Today is enough

I'm going through a devotional book by Luci Swindoll. (Charles' sister) I first discovered Luci many years ago. She was a "grown" single woman having a ball with life. I read her book and thought I wanna grow up to be like her. LOL Time passed and I forgot about Luci and her joy and celebration from life. So when I saw her book posted on paperback swap.com (one of the best finds ever) I smiled and remembered and ordered it. I'm so glad I did.

Today's devo was about enjoying what we have and being content. I was reminded that we live in a world that demands that we always be doing something, anything. I always feel weird at work on Monday when I'm asked what I did over the weekend when I answer nothing. I haven't been to the movies in ages. I don't really need more stuff. I love being home. It is enough.

And that fits in with my goals for the year - to enjoy life - my friends - my home. There's tons of stuff that I can do at home - projects to complete. Emails to write. Notes on facebook to encourage. I need to do more of that. But for now I'm reminded that enough is enough.

God is enough. I need no other. Be it ever so humble...

Happy New Year - 2009

This is gonna sound morbid but for some reason I never thought as a kid that I'd live this long. Ok, ok, I know I'm only 50 but 2000 much less 2009 felt like so far away back then. So here I am alive and well in 2009. Since I have lived this long now I have to figure out what I'm going to accomplish this year. 2009?!?

I'm gonna get out of debt. I'm such a dork - it's out of hand but it's now out of my hands and the plan is in place to get back on track. Such a waste.

I'm going to lose this last 30 pounds and keep it off. So far so good 20lbs already down 30 more to go. Thanks Jenny! (Craig that is).

I want to get involved in creative things - either through decorating projects here at home or learning how to sew. I've been thinking about sewing for a year. It's time I did more than think.

I'm going to have friends over more often. I like entertaining. Used to do it a lot years ago - don't know what happened but I'm going to do better at it.

So here's to moving forward in 2009. Cheers!

Sunday afternoons are for football

It's a beautiful day in sunny south Florida. The sun has been shining and the temperature is mild. I enjoyed my favorite Sunday activity - reading the newspaper. And turned the TV to football. Besides being America's game. It's a great activity to get stuff done by. You don't really have to watch every second (sacrilege to men I know). You can be doing things and if you hear the announcer going crazy you know you need to get to the TV. If you have Tivo even better.

I've been gardening while listening and watching the Eagles vs. Giants. Great game. Eagles dominated the Giants. (Too bad for my fantasy football team. I knew I should've started Kevin Walter). All the while I planted my new bougainvilleas, and avocado pits. It was fun and relaxing. I didn't miss a thing in the game.

Now I'm watching the Dolphins (Go Fins!). I may actually watch the entire game. I'll sweep and swiff at halftime.

Ahhhh now that's a good Sunday afternoon. ;-)

Why you should never have your network server off site?

Our network is down AGAIN. I swear (ok it's not nice to swear) it's down more than it's up. And because it's off site we're dependent on our IT company to fix it, which is dumb cause the server isn't in their office either. It's in a bunker somewhere where it can be accessible after a hurricane except that it doesn't work when there isn't a hurricane.

So the reason you should never have your network server located offsite is because...
YOU CAN'T KICK IT!

There I feel better now.

Happy Black Friday!

OMG! It's been forever since I've blogged. It's not that I haven't been doing anything. I just didn't know what to say or how to say it.

It's been an amazing 6 months. I've been to the Mediterranean. Seen the Acropolis, Rome, the Pyramids and Sphinx, Pompeii, Ephesus and Istanbul. They were trips of a lifetime. I've made new friends and learned so much.

I turned 50 last Sunday. 50!!!! I can't believe it. I feel great. Definitely not 50. There are days of course but mostly not 50.

I've lost 30 pounds in the last year - 20 of them in the last two months. Me, Queen Latifa and Valerie Bertinelli and Jenny Craig. And I can't forget my time in the gym. How can I forget, my body is screaming at me after Wednesday's work out.

