she’s deleted her blog like three times this year she always come back (thank god!)
Whew – Ok hopefully I’ll be able to keep up the rest of the week.
December 5 Night out. Did you have a night out with friends or a loved one that rocked your world? Who was there? What was the highlight of the night?
WOW – this is a hard one. I’ve had so many great nights out this year. I’d have to say that one stands out in my mind. June 5th 2009 – New Kids on the Block concert in Virginia Beach. I had heard about this show and a group of us where planning to go. We where waiting to get tickets because we weren’t sure who was going.
The day of the concert I get an email from our receptionist, one of our clients had VIP box seats and parking passes for the show. I was on the phone so fast I didn’t even read the entire email. I was the first caller and he told me to come and pick up the tickets! Oh man was I excited. The night of the show it was down pouring and we all wore sneakers jeans and Hubby’s military GORE-TEX jackets. We where late for the show and missed the first two acts but we didn’t care. We all hung out in the VIP bar and then made our way to the box seats, where we had a waitress to get our drinks.
It was a wonderful night spent with Hubby, Miah, Megs, Lexa, Green Girl and a couple other girls that didn’t sit with us but where friends of friends. The entire night was one big highlight but one of my favorite parts was Green Girl and Miah singing an NKOTB duet. Ohhh the fun!
This also kicked off our summer concerts this year!
December 6 Workshop or conference. Was there a conference or workshop you attended that was especially beneficial? Where was it? What did you learn?
Hubby and I attended a Love and Respect couples class at our church this year, the basic philosophy is taken from the Bible. We weren’t having any problems in our relationship but it seem like an informative class and we decided to take it. I was surprised at how good it was. First thing I enjoyed about the workshop was they worked a lot of humor into it. You didn’t have to sit there and listen to some doctor tell you what a bad spouse you where!
The best lesson I learned was the Crazy Cycle. The Crazy Cycle teaches couples that they do not have the same fundamental needs. Most woman are satisfied, motivated and fulfilled by unconditional love from her husband, a husband is fulfilled and motivated by unconditional respect from his wife. If either spouse is denied this basic need, disaster is imminent. Dr. Emerson Eggerichs calls this reality the “crazy cycle;” a cycle that will spin toward divorce.
The bottom line is if a husband doesn’t show his wife love the wife doesn’t show her husband respect. They work against each other until they separate or someone changes. One of the questions that was brought up at the workshop was who should change. If my husband showed my love I’d show him respect and if my wife respected me I’d love her…well Dr Eggerich made a good point on who should ‘change’ first; the most mature person! Oh this got lots of laughs.
The Crazy Cycle won’t stop over night but if you try to make small changes your spouse will see that and do the same. I strongly encourage anyone that’s married and even engaged to look into this conference or check out some of the books Dr Eggerich and his wife Sarah have written.
Ephesians 5:22-25; 31-33
Wives and Husbands
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
December 7 Blog find of the year. That gem of a blog you can't believe you didn't know about until this year.
I’m still a new Blogger. I just started posting regularly in March of 2009. I don’t have many readers but one person really kept me motivated when she would vist and comment on my blog. Matter of Fact Mommy; although she’s not around anymore (and we miss her) she was sooo funny.
Another blogger that I love and is a loyal reader/commenter on my blog is calicobebop
She has a wonderful blog and we have quite a bit in common so she is always a fun read. Go check her out.
Jaci is usually pretty good for a laugh too, although she’s deleted her blog like three times this year she always come back (thank god!)
Whew – Ok hopefully I’ll be able to keep up the rest of the week.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Day 4
December 4 Book. What book - fiction or non - touched you? Where were you when you read it? Have you bought and given away multiple copies?
I love to read so I have a few favorite books that I love to share with others but of this year my favorite book is Daily Steps for God Chicks: The 90-Day Devotional for Real Women. I grew up going to Catholic Church and never really enjoyed it. I liked going with my friend to the Baptist church where they sang fun songs and had great food after service. I stopped going to church when I was old enough to make the decision. I went back to church while I was in basic training but other than that I never practiced a structured religion.
