I would just like to ask you to please take a moment today, to remember the lives of those taken from their family and friends seven years ago, and also to thank those who fought so courageously and selflessly to save them. And for the lives of those who still fight on.
Hands by Jewel
If I could tell the world just one thing
It would be that we're all ok
And not to worry because worry is wasteful
and useless in times like these
I will not be made useless
I won't be idled with despair
I will gather myself around my faith
for light does the darkness most fear
My hands are small, I know,
but they're not yours they are my own
but they're not yours they are my own
and I am never broken
Poverty stole your golden shoes
but it didn't steal your laughter
And heartache came to visit me
but i knew it wasn't ever after
We will fight, not out of spite
for someone must stand up for what's right
cause where there's a man who has no voice
there ours shall go singing
In the end only kindness matters
In the end only kindness matters
I will get down on my knees and I will pray
I will get down on my knees and I will pray
I will get down on my knees and I will pray
My hands are small, I know,
but they're not yours they are my own
but they're not yours they are my own
and I am never broken
My hands are small, i know,
but they're not yours they are my own
but they're not yours they are my own
and I am never broken
We are never broken
We are God's eyes
God's hands
God's mind
We are God's eyes
God's hands
God's heart
We are God's eyes
God's hands
God's eyes
God's hands
We are God's hands
God's hands
We are God's hands
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
Out from under a rock
The month of August pretty much swallowed me whole. Between new projects starting at work and trying to cram in a few fun weekends for Hoodie before 10th grade started...I just didn't have it in me to write.
Hoodie is my 15 year old son. This pseudonym comes from his undying affection for hooded sweatshirts. A girl's love of shoes and purses pales in comparison. Which is unfortunate for him because the armpit we live in is cold only about 6 weeks out of the entire year. Anyway, he's trying really hard to get back into his academic groove and I can empathize completely.
Hey, on a completely unrelated note...is it me or could Sarah Palin and Tina Fey pass for twins?
Politics aside....eerie, no?
Sunday, August 3, 2008
A little bit me, a whole lotta you
First of all, let me just start by giving each and every one of you a very sincere THANKS for stopping by the neighborhood. I sure wasn't expecting to meet 247 of you (including one double poster and one late poster).
And you guys have some WONDERFUL authors and blog writers that you shared with me. The Pioneer Woman came up so often that I had to go visit her site Friday morning to find out more and about 2 hours later, I realized I needed to get some work done. Ree IS amazing and I'm going to be reading her for a long time to come.
I'm also going to be checking out Rocks In My Dryer too. Many, many of you must have solid budgets because financial and money saving type blogs are also a huge hit.
I was thrilled to find out that a few of you like authors that I too read faithfully, including Donald Miller and Gregory Maguire.
Most of all, even beyond hoping that my writing is enjoyable to some of you and that you might want to keep reading me, I am so excited to become a new reader of your blogs. You guys really have it going on and I am really looking forward to becoming a faithful reader of yours!
Well, I guess it's time to get down to business and tell you who won themselves some Red Lobster and a super fun surprise. Before I do, I also want to say that I really enjoyed having a giveaway and I think I might make it a regular feature on the blog. I don't want to wait several months for the Bloggy Giveaway Carnival though. I might do this every other month...it's still something that I want to mull over.
Okay, using the random integer generator yesterday morning, I told the program to randomly select a number from 1 to 246. Remember, the comments show that I have 248 but one of you posted 2 times and the other person posted a comment after the deadline.
And the program said:
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
51
Timestamp: 2008-08-02 16:08:28 UTC
So I counted down 51 comments, being sure to account for the one person who posted twice and my winner is: Shilo Beedy of Samsakara! Congratulations Shilo!
Be sure to check her blog out, she lists blogs and websites that are having contests DAILY! So, if you just can't get your fill of trying your luck, this is definitely your place.
Again, thanks to all of you who took the time to share your thoughts with me and please know that I have read all comments and I am interested in visiting your blogs and I hope you'll come back to mine soon!
And you guys have some WONDERFUL authors and blog writers that you shared with me. The Pioneer Woman came up so often that I had to go visit her site Friday morning to find out more and about 2 hours later, I realized I needed to get some work done. Ree IS amazing and I'm going to be reading her for a long time to come.