The most important thing on my mind is - I have great friends and family. While my finances are in a mess, aren't everyones? I'm reminded that it's relationships that are most important. The finance thing will be worked out. But without health and friends life in deed would be dull and without meaning.

So today, instead of shopping (4:30am?!? not) I'm feeling extra grateful. I'm going to finish cleaning the house and start decorating for Christmas. This year I'm going to enjoy it all.
I hope you do too.

I Don't Get It!

Why can't we just get along! We, and I use the term loosely, are commanded to love one another. The second half of the greatest commandment according to Jesus, and He should know, is that we love our neighbors as ourselves. The Bible says, they will no we are Christians by our love. They'll marvel about how we love one another. If all that's true, and I believe it is, then why do we have so much trouble doing it?

Today, I've had two friends who have been hurt by believers. Not just believers but church leaders. People who have been entrusted with the care and nurture of God's sheep. I've been sitting on my couch staring at Facebook and talking to God about it. I'm asking how come his leaders act this way.

All I hear is that they are flawed just like I am. Sinners saved by grace. Which is true. However, (you knew that was coming) It really hacks me - get's on my last nerve, frost my cake, you name it. When leaders screw up, and when they hurt fellow believers, it sours believers on God and the church.
The church is where "people will know and marvel at how". If our leaders don't learn how best to love. How to speak the truth in love, and encourage and sharpen their flock, how is the church suppose to grow? How is the church supposed to prevail against the gates of hell?

I don't know. But I suspect that God ain't happy.

It's been awhile

Let's see if I can summarize everything that's happened since February.

• Went to St. Louis, hung out with Carol, discovered the most comfortable underwear ever
• Survived Easter services, what a whirl wind!
• Trying to take care of Dad who is at home with in home care for 8 hours a day
• 85 year old father tells you he's in love with one of his caretakers, and is giddy about it
• Caretaker isn't in love with papi
• I'm gonna get to go to Europe this summer AND see the Pyramids before I turn 50
• Yes I turn 50 this year. GAG
• Coordinated another wedding (Aunt Gigie and Uncle Lu),barely made it through alive
• Read a great series of books by Stephanie Meyer - Twight, New Moon & Eclipse (look for the movie in December)
• Listened to an awesome book on by Ipod - World Without End by Ken Foillet
• Been hanging out on Facebook a lot playing Text Twirl and giving out pieces of flair
• Dad decided to stay home today - was going to go out with brother - now he's home alone and I'm a nervous wreck.
• Wish I could makeover my kitchen (I should probably stop watching HGTV)
• Went to Fairchild Tropical Gardens yesterday with Ann - had a blast - it was beautiful AND hot
• Got to see D-man and Sugar Monkey on Friday at Scotty's. I love that place

Ok those are the highlights. I'll try to do better with the blog

Reading - it's FUNdamental

So I'm updating the blog and looked at the books I'm reading and of course I'd finished all of them ages ago. I read about a book a week, more when I'm traveling. That airplane flight is golden for reading. I put on my ipod and I'm off.

There's one book that I'm reading very slowly - Cold Tangerines - by Shauna Niequist. Shauna is the daughter of Bill Hybels from Willowcreek Church. Cold Tangerines is a collection of her writing that encourages the celebration of life. It's fabulous. I read one story a day or try to and reflect on the simplicity of the writing and the authenticity of the communication of the story and of the story itself. It's helping me "keep it simple" and reminds me to enjoy. Check out Shauna at her website, just click on her name. By the way her brother, Joe is sailing around the world with his friend Todd. They've got a website where they journal and post pictures of their journey. I think it's cool. Check it out crisismode.

Ok, our server is back up so I've gotta go back to work.

Peace & Joy

Surprise! I'm still alive

It's been a depressingly long time since I last blogged. Christmas 2007! Valentines 2008 is breathing down my neck. Where does time go? Where ever it goes, the one thing I do know is that you can never get it back.

