Fill In Friday ..

1. I'd really like _a very big glass of red wine__ right now.
2. _@#*&!!___ is the word you'd most often hear me say if I stubbed my toe.
3. Possession is _mine____.
4. _Love_ Captain Jack Sparrow.
5. Marshmallows and fire go together like _passion and kisses__.
6. __shovel snow_ on and on.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _a quiet evening__, tomorrow my plans include _not sure if we are going to NH or just gyming it_ and Sunday, I want to _watch some SuperBowl,(even though my honey is not playing) and recover from Saturday____!

Thursday 13 - Happy

So it's Thursday again ... time for Thursday 13... this time I am going to take Megan's idea of 13 things that make me happy ... I don't think they will be in the order of what makes me happy ... that, once again, is like picking a favorite child ... I think things make you happy for different reasons .. so they are random 13 happy things! Okay .... GO!

1. An accomplished run (of course I had to put that in there!)

2. warm brownie with Oreo cookie ice-cream topped with caramel and hot fudge sauce (especially after an accomplished run!)

3. hearing Noah and Aletta belly laugh

4. a walk on a crisp fall day ..

5. unloading my kayak off my truck getting ready to paddle in a lake anywhere in Maine! (hmm.. that could count as 4!)

6. being around my sisters

7. a long no-destination-in-mind night time drive

8. red wine (i could really expand on this .. name the wine; name the company; the amount of wine; food complimenting the wine; the list goes on and on ..)

9. a big snow storm on a weekend!

10. the idea of being on a warm beach in Aruba .. (or is it a chalet with a fireplace at SugarLoaf??)

11. shoes .... (and boots ... running shoes .. too many to choose from!)

12. girlfriend time

13. Michael Buble's "Everything"

Simply Kind Tuesday .. ..

Thanks to On A Limb with Claudia is it Tuesday again .. time for a moment of kindness .. I started a new job at the end of October .. a brand new company, very few employees .. and a big adventure if our boss continues on with his vision. The growth of his company is incredible, and we have been insanely (is that a word??) busy. Today I got into work .. first one in .. walked to my desk, set my bag down .. and went to go turn on my computer when I spotted a yellow post-it note on my screen. It was just a simply hand written "Thank you for all your doing to help our company succeed." wow! ..... Such a small gesture, so simply done .. and so appreciated!

Manic Monday ...

What gives you hope?
That fact that the sun will shine again tomorrow ..

How often do you get your haircut? Describe your worst haircut.
How often SHOULD I get it cut, and when do I really do it? I should cut it every 6 weeks .. but I go about 8-9 weeks .. i think! It is such a production, it takes me that long to prepare! LOL
Worst haircut?? When I was 14 .. the haircut was really, really short .. my sweet sister kept trying to tell me that it looked really good .. I don't have any pictures .. so I don't know!

What's your most treasured piece of jewelry? Why?
Isn't that funny ... I was thinking about that yesterday .. I don't know if I have a "most" .. I would feel to guilty~it's like picking a favorite child! I am not a big jewelery person ..(not to say I don't like it! ;) .. right now all I wear is my watch, I have a bacio bracelet with two beads.... and sometimes I wear a necklace that my mom used to wear.

Sacred Life Sunday

Thanks to Zena Musings' Sacred Life Sunday and her postings about what connects her to Spirit... today I have chosen to write about my running, and how it makes my innerself celebrate.
I have been running (maybe it was jogging at first!) off and on since 1985 .. It was first introduced to me in 1983, (when we were living in Hong Kong) by who else .. a runner. He called himself The Lean Mean Running Machine .. I was a spectator (and cheerleader!) then, watching track runs, and road races. It took about a year and a half for me to decide to try it myself. At the time I had a walkman, and a mixed song cassette tape of Huey Lewis and the News and The Cars .. off I went trotting down Peak Road, dodging double decker buses on narrow roads. I kept a running journal and tracked my time and mileage. Fast track (no pun) to 1991 when I decided to run races .. my old boss used to laugh and say that I only ran the races for the t-shirts .. it was that year that I did the most road races; my most accomplished was a half marathon. (I was probably also at my most thinnest ...*sigh*)
Then life took over, and babies were born... and running went on the back burner for a while. After Alet was born, I realized I needed my outlet back .. and to the gym I went .. faithfully started back on a regime .. then injury set in .. and it threw my running off for several years. I joined the gym, lifted weights .. did Kick boxing, stair master ..could do everything else but run!
Finally three years ago, I decided that it was time to try again .. with constant coaching .. the bug bit me hard, except this time my runs have become so much more to me than ever before.
I have run through moves, through deployment, through heartache, through happy times and sad times ... it is my stress reliever, my permission to drink extra wine and eat more chocolate .. running doesn't require much coordination ..(forget Step Class or Spin classes .. elliptical machines?!?) and best of all ... I can listen to my music as loud as I want, and just run ... and run, and run .. I can run at 5:00 am or 8:00 pm ..the pavement is my friend! My running shoes always travel with me .. I have had the opportunity to run in many different places; different countries..I can proclaim that I have run in 90+ degrees and the lowest of 12 degrees! .. Running makes me feel strong ..it is my peace and tranquility ..I love to run!