I'm also going to be checking out Rocks In My Dryer too. Many, many of you must have solid budgets because financial and money saving type blogs are also a huge hit.
I was thrilled to find out that a few of you like authors that I too read faithfully, including Donald Miller and Gregory Maguire.
Most of all, even beyond hoping that my writing is enjoyable to some of you and that you might want to keep reading me, I am so excited to become a new reader of your blogs. You guys really have it going on and I am really looking forward to becoming a faithful reader of yours!
Well, I guess it's time to get down to business and tell you who won themselves some Red Lobster and a super fun surprise. Before I do, I also want to say that I really enjoyed having a giveaway and I think I might make it a regular feature on the blog. I don't want to wait several months for the Bloggy Giveaway Carnival though. I might do this every other month...it's still something that I want to mull over.
Okay, using the random integer generator yesterday morning, I told the program to randomly select a number from 1 to 246. Remember, the comments show that I have 248 but one of you posted 2 times and the other person posted a comment after the deadline.
And the program said:
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
51
Timestamp: 2008-08-02 16:08:28 UTC
So I counted down 51 comments, being sure to account for the one person who posted twice and my winner is: Shilo Beedy of Samsakara! Congratulations Shilo!
Be sure to check her blog out, she lists blogs and websites that are having contests DAILY! So, if you just can't get your fill of trying your luck, this is definitely your place.
Again, thanks to all of you who took the time to share your thoughts with me and please know that I have read all comments and I am interested in visiting your blogs and I hope you'll come back to mine soon!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Bitten by the bug
Yowza, well if there isn't anything like the possibility of winning something nice that will snap you out of your Dark Knight funk...I don't know what will!
So this morning, I am reading one of my new favorite blogs, Mocha Momma and feeling happier by the minute because not only did she reveal that she’s working on a novel of her own, but that she’s also giving away some awesome items to boot! And to that I say YAY for great writing and swag!
She also linked her giveaway to Bloggy Giveaways which is
a site that allows bloggers to post links to their own sites when they too are giving things away.
AND....before you go rushing off to try your hand at winning, I have decided to throw my own hat into the giving ring! That's right, you have a chance to win something from your Friendly Neighborhood Blogger.
Before I drown myself in excitement, let me tell you what you could win and how --
I am giving away a $25.00 gift certificate to Red Lobster* along with some other little "surprise" that I know will knock your socks off! What's not to love about the prospect of winning hot buttered fish AND the unknown?
All you have to do is leave me a comment and tell me who your favorite blogger or writer is. That's it! Just be sure to do it by Friday, August 1st at midnight Pacific Time.
I will either use a random number generator or some other highly scientific means to pick the winning post number. Also, make SURE you leave your email address in the comments...otherwise, how else are you going to receive your stuff?
On Saturday, August 2nd I will email the winner and post the news within the next few days.
So what are you still doing here? Get out there and read and comment and win! YAY!
*Also redeemable at Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse and Bahama Breeze.
So this morning, I am reading one of my new favorite blogs, Mocha Momma and feeling happier by the minute because not only did she reveal that she’s working on a novel of her own, but that she’s also giving away some awesome items to boot! And to that I say YAY for great writing and swag!
She also linked her giveaway to Bloggy Giveaways which is
a site that allows bloggers to post links to their own sites when they too are giving things away.
AND....before you go rushing off to try your hand at winning, I have decided to throw my own hat into the giving ring! That's right, you have a chance to win something from your Friendly Neighborhood Blogger.
Before I drown myself in excitement, let me tell you what you could win and how --
I am giving away a $25.00 gift certificate to Red Lobster* along with some other little "surprise" that I know will knock your socks off! What's not to love about the prospect of winning hot buttered fish AND the unknown?
All you have to do is leave me a comment and tell me who your favorite blogger or writer is. That's it! Just be sure to do it by Friday, August 1st at midnight Pacific Time.
I will either use a random number generator or some other highly scientific means to pick the winning post number. Also, make SURE you leave your email address in the comments...otherwise, how else are you going to receive your stuff?
On Saturday, August 2nd I will email the winner and post the news within the next few days.