Since Christmas, Papi has been released from the rehab center and after much soul searching we decided to let him live at home in the house we were raised in and where he's lived for 40 years. He was diagnosed with a degenerative condition pan cerebellar something or other. It affects the same area of the brain as multiple sclorosis and parkinsons but it's not as devastating. So Papi is not going to get better. We just have to keep him safe and happy. We've been blessed with two fabulous caregivers that spoil him rotten. The cost is astronomical and I'm thankful that my brother is in a position to make this happen. We're exploring assistance options to handle this but my advice to you all is "long term care insurance". Home care is expensive and medicare covers very little - 1 nurse - 1 hour - 3 days a week. Hmmm. Papi is happy and that is more than I could have hoped for a couple of months ago.

I've been busy getting him set up at home, man that's time consuming and expensive too! Things have started to settle down and getting in to a routine. I've started traveling again for work and recently escorted a client on a 5-night cruise. I know it doesn't sound like work but it is. Church is keeping me occupied as I have an opportunity to lead in the tech/media area.

I'm learning that I need to be quiet more and be thankful for little things. It's not how many things you check off your to-do list. It's the life your living as you work through the list. Which,by the way, never ends. For everything that gets crossed off 3 more things are added.

So here we are in 2008. It's the big 50 year - let's hope I spend it wisely and some of it unwisely :-). You know me if ain't fun, what's the use.

I can't promise I'll blog more often, but I'll try.

How's 2008 for you?

5 Days til Christmas - YIKES!

I may be the only person on the planet who has done no (zero, nuttin', ain't been there) Christmas shopping. Who has had time or money much less the inclination? I've been caring for Papi (more on him later), working, traveling, volunteering at church and did I mention caring for Papi? - who has time?

Papi is doing ok. Still has some walking issues but has had a good attitude and is working hard. The man however, cannot understand that if he tries to walk by himself, he will fall. Lord,Help Me! He has no dexterity in his movements, so what does he do - he moves as if he's in a hurry to get some place. He's in a hurry for everything. Eating, moving, asking for stuff. I may lose what little mind I have left.

Poor dear. You gotta love him though. When he knows I'm nearing the end of my rope, he'll call me in the middle of the day to tell me he's had a good day in physical therapy, cause he knows that makes me happy.

So, I guess I'll have to shop this weekend. Hope no one is expecting something awesome.

Santa, can you help a sister out?

If it's not one thing it's another

I can't believe this week. I took my car to the shop yesterday and got a rental. And tonight I got home and couldn't get the key out of the cheesy nasty car I had. So it got towed. Now I don't have a car.

I almost had to hurt someone when Enterprise decided it was my problem to find another car. Fortunately, I decided to cool off. I hung up and called back and a nice lady took care of me. I'm now getting another car tomorrow after church.

Earlier today, Papi decided he could get out of bed on his own and use the bathroom. He couldn't and ended up on the floor. He freaked the nurses out at Greenbriar. Papi is one lucky man. He has fallen so many times and hasn't gotten seriously hurt. We were blessed today and he wasn't hurt.

Stress, it's making me feel all of my 49 years.

Today I'm 49

Oh my gosh how did this happen, how did I turn 49 today? Where has all the time gone? Even though it's a cliche, it's true. Time does fly.

Since the last time I posted so much has happened, besides my birthday. I've traveled to New Jersey, San Francisco, Atlanta, cruised to the Bahamas and to no where.

We moved my Papi to my brothers. He's been in the hospital this past week and just yesterday we had to place him in a rehab nursing home. Poor Papi. He's trying so hard. His legs became so weak that he couldn't walk. The best the doctors can say is that he suffered a TIA. Nothing more tangible than that. He went through hell as they tried to get clear MRIs of his spine. They filled him with Atavan which messed him up. It's still working it's way out of his system. But he's in Greenbriar now and getting stronger.

