Pray for Sunshine!

Dick and I are off for vacation tomorrow with some trepidation. We canceled our trip to Hawaii to visit family in Florida, thinking we would still get plenty of beach time. The weather is threatening otherwise so we need your prayers (yes I am being selfish but you don't live in Alaska!) for some nice weather. We are visiting my Dad on the Gulf coast and Dick's sister in Daytona Beach. Now all of his other siblings and spouses have decided to join us there. We will finish off with a few days in Disney world, just for some R&R at Shades of Green, the military resort there. Mickey Mouse is not on the agenda but we'll see how it goes.

So instead of getting my parts to work to finish my last project before flying off, I am blogging! I guess that officially makes me an addict! Anyway, I think we are just about ready to go, work almost done, substitute for temple and dog sitter lined up, house and laundry clean, every electronic thing we can't live without charged and chargers packed, flash drives deleted, clothes packed, library books returned, birthday packages and conference tickets mailed, (must remind Dick to stop the mail, get cash and print itineraries), drugs sorted, ipod loaded, reading material and own healthy snacks packed, what am I forgetting? Something to be sure. Wish me luck with the weather. And my tan. Will follow up with pictures, for better or worse.

Voila!

My first knitting project completed! I wish I had time to find another one before we take off for vacation at 4am tomorrow morning. But alas, so much to do and so little time. Gabby graciously agreed to model the project for me. It's just a simple wool scarf with little flecks of other colors, but it will keep me warm in the winter. It was a fun piece to learn on. I'm grateful for such inspiring friends!

Ahaa...

Okay, for the first time since I started blogging I had a real "Ahaa" moment. I believe it's the result of my having sort of a not so great day and not feeling so great and not being so thrilled with the weather, my calling, the demands of work, blah, blah, blah. (Yet, knowing I will continue to endure because all these things are for my good and no experience is ever wasted if we learn from it and use it as a stepping stone to becoming a better person.)

I was sitting here typing about the geese, my sweet Valentines Day, etc. when suddenly I realized I was happy again and feeling good inside about my life and my blessings and knowing that one day all the annoying things will be behind me and feeling like laughing because other annoying things will flow in and take their place. And it's all fine and I shouldn't take little things (or even some big things) so seriously. Blogging can be great therapy! But I'm sure you all already knew that. And now I know it too. And I'm grateful.

Now I feel like getting up and doing some good!

The Goose Girls

One of these sweet babies laid that enormous egg. According to Robin, unlike chickens who lay most of the time, geese only lay for about 3-4 weeks, 1 every other day, 2-3 times a year. She sent me the last egg of the year. I feel so special.

Happy Valentine's Day - Pajamagram

Has anyone heard of a Pajamagram? Well, this was my sweet Valentine gift from Cooldad. Along with some great dark chocolate and a wonderful dinner out with friends. What a cute box! Inside this chiffon hatbox style container are these wonderful soft pink jammies. And a lovely little lavender sachet.

Along with a little tag to hang on your door to warn others not to interfere with your Pajama Time!

Chicken Not So Little

Anybody want to take a guess at who or what laid this lovely large egg? I'm not sure I would've know unless someone had told me. But I'm sure to all you farm kids out there this is a no brainer. But I just had to brag - cause when it's a million below zero and you haven't seen grass, blue sky or the sun for a millennium (okay, I exaggerate, but it sure feels that way) a large egg is a show stopper! It's so pretty I hate to crack it. I wonder if I could get Gabby to sit on it for a few weeks if I would get something else?

You know, maybe there is a parable here. I will ponder it. Like maybe I need a vacation. Badly and soon.

Remember This?

Look closely. Is that blue sky?

Are we wearing shorts and t-shirts and sandals?

Is that a water park? Do we have tans? Well, some of us.

In exactly 11 days I will be in sunny (I hope) Florida and NOT be cold. I will NOT be in the dark. I will NOT be driving frantically to meetings on icy roads. I will NOT be at work. I will NOT be making boring beds and cooking boring meals. I will NOT be wearing too tight jeans from the winter fat I have stored up. Okay, I'll stop now. But I will miss you all and wish you could be with me. I hope to return home a happier person. With tan lines. Happy Monday!

Happy Birthday Nanny Boo!

Next week is my grandmothers birthday but I am going to be crazy busy next week so I am celebrating today. Her name is Lullie Snead Carrico and she was born on Feb. 11, 1900 in Abingdon, Va. This is a photo taken in 1959, I was age small ( I was 2 or 3), with her and my papaw. I know, we have really choice names for our grandparents in my family. Not to be outdone is my mother, who is known as "Banana" to my kids, much by accident, but it's stuck.Growing up, my Granny was my favorite person in the world. She was always on my side and wasn't afraid to stick up for me no matter what. For my tenth birthday, she gave me a beautiful quilt that I loved, and a silver spoon pin. I still have the pin and once in a while I wear it, even though I get asked odd questions about it. She gave me many birthstone rings over the years as well. She made the best blackberry jam ever and wonderful biscuits, macaroni and cheese, chocolate cake, and fried chicken. And she never made me drink milk, which I could not stand. It was always chocolate milk at granny's house. She loved to shop and would always take me to the store for coloring books or paper dolls. I spent time with her during the summers. She passed away in November, 1978 shortly after I married and moved to Germany and I was unable to return for her funeral. She raised 7 children, 5 daughters and two sons, including one who was mentally handicapped. I know her life was very difficult at times and I marvel at her strength. I've done her temple work and I'm glad to know I will see her again, along with the rest of my family. I'm grateful to have some nice pictures of her and for the privilege I had to be able to grow up knowing my grandparents intimately. I don't think life gets any better than that!