So what are you still doing here? Get out there and read and comment and win! YAY!
*Also redeemable at Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse and Bahama Breeze.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Why so serious?
Last weekend, my 15 year-old son and I gave in to our movie-needing ways and went to see what all the hub-bub is about Dark Knight.
Let me just say that I haven't felt so depressed leaving a theater since Sweeney Todd! I'm wondering if I'm getting to be too sensitive in my old age? I'm mean, come on...it's Batman for heaven's sake!!
Or maybe I was having a delayed reaction to Ledger's death? Could be. His portrayal of the chaos-loving Joker was entirely too believable. And if you really paid attention, it looked like this film would have been his foray into the big time. Sure, there were many memorable roles he played before, but there was just something about this that made me say, "Wow...look what he can do."
And then I started to analyze the movie and how in the midst of all the car chases and crashes and buildings blowing up, how it kind of asks us all to be what the world needs us to be. And how we all need to endure this life because it really IS darkest just before the dawn. And really, why can't we all be heroes?
And then my son said, "Come on Mom, it's only Batman! Geeze!!"
Let me just say that I haven't felt so depressed leaving a theater since Sweeney Todd! I'm wondering if I'm getting to be too sensitive in my old age? I'm mean, come on...it's Batman for heaven's sake!!
Or maybe I was having a delayed reaction to Ledger's death? Could be. His portrayal of the chaos-loving Joker was entirely too believable. And if you really paid attention, it looked like this film would have been his foray into the big time. Sure, there were many memorable roles he played before, but there was just something about this that made me say, "Wow...look what he can do."
And then I started to analyze the movie and how in the midst of all the car chases and crashes and buildings blowing up, how it kind of asks us all to be what the world needs us to be. And how we all need to endure this life because it really IS darkest just before the dawn. And really, why can't we all be heroes?
And then my son said, "Come on Mom, it's only Batman! Geeze!!"
Monday, July 14, 2008
Red and Salty!
I think I'm finally getting over the worst of whatever it is I have. If there was a place to be congested in my body, I was -- sinuses, chest, even my eyes.
My sinuses decided that they couldn't take the pressure anymore (ha!) and let my eyes in on the fun. I woke up from a nap late on Saturday with my eyelashes glued together. Talk about a freak-out, man!
Once I finally worked it all of it off and could see again, I was greeted by a ghastly reflection! Oh yeah, I just got off my month long bender...uh huh! Looked like someone had taken a red Paper Mate flair and scribbled every centimeter of white on my eyeballs.
I quickly got on the net and Dr. Google told me that I might possibly have conjunctivitis or pink eye and that I needed to see my physician soon. Except that it was evening-ish on Saturday and I really didn't want to substitute going to urgent care. I rememberd seeing a phone number for a 24-hour nurse line listed on my health insurance card and hoped that it was still in operation.
A patient and lovely nurse named Gail determined through a series of questions, that waiting to see what my eyes did or didn't do for the next 24 hours would be the best bet. She was leaning more toward my body going for broke in the All-Area-Congestion-Trials than me having pink eye because I failed to have a couple of key symptoms (itching and burning sensations as well as swollen and irritated eyelids).
Still, because of the highly contagious nature of conjunctivitis, she strongly suggested that I throw away my eye makeup and wash or disinfect my hands every 5 minutes. While I didn't especially enjoy dumping $30 worth of fairly new cosmetics in the trash, I understood the point.
Besides the congestion, my throat has been non-stop sore for a week. Gail also said that longer-lasting sore throats can go hand in hand with a sinus infection and that if I was using nasal sprays to clear my sinuses, chances were that I was making my throat more irritated as the solution could be running from my nasal passages down the back of my throat. Needless to say, I smacked my hand to my head upon hearing that.
Stooopid, stewped, STUPID!!!
Soooo, after hanging up with her, I dragged myself into the kitchen to dig out the neti pot that we just had to have but gave up on using because we didn't like drowning in salt water if it wasn't happening in the Pacific ocean! I re-read the instructions and made up a batch of water and you know what? We were feeling so very much better and we could breathe!
Who are "we" you ask? Just me and stupid!
p.s. As of 10 a.m. my eyes are still pinkish, but not blood-shot and they have not itched or produced any more eye-glue. My throat is still sore-ish, but the pain is tolerable.