A pox on AMR ambulance company. Dad was discharged from South Miami Hospital at 2pm Wed afternoon. We waited and waited and the ambulance that was supposed to transfer him to Greenbriar never showed up. Finally at 8:15pm my brother made arrangements for a Rescue vehicle to take him. The ambulance company stopped answering the phones. What if we'd had no other recourse? It was irresponsible and inhuman.

So, I spent my birthday and Greenbriar and took my car in for service. Blah.

Oh well, it'll be better next year. Sorry it's been so long since I posted. I'll try to do better.

It's just Tuesday

Today has been the longest day ever. Been busy which is good but it didn't make the day go faster. And it's only Tuesday. I really was hoping today was like Thursday or something. I have no wisdom today or any thing pithy to say.

That's just how it is some days. "It's Tuesday" is the best you can do.

Did go to the new Whole Foods store today. It was awesome. Not too expensive. Tons of food I've never heard of. Couldn't decide what to have for lunch so I had a little bit of everything. From the salad bar that is. I can't wait to have time to explore and shop.

Saw the funniest video at a women's event at church on Saturday. It was a comedienne I'd never seen before, Anita Renfroe. In the middle of the clip I realize that I'd seen her on Good Morning America. She's hilarious. Here's the link to the clip I saw on GMA - Momsense
Check out, I'm sure you've heard some of these lines before.

Enjoy what's left of the day.

Rainy days and Mondays

Man is it raining or what? It's so dark outside I just want to curl up and nap. Rainy days do that to me. It's a day to veg and read a book, drink hot chocolate or spiced tea. Wear fluffy socks and relax.

These days I'm wondering about change and contentment. I've had a few experiences lately that made me realize that I've changed. I think that I've reached the age where I've realized that I have a choice in how I handle change in my life and/or things that happen. I can either adopt the "it's sucks" posture or accept them and move on. Life is too short to fill my days with negativity. It's not that I don't get angry and think that things aren't fair. It's just that I can't control the things that happen. I've tried to control my life for most of my life. All I got out of that was being tired. And I realized that I actually didn't have control after all. All I can do is the best I can do. I'm not responsible for the rest of the world and their actions.

So I work my butt off and all anyone asks is for me to do more. And the person across the hall from me does nothing all day and get's labeled as indispensible. Do I like that? Heck no! Is there anything I can do about it? Other than just keep working and complaining? No there isn't. So good for them. I've discovered that if I dwell on it, I'm the only one that's miserable. And when I'm miserable no one wants to be around me. So what does it get me? Nothing.

Life isn't out to get me, I've decided. Life happens. We live in a fallen world. Sucky stuff happens. The difference comes in how I deal with it. I can do my best to correct things to make things right. But I can't force circumstances or people to be or act how I think they should. My part is to do my part. I can't and should not be responsible for anything or anyone else. At the end of the day, when I look in the mirror - I need to feel that I've done the best I could. If that is the case, then I can rest easy. No one is asking me to be perfect. No one has promised me that life would be easy and carefree.

I pray that I'll always be learning and growing. That I don't become negative. I don't want to be a pollyana. I just don't want to waste my time by living in the state of unproductive, unpopular, and unfun-negativity.

Instead of why me? Why not me? Why would I want to wish any misfortune or suckiness to go to someone else? Maybe God has made me able to withstand stuff that someone else can't. Maybe there's something for me to learn. Maybe there isn't. It just is.

Sometimes it's just a matter of perspective. I'm not a saint nor am I anywhere near perfect. I just want to live as peace-filled and joy-filled as possible. I want to laugh as much as possible. So I'm going to look up - look out - and keep that nasty attitude away. I'm sure I won't succeed at it in every situation but I'm going to try. Is anyone with me?

P.S. I'm not going to finish my Alaska blog. Too much time has passed, I think. Sorry about that. It was great though. Everyone should go and see the unspoiled vistas. Especially in light of global warming - it might not always be there.