After Roo was born I decided that I wanted to start bringing her to church. We found a nice nondenominational church close to our house in Alaska and we went occasionally (Easter and Christmas). When we moved to VA I looked for a church and attended a few services but didn’t find anywhere that I liked.
A friend took me to her church one Sunday and it was a good fit. Roo and I attend service regularly and I was officially baptized on Mother’s Day 2009.
This book was written by Holly Wagner while she was going through treatment of breast cancer. It’s an easy read for women who are looking for a closer relationship with God and aren’t sure where to start. The daily steps are easy and really get you thinking about life and your relationship with God.
The book as touched me because it’s opened my eyes up, given my daily bible verses and devotionals. I read this book at home and haven’t bought a copy for anyone else…yet!
I love to read so I have a few favorite books that I love to share with others but of this year my favorite book is Daily Steps for God Chicks: The 90-Day Devotional for Real Women. I grew up going to Catholic Church and never really enjoyed it. I liked going with my friend to the Baptist church where they sang fun songs and had great food after service. I stopped going to church when I was old enough to make the decision. I went back to church while I was in basic training but other than that I never practiced a structured religion.
After Roo was born I decided that I wanted to start bringing her to church. We found a nice nondenominational church close to our house in Alaska and we went occasionally (Easter and Christmas). When we moved to VA I looked for a church and attended a few services but didn’t find anywhere that I liked.
A friend took me to her church one Sunday and it was a good fit. Roo and I attend service regularly and I was officially baptized on Mother’s Day 2009.
This book was written by Holly Wagner while she was going through treatment of breast cancer. It’s an easy read for women who are looking for a closer relationship with God and aren’t sure where to start. The daily steps are easy and really get you thinking about life and your relationship with God.
The book as touched me because it’s opened my eyes up, given my daily bible verses and devotionals. I read this book at home and haven’t bought a copy for anyone else…yet!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Day 3
Still keeping up with The Best of 2009 Blog Challenge
December 3 Article. What's an article that you read that blew you away? That you shared with all your friends. That you Delicious'd and reference throughout the year.
OK - I'll be honest I love to read but trying to pin point a specific article has been difficult for me.
So I cheated. It's not really an article as much as it's a news story. I'm sure you all remember the big uproar about the man carrying an assault riffle to an Obama rally. I found the different views on this news story shocking. First I want to you read to news article here.
You can clearly see in the photo that the man carrying the gun is a black man.
How watch this take from MSNBC...pretty cleaver editing they have going on there. Amazing how they make it look like a white man is carrying the gun.
First let me start by saying I support out 2nd Amendment right to bear arms. I could care less if the President is a black man or a Green man for that matter! All I care about is that he is making the best choices for our country and our military. Secondly, I think the media is very bias on their views and try to distort the truth to what fits their agenda. I hate they way they do not support our troops - when my husband was serving in Iraq he said that one of the hardest things to watch was the news because they where constantly negative about the efforts there.
I know this one can be a touchy subject and I try to stay away from politics but this is a story that stood out to me. We need to educate ourselves and our children to make their own decisions.
December 3 Article. What's an article that you read that blew you away? That you shared with all your friends. That you Delicious'd and reference throughout the year.
OK - I'll be honest I love to read but trying to pin point a specific article has been difficult for me.
So I cheated. It's not really an article as much as it's a news story. I'm sure you all remember the big uproar about the man carrying an assault riffle to an Obama rally. I found the different views on this news story shocking. First I want to you read to news article here.
You can clearly see in the photo that the man carrying the gun is a black man.
How watch this take from MSNBC...pretty cleaver editing they have going on there. Amazing how they make it look like a white man is carrying the gun.
First let me start by saying I support out 2nd Amendment right to bear arms. I could care less if the President is a black man or a Green man for that matter! All I care about is that he is making the best choices for our country and our military. Secondly, I think the media is very bias on their views and try to distort the truth to what fits their agenda. I hate they way they do not support our troops - when my husband was serving in Iraq he said that one of the hardest things to watch was the news because they where constantly negative about the efforts there.