Fill In Friday ....

1. Oh, I am so _excited____!
2. _Embrace_ changes, big and little.
3. During _my treadmill runs__, I _get lost in my music__.
4. _NO WINE??____; are you kidding me???
5. Right now I'd like to be _wrapped up in a blanket, sipping wine___.
6. _My laptop_ is my favorite gadget.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _just chillin' with my childrn'_, tomorrow my plans include _gym and ? not sure yet__ and Sunday, I want to _clean? nah..work from home_!

Photo courtesy Aletta

Thursday 13 - Mind game..

So .. it's Thursday .. time to play T13 .. or Thursday 13, a list of 13 on Thursday .. so I am borrowing from Janet . .. and since this has been a crazy week .. here are 13 things on my mind:

1. Instead of blogging, I should really be doing some work!
2. "Who Knew.." P!nk is playing in the background of my mind ..
3. ahhhh .. Friday tomorrow ... no getting up for the gym ...ahhhhhh
4. My best run EVER today ... loooove it!
5. I'm tired .. would like to go to bed now!
6. "until we meet again .. " wow .. that song keeps going on in my mind .. I'll have to add a clip from you tube or something ..
7. the house smells like lasagna .. Fat Friday tomorrow .. as if we need more food in the office. But we like to eat.. and talk .. and laugh, and oh yes, work. Today was a "tough" day .. the people that called weren't very nice today, I was actually hung up on .. I was told to "get it right" and then he hung up on me! Oh yes .. that really makes me want to "get it right" for him! I'm glad I was able to relieve some of his stress today! "Get it right!" ~ as if!
8. I probably should vacuum .. Bruce's hair is everywhere .. drives me crazy!
9. Is it too late to pour a glass of wine .. ?
10. Haha .. just told the kids (" " I should put quotations around 'kids') that it's 9:36pm.. time for bed ... bed ... I looove my bed .. it is so comfortable, and warm. I need to get a different blanket .. Bruce has chewed on mine (grrr)
11. Oh, make sure to let co-worker R know I'll be in at 9 .. text, text ..
12. ....to have P!nk's abs ... I need to start my crunches again .. running only, isn't enough to build them ... getting old!
13. number 13 .. favorite number! I'm going to bed .. I'm sleepy now.
    
    
    

Monday Madness

This was the wall of snow I had to shovel through to get out of my driveway. This was after I had already shoveled the night before, but the plow truck came through and added more snow! My mantra for the moment was " .. now that won't kill me, will only make me stronger .."

(I was supposed to be at the gym at 6:00am ..uhhhh, I didn't make it! But by golly, was I stronger!!)

Manic Monday

What do you do to make yourself feel better when you are sick?

hmm.. it takes a lot for me to concede to agree that I am sick! So when I am sick, I like to curl up on the couch with something warm to drink and just fade in and out of reality!!

What is the most amazing weather you've ever seen?

I think most recently it would be the weather in Texas .. often times the back of the house would be dark grey clouds and pouring rain, and then the front of the house would have blue sky and sunshine.

Although this weekend in Maine we had amazing snow falling .. I think we ended up with at least 18 inches! This morning riding to work everything looked so white and sparkly!

Do you listen to music or talk radio in the car?

Majority of the time I have FOX News in the background .. but on days that I feel a little more frisky, I like to crank up the tunes! Since I am not allowed to sing in the house anymore, "the inside of my vehicle is my stage" ... LOL!

Happy Monday!

Sacred Life Sunday

So .. here is a new blog (for me) that I stumbled upon when I went to check out Pamela's blog after she checked out my blog .. She mentioned Carla Blaze's Zena Moon's website, and how Carla went on a 30 day personal journey "she called My Sacred Life

wherein she posted daily a photo from her daily life capturing something that connected her to Spirit, like her prayer beads, candles, family, her garden, etc. "

Interesting is what I thought .. part of what I love about taking pictures is the ability to capture a moment that strikes a chord inside... almost bringing to life what stirs from within. (Pretty deep, and that is without wine!)

So... not that I will attempt a 30 day journey, but perhaps a weekly journal with a picture of an item or a scene that makes my inner self celebrate. The first picture that came to my mind was this one:

This is my kayak .. it is probably one of my most prized possession (along with the paddle and life jacket of course!). On our ride from Texas to Maine, my kayak was nestled nicely in it's cradle. In New York we encountered snow .. and I remember looking up through the sunroof at my kayak and feeling a pang of guilt that this poor kayak had to endure the cool weather!This is Julie who introduced me to kayaking almost 10 years ago. There are too many stories to tell of our adventures .. after many paddling adventures, she decided to upgrade, and I decided to buy my own .. so together we bought our kayaks 7 years ago.