Alaska Day 3 - Juneau

Here we are approaching Juneau. The weather was nasty. It was cold and rainy and foggy. This is the one port where I wanted to participate in a shore excursion offered by the ship. Shore Excursions in Alaska ain't cheap and some of them are downright scary. I found one that wasn't too expensive nor too scary. It was rafting down the river flowing from the Mendenhall Glacier. I was actually excited about it. Normally I'm not into rafting or other outdoor sports. But I decided to step out of my comfort zone and do this. As we pulled into Juneau, I was having second thoughts. The weather was awful. What was I thinking going out there and spending 3 hours in a raft on a river. The weather was so bad they canceled all the flight seeing excursions. It was too dangerous for planes or helicopters to go up.

So here we were standing in the rain, waiting for the bus to take us up to the Glacier. Needless to say, Mr. D was not a happy camper. He kept looking at me like I was forcing him to drink castor oil. But he was a good sport and off we went. We finally came to a parking lot in the nature preserve at the Glacier. A young guy from the tour company operating the shore excursion jumped on the bus and proceeded to read us a waiver that we were all to sign as we got off the bus. He was hilarious. The waiver a little iffy. You might get wet, the raft might capsize, it's not their fault, yada yada. We all signed and out we went. LOL

We lined behind a truck where we were handing rain gear: pants with suspenders and hooded rain slickers and the loveliest pair of rubber boots you ever wanted to see. If I hadn't had to put away my camera so it wouldn't get wet, it would have made a heckuva picture. So very pretty. As if that weren't enough, we then had to don life jackets. I felt like the illegitimate daughter of the Michelin Man and the Pillsbury Doughgirl (yes, the doughboy has a woman). I could barely move and these people wanted me to wade into 35 degree water - yes 35 degrees! and climb into a rubber raft. I wish there were pictures, you'd laugh until you wet your pants.

We get packed into the raft - onto a wooden bench that is only a 2x4 plank - 4 people across. It was cozy. Too bad the couple on the seat with us were kinda poopy. It sure would've been more fun trying to move around. Oh well. By the way, our guide and raft pilot was a college student with red stripped hair. Shawna was awesome! She was so much fun and really knew her stuff.

We got in and down the river we went. Shawna pulled us right up to an little iceberg. It was a piece of the Glacier that had broken (calved) off. It was blue and white a beautiful. As we floated down the river we saw eagles and a black bear, actually D saw the bear I couldn't move to turn around to see it. Plus we saw various dams that beavers had constructed. Very cool.

After a while we couldn't feel our hands cause the water was so cold and the north wind was blowing. That just made us laugh harder. We went down some rapids. It was great. As you can tell I survived to tell the tale.

We didn't see much of Juneau. Thought about getting off the bus on the way back from the ship but it was pouring down rain and the prospect of a drink and a hot shower on the ship made the decision for us. Tomorrow Skagway!

Alaska Day 2 - Cruising the Inside Passage

This was an awesome day of napping, eating and hanging out. The views of the shore line were spectacular. There were snow capped mountains and rugged coastlines that were simply beautiful. I even spotted some dolphins swimming along next to the ship. They looked like they were having so much fun. I was almost jealous of them. Jealous of their freedom and unbridled joy.
We looked forward to seeing the show that night. It featured a troupe from Second City. Second City is an improvisational comedy group from Canada & Chicago. They were hilarious.

I love days at sea. They are so lazy and fun. It was the perfect way to get started. We got to unwind and prepare for the rest of the week's adventure.

In fact just writing about it is making me want to take a nap... night night.

Idiot Sightings

Received this from a friend and just had to post it. I've seen some of these folks. Especially in airports. Enjoy! More Alaska stories to come.

IDIOT SIGHTING:

We had to have the garage door repaired. The Sears repairman told us that one of our problems was that we did not have a "large" enough motor on the opener. I thought for a minute, and said that we had the largest one Sears made at that time, a 1/2 horsepower. He shook his head and said, "Lady, you need a 1/4 horsepower." I respondedthat 1/2 was larger than 1/4. He said, "NO, it's not." Four is larger than two.."