I know this one can be a touchy subject and I try to stay away from politics but this is a story that stood out to me. We need to educate ourselves and our children to make their own decisions.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Best Blog of 2009 Challenge
I know - it's shocking two blogs in ONE day?
HAHAHA but really after I posted today I went over to visit Heidi Rene and found The Best Blog of 2009 Challenge I only have like three people that actually read this blog but I figured it'd be fun and it would give me some new idea's on what to blog about..
Since I'm a day behind schedule here you get 2 days for the price of one...
December 1 Trip. What was your best trip in 2009?
This is a hard one because it's a toss up between driving across country with my mom from Alaska to Maine and going up to Alaska this summer for my moms wedding.
The drive across was my second trip but this time we drove out through Canada and the first time I drove to Washington state and took a ferry to Alaska. Also this was the first time my mom and I had been on a road trip together. We had a great time except for when I left my laptop in Haynes Alaska; didn't realize it till we where 100+ miles away and had to turn around to get it! HAHA good times.
OK - ummm I just realized this trip was in 2008! Opps...so I guess my best trip in 2009 was going to Alaska for my moms wedding.
December 2 Restaurant moment. Share the best restaurant experience you had this year. Who was there? What made it amazing? What taste stands out in your mind?
I feel like I'm cheating but the best resturant experience this year would have to be the dinner after my moms wedding. It was held at The Crow's Nest on the top floor of the Captain Cook Hotel (where the couple had a suite). If you even get a chance to go to Anchoage Alaska this is a place you have to check out. It's amazing - I had reserved the back room of the resturant overlooking the bay. It was perfect we had our own wait staff, privacy and a wonderful view. It was the first time my mom and Mike had been there so it was even more special. The wine, food and company was amazing and the chef even made a special kid friendly meal for Roo.
Stay tuned for tomorrow (I think this one is going to be hard)
HAHAHA but really after I posted today I went over to visit Heidi Rene and found The Best Blog of 2009 Challenge I only have like three people that actually read this blog but I figured it'd be fun and it would give me some new idea's on what to blog about..
Since I'm a day behind schedule here you get 2 days for the price of one...
December 1 Trip. What was your best trip in 2009?
This is a hard one because it's a toss up between driving across country with my mom from Alaska to Maine and going up to Alaska this summer for my moms wedding.
The drive across was my second trip but this time we drove out through Canada and the first time I drove to Washington state and took a ferry to Alaska. Also this was the first time my mom and I had been on a road trip together. We had a great time except for when I left my laptop in Haynes Alaska; didn't realize it till we where 100+ miles away and had to turn around to get it! HAHA good times.
OK - ummm I just realized this trip was in 2008! Opps...so I guess my best trip in 2009 was going to Alaska for my moms wedding.
December 2 Restaurant moment. Share the best restaurant experience you had this year. Who was there? What made it amazing? What taste stands out in your mind?
I feel like I'm cheating but the best resturant experience this year would have to be the dinner after my moms wedding. It was held at The Crow's Nest on the top floor of the Captain Cook Hotel (where the couple had a suite). If you even get a chance to go to Anchoage Alaska this is a place you have to check out. It's amazing - I had reserved the back room of the resturant overlooking the bay. It was perfect we had our own wait staff, privacy and a wonderful view. It was the first time my mom and Mike had been there so it was even more special. The wine, food and company was amazing and the chef even made a special kid friendly meal for Roo.
Stay tuned for tomorrow (I think this one is going to be hard)
Getting Things Done and Black Friday
So my last post was a bucket list and I think you’d all be happy to know that I’ve already started working on my items. I got a copy of Rosetta Stones Learn Spanish to cross off my dream of becoming fluent in Spanish (you’d think this would be easier for me consittering my hubby is Columbian and didn’t learn English till he went to school – but that’s another blog). Granted I’ve only worked with the program for about 5 minutes but it seem very cool and hey at least I’m trying here!