My sinuses decided that they couldn't take the pressure anymore (ha!) and let my eyes in on the fun. I woke up from a nap late on Saturday with my eyelashes glued together. Talk about a freak-out, man!
Once I finally worked it all of it off and could see again, I was greeted by a ghastly reflection! Oh yeah, I just got off my month long bender...uh huh! Looked like someone had taken a red Paper Mate flair and scribbled every centimeter of white on my eyeballs.
I quickly got on the net and Dr. Google told me that I might possibly have conjunctivitis or pink eye and that I needed to see my physician soon. Except that it was evening-ish on Saturday and I really didn't want to substitute going to urgent care. I rememberd seeing a phone number for a 24-hour nurse line listed on my health insurance card and hoped that it was still in operation.
A patient and lovely nurse named Gail determined through a series of questions, that waiting to see what my eyes did or didn't do for the next 24 hours would be the best bet. She was leaning more toward my body going for broke in the All-Area-Congestion-Trials than me having pink eye because I failed to have a couple of key symptoms (itching and burning sensations as well as swollen and irritated eyelids).
Still, because of the highly contagious nature of conjunctivitis, she strongly suggested that I throw away my eye makeup and wash or disinfect my hands every 5 minutes. While I didn't especially enjoy dumping $30 worth of fairly new cosmetics in the trash, I understood the point.
Besides the congestion, my throat has been non-stop sore for a week. Gail also said that longer-lasting sore throats can go hand in hand with a sinus infection and that if I was using nasal sprays to clear my sinuses, chances were that I was making my throat more irritated as the solution could be running from my nasal passages down the back of my throat. Needless to say, I smacked my hand to my head upon hearing that.
Stooopid, stewped, STUPID!!!
Soooo, after hanging up with her, I dragged myself into the kitchen to dig out the neti pot that we just had to have but gave up on using because we didn't like drowning in salt water if it wasn't happening in the Pacific ocean! I re-read the instructions and made up a batch of water and you know what? We were feeling so very much better and we could breathe!
Who are "we" you ask? Just me and stupid!
p.s. As of 10 a.m. my eyes are still pinkish, but not blood-shot and they have not itched or produced any more eye-glue. My throat is still sore-ish, but the pain is tolerable.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
If I had a dollar, I might give you 99
Wow, I have been remiss dear reader...haven't I?
What have I been doing? I've been Facebooking, MySpacing and Twittering -- well, I've been Twittering when their system allows it or there aren't too many "tweets."
Also, I have been trying to live in a state of which nearly half has been on fire recently. Last year, the smoke from the southern California fires didn't envelope where I live even half as much as the northern California fires have. Every day, the sky and air have a milky-brown haze and my sinuses and throat are trying to throw in the towel because of it. I've been drinking all the vitamin-laced beverages I can get my hands on to coax them out of the "sick corner."
You know, the idea of a sick corner or sick side of a doctor's office is sort of lame. Every time I took my son to the pediatrician's we had to sit on the appropriate side depending on if he was sick or there for a "well baby" visit. Do germs REALLY observe the fish tank boundaries? I don't think so.
So anyhow, I know I promised to be here and I haven't been here and if you want, I'll get an excuse from my Mommy, if I can find her through the smoke!
What have I been doing? I've been Facebooking, MySpacing and Twittering -- well, I've been Twittering when their system allows it or there aren't too many "tweets."
Also, I have been trying to live in a state of which nearly half has been on fire recently. Last year, the smoke from the southern California fires didn't envelope where I live even half as much as the northern California fires have. Every day, the sky and air have a milky-brown haze and my sinuses and throat are trying to throw in the towel because of it. I've been drinking all the vitamin-laced beverages I can get my hands on to coax them out of the "sick corner."
You know, the idea of a sick corner or sick side of a doctor's office is sort of lame. Every time I took my son to the pediatrician's we had to sit on the appropriate side depending on if he was sick or there for a "well baby" visit. Do germs REALLY observe the fish tank boundaries? I don't think so.
So anyhow, I know I promised to be here and I haven't been here and if you want, I'll get an excuse from my Mommy, if I can find her through the smoke!
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