We haven't used Sears repair since.

IDIOT SIGHTING:

I live in a semi rural area. We recently had a new neighbor call the local township administrative office to request the removal of the DEER CROSSING sign on our road. The reason: "Too many deer are being hit by cars out here! I don't think this is a good place for them to be crossing anymore."

From Kingman , KS .

IDIOT SIGHTING IN FOOD SERVICE:

My daughter went to a local Taco Bell and ordered a taco. She asked the person behind the counter for "minimal lettuce." He said he was sorry, but they only had iceburg lettuce. He was a Chef? Yep...
From Kansas City !

IDIOT SIGHTING:

I was at the airport, checking in at the gate when an airport employee asked, "Has anyone put anything in your baggage without your knowledge?" To which I replied, "If it was without my knowledge, how would I know?" He smiled knowingly and nodded, "That's why we ask."

Happened in Birmingham , Ala.

IDIOT SIGHTING:

The stoplight on the corner buzzes when it's safe to cross the street. I was crossing with an intellectually challenged coworker of mine. She asked if I knew what the buzzer was for. I explained that it signals blind people when the light is red. Appalled, she responded, "What on earth are blind people doing driving?!"

She was a probation officer in Wichita , KS

IDIOT SIGHTING:

At a good-bye luncheon for an old and dear coworker. She was leaving the company due to "downsizing." Our manager commented cheerfully,"This is fun. We should do this more often." Not another word was spoken. We all just looked at each other with that deer-in-the-headlights stare.

This was a lunch at Texas Instruments.

IDIOT SIGHTING:

I work with an individual who plugged her power strip back into itself and for the sake of her life, couldn't understand why her system would not turn on.

A deputy with the Dallas County Sheriffs office, no less.

IDIOT SIGHTING:

When my husband and I arrived at an automobile dealership to pick up our car, we were told the keys had been locked in it. We went to the service department and found a mechanic working feverishly to unlock the drivers side door. As I watched from the passenger side, I instinctively tried the door handle and discovered that it was unlocked. "Hey," I announced to the technician, "its open!" His reply, "I know. I already got that side."

This was at the Ford dealership in Canton , Mississippi !

STAY ALERT!

They walk among us... and they REPRODUCE!!!

Alaska Cruise - Day One - Seattle

We boarded the Norwegian Pearl in Seattle (sailing away from Pier 66 in Seattle) after spending the night at the Red Roof Inn. The Inn is an interesting little hotel near the airport. It's cheap and I doubt it's earned any stars at all. I woke up with D's camera flashing having my picture taken. Not a pretty sight, and no I'm not posting that picture.

We got to the pier and check in and waited impatiently to board the ship. We actually tried to sell chairs to our fellow passengers while we waited. Didn't think that $20 a seat was too much.
Because I'm in the biz, we were treated rather well by the cruiseline and ship staff. We boarded the ship in the second group and immediately the feeding frenzy began. The ship has 10 restaurants and 17 lounges. We ate at 9 out of 10 restaurants. But more about that later.

Can't wait to get to actually get to Alaska!
(If you can't wait to see more pictures, visit my photo album posted on Facebook - click here)

Alaska was fabulous

I have so much to tell about the cruise to Alaska. It was awesome. The weather was a bit cruddy. Cold, rainy, foggy, but we didn't let it bother us. I have pictures to post as well. Unfortunately, I'm off again today for a business trip to Philadelphia. I will be posting day by day posts when I get back so stay tuned.

Sorry to make you wait. Tia

Alaska Here I Come

I'm so excited. My stomach is all gurgly. I tried to sleep in and couldn't. I feel like a little kid.
Isn't cool that if you stay open to new things and keep dreaming you can still get excited and have the same anticipation as a child. I hope I never lose that.