My kayak represents peace and serenity. When I push off, and feel the kayak slide into the water, there is an instant calmness. There is nothing like a quiet journey on the lake. I can't wait for spring and summer ..

Photo Story Friday ..It's cold!

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

This was the temperature on my truck sensor thing on Friday morning when it was time to go to school and work! (7:40am)

-23

Have you ever felt your nose hairs freeze?

friday fill in...(late)

1. Enough with the _drama_.
2. _Wants, needs and reality_ causes me to be conflicted.
3. I've been craving _dutch licorice and a good dose of oh, never mind__!
4. _Co-worker R_ makes me laugh.
5. I wish I could go to _Aruba_ next week.(today?)
6. __Creating my bucket list_ has been on my mind lately.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _taking my kids out for dinner_, tomorrow my plans include _8 mile run and shopping for essentials_ and Sunday, I want to _enjoy the next 4-7 inches of snow we are supposed to be getting_!

Oh Sweet Child of Mine ...

So, a few weeks ago we celebrated Noah's birthday. I think as moms (and dads, I am sure!) we always reflect on our children's birthday, and remember the shining moment they entered the world. I loved being pregnant with him .. As a baby he was so much fun(still is).. he was always happy and social (he has his moments still!!).

My sister had told me for years that Noah is an old soul. He can be very reflective and very wise. Most times(!) he has a calm energy around him.. when he isn't yelling "HEAD SHOT!!" while playing that box-X game!

He wasn't a big Emergency Room child .. we have had a few .. some minor, and one major. ... two broken wrists, stitches .. broken teeth ..you know, the usual for an active boy! His pain tolerance is off the scale. When he had broken his wrist, the ER sent him home because he claimed that on a pain scale of 1-10 (10 being in major pain) he was "oh, a 4" .. and when he was gasping for air during a major asthma attack, he told the doctor he felt "okay" ..(that landed him in ICU for 2 days!)

So this birthday hit me the hardest .. he turned 15 .. still a youth, almost a young man . I am still trying to decide why this is the difficult birthday .. I think seeing him tower over me, is a reminder that he is growing up.. that in three and a half years he will be finished with high school .. his goal is West Point and a sniper for the US Marines ... ! {deep breath}

ahhh! Where did the time go?

First day of Kindergarten

Hiking in Acadia

Summer of 2005

Happy birthday Noah! I am sorry it took me a little longer to write this blog.

Manic Monday

If you were to name the most creative outlet that you have, what would it be?
Hmm.. I don't know if I have a creative outlet .. I enjoy the challenge of seeing things from a different view, so taking pictures is a start to "my creative outlet" ..
What spot in your body would you say is the center of your emotional being?
The very center ~ the core .. I believe all our energy, emotional and physical, radiate from our core
What do you think is the secret to a tranquil soul?
ahhh .. seeking peace and serenity ~ and love the moment you are in it
(okay, okay .. I could settle for a beach chair, drink in hand .. sound of the ocean waves .. warmth!)

Something different ...

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Picture by Noah

I love this picture .. It summarizes my being right now .. waiting and searching for answers. I wish my blog brain would return!

Simply Kind Tuesday ..Ahhh... ..

Thanks to Claudia for this week's Simply Kind Tuesday ... she has a great clip, check her out! Here is a sneak peak:

“Up from the ashes, grow the roses of success.”

So .. I have been on a blog-block for almost three weeks now .. okay, maybe it isn't a full block since we had the holiday season mixed in ..

But now we are in the sixth day of the New Year .. AND .. it's Tuesday, time for Simply Kind Acts.. I want to nominate my glass of wine. It's a constant, always there .. comforting, quiet and kind. Those "ahh moments .." are far and few, but with my glass of wine .. who is counting? Today when I pulled into my driveway, I managed to get my truck stuck in a pile of snow .. don't ask, not sure what I did .. all I knew was that I needed to dislodge my vehicle or else I would be in trouble! (we have another snow storm pending ..! .. whose motto is "be prepared" ?? ... LOL) ..

Anywhooo... the simple kindness from my glass of wine allowed my evening just to be ... "ahhhh......."

Happy Tuesday everyone!

*special mention ... Noah took this picture ..

PhotoHunt - Hope

Thank you to tnchick for this week's theme of HOPE

This was the first "real" snow storm on December 21 .. my inner child HOPEs that we'll have many more like this one .. the romantic in me says "ahh.... where's my blanket, add the wood in the woodstove and grab some wine" and then my adult-reality-serious side says " I HOPE these kind of snow storms occur on the weekends when I can take my time shoveling snow!"

On a complete side note: I HOPE to have my blog brain back soon ..
..and I HOPE to get my post up about Noah ... soon!
Happy New Year everyone! I HOPE 2009 brings happiness, health and much laughter.