I also enrolled in online classes and just have to take my assessment test. I should be started just have the New Year. I really wanted to quit my job and go back full time but that just wasn’t in the cards this year. Hopefully in September when Roo start’s Kindergarten I’ll be able to do that…
So even though I’m unable to go back full time I am trying to make an effort to at least take some classes and ease into it.
As I was looking back through the list #10 is seeing the Northern Lights. I lived in Alaska for 4 years – you’d think I’d have crossed that one off!
Hubby and Roo have been down in Florida so I went to my cousin’s house in Richmond for Thanksgiving. It was great to see them and their kids (and kids kids – wow we’re getting old)
I hadn’t seen them in 10 years! Now that we’ve caught up I need to make a point to get up there and visit more often.
I went shopping on Black Friday. I was home alone so I figured why not. I got up and was at J.C. Penny at 4am. I got a bunch of stuff for everyone and saved over $400.00 bucks so I was happy about that. I was in and out of the store in less than 30 minutes. I had made a list of what I wanted, grabbed my stuff and hit the checkout line! I then headed over to Target (there as a line around the building to get in) it was so windy out that when I opened my car door it almost hit the car next to me so I grabbed it really quick and dropped my iPhone and shattered the screen. I was so upset I cried in the Target parking lot. Then I got mad and went to Target to spend more money!
I finished most of my shopping but felt so guilty about my phone. When I got home I had to get ready for work (yes I worked the day after Thanksgiving) As I was getting ready to leave I started separating all the stuff by what was for who and noticed that a coat I had bought for Megs wasn’t there! The lady at Penny’s had forgotten to give it to me. I immediately called the store and they said I had to come in. I didn’t have time because I had to be to work. Now I was really upset!
There’s a happy ending in it though. My boss let me out of work early and I went to the store, they had my coat set aside for me and gave me no problems. Then I headed to the Apple store and bought myself a new iPhone! So I went shopping on Black Friday to save money but cancelled it out by breaking my phone…on the bright side I’m pretty much done Christmas shopping.
And Roo will be home TONIGHT!!!
I miss her tons.
I also enrolled in online classes and just have to take my assessment test. I should be started just have the New Year. I really wanted to quit my job and go back full time but that just wasn’t in the cards this year. Hopefully in September when Roo start’s Kindergarten I’ll be able to do that…
So even though I’m unable to go back full time I am trying to make an effort to at least take some classes and ease into it.
As I was looking back through the list #10 is seeing the Northern Lights. I lived in Alaska for 4 years – you’d think I’d have crossed that one off!
Hubby and Roo have been down in Florida so I went to my cousin’s house in Richmond for Thanksgiving. It was great to see them and their kids (and kids kids – wow we’re getting old)
I hadn’t seen them in 10 years! Now that we’ve caught up I need to make a point to get up there and visit more often.
I went shopping on Black Friday. I was home alone so I figured why not. I got up and was at J.C. Penny at 4am. I got a bunch of stuff for everyone and saved over $400.00 bucks so I was happy about that. I was in and out of the store in less than 30 minutes. I had made a list of what I wanted, grabbed my stuff and hit the checkout line! I then headed over to Target (there as a line around the building to get in) it was so windy out that when I opened my car door it almost hit the car next to me so I grabbed it really quick and dropped my iPhone and shattered the screen. I was so upset I cried in the Target parking lot. Then I got mad and went to Target to spend more money!
I finished most of my shopping but felt so guilty about my phone. When I got home I had to get ready for work (yes I worked the day after Thanksgiving) As I was getting ready to leave I started separating all the stuff by what was for who and noticed that a coat I had bought for Megs wasn’t there! The lady at Penny’s had forgotten to give it to me. I immediately called the store and they said I had to come in. I didn’t have time because I had to be to work. Now I was really upset!
There’s a happy ending in it though. My boss let me out of work early and I went to the store, they had my coat set aside for me and gave me no problems. Then I headed to the Apple store and bought myself a new iPhone! So I went shopping on Black Friday to save money but cancelled it out by breaking my phone…on the bright side I’m pretty much done Christmas shopping.
And Roo will be home TONIGHT!!!
I miss her tons.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)